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Former UNC star Eric Ebron is admitting his alma mater got its "ass kicked" on Monday night ... but he tells TMZ Sports he's still nowhere near pressing the panic button on the Bill Belichick era.

The ex-Tar Heels tight end sat down with us just a few days after North Carolina got whipped, 48-14, by TCU ... and while he said it was no doubt a disappointing start, he's staying patient with his old school's new sideline manager.

Ebron explained with all of the new faces in a bunch of new places -- he actually somewhat anticipated the outcome.

The memory of former LSU star Kyren Lacy lives on despite his tragic death in April ... as friends like Giants star Malik Nabers and Tigers receiver Trey'Dez Green continue to honor him with tributes -- each one bringing his mother to tears.

TMZ Sports spoke with Lacy's mom, Kandace, after Green paid homage to her son, and his late teammate and buddy ... throwing up No. 2 (Kyren's jersey number) during his TD celebration against Clemson on August 30 -- the first game of the LSU season.

Kandace said she was overcome with emotion while watching the heartfelt tribute ... and couldn’t hold back her tears.

Eric Ebron says if his old Colts team wants to return to its winning ways ... it's gotta make some front office changes -- ASAP.

The ex-Indianapolis tight end didn't mince words during a sit-down with TMZ Sports this week ... saying he believes the guys in charge of the Colts' rosters have screwed things up since Andrew Luck left the team in 2019.

"After Andrew Luck retired," Ebron said, "I don't think we've made a good decision yet as an organization."

Naomi Osaka's loss to Amanda Anisimova at the US Open means fans won't get to see her final custom Labubu plan ... but the designer behind her viral figurines tells TMZ Sports she'd love to still bring the vision to life.

Osaka's tournament run introduced viewers to her new friends like Billie Jean Bling, Andre Swagassi and more ... with the Japanese superstar debuting a new bedazzled monster based off a different tennis legend each round she advanced.

Kerin Rose Gold -- the mastermind behind the "Lablingblings" -- spoke with us about the popularity her products attracted ... and she admitted she's gotten more buzz over the past few days than the time she got name-dropped by Rihanna in an interview.

Luigi Mangione has gone from getting his master's degree in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania to working as an orderly in an NYC federal lockup ... TMZ has learned.

According to new court docs, obtained by TMZ ... Luigi says he's working in his janitorial role at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center as he awaits federal and state trials for the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. Luigi was arrested and charged by the feds and New York state prosecutors with a slew of crimes, including murder and stalking.

In his latest federal court filing, Luigi claims he's been a model prisoner with no disciplinary record since he landed in the Big House around Christmastime last year. Luigi is asking federal prosecutors why they think his crimes are so awful that he deserves the death penalty.

Kansas City Chiefs football is officially back ... but the team will be missing its most popular fixture for the 2025 season kickoff in Brazil -- Taylor Swift.

TMZ has confirmed the superstar will be notably absent tonight when her fiancé's team takes on the Los Angeles Chargers at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo.

Sources tell TMZ ... it's not a shocker Taylor skipped the international game ... since none of the WAGs made the trip. It's just a 2-day jaunt leaving no time for the fams to intermingle. Plus, it's safe to assume security for Taylor played a role in the decision-making.

Haliey Welch is well aware there's another high-profile spitter in town after the Eagles-Cowboys mess ... and the "Hawk Tuah" OG is down to combine loogie forces!

As TMZ reported ... Jalen Carter spat on Dak Prescott just after the start of Philadelphia's season-opener against Dallas. He was booted from the game ... and has since apologized.

Haliey tells TMZ ... she thought it was "hilarious" that she was trending right along with Jalen after the spit heard around the sports world occurred, adding ... “I guess he’s now the Hawk Tuah Man!”

Warren G has proudly onboarded as a co-owner of a newly minted minor league baseball team and the best part is it's in his hometown city of Long Beach, California!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Hip Hop legend on Friday, where he laid out big plans for the new Long Beach Baseball Club within the Pioneer Baseball League.

The G-Funk pioneer tells us he's already plotting for championships ahead of the team's 2026 inaugural season -- he wants to name them the "Regulators!!!"

Druski's viral NASCAR skit sparked a good ol' fashioned down-home racial debate across America -- totally the type of comedy the world needs, says Brandon T. Jackson.

Movie buffs remember Brandon's portrayal in the 2008 Ben Stiller-directed comedy blockbuster "Tropic Thunder" as "Alpa Chino" ... the rapper stranded in the jungle who told Robert Downey Jr.'s character -- who was in blackface -- his hijinks weren't appreciated.

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Brandon following the Druski firestorm, and he says canceling Druski would be like canceling RDJ's unforgettable performance in "Tropic Thunder" ... no dice!!!

Selena Gomez is so close to swapping "Miss" for "Mrs." ... TMZ hears she’s tying the knot with fiancé Benny Blanco at the end of this month!

Sources tell TMZ Selena and Benny are saying "I do" at the end of September, and the wedding will be in the Montecito/Santa Barbara area of Southern California.

Now we’re hearing the actual wedding spot itself is so hush-hush, not even the guests know the venue.

Smokey Robinson says he's not sweating the criminal investigation into sexual assault claims against him, or a lawsuit filed by several accusers ... telling us all the allegations against him are BS.

We got the Motown icon at LAX Friday and our photog asked him if he thought the allegations were part of a shakedown.

Smokey says he's not the first man to be falsely accused and tells us the women's claims are all "bull****."

Brooke Hogan will be in attendance at the premiere of Bubba The Love Sponge's Hulk documentary later Friday ... this despite her brother, Nick, suing the radio personality over the work.

Hulk's daughter tells TMZ Sports there are several reasons why she'll have a seat in Tampa, Fla for the first screening of "Video Killed The Radio Star: The Untold Story Of The Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Scandal" -- with No. 1 being she's loyal to Bubba.

She told us the shock jock -- real name Todd Clem -- "helped our family a TON over the years and I know he was a true friend to my dad. My brother and I knew him as 'Uncle Bubba.'"

LisaRaye McCoy is down to hear K Camp out, after the rapper shot his shot in her direction on Cam Newton's podcast ... original dime pieces never go out of style!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with LisaRaye at Avalon Hollywood last night during the celebration for Ellaé Lisqué’s 10th anniversary fashion show ... and there was a bit of blushing discussing her celebrity crush reveal.

K Camp doesn't rap about sex -- he chronicles romance -- and told Cam there would be nothing but ice water running through his veins if he ever ran into LisaRaye.

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's wedding at the end of the month will be a very private affair ... 'cause we've learned it's happening at an estate, not a hotel.

Sources with knowledge tell us ... the stars aren't getting married at the Rosewood Miramar Beach or San Ysidro Ranch -- two popular wedding venues for the rich and famous in Southern California.

We're told they've rented out a private estate in Montecito  ... though it's unclear exactly where in the area they'll be.

One famed Los Angeles-area residence is shedding its Hollywood past thanks to an extensive remodel ... and it's ready for a new owner, TMZ has learned.

The Encino Hills mansion featured in 1984's "The Karate Kid" has hit the market for a whopping $5.85 million ... but fans of the martial arts flick likely won't recognize the abode after its glow-up.

Check it out ... the house has undergone a complete top-to-bottom remodel, turning the 5-bedroom, 5-bath estate into a modern design gem. They did a lot more than "wax on, wax off" for this remodel, too!!!

Lil Jon's hoping to encourage others to take their health seriously ... pulling back the curtain on his own journey after his recent Muscle Beach competition!

The rapper told us all about it on "TMZ Live" in an interview airing Friday ... saying he built his body through dedication and sacrifice ... denying himself comforts he used to enjoy, like pizza and soda.

While LJ says he's paid more attention to his health over the last decade -- especially after a friend of his had triple bypass surgery -- he really started to ramp it up in the run-up to his 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show appearance with Usher.