Tag: family

Sean Payton had a funny response to his daughter wearing an Eagles sweatshirt

Sean Payton tweeted that his daughter was “pushing the boundaries” when Meghan posted a video in an Eagles sweatshirt.

Meghan Payton, the daughter of Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, works as a sports betting host and analyst for FanDuel.

Ahead of the NFL’s divisional playoff games on Sunday, Meghan posted a video of her game picks. In the video, she wore an Eagles throwback sweatshirt.

This is how Sean responded on Twitter/X: “Gotta admit you’re pushing the boundaries w that sweatshirt!! Dad”

Meghan quipped back: “maybe you should send me more Broncos merch.”

She also quote-tweeted the response from her dad:

To be fair, the Eagles at least play in the NFC, so they’re not a direct threat to Denver’s playoff hopes in 2025. Payton also got his start in the NFL as a quarterbacks coach with Philadelphia in 1997.

Payton coaches the Broncos, though, and it’s clear that he’d prefer his daughter to support his current club. Football is family, after all.

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Patrick, Brittany Mahomes announce birth of third child, Golden Raye

Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany announced the birth of their third child ahead of the #Chiefs’ playoff matchup against the #Texans.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany officially welcomed their third child, Golden Raye Mahomes, into the world last night.

The Mahomes family announced that baby No. 3 would be born earlier this year in a photoshoot with their daughter Sterling and son Bronze, and indicated an expected due date in early January.

Luckily for the Chiefs quarterback, baby Golden Raye’s birth came during the team’s first-round bye in the playoffs and did not prevent the reigning Super Bowl MVP from taking the field in the divisional round.

Brittany Mahomes announced Golden Raye’s birth with a post on Instagram.

In the replies to her announcement, members of Kansas City-area sports teams reached out to show their support for the Mahomes family and offer touching congratulations.

Golden Raye arrived just under a week before the Chiefs’ AFC divisional-round matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday, January 18.

Where to buy Chiefs vs. Texans tickets

Tickets for Kansas City’s divisional-round matchup against Houston can be purchased via StubHub.

Former Steelers QB relives glory days with his sons in wholesome video

Ben Roethlisberger surprises his sons with a nostalgic gesture, sharing a heartwarming moment in full Steelers gear.

A legendary quarterback to the city of Pittsburgh—and a loving father to three children—Ben Roethlisberger has provided his supporters with an incredibly wholesome look at how he spent his parental bonding time with his two boys—Benjamin Jr. and Bodie.

While Steelers fans would dream of the opportunity to catch footballs from Big Ben, Roethlisberger’s sons were treated to the full experience—helmet and pads included.

Big Ben hilariously retold the story on episode 65 of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger:

“So I told the boys, ‘See y’all out back in 10 minutes. I’m gonna give you guys 30 minutes of the best quarterbacking that I can ever give anybody.'”

He then detailed the boys’ excitement, but nothing could prepare them for the surprise of his Pittsburgh Steelers gameday attire, as fans can witness his children’s heartwarming reaction below:

Roethlisberger’s surprise sends an inspiring message to parents of young children: cherish the little moments, as even the smallest gesture can mean the whole world.

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Pat Surtain asks for help finding young fan who had football taken from him

Broncos CB Pat Surtain has asked for help finding a young fan who had a football taken from them on Saturday.

Before the Denver Broncos‘ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, star cornerback Pat Surtain gave a football to a young fan wearing his jersey.

Somebody apparently later took the football from the fan. Now Surtain is asking for help finding the young fan so he can replace the ball.

“Just now seeing this…” Surtain tweeted on Sunday morning. “Before the game yesterday I gave away a game ball to a little kid. Just for it to be taken away from him if anybody can put me in contact with the kid and his family hmu asap !!”

Here is the fan that received the ball:

He was clearly emotional after receiving the ball, one can only imagine his reaction to having it taken away.

A women who says she is cousins with the boy’s mom tweeted Surtain that they eventually got the ball back, so the story has a happy ending.

“You definitely made his day and have fans for life in our whole family! 🧡💙,” she tweeted.

Surtain later responded to that tweet:

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Surtain still reach out — perhaps with another football — after the young fan’s roller coaster day on Saturday.

Surtain has totaled 42 tackles, 11 pass breakups, four interceptions and one pick-six this season. He is one of the leading candidates to win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024.

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Bo Nix’s wife shares Broncos ‘QB Christmas card’ on Instagram

Merry Christmas from the Broncos’ quarterback room and their wives.

Izzy Nix, the wife of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, shared a “QB Christmas card” on her Instagram story this week.

Nix gets together with quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson each week with their wives (Izzy and Kennedy Stidham) and Wilson’s fiancé (Nicolette Dellanno). The QBs went viral earlier this season when Izzy shared a video of them answering questions “only girls should know” on her TikTok page.

Stidham’s wife, Kennedy, also shared a photo from their dinner this week.

The QBs and their significant others typically get together to watch Thursday Night Football each week, but this week’s QB dinner was moved up because of Christmas and the team’s road game on Saturday.

“Those guys get along so well,” Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said of the QB room on Dec. 12. “I think a lot of Thursday nights — they were fussing at Bo Nix because they get together usually on Thursday nights and have dinner at someone’s house. They rotate it, and Bo has family in town so they’re not doing it tonight. So they were mad at him about that.

“I just think there’s a camaraderie with those guys. They get along, they’re unselfish, they root for each other. You spend so much time here. It helps to like each other. It can be miserable when you don’t get along and you have to spend that kind of time together. It’s a great group.”

Nix and Co. are one win away from clinching a spot in the NFL playoffs. Up next is a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

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Peyton and Eli Manning release funny statements about 2025 Pro Bowl

Peyton and Eli Manning announced a return to the Pro Bowl with their signature sense of humor.

The Pro Bowl Games are returning this season and the NFL’s favorite brothers will once again serve as the head coaches.

Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC) will face off in the 2025 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 2.

After the league announced the Mannings as returning coaches, the brothers released a pair of funny statements ahead of the Pro Bowl.

“The Pro Bowl Games are all about having fun,” Peyton said. “It’s always unpredictable, and we got to bring fans into the action and see the NFL’s biggest names compete. And the best part about this year’s games is knowing that my AFC team is going to end Eli’s two-year run of luck with the NFC.”

The NFL’s statement included a fitting retort from Eli.

“I love everything about the Pro Bowl Games,” Eli said. “And getting to hear Peyton complain about losing every year makes it even better.”

Fan voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl will open on Nov. 25. The list of Denver Broncos players worthy of consideration this season includes guard Quinn Meinerz, left tackle Garett Bolles, defensive end Zach Allen, pass rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, and cornerbacks Pat Surtain, Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian.

Since switching to a flag football format, Eli’s NFC is 2-0 against Peyton’s AFC in the revamped Pro Bowl Games.

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Jonah Elliss celebrated his brother making a play for the other team

Jonah Elliss celebrated Kaden Elliss making a tackle vs. the Broncos on Sunday, then he wrote his brother a funny message after the game.

You don’t see this often.

After tackling Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims on punt coverage duty, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Davis received some love from a player on the opposite team on Sunday afternoon.

Jonah Elliss, Kaden’s brother who plays for the Broncos, jumped up on Kaden and gave him a celebratory smack on the helmet after the tackle. KCNC-TV cameras captured the moment showing both brothers with big smiles:

“Lots of giggles, man,” Kaden said after the game when asked about playing against his brother. “Lots of laughs. It was a dream come true to see him on the field and get to go out and block him a little bit or at least try to.”

Kaden ended the day with nine tackles, tied for second-most in the game. Jonah joined in the fun with a sack in the third quarter:

After the game, the brothers exchanged signed jerseys:

Kaden wrote a wholesome note you’d expect from a role model big brother: “Jonah, Goof! I couldn’t be more proud. I love you! All 4 the King! Kaden Elliss #55 John 3:16.”

Jonah’s message reflected a taunting younger brother: “Jonah Ellis #52, 1-0.”

Football is family.

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Broncos and Falcons have brothers who will face off on Sunday

Brothers Kaden Elliss (Falcons) and Jonah Elliss (Broncos) are set to face off for the first time in the NFL on Sunday.

Five years ago, Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints used a seventh-round pick to select Idaho linebacker Kaden Elliss in the 2019 NFL draft.

Payton stepped down from his role with the Saints in 2022 and Elliss became a free agent following that season. Payton later joined the Denver Broncos and Ellis signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

This spring, Payton used a third-round pick to select Kaden’s younger brother, Utah pass rusher Jonah Elliss, in the 2024 NFL draft.

It’s quite a football family.

Luther Elliss started the family’s NFL journey by playing as a defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions (1995-2003) and Broncos (2004). Luther and his wife, Rebecca, now have three sons playing in the NFL: Kaden (Atlanta), Jonah (Denver) and Christian (New England Patriots). A fourth son, Noah, spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2022-2024.

“I know it’s a large family,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. “Obviously, the father — I’ve done this long enough, I can recall coaching against their father. We drafted Kaden in New Orleans. [This year], we’re one team away from being on the clock and we’re going to take his brother, but man we’re hoping — I think Atlanta in fact was the pick ahead of us. I turned to George [Paton] and I said, [Terry] Fontenot — Terry is the general manager and was working with us then — ’Terry’s going to draft the brother, I know it.’ They drafted another player and then we were excited obviously to make our selection.

“Then I got a text right away from Kaden. I won’t tell you what it said, but I would say the exposure with Kaden really helped us understand the football mindset as it pertained to the next pick. Now when we drafted Kaden, he was playing a little bit more of an edge. He’s now playing inside, but he’s still a pressure player. If you said, ‘Which of the linebackers pressures the most or blitzes the most?’ He’s the one. That doesn’t mean the others don’t, but he’s a very good pash rusher. He’s really transitioned to a really good inside linebacker. [I’m] proud for him.”

This week, Jonah and Kaden will play against each other for the first time in the NFL. They both play on defense, but the brothers could face off on special teams. You can count on a post-game family photo after the final whistle blows on Sunday afternoon.

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Even Pat Surtain’s dad (a former Chief) thinks the refs favor KC

Even Pat Surtain’s dad (a former Chief) was not happy with questionable officiating during Sunday’s game in Kansas City.

NFL fans have been suspicious in recent seasons that officials favor quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs with their calls. Sunday’s 16-14 win over the Denver Broncos certainly added fuel to the fire.

The Chiefs benefited from several questionable calls against the Broncos in Week 10, including a safety Brandon Jones being penalized for illegal contact, which negated a Nik Bonitto sack on third down.

After Kansas City was gifted a first down, they went on to score a touchdown, so that penalty was arguably a four-point swing. Fans and pundits quickly lashed out against the call on Twitter/X.

Among those who objected to the call was the father of Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II — Patrick Surtain Sr. tweeted: “These refs…smh.”

The elder Surtain played cornerback in the NFL from 1998-2008, spending his final four years in the NFL with the Chiefs. He obviously has more loyalty to his son than to his former team.

The Broncos had plenty of chances to win Sunday’s game, and they acknowledged that after the loss. Fans will cope with conspiracy theories, but Denver can’t blame the officials. The Broncos need to play better going forward, even if it feels like the officiating is one-sided.

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Sean Payton’s brother wants Broncos to be active at trade deadline

“He’s the worst at the trade deadline,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of his brother. “He just wants to see action.”

With the NFL trade deadline now just over 24 hours away, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton has downplayed the impact it has had on his schedule.

“The next 24 hours for me will be just like last Monday, or the following Monday or the Monday prior,” Payton said during his Monday conference call with reporters. “It’s going to be putting to bed the game we just played and then the preparation begins on Kansas City.

“In the meantime, George [Paton] and his staff — there’s always these last-minute calls either way. [He will] keep me abreast. He’ll walk in here if he thinks it’s something significant, but honestly the focus is on the guys in this building right here. Superman’s not walking in.”

Paton will work the phones while Payton remains focused on preparing for the Chiefs on Sunday. Fans would love to see the Broncos make splashes ahead of the trade deadline, with even Payton’s brother, Tom, urging the team to make moves.

“My brother’s the worst at this,” Payton said. “He’s the worst at free agency, and he’s the worst at the trade deadline. He just wants to see action. Then right after the action takes place, he never goes back and reflects and says, ‘Well that was a bad signing,’ or, ‘That was a bad trade.’ I say that — I kid him — but I think that there’s so much more that goes into it relative to whether you’re trading a player [or] acquiring a player.

“Contracts go into it, vision goes into it and locker room goes into it. There are a lot of details that go into that. To answer your question fairly, I’m sitting here with the numbers right now with Kansas City, the depth chart, injury report and scouting report. [I] kind of finished up on Baltimore. Our players are in meetings on Baltimore. That’s where we’re at.”

With a young team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Broncos stand pat at the deadline. Denver is not one piece away from contending, and as Payton said, Superman’s not walking through the door. It might make sense for the Broncos to keep their draft picks and continue developing the current roster while looking forward to adding more talent in 2025.

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