As the first week of the NFL comes to an end it is time to look back and reflect on it. It was a great week, unless you were a Bengals fan, to sit on the couch and watch some football. Watching football, eating food, and doing nothing on your couch but refresh your phone is a great day to almost everyone.

Yet sometimes the Sunday Scaries hit you right in the middle of an exciting game. No I am not talking about realizing that tomorrow is Monday, or that the hometown team is getting demolished. I am talking about when your fantasy football team is about to lose in a heart breaker. Fantasy football is the game that millions across America play every week.

The Fantasy Sports Trade Association said that nearly 57 million people age 12 and above in the US and Canada played fantasy sports in 2014. Participation has grown dramatically over the past few years, according to FSTA. Granted that is all fantasy sports, but football is the most common by far. That statistic was from three years ago and numbers are growing every year. It is projected that about 60 million will be playing in 2017. Additionally a recent poll projects that 70% of Fantasy Football players will be paying to join a league.

Even with the millions who play fantasy every week some argue that is bad for the sport. These are the same people who say brackets for March madness are bad for the sport. Although I do think fantasy football is great, I do see their point in a few cases. For example, when you are watching your favorite team play against a player you have in fantasy and are at crossroads over who to root for. But overall, I think Fantasy is great and I play every year.

So why is Fantasy Football so fun and addictive? I asked several classmates to find the answer.

Elder junior Joey Singler had this to say about fantasy football. “I love fantasy football, it is one of my favorite hobbies. When asked about why he liked it so much he said, “I don’t know, I love how it is exciting and allows you to compete against your friends. It also gives me something to do on Sundays.”

Elder junior Jack Burgasser said he loves fantasy football because it is something to do while you’re bored. He also said, “I love doing research for fantasy and seeing if I can find a sleeper pick. It also fun to be able to talk crap and beat your friends.  Plus, it gives me a reason to watch pointless games that I would otherwise not pay attention to.”

One thing that came across several times while interviewing people about fantasy football is that it allows for people to play with their friends and family. I believe fantasy football is great because it gives people of all ages and expertise a chance to compete and have fun with those close to them