D-backs bringing stiff competition to charity fantasy football league

Two Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to face off against fans this fantasy football season for a good cause.

Shortstop Nick Ahmed and starting pitcher Luke Weaver are trading in the baseball gloves for some football cheatsheets this season as part of Big League Impact’s charity fantasy football league.

Proceeds will benefit the Big League Impact Global Initiative, which was created by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright. The initiative has given back to organizations such as Food For The Hungry, Water Mission and Striking Out Poverty, among others.

Weaver is looking to retain his title as league champ.

“I’m excited to defend my title as the best fantasy footballer ever, but I’m welcome to all challengers in that and I hope somebody tries to take me down.

“… It’s pretty great. The charity I’m working towards is Pittsburgh Kids Foundation. … There’s several charities like that that all the guys throughout the MLB who are playing in this are going to be doing. There’s no bad charity by any means. Whatever charity hits your heart and you wanna join in on and help the world in that way is awesome and what we want, but most of all we just have fun doing it.”

Due to the coronavirus, the fantasy league looks a little different than it has in previous years.

Instead of drafting players ahead of the season, 2020 will be a DFS league. Players will draft a team each week, using an allotment of $50,000 of virtual “cash” to build a nine-player lineup.

Both Ahmed and Weaver will host a league Zoom call in the first two weeks of the season to meet fans and talk about the football.

There are three ways to win, with the grand prize being a 2021 spring training trip for two that includes air fare and a hotel stay.

Fans can donate $250-$1500+ to enter. Each tier rewards those who donate with additional prizes.

Fans interested in joining the Diamondbacks players and other fans in the fantasy football league can visit Big League Impact to sign up for the event and learn more details.

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