thedenverpost--2020-01-18--Prince Harry, Meghan to give up “royal highness” titles

LONDON — Goodbye , your royal highnesses .
Hello , life as — almost — ordinary civilians .
Prince Harry and his wife , Meghan , are quitting as working royals and will no longer use the titles “ royal highness ” or receive public funds for their work under a deal announced Saturday by Buckingham Palace .
Releasing details of the dramatic split , triggered by the couple ’ s unhappiness with life under media scrutiny in the royal fishbowl , the palace said Harry and Meghan will cease to be working members of the royal family when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the “ spring of 2020.
” The couple will no longer use the prestigious titles His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness , but they are not being stripped of them .
They will be known as Harry , Duke of Sussex and Meghan , Duchess of Sussex .
Harry will remain a prince and sixth in line to the British throne .
The agreement also calls for Meghan and Harry to repay 2.4 million pounds ( $ 3.1 million ) in taxpayers ’ money that was spent renovating a house for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The use of public funds to ready their home had raised ire in the British press .
The announcement came after days of talks among royal courtiers sparked by Meghan and Harry ’ s announcement last week that they wanted to step down as senior royals and live part-time somewhere in Canada .
The couple ’ s departure is a wrench for the royal family , but Queen Elizabeth II had warm words for them in a statement Saturday .
The 93-year-old queen said she was pleased that “ together we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my grandson and his family .
Harry , Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.
” “ I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life , ” Elizabeth said .
“ It is my whole family ’ s hope that today ’ s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life , ” she added .
Despite the queen ’ s kind words , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete break from life as working royals , especially for Harry .
As a devoted Army veteran and servant to the crown , the prince carried out dozens of royal engagements .
It is not yet clear whether Harry and Meghan will continue to receive financial support from Harry ’ s father , Prince Charles , who used revenue from the Duchy of Cornwall to help fund his activities and those of his wife and sons .
The duchy , chartered in 1337 , produced more than 20 million pounds ( $ 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is widely regarded as private money , not public funds , so Charles may opt to keep details of its disbursal private .
While he and Meghan will no longer represent the queen , the palace said they would “ continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty ” while carrying out their private charitable work .
The withdrawal of Harry from royal engagements will increase the demands on his brother , Prince William , and William ’ s wife , Kate , the Duchess of Cambridge .
Buckingham Palace did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s security going forward .
It currently is taxpayer-funded and carried out primarily by a special unit of the Metropolitan Police , also known as Scotland Yard .
“ There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly funded security , ” it said .
Harry and Meghan have grown increasingly uncomfortable with constant media scrutiny since the birth in May of their son , Archie .
They married in 2018 in a ceremony that drew a worldwide TV audience .
Meghan joined the royal family after a successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to travel throughout Britain and learn about her new home , but disillusionment set in fairly quickly .
She launched legal action against a newspaper in October for publishing a letter she wrote to her father .
Harry has complained bitterly of racist undertones some media coverage of his wife , who is biracial .
There has also been a breach in the longtime close relationship between Harry and William , a future king , over issues that have not been made public .
The couple ’ s desire to separate from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subject of media speculation for months .
But they angered senior royals by revealing their plans on Instagram and a new website without advance clearance from the queen or palace officials .
Elizabeth summoned Harry , William , and Charles , to an unusual crisis meeting at her rural retreat in eastern England in an effort to find common ground .
The result was Saturday ’ s agreement , which is different from Harry and Meghan ’ s initial proposal that they planned to combine a new , financially independent life with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is not known where in Canada the couple plan to locate .
They are thought to be considering Vancouver Island , where they spent a long Christmas break , or Toronto , where Meghan filmed the TV series “ Suits ” for many years .

LONDON — Goodbye, your royal highnesses. Hello, life as — almost — ordinary civilians.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are quitting as working royals and will no longer use the titles “royal highness” or receive public funds for their work under a deal announced Saturday by Buckingham Palace.
Releasing details of the dramatic split, triggered by the couple’s unhappiness with life under media scrutiny in the royal fishbowl, the palace said Harry and Meghan will cease to be working members of the royal family when the new arrangements take effect within months, in the “spring of 2020.”
The couple will no longer use the prestigious titles His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness, but they are not being stripped of them.
They will be known as Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Harry will remain a prince and sixth in line to the British throne.
The agreement also calls for Meghan and Harry to repay 2.4 million pounds ($3.1 million) in taxpayers’ money that was spent renovating a house for them near Windsor Castle, Frogmore Cottage. The use of public funds to ready their home had raised ire in the British press.
The announcement came after days of talks among royal courtiers sparked by Meghan and Harry’s announcement last week that they wanted to step down as senior royals and live part-time somewhere in Canada.
The couple’s departure is a wrench for the royal family, but Queen Elizabeth II had warm words for them in a statement Saturday.
The 93-year-old queen said she was pleased that “together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.”
“I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life,” Elizabeth said.
“It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life,” she added.
Despite the queen’s kind words, the new arrangement will represent an almost complete break from life as working royals, especially for Harry. As a devoted Army veteran and servant to the crown, the prince carried out dozens of royal engagements.
It is not yet clear whether Harry and Meghan will continue to receive financial support from Harry’s father, Prince Charles, who used revenue from the Duchy of Cornwall to help fund his activities and those of his wife and sons.
The duchy, chartered in 1337, produced more than 20 million pounds ($26 million) in revenue last year. It is widely regarded as private money, not public funds, so Charles may opt to keep details of its disbursal private.
While he and Meghan will no longer represent the queen, the palace said they would “continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty” while carrying out their private charitable work.
The withdrawal of Harry from royal engagements will increase the demands on his brother, Prince William, and William’s wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Buckingham Palace did not disclose who will pay for the couple’s security going forward. It currently is taxpayer-funded and carried out primarily by a special unit of the Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard.
“There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly funded security,” it said.
Harry and Meghan have grown increasingly uncomfortable with constant media scrutiny since the birth in May of their son, Archie. They married in 2018 in a ceremony that drew a worldwide TV audience.
Meghan joined the royal family after a successful acting career and spoke enthusiastically about the chance to travel throughout Britain and learn about her new home, but disillusionment set in fairly quickly.
She launched legal action against a newspaper in October for publishing a letter she wrote to her father. Harry has complained bitterly of racist undertones some media coverage of his wife, who is biracial.
There has also been a breach in the longtime close relationship between Harry and William, a future king, over issues that have not been made public.
The couple’s desire to separate from the rest of the family had been the subject of media speculation for months. But they angered senior royals by revealing their plans on Instagram and a new website without advance clearance from the queen or palace officials.
Elizabeth summoned Harry, William, and Charles, to an unusual crisis meeting at her rural retreat in eastern England in an effort to find common ground.
The result was Saturday’s agreement, which is different from Harry and Meghan’s initial proposal that they planned to combine a new, financially independent life with a reduced set of royal duties.
It is not known where in Canada the couple plan to locate. They are thought to be considering Vancouver Island, where they spent a long Christmas break, or Toronto, where Meghan filmed the TV series “Suits” for many years.


thedenverpost--2020-01-18--Denver officer accused of sexually assaulting woman he met on duty

A Denver police officer has been arrested and jailed on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman he had met last month while responding to a call at her home , the Denver Police Department said Saturday .
DPD announced in a news release that Johnny Leon-Alvarez , 29 , was arrested after he was named as a suspect in the investigation of a sex assault reported early Friday .
He has been a Denver police officer since 2018 and was suspended without pay after the arrest , the release said .
An arrest affidavit says Leon-Alvarez met the 27-year-old victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who responded to her home .
She had called police “ regarding an argument she had with her significant other.
” After meeting her , the affidavit says , Leon-Alvarez began contacting the woman .
“ One of the officers who responded began texting her afterward to check on her , ” the document says .
“ Over time the ( texts ) became flirty , until the previous evening ( Thursday ) when they arranged to go on a date.
” The woman told police that Leon-Alvarez took her to Dave & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday night .
She said she recalled drinking , and at midnight the officer drove her home , the affidavit says .
“ She tried to say goodnight at the door , ” the report says .
“ She did not remember how he ended up coming in the house.
” The affidavit says police were called to her home at 2:55 a.m. Friday , and it says the woman ’ s roommate corroborated some details of her report , including that the woman protested any physical activity .
Leon-Alvarez was booked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail set at $ 50,000 .

A Denver police officer has been arrested and jailed on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman he had met last month while responding to a call at her home, the Denver Police Department said Saturday.
DPD announced in a news release that Johnny Leon-Alvarez, 29, was arrested after he was named as a suspect in the investigation of a sex assault reported early Friday. He has been a Denver police officer since 2018 and was suspended without pay after the arrest, the release said.
An arrest affidavit says Leon-Alvarez met the 27-year-old victim in December when he was among officers who responded to her home. She had called police “regarding an argument she had with her significant other.”
After meeting her, the affidavit says, Leon-Alvarez began contacting the woman.
“One of the officers who responded began texting her afterward to check on her,” the document says. “Over time the (texts) became flirty, until the previous evening (Thursday) when they arranged to go on a date.”
The woman told police that Leon-Alvarez took her to Dave & Busters, an arcade and restaurant, on Thursday night. She said she recalled drinking, and at midnight the officer drove her home, the affidavit says.
“She tried to say goodnight at the door,” the report says. “She did not remember how he ended up coming in the house.”
The affidavit says police were called to her home at 2:55 a.m. Friday, and it says the woman’s roommate corroborated some details of her report, including that the woman protested any physical activity.
Leon-Alvarez was booked into the Downtown Detention Center, with bail set at $50,000.


thedenverpost--2020-01-18--Kickin’ it with Kiz: Here’s neatest magic trick new Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could

Kickin’ it with Kiz: Here’s neatest magic trick new Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could perform with Drew Lock

Pat Shurmur can ’ t be worse than the guy we had as Broncos offensive coordinator last year .
Kiz : Well , as offensive coordinator in Minnesota , Shurmur fooled John Elway into thinking Case Keenum was a good NFL quarterback .
So maybe Shurmur can make Drew Lock believe he ’ s better than Patrick Mahomes .
Do you think the Rockies front-office is growing a bad reputation among players ?
From the “ We ’ ll keep you in the loop ( just kidding ) ” trade of Troy Tulowitzki to the “ We wan na win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? )
” issue with Nolan Arenado , I don ’ t know if I would want to play for Colorado .
Kiz : From bad-mouthing Matt Holliday to dumping DJ LeMahieu , team management has shot down so many stars through the years that the shine is off this organization .
If the Rockies are a baseball family , it ’ s dysfunctional .
I would warn fans not to get too excited about Jerry Schemmel ’ s replacement as radio voice of the Rockies .
If iHeartMedia holds true to current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either by a cheaper kid or a know-it-all robot .
I ’ m not sure which would be worse .
Kiz : Baseball journalists are notorious for arguing about everything , from a player ’ s worthiness for the Hall of Fame to whether a hot dog is a sandwich .
But I guarantee you would get unanimous agreement on this : For the past decade , the nicest person in the Rockies press box was Schemmel .
Cheating in baseball has always been tolerated … unless the cheater gets caught .
Kiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Major League Baseball has a long and grand tradition of cheating , from spit-ballers to PED-users to sign-stealers .
Whatever the Astros did to win the 2017 World Series and everything Barry Bonds did to hit 73 home runs in 2001 has been lambasted by baseball poets to assuage their guilt from loving a sport that has long lived the hypocrisy of cheating the right way rather than playing the right way .
So put an asterisk next to the Astros or Bonds , if that makes you feel better .
But attempting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book would be the same folly as trying to pretend the Black Sox or Pete Rose never existed .
Kiz , are you an idiot or an idiot ?
Kiz : Is that a multiple-choice or essay question ?
If the Nuggets are going to beat the Lakers , Clippers or Rockets in the NBA playoffs , Denver is going to need a Big Three of Nikola Jokic , Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray , with everyone else in a supporting role .
Kiz : It is good to hear the peeps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally come around to my way of thinking .
Since opening night of this NBA season , I ’ ve insisted Denver won ’ t go anywhere in the playoffs without major minutes and a major contribution from Porter .
What can I say ?
Even a humble , little knucklehead like me gets it right sometimes .
And today ’ s parting shot is a little pep talk .

Pat Shurmur can’t be worse than the guy we had as Broncos offensive coordinator last year.
Kristine, eternal optimist
Kiz: Well, as offensive coordinator in Minnesota, Shurmur fooled John Elway into thinking Case Keenum was a good NFL quarterback. So maybe Shurmur can make Drew Lock believe he’s better than Patrick Mahomes.
Do you think the Rockies front-office is growing a bad reputation among players? From the “We’ll keep you in the loop (just kidding)” trade of Troy Tulowitzki to the “We wanna win (Oh, you meant by 2021?)” issue with Nolan Arenado, I don’t know if I would want to play for Colorado.
T.C., Denver
Kiz: From bad-mouthing Matt Holliday to dumping DJ LeMahieu, team management has shot down so many stars through the years that the shine is off this organization. If the Rockies are a baseball family, it’s dysfunctional.
I would warn fans not to get too excited about Jerry Schemmel’s replacement as radio voice of the Rockies. If iHeartMedia holds true to current media form, he will be replaced either by a cheaper kid or a know-it-all robot. I’m not sure which would be worse.
Kate, unicorn hunter
Kiz: Baseball journalists are notorious for arguing about everything, from a player’s worthiness for the Hall of Fame to whether a hot dog is a sandwich. But I guarantee you would get unanimous agreement on this: For the past decade, the nicest person in the Rockies press box was Schemmel.
Cheating in baseball has always been tolerated … unless the cheater gets caught.
Glenn, Loveland
Kiz: Excellent point, my friend. Major League Baseball has a long and grand tradition of cheating, from spit-ballers to PED-users to sign-stealers. Whatever the Astros did to win the 2017 World Series and everything Barry Bonds did to hit 73 home runs in 2001 has been lambasted by baseball poets to assuage their guilt from loving a sport that has long lived the hypocrisy of cheating the right way rather than playing the right way. So put an asterisk next to the Astros or Bonds, if that makes you feel better. But attempting to erase their achievements from the record book would be the same folly as trying to pretend the Black Sox or Pete Rose never existed.
Kiz, are you an idiot or an idiot?
Mikey, sports fanatic
Kiz: Is that a multiple-choice or essay question?
If the Nuggets are going to beat the Lakers, Clippers or Rockets in the NBA playoffs, Denver is going to need a Big Three of Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray, with everyone else in a supporting role.
Roberto, Westminster
Kiz: It is good to hear the peeps, including Charles Barkley on TNT, finally come around to my way of thinking. Since opening night of this NBA season, I’ve insisted Denver won’t go anywhere in the playoffs without major minutes and a major contribution from Porter. What can I say? Even a humble, little knucklehead like me gets it right sometimes.
And today’s parting shot is a little pep talk.
Don’t sell yourself short, Kiz. You’re a tremendous knucklehead.
C.B., Englewood


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Ask Amy: Lost love letters should be returned to sender

Dear Amy : In the early ’ 30s , my uncle attended college in North Carolina .
He met a girl and they fell in love .
When he graduated , he moved back to his home state , and she stayed in North Carolina .
They exchanged letters through 1933 or so , but the long distance doomed the relationship .
He apparently was devastated at the breakup and saved all of her letters .
My uncle died in 1979 and I inherited all of his estate , including all of her letters ( about 120 ) , pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent to him .
In trying to decide what to do with them , I found her family on the internet .
She passed away in 2002 but has a large extended family .
I composed a respectful letter to her oldest son ( who is in his late 70s ) , telling him what I have .
I specifically apologized at the beginning of the letter if he thought this was an intrusion into their family ’ s life , but on the other hand many people these days do genealogy research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about their family ’ s history .
I have not sent the letter .
My family is pretty split over this .
Some say to just throw this stuff out , while others agree that I should contact the family .
I don ’ t want to upset them over their grandmother ’ s love affair with someone they ’ ve likely never even heard of .
What do you think I should do ?
Dear Conflicted : Do NOT throw out these letters and photos .
Contact the woman ’ s son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offer to send the collection to him .
I detect an undercurrent of scandal or embarrassment over this collection .
I fail to see why you are hesitating .
Your uncle and his correspondent were young people who loved one another .
Their tender story is beautiful , and universal .
As far as I can tell , there was no taboo to their love affair .
These letters — and especially the photos — would most likely be treasures to her family members .
Dear Amy : Should I be concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) work friend , whom he would only see twice a year at conferences ( and has recently gotten divorced ) , is driving four hours to visit our town ?
She says she wants us all to go to dinner .
Here is the problem : We live in a very small and unassuming place .
No one ever just vacations here .
It ’ s obvious to me that she ’ s coming to town just to see my boyfriend .
He is oblivious , and says I ’ m being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very solid relationship .
Am I just being crazy ?
Dear Jealous : Jealousy isn ’ t always a bad thing , but it is often flung in a partner ’ s direction like an accusation , instead of it being the reasonable and justified response to a specific situation .
You might as well cop to feeling this way : “ Jealous ?
You bet I am , buster.
” This doesn ’ t mean that he has done anything wrong ( or that she has ) , but that he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a newly single woman taking a four-hour road trip just to say hi .
The real concern would be if she ( or he ) insisted on excluding you .
Neither of them has .
Attend this dinner , behave like a sophisticated and confident person , laugh at all of their inside jokes , ask pointed questions about work and family , think of people you could fix her up with — and suss this out .
Your Spidey sense should tell you whether you ’ ve got a real problem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of someone ( her ) exploring a new territory , only to find that there is a sturdy flag already planted there .
Dear Amy : I ’ m the child of an older dad — a man who people assumed was my grandfather .
I simply corrected people and let them be embarrassed all by themselves .
“ K In Colorado ” is an older dad who should be a lot more worried about keeping himself healthy , so he can be vibrant through all his son ’ s life than about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignorant people bug him is not good for his health .
I completely understand the frustration this dad must experience to frequently be mistaken for his adolescent son ’ s grandfather , but this assumption was a likely outcome when he chose to have his first child at the age of 57 .
Good and happy parents embrace the joys of parenthood , while tolerating its many frustrations .

Dear Amy: In the early ’30s, my uncle attended college in North Carolina.
He met a girl and they fell in love. When he graduated, he moved back to his home state, and she stayed in North Carolina.
They exchanged letters through 1933 or so, but the long distance doomed the relationship. He apparently was devastated at the breakup and saved all of her letters.
My uncle died in 1979 and I inherited all of his estate, including all of her letters (about 120), pictures, and other small items she had sent to him.
In trying to decide what to do with them, I found her family on the internet. She passed away in 2002 but has a large extended family.
I composed a respectful letter to her oldest son (who is in his late 70s), telling him what I have. I specifically apologized at the beginning of the letter if he thought this was an intrusion into their family’s life, but on the other hand many people these days do genealogy research, and would love to know all about their family’s history.
I have not sent the letter. My family is pretty split over this. Some say to just throw this stuff out, while others agree that I should contact the family. I don’t want to upset them over their grandmother’s love affair with someone they’ve likely never even heard of.
What do you think I should do?
— Conflicted
Dear Conflicted: Do NOT throw out these letters and photos. Contact the woman’s son, accurately describe what you have, and offer to send the collection to him.
I detect an undercurrent of scandal or embarrassment over this collection. I fail to see why you are hesitating. Your uncle and his correspondent were young people who loved one another. Their tender story is beautiful, and universal.
As far as I can tell, there was no taboo to their love affair. These letters — and especially the photos — would most likely be treasures to her family members.
Dear Amy: Should I be concerned that my boyfriend’s (female) work friend, whom he would only see twice a year at conferences (and has recently gotten divorced), is driving four hours to visit our town? She says she wants us all to go to dinner.
Here is the problem: We live in a very small and unassuming place. No one ever just vacations here. It’s obvious to me that she’s coming to town just to see my boyfriend.
He is oblivious, and says I’m being jealous. He and I have a very solid relationship. Am I just being crazy?
— Jealous?
Dear Jealous: Jealousy isn’t always a bad thing, but it is often flung in a partner’s direction like an accusation, instead of it being the reasonable and justified response to a specific situation.
You might as well cop to feeling this way: “Jealous? You bet I am, buster.” This doesn’t mean that he has done anything wrong (or that she has), but that he is a desirable guy, and she is a newly single woman taking a four-hour road trip just to say hi.
The real concern would be if she (or he) insisted on excluding you. Neither of them has.
Attend this dinner, behave like a sophisticated and confident person, laugh at all of their inside jokes, ask pointed questions about work and family, think of people you could fix her up with — and suss this out.
Your Spidey sense should tell you whether you’ve got a real problem, or whether this is perhaps a case of someone (her) exploring a new territory, only to find that there is a sturdy flag already planted there.
Dear Amy: I’m the child of an older dad — a man who people assumed was my grandfather.
I simply corrected people and let them be embarrassed all by themselves.
“K In Colorado” is an older dad who should be a lot more worried about keeping himself healthy, so he can be vibrant through all his son’s life than about a stranger’s assumptions.
Letting ignorant people bug him is not good for his health.
— Summer
Dear Summer: Your dad raised a practical and resilient child. Good job, Dad!
I completely understand the frustration this dad must experience to frequently be mistaken for his adolescent son’s grandfather, but this assumption was a likely outcome when he chose to have his first child at the age of 57.
Good and happy parents embrace the joys of parenthood, while tolerating its many frustrations.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Conor McGregor blasts Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in 40 seconds in UFC return

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor stopped Donald Cerrone with a head kick and punches 40 seconds into the first round at UFC 246 on Saturday night , announcing his return to mixed martial arts with his first victory since 2016 .
The Irish former two-division champion returned from a three-year stretch of inactivity and outside-the-cage troubles with a performance that echoed his greatest fights during his unparalleled rise .
McGregor ( 22-4 ) floored Cerrone ( 36-14 ) only 20 seconds into the bout with a perfectly placed left kick to the head , and he mercilessly finished on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd at T-Mobile Arena .
McGregor ’ s hand hadn ’ t been raised in victory since November 2016 , when he stopped lightweight Eddie Alvarez to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two championship belts simultaneously .
With his fame and fortune multiplying , McGregor fought only his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in 2017 , and he lost a one-sided UFC bout to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in late 2018 .
After a year of inactivity and trouble outside the cage , McGregor vowed to return to elite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UFC veteran and stoppage specialist .
This dramatic victory over Cerrone indicated he ’ s on his way , and McGregor has vowed to fight multiple times in 2020 .
Cerrone is the winningest fighter in UFC history with 23 victories , a mark that reflects both his durability and commitment to an uncommonly busy schedule .
Cerrone , who also holds the UFC record with 16 stoppage wins , had fought a whopping 11 times since McGregor ’ s win over Alvarez , and he was in the cage for the 15th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title shot in December 2015 .
But Cerrone ’ s last two fights were stopped when he took too much damage , and he couldn ’ t block McGregor ’ s decisive kick or recover from the punishment on the ground .
McGregor believes he can recapture the fearsome form he showed during his meteoric rise to unprecedented MMA success .
He won 15 consecutive fights during a five-year run from low-profile shows in Dublin to the world ’ s biggest MMA events , stopping five straight elite UFC opponents with punches on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cage with the Irish flag wrapped around his shoulders .
The bearded fighters touched gloves beforehand in an extension of this bout ’ s unfailing sportsmanship — not always a hallmark of McGregor ’ s previous bouts .
After the referee stopped the bout , McGregor peeled away briefly to celebrate , but quickly returned to comfort his disoriented opponent .
When Cerrone ’ s grandmother , Jerry , entered the cage after the fight to hug her grandson , McGregor also hugged Jerry and got a kiss on the cheek .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe because of it — McGregor ’ s return is expected to be a huge seller on pay-per-view .
An eager sellout Vegas crowd showed up in person , with celebrities including Matthew McConaughey , Jeremy Renner and Dave Bautista , along with NFL stars Tom Brady , Christian McCaffrey , Baker Mayfield , Myles Garrett and Jon Gruden .
Former bantamweight champion Holly Holm beat Raquel Pennington by unanimous decision in the penultimate bout of UFC 246 .
The 38-year-old Holm ( 13-5 ) had lost five of her seven fights since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 2015 .
On the undercard , 37-year-old flyweight Roxanne Modafferi pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history with a one-sided decision victory over previously unbeaten 21-year-old Maycee Barber , the UFC ’ s top 125-pound prospect .
Barber ( 8-1 ) injured her left knee during the bout , but Modafferi ( 24-16 ) was already dominating with the superior jiu-jitsu she has been practicing for Barber ’ s entire life .
Modafferi was the biggest betting underdog on the UFC 246 card , facing 10-to-1 odds at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 42-year-old heavyweight who made his pro debut in 1996 , also beat Maurice Greene by submission in the second round .

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor’s opening flurry — a punch that missed, followed by shoulder and elbow shots to the face — bloodied Donald Cerrone’s nose. He then floored Cerrone only 20 seconds into the bout with a perfectly placed kick to the head, and he mercilessly finished on the ground.
When he paraded around the ring with an Irish flag on his shoulders to celebrate, the mixed martial arts world knew McGregor is back with a big bang.
The Irish former two-division champion came out of a three-year stretch of relative inactivity and outside-the-cage troubles with a welterweight performance in UFC 246 on Saturday night that echoed his greatest fights during his unparalleled rise.
“I feel really good, and I came out of here unscathed,” McGregor said. “I’m in shape. We’ve got work to do to get back to where I was.”
After hurting Cerrone (36-14) with his first punch, McGregor (22-4) dropped him with a sublime kick to the jaw. McGregor pounced and forced referee Herb Dean to save Cerrone, delighting a sellout crowd of 19,040 at T-Mobile Arena.
McGregor’s hand hadn’t been raised in victory since November 2016, when he stopped lightweight Eddie Alvarez to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two championship belts simultaneously. With his fame and fortune multiplying, McGregor fought only his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in 2017, and he lost a one-sided UFC bout to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in late 2018.
“I wasn’t committed,” McGregor said afterward while speaking to reporters with a bottle of his Proper Twelve whiskey on the table before him. “I just felt like I disrespected the people that believed in me and supported me. That’s what led me to re-center myself and get back to where I was at.”
After a year spent out of competition and in repeated trouble with the law, McGregor got back into training and vowed to return to elite form. This dramatic victory over Cerrone indicated he’s well on his way, and McGregor has vowed to fight multiple times in 2020.
Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and veteran brawler Jorge Masvidal watched UFC 246 from cageside. Either man could be McGregor’s next opponent, but UFC President Dana White is pushing for a rematch with Nurmagomedov, who first fights Tony Ferguson in April.
“Any one of these mouthy fools can get it,” McGregor yelled into the microphone. “Every single one of them can get it. It does not matter. I’m back and I’m ready.”
McGregor also wants to make up for his loss to Nurmagomedov, but he doesn’t want to wait until the champion is ready to fight again in late summer. McGregor wants an earlier fight, and he predicted that the Nurmagomedov-Ferguson fight will be scrapped, as it already has four times during those fighters’ careers.
Cerrone is the winningest fighter in UFC history with 23 victories, a mark that reflects both his durability and commitment to an uncommonly busy schedule. Cerrone, who also holds the UFC record with 16 stoppage wins, had fought a whopping 11 times since McGregor’s win over Alvarez, and he was in the cage for the 15th time since he lost his only UFC title shot in December 2015.
But Cerrone’s last two fights were stopped when he took too much damage, and he couldn’t block McGregor’s decisive kick or recover from the punishment on the ground.
“I’d never seen anything like that,” Cerrone said. “He busted my nose, it started bleeding, and he stepped back and head-kicked me. Oh, man. This happened this fast?”
Although many observers have scoffed, the 31-year-old McGregor believes he can reclaim the fearsome form he showed during his meteoric rise to unprecedented MMA success. He won 15 consecutive fights during a five-year run from low-profile shows in Dublin to the world’s biggest MMA events, stopping five straight elite UFC opponents with punches on the way up.
After his latest victory ended, McGregor peeled away briefly to celebrate, but quickly returned to comfort the disoriented Cerrone. When Cerrone’s grandmother, Jerry, entered the cage after the fight to hug her grandson, McGregor also hugged Jerry and got a kiss on the cheek.
Even after his prolonged absence — or maybe because of it — McGregor’s return was a huge seller on pay-per-view, according to White. The UFC said it made more than $11 million in ticket sales at T-Mobile Arena for the fourth-biggest gate total in the promotion’s history.
“This guy is such a huge superstar,” White said. “I put him up there with (Mike) Tyson, (Sugar Ray) Leonard, all of them. He’s got the biggest pay-per-view in history, and how many of the top 10 does he have? I don’t know. Coming up in his career, he’s been doubted for his talent, and he proves them wrong every time.”
An eager Vegas crowd showed up in person, with celebrities including Matthew McConaughey, Jeremy Renner and Dave Bautista, along with NFL stars Tom Brady, Christian McCaffrey, Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett and Jon Gruden.
Former bantamweight champion Holly Holm beat Raquel Pennington by unanimous decision in the penultimate bout of UFC 246. The 38-year-old Holm (13-5) had lost five of her seven fights since she memorably knocked out Ronda Rousey in November 2015.
On the undercard, 37-year-old flyweight Roxanne Modafferi pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history with a one-sided decision victory over previously unbeaten 21-year-old Maycee Barber, the UFC’s top 125-pound prospect.
Barber (8-1) injured her left knee during the bout, but Modafferi (24-16) was already dominating with the superior jiu-jitsu she has been practicing for Barber’s entire life. Modafferi was the biggest betting underdog on the UFC 246 card, facing 10-to-1 odds at some sports books.
Aleksei Oleinik, a 42-year-old heavyweight who made his pro debut in 1996, also beat Maurice Greene by submission in the second round.


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Gun-rights activists gear up for show of force in Virginia

RICHMOND , Va. — Police are scouring the internet for clues about plans for mayhem , workers are putting up chain link holding pens around Virginia ’ s picturesque Capitol Square , and one lawmaker even plans to hide in a safe house in advance of what ’ s expected to be an unprecedented show of force by gun-rights activists .
What is provoking their anger in this once reliably conservative state is the new Democratic majority leadership and its plans to enact a slew of gun restrictions .
This clash of old and new has made Virginia – determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence in 2017 – ground zero in the nation ’ s raging debate over gun control .
The Virginia Citizens Defense League ’ s yearly rally at the Capitol typically draws just a few hundred gun enthusiasts .
This year , however , thousands of gun activists are expected to turn out .
Second Amendment groups have identified the state as a rallying point for the fight against what they see as a national erosion of gun rights .
“ We ’ re not going to be quiet anymore .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on the ground .
The illegal laws they ’ re proposing are just straight up unconstitutional , ” said Timothy Forster , of Chesterfield , Virginia , an NRA member who had one handgun strapped to his shoulder and another tucked into his waistband as he stood outside a legislative office building earlier this week .
VCDL president Philip Van Cleave said he ’ s heard from groups around the country that plan to send members to Virginia , including the Nevada-based , far-right Oath Keepers , which has promised to organize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Extremist groups have blanketed social media and online forums with ominous messages and hinted at potential violence .
The FBI said it arrested three men linked to a violent white supremacist group Thursday who were planning to attend the rally in Richmond , according to a law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an active investigation .
Democrats have permanently banned guns inside the Capitol , and Gov .
Ralph Northam declared a temporary state of emergency Wednesday that bans all weapons , including guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally to prevent “ armed militia groups storming our Capitol.
” Gun-rights groups asked the Virginia Supreme Court to rule Northam ’ s declaration unconstitutional , but the court on Friday upheld the ban .
Northam said there were credible threats of violence – like weaponized drones being deployed over Capitol Square .
On Friday , the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction , including for drones , over Capitol airspace during the rally .
The governor said some of the rhetoric used by groups planning to attend Monday ’ s rally is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white nationalist rally in Charlottesville in August 2017 .
One woman was killed and more than 30 other people were hurt when a white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counter protesters there .
The Virginia State Police , the Virginia Capitol Police and the Richmond Police are all coordinating the event and have plans for a huge police presence at Monday ’ s rally that will include both uniformed and plainclothes officers .
Police plan to limit access to Capitol Square to only one entrance and have warned rally-goers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get past security screening .
Nonessential state staff were being told to stay away .
Del .
Lee Carter , a Democratic Socialist , said he ’ s planning to spend Monday at an undisclosed location because of threats he has received .
Northam lamented that such precautions were necessary for what ’ s been a peaceful yearly event , but said pro-gun activists have “ unleashed something larger , something they may not be able to control.
” House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert said in a statement on Saturday that his caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of twisted or extreme worldview into this fundamentally democratic exercise.
” “ While we and our Democratic colleagues may have differences , we are all Virginians and we we will stand united in opposition to any threats of violence or civil unrest from any quarter , ” Gilbert said .
The pushback against proposed new gun restrictions began immediately after Democrats won majorities in both the state Senate and House of Delegates in November .
Much of the opposition has focused on a proposed assault weapons ban , which would affect thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One version of the bill , which Democrats later disavowed , would have required current owners of the rifles to turn them in or face felony charges .
That bill was the spark that created the massive pushback , according to Sen. Creigh Deeds , one of the few moderate Democrats left in Virginia who represents rural areas .
“ That allowed people who like to inflame passions to say , ‘ Look , they ’ re really coming after your guns , they ’ re coming after you , ’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from around the state packed municipal meetings to urge local officials to declare their communities “ Second Amendment Sanctuaries ” opposed to “ unconstitutional ” gun restrictions like universal background checks .
More than 125 cities , towns and counties have approved sanctuary resolutions in Virginia .
Gun-control advocates , meanwhile , have also been flocking to Richmond to show their support for the proposed legislation .
More than 200 volunteers with Moms Demand Action held a rally on Jan. 6 .
Gun control became a leading issue in the 2019 Virginia legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach opened fire on his co-workers in May , killing 12 and injuring four others .
Janet Woody , a retired librarian from Richmond and a Moms volunteer , said she believes the proposed package of legislation can help reduce gun violence .
“ I just feel so angry and helpless because of all these massacres , ” she said .
“ You can call your legislator or write , but there comes a point where you just have to get out in the street.
” This story has been updated to correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @

RICHMOND, Va. — Police are scouring the internet for clues about plans for mayhem, workers are putting up chain link holding pens around Virginia’s picturesque Capitol Square, and one lawmaker even plans to hide in a safe house in advance of what’s expected to be an unprecedented show of force by gun-rights activists.
What is provoking their anger in this once reliably conservative state is the new Democratic majority leadership and its plans to enact a slew of gun restrictions. This clash of old and new has made Virginia – determined to prevent a replay of the Charlottesville violence in 2017 – ground zero in the nation’s raging debate over gun control.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League’s yearly rally at the Capitol typically draws just a few hundred gun enthusiasts. This year, however, thousands of gun activists are expected to turn out. Second Amendment groups have identified the state as a rallying point for the fight against what they see as a national erosion of gun rights.
“We’re not going to be quiet anymore. We’re going to fight them in the courts and on the ground. The illegal laws they’re proposing are just straight up unconstitutional,” said Timothy Forster, of Chesterfield, Virginia, an NRA member who had one handgun strapped to his shoulder and another tucked into his waistband as he stood outside a legislative office building earlier this week.
VCDL president Philip Van Cleave said he’s heard from groups around the country that plan to send members to Virginia, including the Nevada-based, far-right Oath Keepers, which has promised to organize and train armed posses and militia.
Extremist groups have blanketed social media and online forums with ominous messages and hinted at potential violence. The FBI said it arrested three men linked to a violent white supremacist group Thursday who were planning to attend the rally in Richmond, according to a law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an active investigation.
Democrats have permanently banned guns inside the Capitol, and Gov. Ralph Northam declared a temporary state of emergency Wednesday that bans all weapons, including guns, from Capitol Square, during the rally to prevent “armed militia groups storming our Capitol.” Gun-rights groups asked the Virginia Supreme Court to rule Northam’s declaration unconstitutional, but the court on Friday upheld the ban.
Northam said there were credible threats of violence – like weaponized drones being deployed over Capitol Square. On Friday, the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction, including for drones, over Capitol airspace during the rally.
The governor said some of the rhetoric used by groups planning to attend Monday’s rally is reminiscent of that used ahead of the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville in August 2017. One woman was killed and more than 30 other people were hurt when a white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counter protesters there.
The Virginia State Police, the Virginia Capitol Police and the Richmond Police are all coordinating the event and have plans for a huge police presence at Monday’s rally that will include both uniformed and plainclothes officers. Police plan to limit access to Capitol Square to only one entrance and have warned rally-goers that they may have to wait hours to get past security screening.
Nonessential state staff were being told to stay away. Del. Lee Carter, a Democratic Socialist, said he’s planning to spend Monday at an undisclosed location because of threats he has received.
“I ain’t interested in martyrdom,” Carter tweeted.
Northam lamented that such precautions were necessary for what’s been a peaceful yearly event, but said pro-gun activists have “unleashed something larger, something they may not be able to control.”
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert said in a statement on Saturday that his caucus rejects any attempt to “infuse any kind of twisted or extreme worldview into this fundamentally democratic exercise.”
“While we and our Democratic colleagues may have differences, we are all Virginians and we we will stand united in opposition to any threats of violence or civil unrest from any quarter,” Gilbert said.
The pushback against proposed new gun restrictions began immediately after Democrats won majorities in both the state Senate and House of Delegates in November. Much of the opposition has focused on a proposed assault weapons ban, which would affect thousands of owners of the popular AR-15-style rifles. One version of the bill, which Democrats later disavowed, would have required current owners of the rifles to turn them in or face felony charges.
That bill was the spark that created the massive pushback, according to Sen. Creigh Deeds, one of the few moderate Democrats left in Virginia who represents rural areas.
“That allowed people who like to inflame passions to say, ‘Look, they’re really coming after your guns, they’re coming after you,’” Deeds said.
Thousands of gun owners from around the state packed municipal meetings to urge local officials to declare their communities “Second Amendment Sanctuaries” opposed to “unconstitutional” gun restrictions like universal background checks. More than 125 cities, towns and counties have approved sanctuary resolutions in Virginia.
Gun-control advocates, meanwhile, have also been flocking to Richmond to show their support for the proposed legislation. More than 200 volunteers with Moms Demand Action held a rally on Jan. 6. Gun control became a leading issue in the 2019 Virginia legislative elections after a city employee in Virginia Beach opened fire on his co-workers in May, killing 12 and injuring four others.
Janet Woody, a retired librarian from Richmond and a Moms volunteer, said she believes the proposed package of legislation can help reduce gun violence.
“I just feel so angry and helpless because of all these massacres,” she said. “You can call your legislator or write, but there comes a point where you just have to get out in the street.”
___
This story has been updated to correct the date of the Charlottesville rally.


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Man killed by RTD bus in Denver; charges pending

A pedestrian died in a crash involving an RTD bus on Saturday evening at 35th Avenue and Federal Boulevard , @ @ @ @ @ Department .
The man was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead .
Police @ @ @ @ @ did not identify anyone involved in the incident .
This is a breaking news story @ @ @ @ @ information is available .

A pedestrian died in a crash involving an RTD bus on Saturday evening at 35th Avenue and Federal Boulevard, according to the Denver Police Department.
A witness saw the man running alongside the bus, possibly trying to get it to stop, before he fell, was caught under the bus and struck, police spokesman Jay Casillas said Sunday.
The man was taken to a hospital where he died. He has not been identified.
Although police earlier said charges in the case were pending, Casillas on Sunday said the investigation was ongoing and police were working to determine who was at fault in the incident and if any criminal charges were warranted against the bus driver.


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Where Does Astros Cheating Rank in Scandals? Ask Pete Rose

LAS VEGAS — Pete Rose was taking a break from signing autographs at the MGM Grand hotel when asked a question he ’ s uniquely qualified to address .
What ’ s worse , betting on baseball or cheating at baseball ?
“ I don ’ t know , ’ ’ Rose tells The Associated Press .
“ All I know is I ’ ve been suspended for 30 years now .
I don ’ t know anybody that ’ s been suspended for 30 years.
” It ’ s a fair point , especially when compared to the punishments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandal to hit baseball since the steroid era .
What Rose did was wrong — according to baseball rules — but there ’ s still a lot of people who believe he should be adding a Hall of Fame designation when he signs memorabilia in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas .
Still , 30 years away from the game he was so great at seems like an awful long time , especially when Major League Baseball and other sports leagues have made their peace — and are doing business — with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And face it .
If you believe Rose on the details of what he did — and that ’ s a stretch for some — his betting didn ’ t have nearly the impact on baseball than a cheating scheme that has brought into question the legitimacy of not just one , but two , World Series .
“ Which one is worse , stealing signs electronically , taking steroids or betting on baseball ?
” the all-time major league hit leader asked .
“ All three are bad .
But at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with the outcome of the game.
” The Astros cheating scandal , of course , is still new , at least publicly .
A week ago , no one was questioning whether the Astros were really the 2017 champions or the Red Sox a year after that .
Now it ’ s all in play , and the discussion is beginning to turn to how the sign scandal ranks with other scandals in baseball history .
Pretty high up with each passing day , if only because there are few comparable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Black Sox scandal of 1919 and Rose betting on baseball games from the dugout in Cincinnati are about the only ones that come close .
There ’ s also the steroid era , where it was hard to figure out what was real and what wasn ’ t .
The players themselves weren ’ t much help , sticking up for teammates and for the most part claiming ignorance of steroid use .
The unwritten baseball code of silence , though , seems to be unraveling quickly with the sign-stealing scandal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston pitcher Mike Fiers went on record to The Athletic about the scheme the Astros employed during his time there to steal signs .
Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood , who was careful to hide his signals in allowing one hit in 5 2/3 innings of Game 4 of the World Series , tweeted that he would rather pitch to a player on steroids than one who knew which pitch was coming .
That sentiment was echoed by Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer , who added , “ All day every day for the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bellinger went even further , saying there needs to be major consequences for any players involved .
“ That Completely ruins the integrity of the game !
!
!
” Bellinger tweeted .
Rose said he wished the scandal wasn ’ t playing out a month before pitchers and catchers report for spring training .
He predicted Commissioner Rob Manfred will have a hard time dealing with the fallout .
But he agreed with Bellinger that if players are guilty , they need to be punished , just as he was .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I give you the indicator , aren ’ t you just as guilty being the batter ?
” he asked .
“ It ’ s the batter who is benefiting from this , not the guy who was the indicator .
You have to look at every player on the team.
” Rose , who turns 79 in April , said there was sign-stealing during his time , though without technology .
Mostly , it was a base coach figuring out sign sequences and a runner at second relaying them to the batter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it stop .
“ Usually what would happen is the pitcher would throw it right at a guy ’ s head , ” he said .
“ Ninety of 100 would stop because they don ’ t want that chin music.
” But while Rose was guilty of doing things not in the best interest of baseball , he said he wasn ’ t much of a sign thief .
“ I batted 15,000 times and I never wanted a guy on second to tell me what was coming , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to know because he might be wrong and I wasn ’ t a guess hitter anyway so it wouldn ’ t have helped me much.
’ ’ It did help , Rose said , the home run hitters who liked to guess on what pitches were coming .
And that , he added , holds true today .
“ It ’ s a bigger thing for home run hitters , ” he said .
“ I played with a lot of guys who were home run hitters and you tell them what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out of Yellowstone Park .
”

LAS VEGAS — Pete Rose was taking a break from signing autographs at the MGM Grand hotel when asked a question he’s uniquely qualified to address.
What’s worse, betting on baseball or cheating at baseball?
“I don’t know,’’ Rose tells The Associated Press. “All I know is I’ve been suspended for 30 years now. I don’t know anybody that’s been suspended for 30 years.”
It’s a fair point, especially when compared to the punishments handed out so far in the worst scandal to hit baseball since the steroid era. What Rose did was wrong — according to baseball rules — but there’s still a lot of people who believe he should be adding a Hall of Fame designation when he signs memorabilia in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas.
Still, 30 years away from the game he was so great at seems like an awful long time, especially when Major League Baseball and other sports leagues have made their peace — and are doing business — with the bookies who post lines on their games.
And face it. If you believe Rose on the details of what he did — and that’s a stretch for some — his betting didn’t have nearly the impact on baseball than a cheating scheme that has brought into question the legitimacy of not just one, but two, World Series.
“Which one is worse, stealing signs electronically, taking steroids or betting on baseball?” the all-time major league hit leader asked. “All three are bad. But at least what I did never had anything to do with the outcome of the game.”
The Astros cheating scandal, of course, is still new, at least publicly. A week ago, no one was questioning whether the Astros were really the 2017 champions or the Red Sox a year after that.
Now it’s all in play, and the discussion is beginning to turn to how the sign scandal ranks with other scandals in baseball history.
Pretty high up with each passing day, if only because there are few comparable scandals and two of them involve gambling. The Black Sox scandal of 1919 and Rose betting on baseball games from the dugout in Cincinnati are about the only ones that come close.
There’s also the steroid era, where it was hard to figure out what was real and what wasn’t. The players themselves weren’t much help, sticking up for teammates and for the most part claiming ignorance of steroid use.
The unwritten baseball code of silence, though, seems to be unraveling quickly with the sign-stealing scandal. That began in November when former Houston pitcher Mike Fiers went on record to The Athletic about the scheme the Astros employed during his time there to steal signs.
Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood, who was careful to hide his signals in allowing one hit in 5 2/3 innings of Game 4 of the World Series, tweeted that he would rather pitch to a player on steroids than one who knew which pitch was coming. That sentiment was echoed by Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer, who added, “All day every day for the rest of time.”
National League MVP Cody Bellinger went even further, saying there needs to be major consequences for any players involved.
“That Completely ruins the integrity of the game!!!” Bellinger tweeted.
Rose said he wished the scandal wasn’t playing out a month before pitchers and catchers report for spring training. He predicted Commissioner Rob Manfred will have a hard time dealing with the fallout.
But he agreed with Bellinger that if players are guilty, they need to be punished, just as he was.
“If you’re the batter and I give you the indicator, aren’t you just as guilty being the batter?” he asked. “It’s the batter who is benefiting from this, not the guy who was the indicator. You have to look at every player on the team.”
Rose, who turns 79 in April, said there was sign-stealing during his time, though without technology. Mostly, it was a base coach figuring out sign sequences and a runner at second relaying them to the batter, and there were accepted ways to make it stop.
“Usually what would happen is the pitcher would throw it right at a guy’s head,” he said. “Ninety of 100 would stop because they don’t want that chin music.”
But while Rose was guilty of doing things not in the best interest of baseball, he said he wasn’t much of a sign thief.
“I batted 15,000 times and I never wanted a guy on second to tell me what was coming,” he said. “I didn’t want to know because he might be wrong and I wasn’t a guess hitter anyway so it wouldn’t have helped me much.’’
It did help, Rose said, the home run hitters who liked to guess on what pitches were coming. And that, he added, holds true today.
“It’s a bigger thing for home run hitters,” he said. “I played with a lot of guys who were home run hitters and you tell them what’s coming and they would hit it out of Yellowstone Park.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Kiszla: Cale Makar is only 21 years old. But are we watching emergence of best defenseman in Avalanc

Kiszla: Cale Makar is only 21 years old. But are we watching emergence of best defenseman in Avalanche history?

Panic flashed in his eyes .
And panic is the last thing you ever expect to see in the eyes of unflappable Avalanche rookie Cale Makar , who blinks less than that stone statue of an angelic cherub in your grandma ’ s garden .
But after scoring an unassisted goal worthy of a frame on the wall in the Hockey Hall of Fame , Makar sat in his locker after a 5-3 victory against St. Louis , with eyes darting like a “ Jeopardy !
” contestant stumped for an answer .
In a happy Colorado dressing room , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you know who Barry Beck is ?
” Makar hemmed , he hawed , searched in every corner of his brain , decided against trying to bluff and finally admitted : “ The name sounds familiar , but to be honest with you … ” Well , way back in 1978 , when the NHL still felt fresh and new in Denver , Beck broke into the league with a bang , setting a rookie record with 22 goals as a young defenseman for the old Colorado Rockies .
“ That might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Makar , born in 1998 .
Heck , his parents would have trouble remembering Beck .
But give the kid credit .
Makar is humble enough to learn his NHL history , even as he makes history with hockey magic that makes me wonder if this 21-year-old rookie is already establishing himself as the greatest defenseman ever to play for Colorado .
Makar scored his 11th goal of this season against the Blues , whose fans attempted an unfriendly and ultimately unsuccessful takeover of the Pepsi Center .
It was an unforgettable moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 2037 , when Makar is preparing his acceptance speech for the Hockey Hall of Fame , fans will swear they were in the arena on this winter afternoon , witnessing the emergence of sports genius .
With the score tied 2-2 late in the second period , Makar took control of the puck in the attack zone , near the Avalanche bench .
What happened next was remarkable for the sheer audacity of Makar , but more amazing for the serenity on the rookie ’ s face when he made the Blues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his stick , Makar skated the entire length of the blue line , eluding one St. Louis defender and then another , calmly ignoring the obvious danger : One little mistake and loss of possession would have probably resulted in an odd-man rush by the Blues .
Truth be known , hockey coaches loathe the dipsy-do routine Makar attempted .
From his days at UMass to the NHL , this young defenseman has been repeatedly urged to : Shoot the % @ # !
puck !
When I asked about the rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displayed by Makar handling the puck , Avalanche coach Jared Bednar ’ s first response was to roll his eyes .
“ Well , it ’ s rare .
Yeah , it ’ s rare .
And I love it when it ends up in the back of the net , ” Bednar said .
“ But on a lot of those , he can shoot it right away … ” Pure athletic genius , however , listens to its inner voice , not the trivial concerns of mere mortals unable to imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You just read and react to what the game gives you , ” he said , with the humble grace of a guy who routinely makes hockey magic for a living .
After skating around two Blues , the rookie defenseman carved an arc toward the top of the right circle and unleashed a shot that left St. Louis net-minder Jordan Binnington stupefied .
The puck rattled the cage with such force that Makar ’ s unassisted goal at 16:26 of the second period not only pushed Colorado into the lead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their heels .
It was goal worthy of the Hall of Fame , so gorgeous it made every Avs fan in the joint jump for joy , while thousands of pesky St. Louis spectators cried in their Budweiser .
While I can not know for certain if the sudden thunder of Makar ’ s score shook Binnington to his core , the dazed-and-confused goaltender was beaten by a shot from Colorado ’ s Andre Burakovsky a scant 22 seconds later , putting the Avs ahead 4-2 and causing St. Louis coach Craig Berube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now for the rest of the story : The Avalanche required an empty-net score by Gabe Landeskog in the final two seconds of the third period to hold off the hard-charging Blues .
This victory was particularly sweet , not only because it was against the division leader , but it also reversed a nasty recent habit of Colorado blowing late leads against quality opposition .
“ It ’ s definitely in the back of your mind , ” veteran Colorado defenseman Erik Johnson said .
“ So it ’ s good to @ @ @ @ @

Panic flashed in his eyes. And panic is the last thing you ever expect to see in the eyes of unflappable Avalanche rookie Cale Makar, who blinks less than that stone statue of an angelic cherub in your grandma’s garden.
But after scoring an unassisted goal worthy of a frame on the wall in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Makar sat in his locker after a 5-3 victory against St. Louis, with eyes darting like a “Jeopardy!” contestant stumped for an answer.
In a happy Colorado dressing room, the question to Makar was: “Do you know who Barry Beck is?”
Makar hemmed, he hawed, searched in every corner of his brain, decided against trying to bluff and finally admitted: “The name sounds familiar, but to be honest with you …”
Well, way back in 1978, when the NHL still felt fresh and new in Denver, Beck broke into the league with a bang, setting a rookie record with 22 goals as a young defenseman for the old Colorado Rockies.
“That might be before my time,” admitted Makar, born in 1998.
Heck, his parents would have trouble remembering Beck. But give the kid credit. Makar is humble enough to learn his NHL history, even as he makes history with hockey magic that makes me wonder if this 21-year-old rookie is already establishing himself as the greatest defenseman ever to play for Colorado.
Makar scored his 11th goal of this season against the Blues, whose fans attempted an unfriendly and ultimately unsuccessful takeover of the Pepsi Center. It was an unforgettable moment that down the road, circa the year 2037, when Makar is preparing his acceptance speech for the Hockey Hall of Fame, fans will swear they were in the arena on this winter afternoon, witnessing the emergence of sports genius.
With the score tied 2-2 late in the second period, Makar took control of the puck in the attack zone, near the Avalanche bench. What happened next was remarkable for the sheer audacity of Makar, but more amazing for the serenity on the rookie’s face when he made the Blues look foolish.
With the puck glued to his stick, Makar skated the entire length of the blue line, eluding one St. Louis defender and then another, calmly ignoring the obvious danger: One little mistake and loss of possession would have probably resulted in an odd-man rush by the Blues.
Truth be known, hockey coaches loathe the dipsy-do routine Makar attempted. From his days at UMass to the NHL, this young defenseman has been repeatedly urged to: Shoot the %@#! puck!
When I asked about the rare combination of creativity, skill and brashness displayed by Makar handling the puck, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar’s first response was to roll his eyes.
“Well, it’s rare. Yeah, it’s rare. And I love it when it ends up in the back of the net,” Bednar said. “But on a lot of those, he can shoot it right away …”
Pure athletic genius, however, listens to its inner voice, not the trivial concerns of mere mortals unable to imagine the spectacular Makar dares to attempt.
“You just read and react to what the game gives you,” he said, with the humble grace of a guy who routinely makes hockey magic for a living.
After skating around two Blues, the rookie defenseman carved an arc toward the top of the right circle and unleashed a shot that left St. Louis net-minder Jordan Binnington stupefied. The puck rattled the cage with such force that Makar’s unassisted goal at 16:26 of the second period not only pushed Colorado into the lead, it rocked the defending NHL champs on their heels.
It was goal worthy of the Hall of Fame, so gorgeous it made every Avs fan in the joint jump for joy, while thousands of pesky St. Louis spectators cried in their Budweiser.
While I cannot know for certain if the sudden thunder of Makar’s score shook Binnington to his core, the dazed-and-confused goaltender was beaten by a shot from Colorado’s Andre Burakovsky a scant 22 seconds later, putting the Avs ahead 4-2 and causing St. Louis coach Craig Berube to yank Binnington from the game.
Now for the rest of the story: The Avalanche required an empty-net score by Gabe Landeskog in the final two seconds of the third period to hold off the hard-charging Blues. This victory was particularly sweet, not only because it was against the division leader, but it also reversed a nasty recent habit of Colorado blowing late leads against quality opposition.
“It’s definitely in the back of your mind,” veteran Colorado defenseman Erik Johnson said. “So it’s good to exorcise those demons.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Nuggets injury bug opens door for extended bench minutes: “I know I’ll be playing a lot”

The doors to the Nuggets ’ auxiliary gym at the Pepsi Center stayed locked Saturday afternoon , and instead of allowing reporters to view the final minutes of practice , the team required extended secrecy to run set plays until the final whistle .
That was extra preparation time made necessary by an unfortunate Nuggets injury bug as they ’ ve reached the midway point of the season at 29-12 with three starters hurt on the bench .
Point guard Jamal Murray ( ankle ) , power forward Paul Millsap ( knee ) and shooting guard Gary Harris ( adductor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night ’ s overtime victory at Golden State .
And it appears all three are likely to miss Sunday night home game against the Pacers ( 27-15 ) .
“ Jamal and Paul are still out , ” coach Michael Malone told reporters Saturday .
“ Gary , out of those three , is by far the closest to potentially coming back .
He was able to do some things today , and we ’ ll see how he feels when he wakes up in the morning .
But I really want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to rush him back.
” The skeleton Nuggets flexed their depth and versatility against the now lowly Warriors .
Starting small forward Will Barton poured in a season-best 31 points , and he even closed the game at point guard down the stretch .
Every available Nugget minus Vlatko Cancar saw the floor , including a career-high 29 minutes and 18 seconds of playing time for Michael Porter Jr .
He made the most of it with 19 points , eight rebounds and two steals .
“ I know I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I know they will be calling on me to score some and play-make some , ” Porter said .
“ I ’ ve just got to be ready for every single game.
” Added reserve shooting guard Malik Beasley : “ I always prepare to play no matter what .
I ’ ve got to keep that mind-set.
” Denver ’ s inactivity so far leading up to the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline has allowed for its depth to buoy the team entering a late-January gauntlet with marquee games against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jazz and Bucks .
Providing the Nuggets ’ bench with big-game experience now seems likely to pay dividends at playoff time — as long as those players continue leading Denver to victory .
“ We ’ re finding ways with a young group , and with guys who are improving , and stepping up in big situations , ” Malone said .
“ I like where we ’ re at .
The challenge is if we can continue to play at the level we ’ re playing at with the schedule we have @ @ @ @ @

The doors to the Nuggets’ auxiliary gym at the Pepsi Center stayed locked Saturday afternoon, and instead of allowing reporters to view the final minutes of practice, the team required extended secrecy to run set plays until the final whistle.
That was extra preparation time made necessary by an unfortunate Nuggets injury bug as they’ve reached the midway point of the season at 29-12 with three starters hurt on the bench.
Point guard Jamal Murray (ankle), power forward Paul Millsap (knee) and shooting guard Gary Harris (adductor strain) were all absent from Friday night’s overtime victory at Golden State. And it appears all three are likely to miss Sunday night home game against the Pacers (27-15).
“Jamal and Paul are still out,” coach Michael Malone told reporters Saturday. “Gary, out of those three, is by far the closest to potentially coming back. He was able to do some things today, and we’ll see how he feels when he wakes up in the morning. But I really want to be smart with it. I don’t want to rush him back.”
The skeleton Nuggets flexed their depth and versatility against the now lowly Warriors. Starting small forward Will Barton poured in a season-best 31 points, and he even closed the game at point guard down the stretch. Every available Nugget minus Vlatko Cancar saw the floor, including a career-high 29 minutes and 18 seconds of playing time for Michael Porter Jr. He made the most of it with 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
“I know I’ll be playing a lot, and I know they will be calling on me to score some and play-make some,” Porter said. “I’ve just got to be ready for every single game.”
Added reserve shooting guard Malik Beasley: “I always prepare to play no matter what. I’ve got to keep that mind-set.”
Denver’s inactivity so far leading up to the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline has allowed for its depth to buoy the team entering a late-January gauntlet with marquee games against the Rockets (twice), Pelicans, Jazz and Bucks. Providing the Nuggets’ bench with big-game experience now seems likely to pay dividends at playoff time — as long as those players continue leading Denver to victory.
“We’re finding ways with a young group, and with guys who are improving, and stepping up in big situations,” Malone said. “I like where we’re at. The challenge is if we can continue to play at the level we’re playing at with the schedule we have ahead of us.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Chambers: Jared Bednar won’t ride NHL coaching carousel

Jared Bednar , suddenly the seventh-most tenured NHL head coach , gladly filters out what he calls the external noise : the folks who criticize his job performance .
As he should .
The Avalanche entered Saturday tied for second in the Western Conference behind the mighty St. Louis Blues , the defending Stanley Cup champions who started this latest coaching carousel craze .
Yeah , the Avs haven ’ t played great lately , but every team struggles at times in this highly competitive league and Colorado general manager Joe Sakic won ’ t participate in what has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underperformed early last season and fired coach Mike Yeo , and they went on to win Cup with interim coach Craig Berube .
Now , even the playoff-contending teams are firing the head coach — and a retreading process has developed .
Fourteen current NHL head coaches are in their first season with their teams , and that doesn ’ t include Berube .
John Hynes , fired by New Jersey in December , was hired by Nashville this month after the underperforming Predators fired Peter Laviolette .
And a similar month-to-month event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Jose and hired by Vegas , replacing the fired Gerard Gallant .
Three other head coaches were fired for cause this season : Mike Babcock in Toronto , Bill Peters in Calgary and Jim Montgomery in Dallas .
Each of those clubs would make the playoffs if the regular season ended today .
Vegas is also in playoff position , leaving just three teams that have made a coaching change sitting outside the 16-team postseason field .
Bednar , now in his fourth season with the Avs , feels for his fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job to someday get fired .
“ It ’ s kind of out of our control .
My focus on a daily basis is trying to get our team ready to win hockey games , ” Bednar said .
“ I can ’ t , as an individual , be spending a lot of time looking at that stuff .
You just have got to do the best job you can in the moment , and trying to give your team what it needs in your preparation , right down to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure we ’ re on top of things and reinforcing the good and make sure we spend time on things that weren ’ t good so we keep improving , and make sure the same things aren ’ t biting us over and over.
” Expectations are as high in Colorado as they ’ ve been since Patrick Roy ’ s second season as head coach in 2014-15 , following a 112-point season that ended with a Game 7 loss to the Minnesota Wild in a first-round playoff series .
But Bednar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first second-round playoff appearance since 2008 , said expectations don ’ t change his job description .
“ No one is going to set higher expectations for what we ’ re going to accomplish than me and the guys in our room , ” Bednar said .
We had high expectations last year .
To me ( calling for a coach ’ s firing ) , that ’ s all external noise.
” Sakic , on the job since 2013 , has never fired a head coach .
And Bednar , a player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be his first anytime soon .
Someday , very likely .
But everyone affiliated with the club believes in Bednar and his staff .
“ That belief within our locker room is strong , ” Bednar said .

Jared Bednar, suddenly the seventh-most tenured NHL head coach, gladly filters out what he calls the external noise: the folks who criticize his job performance.
As he should.
The Avalanche entered Saturday tied for second in the Western Conference behind the mighty St. Louis Blues, the defending Stanley Cup champions who started this latest coaching carousel craze. Yeah, the Avs haven’t played great lately, but every team struggles at times in this highly competitive league and Colorado general manager Joe Sakic won’t participate in what has been a surprising coaching turnover.
The Blues underperformed early last season and fired coach Mike Yeo, and they went on to win Cup with interim coach Craig Berube. Now, even the playoff-contending teams are firing the head coach — and a retreading process has developed.
Fourteen current NHL head coaches are in their first season with their teams, and that doesn’t include Berube.
John Hynes, fired by New Jersey in December, was hired by Nashville this month after the underperforming Predators fired Peter Laviolette. And a similar month-to-month event occurred when Peter DeBoer was fired by San Jose and hired by Vegas, replacing the fired Gerard Gallant.
Three other head coaches were fired for cause this season: Mike Babcock in Toronto, Bill Peters in Calgary and Jim Montgomery in Dallas. Each of those clubs would make the playoffs if the regular season ended today. Vegas is also in playoff position, leaving just three teams that have made a coaching change sitting outside the 16-team postseason field.
Bednar, now in his fourth season with the Avs, feels for his fallen peers, but everyone signs up for the job to someday get fired.
“It’s kind of out of our control. My focus on a daily basis is trying to get our team ready to win hockey games,” Bednar said. “I can’t, as an individual, be spending a lot of time looking at that stuff. You just have got to do the best job you can in the moment, and trying to give your team what it needs in your preparation, right down to the previous games so we’re making sure we’re on top of things and reinforcing the good and make sure we spend time on things that weren’t good so we keep improving, and make sure the same things aren’t biting us over and over.”
Expectations are as high in Colorado as they’ve been since Patrick Roy’s second season as head coach in 2014-15, following a 112-point season that ended with a Game 7 loss to the Minnesota Wild in a first-round playoff series. But Bednar, who last spring led Colorado to its first second-round playoff appearance since 2008, said expectations don’t change his job description.
“No one is going to set higher expectations for what we’re going to accomplish than me and the guys in our room,” Bednar said. We had high expectations last year. To me (calling for a coach’s firing), that’s all external noise.”
Sakic, on the job since 2013, has never fired a head coach. And Bednar, a player’s coach, won’t be his first anytime soon. Someday, very likely. But everyone affiliated with the club believes in Bednar and his staff.
“That belief within our locker room is strong,” Bednar said.


thedenverpost--2020-01-20--1 officer dies, 1 in critical condition in Hawaii shooting

HONOLULU — One police officer has died after being shot while responding to an assault call in Hawaii on Sunday , according to a Honolulu City councilwoman .
A second officer is hospitalized in critical condition and the gunman is being sought , authorities said .
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that officers had responded to an assault call when they encountered a male with a firearm , who then opened fire , striking two officers .
Honolulu police spokeswoman Michelle Yu did not confirm the death but said more than one officer was taken to the hospital in critical condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Queen ’ s Medical Center , declined to provide any information about the victims , deferring to the Honolulu Police Department .
The neighborhood where the shooting occurred is at the far end of the Waikiki Beach between the Honolulu Zoo and the famed Diamond Head State Monument .
The area would be packed with tourists and locals , especially on a weekend .
A home the suspected gunman was believed to be inside caught fire and was quickly engulfed by flames .
The fire at the home has since spread to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle .
The Honolulu Fire Department was battling the blazes .
No arrests have been made .
Police have closed several streets nearby .
The public has been asked to avoid the area .

HONOLULU — A man shot and killed two police officers Sunday as they responded to a home in a leafy neighborhood beneath the rim of a famed volcanic crater near Waikiki Beach, authorities said.
The officers were responding to a call from a woman who said she needed help and found her with a stab wound to her leg, police said Sunday. The suspect opened fire as police arrived, killing Officers Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama, said Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard. She said the suspect as well as two women who were in the home were unaccounted for.
Ballard said authorities would continue to search for the shooter, but that it was likely that he was inside the home when it burned.
The homeowner, Lois Cain, had recently sought to have a man evicted, court records showed. A neighbor told The Associated Press she saw Cain being loaded into an ambulance with knife wounds.
Cain’s condition was not immediately confirmed, nor was the suspect’s. Flames emerging from the home soon spread to several others. Honolulu fire said five homes were “complete losses.”
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the two officers as well as the entire Honolulu Police Department,” Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell tweeted. “This is an unprecedented tragedy for not only the City and County of Honolulu but the entire state of Hawai’i.”
The normally peaceful neighborhood where shots were fired is at the far end of the Waikiki Beach between the Honolulu Zoo and the famed Diamond Head State Monument, a volcanic crater that looms above Honolulu and is popular with tourists and hikers. A regional park is also nearby.
Ian Felix, a Honolulu resident and combat veteran with medical training, told the AP he happened to be walking by when he saw a woman lying on the ground with a pool of blood coming from her leg. He applied pressure until the first police officer arrived and put a tourniquet on it, Felix said. Moments later two more officers arrived, and Felix said he then heard two gunshots.
He and the officer picked up the wounded woman and carried her into a neighbor’s garage across the street, he said.
According to court records, the man living in Cain’s home was Jaroslav “Jerry” Hanel. Neighbors described him as mentally disturbed.
“Defendant does NOT have a Rental Agreement to occupy the premises and Defendant has no ownership interest in said premises,” read a complaint for eviction that Cain filed last week in court. “Despite repeated demands, Defendant has failed and refused to vacate the premises.”
Attorney Jonathan Burge has represented Hanel since 2015 in various disputes with neighbors, including temporary restraining orders that three obtained against him. Hanel, a native of the Czech Republic who used Czech interpreters in court, faced a hearing next week on a charge of misusing 911 services, Burge said Sunday.
Burge said he never knew Hanel to be violent, but that “he’s kind of a quirky guy and had problems.” Hanel believed the government was watching him and tapping his phone, Burge said.
“Maybe that’s what set him off,” he said of the eviction.
Hanel lived for free at the home in exchange for handyman work, Burge said. Cain was supportive of him in his disputes with the neighbors, Burge said, but their relationship had soured lately because Hanel’s dog had died and Cain wouldn’t let him get a new one.
Nearby resident Dolores Sandvold said she heard screaming and gunshots and saw Cain being carried to an ambulance. She said she was led out of the area and that she had yet to be allowed back into her home.
Kailua resident John Farmer said the fire spread to his sister’s nearby house, which burned down. He said the resident has been described as paranoid and threatening.
Officials across the state began releasing statements mourning the lost lives, with Gov. David Ige saying, “Our entire state mourns the loss of two Honolulu Police officers killed in the line of duty this morning.”
Police closed several streets nearby and asked the public to avoid the area.
The last time a Honolulu police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty was 2003.


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Patrick Mahomes lifts Chiefs to first Super Bowl in 50 years in win over Titans

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
— With his best imitation of a tightrope walker , Patrick Mahomes high-wired the Kansas City Chiefs into their first Super Bowl in a half-century .
Oh sure , Mahomes did his usual superb job passing , but it was his 27-yard tap dance down the left sideline late in the first half that gave the Chiefs their first lead .
From there , they outran the run-oriented Titans and star back Derrick Henry for a 35-24 victory Sunday in the AFC championship .
At last , for the first time since 1970 and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-4 ) are Super Bowl bound .
In two weeks in Miami , they will play the winner of the NFC title game between Green Bay and San Francisco .
“ I mean , it ’ s amazing .
It really is , ” Mahomes said .
“ To be here , to be a part of Chiefs Kingdom and to be able to do it here at Arrowhead , these people deserve it .
And , we ’ re not done yet.
” Adding to the joy of the achievement , coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lamar Hunt Trophy — named after his father — emblematic of the AFC title .
It was handed over to them by Chiefs Hall of Famer Bobby Bell , with Mahomes and safety Tyrann Mathieu jumping for joy on the makeshift stage .
Next up : chasing the Vince Lombardi Trophy .
“ Chiefs Kingdom , we are going to the Super Bowl , ” Hunt said .
“ It ’ s awesome , ” Reid said , asking the crowd to chant ” How about those Chiefs ?
” The Chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 35-10 to the Green Bay Packers .
But they charged back three years later to beat Minnesota 23-7 behind Len Dawson , Otis Taylor and animated coach Hank Stram famously urging his team to “ keep matriculating the ball down the field , boys !
” As they had done in their past three “ elimination ” games , the sixth-seeded Titans ( 11-8 ) got started quickly .
The difference at Arrowhead as opposed to Houston , New England and Baltimore was that the Chiefs had Mahomes , Tyreek Hill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a vastly upgraded defense from when they lost in last year ’ s AFC title game .
Henry was held to 7 yards rushing in the second half .
“ They were doubling all these guys , ” Mahomes said of his spectacular TD run on which he barely stayed in bounds .
“ I just ran it and got some good blocking at the end and found a way to get in the end zone.
” A week after they overcame a 24-0 deficit against Houston , the Chiefs had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17-7 , Kansas City didn ’ t flinch , building a 35-17 lead while controlling the clock with a strong ground game .
Naturally , Mahomes complemented that with sharp passing , spreading the ball on short and deep throws .
The dagger came with a 60-yard completion to Watkins for the Chiefs ’ 28th straight point midway in the final period .
Mahomes thrust both arms in the air as the crowd sang “ I Want To Dance With Somebody.
” That somebody will be either the 49ers or Packers in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crown later Sunday in California .
After taking a 3-0 lead on Greg Joseph ’ s first field goal — with Tennessee ’ s penchant for scoring in the red zone , he hadn ’ t been called upon in his previous four games with the team — the Titans got a huge break .
Bashaud Breeland appeared to make a diving interception , but replay review showed the ball hitting the ground .
Helped by consecutive offside penalties and a a fourth-down pass to Adam Humphries for his first career playoff reception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else , Henry ’ s 4-yard run .
Then the Chiefs got rolling , scoring on three successive series .
Hill took it in on a shovel pass , later beat top Titans cornerback Logan Ryan for a 20-yard reception , and Mahomes finished the half with his brilliant jaunt down the left sideline with half the Tennessee defense seemingly expecting him to step out of bounds .
That gave the Chiefs a 21-17 lead .
It went to 28-17 on Williams ’ 3-yard run to cap a seven-minute drive .
Then Watkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Henry was held to 69 yards on 19 carries after rushing for 588 yards in the past three games as an unstoppable force .
• Kickin ’ it with Kiz : Here ’ s neatest magic trick new Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could perform with Drew Lock • NFL Journal : Broncos tight end Noah Fant ready to tackle offseason to-do list to build off rookie year • Keeler : Mike Shanahan ’ s Hall of Fame credentials will be on full display this NFL Championship Sunday “ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , ” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of his team ’ s running game entering the AFC title game .
“ We weren ’ t ( able to do that against KC ) .
I felt we competed all the way there until the end .
We got a stop , the offense gets the ball back and they fought .
You don ’ t prepare these types of speeches to talk to the team about at the end of the season or to talk to you guys ( reporters ) about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s where we ’ re at.
” The Chiefs easily outrushed the Titans on Sunday .
Mahomes had 53 of those yards and also was 23 for 35 for 294 yards passing .
Reid goes back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2004 season , when his Eagles lost to New England .
That gap is second longest to Dick Vermeil ’ s hiatus Last week , Henry threw a jump pass for a touchdown against Baltimore .
On Sunday , Dennis Kelly emulated his coach , Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tannehill ‘ s lob , falling back awkwardly but holding on for Tennessee ’ s second TD .
The backup tackle is the only offensive lineman since 2000 with two TDs receiving in a season .
He also had one against Jacksonville .
Vrabel caught 12 touchdown passes as a linebacker , including one in the Super Bowl when his Patriots beat Reid ’ s Eagles .
Displaying the gambling nature of both coaches , fourth-down conversions were key on early scoring drives .
Humphries , who missed the last six games with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on fourth-and-2 at the KC 29 .
Two plays later , Henry scored .
On the Chiefs ’ ensuing possession , they went on fourth-and-2 from the Titans 28 .
Travis Kelce ‘ s 4-yard reception continued a march to Hill ’ s first TD .
Titans : Figuring out if they ran out of gas or were beaten by a more talented team as they head into the offseason .
Chiefs : The Tomahawk Chop will be heard at Hard Rock Stadium in the Super Bowl .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With his best imitation of a tightrope walker, Patrick Mahomes high-wired the Kansas City Chiefs into their first Super Bowl since 1970.
Oh sure, Mahomes did his usual superb job passing, but it was his 27-yard tap dance down the left sideline late in the first half that gave the Chiefs their first lead. From there, they outran the run-oriented Tennessee Titans and star back Derrick Henry for a 35-24 victory Sunday in the AFC championship.
At last, for the third time overall, the Chiefs (14-4) are Super Bowl bound.
In two weeks in Miami, they will play the winner of the NFC title game between Green Bay and San Francisco.
“I mean, it’s amazing. It really is,” said Mahomes, had 294 yards passing and three touchdown passes. “To be here, to be a part of Chiefs Kingdom and to be able to do it here at Arrowhead, these people deserve it. And we’re not done yet.”
Adding to the joy of the achievement, coach Andy Reid and owner Clark Hunt accepted the Lamar Hunt Trophy — named after his father — emblematic of the AFC title. It was handed over to them by Chiefs Hall of Famer Bobby Bell, with Mahomes and safety Tyrann Mathieu jumping for joy on the makeshift stage.
Next up: chasing the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
“Very excited and very emotional to win the trophy that has my dad’s name on it,” Hunt said. “Yeah, 50 years were too long, but we’re going to another Super Bowl.
“Chiefs Kingdom, we are going to the Super Bowl.”
The Chiefs lost in 1967 in the first AFL-NFL Championship Game — nope, it wasn’t called the Super Bowl yet — to the Lombardi Packers 35-10. Three years later, one year after the New York Jets shocked Baltimore to lay claim to the AFL being equal to the long-established NFL, Kansas City was back. This time, it was known as the Super Bowl — indeed, Lamar Hunt is credited with coming up with the name — and his Chiefs hammered Minnesota 23-7 with the typical Wild West offensive flair and a staunch defense. Those are characteristics that helped carry KC this season.
Reid isn’t as animated as Hall of Famer Hank Stram, who famously urged the Chiefs team to “keep matriculating the ball down the field, boys.” Caught up in the moment Sunday, Reid said, “It’s awesome,” before asking the crowd to chant “How about those Chiefs?”
Moments later, standout tight end Travis Kelce proclaimed, “You gotta fight for your right to party.”
There will be plenty of partying on South Beach for Chiefs Kingdom heading into the championship matchup.
“Fired up to go to Miami, got to get on a diet so I can fit into my clothes,” Reid said. “Very proud.”
As they had done in their past three “elimination” games, the sixth-seeded Titans (11-8) got started quickly. The difference at Arrowhead as opposed to Houston, New England and Baltimore was that the Chiefs had Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Damien Williams on offense, and a vastly upgraded defense from when they lost in last year’s AFC title game. Henry was held to 7 yards rushing in the second half.
“They were doubling all these guys,” Mahomes said of his spectacular TD run on which he barely stayed in bounds. “I just ran it and got some good blocking at the end and found a way to get in the end zone.”
A week after they overcame a 24-0 deficit against Houston, the Chiefs had to rally again.
Down 10-0 and 17-7, Kansas City didn’t flinch, building a 35-17 lead while controlling the clock with a strong ground game. Naturally, Mahomes complemented that with sharp passing, spreading the ball on short and deep throws. The dagger came with a 60-yard completion to Watkins for the Chiefs’ 28th straight point midway in the final period.
Mahomes thrust both arms in the air as the crowd sang Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
That somebody will be either the 49ers or Packers in two weeks. They were deciding the NFC crown later Sunday in California.
After taking a 3-0 lead on Greg Joseph’s first field goal — with Tennessee’s penchant for scoring in the red zone, he hadn’t been called upon in his previous four games with the team — the Titans got a huge break. Bashaud Breeland appeared to make a diving interception, but replay review showed the ball hitting the ground.
Helped by consecutive offside penalties and a a fourth-down pass to Adam Humphries for his first career playoff reception, the Titans converted on, what else, Henry’s 4-yard run.
Then the Chiefs got rolling, scoring on three successive series. Hill took it in on a shovel pass, later beat top Titans cornerback Logan Ryan for a 20-yard reception, and Mahomes finished the half with his brilliant jaunt down the left sideline with half the Tennessee defense seemingly expecting him to step out of bounds.
That gave the Chiefs a 21-17 lead. It went to 28-17 on Williams’ 3-yard run to cap a seven-minute drive. Then Watkins toasted Logan for the clinching long pass.
Henry was held to 69 yards on 19 carries after rushing for 588 yards in the past three games as an unstoppable force.
“I feel like our backs were against the wall the whole season,” Henry said. “But we kept on fighting and kept on believing in each other. I think it speaks volumes about the team we have. We just came up short.”
The Chiefs easily outrushed the Titans on Sunday. Mahomes led the way with 53 of those yards and also was 23 for 35 for 294 yards passing.
REID’S RETURN
Reid goes back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2004 season, when his Eagles lost to New England. That gap is second longest to Dick Vermeil’s hiatus.
“So much effort that went into this,” said Reid, who joined the Chiefs in 2013 after 14 years in Philadelphia. “It takes an army, it is not one guy at all. I appreciate the effort by everybody.”
TRICKERY
Last week, Henry threw a jump pass for a touchdown against Baltimore. On Sunday, Dennis Kelly emulated his coach, Mike Vrabel. He sneaked free for Ryan Tannehill‘s lob, falling back awkwardly but holding on for Tennessee’s second TD. The backup tackle is the only offensive lineman since 2000 with two TDs receiving in a season. He also had one against Jacksonville.
Vrabel caught 12 touchdown passes as a linebacker, including one in the Super Bowl when his Patriots beat Reid’s Eagles.
FOURTH DOWNS
Displaying the gambling nature of both coaches, fourth-down conversions were key on early scoring drives. Humphries, who missed the last six games with an ankle problem, caught a 3-yarder on fourth-and-2 at the KC 29. Two plays later, Henry scored.
On the Chiefs’ ensuing possession, they went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Titans 28. Travis Kelce’s 4-yard reception continued a march to Hill’s first TD.
UP NEXT
Titans: Figuring out if they ran out of gas or were beaten by a more talented team as they head into the offseason.
Chiefs: The Tomahawk Chop will be heard at Hard Rock Stadium in the Super Bowl.


thedenverpost--2020-01-19--Packers vs. 49ers live blog: Real-time updates from the NFC championship game

Live updates , tweets , photos , analysis and more from the NFL playoff game between the Green Bay Packers @ @ @ @ @ Levi ’ s Stadium in Santa Clara , Calif. , on Jan. 19 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t see the live blot , tap here .

Live updates, tweets, photos, analysis and more from the NFL playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Jan. 19, 2020.
Mobile users, if you can’t see the live blot, tap here.