Today’s Game – 9/12/2009 : Fantasy Football (Various)

With the start of the American Football season upon us, one of the big things that surrounds the actual sporting events is Fantasy Football. And while the past couple of entries have been titles I’ve gushed over, this one doesn’t follow suit.

Fantasy Football

There is some slight appeal to the game, when playing with a bunch of friends, and not one of the versions that is the equivalent of gambling (contest ones) or those when playing in a faceless, nameless, friendless league. However, usually after the third week, interest wanes from some participants, and the ones that have fared the best are the only ones left actively playing.

Most of the league management now is done via some form of internet service, like Yahoo, EA, or ESPN, so that cheating is mitigated and scoring can be done in real time. However, this is what changes how people watch the actual American Football games. I fall into the same camp that many of the ESPN.com Page 2 columnist also reside, stating that the Fantasy Football is EVIL.

If I am a NY Jets fan, and during the real world week the Jets are playing the New England Patriots. However, Tom Brady is the quarterback for my fantasy team. This brings the dilemma that do I want to see the team that I normally cheer for completely obliterate their division rivals, or do I want to see the person on my fantasy team have a great game and score lots of points so I can beat my friend?

This little dilemma is what makes those that play fantasy football BAD FANS! Its plain and simple, if there’s any reason you would want to see any damage done to “your” real-world team, you are a bad fan. Period.