Welcome to the 2019 FMFL Season from Kiko Garcia
(Editor’s note: The 2018 winner, Kiko Garcia (who also won in 2017), has penned some words of wisdom as we kick off the 2019 season. His message is below.)
On a hot Saturday afternoon in late August, a man in a mesh Baltimore Orioles cap and dark sunglasses walks into the Distillery in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC. He saunters up to the bar and settles in for his typical Saturday afternoon lunch, the Short Rib Grilled Cheese with 2 pickles on the side, preferably not touching the sandwich. He lets out a slow sigh and takes in the scene around the dimly lit room. He decides it’s safe to take off his shades. You see, this is not just any man…this is KIKO GARCIA, the reigning, unprecedented, back-to-back winner of the coveted Funny Money Football Championship.
Long gone are the days when Kiko could walk down the street unnoticed. Adoring fans constantly want to talk strategy. Dedicated gamblers want his insight on when to use the Wild Card bet, what kind of shampoo he prefers, how to lay low during the regular season and then get scorching hot in the playoffs, etc. His dog Swami has 203,081 followers on Instagram. He has been spotted over the summer hanging with the likes of Adam Schefter, Jay Glazer, and oddly, Mark Rypien. The ride has been incredible, but in his heart of hearts he knows that fame without a life is no life at all…..the inner struggle is real. Meanwhile, Kiko glances over at the TV behind the bar, and his eyes light up…a preseason NFL game is being replayed from the night before. This signifies that the NFL season is right around the corner. It means the chance to Three-Peat and additional glory is within grasp. A wave of anxiety overcomes Kiko, as he decides to get his lunch to go. He remembers his mantra: “The Will to Win Means Nothing Without the Will to Prepare.” Although the price of fame continues to take it’s toll–the booze, the women, the excess, the late night cornhole battles with Jeff Saturday–Kiko is not ready to give up the spotlight just yet. He has one thing on his mind: Dynasty!
As week one approaches, hope springs eternal within the clubhouse of every Funny Money franchise…and rightfully so, as we are all tied for 1st in Week #1. As always, it will be quite the journey…moments of genius and jubilation…and Sundays that make you question your very existence. Let the madness begin. Best of Luck!
