Carolina Panthers

Greg Olsen is mourning a heartbreaking loss … the former NFL star revealed his older brother, Chris, has died after a battle with brain cancer.

The longtime Panthers tight end and current FOX broadcaster shared the devastating news in an emotional Instagram tribute ... explaining Chris lost his fight with glioblastoma -- one of the most aggressive forms of cancer -- after putting up a relentless fight.

"Love you brother," Olsen wrote with a heart emoji.

Olsen made it clear his brother never stopped battling, praising Chris’ toughness and spirit throughout the illness ... saying the disease may have taken a physical toll, but it never broke who he was as a person.

The NFL world is still processing the fact that 44-year-old Philip Rivers is back on the Indianapolis Colts ... and that includes Cam Newton, who admitted he felt like it was a "slap to my face" he didn't get a call.

Newton spoke about the signing on his "4th&1" podcast ... where he clearly seemed annoyed that the Colts didn't check in on his availability.

When his co-host asked if Cam's work in the media gives off the vibe he'd be interested in, Newton didn't agree with the narrative.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife, Nicole, are making sure kids in the Carolinas are ready to get their education on ... by donating more than 38,000 backpacks stuffed with supplies for the upcoming school year.

Classroom Central -- the beneficiary of the donation -- made the announcement on Wednesday ... saying the move helps "strengthen a decade-long partnership to promote equity in education across the Carolinas."

Karen Calder -- executive director of Classroom Central -- said it is the largest backpack contribution in the org.'s history.

Adarius Taylor -- a seven-year NFL veteran -- was arrested for child abuse in Florida ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to jail records, 34-year-old Taylor was booked on two charges -- one count of negligent child abuse without bodily harm and one count of soliciting another for prostitution, lewdness or assignation.

He was released on Sunday after posting bond, which was set at $6,000. We've reached out to officials for more information.

Former NFL linebacker Dean Wells has passed away at 54 years old following a two-year battle with cancer.

One of his former teams, the Carolina Panthers, confirmed the reports of his death on Friday. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2023 ... and underwent a bone marrow transplant in May 2024.

He spoke to KSR about his fight against the disease ... saying while he was able to handle the variables on the football field, this was something he had no control over.

Not everyone was eating turkey on Thanksgiving ... 'cause rising star rookie receiver Xavier Legette revealed he chomped down on a raccoon for his holiday dinner!

The Carolina Panthers first round 2024 draft pick revealed the non-traditional Turkey Day meal on the St. Brown Podcast when Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown asked him about something he enjoys eating that others might find questionable.

"I eat raccoon," Legette admitted. "Like a raccoon that you see in the trash."

Bryce Young found himself benched by the Carolina Panthers two starts into his sophomore season ... but last year's first overall pick has found success since returning to the lineup in week eight -- and Rod Wave may have something to do with the turnaround!

The backstory ... the 26-year-old rapper took to social media, asking the Panthers signal caller to hit his line after he was pulled, and many fans wondered if the call happened, and if so, what'd the fellas discuss?

On Wednesday, Young resolved the mystery ... and while he wouldn't go into specifics, he did address the convo, and it's clear he's very appreciative.

Luke Combs, Eric Church and more country stars teamed up for a good cause ... and, they raised a ton of money for people affected by Hurricane Helene.

Twelve country music stars pulled up to Bank of America Stadium Saturday night for the largest concert in the venue's nearly 30-year history -- bringing out a crowd of 82,193.

The Panthers play in BoA Stadium ... and, the team's owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole allowed the stars to use it, free of charge, so all the money raised could go directly to the people who need it most.

Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are stumbling out the gates in 2024 ... but ex-NFL QB Mark Sanchez says the last thing they need to do is make a change on the sidelines -- telling TMZ Sports they need to ride it out with Robert Saleh.

We caught up with the Fox Sports commentator at LAX amid Gang Green's 2-2 start ... and asked what he felt about folks saying NY's head coach should be on the hot seat following a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos.

"This past game was just an ugly game, they would had to win ugly," Sanchez said. "And they lost by a point, or whatever it was. In a rainy game like that, you need one ball to bounce your way; you need to make a field goal, something."

LeBron James is rallying behind Bryce Young ... telling the second-year quarterback to stay focused on his goals after losing his starting job with the Carolina Panthers.

King James -- a fellow No. 1 overall pick himself -- went to X to show support for the young signal-caller on Tuesday ... making sure his 53 million followers saw his encouraging message.

"Bryce Young hold ya head Young 🤴🏾!! Rooting for you and know this ain't on you! Continue to put the work in and it shall prevail! 🙏🏾👑"

NFL player A'Shawn Robinson's puttin' his California mansion on the market for more than 4 million bucks -- and the place is SWEET, complete with a recording studio and custom swimming pool!

TMZ Sports has learned the defensive end listed the two-story Canyon Oaks estate this week with Jordan Cohen of RE/MAX ... and it's fully loaded!

The 8,120-square-foot property, including the guesthouse, has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a huge kitchen, a living room, and a home gym.

Former NFL star Adrian Wilson -- who just recently left his role as the Carolina Panthers' Vice President of Player Personnel -- is facing domestic violence charges after he was arrested in Arizona last month.

According to the Scottsdale Police Department, authorities placed Wilson in custody at his home just after 6 AM on June 1. Further details surrounding his arrest were not made immediately available, though cops say he was booked on misdemeanor domestic violence-related charges of assault and disorderly conduct, as well as a charge for damaging property.

The five-time Pro Bowl defensive back is due in court for a hearing on the matter on July 16.

Devin Funchess has successfully made the transition from NFL player to pro hooper ... but he tells TMZ Sports he's not done yet -- he still wants to make it to the NBA!!

The ex-Carolina Panthers wideout has been training for years to establish himself as a big-time baller on the hardwood ... and so far, the journey's gone well.

He's played overseas at a few stops ... with his most recent contract coming from the Colombia Basketball League -- and he says he's pleased with how the new career's going.

Luke Combs is done trying to make sense of what the Carolina Panthers are doing with the team -- the last straw was the Brian Burns trade -- and now the country music star is going in on the squad!

"Panthers, WHAT ARE WE DOING?!?!?" the 34-year-old said in a message to the organization on X.

"No first-round pick for McCaffrey a few years back and now none for Burns?!?! Are we just firebombing the whole team here or what?"

If you missed it, the New York Giants traded for the 2x Pro Bowl pass rusher on Monday (and then signed him to a massive $150 mil contract), sending the Panthers a 2nd and 5th-round pick in return in the upcoming NFL Draft (they also swapped 5th rounders in '24 and '25).

Clearly not the haul Combs would expect for a premiere player who can get to the quarterback.

This trade comes almost two years after the Panthers sent Christian McCaffrey, one of the NFL's best running backs, to the 49ers ... and Luke's had it!

To add salt to the wound, Panthers fans had to watch their former RB star in Super Bowl LVIII in February.

"I usually don’t comment on these kinds of things but it’s just becoming slow torture at this point," Combs said to end his message.

Get excited, Panthers fans ... Bryce Young tells TMZ Sports he believes he's going to turn things around in Carolina next season -- saying straight up, "I'm definitely confident."

Of course, the quarterback's rookie season was filled with plenty of speed bumps -- he threw just 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions ... and only secured two wins in his 16 starts.

But, he's not down on himself at all ... 'cause when we spoke to him out at Super Bowl week in Las Vegas, he sure seemed to think things are going to be a whole lot different 12 months from now.

"I feel like I've grown -- I've learned," the 2023 No. 1 overall pick said. "I'm excited to improve this offseason. Get better at some things -- I'm excited for year 2."

Young actually told us all of the growing pains he and his team went through last season will only make them stronger ... feeling like they all "grew a lot closer through that."

As for the Panthers' new coach, former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales, the ex-Heisman Trophy winner seemed fired up to begin working with him as well.

Meanwhile, this year's Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, also spoke with us out in Vegas ... and he told us he's happy to finally get a chance to show what he can do in the NFL.