For football fans, watching games is an awesome experience, but when you have players competing for your benefit, the thrill is unmatched. Fantasy football, while nerve racking and sometimes stressful, is a great way to achieve that thrill. Before the National Football League (NFL) starts, fantasy teams are drafted through either an auction or snake fashion. For snake drafts, even though teams with lower draft picks are often compensated later in the draft, leagues may have competitions to earn your draft spot. “I think that the draft order should be a combine,” said Junior Bobby Hanna. Most leagues are extremely competitive as there is usually an incentive to winning the league, a punishment for losing the league, and sometimes a punishment for a poor week’s performance. Leagues with a winning cash prize have a buy in fee that is usually around 30 dollars. “The best part about winning wasn’t the cash prize, it was the bragging rights,” Senior Akshay Tolmare said. As awesome as it is to win the league, you feel like a winner if you don’t lose the league. Even if there is no punishment, the embarrassment that you carry is the worst feeling ever. “I [had] to complete my punishment for last year’s league before I [could] draft my team for this year,” said Senior Thomson Brumfield. “As much as I don’t want to do the punishment, I am more disappointed in my performance,” Brumfield said before his punishment. “I don’t know what the punishment will be for next year, but I don’t want anything to do with it,” said Senior Drew Thompson. After the draft, participants are each convinced that they are going to win the league, but they often are involved in trading with other teams. Some leagues require that you are involved in trade. “If you aren’t open to trading, you will be kicked [out of the league],” said Junior Alston Mallis. Throughout the season, participants trash talk each other and rivalries are formed. “We are all very competitive, so tensions rise during the season,” said Sophomore Chris Lee. As the season progresses, playoff pictures come into play. Leagues’ playoffs vary, but you don’t want to miss the playoffs. “Missing the playoffs is embarrassing more than anything,” Junior Dylan Nelson said. Fantasy football is a thrilling, nerve racking, and stressful experience that can result in delight or embarrassment.
