You actually did read that right. NFL chief marketing officer Mark Waller broached the subject of bringing fantasy football-based curriculum into elementary schools in a conversation with the Wall Street Journal (h/t Los Angeles Times).
We want to make sure that at the younger age, there’s a format for fantasy and a way to play that will allow you to engage. But also use it educationally. It’s a complex game, fantasy. You should be able to learn a lot, particularly around math.
How many points do I need? How many points does this player get? We’re also trying to work with groups to get the concept of fantasy based into the curriculum of elementary schools. If you love football and you teach them math through football, the chances are you may teach them better math and more quickly.
You know that cool math teacher you had in school? Yeah, me neither.
Just the thought of my teachers utilizing fantasy football as a way to spark my interest at a young age makes me think this might actually not be an incredibly bad idea. Our school system has been looking for ways to interest children for decades now. Knowing full well how many youngsters are interested in the most popular sport in North American, this could lead to something worthwhile, at least from a general point of view.
However interesting the idea may be, it’s still a long shot. We all know how schools are weary of change. Attempting to bring something like this, which is so far out of left field, into classrooms will be rather difficult.
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