Football

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane used the biggest play of his career as the perfect opportunity to drop some incredible news ... revealing he and his wife are expecting their first child together!!

The 27-year-old former Western Michigan star picked off New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in the final minutes of the Sunday Night Football matchup ... securing the 16-12 win for the Raiders -- marking their second-straight victory under interim head coach Antonio Pierce.

Spillane was interviewed right after the final whistle ... and the guy turned the spotlight to his wife, Shelby, who was cheering like crazy for him in the stands.

"My wife is actually pregnant," Spillane told Melissa Stark. "So we get to tell the world tonight that my beautiful wife will have our first baby here in June, so I’m looking forward to it."

Spillane -- who married Shelby this past offseason -- was clearly stoked about the announcement ... perhaps more than his highlight play to win the game!!

It was a whirlwind of emotions for Spillane -- the guy broke his hand just two weeks ago, which required surgery ... but he never missed a single down of gameplay.

When asked about his toughness, Spillane chalked it all up to being a true "football player."

"Football players play football games," he added. "They play hurt, they play injured. I learned that at a very young age. Most people think you have to play hurt but not injured. You have to play injured. You got to play with broken fingers. You got to play with a broken hand. You got to play with a torn MCL."

"It's an honor and a privilege to go out there. So I never want to miss any opportunity to be on the field."

Aaron Rodgers is doubling down on his targeted return to the football field ... revealing he's hoping to make his big comeback from his Achilles injury in mid-December.

The New York Jets quarterback -- who said last week he was eyeing suiting up in "a few fortnights" -- made his intentions crystal clear in a pregame interview with NBC's Melissa Stark, who relayed the news during the Sunday Night Football broadcast.

"He said, 'I know it sounds insane, but you do a good surgery, you have a good patient, it makes this possible,'" Stark told Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth.

Rodgers also stated he was working out on a weight-limited treadmill at 50% of his body weight ... and planned to bump up to 75% this week.

The update lines up exactly with what TMZ Sports reported just a few days ago -- our sources told us Rodgers is recovering at a historic rate ... and he's basically in uncharted territory with how he's improving by the day.

If he does come back before Christmas, it will be much faster than the usual 9+ months it tends to take for an athlete to get to 100% before returning to action.

Rodgers has shown he's busting his ass in rehab -- he's been slinging the pigskin prior to Jets games recently ... and has been walking without assistance or any sort of limp.

12:17 PM PT -- And just like that ... Travis Kelce is outta here.

The Chiefs tight end boarded a private jet Sunday to fly out of Argentina and presumably head back to the States. His team doesn't have a game until the 20th, but he's probably expected at practice and team meetings in the coming days.

No sign of Taylor here to send him off ... but ya gotta imagine they had a great night together after a huge PDA moment the day prior. Dude's got a pep in his step, for sure.

Don't cry for Taylor Swift in Argentina ... she had an amazing show Saturday night, after which she passionately made out with her man.

We've seen Travis Kelce and Taylor hold hands, wrap their arms around each other, etc, but this is the first big PDA moment. She races to Travis as she leaves the stage and they embrace and make out in a "get-a-room" type way!

As for why there seemed to be electric passion between the 2 ... well, Taylor changed the lyrics to "Karma" ... the OG version -- "Karma is the guy on the screen/Coming straight home to me." The updated version -- "Karma is the guy on the Chiefs/Coming straight home to me."

Travis is stoked when he hears the lyrics ... you see it in his face and he begins vibing to the song.

Taylor doesn't need it, but Travis sorta served as her hype man during the show ... getting the frenzied crowd into an even more intense frenzy.

BTW ... Taylor's dad was at the show and gave his stamp of approval to the relationship by wearing a Chiefs' lanyard. It's a big deal 'cause he's an Eagles fan.

This is the first show Travis has attended since their relationship went public, although we knew for weeks before it was the real deal.

T&T have been making the rounds in Argentina the last few days ... they were holding hands Friday during a romantic dinner at the swanky Four Seasons in Buenos Aires.

Travis doesn't have a game this weekend so he was clear to fly to his girl. Long-distance relationships are tough, but private jets and other perks make it a lot easier for sure, so good luck you two!

We covered it all on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

Chad Johnson le está aconsejando a Aaron Rodgers que pise los frenos en cuanto a su posible regreso a los Jets esta temporada. Johnson le dijo a TMZ Sports que el mariscal de campo tiene que relajarse antes de que vuelva a lesionarse.

La leyenda de los Bengals no se anduvo con rodeos al discutir el tema con nosotros esta semana, diciendo directamente: "No vuelvas. Te harás daño".

Johnson nunca tuvo que lidiar con un desgarro de Aquiles durante su carrera en la NFL, pero ciertamente vio a otros luchar con la lesión en sus once años en la liga, y ahora le está advirtiendo a Rodgers que no se apresure por volver este año.

"No lo hagas", dijo. "Te vas a volver a lesionar. Es demasiado pronto".

Por supuesto, Rodgers, de 39 años y que se rompió el tendón de Aquiles el 11 de septiembre, parece estar haciendo todo lo posible por rescatar a los Jets (4-4), progresando a tal velocidad que ahora está haciendo dropbacks y lanzando pases durante los calentamientos previos al partido.

Aunque Johnson está claramente impresionado por la recuperación que ha tenido, fue categórico en decir que no cree que sea buena idea volver a la acción de la NFL tan rápido.

"Tienes que entender", dijo Johnson, "hay pocas lesiones con las que no quieres jugar. No quieres jugar con nada que tenga que ver con la ingle, el tendón de Aquiles o las rodillas. De esas no vuelves corriendo".

"No me importa lo que te digan tus médicos".

En cambio, Johnson tiene la esperanza de que Rodgers se tome todo el año libre, se recupere al 100 por ciento y así esté listo para la temporada 2024.

Chad Johnson is advising Aaron Rodgers to pump the brakes on a potential return to the Jets this season ... telling TMZ Sports the star quarterback needs to chill before he reinjures himself.

The Bengals legend didn't mince words when discussing the topic with us this week, saying straight up, "Don't come back. You'll hurt yourself."

Johnson never had to deal with a torn Achilles during his NFL career ... but he certainly saw others go down with the injury in his 11 years in the league, and he's now warning Rodgers to not rush back this year.

"Don't do it," he said. "You're going to reinjure yourself. It's too soon."

Of course, 39-year-old Rodgers -- who tore his Achilles back on September 11 -- appears to be doing all he can to come rescue the 4-4 Jets despite outside concerns ... progressing to the point where he's now taking dropbacks and firing off passes during pregame warmups.

While Johnson is clearly impressed with the recovery so far ... he was adamant that he doesn't believe it's a good idea to return to NFL action so quickly.

"You have to understand," Johnson said, "there are few injuries that you don't want to play with. You don't want to play with anything having to do with your groin, your Achilles, or your knees. You don't rush back from those."

"I don't care what your doctors tell you."

Instead, Johnson is hopeful Rodgers will take the whole year off, get to 100 percent ... and then be ready for the 2024 season.

Kim Kardashian's getting left on read if she ever texts Shannon Sharpe ... 'cause the Hall of Famer tells TMZ Sports he's just too busy and too private to date the business mogul.

This might sound random as hell if you haven't heard Shay Shay's recent "Nightcap" podcast episode with Chad Johnson ... so let us explain.

Last month, Ochocinco decided to try and play matchmaker for Shannon ... pitching the idea of setting him up with Kim K, as they're both single, goal-oriented and focused on their businesses.

"Y'all could be like Power Rangers, or a power couple, whatever they call it," the former Bengals star said ... adding Sharpe could have the same blowup Travis Kelce got from dating Taylor Swift.

Despite Ochocinco's best efforts, Sharpe isn't into the idea ... 'cause when we chopped it up with him at LAX this week, he shot it down.

"Kim has enough going on," Sharpe told us. "She's an outstanding businesswoman and what she's been able to do. That family is amazing but I got too much on my plate. She has too much on her plate and plus I'm too private of a guy. I don't want to live a public life."

Of course, Kim hasn't dated publicly since her breakup with Pete Davidson in 2022 ... but there were rumblings she was getting to know Baltimore Ravens star Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this year.

We're told they're just friends at this point ... and it's clear Ochocinco wanted Shannon to swoop in.

The start of C.J. Stroud's NFL career has been so impressive ... even his Houston teammate, Dare Ogunbowale, says he's having a hard time believing it.

"I'm not even going to lie," the Texans running back told TMZ Sports this week. "A little bit of it definitely surprises me just 'cause I know what it takes to be an NFL player, but I really know what it takes to be a quarterback in this league. It is not easy.

"And he's making it look easy."

Through eight games of his rookie season so far, Stroud's thrown for 2,270 yards, 14 touchdowns and just one interception. In his last game, a thrilling win over Tampa Bay, he set a rookie record with 470 passing yards.

Ogunbowale tells us it's all been incredible to watch ... explaining, "It's special, man."

"Obviously you see the talent," he added, "but the poise he has, the command he has in the huddle, the confidence he has in him and this offense, it's fun to see."

Stroud will be facing a tough test this weekend -- as he'll lead the 4-4 Texans into Cincinnati to play the red-hot Bengals.

Dare says it's obviously going to be hard a matchup ... though, sadly, he told us his duties for the game will not include kicking -- as they did against the Buccaneers last weekend.

Former NFL cornerback D.J. Hayden -- who was a first-round pick in the 2013 draft -- was reportedly killed in a horrific car crash in Houston that claimed six lives.

The devastating accident happened at 2 AM on Saturday according to Houston Police Department's Assistant Chief Megan Howard and it involved an Acura SUV and a Chrysler 300 that ran a red light on Fannin Street.

"It appears to be going very fast, high velocity," Chief Howard said during the press conference. "At the scene, there were a total of four individuals pronounced deceased."

Chief Howard said another four were sent to the hospital ... sadly, two of them died later.

"We have a total of five males deceased, one female deceased," Chief Howard said.

According to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle, one of the deceased is former NFL player Hayden who played for the Raiders, Lions, Jaguars, and Washington.

Prior to the NFL, Hayden played two seasons (2011, 2012) at the University of Houston ... and during his senior year, he had a near-fatal injury when the inferior vena cava in his heart was torn after a hit during practice.

He survived the incident and was drafted as the 12th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

D.J. logged 328 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles in his nine-year career.

Another football player was also killed in the crash ... defensive back Zach McMillian who also played for the UH Cougars.

He was only 33.

Taylor Swift teamed up with her NFL beau Travis Kelce for an intimate dinner in Argentina -- and the lovebirds couldn't stop holding hands, proving they have an ironclad relationship.

The pop singer and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end were filmed together at Elena restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires Friday evening.

Check out the video ... after their meal, the two -- surrounded by security -- stroll across the room, passing by staff and patrons trying to catch a glimpse of the world's most famous couple. During the 20-second clip, Taylor and Travis are clearly gripping each other's hands as they make their way out the door.

Earlier in the day ... Travis hopped on a plane for a 13-hour flight to watch Taylor perform in Buenos Aires Friday night, but the show got canceled due to torrential rain.

Travis also missed Taylor's Thursday concert in the capital city because he attended a charity event thrown by his teammate, Patrick Mahomes, in Kansas City. At the gala, Travis was pictured standing at a table and clapping his hands, while appearing happy.

The question -- how much time will Travis spend on the road, given that Taylor will be performing the international portion of her Eras Tour for a long, long time.

Travis sure has a lot to smile about these days ... not only is he dating Taylor, but he's a 2023 Super Bowl champion.

Taylor Swift compartió una íntima cena con su novio de la NFL Travis Kelce en Argentina, y los tortolitos no podían dejar de tomarse de las manos, lo que demuestra que su relación es de hierro.

La cantante pop y el ala cerrada de los Kansas City Chiefs fueron grabados el viernes por la noche en el restaurante Elena, del Four Seasons Hotel de Buenos Aires.

Echa un vistazo al video, después de comer, Travis y Taylor, que estaban rodeados de seguridad, se pasearon por la sala, pasando entre el personal y los clientes que intentaban echar un vistazo a la pareja más famosa del mundo. Durante el clip de 20 segundos, se los ve claramente tomados de la mano mientras se dirigen hacia la puerta.

Más temprano en el día, Travis había volado 13 horas para ver a Taylor actuar en Buenos Aires el viernes, pero el show fue cancelado por una lluvia torrencial.

Travis también se perdió el concierto de Taylor el jueves en la capital porque estuvo en un evento de caridad de su compañero de equipo, Patrick Mahomes, en Kansas City. En la gala, Travis fue fotografiado de pie y aplaudiendo en una de las mesas, y parecía muy contento.

La pregunta es cuánto tiempo acompañará Travis a Taylor, dado que estará actuando en el extranjero durante mucho, mucho tiempo por el Eras Tour.

De seguro, Travis tiene mucho por lo que sonreír estos días. No solo está saliendo con Taylor, sino que es campeón de la Super Bowl 2023.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas spent his Friday night in jail after he was arrested for allegedly getting into a violent, brick-throwing altercation with a construction worker.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Thomas was taken into custody by Kenner PD in Louisiana and booked for simple battery and criminal mischief -- both misdemeanors. He then cooled his heels in a jail cell for a few hours before he was released around 10 PM.

According to cops ... Thomas got into a shouting match with the hardhat, who was helping to build a home in the same neighborhood where the NFL player lives.

Police say Thomas started making threats because he was pissed the guy parked a truck in front of his house.

Using a cell phone, the worker began recording Thomas, who became irate and scooped up a brick, throwing it at the man's truck and damaging the windshield, cops said.

Thomas then allegedly got up in the man's face and smacked the phone out of his hand. Police say Thomas also pushed the man and demanded that he stop filming the incident.

The victim notified police and filed a report, accusing Thomas of the misdemeanors. Thomas was apprehended without incident and has been cooperating with the investigation.

7:55 PM PT -- Michigan and Jim Harbaugh aren't going down without a fight ... U of M has asked a court in Washtenaw County to grant a temporary restraining order that would block the Big Ten's suspension of the head coach.

The TRO would put Harbaugh's three-game regular season ban on hold until the matter could go before a judge.

While the restraining order hasn't yet been granted, the man who will ultimately decide what happens with Harbaugh -- whether he coaches in Saturday's pivotal football game against Penn State -- is a judge who happened to graduate from the University of Michigan in the 90s.

1:36 PM PT -- Univ. of Michigan officials just ripped the conference's ruling in a scathing statement ... writing, in part, "We are dismayed at the Commissioner's rush to judgment when there is an ongoing NCAA investigation -- one of in which we are fully cooperating."

"By taking this action at this hour," they added, "the Commissioner is personally inserting himself onto the sidelines and altering the level playing field that he is claiming to preserve. And, doing so on Veteran's Day -- a court holiday -- to try to thwart the University from seeking immediate judicial relief is hardly a profile in impartiality. To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect."

The Big Ten has just suspended Jim Harbaugh for the rest of the regular season ... after it says the Michigan football team was involved in an intricate sign-stealing scheme that violated rules.

The conference announced Harbaugh will still be allowed to coach his team during weekdays while serving his suspension ... but on the Wolverines' three remaining gamedays this year, he must not be present.

Of course, it's a big deal for UM, considering two of those three contests are against No. 10 Penn State and No. 1 Ohio State.

Michigan, however, is reportedly expected to seek legal action now that could allow Harbaugh to still be able to coach his team during Saturday's game against the Nittany Lions.

The scandal surrounding Harbaugh and the Wolverines all began after team staffer Connor Stalions was accused of purchasing tickets to Big Ten games over the past three years with the intent of trying to decipher Michigan opponents' sideline signals.

In announcing its punishment for Harbaugh on Friday ... the Big Ten said it found at least some level of validity to the claims -- writing that Michigan gained "an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition" over it all.

This is not the first time Harbaugh has been in hot water this season ... he was also banned from the team's first three games over alleged transgressions during the COVID dead period.

Michigan is currently 9-0 despite all of the drama ... and ranked No. 3 in the nation.

No, Aaron Rodgers wasn't carrying a bong around with him at the Jets' game despite some heavy online speculation ... recently speaking out to clear the hazy air.

The Jets quarterback set the internet alight when he was filmed on the sidelines accidentally dropping a box, and causing what many thought appeared to be a large glass bong to fall out. Of course, this gave way to heavy speculation online, as Aaron's never been one to shy away from mind-altering substances.

However, during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" Thursday, Aaron said the glass object was actually just an uber-fancy bottle of tequila he had been gifted.

"Shout out to bongs everywhere ... but that was not one of them," he amused in an apparent swipe at those online hoping the potential smoking pipe would propel him into a fresh controversy.

On the subject of online chatter, he also ridiculed the bong conspiracy as "weak" ... joking that if he was on the other end, he'd have guessed dolphin semen was in the beaker.

Jason Oppenheim says NFL players would make great realtors ... and he's already hoping one of the league's biggest superstars will eventually join his team one day!!

"Aaron Rodgers," he told TMZ Sports out in LA on Friday. "Absolutely!"

The "Selling Sunset" star says he's convinced guys playing in Roger Goodell's world would do just fine in his ... explaining their contact list could lead them to some big scores in the housing market.

Oppenheim didn't say why Rodgers was currently his top choice to join The Oppenheim Group ... but he did tell us making it in real estate requires someone to be "smart" and "driven" -- two traits the Jets QB obviously possesses.

Oppenheim's talk with us about the NFL didn't stop there, though ... he also told us he would love to represent some footballers in their future hunts for homes -- hinting that some of his beloved Commanders might ultimately become his clients someday.

11:54 AM PT -- ¡Qué mala suerte para Tayvis! La segunda fecha de la cantante en Buenos Aires fue pospuesta hasta el domingo debido a la lluvia.

No está claro hasta cuándo planeaba Travis Kelce quedarse en la ciudad, pero suponemos que solo estará en el show del sábado.

Taylor Swift emitió un comunicado sobre la decisión de posponer el concierto diciendo que le encanta actuar en climas "poco cooperativos", pero no quiere poner en peligro a sus fans.

Suponemos que esto despeja su agenda para que tengan una cita nocturna con Travis.

Travis Kelce ha aterrizado en Argentina. La superestrella de la NFL viajó hasta Buenos Aires para estar en el concierto de Taylor Swift, el que se llevará a cabo en tan solo unas horas.

Hubo rumores de que Travis Kelce, que actualmente está disfrutando de su semana de descanso en el fútbol, planeaba hacer el viaje de 13 horas a América del Sur para ver a su dama deslumbrar en el escenario, y ahora hay pruebas de que es el novio más cariñoso del mundo, con Daily Mail tomando fotos del campeón de la Super Bowl en el aeropuerto.

Como informamos anteriormente, el jugador de los Chiefs fue visto en el evento de caridad de Patrick Mahomes el jueves, optando por saltarse la primera noche de la gira internacional de Taylor Swift para estar presente para su mejor amigo.

Taylor ha ido a cuatro partidos de Travis esta temporada y ahora es su turno de devolverle la mano a ella.

En este momento son las 15:15 horas en Buenos Aires, así que Travis tiene unas horas para relajarse antes de bailar y cantar como un loco.

Por supuesto, esta no sería la primera experiencia de Travis Kelce en el Eras Tour. El jugador la vio en vivo en el Estadio Arrowhead en agosto, y ha contado en detalles cómo quiso acercarse a ella, pero no tuvo oportunidad.

Un avance rapidísimo hasta ahora, los dos son la pareja más grande del mundo del deporte y el espectáculo.

Es curioso cómo funciona la vida.

11:54 AM PT -- Huge bummer for Tayvis -- the singer's second Buenos Aires date was just postponed 'til Sunday due to rain.

Unclear how long Travis Kelce was planning to stay in town ... but we take it he'll just tune in to Saturday's show.

Taylor Swift released a statement on the decision to push back the gig ... saying she loves to perform in uncooperative weather, but didn't want to put her fans in harm's way.

Guess this clears her schedule for a date night with Travis!!

Travis Kelce has touched down in Argentina -- the NFL superstar made his way to Buenos Aires in time to catch Taylor Swift's concert in just a few hours.

There were rumblings TK -- who's currently enjoying his off week from his football duties -- was planning to make the nearly 13-hour trip to South America to watch his lady rock the stage ... and now there is proof he is the ultimate supportive boyfriend, with Daily Mail snapping pics of the Super Bowl champ at the airport.

As we previously reported, the Chiefs tight end was spotted at Patrick Mahomes' charity event on Thursday ... electing to skip night one of T-Swift's international tour in order to be there for his bestie.

Taylor has attended four of Travis' games this season ... and now, it's his time to return the favor.

It's currently 3:15 PM local time ... so Travis has a few hours to relax before dancin' and singin' like crazy.

Of course, this won't be TK's first "Eras" tour experience -- he saw her live at Arrowhead Stadium back in July, and famously detailed how he wanted to shoot his shot, but never got the opportunity.

Fast forward to now ... and the two are the biggest couple in sports and entertainment.

Funny how life works.