Football

New details have emerged in the case against former New York Jets first-round pick Darron Lee after authorities say he murdered his girlfriend ... with police detailing the gruesome scene they found at the home and prosecutors indicating they will seek the death penalty.

Lee appeared in a Tennessee courtroom on Wednesday following Friday's arrest for first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Gabriella Carvalho Perpetuo.

Prosecutors said there was the presence of "blood in every room," including inside a vehicle in the garage. They say Lee was the one who called 911, telling dispatchers Perpetuo was unresponsive and that he believed she fell in the shower.

If James Pearce Jr.'s case goes to trial, the alleged victim, Rickea Jackson, is down to take the stand, according to her attorney, who notified the court she's "willing to testify."

Jackson's lawyer filed notice on Tuesday, saying Jackson remains cooperative, and if needed, will give her testimony about the alleged incident with her ex-boyfriend, which led to his arrest on Saturday.

Rickea's attorney also indicated she hopes to put the matter behind her, sooner rather than later.

Tom Brady isn’t handing out participation trophies -- especially not to Logan Paul.

The NFL legend is doubling down on the competitive tone surrounding the upcoming Fanatics flag football showdown in Saudi Arabia … making it crystal clear he’s expecting absolute dominance -- and he’s putting Logan on notice in the process.

Brady addressed the viral back-and-forth with the WWE star after their trash-talk-filled exchange lit up social media … and while TB12 gave Logan a little credit, he made it obvious effort alone won’t cut it.

Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl story is Hollywood-worthy -- and the Seahawks QB has a few A-list ideas about who should play him if/when a movie eventually gets made.

Fresh off hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, Darnold joked to TMZ Sports that if his unlikely redemption arc ever hits the big screen, he’s got a surprising casting shortlist ready to go.

"Ron Weasley?" Darnold said ... laughing while trying to remember actor Rupert Grint’s name. "Trying to think of the one person who has red hair in Hollywood."

San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White is breaking his silence after he was shot in the ankle ... but the third-year pro made no comment on the reports that the incident came following an argument with Lil Baby.

White took to his Instagram Tuesday night to thank everyone who reached out to him after the Bay Area incident ... and shared visual evidence that he's in good spirits, despite needing surgery.

"For those who know me, y'all know this won't stope me from spreading peace and joy to the world," White said. "Full steam ahead. I'm in great spirits and ready to make the most of this off-season."

Justina Emmanwori’s Super Bowl learning curve is officially complete -- ’cause the proud mom says she went from barely knowing what a touchdown was … to fully embracing the game after watching her son help deliver a championship.

Fresh off the Seahawks’ win over the Patriots, the mother of rookie safety Nick Emmanwori couldn’t hold back her emotions when TMZ Sports caught up with her postgame … admitting she entered as a total newbie but left the night feeling deeply connected to the game and the team.

“I am so proud,” she told us. “Before, I said I don’t know anything about football -- touchdown, yay! But now, it’s big. I know what football is all about.”

The investigation into the shooting of Keion White just took a wild turn ... because of what reportedly happened between the 49ers DE and rapper Lil Baby before the shots rang out just hours after the Super Bowl.

According to The San Francisco Standard, which says it's seen the police report, 27-year-old White and Baby got into an argument after the Grammy-winning rapper and his friends were turned away from the third-year pro's private event at a local SF lounge.

Per the outlet, a witness told police he saw the verbal argument and went to get help from bar staff ... before he heard two gunshots ring out. When the witness returned, he discovered White had been shot in the ankle area.

The final two sexual misconduct lawsuits against Deshaun Watson have been dismissed, TMZ Sports has confirmed ... ending a saga dating back to March 2021.

According to court documents ... the last two cases were dismissed Friday in a Texas courtroom. Tony Buzbee -- who represented 26 of the 27 women who filed lawsuits against Watson, including one of these last two -- told us, "We settled. Terms are confidential."

Regarding the other case, we reached out to the victim's attorney for comment but have not yet heard back.

James Pearce Jr. "intentionally" hit an officer with his Lamborghini while evading law enforcement after an alleged domestic dispute with WNBA star Rickea Jackson, according to police docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

Jackson told police she and Pearce Jr. recently ended a three-year relationship, saying she blocked the 23-year-old’s number to stop further contact, but it didn't work. Rickea told police James used an alternate phone to continue contacting her.

On February 7 -- as she was leaving an apartment complex -- Jackson noticed Pearce Jr.'s Lambo SUV behind her ... and attempted to get away. While at a red light, she says he approached her vehicle and attempted to open the door.

The Seattle Seahawks didn't just hoist the Lombardi Trophy -- they capped their Super Bowl victory with a private T-Pain and Ludacris show.

TMZ Sports obtained exclusive footage of the newly crowned champs keeping the celebration rolling after their dominant 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX ... turning their after-party into a full-blown concert.

We're told T-Pain, Ludacris, and DJ Infamous performed for players, coaches, and fans staying at the team hotel -- delivering a high-energy set as Seattle soaked in its second title in franchise history.

12:48 PM PT -- The Seattle Police Department tells TMZ Sports they made several arrests in the hours that followed Super Bowl LX ... which included multiple DUIs, assaults and firearm violations.

Despite that, they said "we had no major issues."

"SPD Officers did amazing public safety work under stressful conditions amidst a lot of post-game excitement."

Seattle Seahawks fans waited more than a decade for payback on the Patriots ... and they finally completed their revenge arc with a party for the ages on Sunday -- taking their celebration to the streets after winning Super Bowl LX!!

The Seahawks dominated the Patriots with a 29-13 victory at Levi's Stadium in a defense-heavy showdown -- 11 years after their loss to NE in SB XLIX.

Back in Seattle -- 722 miles away-- the 12s were more than ready to celebrate their long-awaited vengeance and poured into the streets to light up downtown with fireworks.

The Super Bowl LX action was halted after a fan went rogue and streaked the field during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium ... and TMZ Sports has learned he's been hit with two charges for the incident.

According to a spokesman for the Santa Clara Police Department, the man who ran across the field was charged with trespassing -- a misdemeanor -- as well as a field intrusion charge.

It all went down when a fan took his top off and hit the field with 12:54 left in the fourth quarter. Clips online showed the individual had a message written on his body.

Is Jordon Hudson taking a shot at Robert Kraft ... on behalf of Bill Belichick?

Hudson stepped out wearing a T-shirt from Orchids of Asia Day Spa, the Florida massage parlor tied to Robert Kraft's 2019 prostitution bust, in what appeared to be a clear dig at the New England Patriots owner and she did it while standing right next to her boyfriend, Bill Belichick.

The moment came as Hudson and Belichick were photographed together Saturday in Chapel Hill, marking their first public appearance since Belichick was snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Tom Brady claims he doesn't have "a dog in the fight" in this year's Super Bowl matchup ... but Camille Kostek isn't convinced ... 'cause she tells TMZ Sports she believes deep down, TB12 is pulling for his old squad!!

We caught up with Kostek outside the Tight Ends and Friends shindig in San Francisco Thursday night, where we asked her about Brady's comments, which have caught some heat from some former New England Patriots.

"I thought that was a little bizarre," Kostek said.

"Tom, Patriots Nation loves you. We have a bronze statue of you back at Gillette [Stadium]."

WWE Superstar Cam Skattebo?!? The New York Giants rookie running back tells TMZ Sports that's entirely possible after his days making money on the gridiron are over.

We caught up with Skatt at the Sports Illustrated Invitational in San Francisco earlier this week, where we asked him if he sees a career inside the squared circle once he hangs the cleats up.

"There's a chance," Skattebo said. "I feel like I'm a pretty good actor, so there's a chance there."

Could Matt Stafford be the first athlete to get a statue outside SoFi Stadium?? TMZ Sports asked the man responsible for the decision!

We saw Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke leaving the Fanatics Luncheon in San Francisco on Friday, and asked him whether his star quarterback has "earned SoFi's first statue?"

"Well, we'll see," the billionaire owner responded. "This guy's something, isn't he?"