© Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2026 Winter Olympics (Milan-Cortina Games) are barely a month away and when Team USA speed skater Casey Dawson appears on camera there will be a lot of questions. In particular, people will be wondering about his backpack.
You see, fantasy football punishments have finally made their way to the Winter Olympics and this Team USA speed skater making his second appearance for Uncle Sam will be carrying a bright pink bag of shame everywhere he goes.
Team USA Speed Skater Casey Dawson’s Pink Backpack
In 2025, the U.S. men’s team pursuit trio comprised of Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran set the world record in Salt Lake City, Utah at 3:32.49 in the ISU World Cup. They are the trio to beat in the 2026 Winter Olympics at the men’s team pursuit.
As it turns out, if Casey wasn’t the one to be carrying the pink backpack in Italy it would’ve likely been Emery or Ethan as the three are in the same fantasy football league. Last month, Casey Dawson told NBC Olympics how he “was forced to carry a pink backpack dotted with colorful hearts around the entire five-leg World Cup circuit. The sanction also included a big pink foot attached to his phone case.”
The fantasy football punishment will now extend to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games:
@teamusa Casey Dawson’s bag is packed for the #WinterOlympics 😽💕 📺: @NBC & @Peacock #speedskating #speedskatingtrials #mtusa #olympics
What remains to be seen is how Team USA will handle this in the weeks ahead. For the most part, Team USA athletes must wear all Nike apparel at official USPOC events. This includes team uniforms worn at ceremonies and during events.
When it comes to personal equipment and specialized competition equipment, the Team USA athletes are allowed freedom outside of Nike and this would potentially include items such as backpacks. But it remains to be seen if this bright pink backpack will qualify as necessary personal equipment and if Nike will allow it to be worn.
As things stand, the trio seems unstoppable. If the pink backpack fantasy football punishment is part of their mojo, Nike needs to step aside and let it happen in pursuit of Olympic gold:
Rock, flag, and eagle.