Football

News spreads fast in the Big Easy ... 'cause Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce grabbed dinner together Friday night -- and their way in was devoid of commotion ... but their exit was insane!

The super-high profile couple was spotted walking into a New Orleans uptown restaurant ... where a few people were clearly tipped off they would be there ... and they made sure to tell TS how much they loved her.

Sure hope that meal was relaxing ... 'cause the duo's exit was anything but ... as word clearly got out they were there -- and a huge hoard showed up, screaming and snapping pics as they left.

DJ Diesel -- aka Shaq -- was once again bringing the house down Friday night .... when he was scratching to a huge crowd for his annual Fun House party before the Super Bowl, which was packed with a who's who of celebs.

The NBA icon held his big bash at Mardi Gras World -- about a mile from Bourbon Street -- where he once again ruled the DJ booth with sick beats, bumping them for the crowd.

Make no mistake ... Shaq's pre-SB gala ain't just about tunes and dancing ... as it's true to the Fun House moniker, with carnival rides, games, tons of circus performers ... and, naturally, drinks!

Bill Maher went on a rant Friday night that started with watching football, but boy ... that turns out to be a metaphor for something way bigger!

This is one of the best editorials the "Real Time" host has delivered in a long time. B.M.'s pissed off at streamers who are carrying football games. It's true ... now, instead of simply hitting a button on the remote to go back and forth between games, now it's a giant pain in the ass. Plus, we still have to watch commercials, so exactly what's the advantage?

Bill says it's an example of what he calls R.I. -- Reverse Improvement. It's like when you go to a restaurant and leave your car with the valet. It used to be so easy, hand him the ticket, pay cash and get your whip.  Now ... well, you know.

Super Bowl LIX is almost here -- and while you could put money down on the point spread or over/under, wouldn't bettin' on boobs be so much more fun?!

With the Chiefs and the Eagles about to square off for the Lombardi Trophy, BetOnline revealed a whole gang of entertaining prop bets for prospective wagerers.

Peep some of the most interesting:

The best booty shakers in the world will be in New Orleans for Super Bowl weekend ... 'cause strip clubs are flying in dancers from across the United States and overseas to help entertain football fans!!

TMZ Sports hit up a bunch of adult entertainment spots in the area to get a breakdown of their Big Game preparations ... and outside of the expected exclusive VIP tables and luxurious suites, the Penthouse Club told us the talent taking the stage will be an All-Star lineup from cities like Tampa, Las Vegas and Miami.

The legendary Larry Flynt's Hustler Club has similar plans ... as they're also bringing in 200 dancers -- both stateside and international.

Brett Favre says he's down to donate his brain following his death so it can be used for CTE research ... though he tells TMZ Sports he's sure hopeful that's a decision he and his family won't have to make for a LONG time.

Favre infamously dealt with head injuries throughout his 20-year NFL career ... and when we asked him this week if he'd consider giving his cerebrum up to scientists following his passing so it can be studied, he said he wouldn't mind.

Of course, the 55-year-old Hall of Famer told us he'd prefer if that choice came far later than sooner.

Patrick Mahomes is on the verge of winning a fourth Lombardi Trophy in just eight years in the NFL ... and Warren Moon tells TMZ Sports if he can pull it off on Sunday, he would confidently say he dethroned Tom Brady as the G.O.A.T.

The legendary quarterback is down in New Orleans ahead of the Super Bowl ... and he spoke all about the Kansas City Chiefs superstar's stellar run -- all before turning 30 years old.

"For a first seven-year starter for anybody in this league, how can you top this?" Moon said. "How can you top this?"

Cardi B is in full celebration mode ahead of the Super Bowl … turning up in style on the streets of New Orleans with a top-shelf booze brand!

Peep this vid of Cardi turning Bourbon Street into "Cardi Gras" Friday… linking up with Fat Tuesday, tossing back her vodka-infused Whipshots collab with the company, and lobbing 'em into the crowd so everyone could get a taste of the party.

Everyone in town got a front-row seat to the Cardi B show -- she was out and about, keeping the vibes high and making sure everyone is hyped for the weekend.

Hollywood is taking over New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX ... and the list of celebrities planning on attending the big game Sunday is pretty impressive ... there's actors, comedians, rappers, singers, influencers and more.

Our sources tell us Cardi B, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart, Jake From State Farm, Russell Wilson and Ciara are expected to be at the Caesars Superdome to watch the Kansas City Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kevin's a Philly guy, Russell plays in the NFL, Cardi's been in NOLA marketing her alcohol brand, State Farm has brand deals with Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce ... and we're told Pete's developed a good relationship with the head of security for the Eagles ... so lots of connections to the game for these celebs.

Patrick Mahomes doesn't need many pep talks for big games these days -- he is, after all, going for his fourth championship this weekend -- but if he wants one from Dad ... Patrick Mahomes Sr. is giving TMZ Sports a sneak peek into what his message will be!

The elder Mahomes told us on Friday out in New Orleans that if his Chiefs star son leans on him for advice heading into Sunday's tilt with the Philadelphia Eagles ... his note will be simple.

"Players make plays," he said.

The Raiders landing Pete Carroll has generated a ton of excitement for the franchise ... and even their former coach Jon Gruden is hyped up about it -- telling TMZ Sports the Silver and Black nailed the hire.

We caught up with the Super Bowl-winning coach out on the streets of NOLA ahead of Super Bowl LIX ... and he sang the 73-year-old's praises.

"He's a world champion coach," Gruden said. "He's won everywhere he's been. He won it all at USC, he won it all at Seattle and there's no reason he can't put the Silver and Black back."

Eli Manning's being a great sport about his Hall of Fame snub ... TMZ Sports just caught up with him out on Bourbon Street, and it's clear as day he's not sweating the slightest bit.

Check out our chat with the New York legend down in New Orleans on Friday ... while there's a large sector of the football world up in arms over him not getting the official call to Canton on Thursday, he's very obviously not bothered.

The 44-year-old former signal-caller was in amazing spirits -- and even cracked a joke about the situation!!

Louisiana authorities have made an arrest in connection with the death of Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano ... whose body was found in his hotel room after he went to New Orleans to cover Super Bowl LIX.

Danette Colbert was arrested Friday after allegedly using Manzano's credit cards at several stores in the area following his death ... according to the Kenner Police Department. Colbert has reportedly been charged with fraud and theft-related offenses, as the investigation continues.

Police say security video from the hotel where Manzano was staying shows Colbert with the journalist Wednesday morning ... and later leaving his hotel room solo. He was later found dead in the room.

Jonathan Ogden thinks Lamar Jackson got robbed of the NFL's MVP award on Thursday night ... and he tells TMZ Sports he's convinced the QB lost it because voters simply felt bad for Josh Allen.

The Ravens legend held nothing back during our conversation down in New Orleans ... just minutes after Allen beat out Jackson for the hardware at NFL Honors.

Ogden was adamant Jackson's numbers crushed Allen's in every way -- and he's sure a bias against the Baltimore signal-caller -- who's won two MVPs in the past -- played a role in Josh ultimately walking away with the trophy.

Myles Garrett clearly isn't ready to cross any teams off his trade destination list -- not even some of his AFC North rivals -- 'cause he just revealed to TMZ Sports he wouldn't mind continuing his career in a cold-weather city.

The six-time Pro Bowler, of course, has battled snow throughout his eight-year stint in Cleveland ... and when we got him out after NFL Honors in New Orleans on Thursday night -- just days after he requested a trade from Cleveland -- he made it clear continuing that trend is just fine with him if he is ultimately dealt.

Garrett told us straight up, "I don't mind snow" -- before insisting the only criteria he has for his next team is a stacked roster.

Jason Kelce can clearly take a joke -- even if it's about his controversial interaction with a fan at the Penn State game last year ... 'cause the future Hall of Famer laughed off a jab about his viral f-slur during a savage roast session.

The Philadelphia Eagles legend got on the hot seat during his appearance on Friday's episode of "Pardon My Take" ... when Barstool Sports employee Kate Mannion joined the show to unload some of her most brutal bars.

The segment covered pretty much everything -- from Taylor Swift to Mama Kelce to his recent overexposure in the media.