About the Beautiful Chaos
From Jim Thomas's dining room table to a nationwide phenomenon
The New Sheriff in Town
Matthew Swartz – That's right, the eldest son of longtime commissioner Eric Swartz has taken the reins. As a lifelong Chargers fan (it builds character, trust me), I've learned to approach the NFL with a healthy mix of optimism and realism.
You'll find I have opinions about:
- The Chargers' eternal quest for that elusive ring
- The Chiefs and their undeniable dynasty (credit where it's due, even if it hurts)
- The wild unpredictability of survivor pools
- Why your "sure thing" pick will probably lose in Week 3
I inherited my dad's love for spreadsheets and his dedication to the pool, plus added my own flair for the dramatic and an unhealthy amount of NFL trivia knowledge. Fair warning: I call it like I see it, but it's all in good fun.
The Origin Story
Picture this: It's 1999, everyone's worried about Y2K, and Jim Thomas is minding his own business when a co-worker drops some survivor pool rules on his desk. "Hey Jim, help me figure this out," they said. Little did they know they were launching a phenomenon.
By 2000, JT had refined the rules and taken over the operation. This was the analog era – we're talking photocopying mail to track entries. No websites, no automated picks, just dedication and a copy machine.
First Official Year (2000)
133 entries • $2,660 pot • Week 7 elimination • 27-way split at $67.40 each
The Growth Years
The pool grew steadily through word of mouth:
The $25 Era & The Great Super Bowl Survival of 2012
2012 brought the first fee increase to $25. With 797 entries, something incredible happened: 10 people survived through the entire regular season AND playoffs to the Super Bowl!
The breakdown:
- • 4 entries had no pick available (imagine surviving 20 weeks for that!)
- • 3 people couldn't field a team
- • 3 winners split $19,925 – now that's a payday!
The Envelope Mountain of 2015
Jim Thomas returned from a work trip after Labor Day weekend 2015 to find a stack of envelopes several feet tall at his door. After sorting through this paper mountain, he discovered entries from 31 different states!
This is when Eric Swartz stepped in to help modernize operations with his blog and eventually a full website. The entry fee increased to $40, but the pool kept growing – testament to its reputation.
The Modern Era
The pool continued its impressive growth:
Record-breaking 1,187 entries
First time breaking 1,000!
787 entries during COVID
Football was our escape
Roaring back with 1,002 entries
$40,080 pot
New record – 1,277 entries
$51,080 pot
Another record – 1,332 entries!
$53,280 pot 🎉
The Jim Thomas Legacy
Here's what makes Jim Thomas special: Through all those years as commissioner, managing thousands of entries BY HAND, dealing with mail, tracking picks, and handling questions...
Jim Thomas never took a commission. Not a penny.
That's the kind of integrity that built this pool into what it is today – a trusted tradition that brings football fans together from coast to coast.
What's Next?
2024 AND BEYOND: With me at the helm, supported by my father's experience and our new automated platform, we're ready for the next chapter.
1,500?
Entries incoming
2,000?
Why not dream big
∞
The sky's the limit
This pool has grown from Jim Thomas's dining room table to a nationwide phenomenon, and we're just getting started. Whether you're here to win big, enjoy the competition, or just need another reason to watch every game, welcome to Football Eliminator.
May your picks be wise and your Sundays victorious.
P.S. – Remember, in survivor pools, it's not about who you love – it's about who won't let you down. Choose wisely!
Commissioner Timeline
Jim Thomas (2000-2015)
Founder & Commissioner - The man who started it all
Eric Swartz (2015-2023)
Commissioner & Modernizer - Brought us into the digital age
Matthew Swartz (2024-Present)
Current Commissioner - The new sheriff in town
Pool Legacy by the Numbers
25+
Years Running
20,000+
Total Entries All-Time
$500k+
Total Prizes Awarded
31
States Reached
Built with for football fanatics everywhere