Chicago Bears

Simone Biles got a special shout-out after her husband, Jonathan Owens, scored a touchdown in the Bears' season opener on Sunday ... with the TV announcer calling the Chicago safety a fitting nickname during the broadcast.

The highlight play happened in the third quarter of the Bears' Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field ... when Daniel Hardy blocked a punt attempt -- and Owens scooped the ball and took it to the house.

As Adam Amin called the action, he referred to Owens as "Mr. Biles" ... a nod to his Olympic gymnastics G.O.A.T. wife.

The Windy City can now let out a big exhale ... Simone Biles has just ensured TMZ Sports she has so much Chicago swag in her closet now, there should be no more Packers attire on her at Soldier Field going forward.

Biles, of course, ruffled plenty of Bears supporters' feathers with her wardrobe earlier this summer ... when she was seen at her hubby Jonathan Owens' Aug. 17 preseason game wearing a grip of Green Bay logos on her jacket.

It obviously wasn't meant to be any shade -- the piece was just a tribute to Owens, who had played for the Bears' biggest rival for the entirety of 2023, before signing on with Chicago this offseason.

The Chicago Bears are getting their asses saved after former player Theo Benedet made a crucial rookie mistake ... 'cause Dude Wipes is hooking the whole team up with a bunch of product!!

Here's the deal -- the Canadian lineman had a memorable moment on the final episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" on Tuesday ... when a scene revealed he was tasked with picking up some booty cleaners for his teammates, but came back to the facility with a container of Clorox wipes instead.

The whole room erupted in laughter when Ryan Bates broke down the mishap ... and Benedet -- who was eventually cut from the team (not over this mistake, of course) -- tried to plead his case to no avail.

Simone Biles might not be at Chicago Bears games this season a la Taylor Swift to support her man, Jonathan Owens -- but no, it's not because of the Packers coat incident!

The 7x Olympic gold medalist explained why you may not see her on the sidelines, or luxury suite in a TikTok video ... explaining her upcoming schedule is packed, despite just returning from the 2024 Paris Games.

"I don't know how many games I'll be able to make," the 27-year-old said, "because in a few weeks we go on tour."

Simone Biles may be a beloved Olympic champ, but NFL fans say she's not above the sport's rivalries ... roasting the Olympian for wearing a Packers jacket to a Bears game.

Here's the deal ... Biles' husband Jonathan Owens made the switch from the Green Bay Packers to the Chicago Bears this offseason -- two teams locked in one of the oldest rivalries in the sport.

It seems at some point last year -- the one season JO played for GB -- Simone bought a custom black and white jacket featuring action shots of Owens on the Packers ... with the iconic "G" logo on her shoulders.

Jonathan Owens' Chicago Bears teammates didn't have an issue with him missing part of training camp to watch his wife, Simone Biles, dominate at the Olympics ... 'cause he received a warm welcome upon his return to practice -- complete with a passionate "USA" chant!!

The 29-year-old safety's reunion with his squad was captured on HBO's 'Hard Knocks' cameras during Tuesday's episode ... and while some folks questioned his excused absence to be present for the GOAT's historic performances, the team was clearly in his corner.

During a meeting, Owens addressed the crowd as a Biles-themed PowerPoint presentation ran across the big screen ... and he explained just how important the trip was for him.

9:38 AM PT -- Jonathan Owens is now front and center at the gymnastics team final in Paris ... cheering on his wife in what appears to be a custom Simone Biles shirt.

He's already been shown a few times on the event's broadcast, as he's sitting with Biles' parents.

Simone Biles' husband, Jonathan Owens, has kept his promise ... he's ditched Bears' training camp and is now in Paris to watch the gymnastics star compete at the Olympics.

Jonathan Owens' day job won't keep him from watching Simone Biles in her return to the Olympics ... the gymnastics star revealed Sunday the Bears are giving her husband time off to see her in France.

Owens had been slated to report for Chicago training camp on July 19 ... and then play in the team's Hall of Fame Game against the Texans on Aug. 1. But, with Biles officially qualifying for the Paris games at the U.S. Olympic Trials over the weekend, the gymnast told USA TODAY those plans are likely to change.

"The Bears are actually granting him a couple days off from training camp, so he'll be there, yes," Biles said. "For just a short little time."

Walter Payton, Mike Ditka, and Gale Sayers all suited up for the Chicago Bears, but offensively, the 2024 roster may be the most loaded in the legendary franchise's history, according to former Bears star lineman, 6x Pro Bowler Olin Kreutz.

TMZ Sports talked to Kreutz -- who anchored the Bears' offensive line for 13 seasons (from 1998 to 2010) -- Friday morning after the squad made two big splashes during round one of the NFL Draft, selecting Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, and stud wide receiver Rome Odunze with the 9th pick. We asked the Bears great for his reaction to the picks.

"For the Chicago Bears now, I mean, talent-wise, maybe the most talent that they've ever had on the offensive side of the ball if Caleb Williams turns out to be who people think he can be."

The wait is finally over for Caleb Williams -- the former USC superstar is officially a Chicago Bear ... as the quarterback was just selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft!!

The 22-year-old was the first to hear his name called in Detroit Thursday night ... which shouldn't really surprise anyone, as he was expected to be a top pick as soon as he declared for the pros.

Despite it not being a big secret, it's an exciting time for the franchise ... and it will now be able to build around its QB1 for years to come.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is attempting to clear the air on his decision to unfollow his employer on Instagram ... claiming part of it had to do with escaping the Caleb Williams debate.

The NFL star caused a stir when he removed the Bears from his feed last week ... with some folks speculating it was foreshadowing his future with the organization and what Chicago will do with the top pick in next month's draft.

Of course, many expect the USC standout to have his name called first ... which would almost certainly end Fields' time in the Windy City.

Fields was asked all about it on the "St. Brown Bros." podcast episode that dropped on Wednesday ... and he wants everyone to relax.

"Why do people take social media so serious?" Fields asked. "I still mess with the Bears, this and that. I'm just trying to take a little break. I unfollowed the Bears AND the NFL, bro. I'm not just trying to have football on my timeline."

Fields compared his social media activity to talking to a girl -- just because they may not follow each other doesn't mean something isn't going on behind the scenes.

The former No. 11-overall pick did point out one thing that bothers him in particular -- the comment section turning into a massive back-and-forth over what the Bears should do.

If Michael Lombardi was running the Bears, this season would be Justin Fields' last in Chicago -- 'cause he tells TMZ Sports dumping the QB and drafting a different one is what's best for the franchise going forward.

The former Cleveland Browns general manager said he simply hasn't seen enough from the Bears' current starter to pass on guys like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Michael Penix Jr. in next April's NFL draft.

"I think you need a better player at the position," Lombardi said. "Someone who can throw the football with more regularity that doesn't have to wait for the second play."

Don't get it twisted, Lombardi says Fields will definitely have value on the trade market due to his unique ability to run with the football ... he just believes Chicago needs a more pure passer to make a serious runs at the playoffs.

"I think at the end of the day, it's still a passing league," he said, "and you have to throw the football effectively."

The Bears, of course, have not come to a decision with their current signal-caller ... although one will definitely need to be made in the next few months -- as they're poised to own the top pick in the draft due to a trade with Carolina in the offseason.

Lombardi also had some advice for the Patriots -- another team that will have to make a tough choice this offseason -- explaining to us that he would not move on from Bill Belichick if he were running that org.

Antonio Gates says he feels like he belongs in the Hall of Fame ... and he tells TMZ Sports if and when he gets in, Julius Peppers should be there right alongside him!!

The two NFL legends were officially named semifinalists for the highest honor in professional football earlier this week ... and when we saw Gates out in LA on Tuesday, we had to get his thoughts on it all.

The former Chargers tight end said he was stoked for the recognition, calling it a "dream come true" -- before adding that he was pretty sure when the final cutdown comes, he'll make it.

"I feel like, mentally," he said, "I belong in there."

As for the rest of the 24 semifinalists, Gates said he could make a case for just about every player on the list ... though he specifically said Peppers definitely deserves the nod.

Some other names who will be considered for the class of 2024 include legends like Dwight Freeney, Andre Johnson and Devin Hester -- three guys Gates said should get long looks for the Hall's final cut next year too.

The list of 25 will be pared down to 15 finalists soon ... before the Class of 2024 is officially revealed at "NFL Honors" in February.

Antonio Gates dice que se siente como pertenece en el Salón de la Fama y le dice a TMZ Sports que cuando llegue el momento, Julius Peppers debería estar allí junto a él.

Las dos leyendas de la NFL fueron nombradas oficialmente semifinalistas para el más alto honor en el fútbol profesional a principios de esta semana, y cuando vimos a Gates en Los Ángeles el martes, pudimos escuchar sus impresiones al respecto.

El ex tight end de los Chargers dijo que estaba emocionado por el reconocimiento, llamándolo un "sueño hecho realidad" antes de añadir que estaba bastante seguro de que cuando llegue el corte final, lo hará.

"Siento que, mentalmente", dijo, "pertenezco ahí".

En cuanto al resto de los 24 semifinalistas, Gates dijo que podría hacer un caso para casi todos los jugadores en la lista, aunque dijo específicamente que Peppers definitivamente merece el guiño.

Algunos otros nombres que se considerarán para la clase de 2024 incluyen leyendas como Dwight Freeney, Andre Johnson y Devin Hester. Tres chicos que Gates dijo que deberían acaparar las miradas para el corte final del Salón el próximo año también.

La lista de 25 se reducirá a 15 finalistas pronto antes de que la Clase de 2024 se revele oficialmente en "NFL Honors" en febrero.

La leyenda Dick Butkus murió luego de sufrir un derrame cerebral el mes pasado, según el certificado de defunción obtenido por TMZ Sports.

Publicamos la historia primero, el miembro del Salón de la Fama falleció el 5 de octubre en su casa de Malibú, y ahora sabemos lo que le pasó a la estrella del fútbol amado.

El certificado, emitido por el Departamento de Salud de Los Ángeles, muestra "accidente cerebrovascular" —conocido comúnmente como un derrame cerebral— como la causa inmediata de la muerte.

También hubo causas secundarias, como la fibrilación auricular (un latido irregular del corazón) semanas antes de su muerte, y problemas relacionados con el colesterol alto y la aterosclerosis (arterias gruesas / endurecidas) durante años.

El documento también señala que Butkus se sometió a una operación de bypass coronario en 2001.

La ocupación de Butkus figura como "linebacker", teniendo en cuenta que fue uno de los mejores que jamás haya jugado en esa posición. Su negocio, no es de extrañar, es la Liga Nacional de Fútbol, donde dominó durante nueve temporadas.

Como informamos anteriormente, los paramédicos respondieron a una llamada de un paciente en paro cardíaco en la residencia de Butkus en Malibú a las 12:51 PM. Fue declarado muerto en el lugar.

Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus died after suffering a stroke last month, according to the death certificate obtained by TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... the Hall of Fame middle linebacker passed away on October 5 in his Malibu, CA home, and now we know what happened to the beloved football star.

The certificate, issued by Los Angeles Department of Health, shows "cerebrovascular accident" -- known more commonly as a stroke -- as the immediate cause of death.

There were secondary causes listed as well ... including atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) weeks prior to his death, and dealing with high cholesterol and atherosclerosis (thick/hardened arteries) for years.

The document also points out Butkus underwent coronary bypass surgery in 2001.

Fittingly, Butkus' occupation is listed as "linebacker" ... considering he was one of the best to ever play the position. His business, no surprise, is the National Football League, where he dominated for nine seasons.

As we previously reported ... paramedics responded to a call for a patient in cardiac arrest at Butkus' residence in Malibu at 12:51 PM. He was pronounced dead at the scene.