Football

Sorry, Jets fans ... Randy Moss says despite New York's huge offseason, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are still the team to beat in the AFC.

But, the NFL legend tells TMZ Sports he's stoked for the year NY is about to have regardless ... saying he can feel a completely different energy emanating from the Big Apple after the arrival of Aaron Rodgers.

"I felt the buzz when the Jets were down," said Moss, who works in New York for his role as an ESPN analyst, "and now I'm feeling the buzz when they're ready to look forward to some big things from this organization."

Moss says he's totally impressed with the way Rodgers has integrated himself into his new team and community ... noting he's seen a far different body language from the QB from what he's witnessed in the past.

Now, he thinks it'll all spell out "an MVP-type-caliber season" for the 39-year-old signal-caller

"I just think the sky's the limit for the New York Jets," he said.

The 46-year-old Hall of Famer, though, would apparently still put his money on Mahomes to take the AFC title this year ... telling us the favorite in the conference "is still Kansas City."

Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Josh Sills was found not guilty on rape and kidnapping charges on Friday ... and he is now expected to rejoin his team.

As we previously reported, the 25-year-old was indicted less than two weeks before Super Bowl LVII last year ... following a three-year investigation into the allegations made by a former high school classmate.

Sills, who was in Ohio at the time, was accused of forcing the woman to perform oral sex on him for approximately 20 minutes while he drove her home in his truck, according to the police report obtained by TMZ Sports.

Following four days of testimony and three hours of deliberation in an Ohio court ... Sills was acquitted of both charges.

"I'd like to thank you for everything you’ve done," Sills said after the acquittal, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"I'd like to thank my family for supporting me from day one. I've done nothing wrong, and am glad that was proven today."

As a rookie, Sills appeared in just one game for the Eagles last season.

Tom Brady ain't the only quarterback staying in great shape in retirement -- 'cause Eli Manning is lookin' like he's ready to make a comeback ... showing off his solid physique while on vacation with his friends!!

The 42-year-old former signal-caller was aboard a yacht in Portofino, Italy this week ... and he was joined by his old center, Shaun O'Hara, Capital Partners CEO Ben Weprin, and their spouses and friends.

Manning unleashed his inner child as he played with pool noodles, sea scooters, and, of course, a football ... but what really caught our attention -- dude looks GOOD!!!

Now, Manning was never really out of shape during his 16 seasons with the Giants, but the guy hasn't snapped the ball in nearly half a decade ... but it's clear he's making sure he's keeping up with his fitness.

Manning and O'Hara even piggybacked on a jet ski ... proving they're just as close as they were during their playing days.

Of course, Brady doesn't play games when it comes to fitness and health, either ... and we recently caught him on his own vacation in Greece lookin' lean and well.

Alvin Kamara's football season will start a little later this year ... the NFL just announced they've suspended the Pro Bowl running back 3 games for his role in a brawl in Las Vegas last year.

28-year-old Kamara, who was facing a felony battery charge, struck a plea with prosecutors last month, ultimately pleading no contest to a lesser misdemeanor charge. Alvin has to complete 30 hours of community service and make a 6-figure payment to the victim, who was seriously injured.

With the criminal case closed, it was just a matter of time before the NFL announced AK's punishment ... and that finally happened on Friday.

"Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Lammons of the Indianapolis Colts are suspended for their teams’ first three regular season games of the 2023 season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the NFL announced today."

"The suspensions stem from their involvement in a February 2022 incident at a Las Vegas establishment."

FYI, Lammons was also involved in the incident.

The fight happened on February 5, 2022 -- the day before the Pro Bowl -- at the Cromwell Hotel ... where Kamara was seen, along with several other men, putting a beating on another man near a bank of elevators.

Cops said Kamara punched the man at least 8 times.

For his part, AK has accepted responsibility ... he even spoke about the incident at practice on Friday.

"It's a tough ordeal to be in," Kamara said. "You know, I never want to be involved in something where someone gets hurt or severely injured or anything. Poor judgment on my end, definitely a bad decision, but I'm a man. Everything I've ever done in my life, I've stood on. And I can take accountability for it and I can say when I'm wrong and I was completely wrong."

Alvin, a former 3rd-round draft pick and 5-time Pro Bowler, is heading into his 7th season with the New Orleans Saints.

Jalen Kitna is opening up, addressing accusations he possessed child pornography ... and the college quarterback clearly wants it known people haven't heard the full story until now.

Remember, the 20-year-old former Univ. of Florida signal caller was arrested in November, accused of possessing an explicit image of a minor online. The child pornography charges were ultimately dropped last month, and JK pled "no contest" to two lesser misdemeanor charges.

Now, with the criminal case behind him ... Jalen wants people to know what actually happened.

"Out of respect to the legal process I have chosen to remain silent the last 8 months, knowing the accusations levied against me as a teenager were not accurate and would be proven to be not true. The extensive 6 month long investigation brought the prosecution to the conclusion I knew all along - this was not a child pornography case," Kitna wrote.

Jalen explained what occurred the day he was arrested by police.

"November 30, 2022, at the age of 19, detectives arrived early in the morning and started asking about my pornography use. I was totally compliant, I shared all my passwords, and hid nothing from them," Kitna explained.

"They told me an image I shared online was potentially of an underage female. I was shocked, because I had found it on an easily accessible, legal site, and I was never looking for illegal material. The photo included only a portion of the female body, I had no reason to believe the photo might be illegal."

Despite his cooperation, Jalen says he was taken into custody.

"Regardless, they arrested me on suspicion of possessing child pornography. As they put me in handcuffs I tried to process everything. It sounded like they believed I searched out and shared illegal pictures, but I knew that I had not."

Kitna, who was removed from the U of Fl. football team after the arrest, says he was thoroughly evaluated by a physician, who found he had no "deviant characteristics."

"After a full day of evaluation and testing by a specialized doctor of 40+ years, the doctor determined I have no deviant characteristics, had normal interests as a teenager, and I’m in the lowest possible percentile for likelihood to commit a crime," Kitna explained.

As for the plea deal he agreed to, Kitna says he wants people to know he never made any admission of guilt.

"The misdemeanor plea of 'no contest' is not an admission of guilt and I was not adjudicated by the court, meaning there was no conviction. The police have returned all my devices, because they contain no illegal material. And the University of Florida has lifted the campus ban imposed during the investigation."

Kitna, who also apologized to his family and friends in the statement, also vowed to spread his story, letting others know how "naive decisions can lead to catastrophic consequences."

"I understand that there are many who will never get past the original headlines, but for those who want to look at this objectively, I hope this will provide details to see the truth."

"I know with the continued love and support of those close to me–and hopefully some understanding by others–I’ll have a chance at the life that I dreamed of and worked so hard for. I am determined to use my story to help others avoid the pitfalls of naive technology use."

Johnny Manziel is opening up on his serious mental health battles following his NFL career ... revealing he purchased a gun and intended to use it on himself.

The former Heisman Trophy winner addressed his suicidal thoughts in Netflix's "Untold: Johnny Football" documentary, which drops next week ... saying he had his demise all mapped out -- he would blow all his money, and then take his own life.

"I think I was just running from problems," Manziel said. "It was probably a $5 million bender. Direct self-sabotage, trying to burn this thing down."

Manziel's issues on and off the field were well-documented at the time ... and he said he burned so many bridges that he felt "the ride was over."

"I had planned to do everything that I wanted to do at that point in my life. Spend as much money as I possibly could and then my plan was to take my life. Months prior, I went and bought a gun I knew I was going to use. I wanted to get as bad as humanly possible to where it made sense and it made it seem like an excuse and an out for me."

It's unclear if Manziel actually attempted suicide ... but he said "the gun just clicked on me."

Johnny appears to be doing much better now ... and he's even opening his own bar near his old college campus at Texas A&M this fall.

Aaron Rodgers doesn't just have a new football home, he's got a new crib, too ... the Jets superstar quarterback dropped nearly $10 million on a brand new, gorgeous New Jersey estate!

The $9.5 million, 8-bedroom, 10-bathroom pad is located in Montclair, NJ, according to Daily Mail, which broke the story ... and was just recently built in 2022.

The 4,000-sq.-ft. house, which sits on about 2 acres of property, is located about 10 miles from Met Life Stadium where the Jets play on Sundays.

Records indicate the home, which was originally listed for $11 million, sold at the end of June.

The "stunning and immaculate" estate is described as an "ultra-private architectural masterpiece" ... and comes complete with a gourmet kitchen, media room, wine cellar, and 3-car garage.

The home also has an incredible view of the New York City skyline.

The Jets, who traded for the 4x NFL MVP in April, started training camp a couple of weeks ago and will begin their season in early September.

Many experts have anointed Gang Green as Super Bowl contenders this season.

Tom Brady is racking up teams like Super Bowl rings -- the retired NFL superstar has become part owner of yet another sports organization ... this time, it's the Birmingham City Football Club.

The G.O.A.T. announced the business move in a hype video on Thursday ... saying "he's officially coming on board" the English Football League Championship squad.

"And maybe you're asking what do you know about English football, Tom?" Brady said in the clip. "Well, let's just say I've got a lot to learn. But I do know a few things about winning, and I think they may translate pretty well."

Brady -- who joins the club's current owners, Knighthead Capital Management LLC -- will also serve as chairman of the advisory board.

"I know success starts with the work put in when the world isn't watching," Brady added. "I know a team is nothing without the city that shows up and stands behind it."

"Most importantly, I know I like being the underdog. The road's been long for Birmingham, but these fans have never stopped believing."

The Blues will hope Brady's winning will rub off on them ... 'cause the team finished 17th in England's second-tier league last season.

Birmingham City also addressed the move in a statement ... saying Brady will work directly with the team's sports science department to share his knowledge on "health, nutrition, wellness, and recovery systems and programs."

"I'll see you at St Andrew's soon," TB12 added. "It's time to get to work."

Brady has clearly found a new hobby in sports ownership after retiring in February -- his collection now includes Birmingham City, the Las Vegas Raiders, the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, a Major League Pickleball team, and, most recently, an E1 World Championship electric boat racing franchise.

Newly released police video, obtained by TMZ Sports, shows a cop was furious with Marquise Brown during his arrest last year ... ordering the NFL star out of his car before asking, "The hell you going that fast for?!"

Brown was initially pulled over by the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Aug. 3, 2022 ... after authorities say they clocked him going 126 MPH in a 65 MPH zone -- and you can see in body cam footage, the arresting officer was not pleased at all over the situation.

The video shows after the cop got the Arizona Cardinals wideout to stop on a highway in the Phoenix area, he raced to the football player's door ... and screamed, "Get out of the car right now!"

When he slapped the cuffs on Brown for criminal speed ... he demanded to know what the big hurry was.

"Sorry," Brown responded, "I was on my way to football practice, sir."

The cop, still not happy with the football player, then told the 25-year-old, "You know better than going that fast."

"Yes, sir," Brown responded. "I'm new here, sir."

The wide receiver, who had just been traded to the Cards from the Ravens a few months prior to the traffic stop, added, "I didn't realize I was going that fast."

The officer then put him into the back his squad car -- where Brown informed a Cardinals staffer that he was being arrested.

Brown was eventually hit with a criminal charge over the matter ... though in February, he reached a deal with prosecutors where he agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of excessive speed to close out the case. In March, he was ordered to pay $473 ... but the judge decided to waive the fine and just give him credit for time served.

When initially addressing the arrest with reporters, Brown called it all "very disappointing" ... while vowing to learn from it.

The woman accusing Jackson Mahomes of sexual battery says her life has been a living hell after coming forward with her allegations ... claiming she received death threats, and her restaurant suffered to the point where it's now closed.

Aspen Vaughn -- owner of the Aspens Restaurant in Overland Park -- told the Kansas City Star she feared for her safety following the alleged altercation with the NFL quarterback's brother ... saying, "I'm feeling attacked by people I’ve never met."

Not only does Vaughn believe she's a target ... but she also claims her restaurant was severely impacted as well -- seeing a 75% decrease in business before it ultimately shut down.

Vaughn said there were nonstop issues with air conditioning, gas lines and fire alarms at her establishment ... and she believes it was all related to the February incident.

"Why do victims not come forward? It’s because this is how they get treated," Vaughn told the outlet.

Now, the restaurant is up for lease ... and will remain closed until a new tenant takes over.

Jackson was arrested back in May ... after Vaughn alleged he grabbed her and forcibly kissed her multiple times three months prior. Patrick's brother was also accused of shoving a male member of her wait staff earlier that evening.

He was hit with three felony aggravated sexual battery charges and one misdemeanor battery charge stemming from the alleged encounter.

As for his side, Mahomes' attorney adamantly denied any wrongdoing.

So Johnny Manziel walked into a bar ... 'cause he owns the place!!!

The former Texas A&M football superstar is getting into the hospitality industry ... opening up his very own watering hole in his old stomping grounds of College Station.

The place is called Johnny Manziel's Money Bar ... which is a clear nod to the famous nickname he was given after getting suspended for selling his autograph.

Of course, the business move makes perfect sense -- Johnny hasn't been shy about his love for having a good time ... and recently revealed in his upcoming Netflix project he once went on a $5 million bender.

"I thought I played better the harder I partied," Manziel said in the 'Untold' documentary.

He also previously opened up on his NFL experience ... saying he felt bad for losing the respect of his teammates for his off-field lifestyle during his time in Cleveland.

Manziel -- who had a stint in rehab in 2015 -- is content with how his career played out ... and appears to be in good spirits post-football.

Deshaun Watson's biggest fan was in attendance at Browns training camp on Tuesday ... with the quarterback's girlfriend showing some serious love for her man.

Model, influencer, and musician Jilly Anais rolled through Berea to check out #4 as he prepares for his first full season as the starter for the Orange and Brown ... and she was clearly thrilled to meet up with him after practice, 'cause she jumped in his arms and wrapped her legs around him.

"Year 7 for my quarterback," Jilly captioned her pic with Watson, who had a big smile on his face.

Watson and Anais have been inseparable for a long time -- they recently celebrated their four-year anniversary as a couple last month.

Anais' support for the signal-caller hasn't wavered one bit ... despite his recent controversy surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple massage therapists.

George Pickens has channeled his inner Odell Beckham Jr. yet again ... this time, making a sick one-handed catch over his teammate during a training camp practice Tuesday.

The grab went down in 1-on-1 drills ... when the Steelers wideout was lined up against the team's second-round draft pick, Joey Porter Jr.

You can see footage shot by a fan in the stands at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, JPJ actually had some good coverage as quarterback Kenny Pickett was looking to deliver the football ... but, check out the clip, that clearly didn't matter to Pickens.

The former Georgia star jumped into the air, stuck out his right hand ... and somehow corralled the ball above Porter Jr.'s head.

When he crashed down to the turf with the pigskin safely secured -- even he had to take a minute to celebrate, taunting Porter Jr. by giving him the rock, before his teammates raced in to show him some love.

Of course, Pickens is no stranger to insane catches ... last season, he had arguably the reception of the year when he hauled in a wild one-hander against the Cleveland Browns.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is making any pizza lover's dream come true -- assembling some of the most famous pie joints for a massive festival ... and he's dubbing it the biggest of its kind.

El Pres -- who's reviewed more than 1,000 pizza places over the years -- spoke with TMZ Sports about his latest venture in the food industry ... the One Bite Pizza Festival, which is slated to go down September 23.

"I'm super psyched about it," Portnoy said. "I've always wanted to do a pizza festival, but I never gave it a ton of thought, because I didn't think it was possible."

But after brainstorming with his partner, Medium Rare -- the company behind events with guys like Shaquille O'Neal, Travis Kelce, and Rob Gronkowski -- Portnoy put together a roster of restaurants that he deems the best of its kind.

"Anybody who's a pizza fan, if you go look at the list of the pizza places that are involved in this, there has never been a better assembling of pizza places in the world ever."

"We have the top of the top of the top pizza places all participating."

Portnoy's foray into the biz started over an office convo about whether he could eat pizza every day for the rest of his life -- he made reviews of the spots he visited, made an app to help users find his top-rated restaurants, and even created his own frozen pie brand.

Now, Dave is bringing all his favorites in one place for people to chow down on some slices ... all while enjoying tunes from Teddy Swims, Barstool band Pup Punk and DJ IRIE.

The One Bite Fest goes down September 23 in Coney Island ... so fans have plenty of time to make room in their stomachs.

"There hasn't been ever in the world a bigger grouping of the best pizza places. This is it."

Randy Moss worked a shift at his new restaurant over the weekend ... doling out so much chicken and donuts to a massive crowd, it's safe to say he made a whole lot of straight cash, homie!!!

The NFL legend appeared at the grand opening of his new Chick-A-Boom restaurant in Philadelphia ... and he personally made sure his product got into the hands of as many people in the City of Brotherly Love as possible.

The former Minnesota Vikings wideout put on an apron and worked a full shift ... glazing donuts, frying up chicken -- and even signing some autographs for some fans who showed him big love.

Moss actually got into the restaurant biz back during the pandemic ... when he liked the chicken-and-waffle product his business partner, Brittany Tolliferreo, was selling at the time.

Now, after opening the Philly spot with Tolliferreo by his side ... Moss tells TMZ Sports he's got further plans to bring the food to his home state of West Virginia and more.

As for his favorite dish at the place ... he tells us the sweet Thai chili chicken sandwich is his favorite -- and, yes, he plans on making a signature combo meal out of it at some point.

"The 'You've Been Sauced!' combo or something," he said. "We just gotta figure out a name for it!"

Shaquil Barrett is honoring his 2-year-old daughter in a special way after she drowned earlier this year ... starting a foundation in her name to educate parents on water safety.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker made the announcement during a training camp press conference Monday ... saying the organization will help families avoid accidents like the one involving his daughter, Arrayah, who drowned in a pool on April 30.

"We're gonna just help out as much as possible, like swim lessons for other families, install AI cameras for other families," Barrett said to reporters.

In fact, the 30-year-old said he actually installed devices in his own home now ... as well as more gates.

"We had gates up, but we just left it open that night, but we got more gates up," Barrett said.

"We got all precautions in the way to prevent it from happening and that's why Arrayah Hope Inc. is gonna be beneficial for a lot of families."

The 2-time Super Bowl champ added the passing of his daughter still breaks his heart, but the start of training camp is helping him get through it.

"It don't get any easier," Barrett said. "It's just me being busy keeps my mind off it a little bit ... it's just tough. It's just always gonna be tough."

"This would've been her first [camp] that she would've been able to come to and actually remember."

Prior to Bucs camp, Barrett and his wife, Jordanna, also honored Arrayah by getting tribute tattoos from Tattoo Red ... with Shaq getting the photo from her 2nd birthday inked on his forearm.