Football

The "tush push" isn't goin' anywhere anytime soon ... and legendary offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth tells TMZ Sports he has no issue with the controversial play!

"If everybody was good at it, everybody would be doing it," Andrew said at LAX ... just moments after a measure to ban the play fell short by just a couple votes at league meetings.

AW doesn't believe the play provides an unfair advantage ... pointing out that the Eagles are just damn good at it -- and others need to get on their level.

Aaron Rodgers is making it clear, he doesn't believe transgender women should be allowed to compete in sports against biological females ... insisting this week anyone who disagrees with him "is actually anti-woman."

Rodgers broached the controversial subject while on Wednesday's episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience" ... and the NFL quarterback explained he thinks anyone who was born a male has too much of an inherent advantage when competing against those who weren't.

"You're not seeing trans men dominating anything," the future Pro Football Hall of Famer said. "It's because there's a biological difference."

More tushes will be pushed in the NFL in 2025-26 -- the league just shot down a rule that would have outlawed the controversial quarterback sneak play ... and the Philadelphia Eagles were quick to celebrate.

Several teams had called for a "Tush Push" ban this offseason ... but when league owners voted on the possible rule change Wednesday, those in favor of keeping it won out.

According to reporters at the scene, there were 10 teams who felt it should still be a part of the game.

A supporting actor in the upcoming "Madden" film quit on Friday -- just two weeks into production -- allegedly over the use of the N-word and full frontal nudity ... but sources close to Amazon Studios tell us the allegations are being twisted.

Here's the deal ... TMZ spoke with five members of the cast and crew for the upcoming film starring Nicolas Cage as the NFL legend, and Christian Bale as Raiders owner Al Davis ... and they independently leveled some serious claims about the film's director, David O. Russell.

Crew and cast members told us that on Friday, Russell was working with the unnamed actor on an impromptu monologue when the director allegedly said the N-word ... and that upset the actor, along with others, who allegedly walked off set before they broke for lunch, and subsequently wrapped for the day.

The 2028 Olympics are still three years away ... but it's time to get pumped, NFL fans -- 'cause the league just announced its players will be able to go for gold in the flag football festivities in Los Angeles!!

The NFL dropped the news Tuesday afternoon ... stating team owners unanimously approved the resolution to allow players to participate in the Games.

"It is an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport," Roger Goodell said.

Jalen Hurts is explaining his absence from the Eagles' Super Bowl celebration at President Trump's White House ... telling reporters he was simply booked that day.

The champs hit 1600 Penn late last month ... and while plenty of big names were present -- the Big Game's MVP was nowhere to be found.

There was a ton of speculation as to why 26-year-old Hurts didn't join his teammates ... especially after he gave an awkward non-answer when asked if he'd be there days earlier.

Travis Kelce has headed south to shape up for the upcoming NFL year ... he's reportedly working on his body in Florida this offseason -- and getting serious about recovery in a $20 million mansion.

Kelce moved into the luxurious Boca Raton pad in April, according to the Daily Mail, arriving at the property with a buddy, a personal chef and a fleet of pricey vehicles.

The outlet reports the Kansas City Chiefs star has been spotted leaving the place to work out with a strength and conditioning coach at a gym nearby.

Odell Beckham Jr. is rallying behind Chris Brown, who's been sitting in a UK jail cell since Thursday, taking to social media with a message of support -- "Free Breeeezyyy!"

Brown, 36, was locked up last week for an alleged incident going back to 2023 ... when the Grammy Award-winning performer allegedly smashed a liquor bottle over a music producer's head.

CB was charged with one count of grievous bodily harm ... and will remain in custody until his first appearance at London's Southwark Crown Court on June 13.

Breezy fans have been outraged over the idea of Chris sitting behind bars ... and Beckham is right there with 'em.

A bunch of Average Joes and Janes will get a chance to go head-to-head with the biggest names in sports and entertainment ... and if that wasn't cool enough, there's also nearly $2 million in prizes on the line!!

The folks at Fanatics are taking things up a notch at this year's annual "Fanatics Fest" in NYC from June 20-22 ... launching a competition consisting of 50 celebs and 50 regular folks who will participate in eight sports-themed challenges with high stakes.

The event is called "Fanatics Games" ... and names like Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, Cody Rhodes, James Harden, Jayden Daniels, Liv Morgan and IShowSpeed are all slated to participate for the celebs.

Rob Gronkowski was trolled about his former coach Bill Belichick's polarizing relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson ... but in true Gronk fashion, he couldn't help but laugh his ass off over it all.

The future Hall of Famer sat down with Caleb Pressley for a "Sundae Conversation" ... and at one point in the cheeky interview, the former Barstool Sports personality hit him with a quick one while pretending to talk NFL.

"The matchups this year are incredible ... and there's a lot of really exciting teams," Pressley said. "Bills picked up a 24-year-old."

Antonio Brown seems to have had a weapon in his hands at some point during his tense altercation with alleged robbers last night -- right before gunshots cut through the night air.

The former professional NFL player was caught on camera after leaving Adin Ross' Brand Risk kickboxing event Friday night ... appearing to hold a piece in his left hand.

At first, he's walking alongside a pal -- before he starts running through the crowd, turns a corner out and raises his arm.

7:35 AM PT -- Miami police tell TMZ they received a call around 3 AM in the area of NE 2nd Avenue and 67th Street, where they initiated an investigation ... which included canvassing the area and interviewing several individuals.

No arrests were made and no injured persons were located at the scene in connection with the call. The investigation is ongoing.

Antonio Brown had a wild Friday night -- walking out of Adin Ross' Brand Risk kickboxing event Friday night in handcuffs after a serious brawl ... and we have it on video.

Check it out ... the NFL star gets into a serious scuffle with several people outside the Miami, Florida venue. The video shows him being aggressively pulled to the ground ... after which he gets up and kicks the individual who tackled him before trying to escape the chaos.

Another video shows the beginning of the brawl ... AB takes several punches after getting into it with one individual. Others join in, and the rowdy altercation sends his hat, sunglasses and more flying to the ground.

Next thing we know ... he's being walked to a police vehicle in handcuffs.

Mack Wilson Sr.'s music has taken the internet by storm after his team, the Arizona Cardinals, tapped the part-time rapper to create a song announcing the squad's 2025 schedule.

Rocketship, Mack's stage name, has become a hit online -- and with his full EP dropping Friday -- TMZ Sports asked the 27-year-old linebacker a critical question ... Super Bowl or Grammy?!

"Super Bowl, bro," Wilson Sr. said without an inkling of hesitation.

Ivanka Trump got a tour of the Philadelphia Eagles' facility on Friday ... but unfortunately for defensive back Eli Ricks, he wasn't present to see his big crush!!

Ricks, of course, professed his love for President Donald Trump's daughter when the Birds hit the White House last month to celebrate their Super Bowl victory ... going to X to say Ivanka's "exactly my type."

When the First Daughter checked out the champs' digs with her son's flag football team ... she made sure to give Ricks a friendly wink by penning a cute note and leaving it on his locker.

Former NFL linebacker Adarius Taylor was arrested last week after he left his 6-year-old son in his car to meet up with a prostitute, cops said Friday.

Taylor's alleged misconduct happened on May 8 ... after, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, he responded to a fake internet ad cops had posted that promised escort services for cash.

Police say Taylor took his child to an undisclosed location -- left the kid in the ride, and then made contact with an undercover deputy inside what appeared to be a hotel room.

Cassie Ventura just testified on the stand at the Diddy trial that she once stepped out on the rap mogul with an NFL player.

The 38-year-old made the revelation as a Diddy attorney was questioning her about one of the many toxic encounters she had with her former boyfriend during their tumultuous relationship.

Anna Estevao stated to Cassie that back in 2016, Combs took her phone after he suspected she had been unfaithful to him with an NFL athlete. Cassie testified that she recalled the incident -- but did not reveal the man's identity.