Latest news with #SuperBowlOpeningNight
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sex workers often harmed by Super Bowl sex trafficking narrative, advocates say
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts faces cameras on the field inside the Caesars Superdome during the Super Bowl Opening Night on Feb. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. () NEW ORLEANS – As tourists flooded the streets of New Orleans throughout the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX, local law enforcement prepared for another large event — combatting and raising awareness around the supposed increase in sex trafficking. Media outlets, anti-trafficking groups, law enforcement and other officials often talk about the supposed increased risk of trafficking before the Super Bowl, and the narrative was no different before this year's game. In August, officials from the Department of Homeland Security held a three-day human trafficking training workshop with local and state police, service and hospitality workers and more to prepare for this year's Super Bowl. And last month, the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office held a two-day training to teach law enforcement officers, prosecutors and anti-trafficking advocates about the best and latest ways to fight trafficking. But a number of academic studies have raised questions about the narrative of Super Bowls as major draws for sex traffickers. While there may be an increase in sex work activity around major events like the Super Bowl, the studies found little evidence of an increase in trafficking — where people are coerced into participating in sex acts for money — as opposed to consensual sex work. Law enforcement often conflate the two, said Alex Andrews, co-founder of the group Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP) Behind Bars. 'What they end up doing is they come in and they end up arresting a lot of local adult, consensual workers who are living very close to the street, or in some cases on the street itself,' Andrews said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The New Orleans Police Department, which has in recent years pivoted away from targeting sex workers and their clients for arrest, did not immediately answer questions about prostitution arrests during Super Bowl week. As of Friday (Feb. 14), however, a city crime database shows no prostitution arrests so far this year. SWOP Behind Bars has been doing bailout outreach — bailing out adult, consensual sex workers who've been arrested for prostitution — at every Super Bowl since 2019. They also do community outreach and try to deepen relationships with local groups and public officials to influence policy around sex work. The group was in New Orleans in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, meeting with people at places like bars, strip clubs, gay clubs and massage parlors. 'If you can get people to a place where they are willing to engage with you about what the facts are around sexual labor exploitation and what that actually looks like … then you have the opportunity to move the conversation towards solutions for the root problems, as opposed to the criminal narrative, which is generally just that sex work is the problem,' SWOP Behind Bars Executive Director Blair Hopkins said. Operation Restoration, a New Orleans organization that helps women who have found themselves entangled in the criminal justice system, was one of the other organizations that helped with the sex worker bailout. They helped track prostitution arrests during the time and offered transportation, phone access and other resources for sex workers if they were arrested. (SWOP Behind Bars members said they were happy to report that zero calls were made to their hotline this year and no arrests made during the days they were out.) In a Jan. 8 Zoom call hosted by the National Coalition for the Prevention of Human Sex Trafficking, a police detective from Skull Games, a group that tracks sexual predators, presented data showing that during recent Super Bowls held over the past years in Miami, Tampa, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas, most of the arrestees in trafficking stings have been women involved in commercial sex work, as opposed to actual traffickers. Allie Beth Rose, a New Orleans-based researcher on sex work, said that arresting sex workers under the banner of sex trafficking unnecessarily traumatizes those who are arrested and makes opportunities such as getting future employment or housing more difficult in the future. Rose said that Black and transgender sex workers are subject to heightened discrimination and harassment. If they work on the street, they're at even greater risk because they are more visible to law enforcement than sex workers in hotels or strip clubs. Maxine Doogan, an organizer with the sex worker advocacy group Stop the Raids, said that a central issue in the conversation is the criminalization of prostitution. She said it can take away from actual public safety because resources are being used against consensual, adult sex workers that could be used elsewhere. '[Criminalization] diverts important public resources away from actual public safety, and the public is less safe,' Doogan said. She said anti-prostitution laws should be repealed. Ashley Crawford, policy and legal associate for Operation Restoration, said several steps can be taken to decriminalize sex work. One is to stop arresting people who sell sex, another is banning law enforcement from having sexual contact with sex workers and offering immunity to sex workers who report violence. 'They are engaging in consensual, erotic labor and we can stop arresting them,' Crawford said. Rose said sex workers could be potential allies in preventing or ending sex trafficking if they knew that they would not be criminalized for their work. 'We don't have sex worker amnesty laws in Louisiana,' Rose said. 'So a person doing sex work who witnesses trafficking is putting themselves at risk of arrest for reporting that. So overall, this criminalization of consensual sex work really undermines anti-trafficking efforts.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Retirement rumors: Travis Kelce's future in doubt after Chiefs' Super Bowl loss
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce's future in the NFL remains uncertain after a disappointing performance in the Chiefs' 40-22 Super Bowl defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. Footage of the tight end leaving the field in visible frustration has fueled speculation that he may be considering retirement. Kelce, 35, has endured a below-par season by his own high standards, registering only three regular-season touchdowns and struggling with dropped passes. His emotional speech to the team the night before the game, which reportedly moved him to tears, has led some within the Chiefs' organization to believe that this could have been his final appearance. Speaking to the press after Super Bowl, Kelce stated him and his teammates hadn't played this bad all season. NFL insider James Palmer hinted at this possibility, writing on X, 'He's an emotional person, and some in the organization don't want to admit it, but they do believe this could be his final game. He hasn't said anything one way or another, so we'll see.' During the Super Bowl, Kelce's frustration was evident as the Chiefs fell behind 17-0 in the second quarter. Fox's Erin Andrews reported that Kelce was visibly upset on the sidelines after a string of missed opportunities. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted to reassure him, repeating, 'I got it. I got it,' while tensions ran high among the offensive line. Despite the speculation, Kelce has not confirmed any retirement plans. Speaking on Super Bowl Opening Night, he expressed his love for the game and his hope to continue playing. 'Where will I be in three years? I don't know. Hopefully, still playing football. I feel like I've still got a lot of good football left in me,' he said. Off the field, Kelce's profile has skyrocketed due to his relationship with pop icon Taylor Swift and the success of his podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce. He remains a prominent figure in the media, leaving the door open for a potential transition to broadcasting or entertainment when his playing days end. For now, the NFL world waits for Kelce's decision on his future, as the Chiefs look to regroup after their Super Bowl disappointment.
The Independent
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Patrick Mahomes sports unexpected colour as Chiefs arrive for Super Bowl 2025
arrived at the Super Bowl 2025 in New Orleans wearing a Philadelphia Eagles green outfit as the Kansas City Chiefs prepared for Sunday's (9 February) showdown. The quarterback left his hotel for the Superdome wearing what initially appeared to be an unexpected outfit choice, given that the Chiefs wear red. However during Monday's Super Bowl Opening Night, Mahomes revealed that green is favourite colour due to its connection with St Patrick's Day, as well as his name.
USA Today
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
DeAndre Hopkins honors late father by wearing his mink coat to Super Bowl 59
DeAndre Hopkins honors late father by wearing his mink coat to Super Bowl 59 Show Caption Hide Caption Deandre Hopkins on honoring late father with Super Bowl outfit Deandre Hopkins plans on honoring his late father with pregame Super Bowl outfit DeAndre Hopkins fulfilled the vow he made to honor his late father at Super Bowl 59. The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver arrived at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday in the mink jacket he said his father gave to him. "My dad died in 1992, and he left me a couple things. And one of the things he left me was a mink jacket," Hopkins said at Super Bowl Opening Night. "And so I always said I would wear that mink jacket to my wedding or to the Super Bowl, whichever one happened first. And so, obviously I'm not married, so I'ma wear my daddy's mink jacket.' Hopkins, 32, was an infant when his father died in a car accident. His mother, Sabrina Greenlee, was blinded and severely burned in 2002 when a woman threw acid in her face. A victim of domestic violence, she wrote "Grant Me Vision: A Journey of Family, Faith, and Forgiveness," which was released in 2024. Greenlee has been on hand for the Super Bowl festivities this week and was set to host a brunch on empowering women before taking in the next steps of her son's journey. "It means a lot to bring my mother to the Super Bowl," Hopkins said Monday. "She comes to just about all my games anyway. But this one has a little more significance." A 12-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Hopkins is playing in the Super Bowl for the first time in his career after being traded from the Tennessee Titans – who tied for the NFL's worst record at 3-14 and hold the No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL draft – to the Chiefs in October. The magnitude of the moment wasn't lost on the receiver. In a post earlier in the week on X, Hopkins wrote: "To all the kids out there living in small towns, in small houses, with single parents. To the kids who see violence, who see loss, who don't get the resources they deserve, but who still have big dreams. Know that I was a kid in your exact shoes and this week I'm playing in the Super Bowl. Don't give up, work hard, keep believing. Where you start doesn't determine where you end up."
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Reporting from the Superdome
Hear this story Tyler Dragon likes to show up for game days at least two hours early. Not because he has to warm up his passes and sprints on the football field, but rather to prepare for the stories he'll type from the press box as USA TODAY's NFL correspondent. On Sunday, he'll arrive at the Superdome in New Orleans with plenty of time to spare ahead of Super Bowl 59. If you haven't heard already, the Kansas City Chiefs are up against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL's biggest annual match-up. For the Chiefs, Sunday marks an attempt for an unprecedented consecutive three-peat victory. The Eagles want greatness — and the pleasure of unseating a rival. 👋 Nicole Fallert here and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for USA TODAY subscribers (that's you!). This week, we talk with USA TODAY's Tyler Dragon about covering Super Bowl 59 from New Orleans, and how both teams are chasing history. Don't miss a moment: Follow Tyler here for live Super Bowl updates 🏈 But before we kick things off, here are a few stories I've read this week from USA TODAY: Two teams vie for a chance at history Many people don't realize the Super Bowl is more than just the fleeting hours of the game and a 15-minute halftime show. USA TODAY's Tyler Dragon arrived in New Orleans on Monday for a full week of player events, special access to the halftime performers and a chance to anticipate every pass and down the teams will attempt on Sunday. The week kicked off with Super Bowl Opening Night, where Dragon heard from star players like Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. The players took to the NFL stage to greet fans, stir up support and make their mark ahead of the game. Opening Night set the tone for the days to come, full of fan experiences, tailgates, merch hand-outs, performances, meet-and-greets and special panels hosted by coaches and players. "It's literally an entire week," said Dragon, who has made a New Orleans hotel his temporary Super Bowl home base. "But I've covered the Olympics, I've got it." Both teams have a chance to leave their mark. Kansas City could be the first team to win three straight Super Bowls. If Mahomes leads his team to victory, he's likely go down as one of the best quarterbacks of all time, Dragon said. Philadelphia has the chance to win two Super Bowls in one decade. Either way, NFL history will be made: The match-up is also only the second time in the league two Black quarterbacks are starting at the Super Bowl against each other. Your guide to halftime:Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar takes the field After reporting on a flurry of events this week comes the big moment. On Sunday morning, Dragon will get on a bus to New Orleans' Superdome (two hours before kick-off). Once seated in the press box, he'll pull up his game prep: The plays that could happen and the players that could execute them, ready to be published for USA TODAY readers at a moment's notice. Dragon has done his research: He's strategized myriad possible avenues each side could take. "The Eagles could try to keep the ball out of Mahomes' hands and establish a ground game with a lot of pressure," Dragon said. "But the Chiefs may go after Eagles' running back Saquon Barkley to force Philadelphia to pass a little more than they are accustomed to." And his job isn't done after the trophy is possibly won. He'll race from the press box to the field, where players will remain for interviews. He'll go from one player to the next, asking them about their takeaways from the competition into the night. If he could talk to anyone, it would be Barkley, who is yards away from the all-time rushing record in regular season and playoffs. He wants to know how Barkley feels about potentially breaking that record. "You can make the argument this may be the best individual season for a running back in history, nobody has done what Barkley has," Dragon said. But if you're a more casual football fan, there's still something in the big game for you, Dragon said. The iconic Super Bowl ads will deliver celebrity faces (Paris Hilton for Frank's RedHot?!) and memorable moments (like Snoop Dogg's call to action against racism). And, of course, there's the opportunity to cook favorite tailgate food. Queue the buffalo chicken dip. "Enjoy the event in its totality!" Dragon said was his advice. "I miss the commercials, I don't see them because I'm focused on the game, but I love to laugh." Also get up and dance during the halftime show, Dragon said. Grammy-winner Kendrick Lamar is taking the field with singer-songwriter SZA for what is sure to be a hype performance featuring Lamar's iconic lyricism and the duo's emotional hip-hop melodies. "Even if you may not love rap music, enjoy the event itself and what these artists do," Dragon said. "There's no other concert with this many eyeballs, or any other moment for many artists than those 15 to 20 minutes. It's something all artists dream of." If it were up to Dragon, we'd all have a holiday for the Monday after the Super Bowl to rest our voices from screaming at our televisions and recover from a night of stress-eating tortilla chips. But alas, if you must go to work or school on Monday, definitely participate in Super Bowl fever so you're not missing out, he said. "This is football's ultimate game," Dragon said. "There's something for everybody in the Super Bowl." Read more about Super Bowl 59 from USA TODAY: Thank you I'll be heading to prepare my buffalo chicken dip and order some wings (the Super Bowl is about the food for me!). Thank you for supporting our journalism with your subscription. Our work wouldn't be possible without you. Best wishes, Nicole Fallert
