Man live-tweets epic saga of surviving 15-hour purgatory in Waffle House as punishment for fantasy football loss



Fantasy Football punishments for coming in last have gotten creative in recent years, including grown adults being forced to take the ACT standardized test used for college admissions and having to pose nearly nude in photo shoots for a calendar that was presented to the league's other owners. One fantasy football loser chronicled his punishment for finishing last in his league – spend 24 hours in a Waffle House in Mississippi.

Journalist Lee Sanderlin was sentenced to 24 hours in a Waffle House as part of his punishment for losing his fantasy football league. There was one saving grace, Sanderlin could shave an hour off his 24-hour penance for every waffle he consumed. What sounded like a boon ended up being a poisoned chalice as the fantasy football loser ate a diabetes-inducing amount of waffles.

On Thursday afternoon, Sanderlin kicked off his live-tweeting of his journey that would be full of carbohydrates, regret, and intestinal pain.

"I am coming to you live from a Brandon, Mississippi Waffle House. I, a total loser, came in last place in my fantasy football league," Sanderlin wrote on Twitter before ordering his first two waffles. "As punishment, I spend 24 hours in a Waffle House. Every waffle I eat shaves an hour off the clock. It's 4:07 Central."

I got some books, some magazines and some podcasts. And two waffles to start.

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623964092.0

2 down. That means two hours down. 21.37 hours left roughly. Already my stomach is rumbling. Gonna be a long one.… https://t.co/eWiLv9cHeZ

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623965094.0

Within an hour and a half into his carbohydrate castigation, Sanderlin managed to consume four waffles, which left him feeling "immense discomfort" and "dead on the inside," but he cut four hours off his Waffle House punishment.

Four waffles down. Been here for 1.5 hours, so that means I have 18.5 to go. I am already in immense discomfort. Pl… https://t.co/h348synoaZ

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623969596.0

The now-viral tweets show that Sanderlin was feeling defeated, but then sprung to life and ordered a fifth waffle thanks to someone using the restaurant's digital jukebox to play the motivational "Eye of the Tiger," Survivor's 1982 hit song and soundtrack to the "Rocky III" training montage.

And now it’s Hotel California. How fitting. I can check out any time I want, but I can never leave (yes I can in 17 hours)

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623970881.0

waffle number 5. Just hit the 2,000 calorie mark and feeling grrrrrreat https://t.co/D9nltPbKJX

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623972809.0

It wasn't even three hours into his Waffle House saga that he started asking his Twitter followers for thoughts and prayers. People on Twitter were "pulling" for Sanderlin to triumph over the waffles.

7:07 CT. 3 hours, 4.75 waffles down. So many hours to go

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623974879.0

Mr. Chillups sir with your support I’m gonna order that 6th waffle https://t.co/cTWi0Wp9Jk

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623977794.0

"Y'all they're going down like cement now, and the heart is beating real heavy-like. I'm the only non-employee in here," Sanderlin tweeted. "Got half of waffle 6 left and so many hours."

Y’all they’re going down like cement now, and the heart is beating real heavy-like. I’m the only non-employee in he… https://t.co/NeqhLzVyg3

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623979712.0

With plenty of time on his hands, Sanderlin posted his fantasy football roster that got him into this predicament in the first place, which only made him want to puke.

Obviously, that’s why I’m going on hour 6 in a waffle house my man. If I could finish this cold, concrete ass waffl… https://t.co/2b6QxLU0Tr

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623984511.0

After eating the sixth waffle, Sanderlin looks like he's developing heart disease in real-time. Eating the waffles becomes a Kobayashi Maru for the young man; it takes away an hour but is also rapidly changing his blood type to maple syrup.

Quick little trip to the bushes outside if you know what I’m saying. Now, back into the breach https://t.co/gwGvvUkeE1

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623987018.0

Hahaha remember when I ordered a 7th waffle? Full crash and burn. Not gonna finish it. My body is in revolt/shuttin… https://t.co/EQL8m7XkFN

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623992548.0

Sanderlin, who is an investigative reporter for the Clarion Ledger, quickly finds out that nothing good happens at the Waffle House at 1 a.m.

We’ve entered peak boredom hours. All the staff went out for their smoke breaks. This Waffle House doesn’t feel lik… https://t.co/IuGAycqPXI

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1623998881.0

Sanderlin makes an early morning rally, and attempts to eat two more waffles. The suspense and Sanderlin's BMI increase.

Let’s do it https://t.co/FN0CBsrijn

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1624014553.0

All that stands between me and going home in the next 30 minutes. So damn close. https://t.co/2EgD4Dajdv

— Lee Sanderlin (@LeeOSanderlin) 1624015614.0

After nine waffles and 15 hours in Waffle House purgatory, Lee Sanderlin did the unthinkable. Mission accomplished. Fantasy football punishment successfully satisfied.

The 25-year-old gave sage advice to all his adoring fans, "I recommend absolutely no one do this."

Twitter troll tricks Democrats into being outraged over Maxine Waters' 'dangerous' quote against Trump administration



Democrats are completely outraged over a fake quote from Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters. A Twitter troll replaced Waters' original tweet that targeted Trump administration staffers with Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Democrats took the bait and called Waters' words "dangerous" and many said it was "inciting violence."

In June 2018, Waters delivered a fiery speech where she called for members of the "Resistance" to harass staffers of the Trump administration.

"History will record while he tried to step on all of us, we kicked him in his rear and step on him," Waters bellowed. "If you think we're rallying now, you ain't seen nothin' yet!"

"Already, you have members of your Cabinet that are being booed out of restaurants...who have protesters taking up at their house, who say, 'No peace, no sleep! No peace, no sleep!" Waters said, referencing Trump's former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen being intimidated by socialists at a Mexican restaurant.

"God is on our side," Waters proclaimed. "Let's stay the course!"

"Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up and if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere," she yelled to rile the crowd into a frenzy.

Waters then zeroed in on then-President Donald Trump, "Mr. President, we will see you every day, every hour of the day, everywhere that we are to let you know you cannot get away with this!"

Maxine Waters @ Keep Families Together: Protest Rally and Toy Drive www.youtube.com

Twitter user @CuomoWatch took a portion of the congresswoman's speech, but altered it slightly to target the Cuomo administration instead of Trump's Cabinet.

"If you see anybody from the Cuomo Administration in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere," the now-viral tweet said.

“If you see anybody from the Cuomo Administration in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, yo… https://t.co/j1l0o9gzKX
— Cuomo Watch (@Cuomo Watch)1611875347.0

Democrats, who are obviously not familiar with Waters' tempestuous tirade, immediately condemned the threatening words, likely assuming the menacing comments were made by Republicans or Trump supporters.

New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) fell for the fake quote, "This is encouraging violence against public officials - plain & simple. Absolutely disgusting. No tolerance for this. Haven't we learned the lessons from Washington D.C. just weeks ago?"

Former Pete Buttigieg adviser Lis Smith wrote, "Way way way over the line. Especially in light of what happened at the Capitol on Jan 6."

Democratic New York City Councilwoman Debi Rose reacted by saying, "Really? Did we not learn anything from the Capitol insurrection? We must condemn violence and harassment in any form. #StopTheViolence #MobMentality."

Democratic City Council Member Keith Powers said, "There are plenty of strong opinions and online angst these days, but there is no place for inciting violence or threatening people. This tweet should be removed ASAP. Full stop."

Democratic Senator for the 36th District of the New York Senate Jamaal T. Bailey tweeted, "This is more than tonedeaf, especially considering what's happened in recent days. This is unacceptable and ridiculous. Read the room."

Democratic member of the New York State Assembly Daniel Rosenthal said, "This is dangerous and unacceptable, especially after what happened in DC. Encouraging this kind of violence is unacceptable."

Democratic County Executive of Suffolk County Steve Bellone declared, "Democrats and Republicans must denounce this threat of violence against our fellow New Yorkers. After the Capitol riots, I call on @Twitter to ban this account immediately."

Former Democratic Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn exclaimed, "This is dangerous and outrageous!"

Democratic County Executive of Nassau County Laura Curran was also fooled by the fake quote, "No matter your political party or beliefs, this is completely unacceptable. Nassau County has zero tolerance for hatred and inciting violence."

Democratic Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl E. Heastie wrote, "This is appalling and dangerous. Encouraging violence must never be tolerated. Shame on whoever is behind this kind of garbage."

Democratic Assembly Member for the 42nd District of the New York State Assembly Rodneyse Bichotte was duped, "Threatening government officials & their staff is a crime for which there is a ZERO tolerance policy in Brooklyn & anywhere else. I condemn this tweet & the violence it incites, especially following the insurrection we just experienced at the capitol."

Democratic Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan wrote on Twitter, "This kind of dangerous rhetoric must be called out and condemned by all. Or else we risk repeating the horrendous events of Jan 6th. As leaders, especially in a time of such great challenge, it's incumbent on all of us to appeal to the 'better angels of our nature."

Democratic member of the New York State Senate Todd Kaminsky said, "Completely unacceptable. Haven't we learned the hard lesson that incitements to violence like this actually result in violence? There is no room for this in our discourse. None."

Luis A. Miranda, Jr. said, "You don't like the Governor, you vote him out. After the terrorist attack on our Capitol, threats, of any kind, especially as the right is targeting state capitals, are dangerous. And to target staff? Not cool."

Democratic Speaker of the New York City Council Corey Johnson stated, "The terrifying events of the last month have shown us more clearly than ever that words have consequences. This sort of targeting and incitement is simply wrong, and totally unacceptable."

Democrats finally condemn Maxine Waters' dangerous rhetoric, two years later, and only after they thought it was a Republican saying it.

This is encouraging violence against public officials - plain & simple. Absolutely disgusting. No tolerance for thi… https://t.co/eVBI26AHZQ
— Kathy Hochul (@Kathy Hochul)1611888134.0


Way way way over the line. Especially in light of what happened at the Capitol on Jan 6. https://t.co/bsYpq2tFYK
— Lis Smith (@Lis Smith)1611881727.0


Really? Did we not learn anything from the Capitol insurrection?We must condemn violence and harassment in any… https://t.co/lgfFRJAuxq
— Debi Rose (@Debi Rose)1611888906.0


There are plenty of strong opinions and online angst these days, but there is no place for inciting violence or thr… https://t.co/Iz1MWekVPq
— Keith Powers (@Keith Powers)1611884903.0


This is more than tonedeaf, especially considering what’s happened in recent days. This is unacceptable and ridicul… https://t.co/74qtb6MDj8
— Jamaal T. Bailey (@Jamaal T. Bailey)1611888591.0


This is dangerous and unacceptable, especially after what happened in DC. Encouraging this kind of violence is unac… https://t.co/TZGKg2bsYf
— Daniel Rosenthal (@Daniel Rosenthal)1611888419.0


Democrats and Republicans must denounce this threat of violence against our fellow New Yorkers.After the Capitol… https://t.co/KBBVH4hTP0
— Steve Bellone (@Steve Bellone)1611887868.0


This is dangerous and outrageous! https://t.co/ZnBLqYZLzt
— Christine Quinn (@Christine Quinn)1611887483.0


No matter your political party or beliefs, this is completely unacceptable.Nassau County has zero tolerance for h… https://t.co/0WgM05ngOv
— Laura Curran (@Laura Curran)1611887393.0


This is appalling and dangerous. Encouraging violence must never be tolerated. Shame on whoever is behind this kind… https://t.co/PETZ4fGeZM
— Carl E. Heastie (@Carl E. Heastie)1611886933.0


Threatening government officials & their staff is a crime for which there is a ZERO tolerance policy in Brooklyn &… https://t.co/wLy9bA6Us4
— Rodneyse Bichotte (@Rodneyse Bichotte)1611886755.0


This kind of dangerous rhetoric must be called out and condemned by all. Or else we risk repeating the horrendous e… https://t.co/GDYLjQiOmt
— Pat Ryan 🇺🇸 (@Pat Ryan 🇺🇸)1611891172.0


Completely unacceptable. Haven’t we learned the hard lesson that incitements to violence like this actually result… https://t.co/OqBHv2k9sB
— Todd Kaminsky (@Todd Kaminsky)1611886447.0


You don’t like the Governor, you vote him out. After the terrorist attack on our Capitol, threats, of any kind, esp… https://t.co/zenufFQ70J
— Luis A. Miranda, Jr. (@Luis A. Miranda, Jr.)1611886288.0


The terrifying events of the last month have shown us more clearly than ever that words have consequences. This sor… https://t.co/Pss10jhdZE
— NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson)1611885188.0

Tulsi Gabbard flattens Netflix in scathing rebuke over 'Cuties': 'Netflix, you are now complicit' in child sex trafficking



Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) says Netflix is complicit in child sex trafficking as the distributor of French award-winning film, "Cuties."

What's a brief history here?

The streaming giant is under fire after releasing the film, which many say is nothing short of pedophilia.

In a statement to TheBlaze, a Netflix spokesperson said that people who care about stomping out child sexualization should watch the film.

"Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children," the spokesperson told TheBlaze on Friday. "It's an award winning film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we'd encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie."

You can read more about the highly controversial film offering here.

What are the details?

Gabbard — former Democratic presidential candidate and combat veteran — writes, "[C]hild porn 'Cuties' will certainly whet the appetite of pedophiles & help fuel the child sex trafficking trade. 1 in 4 victims of trafficking are children. It happened to my friend's 13 year old daughter. Netflix, you are now complicit."

Gabbard closed the tweet with the now-viral hashtag, #CancelNetflix.

Her tweet, less than 12 hours old at the time of this reporting, has received more than 121,000 likes.

Elsewhere in the lengthy thread, Gabbard said that she put her money where her mouth is and cancelled Netflix.

At the time of this reporting, at least 623,000 people have signed a petition encouraging others to cancel Netflix amid the controversy.

.@netflix child porn "Cuties" will certainly whet the appetite of pedophiles & help fuel the child sex trafficking… https://t.co/5WYnM5YQt1
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@Tulsi Gabbard 🌺)1599872952.0

A contrary viewpoint

In response to Gabbard's widely liked tweet, Dr. Eugene Gu, CEO and founder of CoolQuit — who boasts more than 500,000 Twitter followers — fired back, "The film Cuties is a social commentary AGAINST child sexualization and exploitation. But social media and the mainstream media is all about Puritanical false accusations because this is America, and this is how we roll."

@TulsiGabbard @netflix The film Cuties is a social commentary AGAINST child sexualization and exploitation. But soc… https://t.co/KEvohJPHrC
— Eugene Gu, MD (@Eugene Gu, MD)1599882400.0

Cuties | Official Trailer | Netflixwww.youtube.com