Daniel Jones is no longer with the New York Giants, but that didn’t stop him from getting in the Christmas spirit with his former teammates.
Jones, currently a member of the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, sent all the offensive lineman that were on the Giants with him a limited-edition bottle of Clase Azul tequila for Christmas, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
Jones, 27, was benched after the Giants' bye week and then asked for his release so he could sign with a contender for the rest of the season.
Jones was beloved by his Giants teammates in New York, many taking to social media to express their support for their former quarterback when he was released.
The Vikings signed Jones to their practice squad shortly after, giving Jones a chance to develop under head coach Kevin O’Connell.
It is commonplace for quarterbacks in the NFL to buy their offensive lineman gifts for Christmas as a thank-you for blocking for them.
However, it is not common for quarterbacks to buy gifts for their former teammates after joining a new team.
Since releasing Jones, the Giants have started Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock at quarterback.
The Giants are 2-12 and, with each loss, are getting closer to landing the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft, where they hope to select their next franchise quarterback.
Jones’ Vikings are in much better shape. The Detroit Lions and Vikings are both 12-2 with an eye on not only winning the NFC North but securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
If it looked as though Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was irate with referees at the end of Thursday night’s loss to the Chicago Bulls, that would be incorrect to assume. At least, that is what Mazzulla would like people to think.
Following the 117-108 loss, Mazzulla charged the court looking to have words with official Justin Van Duyne seemingly in reference to the back-to-back technicals the official gave him and Celtics forward Jaylen Brown in the fourth quarter.
Several people had to hold Mazzulla back. He was eventually ushered off the court without incident.
During his postgame presser, Mazzulla said he received a technical for walking on the court – something he admitted he should not have done. However, when asked what "message" he was trying to deliver at the end of the game, Mazzulla had an interesting explanation.
"I hadn’t seen them in a while, so just a ‘Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,’" he said with a serious expression.
"I wasn’t sure I was gonna see them before the holiday, and you just can’t let a moment go by where you wish someone the best to them and their families."
Brown, however, was not wishing anyone a happy holiday in his interactions with game officials.
"I said to (Van Duyne), ‘You called a tech for no reason.’ He said, ‘If you say to it me again, I’m going to call another tech,’" Brown said, explaining that he approached Van Duyne to clarify what Mazzulla’s tech was for.
"You can’t threaten guys with a technical foul, that’s not part of the game either. If you want to fine guys for gesturing and all that stuff – fine that. That’s some bulls---."
Mazzulla will have the chance to spread some more holiday cheer when the two teams meet again on Saturday.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy joked last Christmas that he could not afford the traditional gifts given to the offensive linemen because of his rookie contract, but this year is a different story.
The 24-year-old signal caller surprised his teammates with quite the gift this holiday season, gifting them all brand-new cars.
"Boys, I just want to say Merry Christmas. I got some gifts for you guys — sorry for the wait, but if you want to follow me outside," Purdy said in a video shared by the team on social media.
Once outside, the team saw nine brand-new cars: five Toyota Sequoias and four Toyota Tundras.
"Oh, my God, I can’t believe this," offensive tackle Nick Zakelj said with a laugh.
"Listen to the purr," guard Aaron Banks said as he revved the engine. "Purdy, that purr is Purdy."
"My mind is blown, honestly," offensive tackle Jaylon Moore added. "This is probably the greatest gift I ever got in my life."
Last season, star running back Christian McCaffrey gifted the offensive linemen a custom golf bag, a certificate for fitted golf clubs and a bottle of tequila — a gesture usually reserved for the quarterback.
"Financially, I wouldn’t be able to cover that right now," Purdy joked with reporters at the time. "Shout-out to him. Everyone loved it. So, thank you, Christian."
Purdy is still on his rookie deal, a contract that pays him $985,000 this season. However, the fourth-year quarterback is due for a massive payday.
As the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, "Mr. Irrelevant" stunned fans during his rookie season when he took over the starting role as the third-string quarterback following injuries to Trey Lance and eventually Jimmy Garoppolo.
Purdy led the team all the way to the NFC Championship before suffering a devastating injury to his throwing arm. He returned the following season to lead the Niners all the way to the Super Bowl.
Now, the 49ers are expected to lock down Purdy with a massive long-term contract extension in the offseason.
"I think Brock has done nothing but play at a very, very high level," tight end George Kittle said recently of what Purdy’s new deal might look like, per NBC Sports. "The nice thing about contracts is when you play at a high level, you can compare yourself to other people in the league and when other guys are getting paid $50-$60 million, and you’re a better quarterback than they are, it’s hard not to get that same amount of money."
Former President Benjamin Harrison is credited by the White House Historical Association as the first to display a Christmas tree in the White House, having placed one in the Second Floor Oval Room in 1889.
That first known Christmas tree to be displayed in the White House was adorned with candles for Harrison's grandchildren, according to the White House Historical Association.
It is believed that when Theodore Roosevelt took office in 1901, the Christmas tree tradition was absent throughout his presidency. The answers to whether the Christmas tree was "banned" during this time, and why, are not explicitly clear.
According to History.com, Roosevelt "banned the Christmas tree from the White House," with "environmental reasons" possibly to blame.
The National Christmas Tree Association echoed a similar idea, noting on their website that in 1901, Roosevelt tried to stop the practice of having Christmas trees in homes because of concern about the destruction of forests.
According to the Forest History Society, the tradition of a Christmas tree at the White House was one not established until the 1920s, with presidents prior to Roosevelt making a decision to have a tree and others choosing not to.
During the early days of the Christmas tree, it was mainly those families with young children who chose to display and decorate one in their homes, according to the source.
The White House Historical Association described the alleged Roosevelt ban on Christmas trees at the White House as a "myth," with little evidence to support the claim other than the simple fact that the family chose not to put up a tree.
The Roosevelt's did celebrate Christmas with many popular traditions like gift exchanges, attending church service and enjoying a lovely meal as a family, but chose not to put up a tree, according to the source.
Though, in 1902, young Archibald "Archie" Roosevelt, the president's son, sneakily put a miniature tree in a closet of the White House that he decorated and proudly presented to his family.
After that, according to the White House Association, the president allowed the tradition to continue.
Many researchers have provided the reason for Roosevelt not having a large tree on display during his presidency as one connected to his conservationism, but according to the White House Association, it was because the Christmas tree tradition was simply one not practiced by the family.
It was several years later, in 1912, when the very first Christmas tree was put up on display in the Blue Room by former President William H. Taft's children, according to the source, as a means to surprise their parents when they returned from being away.
It was during former President Dwight Eisenhower's presidency when the Christmas tree found a home in the Blue Room consistently by first lady Mamie Eisenhower. This was continued by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, according to the White House Association.
Kennedy was also responsible for the tradition still held today of decorating the Blue Room tree with a theme, which she began in 1961.
The initial Christmas tree theme chosen by Kennedy was the "Nutcracker Suite" ballet. The 2024 White House theme chosen by first lady Jill Biden was a "Season of Peace and Light," according to WhiteHouse.gov.
Another modern tradition that has withstood the test of time is the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which was started in 1923 by former President Calvin Coolidge.
The tree lit in 1923 was a 48-foot Balsam fir, according to the National Christmas Tree Lighting website.
Beginning in 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has provided a Christmas tree to be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House.
The 2024 White House tree came from the family-owned and operated Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, North Carolina.
A satanic "nativity" display involving an occult statue erected on Concord city property near the New Hampshire State Capitol was destroyed shortly after several vandalism incidents last week. Now, Democratic state Rep. Ellen Read is saying that the temple "probably should" get to erect a new display in its place.
"I think they probably should, because I think the vandalism and the hatefulness shouldn’t go without a response. But it’s up to them," Read said, the Catholic News Agency reported.
Read told the outlet she came up with the idea to suggest that The Satanic Temple (TST) put up the Christmas display, which was a statue of Baphomet – despite significant pushback from local officials – arguing that a Catholic groups' Nativity scene of Jesus should not be the only decoration there. She also said she is a member of TST but has not participated in any of its meetings or events.
According to its website, TST's mission "Is To Encourage Benevolence And Empathy, Reject Tyrannical Authority, Advocate Practical Common Sense, Oppose Injustice, And Undertake Noble Pursuits."
"We have publicly confronted hate groups, fought for the abolition of corporal punishment in public schools, applied for equal representation when religious installations are placed on public property, provided religious exemption and legal protection against laws that unscientifically restrict people's reproductive autonomy, exposed harmful pseudo-scientific practitioners in mental health care, organized clubs alongside other religious after-school clubs in schools besieged by proselytizing organizations, and engaged in other advocacy in accordance with our tenets," the website states.
Avoiding a legal dispute over the First Amendment, the Concord City Council approved the organization's permit to show the display, despite the mayor saying earlier this week he wished the city had not approved it.
"I opposed the permit because I believe the request was made not in the interest of promoting religious equity but in order to drive an anti-religious political agenda, and because I do not respond well to legal extortion, the threat of litigation," Concord Mayor Byron Champlin said during the council's meeting last Monday. "Some on social media have celebrated the Satanic Temple’s display as a victory for religious pluralism and a reflection of our growing diversity as a community. I disagree with this. This is about an out-of-state organization cynically promoting its national agenda at the expense of the Concord community."
Meanwhile, the city put out a statement saying that due to the First Amendment and the potential for a lawsuit, the city was forced to choose between banning all holiday displays or allowing TST's statue.
"After reviewing its legal options, the City ultimately decided to continue the policy of allowing unattended displays at City Plaza during this holiday season and to allow the statue," the city said in a statement. "It is anticipated that the City Council will review next year whether permits for unattended holiday displays should be allowed at City Plaza."
Read rebuked the mayor in an interview with the Catholic news outlet this week, saying, "I think it’s the narrow-mindedness of the mayor, who can’t seem to wrap his head around that this represents a large percentage of the community and its beliefs."
In a video posted to Facebook, two TST representatives unveiled the statue Monday. One spokesperson recalled the group's core tenets, before chanting, "Hail Satan!" and showcasing the statue.
Concord Deputy Police Chief John Thomas told a local news outlet that the investigation into who vandalized TST's property is ongoing.
TST has erected several holiday displays near city or state properties, often alongside traditional Christian exhibits, in recent years. In 2022, the Illinois chapter of TST installed a holiday display in the state Capitol rotunda, which featured a crocheted serpent atop a book and a pile of apples. In December 2023, the Iowa TST chapter set up a Baphomet statue at the state Capitol, which was also vandalized shortly after its placement.
Soon after, in 1912, he stepped into the role of chairman of the Forestry Committee of the New York Senate.
At this time, he began to plant trees on his land, which he continued for 34 years, according to the National Park Service website.
By the 1930s, Roosevelt had gotten into the rhythm of having 20,000 to 55,000 trees planted on his land annually, according to the National Park Service.
During the 1930s, Roosevelt began to grow Christmas trees on his estate in Hyde Park, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
Some of the Christmas trees grown on the estate were sent to Winston Churchill, according to the National Park Service.
Holiday spirit was on full display in the White House during Roosevelt's time in office.
Roosevelt, who spent 12 years in office, the longest term of any U.S. president, spent many of his Christmases the same way while in the White House.
Roosevelt spent 10 consecutive Christmases in the White House, and the last two at home in Hyde Park, according to the White House Historical Association.
Staples of a Roosevelt Christmas included a Christmas Eve party held by the president and the first lady for White House staff and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, per the source.
It was 1933 when Roosevelt gave his very first holiday message, his "fireside chat," to the nation.
On Christmas morning, the president often spent time with family attending services and opening presents with his grandchildren.
The annual Christmas feast included dishes like roasted turkey, chestnut dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pineapple salad, with plum pudding, eggnog, ice cream and cakes for dessert, according to the White House Historical Association.
Roosevelt's long span in office included devastating events in history, like the Great Depression, the attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II.
During years of turmoil, Christmas traditions saw a shift. For example, during World War II, four of Roosevelt's sons were serving in the armed forces, according to the White House Historical Association, leaving his family scattered around the globe.
During the White House holiday gathering in 1942, the gift given out to employees was "a black leather folder filled with war savings bonds," according to the White House Association. In 1944, a scroll with the president's "D-Day" prayer was handed out to employees.
Roosevelt's last Christmas message was delivered from his home in Hyde Park in 1944.
"We pray that with victory will come a new day of peace on earth in which all the Nations of the earth will join together for all time. That is the spirit of Christmas, the holy day. May that spirit live and grow throughout the world in all the years to come," he said, per the White House Association.
The NFL scheduled a rare slate of Wednesday games this season to ensure it will have games played on Christmas Day, and Patrick Mahomes is not happy about it.
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of four teams that will have to spend their Christmas at work with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Baltimore Ravens will play the Houston Texans later that night. That will also mean Mahomes and his teammates will play three games in 11 days. They play the Cleveland Browns Dec. 15 and the Houston Texans Dec. 21.
Last year, the Chiefs faced the Las Vegas Raiders in a Christmas Day game, but that game was on a Monday.
The Chiefs will have less time than usual to prepare for both the Texans and Steelers games. The Houston matchup will be played on a Saturday, and the Steelers game is on a Monday.
Mahomes, who already had to give up his holiday for a football game, agonized over the idea of playing all those games in that short amount of time.
"It’s not a good feeling," Mahomes told reporters Wednesday. "You never want to play this amount of games in this short of time. It’s not great for your body. But, at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession. You have to come to work and do it."
Mahomes was asked whether he has ever had three games in such a short span.
"I haven’t in football," he replied.
"All you can do is focus on the game. The practice you have that day," Mahomes added. "I try to prepare my body all year long for this stretch. That’s tailoring my workouts, tailoring how you practice and prepare.
"And the coaches do a great job of taking care of us on the practice field. We practice as hard as anybody, but they know how to dial it back when needed."
On top of a strenuous workload, Mahomes and his family will not be able to spend Christmas at home this year for the second year in a row. Mahomes and wife Brittany are both Christians.
"My Christian faith plays a role in everything that I do," he told reporters before the Super Bowl in February 2023. "I always ask God to lead me in the right direction and let me be who I am for His name. So, it has a role in everything that I do. Obviously, we’ll be on that huge stage in the Super Bowl that He’s given me, and I want to make sure I’m glorifying Him while I do it.
"I feel like I’ve grown in my faith these last few years, and I think that’s given me more sense of who I am and why I play the game. It just kind of relieves the pressure of playing a football game because I know that I’m on that football field to glorify Him before everything. So, it’s not about winning or losing. It's about going out there and being the best that I can in His name."
The NFL has played on Wednesday in the past. The most recent Wednesday game was played in 2020, when the Steelers and Ravens had their game pushed back because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
In 2012, the NFL’s opener between the Giants and Cowboys was played on a Wednesday so the TV networks could broadcast Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention.
But before those games, the NFL had not had a Wednesday game since the Lions and Rams played Sept. 22, 1948.
"It’s a unique situation. You just have to manage it," said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, whose team will have played on every day of the week but Tuesday this season. "It is what it is. You make the best of it."
It’s not as if the games involved in the Christmas stretch are throwaways, either. Each has significant playoff ramifications.
The Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West, but they are trying to fend off Buffalo and Pittsburgh for the No. 1 seed and a first-round playoff bye. The Steelers are two games ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North heading into this weekend and could clinch a playoff berth if things fall their way. The Texans are two games up on the Colts in the AFC South.
"The main thing is you get guys ready for the game. Give them a chance to get ready for the game," Reid said. "They’re going to do whatever you present to them. You try to help them out with that. Right now we have a normal week right here. We have to take care of business here."
President Biden participated in the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Washington D.C. on Thursday night in what will be his last time attending the annual event before he exits the White House next year to make way for President-elect Donald Trump's return to the Oval Office.
"Merry Christmas America!" Biden declared during remarks at the tree-lighting event.
Freelance photographer Andrew Leyden shared photos of the ceremony, writing on X, "As he left the National Christmas Tree lighting, @POTUS removed his stocking cap, bent over to look at the press and then asked ‘You’re still here?’ It was very cold and windy tonight."
"For a bit of context-- as the night went on and temperatures dipped, Biden put on a wool stocking cap. When it came off static electricity + wind. It happens," he noted in another post.
"Biden’s entire presidency summed up in a hairdo," one X user quipped.
Biden — whose decades-long Washington career has spanned more time than the length of some Americans' entire lives — in 1987 commented on a Washington Post piece that suggested he had undergone a hair transplant.
"Guess," Biden said when asked to confirm the matter, according to the outlet. "I've got to keep some mystery in my life."
While Biden suggested prior to the presidential election that Trump represented a "genuine danger to American security," the outgoing president is slated to attend Trump's inauguration next month.
