BY LOGAN CAMPBELL
On Thursday, September 8th, 2016, at 8:30 AM, the NFL season began with the Broncos and Panthers facing off in a post-Super Bowl rematch (the Broncos defeated the Panthers last season in Super Bowl 50, 24-10). Fantasy football player, junior Quinn Driggett, had his eyes peeled on the TV screen when the first whistle blew of game one. Eight weeks later, Quinn is at a 6-2 record, seemingly unstoppable.
Driggett has been playing fantasy football for four years now, and he has had trouble being successful in his leagues. Last season, Driggett started 0-5, but finished strong with a record of 5-8. “It was not the season I had hoped for, but I am proud of the way my team finished,” says Driggett. He later added that he has never made it to the playoffs.
Friends and fellow fantasy football competitors believe Driggett takes the game way too seriously. Junior Jackson Northrop believes that Quinn spends most of his time on fantasy football, especially on Sundays. When asked if Driggett is obsessed with the game, Northrop replied, “I’d say extremely passionate.”
In past years, Quinn has struggled to maintain a winning record by the end of the season; Driggett’s four years of fantasy football includes a 5-8(twice), 4-9, and a 6-7 record. Although Driggett has had four rough years in fantasy football, he firmly believes that this is the year. “I feel like this is finally the year I turn things around and make a run in the playoffs,” Driggett says. If he does not make the playoffs this season, Driggett plans on retiring after the end of the season.
Because of Driggett’s current first place standing, he knows how this season will turn out. “I feel like I have a strong chance to win out, but anything is possible,” says Driggett. The so-called expert believes that his team is very special. “My team has no weak points; every position is better than my opponents,” he says.
Junior Max Hobart, who also plays fantasy football with Driggett, says, “Fantasy football is taking over Quinn’s life. Ever since draft day, 99.99 percent of what Quinn talks about is fantasy football.” Hobart later explains that the .01 percent being left out is Quinn’s love for Michigan athletics. Driggett’s family is from Michigan, so his entire family bleeds maize and blue.
Although Driggett’s life seems to be surrounded by fantasy football, he does in fact participate in other activities, such as varsity baseball and indoor soccer. But, on Sunday’s throughout the fall, expect Quinn Driggett to have his eyes peeled on the TV when the first whistle blows at 1:00 PM.