1999 Football Pool Weekly Update
Week One
"Question: On a day in which the Bears win, isn't that some kind of spooky voodoo 'do-over' day?" --Shawn Simons
The crazy week began much earlier than Sunday as the number of football pool contestants began to pour in. The preceding Sunday saw the pool at 54 players, already 50% larger than last year and what seemed to be a whole lot of interest at the time. But then the numbers began their climb, past 60, past 70, past 80... Even the internet, itself, strained under the pressure of the flurry of football pool excitement. And when the dust settled, there were (unofficially) 117 people in the football pool for a grand prize pot of over 1100 dollars.
"I have a penchant for picking 1 point blowouts." --Gannon Walsh
But the number of contestants was not the only surprise of the weekend. Exciting games abounded, including many that were supposed to be routs. The two most frequently picked teams were Seattle and Tennessee. They were the most favored teams and both took a pounding.
"If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all." --Cindy Logue (plagiarized)
And when the dust settled even more, 72 players sustained their first loss of the season. SEVENTY-TWO!! God bless Seattle, San Francisco, and the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! They have whittled the leader board down to 45 players already.
"I want my money back." --Tim McKinney (Seattle Seahawks)
No, there is no way to get your money back, except to win it back. And thanks to the new rules, all 72 opening weekend losers still have the chance to do just that. If it helps, consider yourself tied for second place right now.
And the Emmy goes to...
Most surprising pick in a losing bet -- OAKLAND, Warren Tabata
Most surprising pick in a winning bet -- DETROIT, Ethan Herschenfeld
And with that inspiration, prepare for week two. It's not likely to make any more sense than week one. Picks are due by dawn Saturday morning. NO REPEATS!!
Good luck!
ducey