Latest news with #SamLaPorta
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV Blesses Commanders Rival Ahead Of 2025 Season
Pope Leo XIV Blesses Commanders Rival Ahead Of 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Last year in the playoffs, the Detroit Lions needed all the help they could get against the upstart Washington Commanders, who buzz-sawed coach Dan Campbell's favored team in a 45-31 shellacking. Advertisement The Lions are coming back into 2025 with some extra juice, though, as they figure to once again join Washington as a Super Bowl contender. The Lions have The Vatican on their side. Pope Leo XIV - seriously - has blessed an NFL player ahead of the 2025 regular season. And really ... playfully ... Washington fans shouldn't be as upset about this as Chicago Bears fans surely are. The first-ever American pope just happens to be from Chicago ... and has long been well-known for his fandom of the Bears and the White Sox and all things Windy City. As it happens, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and his new bride, Callahan Dellinger LaPorta, scheduled a vacation in Rome ... Advertisement And yes, they got blessed by the Pope, as the young NFL tight end demonstrated for all to see as took to Instagram to show off the photo on Wednesday. "Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride. A special moment we'll never forget,'' he wrote. Bears fans can be mock-unhappy about this ... but Chicago has spent a great deal of time in the NFC North basement and doesn't figure to be a match for the powerful Lions anyway. And the Commanders? As they and the Lions prepare to give chase to upsetting defending champion Philadelphia toward a Super Bowl run, they'll take any "blessing'' they can get. Advertisement Perhaps Dan Quinn should book himself a quick trip to The Vatican? Related: Commanders Trade Terry McLaurin for T.J. Watt in Blockbuster Prediction Related: What is Commanders' Biggest 'Red Flag' In 2025? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Pope Leo slammed for blessing Lions star Sam LaPorta... despite being a Chicago Bears fan
Pope Leo felt the wrath of Chicago Bears fans after blessing Sam LaPorta and his wife - despite the tight end playing for their NFL rivals, the Detroit Lions. LaPorta and his partner Callahan recently visited the Vatican - just days after tying the knot - to meet the first ever American-born leader of the Catholic church, Pope Leo XIV. They were given a blessing by the new pope, who is a native of Chicago and a fan of both the Bears and the White Sox. 'Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride. A special moment we'll never forget,' LaPorta wrote on Instagram alongside pictures of the ceremony. Leo was gifted a personalized Bear's jersey by vice president JD Vance back in May but many Lions fans celebrated his divine intervention ahead of the 2025 season. 'Record-breaking season incoming,' one posted on social media, echoing the excitement of many supporters. LaPorta is considered one of the finest tight ends in the NFL heading into the 2025 season But Bears fans were less happy with the pope. 'Why would he bless a division rival?' one asked. 'Chicago gotta be p***ed,' another said. 'Is the pope from Chicago? Not sure I like this,' a third added. The Lions and Bears are rivals in the NFC North. The Bears have a 105-80-5 regular-season record against the Lions but in recent years it is a rivalry that has been dominated by Detroit. The Lions have won five of their past six meetings and Dan Campbell's team won the NFC North last season, while the 5-12 Bears finished bottom of the division. Pope Leo grew up rooting for the White Sox and earlier this month he wore a team cap as he greeted another pair of newlyweds at the Vatican.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lions Fans Predict Big Season For Sam LaPorta After 'Special' Announcement Tuesday
Lions Fans Predict Big Season For Sam LaPorta After 'Special' Announcement Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Detroit Lions' offense remained strong until the final seconds ticked off of the clock at Ford Field during their playoff loss to the Commanders and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson walked off of the field for the last time. Advertisement Johnson is now in Chicago as the Bears' head coach, but Lions fans have big expectations for the team in 2025-26 with John Morton taking over as the team's primary offensive play caller and plenty of star power in Motown. On Tuesday, Lions TE Sam LaPorta turned heads with a "special" announcement from a world famous location as fans began predicting big things for the former Iowa star. Sam LaPorta (R) hits sleds with Brock Wright at Lions practice in May 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride," LaPorta wrote on Instagram with a picture of he and his wife Callahan Dellinger LaPorta next to Pope Leo XIV. "A special moment we'll never forget #catholic #popeleoxiv #catholicismrocks," he added before fans reacted. Advertisement View the original article to see embedded media. "LaPorta is now blessed by the Pope. Record setting season incoming," lionsmemes wrote under the photo. "I've seen enough the Pope has blessed our sweet TE1 and now he will be All-Pro," another fan added. "My tight end got blessed by the pope he going for 1500 yards," another said with a crying emoji. "Incredible!!! Congratulations and God bless you both!!!" another fan said. "A few incredible people from Illinois!!!" another added. Former Iowa tight end Luke Lachey added three pairs of praying hands emojis while former Michigan and current Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker also chimed in. Advertisement "Unreal bro, God bless you both," Schoonmaker said to the Lions tight end. Related: Lions Cornerback Hyped up by Kerby Joseph Ahead of 2025 Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sam LaPorta gets spiritual boost from Pope Leo XIV—are the Lions heaven-bound this NFL season?
Sam LaPorta visits the Vatican with wife (Instagram/_slaporta and callahanlaporta) Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is heading into the new NFL season with a spiritual boost that few can match. Fresh off a standout Pro Bowl rookie year, LaPorta took a detour from football to experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment — receiving a blessing from none other than Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Lions fans believe Sam LaPorta's Vatican visit could bring divine luck to Detroit's NFL campaign The visit came shortly after LaPorta and his wife, Callahan, tied the knot on June 14. The newlyweds traveled to the Vatican as part of their post-wedding celebration, and the moment was documented in photos shared by LaPorta on Instagram. 'Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride,' he wrote in the caption. 'A special moment we'll never forget.' While many fans have already dubbed the Lions as one of the top contenders in the NFC this year, LaPorta might just be bringing more than talent to the locker room — he's bringing divine favor. After all, not many NFL players can say they were blessed by the pope himself before the season kicks off. Interestingly, Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and appointed in May, has already made headlines for his unexpected connection to American sports. A die-hard fan of the Chicago White Sox, he was once seen cheering during the 2005 World Series. The White Sox have embraced the Pope's loyalty, even dedicating a mural to him at Guaranteed Rate Field and offering him the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a game. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Play this for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it. Play Game Undo The pope's NFL allegiances remain a bit murky, though. In late May, Vice President J.D. Vance presented him with a custom Chicago Bears jersey that read 'Pope Leo' and bore the number XIV. The pope's response? A subtle but telling 'Good choice.' New Bears head coach Ben Johnson — who previously served as the Lions' offensive coordinator — admitted in May, 'I heard rumblings, but that hasn't been discussed too much firsthand,' when asked about Pope Leo's potential football preferences. As for LaPorta, he's coming off a stellar second season, notching 60 receptions, 726 yards, and seven touchdowns. The Lions ended the regular season at 15-2 before falling to the Commanders in the divisional round. Now, as they prepare for the next chapter without Ben Johnson and former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (now the Jets' head coach), the team hopes to keep its NFC North dominance alive. With skill, momentum, and perhaps a little divine intervention, the Lions — and LaPorta — could be primed for something special this season. Also Read: Swifties can't handle Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's red carpet PDA: "He was going to kiss her forehead but she went straight in" For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Sam LaPorta, wife get blessed by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in ‘special moment'
The Lions might be extra blessed this year. Or at least Sam LaPorta. The Detroit tight end and his wife, Callahan, visited St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and were blessed by Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native. The newlyweds, who tied the knot on June 14, traveled to the Vatican soon after, as captured in pictures on LaPorta's Instagram. 4 Sam LaPorta and his wife Callahan get blessed by Pope Leo XIV. Instagram/_slaporta and callahanlaporta 4 Sam LaPorta and his wife Callahan get blessed by Pope Leo XIV. Instagram/_slaporta and callahanlaporta 'Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride,' LaPorta wrote in the caption of his post. 'A special moment we'll never forget.' Leo, named pope in May, and his sports allegiances have been written and discussed at length, which included the unearthing of footage of him at the 2005 World Series supporting his beloved White Sox. The White Sox have leaned into the pope's South Side baseball fandom, creating a mural inside Guaranteed Rate Field and opening up a standing offer to throw out the first pitch at a game. 4 Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to an NFL Football game against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images In late May, Vice President J.D. Vance gifted Leo, whose given name is Robert Francis Prevost, a Bears jersey with XIV and 'Pope Leo' draped across the back of the dark uniform. 'Good choice,' Leo told the vice president. New Bears head coach — and former Lions offensive coordinator — Ben Johnson said in early May that he 'heard rumblings, but that hasn't been discussed too much firsthand' on the pope's football fandom. As for the Lions, they finished last year with a sterling 15-2 regular season before getting bounced in the divisional round in the playoffs by the Commanders. 4 Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images LaPorta followed up his Pro Bowl rookie campaign with 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. Now, Detroit will be without both Johnson and former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn — the new Jets head coach — as it looks to maintain supremacy in the NFC North.
