EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—Before computers, prior to even the craziest thought of smartphones, simpler times existed. Fantasy football humans needed a pen and pad to match the insane idea cable. (Over 50-plus channels on the television? Atlanta Braves baseball? My local home sports teams through MSG Networks and SportsChannel? You have to be kidding me. It was a dream come true.)
No misses, no screw-ups, no room for error. If a fantasy footballer found himself absent for NFL Primetime on ESPN, only the next morning newspaper could provide the entire statistical story as to whether not your fantasy team came out on top.