by Mac Paquette | sports writer

Junior Sahil Gopal is going about his weekend, enjoying his free time when suddenly he gets a text from his

friend mocking him about forgetting to set his lineup last weekend when they faced each other in fantasy football.  He immediately opens his fantasy football app and sets his lineup just prior to the NFL kickoff at 1 to avoid the misery of hearing jokes all week about his mishap.

“Over the past five years it has definitely grown ‘competition’ and in popularity, the whole attention brought to the fantasy world has definitely left an impact on society,” Gopal said.

Draft day for fantasy football players is an intense day.  It can separate families and tear apart close relationships between friends.  From getting confidential draft information, to predicting another player’s next pick, the attention to detail taken by fantasy players is incredible.

“The whole draft day atmosphere is crazy, your whole season is in the balance during draft day, one bust pick can ruin your season,” junior Marshall Martin said.

The hype for the weekend and the fantasy football matchups often take over the players mind.  Through the week evaluations are made here and there seeing which way your team can improve in small and subtle ways, but when Sunday rolls around, all eyes and focus are on the matchup.

“It makes the weekend something to look forward to even more, and sometimes even makes you look forward to Monday if you have a player playing in the Monday night game” Gopal said.

While some prefer dominating their fantasy foes who they do not know online, playing with friends gives the league a more friendly aspect, well, sometimes.  Having friends in the league also can add more intense matchups because of the competitiveness with friends and rivalries.

“I like playing it with friends. It adds a more friendly, yet more competitive type feel to the games” Gopal said.

The country-wide pandemic that is fantasy football has taken over the students in the halls at Johnson, and has impacted students clearly on a day to day basis.  From avoiding being the laughing stock of your league, to bragging about your football knowledge, the separate fantasy football world is here to stay.

“It’s hard to think a virtual game is so important, but it just sucks you in and it doesn’t let go. You always want to be better and to win,” Martin said.

Ready to join the league?  Click here to start getting in on the action with your group of friends.