Football

The man who bleeds Denver orange and Colts blue is now throwing his support behind Green Bay ... with Peyton Manning telling TMZ Sports he'd REALLY like to see the Packers resolve the drama with Aaron Rodgers.

We got the future Hall of Famer out at Dulles on Wednesday ... and he explained to us that he'd prefer it if Rodgers stayed put with the Packers.

"When I think of Aaron, I think of him as a Green Bay Packer," Manning said. "Hopefully they can get it worked out."

Of course, things currently aren't looking super promising for GB in that department ... because while Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has been begging for a Rodgers return, the star QB has been vacationing in Hawaii, seemingly dug in on his trade demands.

Manning -- who had to famously leave the Colts for the Broncos at the end of his career -- told us he knows a move could happen, but he'd really rather not see it.

"He's done such a great job there in Green Bay," Peyton said.

As for if Rodgers could -- and perhaps should -- leave it all behind to host "Jeopardy!" full-time ... Manning didn't seem to love that idea, explaining he thinks Aaron could do both!

By the way, when it comes to Manning's own off-the-field endeavors ... he still doesn't sound ready to jump into a broadcast booth or an NFL general manager role -- telling us he's content just coaching kids in baseball and flag football for now.

Though he did admit, he's had to do some explaining to parents given his history as a leader of children ...

Ryan Leaf says his battle with prescription drugs all began back in 2004 ... when he was booed and jeered so loudly at a big boxing event, it sent him into a deep, downward spiral.

The former San Diego Chargers quarterback opened up about his struggles with addiction on Rex Chapman's "Charges with Rex Chapman" podcast this week ... explaining in detail the horrible night that hooked him on Rx pills.

Leaf says he was at a fight in Las Vegas (he claims it was a Mike Tyson tilt, though it seems he has his boxers mixed up because Tyson didn't fight in Vegas in '04) ... when the PA announcer began rattling off the list of celebs in attendance.

"They announced Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Dr. Dre," said Leaf, who was 27 years old at the time and had just retired from the NFL.

"The audience cheered and clapped. And, then the MC there at the MGM Grand announced my name and like the whole auditorium just booed and hissed."

Leaf continued, "My addict brain heard not only are you a terrible football player but you are an awful human being."

Ryan says that negative reception had a huge impact on him ... and when he was offered the prescription pain killer Vicodin to mix in with his booze later in the evening, he jumped at the opportunity.

And, that's when he says his fight began.

"This would be the first time I abused it and ... I didn't feel that judgment, I didn't feel that fear, I didn't feel that less than," Leaf said. "I didn't feel anything."

"I didn't feel better but it turns out I was just searching for that feeling of not feeling any of the feelings that I had been feeling for so long. I just wanted to numb out. And, that night changed."

Leaf says he went on to fight an addiction with the prescription pills for the next EIGHT years ... as he says he was "chasing that initial high from that night."

Amazing news for Albert Haynesworth -- the ex-NFL star finally got a new kidney!!!

Remember, the 39-year-old former defensive lineman revealed back in July 2019 his kidneys had failed ... and he was in dire need of a lifesaving transplant.

Nearly 2 years later, Haynesworth found his match -- a physical therapist assistant from Arkansas named Zach Penny -- and underwent successful surgery in April to receive the new kidney!!

Haynesworth recently spoke about his recovery with Paul Kuharsky ... saying, "Now, I feel better,"

"I see changes in my body. Now I am kind of discovering another new norm."

Haynesworth added he believes his kidney failure stemmed from taking anti-inflammatory shots before every game of his 10-year career.

"At 33, 2 years out of the league, my kidney function was below 50 percent," Haynesworth said. "So it has to be the junk that we were taking, like Toradol. Everybody used to line up to get their Toradol shots and take the pills afterward and all of that s***."

"I guarantee that had a lot to do with it because that really kills the kidneys."

As for Penny's willingness to help out and donate his kidney, Haynesworth calls him a "real living angel."

"This kind hearted selfless human being drove seven hours from Arkansas to give me one of his kidneys!" Haynesworth said on Instagram. "This is one of the happiest days of my life next to the birth of my kids."

New Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is pleading with team execs to allow him to walk around the facilities with a real-life lion ... saying he's dead serious about adopting a big cat!!

"I would love to literally just have a pet lion," Campbell said. "Just a legit pet lion. On a chain -- a big-ass chain."

The 45-year-old coach explained the thought process on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast this week ... saying he believes the animal could help motivate his squad to win games.

"He really is my pet," Campbell said of how he'd treat the beast. "We just walk around the building. We go out to practice. We're in 7-on-7. We're behind the kicker when he's kicking. We're just -- there we are."

Campbell added, "I mean, think about it. It'd be outstanding."

Campbell says he's approached team owner Sheila Ford about the plan ... but, sadly, he admitted there might be too many issues with it all to make it actually happen.

"The problem -- I don't know if PETA is going to allow that," Campbell said. "That's going to be hard."

SPOILER -- PETA WILL NEVER EVER APPROVE THAT IN A MILLION, BAZILLION YEARS BECAUSE LIONS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE PETS!!

That said ... if he somehow gets a lion, Campbell promised he'd take great care of the king of the jungle ... and even said he'd let it eat his arm if it meant a Super Bowl ring!!

"That would be better," Campbell said. "'Cause it would validate -- this is a freakin' -- this is a creature now. This is an animal. This thing is from the wild."

Some scumbag tricked a former college football star into believing he had a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons ... and the guy says he was heartbroken and embarrassed when he learned it was all a hoax.

Juantarius Bryant -- an Austin Peay alum who was a 1st-team all-conference DB in 2019 -- says the horrible incident all went down last week after his phone rang with a 404 area code on the other line.

Bryant says the person claimed to be Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees ... and asked him to travel to Atlanta for a Falcons tryout on May 12.

The problem? When Bryant showed up to the facility ... he says the Falcons told him they never called.

And, when he put two and two together and realized what had happened, he says was crushed.

"It's definitely one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happened to me and a very humbling experience," Bryant said in a lengthy statement on Twitter.

"Just want to apologize to everyone and the Atlanta Falcons organization for the mix up. I honestly thought it was a legit opportunity on my end."

Bryant was a star at Austin Peay, playing in 43 career games and logging 242 total tackles, but went undrafted following his senior year in '19.

He's been trying to latch on with an NFL team ever since ... and says the whole experience with the Falcons imposter was "heartbreaking."

"I do not know or understand why this has happened, but I do know that everything happens for a reason," Bryant said.

Bryant though, remained hopeful his NFL dream would come true someday... adding, "I'm still striving, and still in the best shape of my life."

Leigh Steinberg -- the inspiration behind "Jerry Maguire" -- says there won't be a sequel to the classic film, but a movie about his life is very likely ... and the NFL super-agent knows which actor he wants to portray him.

It's not Tom Cruise (been there, done that) ... Leigh tells TMZ Sports he has his sights set on Zac Efron or Jake Gyllenhaal.

FYI, Steinberg currently reps Patrick Mahomes ... and is probably the most decorated football agent of all time. He's repped 12 Hall of Famers ... including Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Bruce Smith, Howie Long and Steve Young.

"Jerry Maguire" hit theaters 24 1/2 years ago ... and Steinberg had a cameo in the film. But, his role was a lot bigger than just a few lines.

Director Cameron Crow shadowed Steinberg for about 18 months -- attending everything from Pro Days to the Draft -- to see how an NFL agent operated.

"[Cameron] went to Pro Scouting Day, USC, he came to some games with me, he came to the Super Bowl, he came to the Super Bowl Party. He spent time in my office and I told him a lot of stories."

As for a "Jerry Maguire" 2 ... Leigh says CC "doesn't make sequels," but adds he's "been approached about my own life story a number of times."

So, would Leigh be down??

"Yes, and I think eventually that will happen. We've talked to people about documentaries."

Good news, bad news for NY Giants fans ...

The good -- Saquon Barkley's recovery from a nasty ACL injury is going well!!

The bad -- the Giants' co-owner, Jon Tisch, is not sure if the star running back will be able to suit up in Week 1.

TMZ Sports spoke with Tisch out at Michael's in New York City earlier this week ... and he told us he's pleased with what he's heard about Barkley's rehab so far.

But, he added he doesn't know if the 24-year-old will be able to begin the season on the field.

You'll recall ... Barkley shredded his knee during the Giants' game against the Bears on Sept. 20, 2020, and had to have surgery to fix the issues just a few days later.

Barkley has seemed optimistic about his chances to play in NY's opener -- which is set for Sept. 12 against the Broncos -- even posting an impressive workout video last month showing off his recovery.

Still, it's clear the Giants have no plans to rush him back ... with Tisch telling us "don't know, don't know" when we asked if the tailback would be ready to go in September.

No bad blood between Robert Kraft and Tom Brady -- in fact, the Patriots owner tells TMZ Sports he can't wait to welcome the QB back to New England!

"Excited to have him," Kraft told us Friday afternoon in Beverly Hills ... "He's a great guy and he did so much for us. I love him."

Of course, Tom will make his highly anticipated return to Boston during Week 4 of the 2021 NFL season -- the first time he'll play in Gillette Stadium as a visitor!

Tickets for the game are already in ultra-high demand -- with some ticket brokers fetching 4-figures for seats in the nosebleed section!

We asked Kraft how he feels about the big matchup -- and he told us, "We should have a fun night! But, I'm excited for Week 1 … and we play Miami."

There's more!!!

We also asked Bob about the Pats QB situation -- they recently selected Mac Jones in the 1st round of the NFL Draft after re-signing former NFL MVP Cam Newton.

So, who'll end up with the starting gig?

"We're excited to have [Mac Jones] but I'm excited to have Cam Newton, too," Kraft said ... adding, "I pay Bill Belichick a lot of money. He can decide that."

Derek Jeter has finally sold his massive Tampa waterfront mansion -- the same place he rented to Tom Brady and Gisele -- and it's the biggest residential real estate deal in the city's history!!!

The MLB legend and his supermodel wife, Hannah Jeter, had listed the place for $29 million back in September -- and according to the realtors in charge of the deal, there was major interest in the place.

Jeter ultimately agreed to sell for roughly $22.5 million -- which the real estate company, Smith & Associates, says is the most expensive home purchase ever in Tampa Bay.

We know what you're thinking ... who bought it?!

So far, the buyer has not been revealed -- but we're told it's NOT Tom Brady and Gisele.

Our Tampa sources tell us they recently moved out of the place and are living nearby while they're building a brand new pad in the exclusive Indian Creek Island community in Miami.

As for Jeter, he bought the 22,000 square-foot estate back in 2005 -- reportedly planning to put down $2.3 million. But, after he bought it, there was a major renovation and the final product is one of the sickest properties we've ever seen.

We're talking 7 bedrooms, 8 full bathrooms plus 8 half-baths (so, 16 total toilets if you're keeping score) ... along with an 80-foot saltwater lap pool, a gym, wine cellar AND a movie theater!

There's also a 6-car garage -- and the place comes with its own private dock with 2 boat lifts!!

Smith & Associates says they did deep background searches on all interested parties before they were allowed to check out the property ... in an effort to make sure only serious buyers were allowed on site.

Jeter moved to Miami a while back -- which is why he was able to rent it to TB12 after the QB signed with the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Tom reportedly loved the place and even held some private workouts in the yard.

Matt LaFleur clearly wants no part of coaching an Aaron Rodgers-less Packers team ... he told reporters Friday he wants the QB back in "the worst way."

The Green Bay head coach said there's been no movement in the drama with the team's star -- it seems Rodgers still wants out and the Packers still want him back -- but it's obvious, LaFleur is pleading for all that to change ASAP.

"I've got nothing new to update," LaFleur said of the situation. "We still obviously feel the same way, we want him back in the worst way."

He continued, "I know he knows that. We'll continue to work at it each and every day."

Rodgers has been upset with his contract situation AND some of the personnel moves that the Packers have made recently ... and he's reportedly told teammates he's done in Wisconsin.

The Packers say they have denied any and all trade offers for the 37-year-old, though ... and insist they're going to do everything they can to make the signal-caller happy.

LaFleur said he was not sure if Rodgers would be in attendance for Organized Team Activities later this month ... explaining, "I'm not going to make any assumptions about anything at this point."

Forget the NFL controversy ... ya gotta watch this video of Tim Tebow giving an impassioned speech about fighting human trafficking.

Tebow has partnered up with the State of Tennessee to fight human trafficking within its borders while supporting victims who have been rescued.

Gov. Bill Lee announced the state would provide $5 million in funding to various anti-human trafficking organizations ... which includes a $1.2 million pledge to Her Song, which is a ministry of the Tim Tebow Foundation.

During Thursday's news conference, Tim credited country music superstar Luke Bryan for connecting Tebow with the governor so they could work together on fighting the issue.

But, the most compelling part of Tim's speech was when he explained why he became so passionate about fighting human trafficking, stemming from a real-life incident when he was a teenager.

"My dad was in a remote country, preaching at an underground pastor's conference," Tebow explained ... "And, where he was, there were 4 girls, not too far away, that were being sold. He took out all the money in his wallet which was $1,200 and he purchased them to rescue them because he knew whoever else was gonna buy them was not gonna do something good."

"He wasn't prepared for everything that was next but he couldn't not do something about it because this demands a response by him, by me, by you, by everything that they're doing. It demands a response. We have to respond. He responded, I'm grateful."

Tim says he's inspired by his father -- who hid the girls in a church until he could get them to safety.

Now, he feels compelled to fight for others who need help.

"Right now, there are only enough safe beds to serve 10% of trafficking victims here in the U.S. -- we can no longer let this be the case," Tebow explained ... "Not on our watch."

"My foundation and I are committed to increasing holistic survivor care across the country and around the world through our ministry, Her Song, and look forward to serving alongside the great State of Tennessee to continue pushing back this darkness."

The New England Patriots just got some serious bulletin board material for their matchup against the Buccaneers ... and it's coming from none other than Tom Brady!!!

... 's dad.

Brady Sr. -- ID'd as "Tom in California" -- was candid about his son's big return to Foxborough when appearing on a local radio show Thursday ... saying he's already drooling at the thought of his son playing against the Pats in Week 4.

"I saw the schedule come out last night and I started salivating when I saw that we play the Patriots in the 4th game of the season," Brady Sr. said on "Zolak & Bertrand" on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

"We’re coming up here to make our record 4-0 after the 4th game. So, pretty fun time!"

It wasn't all smack talk, however -- Brady Sr. softened up and spoke about how it'll be special to return to Gillette Stadium and enjoy being back at their "second home" to watch their "second favorite team."

"It's a game where we get to root against nobody, we get to root for the Patriots, but our most favorite team are the Buccaneers."

And, that's when Brady Sr. dropped one more jab for good measure.

"We expect to beat the Patriots handily, frankly."

DAYUMMMM, DAD!!! How do you REALLY feel?!?!

It's worth noting -- Brady, Sr. has made it clear he has nothing but love for the Pats and Bill Belichick in the past ... saying it wasn't a "divorce" and more of a "separation."

Of course, the game is already generating a ton of buzz ... with the cheapest tickets selling for more than $1,000!!!

TB12 has also commented on the game ... saying, "It’s like when your high school friends meet your college friends."

A ticket to see Tom Brady play against Bill Belichick could cost ya a small fortune ... with even nosebleed seats for TB12's return to New England already running for $1,000-plus!!!

The Tampa Bay Bucs and New England Patriots released their schedules Wednesday evening ... revealing the future Hall of Fame QB will come back to Foxboro in Week 4 on Oct. 3.

The matchup is a HUGE one -- it's already slated for the league's Sunday Night Football tilt that week -- and according to ticket experts, a seat at the game could rival Super Bowl prices.

"It could be close to $1,000 just to get into the nosebleeds upstairs," John Higgins, who owns Higs Tickets, told WBZ this week.

"It could be a record for an NFL game that’s not a Super Bowl."

Popular ticket website, TickPick, backs up Higgins' claims ... the cheapest seat available there is currently selling for over $1,400!!

And, demand is only expected to increase as the game draws closer.

Of course, demand for NFL tickets is already through the roof ... after all, most people have been locked out of stadiums since the 2019 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But still, Brady coming back to the place where he won SIX Super Bowls is historic ... and will clearly cost an arm and a leg to see in person.

Five months 'til kickoff ... better start saving now!!

Jerry Jones played beer pong with Post Malone, rocked an icy Dallas Cowboys chain, AND made it rain on his team's best players -- and the amazingness was all captured on video!

It was all part of the Cowboys' surprise schedule reveal film on Wednesday evening ... and the cameo Posty made with the Dallas owner for the flick was pretty damn incredible.

The video starts with the singer playing the role of a postman delivering Dallas' 2021 schedule to Jerry ... and then things get wild.

78-year-old Jerry tells Post, "You know, I love this day. Let's go celebrate" ... and then the two hit the BP table!!!

There were shots made, shots blocked, and even some custom "Jerry" Crocs involved!!!

Post then slapped his famous Cowboys drip on the owner ... before the two grabbed some pocket schedules and made them rain all over Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.

It's hilarious. Seriously.

Of course, it's all fun and games right now ... but the reality is Dallas has to now open its season against Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Bucs in less than 4 months.

The women accusing Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct will NOT accept a financial settlement to drop their lawsuits against the QB, so says their attorney Tony Buzbee.

22 women are still moving forward with their cases against the Houston Texans superstar -- most of which allege Watson got sexually aggressive during what was supposed to be a routine massage therapy session.

Watson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, through his attorneys -- though admits he did engage in consensual sexual encounters with some of the accusers.

Many feel Watson's admission has all but sunk his case ... and there are rumblings he's aggressively looking to strike a settlement agreement with the remaining accusers, in the hopes they will drop their cases so he can move on with his NFL career.

But Buzbee, who represents ALL of the women who have filed against Watson, told FOX 26's Mark Berman ... they are not considering a settlement, period. Instead, the accusers want the cases to play out in court.

"When asked about a settlement for each case, Buzbee said that is not happening," Berman reports.

Buzbee also claims 4 of his clients have met with NFL investigators but expressed concern about the way the league is handling the probe.

"Some of the women did not feel like they were being respected," Buzbee told Berman.

Buzbee says there are more women who want to meet with the NFL to tell their stories -- but he's not sure if he'll allow it because of the concerns of the first 4.

Buzbee also says between 8 to 10 of his clients have met with the Houston Police Dept. -- and praised the cops for the way they are handling the situation.

Jaguars legend Jimmy Smith says his former squad should NOT have given Colin Kaepernick the same opportunity it gave Tim Tebow ... telling TMZ Sports, "We don't need Colin Kaepernick on our team."

Smith says his reasoning is simple ... telling us he has a fear that Kaepernick could "divide our locker room."

"We need a guy like Tim Tebow," the ex-Jacksonville wide receiver says, "who's a hometown hero who has love for the city anyway."

Urban Meyer and his Jags squad have come under heavy criticism this week after it was reported they're going to sign Tebow (who's now a tight end) to a 1-year contract, despite the former Heisman Trophy winner not having played in a regular-season NFL game since 2012.

Big names like Eric Dickerson and Dez Bryant have openly questioned the move ... wondering out loud why Jacksonville was willing to sign Tebow after his long NFL layoff, but not Kaepernick.

Smith tells us there's nothing racist or sinister about the decision ... explaining he believes Tebow's just quite frankly a better fit for the team's young locker room.

"He's going to be a great support for Trevor Lawrence," Smith said of Tebow. "Whatever capacity that is, it's going to be a positive rather than a negative."

Smith continued, "I pray that he makes the 53-man roster, because we need all we can get."