How Fantasy Football Friendships Made This Man 'Chicago's Most Eligible Bachelor'

CHICAGO, IL — Put together a list of the Chicago's most eligible bachelors, and popular names to make the cut would include Bulls all-star Jimmy Butler, "Chicago PD" actor LaRoyce Hawkins, gold medal Olympic swimmer Conor Dwyer, Ryan Stew, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo …

Wait, back up. Ryan Stew? Who the hell is Ryan Stew?

If that name isn't familiar, then you probably haven't been hanging out in the area of Milwaukee, North and Damen avenues in Wicker Park in the past week. And that means you've missed catching a glimpse of the large bus stop advertisement that proclaims him Chicago's most eligible bachelor.

How did Stew, a 30-year-old high school teacher originally from Tinley Park, earn that distinction? And why is he announcing it by using public transportation property and a photo of himself ushering his friend's grandmother at a wedding?

Actually, the bus stop ad and the most eligible bachelor title are thanks to Stew's friends in his fantasy football league, and their actions embody the old saying, "We kid because we care." It's their way of supporting their friend, who recently ended a six-year relationship and moved back in with his mother in Monee. But it also allowed them to pile on some public embarassment after Stew, a two-time past champion, came in dead last in the fantasy league last season.

Patch talked to Stew via email to see what the first week has been like since the ad went up Feb. 13 (it will stay at that bus stop for four weeks). Here's what he had to say:

PATCH: How did this come about? Whose idea was it?

RYAN STEW: Two of my good friends, Sean Wyrobek and Logan Malloy, get the blame/credit for it. Sean works in outdoor ad sales and told Logan they should get a bus stop ad to prank me after I finished last in our fantasy league (I'm a two-time former champ, btw). Logan, the commissioner, is a pretty funny/creative dude with some journalism connects, so he took it from there and turned it into the Frankenstein beast that it's become. Some other league members chipped in money, too. It's alive!

What was it like seeing the ad for the first time?

Pure absurdity. I couldn't believe it. Plus the picture makes me look like I ate a smaller version of myself. That was years ago and I've lost a lot of weight since then. I told them we'd be getting so many more hits if they chose a better picture.

What has the response been like? How many people have emailed you?

From 60-year-old suburbanites to 20-somethings across Chicago, beautiful women have been instinctively flocking to my social media accounts like salmon of the Capistrano. I'm slightly exaggerating, but now that I think about it, my friends are pretty cool.

Do you have a favorite email you've received? Or a person who really caught your eye (even if it's not someone you're romantically interested in)?

Some are hilarious. One girl told me her friend from Iraq forwarded her the ad. Other girls are "praying" for my fantasy season. I'm having fun with it and trying to be a good sport.

What have other friends and family members said about the ad?

My mom took a photo with it, so that tells you something. Everyone thinks it's hysterical, and my phone has been blowing up. At least they made a good ad.

What's it been like to become a minor celebrity over this? Have people stopped you on the street?

Nobody’s stopping me on the street, but it’s kinda crazy thinking I’ve had to cancel TV appearances. You’ll see me on the "Steve Harvey Show" sometime soon.

Have you and your friends done other "out there" stunts as part of the league's season?

We’ve done some crazy stuff in the past, but this is the first stunt put out for the whole world to see.

Breakups suck. Has the ad and everything associated with it helped you get through a tough time?

It showed that my friends really cared about me.

Ryan Stew's bus stop ad in Wicker Park. (photo by Ryan Stew)

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