Latest news with #Chiefs'
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Trump's education secretary threatens federal civil rights lawsuit over Long Island high school being forced to ditch Chiefs mascot
She's going to the mat for the Chiefs. President Trump's Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is threatening to bring a civil rights case against the Empire State for forcing a Long Island high school to ditch its Native American mascot. The former WWE promoter called the New York Board of Regents' 2023 decision to ban Massapequa High School's beloved 'Chiefs' nickname a 'violation' of Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act during a visit to the school Friday. If the state doesn't reverse course and allow the Chiefs and their feathered headdress logo to remain, McMahon said she would refer the issue to the Justice Department to pursue. 'That's how serious we are about it,' McMahon said inside the high school's gym after touring classrooms and telling students, 'it's a real pleasure to be in a room full of Chiefs.' She claimed New York was targeting the Chiefs, while allowing other schools with names like Vikings or Dutchmen to remain. 'If you look at the states, you've got the Huguenots, we've got the Highlanders, we've got the Scotsman. Why is that not considered in any way racist?' she asked. While McMahon and the local supporters defended the name, state officials said they were 'doing the students of Massapequa a grave disservice by ignoring the facts and true history of the local Indigenous people.' State Education Department spokesperson JP O'Hare criticized that the town has 'failed to get even the most basic facts right' — such as the feathered headdress that Massapequa displays being locally inaccurate, and that the term chief was not used in the area, either. 'And most importantly, there is no recognition of the ways in which European settlers were responsible for displacing Indigenous people from their homes,' O'Hare's statement said, adding that 'local Indigenous representatives' find that 'certain Native American names and images perpetuate negative stereotypes, and are demonstrably harmful to children.' 'Equally troubling is the fact that a U.S. Secretary of Education would take time out of her schedule to disrupt student learning in the name of political theatre.' Massapequa school board president Kerry Wachter rebutted, saying, 'They're sticking to their talking points and listening to only one side of the story.' She pointed to a 2016 poll which showed nine in 10 Native Americans do not take offense to terms like 'Redskins.' Trump, who posed with a Massapequa shirt in the Oval Office, ordered McMahon to take up the issue in April. The federal government became involved after a plea from Wachter, whose district, among other Native American-named towns on Long Island, unsuccessfully sued New York over the mandate. 'This is a school that really takes its education seriously, and they're incredibly, incredibly behind their school, behind their Chiefs,' McMahon told The Post Friday. 'I think this is wrong — what's happening at Massapequa, to take away this incredible mascot and emblem of Chiefs.' After Trump intervened, O'Hare said in a statement that Massapequa 'did not reach out to Indigenous leaders or engage with the Department's Mascot Advisory Committee to determine whether its Native American team name and mascot would be permissible.' 'If members of the Massapequa board of education are genuinely interested in honoring and respecting Long Island's Native American past, they should talk to the Indigenous people who remain on Long Island,' the rep said. 'Our regulations, in fact, specifically permit the continued use of Native American names and mascots if approved by local tribal leaders.' But Massapequa School District Superintendent Dr. William Brennan called the state's claim 'simply inaccurate.' He added that 'several attempts' were made by the district and local tribal leaders attended a roundtable in summer of 2023. Frank Black Cloud, a leading member of the Native American Guardians Association, which is working with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on the issue, is a firm supporter of keeping names like Chiefs in schools and calls it a term of endearment. 'People want to emulate you,' Black Cloud, who has previously defended names like Fighting Sioux and Redskins, said at the event. 'You're talking about strength, talking about being something that people uphold.' Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, an MHS alumnus and hockey player, doubled down that this is a case of 'rules for thee but not for me' in the Empire State. 'The New York State Department of Education has someone who is the chief of staff,' he said. 'Are they going to change their name?' Massapequa's suit — a last-ditch effort to stop the district's nine schools from spending $1 million on a forced rebranding — was, ironically, dismissed by a chief justice weeks ago, Wachter explained. Salt in the wound, Seaford, the first town west of Massapequa, along with Port Washington, named their teams the Vikings, to no objection from the state of New York. Hofstra University in Nassau was previously known as the Flying Dutchmen as well. 'They have Spartans and Vikings and all these things, but they're seeing this particular group of people who are not allowed to be represented,' said Wachter, whose district also filed an amended court complaint ahead of a June deadline. 'That's a civil rights issue … We're standing tall, showing Massapequa pride, and we do take offense to them trying to take it away from us.' The town will be having a 'Save the Chiefs' fundraiser next weekend at the high school, and Black Cloud will engage in a Native American seminar at Massapequa's popular Nautilus Diner on Saturday. 'We're about education, not eradication,' said Black Cloud, who flew from his North Dakota home to meet McMahon. 'If you have an opposing idea, let me hear it. I'd like to open up a dialogue with you.'
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Patrick Mahomes makes bold Travis Kelce claim following Super Bowl dud as retirement rumors swirl
Patrick Mahomes sees a very different Travis Kelce at Chiefs camp as retirement rumors continue to swirl around the star tight end. Mahomes was asked about Kelce at Chiefs' OTAs on Friday and the possibility of it being his final season. But the former MVP doesn't see someone who looks like he is on his way out of the NFL. Advertisement Instead, he sees a Kelce who is more engaged than ever after a poor season by his standards that ended with a loss in Super Bowl 2025 to the Eagles. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) following the game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 2025. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images 'If it's the last ride, you would never know,' Mahomes said. 'The way he's talking about football, the way he's talking about working and trying to be even better this year than he was last year, he doesn't seem like a guy like it's his last ride, like he's tired of the job.' Kelce, 35, is coming off a season in which he had 97 receptions for a career-low 823 yards and just three touchdowns – also the worst output of his career. Advertisement He wasn't much better in the playoffs, making just 13 catches for 175 yards, one touchdown and seven first downs, as the Chiefs failed to complete a historic three-peat. Kelce particularly struggled in Super Bowl 2025, with four catches for 39 yards. The underwhelming postseason raised questions about Kelce's future as he enters the final year of his two-year, $34 million contract. Advertisement Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during the press conference interviews after the Kansas City Chiefs OTAs on May 29. Getty Images Mahomes sees Kelce and being motivated by last season's failures and preparing to redeem himself. 'He's in here, he's working. I know his body feels good,' Mahomes said. 'I think he feels better than last year before going into last season. I think he's motivated to go out there and have an even better year than he had this last.' Advertisement Kelce is coming off a relatively quiet offseason, after one filled with trips to girlfriend Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. The couple, which has engagement rumors swirling around them, stayed very much out of the public eye outside of a few date nights, including one recently in Florida. It will remain to be seen if Kelce's seeming heightened focus will lead to results on the field.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs rumours: Radebe released, Velebayi boost, Mdu Shabalala finished?
Today's Kaizer Chiefs news wrap looks at the future of Mduduzi Shabalala and more rumours involving Asanele Velebayi. Mduduzi Shabalala was only a substitute in Chiefs' recent Nedbank Cup win over Orlando Pirates. Only a bold man would predict that Mduduzi Shabalala will leave Chiefs in the winter. However, his long-term prospects don't look great. How much does the player want to become a legend at the club? 21-year-old Shabalala was in a recent preliminary Bafana Bafana squad but hasn't made the final 23 selected by Hugo Broos. Is Mdu finished? Click for the full piece The club has released a statement regarding the release of Sabelo Radebe. He got his first taste of senior football at the club in 2017-2028. He only had two Betway Premiership outings this season. He's only notched a total of 18 appearances for Chiefs. Click for the statement According to FARPost, Chiefs' PSL rivals Stellenbosch won't be pursuing Asanele Velebayi as they already have a winger of a similar profile in the shape of Langelihle Phili. Velebayi's Cape Town Spurs side have been relegated to South Africa's third tier following a 15th-place finish in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Click for the story Asanele Velebayi of Cape Town Spurs. Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Will Mdu Shabalala get a new lease on life next season? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Kansas City Chiefs veterans are the real reason behind the team's consistent dominance
Why the Chiefs' locker room chemistry starts with their veteran stars leading by example (Getty Images) Success in the NFL rarely comes overnight, and in the case of the Kansas City Chiefs, it's been a process of steady, intentional growth. Over the past few years, the Chiefs have emerged as a modern-day dynasty — clinching three Super Bowl titles since 2020 and becoming a mainstay in the playoffs. But their winning ways are not just a product of elite talent; it's a reflection of a deeply rooted culture built on leadership, consistency, and accountability. When leadership matters most: How Chiefs veterans are stepping up ahead of the 2025 season This dynasty didn't form with a flick of a switch. It took seasons of layering—stacking building blocks, year after year—fostered by players who understood the value of laying the groundwork for those who would follow. Before Patrick Mahomes became the face of the franchise, there was Alex Smith — a steady veteran presence whose influence on a young Mahomes in 2017 proved invaluable. Smith's mentorship didn't just prepare Mahomes to take over; it shaped his understanding of leadership. 'The 66th Schedule' - Chiefs 2025 Schedule Breakdown | Defending The Kingdom Fast forward to today, and Mahomes has fully embraced that role. Heading into his ninth NFL season, he could easily skip voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) — a decision many veteran quarterbacks across the league wouldn't be questioned for. But Mahomes shows up. So do Chris Jones. So does Travis Kelce . Their presence isn't just symbolic; it sends a message. 'I always say it's whenever you're the guy that's already got the gold jacket on,' Mahomes shared, emphasizing the influence of Kelce's commitment. 'If it's him or Chris Jones, and they're working hard, and they're showing what it takes to be great. It's easier for me to talk to the young guys and say, when they're tired, that they need to keep working, they need to keep pushing.' Their appearances at OTAs, despite having nothing to prove, demonstrate a standard that young players are quick to pick up on. Mahomes noted, 'They don't need to be here, and they're still gonna go out there and have success on the field. They take care of their bodies and work hard in the offseason. And so for them to still show up and set that standard, it sets the standard for everybody else that's going on the practice field. ' This is the heartbeat of the Chiefs' success: a self-sustaining system of accountability. Veteran leaders like Mahomes, Kelce, and Jones embody a winning mindset that influences the locker room beyond their individual accomplishments. When their playing days are over, the ripple effects of their leadership will still be felt — in every snap, in every rookie who remembers their example, and in a franchise that refuses to settle for anything less than greatness. Also Read: "Typical man": Josh Allen sparks curiosity among fans with bizarre golf bag ahead of wedding to Hailee Steinfeld
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift's Latest Public Appearance Without Travis Kelce Raises Eyebrows
Taylor Swift's Latest Public Appearance Without Travis Kelce Raises Eyebrows originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Fans of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and girlfriend Taylor Swift have been starved for couples content this offseason. Ever since the Chiefs' 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX back on Feb. 9, Kelce and Swift, who were photographed together quite a bit and had many public date nights, essentially disappeared from the spotlight amid some public backlash centered around their overexposure during the NFL season. Though the couple was spotted having dinner in Florida just days ago, it was a rare sighting for them amid their desire to keep a low profile during the NFL's offseason hiatus. But it appears things are slowly inching back toward normal for the high-profile A-listers as a new video of Swift made the rounds on social media late Thursday night/early Saturday morning as she made a solo appearance in New York City at Italian hotspot Via Carota in West Village. Several fans immediately noted that Kelce, who was in Florida training and recently returned to Kansas City for Chiefs OTAs, wasn't with Swift, who had been the talk of social media recently after not winning any of the six American Music Awards she was nominated for during Monday's event. And while fans Swift may have been momentarily surprised by Swift's rare Kelce-less appearance, they got over it pretty quickly as several applauded the 'Shake It Off' singer for stepping back into the public eye after she was booed during the Super Bowl just three months ago. 'She's so not used to holding a door since Travis would have handled that lol' one fan joked. 'She's back ready to dominate the second half of the year,' declared another. 'The first *actual* taysighting in a long time, oh we're getting closer and closer,' a third fan replied. 'PAPARAZZI TAYLOR IS BACK. OUR GIRL IS BACK,' one user exclaimed. 'A Taylor swift sighting these days is the equivalent of adding thirteen years to my lifespan,' remarked another user. 'THIS is what main character energy looks like 🔥' one fan wrote. Kelce will likely be back on social media with the second and third Chiefs OTAs grouping on June 2-4 and June 10-13, followed by mandatory minicamp June 17-19 and training camp sometime in late July. Kansas City opens the season at home against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium. They also play two of their following three games at home against the Eagles on Sept. 14 and the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 28. Swift is expected to be at most, if not all of the Chiefs' home games this season to support Kelce. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
