GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - The 2025 NFL Kickoff is scheduled for September 4, and fans across the Western Slope gear up in anticipation of the most-watched sport in the country.
Jake Gulden, General Manager for Pour Fellows, said their bar has been preparing for the season all summer long.
“We wait all summer long for football, whether it be college or the NFL, and really amped to get everything going and rolling,” said Gulden.
No matter the team, no matter the fans, Gulden wants to prioritize everyone.
“As long as I can get all the games on all the TV’s and make everyone happy at the same time, it’s pretty convenient for all of us as employees and as fans of the game as well,” he said.
If it’s not at a sports bar, fans plan to watch their favorite teams anyway they can. Kale Knifong, a freshman at Colorado Mesa University, moved to Grand Junction from Missouri. To him, watching his favorite team is a way to stay close to his family.
“I’ll probably be watching the playoffs when I go back home for winter break, so I’ll be watching that with my family, and then if I can catch a game around campus or on my phone, I’ll try and do that as much as I can,” said Knifong.
Some are choosing to stay connected through Fantasy Football, which saw [over 13 million players during the 2024 NFL Season](https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/09/another-all-time-record-13-million-fans-playing-espn-fantasy-football-in-2024/). For Kaleb Beverly, a visitor from San Diego, Fantasy leagues have been a way to stay in touch with long-time friends.
“This is actually our fifth year running. I believe maybe 6th even and buddy of mine, Juan, just wanted to start it up a few years back, and it’s been so fun,” said Beverly. “We get hot wings and beer, and we draft up.”
An important aspect of a Fantasy league for many is the punishment at the end of the season for the lowest-ranked player.
“The loser, though, has to, I think this year crawl a mile, so I don’t want to lose. That sounds just horrible,” said Beverly.
“The Waffle House challenge, that’s a good one, that’s a classic one. That’s probably what I would choose,” said Knifong.
As the countdown continues, fans are ready to cheer on their favorite teams.
“My favorite team is the Chiefs,” said Knifong. “Just because my family, they’re all from Missouri and that’s just been their team forever.”
“Go Chargers,” said Beverly.
“For sure, I guess go Broncos, but also go Bears,” said Gulden.
Game 1 of the 2025 season will pit the Dallas Cowboys against the 2024 Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. That game is scheduled for Thursday, September 4, at 5:20 p.m. MST.
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