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The Greatest Christmas Day Game in Sports History

The assertion that the Miami Dolphins versus Kansas City Chiefs game in the NFL Divisional Playoff on December 25, 1971, stands as the greatest professional sports contest ever played on Christmas Day is compelling because of its historic significance, extraordinary drama, and enduring legacy. More than just a football game, the “Christmas Day Classic” has become a symbol of athletic endurance and competitive will, setting a standard that few holiday matchups in any sport have rivaled.

First, the game’s historical context elevates its importance. It was the first NFL playoff game ever played on Christmas Day, marking a bold step for the league into holiday sports broadcasting. At a time when Christmas was traditionally reserved for family gatherings rather than professional football, this matchup captured national attention and demonstrated that the NFL could command the spotlight even on America’s most cherished holiday. The stakes were immense: a trip to the AFC Championship Game. That combination of novelty and consequence ensured the contest would be remembered long after the decorations came down.

Second, the game’s sheer drama and endurance make it legendary. The Dolphins and Chiefs battled for 82 minutes and 40 seconds of game time, making it the longest game in NFL history at the time, stretching into double overtime. Neither team could pull away, and every possession felt decisive. Fans watched as players pushed through exhaustion, injuries, and the emotional weight of a holiday playoff. When Garo Yepremian finally kicked the winning field goal to give Miami a 27–24 victory, it felt less like the end of a game and more like the conclusion of an epic test of will.

Third, the level of talent on the field underscores why this contest transcends ordinary holiday games. The matchup featured future Hall of Famers and iconic figures such as Dolphins coach Don Shula and Chiefs coach Hank Stram, along with standout players who defined an era of football. The strategic battle between two great coaches and the execution by elite athletes added layers of quality to the spectacle. This was not simply a novelty game played on Christmas; it was top-tier professional football at its highest level.

Moreover, the legacy of the 1971 Dolphins–Chiefs game continues to shape how fans and media view Christmas Day sports. While the NBA has since made Christmas a marquee date filled with high-profile matchups, and the NFL has returned to scheduling games on the holiday, none have quite matched the mythic status of this playoff duel. The phrase “longest game ever” still evokes images of that frigid Kansas City night, when families delayed Christmas dinners and gathered around televisions, united by the drama unfolding on the field.

When considering everything mentioned above, the Miami Dolphins versus Kansas City Chiefs game on December 25, 1971, earns its place as the greatest Christmas Day game in professional sports because it combined historical firsts, unforgettable drama, elite competition, and a lasting cultural impact. It was not merely a contest played on a holiday; it became part of the holiday’s sporting identity. Decades later, it remains the benchmark against which all Christmas Day games are measured, a testament to the power of sport to create timeless moments—even on Christmas.

Baby Ruth Bar Not Named After Babe Ruth (but really it is)

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If you’ve ever unwrapped a Baby Ruth candy bar, you might have wondered: Who on earth is Baby Ruth? Was it Babe Ruth, the home run king? Was it some long-lost child celebrity? Or was it just a clever way to sell chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and nougat without admitting it? As it turns out, the true origin of the Baby Ruth bar is a story filled with sugar, baseball bats, and a little bit of corporate trickery.

The Baby Ruth bar was introduced in 1921 by the Curtiss Candy Company. At that time, Babe Ruth was smashing baseballs into orbit and basically becoming America’s first real sports superstar. So naturally, people thought, “Oh, this candy must be named after Babe Ruth.” Logical, right? Wrong—or at least, that’s what the candy company claimed. Instead, Curtiss Candy swore on a stack of nougat that the candy was actually named after President Grover Cleveland’s daughter, Ruth. This would’ve been a fine explanation, except for one small detail: poor Ruth Cleveland had been dead for 17 years by the time the candy bar came out. It’s hard to believe America was clamoring for a caramel-and-peanut tribute to a child they hadn’t thought about since the 1890s.

So why the cover-up? Well, Babe Ruth wasn’t exactly thrilled about having his name slapped on a candy bar without his permission. Rumor has it he asked for royalties, and the candy company responded with a very polite version of “Nice try, slugger.” By insisting the bar was about Ruth Cleveland instead of Babe Ruth, they dodged paying the Sultan of Swat a single peanut. A crafty move, considering candy companies are very protective of their nougat margins.

The irony of the whole situation is that Babe Ruth himself actually tried to launch his own candy bar in the 1920s, called the Ruth’s Home Run Bar. Unfortunately, it struck out almost immediately because Baby Ruth was already dominating the shelves. Imagine trying to sell a soda called “Coca-Kola” after Coke already existed—it just wasn’t going to work. So while Babe Ruth may have been the king of baseball, he was benched in the candy aisle.

Today, the Baby Ruth remains a staple in the world of candy, even though most people still assume it was named after Babe Ruth. In a way, it’s the greatest inside joke in American snack history: a candy bar that everyone thinks honors a baseball legend but officially commemorates a president’s long-deceased daughter. If anything, that’s proof that nougat mixed with caramel and peanuts can cover up a lot—including a suspicious backstory.

So the next time you bite into a Baby Ruth, just remember: you’re not just enjoying a candy bar—you’re unwrapping a century-old argument between a candy company and a baseball legend. And if that doesn’t make it taste sweeter, at least you can laugh knowing America once pretended it was nostalgic for a president’s kid just to avoid cutting Babe Ruth a check.

Why Do So Many People Play Fantasy Football?

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Fantasy football isn’t just a side hobby anymore—it’s a huge part of how people enjoy the National Football League (NFL). Today, tens of millions of people in the U.S. and Canada play some form of fantasy sports, and football is by far the most popular. What started as a few fans keeping score with pen and paper has turned into a massive pastime that keeps growing every season. Millions of people draft teams, track player performances, and compete with friends, coworkers, or strangers in leagues that mirror the real NFL season.

According to the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA), more than 60 million people in North America play fantasy sports, with football being the most popular by a wide margin. Within this group, fantasy football alone accounts for tens of millions of participants, making it a cultural phenomenon that has transformed from a niche hobby into one of the most popular forms of sports entertainment in the United States and beyond. But why is it so popular?

One big reason for the boom is how easy it is now. Back in the day, you had to flip through the newspaper on Monday to add up stats by hand. Now, apps like ESPN, Yahoo, and Sleeper do everything for you instantly. You can draft your team in minutes, check scores on your phone, and even get alerts if one of your players is hurt. It’s simple enough that casual fans can play, but still competitive enough to keep hardcore football junkies hooked.

Another reason people love it is the social side. Fantasy football gives friends, coworkers, and even family members a reason to connect every week. Whether it’s talking trash in the group chat, holding a draft party, or sweating out a Monday Night Football game together, it turns watching football into a shared experience. For a lot of people, the league itself is as much about bonding as it is about winning.

The rise of media and social platforms has also made fantasy football bigger than ever. There are shows, podcasts, and entire websites dedicated to fantasy advice. Social media makes it easy to share hot takes, funny memes, or those heartbreaking last-second losses with your league mates. The constant coverage keeps people engaged and makes the fantasy world feel like part of the real NFL season.

Lastly, the popularity of sports betting has helped fantasy football grow, too. Daily fantasy leagues like DraftKings and FanDuel mix in a gambling element, and while season-long leagues are more about bragging rights, the competitive thrill is similar. People love the strategy, the unpredictability, and of course, the chance to win a little money (or at least avoid finishing last).

In the end, fantasy football has exploded because it’s easy, social, and fun. It turns every game into something personal, whether you’re rooting for your favorite team or just hoping your kicker doesn’t blow it. As long as football is around, fantasy football is only going to keep pulling in more players.

The Space Needle: Seattle’s Tallest Misunderstanding

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The Seattle Space Needle is the kind of building that begs to be misunderstood. Standing 605 feet tall with a flying-saucer-shaped top, it looks less like a piece of architecture and more like something that landed while the city wasn’t paying attention. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it was designed to embody a “space age” future—sleek, optimistic, and just a little bit weird. The problem? When you design a tower that resembles a UFO on stilts, people are bound to think it’s doing more than just offering panoramic views and overpriced snacks.

Part of the confusion comes from timing. The early ’60s were the golden age of space fever—satellites were circling the globe, astronauts were practicing moonwalks, and every other household appliance seemed to have “astro” in the name. Into this atmosphere arrived the Space Needle, its futuristic silhouette rising over Seattle like mission control for the Jetsons. Tourists didn’t exactly need an announcement from NASA to connect the dots.

The design itself doesn’t help the case for the truth. The saucer top? Clearly a UFO landing pad. The skinny legs? Obviously to minimize alien wind resistance. The rotating restaurant? A clever cover story for a high-tech tracking system scanning the heavens for rogue asteroids or overly curious extraterrestrials. If you squint hard enough, you can practically see a scientist in a silver jumpsuit walking across the deck, clipboard in hand, checking the day’s warp speed calibrations.

In reality, the Space Needle’s mission is far more down-to-earth—literally. It’s an observation tower, a restaurant, and a selfie magnet for tourists. Instead of scientists monitoring deep-space signals, you’ll find diners enjoying a plate of Pacific salmon while the floor slowly spins, giving them a 360-degree view of mountains, water, and, yes, the occasional rain cloud. The only thing it’s “launching” are elevator rides that reach the top in just 41 seconds.

Still, the myth lives on because it’s simply more fun than the truth. Seattleites don’t mind; a little mystery makes their skyline even more iconic. And if the Space Needle keeps a few people wondering whether the city secretly communicates with aliens, that’s fine—after all, every great city deserves a legend, and this one just happens to look like it could fly away at any moment.

The Time RoboCop Tried Professional Wrestling

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The transition from the 80’s to the 90’s was a wild time. Some would say the best of both worlds were colliding and everyone was along for the ride. Part of that ride was RoboCop’s arrival in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). How can we even begin to explain this? Robocop, a fictional character from the movies, was now somehow real and decided to fight crime in a real sports organization that was really just a fictional sports organization.

RoboCop showed up in World Championship Wrestling during the 1990 Capital Combat: Return of RoboCop pay-per-view event. This bizarre crossover happened mainly for marketing reasons. At the time, Orion Pictures was about to release the movie RoboCop 2. WCW and Orion worked out a promotional tie-in in which RoboCop would make an appearance at the wrestling event to hype up the film.

In the storyline, RoboCop helped Sting, who was one of WCW’s top stars, fend off an attack from the villainous group known as the Four Horsemen. RoboCop came down to ringside, “bent” the bars of a cage to rescue Sting, and helped him chase the bad guys off.

Fans and critics heavily mocked the segment, and it’s still remembered as one of the most embarrassing and absurd moments in pro wrestling history. The “action” was slow and obviously fake. RoboCop was being portrayed by a guy in a heavy suit (probably not Peter Weller) who could barely move.

So what’s the big deal? Fort starters, RoboCop is a fictional cyborg from a dystopian sci-fi movie — totally out of place in a wrestling environment that, even by 1990s standards, tried to maintain some realism. Arn Anderson was a major member of the Four Horsemen and one of the guys involved in the RoboCop segment. He thought the whole idea was “embarrassing” and made wrestling look like a “clown show”. Arn described the whole thing as “cartoonish” and something that hurt WCW’s credibility, especially when the company was trying to be seen as a more serious alternative to WWF’s over-the-top characters at the time.

Arn Anderson has gone on the record during his “ARN” podcast to share his true thoughts about the infamous RoboCop moment:

“I knew it was horsesh*t from the get-go. How do you fight a robot? Are we supposed to punch him and knock his head off? Are we supposed to sell for him? Run from him? He can’t move! It was one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever been part of.”

Not pile on, but professional wrestling historian extortionate Jim Cornette also did not hold back when talking about the subject on an old “Kayfabe Commentaries” podcast.

“It was the stupidest goddamn thing I’d ever seen. Who in the f*** thought RoboCop would draw money in wrestling? It made everyone look like idiots — the wrestlers, the announcers, the fans who had to sit through it. I was embarrassed to even be in the same building.”

Even the eternal optimist Sting (who Robocop saved during the segment) had trouble finding the silver lining. During the episode of “WWE Untold: Sting”, the wrestling icon had this to say about what went down that fateful day:

“I was standing there thinking, ‘Man, I hope nobody I know is watching this.”

The Three Acts of George Foreman

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The Rumble in the Jungle wasn’t just a boxing match—it was the catalyst for one of the greatest transformations in sports history. Instead of breaking George Foreman, the loss ultimately made him a legend in an entirely new way while proving people can actually change. In tribute to the recently departed boxing and pop-culture icon, FreeSportsMagazine.com presents the Three Acts of George Foreman.

Act I: Mean George Foreman

On October 30, 1974, George Foreman entered the ring in Kinshasa, Zaire, as the undefeated heavyweight champion, set to defend his title against Muhammad Ali in what would become one of the most famous boxing matches in history: The Rumble in the Jungle. Foreman, known for his overwhelming power and intimidation, was a heavy favorite. However, by the end of the night, he found himself not only defeated but also on a path that would reshape his life in ways no one could have predicted.

Foreman had dominated his previous opponents, including Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, both of whom he had destroyed in less than two rounds. Many believed Ali wouldn’t last against Foreman’s brutal strength.

However, Ali executed a brilliant strategy—the rope-a-dope—leaning against the ropes, absorbing Foreman’s powerful blows, and letting the younger champion tire himself out. By the eighth round, a drained Foreman left an opening, and Ali capitalized, landing a rapid combination that sent Foreman crashing to the canvas. The world watched in shock as the referee counted Foreman out, giving Ali one of the greatest victories in boxing history.

Losing to Ali was devastating for Foreman. He had built his reputation on invincibility, and this loss shattered his confidence. Foreman later admitted he was deeply depressed following the fight. He struggled to accept the loss, making excuses about unfair conditions, including the heat and a biased referee.

Determined to reclaim his place as champion, Foreman continued fighting. He won several matches but suffered another major defeat to Jimmy Young in 1977. After the Young fight, Foreman claimed he had a near-death experience in the locker room, where he felt as if he was dying and had visions of himself in hell. This moment led him to abandon boxing and dedicate his life to religion.

Act II: Born Again George Foreman

Following his locker-room experience from the Young fight, Foreman retired from boxing at age 28 and became a born-again Christian. He spent the next decade preaching, helping troubled youth, and running a church in Houston, Texas. Many saw this as a shocking transformation for a man once feared as a brutal knockout artist. Even some family members were skeptical.

In need of funds for his youth center, Foreman made an unexpected return to boxing a decade later in 1987. Instead of the scowling destroyer of the ‘70s, he was now “Big George,” a smiling and cheerful fan-favorite known for his humor and humility. He slowly worked his way back into contention and in 1994, at age 45, he completed his redemption arc by knocking out Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight title, becoming the oldest champion in history. His comeback story was seen as one of the greatest in sports history.

Act III: Spokesman George Foreman

In the midst of this inspiring comeback, Salton, Inc. developed a sloped-surface grill designed to drain fat while cooking. Looking for a marketable celebrity, they approached Foreman, whose friendly, charismatic persona and reputation for power made him the perfect spokesman. Foreman embraced the product, lending his name and image while delivering the famous tagline: “It knocks out the fat!”

The grill became an instant hit, selling millions of units worldwide. At its peak, it was selling 6 million units per year, and in total, over 100 million grills were sold. Foreman’s endorsement deal originally earned him 40% of the profits, but in 1999, he sold his naming rights to Salton for a lump sum of $137.5 million. In total, Foreman made an estimated $200–250 million from the grill—far surpassing his boxing earnings.

Epilogue

George Foreman’s defeat to Ali was the turning point of his life. Though it was painful at the time, it set him on a path to becoming a spiritual leader, comeback hero, and successful businessman. In a heartfelt Instagram post after his passing, Foreman’s family described him as a “devout preacher,” “protector of his legacy,” and a “force for good.”

Travis Kelce Scores Touchdown in Debut as Executive Producer

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Travis Kelce has ventured into film production with his role as executive producer for the dark comedy-drama My Dead Friend Zoe, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 9, 2024. The film, directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, explores the story of a U.S. Army veteran dealing with the loss of her best friend and reconciling with her estranged grandfather. The all-star cast includes Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Natalie Morales.

My Dead Friend Zoe is a dark comedy-drama centered on a U.S. Army veteran named Merit, who is grappling with post-military life and the emotional scars of her service. The story explores her complicated relationship with her late best friend, Zoe, whose ghost continues to appear, symbolizing unresolved grief and trauma. As Merit navigates her life, she also faces the challenge of reconnecting with her estranged grandfather, a Vietnam War veteran. Their generational differences and shared experiences with military service create tension, but also opportunities for healing and understanding.

The film balances humor with heartfelt moments, offering a nuanced look at mental health, military culture, and the complexities of human connection. Perhaps its effectiveness is partly due to the source material for this story being director Hausmann-Stokes’ own experiences. A U.S. Army veteran himself, Hausmann-Stokes served in Iraq and has been an advocate for veteran mental health and storytelling. The film reflects his insights into the emotional and psychological challenges faced by veterans, including themes of grief, survivor’s guilt, and post-traumatic stress.

Hausmann-Stokes has stated that the story, while fictional, draws heavily from his personal journey and those of fellow veterans, aiming to provide an authentic portrayal of military life and its aftermath. The character of Zoe, who appears as a ghost, symbolizes the lingering presence of fallen comrades, a feeling familiar to many who have served. The film seeks to address these issues with both humor and compassion, offering a fresh perspective on the veteran experience.

Audiences have responded positively to early screenings of the film with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a score of 100% at the time of this writing. Not a bad start for Travis Kelce’s first big project as a producer in Hollywood.

AEW Finds Success in the Land Down Under

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AEW Grand Slam: Australia, held on February 15, 2025, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, achieved notable success both financially and in terms of viewership. The event generated a gate revenue of $1.3 million, ranking as the third-highest in All Elite Wresting’s history. Attendance figures indicate that approximately 11,000 to 12,000 tickets were distributed, nearing the venue’s capacity of 13,500.

Originally slated for the 52,000-seat Suncorp Stadium, the event was relocated to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre due to reportedly sluggish ticket sales. Despite this change, the event’s financial performance remained strong.

In terms of viewership, the broadcast drew 502,000 viewers, with one million tuning in for the match featuring Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay versus Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher. AEW’s leadership expressed satisfaction with these numbers, highlighting the positive momentum leading into the event.

However, some fans expressed dissatisfaction with the event’s promotion and venue change, feeling misled about the scale and nature of the show. Despite these concerns, the event delivered strong financial results and viewership (hitting millions of dollars and at one point millions of viewers), indicating overall success.

AEW Grand Slam: Australia featured several high-profile matches. Below are the results…

AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm defeated Mariah May to capture her record-setting fourth AEW Women’s World Championship.

Tag Team Match: Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega overcame The Don Callis Family’s Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher.

TBS Championship: Mercedes Moné successfully defended her title against Harley Cameron.

Brisbane Brawl: Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli defeated Adam Copeland and Jay White in a hard-hitting encounter.

AEW Continental Championship: Kazuchika Okada retained his title against Buddy Matthews.

Super Bowl LIX: That’s a Lot of Wings!

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With the Big Game upon us FreeSportsMagazine.com was wondering just how much football food is consumed on super Sunday. The results? We weren’t shocked (though we probably should have been). Check out how much food Americans consume during the Super Bowl and try not to get a stomach ache this year:

For starters, it’s estimated that around 11 million pounds of potato chips are consumed in the U.S. on Super Bowl Sunday.

About 8 million pounds of guacamole are consumed which goes hand-in-hand with all those chips the fans are munching on. Stating the obvious here – Super Bowl weekend is one of the biggest times of the year for avocado sales.

Another staple of the big game, Americans consume an estimated 1.45 billion chicken wings! That’s enough to circle the Earth three times if you lined them up end to end. Wings are definitely a game day MVP alongside chips and guac! Do you like them hot?

To quench their thirst, Americans drink an estimated 325 million gallons of beer while watching the Super Bowl. That’s enough to fill about 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Beer is the go-to beverage for many fans, perfectly pairing with all those wings, chips, and guac.

When looking at “main courses”, it’s estimated that around 14 million hamburgers and 10 million hot dogs are consumed in the U.S. during the Super Bowl. While burgers and hot dogs may not be quite as popular as wings and chips, they’re often the only option for hosts firing up the grill! As a side note, t’s estimated that several million pounds of condiments—including ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise—are used during the big game.

Finally, pizza is often the forgotten food of Super Bowl parties. Americans consume about 12.5 million pizzas during the big game. It’s one of the top game-day foods, with chains like Domino’s and Pizza Hut reporting it as their busiest day of the year.

FSM Scouting Report: The Last Folk Hero

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Book/Movie Title: The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson

Total Pages/Duration: 430 pages (hardcover)

Author/Director: Jeff Pearlman

Pace of Play: This book is certainly not a page-turner and feels more like a low-scoring baseball game that keeps going into another extra inning. That doesn’t mean this book is boring in anyway, just that you will be provided with a lot of different information about many different things related to the Bo Jackson universe. The pace of play here is slow.

Strengths: The author does not hide the type of person Bo Jackson was as a child. Admittedly, it was hard to root for Jackson after reading the first chapter of The Last Folk Hero. There will be times in that chapter you might ask yourself, “Why am I reading about this sociopath?” Keep reading and you’ll eventually get to a place of acceptance though you’ll probably never feel like rooting for the guy. There are some cool stories throughout subsequent chapters discussing huge acts of kindness that (just barely) balance things out. In addition to Bo Jackson’s suspect personality and charity work, the reader is also treated to multiple “Bo” nickname origin stories and reoccurring tales about bizarre interactions with autograph seekers.

Weaknesses: Reading, “There is a Bo story you won’t believe” or some variation of that sentence starts feeling a little redundant after the first handful of stories. The premise of this book gets proven over and over and over and over and…well you get the point.

Unique Attributes: This book is peppered with George Brett anecdotes from Bo Jackson’s time playing in the MLB for the Kansas City Royals.There is also extensive discussion of Jackson’s track and field career in college which is something that is often overlooked.

Scout’s Recommendations: The Last Folk Hero will take some time to read but the journey will be worth it in the end. Even die-hard Bo Jackson fans (if they exist) will learn something new by reading this book. The story of Bo Jackson is more than just someone who played in both the MLB and NFL at the same time and Jeff Pearlman captures that in his latest work. Based on the information in this FSM scouting report, FreeSportsMagazine.com recommends this book for fans of all sports.