The Sunday Afternoon Quarterback #17: Fantasy Football Converted Me
Way back in early November, I shared a bit about my rookie season in Fantasy Football and how beginner’s luck was no such thing as I consistently got my ass kicked week after week. Originally I was predicted to come in second place in my league and ultimately I ended the season in second to last place. I guess that’s better than absolute last place, but still not a stellar performance on my part.
And while I had every intention of paying closer attention to professional football this year, my intentions fell apart at the very beginning. I did watch lots of college football as I usually do, but the NFL has never really quite caught my passionate attention. Until the very end. With most (or all) of the players in my Fantasy League hailing from North Carolina, there was much focus on the Carolina Panthers’ season in our group texting. By default, I started following along and paying closer attention. Even though the Panthers had kind of a terrible season, I sort of became a huge fan of Christian McCaffrey and his team.
In early December, the Panthers fired head coach Ron Rivera after 9 seasons at the helm of the franchise. The decision was made based on the team’s performance over the past two years and the early half the 2019 season. But making this decision certainly did nothing to improve the Panther’s performance or stats for the remainder of the season, closing it out with an embarrassing 42-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints in their final game which ultimately left the Panthers in last place in the NFC South with a record of 5-11.
But even with a losing season, the Panthers still gained a new fan. Credit for this goes to 23 year old Colorado native Christian McCaffrey. Being a former student-athlete in my younger days, I always appreciate incredible talent that comes in the form of humble, respectful, hardworking athletes. And Christian McCaffrey has certainly caught my attention as well as my respect. After stellar high school and college careers, McCaffrey was a first round draft pick for the 2017 season. Leaving Stanford after 3 years, he signed a $17.2 million, 4 year contract with the Carolina Panthers…at 21 years old. When you can demand a paycheck like that just 3 years into adulthood, you know the talent is real.
Since joining the NFL and the Carolina Panthers, this kid as been breaking records all over the place. In week 15 of his 2017 rookie season, McCaffrey became the only rookie running back in NFL history with at least 70 receptions and five touchdown catches. The following week, he brought his catch total to 75, breaking the Panthers rookie record of 74.
Early in his sophomore season, McCaffrey became the first in Panther history to have over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game. With 237 yards, he set another Panthers franchise record for most yards from scrimmage in a game. In week 16 of the 2018 season, he set the record for most receptions by a running back in a single season. And ended the season as the Panthers franchise record holder of all-purpose yards in a season with 1,965.
In the first week of the 2019 season, McCaffrey became the first player to post 10 or more receptions and 120 or more rushing yards in two career games. In week 5, he set a new Panthers record for longest touchdown run at 84 yards. With his 53rd reception, week 11 saw him break the record for the most catches by a running back in an NFL player’s first three seasons. And in that final debilitating season ending loss against the Saints, McCaffrey once again made history by becoming one of only 3 players to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
Seriously, I am in awe of this kid and I will proudly wear the jersey that bears his name and number. In his short 3 year career in the NFL, Christian McCaffrey has set 11 NFL records and 10 Carolina Panthers Franchise records. He is seemingly unstoppable at this point. And I am excited to watch his career flourish even further in future years. For this year, the Panthers season has come to an ugly end. But at least the ugliness was sprinkled with all sorts of shining moments for McCaffrey.
If these statistics have pulled you over to the Carolina side of fandom, be sure to start planning a trip or two to catch a game next year. And remember, RV Share offers the best options in peer to peer RV rentals for the best tailgating experience one could have.
Until next year,
We are keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
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Outfit Details: Jersey-DH Gate (Exact) / Tee Shirt and Earrings-Target (Old) / Tights and Scarf-Torrid (Old) / Bike Shorts-Walmart (Old) / Boots-DSW (Old)
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
15 Comments
Mica
Love the statement earrings for a girly touch with the sports outfit! 🙂
Hope that you are having a great weekend 🙂 We are safe from the bushfires still, and so thankful.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Mica! I am glad to hear that you are safe. I was reading about the fires this morning and thinking of you. Sending lots of positive energy and hoping that this issue resolves quickly and safely for all of you.
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
Shelbee, you’re a Panthers fan! Me too!!! I have been a fan since their inaugural season. I’m currently wearing my Julius Peppers jersey (I also have Kevin Greene from their first season, Cam Newton, and Luke Kuechley). Kudos on the McCaffrey jersey – he is an amazing player!! I liked his dad (Ed McCaffrey), even though I loathed the Broncos.
Happy New Year to you!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh how cool, Sheila! Since I only just joined the ranks of Panthers fans at the end of the season, I am now looking forward to next season….I never thought I would say that! I am looking forward to football season as soon as it ends! Happy New Year!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gemma
Such a lovely family photo! You totally pull off that football jersey, you look fab!! xx
GemmaEtc.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Gemma! I am really having fun with football jerseys lately!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very nice. I watched McCaffrey beat Cal three straight times. He is a great player. You might like this: https://youtu.be/jKUlQaIAEvg. It is on the McCaffrey family.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! And sorry that my new favorite player was beating up on your Cal boys! I look forward to checking out the video. They are an overall very talented family!
xoxo
Shelbee
ratnamurti
I’m from New Zealand, land of RUGBY and All Blacks. With American football (grid iron?) I simply haven’t the foggiest idea of what’s going on in the game. To be fair, I am the same with rugby, but have learnt to be a bit (ahem) discreet about my comments. And, I have figured out (without using any brain power) that with all football it’s the same as any game: each team tries to get goals whilst they also try to stop any goals from the other team. (am chuckling)
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ratnamurti, I just laughed out loud because you pretty much perfectly described my understanding of American football! I don’t think I have ever watched a rugby game though, but if that’s how it works, then I guess I understand it just the same! I generally only look up at the television when football is on when the crowd starts cheering and screaming which means probably someone is running for a touchdown. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your rugby experience!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I have never cared much about any sport, then I met my husband and adopted an interest in the one sport he follows – international motorcycle racing. Like you, I am amazed by the young talent. A kid has to be 16 years old to begin competing professionally. If they make it through Moto3, Moto2, and arrive in MotoGP, the rider in last place is making a million dollars a year. The long-term successful riders will pull down the biggest salaries, and then of course their is all the income from their branded merchandise. These riders rake in money like all of the highest paid sports players.
MotoGP became a lot more interesting to me when I began to be able to appreciate specific riders and follow their careers. So I get why you are following McCaffrey.
Michelle
http://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, thanks so much! And I just learned something new from this. I love that you became passionate about racing because your husband was passionate about it. I am still trying to get all the football stuff. But I will someday!
xoxo
Shelbee
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Valerie Hansen
You look darling Shelbee!! I once thought about diving into fantasy football ha ha! I am doing good just to keep up with my real teams..the Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders!
Have a wonderful weekend girl!
Valerie
http://www.mapleleopard.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Valerie! I haven’t been doing my football posts at all for the past two years. I should get back to it. I have a fun story from my fantasy league that I have been meaning to share on the blog. I will have to get to that…maybe next week! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee