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.
Here’s a portion of what The Athletic’s K.C. Joyner said about Christensen’s domination, which helped propel the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory in 1983.
Christensen’s four-season run from 1983-86 may be the most dominant four-season stretch by a fantasy tight end, as he placed first in both non-PPR and PPR at that position in each of those campaigns. Those weren’t his only strong years, as Christensen was an upper-tier TE1 in 1982 and 1987 as well.
Christensen, who tragically passed away far too soon at the age of 57, was also on the Raiders 1980 championship squad. He earned two first-team and two second-team All-Pro nods during his prolific four-year run, earning votes for the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year in 1986.
Additionally, he appeared in the Pro Bowl five times and led the league in receptions twice. He was just the second tight end to accomplish that feat, with each reception total setting an NFL record for his position.
Christensen’s brilliant career ended abruptly in 1988, but he had a delayed start in the NFL and played 10 seasons. A star running back at BYU, Christensen was drafted in the second round by the Cowboys but a broken foot ended his rookie year. It wasn’t until his fifth NFL season that he had his breakout campaign with the Raiders.
There’s definitely an argument to include Christensen in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Many critics point to the relatively short length of his dominant run. But the enshrinement of ex-Broncos running back Terrell Davis, who played just seven years in the NFL, rebuts that point. Though Davis racked up a ton of accomplishments and awards and is definitely deserving.
Hall of Fame or not, however, Christensen was special, especially to Raiders fans. He played all but one of his career games for the silver and black and was a Raider to his core. Called a “renaissance man” due to his love for poetry, he marched to his own beat and simultaneously dominated on the gridiorn.
And he loved the Raiders. This clip of Christensen commenting on Marcus Allen’s iconic Super Bowl run always stuck with me. The beauty of the play nearly overwhelms him as he provides commentary for NFL Films.
Of course, Christensen had his share of highlights as well. He was also an accomplished football broadcaster, providing color commentary for multiple networks. I personally thoroughly enjoyed watching the games he covered, as he provided unique insight with a personable, effective delivery.
Like all of the best Raiders to lace ’em up, Christensen dominated, and it’s a testament to his career that he had perhaps the most prolific run in the rich history of fantasy tight ends. Will he ever make it into the Hall of Fame? It may be unlikely, though it’s definitely possible. But every wise NFL observer knows he was one of the best tight ends ever, in terms of fantasy football or any other measure.
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