Feeling the Pain

Stingy defenses inflicting crippling hits, superstars playing at the top of their game and captivating comeback victories, almost all fantasy football fanatics have had something to cheer about during this past week. It’s just a shame that my mediocre team has yet to produce me fantasy points with their lackluster play.

With already three games into the NFL season, and a 1-2 record to show for it, I can only hope that my team shows up in the upcoming weeks.

I can recall in week two, when I gain my first victory, I felt like I was on top of the world. Even though my team, the San Francisco 49ers, suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Dallas Cowboys, I still felt like I had a bounce in my step as the days moved closer towards week three.

Then, I too experienced a crushing loss of my own when I lost by a measly 3 points to my opponent this past week. To make matters worse, only one of my players did well, adding to my misfortune.

With my current seventh place standing, I started contemplating about all those in the same position as me, and also those fortunate enough to be able to boast winning records in their respective leagues. 

A friend of mine in my league has a great start to the season with a 3-0 record, and he has already flooded the messages section with smack talk saying that he is going to win it all.  But can tooting your own horn really help you sleep better at night?

In fantasy football, pride is huge influence in the lives of many. Some people can take winning almost too seriously.  Surely in some leagues monetary gain can contribute to this, but bragging rights over your peers can also be a driving factor to something like fantasy football.

The same can also be said in almost all aspects of life. Some people brag about salaries, grades or some can even gloat who has the most extravagant lawn in the neighborhood.

Whatever the case may be, pride can certainly be an integral part in one’s life. It can motivate someone to achieve greater things, but it can also be detrimental one’s well being as well. Surely there has been a time in everyone’s life when their pride has gotten the best of them. I recall several times in my life when I would go out of my way to prove a point rather than let my pride get hurt, but we’ll save that for another column.

So as week four rolls around, I just have a couple of words of wisdom for all those in fantasy football land. If you’re lucky enough to have a winning record, I’d keep the smack talk to a minimum because you never know what the upcoming weeks will bring, or if that star player of yours will get afflicted with a nagging injury. And for those in the same boat as me, I feel your pain. But don’t fret, the season is still young.