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Tom Brady is turning the big 4-1 Friday ... and Patriots Nation is throwing the QB a massive birthday bash in New England complete with a giant cake, a balloon animal Tom Brady ... and a birthday song!

It all started when TB12 jogged out to the field --the crowd went crazy and then busted out the song. Brady smiled and waved at the fans.

Off the field, there was a giant #12 birthday cake and a giant #12 birthday card for fans to sign.

But, the best part ... was the life-size "Balloon Brady" ... which was put together REALLY WELL by a person with better than average lung capacity.

Brady also got some love from his wife, Gisele Bundchen -- who posted a love note to her hubby on social media ...

Joakim Noah returned to Chicago on Thursday for a VERY good reason -- the former Bulls star was leading a peace march down West Jackson Boulevard.

The 33-year-old -- who now plays for the NY Knicks -- was holding a flag with the word "Peace" on it, while wearing a shirt that said, "Rock Your Drop On the Block."

The march was organized through Joakim's Noah's Arc Foundation -- which provides programs for kids in need in Chicago. There's also a heavy emphasis on ending the gun violence epidemic in Chicago.

Noah reportedly took countless pictures and spoke with all sorts of fans to try and spread his message.

Brittney Griner is gonna try the marriage thing again -- the WNBA star just proposed to her longtime girlfriend with a fat ring ... and she said YES!!

The Phoenix Mercury center popped the question to Cherelle Watson -- the two met while they were students back at Baylor.

Hopefully, Griner's 2nd time on the alter will go better than her first -- a 28-day marriage to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson that ended in violence.

As we previously reported, both Griner and Johnson were arrested for domestic violence in 2015 after an argument turned physical ... and they ended up in a full-on fight in their Arizona home.

Johnson got pregnant with twins during their relationship -- and when they split, the judge ordered Griner to pay child support to Johnson.

Johnson reportedly moved on and began dating a man. Griner began her relationship with Watson shortly after.

In a social media post to Watson, Griner wrote ... "My best friend, my lover, my partner in life. I love you."

Kane aka Glenn Jacobs has been voted mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.

The WWE legend took home the county mayoral election today ... and will soon run a 450,000-plus population county.

Jacobs -- who announced he was running for the office last year -- narrowly won the primary election back in May (he only won by 23 votes) ... earning a spot in the general election.

That vote was close ... but this time around, Kane absolutely crushed the competition -- winning by more than 15 THOUSAND votes.

Colin Kaepernick's name will be added back to the soundtrack on Madden 19 ... according to a statement by the video game's developers.

According to EA, it was all an unfortunate misunderstanding. The company's taking the blame for Colin's name being scrubbed from YG's song "Big Bank" on the game.

EA says ... "We made an unfortunate mistake with our Madden NFL soundtrack. Members of our team misunderstood the fact that while we don’t have rights to include Colin Kaepernick in the game, this doesn’t affect soundtracks."

The company adds the edit never should have happened, and apologized to Kaep, the NFL, players and fans ... along with YG and Big Sean.

Ezekiel Elliott is being sued for $1 MILLION by the man who Zeke barreled into with his SUV last year.

According to court docs ... the Cowboys superstar was driving his GMC Yukon in Collin County, Texas, in January 2017 -- when he ran a red light and smashed into Ronnie Hill's BMW sedan.

The accident was described as "minor" by the Frisco PD and cops noted no injuries were sustained.

But now ... Hill is claiming he does in fact have injuries from the crash -- including "serious, life-altering" ones -- and is seeking over $1 mil in damages from Elliott.

Zeke's agent, Frank Salzano, tells TMZ Sports Elliott's inclusion in the lawsuit is only a formality ... and will all ultimately end up being handled by Zeke's insurance company.

Big Sean's pointing a finger at the NFL for editing his lyrics and removing Colin Kaepernick's name from the song "Big Bank" as it appears in Madden 19.

Sean called the move "disappointing and appalling" and put the blame squarely on the NFL and EA, the company behind Madden. He says they treated Kaep's name "like it was a curse word. When he's not a curse, he's a gift!"

He also wants to make it clear neither he, nor anyone on his team approved the edit.

As we reported, Sean name-checked Kaep on his verse of "Big Bank" ... a YG track featuring Sean, Nicki Minaj and 2 Chainz.

Colin Kaepernick won't be seen OR heard on the new Madden NFL 19 ... 'cause the free agent QB's name was pulled from a Big Sean verse on the game's soundtrack.

The game doesn't officially drop until next week, but people who have gotten their hands on an early copy have noticed Kaep's name was scrubbed from Sean's verse on YG's song "Big Bank" featuring 2 Chainz and Nicki Minaj.

What you're supposed to hear is "Feed me to the wolves now I lead the pack and sh*t. You boys all cap, I'm more Colin Kaepernick" ... but aside from the obvious edits to keep the lyrics rated PG, the game also took the Kaep shout-out off the track.

A video has been going viral on social media ... and most people are assuming it has to do with Kaep's involvement in kick-starting the National Anthem controversy.

As for Kaep appearing in the game as a player ... that won't happen until he's signed to a team. So, don't hold your breath.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is reminding us all why his nickname is the "Greek Freak" ... 'cause the NBA superstar took his first boxing lesson Thursday -- and it was pretty freakin' scary.

The 6-foot-11 Bucks forward -- lookin' as jacked as ever -- learned how to throw some jabs and hooks ... and the video is wild.

His trainer looks tiny ... and when G throws the haymakers -- there's some hold-your-breath moments.

FYI -- Antetokounmpo ain't the first gigantic NBA player to lace up the boxing gloves ... Shaq actually fought Oscar De La Hoya back in 2009.

Funniest part ... Giannis captioned the vid with "StayFreaky"

If Phil Mickelson ever gets tired of hittin' golf balls, he's got no shot at a career as a dancer -- 'cause Lefty put all of his moves on display for a new commercial ... and they ain't all that great.

The PGA Tour superstar is hockin' dress shirts these days in addition to sinking putts on weekends ... and for his first-ever ad with the shirt company -- he threw down a cascade of dad dance moves.

There was the worm ... a little John Travolta action ... and a bunch of other unrecognizable moves.

The label's called Mizzen+Main ... and Phil's got stake in it -- which explains why he's been rockin' the brand.

Mickelson's donned the shirts during golf tourneys ... and Tiger Woods burned him for it back in April ... telling reporters, "The only thing that was missing was a tie."

Guess ya can say Lefty has 2 left feet.

Earl Thomas ain't playing around with the Seahawks anymore ... issuing an epic ultimatum, saying, "Offer me an extension. Or trade me to a team that wants me to be part of their future."

The All-Pro safety wrote a 1,500-word letter to his fans and Seattle's front office titled, "Here's What's Actually Going On" ... and in it, he explains all his reasons for holding out of 'Hawks camp.

"I’m standing strong on this -- because I’ve got to," Thomas says. "I’m standing strong when it comes to getting what I deserve."

"I’ve been one of the best defensive players in this league for the better part of a decade, and the numbers show that this team plays much better with me than without me."

Earl has made it no secret in the past that he wants to be a part of the Dallas Cowboys if Seattle won't pay him ... though he didn't make reference to that in his letter Thursday.

Instead -- the defensive back was adamant he's too good to let the Seahawks play him like they did with stars Lofa Tatupu and Richard Sherman before him.

Terrance Williams just caught a massive break ... 'cause the Cowboys receiver ain't gonna spend a single minute in jail after allegedly ramming his $200K Lambo into a lamp pole.

The story's crazy ... back in May, officials in Texas observed T.W. wipe out on his bike ... and he appeared wasted.

Cops searched Williams and found a Lambo Huracan key in his pocket ... interesting, 'cause they'd just found a crashed Lambo abandoned nearby.

Williams denied being behind the wheel at the time of the crash ... and actually pointed the finger at his "idiot" friend and fellow NFL player Kendall Wright.

Williams was arrested ... but ONLY charged with misdemeanor public intoxication.

Now, Williams' attorney Chip Lewis (who also reps Robert Durst) ... says prosecutors dismissed the public intox. charge today ... leaving Terrance in the clear legally.

Lewis tells us Williams paid for the damaged pole ... and completed an online alcohol awareness class -- which was good enough for prosecutors.

Ohio State has placed head football coach Urban Meyer on administrative leave in the wake of reports that he lied about having knowledge of a 2015 domestic violence allegation surrounding an OSU assistant coach.

OSU issued a statement saying, "The University is conducting an investigation into these allegations. During the inquiry, Urban Meyer will be on paid administrative leave."

"Ryan Day will serve as acting head football coach during the investigation. We are focused on supporting our players and on getting the truth as expeditiously as possible."

Meyer -- one of the highest paid coaches in college football -- also issued a statement saying, " [Athletic Director Gene Smith] and I agree that being on leave during this inquiry will facilitate its completion."

"This allows the team to conduct training camp with minimal distraction. I eagerly look forward to the resolution of this matter."

The man at the center of the domestic violence allegations is Zach Smith -- who was a wide receivers coach for the Buckeyes for years.

Smith was fired on July 23 after he was charged with criminal trespassing after dropping their children off at his ex-wife Courtney's home during a May 12 incident. The court granted a domestic violence protective order against him.

Smith's ex-wife -- the alleged victim -- claims she told Urban's wife about the alleged abuse, but Urban took no action and then lied about having knowledge of the situation when asked at Big Ten media day.

Courtney has alleged Zach had repeatedly abused her physically since 2009. She also produced text messages to college football reporter Brett McMurphy which show a conversation between Courtney and the wife of another OSU coach in which Courtney was assured Urban was addressing the issue with Zach.

All the [coaches'] wives knew," Smith told McMurphy. "They all did. Every single one."

"I do believe he knew and instead he chose to help the abuser and enable the abuser and believe whatever story Zach was telling everybody," Smith said.

Courtney also told laid out the allegations in an interview with media outlet Stadium.

It took several months, but Bristol Palin has finally confirmed she and Dakota Meyer are no longer husband and wife ... and she's single.

TMZ broke the story in February ... the couple called it quits less than 2 years after their wedding and were no longer living together. We later found out Meyer filed the divorce docs January 29 in Texas.

But the newest 'Teen Mom' didn't make the news official until Wednesday, when she replied to a question on her Instagram Story about whether she was dating anyone with ... "freshly divorced & single forever lezzbereal (I am not ready to date)"

Bristol and Dakota were married in 2016 and have 2 daughters together. It's still unclear what arrangements have been made between the exes about child custody or support.

Shaq is WRONG -- Kobe Bryant is NOT coming back to the NBA ... so says Mrs. Mamba herself, Vanessa Bryant.

There have been rumblings that 39-year-old Kobe is considering a return to the Lakers to join LeBron James for one last shot at a ring before he rides off into the sunset.

And, the rumors got even stronger when Shaquille O'Neal told TMZ Sports over the weekend, "Kobe coming back. You heard it here first."

Now, Vanessa is finally weighing in -- and assuring Laker Nation, Kobe ain't pulling a Michael Jordan.

"Kobe will not be coming out of retirement to play again," Vanessa wrote on Instagram.

"He doesn’t want to play again and frankly we really enjoy spending time together as a family without the crazy game schedule interfering with birthdays, holidays and special events."

Mamba out.

Blake Griffin has reached a truce with baby mama Brynn Cameron in their nasty custody fight -- striking a deal on child support payment and custody right before they were set to go to trial.

Blake and Brynn had 2 children together during their 8-year relationship -- and were supposed to get married back in 2017 ... until he called things off at the last minute and started dating Kendall Jenner.

Brynn went after Blake hard in court docs -- claiming Griffin left her basically homeless and cash-strapped when he bolted.

Our sources tell us a trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday -- but, the two sides were able to privately hammer out an overall custody settlement ... and now the trial is off.

We're told the two have agreed on joint custody on the children. They're both committed to co-parenting in a friendly manner for the sake of the kids.

As for Blake's monthly payments -- there's a report he'll have to fork over $258,000 per month ... but, we're told that number is wrong.

The terms of the settlement are confidential, but we're told the monthly payment is "significant."