U.S. Olympian Carrying Out Fantasy Football Punishment at Games

Speed skater Casey Dawson finished last in his league and must use a large fake foot phone case and carry a flashy backpack during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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U.S. speed skater Casey Dawson, a two-time Olympian and one-time medalist, is carrying out a punishment from finishing last in his fantasy football league while competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Dawson's punishment includes using a phone case with a large fake foot attached and carrying a small, flashy backpack that can't hold many items.

Why it matters

Dawson's fantasy football punishment at the Olympics highlights the fun and competitive nature of fantasy sports leagues, even among elite athletes. It also showcases how Olympians find creative ways to bond and have fun with their teammates during the high-pressure environment of the Games.

The details

Dawson, who is part of a fantasy football league with fellow U.S. team pursuit members Emery Lehman and Ethan Cepuran along with nine other skaters, said the loser of the league has to carry out the punishment for the entire season. Dawson, Lehman and Cepuran are the world record holders in the team pursuit, and Dawson and Lehman were part of the bronze medal-winning men's pursuit team at the 2022 Beijing Games.

  • Dawson competed in his first event of the 2026 Games on Sunday, finishing eighth in the men's 5000m.
  • Dawson is also slated to race in the men's 1500m, 10000m and team pursuit.

The players

Casey Dawson

A two-time Olympian and one-time medalist, Dawson is a U.S. speed skater competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Emery Lehman

A U.S. team pursuit member and world record holder who is in the fantasy football league with Dawson.

Ethan Cepuran

A U.S. team pursuit member and world record holder who is in the fantasy football league with Dawson.

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What they’re saying

“The phone case is pretty ridiculous. It's huge, clunky.”

— Casey Dawson (NBC Sports)

“Whenever I have [the backpack] at the side of the ice, I'll look at it and it gives me a little smile every time.”

— Casey Dawson (NBC Sports)

The takeaway

Dawson's fantasy football punishment at the Olympics showcases the camaraderie and fun that elite athletes can find in friendly competition, even during the high-stakes environment of the Games. It's a lighthearted moment that humanizes these world-class athletes and reminds us they are still regular people with hobbies and rivalries off the field of play.