Fantasy vs. Pro

[klunderbunker]

Today on Scott Van Pelt the main topic was Fantasy Football vs. Regular football, with the question being has fantasy gotten to the point where it's more important than regular football to a lot of fans. I used to play until one day I was watching my team, the Cowboys, drive down field on a game winning drive. Romo hit a 28 yard laser to Witten to win it for us, and I found myself booing. We win, but I'm ticked off because Witten scoring cost my fantasy team the game. I retired after the season due to this one game.

In short, how much does your fantasy team mean to you in the grand scheme of things? There are leagues where the winner gets money in the thousands. Is there a point where the fantasy games could mean more than the NFL games? Just in general, how important is fantasy for you and does it ever take precedence over the regular season?

 

[gd]

I'd never cheer against the Steelers for fantasy reasons. That'd be just silly. I put in some money for fantasy, but it's a minimal fee ($20). Not more important for me than my actual team, that's for sure.

However, where I think fantasy is really a bounus is when it comes to watching other games. Do I really care about the Redskins against the Rams? Not really, but I can watch the game with a lot of interest because I'm rooting for Santana Moss to have a big day. Overall, I'd say fantasy helps my interst in actual football at times, but it's never more important, at least when it comes to my team.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

I like fantasty football and all, and aside from when I completley forget about it, I do put some thought into all the matchups my players have, who to drop, all that shit, but I certainly don't give a damn if I lose. The Broncos are much more important then any fake football league done on the internet.

But like GD said, it does add interest to other football games you might not have been interested in otherwise, I personally don't have this problem, I watch and enjoy all the NFL games, but it does make it a bit more exciting when you need a guy to come through with some points.

 

[Davi323]

I played fantasy football for a single season, and it left a bitter taste in my mouth...despite the fact that I won my league. There is something wrong about having to divide my loyalties. I am a Lions fan, and it was surreal to want the Lions to win, but at the same time want to have Randy Moss (when he was still a Viking) enjoy a monster game against them, because I needed the fantasy points. It just rubbed me the wrong way. I want to be able to root for the entire team I am rooting for, and be able to root against the entire team they are playing. I gave up fantasy football, and am now able to enjoy football a lot more. I don't have cross-loyalties going on any more.

Fantasy didn't really add much to my viewing of other games, I generally watch football whenever it is on anyway, so that isn't a big concern for me.

 

[People's Champ]

I personally never played fantasy football, but I know I would never let it mean more. I'm a big football fan, meaning I can get into any game without needing something added to it. If they weren't blacked out every home game, I would watch the Raiders every weekend. I'm a Redskins fan but since I live out here in the Bay Area I don't see many games. But watching how much time, effort and that that goes into this fantasy stuff, I don't think I could ever get into it.