With fantasy football so popular, we decided to start our own Outsports team comprised of players who are LGBT supportive.

With no openly gay players in the league, the idea is to form a fantasy team from players who have shown their support for LGBT issues in interviews with us and other media.

Keep in mind that all of the players on our roster have expressed support of LGBT equality. Players benched are not against LGBT equality, but simply the players we do not feel you should start on your fantasy team this week.

Last week’s team broke out thanks to great performances from our running backs and a heroic performance from Aaron Rodgers in a come-from-behind victory against Cincinnati. The team scored 139.32 points in a standard Yahoo fantasy league, higher by 20 points than any other team in the league Cyd, Jim, and I participate in. A big win for Team Equality!

Week 4 start/sits

Quarterback

Start: Aaron Rodgers vs. Bears

Rodgers is coming off of a short week, but with Andrew Luck still injured and Cam Newton struggling, Rodgers is the guy. You simply can’t bench Rodgers, and he remains our top spot.

Sit: Cam Newton vs. Patriots

Newton is yet to be trusted and has been lackluster so far in three games. I do like this matchup against New England, whose defense has looked terrible this season, but don’t start Newton until he shows his full potential again. It could be this week, but be safe with the quarterback.

Running Back

Start: Jordan Howard vs. Packers, DeMarco Murray vs. Texans

We are sticking to our guns this week. Howard and Murray both had touchdowns last week, Howard an overtime walk-off and Murray a 75-yarder. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Howard is maintaining his status as one of the best backs, and Murray is still a superior option to Derrick Henry.

Sit: Gio Bernard vs. Browns

Despite a touchdown in last week in a loss to Green Bay, Bernard is playing second fiddle to Joe Mixon, and it will only get worse as the season progresses.

Wide Receiver

Start: DeAndre Hopkins vs. Titans, T.Y. Hilton vs. Seahawks

Hopkins is still the most targeted receiver in the league and is far and away the most dangerous Texans fantasy weapon on offense. Hilton is also far and away the most dangerous of the Colts. Both of these guys have done well for the team in the past, so we’re sticking with them.

Sit: Robert Woods vs. Cowboys

Despite a strong showing against the 49ers, the Rams’ Woods is not worthy of a start on our team. I need another start to prove Woods’s performance last week was not a fluke. He had four catches for 61 yards in the first two games combined before his six-catch, 108 yard performance against San Francisco. However, another strong game from Woods will lead us warranting flex consideration for him.

Tight End

Start: Rob Gronkowski vs. Panthers

After a dud Week 1 against the Chiefs, Gronkowski has stormed on back with a touchdown in each of his last two games, making him a strong choice for this week against Carolina. Gronkowski is still Tom Brady’s favorite target, and despite Carolina’s strong defense, New Orleans was able to dismantle it with ease last week. The Patriots should do the same this week, lead by Gronk.

Flex

Start: Travis Kelce vs. Redskins

Despite a lackluster performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in which he had just a single receiving yard, Kelce will be back for a vengeance in a Monday night battle against the Redskins. Washington was able to neutralize Oakland’s receivers last week, but still had trouble with Jared Cook, who scored Oakland’s only touchdown. Kelce is a bounce-back candidate this week and you shouldn’t use last week’s performance as a reason to bench him.

Defense

Start: Green Bay Packers vs. Bears

The Packers are at home facing Mike Glennon on a short week in which they did not have to travel. Sure, Jordan Howard is a factor for Chicago, but other than that, Green Bay should have few worries on defense this week.

Kicker

Start: Matt Prater vs. Vikings

Prater has made a field goal from more than 55 yards in each of the last three weeks, setting himself up for another appearance down in Orlando for the Pro Bowl. He’s got one of the best legs in the game and he’s playing this week indoors. Hard to hate that matchup.

LGBT focus

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

"I would have [a gay teammate’s] back and I would always be there for them."

Read more on these players’ LGBT views:

Jeremy Brener is a student at the University of Central Florida who writes for Outsports. He can be reached via email ([email protected]) and followed on Twitter.

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