Controversial S#!T

Cole Beasley is wrong ... he SHOULDN'T be getting more passes than either Amari Cooper OR Michael Gallup in Dallas -- so says Michael Irvin.

Beasley went off on his role with the Cowboys last week ... griping that he was never treated like a #1 receiver and that he should be getting more passes thrown his way.

In fact, Beasley seemed to blame Jerry Jones himself for the lack of targets, writing, "Honestly, the front office pushes who they want to get the ball to."

When we got Irvin out at Jay Glazer's Merging Vets & Players Super Bowl Party on Wednesday night ... he told us Beasley's being ridiculous.

"Never should Beasley be in front of Amari Cooper. Never should he be in front of Michael Gallup," Irvin tells us.

"And, what he has to do -- lemme tell him, stop looking at Julian Edelman and expect to have the kind of year Julian Edelman has!!"

Irvin says he understands why there's frustration from Beasley -- he just tells us Cole has to know his role.

"The Patriots play the game inside out, Cole Beasley. The Cowboys play it outside in. The only way you catch passes like Edelman is if you go to New England. Right now, you're in Dallas."

Could Beasley change that in a few weeks?? Cole is set to be a free agent -- and Tom Brady's ALWAYS looking for another slot wideout ...

9:21 PM PT -- According to local reporter Rob Elgas, Smollett was seen on surveillance camera walking on the opposite side of the street from the two persons of interest. Elgas claims both Smollett and the unidentified people then walk off camera (on different cameras). Smollett is unaccounted for on camera for about 60 seconds. He then reappears on surveillance entering a condo building with what appears to be street salt on his sweater and the rope around his neck. Jussie arrives at a friend's place where police arrive to take a report.

We've confirmed with law enforcement sources that Smollett refused to turn his cell phone over to authorities after telling them he was on the phone with his manager during the incident.

5:43 PM PT -- Chicago PD just released this screengrab from the surveillance video but, as you can see, it's virtually impossible to make out a single feature of the "persons of interest."

Cops say the two people in the image were walking on New Street near the intersection with E. Illinois Street between 1:30 AM and 1:45 AM. They're about a block from the Subway restaurant Jussie had gone to Tuesday morning ... and roughly halfway between the restaurant and Jussie's home.

Our law enforcement sources tell us detectives have scoured camera footage in the area and, to this point, haven't seen any sign of the alleged attack or Jussie's assailants.

Cops say they want to speak to the persons of interest to determine if they witnessed or were involved in the incident. As you can see from this image ... they've got their work cut out for them.

Cops investigating the Jussie Smollett attack say they finally have a lead from surveillance video ... but they're gonna need the public's help to locate multiple persons of interest.

Chicago PD says detectives were able to find a camera angle that revealed "persons of interest wanted for questioning" in the assault and battery of the "Empire" star. Cops are careful not to call the people suspects in the case.

Police say they'll be releasing images of the persons of interest shortly.

We broke the story ... Jussie says two men in ski masks jumped him, beat him up, doused him with bleach and left a rope around his neck before fleeing. He says they yelled, "MAGA country" as they got away.

We've confirmed Jussie's manager Brandon Z. Moore told police he was on the phone with Jussie during the alleged attack. Brandon says he told cops he clearly heard the MAGA comment as well as the racial and homophobic slurs.

We know the attack happened somewhere near Jussie's residence in Chicago, and that police were reviewing cameras -- city-owned and from privately owned buildings in the area.

Originally Published 3:11 PM PT

Colin Kaepernick's attorney just went off on NFL Commish Roger Goodell -- claiming his explanation that teams just don't think Colin can help them win is the biggest crock he's ever heard.

And, Kap's lawyer is using Mark Sanchez to make his point.

Mark Geragos appeared on "Today" Thursday and was asked about the comments Goodell made at his State of the NFL Address this week ... when Goodell said Kap's unemployment status is based on football, not politics.

"Anybody who believes that will believe that Mark Sanchez was a better choice," Geragos said ... noting several other QBs who are "well past their prime" were also signed this season.

Geragos also asked why NFL teams did NOT give Kap a workout in 2018 -- "Why didn't anybody ever bring him in and see where his skills were at? I think the whole thing is basically a ruse."

Geragos believes Goodell's statement will help Kap's collusion case against the NFL -- saying, "The collusion actually was the NFL kowtowing to [President Trump]."

He also says ... "There isn't anybody who's got a couple of neurons firing that wouldn't say this is collusive activity."

For the record, Mark Sanchez was signed by the Washington Redskisn at the end of the NFL season after starting QB Alex Smith went down with an injury.

Roger Goodell was just asked -- twice -- why he thinks Colin Kaepernick is not on an NFL roster ... and he pointed the finger at NFL teams who don't believe the QB can help them win games.

In other words, Goodell says it's about football -- not politics.

Goodell was addressing the media live from Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta -- in a crowd packed with reporters from all over the world and even a few NFL owners (ATL's Arthur Blank and NE's Robert Kraft).

When the subject of Kaepernick came up ... it was clear Roger had his answers ready -- hammering the same main talking point ... that roster decisions are made by individual teams looking to win games.

"Our clubs are the ones that make decisions on players that they wanna have on their roster," Goodell said.

"They make that individually. They make that in the best interests of their team."

He added, "They all want to win ... and they're all gonna do whatever they can to win."

When a second reporter pushed Goodell on the issue he reiterated his points.

"I think if a team decides that Colin Kaepernick or any other player can help their team win, that's what they'll do."

"They want to win and they make those decisions individually in the best interests of their club."

Goodell is clearly pushing the individuality of decision-making, because Colin is suing the NFL for collusion -- claiming NFL owners and key officials conspired to keep him out of the league because of his kneeling demonstration during the national anthem.

The thing that makes the least amount of sense ... is that guys like Nathan Peterman and other sub-par quarterbacks are getting multiple workouts and opportunities with NFL clubs while Colin is not.

Besides taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl back in 2013 -- Kaepernick has thrown for 72 TDs and only 30 INTs in his pro career.

How'd Sean Payton handle losing a chance at the Super Bowl on the worst missed call in NFL history???

"I sat and probably didn't come out of my room. I ate Jeni's ice cream and watched Netflix for three straight days."

Yeah ... not so well.

The New Orleans Saints coach met with media members for the first time since his team got robbed against the Rams in the NFC title game ... and he revealed it hurt.

A lot.

"What is it now, a week and a half? It feels like it's been longer than that."

The game caused MAJOR strife in Louisiana ... with everyone from athletes to actors to even U.S. senators ripping the league for missing the 4th-quarter pass interference call.

To his credit ... Payton stood and fielded questions about the heartbreaking loss for nearly 20 minutes Wednesday -- and vowed his team would get over it.

But ... did Payton take a veiled shot at Roger Goodell during the presser??? Some say yes ... 'cause his undershirt DOES look a whole lot like Barstools Sports' infamous clown tee ...

Steve Harvey is showing incredibly strong support for Jussie Smollett -- particularly as a black man, but he seems to be dismissing one major part of the alleged attack.

Steve posted this video undoubtedly to make it clear how much support Jussie is getting around the country. As he put it, "I don't have all that eloquent stuff to say. As a black man in this country, I'm down with you."

He also made a point of saying, "This ain't about sexual preference or nothing."

You know Jussie says his attackers used a homophobic slur, as well as the n-word -- and we know the threatening letter sent to him at Fox Studios also used a homophobic slur. Seems Jussie's sexual preference is definitely relevant to the alleged attack.

But, Steve says very strongly, for him ... "This is about coming to the aid of another brother that has tasted the brutality of hatred, racism and bigotry."

On that ... almost all of us would agree.

Originally Published -- 7:19 AM PT

8:51 AM PT -- "Empire" star Taraji P. Henson also voiced her support for Jussie and outrage at the alleged crime by posting a powerful music video of Jussie with a message, stating, "HATE WILL NOT WIN!!!!"

Juliette Lewis isn't down with the notion that Ted Bundy was a "sexy" serial killer ... and she's weirded out by anyone -- especially women -- who thinks that.

The actress and singer was at LAX Tuesday when we asked her about the "hot" buzz around Bundy -- due to the fact that Zac Efron is playing him in the new film, "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile."

Juliette thinks it's very gross, though she's got no problem with casting the stupidly handsome Efron as the infamous murderer. Her beef's with "weirdo women" who fall for a killer who happens to be charming and good looking -- when his heinous crimes are common knowledge.

As we've told you ... one of Ted Bundy's survivors, Kathy Kleiner Rubin, is fine with the hot take on Bundy in the new movie, as long as people learn a lesson about his evil ways.

Farrah Abraham is busting out her metaphorical whip and lashing out at haters blasting her for posting a video of her 9-year-old daughter dancing in underwear ... saying back the hell off, 'cause it's what parents do.

Farrah tells TMZ ... the video posted on Snapchat earlier this week -- showing Sophia wearing full-on makeup and dancing in just a top and underwear -- is no different than the kids modeling for Calvin Klein.

The ex-'Teen Mom' star also says the video -- taken at Nordstrom in NYC -- is not by any stretch inappropriate, because it was shot in a public area where kids look in the mirror after trying on clothes in the fitting room.

Farrah faced swift backlash after posting the video ... with one person saying on social media, "Farrah you're abusive. Stop marketing your daughter to child predators."

As for those questioning her parenting skills, Farrah's not batting an eyelash ... telling TMZ, "I know my daughter and I are living our best lives wearing Calvin Kleins."

Rev. Al Sharpton is calling on President Trump to start speaking out -- and tweeting up a storm -- against the the MAGA hatred that apparently fueled the vicious attack on Jussie Smollett.

Sharpton joined us on "TMZ Live" to talk about what happened to his friend and said he doesn't blame Trump for the homophobic, racially-charged attack. However, Sharpton said the President should strongly denounce the attackers to make it crystal clear his slogan shouldn't be used as a battle cry for hate crimes.

As we first reported ... 2 men attacked Smollett at around 2 AM in Chicago and put his head in a noose and doused him in bleach. Jussie's reps say the men screamed, "This is MAGA country" as they fled the scene.

Sharpton told us, if Trump doesn't deliver a stern message to his nearly 58 million followers on Twitter condemning the attack ... "his silence would be very, very deafening."

Here's a tip for Jordan Peele ... DON'T MAKE THIS WOMAN ANGRY!!

The lady in the photo is Lorena Bobbitt -- who infamously sliced off her husband's penis back in 1993.

No, Peele's not making a new horror flick -- he's actually the executive producer of a 4-episode documentary series about her life called "Lorena."

The two are promoting the series at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah -- and everyone seems to be having a good time.

The real-life story of Lorena and John Wayne Bobbitt is intense -- she claimed she cut off his junk after he had raped her, allegations John adamantly denied.

Lorena later drove away with the severed penis and threw it into a field before calling 911.

Officials found the penis and it was surgically reattached. John later showed off his surgically repaired wiener in a series of porno videos ... claiming it was back to normal.

The case went to trial and John was found not guilty of sexually assaulting his wife.

Lorena was charged with malicious wounding -- but was found not guilty of due to temporary insanity.

Clinton Portis says there's TWO reasons he would booze on Hennessey before taking the field during his NFL career -- pain management and "turning up."

Yeah, it's confusing ... but that's how the former Washington Redskins running back justified his alcoholic pre-game ritual while appearing on FS1's "Fair Game with Kristine Leahy" on Monday.

"If you're going out to have a good time, you pre-game" Portis explained while comparing playing in the NFL to hitting the clubs with friends.

In other words, Clinton started off by saying the shot helped him get his mind right.

"It was a turn-up ... for me, it wasn't like I was getting drunk. We took one shot."

Then came the pivot -- it's almost like Clinton realized his explanation wasn't going over well, so he played the self-medication card.

"For me, it was kind of like, 'This shot and I'm going out to play.' Like this is going to take the pain away or the fear or whatever it was. Like, now it's time."

Portis says he was never one to take pain-killers or drugs ... so hittin' the bottle before he hit the pads was his way of coping with the injuries he suffered throughout his 9-year career.

"After I took that shot, it was like, okay, now it's time to go do this instead of going to lay down and take a Toradol shot which all the sudden it comes out and it's hazardous to your health."

Kendall Jenner's company and modeling agencies for Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski could soon be slapped with subpoenas in a bankruptcy connected to the doomed Fyre Festival.

A judge gave the green light Monday for the companies repping the models to be subpoenaed ... potentially forcing them to fork over documents related to payments made by Fyre. As you know, festival organizer Billy McFarland hired a gang of models to hype up the event.

Emily, Bella, Hailey Bieber and other models appeared in the promo video, touting the festival as the place to be in spring 2017.

The subpoenas are part of an investigation as authorities try to unravel where approximately $26 million in investor money was spent before the festival came to a crashing halt, and Fyre Festival LLC went bankrupt. Specifically, the trustee wants answers on $5.2 million in payments made to agencies and artists.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, McFarland cut Kendall's Co. a check for $275k back in January 2017. Kendall then posted on Instagram, saying some of Kanye's artists would headline Fyre.

IMG Models -- which reps Bella Hadid, Bieber and Elsa Hosk -- received $1,214,976 from McFarland. DNA Modeling, which reps Emily, got $299k.

UTA -- another huge talent agency that received $90k --and Soulja Boy ($115k) could also be subpoenaed.

Of course, the Fyre Festival was a colossal disaster. Concertgoers plunked down thousands after they were promised a luxury oasis but instead were forced to sleep in tents. The food sucked too.

Didn't take long for authorities to pounce and make McFarland pay ... he got 6 years in prison. There's also a $100 million class-action lawsuit against McFarland and JaRule, his partner.

The Dodgers DON'T need to make a splash and re-sign Manny Machado ... so says their ex-GM, Ned Colletti, who tells TMZ Sports the team already has enough talent!!

Ned -- who oversaw the Dodgers' baseball ops from 2006 through 2014 -- says with Corey Seager at shortstop and Justin Turner at third base -- Manny ain't necessary.

"It's not like the team is missing great players. They've got great players in the same spot."

Of course ... the new Dodgers' leadership seemed to try anyway -- they were reportedly in at least SOME talks with the superstar about a new deal earlier this offseason.

But, after L.A. signed outfielder A.J. Pollock to a monster $55 MILLION deal last week ... Manny seems destined for a new team -- perhaps even to the rival Padres.

BTW ... we also spoke with Seager about his elbow AND hip surgeries and if they're healed enough for him to be ready for Opening Day -- and he says he "hopes" so.

The New England Patriots team mascot says he was REALLY hurt when he was unexpectedly tackled by NY Jets safety Jamal Adams at a Pro Bowl practice ... and is now dealing with pain in his neck and back.

It all went down on Wednesday in Orlando -- where Adams told fans he was "finna go knock this mascot out" before launching himself at the mascot, knocking the guy to the ground.

The man inside the costume sought medical attention after the incident -- and now Ian Rapoport says the guy is still "dealing with jaw, neck, and back soreness."

Rapoport says the mascot was also checked for a concussion -- but despite his condition, the man is still planning on going to Atlanta to cheer on the Patriots at the Super Bowl

As for Adams, he had previously issued a statement saying he did NOT regret the tackle -- even though the NFL had been contacting him to talk about the incident.

Here's the obvious concern for Adams ... if the mascot suffered real injuries, he's probably going to sue Adams -- who's currently playing in a 4-year, $22.2 million contract.

Adams didn't seem too bothered by the situation while playing in the Pro Bowl on Sunday -- where he won the defensive MVP award as his AFC squad beat up on the NFC in a 26-7 victory.

Patricia Arquette's seemingly out-of-place shout-out to Robert Mueller during her SAG speech wasn't out of place at all, 'cause she says it was ALL from the heart.

We got Patricia Monday fresh on the heels of her big Sunday night at the 25th SAG Awards -- where she thanked the Special Counsel during her acceptance speech for Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series. She told us she was just trying to express her true feeling ... relief.

The actress says Mueller is doing the country a huge service by investigating the Trump campaign and potential cooperation with Russians to interfere in the 2016 election. She thinks the probe has everyone -- on both sides of the aisle -- feeling some sense of reassurance.

Our photog asks if she thinks Roger Stone's recent arrest and indictment is the last shoe to drop for Trump and co. but, like many of us, she's not too sure at this point.

R. Kelly chewed out his ex-girlfriend, Halle Calhoun, in a fit of jealousy, which allegedly sparked a physical attack after one of his concerts ... but R. Kelly's camp calls the accusation BS.

The sources connected to Halle say the attack went down sometime in 2017. Halle -- a Georgia woman who was 19 or 20 and living with the singer at the time -- was attending one of his concerts, and when he came backstage afterward, we're told he accused her of looking at another man.

We're told Halle took the first shot, shoving R. Kelly ... who retaliated by grabbing her by her clothes "around her neck" and tossing her like a rag doll into a wall. The alleged incident went down in front of multiple witnesses -- including Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary, we're told.

Halle was most upset R. Kelly had broken her necklace, a beloved cross that belonged to a family member. Our sources say there were at least 2 other violent incidents, including one where R. Kelly allegedly slapped Halle -- again, because he thought she had looked at a group of men as they entered a hotel.

A source close to R. Kelly denies the allegation and claims the singer is not violent. The source says if anything like that had happened, someone would have recorded video and sold it long ago.

Halle had been with R. Kelly for more than a year at the time of the alleged attack, but she ended up leaving him at the end of 2017. She's now back home in Georgia, and dating rapper Rocko.