Football

WWE just made a MAJOR change to WrestleMania 36 -- the event will be split into 2 nights ... and future pro football hall of famer Rob Gronkowski will be hosting the whole thing!!

Vince McMahon's org. just made the historic announcement Wednesday afternoon ... saying the ex-Pats superstar will be the face of the event from the WWE Performance Center in Florida.

The event is slated to go down April 4 and 5 -- on closed sets in multiple locations -- thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

As we previously reported, Gronk finalized a deal with WWE in a "part-time, cameo" type of setting last week ... with ProWrestlingSheet's Ryan Satin initially breaking the news Gronk was close to a deal.

Of course, there's gonna be a different feel to the huge event this year ... with the original plan in Tampa scrapped for a live-streamed event at WWE headquarters with ZERO fans.

A rep for WWE told us at the time, "Only essential personnel will be on the closed set at WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida to produce WrestleMania."

The Chicago Bears are trading for Nick Foles ... and it all begs the question -- is Mitch Trubisky officially done in The Windy City?!?!

Multiple NFL reporters say Da Bears are sending a 4th-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the former Super Bowl MVP ... and it's gotta hurt Trubisky's feelings a bit.

A lot of the Bears' current staff have old ties to Foles ... head coach Matt Nagy worked with him in Kansas City, while new QB coach John DeFilippo coached him in Philly.

But, the message from Chicago all off-season was that they still loved Trubisky as their QB ... in fact, remember when Prince Amukamara told us at the Super Bowl the Bears were Mitch believers?!

Seems that might not be the case anymore ... because not only is a 4th-rounder a pretty pricey fee -- the Bears are likely going to have to eat a whole lot of the 4-year, $88 MILLION deal Foles signed with the Jags last off-season.

Of course, Foles was expendable in Jacksonville because of the unexpected play of rookie Gardner Minshew -- who crushed it filling in for Nick all last year.

Now, does this trade make Trubisky -- the former 1st-round pick who was selected AHEAD OF Patrick Mahomes -- expendable in Chicago as well???

"It was so exciting, almost as much as when I kissed my wife for the very first time 49 years ago!"

That's Dick Vitale SO pumped about Tom Brady joining up with his favorite Tampa Bay Buccaneers team ... he could hardly contain his excitement on a phone call Wednesday with TMZ Sports!!

"I was really ecstatic," Vitale says ... "I mean, Tom Brady coming here is the best medicine!"

If you weren't aware ... Dickie V is one of the Bucs' biggest fans -- he's had season tickets for years -- and he believes TB12 heading south is going to do big things for Tampa Bay.

"They got the weapons," the legendary college basketball analyst says. "They just need leadership, and he'll provide that. He's the greatest of all-time, I don't think there's any doubt whatsoever!"

Vitale says ticket demands for the Bucs have gone up so much since the news of Brady's decision broke this week ... he's been offered free meals in exchange for some seats!

TB to TB.

Tom Brady is going to the Tampa Bay Bucs -- with a deal that will pay him $30 MILLION per season, so says NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

It still sounds like Tom has some I's to dot and T's to cross, but it's essentially a done deal at this point. Unclear how long the contract is for. Guessing it's on the shorter side considering Tom is 42 years old.

BEST DAY EVER FOR MIKE EVANS THO, HUH?!

There is one little issue ... the #12 currently belongs to Bucs star WR Chris Godwin. Will he give it up for free or will Tom have to pay up?!

Of course, the 6-time Super Bowl champ announced he was leaving the New England Patriots on Tuesday morning -- and things developed rapidly after that.

There was reported interest from the Chargers, Dolphins, Raiders and others -- but in the end, the Bucs won out. The Chargers were the last team in the mix before the Bucs came out on top.

Of course, it's a sad day for Pats Nation ... and as owner Robert Kraft put it, "I had hoped he would choose to stay, as a fan and an owner. But, out of respect for the relationship we’ve built, I gave him his freedom."

Brady played 285 games for NE in 20 seasons with the team ... throwing for more than 74,000 yards, 541 TDs ... and oh yeah, winning 6 Super Bowls.

It's the first time Brady was a free agent in his career ... and a new era in the NFL is here.

DeAndre Hopkins claims Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien scolded him for having multiple baby mamas ... and even compared him to Aaron Hernandez.

... this is all according to Michael Irvin, who says he spoke with the superstar WR after he was traded out of Houston -- and man, the allegations are SHOCKING.

Irvin said on ESPN's "Get Up" on Wednesday that O'Brien had called Hopkins into a meeting recently over the wideout being "too influential" in the Texans' locker-room.

Irvin claims the whole confrontation started out with O'Brien saying, "Hey, uh, the last time I had to have a meeting like this it was with Aaron Hernandez."

FYI, O'Brien was the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in 2011, when Hernandez was a star tight end for the team. Hernandez was later accused of killing multiple people before taking his own life in prison. So, yeah, it's not a name to be thrown around lightly.

The Playmaker says Hopkins was blown away by the comment -- saying, "I've never been in any trouble" -- but Irvin says things got even worse later in the meeting.

Irvin claims O'Brien was upset that Hopkins brought the mothers of his children around the team, saying, "He told De'Andre he doesn't like that he has his baby mamas around sometimes."

"And, from that, I think the relationship just went bad," Irvin added.

Hopkins and a 4th-rounder were ultimately traded Monday for running back David Johnson, a 2nd-round pick and a future 4th-rounder ... a shocking move considering the Vikings received a 1st-round pick AND MORE for Stefon Diggs later in the day.

'Bachelor' star Peter Weber already proved he's got moves in the fantasy suites ... but did you know he can ball out on the football field too?!?

TMZ Sports has obtained video of PW hitting up a flag football game in California over the weekend ... and we gotta admit -- Pilot Pete's got skillz!!

Of course, it's been a crazy time for Peter -- he cut things off with Madison, got engaged to Hannah Ann, broke up with Hannah Ann, got back together with Madison, pissed off his mom, and broke up with Madison again.

Pretty easy to follow, right??

Anyway ... it looks like everyone is getting over the breakups in their own ways, 'cause Madi has been spotted hanging out with Selena Gomez ... while Peter balls with his bros at the Flag Football California league.

Weber looks like a rec league superstar in the video ... snagging a good interception with a solid return ... and throwing a dart on offense.

Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy is coming to terms with the fact Tom Brady is no longer a New England Patriot ... and he's convinced this could be the end of the world as we know it.

Remember, El Pres told TMZ Sports less than a month ago ... "Anybody who says (Brady's) going anywhere is an idiot!!" ... and obviously, TB12's leaving.

We reconnected with Portnoy in wake of the news on Tuesday ... and despite the devastating news, the guy is actually taking it well.

"I wasn’t stunned," Dave tells us. "I thought he would come back to New England, because I think we offer him the best chance to win ... it’s sad, it’s the end of an era."

"This is the real world. We got corona running wild in the streets, things happen. So, Brady’s leaving the Patriots. Crazy times. .. the world may be ending."

Pres makes it clear he still LOVES Brady and isn't pissed he's leaving the Pats ... but believes TB12 just ain't a franchise QB anymore.

"If you’re a Patriots fan and you care about winning in the next 10 years, this is the right move … if you only care about the next 2, then you probably want Brady."

Portnoy says he believes in Bill Belichick and likes the Pats' chances of winning a title before TB12 (regardless of which team he chooses) ... but his love for Brady will live on.

As for Brady's replacement?? Portnoy's got a guy in mind -- and the dude once defeated TB12 at the highest level.

Tom Brady will sign a deal to officially bolt from New England to the Buccaneers ... and it's all going down on Wednesday -- this according to FS1 star Colin Cowherd.

"The Herd" host broke the news on his radio show Tuesday morning ... saying, "Tom Brady signs tomorrow with Tampa Bay."

"He has made a decision," Cowherd said ... "I am told Tampa is the choice and he will sign tomorrow."

Cowherd says his source is NOT a football one ... but rather someone close to Brady on business side.

"It is a source of wealth and celebrity connected to sports that knows Tom," Cowherd said.

Of course, nothing official has been announced from either TB12 or the Bucs yet ... and other reporters have said NO deal is in place as of now.

In fact, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported earlier Wednesday that Bucs GM Jason Licht said in a text message to him that "nothing is done" regarding a deal with Tom.

But, would it shock anybody if Brady did end up with the Bucs this week? Absolutely not ... Tom's desperately wanted an offense with weapons around him, and Tampa Bay has plenty of those.

Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, O.J. Howard ... and a great play-caller in Bruce Arians certainly fits the mold of what Brady appears to be seeking.

Free agent corner Chris Harris Jr. says he's gunning for 15 more INTs with his next team ... telling TMZ Sports that's about all it'll take to officially reserve him a spot in the Hall of Fame!

"That's my goal, man, is just to be solidified in there, no question," the former Denver Broncos superstar said. "Make it no question."

Of course, Harris' HOF resume is already pretty sweet ... dude's a Super Bowl champ, a four-time Pro Bowler AND he's got 20 INTs on his resume already.

But, Harris Jr. doesn't feel like he's a Hall of Famer just yet ... telling us a few more picks and a couple more All-Pros and Pro Bowls will seal it.

"I think I probably need about, probably like, 15 more picks," Harris Jr. said. "Probably get about two more All-Pros, Pro Bowls and I think I should be solidified from there."

As for where the 30-year-old will try to get that all done at ... he tells us he has no clue just yet -- but reportedly, the Raiders, Cowboys, Bills and Jets all want to make a run at signing him.

Harris Jr. tells us he's hoping to play at least 5 more years in the league ... which would mean all he'd need is 3 more picks per season with his next squad to reach that goal.

Robin Roberts is like the rest of the sports world today ... because the Tom Brady bombshell's hitting her like a ton of bricks.

We got the ABC host in New York City Tuesday morning and our camera guy broke the stunning news ... TB12 is taking his talents elsewhere after 20 seasons with Robert Kraft's team.

Ya gotta see Robin's instant reaction ... she can't even fathom Brady in another uniform, and she's looking around for some #FakeNews, but it's all too real for Pats fans.

As we reported ... Tom posted a lengthy message to Patriots Nation explaining it's finally time to leave, but not before cherishing all the good memories -- like 6 Super Bowl rings.

Brady's decision is a huge development that instantly changes the landscape in the NFL ... but Robin tells us why Tom's departure still doesn't overshadow the coronavirus pandemic.

Robin's gotta point ... NYC's a virtual ghost town. Even Jets fans can't flood the streets to revel in the Brady departure.

DeAndre Hopkins meant so much to the City of Houston, the MAYOR has penned a tribute to the star WR ... essentially saying he was EVEN MORE productive off the field!

"[DeAndre Hopkins] was true to his roots on and off the field," Mayor Sylvester Turner said on social media ... "He worked to uplift our communities & invested to ensure our children had the chance to learn all sports."

"I appreciate his incredible athleticism & sportsmanship while with the Houston Texans. #ThanksDeAndreHopkins."

Hopkins -- who was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday -- was VERY active in the Houston community. In fact, earlier this year D-Hop donated $45k worth of furniture, home appliances and electronics to The Women's Home in Houston.

He was also a regular with various Houston children's charities, hospital functions and other organizations.

There will be no Tom Brady-like departure from New Orleans for Drew Brees ... the future Hall of Famer just agreed to a $50 MILLION deal that'll keep him a Saint for life ... probably.

The contract is a 2-year extension for the Saints' G.O.A.T. ... and at 41 years old, it's probably safe to assume this will be the final one of his NFL career.

And, it came with a bit of a discount for the hometown team ... at $25 MIL per season, the former Super Bowl MVP is underpaid when compared to the league's other top QBs.

Of course, the deal comes as no surprise ... Brees has made it clear every step of the way this offseason he would rather retire than play for another team in 2020.

As for what Brees has left in the tank ... when we got his head coach, Sean Payton, out at the Super Bowl last month -- he told us PLENTY.

"Listen," Payton said, "I think he's playing at a high level."

Tom Brady is making it official ... he's leaving the New England Patriots after 20 seasons (and 6 Super Bowl rings) and continuing his NFL career in another city.

TB12 posted a long thank you message to Patriots Nation on Tuesday morning explaining he will always cherish the memories ... but it's time to leave.

"I wanted to say thank you to all of the incredible fans and Patriots supporters. MA has been my home for twenty years," Brady wrote.

"It has truly been the happiest two decades I could have envisioned in my life and I have nothing but love and gratitude for my time in New England."

He continued, "The support has been overwhelming - I wish every player could experience it. My children were born and raised here and you always embraced this California kid as your own. I love your commitment and loyalty to your teams and winning for our city means more than you will ever know."

Amari Cooper is a VERY rich man today -- dude just agreed to a $100 MILLION deal with the Cowboys ... but could he have gotten EVEN MORE to spurn Dallas for its rivals?!!?

Yes ... because according to multiple reports -- the superstar wideout turned down "significantly" more cash from the Washington Redskins on Monday!!

As for why ... Coop's made no real attempt to hide it -- he loves Dak Prescott and Dallas -- and the fact that he logged more than 1,000 yards in his 2nd season with the Cowboys didn't hurt either.

Of course, $20 MIL per season -- with $60 MIL guaranteed -- wasn't exactly a hometown discount ... only 3 receivers in the history of the league have topped those numbers -- Odell Beckham ($65M), Julio Jones ($64M) and Michael Thomas ($60.5M).

As for all those Dallas fans who had to sweat until the deal was officially agreed to on Monday ... this wasn't THAT hard to see coming.

Remember, TMZ Sports broke the story ... just days after Cooper's first season with the Cowboys ended, he got a diamond pendant immortalizing his 1st games in Dallas.

Yeah, you don't do that just to leave for the rival a year later.