Kansas City Chiefs

Incredible honor for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif ... the NFL player who opted out of the 2020 season to help on the frontlines in the battle against COVID just had his PPE enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The HOF made the announcement this weekend ... saying the offensive lineman's mask, face shield, scrubs and lab coat will now be on display for all to see at the museum in Canton, Ohio.

As we previously reported, Duvernay-Tardif -- who earned his doctorate in 2018 -- chose to leave football this season in order to use his medical training to help those affected by coronavirus.

In a statement explaining his decision ... the 29-year-old said, "I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus in our communities simply to play the sport that I love. If I am to take risks, I will do it caring for patients."

It was a big deal for Duvernay-Tardif ... he was projected to be a key player on the Chiefs this season after he started for K.C. in their Super Bowl win over the 49ers last February.

Duvernay-Tardif has reportedly been working on the frontlines in his hometown of Quebec since announcing his opt-out in July.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs received their Super Bowl 54 rings a little over 2 months ago, and now one of the iced out rings just sold for BIG BUCKS at auction!!

The ring was originally given to Mike Weber -- a 23-year-old running back who was on the Chiefs practice squad last season -- before the blinged-out jewelry made its way to the block at Goldin Auctions.

The auction house would not disclose the final sale price ... but one big-time collector placed a bid for $70k.

The opening bid was $35,000.

Sure, it's a lot of cash ... but the ring is absolutely awesome. It features a bunch of super cool aspects to commemorate the Chiefs' championship.

It's made with 10 karat gold and contains 2 Lombardi Trophies made with marquee-cut diamonds ... and a Chiefs logo designed out of 60 diamonds.

But, it's not JUST gold and diamonds ... the ring also includes 16 rubies representing the teams 10 AFC West division titles and 6 playoff appearances under Andy Reid.

The perimeter of the ring top has 122 diamonds which represents 100 NFL seasons and the 22 playoff appearances in Chiefs’ franchise history.

The blinged-out jewelry also contains the name, number (#45) and signature -- inside the ring band -- of Weber ... who just signed on with the Packers' practice squad.

Good news for the WNBA ... Patrick Mahomes' unborn daughter already has a basketball hoop in her room!!!

The NFL superstar's fiancee Brittany Matthews is already putting together the nursery for their baby girl -- complete with 2 bassinets and a crib -- and it looks awesome!

There's a marble side table, pink drapes, some cool wall decor -- and a pink hoop by the door!

Unclear exactly when the baby is due -- but if she was 12 weeks when they announced the pregnancy in September, the kid would be due around April 2021.

The Kansas City Chiefs QB began dating Brittany back in high school and they've been together ever since.

Brit and Patrick -- who got engaged earlier this year -- recently said the wedding won't take place until 2022.

"We have a few dates nailed down but we'll be having baby in 2021 and we plan to do a wedding and all wedding things in 2022."

Matthews said the two weren't "trying" to get pregnant this year -- but admitted they weren't exactly "being careful either."

A Holy Grail collection of Patrick Mahomes cards is up for sale ... and some of the pieces in the set are so rare and unique -- the asking price is a cool $7.5 MILLION!!!

The owners of the cards -- 29-year-old Robert DeArmitt Jr. and his wife, Heidi -- tell TMZ Sports the collection took about 3 years to amass ... and it all started as an investment project for the couple back in 2017.

According to Robert, he and Heidi saw Mahomes play often as Texas Tech fans ... and they just had a feeling the quarterback was going to be a beast after being drafted by the Chiefs -- so they started acquiring pieces.

Robert says one of his first big purchases was a $275 card that he bought shortly after Mahomes' first start as a rookie in K.C.

That card, Robert says, is now worth around $400K!!!

In total, Robert says he and his wife poured in around $20,000 making the collection ... and they're now looking to part ways with over 33 of the pieces for a small fortune.

Robert tells us he's already had "7-figure offers" for the set ... but he says he believes at its floor, the collection is worth AT LEAST $7.5 mil.

As for the cards in the collection ... most are 1-of-1 prints -- aka the only versions of the pieces in existence.

Almost all of the cards have some sort of Mahomes autograph or patch ... and most have perfect Gem-Mint 10 grades on them.

Robert's listed it all on eBay ... and, yeah, there is a "best offer" option.

Props to Patrick Mahomes -- who, along with his foundation, split the $100,000 cost to turn Arrowhead Stadium into a polling place.

Mahomes said he brought up the idea to Chiefs' president Mark Donovan -- but one of the issues they faced was funding the cost of additional voting machines.

So, Mahomes (along with his 15 and the Mahomies foundation) and the Chiefs reportedly agreed to split the $100,000 cost to turn Arrowhead into a voting location.

"I thought it was very important, not only just to get as many people out to vote as possible, but also to use a place as Arrowhead where we have a lot of fun, show a lot of love and unity with people are coming together, and use it as a place where we can come together to vote and use our voice," Mahomes said Tuesday to Jim Trotter on the "Huddle & Flow" podcast.

"I thought Arrowhead was the perfect place for it, and the Chiefs were all aboard with it and some other guys on the team, we all just made our efforts strong and really got it to be a central point for everybody to go vote."

The good news ... Arrowhead got a pretty decent turnout -- with multiple Chiefs players and head coach Andy Reid stopping by to cast their votes.

"No, I did not expect this at this point in my life but everything happens for a reason!"

That's Brittany Matthews -- Patrick Mahomes' fiancee -- getting pretty candid about her pregnancy ... revealing the two weren't planning on having kids before their wedding, but they consider it “the biggest blessing [they’ll] ever have!”

Matthews -- a fitness pro who's been dating the KC Chiefs QB since high school -- says she was on vacation when she found out she was preggers ... and almost didn't realize it at first!

"It's funny because I read the pregnancy test wrong at the beginning and I thought I was all good to go -- ready to party, vacation ya know let's do this! Then, I had a weird feeling and I went back and checked just to make sure and it said positive."

Brit admits she "freaked out" -- but notes Patrick was "just so sweet and supportive" and "things have just been great ever since."

No, they weren't "trying" to get pregnant -- but Brit says they weren't exactly "being careful either."

Britney and Patrick got engaged earlier this year -- and she was asked on IG Live if they'll try to speed up the wedding to tie then knot before the baby is born.

"Actually, had a meeting about this yesterday with our wedding planner," Brittney said.

"We have a few dates nailed down but we'll be having baby in 2021 and we plan to do a wedding and all wedding things in 2022."

In other words, SHE'S FREE TO BOOZE AT THE WEDDING Y'ALL!!

Le'Veon Bell is a Chief.

The ex-NY Jets running back signed a 1-year deal with the defending Super Bowl champs, after being cut by Gang Green earlier this week.

You know the backstory ... the Jets suck. Bell was unhappy. The Jets decided to get him outta there before he became a bigger problem.

Bell was reportedly deciding between 3 teams -- the Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills ... and ultimately decided the best fit was in K.C.

The best part ... the Chiefs play the Jets in Week 8 -- so, that should be fun!

Bell tweeted about the move Thursday afternoon -- saying, "Kansas City, #ChiefsKingdom thank you for the opportunity. Let’s go!"

Bell should have an immediate impact on the Chiefs running game -- currently ranked 19th in the league with an average of 108 rushing yards per game.

The starting back is rookie sensation Clyde Edwards-Helaire -- who can ball -- but let's face it, he could probably use the help.

Question is ... can Bell reclaim his place as one of the top backs in the NFL? Or are his best days behind him?

Just one month after the K.C. Chiefs players received their Super Bowl rings ... one of them is already up for auction, TMZ Sports has learned.

The ring was made for Mike Weber -- who was on the K.C. practice squad during the 2019 season when Patrick Mahomes led the team to a win over the 49ers in SB LIV.

The players received their rings in a special ceremony at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 1.

But now, the 23-year-old's ring has made its way over to Goldin Auctions, where it's up for grabs and the starting bid was $35,000. The current bid is already at $55,000 with 17 days to go!

Goldin tells us the ring is attracting a ton of interest and could easily hit the 6-figure mark.

As for the piece itself, it's a 10 karat gold ring featuring the Chiefs logo made with 60 diamonds ... and 2 Lombardi Trophies made with marquee-cut diamonds.

It includes 16 rubies to signify 10 AFC West division titles and 6 playoff appearances under head coach Andy Reid.

The perimeter of the ring top has 122 diamonds which represents 100 NFL seasons and the 22 playoff appearances in Chiefs’ franchise history.

Weber's name is on the side of the ring next to his jersey number, 45 -- and his signature is etched on the inside band.

Goldin says the ring comes with a custom Josten's ring box and a letter of authenticity from Mike Weber.

Weber was a Dallas Cowboys 7th-round draft pick in 2019 ... and spent most of the season on the practice squad there -- but joined the Chiefs' practice squad in January after the Cowboys' year ended.

Weber had re-signed with the Chiefs after the Super Bowl victory ... but was cut in the offseason after K.C. selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the 1st round of the 2020 draft. He's currently trying to get back into the league.

Patrick Mahomes believes he can throw a football 83 YARDS IN THE AIR -- and he's willing to put his money where his mouth is.

The Kansas City Chiefs QB has long talked about a possible throw-off competition with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen ... since they both are known for having CANONS for arms.

But when Mahomes appeared on "KCSP 610 Sports Radio" this week, he threw out a number ... saying he strongly believes he can hit 83 yards in the air!!!

"I've never seen Josh throw a football but I know how far I can throw it … but I know it's pretty far."

"I think I can get it anywhere from 80 to 83 yards," Mahomes added.

For the record, 83 yards is an INSANE NUMBER -- further than any QB threw a football during the 17 years the NFL had a distance competition in the NFL QB Challenge.

Remember the NFL QB Challenge? The top QBs in the league competed in throwing challenges from distance to accuracy. Fun stuff.

The longest recorded throw was Vinny Testaverde -- who reportedly launched a ball 80 yards in 1988!

Randall Cunningham once recorded a 76 yarder and Brett Favre threw a 75-yard bomb at the '97 competition.

So, for Mahomes to hit 83 yards ... that would be impressive!!

Outside of the friendly rivalry, Mahomes says he's got a healthy respect for Allen -- saying the guy is playing MVP caliber football this season.

The Chiefs (4-1) and Bills (4-0) are set to do battle on Oct. 15 -- and Mahomes says he's looking forward to it.

This is bad. Really bad.

Another New England Patriots start has tested positive for COVID-19 -- Stephon Gilmore ... and now there are serious concerns about a major NFL outbreak.

Gilmore is one of the top players on the Pats -- a 3-time Pro Bowl cornerback who was a part of the Patriots 2018 Super Bowl team.

He's also the 3rd Patriots player to test positive over the past week -- following QB Cam Newton and practice squad defensive end Bill Murray. Newton had tested positive on Saturday, which led to the NFL moving the Pats vs. Chiefs game from Sunday to Monday.

The big concern, obviously, is that Gilmore played during Monday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs and was seen shaking hands with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes after the game.

Did Gilmore have COVID at the time even though he tested negative? It's possible. And, now everyone is concerned.

The Patriots have canceled their Wednesday practice while they try to figure things out. They're supposed to play the Denver Broncos on Sunday but now that game is clearly in jeopardy.

More bad news ... another Tennessee Titans player ALSO tested positive for COVID -- which means the team can't open their practice facility on Wednesday, as they were hoping to do.

It also puts their scheduled Sunday matchup with the Buffalo Bills in jeopardy.

EVEN MORE BAD NEWS ... a player on the Las Vegas Raiders has also tested positive. The Raiders are supposed to play the Chiefs on Sunday.

Remember, the NFL is NOT in a bubble environment -- though players and staffers are tested daily.

But, right now, there is serious concern about how the league can move forward if so many players continue to test positive.

The Kansas City Chiefs say the fan who was ejected by police from Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night was NOT removed due to his anti-Roger Goodell shirt.

You may have seen the footage by now ... several police officers responded to the top of Arrowhead Stadium to remove a fan wearing the famous Barstool Sports "Clown Shirt," created as a shot at the NFL Commish.

Barstool president Dave Portnoy re-posted the video Monday night with the caption, "Goodell is Hitler."

Since the NFL has previously banned certain Barstool employees from NFL events, there was speculation the fan was removed because of his shirt.

But, a spokesperson for the Chiefs tells us that's simply not the case.

"I can confirm, the ejection had nothing to do with the shirt the fan was wearing," the rep told us.

The team wouldn't give us specifics about why the fan was tossed -- only saying he "violated the team's fan code of conduct" and "it had nothing to do with the shirt."

The Clown Shirt has made headlines a lot over the years -- remember New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton rocked it after that infamous blown non-P.I. call in the NFC title game in 2019 that cost N.O. the game.

Bill Belichick removed BOTH of his masks from his face Monday to scream at officials after a bad call ... and it seems obvious a huge fine is coming his way.

The New England Patriots head coach arrived at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City wearing TWO masks ... seemingly trying to send a message that he's taking the NFL's COVID rules seriously.

But, when the Patriots appeared to force a HUGE turnover late in the 2nd quarter -- only to have the play waved off by officials -- Belichick lost his damn mind.

Long story short ... Pats defensive end Chase Winovich appeared to strip Mahomes of the ball during a big 3rd down play -- with another Pats player catching the ball before it hit the ground.

It seemed like a solid turnover that would give the Pats the ball deep in Chiefs territory ... a potential game-changer!

But, the refs ruled that Mahomes was "in the grasp" and blew the whistle dead BEFORE the turnover -- meaning Chiefs kept possession.

Belichick went NUCLEAR -- ripping down his two masks and unloading at the refs ... breaking COVID protocol.

The NFL has been fining coaches for removing masks to yell -- Raiders coach Jon Gruden was hit with a $100,000 fine for similar antics during Week 2.

Belichick is rich and can afford it -- but the NFL is trying to send a message ... STOP TEARING OFF YOUR MASKS!!!!

The New England Patriots are en route to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Monday night ... after new rounds of testing showed no new COVID cases.

Remember, it was Friday night that Patriots QB Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19 ... raising serious concerns about an outbreak within the organization, just like the Tennessee Titans.

As a result of Cam's test, the Pats vs. Chiefs game -- initially scheduled for Sunday in KC -- was postponed to Monday to allow for more testing.

But, according to multiple reports, ZERO players and staffers outside of Cam have tested positive since Friday ... so the team will go ahead and travel Monday morning, in order to play Monday night.

As for the Chiefs, backup QB Jordan Ta'amu had tested positive over the weekend -- but no other Chiefs players or staffers have tested positive either.

Both Newton and Ta'amu are in quarantine and will not attend the game.

After the game, the Patriots will get right back on the team, plane and fly back to New England, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Patrick Mahomes is SEVERELY underpaid despite signing a $500 million contract ... so says a Baltimore Ravens coach -- who claims the Chiefs star is actually worth over $1 BILLION!!!

Don "Wink" Martindale -- the Ravens' defensive coordinator -- told media members Friday if the Chiefs had paid Pat $1 bil he still wouldn't think that's enough for the star QB.

"I know he's got $450 million or whatever it is," Martindale said, "but they could have paid him a billion and I'd still think he's underpaid."

Martindale didn't appear to be just blowing smoke at his Monday night opponent either ... the 57-year-old veteran coach GUSHED over the K.C. player for several minutes.

Wink told reporters he's astounded by Mahomes' arm, legs -- and his ability to set up protections in the face of defenses' blitzes.

"It seems like anytime anybody pressures him," Wink said, "he always has them in the right protection and you're just running into a wall."

Clearly, the Chiefs feel the same way ... 'cause they gave him a 10-year, $503 MILLION contract back in July.

And, it seems K.C. brass has NO problems with that so far ... Patrick's got the Chiefs off to a 2-0 start and he's already thrown for 513 yards, 5 TDs and no interceptions.

How'd Kansas City Chiefs rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire celebrate his huge NFL debut??

DIAMOND PENDANTS, BABY!!!

TMZ Sports has learned Patrick Mahomes' new star teammate just copped some ice after his first-ever monster game in the pros ... and the jewelry is INSANE!!

We're told the running back -- who rushed for 138 yards and a TD in the Chiefs' opening game last week -- hit up Leo Frost to make FIVE pieces ... and the celeb jeweler didn't disappoint.

The bling features the word "Glyde" -- a play on Clyde's "The Glyde" nickname -- as well as his former LSU jersey #22.

We're told each pendant is decked out in 18 carats of VVS diamonds ... plus Clyde's drip includes a bracelet and a Cuban link chain that also have "Glyde" on the locking clasps.

Unclear how much Clyde paid for the pieces ... but we're told the RB is spreading the pendants out to some of his closest family members and friends.

"It's really disrespectful and it's disgusting just to see that and hear that go on."

Former Super Bowl champ James Jones was so shocked to hear booing during the Chiefs-Texans' pregame "moment of unity" ... he went OFF on the fans after the game.

"If you're going to boo, don't even come to the game," Jones said on NFL Network's post-game show. "Don't boo and then act like that, and then cheer us to score touchdowns when the game comes."

If you missed it ... players, coaches and personnel from both the Chiefs and Texans locked arms before their NFL season-opening game Thursday night.

The moment was powerful ... star QBs Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were front and center, arm-in-arm -- and the demonstration was all to show a united effort against racism.

But, stadium microphones picked up A LOT of booing during the moment from the nearly 16,000 fans in attendance and at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City -- and it really pissed Jones off.

"It's bigger than touchdowns," Jones said. "It's bigger than Super Bowls. It's bigger than all of that. I have two young kids and it hurts that somebody out there hates them because of the color of their skin. And, that is what we're trying to end. We're trying to end racism."

Houston star J.J. Watt said after the game the booing bothered him as well ... calling the reaction "unfortunate."

"I don’t fully understand that," Watt said. "There was no flag involved. There was nothing involved with that besides two teams coming together to show unity."

The mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas, said he heard the boos too ... but claimed those were nothing more than a few bad apples in an otherwise great city.