Football Team

Did Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid publicly say that he will pay for the funerals of the Texas flood victims? No, that's not true: No credible media organizations reported that. The claim followed the pattern seen in other unsubstantiated rumors about celebrities that began to circulate on the internet shortly after the natural disaster. The claim appeared in an…

Did Ohio State football coach Ryan Day donate more than $3.5 million dollars to victims of the 2025 Texas floods? No, that's not true: No credible media organization reported that, nor did Day himself. The viral claim emerged from a website that didn't disclose the editorial team behind it and warns its readers that it functions "without warranty of any…

Did the International Federation of Football (FIFA) move the World Cup 2026 from the United States because of President Trump's strict immigration policies? No, this is not true: As of June 4, 2025, FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, have not announced any changes to the hosting arrangement for the tournament, which will be held for the first time in…

Do the Super Bowl champion Philadephia Eagles intend to take part in a customary White House visit in 2025? The Trump administration indicated to Lead Stories that no invite had been sent to the team so far, but as of this writing, the franchise had not yet made any on-the-record statement. Here's what we know so far about rumors surrounding…

Is a video in which pop star Taylor Swift announces a breakup with athlete Travis Kelce and where she says she's looking to date a basketball player real? No, that's not true: The video in which Swift appears to say, "I don't date losers, I only date winners" originated on a YouTube channel specializing in AI deepfakes. An online detection…

Did the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs say they are boycotting Pride Nights? No, that's not true: Neither the Steelers nor the Chiefs have publicly stated they were boycotting Pride Nights. The post saying so did not offer any evidence to back up its claim but it seems to have originated on a website with a satire disclaimer. The…

Did Major League Soccer or FIFA publicly announce that LGBTQ+ flags will be prohibited at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup? No, that's not true: The rumor originated from websites with satire labels. As of November 20, 2024, Lead Stories found no confirmation that either of the two sports organizations had issued such a statement. The claim appeared in a…

Do various videos posted online show the funeral of former One Direction singer Liam Payne? No, that's not true: Payne's funeral hadn't happened when these videos were published in early and mid-November 2024. The footage presented as being taken at his funeral was recorded at other events. The claim appeared in a video post (archived here) on Facebook on November…

Did Tim Walz's school board meet to discuss any alleged sexual relationship with a male student, as a post by @DocNetyoutube on X claimed? No, that's not true: There's no credible evidence or verified reports that the Alliance Public Schools Board of Education in Nebraska, where Walz taught in the 1990s, ever met to discuss any allegations of sexual abuse…

Did Travis Kelce threaten Elon Musk on X over his remarks about Taylor Swift? No, that's not true: The account that posted the "threat" told Lead Stories it was fake. There is no record that Kelce, Swift's boyfriend who is tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs football team, ever replied to Musk's comments about the superstar singer. The claim…