NFL

Justin Timberlake is saying one thing, but his fans' eyes around Minneapolis are saying there's evidence an 'NSYNC reunion could be going down during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Here's what we know: JT flatout told reporters at Thursday's news conference in Minneapolis, "No" ... his old group is NOT getting back together. However, multiple people claiming to be in Minneapolis say they've seen all the 'NSYNC members, minus Justin, in the downtown area.

Before ya get too excited, here's some more info: Lance Bass was posting pics of himself skiing Wednesday in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Joey Fatone was spotted late Wednesday night in Orlando signing autographs for some fans.

However, there's the miracle of air travel! Joey's publicist and manager tell us the singer IS now in Minnesota -- but they say he's just doing appearances at Super Bowl events. We know ... halftime would seem to fall under that umbrella.

On the other hand, Joey was in L.A. last week and told us, point-blank, the reunion ain't happening.

Believe him?

As for Lance -- his manager says he's back home in L.A. The only missing links are Chris Kirkpatrick and JC Chasez.

Melvin Gordon is shutting down all the crap about the Chargers dumping Philip Rivers ... telling TMZ Sports the franchise QB will absolutely be back in L.A. next season.

We talked shop with Melvin out in Minny ... and the stud RB was pretty candid (and hilarious) on topics ranging from Rivers' retirement clock to Alex Smith's Chiefs exit to Kirk Cousins-Broncos rumors.

But the biggest takeaway was Flash telling us his boy, "Phil-y Cheese," (new nickname alert) ain't gonna get squeezed out by the Spanos clan.

Melvin also told us why his boy, Eagles RB Jay Ajayi, big-timed him on Super Bowl tix ... and spilled the beans on a major rap star Melvin Ingram is about to collab with!!

Justin Timberlake faced the media in Minnesota -- and talked all about his Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday ... and (shocker) he charmed the hell out of everyone in the room.

JT said Tom Brady is on his "man crush" list and has shut down the possibility of an 'NSYNC reunion.

As we previously reported, Joey Fatone told us he wasn't going to Minnesota to perform in the show.

Timberlake says the focus is on his new band. We'll see if he's telling the truth ...

Miss America Cara Mund was also in the house ... and she asked a question while rockin' her tiara.

Ex-Jets star Bart Scott hopes his old squad doesn't fire star WR Robby Anderson in the wake of his crazy arrest (where he allegedly threatened to bang a cop's wife). Here's why ...

1) "He's too young"

2) "He's too talented"

3) "His salary's controllable" (i.e. "he's cheap")

You'd think Robby could get the ax after allegedly going 105 mph in a 45 zone and then telling the arresting officer he was going to find the dude's wife and "f*ck her and nut in her eye."

Of course, Bart says Anderson crossed the line (if the allegations are true) -- but he shouldn't lose his job over it. He lays out the case for us on camera.

Anthony Scaramucci almost had the last laugh on Donald Trump, because T-Mobile offered him a fortune to do a Super Bowl ad, but then mysteriously pulled the plug ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the deal tell us the behemoth mobile carrier contacted Scaramucci's reps a few weeks ago and offered in the mid-6 figures for a surprise ad during the game. We're told the premise was Scaramucci at a podium fielding questions about T-Mobile, and whenever someone had their information wrong he'd scream, "Fake news!!!"

Days after the offer was made, it was pulled with no explanation. Sources connected with the former White House Communications Director say they believe it was yanked because of Scaramucci's politics.

We reached out to T-Mobile ... but the company was radio silent.

Ricky Williams has a very important message for anyone who's thinking about hitting his Super Bowl 52 blowout ...

It's no longer BYOW -- 'cause he's got enough weed for the WHOLE PARTY.

Ricky updated us on his Super Bowl Sunday smoke-athon -- telling TMZ Sports he's going the whole 9 yards for his private party in the Hollywood Hills.

Booze, celebrities, vegan food, a massage therapist and now an unlimited supply of ganj -- Williams says he'll have "something for everybody."

Dear Eagles fans,

If you get drunk this weekend, please -- for the love of god -- resist the urge to punch a police horse in the mouth for a change.

Sincerely,

Ike Reese.

That's the essence of what the former Eagles Pro Bowler told us in Minnesota -- after 2 Philly fans punched 2 different police horses in 2 consecutive weeks during the NFL playoffs.

If you don't know Reese, WATCH THIS VIDEO -- dude's a legend.

One of Minneapolis' main Super Bowl LII party venues -- hosting P!nk, Jennifer Lopez, Imagine Dragons, Diddy, DJ Khaled and Cardi B -- was just evacuated for a gas leak.

Law enforcement sources tell us they responded to The Armory around 1 PM. We're told crews discovered the gas was coming from an above ground pressure relief valve. A rep for the MFD says the valve was completely drained by crews.

Good thing. The venue's gonna be busy this week.

Thursday: Imagine Dragons, Machine Gun Kelly, Mura Masa
Friday: P!nk
Saturday: Jennifer Lopez
Sunday: Diddy, DJ Khaled, French Montana, Cardi B, G-Eazy

Listen up Gisele -- legendary boxer Bernard Hopkins has some advice on how to deal with those unruly Philly fans when you get to Minnesota ... and it's basically not to be Gisele.

We got Hopkins -- a Philly legend -- out at LAX and asked him how the notoriously outspoken Mrs. Bündchen should handle herself Super Bowl weekend around his Eagles people.

NOTE: Eagles fans are freakin' crazy, having actually assaulted Santa Claus on one occasion.

B-Hop had a very simple idea for Gisele, utilizing a skill she's used to ... playing dress-up.

"You got to camouflage yourself so you won't be noticed. Cause Philly, no matter where we go we make that Philly."

UFC star Eddie Alvarez is a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan.

His boss, Dana White, lives and breathes New England Patriots.

So, when we asked Eddie how he's getting along with Dana during Super Bowl week ... he had a 2-fingered response.

It's hilarious.

Of course, they're just kidding around -- but Eddie says they both agreed to suspend the friendship "until Philly wins."

In serious news ... since Eddie famously fought Conor McGregor -- we asked for his take on a possible Conor vs. Floyd MMA match.

Eddie makes it clear he thinks Floyd would get the beating of his life -- and even his 12-year-old son could get Mayweather to tap inside of an octagon.

Colin Kaepernick just wrote his LAST check as part of his "$1 Million Pledge" campaign -- and teamed up with Usher to end it with a bang.

Remember, Kaep first started the program back in 2016 ... vowing to donate $1 MIL of his own money to more than 40 charitable causes -- including Communities United for Police Reform and The Black Youth Project.

Over the past 2 weeks, Colin enlisted some HUGE stars to match his final 10 donations -- including Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg, Serena Williams, Chris Brown, T.I. and Meek Mill (from prison).

For his final $10k pledge, Colin and Usher chose H.O.M.E. -- an org. helping single mothers facing economic hardship.

"This was an opportunity to do something major and you did it," Usher told Kaep in a thank-you vid. "This is a result of us helping each other. We all become stronger."

The former 49ers QB also issued a statement on social media, saying -- "Thank you to everyone who has supported me, matched me and my pledge and most importantly the people."

Should Patriots and Eagles players have sex before the Super Bowl??

"GO FOR IT," says Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis ... who's debunking the myth that bangin' before the big game can mess with your mojo.

It's pretty simple -- if you're a studly NFL star, chances are you're getting PLENTY of action during the season.

So, TD advises not to break routine -- "Keep doing that, don't change."

He would know -- Terrell's a former Super Bowl MVP and 2-time SB champ with the Broncos.

Saints' record-breaking rookie Alvin Kamara says the team is already over Marcus Williams' historic missed tackle against the Vikings ... telling TMZ Sports the team is 100% behind their guy.

Kamara also admits he looks almost exactly like rap superstar Lil Uzi Vert.

We got Alvin out at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and asked him how the team responded to Williams after he missed Stefon Diggs with no time left on the clock, allowing the Vikings to pull off the Minnesota Miracle.

"Obviously he was down on himself, but we have a supportive locker room and we all picked him up and let him know that it's not just on you."

Now to the important news ... Kamara looks like Uzi, it's a thing. We asked him about it, and he addressed it, cooly and calmly just like Uzi would've. It's pretty uncanny.

So much for a warm welcome for Alex Smith in Washington ...

Redskins stud defensive back D.J. Swearinger is PISSED about the blockbuster trade that sent a young defensive star to the Chiefs in exchange for the Pro Bowl QB ... calling the deal "bullsh*t."

ICYMI -- Washington sent Kendall Fuller (arguably one of the best young corners on the team) and a draft pick to the Chiefs in exchange for the 33-year-old QB.

D.J. bashed the deal in a series of tweets this morning ... calling out his team for taking a step back:

"Never Saw Any Bulls**t Like This In My Life!! Idc who i rub wrong because you never sat in a meeting nor put in work with my dawg!!"

"People say they wanna win right but you throw away your best defender!?!? Somebody you can set a standard with?!?! #Defense will win championships!!"

"And We Took a Major Step down from the best slot corner In The Game!! No disrespect to nobody on my squad or coming to my squad but we basically took a step backwards by giving away (Fuller) who graded 90 overall which is Elite and hard too do!!! Smh."

8:50 AM PT -- Swearinger has apparently cooled down enough to give a shoutout to his new QB ... saying "Alex Smith Welcome To The Squad We Got Championships To Win!"

Donald Trump used the State of the Union to take a not so thinly veiled shot at Colin Kaepernick and the NFL ... telling Americans they should all STAND for the national anthem.

Trump was praising 12-year-old Preston Sharp for putting flags on the graves of American military veterans when he pivoted and brought up the anthem.

"Preston’s reverence for those who have served our nation reminds us why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the pledge of allegiance and why we proudly STAND for the national anthem!"

The line drew a roar from the crowd. Trump smiled and pointed.

Of course, Trump's been on a tear against Colin and the NFL for months -- and previously said any player who takes a knee during the anthem should be punished by the league.

Terrell Owens is clearly still pissed about the way things went down at the end of his career in San Francisco ... because he just threw some Hall of Fame shade at the 49ers.

T.O. touched down in Minneapolis for the Super Bowl festivities when we asked if he thought he would finally get the votes to be enshrined in Canton this year.

Owens insists he doesn't give A DAMN about the Hall of Fame -- but if he DID get inducted, he would show no love to 9ers ... the team that launched his career.

Yeah, we know our question about picking a team to be enshrined with is more of a baseball thing -- but you get the point.

Of course, things ended nasty between Owens and the 49ers when a contract dispute erupted in the final year of his deal. He ended up leaving and signing a $49 million contract with the Eagles.

Despite all the drama, T.O.'s old 49ers QB Jeff Garcia tells TMZ Sports he strongly believes Owens belongs in the Hall.