NFL

USHER Collaborates with NFL on Exclusive Super Bowl LVIII Merchandise Collection

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USHER Collaborates with NFL on Exclusive Super Bowl LVIII Merchandise Collection

In celebration of the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show on Feb. 11, 2024, the NFL is teaming up with eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist USHER for an exclusive capsule collection of co-designed Super Bowl LVIII merchandise.

The collection, capturing the spirit of Las Vegas and USHER’s timeless style, includes Mitchell & Ness jerseys, hoodies, jackets, and t-shirts, New Era headwear in collaboration with Just Don, Riddell helmets, and limited-edition Wilson footballs.

Sporting a distinctive purple and pink colorway exclusive to Super Bowl LVIII and featuring the iconic “U” emblem inspired by USHER’s famous diamond-studded necklace, the collection will be available for purchase starting Feb. 7. Fans can find it onsite at Super Bowl Experience presented by Toyota in Las Vegas and online at NFLshop.com/USHER, NewEra.com, Mitchellandness.com, and Wilson.com.

The post USHER Collaborates with NFL on Exclusive Super Bowl LVIII Merchandise Collection first appeared on The Source.

The post USHER Collaborates with NFL on Exclusive Super Bowl LVIII Merchandise Collection appeared first on The Source.

Patrick Mahomes Responds to Viral “Dad Bod” Meme

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Patrick Mahomes has responded to the viral “dad bod” meme that arose in the wake of the Chiefs AFC Championship win last weekend. “Yoooo why they have to do me like that!?!?!? 🤣🤣🤣 #DadBodSZN,” Mahomes wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The QB was responding to footage from Inside the NFL that went viral amid the Chiefs win. The footage showed a shirtless Mahomes celebrating in the locker room and the angle gave the star player a bit of a gut.

This of course went wild on NFL socials, with fans eagerly sharing the images and changing their handles to things such as “Fatty Patty” and similar names. The Chiefs leaned on their defense to shut out the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Mahomes threw for 241 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Read More: Eminem Scraps Diss Track After Lions OC Stays In Detroit

Patrick Mahomes & Travis Kelce Speak On Justin Tucker Beef

Meanwhile, Mahomes also spoke on the beef that has emerged between himself, Travis Kelce, and Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. Mahomes said Tucker’s behavior has become a regular occurrence when the Chiefs and Ravens play. “I’ve had seven years of doing that same warmup routine and there’s only been like three occasions where there’s been a kicker that wasn’t moving out of the way. It was in Baltimore all three times. He does that to get under our skin. I asked him to move his stuff and he got up and moved it I think two inches but didn’t move it out of the way. I was going to let it slide but Travis moved it for me and after that I wasn’t going to let him put it back down,” Mahomes told local sports radio in Kansas City.

Meanwhile, Travis Kelce also blamed Tucker, saying he had broken an “unwritten rule”. During the latest episode of New Heights, Kelce explained that Tucker had been a “f-cking d-ck” and had been purposefully messing with Mahomes and Kelce as they warmed up. “If you want to be a f-cking d-ck about it, you keep your helmet and your football and your f-cking kicking tee right where the quarterbacks are warming up and they’re dropping, eyes are looking left and they’ve got a helmet down by their feet,” Kelce told his brother.

Read More: Tyreek Hill Fires Employee Responsible For Divorce Filing

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How To Buy Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII Merch Collection

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usher
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Super Bowl LVIII is just weeks away, which means so is Usher’s Halftime Show performance. While fans speculate about Usher’s potential set (and possible guest stars) and marvel over his spartan diet, Usher and the NFL have announced an exclusive merch collection commemorating the impending performance, including pieces from brands like Mitchell & Ness, New Era, Riddell, and Wilson Sporting Goods.

According to a press release, the collection will include Mitchell & Ness jerseys, hoodies, jackets, and t-shirts, New Era headwear designed by Just Don, Riddell helmets, and a limited-edition Wilson football, all emblazoned with Usher’s signature “U” logo in a purple-and-pink colorway chosen specifically for Super Bowl LVIII.

You can purchase items from the collection at Super Bowl Experience in Las Vegas, or on the brands’ respective websites, beginning on February 7. You can also check out NFLshop.com/USHER to sign up to be notified when the collection goes live. See below for photos.

Usher Super Bowl Merch
NFL

In his statement about the collection, Usher said, “I can’t wait to hit the stage at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show for a 30-year celebration of my music in Las Vegas. There is no better way to get fans pumped about the performance than with a one-of-a-kind merchandise collaboration with the NFL, with designs that embody my style. I hope to see all my fans decked out in pieces from the collection.”

Travis Kelce & Patrick Mahomes Address Justin Tucker Beef

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Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have both put the onus for their pre-championship game dispute with Justin Tucker on the Ravens kicker. During the latest episode of New Heights, Kelce explained that Tucker had been a “f-cking d-ck” and had been purposefully messing with Mahomes and Kelce as they warmed up. “If you want to be a f-cking d-ck about it, you keep your helmet and your football and your f-cking kicking tee right where the quarterbacks are warming up and they’re dropping, eyes are looking left and they’ve got a helmet down by their feet,” Kelce told his brother.

Meanwhile, Mahomes said this Tucker’s behavior has become a regular occurrence when the Chiefs and Ravens play. “I’ve had seven years of doing that same warmup routine and there’s only been like three occasions where there’s been a kicker that wasn’t moving out of the way. It was in Baltimore all three times. He does that to get under our skin. I asked him to move his stuff and he got up and moved it I think two inches but didn’t move it out of the way. I was going to let it slide but Travis moved it for me and after that I wasn’t going to let him put it back down,” Mahomes told local sports radio in Kansas City.

Read More: Eminem Scraps Diss Track After Lions OC Stays In Detroit

What Happened With Travis Kelce And Justin Tucker?

During pre-game warmups prior to the AFC Championship Game, Kelce was seen kicking and throwing equipment belonging to Tucker. Fans immediately piled on the “disrespectful” behavior. “Mahomes and kelce are some losers for that low key,” one fan noted. Meanwhile, several other fans noted how good the “inevitable” game-winning field goal from Tucker was going to feel.

However, that field goal would not come. After close start to the game, the Chiefs opened up a 10-point lead at halftime and played lights-out defense in the second half. The Ravens managed just three points across the final 30 minutes to lose 17-10 and blow their best shot at a Super Bowl in a decade. Instead, the Chiefs will look to repeat as Super Bowl champions against the 49ers, who rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Lions.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith & Howard Stern Clash About Whether Travis Kelce “Needs” Taylor Swift

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Eminem Scraps Diss Track After Lions OC Stays In Detroit

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Eminem has opted not to release a diss track about Lions OC Ben Johnson after the highly-regarded coach recommitted to Detroit this week. Guess I should stop recording this diss track..!! Lol!! @ Ben Johnson Thank you for staying!!! We can’t break this team up ESPECIALLY since I’M on it!!! Coach Campbell we love you bro!!! Let’s run it back next year!!…I’m READY!!!! I promise you I WILL get us to the super bowl!!! 😄,” Eminem wrote on X.

For the second year in a row, Johnson was widely considered one of the hottest head coaching prospects in the NFL. However, despite being a leading candidate for the vacancies in both Seattle and Washington, Johnson once again chose to remain part of Dan Campbell’s staff at Ford Field. Per ESPN, several teams were reportedly put off by Johnson’s asking price. As a result, Johnson will return to the team with the third-most per-game yardage and fifth-highest-scoring offense in the league this season.

Read More: Travis Kelce Blasted For Justin Tucker Disrespect At AFC Championship Game

Lions Praise Return Of Ben Johnson

Meanwhile, the Lions are more than happy to retain Johnson. “Yeah, if it comes to that, that’s, obviously, very important. I mean, he was a critical piece for us. He’s a critical piece. And I’m not worrying about that just yet. I need to at least get two hours of sleep and then I’ll begin. But I’m not going to rush, I can promise you that. I’m not in some mad rush. I’m going to make sure it’s right,” Campbell said prior to Johnson’s decision on Monday.

“I think how much input he allows me to have and whether he takes it or he doesn’t, he allows me to say it and uses some of it. It’s fun for me, it really is. It allows me to really be a part of the plan in some ways. And he’s a great listener and listens to not only me, but all the players of what they want, what they see. And that’s not only through the week, but on game day the same way,” starting QB Jared Goff said of Johnson last week.

Read More: Tyreek Hill Fires Employee Responsible For Divorce Filing

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Eminem Shelved A Potential Diss Track For Lions’ Coach Ben Johnson After Johnson Decided To Stay In Detroit

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eminem
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Many a celebrity has felt the wrath of Eminem’s scathing pen, but it looks like the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will avoid such a fate — for now. The coach had potential offers to move up to a head coaching role for teams like the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders, but opted to stay in Detroit for the time being after the historically awful Motor City football club made a respectable push in the playoffs this season, taking it all the way to the NFC Championship, where they were narrowly defeated by the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday, 34-31.

Eminem expressed his relief at Johnson’s decision on Twitter, where he joked that he had been working on a diss track, which is presumably shelved for the time being. He also called back to his earlier joke about joining the team, which he’s supported with his star power for years. “Guess I should stop recording this diss track..!!” he wrote. “@ Ben Johnson Thank you for staying!!! We can’t break this team up ESPECIALLY since I’M on it!!! Coach Campbell we love you bro!!! Let’s run it back next year!!…I’m READY!!!! I promise you I WILL get us to the super bowl!!”

The joke played on the media furor surrounding Em’s attendance at the recent NFC Championship, where he prematurely celebrated the Lions’ hefty halftime lead, gloating while flipping off the surrounding Niners fans. Unfortunately, his overconfidence came back to bite him right in the tuchus when the Lions fell apart in the second half, paving the way for San Franciso to stamp their tickets to the Super Bowl. It looks like the Lions will be running it back next year, and Em will have to pick a new target to poke (just as long as it isn’t Taylor Swift, for the love of God).

Eminem Flipped Off 49ers Fans During The NFC Championship Game, And Then The Detroit Lions Collapsed In Epic Fashion

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Eminem January 2024
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If you haven’t heard, men are really mad about Taylor Swift attending NFL games, even though she is hardly shown on the broadcast, and the biggest crime she is committing is minding her business and enjoying her life. Meanwhile, Eminem flipped off San Francisco 49ers fans during Sunday’s (January 28) NFC Championship Game between the Niners and Em’s beloved Detroit Lions, and — I know this is wild — the NFL didn’t immediately crumble.

Unfortunately for Detroit, the Lions did crumble. Detroit thoroughly dominated the first half, holding a 24-7 lead at halftime in Santa Clara, California, before San Francisco made the unlikeliest comeback and won 34-31 — and it was cruel, even by Detroit Lions’ standards.

Eminem took the loss in stride, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “So proud of the
@Lions Thanks 4 an amazing season!!!! We’ll b back!!!”

For context, the Detroit Lions have, by many metrics, been the sorriest franchise in North American professional sports for the entirety of my life (and probably much of yours, as well). Earlier this month, in the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend, the Lions won their first playoff game in 32 years by defeating the visiting Los Angeles Rams (and former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford), 24-23. Eminem would have been happy to suit up to help the Lions in their Divisional Round matchup against Tampa Bay, as he said in a satirical Instagram video, but the Lions actually could have used him in San Francisco.

At any rate, Super Bowl LVIII will be played by the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, February 11, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

AFC & NFC Championship Games: Who Is Heading To The Super Bowl?

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Just four teams remain in the NFL playoffs. Some were expected to be here; others were more surprising. In the AFC, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs travel to the white-hot Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, the NFC sees the Detroit Lions attempt to make their first Super Bowl at the expense of the San Francisco 49ers. With both games scheduled for Sunday, HotNewHipHop has everything you need to know about the AFC & NFC Championship Games.

AFC: Chiefs @ Ravens

Chiefs
ORCHARD PARK, NY – JANUARY 21: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

When: January 28, 3:00 PM ET

Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

Odds: Baltimore -4

The Chiefs enter their sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game under very different circumstances to the previous five. For one, they aren’t hosting. And secondly, they are doing so after winning less than 12 games in the regular season. While the Chiefs still rule the AFC West, they don’t look like the powerhouse team that has made two of the last three Super Bowls. It’s not that the Chiefs are worse, it’s simply that the rest of the conference is catching up.

And that’s where their hosts, the Ravens, come in. After beginning the season unsure if Lamar Jackson would actually play, the team stormed to the league’s best record. However, this marks new territory for the team. They appear in their first Conference Championship Game since 2012, the year they won the Super Bowl. But the newness cuts both ways. The Ravens will get to enjoy their home-field Conference Championship Game in franchise history.

Can Kansas City Slow Down Baltimore?

Ravens
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JANUARY 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens starts to run in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

The big question heading into this matchup will be whether the Chiefs can slow down Baltimore enough to let Patrick Mahomes ball out. Kansas City allowed the second-fewest yards per game during the regular season (289.8). However, their defense must contend with the league’s sixth-highest yardage team in Baltimore (370.4). There will be high expectations from the DT Chris Jones and CB Trent McDuffie, both All-Pro First Teamers for the Chiefs.

The key for Baltimore will be in the backfield. Unsurprisingly, given their prototypical dual-threat QB, Baltimore led the league in rushing yards per game this season (156.5). Conversely, the Chiefs allowed the 15th-most rushing yards during the regular season (113.2). If the Chiefs can’t stop the run, it’s going to be a long night for the red-and-white faithful.

Prediction: Ravens 20 – 17 Chiefs. Chiefs don’t allow the Ravens to ever run away with the game but just don’t have enough to neutralize the potency of Baltimore’s ground game.

NFC: Lions @ 49ers

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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 20: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes for a 39-yard touchdown during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

When: January 28, 6:30 PM PT

Where: Levi Stadium, Santa Clara

Odds: San Francisco -7.5

The 49ers were here a year ago, on the cusp of a Super Bowl appearance. However, a spate of injuries saw them steamrolled by the Eagles. They were here the year before that, when they were 15 minutes from the Super Bowl before allowing 13 fourth-quarter points to lose to the Rams. Now they stand 60 minutes from another Super Bowl, with a former Mr. Irrelevant at quarterback. The NFC has been weird this year, with no one emerging as a clear favorite. However, the Niners have been one of the conference’s better teams. They are an offensive juggernaut (four offensive all-pro first-teamers) and are ready to flex that moniker all the way to a Lombardi.

However, they will have to overcome this year’s scrappy underdog. In 2008, the Detroit Lions went 0-16. Since that infamous season, they have appeared in the playoffs just four times. And now they are one game away from their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. The last time the Lions were in this position, it was 1957 and they were playing for a chance to appear in the pre-Super Bowl NFL Championship. But head coach Dan Campbell, the epitome of “never give up, never surrender” has turned the Lions into a team that their fans can finally believe in.

Who Wins The Backfield Duel?

Lions
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 14: David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The running game will absolutely define the NFC Championship. The 49ers have the league’s best running back in Christian McCaffery. McCaffery rushed for 1459 yards, nearly 300 more yards than the next best back in the league (Derrick Henry). However, the Lions have an elite backfield of their own. The two-pronged attack in Detroit begins with fifth-year back David Montgomery. After signing with the Lions ahead of the 2023 season, Montgomery rewarded the team with his first 1000-yard season since 2020. However, Montgomery isn’t alone. Many people questioned Detroit’s decision to take Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall in the 2023 draft, especially after trading back from 6th overall. Well, Gibbs rushed for 945 yards in the regular season.

However, it’s not just about the run game for these two teams, it’s also about their run defense. The Lions and Niners are second and third respectively in run defense this season, with 0.9 yards per game separating them. Teams have simply not been able to drive out of the backfield against either team. This becomes a fascinating dynamic, however, when the opponent is someone with as prolific a run game as these two teams have. This means that whoever finds the edge in the backfield will hold the keys to this matchup.

Prediction: 49ers 30 – 23 Lions. This will likely be the game of the season. However, as much as the Lions deserve to be here and will keep it close, the Niners’ overwhelming offense gives them the edge here.

AFC/NFC Championship Games: Who Wins?

However, let us know what you think! Is Kansas City headed to yet another Super Bowl? Do the Lions find a way to beat San Francisco? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Tim Tebow Nearly Left The NFL For Wrestlemania

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Tim Tebow could have left the NFL for a guest spot at Wrestlemania, the President of WWE has revealed. “When I was an agent, my prior profession, and I was trying to get into the WWE business. Paul had called me, unsolicited call, and this was when Tim Tebow had just gotten cut by the Patriots. He said, hey, what do you think about Tim Tebow against the Big Show at whatever that WrestleMania was after the Patriots run. I said, what’re you thinking? He offered some financial terms, I called Tim at the time, [asked] what do you think. Tim and I had, then, a top secret private meeting: Tim Tebow, myself, Vince McMahon, Triple H, in Anaheim, California about that. Ultimately, it didn’t happen,” Nick Khan told Pat McAfee.

Tebow’s time in New England only lasted the summer of 2013. with Tebow being cut at the 53-man roster deadline. That means that Tebow was being considered for April 2014’s WrestleMania XXX. According to Khan, Tebow was being considered for a fight against Big Show. However, as the now WWE President noted, the fight never came together. Instead, Big Show would end up finishing second at the inaugural Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Read More: Tim Tebow Has An Interesting Yearly Routine For His Heisman Trophy

Joel Embiid Gets Wrestlemania

However, another pro athlete who could be headed to Wrestlemania is Joel Embiid. The NBA fined Embiid $35K for “repeatedly making an obscene gesture on the playing court” in November 2023. The gesture in question was the “DX Crotch Chop”, something first seen in the WWE by the D-Generation X stable. Embiid broke out the move after scoring off a foul in the third quarter in the Sixers’ home opener against the Blazers. Earlier this year, in January, Embiid was fined $25K for making the same gesture in a similar situation against the Nets.

Despite being out $35K, Embiid has gotten an invaluable invitation out of the moment. After news of the fine broke, Triple H, one of the best known DX wrestlers, hit Embiid up on Twitter. “Hey @JoelEmbiid – I know a place where you can do that all day, and everyone will love it. WrestleMania 40 is right there in Philly…,” the wrestler wrote. Furthermore, the milestone wrestling will touch down in the City of Brotherly Love this April.

Read More: Joel Embiid MVP Repeat In Danger Due To NBA Rest Rule

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Titans Hire Brian Callahan As Head Coach

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The Tennessee Titans have hired Brian Callahan as the team’s new head coach. Callahan joins the Titans after five seasons as the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. “This is an exciting time for our franchise, and we’re thrilled to have Brian as our head coach. We went through a thorough candidate search and Brian stood out as the best person to lead our football team. I want to thank the other candidates who were part of this process and wish them well moving forward,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said.

Quarterback development was a key factor for the Titans as they moved forward with Will Levis as their presumptive starter. Callahan’s time in the NFL has included coaching Peyton Manning during the Broncos’ Super Bowl win in 2015 and the rise of Joe Burrow with the Bengals. He also helped coach Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr to new heights in their already-established careers. The Titans parted ways with Mike Vrabel earlier in the offseason after back-to-back seasons of disappointment for the team.

Read More: Travis Kelce: Heart Celly Was For Bills Fans, Not Taylor Swift

Titans Become Third Team To Fill Coaching Vacancy

The Titans become the third team to fill their head coaching vacancy. Both New England and Las Vegas opted for internal replacements. The Patriots promoted former star linebacker and groomed Belichick protege Jarod Mayo to replace Bill Belichick. Meanwhile, the Raiders opted to retain interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who had a 5-4 record with the team after taking over midway through the 2023 season.

However, that leaves a number of vacancies as yet unfilled. Atlanta appears to be leaning towards Belichick after interviewing him twice last week. Meanwhile, the Chargers have been linked with Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. However, that leaves Seattle, Carolina, and Washington without a clear frontrunner. Some of the interview processes have been delayed by interview rules concerning playoff teams. Coaches from the Chiefs, Niners, Ravens, and Lions cannot be contacted until after the Conference Championship games this weekend.

Read More: Cam Newton Reveals The One Team He’d Return To The NFL For

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