On this episode of Our American Stories, fantasy football is now a $13 billion industry with over 29 million Americans playing every year, but it didn’t start that way. Peter Funt, author of Inside Fantasy Football, shares the surprising origin story of how a group of Oakland Raiders fans upset about how bad their team was invented a game in their basement that became a nationwide obsession.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, fantasy football is now a $13 billion industry with over 29 million Americans playing every year, but it didn&rsquo;t start that way. Peter Funt, author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FInside-Fantasy-Football-Americas-Non-Contact%2Fdp%2F1737626756&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C8c9153cd279d4bc8022308ddb273817d%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638862931364513900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=PSuUZ4NVK0pV9r8EWsW9qlxWaq%2B1idJ2ucBqBZF7CQ0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable">Inside Fantasy Football</a>, shares the surprising origin story of how a group of Oakland Raiders fans upset about how bad their team was invented a game in their basement that became a nationwide obsession.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>&nbsp;

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

The Oakland Raiders Stunk... So Fans Created Fantasy Football

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a79cc959-2398-47f4-8512-b305014ead3e/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before Curious George became one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature, his creators were fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe with little more than a few belongings and their book manuscripts. Among them was the story that would become the first Curious George book.

Louise Borden, author of The Journey That Saved Curious George, shares the true and unforgettable story of Margret Rey and H. A. Rey, the husband-and-wife team behind Curious George, and how their escape from occupied France brought one of the most enduring characters in children’s literature to America.

We’d like to thank the U.S. Library of Congress for originally hosting this audio.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, before Curious George became one of the most beloved characters in children&rsquo;s literature, his creators were fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe with little more than a few belongings and their book manuscripts. Among them was the story that would become the first&nbsp;Curious George&nbsp;book. Louise Borden, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FJourney-That-Saved-Curious-George%2Fdp%2F0547417462&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cf927af62818149d3581708dea086a983%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639124697419391669%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=SOH5wyblXJF8r6INUkahYO%2FO3un5IfeqcTbQxbpkZV0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5">The Journey That Saved Curious George</a>, shares the true and unforgettable story of Margret Rey and H. A. Rey, the husband-and-wife team behind Curious George, and how their escape from occupied France brought one of the most enduring characters in children&rsquo;s literature to America. We&rsquo;d like to thank the U.S. Library of Congress for originally hosting this audio.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The True Story of How Curious George Escaped the Nazis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bc721d02-37a1-45f5-bb62-b436014d8eba/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, J.D. Wininger, owner of the Cross-Dubya Ranch in Northeast Texas and a listener of Our American Stories, shares the story of a quiet man named John who mostly kept to himself. Sitting alone in the back of church and speaking only when spoken to, he wasn’t someone who drew attention. But when J.D. reached out, a friendship began to grow. That connection eventually brought Mr. John to the ranch, and as J.D. soon discovered, the help he offered was returned in ways he never expected.

J.D. reflects on the lessons he learned from the man he came to know as the “Quiet Cowboy,” and how sometimes the people who say the least can teach us the most.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, J.D. Wininger, owner of the Cross-Dubya Ranch in Northeast Texas and a listener of&nbsp;Our American Stories, shares the story of a quiet man named John who mostly kept to himself. Sitting alone in the back of church and speaking only when spoken to, he wasn&rsquo;t someone who drew attention. But when J.D. reached out, a friendship began to grow. That connection eventually brought Mr. John to the ranch, and as J.D. soon discovered, the help he offered was returned in ways he never expected. J.D. reflects on the lessons he learned from the man he came to know as the &ldquo;Quiet Cowboy,&rdquo; and how sometimes the people who say the least can teach us the most.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

What the “Quiet Cowboy” Taught Me About Silent Service

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6d85a1b0-dea7-4ab7-b2a9-b436014d8eb7/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, for nearly fifty years, Ches McCartney, known as the Goat Man, traveled across America with a team of goats and a wagon carrying everything he owned. Moving from town to town, he became one of the most unusual figures many people would ever encounter.

But his mission was serious. McCartney believed he was called to share his faith, using his travels to reach people wherever they were.

Our regular contributor, J.D. Phillips, also known as “The Appalachian Storyteller,” shares the story of how Ches McCartney earned his nickname, crossed the country, and became a lasting part of American folklore.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, for nearly fifty years, Ches McCartney, known as the Goat Man, traveled across America with a team of goats and a wagon carrying everything he owned. Moving from town to town, he became one of the most unusual figures many people would ever encounter. But his mission was serious. McCartney believed he was called to share his faith, using his travels to reach people wherever they were. Our regular contributor, J.D. Phillips, also known as &ldquo;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2F%40TheAppalachianStoryteller&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cf927af62818149d3581708dea086a983%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639124697419369276%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=IwyulQoIGRfF0hqW0hg3Ccw7AAkYW09OkLl4DtHBmoI%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">The Appalachian Storyteller</a>,&rdquo; shares the story of how Ches McCartney earned his nickname, crossed the country, and became a lasting part of American folklore.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Goat Man: How Ches McCartney Traveled America to Lead People to God

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9983f8d9-ca37-4f3b-bf87-b436014d8ebd/transcript

The Oakland Raiders Stunk... So Fans Created Fantasy Football

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