Latest news with #AndreJohnson
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Morgan Wallen sets negative headlines ablaze during 'I'm the Problem' tour opener
Morgan Wallen marked the opening night of his "I'm The Problem" Tour with a fiery performance at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, including what seemed to be his reaction to recent news headlines. According to multiple videos from fans in attendance at the June 20 concert, Wallen displayed a montage of negative headlines − including one that read "Morgan Wallen breaks COVID mask protocols" − during his performance of "I'm the Problem." After the song's performance, Wallen appeared to pour gasoline on the stage and then picked up a lighter, cueing a pyrotechnic show. "You say I'll never change, I'm just a go around town with some gasoline," Wallen sings during the opening lyrics of the song. "Just tryin' to bum a flame, gonna burn the whole place down." Wallen posted an Instagram video walking out before the concert with retired NFL legend Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans. USA TODAY reached out to reps for Wallen and NRG Stadium for comment. "Morgan Wallen burns the place down while bringing the receipts," wrote one X user. Another user on TikTok wrote, "Morgan Wallen claps back at all the negative headlines and sets the stage on 'fire.'" Wallen has spent his fair share of time in the headlines. Earlier this year, he caused quite a stir by making an early exit from "Saturday Night Live" during a March episode of the NBC sketch series. In an unusual moment, he hugged Oscar-winning host Mikey Madison during the signoff before walking off stage and then taking to his Instagram stories to post a photo of a plane and wrote, "Get me to God's country." Morgan Wallen teases new album 'I'm The Problem' and announces 2025 tour The walk-off moment sparked a wave of criticism for the "Just In Case" hitmaker, who pleaded guilty last year to misdemeanor reckless endangerment after throwing a chair off the roof of a bar. In 2020, Wallen was uninvited from "SNL" after videos surfaced that showed him partying without a mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The next year, he shocked the music industry when he was captured on tape in a TMZ video using a derogatory racial slur commonly used to describe Black people. The "Kick Myself" singer will also perform Saturday, June 21. Wallen's tour is named after his fourth studio album, in its fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 top albums chart. His previous album, "One Thing at a Time," spent 19 weeks at No. 1 — the most weeks any country album has ever logged at No. 1. "One Thing" followed "Dangerous," which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on its way to becoming Billboard's most successful album of the century so far. Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY; Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Morgan Wallen sets 'I'm the Problem' tour on fire, addresses backlash
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Texans' star TORO named to 2025 Mascot Hall of Fame Class
Texans' star TORO named to 2025 Mascot Hall of Fame Class The Houston Texans have one player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with wide receiver Andre Johnson. They also now have one mascot forever enshrined in their repsective field. Texans' official mascot, TORO, will be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, the Mascot Hall of Fame Executive Committee announced Tuesday morning. TORO, who made his debut in 2002, will become the second Houston-based mascot to join the Hall of Fame, alongside Astros' longtime mascot Orbit, a 2024 recipient. 'We are so proud to have TORO inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame and we share this recognition with Texans fans everywhere,' Houston Texans Senior Mascot Program Manager Andrew Johnson said. 'The city of Houston helped bring TORO to life by giving him an identity within the community. We can't wait to celebrate TORO in the Mascot Hall of Fame this season and for him to continue bringing joy to fans of all ages.' TORO joins an elite group of 33 mascots already enshrined in the Hall, recognized for excellence across collegiate, professional and independent sports. The Texans will recognize TORO for this distinguished honor in a Mascot Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony during halftime of one of their home game this season. Established by the original Phillie Phanatic David Raymond (1978-1993), The Mascot Hall of Fame celebrates the power of mascot entertainment as a tool for education, creativity and community engagement, offering a family-friendly environment dedicated to honoring the characters that bring joy and energy to audiences around the globe. TORO earned the highest number of votes amongst the Executive Committee and ranked highest for public votes of all mascots on the ballot. An 11-time Pro Bowl honoree, the face of the Texans is renowned for his high-flying stunts, hilarious social media pranks and energizing presence as the conductor of the crowd at Texans home games. Beyond gameday activities, TORO has been deeply involved in the Houston community through his elementary school program, including TORO Takes the BULL Out of Bullying and visits to Texans community partners. In addition, TORO also wrote his first children's book, 'Made To Be A Mascot', which highlights the importance of celebrating each other's differences. The Texans open at home on Sept. 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
