Football

Bill Belichick was assured by his book publicist just days before his now-infamous sitdown with "CBS Sunday Morning" that his interview for the show would closely stick to topics related to his new book ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us ... back on April 9, Simon & Schuster's senior director of publicity, David Kass, wrote to Belichick, "I can assure you that the conversation [will be] about the book."

"This is a book segment," Kass added, "that looks at your life in football and what people can learn from you to achieve success in their own lives."

Donovan McNabb says Saquon Barkley landing the "Madden NFL 26" cover is "absolutely well-deserved" ... but breathe easy, Eagles fans -- the former face of the game tells TMZ Sports he doesn't believe in the infamous "curse" surrounding the honor.

We caught up with McNabb -- who graced the cover of the iconic series back in 2005 for "Madden NFL 06" -- and talked to him all about the running back joining him as the only other Philly great to receive the recognition.

McNabb believes the folks at EA Sports would have made the right call in either Barkley or quarterback Jalen Hurts ... especially after what they were able to accomplish in winning a Super Bowl this past season.

Reggie Bush is begging the NFL to go au naturel ... saying turf fields are "dangerous" for its players -- and quite frankly, everyone hates playing on them.

The former running back vented about artificial grass in a new GQ Sports interview ... and criticized the billion-dollar organization for ignoring players' repeated complaints about the surface and its apparent link to serious injuries.

He used Odell Beckham Jr. as an example for his stance ... saying the wide receiver never fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in Super Bowl LVI, which was played on turf at SoFi Stadium.

Travis Kelce is cheering on Taylor Swift days after she announced she officially owns her first six studio albums.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end supported his pop superstar girlfriend on Wednesday's episode of his and his brother Jason Kelce’s "New Heights" podcast, with special guest Shaquille O’Neal.

Turns out Shaq is a major Swiftie, and he began playing his "favorite song in the world" -- her "Red" track "I Knew You Were Trouble" -- on his phone, receiving an elated response from TK.

6/5 9:55 AM PT -- Never fear, Louisianimals ... Wayne says he's doing something super special for his next festival this fall!!!

Lil Wayne is hitting the road in support of his upcoming "Tha Carter VI" album and stopping in virtually every major U.S. territory ... except the state that birthed him!!!

On Tuesday, Wayne and Live Nation certified the 34-city "Tha Carter VI" tour -- which kicks off on Friday in NYC at Madison Square Garden ... barely enough time to clean out Tom Thibodeau's desk!!!

New Yorkers will get the first taste of the new music, followed by dates in Toronto, Los Angeles, Atlanta and several Florida shows -- but nothing for The Boot!!!

Minnesota Vikings legend Jim Marshall has passed away, the team announced Tuesday. He was 87 years old.

The organization made a statement minutes ago ... saying it is mourning the loss of the defensive end -- who set several NFL records during his 20-year career.

"He gave everything he had at every step," the org. said, "fostering a Vikings identity hallmarked by a relentless pursuit that took the team from fledgling to formidable."

Olivia Culpo is making the most of the downtime she has left before becoming a first-time mother ... getting some R&R with her girlfriends during a chill getaway -- and showing off her growing baby bump in the process.

Culpo shared her photo dump Tuesday morning ... seemingly hitting up the part of the country she used to call home with her husband, Christian McCaffrey, back when he was a member of the Carolina Panthers.

OC made sure her belly was prominent in almost every photo. While it's unclear how far along the 33-year-old is, a baby shower was held in Rhode Island in May ... and based on the visual clues, we take it the little one's coming sooner than later.

DeAngelo Miles, a high school football standout and team captain, was fatally shot in Chicago this weekend ... just days after graduation.

The Chicago Police Department says it received a call regarding a person shot at the 11900 block of S. Wallace on Sunday around 3 AM ... and when officers arrived, a witness stated they had located a teen in the alley after hearing gunshots.

"The witness relocated to where the victim was and discovered the victim unresponsive on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head," the CPD spokesperson told us.

Tyreek Hill's estranged wife, Keeta Vaccaro, is seemingly making it clear she's not bothered by the NFL star apparently moving on with another woman.

Check out some pics Vaccaro posted on her Instagram page Monday -- just hours after Hill was seen at an Orlando resort getting flirty with a stunning brunette -- she doesn't appear to have many cares in the world.

In one set of snaps, she flashed a grin while rockin' a tiny yellow bikini. In another, she looked to be having a bunch of fun during a paddle tennis session with some friends.

Chase Stegall -- the son of former NFL wide receiver Milton Stegall and a rising collegiate soccer star -- has died.

Chase unexpectedly died inside his dormitory at Chicago's DePaul University Monday morning, according to the school's newspaper, The DePaulia.

DePaul President Rob Manuel reportedly announced the tragedy in a university-wide email, describing him as someone "known for his warmth, strength of character, and vibrant presence."

Darren Waller might be a year removed from the NFL ... but his body apparently didn't get the memo -- 'cause the former tight end looked shredded as ever at a fitness event in NYC over the weekend.

TMZ Sports obtained a video of the former Raven, Raider and Giant participating in HYROX's New York competition on Saturday ... a global fitness event that requires a bunch of different challenges -- which Lance Armstrong participated in a year prior.

In the clip, Waller executes some lunges while rocking a 20-lb bag on his shoulder ... all while his rock-hard abs make an appearance.

Saquon Barkley's year couldn't be going any better ... four months after taking home the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans, the NFL star was just announced as the cover athlete for Madden 26!!!

EA Sports dropped the news Monday morning, showcasing the Eagles superstar gracing the cover of the iconic video game.

The cover art features SB reenacting the viral hurdle he performed during Week Nine of the 2024 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Jarrian Jones -- one of the standout highlights of the entire season.

The Detroit Lions' 2025 season was just dealt a huge blow before a single pass was thrown ... their All-Pro center, Frank Ragnow, announced he's hanging up his cleats, saying it's "time to prioritize my health and my families future."

The 28-year-old confirmed reports Monday morning, writing in an Instagram post that "the past couple of months have been very trying as I've come to the realization that my football journey is ending."

"I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but I simply don't," Ragnow wrote, adding ... "I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life."

Cardi B and Stefon Diggs aren't letting rumors -- or estranged exes -- muffle their love for boats, judging from their sizzling getaway weekend!!!

On Sunday, Cardi and the NFL star created their own waves on a yacht in the middle of the ocean, and the "Bodak Yellow" rapper kicked up her red bottoms to smell the garden of red roses her new beau had gotten her!!!

Other gifts included giant teddy bears and bouquets of yellow, purple and white roses. Cardi also flashed her hand holding a designer lizard-skin handbag while chunked with tons of diamond-encrusted jewelry, although it's unclear if it was all from Diggs.

It's been about a month since Puka Nacua's brother, Samson Nacua, slapped a fan following a UFL game ... and now he's telling TMZ Sports the advice he gave his older bro after the ugly incident.

We caught up with the L.A. Rams star at LAX ... where we asked him about the counsel he provided 27-year-old Samson after the late April incident.

"Try to be able to compose yourself," Puka said. "You want to always protect yourself and your teammates. That's something my mom raised me in. But you shouldn't cross that line for sure."

Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen have officially tied the knot ... marrying in a beautiful ceremony at a top-notch resort in California.

The actress and the athlete said their vows Saturday -- a day after the two rehearsed every step of their big day -- in front of family and friends.

We don't know many details about the ceremony ... but we get a clip of Hailee walking down the aisle -- and some pics of the couple locking lips after they were pronounced husband and wife. So, it looks like things are official!