TOP CLICKS: The week that was in viral stories

Article content

The Toronto Sun takes you straight to the heart of the action.

Article content

Whether it’s local news, provincial and national politics, or the worlds of celebrity and sports, we have you covered.

Some stories set the world on fire. And these ones are the most popular online stories from the past seven days, clicked on by Sun readers like you.

Here are our top stories:

Conor McGregor knocks out and sends NBA mascot to hospital: Report

It hasn’t been a good week for Conor McGregor. The mixed martial arts legend was accused of raping a woman during an NBA Finals game — the same night he knocked out the Miami Heat’s mascot Burnie.

While obviously, the sexual assault allegations against him are much more serious, it was his take-down of Burnie that was on a whole other level as McGregor decked the man under the suit, then hit him again when he was down, Ryan Wolstat reported.

Article content

Article content

The man was taken to a Miami hospital where he was given pain meds and eventually discharged and McGregor later confirmed that Burnie was doing “well” after taking the hit.

It’s clear that McGregor, who hasn’t fought in a ring in years, needs to find another way to expend his energy.

Blue Jays never wanted Anthony Bass to participate in Pride Night ceremony

After mishandling so much of the aftermath of Anthony Bass’ anti-LBGTQ+ stance, the Blue Jays didn’t want the reliever to be part of the ceremony to kick off its Pride Weekend festivities.

But Bass somewhat defiantly wanted to go through with the ceremony, and didn’t want to back out of the commitment he made with Pride Toronto executive director Sherwin Modeste, Rob Longley reported.

Article content

The Jays could have nixed the plan, especially after Bass made it clear he was sticking to his “personal beliefs” on LBGTQ+ matters.

Instead, they designated Bass for assignment hours before a potentially explosive situation at the Rogers Centre, a move that ultimately ended his career in the city. What a mess — but he’ll be someone else’s mess eventually.

Trans cyclist wins women’s race nearly five minutes ahead of runner-up

A controversial transgender female cyclist caused even more controversy after winning an event in North Carolina, trouncing the runner-up by 4 1/2 minutes, Denette Wilford reported.

Austin Killips, who was born male, has made a name for herself as she crushes the competition in brutal races as female riders settle for second and third on the podium.

Article content

Second-place finisher Paige Onweller handled the loss with grace but also suggested that a separate category for trans athletes would be more “appropriate.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

Britney Spears’ family fear meth addiction

There were reports that Britney Spears’ family and even ex-husband Kevin Federline feared she was taking crystal meth on the regular, blaming the drug for her rambling, concerning outbursts on social media.

K-Fed reportedly told a documentary filmmaker that it was “terrifying” to see the mother of his two boys, Preston and Jayden, behaving in such ways and feared she would overdose.

However, the rumours of Federline’s chat with the documentarian were quelled after K-Fed himself denied the conversation with Daphne Barak never happened, accused her of fabricating lies and called the whole situation “distressing.”

Article content

Canada’s largest casino opening its doors in Toronto next week

Canada’s largest casino, the aptly named Great Canadian Casino Resort, is set to open its doors on Tuesday.

Adjacent to Woodbine Race Track, the venue will include a 400-room hotel, 5,000-person live entertainment venue, a 3,000-space covered parkade, and multiple restaurants, Jane Stevenson reported.

For all the visitors and gamblers ready to hit the slot machines and tables, may the winning sounds of spinning wheels and jangly music ring loudly for you, rather than the three-ping sound of defeat along with lots of cursing as more coins are fed through slots.

Article content