Football

Carson Wentz may be panned for his accuracy on the field, but not so much off it ... the NFL free agent QB took down a black bear with a bow and arrow, before posing with the animal.

As you might expect, reaction was ... umm, mixed.

The former Super Bowl champ showed off his kill on Friday with a photo of a black bear and his Hoyt Archery bow on a grassy field in the Last Frontier.

"Got the opportunity to spot and stalk black bear in one of our new favorite places on earth— Alaska!" Wentz wrote in the caption.

"Incredible trip and an incredible animal!"

Despite the hunt being totally legal in Alaska, the photo didn't sit well with a lot of people, who expressed their frustrations in the IG comments.

"Bro come on man. How can you take a living animal’s life like that? Ridiculous," one fan wrote while others said they were going to unfollow the former Eagles and Colts quarterback on Instagram.

Fans of Wentz will know this isn't his first kill. Carson grew up hunting in North Dakota. In fact, the 30-year-old hunted a deer in Indiana a few months ago and shared the footage on his YouTube page.

Wentz isn't the only NFL pro who enjoys hunting ... Jay Cutler, DeAngelo Williams and Derek Wolfe, who took down a mountain lion that was a threat to a local community earlier this year, are also avid hunters.

Travis Kelce says Ja'Marr Chase gave the Kansas City Chiefs some prime bulletin board material after dissing Patrick Mahomes last week ... warning the Bengals receiver he better back up his words on the field -- or it's gonna get ugly.

Remember, the former LSU star sparked some drama over his "Pat who??" comments when he was asked about the best player in the NFL ... to which Mahomes responded with a pic wearing his Super Bowl rings, saying, "That's who."

Kelce addressed the beef on his "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Jason, this week ... saying, "I thought it was a little bold. The guy is a two-time league MVP, two-time Super Bowl MVP."

"It is what it is, dog. Who doesn't love some good locker room banter, man?" he added. "Shoutout to Ja'Marr Chase for holding it down for his QB, but don't you ever disrespect Pat Mahomes, now."

"If you wanna talk your s***, talk your s***, pimp. You just better back it up."

Unfortunately, the Chiefs will have to wait until New Year's Eve to get revenge on Chase and the Bengals in an AFC Championship Game rematch ... but we're sure the guys in K.C. aren't going to forget about his words anytime soon.

Deion Sanders is slated to have emergency surgery on Friday ... after a blood clot was discovered in his groin.

Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones shared the news just minutes ago ... saying Prime Time will go under the knife at 6 AM to fix the issue.

"I had a chance to talk to him this morning," Jones said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday. "I said, 'Man, I hope they don't have to cut off your d***.' That's what I told him."

"I said, 'Bro, it would be bad if they have to cut off your d***, bro. Just cut the leg off.'"

Of course, Sanders is no stranger to blood clot issues -- he previously had two toes amputated and underwent multiple surgeries due to a lack of circulation in his left leg ... and doctors feared he was at risk of losing his foot if his condition did not improve.

Jones said he's seen Prime fight through his obstacles ... and it's been difficult to watch.

"I just want him to get healthy, man."

Great news ... Kirk Herbstreit's son, Zak Herbstreit, a tight end at Ohio State, was released from the hospital after being admitted last week following a health scare.

A university spokesperson shared the news on Wednesday, telling The Columbus Dispatch Herbstreit was released from OSU's Wexner Medical Center, where he's been since Tuesday.

Details surrounding the health issue are still unknown at this time but Zak's ESPN analyst father published a note on his son's behalf earlier this week on social media, referencing his heart doctors, who were diligently working to get him back to full strength.

"I have some of the best cardiologists looking after me, and I am beyond appreciative," Zak said in the note on Tuesday. "We are doing a number of tests and conjuring a plan to ensure that I will be able to be back to feeling normal again."

"I appreciate the overwhelming support over the past couple of days. I am feeling good and hope to be out of the hospital soon."

Thankfully, that day came just about 24 hours later as he was discharged from the medical center on Wednesday.

Zak was a walk-on when he joined OSU in 2021 ... following in the family tradition of Buckeyes athletes, joining his father, mother, and grandfather.

Welcome home, Zak!

Aaron Rodgers made a huge push for the legalization of magical mushrooms and more on Wednesday night, insisting they have changed his life ... and could help alter many others too.

The New York Jets quarterback stumped for the hallucinogens for nearly an hour ... while giving a passionate speech on a stage at the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver.

He and his good pal Aubrey Marcus, who sat alongside the NFL star at the podium, glowed about their uses of psychedelics while addressing a big crowd ... and Rodgers repeated over and over again that everyone should have an open mind to the drugs.

"I know in Colorado that psilocybin has been decriminalized," Rodgers said. "Is it not ironic that the things that actually expand your mind are illegal and the things that keep you in the lower chakras and dumb you down have been legal for centuries?"

The 39-year-old -- who's been vocal in the past about his use of ayahuasca -- said, yet again, his trip on the psychedelic tea helped transform him from one of the league's best signal-callers back into an NFL MVP.

"It's going to be hard to cancel me," he said, "because, you know, the previous year, 26 touchdowns, four interceptions. We had a good season. Ayahuasca, 48 touchdowns five, interceptions, MVP. What are you going to say?"

Rodgers also ribbed his critics -- whom he referred to as "bums" -- saying they're the ones who need to try psychedelics the most.

As part of his speech, Rodgers also said he's heard from all kinds of athletes since he initially opened up about his ayahuasca use ... claiming everyone from basketball players to baseball players to surfers and entertainers have reached out to him to share their similar experiences.

Officials at the conference, meanwhile, praised Rodgers for showing up and speaking his mind ... with Rick Doblin, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies' founder, telling the New York Post he expects it to all have a "massive impact" on relieving the stigma surrounding the drugs.

Police are finally revealing more about their criminal investigation into Tyreek Hill ... saying in an incident report, obtained by TMZ Sports, that they launched their probe into the NFL star after he was accused of slapping a man during an altercation on a boat.

According to the Miami-Dade Police Department docs, the incident happened at around 6:45 PM on June 18 in a Miami marina ... after Hill and some of his apparent acquaintances had boarded a fishing charter vessel without the owner's permission.

Cops say when employees of the ship found Hill's group -- they tried to kick them off ... but a verbal argument broke out instead.

During the tiff, it's alleged Hill reached out and slapped one of the employees "on the back of the neck with an open hand" as members of the 29-year-old's group tried to usher him away from the area.

Cops say Hill then "charged towards" the employee -- but he was "restrained by several people within his group."

The Dolphins receiver then left the area, cops say.

According to the docs, Hill and his group had inquired about renting the boat earlier in the day prior to the confrontation with employees -- but did not go through with the purchase "due to the high" cost.

So far, no arrests have been made ... and no charges have been filed.

Neither Hill nor his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have yet to publicly comment on the allegations.

NFL wide receiver Mecole Hardman might have just taken the title for "best chain in the league" ... 'cause he's the proud new owner of an INSANE diamond chain complete with THREE jets!!

TMZ Sports is told -- the 25-year-old wideout wanted to commemorate his "Jet" nickname and recent signing with the New York Jets ... so he hit up Al The Jeweler of Labelle Jewelry in Totowa, NJ for a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Al tells us the two brainstormed on the design ... which features detailed jets, and even a working cockpit that has a mini Mecole sitting inside it!!

The whole thing is made up of more than 100 carats of VVS diamonds and half a kilo of gold ... and it took two whole months to complete.

Al -- who's made unique pieces for the biggest names in football like Sauce Gardner and Stefon Diggs (just to name a few) -- tells us he's proud of all his work over the years, but admits Hardman's new piece might be one of his favorites.

Willie McGinest has been sued yet again ... this time, a man is alleging the ex-NFL star and three other people beat the hell out of him during a dispute over weights at a gym two years ago.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, the altercation happened back on June 21, 2021 ... inside of a 24 Hour Fitness in Long Beach, Calif.

The plaintiff, Andrew Cortez, claims he was using the bench press ... when someone walked up and took one of his plates.

Cortez says he told the person he was not done with the weight ... but he claims McGinest, the former New England Patriots pass rusher, overheard the exchange and said "the f*** you mean?"

According to the lawsuit, McGinest then socked Cortez in the face with a closed fist.

Cortez alleges three other men then jumped in ... and, along with McGinest, proceeded to strike him in the head and back "30 to 40 times."

According to the suit, 24 Hour Fitness personnel eventually separated the parties -- though Cortez claims he was left bloodied and injured.

Cortez says he's been suffering from emotional distress since the attack ... and is still reeling from the wounds he sustained.

He's asking for unspecified damages in his suit.

SlamBall is returning to your television screens this summer -- the resurrected sports league has agreed to a 2-year broadcasting partnership with ESPN, TMZ Sports has learned.

The exclusive deal will provide coverage for SlamBall's 2023 and 2024 seasons ... which will consist of 30 hours of action from opening night on July 21 through the playoffs and championship game on August 19.

The basketball/hockey/football hybrid games -- played at the Cox Pavilion in Vegas -- will air on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+.

SlamBall creator and CEO Mason Gordon tells us the deal is proof the sport is only getting more popular with time ... saying, "ESPN's multi-year commitment to SlamBall is further validation of the enormous appeal and growth potential of our sport."

"The level of interest in our hybrid team sport not just in the U.S., but across the world, has been beyond our expectations for the 2023 season. It’s clear that this is the best talent we have had in the sport’s history."

SlamBall's revival has a ton of fans excited -- after all, there was a massive campaign for years to bring it back.

SlamBall co-founder Mike Tollin says the fan feedback was impossible to ignore ... and he's happy to bring the sport back.

"Mason and I couldn’t help but respond to the #BringBackSlamBall clamor. Live sports dominate the airwaves these days and audiences are looking for the next big thing. It’s a thrill to collaborate with ESPN in bringing this ground-breaking sport back to the world."

TMZ Sports broke the story of SlamBall's return back in August ... and as expected, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Tom Brady is the best football player ever ... but is he a G.O.A.T. Dad too?!?

The former quarterback was left asking himself that exact question on Wednesday ... after he let his three kids fly around the ocean on handheld jet skis!!

The scene was pretty funny ... while TB12 and his three kiddos, Jack, Ben and Vivian, were enjoying yet another summer vacation, the 45-year-old let them zoom through the open waters at high speeds -- causing him to wonder out loud about his father skills.

On a caption on a video that showed the younger Bradys going at high speeds ... Tom wrote, "Not sure if this is good parenting or bad."

He did add, though, a bunch of laughing emojis ... insinuating he was actually loving it all!!

Brady also shared a snap of his boat situation Wednesday as well -- and it ain't hard to see he's loving the retirement life with his fam.

Tom has been everywhere with his offspring since he hung up his football cleats earlier this year ... he hit Disney World a couple weeks ago -- and then got in a height-measuring contest with Jack just days later.

Tyreek Hill is under police investigation, TMZ Sports has confirmed ... after the NFL star was accused of getting physical with somebody in Miami on Sunday.

Cops confirmed the probe to us on Tuesday ... though they did not disclose further details of the case, only saying they were investigating an alleged assault/battery involving the Dolphins player.

According to Local 10 News, however, the alleged incident happened at Haulover Marina after Hill got into a dispute with an employee of a charter company at the popular South Florida boating spot.

The outlet reported Tuesday the 29-year-old receiver was accused of putting his hands on the employee at some point during the altercation.

Hill has been seen on social media on boats multiple times this week ... on Father's Day, he shared a snap of him while out on the water on his IG story -- and on Tuesday, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, showed the two were at sea fishing near a shark.

But, neither Hill nor Rosenhaus have publicly commented on the police probe.

Hill has been the subject of police investigations before -- most notably, back in 2019, he was named in a child abuse report ... though he was never charged with a crime in that case.

Hill has become arguably the best wideout in the NFL ... last season -- his first with Miami -- he tallied 1,710 receiving yards and seven receiving TDs.

Kirk Herbstreit's son, Zak -- a junior tight end for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team -- was hospitalized Tuesday with an undisclosed health issue, the school announced.

Details surrounding the situation have not been disclosed ... but officials described Zak's condition as "stable," and said he is being monitored and evaluated at OSU's Wexner Medical Center.

The ESPN analyst spoke about the news to ABC 6 in Columbus ... saying, "His family is with him and appreciate everyone's concerns and prayers."

Zak is a third-generation Buckeye -- his dad and grandfather, Jim, were both captains for the Buckeyes. His mother, Alison, was also a cheerleader at OSU.

Zak was recently featured in a Father's Day video with his OSU teammates ... where he gave a special shout-out to his dad.

"This journey hasn't been easy for me, but you have been there every step of the way. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you."

Kirk responded ... saying, "Love you Zak!!! So proud of you!!"

Drew Rosenhaus went from being a proverbial shark on Tuesday ... to wrestling an actual one -- and the wild scene was all captured on video!!!

The NFL super agent's chaotic meeting with the sea beast happened just minutes ago while he was out fishing with his client, Dolphins superstar Tyreek Hill.

You can see in footage that Rosenhaus just posted to his Twitter page ... as he was out in the ocean snorkeling, a shark pulled up to the boat -- but instead of swimming away in fear, he went toward it!!

People on the ship urged Drew to think twice ... but the man who's helped negotiate over $7 BILLION in NFL contracts put his hands on the shark nonetheless, and then pulled it toward him!

Rosenhaus could be seen in the footage then urging people on the boat to then take a picture.

One of the best parts of the clip? One of the fisherman asked Hill if he wanted to join in on the water party with Drew ... and Tyreek's answer was priceless.

"Hell nah!" the wide receiver exclaimed.

NFL star Maxx Crosby just got a permanent reminder to chase greatness daily ... getting pictures of Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and Kobe Bryant tattooed all over his torso!!

The Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher got the work done last week ... hitting up Andres Ortega at Onder Ink for the massive piece, and check out the images of the artwork -- it came out awesome.

Just above his right hip, Crosby got a shot of Jordan in the middle of a free-throw stroke. To the left of that, the football player had an iconic snap of Ali put down. And, just above his left hip, Crosby also got a photo of Kobe mid-celebration inked too.

Ortega tells the reasoning for the trio of tats was simple ... Crosby wanted to make sure he always keeps his focus on his journey to being one of the best ever -- hence why he also got the words "Be Legendary" put near his rib cage as well.

The homages to the sports icons, though, were far from the only tats he got ... Ortega also put a sweet tribute to Crosby's baby daughter on his chest, before rounding out the nod to the newborn with diamonds and a rose.

In total, Ortega says it took about 11 hours to complete.

Stefon Diggs clearly isn't trying to put any distance between himself and his brother, Darez ... the NFL star showed big love to the guy at his football camp over the weekend -- less than three weeks after Darez was seen on video orchestrating an elevator attack.

Diggs invited Darez -- a former XFL player -- to help coach up kids at his "Diggs Day" event at the Univ. of Maryland on Saturday ... and you can see, Stefon seemed thrilled to have him there, despite the criminal investigation surrounding him.

The two were spotted hanging out throughout the camp ... with Darez even running onto the field with Stefon before the festivities began.

The guys also shared some moments with their other brother, Dallas Cowboys star Trevon Diggs.

It's all not a shocking sight -- considering the three brothers have always been super tight ... though it is noteworthy, considering what Darez has been accused of.

You'll recall ... Darez and two other men were seen on video back on May 29 taking jewelry and other items from a man during a violent encounter inside of an elevator at an apartment complex in downtown L.A.

Cops say they are investigating the matter ... though no arrests have been made in the case yet.

Sean McVay had an extra special Father's Day ... 'cause the L.A. Rams head coach and his wife, Veronika Khomyn, just announced he's going to be a daddy later this year -- and it's a boy!!

The couple shared the big news on Sunday ... showing off Veronika's growing baby bump and pictures of her sonogram.

The Super Bowl-winning coach will have his hands full this season ... as the new arrival is slated to come during the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

"Guess who’s becoming a dad this football season! 🥰,"  Veronika said on Instagram. "Baby boy McVay is coming this fall and we’re so excited to meet him and love on him."

"I can’t believe he’s been growing in my belly for 5 months already."

Sean and Veronika's adorable pup even got in on the photo shoot... wearing a bandana that read, "I thought I was the baby!"

The longtime couple first met in Washington, D.C. when McVay was working with the now-Commanders ... and they went public with their relationship in 2016.

They got hitched at a star-studded wedding in 2022.