MILAN, Italy — Casey Dawson is carrying a peculiar accessory at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games: a phone case adorned with a large, fake foot. The Team USA speed skater is fulfilling a punishment stemming from his performance in a fantasy football league, a consequence he’s embracing with good humor.
Dawson, a two-time Olympian, told NBC Sports the phone case is “pretty ridiculous,” describing it as “huge and clunky.” He’s also obligated to carry a small, “flashy” backpack with limited storage capacity throughout the Games.
The unusual penalty is the result of finishing last in a fantasy football league comprised of Dawson, fellow U.S. Team pursuit members Emery Lehman and Ethan Cepuran and other speed skaters, according to NBC Olympics. The league’s rule dictates that the last-place finisher must endure the punishment for the entirety of the speed skating season. Dawson finished last in the 2024 NFL season, according to the Associated Press.
Despite the added burden, Dawson appears unfazed. “Whenever I have [the backpack] at the side of the ice, I’ll gaze at it and it gives me a little smile every time,” he said.
Dawson, Lehman, and Cepuran form the world record-holding trio in the team pursuit event. Dawson and Lehman previously secured a bronze medal in the men’s team pursuit at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Dawson competed in his first event of the 2026 Games on Sunday, finishing eighth in the men’s 5000m. He is also scheduled to compete in the men’s 1500m, 10000m, and team pursuit. Prior to the Olympics, Dawson had emerged as a contender in long-distance speed skating, breaking three national records in the 5000m since January 27, 2025, and one each in the 3000m and 10,000m, according to U.S. Speedskating. He also achieved his first individual World Cup podium finish this season, winning the 5000m by a mere 0.02 seconds, marking the first time an American man had won a World Cup 5000m race in 20 years.
The United States hasn’t won an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000m since Eric Heiden’s five victories at the 1980 Lake Placid Games. The country’s last medal at speedskating’s longest distance was Chad Hedrick’s silver at the 2006 Turin Olympics. The men’s team pursuit quarterfinals are scheduled for Sunday.
