NFL

Tim Tebow's still got that Heisman arm!!

The former NFL quarterback threw a missile at Shaquille O'Neal's gut during a star-studded dodgeball game at the basketball legend's Super Bowl pre-game party ... and the video is awesome!!

It was all part of "The Shaq Bowl" ... with big-name guests like Tebow, Ezekiel Elliott, Diplo, The Miz, Anthony Anderson, Nelly, Offset and more participating in a bunch of competitive events like dodgeball, tug of war, sit-up challenge, wing eating contest and more.

Things got pretty intense during the dodgeball portion of the event -- people were laughing, but you can tell there's some serious speed on some of those throws ... and Tebow was mowing down the competition.

But, the best moment was when Tebow had Shaq trapped in the back with no teammates left ... and the former QB-turned-baseball player let it rip with a fastball straight to the stomach!!!

Tebow’s dominance continued during the tug-of-war portion of the night ... when TT and his team DESTROYED Zeke's team so badly that Shaq had to jump in and help. But, the NBA legend couldn't stop Tebow. He was like a man possessed!

Along with the competitions, there were musical performances by Migos, Jack Harlow & DJ Diesel himself ... so yeah, it was lit.

Shaq might be too big for dodgeball ... after all, the 5 D’s of dodgeball -- dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge -- probably weren't created for 7 footers!!

"I think you got the wrong guy!"

That was Byron Leftwich's response to a reporter who confused the Tampa Bay Bucs assistant coach with another guy from the Bucs coaching staff, Todd Bowles.

(Take palm. Place directly on forehead).

See, this is Byron Leftwich on the left -- a former star NFL quarterback who is now the offensive coordinator for the Bucs.

On the right is Todd Bowles -- the defensive coordinator for the Bucs. He was previously the head coach of the New York Jets.

The reporter was clearly confused -- and asked Byron a question about how the Bucs defense managed to shut down Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.

Byron immediately realized what was happening ... and chuckled to himself as he corrected the reporter.

"Shut Pat Mahomes down? I think you got the wrong guy," Leftwich said ... "I didn’t have anything to do with that, that was Todd!!

So, how did the reporter mix these guys up??? Byron seems to have an idea ... and all he could do is laugh it off.

And, to make things worse ... even the person running the news conference messed up Byron's name when introducing him to the media. Byron -- NOT BRYAN -- handled that like a champ too.

Funny, "Saturday Night Live" just did a sketch this weekend about how Bucs coach Bruce Arians looks exactly like Chiefs coach Andy Reid ... but at least those two sorta look alike!!!

TURN UP, TOM BRADY!!!

Check out the wild scene in the Tampa Bay Bucs locker room right after they won the Super Bowl -- players slamming champagne, firing up cigars and getting pics with the greatest QB of all time!

"Hey, I appreciate you TB," linebacker Devin White told Brady ... "That's 1 for me, that's 7 for him!"

The scene in the locker room was wild -- everyone was just as excited as you'd expect them to be.

Antonio Brown got in on the celebratory action too -- flexin' and yelling, "We the champs!!!"

The only issue is COVID protocol seemed to go out the window -- we couldn't spot a single player celebrating with his mask on.

Then again, they were all tested rigorously before the game ... so hopefully, everyone is safe.

On the field, the wives and GFs were also going H.A.M. -- check out Rob Gronkowski's GF, Camille Kostek, celebrating with Gisele, her longtime friend from the New England Patriots days!

And, there was good reason for those 2 to be stoked -- 43-year-old Tom threw TWO touchdowns to 31-year-old Gronk in the Bucs' 31-to-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs!

For those hoping to land Aaron Rodgers in a trade this offseason, his Packers teammate, Marcedes Lewis, has some bad news for ya ...

The Green Bay tight end tells TMZ Sports there's NO WAY IN HELL the Packers jettison their star QB -- not even for a treasure trove haul!!

"He is Green Bay," Lewis said of the future Hall of Famer. "If we want to do what we want to do, year in and year out, he has to be a part of it."

Of course, for a day or two after Green Bay lost the NFC Championship Game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it sure looked like a Rodgers trade was coming.

Aaron told reporters he believed his 2021 future was up in the air ... and given the team had just drafted Jordan Love with its first-round pick, the writing seemed to be on the wall.

But, damn near EVERYBODY in the Packers' organization has insisted the last few days that Rodgers isn't going anywhere ... and when we got Lewis out at LAX this week, he said they ain't lying.

"Nobody's even thinking that," Lewis says.

Sorry, NFC North.

If you're Shaquille O'Neal, A-Rod, Cardi B or Aaron Judge ... there's only one place to take in Super Bowl LV -- in the lap of luxury set up by their pals, Robert Kraft and Michael Rubin.

The 76ers partner and Patriots owner hosted the most celeb-filled suite at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, and besides the aforementioned sports and music superstars ... Jennifer Lopez, Meek Mill, 21 Savage, Winnie Harlow and all of the Migos -- Offset, Quavo and Takeoff -- watched the game together.

As for their allegiances -- well, we know Kraft said he was pulling for his ex-QB, Tom Brady, to win his 7th Super Bowl ring ... and since Brady's a big Yankees fan, you'd think J Lo and A-Rod would return the favor.

However, you can see Yankees slugger Judge, was pulling for KC -- he was rocking a Patrick Mahomes jersey. Tough day for both, especially PM.

The sports moguls also made super plenty of non-celeb heroes enjoyed the game. Kraft flew 76 healthcare workers from New England to Tampa aboard the Patriots team jet ... and Rubin also hosted family members negatively impacted by the justice system.

NEVER BET AGAINST TOM BRADY. IN A SUPER BOWL. EVER.

The 43-year-old QB just led his Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a dominant victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday -- final score, 31 to 9.

And, he was also named Super Bowl MVP -- the 5th time he's won it!!!

Brady was unreal -- actually, that's not true. He was exactly as real as he's been in just about EVERY one of the 10 Super Bowl he's appeared in ... poised, smart and deadly.

Not only did TB12 pick apart KC's insane talented secondary ... he TALKED TRASH in the process -- getting in Tyrann Mathieu's face after a 2nd quarter touchdown.

Things were chippy between the two all night ... but Brady clearly got the better of the match up, tossing a total of 3 TDs and he was never really in danger.

Tom's BFF, Rob Gronkowski, also balled out of his mind Sunday -- the 31-year-old caught TWO touchdowns from his old New England Patriots teammate.

And, when he wasn't putting up points, Gronk was a FORCE as a blocker.

Of course, Tampa's defense was also on fire all night long -- stuffing KC's run game, constantly putting pressure on Mahomes and preventing big plays from superstar WR Tyreek Hill.

The victory means Tom will now add a 7TH Super Bowl ring to his collection ... more than any other player in NFL history.

Gronk will get his 4th ring -- which ties him for 3rd on the all-time list of Super Bowl victories ... joining legends like Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott and Terry Bradshaw.

And, what's great for Bucs fans ... both Tom and Gronk have said they plan on coming back to play in Tampa Bay again next season.

Hell, Tom says he wants to stay in the league past the age of 45!!

And, if he keeps playing at this level ... he might never retire!

Amanda Gorman dedicated her latest poem for Super Bowl LV to three frontline workers whom the NFL dubbed honorary captains ahead of the coin toss ... and she did their services all the justice in the world.

The poet laureate -- who's been the talk of the town since her rousing reading at Joe Biden's inauguration -- was once again given a chance to show off her prose on the biggest stage in the world ... and she didn't disappoint, beaming in virtually with new original work.

The three captains were James Martin (a Marine vet), Suzie Dorner (a nurse manager) and Trimaine Davis (an educator). Amanda went through each person's contributions during the pandemic, big and small, and highlighted how they've helped out their community.

James provides his home to at-risk kids and streams football games for folks who aren't able to do it themselves; Trimaine donates laptops, internet hotspots and other resources for people who cant afford it, and Suzie serves as an ICU managing nurse out of Tampa.

The three frontline workers were present on the field while a pre-taped video with Gorman's remarks played. Before it aired, she said the move to get a poetry reading involved in the Super Bowl was a game-changer ... in the right direction.

She writes, "Poetry at the Super Bowl is a feat for art & our country, because it means we’re thinking imaginatively about human connection even when we feel siloed. I’ll honor 3 heroes who exemplify the best of this effort. Here’s to them, to poetry, &  to a #SuperBowl like no other."

A pair of awesome performances opened Super Bowl LV, with their own unique spins on some of America's most treasured anthems ... including one from H.E.R. that truly stood out.

The R&B crooner was tapped Sunday to sing 'America the Beautiful,' which she handled seamlessly from an elevated platform near the stands. She had an electric guitar on her too, and put it to good use during the performance ... while giving the song new life.

H.E.R. completely slowed down the tempo of what is normally a pretty high energy song, and sang it in a completely different style than how it's normally delivered. You could call it soulful, but it also had some major rock vibes too -- 'cause H.E.R. shreddddded on that instrument.

Next up was Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church, who teamed up for a duet version of the National Anthem ... which was also sung in a slightly different fashion than usual -- namely, slowed-down and sorta sultry.

Church also strummed the guitar for this performance, while weaving in his vocals with Sullivan's ... who kinda took the lead with her powerful voice. They killed it -- and the crowd loved every minute of it ... with most players standing, wearing masks with a hand over their heart.

Ben Roethlisberger should call it a career ... so says his former teammate Ike Taylor, who tells TMZ Sports the QB NOT retiring this offseason could hurt the team for years down the road.

Ike kept it real with us when breaking down Ben's future ... saying while the 38-year-old has more than earned the right to play in Pittsburgh next season, he's not sure if it's the greatest move for the franchise.

"You're setting them back a year or two or three [with a comeback]," Taylor says of the Steelers. "The reason why I think you're setting them back is because you've seen the progression in Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow -- before he got hurt -- and Baker Mayfield."

"So, we're talking about three young quarterbacks in one division. Who you going to pick last?"

Taylor says the answer to that question is Ben ... which is why he wants to see Roethlisberger ride off into the sunset this offseason so Pittsburgh can find a QB who can keep up with the rest of the AFC North's young guns.

"Ain't nothing wrong with shutting that thing down," Taylor says. "It's hard for a lot of people to shut it down. It's hard."

Don't get it twisted, though ... Taylor had tremendous praise for Ben, saying the guy's career was second to none.

And, if Ben truly is willing to take a massive pay cut to stay under center in the black and gold ... Ike says the Steelers don't have much of a choice other than to bring him back.

But, Taylor did advise Ben that he's got to take a page out of Tom Brady's book -- and get his body right for next season so he can have success as a pocket passer.

There's more ... Ike also spoke with us about another one of his former teammates, Antonio Brown, and says it wouldn't surprise him if AB won Super Bowl MVP honors on Sunday.

Kansas City will have some super famous AND super powerful fans hoping for a W on Sunday ... with big names in Hollywood showing off their Chiefs Kingdom spirit ahead of Super Bowl LV!!

Of course, Superman and Ant-Man are both pulling for Patrick Mahomes and Co. to repeat as champs ... with longtime backers Henry Cavill and Paul Rudd supporting the Chiefs for years.

There may not be a more passionate fan than "Modern Family" star Eric Stonestreet, who has been a die-hard fan since birth ... and even got Chiefs player Mitchell Schwartz's game-worn gloves after last year's Super Bowl win!

Oh, yeah, and have you ever heard of a guy named Brad Pitt?? He's a big fan, too .. even rocking a Chiefs hat on the red carpet of the 2020 SAG Awards.

There's more -- from rapper Tech N9ne to actors Rob Riggle and David Koechner, SNL's Heidi Gardner and singer Melissa Etheridge, there's a ton of notable fans hoping Tom Brady doesn't get ring #7.

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski may have just revealed why they're going to another Super Bowl together -- revealed in a cheeky cellphone ad that's all about connectivity.

TB12 and his right-hand tight end star in a new Super Bowl ad courtesy of T-Mobile, which will air Sunday. It depicts a fictional scenario in which Tom and Gronk are FaceTiming on a "spotty network" and discussing what Tom should do next ... retire, or keep playing.

Because of the bad connection that T-Mobile's mocking, all Tom can hear on his end is Gronk telling him that if he retires, he's weak ... when, in fact, he said the opposite ... telling him to give up the gridiron and join him in Florida.

But, because Tom heard the former, he announces his decision to go to Tampa Bay and try getting another ring ... while also announcing Gronk's coming with him -- to RG's surprise.

Super Bowl champ this weekend ... gold medalist in the summer?!

Tyreek Hill says that's the goal ... telling TMZ Sports he's still got his eye on qualifying for the Olympics after the Chiefs' Super Bowl run!!

"It is still an option 'cause it's always been my dream to do multiple sports at the highest level," the Kansas City star wide receiver said.

"It would be amazing. I just want to prove a point and also, like, I love competing."

26-year-old Hill had initially set the goal back in 2020 ... when he had desires to try to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics after the Chiefs beat the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

But, with the pandemic postponing the Games to this summer ... Hill says he still wants to make it all happen.

"Like I'm young so why not use everything that I got while I still have it," Hill said. "Because one day I'm going to be old and I'm not going to be as fast so just use everything I got."

Of course, qualifying for the Olympics without YEARS of training is going to be tough ... but Hill might just have enough speed to at least make it interesting.

Hill -- a world-class sprinter in high school -- has broken the 10-second mark in the 100-meter dash before (although it was reportedly wind-aided) ... and he's got a 20.14-second 200-meter sprint on his resume as well.

Tyreek says he'd have to drop some weight and muscle mass to get it all done ... but he added, "I love competing and I also love having fun, and why not?"

As for if the Olympic dreams don't pan out ... Hill -- who, by the way, has his own clothing brand that's actually called Soul Runner -- tells us there's still a chance people could see him on a racetrack soon.

Lawrence Taylor is settling the greatest quarterback of all-time debate once and for all ... and in LT's eyes -- the G.O.A.T. is Tom Brady.

TMZ Sports talked to Taylor -- widely considered the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL -- and we asked him who he believed was truly the best ... Brady or Joe Montana.

"Well, if you're asking me who is the greatest quarterback I've ever played against, I'm gonna say Joe Montana. But history, if ya look at it, there's been what, 54 Super Bowls and this is like [Brady's] 10th. He's played in 20% of all Super Bowls," Taylor says.

LT continued ... "There's nothing I can say. He is the G.O.A.T. He is one of the greatest players this game has ever seen and I'm quite sure, unless Mahomes tries to break his record, there's nobody that's gonna beat that record."

Of course, Brady is 6-3 in the Super Bowl ... and is looking to win his record 7th ring on Sunday against the K.C. Chiefs.

Montana never lost a Super Bowl ... but only won 4 rings.

Taylor -- a 2x SB champ and the 1986 NFL MVP -- says it's definitely an advantage that Brady didn't have to face the ruthless LB ... but at the end of the day, it's undeniable that TB's the best.

"You look at what he has done, every year, no matter what he is given, he plays and he makes 'em a winner, he makes 'em relevant. He's the Michael Jordan of football."

Debate over.

We also talked to Lawrence -- along with his business partner Phil Zamloot -- about their company, Tridelix ... where the duo says they're revolutionizing the printing biz.

Darren Waller LOVES playing for the Raiders ... but the tight end says he'll be at peace if he's traded for Deshaun Watson this offseason -- acknowledging the NFL "is a business."

"Crazier things have happened," Waller tells TMZ Sports. "I enjoy being where I'm at with the Raiders and that time will come to an end whether it's 10 years from now or it's by Monday."

"So, I just try to enjoy being here as much as I can."

Waller's name has been kicked around recently in the wake of Watson-to-Las Vegas trade rumors ... and the rumblings have grown so loud, Darren says they've actually reached his ears.

Waller, though, tells us he's trying to not let it affect him ... explaining, "There's always stuff circling around, but I'm just happy to be where I'm at right now."

As for his quarterback, Derek Carr, who's also been rumored to be a part of a potential trade package with the Texans for Watson ... Waller stood up for the Las Vegas QB and said he wants the guy to stick around.

Darren explained, "I like what Derek brings to the game. His efficiency, his leadership and he can spin the ball pretty well too."

Waller added, "I understand how people may want Deshaun Watson because he's an exciting player and that's just undeniable but I definitely appreciate Derek and I'm grateful for the relationship with him and also his game and the way that he plays."

Indianapolis Colts superstar Darius Leonard says he's officially DONE talking about a possible Andrew Luck unretirement ... telling TMZ Sports, people just need to "move on."

"It's been like two years now and all you hear is 'Andrew Luck. Andrew Luck,'" Leonard says. "We gotta move forward one of these days."

Luck famously called it quits just before the 2019 season began ... and with the retirement announcement coming so swiftly and stunningly in the preseason, rumors of a potential return just haven't died.

In fact, Colts ownership, coaches and players have been asked about a Luck comeback repeatedly over the past few days and weeks ... particularly after Philip Rivers announced his own retirement.

But, Leonard says he believes his former teammate is seriously done ... and he's ready now to just let Luck go.

"It just sucks that that's the topic," Leonard said. "He's been retired for two years and we've been playing these games for two years without him and we're still answering questions about him. We gotta move forward."

Leonard continued, "We as players are tired of hearing the same remarks about Andrew Luck. He did all he could do. We appreciate him. We respect him. But, he's retired now so now we gotta move forward."

As for who the team will move forward with ... Leonard ain't so sure -- with Rivers' retirement and Jacoby Brissett set for free agency, there's not many answers on that front at the moment.

So, we had to ask the linebacker ... what about a trade for Deshaun Watson?!