Breaking Fantasy Football News

December 14, 2010 4:50 PM

Garwood (Associated Press) - Today, in a move that surprised some, long time owner, part-time commissioner and perennial under-achiever Douglas Norrie announced his retirement from fantasy football. Norrie, coming off two consecutive last place finishes in the vaunted Sons of New Jersey League and a heart-breaking playoff miss in the Broadstreet Fantasy League, quietly met with a group of reporters and loved ones to announce his decision.

When addressing the media, Norrie was careful to focus on his career as a whole and tried not to lament the losses. "Thirteen years is a lifetime in this business," Norrie said. "I've seen more than my share of garbage time points, heroic Monday night performances, missed field goals, terrific waiver-wire pickups and vultured touchdowns. I walk away from the game with my head held high and my bench outscoring my starters. The Peyton Hillis's and Tashard Choice's of the league will no longer haunt my dreams."

Norrie's career in fantasy football began in 1997 in a dank dorm room on the Juniata College campus. There, he and nine other wide-eyed students held a draft and diligently worked each week to calculate the scores by hand. "My high from that league was watching Emmitt Smith, in the '99 season. have the first half of his life in a Monday night game against the Vikings. 140 yards and 3 touches. I needed every point I could get. My low was when he got hurt in that same game in the third quarter. I lost by 3 points."

When asked his biggest regret, Norrie was quick with an answer. "Easy. 2001 SHS Draft, third round. Michael Bennet over Ladanian Tomlinson. Nothing else is even close."

When asked if this would be a Brett Favre- like retirement, to only have him return next year, Norrie laughed and said, "Hey, I like using the camera on my cell, always wear Wranglers and have been known to gun-sling. So who knows."

Norrie's wife Sabrina briefly took the podium with a prepared statement. "Doug's a better man from January to August. His bowing out of fantasy football is a decision with his family and the greater good in mind."

As news of Norrie's retirement rippled through the fantasy community friends and competitors offered up their thoughts on the decision. Two Tight Ends co-owner and longtime rival James Davis said, "You hate to see a lovable loser hang it up this way...but certainly you can understand his reasoning. Shame he quit in the middle of the streak... but have to respect him going out on bottom."

Recent Fantasy Football retiree and friend Michael Pacchione said, "Doug always sat idly by when I would get in blow out email fights with our commissioner." The commissioner in question, Dave Allegretti was not available for comment.

Norrie will hand off commissioner duties to Davis. No word on who will fill the open league slot.

"It's been a great run and I'll look back at this time fondly. But there's always work to do. Fantasy baseball is right around the corner."