Fantasy vs. reality: Which is the "real" fantasy football?

Though some mock fantasy football as pretend, ironically, many aspects of "real" professional football may be perceived as living in a fantasy, unrealized world.

Upon examining the differences between fantasy and the NFL, what may be found is that a dose of reality exists in playing fantasy football, while experiencing the NFL is just a fantasy to the vast majority of the population.

Fantasy vs. Reality: Owning a team

It’s a fantasy for nearly everyone to own an NFL team (Green Bay owners nonwithstanding), but a reality for nearly everyone to own a fantasy football team for free.

Only billionaires have the privilege of owning an NFL team, but, fortunately, nearly anyone can be an owner of a fantasy football team if they desire.

Fantasy vs. Reality: Playing the game

Playing fantasy football is open to anyone who wants to participate. Fantasy owners can play fantasy football year-round by following the latest news and tracking the trends of the NFL season and off-season (including the combine, free agency, NFL Draft, trades, minicamps, training camp, preseason games). They are faced with many decisions and opinions to make on NFL players, and those become transparent with keeper deadlines, fantasy draft day, off-season fantasy trades and in-season fantasy waiver-wire moves, other fantasy transactions and fantasy trades.

Want to play NFL football? Good luck. According to the NCAA, only .08 percent of high school football players (8 in 10,000) will be drafted by an NFL team, and that’s even no guarantee they will play in the NFL (such as from injuries, or being released). To put that in perspective, only one in 50 college football seniors (1.7 percent) will be drafted by the NFL (according to the NCAA). As a result, fans may live vicariously through the NFL players to experience the pro game.

Fantasy vs. Reality: Having a say

NFL fans are at the mercy of their teams’ competency and expertise to compete effectively, win games and clinch a Super Bowl. The general manager must find the best players that will blend well together, and the coaches must shape the team into a winner and install successful gameday strategies. Fans are without a say and can only watch the decisions being made for the NFL team. It's only a fantasy for many who want to be an NFL general manager or coach.

Fantasy Football owners are given the chance to build a winning team themselves by drafting the best players, and managing their team throughout the season to compete for the title. Their knowledge of football, player acumen and keeping with current news help them choose the best players for their squad. They actually play a part in helping their fantasy team win games and bring home a title.

Fantasy vs. Reality: Winning

NFL fans sit on the sidelines when their teams win the Super Bowl. They can root for their teams and provide a home-field advantage. But outside of cheering, they aren’t given the chance to play an active role to help clinch a Super Bowl. Instead, the employees of the NFL team are given the Super Bowl rings.

Fantasy Football owners who win titles make shrewd decisions in drafting players and managing their team during the season. They can take credit for winning a fantasy title. They earned the congratulations.

At the end of the day, though, the reality is that all fantasy football owners and football fans alike can enjoy watching and following the NFL, even if for different reasons.