Football

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel says he hasn't lived up to his own standards amid his tawdry scandal involving former Athletic journalist Dianna Russini.

In a press conference Thursday before the start of the NFL Draft, Vrabel avoided Russini relationship specifics but admitted his "previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to."

Vrabel also said he's become a distraction to his family, his players, the Patriots organization and their fans, adding ... "My family needs me this weekend and that's where I'll be."

Everyone knows Fernando Mendoza is going to be the first pick in the NFL Draft, but who's the best defensive player out of the bunch ... Arvell Reese says it's him!

"I think I'm the guy because I think I play with a relentless effort, and I play with a violent mindset," the 20-year-old former Ohio State star told TMZ Sports.

"I'm putting violence and relentless effort first."

Draft experts have the All-American slotted anywhere between the second and fifth pick ... with many believing he'll go to the New York Jets, who pick second, or the Arizona Cardinals, if Gang Green passes on Arvell.

Dianna Russini should probably change her LinkedIn bio to "Good Samaritan" ... because that might be her new career path.

Just one day after resigning from The Athletic, Russini reportedly rescued an elderly man and his dog from a car crash in Wyckoff, NJ ... according to Page Six.

An eyewitness told the outlet she was driving on the same road when the wreck happened, and stopped to help.

Police Lt. Joseph Soto told the local Patch affiliate that a 17-year-old in a Honda Civic turned left onto Cedar Hill Avenue from Sicomac Avenue and collided with a Jeep.

Soto told the outlet the Jeep turned onto its side from the impact, trapping its 73-year-old driver and a dog in the car.

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini are doing their best to put out the massive fire that erupted after they were spotted holding hands recently ... insisting the pictures published on Tuesday don't tell the real story.

Page Six obtained images of the New England Patriots head coach and Athletic NFL reporter -- who are both married to other people -- spending time together at the Ambiente resort in Arizona when they were in town for NFL meetings last month ... showing them lounging by a pool and hugging on a rooftop.

The outlet also cited sources claiming the two were damn near inseparable throughout the day -- enjoying breakfast together before hopping in the hot tub ... and then soaking in the sunset later that night.

Dominiq Ponder -- a quarterback at the University of Colorado -- had double the legal limit of alcohol in his system when he was involved in a fatal car crash that took his life last month in Boulder County.

According to the medical examiner's autopsy report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Ponder's blood-alcohol content was recorded at .167 g/100 mL -- the legal limit in Colorado is 0.08.

The medical examiner also listed his cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries the 23-year-old suffered as a result of the crash.

The Chicago Bulls are done with Jaden Ivey after the NBA player made anti-LGBTQ comments and criticized Pride Night promotions in videos making rounds on social media.

ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news on Monday ... saying the Bulls have decided to part ways with Ivey, who they just picked up in a three-team trade with the Timberwolves and Pistons last month.

This decision comes after Ivey, 24, posted a series of lengthy videos on Instagram over the weekend ... venting about several topics, including the NBA's celebration of the LGBTQ community with Pride Night.

The flag football hype train shows no signs of stopping anytime soon ... as the NFL announced it is launching a new professional flag football league.

The NFL and TMRW Sports Group -- the minds behind The Golf League -- announced the new venture on Monday, citing the "unprecedented global momentum for flag football, as the sport experiences rapid growth, expanding commercial interest and increasing engagement from prospective investment, media, and sponsorship partners."

As part of the announcement, they revealed some of the members of the investor group, and it is a list filled with stars.

Derwin James Jr. says it's cool that NFL players have the opportunity to compete in the 2028 Olympics, but he's suggesting they skip the Summer Games, telling TMZ Sports the injury risk in the sport is too high.

That's what the Los Angeles Chargers star told us at LAX this week, after the Fanatics Flag Football Classic went down, where his fellow NFL players competed with the U.S. men's national flag football team and celebrities.

James Jr. -- who didn't participate in the FFC due to injury -- gave kudos to the flag football players, saying their skill set gives them an edge in Olympic competition ... and the active NFL players should consider sitting out the upcoming Games.

"I say the next Olympics," James Jr. said, "give them boys this one 'cause I feel they're more prepared, they're more skilled. I mean, you seen the formations they was running out there, it was crazy!"

Well, that was quick.

10 days after a mansion that once belonged to Antonio Brown hit the open market ... TMZ Sports has learned the pad is now under contract.

Real estate sources tell us there were multiple offers on the house -- listed for just under $4 million -- but someone has swooped in and offered to buy it at full price in cash.

Tom Brady, Las Vegas Raiders emergency quarterback?! It's an idea the G.O.A.T. -- minority owner of the team -- actually looked into ... but one he said the NFL didn't like very much!

Brady revealed the news while speaking with CNBC, who, on the heels of TB12 playing in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, asked whether he had looked into the possibility of throwing on pads in a situation where the team was in desperate need.

"I actually have inquired, and they don’t like that idea very much," Brady said.

Sarah Jane Ramos seems to be in good spirits after her split from Dak Prescott, posting for the first time since their breakup -- a family photo sans the Cowboys QB.

SJR shared a series of new photographs on Thursday, weeks after we broke the story that she and Prescott called off their wedding ... which was slated for April in Lake Como, Italy.

If a photo is worth a thousand words, Ramos seems to be in great spirits ... as she smiled alongside her two daughters, Margaret Jane and Aurora, during a beach excursion.

SO what HAS been confirmed?? Travis will once again be gracing the NFL field on Sundays come this fall after he signed a new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to rebound from a disappointing 2025.

"Let's get Arrowhead rocking, baby," he said in a post after putting pen to paper. "We'll see you guys in a few months!"

With training camp slated for July ... one can assume if there is a wedding this year, Travis and Taylor would want it done before the Chiefs report to camp.

A woman in Los Angeles claims Puka Nacua made an antisemitic comment, and later bit her so hard he broke her skin ... allegations the Rams superstar says are total BS.

The alleged victim, in an application for a temporary restraining order, lays out what she claims happened on December 31, 2025, after a group outing in Century City.

The woman says the night got off to a rocky start after the 24-year-old allegedly said, "f*** all the Jews" during dinner, which distressed her.

Unfortunately, the woman says the remark was just the "first act in what became an escalating course of rude or vulgar, threatening, violent, and harassing conduct" by Nacua.

After eating, the woman says she and her friend, along with Puka and others, got into a Sprinter van when he became "touchy-feely."

Take a deep breath, Tom Brady -- Joe Burrow might not be "Mr. Steal Your Girl" after all ... the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback was spotted with Olivia Ponton Thursday night.

Burrow was out and about in LA ahead of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic slated for Saturday ... a few days after he left an Oscars party flanked by Alix Earle, Tate McRae, and Stassie Karanikolaou.

Seems like they were just saving money on Ubers that night ... 'cause Burrow was back with his presumed partner as the flag football competitors met for a pre-showdown gathering at Alba.

For the first time since being arraigned on a second-degree attempted murder charge ... TMZ Sports has learned that Antonio Brown is set to leave the state of Florida ... with the former NFL star heading out west to California.

According to court documents, AB's lawyer -- Mark Eiglarsh -- filed the motion on Tuesday. It asks the court to allow Brown to travel to Southern California "for a medical examination."

"Since his release, he has been fully compliant and has adhered to all terms and
conditions imposed by the Court," Eiglarsh said in the request.

Sarah Jane Ramos is back on social media after calling off her wedding to Dallas Cowboys superstar Dak Prescott -- posting a series of photos showing her smiling with their two children.

The 32-year-old provided the update on Wednesday ... and it's great to see after the whirlwind past few weeks she's had.

Ramos' bright grin suggests she's doing okay following her split from Prescott -- TMZ Sports broke the news nearly two weeks ago that the couple would not be tying the knot in Lake Como, Italy, on April 10.