Yet another way for the heart to express a love of football has emerged. Fantasy football, originally theorized in the early 1960s, took on a new life at the turn of the century. Computers and the internet have jumpstarted a complex and thought-provoking world. However, it is more than meets the eye; it is more than just “boys being boys.” It is “football fanatics being football fanatics” to the maximum. For those not involved in the galaxy that it is Fantasy Football, the surface may seem confusing and downright ridiculous! However, I promise you that it is not as complicated as it may appear.

Fantasy football is a point-based system that awards fantasy members for statistics posted by real players in the National Football League (NFL). A “fantasy league” is made up of multiple teams, each run by a person or group of people. The members meet together to conduct a draft, usually in mid to late August. Just like the NFL Draft, which consists of the choosing of college players by professional team organizations, a “Fantasy Draft” is the picking of NFL players by fantasy team owners. The number of fantasy teams and the number of players per team differs from league to league. Positions include quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker, and a team defense. There are many factors to consider while selecting players, such as bye weeks, player performances, and injuries.

The title “fantasy football” is actually quite the oxymoron. The basis for anything and everything fantasy-sport related is technically based on reality. One fantasy football factor is that every team in the NFL has a 17-week schedule, including 16 games and one “bye week.” The bye weeks occur from week 4 to week 10 and act as break. A bye week in football is similar to an “off day.” Every player drafted on to a fantasy football team will not play one week of the season, and therefore not post any stats. To eliminate this lull in the schedule, teams draft other players of the same position to act as “bye week replacements.”

During the season, fantasy team owners must update their schedules on a weekly basis, based on injures, performances and bye weeks. Fantasy football (and other sports) leagues are run by ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, and many other websites and organizations. Also, depending on league regulations, “Add/drops” are permitted each week. An “add/drop” is the releasing of one or more players from a fantasy team lineup, and the addition of a new player, unclaimed by another team in the league, to fill that gap. Often referred to as the “waiver wire,” these pickups can greatly enhance a fantasy team, as well as increase its complexity. Trades between teams are another method of changing your roster mid-season, though the regulations once again are dependent on the specific league. All of these and many other aspects make up the formula that is a fantasy football team.

Fantasy league schedules differ from league to league, but there are commonly about 14 regular season weeks and then three playoff weeks. Each week, two teams “play” each other and fantasy points are earned based on a scoring system and performance. The fantasy team with more “accumulative points” wins the game. The playoff system is based on the number of teams in a league.

Although it may seem formal and technical, fantasy football can be a very fun form of leisure and entertainment. For example, this season my dad was more or less dragged into a fantasy football league at his job. In the beginning, my dad resisted joining because he assumed it would require too much work, effort and time. Nevertheless, he did become a member of the league and simultaneously delegated all the decisions to me. However, at the draft, my dad realized that it could be greatly enjoyable after all. Personally, my fantasy football team is undefeated so far.

“Fantasy football” has developed the image of a time-guzzling, online game intended for football fanatics and computer nerds. Though, yes, many who take part do enjoy a good game of football, it is not as serious an operation as it is made out to be. Fantasy football is as serious and competitive as you personally make it.

All in all, fantasy football is a fun experience. Whether you are looking to meet new people or grow closer with your current friends, I assure you it is quite entertaining (especially the trash-talking and teasing, though still friendly, E-mails).