Why do people get so obsessed with fantasy football? I dont get the appeal

I was you about 5 years ago. Now I'm in 3 leagues and check my team way too often. Let me try to explain the addiction: **It makes every game matter** Without fantasy, you might watch your team's game and that's it. With fantasy, suddenly you care about a random Thursday night Jaguars game because your running back is playing. Every game has stakes. **It's competitive but accessible** Unlike actual sports, anyone can play. You don't need athletic ability, just knowledge (or luck). Beating your friends based on your research and decisions is genuinely satisfying. **The social aspect** The group chat trash talk, the draft party, arguing about trades - it's a shared hobby that keeps people connected. My league has kept college friends close for 12 years. **It's a puzzle** Who do I start? Who's a sleeper? Should I trade? It scratches the same itch as any strategy game. **The gambling element (without technically gambling)** Most leagues have buy-ins ($50-200). So there's real money on the line, which raises the stakes. **Why people get "too into it":** Once you're invested - drafted a team, paid your buy-in, trash-talked your friends - you're emotionally committed. Losing because your guy got hurt or underperformed stings. **My advice:** Join a free league next year just to try it. Start with a work league or friends league. You'll either get hooked or confirm it's not for you. Either way, you'll finally understand what they're talking about.