Fantasy Football's Impact: An Interview with Jets' WR David Clowney

Fantasy football has undoubtedly changed the landscape of professional football.  Over the last few decades (and particularly with the rise of the internet), these alterations have grown seemingly exponentially. 

Millions of dollars and hours are spent on fantasy football, yet, as fans, we frequently have difficulties imagining how fantasy football affects the players.  The superhero-like status that these men garner often makes this task more difficult, as we sometimes get so caught up in the game that we fail to realize that, unlike most games, this one is based on reality.  

Fantasy football, in many ways, is no different than a fantasy chefs, or bankers, or truck drivers league might be (other than the fact that no one would play the latter three).

Nowadays, most fans seem so quick to judge and critique everything NFL players do, both on and off the field, yet very seldom do we see the same amount of praise.  Many often respond to this fact by claiming that, as fans, they have a right to criticize and even boo their team’s favorite players, and fantasy football, which has taken the level of fan involvement to an entirely unique level, has only perpetuated this notion.  

But is this truly the case? 

How do NFL players feel about fantasy football and the way it has altered fans’ involvement and attitudes?

I spoke with Jets’ WR David Clowney to answer this question and find out more about the Queens, NY native.

Q:   How familiar with fantasy football were you when you came into the NFL, and how familiar are you with it now?

A:  I really had no idea about fantasy football before coming into the NFL.  Now I do know a little bit more, but really not that much, or as much as most fans might think.  I, along with the majority of NFL players, actually do not play fantasy football.

Q:   Do any guys on the team play fantasy football?  What is the feeling of the team and players in the NFL in general regarding the game?

A:   Yes, some guys do play and I have heard some guys talking about their fantasy team before.  The team is always hyped for the game.  We are always prepared and we just have to make everything happen on the field.  I do not think fans truly understand the amount of preparation we put into each and every game.

Q:   How do you think fantasy football has changed the game?  How many times do you hear fans yell “I have you on my fantasy team”?

A:   I don’t think fantasy football has changed the game too much, but I do think it has helped the fans get more involved.  They tell me on Twitter every day that they have me on their fantasy team and most fans yell from the stands “Make sure you give me some fantasy points today.”  I think that is kind of cool.

Q:   You are obviously on Twitter.  What do you think of players using Twitter and do you feel it gives you a more direct way to touch base with your fans than going through the media? 

A:   We are able to interact with fans very much through Twitter.  I personally do a Jets trivia contest on Twitter with the fans every Friday/Saturday.  It is also a good way to let friends and fans know about things you are doing.  For example, I am very involved with the community and putting together things with my Foundation, so when I had my Youth Football Camp in Florida and my NY Jets Bowling Event in New Jersey I was able to let a lot of fans know through Twitter, and both events had great turnouts.

Q:  Do you have any pre-game rituals?

A:   Yeah, I wear this orange shirt that I have had since high school.  I have worn it for every game.  I also listen to three songs that always get me hyped for the game.

Q:   You played basketball and ran track in high school in addition to playing football.  Which sport is your first love?

A:   Football has always been my first love.  Track came natural and basketball kept me busy when there wasn’t anything else to do.

Q:   How much time do players spend “working” i.e. practicing, watching film, working out, etc.?

A:   Again, fans do not realize how much work we put in, as we are at the facilities from 7am to 5pm every day.  We are in meetings, watching film, and outside practicing, and those times so not include the extra work each individual puts in every day as well.

Q:   What are your fastest ever 40-yard dash, 100-meter dash, and 200-meter dash times?

A:   My fastest 40 is 4.28, my fastest 100 is 10.40, and my fastest 200 is 21.2.

Q:   A lot of fans don’t understand players have a life other than playing football.  What do you enjoy doing other than playing football?

A:   Yeah they really don’t understand we do other things than football, but I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.  I like to play video games with my little brother and I really love movies.  I have my own Blockbuster at home.

Q:   What did you major in at Virginia Tech?

A:   It’s Residential Property Management (dealing with housing and real estate) and right now I’m getting my Masters in Criminal Justice at The College of Saint Elizabeth in New Jersey.

Q:   Anything you want to let your fans know, fantasy football-related or not?

A:  I love you. Stay faithful and keep riding with us. Oh yeah, and get yourself a Clowney No. 87 jersey.