Duh nuh nuh, duh nuh nuh. The precious sound of a Fantasy Football notification. The sound of fall, the sound that haunts or enthralls millions all over America. The idea and creation of Fantasy Football has brought many kids closer to their parents, bosses with their employees, and teachers with their students. While the game itself could be considered a frustration and anxiety inducing experience, Fantasy Football as a whole has had an incredibly positive force on me and many other people around the U.S.

Fantasy Football is a game where leagues as small as 4 and as big as 32 compete against each other by drafting players from NFL teams, and being awarded points based on how well said player is doing. The teams compete head to head against each other and whoever scores the most points by the last game on Monday is ruled the winner for that week. 

Each week of games marks the beginning of a new week for fantasy players. The players that are drafted are quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers and defense/special teams. There are many different types of leagues, but the two most common ones are standard and points per reception (PPR). Standard leagues have touchdowns being worth six if caught by a skill position player, or run into the endzone by any player. Along with one point per 10 yards that are caught or ran for by either any skill position player. A skill position player is a player who plays running back, wide receiver or tight endPPR, or a Points Per Reception leagues follow all of the same rules, except each catch a skill position player makes is worth one point. This scoring system and its complexity leads to many players feeling overwhelmed by how everything is tracked and how everything works. While this is very true, and I myself often feel overwhelmed by how point scoring is tracked, leagues can be simplified and adjusted in order to have these problems go away.. 

The scoring for quarterbacks is slightly different. For every yard that is thrown, it counts as 0.04 points. Passing touchdowns count as 4 points, and rushing touchdowns count as 6 points as every rushing yard counts as 0.1 point. Defenses and kickers also have to be scored differently. Defenses start out at a baseline of 10 points, and go up or down based on how well that team’s defense is playing that day. This is determined by the defenses ability to prevent points being scored on them and how many yards are being allowed while doing positive defensive plays such as sacks, interceptions, and fumbles. Each fumble and interception is worth two points, and a sack is worth a single point. If the defense or special teams unit scores a touchdown, it is worth six points. 

Kickers are awarded points based on how many points they may be responsible for. An extra point kick is worth a single point, a field goal of 10 to 35 yards is worth two, a kick of 26 to 45 is worth three, and any kick beyond 45 yards is worth four points. 

My favorite aspect of the Fantasy Football season is the banter and conversation that is created amongst the league members. I am in a league with my extended family and the league allows for everyone to feel involved, while also giving each person a reason to talk to one another. For my family, it has brought us closer and allowed for friendly competition to be had. While yes, sometimes friendly competition can become too extreme and can lead to fights and unnecessary amounts of stress, the grand majority of the time is spent with each league member feeling united and more connected then they would have without it. 

Fantasy football has had an incredibly positive impact on me and has led to my obsession with sports to have something I can use and gain something out of, while also connecting me to my family and friends. Fantasy football isn’t for everyone but it can be made to where anyone enjoys playing it, regardless of the fact if you like football or not.

  So get out there Fantasy Footballers, connect with old friends, colleagues, family, whoever and come together and watch the points score of players you will never meet and will never know you, and watch your blood begin to boil as your players play poorly or have your body yell with excitement over beating your opponent. Draft a team and create a Fantasy Football league and have a good time this fall and winter, watching your team win and lose, all while coming closer together with those you care about.