Video: Fantasy footballers are upset with Philly’s Brian Westbrook
posted at 3:00 pm on December 18, 2007 by Bryan
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This is your ridiculous item of the day, and it’s one reason I don’t get into fantasy football: It takes some of the fun and rivalry out of the game itself. I despise the Philadelphia Eagles. Hate ‘em hate ‘em hate ‘em. If I played fantasy football, though, I’d inevitably own an Eagle or two and that would take away from my incandescent hate for that team. We can’t have that. But I thought Eagles’ RB Brian Westbrook’s decision not to score on the Cowboys at the end of Sunday’s game was unselfish and sportsmanlike, and beyond that, smart (besides conforming to his coach’s orders), because it kept the ball out of the Cowboys’ hands for the last two minutes of the game. Ask the Bills and the Lions how vital it is to do that if you can. As a die-hard Cowboys fan, it’s hard for me to even say something nice about any Eagle player, but there it is, and what I’m saying relates to the sportsmanship, not my own selfish need to win at a fantasy game.
Well, fantasy owners who had Westbrook on their fantasy teams have their actual shorts in a bunch because his intelligent, sportsmanlike decision on the actual field of play cost them points and games in their fantasy leagues.
Try as hard as I might, I can’t generate any sympathy for them. Sorry.
(photo from NFL.com)
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This fantasy guy looks like he’s trying his damndest not to bust out laughing during this story
Defector01 on December 18, 2007 at 3:04 PM
Not that it matters but it was his left tackle that told him to fall at the 1 yard line because the Cowboys were probably going to let him walk in so that they could get the ball back.
broker1 on December 18, 2007 at 3:05 PM
I feel your pain Bryan, I grudgingly told my wife that was a class move, then went out and banged my head on the side of the house until I lost consciousness. That helped a lot and I recommend that therapy to all Cowboy fans still suffering from that game.
conservnut on December 18, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Once again: fantasy football is Dungeons and Dragons for the nerds of the sports world.
James on December 18, 2007 at 3:06 PM
The use of “fantasy” is both appropriate, and pathetic. Go out and ride a bike. Go jog. Get some sun. Get a damn life.
OhEssYouCowboys on December 18, 2007 at 3:07 PM
Look, just because I think Marvin Harrison should be denied any consideration for induction into the Hall of Fame for what his injuries did to my team this year doesn’t mean I take fantasy football too seriously …
… come to think of it, you’re right.
thirteen28 on December 18, 2007 at 3:08 PM
Hmmm. I wonder if the ban hammer would come out if I said:
the Dallas Cowboys…hate ‘em hate ‘em hate ‘em.
KelliD on December 18, 2007 at 3:09 PM
The T-shirt will make millions.
Bryan…..yeah the Eagles aren’t on my Christmas card list either….but the bottom line is they whooped our Cowboys, and that play was one smart call.
Limerick on December 18, 2007 at 3:09 PM
Weak. I’m a lifelong fantasy football player, but I’m also a lifelong Eagles fan and as such, I’d never own a Cowboy because I couldn’t bring myself to root for that bunch of weasels come hell or high water.
Also, it’s funny to see B-West getting all the credit for this decision when it was Runyan’s call in the huddle before the final play. And it really had nothing to do with sportsmanship – you can bet the Eagles would have taken the opportunity to rub it in the Cowboys’ faces after the way they were beaten earlier this season and looked over all last week by the Cowboys. It was just a smart play to not give them back the football.
Oh, and Roy Williams is the dirtiest, most overrated player in the league.
World B. Free on December 18, 2007 at 3:10 PM
Upset with Westbrook? Imagine having Brady and Romo on your fantasy team. They put up a combined six points!
Nonfactor on December 18, 2007 at 3:11 PM
12-2 baby….12-2.
BTW….Roy Williams is about to ring your doorbell.
Limerick on December 18, 2007 at 3:12 PM
This die-hard Cowboys fan agrees with you. He’s cost our team all year with punk penalties and blown assignments.
Matticus Finch on December 18, 2007 at 3:15 PM
That was the right thing to do, but it cost me $500 bucks. He carried me this year so what the hell.
tomas on December 18, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Oh, and he just was rewarded with a Pro-Bowl invitation. Sigh.
Matticus Finch on December 18, 2007 at 3:17 PM
I didn’t think of it as a sportsman like thing. Scoring a touchdown in 10-6 game is very legitimate. Under most circumstances he would have scored, but like you said before, I’m sure they saw the Buffalo game.
Harpoon on December 18, 2007 at 3:18 PM
I like ya, KelliD, but don’t tempt me.
Bryan on December 18, 2007 at 3:19 PM
True. It seems like he has forgotten how to play the game of football.
Harpoon on December 18, 2007 at 3:20 PM
Nothing warms the cold cockles of this Giants fan’s heart than watching Cowboys and Eagles fans fighting each other.
That makes me laugh.
Now if we could get some Foreskins fans in here, I could score a trifecta of laughitude.
Veeshir on December 18, 2007 at 3:21 PM
I figure World be Free will get the hammer before me. But still, hate ‘em. Go Rams! (Ya’ll can stop laughing now)
KelliD on December 18, 2007 at 3:23 PM
Come on, the Roy Williams rule is a BS rule!
conservnut on December 18, 2007 at 3:24 PM
Smartest football play I’ve ever seen.
Oh, and Bryan?
HA-HA!
I HATE HATE HATE the Cowboys with the white hot hatred of a 1,000 supernovas.
N. O'Brain on December 18, 2007 at 3:24 PM
Now, do you think any of us that are stupid enough to be ’skins fans would also be stupid enough to admit it?
Whoops…there I go again…
flipflop on December 18, 2007 at 3:25 PM
Fantasy football has totally changed the way I watch the game. I’m now interested in players or games that I otherwise wouldn’t care about. I’m a Skins and Saints fan (don’t ask) so I only cared about those teams. Now I know who is doing what on which team.
Being a Skins fan, I despise the Cowboys. I would never EVER have one of them on my fantasy team regardless of how well they are playing. It would be blasphemous.
By the way, I have Brady and Moss on my team which has kept me in first place all year. I run the risk of them sitting out the next two games. So be it. That’s the game. That’s why you keep a decent backup.
CookeyD on December 18, 2007 at 3:26 PM
Well, at least you live up to your nickname.
Bryan on December 18, 2007 at 3:27 PM
Sorry for the snark.
Just couldn’t resist.
N. O'Brain on December 18, 2007 at 3:28 PM
Ha, good one
conservnut on December 18, 2007 at 3:28 PM
Agreed. 100%. Im a Jint fan and I despise both the Cowgirls and the E-girls.
That being said, I will actually root for the Cowgirls in the Super Bowl if they play the Patsies.
awake on December 18, 2007 at 3:29 PM
You can include me as a Westbrook owner who got burned this weekend losing by 3 points. He was probably the reason I made the playoffs to begin with, so it’s hard to hold a grudge against him but…Damn!
And seriously, if you’re a fan of the NFL and you don’t play fantasy football by now – you’re pretty much the nerd now. It’s kind of like the only boy in 7th grade who doesn’t play video games. You’re just kidding yourself if you think you’re above it.
Ballistic on December 18, 2007 at 3:30 PM
First thing I thought watching this was how the fantasy geeks were gonna have a hissyfit.
Pathetic.
JammieWearingFool on December 18, 2007 at 3:32 PM
So what level does your linesman need to be to wear the +2 Helm of Blitzing?
James on December 18, 2007 at 3:34 PM
Double-edged sword. NFL has courted and built-up fantasy sports which emphasize the individual (which I don’t play anymore, takes away from the fun of the game I think) while with the other hand punishing individual celebrations etc. BW made a great play and people who wanted to complain need to reevaluate.
Spirit of 1776 on December 18, 2007 at 3:36 PM
So what level does your linesman need to be to wear the +2 Helm of Blitzing?
James on December 18, 2007 at 3:34 PM
Uh, yeah. You’re incinuating I’m the nerd here? Right. Gotcha.
Ballistic on December 18, 2007 at 3:39 PM
The only thing I’m laughing at is Eli Manning, pal. Oh, and every single receiver the Jints have.
fiatboomer on December 18, 2007 at 3:42 PM
Its always a pleasure to watch the cowboys lose – go Redskins!!
Stevel on December 18, 2007 at 3:52 PM
By the way, the reasion there is so much anger is because in nerd world “fantasy football world” this is the playoffs. Westbrook’s unselfish show of sportsmanship might have cost some of us a boatload of cash. I will go on record as saying I won in spite of him, but only because the guy I was playing had the Cleveland QB and his 2 total points plus (how the hell do you play an 8-0 football game?lolol), and because the Chargers took out Tomlinson after the 2nd quarter or he would have beaten me by himself.
Joey1974 on December 18, 2007 at 3:53 PM
OK, that gave me a good chuckle.
As a Bills fan, no one can hate the Cowboys more than me. I can only hope that Son of Bum coach of theirs does the same stupid stuff he pulled up north.
trubble on December 18, 2007 at 3:55 PM
I’m a fan of the New England Patriots. Therefore I am hated by all.
Still I laugh at your teams. BAHAHAHAHAHA!
Bostox World Series and Superbowl ‘07 w00t!
BKennedy on December 18, 2007 at 3:57 PM
I enjoy Fantasy Football because it encourages me to keep up with teams and players in the league that I normally wouldn’t keep track of. I just play for fun though. No where near the level of seriousness that some take it to.
Some friends and I have a similar betting pool for the NCAA tournament. It is more of a lottery though as instead of making picks we each draw a seed (can only draw one of each seed number). This forces us to root for teams that we normally wouldn’t care for and make it more fun for us.
Queasy on December 18, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Hey, I resent being called a nerd for playing fantasy football. I’ve been playing since 1990, probably before most here heard of the concept. A large problem with the way it’s played now, it’s focused mostly on offense. The league I’ve been in since 92 is a franchise league utilizing individual defensive players and a roster of 25 players. It’s a challenge with as much of the luck element removed as possible.
Some of the geniuses here should try this brand then we can have another conversation about the definition of a nerd.
swami on December 18, 2007 at 4:06 PM
I think you’ve got everyone covered.
Nonfactor on December 18, 2007 at 4:09 PM
I (we) have a life. And on Sunday mornings, I (we) use a little of it to play fantasy football. I’m not sorry that this pisses you off.
But I bet you play a real sport. Like golf. Or horseshoes. Now excuse me while I check on the NFL injury reports, dumb*ss.
Hoodlumman on December 18, 2007 at 4:21 PM
From this Packers fan – great call Eagles! 4th and 26th still smarts.
Had us a little worried in the 1st half, but McCarthy has been good at making adjustments at halftime this year!
If the Packers win out, they would be the first Packers team to ever finish 14-2, hard to believe, huh?!?
SSG Fuzzy on December 18, 2007 at 4:27 PM
The only thing I’m laughing at is Eli Manning, pal. Oh, and every single receiver the Jints have.
The funny part? I’m pretty sure that was supposed to be an insult to Giants fans.
You should have seen what we did to Phil Simms before 1986. Giants fans cheered him being injured at least once.
You’re gonna have to figure out another insult if you want to get a rise out of a Giants fan. There’s very little you can say about them that we don’t say, and we use a lot more profanity usually.
Reminds me of a cartoon I saw long ago. It’s shows a TV with a floor lamp through through the screen and the woman is saying to the repairman, “My husband says to send the bill to the Jets.”
Same principle for Giants fans.
Veeshir on December 18, 2007 at 4:33 PM
Call it what it is – Fairy Tale Football.
Stephen M on December 18, 2007 at 4:56 PM
Cowgirls and Egirls fans would probably swoon with the vapors if they heard some of the language in Giants stadium during a game we are winning, much less losing.
Of course, we don’t throw snowballs at Santa.
William Teach on December 18, 2007 at 5:27 PM
or Football for Fairi……ok, maybe not that far.
That Hasselbeck/Branch and my Seahawks were able to cause a bunch of Fantasy Football Nerds to chew their guts brings a small bit of satisfaction out of that Seattle/Carolina debacle of a game.
Mallard T. Drake on December 18, 2007 at 5:42 PM
What Eagles fan would compound their (constant, affected) misery by having Eagle players on their fantasy team? Madness!
RyanOH on December 18, 2007 at 5:49 PM
No kidding. I’m a Jets fan, and I can assure you that the one of the easiest ways to start a fight is to walk into a bar full of drunk Jets fans and say, “Testaverde.” Or these days, “Mangini.”
And if you’re a Giants fan, all you have to do in the same situation is say, “Rich Kotite.”
fiatboomer on December 18, 2007 at 5:50 PM
Hey James,
I work in IT, I have a bag of dice from my college D&D days, and I’ve been in fantasy football since 1999. I’m a geek and proud to say it.
Oh, I’m a PATS fan, so feel free to flame me. Just remember 14 and 0!
I respect the Cowboys and have Tony Romo as my starting QB. It is too bad The Tuna retired. I was disappointed by Sunday’s game.
Mooseman on December 18, 2007 at 5:59 PM
I play fantasy football and all I can say is WAAAAAAAAAA!!!
For all you Westbrook owners out there, next time get greedier players like Terrel Owens, Randy Moss, Payton Manning or Tom Brady. I got laughed at for picking Moss this year because of his bad attitude and injuries last year, but about 1300 yards and 19 TD’s later, who’s in the league finals laughing now?
Planet Boulder on December 18, 2007 at 6:10 PM
Pfft… Fantasy Football is old ‘n Busted – Fantasy Congress is where its at!
/no I’m that big of a nerd.
spec_ops_mateo on December 18, 2007 at 6:26 PM
Don’t knock fantasy football ’til you’ve tried it, Bryan.
For years, I didn’t get it, either. Then four seasons backed I got talked into joining a league and I’m now irrevocably hooked.
It is a phenomenal way to learn football. Because of my teams, I know a thousand times more than I did a decade ago, I understand all the intricacies, and it makes watching the games a lot more fun. And pretty intense.
Best part is getting your honey into it, though. My fiancee can easily talk football better than most guys now … and frankly, it’s kinda hawt.
Give it a try. With friends. And preferably your woman. Add beer. Mix gently.
I now look forward to it all year. Seriously … try it. You’ll see.
Oh – and when it comes to my Cowboys, the fantasy thing goes out the window. Gotta have priorities.
And I never, ever draft Eagles, Redskins, or Giants. If I get them by accident, I trade them. Gotta have standards, too.
Professor Blather on December 18, 2007 at 6:59 PM
Funny how some people call others who play football online geeks, yet, are complaining about it……online ;)
William Teach on December 18, 2007 at 7:13 PM
Well, to be honest, for one season I tried Fantasy Golf. Soon discovered that I’d rather be on the course playing than trying to figure out the top three finishes in the Masters.
Mallard T. Drake on December 18, 2007 at 7:44 PM
Apparently all those people have no understanding what the word FANTASY means.
Helloyawl on December 18, 2007 at 9:37 PM
If you know enough to not just say ‘huh?’ to that, you have no room to talk.
Not geek…nerd.
Like the stats nerds who can recite all the occasions touchdowns were made via an off-hand pass or the ultra fanbois who know what their favorite nerd-crush does for a pregame ritual, including what they eat the night before or whether they save all their toenail clippings in a jar. WHO CARES?
Oh, but it’s about football, so that makes it cool, right?
James on December 18, 2007 at 10:16 PM
i have played fantasy baseball and football sine 1997 and played just about every other sport fantasy game a couple times if not more. I currently even play fantasy gambling where you bet on sports with fake money. even tried nascar once (the only one I couldnt get into) The wife always makes fun of me but I refused to admit I have a problem. UNTIL i saw the above fantasy game and was so excited I signed up right away. So now Im here to say “hi my name is captainobvious and I a fantasyaholic”
anyway its a form of competition. If its something you can compete in sign me up. and to the “go ride a bike” guy dont worry Im involved in all kinds of physical competitions too, actually so many Im ashamed to admit all the weekly leagues and sports I play thoughout the year.
CaptainObvious on December 19, 2007 at 12:22 AM
Bryan,
The Cowboys have won so many superbowls; what’s the point of Eagle hatred? I understand spirited division competition, but you and my fellow Eagle fans need a therapist and a good enema.
Gotta say, BWest said it wasn’t his idea after the game. It was actually John Runyan, the Birds’ right tackle, who told him to down it on the 1 yard line.
Fantasy Football is the bane of team sports.
budorob on December 19, 2007 at 10:39 AM
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