By Will Stadler
This just in: Billions of dollars of wealth is not needed to own a football team in the United States of America. In fact, millions of Americans own multiple football teams, all within the confines of their mobile device.
Fantasy football is a concept that was started all the way back in the 1960s. To play, one must gather a group of family and/or friends into a league of six to 10 people. Then, members of that league have a draft, this is where each manager fields a fictional team from any active National Football League (NFL) players. Then, as the NFL season begins, one team matches up against another team every week, just like the real season.
In its primitive stage, the scoring for fantasy football was kept on paper form, being taught to players around the country through magazines and newspapers. Now, there are multiple apps and platforms to create leagues and compete against your friends. Also, for risk takers, some platforms even offer betting aspects.
(Image taken by Will Stadler)
William Peace University junior, Kyle Peters, has been playing fantasy football since high school. “I play fantasy football for the competition against my friends and family,” said Peters. “It always gives you something to talk about when you’re sitting around.”
There can be many moving pieces during a fantasy football season. It is suggested that one check their roster and “set their lineup,” meaning putting the players into starting spots, at least two times a week.
“I would say youhave to be committed for all 18 weeks of the season,” said Peters. Which can be tough for those who aren’t huge sports fans. “However, it is really enjoyable because you get to root for players you might not have in the past and you get to experience tense moments in games that you might have never watched if you weren’t playing fantasy.”
Therein lies the core of fantasy football; the creativity. There are very few limitations when it comes to fantasy football. Players have the entire American professional football league to choose from when creating their team. Fantasy players step into the shoes of a highly influential professional sports general manager, giving them an escape from any mundane job or task they might be faced with.
“Fantasy football gives me an ongoing event that can help to kill any time where I might be waiting around somewhere,” said WPU junior Aaron Kimbel.
Not only can fantasy football provide casual sports fans with weekly entertainment, it can also serve as an informational hub at times. “It gets me more into games,” said Kimbel. “Keeping an eye on it week to week helps me learn about players across the league, not just my favorite team.”
Like all things, there are pros and cons to fantasy football as well. According to newer fantasy players, one of the unfavorable aspects of fantasy is the chance of pulling for a player on a rival team. That is where some people who are on the fence about fantasy football draw the line and decide not to play.
However, fantasy enthusiasts, like Peters and Kimbel, would tell you “That’s why you have a bench, you don’t have to play the guys that are going against a favorite team, just sit them on your bench and bring them back the next week.”
For enthusiasts, casuals, and beginners, fantasy football has been a constant reference point in the sports world for decades. Summed up, it’s fictional football, with real players.
“For players that might start next year, I would tell them to start watching games and figure out who the best players are, who knows, maybe they will start learning and really enjoy football.”
The three constants of the autumn season for Americans: Holiday prep, the NFL, and now, Fantasy Football.
More information about Fantasy Football located here.
Photo courtesy: (Cooper Neil/NFL.com) Detroit defensive back Brian Branch intercepting a Dak Prescott throw, that’s 2 fantasy points