Believe it or not, I wasn’t always like this.
I didn’t always attempt to see my life, the world and all the stories that fill it as more than just what meets the eye, let alone did I have the ability to put it into sentences.
It was through experience, reflection and a whole lot of learning that I became the man that I am proud to be today.
And I truly don’t believe that I learned more from anyone other than the underpaid and the under-appreciated – my high school teachers.
Back when I was a scrawny teenager with Justin Bieber hair, wearing black, high-top Adidas Originals, I thought I knew it all. When really, I didn’t have a clue.
But, the one thing I did know at that horribly awkward and in-between age was that I could write.
However, while I could write some words in decent-enough fashion to get through English class pretty effortlessly, I was awful at storytelling structure, spelling and everything in-between before I met Mr. Joshua Jekielek, an English teacher at Kane Area High School (KAHS), in ninth grade.
Over the next two years, I fell in love with the English language and the different ways I could use it to convey emotion and provoke critical thinking.
With the help of some of the classics like “Animal Farm,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Of Mice and Men,” Mr. Jek taught me what it meant to see things from a different point of view, other than my own.
And he wasn’t the only one at KAHS that inspired me.
Amongst all the other classes taught between those faded, green lockers, I remember Mr. Todd Silfies’ world cultures and U.S. history classes the most.
The thing I loved most about Mr. Silfies and the way he taught his classes is that he didn’t treat us like we were just some dumb teenagers, even though we probably were most of the time.
Rather, he taught us as wide-eyed kids looking for tomorrow’s answers through yesterday’s history.
And then before I knew it, there I was – in the midst of my senior year at a new high school, more than 70 miles away, still learning.
But this time I was learning from Mrs. Darlene Pennington, a teacher at Curwensville Area High School who knew a lot about accounting and business but knew even more about being a good person.
She knew me at a time in my life where I was going through a bit of a rebellious phase – one that I’m sure a lot of kids go through after moving mid-way through high school.
Breaking the law and hearts, I thought I was a real Billy-badass when really, I was just a kid coping with a broken home that I hid from the rest of the world.
Mrs. P saw through the charade. And to be honest, I’m not quite sure what she saw in me that made her believe I could be a better person than I was being. But I’m really glad she saw it, whatever it was.
By graduation, while still having a lot more growing up left to do, I at least had a sense of direction and a future to look forward to.
But, if it weren’t for Mrs. Pennington and her genuine care for her students, I probably wouldn’t be writing this column.
Heck, I might not even be in college – let alone getting ready to graduate.
So, to those three very-special teachers to me: thank you so much. I truly would not be the man I am today without your countless lessons.
And to all of those other amazing teachers and coaches out there that I didn’t get to mention due to the lack of paper space: thank you, too. As I hope to continue writing this column for years to come, I know one day I will revisit some of the many great teachings you provided me with throughout my youth.
I’m also happy to inform those former teachers, who may have stumbled across this column with their well-deserved morning cup of coffee, that I continue to learn every day.
In fact, after a less-than-impressive start/sit advice section last week, I learned that fantasy football, just like this crazy thing that we call life, is far more complex than the X’s and Y’s we make it out to be.
And with that being said, let’s get to it.
Quarterback I’d Start this Week:
Josh Allen (Buffalo): Let’s go, Buffalo! Second-year quarterback Josh Allen has continued his fantasy success this season while leading the Bills to a 2-0 start.
While he has improved as a passer (completing 11 percent more of his passes and raising his Quarterback Rating), he is showing dual-threat ability, tied with only Deshaun Watson for the most rushing touchdowns by any quarterback (2) and trailing only Lamar Jackson for the most quarterback rushing attempts (17).
Facing a Bengals team that allowed 259 rushing yards to the 49ers in Week 2, it’s easy to think that the Bills will turn to Allen to get it done with his legs, especially with lead running back Devin Singletary dealing with a hamstring injury.
Quarterback I’d Sit this Week:
Carson Wentz (Philadelphia): No, Eagles fans, I’m not picking on your quarterback this season, I promise.
However, he will be facing a Lions defense that has allowed only two touchdown passes in two games and just kept Phillip Rivers below 11 fantasy points. And his two starting receivers, Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, may not even play in Sunday’s game.
Until Philadelphia, and Carson Wentz himself, gets back to full strength, I’m sitting him.
Running Back I’d Start this Week:
Miles Sanders (Philadelphia): While I typically have a wait-and-see approach with rookie running backs, I have a good feeling that if there is a coming-out party in store for Miles Sanders, the former Nittany Lion, it’s here in Week 3 against a Detroit defense that has allowed seven receptions per game to opposing running backs.
And, as mentioned earlier, Wentz and a plethora of his receiving weapons are hurt, which means head coach Doug Pederson should look to his running backs, specifically his second-round rookie who has had a solid start to 2019.
Running Back I’d Sit this Week:
LeSean McCoy (Kansas City): Sorry, Shady, but the Baltimore Ravens, the Chiefs’ Week 3 opponent, have only allowed 28 rushing yards to opposing running backs so far this season.
You heard that correctly – 28 yards.
The Chiefs have struggled to run the ball this season, averaging only 72 yards per game. I think Andy Reid figures out the team’s rushing woes another day and lets Patrick Mahomes do Patrick Mahomes-like-things in Arrowhead on Sunday, meaning lots of balls headed through the air rather than LeSean McCoy.
Wide Receiver I’d Start this Week:
Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona): Welcome back, old friend. There is something about saying that I would start Larry Fitzgerald this week that never gets old.
Fitzgerald, who is eighth in receiving yards and third in targets this season, has seemed to find a connection with rookie quarterback Kyler Murray.
And last week, Chris Godwin, who plays a similar slot and flanker role to Fitzgerald, had a career game against the Carolina defense.
It may not be a career day for the vet against the Panthers, but he’s definitely a great flex play with some high WR2 upside.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit this Week:
Jamison Crowder (New York Jets): Unfortunately, it seems that until starting quarterback Sam Darnold returns from mononucleosis, the Jets’ offense is going to be bad – like, really bad.
And if you have seen any of head coach Adam Gase’s press conferences lately, he knows it, too.
With their third-string quarterback, Luke Falk, starting against the Patriots, a team that has allowed just 14 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, Jamison Crowder is better left on the shelf for now.
This column was originally featured at ThePenn.org September 19, 2019.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.