Football players who ply their trade in the NFL have more to play for each week than just their paycheck. As fantasy football’s popularity has grown, so has the awareness from top NFL stars that their play can dictate whether or not fans can win their fantasy football league championships. Yahoo! Sports’ Michael Silver, in his article entitled, “Fantasy Becomes Reality” relates quotes from football superstars about their understanding of the fantasy significance of their performances.

Take St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson:

“I was grabbing a bite before my flight, and a man came and offered to buy me dinner,” Jackson recalls. “He told me I’d helped him win his league last year and that he wanted to show his appreciation. He wasn’t intrusive or anything – he just picked up the tab and let me finish the meal. And he said he planned on picking me up again this year.”

This is what consensus 2007 number one fantasy pick LaDainian Tomlinson said when interviewed:

“I get people offering to buy me meals all the time,” LT said Monday when (Silver) related Jackson’s story to him at Chargers training camp. “People do the strangest things. They say, ‘I owe you – let me buy you a meal.’ One person said, ‘I had you in all six of my fantasy leagues, and I won all of them.’ I tell them, ‘Hey, I’m just doing my job.’”

Given the rabid fanaticism fantasy fans exhibit, I’m surprised all these individuals offered only to pay for lunch.