President Joe Biden is once again failing on the world stage to protect American interests and to deter aggression from America’s enemies as the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist organization seriously damaged a cargo ship near the Arabian Peninsula over the weekend and appeared to shoot down a U.S. drone. British maritime authorities said that the attack on the Belize-flagged commercial shipping vessel M/V Rubymar happened 35 nautical miles south of Al Mukha‚ Yemen‚ in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The front of the vessel and its engine room were hit by anti-ship ballistic missiles‚ an official at the ship’s company told Bloomberg. The crew was forced to abandon the ship due to the damage. The Houthis claimed in a statement that the ship had “suffered catastrophic damage” and that it was “now at risk of potential[ly] sinking.” The ship’s security firm‚ LSS-SAPU‚ told the BBC: “We know she was taking in water. There is nobody on board now. The owners and managers are considering options for towage.” The successful missile strikes represent a new escalation in the region by the Houthis‚ as this marks the first time that a crew has been forced to abandon ship because of the level of damage sustained from one of the group’s terrorist attacks. “Between 9:30 and 10:45 p.m.‚ Feb. 18‚ two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward MV Rubymar‚ a Belize-flagged‚ UK-owned bulk carrier‚” U.S. Central Command said in a statement. “One of the missiles struck the vessel‚ causing damage. The ship issued a distress call‚ and a coalition warship‚ along with another merchant vessel‚ responded to the call to assist the crew of the MV Rubymar. The crew was transported to a nearby port by the merchant vessel.” The Financial Times reported that two additional cargo ships were also attacked‚ including the U.S.-owned M/V Sea Champion and the Denmark-owned M/V Navis Fortuna. The Houthis also claimed that they shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper‚ an unarmed drone used for surveillance and intelligence gathering‚ over Yemen early on Monday morning. “Yemeni air defenses were able to shoot down an American plane (MQ-9) with a suitable missile while it was carrying out hostile missions against our country on behalf of the Zionist entity‚” a spokesperson for the terrorist group said. “Yemeni armed forces will not hesitate to take more military measures and carry out more qualitative operations against all hostile targets in defense of beloved Yemen.” The U.S. confirmed that a drone crashed near Hodeidah‚ Yemen‚ early on Monday but declined to say whether it was shot down or if some other incident led to it crashing. The Houthis shot down a U.S. drone in November. The latest attacks from the Houthis come as Biden has repeatedly refused to use the force necessary to prevent and deter future acts of aggression because he fears confrontation with Iran despite the U.S. military being by far the most powerful military in the world. Biden recently admitted that his strategy against the Houthis was not working. The attacks are being assisted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)‚ a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization‚ which is providing the Houthis with intelligence and targeting information for its attacks. The U.S. conducted a strike against the M/V Behshad‚ an Iranian military vessel that looks like a cargo ship that the IRGC uses to “provide targeting information to the Houthis so their attacks on the ships can be more effective.” The cyberattack was carried out with the goal of inhibiting the ship’s ability to share intelligence with the Houthis‚ NBC News reported last week‚ adding that the U.S. rarely ever discusses covert missions with the media‚ including cyberattacks. The ship is registered as a commercial cargo ship with an Iranian company sanctioned by the U.S. for being a front for the country’s Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) uses the ship as a front base in the region to collect and share intelligence with terrorists‚ according to CNN‚ which added that the ship was sanctioned under former President Donald Trump. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper‚ the U.S. military’s deputy commander in the Middle East‚ told CBS News’s “60 Minutes” in an interview that aired on Sunday that the Houthis could not conduct these attacks without Iran’s direct assistance. “For a decade‚ the Iranians have been supplying the Houthis‚” he added. “They’ve been resupplying them. They’re resupplying them as we sit here right now‚ at sea. We know this is happening. They’re advising them‚ and they’re providing targeting information. This is crystal clear.” When asked if the IRGC was on the ground in Yemen providing direct support to the Houthis for their attacks‚ Cooper answered: “The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is inside Yemen‚ and they are serving side by side — with the Houthis‚ advising them and providing targeting information.” Biden’s inability or unwillingness to protect and deter attacks against U.S. interests comes as he faces low polling numbers headed into the 2024 presidential election in a likely rematch against Trump. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Biden has repeatedly demonstrated weakness on the world stage‚ including with his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan‚ where Al-Qaeda is now rapidly regrowing; his weakness in deterring Russia from invading Ukraine‚ leading to an expensive war that the U.S. is having to help fund; getting pushed around by communist China during official meetings on U.S. soil; failing to respond forcefully to more than 170 attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East by Iranian-backed Islamic terrorist groups; to pushing U.S. partners like Saudi Arabia and India closer to Russia and China. Related: Houthi Terrorist Missile Came Within Few Seconds Of Hitting U.S. Warship

The 2024 People’s Choice Awards were handed out on Sunday in Los Angeles‚ with Taylor Swift‚ Travis Kelce‚ and “Barbie” being named big winners of the night. Hosted by actor Simu Liu‚ the fan-voted awards show handed out honors to some of the biggest stars of the year‚ which included Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” taking home movie of the year and comedy movie of the year‚ The Hollywood Reporter reported. “Barbie” stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling took home awards for female and male movie star of the year for their part in the hit 2023 film‚ beating out Hollywood heavyweights such as Tom Cruise‚ Chris Pratt‚ and Julia Roberts for their respective films. America Ferrera also won for “The Movie Performance of the Year” for her part in “Barbie.” Jennifer Lawrence won “The Comedy Movie Star of the Year” award for her role in “No Hard Feelings‚” with actress Jenna Ortega getting the honor of “The Drama Movie Star of the Year” for “Scream VI.” The prequel “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” won the “Action Movie of the Year” award‚ with actress Rachel Zegler being honored as “The Action Movie Star of the Year.” “Oppenheimer” scored the award for “The Drama of the Year‚” beating out nominees like “Killers of the Flower Moon‚” “Leave the World Behind‚” and “The Color Purple.” Lenny Kravitz was honored with the Music Icon Award‚ and actor/comedian Adam Sandler was celebrated with the People’s Icon Award‚ which was presented to him by his pal Jennifer Aniston. On the TV side‚ “Only Murders in the Building‚” “Grey’s Anatomy‚” and “The Last of Us” took home honors in their categories‚ with “Loki” taking home an award for “Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show of the Year.” Pedra Pescal and Selena Gomez scored male and female TV Star of the Year with the “Comedy TV Star of the Year” given to Jeremy Allen White for “The Bear.” Jennifer Aniston took home “The Drama TV Star of the Year” for “The Morning Show” and singer Billie Eilish for “The TV Performance of the Year.” “The Kardashians” were honored with being the winners of “The Reality Show of the Year” award‚ and “The Voice” won “The Competition Show of the Year‚” with “The Summer I Turned Pretty” taking home honor for “The Bingeworthy Show of the Year.” Khloe Kardashian was the Reality TV Star winner‚ with Ariana Madix honored as “The Competition Contestant of the Year” for “Dancing with the Stars.” “The Kelly Clarkson Show” won the “Daytime Talk Show of the Year” award‚ with “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” being named the winner of “The Nighttime Talk Show of the Year‚” and Jimmy Kimmel winning “The Host of the Year” for “That’s My Jam.” Taking a look at the music winners‚ Taylor Swift won several awards‚ one for “Female Artist of the Year‚” another for “Pop Artist of the Year‚” “The Concert Tour of the Year‚” followed by winning “The Social Celebrity of the Year” award. “Hip-Hop Artist of the Year” was given to Nicki Minaj‚ while Beyonce won “The R&;B Artist of the Year” and Ice Spice was named “The New Artist of the Year.” The “Collaboration Song of the Year” award went to “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with Aqua.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll took home the honors for female and male country artists of the year‚ and male and female Latin artist of the year winners were Bad Bunny and Shakira.  “Male Artist of the Year” went to K-Pop star Jung Kook‚ with “Group/Duo of the Year” given to “Stray Kids.” Olivia Rodrigo won two awards‚ one for the “Song of the Year” award for “Vampir and   another for “The Album of the Year” for “Guts.” Chris Rock won “The Comedy Act of the Year‚” and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce won “The Athlete of the Year.” 

Jeremy Renner made a surprise appearance at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards one year after his near-fatal snow plow accident. On Sunday‚ the 53-year-old actor walked across the stage unassisted by a cane to present the first award of the night and was greeted by rounds of applause and a standing ovation‚ People magazine reported. “The fans rock‚ I tell you what‚” Renner said. “The People’s Choice Awards‚ gotta say‚ it feels good to be back. This year’s been a heck of a journey and I’m happy to be here with you‚ the fans.” “You guys are the best‚” he added. “You guys really brought this year. You broke records. You turned movies into movements. We heard you all loud and clear‚ we heard you.” Jeremy Renner in the building presenting the award for The TV Performance of the year to our winner Billie Eilish! #PCAs pic.twitter.com/zNfkeOOvh7 — People’s Choice (@peopleschoice) February 19‚ 2024 The Marvel star then announced the nominees for “TV Performance of the Year” and said “Right now‚ I get the privilege of celebrating the most powerful movie performances on screen. So‚ are you ready for the first award of the night?” The honor went to singer Billie Eilish for her part in “Swarm.” Renner has undergone extensive therapy for the last year after his body was nearly crushed under a 14‚300-pound snowcat in an accident on Jan. 1‚ 2023 near his Nevada home‚ resulting in more than 30 broken bones. The actor recently talked about the life-threatening injuries he sustained in the accident and said “Not one doctor‚ early on‚ said ‘You’re gonna pull through‚ you’re gonna be able to see again‚ you’re gonna be able to walk again‚ you’re gonna be able to breathe right‚ you’re gonna be able to talk‚'” The Hollywood Reporter reported. “No one gave me anything‚” he added. “I think they were all communicating with my family. And I feel like if they didn’t tell me it must have been pretty bleak.” “The Avengers” star said when he heard there would be limitations to his recovery‚ it only fueled him to get back on his feet faster. “I love that the doctor says‚ ‘this guy’s not gonna walk again‚ or if he does‚ it’ll be in two years and he’s gonna walk funny‚'” Renner said. “I love when people say this. Even my own physical therapist is like‚ ‘You know what‚ you’re never gonna be able to run under a five-second 40‚’ I’m like‚ ‘F*** you‚ it’s going to happen‚ I’m gonna do it in six months‚ watch this.” “I love when somebody tells me that — it’s just gonna give me more energy to do it and do it even better‚” he added. “I already challenge myself anyway‚ and that’s also part of my recovery‚ as a competitor.”

A British trust that supervises numerous hospitals issued a letter claiming that milk produced by biological men (with the aid of ingested hormones) is as good for babies as breast milk from their mothers. Dr. Rachael James‚ the medical director of the University of Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust (USHT)  trust — which was the first British trust to use terms such as “chestfeeding” and “birthing parent”¸ wrote a letter last August to an organization called Children of Transitioners in which she claimed that “the term human milk (which she called the ‘ideal food for infants’) is meant to be neutral and is not gender-biased.” She also stated‚ “Medications are sometimes used to induce lactation‚ similar to the natural hormones which encourage lactation to develop when the baby is newly born although occasionally some people are able to induce lactation without hormonal treatment. The evidence which is available demon­strates that the milk is compar­able to that produced following the birth of a baby.” She added that “staff further clarify that the term human milk is meant to be neutral and is not gender-biased.” The USHT cited a 2022 study which measured “infant milk testosterone concentrations” and discovered “no observable infant side effects” on babies using milk from biological men‚ lactating transgender women. That study was reportedly rejected by experts‚ The Daily Mail reported. In 2021‚ USHT created Great Britain’s “first clinical and language guidelines supporting trans and non-binary birthing people” in which it declared that asserted that men who had taken hormones produced milk “comparable to that produced following the birth of a baby.” Lottie Moore‚ the head of quality and identity at Policy Exchange‚ which discovered the letter‚ said: “This letter is unbalanced and naive in its assertion that the secretions produced by a male on hormones can nourish an infant in the way a mother’s breast milk can. A child’s welfare must always take precedence over identity politics and contested belief systems that are not evidence-based. The NHS should not be indulging in this nonsense.” A spokesman for USHT stated‚ “We stand by the facts of the letter and the cited evidence supporting them.” This is what this madness has wrought folks. Being “pc”/polite/saying nothing when you know it’s wrong has gotten us to abusing babies. Pls pls pls find your voice. This is sick. It’s mental illness – and we are enabling it. https://t.co/voY6BiKaBR — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 18‚ 2024

In a bold move that underscores the deep divisions and rising tensions within our nation‚ a group of truckers‚ staunch supporters of former President Donald Trump‚ have announced an unprecedented delivery boycott aimed at New York City. This action comes in direct response to the controversial $355 million fraud trial verdict against Trump‚ a decision that has ignited fierce debate across the political spectrum. The truckers’ planned boycott is not merely a protest; it’s a powerful statement against what they perceive as an unjust legal system that targets individuals for their political beliefs. By halting deliveries to one of the world’s most bustling metropolises‚ these truckers are sounding the alarm on the potential for governmental overreach to paralyze our cities and make basic goods unaffordable for the average American. JUST IN: Female trucker joins NYC trucking boycott to protest Judge Engoron's ruling against Trump‚ says if 10% of truckers join the movement‚ it could cripple NYC. "It could shut New York City down… if New York loses just 10 percent of the trucks going there‚ their prices are… pic.twitter.com/equyB0pShH — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 19‚ 2024 Scheduled for February 19th‚ 2024‚ this boycott is expected to have significant implications for New York City. The truckers argue that by disrupting the supply chain‚ they can draw attention to the critical issue of economic freedom and the right to dissent without fear of retribution. Their message is clear: today‚ it’s a delivery boycott; tomorrow‚ it could be any citizen facing undue pressure from an overzealous government. Critics of the boycott claim that it will only serve to inconvenience the residents of New York City‚ potentially leading to shortages of essential goods and escalating prices. However‚ the truckers and their supporters see this temporary discomfort as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good‚ highlighting the importance of standing up for individual rights and freedoms. I'm in Wisconsin and I'm hearing guys refusing loads….. this could take longer than a week…. my advice for New Yorkers is start stocking up… there's millions of Truckers for Trump millions of us .. leave Trump TF alone #TruckersForTrump I stand with Trump pic.twitter.com/fBBIIknhnj — Chicago1Ray (@Chicago1Ray) February 19‚ 2024 This action also raises questions about the role of the judiciary and its impact on the political landscape. The truckers’ decision to use their economic leverage to protest the verdict is a testament to the growing frustration among conservatives over what they view as a biased legal system that disproportionately targets figures associated with the right. Moreover‚ the boycott serves as a rallying cry for conservatives nationwide‚ who view the truckers’ stand as emblematic of the broader struggle for justice and fairness in a society increasingly divided by political ideology. It’s a reminder that the fight for liberty and the preservation of constitutional rights transcends the boundaries of any single city or state. As the date of the boycott approaches‚ all eyes will be on New York City. The truckers’ bold stance against the verdict is more than a protest; it’s a declaration of the enduring spirit of American independence and the unyielding defense of the principles upon which this nation was founded. In the end‚ the truckers’ boycott is not just about a verdict or a single city; it’s about sending a message to the entire country. It’s a demonstration of the power of collective action and the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity. As this situation unfolds‚ it will undoubtedly spark a national conversation about the balance between justice‚ freedom‚ and the role of government in our lives.   The post Truckers Rally in Unprecedented Boycott to Defend Economic Freedom in NYC appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

The only person who may have out-partied Travis Kelce after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win is his own brother‚ Jason Kelce. Even though he’s a member of the Philadelphia Eagles‚ that didn’t stop him from going all out for his little brother’s big day. In fact‚ he was donning quite a spectacular look: plaid Chiefs overalls. But his outfit only got better when he joined the famous tight end for parties after the big win. According to Kelce‚ who retells this story in a podcast episode of New Heights‚ he was partying the night away when he saw a luchador mask on the floor. Fittingly‚ it was in the style of the Chiefs. Despite not knowing where it came from‚ he didn’t hesitate to wear it for the rest of the night. TikTok “There’s something about finding that luchador mask that really just transformed the night‚” Kelce recalls on the podcast. “It was like I transformed.” Now that things have settled down‚ an eighth-grader named Elijah Smith is here to set the record straight. Turns out‚ Kelce doesn’t quite remember every detail of that fun night. Rather than finding it on the floor‚ Elijah gave it to Kelce for him to wear during a photo together. Origin of Jason Kelce’s Infamous Luchador Mask TikTok “I gave him my mask and then he dropped it and then picked it back up‚” Elijah says‚ giving us an idea of why Kelce may recall finding it on the floor. “Then I got a picture with him wearing it and then I just hung out next to them for five to 10 minutes‚ they were dancing and everything.” Elijah gave the mask to Kelce‚ but he only intended for him to have it for the photo. It seems they got separated‚ though‚ because by the time the eighth-grader wanted the mask back‚ Kelce had already moved on to a different party. Since then‚ Elijah has made an effort to contact Kelce in hopes he can get his luchador mask back. Turns out‚ it means a lot to him. TikTok “Last year when I wore it in Arizona‚ I feel like every single time I put it on we would score a touchdown‚” Elijah says‚ adding that it’s a “lucky mask.” He also apologizes to Kelce for not being an Eagles fan. But there’s no hard feelings on Kelce’s part — in fact‚ he heard Elijah’s story and is working out a way to reunite him with his beloved‚ and now infamous‚ mask! “Operation ‘Get Elijah His Mask Back’ is underway!” Kelce shares. “I appreciate everyone bringing this to my attention‚ and look forward to uniting Elijah with his mask once again. Your mask indeed brings great fortune‚ I owe you big time‚ sorry it was commandeered.” TikTok The mask has already been signed by Trent McDuffie‚ a cornerback for the Chiefs. Turns out‚ Elijah’s parents are friends with the chairman and CEO of the Chiefs‚ Thad Smith. Now‚ the teen is hoping he’ll get a second signature. “It would be pretty cool if he autographed it and sent it back‚” Elijah admits. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Jason Kelce Promises To Return Teen’s Lucky Mask After Accidentally “Commandeering” It. appeared first on InspireMore.

Four previous presidents share the month of February as their birth month: Ronald Reagan (Feb 6)‚ William Henry Harrison (Feb 9)‚ Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12)‚ and George Washington (Feb 22). The federal holiday is most commonly known as “Presidents’ Day.” But Presidents’ Day history isn’t so simple. Celebrations began in 1800 in some areas after the death of George Washington in 1799. The unofficial holiday was “Washington’s Birthday.” It did not become an official holiday until 1885. At that stage‚ the holiday fell on the 22nd of February to coincide with the actual date. That changed in 1971 with the adoption of the Monday Holiday Act. The act moved several federal holidays to the nearest Monday to allow government employees five three-day weekends yearly. With the Monday holiday shift‚ the idea to call the holiday “Presidents’ Day” was not adopted. In fact‚ the name of the holiday is still “Washington’s Birthday” on federal registries. The term “Presidents’ Day” is the common name. It has more recently become the accepted celebration of all past presidential birthdays. Image from Flickr. Modern Presidents’ Day Facts Include Holiday Sales Without acknowledging the day’s commercialization‚ no discussion of Presidents’ Day would be complete. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) even used the holiday in promotional materials. Some municipalities have small local celebrations. These might include speeches by local dignitaries‚ ceremonies‚ and political speeches. Retailers have not left the day behind either. Typically sandwiched between Valentine’s Day and Easter‚ many retail establishments offer Presidents’ Day sales. Sales include many big-ticket items‚ home furnishings‚ and‚ of course‚ flags and patriotic memorabilia. Some of the more notable sales for 2024 are in the image below. Images from Today. Banks and government offices close‚ as well as some public libraries. Many school districts have incorporated President’s Day into their schedule as a mid-winter break. Students typically get Friday and the Monday holiday off from classes. This allows students a long weekend between Winter Break (over the Christmas and New Year holiday period) and Spring Break (centered around the Easter holiday period). Although we don’t celebrate Christian holidays in our public schools‚ the schedule does tend to revolve around them. Many families use that time to travel and visit one another‚ and student absence would be high. The school schedule is a logistical choice for many districts to avoid the potential for low attendance. No matter how you celebrate Presidents’ Day‚ learning some of the history and facts behind the day can be enlightening. We hope you enjoyed learning about Presidents’ Day history Washington’s Birthday. Share this if you find it interesting. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post The Weird History Behind Presidents’ Day: Is It Really Washington’s Birthday? appeared first on InspireMore.

The search for Paul McCartney’s stolen bass guitar has finally come to an end‚ thanks to three lifelong Beatles fans. “Following the launch of last year’s Lost Bass project‚ Paul’s 1961 Höfner 500/1 bass guitar‚ which was stolen in 1972‚ has been returned‚” McCartney’s website announced. “The guitar has been authenticated by Höfner and Paul is incredibly grateful to all those involved.” The former Beatles member bought the left-handed violin bass when he was in Hamburg‚ Germany‚ in 1961. It was his main instrument while the band skyrocketed in fame‚ and it can be heard in some of the Beatles’ earliest recordings. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) In 1963‚ Paul McCartney bought a new Höfner bass‚ and the original became his backup. Around 1970‚ it went missing. Paul never forgot his lost treasure‚ so in 2023‚ three Beatles fans decided to hunt it down. A former marketing manager and electric guitar developer for Höfner named Nick Wass teamed up with husband and wife journalists Naomi and Scott Jones to form the Lost Bass Project. The past October‚ the trio learned that a thief had taken the bass from a truck in the famed Notting Hill neighborhood in 1972‚ which debunked a theory that someone stole it while Paul was recording Get Back in 1969. Paul McCartney’s Bass Was Sitting in an Attic on the English Coast Ian Horne‚ who previously worked as one of Paul McCartney’s sound engineers shared the tip. He said it was being stored with some other equipment in a rented padlocked truck during Paul’s Wings era. “I knew it was Paul’s original Höfner bass that had been stolen. And I knew what it meant to him‚” Horne wrote in an email‚ per CBS. “Trevor [Jones‚ McCartney’s other sound engineer at the time] and I did all we could to find it‚ but it was gone.” (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) “Eventually‚ we had to go to Paul’s house in Cavendish Avenue and tell him that the gear had been stolen from the back of the truck‚” he continued. “We went into the room and told Paul. He told us not to worry‚ and we kept our jobs. He’s a good man‚ Paul. I worked for him for six years after the bass went missing. But I’ve carried the guilt all my life.”  Somehow‚ the Lost Bass Project was able to track down the exact person who stole the bass. From there‚ it learned that the owner of a local pub purchased it. Each lead led to another‚ and eventually‚ the bass was found. “As a result of the publicity someone living in a terraced house on the south coast of England remembered an old bass guitar that was in their attic‚” the Lost Bass Project shared. “They got this out and realized just what they had. Within days it was back with Paul McCartney!” The Lost Bass Project declined to share the names of the thief or the previous owners as it promised confidentiality to anyone who came forward. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Paul McCartney Reunited With Long-Lost Bass Guitar Stolen Over 50 Yrs Ago. appeared first on InspireMore.

In life‚ sometimes our most devastating losses can lead to our biggest wins. That summarizes the story of how 24-year-old Blake Proehl found himself on American Idol recently. Much of his life has been dedicated to football. In fact‚ his own dad‚ Ricky Proehl‚ played in the NFL for 17 years. This inspired him to pursue his own career in the sport‚ earning Blake a spot as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. Then‚ an injury changed his life. Not only was he no longer able to play football‚ but he was also told he’d be lucky to ever run again. Healing‚ both physically and mentally‚ has been a struggle. But he found hope and comfort in music. In fact‚ he didn’t tell his Nana he was learning to play the piano until he could — her sweet reaction went viral! Now‚ with her encouragement‚ Blake’s pursuing a new career in music. Former NFL Wide Receiver Blake Proehl Gives American Idol Judges Goosebumps “My grandma is the reason why I’m here‚” Blake shares before his audition. “I really didn’t believe in myself at all‚ music wise‚ and she’s the reason why I have any confidence at all to be in this room.” It’s fitting‚ then‚ that judge Katy Perry invites Nana to be in the room as Blake performs. Playing the piano‚ he delivers a breathtaking rendition of In Case You Didn’t Know by Brett Young. His rendition‚ quite literally‚ gives Perry goosebumps. YouTube “Every grandma thinks that their grandchildren are great‚” Perry tells Nana‚ “but you’re right!” Although it’s still tough to look back on the way things turned out for his football career and overall health‚ it’s clear that Blake is happy to be on a new path with American Idol — and we’re excited to watch from the sidelines as he embarks on this exciting journey! You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Former NFL Player Who Suffered Career-Ending Injury Scores Big On “American Idol.” appeared first on InspireMore.