Nate Jackson Descends, From NFL Into Fantasy Football

Former NFL tight end Nate Jackson is now a champion fantasy football player.  He’ll take us there.

Nate Jackson played pro-football. NFL. Denver Broncos. Not a star, but right in there. Then came out and wrote what Rolling Stone called “the best football memoir of all time” – "Slow Getting Up." Then Jackson turned bigtime to fantasy football. Like millions of other Americans. Competing, betting, on the performance of real players. Now he’s reporting on that. Says fantasy football is making the real football world more brutal. This hour On Point, Nate Jackson and fantasy football. — Tom Ashbrook

Nate Jackson, author and former professional football player. Author of the new book, “Fantasy Man: A Former NFL Player’s Descent Into the Brutality of Fantasy Football.” Former NFL tight end and wide receiver. Also author of “Slow Getting Up.” (@nathanserious)

NPR News: Former NFL Player Nate Jackson Wades Into The 'Brutality' Of Fantasy Football — "I was a bit adrift in the world. And I was exploring some new things. I was writing, and I have a group of buddies - high school buddies, college buddies, childhood friends - that play fantasy and have been for a long time. Those guys asked me if I wanted to be in their league, and so I accepted graciously and gotten to see the other side of the coin, the way fantasy football fans analyze the game. And I thought it was an interesting template for a book to see the fantasy world versus the reality."

Deadspin: After The NFL Comes Weed, Hollywood, And Fantasy Football — "Against the Colts Peyton Manning ended up three yards short of Brett Favre’s record. They had the champagne ready. The cannons loaded. The midgets were hiding in the cakes. The hookers were naked in the limos. Everything was ready. All we need is a few more numbers! C’mon, Peyton! Keep coming! Certainly, records are part of sports, and this record is one worth keeping. But this has become a common refrain in the world of sports:  For the first time ever!"

Men's Fitness: How To Win A Fantasy Football League, According to Former NFL Pro Nate Jackson — "When you play in the NFL, you’re a trained killer. Now, going to the gym can remind me of that power. I lift weights and do a lot of core work, plus the jump rope, punching bag, intervals on an uphill treadmill...No matter how bad my body hurts, when I make the decision to exercise, this switch flips in my mind and I lose myself in the workout. It can be very meditative. "