Football

Awesome update from ex-NFL star Greg Olsen -- his son, TJ, just "rang the bell" to symbolize the end of treatment after receiving a heart transplant!!!

Olsen shared footage of the special moment at the hospital in Charlotte on Wednesday, saying, "Today we 'rang the bell,' and for the first time our family whole again."

"To everyone who prayed for our little buddy and sent us words of encouragement and support ... All we can say is THANK YOU and WE 💚 YOU ALL"

As we previously reported, TJ was born with a congenital heart disease that required 3 open-heart surgeries before his 3rd birthday.

Olsen revealed late last month TJ's heart was failing ... and doctors said he would need a transplant immediately.

TJ was quickly able to find a match and underwent surgery earlier this month ... and despite all the struggles, Greg says his son remained optimistic throughout the journey.

"TJ’s positive attitude and selflessness throughout has been an inspiration to us all," he added. "Never did he feel sorry for him self or play the victim. All he did was talk about what the future held and the things he looked forward to doing."

Brett Favre isn't freaking out about the GB Packers QB situation just yet -- telling everyone why they should hold off on pressing the "panic button" ... at least for now!

Favre's speaking his mind on everything from Aaron Rodgers missing mandatory mini-camp to how the coaching staff should prepare the offense with Jordan Love at the helm.

"It's not the first time someone's missed a mini-camp or an OTA," Brett said on "Bolling with Favre" on PodcastOne.

Favre says he has no idea how the Rodgers situation will play out -- but implores the Packers to start preparing as if Love will be the guy.

What that means is the coaches need to figure out a Plan B offense custom fit for Jordan Love -- and they need to figure it out fast.

"Now, you're really kinda studying what Jordan does best, what he does similar to Aaron, how that relates to how I call the game in the future," Favre said.

"Do I do certain formations and plays that Aaron ran well because Jordan seems to run these well, or is he a totally different quarterback?"

"That's a question that they gotta answer and answer very quickly."

Tom Brady just hit Aaron Rodgers below the belt -- jabbing at the Packers star over his sad loss in their NFC Championship Game -- and the hilarious dig was all captured on video!

TB12 made the joke while promoting his upcoming golf match against Rodgers ... ribbing Aaron for not being allowed to go for it on that famous 4th down play back in January.

The set-up was great ... Rodgers' partner for the golf match, Bryson DeChambeau, was talking about their strategy for the big event, when Brady interrupted to poke fun at AR.

"I do think you have a partner that would probably have liked to GO FOR IT a little more often than he has in the past," Brady told DeChambeau with a wry smile on his face.

"So, Bryson, I'm glad you're encouraging him to kind of GO FOR IT when it's on the line rather than, you know, just not getting to the fairway or something like that and try to play for the next shot."

You'll recall, during Brady's battle with Rodgers in the big game ... Aaron was down at the Buccaneers' 8-yard line, trailing by 8 with just minutes remaining, but rather than going for it, Green Bay opted to kick the field goal.

Of course, Rodgers never got the ball back, and Brady went on to win the game and then his SEVENTH Super Bowl ring.

But, Rodgers took the trolling in stride Tuesday ... laughing off Brady's barb and saying, "I usually don't get the option [to go for it] in my experience."

Dig at Packers' coach Matt LaFleur??? Sure seems like it!

Tom laughed and responded, "I know the pain!"

All the guys let out a big laugh ... and good times were had by all.

Tom Burke -- one of the best Univ. of Wisconsin football players ever -- has been charged with a felony after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl.

According to court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, the girl came forward to authorities in February 2021 alleging the 44-year-old was inappropriate with her on as many as 5 different occasions at her home in Minnesota.

For his part, the docs show Burke told investigators he flat-out denied the allegations ... saying he believed he was being "railroaded."

Burke, however, did confirm he was a caretaker for the girl ... according to the docs.

Officials ultimately hit Burke with a felony charge of criminal sexual conduct in wake of the girl's allegations, and issued a warrant for the former football player's arrest earlier this month.

Burke was eventually taken into custody and posed for a mug shot. He had a court hearing Monday in the case, and is due back for another hearing in early July.

If convicted, Burke is facing up to 30 years behind bars, court documents show.

Burke was a megastar for the Badgers from 1995 through 1998 -- famously logging a staggering 22 sacks in his senior season.

He was picked by the Arizona Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL Draft, though he only went on to play in 36 games before bouncing out of the league following the 2002 season.

Lights, camera, PAYTON!

That's New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton getting all Hollywood in Louisiana ... where he's shooting a new movie based on the fallout from the NFL's "Bountygate" scandal.

Kevin James is playing Sean Payton in the flick, called "Home Team" -- and even though they don't look exactly alike, you get the point.

Payton has a cameo in the film -- looks like he's playing a mechanic or something?!

As for the movie itself ... here's the backstory.

Payton received a 1-year suspension from the NFL in 2012 for Bountygate  -- when Saints players were getting cash payouts from 2009 to 2011 for targeting and injuring opponents during games.

During his suspension, Payton coached his son's youth football team -- and reportedly used the time away from the league to "reassess his life and put it in some perspective."

The movie will focus on Payton's time away from his job -- and how he grew as a person because of the experience.

The movie is being produced by Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions -- so it seems the flick will be a lighthearted, family-friendly depiction of the situation ... despite the heavy and despicable nature of the suspension in the first place.

The cast includes stars like Taylor Lautner and Rob Schneider -- as well as Isaiah Mustafa ... aka the Old Spice guy!!

Michael Brockers says revenge WILL be had over his former team this October ... the new Lions star tells TMZ Sports he's already giving Detroit a win over the Rams in their 2021 matchup!!

"Definitely," Brockers said when we asked the pass rusher out at LAX if he's already got a W circled on the calendar. "Come on, now!"

Michael took it a step further ... and said he's gunning for at least one sack on Matt Stafford when he heads back to L.A. on Oct. 24 for the big tilt!

"I got to get at least one," Brockers told us. "I'm trying to sack every quarterback, but I got to get that one."

Brockers was traded to Detroit from L.A. in March ... a shocking move considering just days prior, he had gassed up the Rams and Stafford HARD.

At the time, the 30-year-old told us Stafford was a better QB than Jared Goff ... and insisted the Rams were a legit Super Bowl contender.

Brockers, though, tells us it hasn't been weird at all being sent to Detroit with Goff despite the comments ... he reiterated to us there is absolutely no beef between them whatsoever.

Le'Veon Bell is apologizing -- sorta -- for unloading on Andy Reid ... saying he's sorry for his heated comment, but adding he still flat-out doesn't like the guy.

The ex-KC Chiefs running back took a massive shot at his former coach on social media Saturday ... saying he'd straight-up rather RETIRE than play for the 63-year-old again.

Bell didn't explain his beef with the ball coach -- but after he was trashed on social media for the opinion ... he ultimately said Sunday he was sorry for airing the dirty laundry.

"I’ll admit that’s somethin I could’ve and should’ve kept to myself & I apologize about that and that only..." Bell said on Twitter. "but I don’t regret what I said, because that’s how I feel..."

He added, "so you can love me or hate me, I’m gonna be fine regardless ... I’m just giving you a small version from my point of view on why I said what I said ..."

29-year-old Bell joined the Chiefs in October after he was cut by the NY Jets ... but he was largely underwhelming in Reid's system, starting just 2 games and rushing for only 254 yards.

Le'Veon insinuated his problems with Reid stemmed from a conversation with the head coach, though he didn't elaborate.

"For those who have a PERSONAL PROBLEM with me because of what I SAID, that’s fine...you have your right!" Bell said. "just understand I ALSO have MY RIGHT for how I feel about MY PERSONAL problem with dude because of what HE SAID to me."

Bell added that he had ZERO issues with Kansas City and his teammates, explaining his beef was solely with Andy.

"I loved my time there," Bell said.

Rap star 2 Chainz says he's sad as hell to see the Atlanta Falcons trade his good friend Julio Jones ... but tells TMZ Sports he's still gonna support his guy by coppin' his new Titans jersey!!

Of course, the "Grey Area" MC is a diehard Dirty Birds fan ... and has been tight with JJ over the years.

Now that the Falcons are entering their first season since 2011 without Julio ... we had to ask how 2 Chainz is holding up.

"I'm bummed out about it, man," Julio told us outside Amiri on Rodeo Drive. "I'm a Falcons fan, but "I'm a Julio fan. He's a great friend of mine."

"I'm a huge Julio fan," he added. "Somebody today called me about the suites up there at the Falcons. I don't know how I feel yet."

2 Chainz explains Falcons fans had a strong relationship with Julio ... which is why it stings to see him go.

But, good news for Julio -- 2 Chainz says he's gonna be sure to get Jones' new #2 jersey with the Titans ... after all, the number couldn't be more perfect.

Police say they've identified the two guys who stole -- and then crashed -- Thomas Davis Sr.'s McLaren 720S supercar ... and they're just kids.

The Union County Sheriff's Office says investigators working the case believe the suspects are only 17 and 15 -- and officials are currently scrambling to take them into custody.

Despite their age, officials say both suspects "face juvenile petitions charging them with Burglary, two counts of Larceny of a Firearm, 5 counts of Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle and 1 count of Motor Vehicle Theft."

As we previously reported, cops believe the guys broke into the ex-NFL star's North Carolina home early Tuesday morning, rummaged through his belongings and eventually stole the McLaren as well as two firearms.

During the getaway, cops say the men crashed the McLaren into their getaway car, rendering the McLaren inoperable.

Cops say they will not release the names of the suspects because they're juveniles ... but once in custody, the guys will "be held in a juvenile facility pending an appearance before a District Court judge."

For his part, Davis Sr. -- who retired from the NFL after the 2020 season -- said Wednesday his family is "all good" despite the disturbing situation.

Titans fans, rejoice ... Julio Jones just got in his first workout as a Tennessee wide receiver -- and he looks AWESOME!!!!!

The 32-year-old, who was just traded from the Falcons to the Titans over the weekend, ran crisp routes, flashed fancy footwork and showed off strong hands all morning Thursday.

Yeah, it's only June, but the Titans are CLEARLY winning!!

The workout was all part of voluntary organized team activities ... so Julio didn't have to show up, but obviously he wanted to make a good first impression on his new squad.

Jones rocked the #2 after he turned down A.J. Brown's offer to take #11 ... and by all accounts from local reporters, he was one of the best players on the field.

Jones is expected to meet with reporters shortly after practice ends ... and we wouldn't expect him to crap on Atlanta for trading him -- but crazier things have happened.

Chris Johnson says he's straight-up jealous of Derrick Henry ... telling TMZ Sports the Titans running back is going to FEAST in 2021 after the Julio Jones trade!!

"I wish I could've played there when we had that GM," the former Tennessee halfback said. "They doing what they got to do to win games."

As for why CJ2K sees Henry exploding ... Johnson says it's simple -- with Julio and A.J. Brown now on the outsides, Chris says it's not possible for defenses to just key in on Derrick.

"There's no way you can put 8, 9 in the box on Henry," Johnson tells us. "You got Julio on the outside. You got A.J. on the other side. So, you can't stack the box or anything like that."

"It's like, man, it's crazy."

It's a scary scene to think about -- especially for AFC South teams -- 'cause Henry was ALREADY a beast in 2020.

The 27-year-old monster ran for 2,027 yards, 17 touchdowns AND he added 114 receiving yards.

But, Johnson sees it going even better for Derrick with Julio on the team ... telling us, "I wish they would have made them moves when I was there."

"You love that move," Chris said of the blockbuster trade. "You don't want to continue to run against 8 and 9 in the box. You don't want to do that."

Johnson -- who by the way is opening up a chain of coffee shops in Florida that he hopes can compete with Starbucks someday -- says the move officially makes the Titans real contenders in 2021 for the Lombardi Trophy.

Suspended Virginia Tech linebacker Isi Etute told cops he beat the hell out of a 40-year-old after the man had catfished him ... this according to prosecutors.

Officials made the stunning revelation in a Virginia courtroom Wednesday ... explaining Etute broke it all down for cops during their murder investigation days ago.

Prosecutors say Etute told the cops he had matched with a person named "Angie" on Tinder believing she was a woman -- and had met up with her for oral sex on April 10.

Officials say Etute then told cops he and "Angie" set up another date on May 31, but when he discovered there that she was actually a man -- the football player attacked.

Prosecutors say Etute told cops he punched the victim several times in the face and also stomped on him.

Prosecutors say Etute added that he did not call cops after the attack, despite hearing "bubbling and gurgling" as he left the apartment.

The man was found dead two days later ... with officials saying he had missing teeth and broken bones in his face and skull.

But, Etute's attorney, Jimmy Turk, appeared to defend the football player's alleged actions ... saying in court, "Nobody deserves to die, but I don’t mind saying, don’t pretend you are something that you are not."

"Don’t target or lure anyone under that perception. That’s just wrong."

Etute -- who's been charged with 2nd-degree murder -- was granted bail at the hearing and is due back in court in September.

For the first time in his NFL career, Julio Jones will NOT wear #11 ... A.J. Brown just revealed the newest Tennessee Titan has refused to take the digits.

Brown said Tuesday he tried like hell to give Jones the number -- considering, you know, Brown did recruit the former Falcons star to Tennessee HARD -- but he claims Julio just wouldn't accept it.

"I tried to give it up and he wouldn’t take it," said Brown, who got the Titans' #11 when he joined the team in 2019. "Respect."

Julio was drafted by the Falcons in 2011 and got the #11 shortly after ... but he'll clearly have to find a new number in Nashville now.

As for potential replacements ... Jones did rock #8 during his college career at Alabama -- and while Titans rookie punter James Smith has already been assigned the ocho, something tells us that'll change if Julio wants it bad enough.

After all, the Titans did give up a 2nd-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft AND a 4th-round pick in the 2023 Draft in order to get Julio (and another '23 pick) over the weekend.

Happy new number hunting from here, Julio!

Jim Fassel -- the former NFL head coach who led the NY Giants to Super Bowl XXXV -- has died ... and his ex-star player, Michael Strahan, is heartbroken.

Fassel passed away Monday in Las Vegas after suffering a heart attack following chest pains, his son, John, told the L.A. Times.

And, when Strahan was asked about his former coach on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday ... the ex-pass rusher explained he was crushed to learn of the passing.

"Just a great man, great coach," Strahan said of Fassel. "And, he will be missed. But, I was definitely shocked this morning to find out this news and I just wanted to send my love and condolences to his family."

Strahan continued, "Great man. I enjoyed every minute with him as my coach and after my career when we continued to stay in touch and talk."

Fassel joined the Giants as an assistant coach in 1991 and later became the head coach in 1997, when he won NFL Coach of the Year honors.

Fassel eventually took Strahan and the G-Men to Super Bowl XXXV in the 2000 season ... where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

Fassel was fired in 2003 after piling up a career 58-53-1 record ... but he still went on to be an offensive coordinator for the Ravens before wrapping up his coaching career as the head man for the United Football League's Las Vegas Locomotives.

He was 71 years old.

Britt Reid is fighting back in his car crash case -- the former Kansas City Chiefs coach pled NOT GUILTY Monday to a DWI charge, court records show.

The 36-year-old is accused of drinking and driving prior to a violent wreck in Kansas City back on Feb. 4 that badly injured a 5-year-old girl.

Officials say Reid had a .113 BAC when measured around 2 hours after he allegedly crashed his pickup truck into others ... and claim Reid was also going 83.9 MPH in a 65 MPH zone just seconds before the collision.

Reid -- son of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid -- was ultimately hit with one charge of felony DWI ... but TMZ Sports has confirmed Britt entered a plea of not guilty Monday.

Britt also had the conditions of his bond adjusted Monday ... with the judge in the case allowing Britt to drive, so long as he uses an interlock device forcing him to pass a breathalyzer test every time he gets behind the wheel.

Britt is due back in court in late July for another hearing in the case.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft just turned 80, but now he can cruise around in a drop-top like he's a billionaire half his age.

Meek Mill shared a video Monday of Bob's birthday surprise, in which Sixers partner Michael Rubin walked Kraft out of his house -- decked out in Pats gear -- to present him with his brand new blue Bentley ... something he apparently really desired.

Kraft seemed elated and mystified, asking, "How the fudge did you get it?" ... to which Rubin replied, "We have resources."

Rubin let Kraft know a handful of other rich dudes went in on his new whip -- including Meek and Jay-Z -- and it rode on a flatbed from Florida to arrive in pristine shape.