Brothers Go Viral Supporting Haley Winn During Olympic Gold Run

During the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, U.S. hockey defender Haley Winn received an exuberant show of support from her three older brothers, who created a series of viral videos to cheer for her and her teammates. Their efforts culminated in an exhilarating gold medal victory against Canada on March 7, 2024, where Team USA triumphed with a score of 2-1.

The Winn brothers transformed their enthusiasm into numerous playful videos, often dressed in American flag-patterned jackets and matching bucket hats. They humorously narrated game results, including Haley’s first goal of the tournament. Their creative antics included wearing red, white, and blue jumpsuits while donning bald eagle masks, using an Aperol spritz and a napkin to simulate curling.

Highlighting Women’s Sports

Despite their humorous approach, the brothers have a serious message for the hundreds of thousands of social media users captivated by their antics: watch the games. “It’s about them,” stated Ryan Winn (27) in an interview with the Associated Press. “It’s not about us.” The brothers emphasize the importance of acknowledging the achievements of female athletes like Haley, who are making significant strides in professional sports.

This year’s final marked the seventh time the United States and Canada faced off in women’s hockey since its Olympic debut at the 1998 Nagano Games. The rivalry is particularly intense, especially given current political tensions. President Donald Trump has previously suggested Canada should become the 51st state of the U.S., adding a layer of intrigue to the matchup.

Growing up in Rochester, New York, the four Winn siblings spent their childhood skating on a backyard ice rink. While all the brothers played college hockey, it became evident that Haley was the standout talent. “Haley just turned out to be the absolute beast out of all of us,” Ryan remarked. Her brother Casey Winn (29) added that Haley began skating before she could walk, “pushing a bucket around.”

Haley’s Journey to Olympic Stardom

Following her time at Clarkson University in New York, Haley was selected as the second overall pick in the previous year’s Professional Women’s Hockey League draft. She currently plays for the Boston Fleet. The Milan Cortina Olympics mark her debut at this level, where she scored one goal and provided three assists over six games leading up to the final.

“She loves this game and she had a dream to play this game at the highest level for a long time,” Ryan said. “It’s now our dream, getting to watch her live out her dream.” The brothers began their vivid displays of support during the 2024 World Championship in Utica, New York, and sought to elevate their enthusiasm for the Olympics. “So we were like, ‘What can we do that’s next level?’” Ryan explained. “We’re going to add an eagle head to it.”

Inspired by Team USA’s goal celebration song, “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the brothers flap their arms like wings while cheering in the stands, contributing to the viral nature of their videos. “She laughs about it, she comments on our posts,” Ryan shared, noting that Haley was often unaware of what outfits they would wear. “She’s just as surprised as anybody else when she sees the fits.”

The brothers acknowledge the absurdity of their bald eagle jumpsuits but are passionate advocates for women’s sports. “If someone says they don’t like women’s sports or ‘I just want to watch the NHL and not the PWHL,’ it’s because you haven’t watched enough games,” Ryan asserted. “These are highly skilled, high-level players that have devoted their lives to this craft, who are playing explosively.”

The Winn brothers have not only captured the spirit of the Olympics but also shine a light on the importance of supporting female athletes. Their journey from backyard skaters to enthusiastic supporters of Olympic hockey illustrates the growing recognition of women’s sports on the world stage.