Fantasy Football Guru Matthew Berry Tells (Almost) All: Coming to the Loft August 19th
On Monday mornings in middle school, I talked football with the boys before classes started. Every home game my father and I climbed up to our seats in Candlestick Park. And to this day I still dislike the Cowboys and the Packers. So it comes as no surprise that now that I avidly play Fantasy Football!
For me, Fantasy Football is as much about carrying on the tradition of loving football as it is about the game. While reading A Fantasy Life by ESPN’s Fantasy Football Guru Matthew Berry, I was brought back to watching my father prepare for the draft and maintain his team (well before the Internet and smart phones). This heartwarming, hilarious, and mystifying book celebrates the best and the strangest aspects of Fantasy sports. Note to my league, we are not implementing the tattoo punishment.
In preparation for Matthew Berry’s visit to Writers at The Loft on August 19, we chatted about his book and his ESPN experiences.
Kait Smith: Who have been the most surprising Fantasy Football players?
Matthew Berry: Grandma Pat from Chapter 1, not only plays, but wins—and Jay-Z. You don’t really expect to have Jay-Z nerding out, pouring over stats, but he does. I’ve seen it.
KS: I love The League and LOVED your episode. Kevin, one of the characters, sees you in the bar and decides to hit on you, refering to you as “the prettiest girl in the bar.” Does this happen to you frequently?
MB: Yes, it does happen. Most leagues aren’t as crazy as those guys are but it does happen. I’ve known Jackie and Jeff Schaffer (creators of The League) forever, we’ve been friends since my screenwriting days and this story came about because they had seen it happen. They’ve seen me be hit on in real life by men. I’ll be standing next to a gorgeous woman and you can see a look of confusion on her face when guys come up and hit on me. It’s funny, when I was asked to do the show I was like well it’s Thursday night at 10pm, it’s on FX, I don’t know who’s watching but it sounds like fun so why not. I can’t tell you how many people in the years since the episode aired mention it to me. The staying power is amazing—every day someone references it.
KS: Apparently, Matt Holliday texted you through his draft. Is that cheating?
MB: No, it’s not cheating. We all ask for opinions and like to bounce ideas. But I guess you’d have to ask his league.
KS My league thinks me interviewing you is cheating…
MB: Tell them to man up, you can quote me…
KS: What player would be your overall #1 pick, past/ present?
MB: Peyton Manning had a great season last year. I really like him. I’m a Washington fan so I would pick John Riggins and Art Monk for sentimental reasons.
KS: You’ve talked a lot about the Tattoo League. Have last place punishments become more common?
MB: It’s {or They have] become insanely popular. I’m seeing more and more punishment stories, so many that in the paperback version I added a chapter on punishments. There really is no shortage. The Tattoo guys are the most extreme, but the belly button piercing is a close second.
KS: Any sleepers?
MB:….
KS: Sorry guys, not sharing….