Tavares confirms that the Leafs take part in an NFL fantasy league, throws Marner, Matthews under the bus
Hockey players are often not partial to just one sport. Many players growing up are multi-sport athletes, playing football, baseball, basketball or another sport in addition to hockey. As such, it's no surprise that teams follow other sports closely throughout their respective seasons.
Many NHLers are huge fans of the NFL, to the point where teams actually have their own NFL fantasy football leagues. I was never a huge football fan personally growing up, but a few years ago, I was invited to join a fantasy football league, which ultimately got me hooked and my love for the game has grown immensely over the years. I'm now more than just a casual watcher and am actually invested in the games every week (go Ravens!!).
This week, TSN's Pierre LeBrun touched base with NHL players regarding their love of fantasy football and their respective fantasy leagues in a puff piece for The Athletic. This one was actually a ton of fun to read through, so I'll link it here, in case you're all curious to read it:
In terms of the Leafs, LeBrun spoke with captain John Tavares about their fantasy league, which was previously run by Alexander Kerfoot, who is now in Arizona. Per Tavares, new Leaf Ryan Reaves now runs the league, or at least he believes it was Reaves who took over for Kerfoot.
"I'm saying 'I think' because I auto-drafted," Tavares said of the Leafs' own fantasy football league. "I was on a camping trip with my family so they screwed me on scheduling. I was off the grid."
Tavares dropped a bombshell regarding Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, who actually used to share a fantasy team at one point - something Tavares said was banned by commissioner Kerfoot.
«That was definitely banned. We said, 'This is not OK when you've got two of the top 10 earners in the league.'"
The split may not have done Marner any favours, but it certainly didn't hurt Auston Matthews' chances, as Tavares said that, if his memory serves him correctly, Matthews actually won the league last season.
"I think Auston," Tavares said of who he believes won last season's fantasy league. "I think he beat me last year in the final."
Look, I know that football isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you've never played fantasy football before, I'd highly recommend it. It's a lot of fun and is a minimal time commitment in comparison to fantasy hockey. Who knows? It could make a fan out of you too!
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 15 | 84 ANSWERS Tavares confirms that the Leafs take part in an NFL fantasy league, throws Marner, Matthews under the bus Do you take part in fantasy football? | ||
| Yes, every year! | 15 | 17.9 % |
| No, never | 59 | 70.2 % |
| No, but I used to | 10 | 11.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
