Editor’s note: Each year, the sports department contributes to the pc28¹ÙÍøStar Santa Claus FundÌý±¹¾±²¹ÌýProudfoot Corner. The drive allows children from financially disadvantaged families across the GTA to enjoy a gift box Christmas morning.
Proudfoot Corner is our long-standing tradition of recognizing donors. And while we do, this year we’ll take a behind-the-scenes look at some of the stories our journalists worked on.
BUFFALO—The tailgate at the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday had all the usual elements to it.
Fans were blaring music, ringing cowbells and chanting the name of their beloved football team. The barbecues, bonfires and beer funnels surrounding Highmark Stadium seemed endless.
But there was also a different element at this particular game.
People were trading friendship bracelets. High-fives were exchanged by strangers wearing matching Eras Tour shirts. Children were running around hoisting sticks attached to images of their favourite singer.
Taylor Swift played three concerts at the Rogers Centre last week and will finish the pc28¹ÙÍøleg of her tour with three more beginning Thursday.
Nick Lachance pc28¹ÙÍøStarWith Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour wrapping up three shows in pc28¹ÙÍølast Saturday, and her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Bills just down the QEW, Swifties came to Buffalo to get a taste of America’s most popular sport.
For many families, the Swift effect has given them a reason to bond over football for the first time.
With Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce and his Chiefs playing against the Bills, Swifties brought their fandom to Buffalo, hoping to catch a glimpse.
With Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce and his Chiefs playing against the Bills, Swifties brought their fandom to Buffalo, hoping to catch a glimpse.
Eight-year-old Summer Foley isn’t a football fan, but when she found out Swift might be in attendance Sunday — it was widely speculated she would watch Kelce play after her pc28¹ÙÍøshow a night earlier — she was looking forward to making the trip from Maryland to Buffalo with her family for her first NFL game.
“Summer got much more excited to come to the game,” said Shannon Foley. “She doesn’t like football that much, but she was very excited to come see the game in hopes that she’d see her.”
While the rest of the group was decked out in Bills gear, Summer decided to wear her pink Eras Tour sweater just in case Swift saw her. She didn’t want to risk upsetting her hero.
From earthquakes to ticket sales to broken records, we track the biggest milestones from the global phenomenon that rocked the world.
From earthquakes to ticket sales to broken records, we track the biggest milestones from the global phenomenon that rocked the world.
Lindsey Nierstedt and Jasmine Fairlie, family friends from upstate New York, saw one of Swift’s three shows in pc28¹ÙÍølast weekend.
Swift’s foray into football has given them something new to enjoy together in addition to their love of music.
“Honestly I was a Travis (Kelce) fan before they got together, but I didn’t have a team,” said Fairlie, 23. “So obviously when they got together I thought: Well, I can be a Chiefs fan.”
As the game went on, it became clear that Swift wasn’t there. And while that was disappointing to many who hoped to see her cheering for Kelce from a suite, there were plenty of other moments to store away as family memories.
Lindsay Nierstadt, left, and Jasmine Fairlie became Chiefs fans when Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift started dating.
Braydon HolmyardFrom the pre-game Blackhawk helicopter flyover to Josh Allen’s electric touchdown run in the fourth quarter to the entire crowd singing “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers to celebrate the Bills’ win, everyone was treated to a heck of a show.
“It’s been very rewarding having something for both of them to do at the same time,” Jimmy Flex said of his 11-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son. His family flew from Houston to see a concert in pc28¹ÙÍøbefore catching the Bills game.
“We booked a vacation around it. It’s part of their Christmas presents.”
As Swift says in her hit “Shake it Off” … haters gonna hate, hate, hate. But in my eyes, there’s no denying the power of the unique way she’s able to bring people together.
On the Corner
 We kick off with a $105 donation from the Devereux family … Our pc28¹ÙÍøStar family always helps out. This week, we have $500 from Robyn Matsumoto and $200 from former Star sports editor Phil Bingley … Robert Stogryn gives $245 in memory of Deirdre Veit ... Glenn Pollinger donates $50 in memory of Jack Pollinger … $150 comes from John Fanning … Johnnyc helps out with $35 … John Arrabito comes through with $50 … Allan Waldron donates $105, as do Daniel and Dionne Cude … Another $105 comes from Rick Dominico, in memory of his dad and long-time contributor Tom. Many thanks to all!
