Women Against Fantasy Football?
I recently came across an article on a site I frequent, referencing the web site Women Against Fantasy Sports. Seems like Women are against everything these days, and I’m finding the sites. First Sarah Palin, now Fantasy Sports.
I find the premise of this site humorous and I can relate to it. I remember when I hated football, I was jealous that it “stole” my husband from me each week. I figured I had three choices. I could either just ignore it and appreciate the time alone (I hate being alone), I could throw a fit and force him to stop and have him silently (or not) resent me, or I could LEARN.
I actually have a “Must Love Sports” category on this site. You can read about my transformation from being a hater to devoted lover here. I have even begun my own challenge to do for women what my husband did for me. A few weeks ago, I put a cry out for the women of the world who hate Football to join me in participating in our own 16 week challenge Fantasy League, so we could discover what it is that brings our husbands back year after year.
I must say, I am impressed. The response from the women is overwhelming. One participant is quoted as saying, “I have often heard my husband comment ‘fantasy football will change your life’ now I understand. It has a way of drawing you in to not just watching the last quarter of a close Panthers game but being interested in all of the games! In the past, I have never really resented his obsession because I have always spent Sunday shopping or doing my own activities. This year, having an eight month old, I knew would make things different. I did not anticipate how much fun we would have watching the games together! We actually had a wonderful afternoon playing with our son and watching our teams! ”
She actually also referenced the Women Against Fantasy Sports link, saying, “The pictures made me laugh, but thankfully I do not have to hate football Sundays!”
After seeing that site mentioned twice in one day, I decided to check it out. These women are making waves, that’s for sure! They’re not against the sport (Well, I think some are, but the owners don’t seem to be), they’re against the fact these men play fantasy football, some excessively. They are seemingly a support group for women who have husbands involved in “extreme” fantasy sports. One story talks of a husband who played fantasy football on his honeymoon!
I think this site is humorous, and I can see where it’d be a fun place to go and share stories with other women. While I am personally involved in 3 fantasy teams, some of these husbands participate in 10 or more leagues. Even the NFL players themselves play fantasy football! I have my hands full with my 3 leagues, so I can imagine the time being in 10 would take.
In that sense, these women are absolutely justified. They even have a “Top ways to ruin his fantasy draft” (I can’t imagine a woman would actually DO any of that) and a section for outrageous stories. Reading some of the interviews these women participated in, it’s obvious that they truly do hate fantasy football but they say their site is in good fun.
So I’m guessing you can make your own choice. You can choose to ignore it, and appreciate having some alone time on the weekends while your DH watches and plays fantasy football. You can Join the other haters and rally, or you can actually take the time out to learn it and see what keeps our husbands busy each week.
Personally, my relationship is number one. If this is something he loves, I want to love it with him. We even have a fun ‘No Pants Sunday‘ superstition! I don’t want to exile and alienate myself from him and his friends, I want to be involved. I learned this game and I love it. I’m a part of a league of women doing the same. They all universally say that this is bringing them closer to their husbands. They have something new to talk about and participate in together, and the husbands are happy to share.
Another mom in the league, who’s husband writes for the fantasy football website FootballGuys.com, wrote a great piece about how learning fantasy football has changed the dynamic in her house.
I ask that you take a moment to decide what is best for you and your family. There are resources on both sides. You can join in with the Women Against Fantasy Sports or you can stay tuned into my 16 week challenge in my Must Love Sports and see for yourself that football-and fantasy football-isn’t all that bad after all.
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Sounds like people analyze things WAY too much. Geez – it’s all about having fun. Different strokes for different folks.
I’m the perfect husband/father: I don’t watch sports.
I hated it too, then… something happened. I love football. I love soccer more though and even coach my kids teams. Nasty little nose picking 5 year olds. But football, I can appreciate the need for costco sized tums during the play offs. However I will never be able to enjoy slow baseball or obnoxious basketball. Nothing there for me.
Is this a bit like MACK? Men Against Crotcheting and Knitting?
You’ve a terrific writing style which is easy to read, amusing and informative. I do Fantasy Football UK style (ie soccer to you) but I don’t know anyone who’s addicted to it in the way you describe in the post – are us Brits more level headed? I doubt it, but you never know 
Mike
http://www.makingdollars4u.com
Hi There! I just found your blog and love it!!!
Ok – my opinion in a nutshell – women who HATE football, usually are insecure because they don’t understand the game. Go buy football for dummies, I did and it’s made a world of difference. If you can’t at least give it a try for the man/men/boys in your life, don’t expect them to give a crap about anything you’re interested in.
Your cool mom guide is awesome, I am in NC also, Raleigh. We sometimes go see the Panther play in Charlotte
I have two boys, 16 & 14, and was team mom for their Pop Warner Football since they were five yrs. old. I didn’t have a clue about football when I started, but I love my boys and understood that football was going to be a big part of their lives, and I sure as hell wanted to be involved. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Now they are in high school and let me tell you “Friday Night Lights” is AWESOME, especially when YOUR son is on the field!!!
Women who aren’t supportive of football just don’t get it. It’s so much more than a game. The character building, the team unity, the lessons learned are with you for life. I did a short post on my blog called “Yeah! It’s Football Season”, there are some awesome football quotes, check it out. http://mysignsoflife.today.com/2008/09/21/football/
I look forward to reading more of your blog and added you to my blogroll
Monica
Julie!
Many many accolades for you!! I am so impressed with your reaction to fantasy football and find it refreshing and completely logical to explore the game yourself!
I am aiming to raise women’s participation in fantasy football through my website and weekly video blog: GG2FF (Girls’ Guide to Fantasy Football).
http://girlsguidetofantasyfootball.com
Congratulations.
Thanks!
- Jordan
What is fantasy football??? lol i know of real life football…. but not fantasy football…that’s a new one on me!
Great attitude and way to deal with it.
That’s funny that there’s a group of women against fantasy football. I ended up playing in a league with my husband and his colleagues this year, and we’re both in the payoffs for the money.
Gotta wonder if guys would learn as much about shopping etc as we have had to about their sports.
Thanks for always making me smile. That is why when I received the Smile Award I thought about you. You can pick up your award at my site.
I’m considerate enough not to subject my wife to sport on TV and I’ve subsequently got out of the habit of watching it much. I think it’s easy to over generalise; I know quite a few women who are huge football fans. Unfortunately, my wife’s not one of them.
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nope…no football…except the kind on the table in a restaurant…you know with the little triangle paper…now that’s what i’m talkin about
Personally, I love football! I’m not into Fantasy football though, I’m more into watching the teams I like than watching individual players & paying attention to their stats. But I could see how playing FF might help ladies get interested in football, since they could keep track of their players. I use this type of idea for the NCAA Basketball tourney in March. My husband is a sports fanatic and wants to watch it all, especially all the games in the tourney. So I’m sure to fill out a bracket every year. I put some money into his pool and sometimes I even win some. It gives me something to keep track of while he watches all these random teams play. Time & time again my theory is proven…you don’t have to know a thing about basketball or the teams to win money at it. My friend & I have picked for team colors, mascots and she even picked teams where she’d kissed a guy who was a student at their school…and she won the whole thing that year, kissed a lot of guys I guess! But it’s all in fun!
Good for you!
When we first married, my wife was not much of a sports enthusiasts. However, over the years, she has come around, though she still doesn’t like going to games in the cold weather.
GO EAST CAROLINA PIRATES!
[...] face it everyone has a blog today. There’s mom blogs, sports blogs, tech blogs, food blogs, finance blogs and more! If you’ve got a voice, no matter [...]
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