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An in-depth look at the punishments and rewards given in fantasy football leagues
WRITTEN BY JADON FISCHER AND EVAN McDONALD
Every bite an excruciating attack on his taste buds, senior Lucas Greatorex watches a nearby timer counting down 2 minutes, the amount of time he must withstand without any liquid. As he struggles to scarf down the millions of Scoville units, friends surrounding him laugh and cheer, viewing Lucas as one would a circus animal. This is what occurred for the worst player in “League of Football,” a fantasy football league made up of Dexter students.
Most fantasy football leagues use rewards for winners to entice players to enter the league. Senior Griffin Patel participates in a no-punishment league.
“Yeah, it’s my first year playing fantasy football,” Patel said. “My league’s got a nice plaque with the winner’s name engraved.”
Griffin’s league reward is somewhat unique as many other leagues reward the winner with money (that money comes from everyone buying into the league). Senior Malia Yalisove is in one of these more common leagues.
“My fantasy league has a $10 buy-in for everyone playing, so that means the winner of my league is going to get $100,” Yalisove said.
With the standard fantasy league limit being 16 players, there is huge potential for players to make a lot of money. Senior Connor Fischer plays in a league that both rewards the winner and punishes the loser.
“In my league, the guy who wins gets their homework done for free by the loser for a week,” Fischer said.
The loser of some leagues wishes the punishment was as simple as doing the winner’s homework. That’s because many leagues have found creative (yet cruel!) ways to entertain the members and keep the competitive spirit alive.
FEAR IN HIS EYES: Senior Lucas Greatorex prepares to eat a Carolina Reaper pepper as punishment for finishing last in his fantasy football league. The world’s hottest known pepper has more than 1 million Scoville units. Photographer – Brock McIntyre
Senior Lucas Greatorex has a particularly dangerous punishment in his league. The loser is subjected to eating a Carolina Reaper, the hottest pepper in the world according to the Scoville scale. It gets worse, however, as the loser must endure two minutes without liquid to avoid any further retribution.
Greatorex regarded his opinion with his fantasy league as a “love-hate relationship” as his team may lose, leaving Lucas to withstand the heat.
Sophomore Cooper Thompson has a punishment in his league in which the loser would risk their physical safety.
“My league’s loser has to get into a trash can and get pushed down a flight of stairs,” Thompson said.
However, some fantasy leagues detailed by students have taken a more calm and lighthearted approach.
Junior Otto Krueger feels lucky to have chosen one of these leagues.
In his league, the loser must “get a full tank of gas and drive non-stop until the low fuel gauge kicks in,” he said.
While the ultimate goal should be to get first, it might be best to shoot for anything but last.
Editor’s note: Check out The Squall’s YouTube Channel for a full video of Lucas’s journey with the Carolina Reaper!
