First things first: There are things that should go without saying, but these days you can’t take anything for granted. So let’s go ahead and say it. Fantasy football is not important compared to the health of Damar Hamlin. The actual NFL games aren’t important. Which team ends up with the top seed isn’t important. Nothing related to the sport compares to Hamlin’s well-being, and all decent people understand that he’s the priority. This wasn’t a thumbs-up sign while being carried off on a cart. It wasn’t a run-of-the-mill prayer circle after an injury. Anyone who saw it knows how serious it was, and as I’m writing this, there’s very little information available. I know readers here understand the gravity of the situation. You don’t need any lectures on the importance of real life over football. You get it. But for anyone who somehow doesn’t understand (and the Internet has no lack of unusual characters), I wanted to be crystal clear.
At some point (maybe by the time you read this; maybe not) the NFL will make a decision with regard to the incomplete Monday night contest. But before then, fantasy league members will have questions as well, especially those whose games were impacted. If you’re a commissioner, it’s time to step up. Remember a few weeks ago when I wrote that a commissioner is basically a figurehead now, and doesn’t make any real decisions? Prove me wrong.
I can’t tell you what to do, but I’d like to offer just a little advice.
Don’t attack people for inquiring. League managers are going to wonder how the postponement impacts the league and its championship games. It doesn’t mean they’re insensitive or have no regard for Hamlin or his teammates. It doesn’t mean they’re attacking you or the league, or lobbying for a certain outcome. They’re probably just asking if any precedent is in place or if you have any idea how it will be handled.
For some reason, there’s a weird human tendency to lash out at people when there’s a tragedy, or to demean people who want to talk about how it impacts other things. You’d think we’d naturally become more understanding when reality hits us out of nowhere. Unfortunately, the opposite is often true. Try to be kind.
Don’t make any immediate decisions. The older I get, the more I realize that “I don’t know” is sometimes the best answer. Don’t let anyone rush you to provide a decision (or even an opinion) as to what happens next. Definitely don’t play “what if” with league members. Right now, nothing happens. And when the NFL makes its decisions, you still don’t have to make one immediately. Take some time to think it through. You want to be fair to everyone involved, and that isn’t usually synonymous with deciding as quickly as possible. Just pause everything and don’t give any indications as to what might happen.
Don’t put it up for a league vote. This one might be tough for you, but a vote won’t make everyone happy (check out our political elections if you don’t believe me), and it won’t end the debate (again, see politics). All it does it absolve you, the commissioner, from taking any responsibility for the decision. “Well, it was put to a vote, so there’s nothing I can do” is weakness when your league needs more than that. If you can’t do the job, quit in the offseason. But for now, you’ll have to make an actual decision.
If you have people you trust, preferably in different leagues, you can ask for their opinions and what they’re doing in their league. Ideally, you’d collect a number of different options from others who are in the same position. Take it all under advisement, but don’t consider any of it to be a roadmap. You have to do what you feel is right, even knowing that it might make some people unhappy. Stick to your guns, and don’t let a group of owners pressure you into doing something you think is wrong. If they hate you for it, they can fire you in the offseason. That’s not your problem right now. If you’re being fair, you’re doing right by the league. That’s your job.
Ignore the jerks. It’s a fact that some people don’t respond well under pressure, and they don’t have a good sense of what “friendly competition” means. It brings out the worst in them, and they might be members of your league. Normally you have to deal with them, but feel free to ignore them for now.
Someone wants to know what you’re thinking? No. A manager wants to lobby for an outcome that helps their team? You don’t have time for it. A couple of managers say you need to let the league vote, or a certain decision would be unacceptable to them? Too bad. You don’t have to give them your time or your energy. You don’t owe them countless opportunities to pressure you. When you have all the information you need, you’ll do what you feel is best for the league. Even if it hurts your own team, or a friend’s team, or isn’t what people wanted. Do what’s right, and you can live with the consequences. And if you’re not the commissioner, please encourage yours to take this approach.
I had a totally different column planned, but I can’t find the motivation to finish it. It was about what teams and players have something to play for in week 18. If you would have benefited from that information, I apologize. I’m sure you can find what you need. That topic just doesn’t seem important right now. None of it does, really. But I hope things go your way if you’re still playing, and I pray for good news regarding the things that really matter.