Athletes

Drew Brees knows a thing or two about bouncing back from a torn ACL -- he did it as a high schooler -- and the NFL legend says not only will Patrick Mahomes bounce back, but he'll be better than ever!

The newly minted Hall of Famer chopped it up with Babcock this week ... where the guys talked Mahomes' injury recovery, and it'll be music to the ears of Chiefs fans.

“I think there’s no doubt that physiologically Patrick Mahomes is fine,” Brees told us.

“There’s certainly that, I think, that mental hurdle to get over just to say like, 'Hey, I can step into that, right?' Like, 'I can take that hit.' You know, can I just get past that psychological barrier of being able to turn it loose and not think about it at all?”

Kobe Bryant would have turned 48 today ... and Vanessa Bryant is marking the late Lakers legend's birthday with a touching tribute.

Vanessa shared a sweet Instagram post Sunday ... posting a candid photo of the couple together and giving fans a look back at their love story.

The comments quickly filled with messages from family, friends and famous faces ... including daughter Natalia, Michael Phelps, Lala Anthony, David Beckham, Russell Wilson, Gabrielle Union and more.

The trans athlete controversy Sophie Cunningham thrust back into the spotlight spilled into the streets of Brooklyn Saturday ... with rival demonstrations gathering outside Barclays Center ahead of the Fever’s matchup against the New York Liberty.

A group of about 60 supporters came out in defense of Cunningham, while more than 100 trans-rights advocates rallied nearby. NYPD officers and metal barricades divided the crowds as fans headed into the arena.

The Cunningham-focused rally was organized by Liberty fan Dr. Elizabeth Fedak, following the Fever guard’s recent remarks about transgender participation in women’s sports.

Erling Haaland has unveiled a dramatic new look ... buzzing off the long, blonde hair that became one of the most recognizable features of the Manchester City superstar.

The World Cup icon has shocked soccer fans by chopping off the long, flowing blonde hair -- posting the process early Sunday with the caption "New season, new trim" ... shocking fans around the globe.

For years, Haaland's Viking-like hairstyle has been part of his identity as one of soccer's biggest stars. The Norwegian striker first became famous with Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund before joining Manchester City in 2022, where he immediately established himself as one of the world's most prolific goalscorers.

Ryan Lochte's fiancée, Molly Gillihan, says it's not fair for his ex-wife, Kayla Rae Reid, to call her a homewrecker ... since there wasn't much of a marriage to wreck when she entered his life.

TMZ's own Charlie Neff sat down with Molly for a wide-ranging interview after Kayla blasted her to People ... telling the outlet Molly was DMing Ryan before they split -- and calling her behavior "quite sick."

Molly says the characterization of her as the other woman is totally unfair ... because she says Kayla never said a single word about trying to work things out with Ryan ... at least in Molly's interactions with Kayla.

NBA star Anthony Edwards is now on the hook for $14K a month in child support to his ex, Alexandria Desroches, and the money is for a kid he claims he's never even met.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, the amount was determined based on the Minnesota Timberwolves guard's monthly income of nearly $4.8 million ... and the figure represents a massive increase over the baseline amount of around $3,200 per month. Alexandria was asking for a higher amount in child support.

The docs say Alexandria pulls in around $1,016 per month. She testified that she hopes to complete her college education to better support the child.

Conor McGregor wasn't just up and on his feet a week after ACL surgery ... the UFC superstar was filming an ad for his MAC Energy drink, and we got a BTS look!

Warning: If you're Conor's doctor, close your eyes.

The commercial, which was filmed last week in California's San Fernando Valley, shows The Notorious on a military-inspired set, rockin' full tactical gear, for a scene straight out of an Arnold action movie.

It was only eight days after McGregor went under the knife for his right leg injury ... which he sustained during the opening moments of his comeback fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329.

Chuck Liddell is accusing his ex-wife Heidi of abducting one of their children ... TMZ has learned.

Chuck beelined it to Los Angeles County Superior Court this week and filed an emergency custody order -- which was obtained by TMZ -- requesting that their oldest child, 14-year-old Guinevere, be returned to him and placed in his custody full time.

The former UFC fighter claims Heidi abducted their teen Wednesday, right before she was supposed to attend her first day of high school. He says Heidi manipulated Guinevere into relocating to Orange County against court orders.

Tyreek Hill's estranged wife, Keeta Hill, claims the NFL star is refusing to answer questions about him allegedly paying a woman who previously accused him of abuse ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Keeta claims Tyreek has failed to answer whether he offered, promised, or paid "any consideration" to Crystal Espinal, his ex and the mother of three of his children.

Keeta claims Tyreek had not spoken to Crystal in over five years before his attorney contacted her one week before her deposition in the divorce, allegedly telling her there "needs to be trust" and that they "needed to bridge the gap."

The docs say Tyreek then flew to Arkansas to see his ex and their three kids for the first time in two years.

So much for "just friends" ... Kroy Biermann and Jillian Green were caught making out during a hike in Georgia ... and it's all on video.

New footage shows Kim Zolciak's estranged husband and the estranged wife of Kim's boyfriend, Kyle Mowitz, wrapped around each other ... locking lips along a trail in Alpharetta.

We're told Kroy and Jillian spent the weekend together ... complete with date nights with friends and late nights at Jillian's house.

If Enes Kanter Freedom didn't already have enemies in the WNBA, he certainly has one now ... 'cause the former NBA center says his first order of business in the league is dunking on Angel Reese.

The 2027 WNBA Draft hopeful went to social media to react to the Atlanta Dream star's missed game-winning layup against Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever on Sunday ... and suggested she focus on a different career instead of basketball.

"Sis!" EKF said on X. "Once I go No. 1 pick in the 2027 @WNBA Draft, the first player I’m dunking on is Angel Reese. She’s the Paul George of the #WNBA."

10:54am PT -- The New York Yankees released a statement saying "The New York Yankees mourn the passing of Tommy John, who was a bedrock of our rotation during his time in pinstripes and a longtime favorite of Yankees fans."

They add ... "While his incredible longevity and post-surgery achievements changed the fortunes and trajectory of countless athletes around the world, it also overshadowed his excellence as a pitcher, which included consecutive 20‑win seasons with the Yankees. We pause to remember the totality of his legacy — his competitiveness and skill, his penchant for conversation, his kind and gracious nature, and his stature as an athletic and medical pioneer."

The statement concludes ... "The Yankees extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends, including wife, Cheryl, daughter, Tamara, and sons Tommy III and Travis. We also keep his son Taylor in our hearts.”

Tommy John, the MLB icon whose groundbreaking comeback helped give his name to one of baseball's most famous surgeries, has died at 83.

John passed away peacefully at his home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, surrounded by his wife, Cheryl, and family, according to a statement released by his agent, Mike Maguire.

The news comes just days after we reported John was in hospice care at his Florida home and had shared an emotional farewell message with his fans.

Travis Kelce flashed his most important jewelry before his first preseason game of the new season ... and we don't mean one of his three Super Bowl rings.

The Kansas City Chiefs star pulled up to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday ... strutting into the venue in a black and gold shirt and a pair of shades shielding his eyes.

Honestly, he could have arrived in just his underwear, and Swifties still might not have noticed ... because his left ring finger drew most of the attention.

Marcellus Wiley's estranged wife Annemarie wants him to pay up ... she's asking a Los Angeles court to order him to start paying child and spousal support ... plus over $200,000 in legal fees amid their nasty divorce proceedings.

Annemarie's legal team submitted the docs Thursday, which were obtained by TMZ ... and she's requested he continue paying for the lifestyle she and their kiddos were accustomed to ... at least while the divorce is pending.

This, she said, included private-school tuition, driving luxury vehicles, living in a fancy home worth at least $7 million, and more.

She did not request a specific amount of support ... but calculated the children's monthly costs alone between childcare, private school, and healthcare are $20,800 per month ... and said the mortgage on their home is another $18,000 per month, bringing just those expenses to around $40,000.

Allen Lazard and his fiancée, Camila Escribens, have called off their engagement and gone their separate ways ... less than a year after having a baby together ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the former New York Jets wide receiver and former Miss Peru have split and are no longer planning to walk down the aisle.

They have an infant daughter, and we're told they already sent out wedding invitations.

Geno Auriemma isn't buying the latest culture-war freakout surrounding the WNBA!

The legendary UConn women's basketball coach chopped it up with Babcock this week ... and the Hall of Famer chalked up the trans athlete debate as a manufactured non-story, insisting there's nothing to see.

"Well, not to belittle it at all because I don't mean to because listen, you know, people have a right to their opinion. I get it," Auriemma said. "But why are we making a big issue over an issue that doesn't exist?"