Late last night commenced the start of the football season. That's right, football is back. Well, sort
of. Fantasy Football has returned and I couldn't be more thrilled. It's that time of year again when I
stay up late like some sort of deranged insomniac- fanatically assembling multiple teams in hopes of
being crowned the triumphant champion.

This is important stuff. Every selection requires it's own due diligence- after all, we will be playing with
these teams until the latter part of December. We're talking long-term investment. You'd be out of your
mind to not come equipped with your best judgement and foresight. Each pick is delicate and must be
treated as such, these are big decisions here.

Big, big decisions.

To me, this has long been the true beginning of the NFL season. Don't bother me with the fact that
training camp hasn't even started yet, it's worthless to me. What matters is that I am yet again in my
rightful place- which is in the war-room (my kitchen) and draft lobbies. I'm planning, evaluating
reviewing, drafting, and gambling all in relentless fashion, and it feels so good.

I'm a sports fan, yes. But even worse, I'm a sports nerd and fantasy football lends itself to my disease.
I'll be the first to admit that I clown on World Of Warcraft addicts for their perceived deficiencies in
hobbies, friends and overall life, but, after some thought, am I any better than these creeps I so
often demoralize? No. Probably not. I may even be worse.

It's a grim realization. One that I may be not prepared to fully embrace.

If you could've only seen me last night. It's 1 o'clock in the morning and here I am, already amassing
my first team of the season. I've anxiously waited for this moment all off-season and at the first chance
of playing imaginary G.M., I pounced on it.

How grotesque.

Though, I won't be ashamed of my fantasy sweet tooth. I can't afford to. Steadfast in my coping
mechanisms I must remain with unapologetic audacity as my antidote. I'm a fantasy geek and
damn it, I'm proud of it.

We're a collective brethren that wants nothing more than to be rewarded for our fruitless sports
knowledge, what's so wrong with that? So, if you're like me, rest knowing that you aren't alone in
this. We're out there. We exist and we all share in the same struggle. Who to start? Who to pick
up off waivers? Do I make this trade? These questions eat at all of us.

But, Fantasy Football is more than a pretend game, it's a culture. Success requires actual football
knowledge and I'll commend anyone that wins it all, I'm no sorry loser. It's that anguish of losing and
that euphoria of winning that keeps me coming back for more.

So the next time that running back momentarily free-falls into your lap during draft time (like A.P.
did for me last night) remember that your joy and enthusiasm in so warrants no guilt.

This is the greatest sport on earth. Long live Fantasy Football.