Rob’s Rants And Raves Fantasy Edition: Fantasy Football that is…

I hear the word fantasy and I immediately think of the word football to accompany it. This time of year, every guy pictures football (we don’t just picture Beyonce).

This is my fourth and (hopefully) final version of this article. If there is something I obsess about more than football itself, it is fantasy football. As mentioned, I have written quite a few different articles about it, but I have not been completely satisfied with them. Thus…here’s a rant and rave solely about Fantasy Football. Let’s roll.

I have been playing fantasy football and other fantasy sports, for over a decade.While fantasy basketball and baseball have been fun, fantasy football is where the real love is. And since about 10% of the American population plays, I’d say I’m right in my obsession. Fantasy Football is its own entity. I am currently scheduled to participate in my fourth draft this Saturday. Commissioner in two leagues, and have money on the line in 3 out of the four leagues I am in. This isn’t a hobby anymore…it’s for real.

My knowledge of the football world came thanks to fantasy football. I remember after my first fantasy season, immediately knowing the depth charts and roster moves of all major teams and players. It just came second nature. I knew the importance of it, not because I wanted to be a sports nut, but because I wanted a clear advantage the following season heading into a draft. My love of fantasy sports has even lead me to a job in the industry. As I am now the producer of an upcoming show on the Fantasy Sports Network. *pat self on back.

This is something for everyone too. I try to involve so many people in my leagues, plus always encourages those who have never played to give it a shot. My fiancee, played her first fantasy league last year as a part of her family doing their own league. While that league is no more, she did not hesitate into starting our own league this year for friends and family, the Framily. She also had the awesome idea of involving our whole wedding party in a special wedding fantasy football league. That league alone has about 5 newcomers alone.

And even though I have moved to Las Vegas from California, that didn’t stop me from continuing my entry into the Chilis La Mesa Fantasy League that I have been a part of for close to 10 years. Those three leagues, plus an entry into a new work league here in Las Vegas and it is go time. My fiancee is in full support of the obsession solely because she as well is fired up about fantasy football season, if not more than me at times. (Girls who love football and play fantasy football get bigger rings by the way).

By the way, women are quickly growing in fantasy sports. It’s not just a bunch of dudes playing pretend anymore. Something close to 20% of Fantasy players are women now a days. Paul Rudd doesn’t have to hide anymore. Women get it. My girl gets it and it’s great! She’s not off to the side wondering when the draft will be over, she’s over my shoulder criticizing my picks cause I have an injury curse. But that’s the fun of it and why not be involved ladies! Jump into your boyfriend/husband/guys’ league and show them up. But men, prepare to live with the reality of losing to your girl by a point and holding it over you all year long.

While I’m sure you have all stopped reading by now…that’s fine, I’m not here to provide any actual Fantasy Football insight. What I wanted to do, was show my love for it. If you’re not one to try it, believe me, it isn’t some fad that is going away. Exact opposite, it is a business that is booming. It’s a market that is reaching more and more people every day. Don’t even get me started on the money machine that Daily Fantasy sports are becoming. It is a legitimate activity that is addicting and too much fun to not at least try once. You don’t have to be a sports stat but to be good or even understand the game.

It all began a little over 30 years ago (depending on the story) and it is not slowing down. Fantasy Sports are here to stay and will dictate so much of real sports’ future.

 

 

And just cause…here’s Beyonce again: