The popularity of fantasy football has grown exponentially in the 21st century, transforming casual observers into die-hard football fanatics. It’s been a major factor as NFL has become the most dominant league on the American sports scene.
But fantasy football was actually invented a long time ago, back in 1962. And the Raiders franchise gets some credit for the breakthrough. Former part-owner of the franchise, Bill Winkenbach, started the first fantasy league in history, changing the NFL forever, whether he realized it or not at the time.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Winkenbach’s creation, The Athletic compiled each team’s top fantasy football players throughout the years, with era-adjusted fantasy football rankings. Among an elite, All-Time Raiders fantasy football roster, former Raiders tight end Todd Christensen stands out, having perhaps “the most dominant” four-season stretch by a fantasy tight end in league history.
