 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zealots: A Place for Everyone (Even Women!) When men find out how enthusiastic I am about football, it usually comes as a surprise. They see me sitting at a bar cheering wildly while donning my Nick Barnett jersey and assume I like him because he has a 'cute butt'. And, although him having a cute butt doesn't hurt, I make it a point to tell those jug heads that it's Barnett's stats and his six-year, $34.85 million contract extension that interest me most. Unfortunately, spouting off stats here or there doesn't really matter to some guys. They will still quiz me to see if I'm a 'real fan'. The audacity! Like I don't know how long the football field is. Or what a Defensive Back is. Come on, give me something hard! Convincing men that I am a 'real' football fan is nothing compared to playing in a fantasy league with them. I was so embarrassed about being female that when I began playing in Yahoo leagues I made a fake profile in which I was a male. I know, I know, I should have been proud to be a knowledgeable woman. But, if they would have known I was female, I would have faced the inevitable sexist, rude comments that I had endured so many times before. Don't get me wrong here. I am not some gal that takes everything personally and who can't have a good time. I realize that because I am a woman, comments will always surface in regards to that. And, for the most part, that's okay. It's when the comments become disrespectful and crude that I have to draw the line. It's just a case of human decency. That's where Zealots comes in. When I was asked to become a member here, I thought it over with great trepidation. I knew that it was a serious commitment and that if I was going to give it a go, it was going to be for the long haul. I would have to take the bad with the good. What a pleasant surprise it was. I had never felt more welcome in a league than when I joined Z35. Those are some of the best guys in the fantasy football world you will ever meet. They made me feel welcome from the very first day and never questioned my ability to play fantasy football based on my gender. I was in - no questions asked. I have had the opportunity to get to know many of them outside the league and it's not a façade - they really are that nice! In fact, many of us have joined up in a new league outside of Zealot's where I have had the opportunity to meet people outside of Z35. And, although they are all great guys as well, I wouldn't trade my Z35 boys for any of 'em. Not only have I gained friends from Zealots, I have gained confidence in myself. Becoming a Zealot has taught me to be proud of who I am as a woman. I now join Yahoo leagues with my real profile and have become a lot more active in the fantasy football community. There aren't too many places out there where a female fantasy footballer can be respected. In fact, it's a one in a million shot. And it just so happens that I have good aim. So, to all you women out there who love fantasy football, become a Zealot. You won't be disappointed. If you have any comments or questions concerning this article, please feel to contact the writing staff at Zealots Field Press at writingstaff@zealotsfield.com. |
||
 |
||
|
©2010 Zealots Field. All Rights Reserved. Zealots Field is not associated in anyway, affiliated with, endorsed, or licensed by the National Football League, any NFL team, or the NFLPA.
|
