Women and fantasy football may seem like an unlikely pairing to some, but here’s my story.
Football has run through my veins for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a suburb of Detroit when Barry Sanders was in his prime. I have fond memories of my parents taking me to NFL games. Thanksgiving in Detroit was always the best. We’d also attend signing events and stand outside the football camp waiting for autographs. After attending games, I would come home and practice kicking a football in the front yard. I was determined to be the NFL’s first female kicker.
While those dreams did not become a reality, football remained a constant. There were some years that I was more interested in it than others, but overall, it remained my favorite sport.
In high school, I participated in a football camp that the Detroit Lions put on for women. Some players came and explained football, ran through some drills, and spoke about their experiences in the NFL. This camp helped me learn more about the game, which I would later use in the fantasy football world.
What It’s Like to Be a Fantasy Football Owner in a Male-Dominated League
When fantasy football came around, it was like Christmas! I could “own” my team, pick the lineup, and battle for a playoff spot. I could finally use all my football knowledge while earning some extra money! (See How Fantasy Football Works.)
Starting in a Small Family Fantasy League
The first league I participated in was a small eight-person league with my family. This was before there were apps on phones. We would use the same computer to draft our team, sign in and out of our accounts, and help each other with draft picks.
The first year was a learning curve for all of us. It sounded easy enough to draft the perfect team, but injuries, bye weeks, and breakout stars shook the league. I don’t even remember where I finished that year. As I recall, I wasn’t first, but I wasn’t last, either.
I continued to play in the league, which included my mom and my brother’s girlfriend. I did very well a couple of years ago, and a couple of years ago, I did not. My team’s outcome was not a reflection of my gender.
No one treated anyone differently based on their gender. We were all just individuals playing a game and looking to win prizes. Gender never crossed my mind until I joined my company’s league.
The Co-Ed Work League – The Early Years
A co-worker created a fantasy football league at our office three years ago. He knew I was interested in football and invited me to participate in their league. Other co-workers weren’t happy that a “girl” was in the league, but others didn’t care. I assumed they had invited me because they thought I wouldn’t know what I was doing. Easy money. I let them believe what they choose to.
Mostly, I felt respected and included in the league, although some men weren’t on board with a woman crashing their party. The men who didn’t know me were the worst. At first, they would offer ridiculous trades. They wanted my star quarterback for their kicker. They’d try to tell me trading my #1 running back for their #3 quarterback was a steal. I’d shake my head as I hit the “decline” button. The crazy trades and doubts began to fade as the season continued. I was winning games, knocking my competitors down the leaderboard. My wins were earning “street cred” in our league.
Fantasy Football League Champion
I won that first year. The girl “who didn’t know what she was doing” beat all of them. I was invited back the following year but treated as more of an equal. They recruited other women in the office who weren’t football savvy to win their money.
Some women did well; others would leave great wide receivers on the bench all season. I don’t think the women who didn’t do well failed because they were women. I think they failed because they had too little knowledge or dealt with many injuries on their team. However, some men in the league suffered the same fate.
The only real difference I noticed was that a small group of men would only talk to other men about football. They’d ask each other for advice or talk about the “sick play” from the night before. It was common to hear them talking about football at the coffee station, but it was rare for them to include females.
The Co-Ed Work League – Last Year
Last year, our office league consisted of 12 teams. The judgmental men had moved on to other companies, leaving a great group of people who didn’t care about gender. We had a big draft party at my boss’s house, and everyone enjoyed themselves.
I personally didn’t feel judged based on my sex, and I don’t think anyone else did, either. We were all equal, just co-workers looking forward to having something else to talk about other than work.
Seven of the teams were owned by women. Most knew what to do and battled hard against the men’s teams. A couple made rookie mistakes, but I’ve seen men make those mistakes before.
Our four-team playoff round starred three women owners and one male owner. Two women advanced to the “Super Bowl,” and we crowned another woman champion. (Sadly, I came in second and am still not over it.)
How Some Women Have an Advantage in Fantasy Football
As fantasy football grows yearly, so does the number of women involved. It is estimated that nearly 20% of fantasy football owners are women. Women are joining leagues fast, and even all-female fantasy football leagues are out there. I’ve never considered joining one, but this would be a good idea for any woman who wants to learn the game and not feel intimidated by a man.
Women who aren’t heavily invested in football may have an advantage. There’s no team to feel loyal to, no player you must draft because you own their jersey. Admittedly, I’ve played certain people weekly because I was a fan. Sometimes it was the right call. Other times, my bench racked up more points than my starting lineup.
Women also tend to be organized and plan, which can do wonders for a fantasy owner when bye weeks roll around. Many fantasy football is planning ahead, watching for bye weeks and certain matchups.
A woman doesn’t need to know who was drafted #1 this year (Baker Mayfield, if you were interested) or won the Super Bowl last year. They need to understand the basics of fantasy football and a few rules. (One of them is never to draft a kicker first!) With the advances of technology, it’s very easy to Google a player and see if there’ll be a draft bust.
Closing Thoughts on Women and Fantasy Football
Based on my experience, gender doesn’t matter. Some people understand the game, and others are a little foggy on how many points a touchdown is. A woman may know more than a man. (Personally, I know a lot more than my husband does.)
Some women know who Gronk is, and some men have no idea what a “Gronk Spike” is. Anyone can win in their league with a little knowledge and luck when it comes down to it.
If you’re a woman, don’t let the game intimidate you, but do research. While the draft magazines are still published yearly, much information is available on the Internet for free. ESPN is a great place to learn about the game and the players, especially if you sign up as an Insider. (If you’re unsure about fantasy football, the Insider subscription also has a feature showing you who to put in your lineup each week.)
Have Fun With It, and Don’t Stress Out
Don’t stress too much about the draft or the rest of the season. You don’t have to watch the NFL Network every day. You don’t even need to watch a football game that week. Get the app and follow along.
Remember to check your lineup each week for injuries and bye weeks. If you receive a trade request you’re unsure about, research or ask an unbiased person for advice. For the most part, fantasy football is luck mixed with a lot of praying that your quarterback doesn’t get knocked out for the season.
If you’re a man, don’t expect to win against a woman just because men dominate the NFL. You never know. Your female competitor may have grown up with big football aspirations!
By Kati Jewell
Kati Jewell is a Michigan native who loves football. When she’s not on her boat with her husband and daughter, she can be found at yoga class or lost in a good book.
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