In high school my idea of being athletic involved performing the perfect cheer or keeping my hair perfect while running the mile in track. I wasn't a much better spectator. I remember enduring hours of PGA golf viewing compliments of my dad and brothers as well as any Cleveland sports activities.
When I had three boys, I knew that my perspective on sports would probably change. Yet, I was surprised this year to have it changed from something unexpected: Fantasy Football.
My friend Corina, who I teach with, was asked to participate in the school's Fantasy Football league; she responded that she would only do it with a partner. That became me.
When she and I sat at the FF League draft before school started, I was amused at how serious the other "team owners" were. We all silently consulted our notes to decide who would be the next pick. Sometimes adulation was awarded to a team who made a solid pick; sometimes heckling ensued. Nonetheless, we left that day with what we believed was a decent team.
In the past eight weeks, however, I have transformed from a passive sports viewer into a legitimate sports fan, cheering my players and censuring the non-performers. Corina and I have the most intense conversations deliberating on whether someone's head injury makes them ineligible for the game. We know which teams have a strong running game, and we know which defenses won't let our guys score. We fanatically add and delete players from our list in the hopes of winning a game.
On Sunday I am constantly checking my box score to see how my players are performing. (For today we are winning, but our competitor still has a player tomorrow.)
So far, we are 4-3 in the league, placing us in 4th place out of 10. Not bad for the newbies, but not good enough for our standards. We are constantly striving to be the best, allowing our competitive nature to get the best of us.
Fantasy Football is so much more than a game for us. It has become my hobby and an opportunity to have fun with one of my dearest friends.
2 comments:
You crack me up... since when do you know two rips about football?! Your boys must be in heaven since you can finally talk their language.
Good for you! And good luck!!! It does make all the games more interesting. Especially when my team totally stinks this year :(
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