For years, my friends and I would play fantasy football but it was just for fun. We were usually in the middle of our own football season so the fantasy league took a backseat. All in all, we were just a bunch of football nerds who loved to interact with the game as much as possible. One of those friends always said that Fantasy football ruined the actual game. He said that he only played because we all played together and he didn’t want to catch shit from us for not playing. I never saw how fantasy leagues ruined the actual game until now.
The fantasy game is changing how I look at football even though I played the game through adolescence and college. I find myself caring about players getting stats that are constantly overrated. I am a fan of the little things; the things you don't see on the television but indeed are going on. Things like game plans, blitz packages, audible’s, check downs, toughness, halftime adjustments, play reads, leadership, intimidating coaching, mind games and watching how players respond under pressure. Simply put; I enjoy the things that fantasy leagues do not give points for… football savvy.
I have found that Fantasy Football makes a particular person a statistical genius when regarding the specific players on their team but knowing about a players stats doesn't mean anything if you barely understand how the game is played. It is my opinion that knowing a lot of stats is like knowing a lot of words from a dictionary. If the person has no idea how to use the words in context, than that wealth of knowledge is superfluously useless. A person could quote you the exact amount of yardage that Phillip Rivers has thrown for thus far, but that in no way means that they understand the nuances of the game. Fantasy football allows the average fan to sound smarter than he or she really is. The loyal, intelligent fan; like myself, are already surrounded by an abundance of half witted fans who’s experience with the game of football dates back to their bench warming days in high school. Fantasy football leagues are empowering these idiots almost as fast as the NRA is. A computer geek who knows nothing about football could draft a fantasy team and at least win a couple games when all is said and done.
I am now a firm believer that fantasy leagues are making fans of the game one dimensional as well as putting emphasis on basic, retarded stats that mean nothing. For example, so far in 2009, Willis McGahee leads the league in touchdowns; however, the other running back, Ray Rice, does all the work. Hines Ward blocks harder than any other receiver in the league and he doesn't get any fantasy points for that. Fantasy leagues are quickly turning football into a book that is judged by its cover.
I love the game of football when it is pure and passionate. It is a game that is fueled by raw emotion and should be enjoyed with the raw, emotional support of fans. It shouldn't be watched with a notebook and pen while logging down all your fantasy teams stats for the day.
The adjustments I have made this week on my fantasy team will be my last until the season is over and this season will be the last time I play. The one material possession I will not put in jeopardy is the way I play(ed), watch, discuss and coach football. I will not stress over players padding their stats for my own benefit. Football is a team game and through its gauntlet, it builds competent men. I will not promote the idea of individuality and selfishness in football. I guess it took Fantasy Football for me to realize that the game just means more to me than it does to most people.
Sorry to disappoint. These should put a smile on your face.
-Russ
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