Hey everyone! Tyler here, Commissioner of the Church of Gronk fantasy football league. In the spirit of growing our league and sharing just what we're about with the world, I decided this website needed a blog to give our followers an inside look at what makes this group tick. So, without further adieu, here's a peek behind the curtain !
After pondering for a day or two on what content would be a good launching point for this blog, it dawned on me that we should probably tell you all just what this league means to us. Our league is comprised of 12 guys from all different walks of life and the majority of us have been together for several years up to this point. So what holds us together? What's kept this thing alive for more than a decade?
For starters, every member of this league loves good competition, something that is never in short supply here in the Church of Gronk. If you've ever played fantasy sports, you know that a large portion of your success often comes from pure luck. Sure, you can read articles and listen to podcasts daily. Follow the injury reports and add or drop players accordingly. Even pay for in-depth next-gen statistics to help make decisions on which players to start or bench in your lineups each week. But in the end, none of that matters when your first-round pick blows his knee in a pre-season game. Or when a quarterback throws a pick-six and you own the defense of said quarterback's real-life team, thus costing your fantasy team points. Even when you're in a ferociously tight fantasy battle during the closing minutes of the final NFL game of the week, and you need mere fractions of a point to secure a victory with your starting quarterback getting one last chance at leading a game-tying drive, only to see him get benched, sealing one of the most painful losses of your fantasy football career. (I was the one suffering this heartbreaking defeat. See Titans vs. Bills, 2020.)
As you can see, it's not always about who "knows the most" or who prepares more diligently. This is a beautiful thing that has allowed competition to remain healthy among our group consisting of former football players, guys who never played, some salesmen, some engineers, some tradesmen, and even a cowboy. This weird balance of strategy and luck allows us all to remain on an even plane within the league and keeps the competitive juices flowing week in and week out. I believe some form of competition is key to maintaining a person's mental health. Especially for men and former athletes. Thus why we fall so easily in love with anything that allows us the opportunity to test our wits and will against against an opponent.
In the Church of Gronk, competition goes far beyond setting a weekly lineup. It all starts at our annual draft event each August. We get everyone together for an entire weekend and turn our inner frat boys loose, wagering anything from bragging rights to cash on live & future sporting events, cornhole, beer pong, Madden, and even which member will make a ridiculously uneducated draft pick first. We discuss and vote upon certain punishments that members must fulfill for committing certain violations during the draft. We even spend hours concocting a ridiculous and humiliating "Sacko" punishment for the member finishing in last place at the end of the season. Before you know it, you've signed up for bets that could be settled within the next half-hour, or might not be settled until January! It helps to keep everyone involved from the start of the season until the very end.
Spending almost every day for six months talking smack with 11 other people, it's easy for our brotherhood to bloom and flourish. We utilize the GroupMe app for our league's conversation thread and it remains alive year-round. When football season comes to an end, the chat lives on with spirited discussions surrounding the NFL off-season and Atlanta Braves baseball, among other things.
Regarding my personal experience, I was good friends with a few of our members before this league was born into existence. Several fantasy seasons later, most of them have become like brothers to me and I wouldn't hesitate to call them if I was in a pinch. I'm sure they know that they could do the same with me. Frankly, we're a family. I've had the privilege of sharing some of the best times of my life with these gentlemen. And in their own weird way, they've helped me pull through some of the darkest times too.
Life isn't easy. It's not always sunshine and rainbows. If you were to ask the other individuals in this group, you'd get similar stories of how our dynamic saved them from themselves on occasions. Whether it be a tough time between jobs, relationship troubles, depression, or any other mental or emotional stresses that we as men often find ourselves struggling with, we're always there for one another. From the chat thread, to the annual draft weekend, to random Sunday afternoon NFL RedZone watch parties, to paintball battles, to golfing together, to scheduling group outings for a simple drink and dinner. We're 12 individuals who've become family.
At its root, I believe this is why we all come back to this fantasy league every year. Sure, the chance at winning a few bones is nice, but it's not life-changing money. To be honest, the annual dues that our members pay in every season are most important because it serves as everyone's contribution to an awesome weekend getaway for the draft and sets the stage for a new football season. We're kind of a one-stop-shop for the needs of an average man's soul. Want to drink a little more than you probably should and act a fool? Welcome. Want to bet a few bucks or an embarrassing gag on pretty much anything under the sun? This is the place. Looking for spirited conversation surrounding the wide world of sports? We'll readily accommodate that. But on the other hand, do you need a brother to truly listen to you? Do you need to vent about some heavy stuff going on in your life? Are you battling emotional demons that are kicking your ass? Do you need a place to crash for a night? Do you need a ride home? I guarantee at least one of us will be there. It's beautiful, really.
Over the next few days, we'll be adding some different takes from members of the Church of Gronk on what fantasy football means to them, so stay tuned!
"Fantasy football is a way to bring out my competitive side with some of the best guys I know. It allows me to stay in touch with close friends when life would normally get in the way of it. The COG is literally a brotherhood like no other. I'm honored to be part of such a group. Fantasy football with these guys gives me something to look forward to yearly and, most of the time, weekly. To me, fantasy football brings a whole new meaning to friends for life."
-Dustin 'Slick' Watkins, Co-Commissioner/Treasurer, COG Class of 2017
"Fantasy football serves as a little, weekly escape for us dads throughout the fall and winter."
-Jaime 'Opey' Jones, COG Class of 2018
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