KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When it comes to football, a group of diehard fans wasn’t about to let the COVID-19 pandemic stop them from taking part in their annual fantasy football league. The members of the all-female league had to make some changes this year, but, for them, doing things differently is nothing new.
Lindsey Geren, a lifelong Chiefs fan, grew up attending games with her mother, who instilled in her a love for football.
When she's not attending games in person, she watches from home with her husband and two children.
But, she has another family of sorts this time of year, an all-female fantasy football league called Sacks and the City.
"It’s competitive, and, honestly, for our league, it’s just the camaraderie of having something that we all do together," Geren said.
Besides Geren, a hair stylist, 11 other women participate, including a sonographer, a couple who are in sales, and some who are teachers, including Lindsey's sister-in-law, Rachel Geren.
"Football has always been kind of a big part of my life,” Rachel said. “My parents had season tickets to the Chiefs growing up, so I was always at Arrowhead and just kind of always loved football.”
Like the rest of the ladies, Rachel doesn't just love football, she knows all the players and stays up-to-date on the latest stats. And, last season, her knowledge paid off.
"I’ve only won one time. I have the trophy here because [I’m] the current champion," she said with a smile, referencing a trophy on a shelf behind her.
Rachel founded the league seven years ago after being inspired by how much fun her husband had in his own league. So, she rounded up some friends who reached out to their own friends or family members. Whitney Cottrill was one of the chosen few.
"I am a three-time winner,” Cottrill said. “So, I enjoy the winning aspect of it for sure."
She also said that while it is a competitive league and the ladies are prone to trash talking one another, there's an equal amount of support and friendship.
"We have this group chat that, I mean, we talk every day, all of us,” Cottrill said, “whether it’s a meme that we found or something we found on Instagram from Travis Kelce‘s girlfriend who we love. And it’s just fun, it's different."
And, although they were unable to meet in person for draft day this year or attend Chiefs' games together because of the pandemic, the group chats and their shared passion for the sport keeps them connected.
"I’m working from home, with my kids home, and my weeks are crazy and stressful,” Rachel said. “And then Sunday comes around, and I just know that I’m going to be able to watch football and talk to my friends about it, and it’s kind of nice to just have that support system.”
