With the Gauntlet being 362/365 days out of the year, there is no escape. For the players, it means a grueling schedule with no mental breaks. The Gauntlet consumes our time and attention. The Gauntlet, however, not only affects us. From the infinite drafts to the date interrupting barrage of texts, we often neglect our significant others. In its inaugural season, five women had the misfortune of dating a man participating in the Gauntlet. In their misfortune, these women have created a sisterhood of sorts. Each woman suffers through the frustrations, interruptions, and lack of attention that the Gauntlet causes, and therefore, understand each other’s pain and annoyance. These are the Women of the Gauntlet and their stories.
The Women
Linda Rivera has the unfortunate circumstance of being engaged to the 2018-2019 Gauntlet Champion, Sam Fulkerson. Lucy Clay possesses the unique misfortune of dating 2019-2020 Gauntlet Hopeful, Adam Costello, while also having the Gauntlet’s resident madman, Evan Clay, as her older brother. Haley Tackett survives dating Gauntlet Enigma, Hunter Clark. Jacky Banos currently finds herself in a relationship with Mr. Draft Valuation Spreadsheet, Sean Brennan. Jennifer Figueroa currently suffers through dating myself, Gauntlet Founder and Commissioner. This inaugural Sisterhood added one more member this year, Erica Len, who finds herself dating Gauntlet Rookie, Jake Miller. While each Gauntlet relationship is inherently different, these women have access and unique perspectives that other Gauntlet outsiders lack.
When asked a series of questions, the Women of the Gauntlet provides valuable insights about their experiences.
When you first heard that your boyfriend was a part of the Gauntlet, what was your initial reaction?
This question was met with absolute bewilderment and confusion. Jen and Linda respond by asking “Um… what’s a gauntlet?,” and “What is that?” respectively. Lucy already senses the annoyance the Gauntlet would cause, and writes, “Good for you, and don’t talk to me about it.” Erica continues this sentiment with a simple, but effective “Shit.”
Jacky also was “initially confused” and “rolled her eyes,” but after Sean’s explanation, Jacky immediately went into shock.
“I had PTSD to flashbacks of sitting in Sean’s parents’ basement for 4 hours watching John Oliver talk about safe sex while Sean stared simultaneously at his phone and laptop. No food, no water, no lights, no communication. He maybe talked to me for ten minutes? I could only imagine what the Gauntlet would do to his already weak communication skills.”
Jacky Banos
Sean takes an early lead for Worst Gauntlet Boyfriend. Jacky finishes, “We’re still together for now (but maybe not after this??)”. Does she mean after Gauntlet season, or after Sean reads her responses? Only time will tell.
Only Haley had a positive initial reaction, “I think it’s a really cool system but was surprised at how much money everyone put into it.” I wish I could say the Gauntlet’s perception has improved from the initial reactions.
How often does your man talk about the Gauntlet?
Each woman deals with Gauntlet talk or app checking, and more than they would like. Both Linda’s and Haley’s men talk about it every day. For Sam, he mentions it at least once a day “in one way shape or form,” and for Hunter, Haley exasperatedly writes, “Every single day. It will ruin his day if he doesn’t have Wi-Fi to set his lineup.” Hunter, my man, upgrade your data plan, it will pay dividends. Jen says that I talk about the Gauntlet, “95% of the time on dates and any time it’s silence” which seems like a reasonable amount of time to me.
Adam and Jake score slightly better among Gauntlet Boyfriends. Jake only talks about it “once” a week while Adam “doesn’t talk about it all the time, but he’s always checking the app.” Keep up the solid Gauntlet – life balance boys.
We’re only two questions in, and I think the Gauntlet and Sean has already broken Jacky. According to Jacky, Sean talks about the Gauntlet:
“Every time I see him. I can tell he’s gauntleting because he’ll stop talking and paying attention to his surroundings. Then I ask him what he’s doing and then he tells me he has to check and see that his teams are doing okay. Kind of like babies.”
Jacky Banos
Ultimately, Jacky’s “okay with it” and “understands that the Gauntlet,” his teams and players, “and his Gauntlet buddies are important to him,” but she sometimes envies the attention we get. Jacky, I personally apologize for the severe, Gauntlet caused, trauma you have endured, but thank you for coming up with the verb “gauntleting” which is truly game changing. Sean currently leads 2-0 for Worst Gauntlet Boyfriend.
Based on conversations with your boyfriend, do you think he’s actually any “good” at the Gauntlet?
Good news boys, all our ladies think we’re pretty decent at the Gauntlet. Whether that’s true or not, we’ll leave that up to the standings. Linda, Lucy, and Jen all have strong knowledge of our respective past performances. Lucy admits that Adam “struggled last year but this is his year!” Linda acknowledges that Sam, “did win the championship (or something like that), so yeah, he’s pretty good.” Jen knows that I “won that one time for baseball,” so she thinks I’m “good”.
Haley comes out with full praise of Hunter, “Yes, I think he’s really good.” (You may not want to check these baseball standings then Haley.) Same goes for Erica, who responded with a simple “yes.” Erica, you may want to ask Jake about that Harper trade.
Jacky is less certain of Sean’s Gauntlet prowess: “I feel like he’s maybe not bad? Probably medium well? Sean’s pretty cocky, so I’m aware when he does well.” Sean, I challenge you to prove Jacky wrong. Everyone else, good luck proving them right; there are only 3 podium spots a year, and 4 individual championships, but 12 Gauntleteers.
What makes your boyfriend the “best” Gauntlet player?
Jacky, Linda, and Haley say their man’s knowledge is their biggest asset. According to Linda, Sam “does research. So. Much. Research.” Well that research paid off last year with the Gauntlet dub. Hunter’s knowledge “about numerous players in all the sports; especially football and baseball. As well as staying up to date with the players, such as injuries, etc.,” is what makes Hunter the “best” according to Haley. Jacky removes Sean from the spit roast for a short time, and compliments his knowledge as well: “Whenever he talks about which players he picks/trades he talks a lot about their future potential and how good they can be,” and “knows when certain trades or picks are dumb.”
Not all Gauntlet Women were as kind with their praise. Erica claims Jake’s the “best” because “he’s savage.” So far savagery has not corelated with Gauntlet success.
Lucy writes, “Pure luck” is what drives Adam’s success. And Jen simply writes, “he’s no good here,” when referring to my quest for the “best.” She’s probably right, deep down, I know I am no good here.
From talking about the Gauntlet who do you think is the worst player?
Only 4/12 Gauntlet players were mentioned in this question. Linda named no one as she villainously laughs “Hahahahah. Do you think I listen?” She half-heartedly attempts to backtrack this statement with a “Jk. I do,” but she doesn’t know who’s the worst.
With one mention, arguably the oddest out of the group, goes to Sam courtesy of Jacky. Sean must be brainwashing Jacky with that anti-Sam talk. Jacky, however, does admit that she’s “not entirely sure who’s all in it.” Another mention also goes to me, courtesy of Erica.
Two people are tied for the perceived worst Gauntlet player, and I’m sure you all could easily guess them………..Evan and Ronak. One vote from Ronak also came from Jacky, while the other came from Haley, who said “Ronak. Hands down” is the worst player. Evan received one vote courtesy of Jen, while the other came from his own blood turning against him, Lucy.
Congratulations to Jake, Hunter, Adam, and Sean for escaping worst Gauntlet Man’s which is shared between Sam and I. Sean, however, still currently holds onto his worst Boyfriend of the Gauntlet title. Also, congratulations to Taylor, Cameron, Jacob, and Emmett, either y’all aren’t too bad, or the Gauntlet Girlfriends simply don’t know you exist. Up for you to decide.
Who does your boyfriend talk the most shit about in the Gauntlet?
Worst somewhat surprisingly is not synonymous with being shit talked. Jacky, Linda, and Haley are somewhat unsure of who’s shat on the most. Linda says, Sam talks shit about, “some of the guys from Athens, I think?” which may mean Cameron and Evan, but could also be a mix up between leagues. Jacky is also uncertain responding, “Spencer and Adam I think?” and Haley guesses “Jake, but Hunter doesn’t really complain about it to” her. Sean, Sam, and Hunter step up the damn shit talk. Apparently Jake talks the most shit: “Everyone, Jake is always talking shit,” Erica writes. So far, Jake’s been all talk and no walk.
It should come as no surprise to who I talk the most shit about as Jen responds, “Poor Evan,” taking pity on the man for whom I have no praise. I don’t foresee my Anti-Evan propaganda ending anytime soon. Lucy absolutely dunks on Ronak: “Ronak for sure. I’ve heard he’s a waste man!!” Ronak is most definitely a waste man, so Lucy’s intel from Adam is accurate.
In your opinion, who is the most annoying Gauntlet player?
Two women named their own mans as most annoying. One of them….was not Linda who was unsure since she doesn’t know all the guys involved. Erica named me as most annoying Gauntlet player “Spencer for sure” after I asked her approximately 5 million times to fill out the damn survey via Jake. Haley claims that Ronak is the most annoying, and Jen writes that “Samuel” is since “his head got big after the Gauntlet win.”
Which leaves us two boyfriends remaining. Jacky calls out Sean, while Lucy responds “Adam!!!” as most annoying.
Out of all Gauntlet players, who has interrupted your relationship time the most with trade texts?
Only Erica is “undecided” with her answer which is not too shocking since we’ve only had a few months to bombard Jake with texts. According to the Gauntlet’s Women, Cameron, Taylor, Hunter, and Jake are the only innocent Gauntleteers.
Emmett is only guilty of interrupting Haley and Hunter’s time. Linda emphatically types, “Jacob, Adam, Sean, Spencer. You’re all guilty!” Both Sam and Ronak are guilty of interrupting two relationships. Lucy replies, “Sam but really not too often,” while Jacky responds “I can only really remember Ronak and Sam, but I’m sure every Gauntleter has interrupted.” Ronak does not come off so innocently to Jen, who writes, “Ronak. Fucking. Mody.” That DeGrom trade seemed too good to pass up, and a week or so later Ronak bombarded me with some more trade talk. Sorry Jen! If it makes you feel better, Ronak has probably won the trade so far.
Has your boyfriend ever annoyed you enough, that you almost dropped all of his players?
So far, none of the Gauntlet Girlfriends have dropped any players, but we has pushed some to the breaking point. No more than myself, where I’ve been so annoying that, Jen has “absolutely” almost dropped my players, “or changed” my lineup. Looks like I’m changing my passwords and removing her fingerprint now.
For Jacky, Sean has “definitely been annoying, but [she] could never be so cruel.” Hunter has also pushed Haley, and she’s “threatened to as a joke and [she’s] pretty sure he’d freak out if [she] did.” Sorry Sam, Linda says she’s never thought of it, “but that’s an interesting idea…” Jake may also need to change his passcodes, as Erica says, “No, not yet.”
Only Adam’s roster seems to be safe, as Lucy writes, “I don’t even know what dropping players means!!” Keep her in the dark Adam, preserve your studly squad.
Has your outlook on sports changed at all since the Gauntlet began? If so, how?
For the most part, our love and obsession with sports have not rubbed off by osmosis. Erica writes “not at all” and Haley responds, “no, not really”. Lucy also says, “No, I mean I still like sports decently but I won’t ever be as obsessed with them as you Gauntlet guys are!!” Similary to Erica, Jen responds, “Not at all,” but continues, “I don’t pay attention to any other sports unless it’s baseball, and if your name is Drake, and you’re sitting court-side at a Raptors game.” Jen definitely enjoyed the Raptors playoff run.
Only Linda and Jacky have gained any greater appreciation of sports through their men.
Linda: “It’s made me appreciate sports a little more because he tells me so much about it and sports I’ve actually learned a great deal.”
Jacky: “I don’t know a lot about sports other than Atlanta is cursed, but Sean has done his best to help me be educated and informed. I’m pro-sports. I know more players’ names. I know how the basketball and football drafts work.”
Good news for us, and bad news for the Gauntlet’s Women is that there’s no end in sight and they can always learn more!
What sports draft has been the most annoying?
Unsurprisingly, the sport with the most players, baseball, is mentioned the most, followed by football. Hockey also takes forever but is likely forgotten about by Gauntlet players and women alike.
Erica’s only Gauntlet draft has been baseball, so by default she responds that’s the most annoying. Baseball is also the most annoying for Lucy as it went “until like 3 in the morning because I needed to talk to Adam but he was ‘busy’ with the draft!!” Bad news Lucy, that was our first draft that started actually on time, usually they do not go that smoothly. Linda also says baseball is the most annoying since “it’s the one that has taken obscene amounts of time and taken away from us hanging out.”
Jacky, Jen, and Haley all said football annoyed them the most. Jen’s anger towards football is directed mainly towards Hunter since, “Hunter Clark went MIA and it took a whole ass hour to get in contact with that man. He delayed my sleep and cuddles🔪.” You don’t mess with a woman’s sleep and cuddles.
Well it sounds like all the Gauntlet Women will be looking forward to the football draft in about a month. We will need to coordinate a night where they can all go out and complain about us.
If you were ever to join the Fantasy Gauntlet, what sport would be your best?
Based on their responses, we could see an all-women co-owned Gauntlet team. Jacky and Jen would co-own baseball as Jacky thinks it is the easiest to follow, and Jen responds “obvi baseball.” Haley and Erica would co-own football, and Lucy and Linda would co-own basketball. Since none of us, except Cameron, know anything about hockey anyway, they may be able to scrape together a decent team. The Women of the Gauntlet combined squad coming with a 2020 expansion?
Do you have any specific stories to share, or memorable moments about the Gauntlet?
Erica comes out and just says what every other Gauntlet Women thinks, “every time Jake mentions the Gauntlet, I immediately forget what he said.” Points for brutal honesty.
Jacky has no specific stories to share, “Although it is nice/ funny that Sean gets excited when he does well or when someone else is doing poorly.” Lucy also has no specific stories, but “has sat in silence many times being the only girl surrounded by guys talking about fantasy sports.” You are not the only girl affected Lucy. Stand united.
After Sam won the Gauntlet, Linda says, he “ won $500 but then went out for drinks, got too drunk, and spent $200 of those dollars. That was funny.” Ballers do baller things, what can I say.
Jen tells the following story, “Spencer and I were driving together, so he couldn’t text. But Hunter kept on wanting to discuss a trade, so I had to read out Hunter’s messages and write down what Spencer said. That went on for hours, and the trade didn’t even happen. Smh.” Thanks Jen! Tatis for Cruz almost happened although I’m glad it didn’t.
According to Haley, “One time before we were about to go out to a bar, Hunter realized he forgot to switch his lineup and was starting an injured player. He was in a bad mood for pretty much the rest of the night.” Good news is that this likely had no impact on Hunter’s final standings.
Finally we’ve made it to the last question.
How excited are you that the Gauntlet will last forever, and your boyfriend will never stop talking about it?
No one sounds too excited about the Gauntlet lasting forever. Both Erica and Haley, give a sarcastic “thrilled,” and “can’t wait,” respectively. Jen just comes out and says it: “Utterly disappointed. Our kid’s first word will be ‘gauntlet’.” What a proud father I would be. Gauntlet Youth League coming 2035?
Jacky will “be more excited if Sean manages to win something!” Step up your game Sean, don’t let your girl down.
Both Linda and Lucy can tolerate it since it means Sam and Adam have friends. For those of us who may not know, Sam and Linda are getting married: “I’m marrying this man in 6 months and I GUESS it’s ok that he shares this one thing with all his guy friends. So sure, I’m happy for him (mostly!).”
On a scale of 1-10, Lucy’s at a five. “I don’t really mind it except when he’s on the app ALL THE TIME. I guess at least he has friends!!!”
The Women of the Gauntlet have put up with a lot in just one short season and will go through much more. Inevitably, the Gauntlet Sisterhood will grow, and they will forever share the pain and annoyance the Gauntlet causes.
I would like to thank each Gauntlet Woman for contributing to this post. I hope you enjoy reading the responses.
Also, thank you to Jen, who sat silently on Facetime while I finished the article. If it wasn’t for your initial excitement, I wouldn’t have had the motivation to write the article.
The Fantasy Gauntlet 