GWBL - 2021 - Annual Holiday Letter — Protector Of The League

George W. Bush League – Holiday Letter

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah to all League Members,

I hope this letter finds you well. We’re about a ten days out from Christmas and that means it’s time to send out the annual George W. Bush League Holiday Letter – Virtual Edition. This was an idea inspired by my Mom, Jeanne Cannellos. Every year she mails a letter to family and friends to send well-wishes and fill them in on what happened with the Cannellos family during the year. Infallibly she’ll mess up some details and take a pot-shot at someone in the family, but that makes it even better. Anyways let’s get into it. (I apologize in advance if I get anything wrong or leave anyone out, this is all out of memory and I mean no offense.)

Frader: Have to start with our 2021 Gabriel – Jon Frader. It was a brutal year for Frader in the GWBL and he ended up with a 3-11 record. Missed time from Kamara, Mostert, Kareem Hunt, AJ Brown and Calvin Ridley shot down Frader’s season on the runway before it ever got off the ground. Anyways let’s catch up on Frader’s personal life – last year I asked, “is this the one?”, when we found out he had a girlfriend. Here we are one year later and they’re engaged. Congrats Frader. Him and Chloe are getting married in 2022 and we wish them the best.

Kev: After dominating the GWBL in 2020, Kev’s team fell flat on its face during 2021. Like Frader he was derailed by injuries, but he also had a lot of busts. One thing that didn’t fall flat on its face during 2021 – Kev…. As he successfully ran the New York City Marathon. I forget what the time was exactly, but I think he ran it in something like 3 hours. My brain can’t even comprehend that, so touche Kev. In other good news, Kev and Bri were able to have their wedding reception/celebration this past Fall. Emma and I made it down to NY and celebrated with Kev, Keetz, Ken and some of Bryant’s finest. Great times, good food, good people.

Darren: Darren’s second year in the GWBL didn’t fare much better than his first and he missed the playoffs once again. He did have some big weeks and his team looked better than his record showed – he also paid his dues and set his lineup, so I won’t complain. The bigger news is that Darren and Lauryn are having a baby in 2022! Wait, didn’t they have one this time last year? YUPPP. DMO is going for 2 under 2. Good luck my man and God bless.

Peabs: As the 7th best team Ken was the “first-out” of the playoff bubble. This is the second year in a row that’s happened, so I’m sure he’s frustrated. A 7-7 record seems good enough to make playoffs but not this year. Anyways we have to focus on the positive – Ken and Sawyer welcomed Colby and Chase Peabody to their family this year. Twins! Ken decided to one up DMO and have 3 babies under 2. I’m a twin myself and I must say – it was awesome being a twin growing up. I saw Ken a few weeks ago and it seems like everything is going well.

Dylan: After finishing as the Gabriel in 2020 Dyl stormed back to finish with an 8-6 record and a playoff appearance this year. 2021 was also a big year for Dyl on a personal level. He officially relocated to Tampa, FL and seems to be loving it. Golfing, sitting pool side, working 20 hours a week, living the dream. I love MA, but as I sit here in my drafty home typing this with frozen hands and ice-cold feet – I understand why he made the move. He’s currently living with Tone which is cool – a throwback to the Bryant days. Dyl’s also still dating his girlfriend Mariah. It seems like everything is going well so I’ll ask the same question I asked Frader last year…. Is this THE one??? (If I hit another engagement prediction I’m officially the Engagement Whisperer.)

Bob D: Another year another playoff appearance for Rob D. He scored the most points in the regular season and he’s a real threat this year even without Derrick Henry. On a personal level, Bob continues to reside in Swampscott with Jen and their three kids. While Ken has caught him in number of kids, Rob D still leads the way in the parenting category. I think his first born Jameson is 8 years old or something now? Wow time flies.

Lamone: Even though he was blacked out for the draft and almost missed it, Lamone’s had a really successful season in 2021. Thanks to everyone for your patience on draft night. Anyways Lamone’s tied for the best record and his team is set up nicely for a deep playoff run. Things are status quo on the home-front - Luma and Jaclyn are still working and living down in Austin, TX with their dog Birdie. I’m hoping to see him in 2022, but for now he’s enjoying Texas Livin’.

Commish: Currently still alive in the playoffs, but my expectations are low coming off an unlikely title run in 2020 (#anythingispossibllllleeee). This past year has been busy for me with the family – we officially relocated out to Western MA and bought a house in Wilbraham. Love the house and have grown to like the town but WOW we’re in the middle of nowheresville. We also had our second kid this past May – a girl named Carra. Both kids are healthy and work is going well (mostly remote) so no complaints from the Commish.

Tieg: Tieg’s also in a 4-way tie for first place and kicking back during his Round 1 bye. Cooper Kupp has carried him all year and Tieg’s definitely a contender. He hasn’t found himself in any controversies this year so I’m happy about that. Things are going well in the non-fantasy football category also. After having a baby in 2020, Tieg and Sam ran it back and had another baby in 2021 (a girl named Isla from what I remember). ANOTHER one of us with multiple kids under 2 years old, what a wild year. From what Tieg’s told me everyone is doing well and enjoying the new baby.

Keetz: Another year another title run for Keetz. He had a strong season behind Najee Harris/Keenan Allen and is looking to have a solid Round 1 performance. In personal news – Keetz and Melissa announced they’ll have a new addition to the family in 2022. How many babies will that be?? I’ve lost count, but I’m pretty sure we have more babies than league members. Fertility rates are strong here. Congrats Keetz and we wish you all the best.

That’s a wrap on the year in review. This was another big year in the personal lives of our league members. Once again, I’m happy to say that everyone is doing well and had a successful year. I think half of us had kids or announced pregnancies which is insane to think about. We’ve come a longgg way from the townhouses at Bryant. Anyways it’s sad that the fantasy season is drawing to a close, but there’s still plenty to look forward to. Thanks again to everyone for their continued enthusiasm and commitment to the League. It takes 10 people to make this work.

Happy Holidays to everyone, here’s to a big 2022. Eff Coronavirus.

Sincerely,

John S. Cannellos

Commish Claus

Johnny C Claus