By By Matthew Nascone
As anyone who has ever been around me for more than a day knows, I am addicted to fantasy sports. My parents and grandparents make fun of me for it and my girlfriend rolls her eyes when I talk about it, but my friends understand me…at least the ones in my league.
As I tell those who love me, wouldn't you rather me have this addiction than an addiction to a much more dangerous substance. At least with fantasy sports the worst thing I could do is be depressed for a day.
And there have been those days, such as when my friend Paul, and long time fantasy buddy, beats me every year like clockwork. I think it is the sense of competition that allows me to invite him back into the league every year.
I don't know why I keep doing it because he wins every year in every sport because he is the one person who is addicted to sports more than I am.
That is why I know sports journalism is for me because I don't know where I would be without sports. Some people might call that sad, but it is really just the God's honest truth about my life.
I live, eat, breathe, drink and sleep sports. And fantasy sports play right into that obsession. Most people would watch a football game on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and enjoy the game, but if it is a team I care for, or a team that has some of my fantasy players, I am watching the game with full intent.
And if my team or my players do poorly, I am not a person you want to be around for at least the rest of the day. When the mighty Auburn Tigers began their fall from the top this year against South Florida and then continued that fall against Mississippi State the following week, I was saddened for all of Saturday.
I also had to sit there and be happy for my girlfriend Adrienne's team, Alabama, because they beat Arkansas in a barnburner the night of the Mississippi State loss. But all was well last week as the Tigers got back to .500 with a win over Sun Belt Conference powerhouse New Mexico State. Can you sense the sarcasm?
Anyways, back to fantasy sports and why they are one of the best creations in the world. For one, they are good because it allows fans to stay connected with the major sports in this country. The all-star balloting for Major League Baseball crushed all kinds of records last year because people were paying attention to fantasy baseball, so they can make much more educated selections for the All-Star game.
Overall, this country has been invaded by fantasy sports through the past decade and with the advancements in technology there is no telling how far the fantasy game can be taken in the future. Now you can check your fantasy team anywhere on your phone. Who would have thought you could do that 10 years ago?
And ESPN has captured the essence of the obsession with their brilliant Fantasy MVP commercials. Here is to fantasy sports taking over the world. Well, maybe not that far, but here is to fantasy sports ruling the hearts of all sports fans across the world.
Matthew Nascone is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or online at sports@atmoreadvance.com.