@litskispecialty I agree fans are huge babies and the whining is ridiculous. Yes certain plays can change the a game but for the most part it’s a cumulative thing and one bad call isn’t going to change much. Some teams are bigger whiners than others. Other just expect bad calls/hapless endings bc they feel “cursed” (eg. The Bills and up until recently y the Eagles). I’m going to add a dig here that the the call at the end of the Lions/Cowboys game changed the game and landscape of the NFC playoffs but karma made sure that was corrected (to my point of things evening out).
On a side note have we reached the point in the thread where we complain about TS's global footprint wasting fuel on flying her private jet back and forth to the Chief's games? I thought I heard she was in South America on tour but took the jet home for last week's(?) game? I'm also psyched for people having jobs, but was shocked to see the sheer number of people (security, police, probably Buffalo staff) walking her in to the last game. My friend tagged me in a video post because her teenager is obsessed with TS and they're huge Buffalo fans so it was basically that young ladies Superbowl.
That was actually one conspiracy theory I heard regarding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. There had been a bunch of publicity about TS carbon footprint during her Eras tour so when you googled Taylor Swift Jets it brought up a bunch of articles related to that. So the conspiracy was she went to watch the Chiefs vs. Jets game (which I think was the first game she attended - at least publicly) and then when you googled Taylor Swift Jets the top articles were about her attending the Jets game.
If it was scripted SOMEONE would have spilled the beans by now. I always use Antonio Brown as my example (since we are Pittsburghers and he's a former Steelers player) There is no way in the world that if he knew everything was scripted that he would have kept that a secret. He'd be shouting it from the rooftops.
I always think about this with conspiracy theories. I just don’t think it’s realistic that people can keep quiet on these type of things.
Those saying Taylor Swift doesn’t need the NFL, I do believe that’s true but I also believe she likes attention and this is a way for her to get more. I have no real evidence to back that up, just a feeling lol. I don’t think her relationship is fake, but she and Travis Kelce are probably taking advantage of the opportunity.
Also, I’m watching the Netflix show on quarterbacks right now and it’s making me actively dislike Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. He’s so annoying and I hate their racist chant. I do like the Falcons quarterback they’re also featuring.
@litskispecialty I agree fans are huge babies and the whining is ridiculous. Yes certain plays can change the a game but for the most part it’s a cumulative thing and one bad call isn’t going to change much. Some teams are bigger whiners than others. Other just expect bad calls/hapless endings bc they feel “cursed” (eg. The Bills and up until recently y the Eagles). I’m going to add a dig here that the the call at the end of the Lions/Cowboys game changed the game and landscape of the NFC playoffs but karma made sure that was corrected (to my point of things evening out).
The holding call on Bradberry in the SB was legitimate, he just thought he might get away with it (literally what he said to reporters after the game). He owned it and moved on. There used to be this idea in sports, particularly in big games, that refs let the teams battle it out and don't call ticky tack fouls, just the egregious ones. Now it seems like they're calling a lot more and ultimately that can impact the outcome of a game.
So I think that's where some of the conspiracy theorists come in.
On a side note have we reached the point in the thread where we complain about TS's global footprint wasting fuel on flying her private jet back and forth to the Chief's games? I thought I heard she was in South America on tour but took the jet home for last week's(?) game? I'm also psyched for people having jobs, but was shocked to see the sheer number of people (security, police, probably Buffalo staff) walking her in to the last game. My friend tagged me in a video post because her teenager is obsessed with TS and they're huge Buffalo fans so it was basically that young ladies Superbowl.
She's been on break from tour for a little while (since around Thanksgiving I think?) and back in her home base of NYC. I don't know if the teams actually hire extra security/police detail when she comes to a game, I'd think she has a team of her own and when she's going to be in an open space they rally up a lot of the staff on hand to surround her.
@litskispecialty I agree fans are huge babies and the whining is ridiculous. Yes certain plays can change the a game but for the most part it’s a cumulative thing and one bad call isn’t going to change much. Some teams are bigger whiners than others. Other just expect bad calls/hapless endings bc they feel “cursed” (eg. The Bills and up until recently y the Eagles). I’m going to add a dig here that the the call at the end of the Lions/Cowboys game changed the game and landscape of the NFC playoffs but karma made sure that was corrected (to my point of things evening out).
The holding call on Bradberry in the SB was legitimate, he just thought he might get away with it (literally what he said to reporters after the game). He owned it and moved on. There used to be this idea in sports, particularly in big games, that refs let the teams battle it out and don't call ticky tack fouls, just the egregious ones. Now it seems like they're calling a lot more and ultimately that can impact the outcome of a game.
So I think that's where some of the conspiracy theorists come in.
I absolutely agree. One could argue holding occurs of virtually every play - it's just a matter of calling it - at that time, with that score in that big of a game. But this is an example of me whining. The penalty occurred and really there is no guarantee the Eagles would have scored on the next possession.
I think the plethora of camera angles really aids in the idea of CS. We ee everything, over and over, immediately, from a dozen angles. We are going to see things that the officials miss. And since things like holding and false starts happen A LOT, it's going to be a thing.
As a former employee of the NFL and huge sports nut, I can confidently say it is not scripted.
I mean really, it’s probably 90% men. To think they are all in on some nefarious secret complicated script that takes roughly 25 weeks to perform, spans several countries and multiple time zones, dozens of costume changes, a full spectrum of weather (or is ThAt ConTRolLeD toOo!?!?!)? HAHAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣
Detroit hasn't won a playoff game since 1992. I can't believe that people honestly think that many people tuned in to see Taylor Swift in a skybox here and there. That many people tuned in because...they waited 30 years for this team to finally do well. They said that Ford Field reached 133 decibels, the equivalent of a jet engine. That wasn't for Taylor Swift. That game brought $25M worth of revenue to the city of Detroit that weekend. Again, not because of Taylor Swift.
I don't care that much about football but my sons seriously do so I follow it because of them. The Lions fans have waited a long time for this and it's a big deal in the world of football fans. And neither one of my sons like the Lions. But our entire family is now rooting for them (now that the Bills have been knocked out).
penelope I’m rooting for the Lions hard. And I’m a die-hard Eagles fan. I’m happy for their fans. There is no better feeling and I hope they win it all!!
Post by litskispeciality on Jan 24, 2024 15:26:29 GMT -5
penelope, I'm rooting for the Lions too. I was rooting for Buffalo too.
If this really is pre-planned (it's not) then let's please let some new teams win who haven't seen playoff or Superbowl action in years, or ever. If anything that could give them ratings boosts in bad years.
penelope, “now that the Bills have been knocked out” 😭😭
I am a Packers fan, but grew up closer to Buffalo and my dad is a die hard Bills fan. I was cheering for both teams this weekend. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching CJ Stroud lead the Texans this season. And now that I’ve run through my list of preferred teams I am 100% here for a Lions win. It would be amazing to see them come out on top.
two words...Taylor Swift. The Chiefs last playoff game (last Sunday) was the most watched divisional football game ever. 50,000 people watched that game, which is unheard of in TV ratings outside of the Super Bowl.
This is a funny typo, it was 50 million, not 50 thousand.
This op-ed links to a bunch of stuff about Taylor Swift and all she's doing for the NFL (and all the whiners whining about her).
I do think this guy is right that if they were to put out a Swift jersey the NFL would make bank.
two words...Taylor Swift. The Chiefs last playoff game (last Sunday) was the most watched divisional football game ever. 50,000 people watched that game, which is unheard of in TV ratings outside of the Super Bowl.
This is a funny typo, it was 50 million, not 50 thousand.
This op-ed links to a bunch of stuff about Taylor Swift and all she's doing for the NFL (and all the whiners whining about her).
I do think this guy is right that if they were to put out a Swift jersey the NFL would make bank.
Post by Velar Fricative on Jan 24, 2024 18:42:15 GMT -5
So weird that NFL popularity is through the roof and I just haven’t been as interested in the games as I was before Covid. I barely watched any games this year (but I’m a Giants fan, so it wouldn’t have been fun anyway).
I’m only watching now because I am very happy for the Lions and their fans and hope they go all the way.
Detroit hasn't won a playoff game since 1992. I can't believe that people honestly think that many people tuned in to see Taylor Swift in a skybox here and there. That many people tuned in because...they waited 30 years for this team to finally do well. They said that Ford Field reached 133 decibels, the equivalent of a jet engine. That wasn't for Taylor Swift. That game brought $25M worth of revenue to the city of Detroit that weekend. Again, not because of Taylor Swift.
I don't care that much about football but my sons seriously do so I follow it because of them. The Lions fans have waited a long time for this and it's a big deal in the world of football fans. And neither one of my sons like the Lions. But our entire family is now rooting for them (now that the Bills have been knocked out).
I agree, but also she wasn’t at that game 😉 The Lions played Tampa bay last weekend. Both the Lions and TS’s bf are still in the playoffs so they haven’t played each other yet.
More related to another post, I hate the narrative that Taylor wants the attention. She can’t leave her house without being swarmed, and she has said and written songs several times about how her level of fame and attention prevents her from being able to lead a normal life, and how that’s difficult and impacts her in not so great ways. Why don’t we believe her? It’s sexist.
Detroit hasn't won a playoff game since 1992. I can't believe that people honestly think that many people tuned in to see Taylor Swift in a skybox here and there. That many people tuned in because...they waited 30 years for this team to finally do well. They said that Ford Field reached 133 decibels, the equivalent of a jet engine. That wasn't for Taylor Swift. That game brought $25M worth of revenue to the city of Detroit that weekend. Again, not because of Taylor Swift.
I don't care that much about football but my sons seriously do so I follow it because of them. The Lions fans have waited a long time for this and it's a big deal in the world of football fans. And neither one of my sons like the Lions. But our entire family is now rooting for them (now that the Bills have been knocked out).
I agree, but also she wasn’t at that game 😉 The Lions played Tampa bay last weekend. Both the Lions and TS’s bf are still in the playoffs so they haven’t played each other yet.
More related to another post, I hate the narrative that Taylor wants the attention. She can’t leave her house without being swarmed, and she has said and written songs several times about how her level of fame and attention prevents her from being able to lead a normal life, and how that’s difficult and impacts her in not so great ways. Why don’t we believe her? It’s sexist.
I don’t think you were referring to me, but I do want to be clear I don’t support this theory. She has nothing to gain in a PR stunt like that (and truthfully has more to lose than he does if it goes bad/ends) so I’m not even sure why she would to agree to it. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me but it is a theory that is out there.
I feel like talk of games being rigged is basically a tale as old as time? I always took it as being said mostly in jest, but I also only very tangentially pay attention to football.
I will say the Taylor Swift Baltimore memes are top notch and I'm thoroughly enjoying them. Things like her standing in line at Chaps Pit Beef in front of the gold club, being a squeegie kid, popping wheelies... Gold.
I’m a pretty hardcore swiftie. I took my family to Kansas City to see the Eras tour last summer because I scored amazing tickets at a decent price. My husband is a huge Steelers fan. We went to the Chiefs fan shop and my daughters (at the time, 10 and 14) both bought Chiefs merch, they like them because they won the Super Bowl. This is the first non-Steelers merch in my home, ever. These are trendy teen girls wanting to buy nfl merch BEFORE Travis and Taylor ever went on a date.
I am 100% sure their relationship is real. They have very similar personalities and their families/upbringing was similar also. They are cute together, young, and rich, what’s not to love?
I still hate the NFL because of their treatment of Colin Kaepernick, their coverups of horrible head trauma, etc, etc, etc. I’ll watch a game if it’s on but really don’t care.
Also someone mentioned upthread “the nfl is a for profit company”… they actually are a non-profit! Which is absurd.
And I’m in a bunch of swiftie groups… her fans are absolutely INSANE for Travis, Jason, CHEIFS, Eagles, etc. Like 100% nutty levels of obsession.
Post by underwaterrhymes on Jan 25, 2024 6:37:40 GMT -5
Is there bias in NFL? Absolutely.
Do refs make poor calls? Sure.
Does Taylor Swift singularly draw more widespread interest from women and ire from men than pretty much anyone connected to the game ever? Yep.
Are there a bunch of bitter, ignorant folks out there who would rather buy into conspiracies than believe something that challenges their world view? Beyond a doubt.
Is it scripted? Nah.
Addendum: I really hate football for so many reasons and initially thought the Swift/Kelce thing was a PR stunt (and perhaps it did start out that way) but given the way owners and managers value profit over the lives and health of their team, there is absolutely zero chance it’s scripted.)
Another Taylor Swift aside--I watched a video with a lawyer explaining how the jacket that she wore to the last game may violate trademark law because the Nike logo is prominently visible (I'm not going to try to go into all of it because a) I can't and b) it's not the point of the post).
Anyway, the player's wife who makes them has been doing it for years and has been tagging Nike in all of her social media posts with the jackets, saying "Let's do a collaboration!" and Nike has been ignoring her. Now that Taylor has one of these jackets, people are clamoring for them, and it might make Nike go to the negotiating table with this woman. The lawyer did mention how most of Nike's/the NFL's clothing for women is all oversized jerseys and pretty much sucks and this could prompt them to make something more fashionable.
I don't think there is any conspiracy, just posting in here because I just saw on GMA the whole color on the SB logo thing. I'm choosing to deny it because I'm a lifelong Lions fan and we're due LOL
penelope I’m rooting for the Lions hard. And I’m a die-hard Eagles fan. I’m happy for their fans. There is no better feeling and I hope they win it all!!
I'm actually not because of CJGJ's bullshit last year and Zach Ertz signing with them at the last minute to try to grab a ring he didn't earn. But I also loathe the Niners, so LFG Ravens!
Post by litskispeciality on Jan 26, 2024 12:03:04 GMT -5
New conspiracy theory today on the radio was "will the refs throw out more calls to ensure Taylor Swift is at the Superbowl?" It was sort of tongue in cheek, but see also all the other theories so I'm not surprised this one's out there.
TW
I wouldn't be sad if the Chief's didn't go to the Superbowl this year, but I can't support the Ravens, esp. after all the stuff with the guy who assaulted a woman on camera. It wasn't ok off camera, but there were literal receipts. Eff Goodell that clown too for not stopping it. Anyway, I don't know if they're even playing the Chief's, I just hate the Raven's.
Also why is Football still deciding who goes to the Superbowl? It used to be over sooner, right? Like first week of Feb, and now it's like 2nd or 3rd weekend. I know it's only another week or two, but it just feels endless.
New conspiracy theory today on the radio was "will the refs throw out more calls to ensure Taylor Swift is at the Superbowl?" It was sort of tongue in cheek, but see also all the other theories so I'm not surprised this one's out there.
TW
I wouldn't be sad if the Chief's didn't go to the Superbowl this year, but I can't support the Ravens, esp. after all the stuff with the guy who assaulted a woman on camera. It wasn't ok off camera, but there were literal receipts. Eff Goodell that clown too for not stopping it. Anyway, I don't know if they're even playing the Chief's, I just hate the Raven's.
Also why is Football still deciding who goes to the Superbowl? It used to be over sooner, right? Like first week of Feb, and now it's like 2nd or 3rd weekend. I know it's only another week or two, but it just feels endless.
It'll either be the Chiefs or the Ravens in the Superbowl - who ever wins this weekend will go
Another Taylor Swift aside--I watched a video with a lawyer explaining how the jacket that she wore to the last game may violate trademark law because the Nike logo is prominently visible (I'm not going to try to go into all of it because a) I can't and b) it's not the point of the post).
Anyway, the player's wife who makes them has been doing it for years and has been tagging Nike in all of her social media posts with the jackets, saying "Let's do a collaboration!" and Nike has been ignoring her. Now that Taylor has one of these jackets, people are clamoring for them, and it might make Nike go to the negotiating table with this woman. The lawyer did mention how most of Nike's/the NFL's clothing for women is all oversized jerseys and pretty much sucks and this could prompt them to make something more fashionable.
I don't think Nike is going to be forced to collab with a player's crafty wife. And it is their IP, no matter what anyone's beef with the company is.
There's a lot of cute team apparel out there and they do make women's jerseys. Trust me, I own/wear a LOT of Eagles stuff.
New conspiracy theory today on the radio was "will the refs throw out more calls to ensure Taylor Swift is at the Superbowl?" It was sort of tongue in cheek, but see also all the other theories so I'm not surprised this one's out there.
TW
I wouldn't be sad if the Chief's didn't go to the Superbowl this year, but I can't support the Ravens, esp. after all the stuff with the guy who assaulted a woman on camera. It wasn't ok off camera, but there were literal receipts. Eff Goodell that clown too for not stopping it. Anyway, I don't know if they're even playing the Chief's, I just hate the Raven's.
Also why is Football still deciding who goes to the Superbowl? It used to be over sooner, right? Like first week of Feb, and now it's like 2nd or 3rd weekend. I know it's only another week or two, but it just feels endless.
The season is 18 weeks now.
I'm not even going to get into the ingrained racism around the Chiefs. I feel the same way about the Braves.
New conspiracy theory today on the radio was "will the refs throw out more calls to ensure Taylor Swift is at the Superbowl?" It was sort of tongue in cheek, but see also all the other theories so I'm not surprised this one's out there.
TW
I wouldn't be sad if the Chief's didn't go to the Superbowl this year, but I can't support the Ravens, esp. after all the stuff with the guy who assaulted a woman on camera. It wasn't ok off camera, but there were literal receipts. Eff Goodell that clown too for not stopping it. Anyway, I don't know if they're even playing the Chief's, I just hate the Raven's.
Also why is Football still deciding who goes to the Superbowl? It used to be over sooner, right? Like first week of Feb, and now it's like 2nd or 3rd weekend. I know it's only another week or two, but it just feels endless.
What assault on camera? Ray Rice or something recently?