One of Ed Sheeran's opening acts Aaron Rowe is asking fans to pump the brakes on any hate toward the singer following Macklemore's exit ... even after Aaron himself quit Ed's tour.
Taking to Instagram, Aaron wrote ... "All I keep hearing is Ed Sheeran this, Ed Sheeran that. When you really should be focusing on the likes of Robert Kraft."
We reported earlier ... in addition to Robert -- who owns the Patriots -- other NFL owners agreed with his decision to sever ties with Macklemore.
Ed Sheeran's first concert since Macklemore was booted from his tour is going down tonight in Philly — and the fallout from the whole debacle appears to have impacted ticket sales in a huge way.
According to StubHub ... hundreds of tickets ranging from $56 to $251 are still available for purchase, but so far there are no takers. And fans only have hours left to buy all of those tickets before Ed takes the stage at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
As you know, Ed's had a rough week, to say the least, following Macklemore getting kicked off his 2026 Loop Tour for making what some viewed as inflammatory pro-Palestine remarks during a concert in New Jersey.
Ed Sheeran is ready to perform Saturday night's Philadelphia concert solo if needed, now that Macklemore, the rest of his openers and his backup band are out ... TMZ has learned.
Music industry sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... plans for the concert have been changing hour by hour behind the scenes as everyone works out the logistics. But we're told there's no concern about Ed taking the stage by himself if it comes to that.
Our sources point out Ed has historically performed in large-scale venues with nothing more than a guitar ... and has successfully carried two-hour stadium shows without a backup band.
Robert Kraft is taking Macklemore up on his challenge to donate $1 million to help Palestinians ... and Kraft is doubling it.
The New England Patriots owner says Ed Sheeran called him before Macklemore publicly challenged him to match his $1 million donation to Palestinian relief groups ... and says he committed $2 million to aid in the region.
Kraft says Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners as they try to work together on humanitarian relief.
Macklemore is putting his money where his mouth is ... pledging to donate the $1 million he earned on Ed Sheeran's "Loop" Tour to Palestinian relief groups ... and challenging Robert Kraftto match him.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
And Macklemore made sure Kraft got the message ... writing, "Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting" ... before inviting the Patriots owner to match the $1 million donation.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib is raking Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft over the coals after Macklemore was kicked off Ed's tour for his pro-Palestine rhetoric ... telling us she has no respect for Ed or Kraft.
Charlie caught up with the Representative from Michigan on Tuesday ... and she says she instantly lost respect for Ed when he dropped Macklemore from his remaining tour dates amid mounting pressure.
Rep. Tlaib says it always feels like Palestinians are always an exception ... claiming other groups get full-throated support during humanitarian crises -- but not Palestinians.
Ed Sheeran is breaking his silence after Macklemore called him out for kicking him off his tour ... and he says he's not to blame because he didn't make the final call.
The singer took to social media Tuesday, writing, "I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy."
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Ed said Macklemore asked him to be a part of the tour, and he agreed because he respects “him as an artist.” He said he allows his opening acts to play their own setlist.
Robert Kraft is firing back at Macklemore ... confirming to TMZ he did not want the rapper performing at Gillette Stadium and accusing him of crossing the line with antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Macklemore claimed Monday Ed Sheeran told him Kraft objected to his involvement in the tour after his pro-Palestine comments at MetLife Stadium went viral ... and Kraft says there was a reason.
Kraft tells TMZ ... "Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech."
Dianna Russini was in "clear violation" of The Athletic's newsroom standards because of her relationship with Mike Vrabel ... an internal investigation found.
The Athletic's editorial director, Mike Semel, published the findings Thursday, saying ... "Russini's relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic's standards. Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed."
Semel went through 903 videos, 77 videos, 204 episodes of her "Scoop City" podcast -- he also interviewed her coworkers and listened to her off-platform appearances and interviews -- and says he didn't find "a clear link" that shows Russini used her position to give Vrabel a leg up.
Semel write ... "That said, there are examplesof Russini writing glowingly of Vrabel that in hindsight are awkward or even uncomfortable."
The New England Patriots did it big for Mike Vrabel's birthday ... surprising the coach with one of the team's biggest superfans -- Bon Jovi!!
The Super Bowl champ turned the big 5-1 on Friday ... and while he had a loud 2026 with all things Dianna Russini, the vibes were much better with a celebration at training camp.
Pats owner Robert Kraft led the charge ... enlisting the rookie class to serenade Vrabel with a rendition of "Happy Birthday," with the team mascot, Pat Patriot, standing nearby.
Former NFL guard Jordan Devey -- who played for the New England Patriots when they won the Super Bowl in 2014 -- has died by suicide, his family announced.
His wife, Linsey Devey, announced his death on social media Friday -- saying it would have been their 15th wedding anniversary -- and linked to a GoFundMe which said he took his own life.
Jordan and Linsey share four children who Linsey said have his "eyes, freckles, and compassion." She added, "You were our hero and our hearts ache in your absence. We love you. We miss you. And as you said in your last words to me, 'we’ll talk soon.'"
Stefon Diggs is slamming the man suing him for alleged sexual assault … and he vehemently denies whipping out his penis while they were hanging out.
The NFL star called out Christopher Griffith as they continue their back-and-forth in court ... saying Griffith's claims about Stefon's penis is "completely false and defamatory."
As we've reported, Stefon sued Chris for spreading alleged lies about him, and Christopher countersued over an alleged assault on May 22, 2023, at Stefon's Maryland home.
Christopher claims Stefon took out his penis and tried to make sexual advances, which Chis rejected, after Stefon drugging him. He said Stefon had his brother and two other men attack him a week later to keep him silent. Stefon says the entire thing never happened and Christopher caused his rep harm.
Mike Vrabel and his wife, Jen, are still moving forward together ... with the couple spotted side by side at the airport after attending Taylor Swiftand Travis Kelce's star-studded wedding.
The New England Patriots head coach and Jen were seen making their way through the Salt Lake City airport Sunday ... casually dressed and carrying their bags as they made their way through the terminal following a whirlwind wedding weekend.
Mike rocked a patterned short-sleeve shirt, white shorts, and sneakers, while Jennifer kept things comfortable in a matching light gray set and sandals.
Dianna Russini didn't just lose a job amid the Mike Vrabel controversy ... she also lost a pretty hefty paycheck!
The veteran NFL reporter was pulling in close to $800,000 a year at The Athletic, according to its parent organization, The New York Times Company ... making her one of the highest-paid journalists at the mass media corporation.
According to the NYT, Diana was in the middle of contract renewal talks when the scandal erupted ... with her existing deal set to expire at the end of June.
Further proof a massive scandal can't rock the Vrabels -- Mike and Jen were a united front while celebrating their son's engagement over the weekend.
The New England Patriots head coach's son, Tyler, and Mariah Romano shared the big relationship news on Sunday ... with the new fiancée gushing over the moment.
"The most perfect engagement surrounded by the people I love most," Romano said alongside some snaps from the day.
A.J. Brown is opening up on his relationship with former teammate Jalen Hurts ... finally admitting they aren't as tight anymore -- but he still has love for the guy.
Fresh off being traded to New England, the receiver sat down with Maria Taylor for an interview on "7PM in Brooklyn x Creative 7" ... with a Patriots "Man Cave" rug laying under their feet -- a purchase he says he made years ago, even though he was a member of the Eagles at the time.
The lifelong Pats fan shared his excitement to play for the team he worshipped growing up during the chat ... while also shedding light on his time in the City of Brotherly Love, specifically the apparent falling out with QB1.
