sports 8 - The Latremie Post

’11-0 Number Of Pakistani Bases Destroyed’: Fans Decode Tilak Varma’s ‘V’ Celebration After India’s Asia Cup 2025 Triumph

Tilak Varma’s post-match celebration became one of the most talked-about moments after India clinched the Asia Cup 2025 title with a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28.

Moments after sealing the hard-fought victory, Varma saluted the crowd and formed a ‘V’ symbol with his fingers—a gesture fans quickly began decoding. While the ‘V’ traditionally stands for “victory,” social media users drew a deeper connection, suggesting it referenced the symbolic ’11-0′ scoreline in the context of Operation Sindoor, where 11 Pakistani air bases were reportedly targeted.

### Fans Decode Tilak Varma’s V Sign Celebration

The celebration sparked widespread discussion across platforms, with many fans interpreting Varma’s ‘V’ sign as more than just a victory symbol. The reference to Operation Sindoor added a layer of patriotic significance, making his gesture a memorable moment from the final.

### Suryakumar Yadav Lashes Out at ACC for Being Denied Trophy

Having won the Asia Cup by beating Pakistan for the third time in just two weeks, Suryakumar Yadav and the Indian team made headlines off the field as well. The team refused to take the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board chief and, more notably, Pakistan’s Interior Minister known for his vocal anti-India stance.

Since the Indian team chose not to accept the trophy from Naqvi, the presentation ceremony concluded with him leaving the dais and taking the trophy with him on Sunday night.

Expressing his frustration with the ACC, Surya said,
“I think this is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing and following cricket—that a champion team is denied a trophy. I mean, that too a hard-earned one. It’s not like it happened easily. It was a hard-earned tournament win.”

Despite the unusual ceremony, Surya attempted to lighten the mood by mimicking Rohit Sharma’s walk from the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Indian players then gave a symbolic shadow-lift of the trophy following the Asia Cup 2025 final presentation.

### Tilak Varma’s Stellar Performance

Earlier in the match, Tilak Varma starred with the bat for the Men in Blue, anchoring the chase with a composed 69* off 53 balls. His innings featured three fours and four sixes, with the most crucial six coming in the final over against Haris Rauf.

With India needing eight runs off the last six balls, Tilak launched Rauf over the boundary, reducing the equation to two runs off four balls. Rinku Singh, facing his first delivery of the match and the tournament, then struck a towering six to seal the victory with two balls remaining, sparking jubilant celebrations among players and fans alike.

### Contributions from Shivam Dube and Kuldeep Yadav

Shivam Dube also played a vital role in the chase, scoring a quickfire 33 off 22 balls. Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliance with the ball had put India in control during Pakistan’s innings, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

—

India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph will be remembered not only for the intense cricket but also for the passionate moments on and off the field, encapsulating the spirit of competitive cricket and national pride.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/11-0-number-of-pakistani-bases-destroyed-fans-decode-tilak-varmas-v-celebration-after-indias-asia-cup-2025-triumph

Latin superstar Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bad Bunny will bring his Latin trap and reggaeton swagger to the NFL’s biggest stage next year. The Grammy winner has been announced as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show in Northern California.

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation revealed on Sunday that Bad Bunny will lead the halftime festivities at Levi’s Stadium on February 8 in Santa Clara, California. The Puerto Rican superstar’s selection comes amid another career-defining run. He is fresh off a historic Puerto Rico residency this month that drew more than half a million fans and is currently the leading nominee at the Latin Grammys this November.

Bad Bunny has become one of the world’s most streamed artists, thanks in part to albums such as Un Verano Sin Ti, an all-Spanish-language LP that has received widespread acclaim. In addition to his musical achievements, Bad Bunny will host Saturday Night Live on October 4.

“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown. This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”

Roc Nation founder Jay-Z praised the artist, saying, “What Bad Bunny has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”

The 31-year-old artist, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, has won three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys. He has become a global ambassador for Latin music, starred in films such as Bullet Train, Caught Stealing, and Happy Gilmore 2, and collaborated with top fashion houses.

Bad Bunny will enter the Latin Grammys as the leading nominee with 12 nods, dethroning producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera.

Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton directing. Jon Barker, Senior Vice President of Global Event Production for the NFL, said: “We know his dynamic performances, creative vision, and deep connection with fans will deliver the kind of unforgettable experience we’ve come to expect from this iconic cultural moment.”

Last year, Kendrick Lamar shined with guest SZA in New Orleans, setting the record for the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show with 133.5 million viewers. His performance surpassed the audience for Michael Jackson’s 1993 show.

Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music and Beats, commented, “His music has not only broken records but has elevated Latin music to the center of pop culture, and we are thrilled to once again partner with the NFL and Roc Nation to deliver this historic performance to millions of fans worldwide. We know this show will be unforgettable.”

https://www.mymotherlode.com/sports/nfl-general-news/10005081/latin-superstar-bad-bunny-will-headline-the-2026-super-bowl-halftime-show.html

Omaha police ticket boxing champ Crawford for reckless driving, order him out of vehicle at gunpoint

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police ordered champion boxer Terence Bud Crawford out of his vehicle at gunpoint during a traffic stop for reckless driving early Sunday, just hours after his hometown held a parade celebrating his victory over Canelo Alvarez two weeks ago.

A video circulating on social media showed part of the traffic stop, prompting Police Chief Todd Schmaderer to order an internal affairs investigation—a move supported by Mayor John Ewing.

According to a news release, officers working in the downtown area observed a vehicle driving recklessly shortly before 1:30 a.m. While speaking with the driver, an officer noticed a gun on the driver’s side floorboard. All four occupants were ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint.

The driver was later identified as Crawford upon verification of his driver’s license. Crawford was ticketed for reckless driving. One passenger, a member of Crawford’s security team, was also found to be carrying a legal firearm. Police confirmed all occupants of the vehicle are legally permitted to carry firearms.

A police supervisor and lieutenant responded to the scene at Crawford’s request. Crawford’s spokeswoman said Sunday night that he had no comment.

Mayor Ewing posted on Facebook that he spoke to Crawford after learning of the traffic stop.

“I acknowledge the seriousness of what occurred and how trust between law enforcement and our community is important and shows the need to be continuously vigilant about building relationships,” Ewing said. “Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer has pledged an internal investigation, which I support and want to be full and thorough. We will gather all the facts and be transparent with the public about our findings.”

Crawford became the unified super middleweight champion with his unanimous decision victory over Alvarez in Las Vegas. He is the first male boxer to capture three unified division titles and currently holds a record of 42-0 with 31 knockouts.

The city held a parade through downtown in Crawford’s honor during the day, and a party celebrating his 38th birthday was held at a live music venue near where the traffic stop occurred.

“Understand that my heart dropped in learning of this end to an otherwise wonderful day and evening celebrating our city’s world boxing champion,” Ewing said. “Omaha needs to remember this important day as a good one while we seek answers to how it ended. Meanwhile, we must ensure that every resident, no matter who they are, feels safe and respected in Omaha.”

___

AP Boxing
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2025/09/28/omaha-police-ticket-boxing-champ-crawford-for-reckless-driving-order-him-out-of-vehicle-at-gunpoint

Jaguars’ Coen and 49ers’ Saleh clash over sign-stealing accusations

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The pregame tiff between San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Jacksonville coach Liam Coen over accusations of legal sign stealing by the Jaguars spilled over into the postgame.

Coen could be seen yelling at Saleh as he was being held back by offensive lineman Robert Hainsey following Jacksonville’s 26-21 win over San Francisco on Sunday.

“No big deal,” Coen said. “I’m just going to keep that between us right now. That’s it.”

It seemed like a bigger deal than that, as the two coaches were yelling at each other while walking off the field.

Saleh had called Coen’s staff elite when it comes to stealing defensive signals in a legal fashion. Coen brushed aside those remarks when asked during the week and wouldn’t talk about it with the media after the game.

But his players saw what had happened and used it as motivation on Sunday.

“You use everything you can,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “If you’re going to give me free fuel, you take it. That’s something that you always do. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to go play the game. That stuff doesn’t really matter. You take care of business and execute and find a way to win the game, which we did today. So it feels great.”

Saleh said on Thursday that many coaches who worked under Sean McVay on the Rams or Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota are skilled at stealing signs. Coen spent four seasons on McVay’s staff in Los Angeles while Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski spent the past three seasons working for O’Connell on the Vikings.

“They’ve got legally, a really advanced signal-stealing type system where they always find a way to put themselves in an advantageous situation,” Saleh said. “They do a great job with it. So, we’ve got to be great with our signals and we’ve got to be great with our communication to combat some of the tells that we might give on the field. They’re almost elite in that regard.”

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said he believed Saleh was trying to compliment the Jaguars staff but that the use of a loaded phrase like “sign stealing” took away from that. Shanahan said he didn’t see the postgame interaction but doesn’t believe the whole kerfuffle means that much.

“I tried to clear it up (this week). I didn’t see what happened, so I’m not sure,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think (Coen) should be that sensitive about it. But it is what it is. I don’t worry about it.”

Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who spent four seasons playing under Saleh in San Francisco, said he believes it’s not a major issue.

“I know coaches get competitive,” he said. “They’re two great coaches and obviously both fiery. I don’t really know what that was about.”

___

AP NFL
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/nfl/2025/09/28/jaguars-coen-and-49ers-saleh-clash-over-sign-stealing-accusations

Costly Free Agents Help Yankees And Dodgers Reach Playoffs Again

**Follow the Money: The 2025 Baseball Season Recap**

The time-tested philosophy of **“Follow the money”** perfectly bookended the 2025 baseball season. It began with a pair of record-breaking free-agent signings and ended with two of the three top-paid teams making deep playoff runs. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees—last year’s World Series opponents—invested heavily in the open market and reaped big rewards as a result. Meanwhile, the New York Mets, another big-spending team, weren’t so fortunate.

—

### Soto’s Windfall

After a wild winter bidding war, the Mets successfully lured slugging outfielder **Juan Soto** from the Yankees with a record contract worth $765 million. The deal spans 15 years, paying Soto an average of $51 million per year, all up-front.

Not to be outdone, the crosstown Yankees redirected some of the funds earmarked for Soto to sign star starting pitcher **Max Fried** to an eight-year, $218 million contract—the largest and longest ever awarded to a left-handed pitcher.

Playing between Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso in a potent Mets lineup, Soto delivered a career-best 43 home runs and narrowly missed joining the rare 40/40 club by finishing with a league-leading 38 stolen bases.

On the Yankees’ side, Fried stepped up as the team ace following **Gerrit Cole’s** Tommy John surgery. He dominated the mound with a career-best 19 wins—the most in the majors—and a 2.86 earned run average, propelling the Yankees into the playoffs.

—

### Payroll Powerhouses and Playoff Results

The season reaffirmed the adage that teams who pay well usually perform well. According to Roster Resource, the Dodgers topped payroll charts with a record $394 million, followed by the Mets at $339 million and the Yankees at $294 million.

Yet, dreams of the first Subway Series since 2000 were dashed when the Mets missed the playoffs on the season’s final day, despite having the best record in baseball as recently as June 12.

—

### Detroit’s Disaster and Cleveland’s Comeback

The Detroit Tigers suffered a crushing collapse after leading the American League Central by double digits as late as Labor Day. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians mounted a historic comeback, clawing back from 15½ games behind Detroit on July 8 to clinch their second consecutive division title.

Both Cleveland and the Milwaukee Brewers reached the playoffs without exorbitant payrolls. The Brewers, with a $123 million payroll, won home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by posting 97 wins—the most in the majors and just shy of a .600 winning percentage. Cleveland’s $102 million payroll ranked 25th according to Roster Resource.

—

### Playoff Picture and Division Titles

Entering the final day of the 162-game season, three playoff spots remained undecided: the winners of both the AL East and Central Divisions as well as the third and final National League wild-card spot.

The AL East champion earned the top seed, securing a playoff bye starting September 30 and home-field advantage through the Championship Series. The **Toronto Blue Jays** finished with the same record as the Yankees at 94-68 but claimed the division crown by winning the season series against New York. This marked Toronto’s sixth AL East title and their first since 2015.

The other American League playoff bye went to the **Seattle Mariners**, who earned their first divisional title in 24 years. Seattle’s success was powered by switch-hitting catcher **Cal Raleigh**, who produced the seventh 60-homer season in baseball history. Mid-season trade acquisitions **Eugenio Suarez** and **Josh Naylor** also bolstered the Mariners’ roster.

—

### Home Run Highlights and MVP Contenders

Suarez, while still with Arizona, hit four home runs in a single game—a feat later matched by rookie **Nick Kurtz** of the Athletics and veteran **Kyle Schwarber** of the Phillies. Philadelphia clinched their second straight National League East crown.

Schwarber emerged as a strong candidate for NL MVP but could face stiff competition from **Shohei Ohtani**, the only two-way player in the majors. Ohtani led the majors in several categories, including on-base percentage and runs scored, while topping 50 home runs for the second consecutive season.

Other players to reach the 50-home run milestone included Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, and defending AL MVP **Aaron Judge**. Suarez finished just one home run short.

—

### The 30/30 Club and Notable Performances

The 30/30 club—the group of players with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases—saw record membership this season with seven players joining the elite group. Leading the pack were Mets teammates **Francisco Lindor** and Juan Soto. Other members included **Corbin Carroll**, **Jazz Chisholm Jr.**, **Jose Ramirez**, **Pete Crow-Armstrong**, and **Julio Rodriguez**.

Red Sox-Giants slugger **Rafael Devers** combined to hit 34 home runs after playing 163 games—the only player to exceed the regular schedule since **Justin Morneau** in 2008.

—

### Pitching Stars and Rookies

Though no no-hitters were recorded in 2025, several pitchers shined. Detroit’s **Tarik Skubal**, the defending American League Cy Young Award winner, made a strong bid to retain his title. Pittsburgh’s **Paul Skenes** was the overwhelming favorite for the National League Cy Young Award.

Rookies who reached stardom included **Nick Kurtz**, who hit 35 home runs for the Athletics after his April 23 promotion, and catcher **Drake Baldwin**, who took over for the Braves during Sean Murphy’s struggles and injuries.

—

### Strange Ending to the All-Star Game

For the first time in history, the All-Star Game concluded without a winning pitcher. The game ended in a 6-6 tie after nine innings. The winner was decided with an in-game Home Run Derby, won by Kyle Schwarber, representing the National League.

The regular Home Run Derby, held the previous night, was won by Cal Raleigh, offering a compelling preview of the season ahead.

—

### Minor League Parks and Team Future Concerns

Two teams played their home games in minor-league ballparks this season: the Tampa Bay Rays at **George M. Steinbrenner Field**—borrowed from the Yankees—and the Oakland Athletics at **Sutter Health Field** in West Sacramento, awaiting the completion of their new stadium in Las Vegas.

Tampa Bay’s future remains uncertain after new ownership took over. The costly restoration of the Tropicana Field roof, damaged by Hurricane Milton, is in jeopardy even on a temporary basis. Without a stable home park, discussions about expanding Major League Baseball to 32 teams have been put on hold, according to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

—

### Innovations and Labor Concerns

Manfred announced that next season MLB will implement **ABS (Automated Balls and Strikes)** technology to aid umpires with home plate decisions, aiming to improve accuracy.

However, the bigger concern looming over the league is maintaining labor peace between players and owners. The current Basic Agreement expires after the 2026 season and could trigger a serious work stoppage, with financial issues at the core.

Many teams advocate for a salary cap or at least a payroll cap, an idea firmly opposed by the Players Association. In 2025, the average player salary topped $5 million for the first time, reaching $5.2 million—a 3.6% increase from roughly $4.7 million the previous year, according to The Associated Press.

—

The 2025 baseball season demonstrated once again that while money often paves the way to success, the game remains unpredictable—full of historic comebacks, rising stars, and dramatic finishes that keep fans eagerly watching year after year.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/costly-free-agents-help-yankees-and-dodgers-reach-playoffs-again/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=costly-free-agents-help-yankees-and-dodgers-reach-playoffs-again

IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025 Final: Salman Ali Agha Casually Tosses Cheque Of $75000 Before Speaking To Simon Doull After 3rd Consecutive Loss To Team India; Video

**Pakistan Captain Salman Ali Agha Caught Tossing Aside $75,000 Runners-Up Cheque After Asia Cup 2025 Final**

In a surprising moment following the Asia Cup 2025 final, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha appeared to casually toss aside the $75,000 runners-up cheque presented to his team. The incident occurred shortly after Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi handed over the cheque. A video of the moment has since gone viral on social media, drawing considerable attention.

Pakistan faced India in the final, suffering their third consecutive loss to their arch-rivals in the multi-nation tournament. The Men in Green experienced a dramatic collapse, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs and setting a modest total of 147 to defend. Despite a valiant effort with the ball and a thrilling contest, India emerged victorious.

Tilak Varma played a crucial role for India, scoring a masterful 69 off 53 balls, supported by valuable contributions from Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson. India chased down the target comfortably, winning by five wickets with two balls to spare.

### Salman Ali Agha Reflects on Pakistan’s Collapse

After the match, Salman Ali Agha addressed Pakistan’s surprising batting collapse, explaining what went wrong. The team went from a strong position at 113/1 to being all out for 146 in just 19.1 overs. Only three Pakistani batters—Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman—managed to reach double figures.

Agha commented during the post-game presentation,
“Yeah, it is a tough pill to swallow right now. But I think we did not finish well with the bat. And bowling, I think we were outstanding. We gave everything. But yeah, if we could have finished well, it could have been a different story.”

He added,
“I think we couldn’t rotate the strike properly. And then we, I think, lost too many wickets at times. So I think that was the reason we couldn’t score what we wanted. But yeah, we’re going to sort out our batting very, very soon.”

### Final Thoughts

While Pakistan’s bowlers put in a commendable effort, the batting failure ultimately cost them the title. With lessons learned from this defeat, the Men in Green will be looking to bounce back stronger in upcoming tournaments.

—

*Watch the moment Salman Ali Agha seemingly disrespected the runners-up cheque and hear his full post-match comments below:*
[Embed video or provide link]
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/ind-vs-pak-asia-cup-2025-final-salman-ali-agha-throws-away-75-million-cheque-before-speaking-to-simon-doull-after-3rd-consecutive-loss-to-team-india-video

Feats of Strength: DK’s big play, Kenny G’s TDs key Steelers win in Ireland

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https://triblive.com/sports/feats-of-strength-dks-big-play-kenny-gs-tds-key-steelers-win-in-ireland/

How starter Mal stayed calm before Cathy Freeman’s winning race

Who could forget the moment 25 years ago when Cathy Freeman crossed the line into history, winning Olympic gold in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics? For many Australians, that memory remains vivid — but for some, it is even sharper.

Canberra man Mal Davies, now 92, had one of the most important jobs on the track that day. He fired the starting gun, effectively pressing “go” on a nation’s hopes.

“I recall standing near the tunnel where we marched on, just near the finish line,” Mr Davies said. “I can remember looking at my watch and saying, ‘Well, I suppose we had better go and do this then,’ and I was not nervous at all.”

### A False Start Before Glory

Mr Davies got the role after applying to the Olympic organisers. “My allocation was all the women’s events from 400m and up, with the exception of the women’s 10,000m. I got the women’s marathon, which of course started outside the stadium,” he explained.

However, the Olympics didn’t start smoothly for Mr Davies. The very first race he was involved in was delayed.

Originally, starters had two guns — one to start the race and another to fire if there was a false start. By 2000, though, technology had advanced. Starter guns were linked to computers for precise timing, but the protocols remained largely the same.

In the first race, things went awry. “As part of the procedure, when the announcers finished, we blew a whistle to warn everybody it was about to happen. On this occasion, I turned to take the starting gun from the technician, and he was all waving,” said Mr Davies.

“What had happened was a whistle blast had disrupted the computers, so everything had to stop.”

### A Career Made in Australia

Mr Davies reflects that Cathy Freeman’s race was the highlight of his long career as a starter and sports official, following years spent as a teacher and then serving in the Air Force.

“I bought my first starter guns in the 1960s,” he said. But it took many years before he achieved a grade one rating, which cleared the way for his place at the Olympics.

That milestone became possible only after he moved to Australia, where he developed his coaching and sporting official career.

In that capacity, he met Cathy Freeman — the woman who would create his career highlight. They were on the track together for many races over the years, but in the end, there was only one race that truly mattered: Freeman’s Olympic 400m final.

“I can remember standing there and watching the girls come down the final bend, thinking, ‘Goodness gracious me, you are not winning, come on!’ And of course, it all happened.”

Despite sharing that incredible moment, the pair have never spoken. “Didn’t get a chance even after the race,” Mr Davies said.

Nevertheless, he still savours the memory. “It’s probably the greatest race ever, as far as I am concerned.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-29/olympic-starter-cathy-freemans-historic-win/105827956

Steelers survive late Vikings comeback to claim historic win in Dublin

It has been 27 years since the Pittsburgh Steelers played a pre-season game in Croke Park against the Chicago Bears. Back in 1997, Kerry were the All-Ireland Football champions under Paidi O Sé, and Clare were the All-Ireland Hurling champions, captained by the great Anthony Daly.

All these years later, there was certainly a lot of yellow around GAA HQ on Sunday, but instead of the green and yellow of Kerry, it was the iconic black and gold of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over 30,000 fans travelled from the United States to see the first-ever regular-season NFL game to take place in Ireland, all part of the NFL’s mission to grow the game internationally.

This year is bigger than ever, with games in Brazil, three games in London, as well as matches in Berlin and Madrid.

The Steelers’ opponents in Dublin were the Minnesota Vikings, who came into the game with the same record as Pittsburgh—two wins and one loss. Despite losing their young quarterback JJ McCarthy to injury two weeks ago, veteran Carson Wentz stepped in last week, leading the team to a win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

### Game Overview

The game started poorly for the Steelers as quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked on the very first play. After a quick three-and-out, the Vikings began to march down the field. Things took a complicated turn when the Steelers appeared to score a touchdown off a fumble recovery. However, the referees ruled the player out of bounds when he fumbled, allowing the Vikings to retain possession. They managed only a field goal, leaving the score 3-0 in favor of Minnesota.

The Steelers responded sharply with a great drive led by Rodgers, ending in a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Kenneth Gainwell.

### Terrible Towels Take Over

The Vikings couldn’t mount a response, and once again Rodgers took the field. He found his best receiver, DK Metcalf, who broke free down the middle for a spectacular 30-yard touchdown run, sending the Steelers fans into a frenzy.

Whether at Acrisure Stadium or Croke Park, the sight of the yellow “Terrible Towels” is enough to unnerve opposing teams. That pressure soon told as Wentz was constantly hounded by the Steelers’ defense, forcing him into a tipped pass that was intercepted by safety DeShon Elliott.

### Celebrity Sightings and Unique Fans

During stoppages—a hallmark of American sports—several celebrities appeared on the big screen, including Steelers superfan and Kerry footballer Paudie Clifford. Connacht and Ireland rugby player Bundee Aki participated in the official coin toss, and legendary Hollywood actor Bill Murray was even spotted in the crowd.

Fans also showed their enthusiasm with unique outfits: one Steelers fan dressed in black armor like a Roman centurion, while a Vikings supporter wore a Mandalorian helmet with Baby Yoda perched on his shoulder.

### Steely Defence and Croke Park Atmosphere

As the first half wore on, the game slowed down with just a Vikings field goal to note, making the halftime score 14-6 to the Steelers.

The sun began to break through the clouds as the second half started, illuminating the beautiful Croke Park field. Fans on Hill 16 were able to soak up the rays from the famed terrace, which was converted into a seating-only section for the game—a clear indication of how far the GAA has come to accommodate an event of this magnitude.

While the State contributed €10 million to help host the game, the expected economic benefit is estimated to reach close to €65 million.

### A Game in the Making for Years

This game did not happen overnight—it has been years in the making. The Steelers were founded by Art Rooney back in 1933, who traced his roots back to Newry in Co Down. With the team still under the stewardship of Art Rooney Jr. and Art Rooney II, it is clear why this game was so important to the franchise.

As the second half progressed, the Rooney brothers must have been pleased with their team’s performance. The Steelers’ defense began to dominate. Midway through the third quarter, star pass rusher T.J. Watt intercepted a pass, setting up the offense in prime position. Kenneth Gainwell capitalized with another touchdown, widening the lead to 21-6.

During one of the many breaks in play, the stadium announcer revealed attendance was close to 75,000—not quite an All-Ireland final day, but still an impressive crowd.

The Steelers continued to control the clock and added a field goal, extending their lead to 24-6 with just over ten minutes remaining.

### Vikings Rally Late

The Vikings fought back, scoring a late touchdown by running back Zavier Scott, followed by a successful two-point conversion with seven minutes to go.

With three minutes remaining, the game burst to life again when Wentz connected with Jordan Addison for an electrifying 81-yard gain. Now just yards from the goal line, the Vikings went for it on fourth down, converting with a short pass to Jalen Nailor, narrowing the score to 24-21.

Despite their efforts, the Vikings could not tie the score, and the Steelers ran out the clock for the victory.

### Final Thoughts

What seemed like a potential blowout transformed into a highly competitive game. Overall, Dublin and Croke Park were excellent hosts. The city centre buzzed with excitement, and Merrion Square was transformed into a Steelers’ tailgate for the weekend. Families enjoyed activities such as trying out field goal kicking and target practice.

There are areas to improve, though. Some food stalls ran out of items by halftime, and the “loaded” nachos served seemed to have only a small squeeze of cheese. These minor kinks can certainly be ironed out for future events.

For its first NFL game, Croke Park proved to be the perfect cauldron for American football—a thrilling showcase of sport and culture coming together on Irish soil.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/steelers-survive-late-vikings-comeback-to-win-in-dublin-1812133.html

PM Modi Takes Dig At Pakistan Over Team India’s Win In Asia Cup 2025 Finals; Compares Victory To Operation Sindoor

New Delhi, September 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a veiled jab at Pakistan following Team India’s victory in the Asia Cup 2025 Final held at the Dubai International Stadium. Drawing a comparison to Operation Sindoor, PM Modi highlighted that the outcome remained the same – “India Wins.”

Congratulating the players for their spectacular performance in the high-voltage clash, PM Modi took to his official social media account late Sunday night and tweeted,
“#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.”

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also extended his congratulations to Team India, saying,
“A billion hearts beat as one tonight! Team India defeats Pakistan to lift the #AsiaCup2025. From the first ball to the final roar, this journey has been about courage, unity & unmatched brilliance. This victory is Bharat’s pride, Bharat’s joy, Bharat’s inspiration.”

**Team India’s Performance**

India clinched the Asia Cup 2025 title with a confident five-wicket victory in the final. Chasing a target of 147, the Men in Blue faced early setbacks but were steadied by an unbeaten 69 from Tilak Varma. Crucial contributions from Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube further guided the team to a memorable win.

This triumph marked India’s third Asia Cup title against Pakistan and added another prestigious trophy to their already decorated cabinet.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/pm-modi-takes-dig-at-pakistan-over-team-indias-win-in-asia-cup-2025-finals-compares-victory-to-operation-sindoor