This past Sunday, while many college students were returning from Spring Break, Team GET SMOKED was playing in the PFFL’s inaugural spring season. The last two PFFL tournaments have featured teams with players ranging as old enough to remember boom boxes, and Jheri Curl juice to players who can vote but can’t legally purchase alcohol. GET SMOKED falls somewhere in the middle.
In their first two games of the spring season, GET SMOKED achieved bittersweet results while compiling a 1-1 record. The sweet describes the sweet revenge that the team was earned after beating the STALLIONS in their first contest on Sunday. GET SMOKED player Carl Haustien described the importance of defeating a team that previously beat GET SMOKED like they stole something. “The rematch against the Stallions was the best part of Sunday,” Haustien said. “We really needed this win.”
Although Haustien was satisfied with his team’s performance in the opening games, he thought that the games would be officiated by two referees. “With new teams and guys who haven’t played that much, it might be tough to catch all the penalties with just one ref,” Hausitien said.
In addition to adding more referees, Haustien reiterated a suggestion previously made by BULLDOGS Quarterback Eugene Smith. “Eugene sent out an e-mail a while ago asking for a visible play clock and game clock,” Haustien said. “A clock big enough so that people can see. That way people will stop asking about the time.”
The 31-year-old Haustien is married and works as a technician for two vending companies. Moreover, his busy work schedule could have him “driving 80 miles in direction and then 80 in the opposite direction.” Getting GET SMOKED on the same page through practices is even tougher given their hectic work weeks. “I never know my schedule so it’s hard for me to plan practices, although we are practicing this Thursday,” Haustien said.
In addition to working around everyone’s work schedules, Haustien has dealt with several health issues that underscore the difficulty involved in returning to competitive sports. “I blew my ACL, my MCL, and my PCL and never got it fixed,” he said. “I would’ve never had the opportunity to play against guys of this caliber.”
After suffering several injuries to his right knee from years of skateboarding, why in the world is a 31-year-old married man still playing football? “I love playing this game,” Haustien replied. “It allows me to be competitive in a good situation.”

According to Haustien, he discovered the PPFL while doing a random Google search. During the Fall 2009 season, he played on the A-TEAM as a free agent. Although the A-TEAM was fun to watch, they didn’t always bring their A-game. This season, Haustien says GET SMOKED is much more prepared than his former team to make a run for the playoffs. “People are taking the time to learn the plays,” Haustien noted. “I see us in a couple of seasons being a solid, competitive team. The ultimate goal is good teamwork, guys having fun.”