Roddy White, Charles Barkley faltered like Falcons
Former Atlanta Falcons wideout Roddy White spent Super Bowl weekend partying and gambling with Charles Barkley.
Similar to the Falcons’ defense in overtime, they got smoked.
In this week’s “We Never Played The Game” podcast, White chronicled a star-crossed weekend at Mandalay Bay in which he wound up in Falcons’ red, losing $100,000. White dropped $60,000 on the roulette and blackjack tables on Saturday, then lost another $40,000 by betting the Falcons to cover the 3-point spread in Super Bowl LI.
Barkley lost $100,000 by betting the Falcons, according to White’s calculator.
White and Barkley, both Vegas frequenters, attended a VIP party but were not booked for any formal event at Mandalay Bay, according to an MGM Resorts spokesman. White said he planned to fly a private jet to Houston to the Super Bowl with tickets supplied by Falcons receiver Julio Jones. Instead, White called an audible and stayed in Vegas to watch the game and chase his losses.
“I woke up Sunday feeling good, because I thought I was going to get all my money back,” said White, who did make a modest comeback at the blackjack tables before the game. “Charles was at the party, we’re having fun, and he told me, ‘I just bet $100,000 on the Falcons.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry, just get your chips ready. Everything’s going to be great.’”
Barkley is a notorious gambler, once estimating losses of more than $10 million. In 2008, he repaid a $400,000 gambling debt to Wynn Las Vegas after the hotel filed a civil complaint against the former NBA great and current broadcaster. White says he is down about $60,000 over the years, but once cleared $150,000 in one weekend by playing $10,000-limit blackjack.
“I was hot. I won eight hands in a row, and I tried to put it up it to $30,000 (per bet),” White said. “But the dealer politely told me to put it down.”
FAMILY TIME FOR ELTON
The sons of Elton John and David Furnish, 7-year-old Zachary and 4-year-old Elijah, watched their very first full concert by John (ever) at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Wednesday night.
John posted a photo on his Instagram page of the two boys near his piano during the segment when John invites members of the audience onstage for “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”
‘THE VIEW’ IS FINE FOR JOHN D.
John Di Domenico, Las Vegas’ celebrated Donald Trump impressionist, is scheduled to appear 10 a.m. Monday morning on ABC’s “The View.” Di Domenico taped the episode last Monday and was joined on the show by fellow impressionist Darrell Hammond and actress Holly Robinson Peete. He also warmed to co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, posing for photos with two personalities who are far more fond of Di Domenico the person than the person he portrays.
“Whoopi was very complementary, as was Darrell Hammond,” said Di Domenico, whose schedule has been packed since Trump won the election. “I can’t believe how these amazing things keep happening.”
‘THE TALK’ IS FINE FOR CHER
On the topic of morning television, Park Theater at Monte Carlo headliner Cher is set to appear on “The Talk” on CBS airing 11 a.m. Feb. 28.
MB STEAK’S DEBUT
The official name of the David and Michael Morton restaurant at Hard Rock Hotel has been announced: It’s MB Steak, “MB” for Morton Brothers. As reported in here last week, the steakhouse opens in May.
ACLU EVENT SET
The “Rock 4 Freedom Concert & BBQ” fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union is being set for 1 p.m. Monday at the Hooters hotel-casino. The festival takes place on the hotel’s surface lot facing MGM Grand.
Set to appear are Grammy Award winner and “The Voice” contestant Will Champlin, Hollywood Roses, Kimberly Barnhill, 80’s Station, Rock Fantasy, Jarrett & Raja and Comedy Daredevil. Tickets are $5 each, with proceeds going to the ACLU of Nevada. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at www.RockForFreedom.org.
NEON EXPANSION
Satisfying the civic need for display of decommissioned historic signs, the Neon Museum has snapped up a little more than a quarter-acre of land just north of the Neon Boneyard and La Concha lobby (formerly the LA Street Market site). No opening date has been announced.
The Neon Museum received a $425,000 grant from the city of Las Vegas to fund the expansion. The outdoor attraction’s address is 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North.
Thirty signs in the Neon Museum collection are to be displayed, including those collected from Las Vegas Club, Spearmint Rhino, Longhorn Casino, Sahara Saloon, Opera House Saloon and Riviera.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
