Two Buffalo Bills players sported Angel Reese Buffalo Bills jerseys ahead of their Sunday preseason contest against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Ty Johnson and Darrynton Evans attracted attention from <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA fans by wearing away jerseys of Chicago Sky stars Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese during the game in Chicago.
In images shared on Instagram by the Bills, Johnson was seen wearing the Hailey Van Lith jersey while Evans wore Reese’s. Johnson has a personal connection to Reese as they both hail from Maryland. Meanwhile, Evans is originally from Florida and played college football at Appalachian State. Although the ties to the players exist, it appears their choice of jerseys was influenced by the location of the game in the Windy City.
WNBA followers reacted strongly to the display, with some New York-based fans expressing surprise to see Buffalo Bills players donning Chicago jerseys. Others appeared to use the moment to provoke Angel Reese, reflecting a buzz around the WNBA luminaries despite the Chicago Sky’s difficult season.
Ongoing Concerns Surround Angel Reese’s Injury Status
Angel Reese has not played since July 29 due to a recurring back injury that caused her to miss multiple games this season. She initially sat out because of the injury but returned briefly to play against her hometown team before the problem reemerged, sidelining her for the last seven games.
Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh told reporters last week that there is no specific timeline for Reese’s comeback, emphasizing caution given the seriousness of a back issue. According to WNBA analyst Karli Bell from Courtside, Reese began light on-court activities over the past weekend, and Marsh hinted her return could be near, though no exact date has been established.
The Sky’s struggles continue, with the team holding an 8-25 record and unlikely to qualify for the playoffs. They have lost nine out of their last ten games, and the threat of finishing the season with the worst record remains high.
Impact of WNBA Recognition by NFL Athletes
The Bills players wearing Angel Reese Buffalo Bills jerseys and those of Hailey Van Lith demonstrate a growing appreciation for the WNBA, signaling increasing league popularity despite the Chicago Sky’s poor standing. This crossover recognition from <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL athletes helps heighten visibility for star players like Reese and Van Lith, both of whom continue to inspire fans regardless of on-court challenges.
While Reese is sidelined recovering from injury and Van Lith averages just over 13 minutes off the bench during her rookie season, their jerseys on NFL players highlight the expanding cultural reach of the WNBA. The support from athletes across sports may contribute to morale and elevate interest for the league moving forward.