New England Patriots

Ben Affleck has done a lot of cool things over his 52 years walking the planet ... but says the opportunity to run routes for Tom Brady was one of the greatest days of his life!!

The "Accountant 2" star chopped it up with Jason and Travis Kelce on the latest episode of "New Heights" ... and at one point in the convo, the brothers asked all about his one-on-one training sesh with the GOAT when they were vacationing at the same spot.

"To this day, aside from the birth of my children, that was the greatest day of my life," he said.

Jordon Hudson is doubling down on how she met Bill Belichick as the internet casts doubt ... reposting the book the legendary coach signed during their first interaction.

Chapter one of the couple's love story has been scrutinized in recent days ... after Hudson refused to let Belichick talk about it during a now-infamous interview with CBS.

The interruption has folks wondering if their rom-com-esque flight run-in was bogus ... and Hudson's seemingly aware, 'cause she reposted an old Instagram of her "Meetiversary" from February, which showcased the textbook, "Deductive Logic" featuring the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach's John Hancock.

Bill Belichick's girlfriend doesn't want to field questions about their relationship ... and, she's not letting him take them either -- 'cause she awkwardly shut down a query about how they met during a CBS interview.

The legendary NFL coach -- who recently took the job as head of the University of North Carolina football team -- sat for a chat on "CBS Sunday Mornings" ... discussing his upcoming book "The Art of Winning," his childhood and his time at the helm of the New England Patriots.

The conversation naturally turned to Jordon Hudson -- Bill's 24-year-old girlfriend ... with interviewer Tony Dokoupil asking if Bill listens to the criticism about their relationship.

Rob Gronkowski's playing days are behind him, but his body certainly didn't get the memo ... 'cause the future Hall of Famer looked NFL ready while hosting his post-WrestleMania rager!!

The four-time Super Bowl champion held his famous Gronk Beach bash at LIV Beach at Fontainebleau Las Vegas after all the WWE festivities concluded over the weekend ... allowing fans in attendance to keep the night going after John Cena's historic win over Cody Rhodes.

At one point in the shindig, Gronk elected to drop top ... and even though there was a bunch of drinking involved, he was showing off a different kind of six pack.

Rob Gronkowski is set to let loose at his Gronk Beach party in Las Vegas on WrestleMania Sunday ... and even though Bill Belichick is busy getting the Tar Heels ready for the 2025 season -- he says his old coach AND his girl have an open invite!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the Super Bowl champion ahead of his Sin City shindig to cap off WWE's biggest weekend of the year ... and while Flo Rida is slated to perform, Gronk teased the music lineup is just the beginning.

"We're going to have a lot of other special little tricks and treats going on as well," he said.

It is April Fools' Day, but Robert Kraft wasn't joking around when announcing the newest addition to the Patriots Hall of Fame -- saying he personally asked Bill Parcells to join the exclusive club, despite the well-documented beef between the two.

Kraft informed reporters of his decision while out at the annual league meeting in Florida on Tuesday ... revealing the Big Tuna will formally go into the team's HOF later this year.

"In the early 1990s, the Patriots were in disarray," Kraft said in a statement after making the announcement. "But the hiring of Bill Parcells in 1993, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, brought instant credibility to the franchise. We had never had a head coach with his credentials."

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?"

Randy Moss made a surprise appearance on the big screen Thursday night during the NFL Honors show ... helping present the league's Comeback Player of the Year award -- while also thanking everyone for their support amid his cancer battle.

The legendary Minnesota Vikings receiver appeared virtually in front of the star-studded crowd down in NOLA, rocking the Team Moss gear he dropped following his cancer announcement.

"I want to send a special thank you to all of my doctors," he said. "My beautiful wife, my children, my family, my teammates and all the prayer warriors out there. We are 'Mossing' cancer and I can't wait to get back on television with all my guys."

Adam Vinatieri isn't hiding it -- he'd really love to be a Hall of Famer ... and he tells TMZ Sports if he's officially inducted next week, he'll be doing some gymnastics!!

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is slated to announce its 2025 class on Thursday ... and Vinatieri is one of 15 modern-era finalists vying for as many as five spots.

The competition is super stiff -- some of the other 14 names looking to get the call include Eli Manning, Luke Kuechly, Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Terrell Suggs and Reggie Wayne.

New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers appeared in a Massachusetts courtroom on Thursday and pled guilty to one charge of possessing cocaine.

The 29-year-old -- wearing a blue suit and white shirt -- admitted to a judge that the powdery substance that was found in his wallet following his arrest for domestic violence in October was the illegal drug.

The football player was ordered to remain drug-free and stay out of trouble for the next four months after making his plea.

The New England Patriots might've technically satisfied the Rooney Rule requirement, but NOT the spirit ... according to longtime NFL executive/GM Rod Graves who says the Pats made a joke of the policy.

TMZ Sports spoke with Graves, who after decades working in the NFL as a league executive and general manager, now serves as the Executive Director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an org. dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within pro football, about the much-debated rule that says teams must interview a minority candidate before hiring a coach.

Robert Kraft's football team interviewed two Black head coach hopefuls, Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich, before ultimately hiring Mike Vrabel ... who was expected to land the job from the moment the Patriots fired Jerod Mayo.

Drake Maye didn't get a ring to cap off his rookie season, but his longtime girlfriend did -- the New England Patriots quarterback just proposed to Ann Hudson -- and she said yes!!

The two announced the happy news on Wednesday on their Instagram pages ... with the couple revealing the 22-year-old signal-caller got on a bent knee while out at a beach.

Maye set up some roses, pillows and champagne for the occasion ... and was clearly thrilled Hudson agreed to be his forever partner by the sea.

Martellus Bennett has gone from catching touchdowns to dropping motivational words ... the ex-Super Bowl champion has just authored a children's book -- and it's super inspiring.

The work is called "Dear Black Boy" ... and Bennett told TMZ Sports this week it's a tale aimed at encouraging young Black boys to follow their dreams in any field -- not simply the sports world.

"When I look at Black boys, I don't see athletes," the former New England Patriots tight end said. "I see a world of possibilities within them. So, I ask them, what are they interested in, not what they play."

Bill Belichick is only 15 wins away from passing Don Shula for the most head coaching wins in NFL history ... but he claims that wasn't on his mind before he took his new gig with North Carolina -- 'cause what he really cares about is championships.

Days after his introductory press conference in Chapel Hill, Bill gave an update on his first few days on the job during his appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" ... saying he's been busy recruiting high school players and working the transfer portal as he starts to build out his roster.

The 72-year-old was then asked about seemingly giving up on being the winningest coach in NFL history as a result of his move to the NCAA ... but he's making it clear there's something that holds much more weight in his eyes.

One North Carolina super fan sprang into action after the big Bill Belichick news broke this week ... with a proud alum rushing to trademark "Chapel Bill" shortly after the legendary coach announced he was taking his talents to the Tar Heels football program.

TMZ Sports spoke with 2000 grad Anthony Proscia -- who filed papers Wednesday -- and he said his main goal with the move was to ensure the viral phrase didn't fall into the nefarious hands of the school's hated rival fanbases over at Duke or NC State.

Of course, "Chapel Bill" is a play on the town UNC is located in -- Chapel Hill. The phrase has quickly taken off, with the Tar Heels' X account using it in multiple social media posts to announce the hire.

Tom Brady took a break from his NFL game prep to give a special shoutout on Thursday -- wishing his daughter, Vivian, a happy birthday!!

"Happy 12th birthday to my forever baby girl," Brady wrote on Instagram. "Watching you grow and chase after your dreams are the proudest moments of my life."

"Here’s to a great day filled with all the laughter and love that you deserve. I love you infinity x infinity!!! ❤️❤️❤️"