Julio Jones On Falcons Drafting Tua ... We've Already Got Our Franchise QB

MATT'S OUR GUY
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If Tua Tagovailoa is still on the board when the Falcons draft this spring, should Atlanta take him???

That's what we asked Julio Jones out at LAX on Friday ... and he told us straight-up, "We've got our franchise quarterback there in Matt Ryan."

Of course, Matty Ice wasn't the reason ATL was a disappointing 7-9 this season ... but some rumblings are starting to grow about how much the 34-year-old QB has left in the tank.

Seems his star receiver thinks PLENTY ... but Jones also told us he would understand if the Falcons did choose a signal-caller with the No. 16 overall pick in April.

"The general manager, he got to do his thing," Jones said.

As for the future of his Falcons coming off a down year ... Julio doesn't seem worried a repeat of 2019 is on the way, telling us the key to ATL's success is to just stay healthy.

"We lose guys, and you don't want to blame it on things like that, but the truth of the matter is you just have to stay healthy throughout the season."

Hollywood Blvd. Superman Suffocated To Death In Donation Bin ... High On Meth

Christopher Dennis -- a street performer known for portraying Superman on Hollywood Blvd. for more than 25 years -- died from a lack of oxygen after crawling into a clothing donation bin while high on drugs.

The Man of Steel impersonator suffocated to death as a result of blunt force trauma to his head and neck ... this according to the L.A. County Coroner's Office. The Coroner's report also cites methamphetamine toxicity as a significant factor in his death.

Christopher suffered the fatal injuries after being partially entrapped within a metal box used for donating clothes, according to the Coroner's Office, which ruled his death accidental.

As we reported ... Christopher -- who was homeless -- died back in November when his lifeless body was discovered lying headfirst in the donation bin. Investigators believed he was attempting to gather clothes for himself.

Christopher entertained folks in Hollywood for over two decades by dressing up as Superman ... he also starred in the documentary "Confessions of a Superhero," and made multiple appearances on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

He was 52.

Yo Gotti Calls Out Mississippi Gov. Save Inmates in Deadly Prisons or Else!!!

Yo Gotti's sick and tired of the fatal bloodshed in Mississippi State Prisons, so he's enlisted Jay-Z's Roc Nation to demand the Governor make immediate changes ... or face a lawsuit.

On the heels of 5 inmates getting killed in 3 different MS prisons ... Gotti's called on Team Roc -- the philanthropic arm of Roc Nation -- and it fired off a letter Thursday to Gov. Phil Bryant. In the letter, they make it clear they'll take legal action if Bryant doesn't take steps to improve prison conditions.

Gotti's pissed off because 2 of the deaths went down at the prison known as Parchman Farm ... not far from his hometown of Memphis. Gotti says the prison conditions are "absolutely inhumane and unconstitutional."

Prison violence in Mississippi has increased sharply in the last 10 days, with riots and escapes. Critics say gangs have almost literally taken over some of the penitentiaries ... which are reportedly woefully understaffed and underfunded.

In its letter to the Governor, Team Roc says inmates -- male and female -- are "forced to live in squalor, with rats that crawl over them as they sleep on the floor, having been denied even a mattress for a cot." They believe the conditions are so bad, they constitute cruel and unusual punishment ... a violation of the Eighth Amendment.

Sources close to Gotti tell TMZ ... he and Roc Nation will give Gov. Bryant through the weekend to improve the situation. If nothing changes, we're told attorney Alex Spiro will file a civil rights lawsuit.

Will Smith Record Another Album?!? It Could Happen

NEVER SAY NEVER
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Will Smith could still get jiggy with it ... because he's not completely shutting down the idea of putting out another album.

We got Will in New York City Friday, and our guy asked if he's ever going to drop a follow-up record to 1997's "Big Willie Style" ... and Will leaves the door wide open.

The 'Fresh Prince' is in the Big Apple promoting his latest movie with Martin Lawrence, "Bad Boys For Life" ... and it sounds like Will's still got a soft spot for the recording studio.

Will's obviously not averse to sequels ... so it's not a stretch to think he'll make his return to the rap game one day. Our photog has a special date in mind for a potential album drop.

Zion Williamson Swarmed In NYC Signs a Billion Autographs

BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Zion Williamson has touched down in New York -- and the minute he stepped out of his hotel, the NBA star was mobbed by fans asking for autographs and photos!

The 19-year-old New Orleans Pelicans rookie was NOT FAZED by the swarm -- he kept his composure and knocked out a ton of autographs before eventually walking to the team bus.

The Pels are in NYC to take on the Knicks on Friday -- though Zion won't be playing, as he's still recovering from the knee injury that's kept him out the whole season.

Zion's expected to come back soon and NBA fans can't wait -- the guy is an absolute monster on the court.

If Zion WAS healthy, this would have been a great game to watch -- Zion matching up against his former Duke teammate and #3 overall pick R.J. Barrett.

The Pels and Knicks are set to play again at the end of March. Fingers crossed Zion's healthy by then.

R. Kelly's GF Joycelyn Finally Reunites with Fam ... Secret Court Meeting

Joycelyn Savage had direct contact with her family for the first time since she left home nearly 3 years ago to live with R. Kelly ... and it might be a sign of things to come.

Gerald Griggs -- the attorney for Joycelyn's parents, Tim and Jonjelyn -- tells TMZ ... Joycelyn's immediate family members were secretly brought to the holding area of the Chicago courthouse Thursday after her hearing to meet with her.

We're told law enforcement facilitated the meeting, which went down before Savage was released on bond for the alleged battery of Azriel Clary during their Wednesday brawl at Kelly's Trump Tower condo.

Griggs says Joycelyn was surprised to see her family at first, but talked to them for about 20 minutes. We're told there were plenty of hugs, and immediate family members told her how much they love her and want her to come home.

Joycelyn was given direct contact info for her parents, and Griggs claims she's willing to set up further contact. We're told the family is hopeful she will willingly reunite with them soon ... because she said she'd be in touch.

R. Kelly GF Azriel Ready to Flip on Him ... But Fears Legal Fallout

The nasty fight between R. Kelly's girlfriends that led to Joycelyn Savage being charged with battery has had a major effect on Azriel Clary too ... apparently, she's considering working with the feds.

Sources close to Azriel tell TMZ ... she's come to a realization that Kelly played mind games and manipulated her since she moved out of his Trump Tower condo and reconnected with her family.

We're told she now wants to help law enforcement with its investigation into Kelly, but she has a huge hang-up -- she's terrified because she's lied to federal agents several times in the past.

Our sources say she fears she could be in big trouble if she changes her story and tells the feds what has really gone down with her, Joycelyn and Kelly. We're told she also signed an NDA with the singer ... so she's also scared of the legal repercussions of speaking out against him now.

JANUARY 2020
FACE TO FACE
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Azriel, we're told, is adamant she's telling the truth about Joycelyn having sex with her when she was still a minor -- which is what she claims started the blowout fight with Savage at Trump Tower.

We broke the story ... cops were called to Kelly's Chicago pad after Azriel and Joycelyn got into a brawl, which was captured on Azriel's Instagram Live video.

POST-FIGHT FIREWORKS
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Clary made the allegations against Savage in the vid, along with saying R. Kelly's "been lying to you guys" and claiming he had her and Joycelyn lie for him too.

As for the feds ... our law enforcement sources say investigators are reviewing the incident between Kelly's GFs, but for now, there are no plans to get involved.

We're told the matter is in the hands of state authorities ... but that doesn't mean the feds won't be interested in speaking with Azriel.

Dr. Oz Ban Breakfast in 2020 ... It's an Advertising Ploy!!!

#CANCELBREAKFAST
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Dr. Oz has a radical New Year's resolution for folks that goes beyond dieting and sounds a little crazy ... he wants to cancel breakfast.

The popular TV doctor is adamant the first meal of the day -- the most important meal of the day according to lore -- is actually a sham created by the advertising industry ... and there's a healthier alternative.

Dr. Oz tells us it's better to wait a few hours until you're actually hungry to eat -- don't just load up in the morning because you think you are supposed to. He suggests brunching daily over breakfast.

As for those who claim they ARE hungry first thing in the AM ... Dr. Oz says you're mistaken -- it's actually just withdrawals because you're a food junkie.

Larry King Home Sells for $15.5 Mil ... Divorce Keeps Truckin'

Larry King and his estranged wife have taken a big step in their ongoing divorce proceedings ... by unloading their mansion in Beverly Hills.

We broke the story ... Larry and Shawn Southwick listed their massive pad in October for $16.995 million, in hopes of reaching a divorce settlement quickly and smoothly.

So far so good, because TMZ's learned it officially sold today for $15.5 million.

The ex-couple bought the 5-bed, Tuscan-style house in 2007 for just under $12 mil, so despite the drop in their initial asking price ... they still netted a nice profit.

The property is 11,000 square feet and features a master suite with twin bathrooms, a skylit foyer, a pool, a trophy room ... and comes with a 2-bedroom guest house to boot. Mega-realtor Kurt Rappaport had the listing.

Jennifer Lopez Recruits A-Rod, DJ Khaled For Super Bowl LIV Commercial!!!

Jennifer Lopez has friends in high places ... and her star power was on display while shooting a Super Bowl commercial.

J Lo put in some serious work Thursday at the Hard Rock Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, where she was on set with her fiance Alex Rodriguez, mega-producer DJ Khaled, rockstar Steven Van Zandt and NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
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TMZ's obtained behind-the-scenes pics and vids showing Jennifer rocking a tight white outfit from head-to-toe, and flanked by a huge filming crew. A-Rod's wardrobe included a blue sport coat, while DJ Khaled was, of course, wearing an eye-catching, bright yellow tracksuit -- and cracking up everyone on set.

Drake Breaks Bank For Custom Bling ... Collab With Future Drops

Drake is lavishing himself with some super-expensive custom jewelry ... and one of his newest pieces was a big hint that his upcoming single with Future was on the way.

Our sources tell us Drake just dropped over $1 MILLION on a customized heart-shaped necklace, a pricey present for himself.

NICE BLING
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Drake commissioned Gemma Fine Jewelry to make the chain, which comes in at a whopping 100 carats. We're told the piece took several months to create -- heart-shaped diamonds are in high demand, and are extremely difficult to fashion.

Champagne Papi's adding to a growing collection of heart-shaped bling ... he's already got a diamond ring in the shape of a heart. Seems like this design is his new thing.

LIVIN' GOOD

As for the increasing rumblings of a Drake and Future album, check out their matching gold and silver pendants. We're told the pieces, made by Jason of Beverly Hills, are each worth $200,000 and feature over half a kilo of gold and 40-carat diamonds.

NFL's Bill O'Brien 'You Suck Too, Motherf**ker!!!' ... Coach Apologizes For Epic Rant

BACK AT YA!
TMZSports.com
UPDATE

9:59 AM PT -- Bill O'Brien just kicked off his Friday press conference by saying he was sorry for his epic rant ... telling reporters, "I used inappropriate language and I just want to apologize for that."

UPDATE

Later in the conversation with media members, O'Brien added, "I'm sorry that it happened."

UPDATE
FOUL LANGUAGE
Houston Texans

"Screw you, motherf**ker! You suck too! Hey! You suck too, motherf**ker!!!"

That's Texans head coach Bill O'Brien going absolutely ballistic on a heckler during the Broncos game earlier this season ... and the EPIC rant was all caught on video!!!

Houston fans were pretty pissed off at their team during their Dec. 8 game -- when the Texans were down 31-3 at half -- and one fan decided to let O'Brien hear it in the team's tunnel.

As the coach was on his way back to the locker room with star quarterback Deshaun Watson -- you can hear a man clearly yell "YOU SUCK!" at the guys.

That's when 50-year-old Billy O went OFF ... turning toward the fan and unleashing a tirade for the ages!!!

"You suck too!" O'Brien screamed. "F**k you!"

You can see in the video, star receiver DeAndre Hopkins tried to break up the scene ... but that didn't stop O'Brien from firing at the heckler, "Go the f**k home, motherf**ker!"

Clearly, there are much happier times in Houston these days ... since that blowup loss -- the Texans have gone 3-1, including a massive playoff win over Buffalo last weekend.

And, of course, the team is now just two wins away from its first-EVER Super Bowl appearance.

Which begs the question ... wonder how the heckler's feelin' now?

Originally Published -- 12:20 AM PT

Ne-Yo I Have Lots Of Sex To My Own Music ... There's Just One Problem!!!

SEXUAL SERENADE
TMZ.com

Ne-Yo loves himself so much, he listens to his own music when he has sex, but he's now confessing that can create certain, umm ... performance issues.

We got the singer at LAX and our photog asked about his recent revelation -- he makes love to his own tracks! As for which songs ... Ne-Yo told us his wife, Crystal Renay, usually picks the playlist. He's a gentleman, after all.

Ne-Yo's got a huge catalog, packed with perfect songs for doing the deed, but he says the slower tunes usually set the mood just right -- in particular, he says "Mirror" is the #1 request. Feel free to try it yourself!

If there was ever any doubt, Ne-Yo is a perfectionist ... you gotta see him explain the one hazard of banging while his voice is blaring on a speaker. Let's just say it has to do with different strokes.

Could be worse, Ne-Yo. At least she's not asking for "Miss Independent." That would be a whole other issue!

Ex-NFL Exec Marc Ross Rooney Rule Is Broken ... Here's How to Fix It

WE NEED MORE MINORITIES
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Longtime NFL executive Marc Ross says the "Rooney Rule" is a "mockery" and a "sham" and if it isn't fixed, talented minority coaches will continue to be overlooked.

If you're not familiar with Ross ... he has 21 years of front office experience and was most recently the NY Giants VP of Player Evaluation. Ross was responsible for helping draft players like Odell Beckham Jr., Landon Collins, and Jason Pierre-Paul.

In December 2017, Ross interviewed for Big Blues general manager job after the organization fired Jerry Reese.

Ross didn't get the gig ... and he says that's not the only time he's interviewed and been passed over for a GM job.

In fact, Ross -- who graduated from Princeton and was at one time the youngest college scouting director in the NFL (27 years old) -- says he interviewed 12 times for the position ... but was never hired.

So, why are we talking about this?

The NFL's "Rooney Rule" has been under major scrutiny this off-season after all but 1 (Ron Rivera in Washington) of the available head coaching jobs went to white coaches.

The Rooney Rule is a policy that was instituted in 2003 ... which mandated all teams interview a minority candidate prior to hiring a coach or GM.

In theory, it was designed to help minorities land jobs ... but Ross says it clearly hasn't worked.

"The intent of it was to put minority candidates in front of the owners and think that once the owners saw these candidates that were qualified and capable of the job that they would start hiring them," Ross tells us.

"The problem was that the owners already in their mind, for the most part, knew who they wanted to hire and were just going through the routine of interviewing a minority candidate without any true intentions of making them a viable candidate for the job, so it turned to just kind of a mockery or a sham."

Ross says although the Rooney Rule hasn't been effective, it's not a complete lost cause ... but changes need to be made.

"If we're going to use the Rooney rule, increase the number of minority candidates that are required to be in the interview pool."

Lori and Mossimo Wrote Check Payable to USC ... So Sports Dept. Could 'Feed the Beast'

Lori Loughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli have a secret weapon in their college admissions criminal case -- the former head of the USC athletics department, who made it clear during his tenure -- the school gave him a clear directive to raise money, and lots of it.

As we reported, our sources say Lori and Mossimo will NOT enter a plea bargain ... they are determined to win at trial. Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, one of the key witnesses could be former Athletic Director Pat Haden, who is on video from 2011 talking about his mission from the University to fundraise.

We're told at its core Lori and Mossimo's defense is that they did NOT bribe the former Senior Associate Athletic Director Donna Heinel, something the U.S. Attorney disputes. Thing is ... we found out Mossimo did indeed send Heinel a check for $50,000 but it could not have been a bribe because the payee was USC. That money was sent at the direction of the ringleader, Rick Singer.

Singer also told Mossimo to give him a check for $200,000, to help fund one of Singer's charities. Again, not a bribe.

The U.S. Attorney says the smoking gun is that Heinel received $20,000 a month from Rick Singer, which prosecutors say is proof of a bribe. The thing about this ... both of Lori's daughters were accepted BEFORE Heinel received a penny, and our sources say that money was sent to her only by Singer and for various things Heinel did for several families. But, Lori and Mossimo's position is that whatever Singer did in terms of paying money, he did on his own.

Alex Trebek 'Jeopardy!' Legends Feel Like Family ... I'm One Lucky Host!!!

WHAT IS FIERCE COMPETITION?
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Alex Trebek says he's gotten super close with Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer over the years ... and having them back on "Jeopardy!" feels like a family reunion.

The beloved game show host joined us for "TMZ Live" and told us he's enjoying the hell outta hosting the greatest "Jeopardy!" contestants of all time. Alex says they've got an incredibly strong bond, forged during their long runs on the show.

If you've tuned in to the tournament of champions, you've probably noticed how much fun Alex has been having. It's been a trying 10 months for Trebek, who's battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, but he tells us he's really enjoying this special competition.

Alex says he's still hanging in there in his fight against cancer ... he has his good days and bad, but it seems this reunion of sorts is really lifting his spirits. Really puts a smile on your face.

Trebek's been at the helm of the show since 1984, but says he's never moderated such a fierce competition ... and ya gotta hear why he's comparing this tourney to the Super Bowl!!!

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