Al Michaels Sorry, Swifties ... We Won't Overdo Taylor Coverage During 'TNF' Game
If you're tuning into the Chiefs game tonight for Taylor Swift, you might come away a bit disappointed ... 'cause Al Michaels says he's planning to keep the coverage of the pop star to a minimum.
The man who will be broadcasting the Kansas City vs. Denver game at Arrowhead Stadium revealed the plans during a chat with Sports Illustrated's Jimmy Traina earlier Thursday morning.
He said while he and his Amazon Prime Video team clearly want to show that Swift is in attendance watching Travis Kelce and his Kansas City squad play for the third time in the last four weeks ... he vowed to not "make a sideshow the show."
"What we’re gonna do tonight, everything in moderation," the 78-year-old play-by-play man said. "The vast majority of the audience are tuning in to watch a football game. There are people, I don’t know how many, it could be a sizable number, but it’s certainly not a majority, that if you trained the camera on her all night long, they’d be satisfied with that."
"This is not what we’re going to do."
Taylor Swift is cheering on Travis Kelce on Sunday Night Football! #NFL
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 1, 2023 @SNFonNBC
📺: @NBC & @Peacock pic.twitter.com/N3OV93A1Pl
Michaels' words will likely be music to a large portion of NFL fans' ears ... as there was a ton of backlash from football supporters following NBC's coverage of Swift's attendance at the Chiefs vs. Jets game last month.
In fact, it actually led to Kelce himself bashing the NFL for "overdoing it" all.
Michaels, though, did at least leave the door somewhat open for lengthy camera time for Swift ... saying, "If Kelce scores six touchdowns, who the hell knows what we’re going to do."
"But, for the most part," he said, "just in moderation."
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Taylor Swift Plans to Attend Travis Kelce's Game Thursday in K.C.
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Taylor Swift is gearing up to go back into cheerleader mode for Travis Kelce, with plans to attend Thursday night's game in K.C. ... though Kelce's status for the matchup still remains questionable.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Taylor plans to travel to Missouri to watch Travis and the Kansas City Chiefs take on Russell Wilson and The Denver Broncos.
If she makes it, the game will mark Taylor's third appearance at one of Travis' games in the last 4 weeks ... the team has gone undefeated ever since Taylor first popped up at a game next to Travis' mom, Donna, back on September 24.
As we reported, Taylor hit the Chiefs vs. Jets game the following week, but was MIA when Travis and crew took on the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis last Sunday.
One major factor in Taylor's appearance Thursday though ... Travis is battling through an ankle injury, and the team announced Wednesday his status was "questionable" to play.
If she does make it as planned, the timing is interesting. The Chiefs will have a couple days off -- because they won't play the usual Sunday game -- so it's possible she spends additional time with him at home.
To say she's having a busy week would be an understatement ... shutting down The Grove in Los Angeles Wednesday for the premiere of her "Eras Tour" movie and making a surprise appearance.
One thing's for sure ... the NFL will certainly hope she attends, as she's helped to spike game ratings with every contest she's shown face.
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Taylor Swift Planea asistir al partido de Travis Kelce el jueves
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Taylor Swift se está preparando para volver a alentar a Travis Kelce desde las tribunas, pues sabemos que planea asistir al partido del jueves por la noche en Kansas City. Aunque el estado de Kelce para el juego sigue siendo cuestionable.
Fuentes con conocimiento directo le dicen a TMZ que Taylor planea viajar a Missouri para ver a Travis y los Kansas City Chiefs enfrentarse a Russell Wilson y los Denver Broncos.
Si lo hace, sería la tercera aparición de Taylor en un partido de Travis en las últimas cuatro semanas. El equipo ha permanecido invicto desde que Taylor apareció por primera vez en un juego junto a la mamá de Travis, Donna, el 24 de septiembre.
Como informamos, Taylor fue al partido de los Chiefs contra los Jets la semana siguiente al primer encuentro, pero estuvo desaparecida cuando Travis y su equipo se enfrentaron a los Minnesota Vikings en Minneapolis el domingo pasado.
Un factor importante en la posible aparición de Taylor este jueves es que Travis está luchando con una lesión de tobillo y el mismo equipo anunció el miércoles que su estado para jugar aún era "cuestionable".
Si Taylor aparece como estaba previsto, el momento es interesante. Los Chiefs tendrán un par de días de descanso, por lo que no jugarán el partido habitual del domingo, lo que le permitiría a ella pasar más tiempo con él en casa.
No está de más decir que Taylor está teniendo una semana muy ocupada. El miércoles cerró el famoso The Grove en Los Ángeles para el estreno de su película "Eras Tour", en la que además hizo una aparición sorpresa.
Una cosa es segura, la NFL sin duda quiere que asista, ya que ha ayudado a aumentar la audiencia de la liga en cada partido en el que ha estado.
Travis Kelce Taylor Swift's New Flame Hurting ... Questionable To Play Against Broncos
If Taylor Swift makes a return trip to Arrowhead Stadium this week, she might not be able to watch Travis Kelce play ... 'cause the Chiefs just revealed the pop star's new flame is questionable for the big game.
Kansas City is playing on Thursday night instead of the usual Sunday in a prime time contest against the Denver Broncos ... but with Kelce still nursing an ankle injury that he suffered last weekend, he might have to sit it out.
Travis Kelce ankle watch on this fine Tuesday.
— Marleah Campbell (@MarleahKCTV5) October 10, 2023 @MarleahKCTV5
Andy Reid on the #Chiefs TE today: “He’s feeling a little bit better. I’m just going to see how he does. We’ll see where it goes.” @KCTV5 pic.twitter.com/36TmKGycR1
The Chiefs listed him as a limited participant in practice on both Tuesday and Wednesday -- suggesting there's still a chance he could play -- but taking the game off would allow him nearly two full weeks to rest up before the Chiefs take on the Chargers next on Oct. 22.
The star tight end has already missed one game this season due to injury -- sitting out the season-opener against the Lions with a knee issue -- but he's played in every other game since ... including two that Swift saw in person.
Of course, it was unclear if Swift had any intentions of heading to K.C. for the "Thursday Night Football" showdown ... but with Kelce's status up in the air, it seems watching the game from home might just have to be the play.
Sorry, Swifties.
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New York Jets Troll Sean Payton, Broncos ... After Win In Denver
The New York Jets whooped the Broncos on Sunday and then danced all over their grave afterward ... taking every postgame opportunity to troll Sean Payton.
Gang Green was clearly livid with Denver's head coach after he made several comments about them this offseason ... and once the final whistle sounded on the 31-21 victory, the team let him have it.
The Jets' X account posted a photoshopped image of a stunned Kevin James -- who famously played Payton in the movie "Home Team" -- with the caption "when you lose to the 'offseason champs.'"
when you lose to the "offseason champs" pic.twitter.com/FzNIqGWZks
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 8, 2023 @nyjets
The dig, of course, is a shot at Payton ... who accused New York of "trying to win the offseason" earlier this summer.
NY's run at the 59-year-old play-caller didn't stop there, though ... 'cause they made sure to praise the hell out of Nathaniel Hackett -- the Jets' offensive coordinator who Payton said was part of "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL" when he was the head man in Denver last season -- at every turn.
Jets players and staffers, lining up to dap up Nathaniel Hackett for beating the Broncos and the head coach who trashed him this offseason pic.twitter.com/DquVsTUOqc
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 8, 2023 @TrainIsland
Several players and coaches lined up to shake his hand after the win, and he was even given the game ball too. Aaron Rodgers also made sure to tweet about him as well, writing, "W. #hackett #."
Jets Country.......LETS RIDE🐴
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) October 8, 2023 @iamSauceGardner
Sauce Gardner, meanwhile, rubbed even more salt in the wound by jabbing at Russell Wilson's "Broncos County, Let's Ride" slogan ... writing on X, "Jets Country.......LETS RIDE."
Yeah, and you thought your Monday blues were tough.
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Shannon Sharpe Selena Gomez Makes Him Celeb Roadkill ... Inadvertently, of Course
Shannon Sharpe is a Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champion, and on TV every day, but the NFL legend is learning a lesson in Hollywood hierarchy ... 'cause his convo with cameras outside an L.A. hotspot got derailed by Selena Gomez.
The former Broncos tight end was choppin' it up with photogs after his dinner Monday night at Giorgio Baldi ... when out of nowhere, the singer and actress showed up behind him to make her way to her car.
The camera guy quickly shifted his focus to Selena ... asking Shannon to hold his thought on Team USA's performance at the FIBA World Cup so he could get his shot of the former Disney star.
After securing his footage of Selena, the photog made his way back to Shannon and apologized for the interruption .... but the ESPN host took it like a champ, saying, "Nah, bro. You good."
The two finished their chat about sports ... with Shannon praising Deion Sanders' successful season with the Colorado Buffaloes and how he handled the death threats surrounding Colorado State player Henry Blackburn.
The clip is the perfect example of the levels of Hollywood fame -- Shannon's massive in the sports world, but Selena is undoubtedly the bigger fish overall. No one's immune to it ... except for maybe Beyoncé, Taylor Swift or Barack Obama.
So don't sweat it, Shannon ... you're big time in our book.
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Shannon Sharpe Recibe un pisotón de Selena Gomez ... No a propósito, por cierto
Shannon Sharpe está en televisión todos los días, es parte del Salón de la Fama, es campeón del Super Bowl, pero a pesar de eso, la leyenda de la NFL está aprendiendo una lección de jerarquía en Hollywood ... pues su conversación con las cámaras fuera de un hotspot en Los Ángeles se descarriló por culpa de Selena Gómez.
El ex jugador de los Broncos estaba conversando con los fotógrafos el lunes por la noche, después de su cena en Giorgio Baldi, cuando de la nada, la cantante y actriz apareció detrás de él para dirigirse a su carro.
El chico de la cámara rápidamente cambió su enfoque hacia Selena, pidiéndole a Shannon que esperara un momento para comentar el rendimiento del equipo de EE.UU. en la Copa Mundial de la FIBA. Todo, para poder obtener una foto de la ex estrella de Disney.
Después de asegurar sus imágenes de Selena, el fotógrafo regresó donde Shannon y se disculpó por la interrupción, pero el anfitrión de ESPN se tomó todo el asunto como un campeón y le dijo: "No, hermano. Está todo bien".
Los dos terminaron su conversación de deportes, con Shannon elogiando la exitosa temporada de Deion Sanders en los Colorado Buffaloes y cómo manejó las amenazas de muerte que rodean al jugador de Colorado State, Henry Blackburn.
El clip es un ejemplo perfecto de cómo funcionan los niveles de fama en Hollywood. Shannon es súper popular en el mundo del deporte, pero Selena está a otro nivel. Nadie es inmune a ella... excepto quizás por Beyoncé, Taylor Swift o Barack Obama.
Así que no te preocupes, Shannon ... eres grande para nosotros.
Shannon Sharpe I'm Fired Up For Deion's Buffs!!!
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Shannon Sharpe tells TMZ Sports he's absolutely fired up for Deion Sanders and his Buffaloes, saying he hasn't seen something more popular in Colorado since weed was legalized there!!!
We got the NFL legend out at LAX just days after Coach Prime's squad shocked TCU ... and he told us he's pumped to see what's going down in the state he called home for more than a decade during his playing days.
"I haven't heard people talk about Colorado so much since weed was legalized," the 55-year-old said.
"I'm excited for him, I'm excited for the program," Sharpe continued. "Obviously, everybody knows I spent 12 years in Colorado so I'm excited for Time and what he's bringing to the table."
Sharpe and Deion have a long history together ... they battled on NFL fields for years -- and in retirement, they've become super close. In fact, this past offseason, the two sat down together for a podcast ... where they exchanged plenty of jokes and laughs.
All that being said, though, Sharpe still isn't sure the Buffs are quite ready to be considered a national championship contender just yet.
"I think they're a couple of years away from that," he said, "but I'm excited for what they're doing right now."
This is fun!@ShedeurSanders ➡️ @Tooswiftj5 for the TD
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 2, 2023 @CUBuffsFootball
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/3FypWMyTqs
Deion and the Buffs will get a chance to change Sharpe's mind later Saturday ... they take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Boulder at 9 AM PT.
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49ers v. Broncos Massive Brawl in Stands One Dude Knocked Out!!!
It's not often you see fans cheering on the same team get in a nasty brawl -- but that's exactly what happened in San Francisco -- with haymakers flying ... and even a knockout!!!
Unclear what led to the massive melee Saturday night at Levis Stadium as the 49ers hosted the Denver Broncos in a preseason matchup, but it got messy fast. You can see lots of pushing, shouting and confusion before blows are exchanged.
At one point, a guy in a Jerry Rice jersey starts absolutely unleashing some fists on a dude in a white t-shirt, connecting several times with his face.
One of the blows appears to knock the dude out, sending him into a chair. After things calm down, the same guy -- wobbly on his feet -- gets up with blood on his mouth and shirt.
Event staff leads the battered dude up and out of the section, while he struggles to take on the stairs.
We don't yet know if there were any arrests in connection to the brawl, but it sure made for some excitement in the stands. As for the games ... the 49ers won 21-20.
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Russell Wilson, Ciara We're Pregnant ... It's A Three-Peat!!!
The Wilson family is getting bigger -- Russell and Ciara just announced they have another baby on the way ... courtesy of a sexy silhouette video of the singer showing off her bump!!
The Denver Broncos quarterback and R&B star broke the news on Tuesday with footage Russ took during their anniversary trip in Japan a few weeks ago ... showing Ciara several months along in her pregnancy.
In the clip, Ciara danced to her new single with Chris Brown, "How We Roll" ... and used lyrics from the song to bring the message home.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
"You look at me like that again, we make another kid ... You my heart I’m your rib" 🥰😘❤️" Ciara says in the tune.
This will be the third kid for the lovely couple ... and Ciara's fourth. She also has a son, Future Zahir, with rapper Future.
Wilson definitely spoke this bundle of joy into existence -- remember, the 34-year-old begged his wife of seven years for another kid when Ciara was hosting "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" last year.
"We definitely can, but we've got a little time before we get there," Ciara said on the show. "But, I'm down to do it again with you!"
Ask and you shall receive! Congrats!!!
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NFL's Shaquil Barrett Starting Foundation In Daughter's Name ... After Drowning
Shaquil Barrett is honoring his 2-year-old daughter in a special way after she drowned earlier this year ... starting a foundation in her name to educate parents on water safety.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker made the announcement during a training camp press conference Monday ... saying the organization will help families avoid accidents like the one involving his daughter, Arrayah, who drowned in a pool on April 30.
"We're gonna just help out as much as possible, like swim lessons for other families, install AI cameras for other families," Barrett said to reporters.
In fact, the 30-year-old said he actually installed devices in his own home now ... as well as more gates.
"We had gates up, but we just left it open that night, but we got more gates up," Barrett said.
"We got all precautions in the way to prevent it from happening and that's why Arrayah Hope Inc. is gonna be beneficial for a lot of families."
Bucs’ Shaq Barrett looking quick in practice as he returns from Achilles injury last season. pic.twitter.com/temTfEJ3y9
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 31, 2023 @gregauman
The 2-time Super Bowl champ added the passing of his daughter still breaks his heart, but the start of training camp is helping him get through it.
"It don't get any easier," Barrett said. "It's just me being busy keeps my mind off it a little bit ... it's just tough. It's just always gonna be tough."
"This would've been her first [camp] that she would've been able to come to and actually remember."
Prior to Bucs camp, Barrett and his wife, Jordanna, also honored Arrayah by getting tribute tattoos from Tattoo Red ... with Shaq getting the photo from her 2nd birthday inked on his forearm.
The couple -- who married in 2012 and have three other kids -- also announced they're expecting another baby girl ... and know Arrayah will be "best big sister angel."
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Future Appears To Diss Russell Wilson ... With 'F*** Russell' Lyric
Time apparently doesn't heal all wounds for Future ... 'cause the rapper just seemingly dissed the hell outta Russell Wilson in his latest song.
The Atlanta M.C. dropped the controversial bar in his "Turn Yo Clic Up" collab with Quavo on Friday ... rapping in his verse, "I got it out the field, f*** Russell."
Future hasn't shied away from his thoughts on his ex-fiancée and mother of his child, Ciara, moving on with the NFL quarterback ... going in on the now-married couple multiple times in interviews.
Remember, Future Hendrix bashed Ciara for having Russell around Future Jr. early in their relationship ... telling "The Breakfast Club" in 2015, "You don't bring a man around your son."
"You've known this man for a few months and you're bringing him around your kid? Who does that?"
He later went in on Russell in 2019 ... saying he's not a real man in their relationship.
"He not telling her, 'Chill out with that on the internet. Don't even talk to him. I'm your husband. You better not even bring Future's name up!" he said on Apple Music.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
"If that was me, she couldn't even bring his name up. She know that. She couldn't even bring her exes names up."
Russell and Ciara have been married since 2016 ... and they have two kids of their own.
Wilson has since become a father figure for Future Jr. as well ... even spending a lot of time working on their football skills together.
Russell doesn't seem bothered by Future's constant gripes -- this past Father's Day, he said, "Future, Sienna & Win ... I Love You Forever! Glad we get to raise them together Momma! @ciara."
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NFL Star Justin Simmons Gets Custom Cleats Honoring Late Dad Sweet Gift From Teammate
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Broncos defensive back P.J. Locke is one helluva teammate ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned he gifted Justin Simmons some custom cleats to help the star honor his late dad.
If you weren't aware, Simmons tragically lost his father in April ... and he said he was absolutely heartbroken over the passing, writing on his social media page that the two were super close.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
We're told Locke, one of Simmons' best buds on the Broncos, immediately looked for a way to cheer up the 29-year-old after hearing the devastating news ... and hit up local Denver artist Breanna Berry about possibly making some tribute spikes for Simmons.
Turns out, Berry was all-in on the idea, and got to work right away.
The cleat artist spent five hours painstakingly designing the shoes ... putting a portrait of Simmons' dad, Victor, on one of them ... while wrapping them both in Broncos blue and orange colors.
She also made sure to paint on the cleats the phrases "I love you" ... and, "Any man can be a father but it takes some special to be a dad" -- a line that Simmons wrote in his emotional Instagram post to his father in April.
The finished product came out great ... and we're told Simmons was able to get his hands on them earlier this week.
Simmons -- a former third-round pick out of Boston College -- tied for the most interceptions in the league last season with six ... and with the new cleats possibly on his feet this year, it's probably safe to expect an even better performance in 2023.
justin simmons
Terrell Davis Raves Over Sean Payton ... 'Reminds Me Of Mike Shanahan'
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Broncos fans are going to love this ...
Terrell Davis tells TMZ Sports Sean Payton has made such a huge impact since taking over the Denver reins this offseason ... it actually reminds him of the way Mike Shanahan turned around the team in the 1990s.
"It's different already," the former Broncos tailback said. "In terms of just the energy and the vibe around the building."
"This reminds me of Mike Shanahan when he first came to Denver," added Davis, who played for the legendary Denver coach from 1995 through 2001, winning two Super Bowls. "A lot of things that Mike did, it sounds like Sean Payton is the same type of coach."
One of the biggest positive changes Davis has noticed already with the team is the workman-like mentality the players have adopted.
He tells us he's not seeing nearly as much activity on social media from the guys -- and it appears everyone is far more focused on winning games than they were last year, when they piled up an abysmal 5-12 record.
"They're just working," Davis said. "He's changing the culture there. He's putting his own stamp on things behind the scenes."
Davis, though, tells us he's not necessarily expecting immediate results in Year One ... explaining he's anticipating some growing pains in Payton's first season with a new franchise.
But, he is predicting a huge jump for Russell Wilson nonetheless ... telling us "this is exactly what Russ needs."
Regular season kicks off in just three months ... get hyped, Denver!!
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Lance Ball Ex-NFL RB Arrested ... For Domestic Violence
Lance Ball -- a former NFL running back who played for the Denver Broncos -- was arrested for domestic violence this week after allegedly strangling and assaulting someone.
The alleged incident occurred on Monday in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, about 25 miles southeast of Denver. Douglas County deputies responded to a residence for a report of "physical domestic disturbance." 37-year-old Ball was taken into custody.
Cops say the alleged victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.
According to KDVR, the incident stemmed from an argument between Ball and the alleged victim ... when he returned to the residence after golfing.
Ball was booked on charges of domestic violence, assault in the second degree, and criminal mischief.
He played in the NFL for several years after the former Maryland Terrapin went undrafted in 2008, suiting up for the Rams, Colts, Titans, and Broncos during his time in the league.
Ball logged 801 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 230 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns in his career.
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Terrell Davis Jokic Winning NBA Title??? It'd Cement His Place In Denver G.O.A.T. Lore!!!
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If Nikola Jokic can finish off the Miami Heat this month, he'd have a serious case to be on the Mt. Rushmore of Denver sports athletes ... so says Terrell Davis.
The Broncos legend didn't specify where exactly the Nuggets big man would rank amongst the John Elways, Patrick Roys and Todd Heltons ... but he did say a championship would put Jokic right there with the city's all-time greats.
"He's up there already," Davis told TMZ Sports, "and this would only cement his place in the greatest athletes to come out of Denver."
Davis said this title would carry some more weight than others in Denver sports history ... as it'd be their first NBA one.
"When you bring a city its only championship, you're going to be held to a really, really high place there," the former running back said. "And, I think Jokic is on his way."
Of course, Davis would know a thing or two about the matter ... he said following his first Super Bowl win with the Broncos in 1998, it changed the way fans interacted with him around the city forever.
Davis promises to keep cheering on Jokic too -- despite his incident at the Nuggets vs. Heat Game 2 on Sunday night.
Terrell Davis😂😂 pic.twitter.com/7yVNTx01lB
— Grant Long (@NMDgrant) June 5, 2023 @NMDgrant
If you missed it, Davis found himself in the middle of a Heat celebration sandwich near the end of the tilt -- and his disappointed reaction was priceless.
But, Davis was a good sport when recapping it all with us ... and he said there's no chance it'll deter him from coming back to Ball Arena later this series.
"Different seat, though," he said.