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Printer-Friendly ModeFantasy games ruining sports fan's life
November 14, 2005 —
I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember, literally. I can recall watching Scott Norwood's field goal sail wide right with seconds remaining in Super Bowl XXV back in 1991. I was merely a seven-year-old boy back then, but I've been watching sports religiously since.
Over the past 14 years I've had my allegiances to teams and my pure hatred for teams, like the current Detroit Pistons. But ever since I was introduced to fantasy sports several years ago, sports in general have become less about the teams and more about the players. And that is not what being a sports fan is supposed to be about.
As I sit in my office today, I could not care less if the New York Giants defeat the Minnesota Vikings. I do, however, care very much that Giants quarterback Eli Manning has thrown four interceptions already and has just 194 yards through the air. I don't even know what the Arizona Cardinals' record is right now, but I just want Larry Fitzgerald to catch a couple of touchdowns against the Lions. Is that too much to ask? I also do not care who wins the NASCAR race today, because, well, NASCAR just is not a sport.
Now, don't get me wrong. I still have my favorite teams. The Atlanta Falcons, Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers - I told you I hate the Pistons - and the Colorado Avalanche are just a few. But I'll be damned if it isn't the biggest struggle to root for the Falcons against the Packers today, because I need Antonio Chatman to get at least 60 yards and a touchdown.
This problem was explicitly clear to me several weeks ago, when the Giants were playing the Denver Broncos. As I sat on my couch at home, I desperately needed my new boy Eli to bring the Giants back from the deficit they were in and get a couple scores. As several family members came over to visit my parents, they noticed me rooting when Manning would complete a pass.
"Who do you want to win?" I was asked. That seems to be the question that all family members ask during such get-togethers. "Uh, I don't really care," I responded. "I just need the Giants' quarterback to throw a touchdown here." Confused, my aunt asked me why.She was lost from the beginning, as was my mom as she attempted to explain it in simpler terms.
The point is, five years ago, I would have watched that game and rooted for the Broncos because I like Jake Plummer, or because I hate the Mannings (which I still kinda do), or because I have family in Denver. But I was watching simply to see if Eli scored the go-ahead touchdown, which, thankfully, he did. I didn't care that the Broncos had just lost.
Sports are essentially my life. My Internet homepage is ESPN.com, and the Ryder Center is my second home. Fantasy sports are contributing to my apathy for the regular season.
But in the end, that's alright. "Hoag's Squad" is one more league championship away from officially becoming a dynasty.