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Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Cannot f***ing throw the ball': Gisele Bündchen's fiery Super Bowl comments stirred controversy among NFL fans and players
Gisele Bündchen's passionate reactions following Super Bowl losses involving Tom Brady, stirred considerable controversy (Image via IG) In the world of sports, few moments have matched the raw emotion and candid outbursts that followed Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. One of the most talked-about reactions didn't come from a player or coach—it came from Gisele Bündchen, the world-famous supermodel and wife of then-New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Her comments after the Patriots' crushing loss to the New York Giants became instant headline material and ignited debate both in NFL locker rooms and among fans. Gisele Bündchen lashed out at Patriots receivers after heartbreaking Super Bowl loss As Gisele Bündchen was leaving Lucas Oil Stadium that night, Giants fans taunted her with chants that mocked the Patriots' defeat. Rather than staying silent, she unleashed a passionate defense of her husband that would go viral. "You need to catch the ball when you're supposed to catch the ball," Bündchen snapped, visibly frustrated. "My husband cannot f***ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times." While some fans applauded her loyalty, others—especially within the Patriots organization—weren't thrilled. According to a TMZ Sports report at the time, several players saw her outburst as a violation of the 'code of brotherhood' that binds NFL teammates. An insider even remarked that her comments were 'like knocking someone when they are down.' Gisele Bündchen's protective nature surfaced again after another Super Bowl loss Fast forward to Super Bowl LII, when the Philadelphia Eagles stunned the Patriots. Once again, Gisele found herself at the center of a post-game controversy—but this time, it was about her comments to comfort her children after the loss. 'They haven't won in a million years,' she told her kids, referencing the Eagles' long championship drought. When her daughter pointed out, 'The Eagles won the Super Bowl,' Gisele replied, 'Just this time. Daddy won five times. They never won before. Their whole life, they never won a Super Bowl. You have to let someone else win sometimes.' After media outlets seized on the remark, Bündchen took to Twitter to set the record straight. 'Just to be clear. No one 'let' anyone win. People win because of their own merit. [Tired] of people twisting my words to create drama that doesn't exist.' Also Read : 'Parents are responsible': Tom Brady's ex-wife Gisele Bündchen sparked heavy outrage after blaming parents for eating disorders in the industry Looking back, these incidents have become iconic examples of how celebrity, family, and sports can collide. Gisele's fierce defense of Brady may have ruffled feathers, but it also revealed the deeply human emotions behind the polished exterior of high-stakes competition.
Fox Sports
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
Who will be the NFL's last unbeaten team in 2025? Narrowing the field from 32 to 1!
The 1972 Miami Dolphins know that at some point, every year, they'll get to pop their champagne. The fall of the NFL's last unbeaten team each season has become inevitable. Sometimes it takes a while, like in 2007 when the New England Patriots' first loss came in Super Bowl XLVI. And sometimes the celebration starts early, like in 2010 and 2014 when every NFL team had at least one loss by Week 4. But the party has been thrown for 52 straight years. The only mystery is when the last unbeaten will fall and who it will be. On average, the longest undefeated season spans eight games in the Super Bowl era. No team has achieved that distinction more than the Rams — an astonishing nine times in 59 years. The Chiefs and Vikings have been the last unbeaten six times apiece and the Colts and Eagles five. All but six of the 32 franchises — the Jets, Jaguars, Browns, Texans, Seahawks and Ravens — have been the league's last unbeaten standing at least once. With the recent release of the NFL schedule, we examined every slate to see which teams were best positioned to possibly go unbeaten and predict who will be the last unbeaten in 2025. Week 1 What a great week this is for crushing dreams and causing fan bases to wildly overreact. Best of all, after a summer of feel-good stories and reminders that everyone is still undefeated, it'll only take a few hours for reality to slam half the league in the face. Most of the opening games figure to be chalky. But anyone who has ever entered a "survivor pool" knows there will be at least one big shocker. The pick here is for the Cleveland Browns, the kings of false hope, to edge out one of the NFL's most notorious slow starters, the Cincinnati Bengals (the Bengals will bounce back, of course, starting somewhere around Week 3 or 4). Oh, and the hard-luck loser of the week will be the Buffalo Bills, a serious Super Bowl contender who'll get knocked off at home by the Baltimore Ravens — another serious contender led by the quarterback who should've won the MVP last year. Remaining unbeatens (16): Eagles, Chiefs, Falcons, Browns, Colts, Jaguars, Patriots, Cardinals, Steelers, Commanders, Broncos, 49ers, Packers, Rams, Ravens, Vikings (all 1-0) Week 2 The undefeated list can thin out fast because, with 16 teams at 1-0, there'll be a lot of battles of the unbeatens in Week 2. In fact, there are five such games in this case. Meanwhile, four other unbeaten teams have to play on the road. That's where the unbeaten dream will die hard for the upstart Browns in Baltimore, for example. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles are the hard-luck team of this week, with the rematch of their Super blowout of the Chiefs taking place in Kansas City. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are lucky they get to go to Cincinnati early. And the Steelers stay perfect, though it's worth noting this prediction only counts if Aaron Rodgers, and not Mason Rudolph, is at their helm. Remaining unbeatens (10): Packers, Ravens, Jaguars, 49ers, Steelers, Rams, Cardinals, Broncos, Chiefs, Vikings (all 2-0) Week 3 This week's hard-luck team is the Rams, who not only get the champs coming off a loss, but they also go to Philly where they'll learn that snow wasn't why they lost there in the divisional round last year. Meanwhile, the Bengals wake up just in time to go to Minnesota and hand the Vikings their first loss. And in the unbeaten battle of the week, the Cardinals' revived defense makes a statement in San Francisco that there might just be a new power in the NFC West. Remaining unbeatens (5): Packers, Steelers, Cardinals, Chiefs, Ravens (all 3-0) Week 4 Didn't the Super Bowl feel like a changing of the guard, as if the Chiefs' dynasty was finally crashing to an end? Well, if it did, this will feel like someone slamming their championship window shut. The Chiefs were the last unbeaten standing last year, losing in Week 10. They've been the last unbeaten twice in the past eight years, and six times in the past 29 years — more than any other franchise in that span. But after making the final five this year, they fall at home this week to the Ravens, the team that's the biggest threat to their AFC crown. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Week 4 feels like the perfect time for Aaron Rodgers to start showing his age, while the Vikings show everyone what he can't admit: that they're better off without him. And the Cards, who were the last unbeaten standing just four years ago (7-0), win their Thursday night game against the Seahawks to be the surprise entry of the final three. Remaining unbeatens (3): Cardinals, Ravens, Packers (all 4-0) Week 5 The Ravens (vs. the Texans) and Cardinals (vs. the Titans) have two relatively easy weeks at home, while the Packers get an early bye week. That just means a long week of obnoxious hype in Green Bay and an unwelcome early break for a team that expects their season to last a long time. Remaining unbeatens (3): Cardinals (5-0), Ravens (5-0), Packers (4-0) Week 6 And then there were two. The Cardinals might be a pretty good offensive team and their defense should definitely be better. But it's hard to justify keeping them in a group of the NFL's elite for very long. Plus, going against a solid Colts team in Indianapolis is never easy, so this is where their bubble bursts. There could be close calls this week for the Ravens (vs. the Rams) and the Packers (vs. the Bengals), but they're both at home, so their dreams of perfection should live another day. Remaining unbeatens (2): Ravens (6-0), Packers (5-0) Week 7 While the Ravens rest, the Packers go to Arizona to face the upstart Cardinals. It won't be easy, but it's definitely winnable for a Packers team that by this point is looking like a legitimate Super Bowl threat. Remaining unbeatens (2): Ravens, Packers (both 6-0) Week 8 Two unbeatens left as the halfway point of the season is approaching? The Super Bowl hype will be off the charts. Once the Ravens win at home against the Bears and the Packers beat what's left of Rodgers in Pittsburgh, their bandwagons will be very full. It's really a shame they don't play each other until Week 17. Because that really could be a Super Bowl preview. Remaining unbeatens (2): Ravens, Packers (both 7-0) Week 9 At this point, both the Packers and Ravens fan bases are planning trips to Santa Clara, Calif., for Super Bowl LX. And after the Ravens win in Miami and the Packers hold serve at home against the Panthers this week, the prices for the Ravens-Packers battle in Green Bay in the last weekend in December will go through the roof (along with Google searches from the Baltimore area of "how to avoid frostbite"). Also, stories about the 1972 Dolphins will suddenly begin appearing in the Baltimore and Green Bay newspapers. And their fans stop saying "if" their team goes undefeated. Now they say "when." Remaining unbeatens (2): Ravens, Packers (both 8-0) Week 10 The Packers have only been the last unbeaten team once in the Super Bowl era — in 2011, when they started 13-0. But their schedule is just too tough for them to do it again. Their dream finally ends at home against the defending champion Eagles, probably in agonizing fashion as they fall to 8-1. Meanwhile, one state over in Minnesota, the Ravens will surely get a scare from the Vikings. But when they survive, they will be the last unbeaten team left in the NFL for the first time in their history (though their history only began in 1996). Remaining unbeatens (1): Ravens (9-0) Week 11 The Ravens will be the 77th team in 59 Super Bowl-era seasons to be part of the last group standing with an unbeaten record, and the 47th team to be standing alone. Here's the bad news: 11 of those 77 teams ended up missing the playoffs, though most of those teams had their streaks snapped by Week 6. Ominously, the lone exception was the last Baltimore team to do it — the Baltimore Colts in 1967. That team started 11-0-1, but they missed the postseason when they lost their season finale (and the division title) to the Los Angeles Rams. The good news? Thirty of the 77 "last unbeatens" have reached the Super Bowl — almost 40% — though only 12 of them actually went on to win it. Oh, the Ravens are in Cleveland this week, where they become the 16th team in the Super Bowl era to take their season-opening win streak into double digits. Remaining unbeatens (1): Ravens (10-0) Week 12 The NFL schedule makers must have planned for this, right? Because it's just too perfect. As soon as all the other unbeaten teams drop out, the Ravens get back-to-back games against the Browns and the Jets? Is there a better way to guarantee that the unbeaten hype will continue for a few extra weeks? And by now, everyone in the national media will be covering the Ravens, who become the 14th team in NFL history to start at least 11-0. Eight of those teams reached the Super Bowl. And the 1972 Dolphins, 1985 Bears, 1991 Redskins and 1998 Broncos all ended up as Super Bowl champs. Remaining unbeatens (1): Ravens (11-0) Week 13 Now the whole world will be watching. The undefeated Ravens, newly installed Super Bowl favorites, with a quarterback and running back competing for NFL MVP, playing in a stand-alone, nationally televised game against the divisional-rival Bengals on Thanksgiving night. And it will surely be a record-setting ratings bonanza, too. But the pressure, the scrutiny, and the short week will all just be too much, even in front of their own, frenzied fans. They'll find out what so many others have learned: The chase for perfection can become a burden. Also, by this point in the season, the Bengals are scrambling to make up for their slow start, which won't help. So, all good things must come to an end, and here's where they do for the Ravens, with the best start to a season in their history and their second-longest win streak ever. They'll be 11-1 and still in command of both the AFC North and the entire AFC. Now, all they have to do is something they haven't had to do all season: figure out a way to bounce back off a loss. Pop your champagne corks, '72 Dolphins. Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liberty Star Sends Clear Message to New York Fans After Knicks NBA Playoffs Loss
Liberty Star Sends Clear Message to New York Fans After Knicks NBA Playoffs Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The city of New York has one of the proudest fanbases, but the results from those teams haven't been meeting the expectations set by the passionate fans. Advertisement Among the four major North American leagues, which consist of the MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA, the city of New York hasn't won a title since 2012 when the New York Giants took down the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. The New York Yankees were swept 4-1 in last year's World Series, while the New York Knicks lost their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000, 4-2 against the Indiana Pacers this past weekend. While this must be a crushing feeling for the city, the WNBA's New York Liberty happens to be tied for the best record in the league to start the year, just one year removed from winning a championship. A feat that led to newly acquired Liberty guard Natasha Cloud telling the media that New York fans need to pay more attention to them as they currently are 7-0 on the year. New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) reacts after making a three-point basket against Jones-Imagn Images "So pay attention to Liberty basketball," Cloud said. "Liberty (expletive) Biberty...I mean they (Liberty) won last year. I've been seeing a lot of tweets talkin about we haven't won a championship since 2011. I know it's not my championship, but I just feel like there needs to be respect here so Liberty (expletive) Biberty." Advertisement The confidence from Cloud also comes one day after the Liberty throttled the Connecticut Sun by a score of 100-52, with the 48-point win marking the largest margin of victory in franchise history. She has been a tremendous addition for the defending champions, averaging 10.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Cloud and the Liberty will look to stay undefeated on Thursday when they host the Washington Mystics (3-4) in the WNBA Commissioner's Cup. Related: Rebecca Lobo Sends Clear Message on Fever Needing to Panic Amid Caitlin Clark Injury This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Last Championship For Every New York Sports Team Displays Fans' Desperate Need For Major Trophy
For a city that is often called the 'mecca' of sports, New York has endured an uncharacteristic and painful drought when it comes to championship glory. With the New York Knicks currently battling in the Eastern Conference Finals, the city's hopes for a long-awaited major title hang in the balance. Needless to say, the pressure is as palpable as ever. Going in chronological order of the teams that won the title most recently to those who haven't won a trophy in their history, we take a closer look at how long New York sports fans have been waiting for a winning team: Advertisement 1. New York Giants: 2012 (13 years) 2. New York Yankees: 2009 (16 years) 3. New York Rangers: 1994 (31 years) 4. New York Mets: 1986 (39 years) 5. New York Islanders: 1983 (42 years) 6. New York Knicks: 1973 (52 years) 7. New York Jets: 1969 (56 years) 8. Brooklyn Nets: No titles in 58 years of history. New York's last championship in the men's division came from the New York Giants, who stunned the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI back in 2012. That was over a decade ago. And since then, no franchise has been successful in its endeavor to bring a trophy to the city. While the Giants have enjoyed their share of success in this venture, their counterparts, the Jets, haven't seen a Super Bowl since 1969. Advertisement The New York Yankees, MLB's most storied franchise with 27 World Series titles, last won in 2009. In hockey, the New York Rangers lifted the Stanley Cup in 1994, breaking a 54-year dry spell. Unfortunately, they have failed to replicate that success since. Across town, the Islanders haven't hoisted the Cup since their dynasty ended in 1983. The Mets gave fans a glimmer of hope with a 2015 World Series appearance, but their last title came nearly 40 years ago. Meanwhile, the Knicks haven't enjoyed title success since 1973. The NBA franchise is in dire need of rejuvenation. New York features another NBA franchise in the Brooklyn Nets, a team that has been graced by flashy talent over the years, spanning generations from Jason Kidd to Kevin Durant. Unfortunately, even their most recent iteration of a title-contending squad yielded disappointing results before breaking off. It is important to note that the city has seen recent title success in the women's divisions. The New York Liberty won the WNBA championship last season, and their NWSL team, Gotham FC, won the league in 2023. These achievements have certainly been welcomed in light of their otherwise disappointing experiences. Advertisement Despite the drought, New York fans remain among the most passionate in sports. They pack arenas and stadiums, live and die with each win or loss, and wear their loyalty like a badge of honor. The pressure and media spotlight can be harsh, but it also fuels and forms some of the finest players who need to embody the city's greatness. That's what makes the Knicks' current playoff run so crucial. For the first time since 2000, they're in the Conference Finals, with Madison Square Garden erupting with every possession. Jalen Brunson has ignited belief, and head coach Tom Thibodeau has the city dreaming again. But their poor performances in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers, particularly blowing a fourth-quarter lead and struggling to get stops in OT, have already sparked concern. Advertisement Down 0-1 with a lot of questions being raised, the Knicks' hopes of ending the city's title drought may be on the verge of being crushed. The Knicks need to come out stronger for Game 2 on Friday night. Considering what's at stake, Brunson and the rest of the Knicks will have to go out and secure a win to draw things level to retain some control over the series. Related: Karl-Anthony Towns And OG Anunoby Caught In A Major Disagreement Before Game 1 Collapse Against Pacers
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jim Irsay built everything we love about downtown Indianapolis
Some cities are shaped by rivers, some by railroads. Indianapolis was reshaped by sports. And no one left a deeper imprint than Jim Irsay. Walk downtown and you'll see the evidence. Children playing in new parks, runners gliding on protected trails and a sports district rivaling cities twice our size. There are tower cranes above hotel rooftops, patios full on weeknights and a steady hum of out-of-towners attending some unheard-of convention. Downtown is alive. People live here, work here and linger here. None of it happened by accident. This is very much part of the legacy of Irsay, who died May 21 at age 65. This transformation stems from a strategy Indianapolis adopted earlier than most: a belief that, while businesses create jobs, cities create places. One of the most pivotal moments came in 1984, when Robert Irsay's Baltimore Colts arrived in Indianapolis. The city had a vision. Leaders including former Mayor Bill Hudnut believed sports could be more than entertainment. They could shape identity, spur investment and give people a reason to come downtown. At a time when most American cities were watching their cores erode, Indianapolis made a bold choice: to bet on connection, culture and, yes, sports. But it wasn't until Jim Irsay stepped into full leadership and the team drafted Peyton Manning in 1998 that the Colts became an unstoppable civic force. The rise of the Colts mirrors the city's own. More from Jeffery Tompkins: Indianapolis makes construction too slow, expensive and exhausting The early 2000s marked a new chapter. The Manning Colts' playoff runs brought sellout crowds and national attention, but they also brought momentum. As Manning broke records on the field, the city was marking milestones of its own. The Indiana Convention Center expanded in space vacated by the former RCA Dome, allowing it to host larger events. Developers began investing in new housing and hotels near the stadium. Construction began on Lucas Oil Stadium, a major public-private investment that would reshape the city's event infrastructure forever. The Colts were no longer just a sports team. They had become part of the city's economy. Their sustained success helped elevate Indianapolis to a top-tier convention and tourism market. That progress culminated in Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, which brought more than $150 million in direct economic impact and gave the city an unforgettable moment on the national stage. The imprint of that era is still everywhere. Georgia Street, transformed ahead of the Super Bowl, functions as a civic plaza and festival corridor in the heart of downtown. Gen Con, once a niche gathering, attracts more than 70,000 attendees each year and ranks among the world's largest tabletop gaming conventions. Visit Indy estimates the city hosted over 800,000 convention attendees last year, generating more than $900 million in direct economic impact. Downtown hotels outperformed expectations, with major events pushing occupancy rates to more than 113% of projected demand last year. These wins ripple outward, supporting hundreds of small businesses, restaurants, coffee shops, hospitality workers, event crews and the countless everyday jobs that make a city go. It's an ecosystem built over decades, and Irsay was at the center. It's not just conventions brought by a new stadium. It's the Colts Canal Playspace, the expanded Cultural Trail, a new YMCA – all sponsored by the Colts. Few cities owe more to a team that relocated. But even fewer owe as much to a team that stayed and to an owner who saw his franchise not as an island, but as part of the city's fabric. Former Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett has credited Indianapolis as the blueprint his city followed to revive its own downtown. The fact that this year's NBA Finals could come down to those very two cities speaks volumes, not just about basketball, but about civic vision and the long arc of strategic investment. That story belongs to many leaders, planners, and institutions, but Irsay's role was singular. He understood that a sports franchise could be more than a team; it could be a partner in the life of a city. His investments extended into community engagement, philanthropic leadership and the kind of cultural presence that helped Indianapolis punch far above its weight on the national stage. As an urban planner, I think about how Irsay came to embody the state he called home. Indiana, ain't it troubled sometimes? But it's also strong. Resilient. A little weathered. Often underestimated. It's got heart. It's bold when it needs to be. It knows how to endure. And, when it's wrong, it knows how to make things right. For all its faults, you love it. The story of downtown Indianapolis rising from anonymity to become an event powerhouse isn't just a story of economics or infrastructure. It's a story of belief. And, in many ways, mirrors Irsay's own. It's not the LED horseshoes along the Circle that let me know Irsay's impact. Nor is it the state-of-the-art YMCA downtown that bears his name. It's the rising skyline, packed sidewalks, the roar of a fall Sunday at the House That Peyton Built – all of it carries the imprint of Irsay's long-term vision. Briggs: Indianapolis needs to raise taxes to fix its potholes Taylor Swift wouldn't be performing three sold-out nights in Indianapolis without the infrastructure, momentum, and yes, reputation sparked by the investments Irsay helped set in motion. Even now, his presence is felt not just in the past wins, but in the way this city continues to dream forward. Like his father before him, Irsay understood that a team needs a community just as much as a community needs a team. That relationship isn't optional. It's foundational. Rest in power, Mr. Irsay. And, yes, the roof will be open. Jeffery Tompkins is an urban planner. He lives in downtown Indianapolis. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: From YMCA to Colts Playspace, Jim Irsay built downtown Indy | Opinion
