2:39 PM PT -- Dak Prescott is speaking out about the event at his home on Friday -- claiming it was NOT a party, but rather a small "home dinner" ... though he insists it won't happen again.
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The Dallas Cowboys QB has been under fire ever since we posted footage from inside Dak's home showing a large food spread and multiple people feasting ... including Ezekiel Elliott.
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We were told there were as many as 30 people in the house at one point -- but Dak is saying the true number was fewer than 10.
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"I understand and accept that there are additional responsibilities and media scrutiny that come with being an NFL quarterback, but it is very frustrating and disappointing when people provide completely inaccurate information from anonymous sources, especially now,” Prescott told ProFootballTalk.
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"To set the record straight, I know that we all need to do our best to socially distance and like everyone else, I am continuing to adjust to what that requires, but the truth is that I was with fewer than 10 people for a home dinner -- not a party -- on Friday night. I am very sensitive to the challenges we are all facing and making sure to support the first responders and medical personnel and everyone else putting in long hours."
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"We are all at a time when we need to keep educating ourselves about the importance of health and isolation during this pandemic and I will continue to make sure to do my part by following the guidelines until we are approved to start returning to normal activities."
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There's more ... a photo of a set dinner table that we were initially told was inside the house was NOT in fact taken at Prescott's home.
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Instead, the photo was taken at the restaurant that catered the feast as a way to show love to one of Dak's guests, who was celebrating a birthday.
Jerry Jones'son (who's also the Cowboys executive V.P.) called into 105.3 The Fan in Dallasand said the team spoke with both superstars after TMZ Sports posted photos from the party at Dak's Texas home on Friday ... and explained to them why the shindig was a TERRIBLE idea!
105.3 The Fan
"I think they're certainly aware now of how sensitive these situations are," Jones said on Tuesday ... "I don't think you'll be seeing that anymore."
We were told there were as many as 30 people at Dak's home at one point -- though sources close to Dak insist the number was closer to 10.
Either way, bad idea -- since officials have warned against unnecessary gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"They're certainly guys that we have the utmost respect for, and I certainly know they understand the sensitivity of the situation we're in today," Stephen said.
"It's certainly very serious, and something that we know and certainly know they understand."
Tons of people have ripped the Cowboys stars over the party ... with former Dallas 1st-round pick Marcus Spears calling it, "one of the most disrespectful things I've seen in a long time."
For his part, Prescott has still yet to publicly comment on the issue.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson has been fired by his team, Chip Ganassi Racing, after using the n-word during an iRacing event.
"After much consideration, Chip Ganassi Racing has determined that it will end its relationship with driver Kyle Larson," the team said.
"As we said before, the comments that Kyle made were both offensive and unacceptable especially given the values of our organization."
4/13/20
The statement continued, "As we continued to evaluate the situation with all the relevant parties, it became obvious that this was the only appropriate course of action to take."
The 27-year-old dropped an n-bomb during a virtual race on Easter Sunday ... apparently not realizing his audio was streaming out to thousands of people on Twitch.
After crashing during Lap 6, Larson apparently had a difficult time communicating with other drivers and said -- "You can't hear me? Hey, n*****."
Larson apologized on Monday -- but sponsors (including McDonald's and Credit One Bank) dropped him anyway.
Larson -- who is half Japanese -- is a pretty damn good driver. He's been driving in the NASCAR Cup Series for the past 7 years and has won several major races including the 2020 Chili Bowl Nationals.
Kentucky State Police were circling the parking lot of a church that's packed for Easter service -- defying state orders -- and issuing warnings, if not citations.
Maryville Baptist Church in Hillview, Kentucky drew what seemed to be nearly a full house Sunday morning. Reporter Sarah Ladd with Louisville's Courier-Journal captured images in the parking lot ... where you could hear the pastor leading the congregation in song.
Shortly before the service began, volunteers were clearing the parking lot of nails, apparently left there by someone who wanted to discourage the service ... which is violating Kentucky's safer-at-home order. Gatherings of more than 10 people are illegal.
I’m at Maryville Baptist Church, which continues to hold in-person services despite orders to cease . This morning, piles of nails have been scattered at every entrance. pic.twitter.com/WcxkqtVZQw
So far, the cops aren't shutting down the service or arresting churchgoers. Instead, they're leaving notifications on the cars in the lot ... informing the owners they are potentially spreading COVID-19.
The notifications also say the health department will contact the car owner, and his or her family members, and require them to quarantine for 14 days.
Unclear, if they're issuing tickets, but the notice does warn the churchgoers they may be committing a misdemeanor by violating the state's emergency order.
1:32 PM PT -- 4/8 -- Gideon's body has finally been found, according to cops, who say the boy's body was found in 25 feet of water about 2,000 feet away from where Maeve's body was found.
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11:22 AM PT -- Maeve's cause of death is an accidental drowning, according to officials handling the case. The search for her son Gideon's body continues.
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7:25 PM PT -- 4/6 -- Divers found Maeve's body Monday evening about 2.5 miles south of the family home on Chesapeake Bay. Authorities say her body was located in water that was 25-feet deep ... and they plan to continue searching for Gideon on Tuesday.
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6:15 AM PT -- 4/4-- Maeve's husband, David McKean, said Friday it seems clear his wife and son have tragically passed. McKean said, "It is clear that Maeve and Gideon have passed away," adding, "It has been more than 24 hours, and the chances they have survived are impossibly small."
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McKean said his family was self-quarantining at Maeve's mother's home on Chesapeake Bay, so they could have some space. He says Gideon and Maeve were playing a game of kickball and the ball went into the water, so they got in a canoe to get the ball. He believes the canoe got pushed by either the tide or the wind, into the bay.
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12:22 PM PT -- There were local reports Gov. Hogan confirmed Maeve had passed away, but we got video of his news conference, and he merely offers prayers as the search continues.
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Two members of the Kennedy family are missing after a canoeing accident on the Chesapeake Bay, and after 24 hours, Maryland's Governor says the search continues for them.
Robert F. Kennedy's granddaughter, Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean, and her 8-year-old son, Gideon, were reported missing Thursday after paddling out near Annapolis, MD ... according to the Washington Post.
The Kennedys are reportedly gathered at a waterfront house and children were playing with a ball in the yard Thursday afternoon when it was kicked into the bay. Maeve and her son hopped in a canoe to track down the ball, but they were unable to paddle back to shore.
Maryland authorities said an overturned canoe matching the description of the Kennedy's had been recovered. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan held a news conference Friday and announced the search for Maeve and Gideon continues.
Maeve's mother is former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.
The Coast Guard says Maeve and her son were "seen struggling to return to shore in a canoe" before disappearing. Thursday was an extremely windy day on the bay, with gusts of up to 40 MPH in the D.C. area.
Helicopters and boat rescue crews have been searching the area for 24 hours, but still nothing.
Just last summer, another one of RFK's granddaughters, Saiorse Kennedy Hill, died of an accidental overdose while at the family's Hyannis Port compound.
Dating back to John F. Kennedy and RFK's assassinations in the '60s, the family's endured countless tragedies -- including JFK Jr.'s fatal plane crash in 1999, and Michael Kennedy's death in a 1997 skiing accident.
Los Angeles is implementing a new coronavirus mandate that could eventually become standard across all major cities ... everyone at an essential business is being ordered to cover their faces.
Workers and shoppers in L.A. will be required to wear non-medical grade face coverings starting Friday ... as ordered by Mayor Eric Garcetti. It's called the Worker Protection Order.
People can cover their faces with fabric, such as bandannas and scarves. The mayor says any essential business owner can deny admission or service to folks who aren't covering their face.
The rules apply to essential businesses such as grocery stores, banks, convenience stores, warehouses, restaurants, laundromats, taxis, etc. The mandate is in addition to social distancing measures, and the mayor is encouraging retailers to install plexiglass to separate cashiers and customers at points of sale.
Employers are also required to provide face coverings or reimburse employees for the cost of coverings, provide access to clean and sanitary restrooms on-site, allow employees to wash their hands every 30 minutes and implement physical distancing measures.
Failure to comply with the order constitutes a misdemeanor subject to fines and imprisonment, according to the Mayor.
The goal is pretty clear ... continuing to slow down the rapid spread of COVID-19.
Here they are ... the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers jerseys.
In other words ... here's what Tom Brady will be wearing next season!!!
It's gonna be weird to see TB12 suit up in anything other than the Patriots' color scheme ... but now we can officially start to picture it in our minds.
The new-look Bucs finally ditched the dumpster fire of a jersey design that they were stuck with since 2014 -- yeah, not many people liked them -- and it's a big improvement.
It's kinda a bummer ... 'cause a lot of folks were hoping the team would go back to its awesome Creamsicle look ... but it appears that ain't happenin'.
The Bucs debuted the new look on Tuesday ... and the biggest change is eliminating the zig-zaggy number font. They're VERY similar to the Derrick Brooks-era unis.
"This new but familiar look is a direct result of the valuable feedback we received from our fans," Bucs owner Ed Glazer said in a statement.
The funny part -- the Bucs sent out a hype vid for the new threads ... and had to post a disclaimer, considering Chris Godwin was spotted in his #12 jersey, which now belongs to Brady.
Bucs fans have to be happy ... and now they can finally get that #12 Brady jersey, which are already for sale on the Bucs team shop site.
NFL owners, GMs and coaches will NOT be allowed in the same room for this month's draft ... the league just announced it's forcing its teams to go 100% virtual for the big day.
Roger Goodellsent a memo to all 32 squads Monday, informing them they must draft away from team facilities in separate locations in order to comply with coronavirus guidelines.
"We have reviewed this matter in the past few days with both the Competition Committee and CEC," the memo said, "and this will confirm that Clubs will conduct their Draft operations remotely, with club personnel separately located in their homes."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell just informed clubs in a memo that club facilities will remain closed indefinitely and the league will conduct a “fully virtual” draft, with club personnel separately located in their homes. pic.twitter.com/28t2kNnLAI
Of course, the league shut down NFL facilities last month in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 ... but it appeared ready to allow teams to get together in at least some form at offsite locations to draft anyway.
In fact, Sean Payton had planned to set the Saints' war room up at a local New Orleans brewery for the annual selection process, which is set to begin on April 23.
But, Goodell put the kibosh on all of that this week, saying, "All clubs should dedicate their personnel and technology resources toward preparing for a fully virtual Draft, with personnel in separate locations."
Goodell says on the league's end of the process ... they'll also be performing their duties in separate locations.
Which means ... Goodell announcing picks later this month from his living room!?!?
2:51 PM PT -- The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service just released some information that'll probably come as potentially great news for pet owners, who might be freaking out at the possibility of contracting COVID-19 from their pooches or felines at home.
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In a Q&A sheet on their site, the federal scientists say in regards to animals (wild or domesticated) with the question being ... If animals can catch the virus, can they give it back to people? The APHIS experts say ... NO! They add, "At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that any animals, including pets or livestock, can spread the COVID-19 infection to people." What's pretty obvious by now though ... we can give it to them.
A tiger housed at New York City's Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19, which makes it the first-known animal in the U.S. to have contracted coronavirus.
The Wildlife Conservation Society -- which runs the facility and cares for the animals at the zoo -- made the announcement Sunday, saying a 4-year-old Malayan female tiger named Nadia has tested positive for the disease, which up until recently mostly affected just humans. The diagnosis was confirmed by the USDA's National Veterinary Services Lab.
The org adds other animals of theirs that have shown COVID-19 symptoms of late, including three other tigers and four lions, which have developed a dry cough, but all of which are expected to fully recover. Presumably, those other big cats will get tested too.
The Malayan tiger marks the first U.S-based animal case of coronavirus and the first case in a tiger anywhere in the world. Different animals -- including at least a couple dogs -- in China have reportedly contracted COVID-19, but it hasn't gotten to our furry domesticated friends ... or at least as far as we know.
It's pretty frightening ... and just goes to show the virus can, indeed, spread and adapt fairly rapidly. With this in mind, we imagine people will start having major convos about how to deal with the animal kingdom ... as that's a whole other swab of potential patients we'd have to care for on top of all the people already infected.
BTW, the Bronx Zoo has been closed since March 16 -- and, as you might know, NYC is considered the epicenter of coronavirus cases here in the States. Scary stuff ...
Here's some good news to brighten up your day ... UFC fighter Darren Till is a dad again!!
The #5 ranked welterweight announced the birth of his brand-new daughter, Raya Lilly Till -- and he's already got a nickname for the kid, "Little lockdown baby."
See, it's not all bad out there!
Obviously, Darren and his family won't be leaving the house any time soon due to the COVID-19 pandemic ... but they've got PLENTY to keep them busy now.
YNW Melly says he tested positive for COVID-19 while awaiting trial in Florida for his double-murder case ... and he says he's gonna ask for a restricted release from jail.
The rapper's team claims he got a positive diagnosis for coronavirus Thursday while being held in Broward County jail.
YNW Melly also says he hopes to get some support from his fans, and he's asking for positive energy and prayers as he tries to recover and beat the virus.
Melly's team also says he will be filing legal docs seeking restricted release from jail in order to get better healthcare. His reps also claim the jail is not prepared to treat the novel virus.
As you know ... YNW Melly's been sitting in a Florida jail for more than a year after being arrested and charged in the double murder of two of his friends.
Melly is the latest celeb to say they've been diagnosed with COVID-19 ... joining Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Idris Elba and others.
Disney is making its most loyal fans happy by pausing payments for annual pass holders and refunding monthly payments during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here's the deal ... the Mouse House just announced it will no longer continue charging Annual Pass members while its parks remain closed due to the virus, and it's refunding scheduled monthly payments that were changed since the outbreak.
As we reported ... Disney pissed off a lot of people by continuing to charge Pass holders at a time when millions of folks are hurting for cash.
Disney posted an update to the annual pass holder payment policy Thursday, offering some much needed financial relief in a dark time. The policy flip will ease minds and wallets, and seek to undo some very bad optics.
Disney also says park pass holders who already paid in full for their annual passes can get a partial refund for the period the theme parks are closed.
The new policy kicks in this Sunday, when Disney says it will halt automatic payments and waive all upcoming monthly payments while the parks remain shuttered.
The refunds will apply to monthly payments made between March 14 and April 4. Once the parks reopen, Disney says payments will resume as scheduled.
Chris Cuomosays his initial coronavirus symptoms are very similar to the flu ... and now he's worried about passing the virus along to his family as they quarantine at home.
The CNN anchor just gave Anderson Cooper the lowdown on his diagnosis ... explaining he first thought he was dealing with flu-like symptoms -- fever, chills, shortness of breath -- until his doctor dropped some knowledge on him.
It is interesting -- maybe even ironic -- Chris mentioned it feeling flu-like. As you know, CNN and others have given President Trump loads of crap, rightfully so, for initially downplaying coronavirus as just another flu, and no reason for Americans to worry.
Sure, the symptoms can be similar, but these are still two vastly different health issues ... and Chris says it makes it a lot easier for the virus to sneak up on ya. Scary stuff.
It's pretty alarming ... Chris says he's terrified his wife and children could become infected because they're all living under the same roof.
Chris is a trooper, so he's still anchoring his CNN show from his basement as long as he feels up to it ... and we gotta say, his work-from-home setup looks pretty sweet. Not a bad basement to be stuck in for a few weeks.
While Chris remains confident he can beat this thing, he explains why everyone needs to feel a sense of urgency right now.
Chris Cuomo's spent plenty of time talking about coronavirus on CNN, and now he's got a first-person account of what it's really like ... because he has the virus.
Chris says he's tested positive for COVID-19 ... but so far CNN says he's feeling well and will continue to anchor his prime-time show from his home.
Cuomo says he's been exposed to people in recent days who have also been diagnosed with COVID-19, and he's worried about spreading it to his kids and wife, Cristina.
Chris says he's quarantining in his basement, where he'll continue anchoring his show. He already anchored from home Monday and interviewed his brother, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Fox News
Gov. Cuomo just addressed his brother's diagnosis at Tuesday's coronavirus briefing ... saying the virus doesn't care how rich, powerful, young or old you are. Andrew says Chris is gonna be fine, but there's a lesson in it for everyone.
CNN says Chris was last at its NYC offices Friday and he's the third case of coronavirus at the network's Hudson Yards workspace. As you know, New York is considered the epicenter of the outbreak in the States.
Chris says he had symptoms associated with COVID-19 -- fever, chills and shortness of breath -- but he's staying positive, vowing the country will beat the virus by remaining smart, tough and united.
Good news, bad news from the NCAA. Good news -- spring sport athletes who can't compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic will get another year of eligibility.
And, the bad news?? The winter sports -- including basketball -- athletes will NOT get an extra year of eligibility ... which will be a huge bummer for seniors who didn't get to finish their final season at the college level.
"The Council's decision gives individual schools the flexibility to make decisions at a campus level," M. Grace Calhoun of the D1 Council said in a statement.
"The Board of Governors encouraged conferences and schools to take action in the best interest of the student-athletes and their communities, and now schools have the opportunity to do that."
The decision came down Monday afternoon ... but another major discussion will have to be had soon about the status of the fall sports schedule.
Of course, there are people like Kirk Herbstreit who would be shocked if the NCAA football season happened in 2020 due to the coronavirus scare.
Losing part or all of the football season would be a huge hit to the NCAA and the schools that depend on that revenue to fund other programs.
Hopefully, things are back to normal before it comes to that.
WWE superstar Roman Reigns is finally speaking out about why he decided to pull out of "Wrestlemania 36" ... saying straight-up, "I had to make a choice for me and my family."
The 34-year-old -- a 2-time cancer survivor -- was supposed to wrestle Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship during the April 4 and 5 event ... but ultimately decided it wasn't worth the riskto his health.
But, on Monday, Reigns -- real name Leati "Joe" Anoaʻi -- spoke to his fans on IG, saying there's more to the story.
"You don't know the whole story. All you know is what you think, 'oh well his health' and this and that, but you don't what else is going on in my life."
"You don't know if I have newborns. You don't know if I have family in my household, older family. So, yeah, just like the old saying, 'Don't flip that cover open and read a few pages, get into a few chapters before you really start running your mouth.'"
He continued ... "For all my fans, I'm sorry. I didn't get to compete this year and put on a show and entertain but sometimes things are more important."
"I had to make a choice for me and my family."
Reigns said he traveled to Orlando with the intention to perform -- but he had a change of heart ... explaining, "I had to make a decision for me."
"It doesn't take anything away from what I've done and what I'm going to do. I still love this game. I still love pro wrestling, sports entertainment. I love being in the ring."
Reigns acknowledged that's it's "a little weird" performing in an arena without fans -- but says the bottom line is he's ready to get back to work asap.
"Until then, stay safe and don't touch your face."
It was a grim prediction from a man who probably knows more about the coronavirus than just about anyone else -- we should expect between 100,000 and 200,000 deaths in the United States from the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci made his prediction on CNN, saying, "millions" of people in this country will contract the disease ... millions.
Fauci says he's not into worst-case scenarios ... a model in which the number of deaths would soar to unspeakable levels. Dr. Fauci says the actual number almost always ends somewhere in the middle -- between worst-and-best scenarios.
More than 2,000 people have died in the U.S. from the virus. The number doubled in the last 24 hours. New York is a few weeks away from the apex, and it's spread all over the country.
The figures are in stark contrast to the President pressing to reopen the country by Easter.
