Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children's hospital

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Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children's hospital

2024-12-14 05:55 Last Updated At：06:01

Taylor Swift has made a surprise stop at a Kansas City children’s hospital, shocking parents and patients alike as she laughed with them, posed for photos and exchanged gifts.

All parent Cassie Thomas was told beforehand was that she might want to brush her hair and teeth because there was going to be a special visitor. But she was stunned when Swift, fresh off her Eras Tour and one day before her 35th birthday, walked into her son's room on Thursday at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

“No rumors. Like, we literally had absolutely no idea this was happening,” Thomas recalled.

Her 13-year-old son, Beckett Thomas, is a cancer patient and a fan of Swift's Kansas City Chiefs tight-end boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Beckett uses a 3D printer to make earrings bearing his and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' names, walking around the hospital unit selling them to nurses.

Now, Swift has a pair as well.

“She was amazing,” Beckett's mom said. “So down to earth.”

Another patient told Swift that her favorite song was “Love Story" and they later discussed the song “Paper Rings,” in which Swift sings, “I'd marry you with paper rings.” When their conversation veered to discussion of San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, whose team played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl earlier this year, Swift expressed surprise.

“Brock Purdy, What? I mean, I don’t mind Brock Purdy.” Swift said, then continued: “He put me through a lot last February.”

Asked before the Super Bowl whether he was prepared to disappoint Swift, Purdy responded: “Yes.”

The game ended with Mahomes rallying the Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over the 49ers in overtime.

“I was very stressed for a second but it all ended up fine,” Swift told the girl, their recorded conversation posted online.

The girl then chimed in: “I like Travis now.” Swift responded with: “Me too. That’s an absolute yes on that one."

There is no word on whether Swift will be in the stands when the Chiefs play the Browns on Sunday in Kelce’s hometown of Cleveland.

Chicago Blackhawks recall top prospect Frank Nazar from the minors

2024-12-14 05:56 Last Updated At：06:00

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks recalled top prospect Frank Nazar from the minor leagues on Friday.

Chicago also placed defenseman Alec Martinez on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 7. Martinez, who signed a $4 million, one-year contract with the Blackhawks in free agency, has a neck injury.

The 20-year-old Nazar had 11 goals and 13 assists in 21 games with Rockford of the American Hockey League. He said he tried not to think about a possible promotion while he was playing with the IceHogs.

“Just play my game, focus on myself and obviously help the team win, best I could do, and let the rest come,” he said.

The move reunites Nazar with Anders Sorensen, who was coaching Rockford before he got the interim job with Chicago when Luke Richardson was fired on Dec 5.

“It's definitely really nice just to have someone that I know and trust and have a good relationship with,” Nazar said. “I know that he's going to give good feedback and everything like that, and just help out in areas where I need it.”

Nazar was selected by Chicago with the No. 13 pick in the 2022 draft. After starring for the University of Michigan, the forward agreed to a three-year contract with the Blackhawks in April.

Nazar skated in three games with Chicago at the end of last season, scoring on his first shot on goal in his NHL debut on April 14 against Carolina.

The Blackhawks were active in free agency, so they had Nazar begin the season with Rockford to continue with his development. But he made a strong case to rejoin the NHL team with his fast start in the minors.

“Frank’s played very well,” general manager Kyle Davidson said last week when asked about Nazar being promoted. “He’s been a real bright spot for us and his performance has been really exciting.”

Chicago (9-18-2) has dropped six of seven going into Saturday's game at New Jersey. It begins a three-game homestand on Sunday against the New York Islanders.

Nazar is expected to skate on a line with Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi against the Devils. Sorensen said his advice for Nazar is to trust his instincts.

“He's been playing real well down there,” Sorensen said. “He can drive a puck and just kind of play his game, right? And then as we go, after the game we'll talk more.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl