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Bills face backlash for Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration post

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Bills face backlash for Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration post

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The Buffalo Bills fired off a post on social media on Monday to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day and the decision drew some pushback among fans.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is seen by activists as a counter-celebration against Columbus Day. It was established to highlight the suffering Native tribes in North America under European colonization. 

Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa (57) pressures New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

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Columbus Day celebrates Italian explorer Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas in 1492.

Buffalo, New York, itself celebrates both days. The Bills only sent a post about Indigenous Peoples’ Day and noted that it was Thanksgiving in Canada.

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation last week to honor Columbus.

“Today we have your Columbus Day proclamation for Monday, which we’re signing a bit early,” White House staff secretary Will Scharf told Trump Thursday ahead of the monthly Cabinet meeting.

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Dawson Knox delivers a stiff arm

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) is hit by New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (14) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

“Columbus, obviously, discovered the New World in 1492. He was a great Italian explorer. He sailed his three ships, the Nina, the Pinto and Santa Maria, across the Atlantic Ocean, and landed in what’s today the Caribbean. And this is a particularly important holiday for Italian Americans who celebrate the legacy of Christopher Columbus, and the innovation and explorer zeal that he represented,” he continued. 

Applause was heard breaking out in the room as Trump added: “In other words, we’re calling it Columbus Day.”

Trump continued in his remarks Thursday saying, “We’re back, Italians,” as applause continued.

“That was the press that broke out in applause,” Trump quipped of the warm reception to the proclamation. “I’ve never seen that happen. The press actually broke out in applause. Good. Columbus Day. We’re back. Columbus Day. We’re back, Italians. We love the Italians.”

Curtis Samuel celebrates a touchdown

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (1) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Columbus Day was recognized as a federal holiday since 1971. In recent years, activists have attempted to get government officials to disassociate from Columbus. They say it celebrates colonialism and genocide of indigenous people — in favor of celebrating Native Americans. Activists also have worked to remove Columbus statues from cities, including toppling such statues during the riots of 2020.

Fox News’ Emma Colton contributed to this report.

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The Times’ City Section high school football rankings

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The Times’ City Section high school football rankings

This week’s City Section top 10 high school football rankings by The Times:

1. BIRMINGHAM (4-3): The Patriots have 51 consecutive victories against City Section opponents, so any computer rankings that don’t have them at the top are ignoring history.

2. CARSON (4-3): The Colts are on collision path to face San Pedro on Oct. 30 to determine the Marine League championship.

3. PALISADES (7-0): Jack Thomas had 460 yards passing and five touchdowns in a 56-54 win over Venice.

4. SAN PEDRO (4-4): Pirates quarterback Seth Solorio has passed the 2,000-yard mark this season.

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5. GARFIELD (5-2): The Eastern League championship will be decided Friday night at South Gate.

6. KENNEDY (6-1): In Diego Montes the Golden Cougars trust.

7. EAGLE ROCK (5-2): Northern League title showdown at Franklin on Friday night.

8. KING/DREW (5-1): Sophomore defensive lineman Kenneth Webb is having big season.

9. VENICE (3-4): Joshua Aaron rushed for 170 yards and four touchdowns in loss to Palisades.

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10. FRANKLIN (6-1): Senior Albert Cardenas is coming through at quarterback.

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NFL legend JJ Watt roasts himself during Steelers-Browns broadcast

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NFL legend JJ Watt roasts himself during Steelers-Browns broadcast

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NFL legend J.J. Watt took the opportunity to roast himself during the CBS broadcast of a Week 6 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The broadcast featured a photo of Watt from when he was in the trenches with the Wisconsin Badgers. The photo that was shown was from Wisconsin’s media day in 2008. He was unable to play that season after he transferred to the school from Central Michigan.

Wisconsin Badgers defensive tackle J.J. Watt (99) celebrates following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 27, 2010. (Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports)

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Play-by-play broadcaster Ian Eagle asked Watt, “What exactly was going on?”

“Oh my gosh! I was fat, and I had a weird facial-hair situation going on. … I (didn’t) know how to tie a tie. I have a chinstrap going on,” Watt said. “That is a bad look. A lot of Mickies Dairy Bar in my system.”

Watt played two seasons with the Badgers, recording 11.5 sacks in 26 games. He entered the NFL Draft after the 2010 season and the Houston Texans made him the No. 11 overall selection.

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J.J. Watt in attendance of the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 26, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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He went on to become one of the greatest players in Texans history and is likely to become a Hall of Famer once he’s eligible.

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For now, Watt can be heard on the CBS broadcast. Sunday wasn’t the only time this season his appearance has been mentioned. The former defensive lineman debuted a new hairstyle. CBS called it “feathered and lethal.”

J.J. Watt walks on the field

FILE – In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston.  (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers had 235 passing yards and two touchdown passes as the Steelers defeated the Browns 23-9. DK Metcalf and Connor Heyward had the touchdown grabs.

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Cameron Dicker helps Chargers survive six lead changes in victory over Dolphins

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Cameron Dicker helps Chargers survive six lead changes in victory over Dolphins

The Chargers leaned on a lot of backups Sunday, but with the game against the Miami Dolphins on the line, they turned to Mr. Reliable.

Cameron Dicker kicked a 35-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to lift his team to a 29-27 win, the final points in a game that included six lead changes.

It was the fifth field goal of the day for Dicker, who has never missed from 40 yards or closer.

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. clinched the win with an interception on the final play, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s third pick of the day.

The sparse crowd had erupted minutes earlier when Tagovailoa hit Darren Waller for a seven-yard touchdown, reclaiming the lead with 46 seconds on the clock.

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But Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert answered with a lightning-quick drive downfield to set up the winning field goal.

The Chargers, ravaged by injuries, effectively leaned on their reserves to help pave the way for their first victory in three weeks.

Reserve running back Kimani Vidal rushed for 124 yards and turned a short pass into a touchdown. He was promoted from the practice squad last Wednesday after the Chargers lost rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton to an ankle injury. Earlier this season, the team lost veteran running back Najee Harris to a torn Achilles tendon.

Chargers running back Kimani Vidal scores a touchdown in the third quarter Sunday against the Dolphins.

(Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)

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The performance marked the first 100-yard game by Vidal, drafted in the sixth round out of Troy University by the Chargers in 2024.

It was the second consecutive week the 1-5 Dolphins were burned by a little-known running back, as Carolina’s Rico Dowdle trampled them for 206 yards in Week 5. Miami came into the game with the NFL’s worst run defense.

On Sunday, the Chargers made seven trips to the red zone but failed to make the most of those, with two touchdowns and five field goals.

Giving the visiting defense all it could handle was Miami’s De’Von Archane, who had a 49-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a four-yarder in the fourth. The Dolphins repeatedly fed him the ball down the stretch and scored on the touchdown catch by Waller, but they couldn’t hold off Herbert’s final drive.

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Stopping the run has been an issue for the Chargers, too, as Washington’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns against them the week before.

The Chargers won their first three games of the season, running the table against AFC West opponents, but lost the next two games at the New York Giants and home against the Washington Commanders.

Not only had the Chargers lost their two top running backs, but they have had to reshuffle their offensive line multiple times because of injuries. They have designed their offense to get the ball out of Justin Herbert’s hands quickly, as he has been hit more than any quarterback in the league this season.

That was the case in the first half of Sunday’s game as well, as Herbert was hit four times — and sacked once — by the Dolphins, who registered just 18 quarterback hits in the first five games combined.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert scrambles during the second half against the Dolphins.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert scrambles during the second half against the Dolphins.

(Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)

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But the Chargers came alive in the second half, overcoming a 13-9 halftime deficit, with a five-yard touchdown reception by Ladd McConkey, a seven-yard scoring catch by Vidal, and a fourth field goal by Dicker.

The Chargers, without injured receiver Quentin Johnston, leaned more heavily into rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II, whose father played receiver for the Dolphins for six seasons.

The younger Gadsden caught seven passes Sunday but also had a fumble that set up Achane’s first touchdown.

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