20/20 Interview with Cal Shoemake
This week, DLF writer and videographer, Cal Shoemake, took some time so you could get to know him a bit more. Enjoy!
Where are you from?
New Orleans area.
What do you do for your regular job?
VP of Sales for a finance company.
What is the worst job you have ever had?
In high school, I worked for a seafood restaurant as an oyster shucker. I learned a lot, including the fact that oyster shells are very sharp.
What is the best job you have ever had?
Shortly after graduating from college, I worked as a six-sigma black belt for a large company and loved working with numbers and solving problems to help the company become more efficient.
What do you consider your dream job?
If I am dreaming big, a play-by-play announcer for the Atlanta Braves or New Orleans Saints and/or national radio host.
How long have you been in the industry?
On and off for the last 10 years.
How did you get your break into fantasy football?
Almost two years ago I reached out to Matt Donnelly with the Dynasty Vipers and joined his writing team. Shortly into the 2019 season, I joined him on his podcast/YouTube channel where he helped me get a ton of experience and let me run with projects I cared about.
What tool do you use the most on DLF?
There are a few, but recently I have been using the rankings page combined with the MyDLF League Sync. With all of the drafts I’m in, it helps make sure I don’t miss out on valuable assets that are still available but may be buried in outdated ADP data on that site.
What tool do you use the most outside of DLF?
Pro Football Reference has a lot of great information for individual players, teams, and coaches.
Who was the best sleeper you pegged that broke out?
When Baltimore hired Greg Roman to run their offense, I knew it was a perfect fit for Lamar Jackson.
Who was your biggest whiff?
Having Clyde Edwards-Helaire over Jonathan Taylor last season looks pretty bad a year later.
What is the worst trade you have made?
I traded Hakeem Nicks for Aaron Hernandez in the summer of 2012.
Who is your favorite underfollowed Twitter account?
Jeff Bell (@4whomjbelltolls) has more followers than me, but he should have at least ten times more than he currently has. Very entertaining and informative.
Who is your favorite NFL team?
New Orleans Saints
Who is your favorite college football team?
LSU Tigers
Who was your favorite player growing up?
Bobby Hebert, the Cajun Cannon. He broke my heart when he went to the Falcons!
Who is your favorite player of all time?
Drew Brees. He has a connection to New Orleans that is hard to fully understand unless you lived through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
What other hobbies or passions do you have outside of fantasy football?
I coach youth baseball and love seeing kids learn the game and the life lessons team sports are uniquely qualified to teach.
What are some of your favorite movies?
Remember the Titans, Field of Dreams, The Sandlot, Inception, Matrix, There Will be Blood, No Country for Old Men, Fight Club, Shawshank Redemption.
Who are some of your favorite bands?
Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Korn, Stone Temple Pilots – Basically any 90’s alternative/grunge band.
- How To Fill an Opening in a Dynasty Fantasy Football League - February 27, 2023
- DLF Family of Podcasts: ICYMI - September 21, 2021
- DLF Family of Podcasts: ICYMI - September 11, 2021
