During the first semester, sports fans participate in fantasy football to get into the football spirit.
From August to the end of December, members of these NFL leagues play with their friends. They draft professional football players and create an online league that generates a bracket to play against your friends. They play several games until they reach the playoffs where only certain teams make it. The playoffs go on until there is a singular winner.
Junior Charlie Jackson, freshman Wilson Lucas and sophomore Emmett Holcombe talk about the funny times, the tradition and the embarrassing moments fantasy football brings.
“It’s fun to get involved with your friends and create a league,” Holcombe said. “I’m fairly experienced because I have been playing since the fifth grade and I enjoy it every year. It has become a tradition for me and my friends.”
Jackson talks about how it has turned into a tradition.
“This is my third year playing, I started participating in a league when I was a freshman,” Jackson said. “I have enjoyed playing it throughout high school.”
Fantasy Football leagues usually have a punishment for the loser or losers.
“I lost last year and had to make cringy and embarrassing TikTok videos of myself and post them,” Jackson said.
Fantasy football punishments are what make it enjoyable and fun. Some people only play for the funny aspect of the league, watching their friends dance or run. Jackson continues.
“Seeing people who lose have to run a milk mile or make cringy TikToks, it is very fun to watch the loser.”
When asked if their leagues have any fantasy punishments, Holcombe explains his experience.
“Yes, I have experience with punishments, unfortunately.” Holcombe said. “One time last year we decided whoever scores the lowest amount of points each week has to film a cringy TikTok. I lost the first week of the challenge and had to film a really cringy TikTok outside near the lake.”
When asked about how you create a league and the enjoyment of making it, Jackson said, “The constant trade talks and hosting the draft at Henry’s [junior Henry Ledbetter] house make it really fun. Drafting the players and trading them really makes you feel like you’re running a team.”