Drugs & Alcohol

Orlando Brown has an explanation for why he was rocking snake eyes on "Dr. Phil" -- and, as it turns out, he might've just been in a festive mood.

TMZ has obtained a new clip previewing Orlando's upcoming appearance, in which Dr. Phil attempts to help Orlando amid claims he's suffering from a mental disorder. Phil addresses the elephant snake in the room ... what's with the contacts, bro?

Orlando bursts into laughter and describes them as some sort of homage to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Phil tried to play off the awkward moment by calling it a Halloween gag.

The interview was shot around mid-October ... so it kinda makes sense.

Still, the MJ reference comes off as troubling ... especially in light of Orlando's friend telling Dr. Phil that OB sometimes claims Michael is his father.

As we reported ... Orlando's pal says the one-time Disney Channel star has burned just about all his bridges.

Ryan Leaf says he's glad Josh Gordon is stepping away from football to focus on what's really important -- his mental health -- and the ex-QB says he's willing to help if the WR needs him.

Leaf has fought a very public battle with mental illness ... and warns Gordon -- who left the Pats on Thursday to focus on his mental health -- the fight he's facing is a very difficult one to win.

"This will be the hardest thing he ever does," Leaf tells TMZ Sports.

"Making it to the NFL for him was easy in comparison to what he has to battle and what he goes through on a daily basis."

But, Leaf -- who's sobered up and now hosts a sports talk show on SiriusXM -- says he's down to help ... and has actually reached out to Josh to make sure the wideout knows that.

"This is really all about surrender and acceptance. Surrendering to something bigger than you and then accepting the help from people who have been through it before."

"I've reached out to Josh and his manager, Michael Johnson, plenty of times, and they know I'm here for him. They know I'm available."

FYI, Leaf is currently a program ambassador for Transcend Recovery Community and its Mentoring Program ... which helps people who are battling substance abuse issues.

7:21 AM PT -- The Patriots just issued a statement saying, "We support Josh Gordon in his continued efforts to focus on his health."

They added, "His attempt to do so is a private and personal matter, which we intend to respect."

6:43 AM PT -- More sad news regarding Gordon ... NFL.com's Tom Pelissero is reporting Gordon violated the league's substance abuse policy and now faces a suspension.

Unclear of how Gordon failed a test -- or failed to show up to take a test. Either way, it's bad.

And, with Gordon's history of failed drug tests during his NFL career, this won't be a slap on the wrist punishment.

He's already missed the entire 2015 and 2016 NFL seasons for substance abuse issues. Unclear what he's facing this time around.

Josh Gordon is leaving the New England Patriots -- at least, for now -- with the star wide receiver saying he needs to focus on his mental health.

"I take my mental health very seriously at this point to ensure I remain able to perform at the highest level," Gordon said in a statement.

"I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally."

"With that said, I will be stepping away from the football field for a bit to focus on my mental health."

"I would like to thank Coach Belichick, Mr. Kraft, as well as countless others within the Patriots organization for their continued support."

"I want to thank my fans for their support as well as I continue down the path getting back to 100%."

This is not the first time Gordon has taken a break from football -- the 27-year-old has battled substance abuse issues and has pressed pause on his career to get treatment.

In fact, before the 2018 season -- when Gordon was still a member of the Cleveland Browns -- he trained privately away from the team so he could focus on his well-being.

When he rejoined the Browns, the reunion didn't last long -- he suffered an injury in September during a promotional video shoot -- and the team quickly traded him to New England.

When healthy, Gordon has proven to be a force in the NFL -- and made some key plays for the Patriots throughout the 2018 season. He's already caught 40 balls and 3 TDs for the Pats in 11 games.

Now, with 2 games left -- and playoff seeding on the line -- the Pats will be without Gordon. And, that's a big deal.

Story developing ...

Jon Jones REALLY wants a 3rd crack at Daniel Cormier -- and he's willing to write a fat ass check to get DC back in the Octagon.

"Fight me one more time and prove you’re actually the champ champ. I’ll donate $100,000 to a charity in San Diego if you accept," Jones wrote to Cormier on Twitter.

Of course, the two have fought twice -- with Jones winning both fights ... only to have the 2nd victory overturned in the wake of a positive PED test.

Jones is finally cleared to return to the UFC after serving his suspension -- he'll fight Alexander Gustafsson for the light heavyweight title at UFC 232 on Dec. 29.

But, Jones is already thinking past Gustafsson, trying to bail Cormier.

"Conor McGregor was an actual double Champ, the whole world knows your claim is a freaking joke. You’re more than welcome to be my first title defense."

Jones also took umbrage with comments Cormier recently made to Jim Rome -- when he questioned JJ's explanation that he only had a "pinch of salt" worth of steroids in his system during their 2nd fight.

"Daddys baby still out there whining," Jones said ... "What proud 'double Champion' just vacates his belt because someone else returns to the sport?"

Cormier says he's retiring from MMA in March -- on his 40th birthday -- so if Jones wants the fight, they gotta make this thing come together fast.

Famous Dex falling asleep on IG Live had fans concerned about his health, and it turns out they're not the only ones ... his camp is working overtime to help the kid kick drugs.

TMZ has learned the Chicago rapper passing out in the middle of his live stream earlier this week was just the latest troubling sign that he's got a drug problem. We've been told Dex abuses opioids.

In case you missed it, FD literally nodded off in the middle of talking to his followers and playing music. His head began to lean forward and his lit blunt rested on his hand for a while before he finally woke back up. The disturbing scene was alarming to his fan base.

Dex later responded on the same platform, telling folks he'd simply fallen asleep because he was tired from working in the studio for so long ... and it was all much ado about nothin'.

Thing is, we're told that's just not the case. Sources say Dex was upset by the video of himself passing out and expressed a desire of never wanting to see himself like that again. The problem ... he's tried getting treatment, but always circles back to drugs.

This is how bad it's gotten for Dex -- we've learned there's someone who is always by Dex's side for the sole purpose of making sure he's coherent enough to do his job. We're also being told that, at times, there's even someone who sleeps in the same bed to make sure he's okay. His team is actively working to get him the help he needs.

Orlando Brown's downward spiral has one of his friends seriously worried the end is near ... and he's calling on one man to save the troubled ex-Disney star.

Brown's set to appear on "Dr. Phil" Friday, in an intervention-type setting orchestrated by Brown's friend who claims he's suffering from a mental disorder and has burned so many bridges ... he's run out of resources for help.

The clip's pretty shocking -- both because of what the friend says about the "That's So Raven" star ... and the look in Orlando's eye(s) when he sits face-to-face with Dr. Phil.

We broke the story ... several of Brown's friends staged an intervention for him in October to encourage him to enter a rehab facility. It worked -- but only temporarily -- and it's clear people are still very concerned about him.

As we reported ... Orlando's been in and out of handcuffs several times in 2018, including after he was busted breaking into a restaurant in September.

And, of course, there was the crazy bounty hunters bust back in April ... when he was arrested in his undies.

For the full interview, check out "Dr. Phil" Friday.

Rapper Juelz Santana has just been sentenced to 27 months behind bars in his airport drug case.

A judge handed down the sentence Wednesday morning in Newark, NJ. He'll also be under supervised release for 12 months after he's completed his time. No date was set on when the rapper will have to surrender.

TMZ broke the story ... Juelz was busted back in March after trying to take a loaded .38-caliber handgun and eight oxycodone pills in his travel bag at Newark International Airport. After TSA security found the gun, Juelz booked it but he later turned himself in.

The rapper -- a convicted felon -- ultimately pled guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

On a recent episode of 'Love & Hip Hop,' Santana revealed he believed he'd get 27 to 37 months for the crime ... turns out, he was spot on.

The CEO and co-founder of HQ Trivia allegedly died after a drug-fueled night with his girlfriend ... but she says he was fine when she left him.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Colin Kroll's GF told investigators she was with him the Friday night before he was found dead in his Manhattan apartment, and they were both doing drugs. We're told she claims she saw him using cocaine and heroin.

The girlfriend says she left Kroll's place in the wee hours of Saturday morning and he was alive and well, but after she didn't hear from him all day ... she contacted police to check up on him.

We broke the story ... the HQ honcho died of an apparent drug overdose. We're told cops found him early Sunday, lying facedown in his bed with drug paraphernalia nearby.

Our sources say detectives recovered several phones and a laptop from Kroll's residence to investigate the source of the drugs. His GF has not been charged in connection with his death.

Kroll co-founded the popular mobile trivia game last year and was named CEO in 2018.

He was 34.

"Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" star Tresure Price thinks the cop who arrested her for DUI had a personal vendetta ... or really hates reality TV and took it out on her.

Tresure tells TMZ ... she believes the cop who pulled her over last week in Atlanta, recognized her from the show and gave her an extra hard time because of it -- she alleges the officer even got "a little rough" with her.

Price claims she passed the officer's field sobriety test, but was still cuffed and thrown in the back of a squad car ... without being buckled up.

We broke the story ... as Tresure was being hauled to the station, the cop had to slam on her brakes and the 'L&HH' star was propelled forward. She tells us her face smashed into the cage as a result, leaving her with whiplash, bruises and a nasty knot on her forehead.

Price insists she wasn't intoxicated, and suggests the cop escalated her traffic violation into something greater ... simply because she's a TV personality.

For the record, cops say Tresure bombed the field sobriety tests and refused a Breathalyzer ... and there's no mention of an officer getting physical with her.

Regardless, she's lawyered up.

Atlanta PD tells TMZ ... Tresure has not filed a complaint regarding her arrest, and they would advise her to do so if she feels one of their officers acted inappropriately.

"Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" star Tresure Price had no idea her night was about to get even worse after getting busted for DUI ... with a trip to the hospital following a bumpy ride in the back of a cop car.

It all went down last week in the ATL after cops say they saw Price run a red light. According to a police report, obtained by TMZ, Price drove several blocks before finally pulling over. Cops say Price reeked of booze, though she insisted she only had a shot of vodka and a lemon drop martini.

Cops administered a field sobriety test ... which she bombed. She was cuffed and arrested for DUI, reckless driving and failure to obey. But, the night was just beginning for Price.

On their way to the police station, the arresting officer said he had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting someone on a bicycle who came outta nowhere. Cops say he could hear Price slide forward in the back seat but couldn't tell if she hit the cage.

According to the police report, Price complained of face, nose, cheek and chest pain ... and said she was going to press charges and/or sue over her injuries. Cops then drove her to the hospital.

She later posted bail.

There's always that one person shouting out song requests at concerts, but one heckler took it too far and totally PISSED OFF Aaron Lewis ... so the singer started lighting up the guy and hitting him where it hurts.

We've obtained video of the Staind frontman going off on a "f*cking rude" guest during his solo set Sunday night at 8 Seconds Saloon in Indianapolis ... and it's a pretty wild scene. You see Aaron onstage, dropping tons of f-bombs and telling the crowd to give the "bald motherf*cker" a taste of his own medicine.

Aaron's performing his solo country set on The Sinner Tour, and we're told the heckler kept interrupting songs by yelling out names of other tracks. As you can see, Aaron had enough and went nuclear after the 3rd interruption.

Coincidence that Colts linebacker Darius Leonard was drug tested after single-handedly wrecking the Dallas Cowboys offense on Sunday?

He thinks not ...

The rookie superstar logged 11 tackled and broke up 2 passes in Indy's 23-0 route of America's Team -- and after the game, Leonard says the NFL selected him to pee into a cup.

"NFL this can't be a coincidence," the 2nd round draft pick posted on social media.

"Everybody else gone home after the game," Leonard said ... "Last one in here. Got a drug test. Once again! Once again after a game! Got a drug test. Still stuck in here, an hour and a half after the game."

Good news for Darius ... he's yet to fail one of the tests.

Colin Kroll, the CEO and co-founder of HQ Trivia, has died of an apparent drug overdose ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Kroll's girlfriend called police early Sunday and asked them to check up on him after she was unable to get in touch. Cops went to downtown Manhattan to do a welfare check, entered his apartment and found Kroll's body in his bedroom with drug paraphernalia nearby.

A police source tells TMZ at this point cops believe the drugs involved were cocaine and heroin.

Kroll was named CEO of HQ Trivia in 2018. He had previously been fired from Twitter after he was determined to be a "bad manager." Female employees claimed his behavior made them uncomfortable, however, no sexual harassment claims were ever filed.

HQ Trivia was having problems recently. It was steadily losing audience. In January, HQ was in the top 10 list of most downloaded iPhone games. It's now fluctuating between #250 and 500 in the U.S. Also, Kroll was dealing with an H.R. complaint by an HQ employee for his "aggressive management style."

Kroll was also the co-founder of Vine and was General Manager between 2013 and 2014. And, he was the Chief Technology Officer for Jetsetter. Prior to that, Kroll served as the Engineering Manager at Yahoo between 2007 to 2009.

Kroll was 34.

RIP

12/14 8:50 AM PT -- According to court records, Pump and his manager entered a not guilty plea for the misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct through their attorney.

12/14 6:50 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources now confirm Pump's story. The baggage handlers who were putting luggage in the baggage compartment smelled a strong odor of weed coming from a bag labeled Garcia -- Pump's government name. The captain then went to Pump and the rapper felt the pilot was being accusatory. The pilot eventually kicked Pump and his manager off the plane for being disruptive and it continued to get contentious in the terminal when cops were talking to them, so both were arrested for disorderly conduct. The bag, which was owned by a member of Pump's crew, was opened and NO DRUGS were inside.

6:15 PM PT -- A source connected with Pump tells TMZ, no drugs were found. The source says TSA flagged a bag that smelled like weed and was "mistagged." Agents questioned Pump, who insisted he was not carrying drugs. The source adds no drugs were found in the bag, which another person in Pump's crew said was his. Pump was arrested along with his manager because they allegedly became disorderly during the argument with TSA agents.

Lil Pump's flight to L.A. was cut short -- as in, he never got off the ground because TSA allegedly found drugs in his luggage ... TMZ has learned.

Pump was flying from Miami Thursday afternoon, and our sources say he and his crew had all boarded the flight, but before it pushed back from the gate ... a flight attendant told them there was a problem.

We're told Pump and co. were booted off the flight, and cops met them in the terminal to question Pump about what 2 airline sources said were drugs found in a checked bag with his name on it.

The flight was delayed over an hour, and we're told cops are talking to Pump right now.

Story developing ...

Mike Tyson says he had smoked marijuana in the hours before his famous 2000 fight against Andrew Golota ... but claims it was the ONLY time he was ever high on weed during a bout.

The boxing legend appeared on "The Dan Patrick Show" to talk about his new pot business when Dan asked him how long he'd been using cannabis.

"All my life basically," Tyson said ... before admitting he got high before the "Showdown in Motown."

Tyson said he had smoked before he got in the locker room and when Patrick asked how it affected him during the fight, Mike had a pretty classic answer ...

"It didn't affect me. It affected Golota."

Remember, Tyson famously dominated that fight -- with Golota refusing to get off his stool and continue the match after taking a beating in the first 3 rounds.

After the match, Tyson tested positive for marijuana and was fined $200,000.

He later blamed the failed test on the fact he couldn't find his "whizzer" -- a fake penis loaded with clean urine that helps people beat drug tests.

Tyson was eventually stripped of the victory because of the dirty test -- and it was officially put on his boxing record as a "no contest."

Ex-'Love & Hip Hop' star Benzino is not mincing words ... he's adamant racists are behind the serious drug charges he's facing but vows to fight back.

Benzino wanted to address the story we broke ... that cops busted him in Cobb County, GA -- in January 2017 -- and hit him with a slew of charges: felony possession of THC oil gummies, felony possession of 6 MDMA pills and misdemeanor possession of less than an ounce of weed.

He's facing up to 15 years in prison, but Benzino calls the charges trumped up from "one of the most racists counties, not just in Georgia, but in America." He still believes cops had no right to raid his penthouse, even though a judge ruled cops legally obtained a search warrant.