Denver, CO
Ask Amy: Mother of gay son not ready for the pride parade
Dear Amy: My son “Jack” is 26 years old. Five years ago, he came out to me as gay. While this didn’t fully surprise me, it saddened me. I wanted Jack to have a traditional life. I wanted to have grandchildren.
Despite these feelings, I told him I accepted him.
Jack has lived on his own for the past several years. Recently he told me that he has been in a relationship with “Samuel” for six months. He also asked if I would be OK with him bringing Samuel home to a family function. Not knowing how to respond, I said it was fine.
While Samuel seemed nice enough, I was not prepared for the feelings that seeing them dance together and be affectionate would bring up in me.
I thought about what others were thinking. I wondered what I may have done that contributed to him being this way. I felt anger at Jack’s father for never being a positive male role model or steady presence in his life. I thought about his safety with STDs that run rampant in the gay community as well as violence toward gay men that seem to happen regularly.
I tried to play the role of the accepting mom at the party. I’m embarrassed to talk to anyone in the family about this. My daughter seems completely fine with it. I just will never be the totally accepting mom who goes to gay pride parades with her son. Will it ever get easier?
— Prideless Mom
Dear Prideless: Yes, this will get easier. One way to make things easier would be for you to stop thinking of your son’s sexuality as “it,” and start thinking of his sexuality as “Jack.”
My point is that you can’t separate a person’s identity from the person.
Many of your concerns are actually distortions. Jack can have what you refer to as a “traditional life,” with marriage and children. His choice to bring his boyfriend home to meet the family is the essence of “traditional.”
Any sexually active adult (including you) can get an STD. And if you are truly worried about violence against gay people, then be the change you want to see in the world and confront your own homophobia.
The way to make things easier would be for you to increase your exposure to the experience that frightens you.
You should spend more time with Jack and Samuel. Continue to “play the role of the accepting mom.” See how it feels and how others respond to you. Ask Jack if there are ways you could be a more supportive mom to him.
PFLAG.org is a national organization offering support for parents and family members. Their motto is “You are not alone.” You can learn more about sexuality, have your fears addressed and questions answered, and learn from other parents.
Dear Amy: All of the kids in our family were brought up with religion not being a part of our lives.
We are all over 60 now and recently my wife and I were invited over for Easter dinner at my sister’s place.
Suddenly, my brother-in-law starts saying grace.
It’s not important to me, so I just sat there.
After dinner was over, my sister said to me, “You could at least have bowed your head.”
Religion was never a part of our family and I felt it wrong for her to all of a sudden expect me to have to bend to their new beliefs.
I don’t care if they say grace, it’s just not my thing.
Your thoughts?
— No Grace for Me
Dear No Grace: Ironic, isn’t it — that you were guests at this house for Easter dinner, which — last time I checked — is a Christian holiday.
It’s simple good manners to respect other people’s faith practices, especially while in their homes. In my opinion, this respect can be demonstrated by sitting quietly while they say a blessing, and not judging them afterward.
I don’t think it is necessary to bow your head, but would you bow your head if a blessing was being said at a sports stadium? If so, then you should do so at someone’s table.
Dear Amy: I’m just offering an “atta girl” for offering my family so many years of great conversations. We often read your column at the dinner table and then try to guess your response.
— Old Fan
Dear Old Fan: Thank you so much. I love the idea that this column inspires conversations around the kitchen table and in the office breakroom.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
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Denver, CO
Biggest Winners & Losers from Broncos’ 38-0 Blowout of Chiefs
The Denver Broncos are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, and they made it happen emphatically with a 38-0 dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs. Facing a depleted Chiefs squad, the Broncos showed no mercy, dominating both sides of the ball and solidifying their place in the postseason.
This victory showcased the Broncos’ growth, resilience, and readiness for playoff football. Who were Denver’s biggest winners and losers from this playoff-clinching victory?
Let’s dive in.
Bo Nix | QB
Nix was flawless, completing 26-of-29 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns while adding 47 yards on the ground. His command of the offense was masterful, resulting in a 152.4 passer rating. Nix’s ability to stretch the field and keep the chains moving was the driving force behind Denver’s offensive explosion.
Marvin Mims Jr. | WR
Mims continues to ascend, catching all five targets for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He displayed excellent footwork on his second touchdown, leaving defenders grasping at air in the corner of the end zone.
Courtland Sutton | WR
Sutton was a reliable target again, recording 98 yards and a 47-yard touchdown on five catches. His chemistry with Nix has made him the team’s go-to option in critical situations.
Devaughn Vele | WR
Vele had a highlight-reel moment, hauling in a double-tipped pass for a three-yard touchdown. His four catches for 50 yards showcased his ability to make clutch plays when called upon.
O-Line (Pass Protection)
The offensive line was a fortress, allowing no sacks and giving Nix ample time to pick apart the Chiefs’ secondary. The unit’s dominance upfront also created rushing lanes for Nix to scramble effectively.
Nick Bonitto | OLB
Bonitto continued his breakout season with two sacks, three tackles, and multiple pressures. His speed and relentless pursuit were too much for Kansas City’s offensive line to handle.
D-Line
The Broncos’ defensive line feasted on Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz, sacking him five times and limiting him to 98 passing yards. Their ability to collapse the pocket and clog running lanes completely stifled Kansas City’s offense.
Sean Payton | HC
Payton called a near-perfect game, blending aggressive play-calling with methodical clock management. His preparation and focus on execution were evident as the Broncos dominated every phase of the game.
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O-Line (Run Game)
While the Broncos’ offensive line excelled in pass protection, its run blocking left much to be desired. Denver’s running backs combined for just 104 yards on 34 carries, averaging a meager 2.9 yards per attempt.
The Broncos’ playoff drought is over, and they’re entering the postseason with momentum and confidence. Nix’s development has been extraordinary, and the offensive balance created by Payton’s system gives Denver a dangerous edge.
Defensively, the Broncos look like they have gotten back to center and are ready to take on any challenge, as their pass rush and secondary are firing on all cylinders. However, the run game remains a concern. Denver’s inability to establish consistent rushing lanes could become an issue against more balanced defenses in the playoffs.
Next up for the Broncos: a wildcard clash against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. While the challenge is daunting, this team has shown the grit and growth necessary for a sliver of hope for a deep playoff run.
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Denver, CO
Broncos-Chiefs inactives for Week 18
The Denver Broncos are being gifted a berth into the AFC playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs today. As you can see from the below inactives list, they will be resting all of their best players and likely will limit the snap counts of those that remain active for this game.
There is literally no excuse for Sean Payton in this game. The Broncos should win by double-digits, but I don’t care how they win as long as they win. It has been a long nine year wait for Broncos Country.
Here are your gameday inactives for the Broncos-Chiefs game in Week 18.
Broncos inactives
Player | Position |
---|---|
Player | Position |
Zach Wilson | QB |
Blake Watson | RB |
Levelle Bailey | ILB |
Frank Crum | OT |
Matt Henningsen | DL |
Eyioma Uwazurike | DL |
Chiefs inactives
Player | Position |
---|---|
Player | Position |
Patrick Mahomes | QB |
Isiah Pacheco | RB |
Chris Jones | DT |
Travis Kelce | TE |
Jawaan Taylor | OT |
George Kaarlaftis | DE |
Trent McDuffie | CB |
Denver, CO
How to watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos – NFL: Week 18 | Channel, stream, preview, prediction
DENVER — An AFC West rivalry clash to end the 2024 NFL regular season has a lot riding on it for at least one team, as the Denver Broncos fight for their playoff lives when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
- Watch the NFL on FuboTV (7-day free trial) and Paramount+
Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) vs. Denver Broncos (9-7)
- When: Sunday, January 5
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Where: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver, Colo.)
- Channel: CBS
- Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream, Sling, Paramount+
The Broncos have battled hard this season. With a rookie quarterback and a stout defense, the team has played good enough to keep them in postseason contention. They have had opportunities to clinch their fist playoff spot in nine years. However, losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals put them in a bind heading into the final week of the season.
The task heading into the game is rather simple on paper: do not lose to the Chiefs. A win or a tie puts Denver into the postseason for the first time since 2015, the year they last won the Super Bowl. If they lose, they will need the Miami Dolphins to lose.
It might not be that hard, as Kansas City is resting some of its top stars, such as Patrick Mahomes. That’s because the team has already locked up the first seed in the AFC, getting a bye of the Wild Card round. The team has certainly been an interesting team, as their numerous one-score wins lead many to wonder if this team has the ability to make a run to a third Super Bowl in a row.
The first time these two teams met, the Broncos fell short thanks to a blocked field goal. The Chiefs have won 17 of the last 18 meetings with Denver, with KC holding a 73-56 record against their rivals.
MY PICK: Broncos win, 24-21
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