1. GRIDIRON GOOSE’S NFL UPDATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday February 14, 2019
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
GridironGoose@msn.com
Accredit: Brian Slack, NFL Analyst
Q&A WITH NFL ANALYST AND IFFL & ALL-NFL NETWORK CEO BRIAN SLACK
(Keith Jarrett’s opening statements)
“Good afternoon, everyone. Brian will be stepping up to the podium here, momentarily. But first, I would like to bring a
couple of things to your attention. We’re handing out a list to all of you which includes our agenda and dates for this off-
season. They will also be included in the transcripts of this press conference. You’ll notice there are a few new things,
particularly the NFL Soapbox, a podcast video that provides a platform for the fans to voice their opinions on a wide-
range of NFL related topics. We also have a new policy for you the members of the media, which is on a separate sheet.
There are no exceptions, so please don’t ask. It’s all yours, Brian.”
(Brian Slack’s opening statements)
“Thank you, Keith, and thank you members of the media. There’s been a lot of changes to the All-NFL Network and the
International Fantasy Football League, and not so much with the Gridiron Goose’s NFL Update. Let’s start first with the
Gridiron Goose’s NFL Update.
“2019 marks our 24th season covering the NFL and our 19th year with NFL access as entrusted media members. All
seems to be going well, and we’re grateful to the National Football League for working with us all these years and we
anticipate for many years to come. Now, to the All-NFL Network.
“As all of you know, we were hacked shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday. This hacker, or hackers, were dead-serious.
They were pros, they meant business and they attempted to extort nearly a $1,000.00 from us. $1,000.00 isn’t much,
but based on principle, they may as well have demanded $1,000,000.00. But for a man like me paying anyone any
amount of extortion just isn’t gonna happen. I refused to pay them one, red cent. At the same time, I had a
responsibility to our members of the All-NFL Network. I could not take the risk of our contacts and their work being
compromised. Therefore, I made the decision to clear out our members on LinkedIn and to entirely shut down our
Facebook pages. During the process, as each member was removed, we gathered their e-mail addresses in order to be
able to stay in contact with them. We went through a process that included changing our IDs and passwords,
reformatting our Apple systems and resetting our HP computers back to their factory state when they first came out of
the box. LinkedIn and law enforcement were notified, and they are continuing to monitor the situation as I speak. It is
believed that the hackers are part of a major network from Eastern Europe and they have the same M.O. as the
2. individuals who have been attacking major financial institutions, schools and hospitals. Since being given the green light,
we have begun the process of rebuilding the All-NFL Network. Our former members are all returning, and our new
contacts are pouring in by droves, of which we are very grateful.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome back all of our former members and welcome to our new contacts, alike. To
inform our new members, the All-NFL Network is a community comprised of NFL players, coaches, team and league
officials, along with major international media outlets, as well as select national media. The All-NFL Network was created
to allow its members to establish and expand their networks with new contacts within the sports field under one
umbrella. As members, they will receive all the information we provide, be it pertaining to the NFL and/or fantasy
football. As most of you in the media already know, in 2017 and 2018, LinkedIn awarded the All-NFL Network blue-
ribbon status as being one of the most influential sports networks in the world. Our intention is to make it even more
powerful, more entertaining than ever.
“By the way, in reference to Facebook, we’re done with them…forever!
“Now, let’s address the state of the International Fantasy Football League. Ten months ago, we made plans to expand
the league from 12 teams to 14 teams, essentially going into effect at the beginning of this off-season. One of those two
new teams was supposed to include Nigeria, and the other we earmarked for either Japan or India. However, after
further consideration, I have solely made the decision to stay with what we have. Yes, the expansion would have given
the league an 8th and 9th nation, and a 5th continent. But at the same time, it would have lowered the level of
competition across the board. Last year, 8 out of our 12 teams finished with winning records. A 9th team, Russia’s
Hackers, ended the season just one win short of finishing above-.500. The remaining 3 teams finished with identical 3-10
records. That high level of competition, that parity, could be seriously compromised if we were to expand any further.
The way things are currently set up allows teams who struggle early and midway through the season to be able to rearm
through the waiver wire. If the league was to expand, I fear maintaining that high level would not be possible. For now,
Nigeria and any other country will remain on our waiting list until one of our existing teams decide to step down.
“Finally, we will be producing several podcast videos this off-season, three of which will be the newly-created NFL
Soapbox. Like Keith alluded to earlier, the NFL Soapbox is a podcast show of NFL fans giving their take on the league’s
hot topics, what will happen next season and fantasy football. The videos will also include our top-NFL players lists. the
International Fantasy Football League’s 5th Annual Draft Lottery, the International Fantasy Football League’s 5th Annual
Draft, plus our predictions for the 2019 NFL season. I’ll take your questions now.”
(on the newly formed Alliance of American Football)
“Great idea and investment. I like what I’ve seen so far. The talent and competition level are good enough worth
watching. Better than arena football.”
(on why Brian permanently shut down their Facebook pages)
“That place is a mosh pit. Every weirdo and her cousin are on Facebook. There’s little control you have over who sees a
photo you posted of a dinner you ate at so and so restaurant. Then there’s the privacy issue, meaning you have none. I
was like, is this for real? Yes, unfortunately, it was. So, if there’s a silver lining to the hacker or hackers, it’s that I shut
down our Facebook accounts. And guess what? Life is so much better.”
(on what Brian thought of the Super Bowl)
“Great if you enjoy the defensive side of the ball like I do. Edelman had an amazing day. Once he returned from his
suspension, he was one of my mainstay players on my fantasy team. I think fans have become so accustomed to 60-70
point, high-scoring games they really can’t appreciate great defensive battles. I do. Nothing is more exciting, more
beautiful than watching a quarterback running for his life. I remember the Steel Curtain, the Purple People Eaters, the
Doomsday Defense, the Monsters of the Midway, and the Ravens No-Nickname Defense. We’ve caught glimpses of
similar caliber defenses these past 10 years, like Seattle’s Doomsday Defense. But, they’re just watered-down versions
of the best of the best from days gone by. The way rules are set up to favor offenses nowadays, low scoring, great
defensive performances are rare, and fans should really enjoy them when they do happen.”
3. (on the Super Bowl’s halftime show)
“It was like when steroids and overly-demonstrative merge.”
(on players group touchdown celebrations)
“Where’s the penalty flag for excessive celebrating? Isn’t that taunting? Looks like it to me. That’s like the NBA, where
players are taking three steps instead of two going to the hoop. But the officials are like, whatever. The way I see it is if
you’re going to make something a rule, then enforce it. Otherwise you’re letting the patients run the asylum. You’re
letting officials decide the outcome of the game. It’s like the NFL and NBA have ripped a page right out of our judicial
system’s handbook, ‘Laws Made to be Broken’.”
(on the Saints-Rams controversial no-penalty call)
If I recollect correctly, weren’t there two penalties on that particular play, pass interference and personal foul? I’m from
Louisiana, and boy, the folks down there ain’t too happy. I disagree with Commissioner Goodell about keeping just eyes
on the field versus using technology to its fullest. To me, there should be a ball spotter and a referee on the field, and no
more than that. Cameras are already zeroed in on each player because of instant replay. You can simply line up a row of
television screens against a wall and sit a row of “judges” in front of them to officiate the game. What else is there to
lose? The traditional way has already hit rock-bottom by keeping the Saints from reaching the Super Bowl for a second
time. There are all kinds of calls being overturned as it is. What I suggest can work if it’s done properly. We’ll never know
unless the commish tries it.”
2019 IMPORTANT DATES
February 20th 2019 Games versus Top-10 & Bottom-10 Offenses
February 27th 2019 Games versus Top-10 & Bottom-10 Defenses
March 14th 2019 IFFL Team Owners
April 7th Debut of NFL Soapbox (Video)
May 4th International Fantasy Football League’s 5th Annual Draft Lottery (Video)
June 1st 2019 Top-100 NFL Fantasy Football Players
June 7th NFL Soapbox (Video)
July 7th NFL Soapbox (Video)
July 20th International Fantasy Football League’s 5th Annual Draft (Video)
August 7th Gridiron Goose’s 2019 NFL Predictions
September 12th 2019 Kickoff Weekend International Fantasy Football League