Latest news with #Team
Time of India
2 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
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
How sinister armed gangs are selling KIDS vapes spiked with deadly zombie spice drug on Snapchat
AT 6am, officers from Greater Manchester Police burst through the door of the red-brick house. Shouts of 'Police!' echo through the quiet street as they enter the property, searching for the man they suspect of selling deadly vapes to kids via phone app Snapchat. Advertisement 9 Ash Griffiths, 14, collapsed after puffing on a vape laced with zombie drug spice earlier this month Credit: Dan Griffiths 9 Synthetic cannabis in sweetie-style packs to entice kids - and a lethal-looking blade Credit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvin Media 9 Weapons and drugs seized in Greater Manchester raids Credit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvin Media They find Omar Abu-Sharkh, 20, at home in Moorside, Oldham — thousands of e-cigs, empty refill bottles and five-litre vats of lethal synthetic drug spice littering the house, along with a machete. He is cuffed, read his rights and bundled into a police van. Cops are hopeful they have smashed the operation. But hours later, the dangerous vapes — touted as containing THC, the psychoactive substance found in cannabis — are for sale again online, tempting kids with popular Tango Ice Blast and Haribo flavours, plus refill vials as big as 200ml. Advertisement The terrifying truth, however, is that these 'We are watching' Callous dealers often target kids with popular flavours, and experts fear children will die if they buy a vape containing the potentially deadly chemical mix. Police resume their search for the crooks operating the Snapchat channel and, three warrants later, thanks to the dedicated work of two specially trained digital officers, they find the first suspect's accomplices and shut it down for good. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking Team leader Detective Sergeant John Schofield told The Sun: 'While we can't say they were deliberately targeting teens, the nature of the packaging, brands, flavours, and use of Snapchat all attract a younger customer. 'For example, Tango Ice Blast flavour is what you'd get your kids at the cinema for a slushy. They were actively choosing flavours that are popular with children. Disposable vapes will be banned across UK by next summer to stop Britain's kids from getting hooked 'These online criminals think they're not being noticed as much because they are not out on the street dealing. 'They can just run it from their bedroom, so they don't feel as visible. Advertisement 'They've got a certain amount of arrogance, but we are watching — and we do find them.' These online criminals think they're not being noticed as much because they are not out on the street dealing Detective Sergeant John Schofield At court in March this year, Abu-Sharkh pleaded guilty to supplying class B drugs THC and synthetic cannabinoids. Qais Rasul, 20, and Mohammed Jalal Aftab, 20, both also from Oldham, admitted the same crimes. During one of the raids, Sufiaan Ali, 20, of Oldham, hurled a missile. Advertisement He later pleaded guilty to possession of a readily convertible firearm as well as the drugs charge. All four men are due to be sentenced next week at Manchester crown court. Dan Griffiths, 40, from South Shields, has seen first-hand the damage spice vapes can cause after his 14-year-old son Ash smoked one earlier this month — and collapsed. 'Ash had no idea what was in it,' Dan revealed. 'After a couple of puffs, he collapsed, and his friends were standing there laughing at his reaction. 'Thankfully, a passing nurse saw it and called an ambulance. Advertisement 'I ran across the estate to get to him. I was worried out of my mind. 'Seeing Ash pass out in the back of the ambulance left me terrified. I had no idea what would happen. 'Since then, he's had six seizures, and we're constantly in and out of the hospital. It's changed his life forever.' 9 Detective Sergeant John Schofield with vials of synthetic cannabis Credit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvin Media Advertisement 9 A man slumped in the streets - showing the signs of taking spice Credit: Alamy 9 Since smoking a spiked vape, Ash has suffered six seizures and now faces a life changed forever Credit: NNP Dealers go to great lengths to meddle with the ingredients in legitimate vapes. The Manchester gang were opening e-cig liquids, removing some, then topping them up to full using spice from China. Other vape bottles they made up themselves with a mix of legitimate liquid and the imported contraband. Advertisement In a bid to keep their profits out of police hands, Aftab and Ali swapped cash into gold bars and hid them in safety deposit boxes, which cops need an extra warrant to access. Fellow crook Abu-Sharkh had gold coins at home to protect his earnings from the criminal enterprise. Spice is a group name for Last year, researchers from Bath University found one in six vapes confiscated in schools was laced with spice, which can cause heart attacks, seizures and psychotic episodes. Advertisement They tested 596 vapes confiscated from schools in England. Professor Chris Pudney, who carried out the research, said: 'You find spice in three places — prisons, homeless communities and schools. 'They all share the characteristics of having vulnerable people in their population.' On the haul found by Greater Manchester Police, Prof Pudney added: 'If you search for THC vapes on Instagram or TikTok, you will see the same kinds of images. The thing I have not seen before is the labelling with the 'flavours'. Advertisement 'It points to a development in the distribution strategy and, as already noted, towards a younger age group.' The study also found only one in 100 vapes contained THC. 'Collapse at school' Genuine THC vapes will smell like cannabis and have a gel-like consistency, instead of being odourless and water-like. Spiked vapes have caused hundreds of teens across the country to collapse, with many not realising that they are Advertisement Ben Davies , the headteacher at St Ambrose Barlow RC High School in Salford, has witnessed the havoc that illegally doctored vapes can cause in teenagers attending his school. Spice is neurotoxic and can often lead to seizures. It also can have profound effects on the heart... even in young, fit people Helen Wall, GP 'We've seen kids being given what they think is an innocent, over- the-counter vape, and it contains synthetic cannabinoids or something else,' Ben said. 'Illegal vaping itself is a worry, but with the spiked vapes, we've had children collapse at school and had to call the ambulance. We've had hallucinations, dissociation, collapse, palpitations, all those sorts of things. 'There are symptoms that are sometimes similar to a panic attack, but they are much more severe. Advertisement 'What troubles me is how easily the children can get access to these vapes, often in some really sinister ways. And we have no idea what is in any of the vapes either — there's no way to really know.' Explaining why spice is dangerous for children and teenagers to use, GP Helen Wall said: 'Spice can cause severe anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations. Psychosis can often occur, leading to violence and risk-taking behaviour. 'Spice is neurotoxic and can often lead to seizures. It also can have profound effects on the heart. Heart rate can be elevated, leading to high blood pressure, chest pain and heart attacks, even in young, fit people. 'Sudden cardiac death has been linked to spice. Advertisement ' 'Despite all of these nasty effects, individuals quickly gain psychological and physical dependence on the drug — more so than with cannabis. The withdrawal symptoms can be profound. 'Teens getting into spice are more likely to drop out of school, fail exams, become socially isolated and get involved in violent and risk-taking behaviours. Read more on the Irish Sun 'Teenage brains are still developing, particularly the prefrontal cortex responsible for decision-making and impulse control. Advertisement 'Spice interferes with this process, potentially leading to long-term thought and emotional consequences.' 9 Crooks Omar Abu-Sharkh and Qais Rasul, both 20 9 Drug criminals Jalal Aftab and Sufiaan Ali, both 20 9 Cops warn that children buying vapes can have no idea what is in the product Credit: Getty Advertisement What are the new vape laws? Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them. New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in 2025. They are set to include: Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping. A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
John Harbaugh digs deeper into details that helped fuel Justin Tucker's release
John Harbaugh digs deeper into details that helped fuel Justin Tucker's release John Harbaugh explains the Ravens' reasoning behind releasing Justin Tucker. For more than a dozen seasons, there was rarely a reason to discuss placekicking when mentioning the Baltimore Ravens. There was never really a reason to. They were home to one of the best, so unless Justin Tucker's brilliance was the topic of conversation, he typically went unmentioned. Few moments in football were as automatic as the Ravens' special-teams unit lining up for a field goal or extra-point try. Of course, Justin was going to come through. He always did, and after 13 seasons, he was the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Something wasn't right during the 2024 regular-season campaign, though. Something shifted. Tucker wasn't as automatic, and the 'sure thing' regressed into a weekly conversation about kicking woes. Tucker only converted 73% of his field goal attempts, the worst percentage of his career. He was released on May 5th. Now, the discussions involving the Ravens and kicking involve a battle between a sixth-round draft choice and an undrafted guy they signed after a rookie minicamp workout. We all knew head coach John Harbaugh would be asked about this fairly often, and that's been the case. Recently, the media caught up with him again at OTAs. Ravens head coach digs deeper into the circumstances involving Justin Tucker's release. A "complex decision-making process" is how Ravens head coach John Harbaugh described Justin Tucker's release. A "football move" is how it was explained, but it came during the NFL's investigation into some recent and unfortunate accusations. Tucker has publicly denied all allegations. Baltimore has chosen to move forward without him. Tucker's 13 seasons in the NFL produced five First-Team All-Pro nods, three Second-Team All-Pro mentions, and seven trips to the Pro Bowl. He's a Super Bowl champion and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, but Baltimore will spend its summer evaluating a competition between Tyler Loop and John Hoyland.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Team of the Week: Diamond Dawgs
Team of the Week: Diamond Dawgs We meet the Myers Amazing Team of the Week, the Diamond Dawgs.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Team San Jose Awards $10K Hospitality Scholarship to San Jose State Student in Honor of Late CEO
SAN JOSE, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Team San Jose, the economic development nonprofit organization promoting San Jose as a travel and meetings destination under the consumer brand Visit San Jose, has awarded the inaugural Team San Jose Kirchgesler Scholarship to Klaire Wolford, a senior at San Jose Staté University. The scholarship honors Karolyn Kirchgesler, Team San Jose's former president & CEO who, up until her passing in 2020 from cancer, championed for women in the hospitality and travel industry. Team San Jose's scholarship awards $10,000 annually to a third- or fourth-year SJSU student pursuing a degree in hospitality, tourism and event management and who is also actively involved in the Women in Business organization at the university. Wolford has extensive background in leadership both on and off campus. She is Captain of the San José State Dance Team and has worked at various large-scale events in the Bay Area. The money from the Team San Jose scholarship will support Wolford's ultimate dream career in the professional sports events industry. To further build the foundation for her career, Wolford will return to SJSU to earn her master's degree in Sports Management. 'We are proud to support the next generation of hospitality leaders in honor of our dear friend and San Jose tourism legend, Karolyn Kirchgesler,' says John LaFortune, president & CEO of Team San Jose. 'Karolyn's legacy lives on in our organization and she would be happy to see someone as bright and passionate as Klaire begin in the industry with our help.' 'The scholarship is another way Team San Jose's mission of giving back to the community builds bridges across the travel industry,' says Michael Mulcahy, Councilmember, City of San Jose District 6 and Team San Jose founding board member. 'Tourism is a vital driver of our local economy and supporting San José State hospitality students is one way we can set up our city to succeed.' 'The Team San Jose Kirchgesler Scholarship represents more than financial aid—it symbolizes a vital partnership between higher education and industry,' says Rangapriya (Priya) Kannan, Ph.D, dean of the Lucas College & Graduate School of Business at San José State University. 'When our students are selected for this scholarship, it signals to them that their hard work, aspirations, and potential are being recognized by leaders in the very field they hope to enter. This continued engagement with our college helps create a stronger, more connected talent pipeline for our region.' 'It's significant to know that a respected organization sees something in me worth investing in,' says Klaire Wolford, inaugural Team San Jose Kirchgesler Scholarship recipient. 'The scholarship will allow me to focus more on my academic and professional development rather than worrying about how to cover tuition and other related expenses. I'll remember it as a vote of confidence when I was first beginning to build my path. I'll be inspired to pay it forward by mentoring and supporting the next generation, just as Team San Jose supported me.' For up-to-date information about the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and Team San Jose, visit Hi-Res Photos Available: ABOUT TEAM SAN JOSE Team San Jose is an innovative partnership unifying the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, hotels, arts, community business leaders, labor and public venues to deliver an exceptional visitor experience and serve as the gateway to San Jose as a destination. Team San Jose is the parent company of consumer travel brand Visit San Jose, the city's official destination marketing organization. Team San Jose also manages the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, South Hall, and arts and entertainment venues including the California Theatre, the Center for Performing Arts, Montgomery Theater, and San Jose Civic. In addition, Team San Jose created and operates a full-service catering facility that serves as the official caterer in all TSJ managed venues. Team San Jose is a non-profit, economic development organization and the primary driver in generating economic impact to San Jose's local economy through leisure and business travel. For more information, visit CONTACT Frances Wong Director of Marketing & Communications Team San Jose E: [email protected] C: (510) 396-8367 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Team San Jose
