What happened to PML ?

After my game against the Steelers, I went back to watch the stream. I’m sitting there breaking down the tape, minding my business, when I notice the comments section lighting up. But what caught my eye wasn’t the usual trash talk, it was the Ravens coach cheering for the Steelers coach.

Let that sink in. Two guys in the same division, supposed rivals, and one is out here rooting for the other like it’s a Pro Bowl charity game.

Now look, I get it. In PML, people got friend groups, alliances, little cliques. You want to see your people win, I understand that. But one unspoken rule has always existed in this league. You never cheer for a division rival. Ever. I don’t care how close you are, I don’t care if y’all share gameplans or go to brunch together, when they play, you want them to lose. Period.

So seeing Mark in DK’s comments rooting him on was disheartening. Because it made me realize something deeper. PML ain’t the same anymore.

But it didn’t stop there. A few plays later, I hear DK on the stream say, “I’m about to double mug him.” And that’s when I sat up. Because double mug is the exact defense Mark runs against me. So now it’s not just cheering. Mark is literally out here coaching up his division mate on stream. Giving pointers. Helping his rival beat me in real time. What the fuck.

Back in the day, that kind of thing would never happen. You didn’t help people in your division. You didn’t want them getting better. You wanted them to drown. Everybody was competitive, cutthroat, and proud. You won because you earned it. Because you figured it out yourself.

Now it feels watered down. Everybody’s friendly, everybody’s clapping for each other, everybody’s scared to be the villain. The edge is gone. The energy is gone.

This used to be a league full of killers. Now it’s full of cheerleaders and sideline coaches.

So yeah, when I saw that comment and heard that line, it hit me. The league that once felt like war every week has turned into a group hug with strategy sessions. And when that happens, the wins don’t feel the same. You can’t take pride in beating a bunch of softies who are all patting each other on the back and swapping tips midgame.

PML used to stand for Premier Madden League.

Now it’s starting to feel like Participation Madden League.

Times have changed. And honestly, it’s wild out here.