Hurricane Puts Things In Perspective For Fantasy Football Owner

SACRAMENTO, CA--The deadly hurricane that tore through the Gulf yesterday put things in perspective for fantasy football owner Gerald Wyman of Sacramento. After viewing the harrowing footage, Wyman began to reflect on the important things in life, and realized that fantasy football is just a game.

“Wow, that was a pretty brutal hurricane,” said Wyman, 33, an insurance adjuster. “So much destruction and chaos, it’s terrible. I tell you, this really puts things in perspective. Thousands of people are homeless. Entire towns are submerged in water. There are even poisonous snakes running around. Those people are much worse off than me. Still, I can’t help but feel a little bitter that I ended up with Kyle Boller at QB.”

Wyman had a difficult time keeping his mind on football while hurricane Katrina was cutting a deadly swath across the gulf coast. All he could do was shut out the distractions and concentrate on getting the job done.

“Hey I’ve got a lot to do between now and opening night,” said Wyman. “One thing I can’t do is let this thing be a distraction. At the same time I have to remember that this is just fantasy football, and that hurricane is life and death. I’m playing a game here. That really hit home when I saw that women on TV being devoured by fire ants.”

Just days earlier, Wyman had endured a heartbreaking fantasy draft in which he missed out on almost every player he wanted. He stayed up all through the night playing it over in his head, wondering what he could’ve done different.

“Why? Why? Why me? That’s what I was saying,” he said. “I was racking my brains to figure out what went wrong. I went in there with a plan, but the forces of luck, chance—of nature—foiled that plan. I was really in an emotional tailspin. That’s when I heard about the hurricane and all of a sudden my priorities were back in order. I can’t help but think maybe that hurricane Katrina happened for a reason. Maybe it was just God telling me, ‘Hey, don't sweat the small stuff. You can still win with the roster you have.’”

Though he is shocked and stunned by the events in the gulf, Wyman has vowed to move forward and has dedicated the upcoming season to the victims.

“It’s hard to move forward, but I have to stay professional,” he said. “I’m just going to get myself together and try to go out there and field a competitive team. This season is going to be special, because I’m dedicating it to the folks who are suffering down their with that hurricane. My thoughts and prayers are with them. New Orleans, Gulfport, Biloxi —this one’s for you!”

Wyman is in a 10-team fantasy football league with his friends from work. Since the hurricane, they, too, have a new perspective on life. The biggest difference, however, has been in their friend, Gerald.

“I can see that Gerry has his priorities back in order,” said Dale Burbek, another member of Wyman’s fantasy league. “We all do, though. I guess it just takes something like an apocalyptic hurricane to remind us what's truly important in life. I guess my biggest fear right now is that this storm could negatively affect the New Orleans Saints, either logistically or psychologically. I took Deuce McAllister in the second round this year, and he needs to kick fucking ass for me to have a shot at this thing. Be strong, Deuce! ”

In a further sign of their solidarity with the victims of hurricane Katrina, members of Wyman’s fantasy football league have decided to donate a portion of the entry money to the Red Cross. As early as tomorrow morning, a check for $62 could be on its way to assist the victims of this horrible tragedy.

“On behalf of our fantasy league, we are presenting a check to the Red Cross in order to assist in purchasing food, clothing, and emergency medical supplies to the people suffering down south,” Wyman said. “Sure, it’s $62 that could have gone into the winner’s pot, but there are folks out there who need this more than me. I want those folks to know they are not alone. We are pulling for them here in Sacramento. Man, it’s a great feeling to give. This hurricane has really been a blessing in disguise for me.”