THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
The Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift romance garnered plenty of headlines this weekend when the 12-time Grammy winner showed up in Kansas City to watch the Chiefs tight end and his teammates dismantle the Chicago Bears 41-10.
If you are wondering how big of a star Swift is and the influence that she has maybe the following numbers can help you. According to Fanatics B次元官网网址� a licensed NFL merchandising partner B次元官网网址� KelceB次元官网网址檚 jerseyB次元官网网址檚 saw a 400% spike in sales over the weekend. Despite the game itself being a dog, the Chiefs-Bears contest was the most-watched NFL game of the weekend with 24.3 million viewers tuning into FOX. Kelce also saw his Instagram account gain over 300,000 followers during the course of the weekend.
It seems that a lot of B次元官网网址楽wiftiesB次元官网网址� have suddenly become Chiefs fans. To top it all off, Kelce bought out a Kansas City restaurant after the game so he, Swift and friends could enjoy a private party. ItB次元官网网址檚 not like the Chiefs and the NFL need more fans but you know they still have to be loving this.
KARMA IS A YOU-KNOW-WHAT
Remember this past summer when Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton took a run at his predecessor in Denver by making some not-so-flattering comments about Nathaniel HackettB次元官网网址檚 time in the Mile High City? In case you forgot, Payton said that HackettB次元官网网址檚 time in Denver last season was B次元官网网址渙ne of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFLB次元官网网址� and threw some other grenades as well saying there were B次元官网网址�20 dirty handsB次元官网网址� around Russell WilsonB次元官网网址檚 disappointing first season in Denver.
Payton later apologized but those comments were brought up by many when the Miami Dolphins obliterated the Broncos 70-20 this past Sunday. The BroncosB次元官网网址� defense was porous B次元官网网址� giving up 10 touchdowns and 726 yards of total offense to the Dolphins, and in the process, setting franchise records for defensive futility.
B次元官网网址淥bviously that was embarrassing. IB次元官网网址檓 at a loss for words. Every once in a while, in the NFL you get your butt kicked, but this was different,B次元官网网址� Payton told the media after the game.
Somewhere you know that Hackett B次元官网网址� now the offensive coordinator of the New York Jets B次元官网网址� was smiling.
LIONS LINEUP CHANGES
A week after going into Edmonton with the same roster that beat Ottawa, the B.C. Lions are looking at some major changes heading into their matchup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders Friday at B.C. Place Stadium.
Fullback David Mackie (knee) could be replaced by Keenan LaFrance while guard Sukh Chung (ankle) will probably be sidelined this game with Andrew Peirson sliding into his spot. Quarterback Dane Evans (back spasms) hasnB次元官网网址檛 participated in practice this week while linebacker Manny Rugamba (ribs) is expected to play after being knocked out of the game in Edmonton.
On the positive side, receiver Dominique Rhymes (knee/ankle) and linebacker Bo Lokombo (ribs) will return to the active roster against the Roughriders. RugambaB次元官网网址檚 injury forced the Lions to move safety Quincy Mauger into RugambaB次元官网网址檚 spot with Adrian Green getting more reps at safety. The club liked what they saw out of Mauger in terms of run support as he gives the Leos some more size in the box than Rugamba, so expect the latter to be used more in passing downs moving forward.
CAPTAIN QUINN
When the Vancouver Canucks named Quinn Hughes the 15th team captain in the organizationB次元官网网址檚 history, it was met with a lot of fanfare. The irony of it all is that itB次元官网网址檚 more symbolic than anything for Hughes.
Sure, heB次元官网网址檒l be the go-to guy for the media after each and every game but in reality, not much will change within the dressing room. In having talked to players over the years, almost all of them will tell you that getting that letter is an honor but itB次元官网网址檚 more of an affirmation than anything else. You are what you are and the B次元官网网址楥B次元官网网址� really doesnB次元官网网址檛 change things that much. Hughes has been showing leadership skills since the day he arrived in Vancouver five years ago.
As one NHL player once told me, leadership comes in many forms and he used B次元官网网址楽aving Private RyanB次元官网网址� as an example. He said every team has their Captain John Miller (played by Tom Hanks) but they also have their B次元官网网址榚nforcerB次元官网网址� in Sergeant Horvath (played by Tom Sizemore) as well as others who contribute to the leadership group.
ITB次元官网网址橲 THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
September and October are a great time of year for sports fans. Baseball pennant races are winding down with the post-season on tap, the CFL season is B次元官网网址榦fficiallyB次元官网网址� under way seeing how Labor Day has passed while the NFL is just getting cranked up. Meanwhile, NHL and NBA fans are full of optimism with training camps under way.
The only other time of year that can compare with this smorgasbord of sports is the spring when the months of March-April have a ton activity. Baseball is starting up, you have The Masters for golf aficionados and March Madness is taking place. Throw in the NBA and NHL playoffs plus the NHL Draft and there is a lot to choose from.
If you are a sports fan, enjoy the ride for the next few months!
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob B次元官网网址渢he MojB次元官网网址� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at Today in B.C. or your local Black Press Media website.
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