Football

Shannon Sharpe's attorney just revealed the Pro Football Hall of Famer made an offer to his rape accuser of "at least" $10 million to close out the case before it went public.

Lanny J. Davis -- who's representing Sharpe in the ESPN personality's civil sexual assault case against Jane Doe -- said in a meeting with reporters Tuesday the proposal was doled out during mediations with the plaintiff "within the last month or so."

Davis said Doe initially seemed to be considering it ... before she "suddenly without warning, walked away from our offer."

Shannon Sharpe is vowing to sue his rape accuser for defamation ... in wake of the allegations she made against him in a bombshell lawsuit she filed on Sunday.

The ESPN personality addressed Jane Doe's explosive claims in a video that he posted to his Instagram page on Tuesday morning ... just minutes after the woman's attorney, Tony Buzbee, released an audio file to TMZ Sports that he says shows Sharpe threatening his client with "disturbing, aggressive, and dangerous" language.

Sharpe opened up his statement by claiming Doe's case "is a shakedown." He then accused Buzbee of orchestrating the attempted cash grab -- explaining he believes "Tony Buzbee targets Black men."

Jeremiah Kelly -- a freshman offensive lineman for the University of Cincinnati football team -- died unexpectedly Tuesday morning at his Ohio home.

The Bearcats shared the shocking news in a press release, with head coach Scott Satterfield saying ... "The Bearcats football family is heartbroken by the sudden loss of this outstanding young man."

Coach continued ... "In the short time Jeremiah has spent with our team, he has made a real impact, both on the field and in our locker room. My prayers are with the Kelly family and those who had the pleasure of knowing Jeremiah."

Jalen Hurts has more than just a Super Bowl ring to flex -- the Philadelphia Eagles star just married his longtime girlfriend, Bryonna 'Bry' Burrows!!!

The Super Bowl MVP dropped the big news during a recent interview with Men's Health ... saying the two recently officially tied the knot.

Hurts and Burrows -- an AI partner for IBM -- have been together since they met at the University of Alabama, where Jalen played three seasons and was a member of the 2018 national championship team.

Jeff Fisher's now the honcho of an arena football league, and he tells TMZ Sports he's looking to grow it drastically in the next year ... perhaps with the help of a few high-profile celebs.

The former NFL head coach was recently named commissioner of Arena Football One ... and while the org.'s enjoying a successful inaugural season this year -- he said 2026 "is going to be an eye-opener for everybody."

Currently, the league has just eight teams -- but Fisher said there could be as many as 16 by next season.

Former college football star Justin Blackmon couldn't fit in the back of a cop car during his public intoxication arrest ... with a police report obtained by TMZ Sports stating a larger vehicle was required to transport him to jail.

The 35-year-old ex-Oklahoma State Cowboys receiver's most recent run-in with the law made rounds on social media over the weekend ... with sports fans noting the drastic change in Blackmon's appearance in his mug shot.

According to the incident report, OSU cops responded to a call regarding a "larger black male" laying on the ground at 1:32 AM on Saturday morning.

Shannon Sharpe has just been sued for allegedly raping a woman on multiple occasions ... and the plaintiff in the case is asking for tens of millions in damages.

The lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, was filed by a Jane Doe on Sunday in Nevada ... after she says Sharpe brutally sexually assaulted her several times at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 -- following a yearslong, abusive relationship.

According to the suit, Doe met Sharpe in 2023 at a gym in Los Angeles -- when she was 20 years old and he was in his mid-50s. She stated in the docs during their first encounter, Sharpe told her he would "buy her fake t**s" if she won a weight-loss competition with him.

Rob Gronkowski's playing days are behind him, but his body certainly didn't get the memo ... 'cause the future Hall of Famer looked NFL ready while hosting his post-WrestleMania rager!!

The four-time Super Bowl champion held his famous Gronk Beach bash at LIV Beach at Fontainebleau Las Vegas after all the WWE festivities concluded over the weekend ... allowing fans in attendance to keep the night going after John Cena's historic win over Cody Rhodes.

At one point in the shindig, Gronk elected to drop top ... and even though there was a bunch of drinking involved, he was showing off a different kind of six pack.

NFL superstar A.J. Brown claims his whip was stolen in Philadelphia in the early hours of Monday morning ... and he's vowing to get it back -- even if he has to take matters into his own hands.

The Philadelphia Eagles receiver shared the unfortunate news via social media ... saying there are two possible outcomes -- and both result in him getting his car back.

"Dear Philly -- To whoever stole my car last night, I’ll make a deal with you," Brown said Monday. "Bring back my car and I won’t press charges, or when I find you today, it’s going to be what it’s going to be."

Rob Gronkowski won't be spiking a headset on the New England sideline anytime soon ... but if you ask him, the Patriots are better off with their current staff anyway!!

TMZ Sports caught up with Gronk and chopped it up about all things Pats ... and he's super excited about the direction of his old team this offseason.

Of course, New England brought back another franchise great – former linebacker Mike Vrabel – to take the reins ... and Gronk thinks the team is making big moves.

Tom Brady went "SICKO MODE" at Travis Scott's Coachella set ... grooving to the rapper's popular hits and flashing a Colgate smile for the camera.

The former NFL star hit up the second weekend of the popular SoCal festival ... and, an eagle-eyed fan captured him bouncing around to Scott's performance.

Check out the clip ... Brady's wearing a sweater, hood pulled over his cap -- and, he shoves his hands deep in his pockets, clearly fighting off the cold here.

Colin Kaepernick hasn't played in a professional football game in nearly a decade, but the former star quarterback is STILL training for his NFL comeback ... this according to his longtime partner Nessa Diab.

TMZ Sports caught up with the radio and TV host this week in New York City ... when we asked about Kap, who remains a free agent, as several NFL teams are still without a QB.

Nessa -- who had a child with the former 49ers quarterback in 2022 -- told us Kap's busting his ass in the gym, training regularly, hoping an NFL GM will give him a shot to show he's still got what it takes to lead a football team.

A college football player in Missouri has died ... and cops say they suspect an accidental gunshot wound was the cause.

Todric McGee -- a four-year player at Missouri State -- was hospitalized Friday after injuries sustained at his residence, according to the Missouri State Athletic Department.

The Springfield Police Department tells TMZ ... they received a call about a wellness check Friday morning -- arriving on scene to find a man later identified as McGee, who they believe sustained a "possible accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound." We're told he was transported to the hospital, where he passed away from his injuries Saturday.

Colorado legend Chad Brown's clearly not a fan of his alma mater making the quick decision to retire Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter's jersey numbers ... telling TMZ Sports he finds the choice "odd."

The school revealed earlier this month they're putting away the Nos. 2 and 12 forever in honor of the recent Buffaloes' efforts on the gridiron ... but Brown told us Friday he does not love the move.

The former Buffs linebacker -- who left the school in 1993 -- said both guys are certainly deserving of the honor ... but so are a bunch of others who've been waiting far longer.

You won't catch Jon Beason boycotting Shedeur Sanders' jersey retirement later Saturday ... the former NFL star tells TMZ Sports he's cool with the honor -- although he does admit, it is a bit early.

The ex-Univ. of Miami linebacker -- who actually wore No. 2 with the Hurricanes to pay homage to Shedeur's dad, Deion Sanders -- broke down the situation for us while out at the grand opening of his new Dynasty Commodities cannabis dispensary in New York City.

Beason noted that most teams wait much longer to honor their stars ... but he said, at the end of the day, he doesn't have any qualms with it.

Kadarius Toney emphatically shut down rumors he's retiring from the NFL ... taking a shot at the people spreading the misinformation, while making it clear all the attention is great for his side gig -- music!

Rumors began circulating Thursday afternoon that the Giants' former first-round draft pick planned to hang up the pads for good, and would instead focus his efforts on his rap career.

But, Yung Joka is shutting down all that talk ... "Goofies on the net hollering im retiring," Kadarius wrote on Instagram.

"Just want klout... ain speaking on the 💩 nomo."