NFL

Charles Barkley is gonna piss off his NBA family with this one -- the basketball legend says he believes Tom Brady has surpassed Michael Jordan as the greatest athlete of all time ... and he's got an interesting reason behind the take.

Chuck -- who's always defended MJ to be the undisputed G.O.A.T. -- spoke about TB12 winning his 7th Super Bowl title this past week ... and explained why he thinks His Airness has officially been dethroned.

"It's hard for me to put anybody above Michael, but Michael was always gonna be the best player 4 out of 7 games," Chuck told ESPN 1000's "Waddle and Silvy."

"But, the difference is every time Tom Brady played a football game, it was a Game 7. I never had thought about it like that. I mean, you think about that. Every football game in the playoffs is a Game 7."

Chuck continued ... "Like, if Michael, he's gon' win most series because he's gonna be the best player 4 outta 7 games. But, when you playing football, every single game in the playoffs is a Game 7."

Barkley says it's incredible how Brady has won 7 out of his 10 Super Bowl appearances ... saying Brady's 34 playoff wins can be compared to 34 Game 7s in the NBA playoffs.

As for Brady's most recent playoff run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chuck says he's shocked TB12 didn't hang up his cleats ... saying it would have been the perfect end to his career.

"I can't believe he's not retired, I'm not gon' lie. Because if you do what he just did, beat Drew Brees in New Orleans, beat Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field, and then beat Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, that would be the greatest 'drop the mic' ever in sports."

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith and his family were reportedly robbed at gunpoint after arriving in Los Angeles earlier this week ... but thankfully, the team says everyone is now safe.

The 32-year-old former Super Bowl champ and his family arrived at LAX with his family Tuesday night ... and were followed to their hotel, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.

Once the group arrived at the hotel, the report says they were robbed at gunpoint ... but no one was injured during the incident.

We're working on getting more information regarding the incident.

The Ravens released a statement Friday saying they've been in touch with the former first-round pick and have confirmed he and his family are doing okay.

"We are aware of the situation involving Jimmy Smith," the team said Friday. "We have spoken with Jimmy, and he and him family are safe."

Smith -- who grew up in Southern California -- has been with the Ravens for 10 seasons, signing a 1-year deal for $6 million last March.

Behold, the future #1 overall pick ... of a shampoo company?!?!

That's right ... Trevor Lawrence flashed insane arm talent at his Clemson Pro Day on Friday that will no doubt make him the top selection in April's NFL draft -- but his showcase also had to have hair product companies swooning!!

The 6'6", 21-year-old QB -- who normally covers up his salad with a helmet every week -- showed off his famous arm AND 'do for about an hour in front of Urban Meyer and other NFL scouts ... and the locks were seriously glorious.

Lawrence would throw a rocket down the seam, and then he'd flip the hair. He'd drop a dime on a dig -- and yup, a hair toss would come next.

It happened after nearly every throw ... and at one point during a little water break, he even got in a full-on head whip!

Of course, shampoo and hair product companies are no strangers to partnering up with NFL stars ... Patrick Mahomes and Troy Polamalu have famously been in Head & Shoulders ads for years!

So, could Lawrence add on that kind of deal on his way to being picked by Meyer's Jacksonville Jaguars in the draft??

Just when you thought the dysfunction couldn't get any worse in Houston ...

J.J. Watt -- arguably the Texans' greatest player EVER -- has just been released by the team ... this after the 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year says he asked to be let go.

Watt made the shocking announcement Friday morning ... recording a video explaining the move.

"I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time," Watt said.

Watt, who thanked Houston fans, teammates, coaches and ownership ... added, "I'm excited and looking forward to a new opportunity."

Watt was picked in the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Texans, and he's absolutely shredded the league since.

Despite battling a myriad of injuries, Watt made 5 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams ... and recorded a staggering 101 sacks in 10 seasons.

Watt, though, has clearly grown tired of all the issues with the Texans.

The team has traded star player after star player ... and it now is in a massive beef with its MVP-caliber quarterback Deshaun Watson, who also has reportedly asked to be traded from the team this offseason.

It's unclear where Watt will land as a free agent now ... though joining up with his little brothers, T.J. Watt and Derek Watt, in Pittsburgh seems like a very possible outcome.

In fact, ESPN is reporting J.J. Watt has talked to his 2 brothers about joining them in Pittsburgh. The Steelers probably can't afford him, but it's been discussed among the Watt bros.

Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair also issued a statement ... saying, "J.J.'s impact on not only our organization, but the entire Houston community, is unlike any player in our franchise's history."

"I told J.J. earlier this week that we will forever consider him a Texan."

Story developing ...

Buccaneers star OL Donovan Smith had ZERO issues with Tom Brady's boozy celebration in Tampa on Thursday ... telling TMZ Sports the QB earned every single second of it!

Brady had an absolute blast partying it up at his seventh Super Bowl title parade ... throwing the Lombardi Trophy off the back of his boat and appearing to be a little bit tipsy when he got back to land.

But, Smith says the dude deserved to party even HARDER than that if he wanted ... telling us the feat Tom accomplished by beating the Chiefs this past Sunday is just that special.

"If my man's had a couple drinks, he deserves it!" Smith says. "You feel me? We all deserve it! I wish I had one right now."

Smith says Brady cemented himself as the greatest of all-time with the SB LV win ... telling us the guy is definitely in the conversation for best athlete ever, not just NFL player.

"Seven rings -- more than any franchise has alone," Smith said of Brady. "So, he is his own franchise. He's great, man."

As for how Smith celebrated his first-ever championship ... the 27-year-old told us he's only slept a TOTAL of 10 hours since Sunday's game.

The good news, though? Smith tells us it's all been worth it and then some ... saying, "We're still living it up!"

It's GREAT to be a Super Bowl champ ... just ask Chris Godwin, who was sent a new phone less than a day after he fumbled his old one into the water in Tampa!!

You've heard the story by now ... Godwin was partying it up at the Bucs' Super Bowl parade on Wednesday, when somehow, his phone took a dip into the water and sank for good.

Godwin blamed teammate Scott Miller for the disaster ... saying his fellow wideout somehow was responsible for the phone's death.

Good news, though ... after Godwin reached out to Verizon to explain the issue, he says the phone company came through in the clutch in a matter of hours!!

Godwin and his GF posted pics of the 24-year-old with his new iPhone on Thursday ... with both saying they were super grateful for the speedy hook-up.

"Phone takes a dive into the river and 24 hours later, @verizon blesses me with a new one!" Godwin said. "I appreciate ya'll! S/O to the plug!"

Godwin's GF, meanwhile, said the delivery driver brought some sage advice along with the new phone ... writing on her caption, "The Fedex guy needed a signature & then said 'try not to drop this one into the water too.'"

Patrick Mahomes might not have to wait for next season to get revenge on Tom Brady ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the peeps behind "The Match" golf tourney are gunning for a blockbuster TB12 vs. Mahomes event this spring.

Yes ... Super Bowl rematch, links edition.

You know The Match ... Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning beat Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in the nationally televised, match play-style game in May 2020.

The event raised over $20 million for COVID-19 relief ... and was a smash hit.

Now, event organizers wanna bring back 'The Match' ... and they're targeting Brady and Mahomes.

Well-placed sources tell us event organizers are gunning to book the superstar QBs ... for a match that could take place in late spring 2021.

We're told the event is still in the early planning stages ... however, everyone seems optimistic a deal can be made since it's a fun event, it's for charity and Tom had fun in his previous 'Match.' Remember that insane shot he sank?!

Woods and Mickelson competed in both of the first 2 events. If a Brady vs. Mahomes match can be booked, it's unclear if either of the legendary golfers will play.

On the football field -- going by just record -- the Brady vs. Mahomes matchup has been pretty even.

Brady's 3-2 when facing Patrick ... however TB12 just dominated the young gunslinger in Super Bowl 55.

Andy Reid's son, Britt Reid, is no longer a member of the K.C. Chiefs coaching staff, this just days after he was involved in a car crash that critically injured a 5-year-old.

35-year-old Britt -- who was a linebacker coach with the Chiefs -- was initially placed on leave after Thursday's accident ... and now ESPN reports his contract has since expired and the team did not make an effort to renew it.

In other words, he's out.

As we previously reported, cops say Reid admitted to drinking alcohol and taking Adderall allegedly smashing into 2 parked cars that were pulled over on the side of a highway on-ramp. The crash occurred just minutes from Arrowhead Stadium in K.C.

Two children were injured in the wreck -- including a 4-year-old and a 5-year-old little girl, who suffered brain damage and has not regained consciousness since the accident.

Britt Reid did not travel with the Chiefs to Super Bowl LV in Tampa this past weekend ... though it was clear the incident took a toll on his father in those critical hours before the big game.

After the Chiefs lost to the Bucs, Andy Reid spoke about the accident ... saying, "My heart goes out to all those who were involved in the accident, particularly the family with the little girl who's fighting for her life."

The Big Game is done, but Rob Gronkowski ain't finished spiking footballs yet -- he just took a swipe at the Chiefs with a Super Bowl streaker joke ... and it's SAVAGE!!!

The Buccaneers tight end -- who scored 2 TDs in the blowout win over the Chiefs on Sunday -- joined James Corden on 'The Late Late Show' this week to break down the championship.

They talked burritos, TDs, celebrations and more ... but when it came time to discuss the infamous Super Bowl streaker -- that's when the shade came out!!

Gronk said the thonged-out runner entertained the hell out of Tampa Bay's sideline ... and then he dropped this ...

"He actually scored," Gronk said of the streaker who slid into the endzone. "The Chiefs didn't. He scored. They should definitely sign him!"

BUUUURNNNNNNN!!! (only the streaker technically began his slide on the 1-yard line, before he crossed the end zone, so he didn't actually get to pay dirt. Sorry).

Of course, the Chiefs were terrible on offense in the game ... they didn't sniff the endzone all night either  -- so Gronk does have a point.

Alleah Taylor is revealing the disturbing injury photos taken after she was brutally attacked by NFL lineman Chad Wheeler ... and she's explaining why he needs to be locked up in prison.

Taylor appeared on "CBS This Morning" and told reporter Jericka Duncan the injuries she suffered during the Jan. 22 incident at their Washington apartment will require treatment for the rest of her life.

"I still have to regularly get my concussion checked. I have bolts and a steel plate I'm gonna have forever in my arm. I'm gonna have to deal with this the rest of my life."

As we previously reported, Taylor claims Wheeler -- who played for the Seattle Seahawks at the time -- "snapped" and got violent with her in an apparent manic episode. They had been dating for roughly 6 months at the time.

She claims Wheeler had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder before the attack but had recently stopped taking his medicine.

During the attack, Taylor says the NFL player demanded she "bow down" to him -- and when she refused, he beat and choked her within an inch of her life.

Cops eventually arrived and subdued Wheeler after an intense physical struggle. He was arrested and hit with multiple domestic violence charges.

When asked if she thinks Wheeler's actions were triggered by a mental health episode, she told CBS, "To be honest, I don't know."

She continued, "He went and ate dinner after he did this to me. And he didn’t take the same approach with the cops as he did with me."

Wheeler is facing up to 12 years in prison if convicted on domestic violence charges.

Taylor was asked if she thinks Wheeler should do time and replied, "Yes, I definitely do think that he should."

Taylor says she's "beyond grateful" to be alive -- and feels god blessed her with a second chance at life.

"I want to try to use the time I've been blessed with to help other people and to get this story out and to make sure people don't feel alone and to make sure this doesn’t happen again."

Imagine the greatest quarterback of all-time handing off to one of best running backs ever in 2021 ...

That's a scene Adrian Peterson is trying to make happen for real ... 'cause the future Hall of Fame RB tells TMZ Sports he wants to play with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay in 2021!!!

"That would definitely be something I'm interested in," Peterson says ... explaining "If they want me to be a part of it, I'll be a part of it for sure. Because I'm definitely trying to add a trophy to my resume."

Peterson is slated to be a free agent this offseason after his 1-year contract with the Detroit Lions expires ... and there could be some interest from the Bucs in him.

After all, Bruce Arians did trade for A.P. back in 2017 when he was the Arizona Cardinals' head coach -- and Peterson performed well there in limited playing time.

Now, Peterson tells us he really wouldn't mind running it back with Arians in Tampa ... saying "Playing with Tom Brady, that by itself is enticing."

The two would be a hell of a backfield duo ... Tom at age 43, has 14 Pro Bowl selections, while Peterson, at age 35, has seven.

Also, for as good as Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones were in the Super Bowl ... neither has fully established themselves as Tampa's bell cow, leaving the door wide open for Peterson touches next season.

So, what do ya say, Bruce?!

By the way, in between preparing for the offseason and trying to link up with Tom next year ... Adrian is doing some amazing charity work, putting on an auction to help former NFL player Chester Pitts give back in Houston.

Peterson and his wife, Ashley, are donating gowns, sports memorabilia and so much more to help out Pitts' Carson Parke org. that was put in place by the ex-NFLer to assist underserved and at-risk foster youth.

Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach Britt Reid has been suspended from the team ... as police investigate his involvement in a bad car accident that left a 5-year-old girl fighting for her life.

As we previously reported, cops say Reid admitted to consuming alcohol and Adderall before a bad 3-car crash around 9 PM Thursday night that left a child in critical condition.

The child's family members say the girl suffered major brain damage in the accident ... including swelling and internal bleeding. She has not woken up since the crash.

Reid -- who did not travel with the Chiefs to Super Bowl LV in Tampa this past weekend -- has officially been placed on administrative leave, the team announced Tuesday.

"We remain in the process of gathering information on the incident, and we will continue to assist local authorities as requested," the team said in a statement.

"Our focus remains on Ariel Young and her family. We have reached out to the family to offer our support and resources to them during this difficult time, and we will continue to pray for her recovery."

Okay, maybe the Super Bowl streaker deserves a little more credit than we thought ...

Yuri Andrade -- the man who broke onto the field while wearing a pink thong bathing suit -- says he came up with the idea for the stunt after seeing a prop bet that offered GREAT ODDS if someone actually ran onto the field during the SB55.

Andrade explained the whole thing during an interview with WILD 94.1 -- saying the gambling website Bovada offered +750 odds ($100 bet pays $750) so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He called up everyone he knew and had them BET on someone storming the field -- then he got tickets to the game and recruited a buddy to serve as a decoy.

Andrade says once security was distracted by his pal -- he ran onto the field ... and the rest is history.

The 31-year-old says he also sent someone to Vegas to make the prop bet at a sportsbook there -- but he didn't identify which book took the action.

Bottom line ... Andrade says he walked away with $370,000 in profit!!

Of course, he was arrested and booked for trespassing -- but chalks the whole thing up as no big deal.

The worst part was he couldn't pick the wedgie that was up his ass while in custody because he was in handcuffs ... but he's clearly over that now.

We know what you're thinking ... is it even legal to make a bet and then personally interfere with the game to get the desired result?? We're looking into it.

But, until someone says otherwise ... tip of the cap to you, sir.

Cleveland Browns stars Rashard "Hollywood" Higgins and Jedrick Wills, Jr. just caught a break in their drag racing incident ... with both players pleading guilty to lesser charges of speeding on Tuesday.

As we previously reported ... 26-year-old Higgins and 21-year-old Wills were cited for drag racing in Westlake, OH on Jan. 5 ... just days before the Browns' first playoff game in nearly 2 decades.

During the stop, police claim they found a marijuana joint in Higgins' pocket ... which the wide receiver was instructed to destroy on camera, as one cop claimed it would be "bad for press."

During Wills' stop, the lineman admitted he and Higgins were "just being d*ckheads."

While the players' attorney initially claimed they would both plead not guilty to the drag racing charges, TMZ Sports has confirmed Higgins and Wills both pleaded guilty to lesser charges of speeding.

Both players paid $250 fines to wrap things up -- which seems like a pretty good deal considering the more serious punishment they could have received if convicted on the drag racing charges.

He told ya he was going to Disney World ... and Rob Gronkowski has already made good on his promise!!

The Tampa Bay Bucs superstar tight end rolled into the Most Magical Place on Earth in Orlando on Monday ... and immediately got into an awesome lightsaber battle!!!

It's all part of Disney's annual Super Bowl celebration -- where they (usually) parade the winners around the theme park just like Tom Brady did in 2002, 2004 and 2019.

There are reports Disney has scrapped the Super Bowl parade this year as part of its COVID protocol -- but Gronk will still get to enjoy the park as a super VIP guest, which is probably super awesome.

Both Gronk and TB12 did the post-game "We're going to Disney World" spot this year after beating the K.C. Chiefs on Sunday ... but Brady is reportedly set to visit the park at a later date.

In the meantime, more theme park snacks for Gronk and his family!!!

Disney World had been shut down for a while due to COVID -- but reopened in July with new safety protocols to keep people safe.

Marty Schottenheimer -- one of the NFL's all-time greatest head coaches -- died on Monday after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's ... his family announced Tuesday.

He was 77 years old.

The coach had fought Alzheimer's since 2014 ... but was moved to a North Carolina hospice facility last month after his family said he was suffering from "complications from his disease."

Schottenheimer's wife, Pat, said at the time, "As a family we are surrounding him with love and are soaking up the prayers and support from all those he impacted through his incredible life."

"In the way he taught us all, we are putting one foot in front of the other ... one play at a time."

Pat and the rest of the Schottenheimer family told ESPN's Chris Mortensen Marty passed on Monday ... adding the former coach will have a private family service soon with a public memorial service at a later date.

Schottenheimer was a head man in the NFL for 21 years ... and is 1 of just 8 men to win at least 200 games in the league as a head coach.

He began his head coaching career with the Cleveland Browns in 1984 -- and later went on to coach Joe Montana and Marcus Allen in Kansas City starting in 1989.

Schottenheimer went on to spend 10 total years with the Chiefs -- piling up a 101-58-1 regular-season record. He took the team to 7 playoff appearances -- and even brought them to the AFC Championship game in 1993, where they lost to the Buffalo Bills.

Marty continued his coaching career with Washington before moving to the San Diego Chargers. He was named Coach of the Year there in 2004, when the team went 12-4 and won the AFC West.