Red Bull Racing recently rebranded their sister team to Visa Cash App RB. This has come after the two Fintech giants Visa and Cash App tied up with the formerly AlphaTauri team this year. However, there was one more company who were the forerunner to have their name on the branding, but that was not the case. Orlen has been with the Faenza-based team since last year and decided to stick with them in 2024 despite not getting to put their name on the forefront of the branding, as per Decalspotters on X.
Orlen is a multinational oil refiner and petrol company headquartered in Plock, Poland. They have a market valuation of $18 billion currently and have Formula 1 ties for quite some time now. Apart from AlphaTauri, they also sponsored Williams Racing and Polish driver Robert Kubica in 2019.
Following Kubica’s move to Alfa Romeo as a reserve driver in 2020, Orlen moved to the Swiss team. Soon after they became the co-title sponsor of Alfa Romeo in 2020 and 2021 and finally had their name on the branding as Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen in 2022.
In 2023, the Polish company switched teams to come to Scuderia AlphaTauri. They agreed on a multi-year partnership with the Red Bull sister team as a principal partner. Their logo was extensively on the rear wing and in a Red accent on the livery of the 2023 AlphaTauri AT04.
As the Visa Cash App also came on board, the Faenza-based team is expected to have a different livery this year by going away from their traditional dark blue and white colors. Since Orlen decided to stay back, they are expected to go lucky here. They are expected to have a similar impact on the livery with Red accent in 2024 as well.
Visa Cash App RB disaster
The Visa Cash App RB is surely a name that is making fans go gaga over it. When the Alfa Romeo F1 team changed their name to Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, little did everyone know that Red Bull had other plans. As they revealed the new name for AlphaTauri, it instantly grabbed everyone’s attention for being mouthful.
When the reports came out that Red Bull had plans to change the name of AlphaTauri in 2024, many believed that the team might shift back to Toro Rosso. Toro Rosso was a name that impressed fans to a great extent because of its meaning. Toro Rosso in Italian means Red Bull.
Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN devient… Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN !
However, in disappointment for fans, Red Bull did not pay any heed to them. In the end, they renamed the team to Visa Cash App RB. This had monetary reasons which gives them a $20 million annual influx from the two principal sponsors.
Needless to say, the name did not impress the fans, and is of course a pain to address the team as VCARB for journalists. As for the team officials, they have a bigger aspect to look at now.
Red Bull already mentioned that they want their sister team to come out of their shadows. The rebranding is probably the first step to this. They also brought in Laurent Mekies from Ferrari to replace Franz Tost.
Therefore, the restructuring and rebranding is surely for the new beginning. This is probably the reason why Orlen decided to stay back this year even after they did not get their name on the branding, unlike their Alfa Romeo days.
After his retirement in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took a liking to cycling through the intervention of his former teammate and friend Jimmie Johnson. Johnson was quite the cycling enthusiast and believed Junior could garner the same popularity he did behind the wheel, on a cycle. But unfortunately, that did not turn out to be the case.
Talking on the ‘Dale Jr. Download’ podcast regarding his initial days on a bike, Junior revealed how he’d been flipped off by a stranger during one of his cycling sessions. Junior had taken notice of how his fellow drivers in the Cup Series were joining Johnson to cycle before their races and had wanted to join them. And so, he’d flown his bike down to the Atlanta Motor Speedway where he joined Johnson, Matt Kenseth, and Alan Gustafson to ride outside the track when the incident occurred.
He said, “I’m wobbling all over the damn road, and this guy goes by and flips me off. I guess I kind of kicked him off. But anyway, I was surprised at how rude drivers are on the road.” Junior had not been able to be stable on his bike for some reason on the day. He wondered on the podcast if being in the midst of his experienced cyclist friends had made him nervous.
One other problem that Junior had was with his spandex. He admitted, “I am still not quite over the self-consciousness of wearing the spandex. I don’t know – I’ll get there.” The racing icon’s tryst with his spandex had gone to the length of drawing a jab from cycling legend Lance Armstrong.
When Lance Armstrong trolled Dale Jr. publicly for his cycling attire
Following his dislike for the spandex, Junior posted on social media complaining about them. This caught the eye of Armstrong who sent a message to Jimmie Johnson about how Junior needed to get some socks first. He’d written, “Dude, seriously? Your boy gotta get some taller (expletive) socks.”
Armstrong had then posted his exchange with Johnson on his social media handle and captioned it, “So I see this tweet from @dalejr and he’s whinin’ about having to wear spandex since he’s taken up #cycling recently.Then I spot these super low socks he’s rockin’ and I’m like, ‘c’mon bro.’ Despite the funny onslaught, Junior took it in a good stride and sent Johnson his shoe sizes for Armstrong to send him some free goods.
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has come a long way since his stint with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. An average of 152 QBR and 93 touchdowns in three seasons were more than sufficient to get him picked by the team that couldn’t make it past the Divisional Round in the past few decades. Former QB specialist and head coach of the Eagles, Andy Reid, joined the team back in 2013 and was looking for a break, and he and the management soon realized that Alex Smith wasn’t the answer. After letting Mahomes start only one game in 2017 and a loss in the Wildcard Round, the Chiefs decided to trade Smith to the Redskins, and the rookie QB was set to get his starting role for the next season — and the rest, as they say, is ‘history’.
Right after Smith’s departure, the first-year starter led the team to the AFC Championship, breaking the 24-year-long drought. However, Patrick Mahomes’ Super Bowl appearance didn’t come to fruition after falling short against the New England Patriots. But he did manage to secure the NFL MVP award that season. So, the question remains: how did he fare in the next five seasons?
Super Bowl LIV
In 2019, Mahomes once again clinched the divisional title and was set to face off against the Texans. After securing a win with a 51-32 final score in the Divisional Round and clinching the AFC Conference title against the Titans with 35-24, the second-year starter led the Chiefs to the Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers.
With the two-time Super Bowl-winning QB, Jimmy Garoppolo, at the helm, the Niners were inches closer to tying the Patriots and the Steelers with six Super Bowls each. However, Patrick Mahomes and his Chiefs came into the matchup as favorites. Interestingly, the NFL MVP did live up to the hype and delivered quite the beatdown to the Niners.
Although the Bay Bombers were leading by 10 points in the third quarter, Mahomes managed to gain a 4-point lead in the fourth quarter with two passing touchdowns. Damian Williams secured the game with a 38-yard rushing touchdown, resulting in a final score of 31-20. Mahomes celebrated his first Lombardi win with a total of three touchdowns, including a rushing score from one yard. In addition, he threw for 286 yards and gave away two interceptions.
Super Bowl LV
After his first Super Bowl, the Chiefs Kingdom found their messiah in Mahomes. He once again dominated the AFC conference in 2019 and secured the top seed with a 14-1 record under his belt. He almost seemed unstoppable after not only defeating the Browns in the Divisional Round but also obliterating the Bills in the AFC Conference Championship with a 38-24 score.
He was then slated to lock horns with the league’s GOAT, Tom Brady, in the Super Bowl LV. It was also time for payback, as Brady was the only QB who had bested him in the playoffs, notably the 2019 Conference Championship in Mahomes’ debut season. It’s also worth mentioning that Mahomes put up a tough fight for the five-time Super Bowl champ, who only tallied one touchdown in the entire game, in contrast to Mahomes’ three passing scores. Brady even threw two interceptions when the Chiefs QB remained interception-free.
Nevertheless, Brady once again came on top in the Super Bowl LV. This time, TB12 didn’t only lead the matchup with three passing touchdowns but also the Bucs’ secondary managed to limit Mahomes throughout the entire matchup. Mahomes and the Chiefs managed to rake in only 9 points, with three field goals by Harrison Butker.
Before coming into the matchup, Mahomes was on the back of 25 wins out of 27 games and not only a Super Bowl but also two MVP trophies under his belt (one NFL MVP and one Super Bowl MVP). His offensive line in the big game was so disappointing, it left the entire Chiefs fanbase in tears. And his 52.3 percent passer rating was no help either.
The Chiefs’ defense was also abysmal and failed to make enough plays against the Brady-led Buccaneers. With a final score of 31-9, Brady to this date is the only QB to have a 2-0 playoff record against the Mahomes-led Chiefs.
Super Bowl LVII
In the following season, Patrick Mahomes once again played exceptionally well, leading his Chiefs to the promised land, the AFC Championship, after beating the Steelers and the Bills in the Wildcard and Divisional Round, respectively. However, he fell short against the Joe Burrow-led Bengals in a narrowing loss of 24-27. It was a disappointing matchup for the Chiefs’ QB, but he would soon have his revenge.
In the 2022 season, the Chiefs no longer had their star wideout Tyreek Hill on the roster. There was no shortage of doubts around Mahomes as well, who went on to record his career-high 5250 yards and 41 touchdowns, 9 less than his career-best from 2018. In the postseason, the Chiefs were first set to clash against the Jaguars in the Divisional Round, when their star QB suffered a brutal ankle injury after a botched tackle that should have ended his game right there and then.
However, Mahomes not only played through his pain; fans also got to witness the sheer level of competitiveness when he was spotted in a heated exchange with Coach Reid on the sidelines in the freezing cold weather. He even hurled his jacket onto the ground after getting a no-go to return to the field.
Despite this, Mahomes still took the field and won the bout with a final score of 20-27 and a berth in the AFC Championship against the Bengals. Mahomes had just one week to get his ankle fixed before taking on his biggest conference rivals with Joe Burrow at the helm. And surely, fans still remember the banter session with the Cincinnati mayor, who had an unconventional way of roasting Mahomes. It sure was something!
However, despite the odds, Mahomes and the Chiefs defeated the Bengals and secured a spot in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This Super Bowl game will always be remembered as one of the most intense postseason matchups in football history. The first quarter started with a rushing score from Jalen Hurts and a passing touchdown from Mahomes, with the score at 7-7.
Then, before the second half, the Eagles managed to gain the lead by 10 points after Hurts racked up two more touchdowns, coupled with a field goal. Mahomes failed to put any points on the scoreboard but helped Isiah Pacheco narrow the lead to only 6 points by the end of the third quarter.
Going into the final quarter with a Lombardi hanging in the balance, Mahomes made an unbelievable comeback and tallied two touchdown passes with 9 minutes left in the clock. Hurts wasn’t going to let that slide and added a 2-yard rushing touchdown, equalizing the score at 35-35 with only 5 minutes remaining in the clock.
In a nail-biting turn of events, the two-time MVP went on to lead a 12-play drive that took only five minutes. Followed by Mahomes’ 26-yard scramble and a knee inside the 10-yard line, Butker was presented with the game-sealing moment. And he did exactly that with a beautiful kick and winning the Super Bowl LVII.
In the current season, Patrick Mahomes has once again led his team to the Super Bowl after a moderate regular season, but a dominant performance in the postseason. He will lock horns against the Brock Purdy-led 49ers in less than two weeks. If the two-time MVP is able to clinch Super Bowl LVII, he will mirror the Patriots’ back-to-back victories in 2003 and 2004.
Can you pronounce Versace? The Italian fashion company’s name rings loudly in celebrity circles. But Jimmy Fallon found out that he had been pronouncing the name erroneously. It was Dwyane Wade who provided Fallon with the current way of saying Versace. During his latest appearance on Fallon’s ‘The Tonight Show’, while showing off his self-designed Versace sunglasses, Wade revealed how he learned the correct pronunciation of the Italian name.
This conversation took place when Fallon asked Wade about his collaboration for sunglasses designed by Versace. In the build-up to the Versace promotional, Fallon brought up, “You’re[Wade] doing a new set of eyewear with Ver-sa-chee” but incorrectly pronounced the Italian name. “Yes, Versace,” replied Wade with the correct pronunciation.
When Fallon asked Wade how he “found out” about the correct pronunciation, Wade explained how his stylist corrected him during an ad shoot,
“Well, I was on the set of my first Versace campaign and it was time for me to get my moment. The camera was gonna zoom in and they were like, “All right say the line”. And I’m like,”I got it”. “Ver-sa-chee”, and they started whispering behind their cameras. And they had my stylist come up to me and he was like, ”It’s Versace” And I was like “you knew that?”” narrated Wade.
To begin the promotional, Wade gave the first pair of his newly designed Versace sunglasses to Fallon. He told an overwhelmed Fallon that he named the sunglasses ‘The Easy-Es’’. This grand tribute to NWA rapper Eazy E received a tremendous reception. Even the 2005-06 NBA Finals MVP and Jimmy tried making their commercial for the brand.
Donning the half-black-and-white sungless, Wade and Fallon hummed the beginning of Eazy E’s iconic rap track “Crusin Down The Street in My 64” and flashed the Versace shades.
Meanwhile, under The Tonight Show’s official Instagram handle, Donatella Versace lauded Wade for the correct pronunciation. The sister of Versace’s founder Gianni Versace wrote, “You know it looking AMAZING!!” The pop culture icon wants Americans to pronounce her last name correctly.
Donatella Versace wants people to put some respect on her name
In a 2018 Vanity Fair segment called ‘73 Questions with Donatella Versace’, Donatella was asked what Italian word would she like American to pronounce correctly. “Ver-sa-chee. It’s Versace,” replied the board member of Versace. For Donatella, this is a personal issue because her surname is similar to the brand’s name. Therefore, the word carries both an intimate and business value.
Credits: USA Today Sports
Adding to that, the VP of Versace said that the most unique thing about the company is Donatella herself. This shows her confidence in her vision and creativity, as the leader of a leading fashion brand.
Having worked at the company for more than four decades, the Italian fashion designer has made an immense contribution to the ascension of the brand. Her contribution to the USA’s mainstream fashion scene has earned her a big reputation that magnetizes the biggest names. Thanks to her effort, the Versace name continues to capture the popular imagination.
The Australian Open 2024 finally concludes and 22-year-old Jannik Sinner is the new champion. After a rollicking finale that lasted for five sets, Jannik Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev after being down for the first two sets. Medvedev, who has a habit of taking the game to the fifth set, is considered a mystery by his coach Gilles Cervara. This is because the Russian player always finds a way to win in the final set.
However, today at the Rod Laver Arena, such was not the case. Medvedev played and lost in the final set and with this he created an unwanted record. Daniil Medvedev has now played more sets than anyone in a single Grand Slam in the history of the Open Era. The 27-year-old has played 31 sets in this Grand Slam i.e. the Majors.
Medvedev has now played the most sets (31) of anyone at a slam in the Open Era.#AusOpen
There has been a lot of fuzz about how Medvedev has so very often found a way to come back into the game from a lost position. Take the match against Hubert Hurakacz in the quarter-final of this tournament. It was a see-saw battle that only decided Medvedev as the winner in the final set. Or, take the semi-final draw against Alexander Zverev, where Medvedev was down and out in the first two sets. But he managed to win the next three sets, and thereby, the match.
However, all of these records also indicate how the Russian player hasn’t always been dominating from Set 1 at the Grand Slams. While it’s the win in the end that matters, not all final sets have gone his way. Such has been the case at the Australian Open 2024 finals where Medvedev lost to Sinner in the final set. The score is 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 3-6.
Therefore, this just goes to show why Medvedev’s record of 31 Grand Slam sets might be an unwanted one. It just depicts a less-dominating scenario from the player, one where he has to struggle for every single match point. This record, as evident above, has cost him one too many times.
Daniil Medvedev just won a single match at the 2024 AO in straight sets
In the seven matches that Medvedev played this season, he won only a single match in three sets. He beat Felix Auger-Aliassime, his 2022 Australian Open quarter-final rival, in straight sets of 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in the third round of this Majors. The rest of the matches have either gone to 4 sets or 5 sets.
Medvedev started his journey against Terence Atmane of France, where he lost the first set 7-5. He won the next two sets by 6-2, 6-4. The score in the fourth set was 1-0, before Atmane retired hurt and Medvedev advanced into the second round. He faced Emil Ruusuvuori there, where Medvedev lost the first two sets 6-3, 7-6 (7-1). In quintessential Medvedev style, he won the next three sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-1), 6-0 to advance to the third round.
After beating Auger-Aliassim there, Medvedev faced Nuno Borges of Portugal in the third round. The match too lasted four sets, before Medvedev won by 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-1 and advanced into the quarter-final.
In the quarter-finals, he faced Hurkacz who gave him a run for his money. Medvedev eventually won the match by 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 and entered the semi-finals. It was a topsy-turvy match but Medvedev held his nerves and showed his class in the final set. In the semi-final, he came very close to getting knocked out by Zverev. Medvedev found a way to win in the end by 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
In the final when the match proceeded to the fifth set, it looked like a similar story was written in the stars for Daniil Medvedev. Except, this time Medvedev had dominated from the start and Sinner was lagging. In the end, the Russian player could not replicate what he so often does and handed Sinner his maiden Grand Slam victory.
Former Super Bowl winners Andrew Whitworth and Rob Gronkowski recently made an appearance on Kay Adams’s ‘Up & Adams Show‘, where they revealed their go-to cheat meals that helped them cope with the pressures of football. Playing in a challenging and demanding league like the NFL necessitates sacrifices, with rigorous physical and mental preparation being paramount. To perform at the highest level and win trophies like the Super Bowl, players must limit certain indulgences.
However, amid strict routines, athletes occasionally allow themselves a reprieve, whether it be through alcohol or just comfort food. When asked about his cheat meal, Whitworth revealed that he didn’t strictly adhere to one because he didn’t impose restrictions on his food choices. He quipped, “I ate everything in my way.” However, what worried him more than a cheat meal was, in fact, tequila, as he further added,
“I was probably more of a tequila (guy). I was going to have me a tequila when the game’s over,” followed by, “I was a little more worried about that than probably the cheat meal.“
On the other hand, when Gronk was asked the same question, he revealed a whole list of things he ate when he returned home to Buffalo after the game. He asserted that his hometown has the best food, so he would always treat himself to a stinger, which is a chicken finger sub with a steak on it. For a side dish, he would have a pizza with blue cheese as a dip.
While discussing how he used to gorge on food and tequila during his playing days, Andrew also revealed that he has since adopted a new food regimen to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle, despite hanging up his cleats two years back. He is eating less frequently and is always opting for healthier food. Whitworth also partakes in intermittent fasting for 16 hours by skipping breakfast. The former NFL tackle compliments his diet with golf and walking 20-30 miles a week, as per the U.S. Sun.
His efforts have already yielded results as he dropped 20 to 25 pounds and plans on getting his weight under 300 pounds. While Whitworth, has taken up a healthy diet and has cut down his indulgences, Gronk on the other hand has no plans to give up his chicken fingers, even though he has adopted a new post-retirement diet, which consists of a lot of organic fruits and veggies, as per GQ.
Gronk always has an exuberance and zest for life, even during his playing. Now, after retirement, with no more football to look forward to, he is embracing his life by keeping himself involved by partaking in charitable work and exploring other sports.
Rob Gronkowski Has Embraced the Retired Life
Rob Gronkowski retired two years ago as one of the greatest tight ends to grace the field and win 4 Super Bowls. However, post-retirement, he is keeping himself occupied by helping the less fortunate. He has partnered with “No Kid Go Hungry“, a national campaign dedicated to solving the issue of childhood hunger in the USA. About supporting the campaign, he said,
“I am proud to be supporting no kid hungry. It’s just an amazing organization committed to ending childhood hunger in the United States. I am all about kids and I have always been about the kids. Let’s end this childhood hunger and let’s do it together.”
Notably, in his post-retirement era, Gronk has picked up Pickleball to stay active and competitive. He expressed that it’s an unbelievable workout, and he has been having a lot of fun playing.
Aside from helping others and staying competitive, Gronk also co-hosted US Today’s High School Sports Awards to honor the next generation of athletes. In 2022, the ex-Patriots man surprised swimmer Claire Curzan with the ‘Athlete of the Year’ award’, even showering the emerging star with love and appreciation.
Most NFL players lose focus and their competitive edge after retirement and usually let go of their diets by partaking in their every indulgence. Football demands immense dedication and drive for success on the field, but when players retire, there are limited avenues to channel that energy. However, this didn’t happen with Gronk and Whitworth, who went about their retirements differently and maintained their peak athletic forms.
Ahead of the NFC Championship matchup, Hall of Famer QB Steve Young has lauded Brock Purdy, who has been grappling with criticism after a relatively standard performance against the Packers. Young, in a conversation with Adam Schefter, provided an honest assessment of Purdy, highlighting the latter’s exceptional fundamentals and command over the 49er’s offense as his superpowers.
Using a Star Wars reference, the two-time NFL MVP expressed that Mr. Irrelevant possesses a unique force. In his view, Purdy stands out with his exceptional understanding of football plays, meticulous study and memorization, analysis of defenses and their vulnerabilities, efficient execution, and precise delivery.
The former Niners QB characterized Purdy as an ‘efficiency aficionado’, emphasizing how he has the ability to extend plays when needed. Despite benefiting from Kyle Shanahan‘s play-calling and the talent surrounding him, he consistently demonstrates the ability to maximize their potential. This efficiency has been a recurring theme throughout the season, showcasing Purdy’s prowess in getting the best performance from himself and his team. Young said,
“Brock has the force. He is like Luke Skywalker — something he has and can’t explain,” followed by, “Brock does have the ability to extend plays. You’ve seen him do that. It’s not like he can’t do it. So he has that ability, but what he has the superpower of is that he has one of the most innovative minds in football. Give me the play and in those 2 seconds, I am gonna Indiana Jones through it and I will know where to go, and they are gonna get the ball. He has done that over and over. And that’s tough to beat.”
The holistic ability to process, filter, and decipher (in 2-3 seconds) who should get the ball — and to do it successfully over and over again to the point that opponents can’t stop you — that’s the superpower. https://t.co/3Jfh7WnXIU
While Purdy may not possess the most imposing athleticism, his strength lies in his ability to make swift and accurate decisions. He continues to learn from those around him, recognizing that playing the QB position is an ongoing process that requires constant adaptation to changing situations.
Such praise carries significant weight, especially when it comes from a well-versed QB in the league, who dominated season after season. Young, who couldn’t become a starter until his 6th season with the 49ers, certainly made the most of the opportunity and became one of the most accurate QBs in the league. A southpaw with a short yet impactful career, Young led the league in passer rating, completion percentage, and yards per attempt on five occasions. He led the league in touchdowns four times and clinched NFL MVP honors twice.
Beyond his individual achievements, Young boasts an impressive team record of winning three Super Bowls. As per StatMuse, he is currently 4th on the list for most playoff wins in NFL history and also holds the record for most TD passes in the Super Bowl with six scores. Moreover, he has the 6th most rushing yards as a QB on the all-time list and was the first left-handed QB to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Young’s unwavering allegiance to the 49ers is evident as he constantly expresses love and affection for the team in many ways. A recent video created to inspire the team is just one of the examples of his ongoing dedication.
Steve Young is Pushing the 2023 49ers in Creative Ways
Young recently shot a hype-up video for his former team. In the short playoff video “Do it for the Bay”, the three-time Super Bowl champ echoed the sentiment, “It’s time to turn doubters into believers.” He also notes that the 49ers have fallen short in the postseason one too many times, and it’s now time to bring that Lombardy trophy back to Bay and bring joy to the Faithful, which they haven’t experienced since 1994.
“It’s been a long journey. Each week is a different story, a different challenge. But at the end of the season, we find ourselves at a new beginning. And right now, it’s our time. It’s time to silence the doubters and reward the faithful. It’s time to dig deeper and rise higher,” Young said. “Our relentlessness knows no bounds. And our mission is to leave no doubts. For our team, for our faithful, for this moment. Do it for the Bay.”
The 49ers have played in 19 of 53 NFC Championships, and it’s their 4th appearance in 5 years. Despite that, they have nothing but an SB appearance to show for, which they lost against the Chiefs. Just last year, Purdy and his Niners failed to advance to the Super Bowl after clashing with the Eagles.
However, this year, their opponents, the Lions, are poised as the underdogs for the matchup at the 49ers’ home turf, as the 49ers are a 7-point home favorite with -300 odds on the money line, while the Lions are at +240.
The Silver Crush boasts one of the most dynamic offenses in the league and could capitalize on the 49ers’ defense, which, despite making two crucial plays to shift the momentum, struggled to stop the Packers’ run game. Purdy had an average performance last week. He will need to perform better against the Detroit side, which has shown significant defensive improvement in recent weeks. Can Purdy become the first 49ers QB since Steve Young to guide the team to a Lombardi?
The feud between Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan is one of the most infamous beefs in NBA history. The two never saw eye-to-eye and Thomas alleged that he missed out on the 1992 Olympics Dream Team because of MJ. At the same time, the former Pistons ball-handling wizard also disapproved of Scottie Pippen giving his opinion on Thomas’ inclusion in the team. Thomas would rather be ostracized by Jordan than Pip, considering the stature of the players.
In 2016, Open Court featured a clip of Scottie Pippen talking about Isiah Thomas’ exclusion from the Dream Team. When asked if MJ wanted Thomas on the team, in the 2012 Dream Team documentary, Pip replied, “I can’t speak for Michael[Jordan] but you know, I didn’t want him on the team”.
After these words, the camera cut to a disappointed Thomas who was appalled at Pippen’s audacity. He had a rather sharp reply to the 1995 steals leader.
“I don’t mind Michael Jordan saying, “I don’t want Isiah to be on the Dream Team”, I don’t mind if Larry Bird said,” I don’t want Isiah on the Dream Team”. But Scottie Pippen saying I don’t want Isiah to be on the Dream Team! Man, you can’t say nothing!” quipped Isiah Thomas.
Isiah Thomas reflects on Scottie Pippen saying he didn’t want him on the Dream Team
“Maaaan go to the park.”
“I don’t mind If Michael Jordan don’t want me on the Dream Team, I don’t mind If Larry Bird said I don’t want Isiah Thomas on the Dream Team”
Apart from that, IT and Ernie Johnson also engaged in a hilarious bit, with Ernie as a Therapist and Thomas as a patient enduring for 25 years how someone “below Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan” can decide his exclusion or inclusion from the heralded team. The Pistons legend thought that Pippen didn’t have enough credentials or star power to decide his selection in any team.
As a 6’1” Guard, Thomas was thriving in one of the toughest eras for guards in terms of physicality. He was a 12x NBA All-Star and made 3x All-NBA First Team. Apart from that, he enabled the Pistons to take down the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs, two best teams in the 1980s. He also denied Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen thrice in the Playoffs.
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
After beating the Lakers in the Finals, he also helped take down Clyde Drexler-led Portland Trail Blazers in 1990 and won the finals MVP.Therefore, IT’s exclusion from the Dream Team after he had won the MVP just a couple of years ago was shocking. Why did it have Pippen but not him? Did Jordan play a role in him missing out on the legendary squad during an alleged secret meeting?
Michael Jordan denies asking for Thomas to be out
During his 2020 docuseries ‘The Last Dance’, MJ reflected upon the narrative of him being responsible for Thomas’ absence from the Dream Team. Despite Jordan’s persistent hatred for him, he acknowledged Zeke as the best point guard behind Magic Johnson.
But when it came to him being responsible for Thomas’ exclusion, Jordan denied his role. However, despite denying his role in excluding him, MJ blasted the former Pistons guard. He opined that if Thomas was there, he’d have disrupted what he termed as the “best harmony”.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s two-time Finals rival and Dream Team member Karl Malone also denied Thomas’ exclusion being planned. In 2023, during a sit-down with Isiah Thomas, Malone confessed to not being involved in getting Isiah out. Malone pledged to his ancestors and his mother that there was no meeting designed to deny Thomas. Malone swore, “If it was a secret meeting to keep you off the team, it’s bull****.”
Not having Isiah Thomas on the Dream Team was indeed a mystery. Perhaps his reputation of being a dirty player with the Bad Boy Pistons had taken control of the narrative. But was it the reason for his absence?
Every moment on and off the field is a story in the world of the NFL. Recently, Travis Kelce shared insights about his interactions with Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills during their exciting Divisional Round matchup. This revelation came during an episode of the “New Heights” podcast on January 24, hosted by none other than Travis and his brother, Jason Kelce.
It was a moment that caught everyone’s attention. Travis Kelce and Josh Allen, running side by side into the tunnel at halftime, engaged in a brief yet intriguing conversation. Fans and the media speculated, with some humorous guesses involving superstar girlfriends. But what was really said?
It’s rare for opposing teams to share the same tunnel, which the Chiefs and the Bills did at halftime. Travis, who luckily crossed paths with Allen, exchanged a few words, which, according to him, weren’t anything personal. Instead, it was lighthearted and professional banter.
“I just caught Josh; he might have asked me how I’m getting so open, and I just told him, ‘Baby, I blend in the trees with the best of them. Stealth mode,” Travis humorously recounted.
This conversation very well highlights the friendship and respect players have for each other, even from different teams. Post-game, despite the Chiefs’ win, Travis was seen offering encouraging words to Allen, a gesture of sportsmanship and respect. He expressed his love and appreciation for Allen and his Bills, who made it this far in the playoffs despite key players getting injured. He also noted how the team should take pride in their performance and how their players and coaches reacted throughout the not-so-kind season.
JoshAllen Speaks Out About the Divisional Round Loss to the Chiefs
Josh Allen, in the post-game presser, really showed his grit and passion for his squad. Despite the tough loss against their biggest conference rivals at home and a spot in the AFC Championship, he was all about the love and spirit of his team. “I love this team; I love how resilient we were,” he said, really spotlighting the season’s rollercoaster and the solid vibes in the Bills’ locker room.
He also extended his support for placekicker Tyler Bass, who missed a crucial field goal. Allen expressed that a mere play doesn’t define the team or the season as a whole.
Allen’s own game was pretty good, with him nailing 26 out of 39 throws for 186 yards, one passing touchdown, and two rushing scores. Even so, it wasn’t enough, and the Bisons had to face their third straight year of bowing out in the Divisional Round.
Travis Kelce’s candid sharing about his light-hearted exchange with Josh Allen during their high-stakes game illuminated the deep respect and camaraderie among players. Along with this, Josh Allen’s steady love and support for his team shows the emotions players have for each other in their professional world.
The Philadelphia Eagles are undergoing changes in their coaching staff after a disappointing end to the 2023 season. At first, they parted ways with the defensive coordinator Sean Desai, and now they are seeking a replacement for offensive coordinator Brian Johnson. The Eagles interviewed the current senior offensive analyst at USC, Kliff Kingsbury, for the position. However, fans do not seem happy with the update.
They expressed skepticism on social media when MLFootball referred to Kliff Kingsbury as an “offensive genius.” Comments ranged from questioning his track record to expressing doubt about his capabilities.
Lmao offensive genius?
You mean overhyped offensive guy. Well actually… That sounds like a perfect fit!
One fan cited Kingsbury’s lack of success with Mahomes in college, while others labeled him as over-hyped. The reactions highlight varied opinions within the fan base regarding the potential hiring of Kliff Kingsbury as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator.
One fan wrote, “Offensive genius that couldn’t win with Mahomes in college… and has never won anything, for that matter. Miss me with that”
“Offensive genius” that couldn’t win with Mahomes in college… and has never won anything, for that matter. Miss me with that
“Philly’s offense could use an offensive genius like Kliff.”
Some attributed Kingsbury’s hiring to the “Sean McVay effect”, or the rising trend of teams hiring younger head coaches that focused on offensive strategy.
44-year-old Kliff Kingsbury coached Patrick Mahomes during his tenure at Texas Tech from 2013 to 2018. He was a former quarterback at Texas Tech from 1998 to 2002 himself and played under Mike Leach’s pass-first offense, setting seven NCAA FBS records.
Currently, Kingsbury has been part of the coaching staff at USC under Lincoln Riley. He brings a wealth of experience to his potential role with the Philadelphia Eagles, but let’s take a look at the concern highlighted by the fans about Kingsbury’s tenure with Patrick Mahomes.
The Kliff Kingsbury and Patrick Mahomes Combination
Texas Tech’s win-loss record during Patrick Mahomes‘ time at the university was 14-18, including bowl games. This might have influenced fans’ perceptions of Kliff Kingsbury’s coaching performances. However, it is rather important to consider various factors that help the team’s performance time and again. If we look at Kingsbury’s impact on Patrick Mahomes’ development, we would see the broader dynamics of their collaboration.
Kliff Kingsbury played a critical role in Patrick Mahomes’ development. He was the one to encourage Kansas’s No. 15 to prioritize football over baseball. Kingsbury’s foresight and confidence in Mahomes helped him to his ascent as arguably one of college football’s premier quarterbacks.
The statistical achievements of Kingsbury and Mahomes at Texas Tech were also great. Mahomes recorded 857 completions for 11,252 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions over three seasons from 2014 to 2016. One can’t deny the fact that this collaboration laid the foundation for Mahomes’ success in the NFL.
Kliff Kingsbury has earned recognition as the Footballscoop.com Offensive Coordinator of the Year and was a Broyles Award finalist in 2012. Kingsbury guided the Red Raiders to three bowl games during his time with the team. He managed an overall record of 35-40. He has also supported quarterback talent other than Patrick Mahomes like Johnny Manziel and Kyler Murray.
The former Cardinals head coach is in consideration for the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator role, potentially because of his Air Raid offensive scheme. He understands how to maximize the capabilities of mobile quarterbacks like we saw Kyler Murray do in Arizona. The scheme could align well with the Eagles’ quarterback, Jalen Hurts.
Kingsbury’s offensive mostly features 10 personnel and a dynamic passing approach. His innovative strategies may bring a fresh perspective to the team’s offensive dynamics.
The latest trade reports have revealed that the Miami Heat have traded Kyle Lowry to the Charlotte Hornets for Terry Rozier in a swap of point guards. The Heat also sent a 2027 first-round draft pick to the Hornets to complete the deal. After acquiring Rozier, the Heat have received an upgrade for their point guard position ahead of the trade deadline. Rozier is averaging 23.2 points and 6.6 assists(both his career bests) in 30 games this season, with a career-high shooting percentage of 46%. However, Miami fans are happy with the trade for a different reason.
Amidst the hubbub of this trade news, the Heat fans unearthed an 11-year-old tweet of Rozier on X, wanting to meet Heat legend Dwyane Wade in 2013. This proves that Rozier was a Heat fan as a teenager and will finally get to meet his idol and play for his former team. D-Wade’s contributions to the Heat have now been immortalized by the franchise with the recent retirement of his jersey and plans to build a statue outside the Kaseya Center.
“The day I meet D.Wade [countless excited emojis]” Rozier wrote in the 2013 tweet.
One of the earliest engagements with this tweet was from a user named Kayton Cole, who must have been a friend of Rozier. Cole was trying to taunt Rozier, saying that they would meet D-Wade first before him, prompting the point guard to reply, “I would hate you forever.”
The fans found Rozier’s tweet extremely heartwarming following the trade news and expressed their reactions to this in the replies and quotes tweets. One fan wrote, “This man is really a Dwade Stan, and we bout him home.”
Another fan was surprised by the Heat fans’ dedication in unearthing this tweet, saying that the hype around Rozier had started building up the minute he was announced as a part of the Heat’s roster.
Now that Rozier is a part of the Heat’s roster, he will surely get to live the dream he has long cherished. D-Wade is a frequent attendee of the Heat’s games, which might now give Rozier ample opportunity to meet and discuss the game with his sporting idol.
Terry Rozier is a significant upgrade for the position of point guard
Terry Rozier’s arrival to the Heat in a swap for Kyle Lowry is a significant upgrade for the South Beach team, which could give them a massive boost in their season campaign. As a shooter, Rozier is a tough player to guard from the mid-range, shooting 48% from pull-up 2s this season. Adding this skill to a mid-range heavy offense could work best for pick-and-roll plays, giving the Heat a chance to collapse the opposition’s defense constantly.
Jan 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) dribbles against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Furthermore, combining Rozier with Bam Adebayo could perfectly suit Eric Spoelstra for the rest of this season. Rozier is known for spotting 2s and plays quite patiently in those spots. While Tyler Herro might be more of a mid-range passer, Rozier’s late dart passing could perhaps open play-making opportunities for Bam Adebayo to flourish.
Rozier’s arrival could also ease the pressure on the Heat’s main players at the moment. The point guard’s ability to ignite his creativity from broken-down plays and provide a tough cover can help the Heat in crucial game-winning moments. For all these reasons, this trade is definitely a great upgrade for Miami and could perhaps even pay off for the franchise in the long run.
Joel Embiid’s 70-point outburst against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs further solidifies his back-to-back MVP claim. The leading NBA scorer has been shattering record after record. And what better way to affirm the legendary status than one-upping the king Wilt Chamberlain’s stats, who nabbed numerous records for the 76ers too? During the 1961-62 season, then Philly Center Chamberlain notched numbers that remain unparalleled to the day.
He played a mind-boggling 48.5 minutes per game in all the possible 80 games and tallied 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game on 50.6%. In terms of points per minute, the number is 1.04. Meanwhile, midway into the season, Joel Embiid is lodging 36.1 points per game in 34.2 minutes while grabbing 11.6 rebounds and dishing 5.9 assists a game. In terms of points per minute, the number is 1.05.
This minute difference of 0.01 with around half of the season left, gives Joel Embiid the all-time highest points per minute rating of 1.05 for a season. To get ahead of the 76ers Chamberlain in a metric like this is indeed praiseworthy. When the Center learned that he eclipsed his GOAT choice in this metric, he was in utter disbelief.
If we look at the points-per-minute list, Joel Embiid’s last season’s scoring average of 33.1 PPG in 34.6 minutes per game also makes an appearance. The 0.96 rating during his MVP season is the sixth-best in all-time points per minute history. If he continues to dip numbers as he has done thus far, he can claim the top spot in the storied list. One notable aspect about Chamberlain is that he played all the possible 78- 80 games during his points-per-minute records.
Jan 22, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) rebounds the ball past San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, Embiid played 66 games last season and has missed 10 out of the 42 possible games thus far. It means he is on pace for another 66-game season. At any rate, his achievement establishes him as one of the best scorers in the history of the league.
The points-per-minute list is dominated by the post-2015 performances
Apart from Embiid and Wilt, Harden’s appearance is prominent too. The former Houston Rockets guard is third on the list for his 2018-19 scoring average of 36.1 points per game in 36.8 minutes per game. This rating of 0.98 points per minute is exceptional for a guard. This was the season following his 2017-18 MVP campaign.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo figures twice in the list, back-to-back as the fourth and fifth highest. His rating of 0.97 is identical in both cases.
The first one came during the 2019-20 season when he tallied 29.5 points per game in 30.4 minutes per game. The other one is from his 2022-23 season when he registered 31.1 points per game in 32.1 minutes per game. Perhaps the most attention-grabbing aspect of the list is that seven of the top points-per-minute performances come from 2018 to 2024.
If we go down the list, such a trend continues or is even more prominent. It proves that scoring averages have significantly increased in recent years. Arguably the rule changes past the 2000s have made the game more scoring-friendly. Taking into account the three-point scoring revolution coupled with rule changes, in this ball-handling big-men era, teams now pose threats from all areas in a distance of 40 feet.
If Jimmie Johnson needed any advice about how to handle his big moment during his NASCAR Hall of Fame induction, one imagines he’d have a lot of people at Hendrick Motorsports to rely on. One such person was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was inducted into the HoF in 2021 and shared his word of advice for Johnson ahead of his big night.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony that immortalized Johnson, his crew chief Chad Knaus, and Donnie Allison in NASCAR gold, Junior revealed the toughest part about such a night, which was “allowing yourself to make sure you accept everything is happening. “
“No matter how hard you try to enjoy every single moment, it still goes by in a whir. And I will say the most fun I ever had in my life giving any kind of speech or speaking in front of a crowd was on that stage for whatever reason,” he said. “I wasn’t nervous. I was very confident in whatever I was going to say, what I was going to share, and I felt like that got across everything I wanted to get across to the people in the crowd.”
Junior explained that one of the things he will remember the most from his HoF induction was climbing up to the stage terrified to address such a big crowd, but getting up there and realizing he was going to “have a blast.” He added, “Because you never do get to do it again.”
“There’s always another race. But there’s never another speech like this, never another moment where you’ll be celebrating like this. So you do have to make sure you take it all in.”
Jimmie Johnson once rushed Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the hospital at 2:00 am
Apart from being part of the same team and competing against and with each other for a long time in NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson are also pretty good friends. And as the saying goes ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed,’ Johnson proved that he was that friend.
Before they became teammates at HMS, Johnson was celebrating a race win with a pool party to which Junior was also invited. In the celebration, things got pretty wild pretty fast when Junior decided to jump into the pool, except that when he did, he emerged with a big wound to his head.
Soon after everyone realized the severity of the DEI driver’s injury, Johnson came to his rescue and took his future teammate to the hospital.
This act by Jimmie Johnson left a big impression on Earnhardt about the kind of person the NASCAR Hall of Famer was, along with being a pretty decent driver.
Over the last few years, NASCAR has seen the entry of some pretty high-profile team owners who don’t necessarily have a big racing background. There’s Michael Jordan and Brad Daugherty. But the thing with those two is that they’re pretty well known in the larger sporting circles considering their high-profile background in the NBA. The subject becomes curious and interesting for personalities like Pitbull, the international pop star who is a part-owner in Trackhouse Racing alongside Justin Marks. One wonders, what is Pitbull like?
This was more or less a question that was posed to Chicago Street Race winner and soon to be a household name in NASCAR, Shane Van Gisbergen. During a media interaction, Gisbergen was asked if he has been in touch or has he talked to Pitbull.
“A couple of texts after Chicago, but he looks like a pretty out there dude. It’s pretty cool,” he replied. Another question that was posed to SVG regarding Pitbull was whether he was familiar with his music.
“I knew obviously big songs that were in our part of the world. But just to get his text, and his text is written exactly like he talks, so it’s pretty cool to see that come up on my phone,” Gisbergen said.
Going with Gisbergen’s responses, Pitbull seems like an interesting personality to have as a team owner. Having said that, the other co-owner of Trackhouse Racing, Justin Marks, is just as interesting, albeit in his own ways.
In fact, SVG shared his thoughts on Marks as well.
Shane Van Gisbergen is thrilled to be working for Justin Marks as well
During the same media interaction, Shane Van Gisbergen was asked about his thoughts on Justin Marks, who the journalist deemed “an inspirational guy.” Gisbergen replied, “I’ve had a few owners like that and they’re pretty awesome guys to be around. Just forward thinking and out of the box.”
“You see there’s a lot going on at the moment as we’re doing the deal and no, I didn’t know about the MotoGP thing coming out. He’s got so many things going on but seem to have it all under control as well.”
In the end, Gisbergen deemed working with Justin Marks “very cool,” which makes one wonder just how the environment it must be in Trackhouse Racing for drivers.
There’s one team owner who is an international pop star, and then there’s another, who is in many ways, a visionary.
Despite being one of the most recognizable faces in F1, Sebastian Vettel was once mistaken for Daniel Ricciardo. What is embarrassing is that the German had to go through this ordeal with his own fans. This is perhaps why he chose not to correct them and went along with the mistaken identity.
Vettel was playing a game of Jenga with Mick Schumacher when he revealed the incident. In a video uploaded by Formula 1 on YouTube in October 2021, the duo played the game while answering fans’ questions. In an interesting twist to the game, the Jenga blocks had questions written over them. Vettel recalled the incident of his mistaken identity as Ricciardo when one of the Jenga blocks asked him if he was ever mistaken for another famous personality.
Mick, on the other hand, admitted to not having encountered any such incident. However, when fans ask him if he is in fact, Mick Schumacher, he simply refuses. That, he said was something he learned from his dad, Michael. Vettel too talked about doing the same, albeit with a twist. Vettel would stump his fans by telling them he was Sebastian’s twin brother.
Seb e Mick representarão o Team Germany na ROC 2022 na Suécia em fevereiro
Confiram essa dupla dinâmica jogando Jenga de um jeito diferente. #Vettel
In the same video, the 4-time world champion also talked about his behavior around famous personalities. Vettel revealed that he does not get star-struck around celebrities. He did, however, confess to getting awestruck when he saw Michael Schumacher for the first time in person as a kid.
How close is Sebastian Vettel to Michael Schumacher?
Michael Schumacher has been one of the biggest influences on Sebastian Vettel’s life. The former Red Bull legend once talked about the 7-time champion being the inspiration behind him taking up motor racing.
He recalled how Michael was a national hero and was one of the most respected figures in Germany when he was growing up. That had a deep impact on Vettel, who became a fanboy forever.
Now that Michael has been recovering from his horrific skiing accident a decade ago, Vettel has taken up the mentor’s role for Mick. Many even refer to him as Mick’s godfather in motor racing. The 36-year-old stood strongly with the youngster when he hit a new low in life after his departure from Haas. His decision to join Mercedes as a reserve driver was also lauded by Vettel.
The 4-time champion hung up his racing boots at the end of the 2022 season. He last raced for Aston Martin, who brought in Fernando Alonso to replace him in 2023. Currently, he is involved with the Germany Sail GP team as a co-owner. Vettel joined the team on 31 May 2023.
Since his rookie season, San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy has displayed a unique talent that has catapulted him to the top of the league in just two seasons. As it turns out, he has had it in him from the beginning, and ever since old footage of the quarterback has surfaced, the Cheeseheads are deeply anxious about the upcoming playoff bout.
The 49ers take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional round at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday. Ahead of this, Purdy’s video made one too many headlines. In the now-viral clip, Brock Purdy stands shirtless on a tennis court with a pigskin in his hands. Positioned at the opposite end of the court, a basketball hoop hangs on the fence. Showing his impressive skill, Purdy launches the football in one smooth throw, thus scoring a perfect basket.
After watching the viral video, fans were amazed by Purdy’s incredible skills. However, a few Cheeseheads got a bit nervous about facing him, while others turned to prayers, hoping the Packers would come out on top in the Divisional Round game. Take a look:
One of the fans quipped, “I hope we don’t lose to this guy man”
Another chimed in, “He is our only concern”
Someone else remarked, “Please god Green Bay end this”
This user expressed, “Dear God Green Bay Packers end the glaze”
This fan took notice of the fan-made Brock Purdy song from the video and wrote, “This sh*t finna be in my head all weekend thanks a lot”
It’s Brock Purdy’s inaugural face-off with the Green Bay Packers. However, the two teams’ last encounter was in the 2021 Divisional Round, which saw Jimmy Garoppolo guide the 49ers to a 13-10 victory over Aaron Rodgers’ Packers. Now, with the San Francisco 49ers entering as 9.5-point favorites on leading NFL betting sites, Packers fans are anxious to avoid a repeat of their previous loss.
Purdy has raised quite a few eyebrows this season! Even former Raiders exec, Amy Trask recently went on to throw shade at the Niners QB, sparking all sorts of reactions. Nevertheless, the star QB has no shortage of support, whether it’s from the fans or his own teammate.
Chase Young hails Brock Purdy
In a recent interview, DE Chase Young had nothing but praise for Brock Purdy, his teammate at San Francisco. Young, who joined the team from Washington in October, emphasized Purdy’s exceptional qualities both on and off the field. According to Young, Purdy stands out as the nicest and most laid-back guy in the locker room. He stated,
“He’s a confident guy. I feel like most confident guys know how to keep their composure, that just comes natural for them,” followed by, “Being a quarterback growing up your whole life, there’s just a composure to get better. He’s the best quarterback in the league. Happy to have him on my team,”as per Sports Illustrated.
Young expressed that Purdy is not just a confident player but the best quarterback in the league. Expressing his happiness in having Purdy as a teammate, he emphasized the positive impact Purdy has had on the team.
Mr. Irrelevant quickly made a mark as a top QB in his rookie 2022 season, but let’s not overlook Packers QB Jordan Love. After patiently waiting behind Aaron Rodgers for two seasons, Love stepped up as the face of the franchise when Rodgers moved to the Big Apple.
In his debut season as a starter, Love has guided his team to the Divisional Round, showcasing his skill by defeating the NFC’s No. 2 seed, the Dallas Cowboys, with a convincing 48-32 score in the Wild Card game. Now, these two young QBs clash for a spot in the NFC Championship game, making Saturday night’s matchup a must-watch.
The ongoing drama between Alex Pereira and his ex-girlfriend Merle Christine shows no signs of resolution, with both sides continuously making their own claims. Recently, the UFC Light Heavyweight champion spoke publicly for the first time since the breakup, revealing that he ended the relationship after he found out about Merle’s marriage. In response, Merle asserted that she was married and got separated before the relationship, similar to Pereira, and accused him of making up the stories. Now, Pereira has replied, alleging that he was assaulted by her and claimed her for being manipulative.
After Pereira’s clip discussing breaking up with Merle upon discovering her marriage, Merle responded on her Instagram story, “Hurt men are really trying to invent whatever.” She confirmed she was married before but separated before entering a relationship with the UFC champ. And claimed that if she starts pointing out reasons, it won’t end well. Subsequently, Pereira retaliated and made a surprising claim of him getting assaulted. In his words,
“Good guys, merle thinks she can manipulate you, i’m talking to her ex husband for a few days and today i know what she’s capable of, this is a love talk with two different people and same day same time, she assaulted me thinking that I would say it again, but I’m not a clown to do it! I have a video of her assaulting me, as she didn’t get what she wanted, she’s trying to go up with my name.” (Translation)
Indeed, it’s a significant claim by Pereira, and he also asserted that he has proof of being assaulted, which is truly surprising to hear. And he also shared a screenshot of a chat, appearing to show her conversing with someone.
While both parties have shared their sides, it will be interesting to see how this case will move forward and what Merle has to say now. For now, it seems Pereira has moved on from his relationship as he was spotted with a mystery girl.
Alex Pereira spotted with a mystery girl
Despite the drama, Alex Pereira appears unfazed by the breakup. He continues to share videos, including one of him driving his Ferrari with a girl named Aline Antoniassi, fueling rumors of a new relationship. The speculation has spread widely.
It’s interesting to note that she has known Pereira for some time and even made a birthday wish with an wholesome picture. Till now it’s unconfirmed whether she is in a relationship with the UFC champion or not. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see what both Merle and Pereira will say next.
Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher to make your day 
