Ray Rice can be added to the number of NFL players irritated over Fantasy Football. Roddy White was the first to speak out after getting hateful tweets from owners angry that his ankle injury went unreported leading up to the Atlanta Falcons opening game. David Wilson spoke out after his poor Week 1 performance. Now, Rice is letting fantasy owners know he could care less about him after a hip injury hindered his play.
Rice struggled against the Cleveland Browns despite his team getting the 14-6 win. He carried the ball 13 times, recording just 36 yards. He then limped off the field in fourth quarter after sustaining a hip injury. The good news is that CBSSports.com is reporting that initial tests showed no structural damage to Rice's hip and might just be more of a strain than anything else. The bad news is that any fantasy football owner that started Rice this week got almost zero points off his performance.
Fans and owners apparently fired shots at the running back over social media ripping on his performance. Rice is normally a fantasy favorite as he is one of the more productive running backs in the league. He took to Twitter to let people know how he feels regarding fantasy sports.
"I was a fan of fantasy football until today so many spiteful and hateful words I still love you all God Bless great win today #Ravens," Rice tweeted out.
Rice's statements echo those of White. The Atlanta Falcons wide receiver sustained an ankle injury in the preseason that has hurt his production on the field and or course, in fantasy football. Originally reported as a minor low ankle sprain, the Falcons later said it was a high ankle sprain after the team's Week 1 loss. Naturally, White got an ear full from owners on Twitter after he finished the game with just two catches for 19 yards.
"No I can't give out an injury report before the game. I play real football and it would be stupid to tip the other team off and say I'm hurt," White tweeted. "As far as fantasy if I don't participate in practice than don't start me it's a red flag. No I can't give out an injury report before the game. I play real football and it would be stupid to tip the other off and say I'm hurt."
It is no surprise that plenty of athletes hate the idea of fantasy football. They are more concerned with the actual game than pleasing owners.