Football

Tragic news from Keyshawn Johnson ... the former NFL star receiver just announced his oldest daughter, Maia, has passed away. She was 25 years old.

"It is with incredible sadness that I have to share the news about the passing of my beautiful Daughter Maia," Johnson said Monday.

"Maia, as my first born child, has been the joy of my, and her Mother Shikiri’s, life."

Maia was Johnson's first child with Shikiri Hightower, whom he was married to from 1998-2002. They also had a son, Keyshawn Jr., in 1998. Johnson also has two children with his current wife, Jennifer Conrad.

Johnson added ... "She came into our lives just as we were both coming of age as adults and has been a constant beloved presence for both of us."

"We are heartbroken and devastated by her loss. Shikiri, Maia’s siblings, our family and me appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."

No cause of death has been revealed publicly at this point.

Several of Keyshawn's current and former ESPN colleagues have shared their condolences following the announcement ... including Louis Riddick and Jemele Hill.

"I am so very sorry Keshawn." Riddick said on Twitter. "That is devastating and heartbreaking to hear. From my family to yours...our deepest and most sincere condolences brother.

Hill added ... "So very sorry for your loss."

RIP

You help Derrick Henry rush for 2,000 yards, you get iced out!!!

That's exactly what the Tennessee Titans star did for his offensive line this week ... gifting them all awesome diamond chains for helping him reach the milestone.

27-year-old Henry was straight-up unstoppable in 2020 -- he ran for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns ... becoming just the 8th player in league history to join the 2,000 Yard Club.

Henry couldn't have done it without his boys up front ... and now he's showing some serious love by commemorating their accomplishment with the icy memento.

Center Ben Jones showed off the finished product ... which features a pendant with "2K" on the front and a crown on top.

The back features Jones' name and number ... as well as "O-Line 2k" and "2027 Yards."

No word on how much the pieces cost ... but Henry's got the coin -- he signed a $50 million contract last summer.

Future USC tight end Keyan Burnett went FULL DK Metcalf mode in a game last week ... chasing down an opponent 100 yards to make a touchdown-saving tackle!!!

The insane play all went down in Southern California in Servite High School's game against Damien last Friday ... when Burnett's squad needed him to make a super-human play to save 7 points.

A Damien player scooped up a fumble at the 11-yard line and looked poised to rumble 89 yards to turn a 13-0, 1st-quarter deficit into a 13-7 ballgame.

But, Burnett -- a 6'5", 210-pound 4-star recruit who committed to play for the Trojans earlier this month -- turned on the jets and hunted the ball carrier down!!

Check out the clip, Burnett was in the endzone on the other side of the field when the fumble was initially picked up ... and then he sprinted nearly 100 yards to make the tackle!!

The play was absurd ... and it immediately reminded everyone of when Metcalf ran down Budda Baker during that ridiculous Sunday Night Football play in 2020.

Damien ended up missing a field goal a few plays after Burnett's tackle ... and then, get this -- Burnett scored a 70-yard TD on the ensuing Servite drive to make it a 20-0 game!!

How's the best NFL draft prospect in the country celebrating his final weeks as an unmarried man??

VEGAS, BABY!!!

TMZ Sports has learned Trevor Lawrence hit up Sin City for a low-key bachelor party over the weekend -- bro-ing down at a casino table with his pals and living it up just days before he's set to marry his longtime GF, Marissa Mowry.

A witness tells us the 21-year-old ex-Clemson QB was at Mandalay Bay at around 11:30 p.m. Sunday ... gambling with some buds and keeping his surgically repaired left shoulder safe in a sling.

We're told Lawrence had security to watch his back ... but was super cool with fans who recognized him.

Unclear which game Lawrence was playing and how much cash he was betting ... but don't worry, he can afford to gamble -- as next month's projected #1 overall pick, he's expected to sign a 4-year deal worth around $40 MILLION!!

As for the upcoming nuptials, Lawrence and Mowry -- who have dated since 2016 and got engaged in July 2020 -- are scheduled to tie the knot sometime in early April.

Rob Gronkowski told us it was happening, and now it's official -- the superstar tight end has re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a deal worth up to $10 million!!!

Remember, 31-year-old Gronk told TMZ Sports just last week he wasn't handing in his retirement papers just yet ... saying he was ready to run it back as Tom Brady and Co. try to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

"I'm back, man!" Gronk told us. "I will be back playing football, man. I love the game of football. I loved playing last year. I had a great time."

Gronk wasted no time with free agency kicking off this week ... agreeing to a 1-year, $10 milli deal on Monday.

Rob was solid in 2020 -- his first season back since leaving the game in 2018 -- putting up more than 600 yards and 7 TDs.

Oh yeah, and the guy won his 4th Super Bowl. Not too shabby.

Gronk reacted to the news with a nod to the SpongeBob SquarePants pirate ... saying, "Arrr You Ready Kids??"

Drew Brees is hanging up his cleats and helmet -- the legendary quarterback just announced he's retiring after a storied career ... and recruited his kids to help with the message.

The New Orleans Saints QB made the announcement Sunday with a video of his 4 young children telling the camera that, yes, their pops is ready to move on from the NFL. The kids go down the line and recite this ... "After 15 years with the Saints and 20 years in the NFL, our dad is finally gonna retire SO HE CAN SPEND MORE TIME WITH US!"

All 4 kids jump up in jubilation and let out some "YAYS!" ... which is awesome, you can tell just how excited they are. Drew had some parting words of his own in a touching caption for the Who Dat faithful.

He writes, "After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time I retire from the game of football. Each day, I poured my heart & soul into being your Quarterback." He adds, "Til the very end, I exhausted myself to give everything I had to the Saints organization, my team, and the great city of New Orleans."

Drew goes on to say that he's had built incredible memories in New Orleans with the folks living there, and that the city will always be a part of him and his fam. He adds, "You have molded me, strengthened me, inspired me, and given me a lifetime of memories. My goal for the last 15 years was striving to give to you everything you had given to me and more."

DB ends with this ... "I am only retiring from playing football, I am not retiring from New Orleans. This is not goodbye, rather a new beginning. Now my real life‘s work begins!"

Drew helped take the team to the Super Bowl in 2010, which they went on to win. He's one of the most decorated quarterbacks to ever play the game ... having won awards like Offensive Player of the Year, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP and so many more ... including being the NFL's All-time passing leader ahead of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Brees is in the pantheon of greats with the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning -- 2 of his contemporaries who are hands down HOFers. He got his start in the NFL back in 2001 with the San Diego Chargers, but headed off to the saints in '06 ... and the rest is history.

Don't give up hopes yet, Bolts fans ... Hunter Henry tells TMZ Sports he could still re-sign a long-term deal with L.A. despite hitting the open free agency market later this month.

"I will say I'm not ruling out the Chargers," said the star tight end, who's caught 196 receptions for L.A. since his draft in 2016. "I'm not ruling out the Chargers and I won't rule out the Chargers."

As for why ... it's pretty simple -- Henry just loves the team's young superstar quarterback, Justin Herbert!

"My favorite quarterback?" Henry told us. "Shoot, I love Herbie. That's my guy!"

Of course, Henry admits a lot of his decision will also come down to finances ... and if the Chargers can't make a compelling offer, it's clear the 26-year-old could end up elsewhere.

As for where that might be ... Henry said he's got no clear favorites at the moment, and is willing to listen to all offers when they come at the beginning of free agency.

Henry, though, does know what he's going to buy when he lands his new contract -- telling us a house is the first priority.

Dez Bryant tells TMZ Sports if he never plays another down in the NFL ... he's still a Hall of Famer FOR SURE!!!

The former Dallas Cowboys superstar didn't mince words when we asked him about his HOF candidacy in L.A. this week ... saying straight-up "of course" his resume is already good enough for the Hall right now.

"Nobody put up TDs the way I put up," the 32-year-old said. "Not as fast."

Dez -- who's a free agent now after returning from a 2-year hiatus to play for the Ravens last season -- is going to have an interesting case for Canton if his career is in fact over.

His numbers -- 7,506 career receiving yards and 77 total touchdowns -- aren't historically enough to lock him in ... but he is one of the freakiest players to ever play.

Dez tells us what he did in such a short time should be enough to get him in ... but he did admit he's probably not a first-ballot kind of guy at this point.

Did the Dallas Cowboys overpay for Dak Prescott???

Perhaps ... but that's OK, according to Drew Pearson -- who tells TMZ Sports his former team should be happy with re-signing their star quarterback regardless!!

"Maybe he's not worth maybe 40 million dollars a season," the Dallas Cowboys legend said. "But, that's the market. That's the value."

Pearson added, "It's good for everybody."

27-year-old Dak ended a 2-year-long dispute with the Cowboys earlier this week by signing a 4-year contract worth up to $164 MILLION.

The deal pays him more than just about every single player in the NFL -- but Pearson insists that while the price tag is steep ... it's fine!

"It's a great deal for the Cowboys because they got the quarterback for the future that they want," Pearson said.

"And, it's a great deal for Dak because he got the years he wanted on the contract, he got the money he wanted on the contract and he's still remaining the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. So it's all good all around."

Pearson understands the Cowboys will now have an issue signing free agents and other players because of Dak's salary cap number ... but he's confident his old squad will figure it all out.

As for Drew's offseason, he's been enjoying his about as much as Dak ... the ex-receiver FINALLY earned the call to be inducted into the Hall of Fame -- and it ain't hard to tell he's PUMPED about it.

"I've kind of been walking a little different with a little more pimp in my step and all that kind of stuff," Pearson said. "So, maybe that's how Hall of Famers are supposed to act but it's a tremendous feeling. A feeling of accomplishment."

Pearson added, "I reached the peak of success in my career by going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So, if they want to kick dirt on me now, go ahead and kick it on me! I'm good!"

NFL prospect Trey Lance has a ROCKET for an arm -- and he put it on full display at his NFL pro day Friday ... where he threw a PERFECT 50-yard laser right on target.

Check out the video ... it's BEAUTIFUL!!!

Yeah, we know ... no live NFL defense trying to take his head off -- but still, the arm strength and accuracy look GOOOOOOOD.

The 20-year-old QB out of North Dakota State is trying to show NFL teams why he should be a surefire 1st round draft pick ... and he's got a solid resume to make his case.

In 2019, Lance completed 67% of his passes, threw 28 touchdowns with ZERO interceptions, while rushing for 1,110 yards ... leading his team to an undefeated record and FCS national championship.

You may not have heard much about him in 2020 ... 'cause the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out all of NDSU's season.

30 of the 32 NFL teams sent reps to Lance's pro day on Friday -- and the dude didn't disappoint.

You can audibly hear the "ooohs" and "ahhhs" that came out after that 50-yard DIME -- easily his most impressive throw of the workout.

But, the rest of the session was solid, too -- Lance threw dart after dart while reps for teams like the Jets, Falcons, Panthers, Lions and the Washington Football Team watched from the sidelines.

Cam Newton's time in New England ain't over yet ... the QB is finalizing a deal to return to the Patriots -- and the new contract could reportedly be worth nearly $14 MIL for 1 year!!

The surprising re-signing is expected to come later this month, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter ... with the dollar amount a staggering figure considering Cam's up-and-down 2020 season.

Newton joined the Pats last summer on a 1-year contract -- his base salary was just $1 million with millions in incentives, but unclear how much he ultimately pocketed from the deal.

And, despite a good opening stretch of games, the 31-year-old finished the season with just 8 TD passes and 10 interceptions.

The year was so rocky for Newton -- who battled a mid-season bout with COVID and ultimately went 7-8 as the team's starter -- most thought the Patriots would move on this offseason.

Clearly, though, the Pats saw enough from Cam to want him back ... and the big money suggests he'll be their starter in 2021.

Of course, the news has to be music to Newton's ears ... the former MVP has spoken VERY highly of his time in New England.

In fact, Cam recently called Bill Belichick "misunderstood" and "dope as s***" on a recent edition of the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast.

By the way, if you're wondering what kind of shape Cam is in this offseason ... it's pretty good -- check out the dude's moves at a roller rink in Atlanta last month.

First, J.J. Watt ... next, Dez Bryant?!

If Dez had it his way, that's exactly the way things would go down in Arizona this offseason ... 'cause the former Cowboys superstar tells TMZ Sports he wants to follow in Watt's free agent footsteps and be a Cardinal in 2021!

"I think that would be dope being next to my boy D Hop [Deandre Hopkins], Christian Kirk, Kyler Murray," Bryant told us out in Beverly Hills on Thursday.

"I think they have a dope offense. I feel like they got a dope defense. I think they got a dope coach ... If I had to choose, yeah, if that opportunity presented itself, I think I would take it."

It's unclear if Arizona has any interest in signing Bryant ... the receiver will turn 33 years old in November -- and the Cards are already loaded at wideout, especially if Larry Fitzgerald returns.

But, Dez -- who came back from a two-year hiatus to play well and score two TDs for the Baltimore Ravens last season -- says he thinks he could thrive for the Cards in a #2 or #3 role.

"I feel like if you gonna play me one-on-one," Dez said, "I'ma win."

If Arizona doesn't work out ... Dez said he'd be more than open to re-signing with his former Cowboys squad, telling us he LOVES what Dallas did with Dak Prescott's new contract.

"I'll tell you this," Dez said, "if it was possible, of course I'd be open to it if it was possible."

NFL star Melvin Gordon told cops several times before his October arrest that he had been drinking prior to getting behind the wheel ... new police video obtained by TMZ Sports shows.

The Broncos running back was pulled over in Denver late at night on Oct. 13 after cops say they clocked him doing 71 MPH in a 35 MPH zone.

In police footage of the ensuing stop ... you can see Gordon told a cop he had been driving fast because he was just miles from running out of gas.

Just seconds later, Gordon then admitted to an officer he had been drinking before driving.

The 27-year-old told the cop he had "a little bit" of alcohol ... but said he was not drunk.

When pressed by the officer about how much and what he drank, Gordon said he had "just one" drink of Pinot Grigio.

The officer then conducted field sobriety tests -- and you can see in the clip, it appeared Gordon could not walk in a straight line very well.

Cops then put the NFL player in cuffs and asked if he'd take a blood test to see if his blood alcohol content level was below the legal limit.

That's when Gordon admitted again that he had been drinking before getting behind the wheel.

"I've been drinking," Gordon said ... with one officer responding, "I know, I can tell."

Gordon continued, "I got some people that can drive me. I'm not going to lie to you. I play for the Broncos. Obviously, you probably know. And, I cannot risk getting in trouble. I live three minutes from here, probably four."

Gordon and the cop went back and forth over the tailback taking a blood test, with Melvin asking the cop repeatedly if the stop would hit the news.

"I'm scared to get in trouble, bruh," Gordon said. "I ain't going to lie to you, I'm in a f***ing position battle, bruh. I'm lowkey scared, bruh. Please, bruh."

According to police docs, Gordon ultimately did take the blood test ... and prosecutors later hit him with 2 charges of DUI and one count of speeding 25-39 MPH over the limit.

Gordon, though, pled guilty to reckless driving Wednesday, and prosecutors dismissed his two DUI charges.

Gordon was ordered to complete 12 hours of community service as well as pay $478.50 in fines.

Here's further proof NOBODY in the NFL is having more fun right now than Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady ...

Coming off their Super Bowl win (and the endless stream of ensuing partying) ... Gronk decided to play around with TB12 with an epic FaceTime prank -- and it's hilarious!!

Check out video Rob posted Thursday ... the 31-year-old tight end called up Brady, just to immediately tell him that he's "busy right now" and needs to call him later.

"Did I call you!?" Brady asked with a perplexed look on his face.

Keeping the gag alive, Gronk went back and forth with Brady about who called whom … until Brady finally gave in -- "Alright," the QB said, "I did call you.”

When the jig was finally up, Robby G let Touchdown Tommy in on the prank ... and the 43-year-old QB couldn't help but laugh and slap himself on the forehead!!!

Gronk then found another person to prank ... his dad!!!

It’s unclear who had a better grasp on the tech between Papa Gronk and Brady, but it sure looked like Rob got them both pretty good.

FYI -- the fun video is the latest edition of the #imbusyrightnow challenge -- a social media trend where celebs and people alike call their friends/family members, and immediately tell them they are going to have to call them back.

Pranksters have ranged from NBA legends like Kenny Smith and Shaq to the Kardashians, and the list of victims varies even more.

Newly crowned Super Bowl champ Jaydon Mickens is in trouble with the law ... TMZ Sports has confirmed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was arrested last week in Los Angeles.

Law enforcement tells us the 26-year-old -- a Bucs receiver and return specialist -- was pulled over on March 5 after cops say his window tint was too dark.

During the stop, we're told officers found a gun inside the car -- NOT on his person -- and arrested him over it.

Mickens was booked on a felony concealed weapon charge. We're told the LAPD later informed the NFL of the arrest.

The Bucs issued a statement saying they are "aware of the issue regarding Jaydon that occurred in Los Angeles last week."

"He reached out to let us know about the situation soon after it happened and we have been in contact with the league office to ensure they were aware."

"We will continue to monitor the situation but will have no further comment at this time."

Mickens played in Tampa's championship win over the K.C. Chiefs last month ... taking back three kickoffs for an average of 25 yards a pop.

The 4-year NFL veteran was signed by the Bucs back in the 2019 season ... and has served as a key special teamer since.

He caught 7 passes for 58 yards this past season.

"There was a time that I played a game with a guy that was drunk in the huddle."

That's ex-NFL quarterback Jon Kitna claiming a WR for the Cincinnati Bengals was hammered during a game ... and still managed to rack up nearly 200 yards receiving.

Kitna spelled out the situation while appearing on the "The Ryen Russillo Podcast" earlier this week ... describing an unnamed Bengals teammate who was clearly struggling with alcohol.

"He was drunk and had close to 200 yards receiving now. So, it was crazy."

Kitna -- who played for the Bengals from 2001 to 2005 -- didn't reveal WHEN the incident took place ... but suggested the boozy game was not uncommon for that particular player.

"That was kind of his normal."

In the past few years, several prominent NFL players have admitted to drinking alcohol before taking the field ... with Clinton Portis saying he used liquor as a form of pain management.