SiriusXM holds live Fantasy Football Draft in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Wed, 07/15/2015 - 7:44pm
If you have ever been a part of fantasy football, you know the intensity that surrounds the draft. There is strategy, grief, mouthing off, gloating and a whole lot of intense fun.
That was evident Wednesday during the 6th Annual SiriusXM Fantasy Football Draft held live at the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe.
Twelve celebrities and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio hosts spent two hours filling their rosters for the 2015 football season.
Actor/comedian Rob Riggle had the first draft pick and took Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Up second was former NFL quarterback Cris Collinsworth. "Nothing better than an angry Adrian Peterson, but there is the age factor," said Collinsworth as he was preparing for the second pick of the draft. "I'll take Eddie Lacey."
"I'm just here to get a man back on the trophy," he added. SiriusXM host Lisa Ann took top honors last year.
Riggle and Collinsworth joined actor Dennis Haysbert, former NBA player and coach Vinny Del Negro, U.S. Soccer star Brandi Chastain, Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus, actor John O'Hurley, NASCAR driver Ty Dillon and SiriusXM hosts Pilar Lastra, Lisa Ann and John Hansen at the draft. The emcees for the afternoon were former NFL receiver James Lofton and SiriusXM host Bruce Murray.
Collinsworth, who is now a television sportscaster for NBC, Showtime, and the NFL Network and winner of 15 Sports Emmy Awards, studied for today's draft. He is now involved with Pro Football Focus, a website complete with depth charts and deep analysis on every position and player.
Fantasy Football teams have a tough time drafting only with their brain, by remembering the facts, figures and analysis they've completed. The heart sometimes wins over and you have to go with your favorite team and favorite players, even though they may not be the best.
Collinsworth said he used his head a little more this time. "But you have way more fun with going with your heart," he said.
We all have our issues when we let the heart win over the head when making decisions. "My problem is that I always get caught up with the young players," added Collinsworth.
When asked if fans ever got mad at him when his play on a Sunday didn't work out for their fantasy team, Collinsworth said it wasn't as bad as it is now. Hall of Famer James Lofton, who emceed the draft, added that fans are a bit bolder now. "You're on their team," said Lofton. "They are passionate about it."
"Players today have a big disadvantage with fantasy football and twitter," said Collinsworth. "They have to take abuse from the fans."
When asked who's team looked the best in today's draft, both Lofton and Collinsworth think John O'Hurley looks good. "O'Hurley has Drew Brees, DeSean Jackson and Rob Gronkowski," said Lofton.
For those familiar with that one slow person at the draft, you'll find comfort that even celebrities may take a bit more time than the rest of the teams want them too. "At one point you'll be able to time me a calendar," said actor John O'Hurley.
"Hard Rock did something nobody else has dared to do," said O'Hurley, an actor with a very funny side. "They took the instructions off of the shampoo bottles."
Vinny Del Negro didn't arrive until the fourth round, so Lofton took care of his team. "I drafted all Italians for him," said Lofton.
Del Negro got Tony Romo, Danny Amendola, and Anthony Fasano before he even walked in the door. He may be wishing he got there sooner.
For a complete look at the draft, visit the SiriusXM site.
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