It is no secret that the sport of American Football plays a large role in the culture of Darien High School. Just about every other Friday, the DHS football team plays at home, and the reception is typically fantastic. In the hallways, one may spot a student wearing a sweatshirt supporting a certain NFL team or overhear a conversation about “ the Monday Night game.” However, the love of football extends from on the field to on the screen. 

Oftentimes, on the bus, in the library, or on my way to class, I’ll overhear discussions about trading players (which often precedes a long argument about why the trade proposal is “trash”). Fantasy football, on the strategic-end, holds its claim to inducing decision-making, negotiations and transactions. Although it is typically played among friends, controlling and managing their assets (the players), is something they seem to enjoy; it is in this executive position that many find Fantasy football so endearing.

There has been a steady increase in the popularity of Fantasy Sports in the last decade; in 2022, there were over 50 million players in America. In 2022, 22.9 Million Americans participated in Fantasy Football specifically; the 2nd most popular Fantasy Sport (Baseball) has a player count of less than half of that of Fantasy Football. Fantasy Football is a rising phenomena that will continue to grow over the following years. While DHS is a small sample size of America’s affinity for the “sport,” it certainly is reflective of these national trends.

These “adult-like” responsibilities bring a sense of meaning and accomplishment (if the team succeeds) to the managers. The rush of “risk and reward” does not fail to reach the students. Many of the leagues that the students participate in have prizes for the Championship Winner…and punishments for the manager who “fell flat on their face” for the entire season.

Sophomore Max Scaccia, shared his interest in the high-stakes competition. 

“It’s called the Jelly Donut Mile,” Scaccia said.”[Whoever] finishes last in our league will run a mile, where every lap around the track, you eat a jelly donut.”

While it is undoubtedly a strange punishment, Scaccia’s league punishment is an indication of many leagues’ brutal creativity when it comes to the “consequences for being the worst.” Yet, it is another reason to explain Fantasy’s wild and growing appeal.

By a combination of the zeal of sports, business-like behavior, and amiable (or aggressive) competition, it seems as if Fantasy Football will continue to be popular among Darien’s youth.