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Plus 50 - year olds still playing FF (1 Viewer)

Team Smokin'

Team Smokin'

Footballguy
I've been playing Fantasy Football for... gosh 25 plus years now. I remember winning a t-shirt from USA Today before computers when you called in your team to make line up changes on the telephone.

Every year for the last several I thought I would be done and retire...every Sunday I end up jumping around the house like a kid who just received his first brand new bicycle. :)

I study this all the time. Today's big question is which Giant wide receiver will end up being most productive at the end of the season. Steady Steve Smith or Big Play Mario Manningham? Or is it someone else on another team? Crazy isn't it?

 
:thumbdown:

Refreshing post... I thought you were gonna be complaining for a minute. Good luck today and enjoy the games, Old-timer. ;)

 
Team Smokin said:
I've been playing Fantasy Football for... gosh 25 plus years now. I remember winning a t-shirt from USA Today before computers when you called in your team to make line up changes on the telephone.Every year for the last several I thought I would be done and retire...every Sunday I end up jumping around the house like a kid who just received his first brand new bicycle. :rolleyes: I study this all the time. Today's big question is which Giant wide receiver will end up being most productive at the end of the season. Steady Steve Smith or Big Play Mario Manningham? Or is it someone else on another team? Crazy isn't it?
Click to expand...
I'll be playing til I die. I don't see why not. I almost feel bad for the people who are spoiled by "Live Scoring". I remember we would watch whatever game was on the network(s). A a highlight from another game would come on showing a TD,everyone "Update, Update!", it might be the only time you would know anything about that particular score until the box score the next day. You would be in the dark so much, you would be thinking:" well there are two unaccounted for TDs in that game if Christian Okoye scored them, I am golden." ESPN wouldn't even account for each individual score. You would try to get as much info. you could from the little they gave you, you might get the stats from the leading rusher and receiver for that GAME. USA Today the morning after was heaven sent.Now, you get an update after every play of every game. It's better but crazy. All the stats you see now is because of fantasy football. Fools are spoiled these days, some rotten. But I still love it. Keeps you in touch with old friends, even if is just to make fun of them. :thumbdown: ;)
 
I got my dad playing, this will be his 3rd year and he just turned 60. Though he has had so much bad luck that he isn't likely as excited as you are haha.

 
My dad and I are in the same dynasty league - have been for 5 years. He's won it all twice and I've won it all twice...and we're in the same division. We have a blast as division "rivals". He's 61 and I'm 39 - I can't speak for him, but I know whne waiver wire claims get put through on Friday night, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning on Saturday "What'd I get?!?!"

It was pretty funny - everyone came to the initial draft armed with pages and pages of notes, copies, printouts, magazines, laptops, etc. He showed up with one piece of paper. Some thought the old man didn't "get it" (I knew better) - until he drafted a team that has had more regular season wins than any other in the league over the 5 year span of the league. He had actually done so many mocks and other FF leagues he knew most players/rosters off the top of his head.

 
bonesman said:
:thumbup: Refreshing post... I thought you were gonna be complaining for a minute. Good luck today and enjoy the games, Old-timer. ;)
Click to expand...
Old-timer WOW! If you saw me you would think I'm still in my 30's...yeah it does keep us young. I get AARP in the mail and just leave them unopened. People tell me there are benefits in this? Oh well...Let's go Brady! And Grant and Gore and Minnesota D! Bowe questionable - you're killin' me, already lost Gonzalez :rolleyes:
 
I'm 47 & will keep playing as long as I can set a lineup. My local league is in its 21st year - most of us used to work together & have since scattered to the wind. So besides just loving to play FF, it's an excuse for us to keep in touch & see each other at least once a year.

 
DoubleG said:
My dad and I are in the same dynasty league - have been for 5 years. He's won it all twice and I've won it all twice...and we're in the same division. We have a blast as division "rivals". He's 61 and I'm 39 - I can't speak for him, but I know whne waiver wire claims get put through on Friday night, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning on Saturday "What'd I get?!?!"It was pretty funny - everyone came to the initial draft armed with pages and pages of notes, copies, printouts, magazines, laptops, etc. He showed up with one piece of paper. Some thought the old man didn't "get it" (I knew better) - until he drafted a team that has had more regular season wins than any other in the league over the 5 year span of the league. He had actually done so many mocks and other FF leagues he knew most players/rosters off the top of his head.
Click to expand...
:goodposting:I remeber that draft well. Since I knew your dad, I knew he was prepared. Prepared? The guy's obsessed! You failed to mention that this was only his 2nd or 3rd year playing fantasy football at all (dynasty or otherwise)! It's unhealthy, I tell ya!At least he was spanked last year in my auction (redraft) league.And, no, we will not be naming the Super Bowl trophy after the two of you. ;)
 
I'm almost 62 and probably the oldest guy in all of my 10 leagues. I didn't even start playing until I was 45. Those were the days when the commish had to wait until the paper came out on TUESDAY because I was in England and we got the stats a day later. What fun days those were. Like the rest of you I will be playing until i am no longer able to use a computer or see the TV screen.

 
firstseason1988 said:
Team Smokin said:
I've been playing Fantasy Football for... gosh 25 plus years now. I remember winning a t-shirt from USA Today before computers when you called in your team to make line up changes on the telephone.Every year for the last several I thought I would be done and retire...every Sunday I end up jumping around the house like a kid who just received his first brand new bicycle. :rolleyes: I study this all the time. Today's big question is which Giant wide receiver will end up being most productive at the end of the season. Steady Steve Smith or Big Play Mario Manningham? Or is it someone else on another team? Crazy isn't it?
Click to expand...
I'll be playing til I die. I don't see why not. I almost feel bad for the people who are spoiled by "Live Scoring". I remember we would watch whatever game was on the network(s). A a highlight from another game would come on showing a TD,everyone "Update, Update!", it might be the only time you would know anything about that particular score until the box score the next day. You would be in the dark so much, you would be thinking:" well there are two unaccounted for TDs in that game if Christian Okoye scored them, I am golden." ESPN wouldn't even account for each individual score. You would try to get as much info. you could from the little they gave you, you might get the stats from the leading rusher and receiver for that GAME. USA Today the morning after was heaven sent.Now, you get an update after every play of every game. It's better but crazy. All the stats you see now is because of fantasy football. Fools are spoiled these days, some rotten. But I still love it. Keeps you in touch with old friends, even if is just to make fun of them. :goodposting: ;)
Click to expand...
firstseason1988 - yes I remember those days well. We had to wait until the next day to get USA Today to calculate our exact total. I remember having to wait until a certain time to pick up the newspaper to get the box score. Now I sit watching and changing games all the while checking my computer. In 1988 I didn't even know how to turn on a computer and resisted until 1990 ;) Trying to think my first season? Early 80's I believe... I remember drafting Andre "Bad Moon" Risen once. I remember when ESPN and Chris Berman started. Wow, an all-sports channell - how are they going to fill coverage 24/7 I thought?
 
When we started, there were no updates on player's status.

I actually called the Buffalo front office to find out how Kelly was and if he would be playing. Lineup had to be in Sat. night. They thought I was nuts and hung up on me.

Touchdown only league. Roger Craig would run up and down the field, catch passes like crazy and then not score. I hated him.

Could not wait for USA Today to figure out the results.

Sent in lineup by Pony Express and it went uphill both ways.

The one thing that is still the same in taliking crap.

Can actually do it faster on the chat boards.

I am in a league with my two boys and love the heck out of it.

 
VaCatFan said:
Neil Beaufort Zod said:
Wilbur Wood said:
Its a good Alzheimer's Prevention Hobby. Keep it going
Click to expand...
This is true, actually. This is exactly the kind of thing that keeps minds active and less susceptible to something like Alzheimer's.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, I wonder if we could get some college medical school to do some research on this. Wouldn't that be interesting.
Click to expand...
They already have. Not using fantasy football per se, but any activity that stimulates and challenges the mind. Crossword puzzles, games, bridge, computer programming, etc. Fantasy is highly analytical and thought initiating. Clearly falls into the category of exercising your brain. :thumbup:
 
Bulldawg said:
When we started, there were no updates on player's status.I actually called the Buffalo front office to find out how Kelly was and if he would be playing. Lineup had to be in Sat. night. They thought I was nuts and hung up on me.Touchdown only league. Roger Craig would run up and down the field, catch passes like crazy and then not score. I hated him.Could not wait for USA Today to figure out the results. Sent in lineup by Pony Express and it went uphill both ways.The one thing that is still the same in taliking crap.Can actually do it faster on the chat boards.I am in a league with my two boys and love the heck out of it.
Click to expand...
That's funny :thumbup: I did the same thing on a few occasions acting like a newspaper reporter. Call the front office and talk you're way in, or not? I just had to know the status of a player :thumbup:
 
Good thread.

Wow, brings back a lot of memories.

I was one of those USA Today fiends as well back in those days.

That was like all we had.

On Gamedays, if you were lucky enough to know somebody in a different TV market you could call them at halftime to ask "who scored that TD?" or whatever.

I'm 46. :)

 
The local league I'm in has 3 in their 50's, 3 in their 40's and the other 4 about 30....draft day with this group is one of my favorite days of the year....

 
another old geezer here, 50+.

been playing over 10 years I know.

about keeping the mind "fit". I can't recall what clothes I wore 2 days ago or where I laid that damned screwdriver down at yesterday or what the wife told me to pick up at the store but I remember what teams changed coaches this year and what guys I have on any of my 4 teams.

it just drives my wife absolutely crazy!!!! LOL

I raise my glass to offer a toast to fellow geezers!! Geritol and a Maalox chaser!!!!

 
I started in 1981 and remember that you couldn't even tell the average male football fan you did fantasy football back then without many of them looking at you like you were some sort of living-in-mom's-basement geek. :nerd:

And you definitely didn't tell a hot woman on a date that you draft players and pick line ups and add up scores to try to beat some other guy in a make believe game of "fantasy" football. Yeesh. :bag:

Things have come a long way in my 29 years doing this, but it was tough before it became mainstream. :thumbup:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I hadn't really thought about it until I opened this thread, but I am coming up on my 20th year playing FF. :nerd:

In those early years, I used to 'borrow' the Monday USA Today from our VPs mailbox as soon as I got to work, head to my 'other office' (aka a bathroom stall on another floor) and check all the box scores. I would write up a recap of the scores for each of the FF games in our league, photocopy it, and hand-distribute it to everyone so we all knew who won/lost or what they needed on MNF to win.

Wednesday's USA Today was a big deal too: They published the current leaders in rushing, receiving, and individual TDs for each team, and then a top 20-or-so for the total league. It was the only resource you had to get this info outside your local paper.

Amazing to think what I get for $25 now here at FBG. :thumbup:

 
Kind of an interesting story how I started. My son was in a league back in 1994 and they needed a guy to fill in for someone that quit. I said sure and joined the league. The first year I did no waivers and got my ### kicked. During that year I became addicted though and learned quite a bit. I was 54 that first year. My son has since quit the league but I am in that one ( $1000 buy in), as well as two other leagues. Manage to hold my own with the kids. Great hobby. My big advantage is that I have been retired for 15 years and have a multitude of time to spend on my leagues. Unlike the young guys who still work.

 
MCguidance said:
comfortably numb said:
Just cause your an AARP member doesn't mean you can post cleverly disguised WSIS threads! :)
Click to expand...
:thumbup: Take it to the ACF, please.Edit: And of course I'm just kidding, ya old bag :thumbup:
Click to expand...
I don't own either S Smith or M Manningham from NYG as of now. However, because of injuries and how our league operates - still back in the 80's we bid on players to fill our roster if they are available - we don't draft bench players. Going to bid on one of these. Not asking for anyone's advice - keep the thread to the point of walking down memory lane.And, I'm just now getting comfortable talking to women about playing fantasy football :P My latest friend is an owner of a professional sport team - name withheld, :mellow:
 
Bulldawg said:
When we started, there were no updates on player's status.

I actually called the Buffalo front office to find out how Kelly was and if he would be playing. Lineup had to be in Sat. night. They thought I was nuts and hung up on me.

Touchdown only league. Roger Craig would run up and down the field, catch passes like crazy and then not score. I hated him.

Could not wait for USA Today to figure out the results.

Sent in lineup by Pony Express and it went uphill both ways.

The one thing that is still the same in taliking crap.

Can actually do it faster on the chat boards.

I am in a league with my two boys and love the heck out of it.
Click to expand...
:lmao:
 
coachjim said:
Kind of an interesting story how I started. My son was in a league back in 1994 and they needed a guy to fill in for someone that quit. I said sure and joined the league. The first year I did no waivers and got my ### kicked. During that year I became addicted though and learned quite a bit. I was 54 that first year. My son has since quit the league but I am in that one ( $1000 buy in), as well as two other leagues. Manage to hold my own with the kids. Great hobby. My big advantage is that I have been retired for 15 years and have a multitude of time to spend on my leagues. Unlike the young guys who still work.
Click to expand...
Don't let this fool you... Most of us spend as much time as you do I'm sure, at the expense of our employers. It's an epidemic I tell you. :wall:
 
My first league was in 1988.... maybe '89? I'm north of 50, and have no intention of stopping anytime soon.

 
All these people mentioning doing stats from the USA Today...Does anyone remember getting The National to do their stats? That was the paper..the first all sports paper with all the complete boxscores. Been playing for a smidge over 20 years, no letting up anytime soon.

 
I started playing when I was 20 and we had to have someone of drinking age to bring the beer to my paretnst house so we could enjoy a good time. That was in 1990 and my excitement was to get the Monday paper and figure out the scores for the league since I was the commish. Ten years ago handed over the job to a friend and he ran it till this year when disbanded for a year to weed out some of guys that became problems last 2 years.

Most of my friends and I play at a local bar that has had league since the late 80s when Miller Lite would drop of the scoring sheets. The internet has really changed how FF over the last 20 years and has more than enough info to make anyone a winner.

FF is my hobby I spend time on it all year around, I read some kind of football story every day or look at stats. I get a lof of crap for it but it is no different to me than a guy that likes to work on cars each day. My middle son now helps me do my research the last several years and gains more interest in football stats. I see no end in sight for me spending time on my hobby.

 
I'm 47, and we have 5 50+ guys in our league that has been going strong for 15 years. Pretty much same 12, and believe me, no sign of slowing down. Should have seen our draft - I will put that day against any of the young buck leagues out there..

 
50+ and remember verrry fondly the pre-computer days of pouring over the Stars & Stripes' Tuesday box scores all week long - lookin' for that edge come Sunday...

:football:

 
firstseason1988 said:
Team Smokin said:
I've been playing Fantasy Football for... gosh 25 plus years now. I remember winning a t-shirt from USA Today before computers when you called in your team to make line up changes on the telephone.

Every year for the last several I thought I would be done and retire...every Sunday I end up jumping around the house like a kid who just received his first brand new bicycle. :rolleyes:

I study this all the time. Today's big question is which Giant wide receiver will end up being most productive at the end of the season. Steady Steve Smith or Big Play Mario Manningham? Or is it someone else on another team? Crazy isn't it?
Click to expand...
I'll be playing til I die. I don't see why not. I almost feel bad for the people who are spoiled by "Live Scoring". I remember we would watch whatever game was on the network(s). A a highlight from another game would come on showing a TD,everyone "Update, Update!", it might be the only time you would know anything about that particular score until the box score the next day. You would be in the dark so much, you would be thinking:" well there are two unaccounted for TDs in that game if Christian Okoye scored them, I am golden." ESPN wouldn't even account for each individual score. You would try to get as much info. you could from the little they gave you, you might get the stats from the leading rusher and receiver for that GAME. USA Today the morning after was heaven sent.Now, you get an update after every play of every game. It's better but crazy. All the stats you see now is because of fantasy football. Fools are spoiled these days, some rotten. But I still love it. Keeps you in touch with old friends, even if is just to make fun of them.

:football:

:football:
Click to expand...
:thumbup: I can remember our league rules stating "boxscores from USA are the official stats" and the first hour of every Monday at work was spent pouring over the paper.
 
:oldskool:

was that a rotary phone you called usa today on?

:football:

and your answer is Manningham, but smith will go off too. TB D hasn't been able to do anything this year. Don't see em starting tiday.

 
thatguy said:
coachjim said:
Kind of an interesting story how I started. My son was in a league back in 1994 and they needed a guy to fill in for someone that quit. I said sure and joined the league. The first year I did no waivers and got my ### kicked. During that year I became addicted though and learned quite a bit. I was 54 that first year. My son has since quit the league but I am in that one ( $1000 buy in), as well as two other leagues. Manage to hold my own with the kids. Great hobby. My big advantage is that I have been retired for 15 years and have a multitude of time to spend on my leagues. Unlike the young guys who still work.
Click to expand...
Don't let this fool you... Most of us spend as much time as you do I'm sure, at the expense of our employers. It's an epidemic I tell you. :lmao:
Click to expand...
So that is why the entire US economy took a dump a couple of years ago. I thought the kids were doing too good.
 
I will be 70 next year. I think we should try and start a league from this thread next year with a minumum age of 70 to get in. What do you guys think?

 
Hipple said:
:oldskool:was that a rotary phone you called usa today on?;)and your answer is Manningham, but smith will go off too. TB D hasn't been able to do anything this year. Don't see em starting tiday.
Click to expand...
Probably was :excited: I remember being in a golf tournament and scrambling around to find a phone booth and insert coins to make the line up change. Back then you couldn't use some phones to make long distance calls. I also remember black and white TV's too ;)
 
Team Smokin said:
Hipple said:
:oldskool:was that a rotary phone you called usa today on?;)and your answer is Manningham, but smith will go off too. TB D hasn't been able to do anything this year. Don't see em starting tiday.
Click to expand...
Probably was :) I remember being in a golf tournament and scrambling around to find a phone booth and insert coins to make the line up change. Back then you couldn't use some phones to make long distance calls. I also remember black and white TV's too ;)
Click to expand...
I remember getting our first TV when I was 11 years old. It was a Hoffman EZ vision 11" screen. Wow have we come a long way. I am now watching the games on a 52" screen.
 
Amused to Death said:
firstseason1988 said:
Team Smokin said:
I've been playing Fantasy Football for... gosh 25 plus years now. I remember winning a t-shirt from USA Today before computers when you called in your team to make line up changes on the telephone.

Every year for the last several I thought I would be done and retire...every Sunday I end up jumping around the house like a kid who just received his first brand new bicycle. :rolleyes:

I study this all the time. Today's big question is which Giant wide receiver will end up being most productive at the end of the season. Steady Steve Smith or Big Play Mario Manningham? Or is it someone else on another team? Crazy isn't it?
Click to expand...
I'll be playing til I die. I don't see why not. I almost feel bad for the people who are spoiled by "Live Scoring". I remember we would watch whatever game was on the network(s). A a highlight from another game would come on showing a TD,everyone "Update, Update!", it might be the only time you would know anything about that particular score until the box score the next day. You would be in the dark so much, you would be thinking:" well there are two unaccounted for TDs in that game if Christian Okoye scored them, I am golden." ESPN wouldn't even account for each individual score. You would try to get as much info. you could from the little they gave you, you might get the stats from the leading rusher and receiver for that GAME. USA Today the morning after was heaven sent.Now, you get an update after every play of every game. It's better but crazy. All the stats you see now is because of fantasy football. Fools are spoiled these days, some rotten. But I still love it. Keeps you in touch with old friends, even if is just to make fun of them.

:football:

:football:
Click to expand...
:thumbup: I can remember our league rules stating "boxscores from USA are the official stats" and the first hour of every Monday at work was spent pouring over the paper.
Click to expand...
Do you remember the panic that would set in when you went to the USA Today newspaper box on Monday morning and it was empty. It would make your stomach sink. I remember driving to five different hotels and gas stations on one Monday after I slept in and didn't get up until 10 AM. Every newspaper box was empty. It was a very difficult day.
 
Steve in Minneapolis said:
I hadn't really thought about it until I opened this thread, but I am coming up on my 20th year playing FF. :thumbup:In those early years, I used to 'borrow' the Monday USA Today from our VPs mailbox as soon as I got to work, head to my 'other office' (aka a bathroom stall on another floor) and check all the box scores. I would write up a recap of the scores for each of the FF games in our league, photocopy it, and hand-distribute it to everyone so we all knew who won/lost or what they needed on MNF to win.Wednesday's USA Today was a big deal too: They published the current leaders in rushing, receiving, and individual TDs for each team, and then a top 20-or-so for the total league. It was the only resource you had to get this info outside your local paper. Amazing to think what I get for $25 now here at FBG. :football:
Click to expand...
:football:Thursday papers were key too. Anyone remember why? :rolleyes:Every week...Monday, Tuesday (for the Monday box score) and Thursday were the MUST HAVES.
 
I'm 32 and I've always wondered when I would eventually finally outgrow FF and officially retire... This thread has me realizing that the answer is most likely 'never'.

 
Nando Sports Server and Stats, Inc. were the first 2 game changers for me. Then Cheatsheets of course.

 
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