Danny Nedelko

Danny Nedelko

Nedelko mysteriously gained muscle mass between his sophomore and junior seasons
No. 5 – Arizona Outlaws
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(2028-05-28)May 28, 2028 (aged 33) Odessa, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	285 lb (129 kg)
Username:	Crunk
Career information
High school:	Odessa High School
College:	Grambling State University
ISFL Draft:	2052  / Round: 2 / Pick: 25
DSFL Draft:	2051  / Round: 3 / Pick: 20
Career history
Norfolk Seawolves 2050 (S35) London Royals 2051 (S36) - 2052 (S37) Arizona Outlaws 2053 (S38) - Present
Roster status:	Active

Danny Nedelko (born May 28, 2028) is an American football running back who currently plays for the Arizona Outlaws. He played college football for Grambling State University (GSU) and played for the London Royals in the DSFL.

Early years

Daniel Blorgl "Danny" Nedelko was born in Odessa, Texas, to Oleksandr and Jessica Nedelko. Oleksandr was an immigrant from Odesa, Ukraine, who fled the 2022 invasion by Russia and wanted to go somewhere that was also called Odesa. He worked as an engineer at a wind farm, while Jessica was a local school administrator.

Danny was a quick and agile child, but his short and frail stature meant that he was often discouraged by others from pursuing his dream of playing football. Standing 5' 2" for most of his high school career, he was limited to occasionally returning punts for the Odessa Bronchos, usually being told to fair catch them.

Between his junior and senior seasons of High School, Nedelko grew 10 inches. Now standing 6' 0", he won the starting running back job and rushed for 1,802 yards and 34 touchdowns while receiving 23 passes for 401 yards and six scores. Nedelko led the Bronchos to their first winning season in 12 years.

Despite this stellar season, college scouts were concerned about his thin frame and single year of high school production. He was named a 2-star recruit by Rivals.com and the 46th best running back prospect in the state of Texas. He received only one Division 1 offer, from the historically black Grambling State University, and committed there immediately.

College career

As a freshman, Nedelko was put on a strict weight training regime in the hope of bulking up his skinny frame to the size required to play Division 1 football, but it did not appear to work. He found himself once again limited to special teams play, returning 2 punts for 13 yards.

Before his sophomore season, the coaches tried to convert him to a cornerback, which suited his agility and physical makeup better. This transition would fail, as he simply had no desire to play the defensive side of the ball. Nedelko was benched for his full sophomore season, not even seeing special teams reps, and reports from local media indicated that his scholarship might be under threat.

Danny Nedelko reported to training camp in his junior season having gained 120lbs of lean muscle and a fiery temper. Though eyebrows were raised at this physical transformation, he said it was down to "chicken and vitamins", Retaining his burst and agility at his new size, Nedelko easily won the starting job at running back, now equally comfortable trucking defenders as sidestepping them. He rushed for 1228 yards and 15 touchdowns in the first 6 games of the season.

Following a game against Prairie View, he was selected for drug testing, which he refused, reportedly telling the official he would "take any test [they] made (ISFL lineman) Swantavius Payne take". He was suspended by the NCAA for the rest of the season.

Danny Nedelko immediately declared for the DSFL draft, forfeiting the rest of his college eligibility. He told a reporter

"The ISFL don't even care if you take steroids, look at Chuck Roth. That dude has muscles on his muscles, and he's like 40. Uh, even if I did take steroids. Which I don't."

This interview was widely ridiculed.

College career statistics

Career statistics			Rushing					Offensive Line
Season	Team	Games	Att	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
2050	Grambling State	6	153	1128	7.4	55	15	22	0

DSFL Career

After declaring for the 2051 DSFL Draft, Nedelko was brought in on waivers by the Norfolk Seawolves for the second half of the 2050 DSFL season. He did not receive playing time but was on the roster as the team won the 2050 Ultimini.

DSFL Draft

Nedelko was selected by the London Royals with the 20th overall pick of the 2051 DSFL Draft. Considered a top prospect talent-wise, his NCAA suspension and character concerns precipitated a fall to the third round of the draft.

Season 36

Nedelko was used as a hybrid offensive weapon in his first season, backing up the incumbent running back Lenny Lyons and receiving snaps at wide receiver.

In his first game, he led the team in rushing with 79 yards on 16 attempts, with 21 yards on 3 catches in a 34-21 win over the Kansas City Coyotes.

His breakout game came against his former team, the Norfolk Seawolves, in week 5 of the season. He rushed 8 times for 103 yards and a touchdown, while catching 3 passes for 67 yards. In the post-game interview, Nedelko said

"F*** Norfolk. All my homies hate Norfolk. They didn't even play me when I was there. Amateur organisation, they're rednecks. What would a wolf do in the sea anyway? F***ing drown? F***."

Nedelko was fined by the Royals and sent on media training, as speculation mounted that this would hurt his ISFL draft stock.

His best game of the season happened against the Kansas City Coyotes in week 8. Nedelko ran 9 times for 99 yards and a touchdown, and hauled in 6 passes for 45 yards and a score.

Heading into the 2052 ISFL Draft, Nedelko was considered a mid-round pick with high athletic upside but serious concerns about his character.

ISFL Draft

Nedelko was selected by the Arizona Outlaws with the 25th overall pick of the 2052 ISFL Draft. When interviewed after his selection He was quoted as saying

"I was born an Outlaw. You know they say all men are created equal, but you look at me and you look at Jay Cue Jr. and you can see that statement is not true. I'm gonna show his wife what it's like to be with a real man!"

Nedelko would later apologise to his new teammate in a written statement as he was sent back to London for his second season.

Season 37

Nedelko took the starting running back spot in London, as previous starter Lenny Lyons had run out of DSFL eligibility.

He started the season hot, running for over 100 yards and scoring a rushing touchdown in each of his first 4 weeks. Though he maintained this consistency for most of the season, the rest of the London Royals team found it difficult to find their form, slumping to a 2-6-1 record after 9 weeks.

In Week 8, Nedelko was held to 30 yards on 11 carries as the Royals fell 19-14 to the Kansas City Coyotes. In a post-game interview, he came out and said:

"These fans want to boo me? When I look at the people in the crowd, I see white trash. They want to be mesmerized by the physical phenomenon! This coach needs to feed me the ball. He's a redneck!"

Nedelko would once again be fined by the Royals, casting doubt on his future in the organisation.

The Royals finished the season with a 4-9-1 record, missing the playoffs. Nedelko himself finished the season with 1384 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

ISFL Career

Season 38

Nedelko was called up to the Arizona Outlaws prior to Season 38, to spell the ageing Jay Cue Jr. and play fullback.

Nedelko's first game as a rookie came against the New Orleans Second Line, as he touched the ball 5 times for 27 yards in a 13-21 win.

Nedelko went on to contribute to the Outlaws' success throughout the season, scoring two touchdowns against the San Jose Sabercats in Week 3 and running for a season high 78 yards on 13 touches against the Orange County Otters in Week 11, as the Outlaws finished the season with a 13-3 record.

In the postseason, Nedelko ran for 82 yards on 12 touches in the Conference Championship against the New York Silverbacks and made a key play in the Ultimus. With the Outlaws leading the Berlin Fire Salamanders by 2 points with 33 seconds left in the game, Berlin took an onside kick in an attempt to regain possession. Playing on the hands team, Nedelko emerged from the pile with the ball, ensuring Arizona possession and a second consecutive Ultimus.

After the season, Nedelko released a statement through his agent saying that he was unhappy with his playing time, and that he was looking ahead to the end of his contract after Season 39. He asked for permission to talk to other ISFL teams, which was, somewhat surprisingly, granted.

Season 39

Though still in talks with other teams, Nedelko's demanding petulence was rewarded by the Outlaws as he was given the starting running back role, split 50/50 with the visibly declining Jay Cue Jr.

He responded by having a breakout season, finishing top 5 in running back yards per carry with 4.8 and second in the league in touchdowns, with 15. He scored three of these touchdowns in a 47-17 demolition of the San Jose Sabercats in Week 1, and was a big part of the Outlaws' offense, who ended the regular season putting up just under 32 points per game, with a 11-5 record.

Nedelko's production did not continue in the playoffs, with the coaching staff opting to give Cue the majority of the touches. This wasn't a problem as the Outlaws took the New Orleans Second Line apart in the Conference Championship game, but proved to be an issue as the Outlaws lost the Ultimus to the Yellowknife Wraiths. Nedelko was heard yelling at his offensive co-ordinator, calling him a "dick" and a "foot pervert" on the sidelines.

Fans were split over the use of Nedelko as a strategic move, but roundly contemned his selfish attitude. They were even less pleased when he was pictured a few days later leaving a Miami club in an Austin Copperheads hat.

Despite his disrespect to his teammates, the management and the fans, Nedelko agreed a $4m-per-year "lifetime" deal with Arizona prior to the ISFL Draft.

Season 40

Nedelko started Season 40 slowly, splitting carries with Sherwin Blue Jr. The Outlaws performed well through this time, so it was something of a surprise when a heated Nedelko faced the press after a 37-0 demolition of the Orange County Otters.

"They say all men are created equal, but you look at me and you look at Sherwin Blue, and you can see that statement is not true. See, normally if you take a handoff in the backfield, you got a 50/50 chance of moving the chains. But I'm a genetic freak and I'm not normal! So you got a 25%, AT BEST, at stop me. But you add Sherwin Blue to the mix, our chances of winning drastic go down."

Though the messaging wasn't entirely clear at the time, Nedelko's agent later confirmed the media assumption that Nedelko was unhappy with his carries.

Danny Nedelko saw his production and touches increase after this incident. His best outing of the season came against the Honolulu Hahalua in Week 10, when he took 20 carries for 180 yards and 3 scores. Nedelko finished the season with 1276 yard and 15 touchdowns as the Outlaws went 14-2 in the regular season.

He carried his form into the ASFC Championship game, where he took 16 carries for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 37-17 win over the Orange County Otters. Though he failed to live up to this in the Ultimus, the Outlaws beat the Yellowknife Wraiths 45-21 to give Nedelko the second ring of his career.

Season 41

Nedelko began the season in unspectacular fashion, though his yards per carry was very good, Arizona played him as an offensive weapon, split out at the tight end and wide receiver positions frequently. Nedelko's body language got progressively worse as games wore on, culminating in an awkward press conference after a 16-7 loss to the Yellowknife Wraiths, as the Outlaws fell to 2-5 on the season.

"I'm the alpha dog on this team, and it ain't rocket science. I don't get why I ain't getting the damn ball more. That Sailor, he's a Hall of Fame disaster. Throwing four picks last week? Are you kidding me? And they keep callin' pass plays like it's goin' outta style, 40 freakin' times! It's mind-boggling. The guy's washed. Our coach? Chump. Can't make a decent play call to save his life. And let me tell ya, Sherwin Blue ain't worth a lick either. That guy's got no skills to back up his hype."

Although Sailor had only thrown one interception the week prior, the muddled diatribe seemed to somehow galvanize the Outlaws, who won out the rest of the season. In particular, Nedelko's Week 9 Performance against the Sarasota Sailfish saw him run the ball 15 times for 184 yards and two scores. Nedelko continued his good form into the playoffs, as the Outlaws beat the Orange County Otters and Honolulu Hahalua, only to eventually fall to the Cape Town Crash in the Ultimus.

Season 42

Worrying reports came out in preseason from the Outlaws training camp. Rumours were that Danny Nedelko had forced his head coach into the passenger seat of a Camaro and taken him on a terrifying high-speed ride through the streets of Phoenix, demanding to be featured as a lead back in the Arizona offense. When asked about this, the team offered no comment, but Nedelko did nothing to dispel the rumours to local journalists, stating instead:

"Camaro? I drive a Trans Am."

Whatever happened, Danny Nedelko was named officially as the starting running back, shouldering a heavy workload. This was clear from Week 1, when Nedelko was handed the ball 34 times for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns in a losing effort against the Honolulu Hahalua. As the clear lead back in the Outlaws' run-heavy offense, he led them to a 13-3 regular season, amassing 1896 rushing yards himself - more than 11 ISFL teams, and the fourth highest single season total in league history. His best game was a 141-yard, 4 touchdown effort against the New Orleans Second Line.

In the playoffs, Nedelko found himself sharing more time with Sherwin Blue Jr, but still ran for 145 yards and a score in the 34-10 demolition of the Honolulu Hahalua in the ASFC Championship game. He ran for 97 yards and a touchdown in the 34-14 Ultimus win over the Berlin Fire Salamanders, capping a career season with a ring.

Season 43

Danny Nedelko found controversy immediately at the start of the season 43, approaching the media on the first day of training camp, unhappy at being snubbed for the previous season's MVP award.

"You know who won the Ultimus last year? We did. You know who won the most games last season? We did. You know who ran the ball more times than anyone else ever last season? I did. I carried this team and the awards committee sit on their fat asses and give it [the MVP award] to Preston Beast [sic]. He knows I'm better than him but he kisses babies and shakes hands with the commissioner and sits down to pee so they wanna give him an award that's mine. All of y'all saw the MOP - the fans know I'm the best."

The league didn't comment or punish Nedelko, perhaps as there is nothing that will stop him ranting to the media.

Nedelko once again led the league in rushing, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on the heaviest workload in the league and scoring 13 times in the ground. Making the playoffs again, Arizona eventually fell 20-13 to the New York Silverbacks in the ASFC Championship game, ending a run of 6 consecutive ASFC Championships for Arizona and causing Nedelko to miss the Ultimus for the first time in his career.

Season 44

Season 44 saw the Arizona Outlaws switch two a two-back system, utilising Sherwin Blue more in the backfield. Nedelko's body language appeared off for the first few games of the season - though the Outlaws started the season 3-0 - and the almost inevitable media blow up occurred after their first loss of the season, 210-10 to the Honolulu Hahalua. Nedelko said:

"Did ya'll see what happened tonight? We go one score down and the coaches wanna let that Winters kid (Donovan Winters III) throw the ball round. He goes down 5 times because the offensive line knows he's a pencil necked geek and nobody wants to block for him because he sucks. Then when they run the ball they give half my carries to Blue. Sherwin is a good kid - a bit simple, he ain't winning no IQ tests - but he ain't me. Ten carries for the people's MVP and they say they want to win? These coaches are rednecks."

The Outlaws ignored their running back - an anonymous coach saying that they "expected it at this point" - but by the end of the season the conclusion was that Danny Nedelko may have had a point, as the Outlaws finished 9-7, fourth in the conference, breaking a 17 season streak of making the playoffs.

Season 45

During the offseason, Sherwin Blue Jr. announced that he would be making the switch from running back to linebacker, a position he said he had always wanted to play. This freed up touched for Danny Nedelko, who saw his touches increase by almost double. Nedelko stepped up to the plate, delivering 1763 rushing yards (6th most all time) and 17 touchdowns (tied for 22nd most all time) as Arizona finished 9-7 once again, making their way back to the playoffs. Despite this, Nedelko was unhappy when the MVP shortlist was announced. He gave a full press conference:

"SHUT UP! No questions! The genetic freak you see before you ran for 1763 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Then they put the MVP shortlist out, and it has running backs on it. AND NONE OF THEM ARE ME! Seven people have run for more yards than that in a season - one of them was me, and three of them were Jay Cue, Jr - and we all know he was on the gas. I hear 'Danny, they look at efficiency' - it's not very efficiency to throw the ball when your quarterback sucks ass! Nerds with math are ruining football. I hear 'Danny, you didn't do much in the passing game' I'm a running back, you rednecks. I RUN! BACK!"

Nedelko then destroyed the table on his way out of the press conference.

In the first round of the playoffs against the Austin Copperheads, Danny Nedelko ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns, and could be heard yelling "f*** the awards team" as he celebrated his scores. Despite this, the Outlaws lost 41-19 on the back of some questionable quarterback play and half-hearted defense. The media were surprised to see Nedelko after the game, but he didn't have much to say.

"I told you that Winters sucks."

Professional career statistics

Career statistics			Rushing					Receiving					Offensive Line
Season	Team	Games	Att	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD	Rec	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
2051	LON	14	152	757	5	41	9	50	648	13	45	3	14	0
2052	LON	14	368	1384	3.8	41	10	48	371	7.7	33	0	32	2
2053	AZ	16	112	517	4.6	23	7	21	154	7.3	14	0	24	1
2054	AZ	16	209	1008	4.8	32	15	33	210	6.4	29	2	44	4
2055	AZ	16	307	1276	4.2	54	15	38	337	8.9	74	2	39	3
2056	AZ	16	216	1105	5.1	72	9	47	468	10	48	8	41	2
2057	AZ	16	432	1896	4.4	69	17	48	351	7.3	36	1	39	2
2058	AZ	16	362	1752	4.8	80	13	57	445	7.8	33	4	42	2
2059	AZ	16	251	1188	4.7	64	11	48	467	9.7	51	3	54	3
2060	AZ	16	422	1763	4.2	52	17	39	300	7.7	26	2	29	5

Achievements and records

Use this section as an example.