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fluentmoviequoter · 7 months ago

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Skepticism

Requested Here!

Pairing: Tim Bradford x fem!(NFL)football player!reader

Summary: Tim is skeptical about the first female NFL player. When he shares his opinion with you, he doesn't realize that you are the woman he's talking about.

Warnings: fluff, Tim gets embarrassed and apologizes a bunch, flirting

Word Count: 2.1k+ words

A/N: Bodyguard Tim👀 If this reads like Eric Winter talking about sports in He Said, Ella Dijo just remember that he's Tim Bradford. They're pretty much the same.

Masterlist | Tim Bradford Masterlist | Request Info/Fandom List

The history of the NFL has changed forever! The first female player has been drafted into the NFL, in the Los Angeles Rams’ 13th pick.

Since the moment your name was called at the NFL draft, your life has been turned upside down. Being the first female player in the league has resulted in unending news coverage, mixed praise and backlash, and unescapable attention. People know your name now, and as you prepare to change your life forever by putting on a Rams jersey, you can only hope that the skeptics are wrong about you and what you’ll do on the field.

“Dinner tomorrow!” Lucy yells at Tim. “Be there!”

“I will,” he replies. “Unfortunately.”

“Be nice,” Angela chides.

“You can always back out and stay home to watch the game,” Nolan points out.

“If they’ll start showing the games again,” a nearby officer interjects. “Everything on ESPN has been about the chick that got drafted. Even during the games, she’s all the commentators can talk about.”

“There’s a girl in the NFL?” Lucy asks. “Finally!”

“Wait, who?” Tim inquires. “I stopped watching the draft before it was over, but how’d I miss that?”

“You must’ve been very busy,” the officer replies. “She’s everywhere, man. Football got ruined. They can’t leave anything sacred.”

Tim doesn’t add to the misogynistic view of his colleague but knows that he has some research to do. Football history has certainly changed, but Tim won’t decide on how he feels about a woman playing professionally until he learns more for himself.

“The Rams, man,” the officer laments.

The moment Tim arrives home after his shift, he turns on ESPN. SportsCenter is on, and he’s unsurprised to see a woman’s name projected behind the men at the desk.

“No, John, what we’re failing to consider is her history,” Rocky Boiman points out. “Her college playing record is better than the twelve male drafts ahead of her.”

“The point remains that a historically male-dominant sport is supposed to be male-dominant,” John Anderson argues.

“If we take the gender out, the size difference, everything except how well these people play, she blends right in,” Tedy Bruschi states. “Regardless of whether or not she should play, she can play, and she does it very well.”

“I’ve been watching her in action since her senior year of high school,” Rocky adds. “If anybody has what it takes to be here, we’re looking at her.”

“Until she gets hit,” John comments. “There may not be regulations against female players, but statistically, she is more likely to be injured.”

“Then she would’ve been injured in college,” Tedy interrupts. “At the end of the day, this comes down to one of two things. Either you don’t think women should be in the NFL, for whatever reason, or you’re ignoring the facts and judging her prematurely. I will end with this, if you think this woman should quit before she starts, you’re going to be proved wrong.”

The SportsCenter logo appears on the screen before Sarah Barshop of the Rams and Matt Bowen, an analyst, begin reviewing your stats and playing history. You played in college, but your stature and your above average statistics alone don’t convince Tim. Not because you’re a woman, but because he’s seen better odds. He’ll never say that you don’t deserve a spot on the team, but he won’t believe that you can make a difference to the team until he sees it. If you can prove it at all.

“They’re talking about you again,” your friend says.

You look up from your playbook diagram and smile. The men on SportsCenter have been talking about you every chance they get. It’s not just them, though, everyone with a pulse and an ounce of interest in football has an opinion of you.

“Still arguing about if I’ll get my collarbone snapped in the first game?” you guess. “Or have they moved on to female hormones?”

“Most of them are defending you. Your stats are all they seem to care about,” your friend explains. “Maybe you will have a fan base bigger than me and my cats.”

“But you’re all I need.”

“That and a Rams paycheck.”

You laugh and return your attention to the book before you. You’re entering a new world with a lot to prove, so you’re going to be ready for anything.

“Hey, we should go to dinner tomorrow night. We haven’t had time to celebrate with all of the interviews and everything.”

“That sounds great. Just don’t pick a sports bar.”

Tim looks away from the football game to check his watch. He’s got half an hour until Angela, Wesley, Lucy, Nolan, Nyla, James, Wade, and Luna are supposed to be here for dinner. Although Tim doesn’t remember whose decision it was to meet for an “end of the hardest week this year” dinner, he agreed to come. When he arrived nearly an hour early because he had nothing better to do, he found a seat at the bar and got invested in a game.

The restaurant isn’t busy, but the bar is nearly at capacity. It seems that everyone who wasn’t arrested this past week is now here, watching football and listening to updates on you. Every chance the announcers and reporters get, they bring you up. Tim refuses to change his opinion until he sees you in action. Your highlight reel has become an hourly regular on ESPN, but you’ll have to get through training and into next season before any of it will truly matter.

“What do you think about it?” the bartender asks as he wipes the spot beside Tim.

“I think we won’t know until we see her play,” Tim answers. “If we see her play.”

“My boss is convinced she’ll lead them to the Super Bowl, but I don’t think it’ll be that straightforward.”

“It never is,” Tim agrees.

“I also think it’s a little strange they don’t show her face. She was at the draft, but everything since then has been her in her uniform or at least her helmet.”

Someone yells for the bartender, and he nods at Tim before he walks away. It is strange, but Tim assumes that they’re trying to maintain the public image of you as a football player, and not just a woman.

As you enter the restaurant, you receive a text from your friend. Running late, so don’t have fun until I get there. You shake your head at the short message and ask the hostess for a seat at the bar while you wait. She points you toward the entrance, and you focus on finding a seat and avoiding any unnecessary spills as you navigate the crowded area.

“Excuse me?” you ask a man seated at the bar. “Can I sit here for just a few minutes?”

He turns toward you and nods, and your responding smile isn’t only gratitude. The man is incredibly attractive, you realize. As you sit on the stool beside him, you notice his attention is on the television screens over the bar. Several of them are broadcasting college football games, yet you see your name appear in the closed captions.

“Which game looks the best?” you ask him.

“Penn State and Missouri game isn’t bad,” he answers.

“Missouri’s better, I assume.”

“Aren’t they always?” he asks lightly.

Penn State’s coach calls a time out and you ask the bartender for a glass of water as the screen changes to the commentators. One of them mentions a play you made in college, and you roll your eyes. You don’t mind the attention, but they’re taking what should be about the players playing now and making it about you. The man beside you scoffs, and your smile grows.

“It never ends,” he mumbles under his breath, and he spins his bottle in one hand.

“Tired of hearing about her?” you ask.

“I mean, I don’t want to sound like every other man in this city, but, yeah, a little.”

“I get that. Skepticism isn’t a bad thing; you can have an opinion.”

“I’m just not sure I can have an opinion until she starts playing. Yeah, her college history was good, but she’s not in college anymore.”

“Right,” you agree.

“There’s a reason there hasn’t been a woman in a sport that intense. Injuries would be detrimental to her and the team,” he points out. “Not to mention the fact that we’ve only seen the good, every time someone tries to mention something she can’t do well, they get cut off with don’t judge her because she’s a woman.”

“Not that I don’t agree with the injury thing, but, I mean, women have been playing rugby for years and it’s just as intense.”

“Yeah, but that’s with other women. Seems like there’s just too much at stake for one girl to make history in the NFL. She hasn’t even proved anything yet other than the fact that women can be drafted.”

“And you don’t think she can prove more?” you ask. “Skeptical that she makes it through the next part?”

He lifts his glass and shrugs, which you take as a firm yes.

“I played football in high school,” he adds. “And I feel like I can see talent when it’s there. She has talent, I’m not arguing that, but I don’t see NFL-worthy talent yet.”

Someone says your name, and you turn. It’s a college-aged girl, and she smiles shyly as she asks for a picture. You immediately agree and slide out of your seat to hug her and take the picture.

As you pose with her, you notice that the man beside you is staring at his bottle with his lips pressed together. Maybe you should have introduced yourself the moment your name came up, but you wanted to hear the truth. And the fact that he didn’t just say no, she can’t do it gave you a boost of hope that you can. Skepticism is better than complete doubt.

“Sorry,” you tell him as you return to the stool beside him.

“No, I’m sorry,” he replies quickly. “I probably should have recognized you, but what I said- I mean, you’ve got talent, and I shouldn’t have said that you didn’t. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” you interrupt with a laugh. “I needed someone to be honest to my face for once.”

“You’re getting plenty of direct negative opinions,” he points out. “And I’m sorry.”

“Now you’re apologizing for every other football fan. Seriously, it’s no problem, no hard feelings.”

“But I-“

“You’re a cop, right?” you interrupt, gesturing to the badge on his hip. He nods, and you answer, “Truth and justice is your thing. You made some good points, too. I’ll use ‘em in my training to prove all the other skeptics wrong.”

“Which I believe you can! Seriously, though, can I buy you a drink or something? Anything to make it up to you?”

“Make what up?” you question, smiling as you lay your hand over his forearm. “I forgive you if that’s what you need to hear, but you didn’t do anything worth apologizing for.”

You move your hand to offer a handshake and properly introduce yourself. He inhales deeply before he shakes your hand.

“I’m Tim Bradford,” he says.

“And you’re a cop, I play football,” you finish. “Now that we know each other, can I ask what you’re doing here alone?”

“Guy like me in a place like this?” he jokes. “I’m waiting to meet some friends from work.”

You nod and say, “I’m meeting a friend, too. A little celebration of sorts.”

“Can I ask a personal question?”

“Sure,” you agree.

“What made you get into football? Why it over any other sport?”

“Bear Bryant,” you answer seriously.

“Really?” Tim questions with his eyes narrowed.

“You’ll have to watch my ESPN special to find out. That or we could do this again another time, without the accidental meeting.”

“People are going to think you’re in this sport just to meet men,” Tim replies.

“Who says I’m not?” you tease. “But, seriously, you’re great, and I bet you could tell me how to win a Super Bowl.”

“You’re the football pro,” he points out. “I’m just a cop.”

You nod and look away, disappointed by his implied rejection. Suddenly, though, you remember what your agent told you.

“Well, if you don’t want to go on a date… I do need a bodyguard on my security team.”

Tim’s eyebrows raise as he turns in his seat to face you. “Are you serious?”

“I am.”

You look away when your friend calls your name, and you wave at her before you stand. Stalling at Tim’s side, you add, “Think about it. I’d love to flirt with a bodyguard.”

“I will,” Tim promises softly.

“Come find me if you decide tonight.”

You smile at Tim and grip his arm kindly in place of a farewell. Tim Bradford believes in you and is considering your offered position of bodyguard, so you know you can get a Super Bowl ring this year. No matter how skeptical everyone else is.

#tim bradford x reader #tim bradford x fem!reader #tim bradford x y/n #tim bradford x you #tim bradford fic #tim bradford imagine #tim bradford the rookie #tim bradford fluff #tim bradford #the rookie x reader #the rookie abc #fem!reader #requests

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betterthanburrow · 2 years ago

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WWE’s Best Interviewer - Instagram AU

(Bengals Quarterback! Joe Burrow x Interviewer! OC)

liked by: WWE , joeyb_9 , and 793,374 more users

yourinstagram: 🎤🤍 @.WWE

view all 394,284 comments

WWE: welcome to the commentary team!

↳ yourinstagram: i’m so happy to be apart of the team!

username1: Y/N IS BACK DOING INTERVIEWS!!! ITS BEEN MONTHS SINCE HER LAST INTERVIEW!!

patmcafeeshow: the WWE commentary team just got so much better!

↳ samathaivrinWWE: it’s going to be so fun coming into work every week!

username2: i can’t believe the NFL lost one of their best interviews reporters to WWE?!

↳ username3: that’s what happens when the NFL decides to randomly fire all their female employees that spoke up about being underpaid in comparison to the amount of money their male co-workers make.

joeyb_9: i’m so proud of you 🧡

↳ yourinstagram: 🧡

liked by: yourinstagram, and 580,284 more users

SportIllustrated: Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow speaks up for the first time about the NFL and ESPN firing female employees incident involving his girlfriend of 4 years Y/FN Y/LN who has been a interviewer for the NFL since 2018 and her new job in the WWE.

“The whole situation is terrible and it hurt even more to see how much pain and frustrated it caused her behind the scenes for many of years before the conversation started in the public eye. Neither of us thought it would get the point that it got too with the NFL and ESPN deciding to fire her and other female employees for speaking out. But there is always a light at the end of the dark tunnel and this job offering that she received from WWE was a once in a lifetime opportunity that she had to take. the WWE is very lucky to have one of the best interviewers of all time in their company while NFL and ESPN lost one of the best interviewers that this industry has ever hired and no matter how hard these companies try, Y/FN Y/LN can’t be replaced.”

view all 384,294 comments

username1: “Y/FN Y/LN can’t be replaced!” I KNOW THAT’S RIGHT BURROWHEAD!

yourinstagram: it’s always so good to have a supportive boyfriend stand right by your side 🧡

username2: it’s good to hear Joe finally speak up about the situation… we all know it put him in a rough spot for many months.

haterloser69: Y/N getting fired is the consequences to her own actions… maybe next time she should think before writing a long statement lying about the NFL?!

↳ yourinstagram: the reason i publicly spoke out is because i was EXHAUSTED after the band and forth conversations that i would have with people in power at the NFL and ESPN… female employees getting underpaid in comparison to male employees has been an issue since before i signed my contract with the companies. it got the point where i had to speak up publicly or else i would just be wasting my time and getting underpaid for all of my hard work. i would rather get fired than to stay under a contract with the NFL and ESPN for any longer than i have.

liked by: joeyb_9 and 1,739,293 more users.

TripleH: WWE is very honored to have @.yourinstagram be apart of our amazing and talented commentary team for Monday Night RAW!

view all 893,293 comments

yourinstagram: thank you so much for this opportunity! this is truly a dream come true 🤍

joeyb_9: my man and my woman!

↳ username1: it’s time to book Joe Burrow to have a match at the next WrestleMania @.TripleH

samanthairvinWWE: my boss and my wife!

↳ yourinstagram: i love you wifey 💋🤍

↳ username2: it’s only been about a week since Y/FN Y/LN was hired by WWE and she already has a work wife.

↳ username3: i just find it funny how Y/N replied to Samantha instead of replying to Joe 😭

↳ joeyb_9: stop trying to steal my girlfriend… i’m the only one who will be calling her my wife @.samanthairvinWWE

↳ samanthairvinWWE: well Mr Quarterback… until you put a ring on her finger and say “i do”. i’ll be calling her my wife.

liked by: samanthairvinWWE and 882,292 more users.

yourinstagram: Barclays Center, it was fun tonight!

view all 693,293 comments

username1: I MISSED YOUR INTERVIEWERS!!!

↳ username2: Y/N always know what to do in her interviewers! no interview she has done is the same as another!

joeyb_9: the best interviewer! you did amazing as always.

↳ samanthairvinWWE: she is known to be the best interviewer in the industry for a reason!

↳ yourinstagram: thank you 🧡

ajstylesp1: one of my favorite backstage interviews that i’ve done in my wrestling career… thank you!

↳ yourinstagram: it was an absolute honor 🤍

liked by: joeyb_9 , and 103,384 more users

WWETHEBUMP: Y/FN Y/LN joins us on The Bump for the first time! We talked about her first night hosting backstage interviews at Monday Night Raw and her boyfriend Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow.

“the NFL and ESPN situation really put me in a depression state for a very long time, after I was fired for speaking up about the unfair treatment between men and woman, I felt so hopeless and I was scared that I would get blacklisted from the industry for speaking up against the unfair treatment. I will always be so grateful for WWE giving me this opportunity to find my passion for interviews again, and I’m so thankful to have the most supportive boyfriend that truly helped me get through the most awful time of my life. He was so supportive and even wanted to risk his career in the NFL for me but I wouldn’t allow him to do that. The love that I have for football doesn’t change just because of what happened with NFL and ESPN, I’ll still be going to games to support The Bengals and I will always be cheering on my favorite quarterback just like I have been for over the past 4 years now.”

view all 72,294 comments

username1: i’m glad Y/N had Joe by her side during that rough time.

↳ username2: same… i couldn’t imagine going through a situation like that all by myself.

username3: with Y/N speaking about still going to football games to support The Bengals… i wonder if she is going to this weekends game?!

↳ yourinstagram: you’ll just have to wait and see!

↳ username4: i’m surprised she isn’t banned from the NFL.

↳ yourinstagram: trust me, i’m surprised too.

↳ username5: Joe Burrow would NEVER allow the NFL to ban his girlfriend from attending his games… he might as well quick the team if his number 1 fan can’t be there for all of The Bengals games.

liked by: yourinstagram and 1,384,293 more users

joeyb_9: ⏲️

view all 729,304 comments

joemainmixon: I’m tired of waiting too bro… wait almost over.

yourinstagram: my favorite Bengals boy 🧡

↳ joeyb_9: i’ll always be your FAVORITE boy right?!

↳ yourinstagram: hmm maybe…

↳ sam_hubbard_: we all know i was her favorite football player to interview after a football game!

↳ lahjay10_: i guess i’m not longer apart of the Y/N’s favroite Bengals boys club anymore 😢💔

↳ yourinstagram: you’ll always be the founding member of the Y/N’s favorite Bengals boys club @.lahjay10_

liked by: joeyb_9 and 729,390 more users

yourinstagram: Sunday Night Football 🏈

view all 482,293 comments

username1: I KNEW Y/N WOULD BE AT THE BENGALS GAME AFTER THAT INSTAGRAM COMMENT SHE WROTE!

mamaburrow: the Bengal girls were reunited tonight!

username2: it feels so good to know that Y/N was at the football game tonight… it’s not a Bengals game without her presence at the field.

joeyb_9: thank you for always coming to support my football games… your support always means so much to me in ways that you don’t understand 🧡

↳ yourinstagram: being the number 1 fan of the Bengals Quarterback isn’t an easy job… but it’s my favorite job that i’ll be doing until your retirement!

NFL: our favorite interviewer forever 🎤🧡

↳ mamaburrow: if she is the NFL’s favorite interviewer then why was she fired almost immediately after publicly speaking out against the NFL and ESPN’s unfair treatment between female employees and male employees?!

↳ yourinstagram: i’m WWE’s favorite interviewer now!

Author’s Note:

this is my first Instagram AU that is being published!

if you have any requests for an OC and/or a plot for an Instagram AU. please send it through the inbox!

thank you for all the love and support 🤍

#Joe Burrow #Joe Burrow Fanfiction #Joe Burrow x OC #Joe Burrow x Reader #Joe Burrow Instagram #Joe Burrow Instagram AU #Instagram AU #Joe Burrow Fanfic #Joe Burrow Fic #NFL #NFL Fanfiction #CFB #Cincinnati Bengals #LSU Tigers

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cementcornfield · 10 months ago

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do you have any fic recs?

i assume you mean for joe'marr stuff? (considering, you know, my entire blog the last almost 2 years)

i do have some! below the cut for those who aren't into such things

honestly it's wild to me how much the fandom has grown since i joined! when i first got into them, there were only 2 fics on ao3 and now there are almost 30? i love the boom in creativity 🥹🥹 anyway here are a few of my favorites:

you look good in my shirt by agender_adrastea - a quintessential fic in the fandom. it takes the very real event of joe wearing ja'marr's jersey and delves into a good backstory of how they could have gotten to the point, starting in college.

Not Your Average Joe and A Tiger of a Different Stripe by DLS - these two are super fun because they explore the idea of ja'marr not going to LSU in the first place, and only becoming teammates with joe after being drafted to the bengals. very much a "i'd love you in any universe" type of idea.

run pass option by espn - this is a short, sexy one shot based on some fanart that came out last summer and deals with the calf injury (but, again, in a sexy way 🙂)

so scarlet it was maroon by tulowitzki - a slightly angsty, sweet little piece based on the aftermath of the 2022 afc championship loss. (ironically titled after a taylor swift lyric way before she somehow became the face of the nfl this season lmao)

that's just a few, but all the fics in the fandom definitely have something to offer! and i really hope we continue to grow because god! there's just so much potential here!

#thanks anon i honestly loved answering this #we need the fandom to keep growing! more fic more content please please!#also if you just wanted general sports fic recs then i highly recommend nacho3 on ao3 because oh my god #i devoured all of those in a few weeks when i first got into the sports rpf fandom and i barely know who any of the characters are #and then if you're looking for x reader/het type stuff #i don't really partake in that but i know balanceingrace is a great place to start!#nfl rpf #joe'marr #joemarr

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seeminglyranch87 · 4 months ago

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Taylor & Travis Timeline

August 2024 - Part 3

"salt air and the rust on the door, I never needed anything more" August, T. Swift

August 20 - The Eras Tour, Wembley Stadium, London, UK N8

Guest appearance from Florence and the Machine to perform Florida!!! alongside Taylor during the TTPD era (after So High School)

The timing is everything:

"I need to forget, so take me to Florida, I've got some regrets, I'll bury them in Florida"

next stop on the Eras Tour ... Miami Florida.

Death By A Thousand Cuts x Getaway Car with special guest Jack Antonoff (guitar) & So Long London (piano)

Taylor & Jack reenact the moment they wrote the bridge for Getaway Car (x x)

Goodbye London Boy ... see the sweet smile when she sings "I'll find someone"(x) Here is looking at you Travis!

Taylor releases music video for I Can Do It With A Broken Heart (x) with behind the scenes footage of the Eras Tour. This MV was played at the conclusion of the show.

This wraps up the European leg of the Eras Tour.

Taylor is the first artist to sell out 8 shows at Wembley Stadium, London surpassing Michael Jackson's record of 7 shows (x)

Adam Sandler appears on The Tonight Show and reveals that Travis will guest appear in Happy Gilmore 2 (x).

Taylor posts to IG addressing the cancelled Vienna shows (x) and celebrating the European tour.

August 22 - Chiefs v Bears, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO, NFL preseason

Travis arrives at Arrowhead Stadium ahead of game

August 24 - Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce spotted in Rhode Island together with the Mahomes family, Jason & Kylie Kelce’s family, Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively’s family, Bradley Cooper & Gigi Hadid’s family, Channing Tatum & Zoe Kravitz. (X x x x)

August 27 - Kansas City Sports Awards. Travis Kelce is awarded Polsinelli Sportsman of the Year (x). Funny moment recounting an Andy Reid interaction (x)

It is reported that Travis has purchased a share in a race horse named Swift Delivery... see Jason Kelce response via X and yes the horse is named after Taylor. (x x)

August 28 - New Heights season 3 premiers... Ep 98 (x) with guest Adam Sandler. Travis mentions that Adam and his daughters attended the movie premier of the Eras Tour Movie, Adam admits he is intimidated by Taylor as his family adores Taylor and loves her relationship with Travis and he doesn't want to mess it up and say the wrong thing. (1:22:05) (x)

On ESPN NFL Live, Adam Schefter asks "“How do you that know Travis Kelce didn’t buy an engagement ring?" with a knowing look... (x x)

August 29 - Chiefs celebrated the start of the season with the annual KC Chamber Kickoff Luncheon (x)

Chris Jones says he wants to add more trophies and more Swifties to Chiefs Kingdom. Travis Kelce said, “They’re on their way” (x)

Interviewer Mitch Holthus tells the players that he loves them, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce reply that they love him too. He responds by asking

“Do you love me more than Taylor?” “Maybe not.” Travis replies. (x x)

August 30 - KC Chiefs releases portraits from 2024 training camp(x)

Kansas City Star article speculating about a possible engagement between Travis & Taylor (x)

Kelce and Swift have been spotted at a number of restaurants around town over the past year. One of those locations this week contacted people who had reservations for Sunday night and said someone had rented the establishment for the evening. Every preexisting reservation was being canceled. The owner told one couple the establishment would help them get another reservation and promised a gift card and drinks. Is that a confirmation that Kelce and Swift are holding an engagement party? Of course not, but with all the scuttlebutt about a special announcement coming from America’s Favorite Couple, it is something for Swifties and Chiefs fans to keep watch.

Are we expecting a possible engagement party after the first game of the season Trav & Tay? Prime Social maybe??

Go to previous update -> August 2024 part 2

Go to next update -> TBC

Return to the timeline

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deadlinecom · 1 year ago

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breathenbounce · 1 year ago

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It's Just a Game

I grew up in a household that loved to watch sports. I was always against the grain when it comes to sports because in the past, I was a very antagonistic sports fan. My family tried to raise me on two premises. There are two baseball teams in Chicago, and you should always root for the team from where you were born. I disagreed with that as I was a White Sox fan through and through and despised the Cubs. I wasn't down with the 1985 Bears, but the 85 Dolphins since they beat them. I also loved the Blackhawks, and eventually found a way to root for the Miami Heat (because I was a very antagonistic sports fan.) However my feelings about sports have been starting to change over the years.

At the end of the day, sports is a game. It's where people compete, but unfortunately it has become much more than that over the years. What started as friendly competition between different humans has now become a pissing contest and a money heist.

First let me talk about the sports industry itself. There are billions of dollars at play here. Billions. Sports is a very marketable commodity and the athletes who participate are paid very large sums of money. I understand that this is what it is and it isn't' anyone's fault. As with most things, human begins find a way to take something beautiful and make it crazy. However, the way some of these athletes present themselves is not cool at all. They are role models to very impressionable young men and women who look up to them. Some of these athletes really do their best to maintain a positive image. People speak of hard work and getting your craft right, which i don't have a problem with. However, the drama show sports has become sucks. We should care more about what goes on in the field, than the locker rooms. The NFL has made itself a year round spectacle with the draft, the combine, and ofcourse we have salary caps and things like that which create much debate between fans.

Fueling the fans anger and "passion" about sports is the talking heads of ESPN and FS1. Listening to the ugliness that comes out of the mouths of people like Colin Cowherd, Skip Bayless just to name a few in insane. These people never have played sports, but they talk like they have so much knowledge about the game. They are very dismissive of people and their opinions. They add fuel to the hate machine that sportsmedia has become.

And the fans are taking things way too far. I have seen so many videos of fans fighting each other over silly stuff. I have seen fans dump popcorn on players heads. Anyone remember the malice at the palace? that was a result of a fan throwing a drink on a player.

As I said earlier, I like the Miami Dolphins. Their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is one of the nicest, humblest, players i have ever seen, and he had led Miami to a couple of winning seasons, something us Finfans haven't seen since the days of Marino (the guy who made ma fan.) Yet all the complaining and personal attacks on Tua are crazy.

My bottom line is I believe the sports world should be looking at ways where they put kindness and sportsmanship first. I respect peoples opinions but some of the sports talkers out there need to go. Sports has become a world of toxicity and I never really became a huge sports fan until I reached my late 20s and early 30s because I felt I couldn't identify with anything. As I have taken a deep dive into my life, I find myself caring less and less about sports, with the exception of football. Sports is quite the commitment. As I said the NFL runs a year long business. But its only 17 weeks and if you are lucky your team plays a few games in the playoffs where they win and go home. Its not the 162 game marathon baseball is or the 88 game season in basketabll and hockey. It goes by fast, easy to keep up with. However, something needs to be said about the sports culture. The innocence of sports is gone.

People need to remember at the end, its only a game. The players don't care whether or not you have negative feelings towards them. The media only wants you to buy the stuff they advertise in between innings, downs, time outs, whatever. People need to stop taking it so seriously. Start looking at why you take it so seriously. What are you missing? What will help you feel happier? What will make you feel joy? It may be the thrill of victory, but that's not guaranteed. What is guaranteed is the impression you leave on the people around you, and I would strongly caution many sports fans to take that in stride. When you make hurtful remarks, they cannot be taken back. When you go after players, you forget they are human too because of the pedestals they have been placed on. Many sports fans will say they're just spitting facts. Facts don't care about feelings, people do. So maybe less facts, and more empathy is what is needed in the athletic world. These athletes leave the game not the same, and they are lucky to make the money they have, but they bleed red like all of us.

I asked for kindness on a Dolphins fan page on Facebook one day, and people told me to shut up. That this is a sports page and this is how people talk. Change is the most beautiful thing in the world. It has to start somewhere. I hope there are others who feel like I do and want to see less anger and sarcasm. I was there. i was the worst, Looking back I am ashamed how I behaved during my Sox vs Cubs days. I have been trying to grow and at the end of the day, I can only do what I can do. I can decide what I allow in my environment and maybe if this continues, I may have to reconsider my fondness for football and choose kindness and grace instead.

Sorry I rambled alot this week, but it just was on my mind so I spoke on it. How do you feel?

#breathenbounce #mindfullness #sportsarentforeveryone #nfl #miamidolphins #chicagowhitesox #love #kindness #compassion #athletesarepeopletoo

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dawnlibrary · 1 year ago

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The Jock by Tal Bauer

Summary:

Wes Van de Hoek clawed his way off his family’s West Texas ranch under the Friday night lights, earning a football scholarship to the state’s best university. Three years in, he has it all: he’s the starting tight end, team captain, and, according to ESPN, maybe the best college football player in the nation. But he’s been keeping a secret from everyone. Justin Swanscott has three certainties in his life: he’s gay, football is overrated, and he really, really doesn’t like cowboys. He should never have fallen into Wes’s open-range eyes or let his heart run wild when Wes gave him that shy little smile over summer. But he couldn’t stop himself. Everyone’s asking questions about Wes this season: How is he playing so well? Will Texas be undefeated this year? Will he take the team all the way to the national championship? What’s next for him? The truth? Wes isn’t dreaming about an NFL contract. His heart belongs to Justin, even though the world wants it to belong to football. Wes has stadiums packed with screaming fans, ESPN is all over him, and the NFL wants him badly. He’s living under a microscope, and the pressure keeps building as the team keeps winning. Everyone wants something from him, but all Wes wants is to love Justin. Something’s gotta give.

The first time I read this one was in 2022. I’ve read it twice this year and it’s a high possibility that I go for a third. I just fell in love with Wes and Justin, as individuals and as a couple. The way they support each other is beautiful.

#the jock #tal bauer #the jock by tal bauer #books #reading #booklr #mm romance #queer romance #sports romance

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nazmulbd00m-blog · 1 day ago

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#IFTTT #Hollywood News - FNNEWZ

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sportscarolinamonthly · 28 days ago

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Cam Newton implores Clemson to win ACC, eliminate SMU from College Football Playoff

Published by On3 Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has not been shy with his takes since being hired by ESPN to appear on First Take. Newton was on Friday’s show and discussed a number of topics, including the upcoming college football championship weekend. One key game taking place this weekend is Clemson facing SMU in the ACC Championship Game. The Mustangs are in their first year in the ACC and have…

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49erswebzone · 1 month ago

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bllsbailey · 1 month ago

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Why ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Says He Is 'P#ssed Off' at NFL's Response to Trump-Dance Celebrations

One of the top ESPN television and radio presenters blasted the Nation Football League for its weighing on players performing the dance moves popularized by President Donald J. Trump, who often shimmies to the Village People’s 1978 disco anthem “Y.M.C.A.” at his campaign rallies.

“Here's why I'm p#ssed off that the NFL had to even issue a statement about it because celebrations usually don't warrant that,” said Stephen A. Smith, the co-host of the “First Take” television program and host of his eponymous radio show.

“They got a right to support who the hell they want without the league needing to send in a response,” said the former Winston-Salem University shooting guard.

The season is not over yet, but so far, at least four players performed the Trump Dance, including San Francisco 49er defensive end Nick Bosa after a sack; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers after a touchdown; Tennessee Titan wide receiver Calvin Ridley after catching a pass and Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith after a sack.”

Bosa, an outspoken Trump supporter, was fined $11,255 wearing a MAGA ball cap while photobombing a Nov.10 TV postgame interview with his quarterback Brock Purdy.

The NFL.com report laid out the violation:

NFL rules state that "throughout the period on game-day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office." Bosa, who agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension in September 2023, said earlier this week that he was aware that his actions could be subject to a fine. "It was well worth it," he said.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Front Office Sports: “There’s no issue with a celebratory dance such as what took place yesterday or the previous week with the 49ers on Nov. 10.”

McCarthy also told FOS: “It’s up to the networks to cover them as they see fit.” This is an interesting comment since the networks now use the pre-kickoff singing of the National Anthem as another commercial break—like an injury timeout.

Related: NFL Weighs in on Players Doing the 'Trump Dance' in the End Zone

Video of Trump Dance Bringing the Joy Back to America Going Viral: ‘Make America Fun Again’

WATCH: 49ers Nick Bosa Does ‘Trump Dance’ After a Sack – and Your Next President Was Loving It

Smith told his viewers the NFL demonstrated how alienated it has become with its “no issue” statement about the Trump dances—and by way of comparison, he said UFC CEO Dana White would have never made a statement regarding fighter Jon “Bones” Jones doing the Trump Dance after winning a match.

“You know why? Because Dana White wouldn't entertain it,” the Queens native said.

“Dana White would not entertain that because he don't play that nonsense. He's going to support who he's going to support. He's not going to apologize for it, as most American citizens should feel free to do,” he said.

Smith said he did not vote for Trump. “He won, and I have no problem accepting the fact that he won fair and square in romp-like fashion--I might add, and he's worthy of being the President of the United States.”

He said one reason Trump won is the same reason Smith is ticked off at the NFL.

“It was emblematic of the climate that we've been living in for years now, which is why I believe Donald Trump was really elected,” he said.

“Woke culture, cancel culture—oh, hell, yes—that played a role where you got people walking around wondering whether or not they're echoing the right pronoun,” said the man who plays the recurring “General Hospital” character, Brick.

The woke culture put everyone on edge, he said.

“It doesn't require a response from the league, so why was it necessary this time? You know why?” he said.

“We got a bunch of people still living with their heads in the cloud acting like they get to protest every little damn thing,” Smith said.

People are wondering whether or not something they said or did was going to cost them their job or being PC, he said.

“Gawd forbid your opinion is different than the average folk walking around in America--Lord knows what would happen to you—that’s what America regressed to,” he said.

“Because of that, I believe is a big reason why Donald Trump on Jan. 20 will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States of America.”

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