It’s a crisp Arrowhead morning, and Lot J is already humming with energy. Under a red-and-gold tent, Genevieve Fisher and her husband Josh steady the shotski, coordinating how many cups will go around, making sure everyone gets a toast. Their smiles are easy, genuine. Genevieve calls out names, thanks people for coming, and makes sure old friends and newcomers alike feel right at home, just like she and Josh do every game day. Throughout the day, shotski patrons hand over their phone to ask for a quick group photo, and while Genevieve frames the shot, Josh playfully flips the phone to selfie mode and snaps one of the two of them, a small hidden keepsake the owner will discover later with a laugh. As she hands the shotski back, there’s a quiet confidence about her, a sense that she belongs here just as deeply as any lifelong Chiefs fan.

Genevieve’s journey to becoming a fixture in the Kansas City tailgate scene didn’t start in Missouri. She grew up in Seattle, far from Arrowhead, long before she understood the pull of Chiefs red. It was Josh, deep in his devotion, who first brought her into the fold. When they began dating, she teased him about converting her to his team. He joked back that she did not have to become a fan, at least, not right away. But his love for the Chiefs was infectious. Over time, she found herself cheering beside him through heartbreak and hope. Their first trip to Kansas City came during a house-hunting visit in 2018. They flew down from Seattle, caught a game against Denver, and experienced their first live Chiefs win. That weekend was transformative. It was the moment she truly fell in love with the Chiefs, but also with the warmth of this community. It was on that trip that she met Nate Morrow and first stepped into Lot J. The shared laughter, the music, the family of tailgaters she’d only just met: she knew she had found a home.

When Genevieve and Josh made the move to Kansas City in 2019, they carried more than their belongings, they brought a spirit of generosity, hospitality, and devotion. On game days they arrive early, join the line of Jeeps, help carry coolers, and make the rounds through the crowd. Their station becomes a gathering point: the tent, the bartop. She helps Josh bottle moonshine and fill shot skis, making sure their signature apple pie flavor is ready for fans. Her warmth is unmistakable, offering hugs, greeting kids, and ensuring everyone who walks by feels seen. In Lot J, she is more than a tailgate co-host; she is a heartbeat.

But Genevieve’s strength extends far beyond game day. In late 2024 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis she met with grace and courage. On December 2nd she learned of the disease. By December 23rd she had undergone a lumpectomy, and soon after she began radiation treatments, facing grueling weeks of fatigue, pain, and emotional weight. In July, a scare prompted another surgery, but she ultimately recovered. Throughout it all, the Lot J tailgate family rallied. Nate and Clarissa Morrow organized a fundraiser, neighbors donated meals and artwork, and fans came together to lift her up. In her words, she could never have done it without her “Lot J family.” The support she received fueled her drive to heal.

That same compassion she showed others on game day she received in return when she needed it most. Today she is beyond grateful, and each turn of the shotski feels like more than tradition. It is gratitude, community, and survival embodied. Her journey reminds those around her that tailgating is not just about food, drink, or football. It’s about family. It’s about helping each other across the field, through life’s biggest battles, and back again.

Outside of football and recovery, Genevieve treasures her time with Josh and their daughters. They camp, attend softball tournaments, go to concerts together, and explore Kansas City’s rich culture: the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Jazz Museum, and some of the city’s legendary barbecue spots like Gates and Arthur Bryant’s. For her, life in Kansas City is a reminder that home is not just where you live, it’s who you share the journey with.

Genevieve Fisher is an unsung hero of Lot J, a warm and steady presence, a generous friend, and a fighter. On game day her smile lights up the parking lot. Off of it she inspires with her resilience and her grace. The tailgate world, and Chiefs Kingdom, is better because she is part of it.