COLUMN: Fantasy football, every man's dream
After a long weekend of procrastination, Sunday is the perfect day to be productive.
I could be doing things like homework, studying or cleaning my cluttered room. But, instead of being proactive, I am focused on a handful of players I adopted to represent me in the phenomenon called fantasy football.
Fantasy football has taken the most popular sport in America and turned it into a surreal and virtual universe – a universe where NFL football players are glorified as modern-day gladiators and fans turn into owners of their own dream teams.
Although the game can be frustrating throughout the season, it could possibly be one of the best things to ever happen to the NFL. It is perfect for sports buffs nationwide: It’s a seasonal event, so it doesn’t grow old on you, it involves football, and, most importantly – it’s competitive.
Few could argue that the most exciting part of fantasy football is draft day. A fantasy football draft is where fans can live out their dreams of being a general manager and personally build a team from scratch.
Draft day takes preparation.
Usually, I prepare the night before by making a list of players. Players who I believe are destined for a breakout season, or players who have been continually putting up numbers for years. Most importantly, I want players who I will enjoy watching.
Fantasy football also gives you an opportunity to build emotional bonds with players who are on teams you otherwise wouldn’t care about. For example, I once tweeted “You’re my hero!” to Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, and I meant it with all my heart.
If you can’t tell already, watching sports is more than just an interest to me, it’s a passion. Since I can remember, I have fallen asleep to ESPN blaring on my TV. I am confident when I say my knowledge on sports could rival anyone.
That’s why I love fantasy football so much. It gives me a vehicle to flex my sports wit on others by having the most dominant fantasy football team. I get very egotistical about my fantasy football team. Despite who is on the roster, which as of right now has been decimated by a myriad of injuries, I still think my team is top dog.
The great thing about my cockiness is that I am not alone.
Everybody else in my fantasy football league is just as confident. I have been in a league with the same guys for four years, and they still find every opportunity to boast about their team.
All in all, the greatest thing about fantasy football is that it brings people together. Most people are in leagues with their friends and it builds camaraderie, but also cutthroat competition. Who doesn’t enjoy that?
