Fantasy Football: Taking it a bit to far

I'm a huge Professional American Football Fan (NFL). In fact, I think its the only sport that I will actively carve out time to watch in a week (and even then it's usually after the game is over so I can fast forward through the commercials). I've seen the rise of Fantasy Football, and I've seen and heard the pools around the office, but it always seemed a little odd to me. I mean in theory you could be rooting for both your team and the other team at the same time... But then again, who am I to judge, I played Dungeons and Dragons, and probably still would if I had the time. Lately though I've noticed an odd phenomenon. It seems that people are taking to Social Media and quite frankly being total douche wads to some of these professional athletes.

The hate and vitriol thrown at these athletes is unreal. These are men who, as a general rule bust their asses day in and day out. Their training regimens would make most of the rest of us want to curl up into a little ball and die (though being the masochist I am, I would love the chance to try to keep up for a week :-)). Some of the hits and blows that they take would cause most of us to break down and cry for our mommies. And they do all this in the name of entertainment.

That's right, they play a game for us to spectate and enjoy. They spend their week rehabbing and training, and working until they puke. All so they put their lives and their health on the line for three hours a week. Yet some people have the audacity to question these men's manhood and their toughness? Really?

I understand that they are getting paid more money in a year than most people will see in their lifetimes. I get that some people think that justifies the hatred when these players say they are injured. But in game where their livelihood, and in some cases the only job they have ever worked or known, is always at risk on the next play, couldn't that pay be justified?

These men have spent years dedicated to mastering their craft, they are the pinnacle of Football perfection. Demeaning them because your Fantasy Football team is suffering is just pitiful. If you are losing money because you decided to bet on Fantasy Football, that's your fault, not theirs. As the old saying goes, don't gamble what you can't afford to lose.