Imagine it is last period and you are sitting in a classroom on the third floor of Masters Hall. The room is both hot and cold as you watch the clock tick towards 3:05 p.m. Your eyes are unfocused as your mind drifts off. The teacher moves to change tabs and wait, was that just his Fantasy Football league?
Teachers at Masters have been en- raptured by the virtual game of managing a football team and competing against friends within a league known as fantasy football. In fact, this league was well known by the students of Upper School math teacher Heng Jin “Hank” Kim after his many comments about it, including those to “Tell Mr. Comerford that his team [stinks].”
Students seemed to enjoy the cheer that Kim’s comments bring to class. “I think our math class is definitely intense and the way he integrates fun comments about Fantasy Football is really enjoyable and a good moodlifter,” Emily Kasoff ‘27 said.
The history of the Masters fantasy league is lengthy, as it’s been around for more than 10 years. Typically, interested faculty are invited to join the league each year, with this year’s league hosting 12 teams. Past years have included two leagues in order to accommodate more participants.
Kim believes that the league gives him opportunities to talk to and interact with other faculty. “Last year, I definitely wanted [Upper School counselor] Mr. John Price to join, because he was new, and he won the whole thing. It was nice to talk to him, congratulate him, and develop that kind of relationship with him through fantasy football,” Kim said.
During October, first place in the league was held by Middle School math teacher Eliot Bloomberg. Kim stated that he is currently hoping to knock fellow Upper School Math Teacher Michael Comerford out of sixth place, which would qualify him for the playoffs.
Comerford, who has been playing Fantasy Football for 20 years, is currently the commissioner of the league. He took this role after their previous commissioner, Director of Technology Bhavin Patel, decided not to play this year.
As a uniquely American tradition, Fantasy Football has cemented itself in American culture. Comerford believes that it is even changing how people watch the National Football League, or NFL, and football.
“It used to be like, you have your favorite team and you root for them, and now it’s like, I have these players on my team and I want them to do well,” he said.
In response to Kim telling his students to taunt Comerford about his team, Comerford had words.
He said, “I have a better record than him, and he dropped a player that I picked up who then did really, really, well. I think I’m beating him this year.”
