NFL

NFL star Carlos Dunlap just copped a real-deal, sick Kobe Bryant autograph -- and he's STOKED about it -- but he tells TMZ Sports guys who are pushing fakes need to knock that crap off.

"You're better than that," the Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler said. "Do better."

Dunlap was leaving Jay Glazer's MVP charity event Wednesday night in Miami when we spotted him with a pretty incredible piece of Mamba memorabilia.

It was a signed, framed photo of a high-flying Kobe with replicas of all of the Laker legend's championship rings ... and Dunlap seemed thrilled with the purchase.

But when we told Carlos experts are warning memorabilia seekers that scumbags are selling fakes to profit off the demand following KB's death ... he got pretty pissed.

"It's super sad," Carlos said. "I don't understand how somebody can stoop to that level."

Good news, Saints fans ... Sean Payton tells TMZ Sports he fully expects Drew Brees to return for his 15th season in New Orleans next season!!!

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

Of course, there's been a lot of talk about Brees possibly hanging it up this off-season ... he's 41 years old and coming off a year in which he threw for less than 3,000 yards for the first time since 2003.

Plus, he's a free agent who would need to renegotiate yet another tough, high-priced deal with New Orleans leadership.

But when we got Brees' head coach out in Miami at a Super Bowl event Wednesday night ... he sure seemed like a guy who was confident he'll have his Hall of Fame QB back in 2020.

Payton wasn't alone in that sentiment ... we also got legendary Saints O-lineman Willie Roaf in Miami as well, and he told us he has ZERO doubts Brees will be back.

"He ain't retiring," Roaf says. "He's coming back one more year ... I promise he's coming back one more year."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is ready, willing and able to help Antonio Brown get his life back on track ... saying, "We are confident that can happen."

AB's life has been a mess over the past several months -- he's been fired from multiple NFL teams, gone to war with the mother of his children and most recently, he was arrested for allegedly attacking a moving truck driver.

Brown's estranged girlfriend has said publicly that she's concerned about Antonio's mental health -- and it seems like Goodell and the NFL agree that he needs help ASAP.

During a media event in Miami on Wednesday for Super Bowl LIV, Goodell was asked about the league's efforts to help the embattled WR ... and he insisted the NFL is actively involved.

"I think the first thing for all of us is to think about the wellbeing of Antonio. To understand what Antonio's going through," Goodell said.

"We don't talk about the wellness of our players publicly but I would tell you that you can be assured that the NFL and the NFL Players Association have a tremendous amount of resources that are available to all players. They are going to be made available to Antonio."

Goodell continued ... "We want to help get him on the right track and get him in a position where he is in the zone where he thinks he can be successful in life."

"We are confident that can happen. We want to work to do that and for our standpoint, that's the first step ... and the first step is making sure we're doing everything to help Antonio."

For his part, AB is still training as if he'll get another shot to play pro football -- though it seems unlikely at this point.

During the media event, Goodell also addressed the investigation into the New England Patriots for illegally videotaping the Cincinnati Bengals during a 2019 regular-season game.

Goodell said, "Our responsibility is to make sure we're being extremely thorough. Our team has been on it. We've been focused on this. We're going to get it right. And when we come to a conclusion we'll certainly make sure that people are aware of it."

NFL D-lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches says his life has been turned upside down over a "completely false" story about him abandoning a dog ... saying he's been forced to move due to serious threats.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers player is accused of leaving his Cane Corso, Jitterbug, on the side of a Florida road last month ... where it was later found tired, hungry and alone.

The Buccaneers have announced they're investigating the incident ... but in a lengthy statement Wednesday, Nunez-Roches says he had nothing to do with the abandonment.

"We would never abandon a dog," Nunez-Roches says. "We were expecting our first baby, so we thought it would be safer to have only smaller dogs in the house."

"Jitterbug is a Cane Corso, which is an Italian Mastiff and not a Pit Bull as was incorrectly reported, and we gave her to a family that wanted one. We have no idea how she ended up in an animal shelter, but we absolutely did not and would never abandon her or any other dog."

Nunez-Roches says the allegations caused him to receive so many violent threats ... he was forced to call the cops and physically change his address.

"We love and have taken care of dogs for years," Nunez-Roches says. "But, because a few overzealous people mistakenly assumed we had abandoned a dog that was no longer ours, we have received threats and had our reputations smeared in the media."

Nunez-Roches says the Tampa Police Department is now handling the case ... and he says he wants retractions from people who made the accusations against him.

"Hopefully the groups who falsely accused us ... realize their mistake and we can all go back to living normal lives and taking care of our dogs and other pets."

As for Jitterbug, the dog was adopted shortly after it was found in Florida ... and we're told it's doing well and is very happy in its new home.

Patrick Mahomes is getting a Super Bowl assist from Brett Favre ... who tells TMZ Sports he's already hooking up the Chiefs superstar QB with Big Game week advice!!!

"I sent Patrick a message last night," Favre says.

So, what's the Packers legend's memo? Brett tells us it's simple -- ENJOY THE WEEK!!!

Favre -- a former SB MVP -- tells us he ain't offering X's and O's advice or anything like that (yet), but he is giving Mahomes some tips on how to forever remember his first title game.

"Enjoy yourself," Favre said he told the KC QB. "Soak it in!"

Favre says while the message might seem cliche and short ... he says it's actually necessary -- telling us a lot of dudes NEVER make it back to the title game and regret not enjoying the week more.

Favre, though, says he's betting Mahomes will have plenty more Super Bowl trips in his future ... telling us the 24-year-old is set to "rewrite" the NFL's record books!

Brett also talked to us about his faith in Jimmy Garoppolo heading into Super Sunday ... and he says a game against the Saints earlier this year showed him everything he needed to see to be a believer in the guy.

Patrick Mahomes, Jimmy Garoppolo and all the other players preparing for Super Bowl 54 can stay focused on the game, instead of worrying about home burglaries ... thanks to a live-sex porn site.

Yeah, you read that right. CamSoda is offering free HD webcams to the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers players to set up inside their homes during Super Bowl week. The offer isn't a gateway to porn ... it's a security measure to ward off potential thieves.

CamSoda's thought is once the cams are installed, players can live stream the feed from their homes 24/7 to monitor their property while they're out of town -- or have friends or family monitor the situation.

The company's VP, Darren Parker, says ... "The last thing members of the Chiefs and 49ers should have to worry about while preparing for, and competing in, the Super Bowl is making sure their residences are secure."

Parker cites the break-ins at the homes of Rob Gronkowski -- during the Super Bowl in 2018 -- and Yasiel Puig when the Dodgers were in the 2017 World Series. He says Travis Kelce and George Kittle don't need to worry about falling victim too.

The offer doesn't require accepting players to "perform" on their webcams -- but ya gotta think CamSoda wouldn't turn 'em down if they were interested.

Friendliest Super Bowl ever?!?!?

The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs came face-to-face at Marlins Park in Miami on Monday night ... and THEY COULDN'T HAVE BEEN NICER!!

Patrick Mahomes, Jimmy Garoppolo, Richard Sherman, Tyrann Mathieu and more were shaking hands, cracking jokes and posing for pics together ... just days before they do battle!

It's actually really nice to see ... ferocious competitors being super respectful and enjoying the moment before Sunday's big game.

During the Opening Night festivities, players from both teams remembered Kobe Bryant and talked about the impact he's had on their lives.

In fact, 49ers superstar tight end George Kittle said Kobe was "the reason I played sports."

Kareem Hunt had an open vodka container in his car, admitted he'd fail a drug test and was chastised by a self-proclaimed Browns fan cop during his speeding stop last week ... this according to new bombshell police video.

... Oh, and Ray Rice's elevator incident was brought up during the pullover too.

The footage, obtained by TMZ Sports, shows 24-year-old Hunt bolting down a freeway in his Chrysler in Rocky River, Ohio on Jan. 21.

You can see in the video, the Cleveland Browns running back blows by an officer ... quickly slams on his breaks and then is immediately pulled over to the side of the road.

The cop gets Kareem out of the car ... and while police audio doesn't pick up their conversation at that point -- it's pretty clear Hunt is emotional.

He frustratingly gestures to the cop ... and once he gets into the back of the squad car -- he appears to be sobbing over the stop.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars safety Donovin Darius was arrested for DUI on Sunday ... and he allegedly told law enforcement officials during the stop he had just ingested 20 to 30 pills.

Darius was found discombobulated in the driver's seat of his ride following a vehicle crash at around 10 a.m. ET in Jacksonville, according to ESPN, when things turned scary.

Darius was reportedly placed in an ambulance ... where he told on-scene rescue personnel that he was suicidal and had just swallowed a ton of pills.

Cops discovered two pill bottles in the 44-year-old's car ... but were NOT able to do a sobriety test on the former NFL safety because he could not stand on his own.

Darius was immediately taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.

According to jail records, Donovan was ultimately charged with misdemeanor DUI for the stop. An initial appearance court date has not been set yet.

Darius was a longtime stud for the Jaguars ... he was drafted in the 1st-round by the team in 1998 and started 115 games for the team from '98 to 2006.

Cooper Kupp is going to bat for his quarterback ... saying there's NOTHING wrong with Jared Goff -- and promising TMZ Sports JG is going to be just fine next season!!

"We have all the faith in the world in Jared," the Rams superstar receiver says. "Absolutely love him."

Of course, a lot of L.A. fans ain't exactly feeling the same way ... Goff saw his QB rating dip nearly 15 points to 86.5 this season, his touchdown passes fall from 32 to 22 and his interceptions rise from 12 to 16.

But, when we got Kupp out at LAX this week ... he told us there's ZERO panic in the Rams' locker room over their signal-caller.

"We're going to be just fine," the receiver says.

The Rams have already taken some steps to try to get Goff back to his 2018 form ... Sean McVay hired Kevin O'Connell to be the team's new OC, and Goff's already said he's stoked for that addition.

Troubled NFL star Aldon Smith isn't giving up his dream of getting back on the football field ... 'cause he's training like crazy in hopes of making a return to the league.

30-year-old Smith hasn't played a down in the NFL since 2015 due to a variety of issues including substance abuse, a hit-and-run and domestic violence allegations.

Before the off-the-field issues, Smith was one of the most dominant players in the league -- he was a 1st Team All-Pro in 2012 when he recorded 19.5 sacks ... setting the San Francisco 49ers single-season franchise record.

Shannon Sharpe ain't so sure Eli Manning is getting into the Hall of Fame ... the Broncos legend tells TMZ Sports the debate over the QB's candidacy will be "contentious."

We got the FS1 star out at LAX just minutes after Eli had his retirement news conference Friday ... and we asked him straight-up, is the Giants legend Hall of Fame worthy?

"I thought I knew what a Hall of Famer was," Sharpe told us. "But, many years ago. I don't know anymore."

The "Undisputed" co-host seems to think Eli will ultimately get a bronze bust someday ... but he makes it clear, it's probably because of the QB's 2 title rings.

"It's going to be hard to keep him out because he has two Super Bowl MVPs," Sharpe said. "He's one of five players to have multiple Super Bowl MVPs."

But, Sharpe points out the fact that the talk is already so polarizing means it could be an uphill climb to Canton for Eli when he's eligible in 5 years regardless.

"The mere fact the guy's retired for an hour and that's a debate lets you know how contentious his selection is going to be."

Antonio Brown is turning himself in ... TMZ Sports has learned the NFL star just arrived at a Florida jail after police issued a warrant for his arrest earlier this week.

We broke the story, Brown allegedly threw rocks at a moving company truck and then attacked the driver over a dispute stemming from payment for a scheduled delivery at his Hollywood, Fla. home.

Tom Brady is congratulating Eli Manning on his 16-year NFL career ... by wishing the N.Y. Giants quarterback NEVER won a Super Bowl!!!

Of course, Manning's 2 rings came at the expense of Brady's Patriots in dramatic fashion -- remember David Tyree?? Mario Manningham?? Yeah. Still hurts for New England fans.

Now that Eli is calling it a career, Brady gave his old foe a congratulatory tweet ... and threw in a friendly jab.

"Congratulations on your retirement, and a great career Eli! Not going to lie though, I wish you hadn’t won any Super Bowls."

Haaaa ... good one, TB12. Although, can you imagine if Manning DIDN'T win those 2 Super Bowls?? Brady would have 8 freakin' rings.

Manning is having a press conference to officially hang it up on Friday ... so that's one less QB Brady has to worry about.

The New Orleans Saints are adamantly DENYING helping top Catholic church officials in N.O. cover up sex abuse crimes, despite allegations to the contrary ... this according to court docs.

Here's the deal ... more than 20 men are suing the Archdiocese of New Orleans for employing George F. Brignac, a schoolteacher and deacon who allegedly sexually abused several boys.

Despite allegedly knowing about the abuse, the church continued to employ him as a lay minister until 2018.

Several alleged victims are suing the church for keeping him around while knowing he was a danger to kids.

Now, attorneys for the accusers are going after the Saints -- claiming team executives used their official Saints email accounts to help advise the church on how to deal with the crisis.

In fact, the attorneys claim there are HUNDREDS of emails showing an attempted P.R. effort from the Saints and they want a judge to release them to the public, according to the AP, which broke the story.

The attorneys are pointing the finger at the top Saints people -- including owner Gayle Benson and Senior V.P. of Communications Greg Bensel ... suggesting they aided the Archdiocese of New Orleans in its "pattern and practice of concealing its crimes."

What is known is that Saints owner Gayle Benson is a major backer of her local Catholic archdiocese and she’s given millions to the church ... and, she’s buds with Archbishop Gregory Aymond. Gayle inherited the team when Tom Benson died in 2018.

"Obviously, the Saints should not be in the business of assisting the Archdiocese, and the Saints’ public relations team is not in the business of managing the public relations of criminals engaged in pedophilia," the attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote in the court filing. "The Saints realize that if the documents at issue are made public, this professional sports organization also will be smearing itself."

According to the AP, the Saints have strongly denied the allegations in court filings.

The Saints had no immediate comment when we reached out Friday.

If the 49ers win the Super Bowl, don't expect to see Richard Sherman celebrating at the White House.

The NFL star was asked Thursday if he would go to D.C. to meet Donald Trump, as several championship teams have done in the past ... and Sherman essentially shot that down.

"I haven’t thought about it. We’ve got a long way between now and then, but I doubt it," Sherman told SF Chronicle's Scott Ostler.

As with most large groups of people these days, it's fair to assume not everyone on the team feels the same way Sherman does ... especially since his star teammate, Nick Bosa, is a proud Trump supporter.

First, the 49ers have to win the Super Bowl -- and the Kansas City Chiefs are obviously gonna try to not let that happen. That game goes down Sunday, Feb. 2.

The White House honor has become a VERY politically charged event now -- with star players from various sports boycotting including Chris Long, Torrey Smith, Mookie Betts, Alex Cora and the entire Golden State Warriors team.