2001

  2001 ExFL NEWS ARCHIVES

McKay & Booth execute controversial trade

ASSOCIATED PRESS - In a league that never ceases to shock and amaze its fans, as well as itself, another controversial trade was made Labor Day weekend in the ExFL, one week before the season is set to begin.  Once again, The Hot Air Balloons director of personnel Jim McKay has insulted and spit in the face of authority while pulling off another deal on what was supposed to be a relaxing weekend off for the league. 

The Balloons sent out feelers for wide receiver Antonio Freeman last Thursday, and this time, it was Delberts Dogs owner Bryan Booth who took the bait.  The Dogs have sent quarterback Brett Favre to the Balloons in exchange for Freeman and Balloon backup quarterback Charlie Batch. Again, other ExFL league owners were irate over the deceiving antics of McKay, and now Booth.

“This guy is a complete jack-ass with the way he treats his players,” said one anonymous owner referring to McKay. “I’ll be shocked if anyone even shows up to play for that team in week 1.”

“What else is new?” asked another owner when told about the deal.  “McKay has proven time and time again that he doesn’t know what the meaning of loyalty or commitment is.  What an ass.”

Other owners were quite peeved with Dogs owner Booth for his subordinate dealings with McKay.  “Last week he bitches about the underhanded transactions McKay has been making, and then he goes and jumps right into bed with the guy this week behind our backs,” complained one owner, again on the condition of anonymity. “Where exactly do his priorities lay?  If you want my opinion, Booth is just as much of an  #%&*@^! as that red headed tyrant with the Balloons.”

The Dogs have been for the most part quiet with their dealings during the preseason. Booth has been sitting in his offices high above the stadium watching the teams progression in camp this summer and finally decided it was time to make some changes before kickoff next week.  Troubled wide receiver Terry Glenn, a frequent no-show in camp, was the first to file for unemployment, in effect making room on the roster for the Freeman deal. Rumor has it that Favre also fell out of favor with Booth and other Dogs officials because of his incessant use of pain killers.  “The guys not happy unless you’re sticking an IV in him,” said an anonymous employee of the Dogs training staff. “We were running out of needles with that junkie around.”  Favre was reportedly taking a nap when attempts were made for comments.

Close sources say Antonio Freeman is yet another player who will be rejoicing in the fact that he will not be wearing a Balloons uniform this season.  “You wake up every morning not knowing if you have a job with this damn team,” Freeman was reported to have said to a friend a few weeks ago.  Luckily, Freeman is recovering from a recent concussion sustained in his last game, and unconfirmed reports say he has no recollection of ever playing for the Balloons, which in turn, will make his transition to the Dogs much easier.

Charlie Batch was signed by the Balloons last week, only to be traded days later.  “He’d rather play for Jerry Jones then be associated with that Mickey Mouse organization,” a close source speaking on condition of anonymity proclaimed. “McKay is gonna get his. His holier than thou attitude is gonna come back to kick his Irish ass sooner or later.”

McKay and Booth could not be reached for comment.

RETURN TO 2001 NEWS FRONT PAGE