BY CHRISTOPHER WILL
It’s that time of year. It’s the time of year when Kelly Clarkson singing “Sunday Night Football,” is a call for all to gather around the television. It’s the time of year when National Football League (NFL) fans around the world watch their favorite teams play each week, competing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
With the 2018-2019 season just around the corner, fans are full of anticipation. With a lot of potential star rookies, like Saquan Barkley and Baker Mayfield, many are looking forward to seeing who will perform in a live NFL game. Some fans, however, have some bold predictions for this upcoming season.
“Kenyan Drake will become a top five running back,” sophomore Brock Hepworth said. “I believe he has the talent and skill for a breakout season.”
To put that in perspective, the Miami Dolphins running back is ranked 28th in the league for total yardage (644), which is lower than quarterback Cam Newton, and 41st in touchdowns (3).
When watching the game isn’t enough, millions of people around the globe turn to fantasy football to satisfy their competitive tendencies.
For other bold fans around the world, there are plenty of apps that put that football knowledge to the test. When watching the game isn’t enough, millions of people around the globe turn to fantasy football to satisfy their competitive tendencies.
Thousands of fantasy football apps, such as ESPN, Yahoo Sports and Draft Kings, put users in the front office and on the field as their team’s general manager and coach. Users select from a list of the best players in the NFL and their weekly performance earns users points to compete against their friends in a weekly game, just like the NFL teams do. But for fantasy football users, it’s all from the comfort of their couch and the mobility of their phone.
“I play because it’s fun being the coach of a super team of football all-stars,” Hepworth said.“It’s a great friendly competition and fighting each week for first place makes it all worth it.”
“I play because it’s fun being the coach of a super team of football all-stars.”
However, students aren’t the only ones who play fantasy football. CCHS teachers also put their NFL knowledge to the test by playing Fantasy Football.
“I’m always looking forward to the NFL season because that means fantasy season,” history teacher Jorge Salomon said. “I’ve been playing fantasy football since high school. I’m in three leagues this year.”
Fantasy football has taken over the game of football itself. For many, the NFL isn’t as enjoyable without it.
“I wish I could enjoy the NFL without [fantasy football], like college football, but it’s just too slow with all the commercials,” Salomon said.
The NFL is certainly more than a single game, it’s two- the one on the field and the one on your phone.
Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports
