On Fantasy Football

I played fantasy football for probably about 15 years straight. It started out with coworkers at an old job. I transitioned to my current employer. In the beginning, I’d meet a bunch of guys at someone’s house where we’d have our draft. There would usually be snacks, a few beers, and a $10 buy-in. The winner at the end of the year would collect 75% of the pot, with the runner-up collecting the other 25%. Everyone else essentially wasted their money.

Here’s the thing about fantasy football. You’re putting your hopes and dreams into actual football players that you have absolutely no control over. It’s gambling. Let’s call it what it is. And frankly, I’m glad I no longer take part.

Fantasy football makes strange bedfellows. I’m a fan of the Seattle Seahawks. I’ve followed the team since the 90s and dove all the way in after I abandoned the Dallas Cowboys after Jerry Jones pissed me off for the last time. But, as a fan of the Seahawks, I enjoy nothing more than seeing the misfortunes of the 49ers, Rams, and Cardinals. As a long-time fan, I hold some animosity for the Chiefs and Broncos. The Green Bay Packers can also kiss my ass. This is the nature of sports fandom; you love your team and despise your rivals.

Fantasy football causes you to root for players you would never root for in a million years if money and bragging rights weren’t on the line. It could hypothetically have me hoping Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray puts four touchdowns on my Seahawks, while still somehow hoping my Seahawks win. It’s far too much stress than I really care for.

I simply just want to sit back and watch my team or watch a good matchup. All this extra worry about who’s doing what, who scored, who got so many catches… I don’t have the time or the attention span for all of that. Just let me enjoy the game. I can say this is what I’ve done for four years now and I couldn’t be happier.