Month: February 2024

Wild weather lashing Sydney on Friday evening caused chaos for the 80,000 Swifties heading to her first show of the Eras Tour in the city.

 

 

 

 

Fans sitting on the floor and lower bowl levels of the stadium were asked to move inside after lightning struck just 10 kilometres away shortly before 6pm.

A statement from Accor Stadium issued just before 6pm told concert-goers the three-hour show had been delayed.

‘Please note, due to weather, show start time has been delayed,’ it said.

‘Stay undercover until further notice and follow venue screens and staff instructions.

‘Stay safe and remember to be kind to those around you.’

Swift took to the stage at about 7.50pm, while her support act Sabrina Carpenter was axed for Friday night’s performance.Carpenter was due to begin at 6.20pm and Swift was supposed to start at 7.30pm.

‘We have a little bit of a weather situation, we might have some rain, but I’ve never known an Aussie crowd to let that get in the way of having a good time,’ Taylor told her fans once she began her performance.

A man’s voice was earlier heard on a loudspeaker at the stadium telling fans that lightning had struck 10kms away and ticket holders needed to evacuate.

A stream of concert-goers, most wearing plastic rain ponchos, were seen moving to undercover areas of the stadium following the announcement.

 

Accor Stadium had said the show will run unless there is ‘severe weather which could impact the safety of artists and patrons’.

PETA has aimed a dig at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for visiting Sydney Zoo, as the animal rights nonprofit organization released a statement saying the couple should ‘spend their time and money at a true sanctuary,’ instead.

The popstar and her NFL boyfriend went on a date at the 16.5-hectare site earlier this week ahead of Swift’s three concerts in Australia’s biggest city, as they were spotted even petting a little kangaroo.

But, Debbie Metzler – PETA Foundation’s Director of Captive Animal Welfare – was far from impressed with the latest sighting of the ‘You Belong with Me’ and ’22’ hitmaker.

In a shared statement, she said: ‘While we understand all too well the appeal of seeing Australia’s wildlife, PETA hopes that next time Taylor and Travis want to see wild animals, they’ll spend their time and money at a true sanctuary.’

The charitable organization adds that a sanctuary is a better choice due to visitors being at a respectful distance from animals and the fact that they can’t feed or touch them there.

But, Swift has already violated PETA’s advisory by feeding a baby kangaroo while also checking out a bunch of other animals behind cages.

Kelce jetted out to join his world famous girlfriend after she flew back to the U.S. to watch her beau and his Kansas City Chiefs teammates win their third Super Bowl in five years.

Before this year’s big game, she had been in Tokyo to perform and kickstart the international part of her Eras Tour.

After Sydney, Swift will head to Singapore for three concerts on March 2, 3 and 4.

She will then travel to Europe, where her first destination on the Old Continent is Paris.

The 34-year-old, 12-time Grammy-winning artist will be in the U.K. for most of the month of June, starting in Edinburgh (06/07, 06/08).

She will be in London for two concerts on June 21 and 22.

The NFL waited until Monday to announce they were going to punish a Kansas City Chiefs player for an illegal play they made in their Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

The NFL didn’t announce a fine on Saturday

As Michael David Smith with NBC Sports noted this weekend, on Saturday, the league sends out announcements regarding fines for the previous week’s play. The league did not make any announcement on Saturday. Analysts thought Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed could face fines for infractions during the Super Bowl.

The league waited until President’s Day to punish Bolton.

 

Nick Bolton received a hefty fine

According to Smith, the league confirmed on Monday that Bolton would receive a fine upwards of $8,000 for a horse-collar tackle:
“Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton was the only player fined for an on-field, safety-related violation in Super Bowl LVIII.

“Bolton was flagged for a horse-collar tackle on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy during the second quarter of the game. And now the NFL has confirmed that Bolton was also fined $8,238 for the penalty.”

Here’s a video of the horse-collar tackle Bolton was fined for, per WC Sports TV:

Breaking News: Kansas City Chiefs Voted as Prime Destination for Running Back with 44 Touchdowns Over the Last 3 Seasons

As the Kansas City Chiefs clinch consecutive Super Bowl victories, their sights are set on a historic NFL milestone: becoming the first team to secure three consecutive championships. However, it’s worth noting that they wouldn’t be pioneering this achievement, as the Green Bay Packers achieved it twice, creating two distinct dynasties from 1929-1931 and 1965-1967.

Despite the allure of this unprecedented feat, the Chiefs face significant challenges. Their roster requires attention, particularly in addressing vulnerabilities such as the wide receiver position. However, their pursuit of top-tier talent is hindered by limited cap space.

While Rashee Rice from the 2023 NFL Draft shows promise, the Chiefs’ long-term passing game hinges on draft acquisitions. To alleviate pressure on quarterback Patrick Mahomes and enhance passing options, one strategy is to pursue a free agent running back from their division rivals.

Austin Ekeler emerges as a prime target. With Isiah Pacheco already on board and Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon set for free agency, the Chiefs have room for improvement in their offensive arsenal. ESPN’s Matt Bowen suggests targeting Ekeler, citing his prowess as a pass-game threat and his ability to complement Pacheco.

Despite Ekeler’s slightly diminished production in the 2023 season, his versatility and past performances speak volumes. Leading the league in total touchdowns in 2021 and 2022, he showcased consistency and impact.

Pairing Ekeler with Mahomes under Andy Reid’s guidance could elevate the Chiefs’ offense to unprecedented levels of success.

The grieving family of Lisa Lopez-Galvan sought to honor her memory in a special manner following her tragic demise during the Kansas City Chiefs parade, originally intended to be a celebratory event.

In a heartwarming gesture, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker stepped forward to assist the family of Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a mother of two who lost her life in a fatal shooting amid a dispute at the team’s Super Bowl parade.

A now-removed plea was circulated on X, appealing for assistance in locating a white Chiefs jersey bearing Butker’s name, the very jersey Lisa had worn during the parade, as the family wished to lay her to rest in it as a tribute.

“#ChiefsKingdom I need your help… the son of Lisa Lopez-Galvan wants his mom to be put to rest in a white @buttkicker7 jersey .. the same she wore the day of the parade,” the tweet read. “We can’t find them anywhere … anyone have any idea where we can look?”
According to the Kansas City Star, a representative of Fanatics as well as a friend of the team’s chaplain, Father Richard Rocha, both saw the request.

Butker released a statement Tuesday and said he would provide the family with an additional jersey for Lopez-Galvan to be laid to rest in.
“My wife Isabelle and I are heartbroken by the murder of Lisa due to degenerate violence,” Butker said in a statement Tuesday. “Murder is a sin that cries out to God for vengeance and I pray the men involved in this tragedy will be brought to justice. Hearing that she was a fan of my outspokenness for our shared Catholic Faith makes this even more personal. I am honored to provide a jersey to the family for her to wear. While the family is mourning their loss and grappling with their numerous injuries, I will continue to pray for their healing and the repose of Lisa’s soul.”

During the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Butker achieved a milestone by completing the longest field goal in Super Bowl history with a 57-yard attempt.

A GoFundMe campaign was initiated for the Lopez-Galvan family and has garnered over $379,000 in donations since its inception last week.

Following the event, Dominic Miller and Lyndell Mays have both been charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.

Reports indicate that gunfire erupted due to a confrontation sparked by someone’s gaze, leading to a verbal altercation at the parade that escalated rapidly, resulting in the individuals involved brandishing firearms.

Additionally, two unidentified juveniles have been charged with gun possession and resisting arrest for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting, which left 23 people injured.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to lose one of their key All-Pro contributors from their back-to-back Super Bowl titles in this year’s free agency. The Chiefs chose to go in another direction at punter for the 2024 season.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed a punter

Aug 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza (19) makes contact with the ball in the second quarter pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Per Vincent Pensabene with GH, the Chiefs made a controversial decision to sign former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza to the roster:

 

 

 

The back-to-back Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs are looking to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to pull off a three-peat and are trying to improve their roster on the margins. It is being reported by multiple sources that they are signing former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza to fill the void by free agent Tommy Townsend.

Tommy Townsend is set for free agency

Dec 31, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) celebrates with holder Tommy Townsend (5) after kicking a field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

With the Chiefs signing Araiza, the team will likely lose their current punter. Per Mike Garafolo with the NFL Network, Tommy Townsend is set to hit free agency next month.

 

 

Townsend is a competent punter

Feb 6, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend (5) during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Townsend earned All-Pro honors for his play in the 2022 season. Townsend averaged 47.1 yards per punt and recorded 20 punts inside the 20-yard line for the 2023 season. He averaged punting inside the 20-yard line 33.9 percent of the time his number was called.

Townsend will be an attractive name in the free agency market for teams who need a punter. It’ll be interesting to see if the Chiefs regret their decision to take a risk on Araiza when they had a perfectly competent punter.

Wild weather lashing Sydney on Friday evening caused chaos for the 80,000 Swifties heading to her first show of the Eras Tour in the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fans sitting on the floor and lower bowl levels of the stadium were asked to move inside after lightning struck just 10 kilometres away shortly before 6pm.

A statement from Accor Stadium issued just before 6pm told concert-goers the three-hour show had been delayed.

‘Please note, due to weather, show start time has been delayed,’ it said.

‘Stay undercover until further notice and follow venue screens and staff instructions.

‘Stay safe and remember to be kind to those around you.’

Swift took to the stage at about 7.50pm, while her support act Sabrina Carpenter was axed for Friday night’s performance.Carpenter was due to begin at 6.20pm and Swift was supposed to start at 7.30pm.

‘We have a little bit of a weather situation, we might have some rain, but I’ve never known an Aussie crowd to let that get in the way of having a good time,’ Taylor told her fans once she began her performance.

A man’s voice was earlier heard on a loudspeaker at the stadium telling fans that lightning had struck 10kms away and ticket holders needed to evacuate.

A stream of concert-goers, most wearing plastic rain ponchos, were seen moving to undercover areas of the stadium following the announcement.

Accor Stadium had said the show will run unless there is ‘severe weather which could impact the safety of artists and patrons

Travis Kelce breaks silence on Kayla Nicole relationship and slams claims he was a cheap boyfriend

TRAVIS Kelce has broken his silence on rumors surrounding his breakup with model Kayla Nicole.An eight-time Pro Bowl tight end, Travis had been at the center of rumors claiming that the 33-year-old’s breakup with Kayla, 30, was driven by his tight grip on the purse strings.

 

 

 

 

Barstool Sports reported back in May that, per a source: “They dated for five years and throughout those years, Kayla got only $100 from Travis so do the maths and get how much he gave her each month.

“Travis Kelce was giving Kayla $3.7 each month. Kayla had complained before about not getting expensive gifts.”

The report also cited a supposed friend who had reportedly told them: “Travis is very cheap. In the beginning he tried to make Kayla ‘prove’ that she wasn’t with him for the money … so she had to pay half of everything.”

This supposedly included: “half of every date, every trip, everything.”

This raised eyebrows given that Travis has earned over $64.7million from his contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs alone during his ten seasons in the NFL.

But when asked about these rumors during [a recent appearance on The Pivot Podcast, Kelce warned them “Don’t buy into that s**t!”

He went on to elaborate: “I would never say that I was supporting her.

“She had a very financially stable life and what she was doing in her career.

“You’ve got to be crazy if you think I’d never helped or gave her a couple dollars to grab some food or she gave me some money … We were in a relationship for five years.

“A hundred dollars here and hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about, which is ridiculous.”

Kayla also addressed these rumors shortly after the article was published, retweeting it with the caption: “Not sure where y’all got this nonsense from, but it’s absurd and very false.”

Whatever the reason for their split earlier in the year, Travis told The Pivot’s hosts Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor and Ryan Clark that he remains “in the free market right now.”

He explained that “I’m out there just enjoying life, focused on my profession, and got my feet up outside of football.”

The three-time First-Team All-Pro has plenty to be excited about when it comes to his football life after the Chiefs locked down the AFC’s number-one seed heading into the playoffs.

Travis and the Chiefs will have their eyes set firmly on reaching their third Super Bowl in the last four years come February.

 

 

 

 

As Travis Kelce finally touched down in Australia Thursday morning, his girlfriend Taylor Swift wasted no time showing him the sights around Sydney.

It seems as though the 14-time Grammy winner loved her visit to the zoo so much on Wednesday that she couldn’t help but take her beau to see the animals himself.

The lovebirds were seen holding hands as they got up close and personal with Australian wildlife during a private tour of the park, according to video footage obtained by Australia’s Channel 9 News.

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Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were seen walking around Sydney Zoo on Thursday. Channel 9 News
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 34, whose trip follows hot on the heels of his third Super Bowl win, was spotted wrapping his arms around Swift, 34, as they walked around the zoo.

They even hand-fed some of the kangaroos and met koalas during their wholesome day out

Travis Kelce lands in Sydney ahead of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts

Swift and Kelce were accompanied by the singer’s dancers, the outlet added.

The “Anti-Hero” hitmaker cut a casual figure for the sunny day out, rocking a denim miniskirt and white sneakers.

Swift slicked her blond hair black into a messy bun that allowed her signature bangs to frame her face, and topped off her low-key look with a pair of blacked-out shades.

Kelce, for his part, opted for a navy T-shirt, red shorts that featured a pattern, and white sneakers.

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The pair held hands as they got up close and personal with Australian wildlife during a private tour of the park. Channel 9 News
He accessorized with a white cap and a chain necklace around his neck.

The duo’s romantic day out marks Swift’s second time at Sydney Zoo in just two days, having visited it the day before with her entourage.

The singer has ventured out a few times since arriving in Sydney following her three-night stint of performances in Melbourne.

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Swift and Kelce were accompanied by the singer’s dancers. Channel 9 News

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Kelce headed to the zoo with his girlfriend just hours after touching down in Australia. Channel 9 News
Swift visited Accor Stadium on Wednesday to conduct a sound check before visiting the zoo with members of her Eras Tour crew later in the day.

The singer, who was seen carrying a digital camera, is believed to have taken a particular liking to the Tasmanian devils at the wildlife park, located about 40 minutes away from the city center.

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They even hand-fed some of the kangaroos and met koalas during their wholesome day out. Channel 9 News
The zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals, including koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies.

That day, Kelce hopped on a private jet to make it in time for Swift’s first Eras Tour show in Sydney.

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Swift will be performing in Sydney all weekend. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
She jetted into Sydney after concluding three record-breaking performances at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last week.

Swift has four shows scheduled in Sydney, with the first taking place on February 23 and the final hurrah on February 26.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were seen walking around Sydney Zoo on Thursday. Channel 9 News
The pair held hands as they got up close and personal with Australian wildlife during a private tour of the park. Channel 9 News
Swift and Kelce were accompanied by the singer’s dancers. Channel 9 News
Kelce headed to the zoo with his girlfriend just hours after touching down in Australia. Channel 9 News

They even hand-fed some of the kangaroos and met koalas during their wholesome day out. Channel 9 News

Swift will be performing in Sydney all weekend. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

 

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes had another reason to celebrate over the weekend as the couple marked daughter Sterling Skye’s third birthday with an extravagant butterfly-themed ‘Tea for Three’ party at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

 

In video posted on Instagram, the reigning Super Bowl MVP’s eldest laughs and plays with other young children aboard a series of slides, Merry Go Rounds and an inflatable bounce house. Young Sterling is also seen sipping from a teacup, but it’s impossible to say if she was drinking Earl Grey, English breakfast, Darjeeling, or something a bit more age appropriate.

‘We celebrated our Sterling Skye today!’ Brittany wrote in her Sunday Instagram post. ‘I can’t even believe we will have a 3 year old in just a few days! Time flies when you’re having fun! We love you baby girl.’

Pricing the party is difficult without knowing the exact number of guests, but the a tea service at the Arboretum runs about $60 a head – and that’s without the accompanying birthday party festivities.

The Mahomes family returned to their native Dallas for the party following last week’s shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rally, where one woman was killed and at least 22 were injured. Since then, all of the surviving victims have been released from the hospital. Two teenagers have been charged as minors in the shooting.

The couple visited shooting victims at the hospital prior to their release.

Patrick and Brittany met in high school, where she was a star soccer player and he excelled at football, basketball and, like his father Patrick Sr., baseball.

Ultimately Patrick Jr. opted to stick with football, and has since won three Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVP awards. He’s also a two-time NFL Most Valuable player and six-time Pro Bowl selection.

In addition to three-year-old Sterling Skye, the couple also has a son, Patrick ‘Bronze’ Lavon Mahomes III, who was born in November of 2022.

In addition to the recent festivities, the family has also endured another drunk-driving arrest by Patrick Sr. in recent weeks.

In the week before the Super Bowl, the former MLB relief pitcher was arrested in Smith County, Texas on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. It is at least his third arrest for allege drunk-driving, and could be facing a felony sentence of up to 10 years if he is convicted.

Patrick Jr. said his father was ‘doing good’ after his arrest, but declined to speak further.

‘It’s a family matter, so I’ll keep it to the family,’ Mahomes said at Super Bowl opening night. ‘That’s all I have to say.’