Whether your journey started in 1962 or a few minutes ago, you have a fantasy football origin story. Your moment might be similar to others', but it's almost magical to you.
In an instant, your life was altered. From the added friendships to the joy and agony of last-minute scores, fantasy football changed you.
Email your fantasy football origin story to gray@footballguys.com.
If you do send me your story, let me know if it's okay to share. I'd love to make this a weekly feature through the 2026 season. And if you don't want it shared here, that's cool too. I'll only repost if you give me permission.
My Fantasy Football Origin Story
In October of 1992, a guy in my Physical Geography class at UCA (Danny Carson) asked if I watched football. I said yes, and he asked which of a few players I thought was better.
It was my first Who Do I Start? question and my introduction to fantasy football.
Before the week ended (maybe that very day, I don't remember), I accepted an invite into Danny's North Rock Fantasy Football League.
That weekend, I went to the bookstore at Park Plaza Mall and bought this book.
Yeah. In October, I bought a book about fantasy football.
And it was a book. Over an inch thick.
I consumed it.
Starting in June of 1993, I looked for fantasy football magazines at every grocery store and gas station I entered and eventually picked this up.
And, of course, I went back to the Cliff Charpentier well with this fine publication.
As an aside, you youngsters can stop scoffing at the idea of buying books. This was peak 1993 tech, so I was working with what I had to work with.
Anyway, the NRFFL expanded in 1993, from 6 to 10 teams. (Actually, from five, as one of the founding members did not return.)
Those five returning teams kept two players. In those days, that basically meant the top five quarterbacks and top five running backs were off the board.
Knowing I had no chance at the likes of Emmitt Smith, Steve Young, or Thurman Thomas did not deter me. I had determined that the best player available was still in the player pool.
No one kept Jerry Rice!?!?
Luckily, Joe Bryant hadn't written about VBD yet, so I was able to take Rice with the fourth pick of the draft.
Rice rewarded me with this:
- Receptions: 98
- Receiving Yards: 1,503
- Touchdowns: 15
Three words: Value. Based. Drafting.
Rookie running back Jerome Bettis was my second pick, and I was on my way to winning the 1993 NRFFL championship.
Easy game.
I only bring up my origin story today because tonight is the rules meeting and draft order draw for the NRFFL. I'll be at Danny's house tonight. The only reason the two of us are friends, and the only reason you're reading this, is because he asked if I watched football back in October of 1992.
In an instant, my life was altered.
Please let me know your story: gray@footballguys.com.
