Fantasy football has been destroying the NFL for years. At least, that is what many sports writers would have football fans believe.

Actually, many football fans think fantasy football adds a dimension to pro football that increases the fan base and the ratings for pro games on Sunday and Monday.

Kenny Stone, OU alumnus, for example, has been a Dallas Cowboys fan since the early 1990s, when the franchise drafted the triplets: wide receiver Michael Irvin, quarterback Troy Aikman and running back Emmitt Smith.

Stone said as long as the game is televised and all Cowboys games are in his part of the country, he does not miss any of his team's games.

Stone has participated in fantasy football for the past four years.

"I love fantasy football," he said.

Running back Corey Dillon of the New England Patriots captures Stone's interest the most in fantasy games, though Dillon does not play for the Cowboys.

"The first year I did fantasy football, he was one of the first guys on my roster," Stone said of Dillon. "I've ended up with him on my roster every year and he's always treated me really well."

Fantasy football



o An estimated 12 million people are participating in fantasy football this season.



o Each player spends an average of $154 for scouting reports on the Internet, magazines full of statistics and other data.

Source: Fantasy Sports Trade Association

Even quicker to the punch when probed, Stone tabbed quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers as his favorite NFL player when fantasy is out of the question.

Stone just thinks Favre is fun to watch.

"When he's no longer there, I probably won't care about the Packers anymore," he said.

Stone notices the level of loyalty between fantasy and franchise is closing, but he tries not to buy into it.

"It can get hard sometimes if you have a fantasy player that you're hoping will do well for the opposing team that's playing against the team that you're loyal to," Stone said. "I try to always put the loyalty to my team first ... Fantasy football will come and go, but I always want the Cowboys to do well first."

Jonathan Honan, OU alumnus, has been a Buffalo Bills fan since 1997, the year he moved to the town from Dallas. Like Stone with Dallas, Honan never misses a televised Bills game.

"I have high hopes every year," Honan said. "Buffalo revolves around football."

Returning to live in this area of the country, Honan always catches Cowboy games, as well.

In addition to following the Bills and the 'Boys, Honan has played fantasy football for the past two years.

"It keeps you involved in all the scores and stats in the game," he said. "It keeps you involved in the game. It keeps you well-rounded in what's going on with different players and different aspects. It doesn't keep you focused on just one team."

Before signing up for a fantasy squad, Honan did not watch NFL games that did not pertain to his teams' divisional race.

Honan said he will start any good player on his roster who happens to be going up against the Bills or 'Boys.

But he added, "I'd rather see my team win first and foremost."

He said his fantasy team is based on talent alone. Honan keeps his loyalties separated. But he always makes it a point to draft the Bills defense because he believes Buffalo has the best defense every year.

Honan's favorite NFL player is a Bill, wide receiver Eric Moulds, but he also has a passion for quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver Terrell Owens for fantasy reasons.

McNabb plays for the Philadelphia Eagles (Owens was asked this week not to return to the team), division rivals of Honan's other favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. But he roots for the 'Boys over the Eagles in head-to-head match-ups.

However, that particular situation plays into how he roots for his players and his teams.

"If the Cowboys are 2-10 going into the game, then it's pointless because they're not going to make the playoffs," Honan said. "So I'm probably going to root for T.O. and McNabb to light it up against them."

Toby Thomas, psychology and political science senior, has never had a favorite team, but asserts his hatred for the Cowboys. He is partial to the Packers, but not because of Favre. Reggie White, defensive end, caught his attention because White was ordained a minister.

He has been playing fantasy football for three years. Before that, he had no interest in the NFL besides following former Sooners in the NFL.

"Once I started getting involved in fantasy, I actually began watching (the NFL)," Thomas said. "It's taken my interest in the NFL from near zero to every Sunday either I'm glued to the TV, computer or on my cell phone checking scores."

Now, Thomas will not miss a Sunday of football unless work forces him to.

He reluctantly calls quarterback Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts his favorite player. But it is because he thinks Manning is a "goofball."

It has nothing to do with his superb fantasy numbers.

In terms of fantasy, Thomas likes wide receiver Randy Moss of the Oakland Raiders, for his freakishly large stats.

Thomas tries to draft kicker Ryan Longwell of the Green Bay Packers on his fantasy roster because he carried Longwell on his roster for his first two years.

Thomas does not blame fantasy football for the dwindling of team loyalty.

"I think it's more free agency affecting loyalty to teams than fantasy football," he said.

Stone takes a lighthearted approach to fantasy football.

"At least it gets you into the sport. It starts your interest in the game," he said.

Honan has a similar view to Thomas'.

"If it brings people to the game, it brings people to the game," Honan said. "The bottom line is, though, the loyal fans is what fills up the seats, not the fantasy football people."
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