It’s that time of the year again—football season. As the leaves start to turn brown, football season begins. Many students at Parker participate in a fantasy football league. Fantasy football is a competition where each team owner drafts a team of players prior to the season, and these teams compete with one another each week. Students score points in their league when football players earn yards, touchdowns, and receptions in real life. Leagues are made up of four to 16 people.

Fantasy football is sweeping over Parker, and the Parker community knows it. In the halls, fantasy football discussion is hard to avoid. Whether fantasy football participants are yelling or fighting one another, it is all in good humor. In classes, students whisper smack talk about others’ teams and attempt to persuade one another to make trades. “It was all fun and games,” freshman Wyatt Chatalas said, “nobody took it to heart, we all know it’s in good humor.” Strangers turn into friends and friends turn to competitors.

Fantasy football can make beautiful and everlasting relationships. Throughout the football season, members of these leagues will meet up on Sundays and watch the games together. Leagues grow closer with laughter and screaming. 

“I have made many friends through fantasy football,” freshman Max Keller said. “In sixth grade I made an amazing friend through the game. Even though he left Parker, we still hang out and text.” Each league ends their season closer to each other even though they detest each other throughout the whole season. 

Fantasy football is a fun and interactive game, but it does have its cons. It hinders students productivity, keeping them from homework and studying. On Sundays, instead of doing homework, students watch football games and root for teams. 

“I do concentrate more on games instead of doing my homework,” fantasy football player Johnny Mansueto said, “Sometimes I find myself paying a lot of attention to the game that I forget that I still have some homework to do.” One pro is that it gives players the joy of making correct decisions. Fantasy football helps and hinders students.

Next time, when the sound of fantasy football floats down the hall, remember the bitterness of the leagues. But also remember the happiness it brings to people, making new friends, watching football, and learning life skills.