NFL

A signed Tom Brady card PACKED with diamonds was just pulled out of a wild box break this week ... and it's got everyone wondering -- is this the greatest TB12 card ever!?

The piece came from a 2020 Flawless NFL box ... and it's absolutely insane -- with some experts putting a conservative resale price tag of $250,000 on it!!

The card -- a 1-of-1 -- features an image of Brady, the Super Bowl XXXVIII logo, Brady's signature and inscription ... plus over two dozen REAL diamonds!!

It was all pulled thanks to Bryan from Ultimate Box Breaks ... who purchased the $6,000 Panini America box this week and split it 32 ways between collectors.

Bryan tells TMZ Sports some of his followers/card enthusiasts agreed to buy in for around $160 -- and each one was then assigned 1 of the 32 NFL teams.

The deal was simple ... whatever team the player's card was on -- that collector would get the item.

Turns out, the guy who had the Patriots scored BIG TIME -- 'cause Bryan tells us the dude is just a regular Joe who so happens to be a huge New England and Brady fan!

As for his plans for the card now, Bryan says it's unclear whether the guy will sell it or hold it ... but it is clear the card could be worth a small fortune nonetheless.

Remember, Tom's rare cards ALWAYS resale for big numbers ... in fact, one of his rookie pieces just netted $1.72 MILLION at an auction last month.

Western Kentucky hoops star-turned Raiders rookie Carson Williams says a fellow Hilltopper's advice inspired his football career ... telling TMZ Sports N.Y. Jets star George Fant played a big factor in getting him to try out for the NFL.

23-year-old Williams' story is pretty wild -- he was named Kentucky's Mr. Basketball as a high schooler in 2016 ... and spent the past 3 seasons playing basketball for WKU, averaging 10.9 points and 6 rebounds per game.

Despite not stepping foot on the gridiron since the 8th grade, the 6'5", 254-pound forward decided to take a leap of faith and participate in WKU's pro day as a tight end last month.

The risk paid off -- 'cause the Las Vegas Raiders were so impressed, they decided to sign Williams to a contract as a tight end.

"It still hasn't completely set in, but I'm obviously very happy, very excited and looking forward to getting to work," Williams tells us.

As it turns out, Williams ain't the only former WKU star to make the jump to the gridiron -- Fant was an all-conference forward for the Hilltoppers from 2011-15, averaging 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds during his senior season.

Williams says he met up with the Jets lineman/tight end to pick his brain about turning to football ... and by the end of the conversation, his mind was made up.

After all, it's been pretty successful for Fant -- he signed a 3-year, $30 million deal with N.Y. in 2020.

Williams believes his hoops background will be beneficial -- he tells us his foot skills, work ethic and athleticism will give him a solid start on the football field.

Williams says guys like Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Jimmy Graham -- who also played college basketball before ending up in the NFL -- also inspired his switch to football ... and he explains why the Raiders made the right move.

Antonio Brown invited 6ix9ine to work out at his personal training facility in Florida ... and you know who's pissed off about it??

Pretty much the entire internet.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl champ posted video with the controversial rapper on Friday ... running some 1-v-1s and easily catching passes over the rainbow-haired MC.

But, there's just one problem -- a lot of people have distanced themselves from Tekashi recently ... after the rapper was labeled a "snitch" for ratting out his gang member friends during his 2018 RICO case.

Folks on Instagram didn't shy away from calling A.B. out for the questionable move ... with NBAer J.R. Smith commenting, "Bruh...," and NFL player Terrelle Pryor adding, "Damn AB."

Other critics were harsher... with one person saying, "AB they gonna clown you for this one dawg," and another commenting, "Oh Hell No."

There's more ... "From being the best receiver in the league to 3rd string at Tampa and now doing workouts with a snitch ... #rockbottom."

Canadian Football League player Ahmad Thomas added ... "Taking L’s all across the board?"

We could keep going ... but you get the idea.

Legendary NFL coach Mike Holmgren says the Aaron Rodgers drama in Green Bay is all the Packers' fault ... and he says if he were running the show there, it would've never gotten to this point.

The 72-year-old -- who coached the Pack from 1992-1998 -- broke it all down on the "Carmen and Jurko" show on ESPN Chicago ... saying straight-up the Packers blew their marriage with the QB.

"I can't imagine a relationship between the coach, or management, or whoever is making the decisions and a star quarterback like that getting to this point," Holmgren says.

"I just can't imagine it. I wouldn't allow it. It wouldn't happen."

Holmgren says the team should have looped in Rodgers before it drafted Jordan Love in 2020 ... adding Green Bay should've done everything in its power to keep the future Hall of Famer happy.

"With a franchise quarterback and a guy as good as Aaron -- you don't treat all the players the same," Holmgren said. "You have a line that no one crosses, but I would call him in and say, 'Look, we're going to do this. This is how it's going to affect you.'"

"'We've got to get ready for when you retire. We've got to kind of think of the franchise. But, nothing's going to happen now. You're the man. You're the guy.'"

Holmgren says he believes that would have resolved issues ... and even if it didn't, he says he would've found other ways to fix it.

Of course, Mike acknowledges back in his day he never really had to have conversations like these -- saying when he was with San Francisco, they never told Joe Montana about bringing in Steve Young.

Holmgren, though, explained, "It's a different world now. It's a different world."

There will be no Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Love-like drama in Tampa ... 'cause new Bucs rookie QB Kyle Trask says Tom Brady's already offering to be his mentor!!

The former Univ. of Florida signal-caller -- who was drafted in the 2nd-round by Tampa Bay last week -- says Brady is already looking to meet him, throw with him and take him under his wing.

“He actually did reach out to me a couple of days after the draft," Trask said of Brady to NFL Network.

"Just checking in on when I was going to get into town so that we can get together and maybe do some throwing and things like that. That meant a lot to me."

Trask says others in the org. have been equally as welcoming ... telling the Network, "You can definitely tell that they have a great culture and a great group of people just in this building and I can’t wait to get started."

Of course, things aren't always this way in the NFL ... Rodgers and his drama with the Packers after they drafted Love in 2020 certainly highlights that.

But, Brady's always made an effort to get along with his backups/potential replacements ... in fact, Jimmy Garoppolo just said this week TB12 really helped him after the Patriots brought him into New England in 2014.

Amazing update from NFL QB Kyle Allen ... the Washington Football Team player is now moving laterally and jogging -- just 6 months after he suffered a gruesome ankle injury.

Allen's foot was dangling by threads during an NFL game last November ... but now, the dude looks as close to 100 percent as ever, showing off a sturdy ankle and some speed.

In the footage, shared by Allen's girlfriend, the 25-year-old can be seen hopping from side to side ... and then getting in full-length runs up and down a basketball court.

"So freaking proud of you," said Allen's GF, Summer Juraszek. "I screamed when I first saw these progress videos."

You'll recall ... Allen wasn't exactly guaranteed to ever walk again after suffering a horrific lower leg injury against the Giants on Nov. 8, 2020.

NY safety Jabrill Peppers had tackled the QB low as he attempted to escape the pocket ... and Allen was later diagnosed with a dislocated and fractured ankle.

According to his GF, Allen didn't even begin walking on the leg until January 2021 ... so, this week's steps are clearly HUGE for the guy.

Move over Aaron Carter and Lamar Odom ... Matt Barnes says he's got interest in a big celeb boxing match of his own -- telling TMZ Sports he's down to scrap with Chad Ochocinco!

... but, only if the price is right.

The former NBA superstar was out at Tierra Rejada Golf Club in California on Wednesday when he told us he doesn't hate the idea of getting in the ring with the ex-Cincinnati Bengals receiver, who's looking for an opponent after agreeing to participate on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul event next month.

Barnes, though, tells us his fighting days are winding down quickly ... so it would take some serious convincing and serious cash to make it all work.

"I do box," Barnes said at the Golf Beef event (which promotes black-owned businesses) ... before adding, "but, to be honest with you, like, it's not something that I really want to jump into, to be honest with you."

"To me, I'm kind of past that stage of my life. But, if it ever came across and the money was right, I'd consider it."

The matchup is pretty intriguing ... both guys are tough dudes who have been known to hit the mitts during workout sessions.

And, with both their ages being similar (Chad's 43, Matt's 41) ... it could make for a helluva tilt!!

Aaron Rodgers WILL sit out the entire 2021 season if the Packers don't make him happy ... so says Brett Favre, who made it clear his former teammate ain't bluffing about a holdout.

The Hall of Famer explained his thoughts on the Green Bay drama during his "Bolling With Favre" podcast this week ... saying the Packers better fix the issues with their QB -- or else.

"Knowing Aaron, and I think I know him fairly well, if he has a grudge, whether it be against the organization or a player or an arch rival or family, friends -- he ain't budging," Favre said.

"Whatever the issue is, if it's not resolved -- or even if it's resolved but he feels like they got one up on him -- he ain't going to play," Favre continued. "Knowing Aaron, he would sit."

Rodgers currently has a multitude of problems with the Packers org. ... most notably, he's reportedly in a pretty nasty spat over his current contract situation.

But, the QB is also upset over several personnel moves the team has made recently -- including when they picked quarterback Jordan Love in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft instead of a top wideout.

Favre says he's not sure exactly what Rodgers' biggest gripe is with the team ... but he's warning his former squad to fix things ASAP.

"He would forgo a lot of money [by sitting out]," Favre says, "but he's also got a lot of money."

Dallas Cowboys fans are going to LOVE this ...

Dak Prescott says his ankle injury has healed so nicely -- he could play in an NFL game "right now!"

The quarterback -- who famously suffered a horrific lower leg injury last October -- told reporters at an event out in Texas on Tuesday he's now pretty damn close to 100 percent.

"I could go play in a game right now and in my head be very, very successful," the 27-year-old said.

It's an incredible update from the NFL star ... because just 7 months ago, many wondered if he'd ever play football again.

His ankle injury was gruesome -- he was diagnosed with a dislocated and fractured ankle, and it was so bad, networks had to blur replays of the injury.

But, Dak -- who had multiple surgeries to repair the damage -- seemed confident as ever on Tuesday that he'd be back to normal by the time the Cowboys need him for the 2021 season opener in September.

"There's no doubt that when I need to be successful, when I need to do the things that it takes to be on the field, I'll do exactly that and the timing will be right," Dak said.

NFL star Marcus Peters is UNLOADING on the L.A. Rams ... trashing the team as "disrespectful" following his trade in 2019 ... saying straight-up, "f*** them."

The 28-year-old Ravens cornerback spoke about his unexpected departure on ex-teammate Aqib Talib's "Catchin' Fades" podcast this week ... admitting he was "pissed off" when the Rams turned around and traded for Jalen Ramsey right after he was shipped to Baltimore.

"F*** them, that’s how I was feeling," Peters said. "I’m still feeling like that because I felt disrespected in the sense of, yeah y’all can trade me, that’s a part of the business."

"But, two minutes after that, you bring in another guy who do the same s*** I do, maybe a little bit different."

Of course, Peters is referring to the Rams making a blockbuster trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars ... bringing in Ramsey in exchange for a pair of 1st round picks and a 4th rounder.

Peters says the move didn't make sense, explaining he feels he brought more to the table ... and he believes it may have cost the Rams a Super Bowl win.

"If we play this compare game, I do a little bit more. That s*** was disrespectful to me. If we could have gone a little bit more, we'd have had a [championship] that year, too."

Talib was also traded from the Rams just a few weeks after Ramsey came into the picture ... and Peters is adamant the team had bigger problems outside of the secondary.

"I don't think we was the problem. I don't think that we were the issue that was holding the Rams back from taking the steps of where we needed to get to."

Talib never played another down of NFL football due to injury ... and Peters went on to thrive with the Ravens, earning 8 interceptions in 28 games.

Peters also signed a 3-year, $42 million extension in December 2019 to stay in Baltimore ... which provides a bit of silver lining in the end.

The 2021 49ers' quarterback room will NOT be icy ... Jimmy Garoppolo just revealed he'll mentor his future replacement Trey Lance -- explaining he's got no beef at all with the rookie QB.

Garoppolo could be just months away from losing his job to the ex-North Dakota State signal-caller ... the Niners drafted Lance #3 overall last week, and it's only a matter of time before he takes over in SF.

But, Jimmy said on the Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin show on ESPN radio that won't impact their relationship one bit ... 'cause Garoppolo says he'll help out Trey any chance he gets.

As for why ... Garoppolo says the way Tom Brady helped him when he came in as the G.O.A.T.'s potential replacement in New England back in 2014 really changed his career, and he's now down to do the same for Trey.

"It's kind of coming full circle," Garoppolo said. "You go through this NFL career and you start as a young guy coming in. Tom kind of showed me the ropes. The competition between us was awesome. It really made me grow as a rookie and as a young player."

"So, that's kind of what me and Trey, we'll mold our relationship into that. But, it will happen naturally. It's one of those things you can't force anything. Just let it come as it may."

Garoppolo says he's already reached out to Trey to welcome him to the team ... and noted his own experience coming from an FCS school to the NFL will help him mentor Lance tremendously.

"It's a bit of an adjustment," Jimmy says, "the speed, whatever you want to call it, it's just different. So, whatever I can do to help him, I'll be more than happy."

It's all got to be music to the 49ers' ears ... 'cause it's certainly not always this way in the NFL.

You'll recall, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers didn't have the world's greatest relationship when Rodgers was a rookie -- and it doesn't seem Rodgers is handling Jordan Love's appearance on the Packers' roster very well either.

Remember when DK Metcalf ran 22.64 MPH to stop Arizona Cardinals' Budda Baker from a Pick 6 during the 2020 season?!

... well, the Seattle Seahawks receiver is now taking his speed to a real track -- signing up to sprint in the 100m race at the USTAF Golden Games and Distance Open on Sunday at Mt. SAC.

No joke! The 6'4", 229 pound Pro Bowler will put his speed to the test on May 9 against 16 experienced sprinters in Walnut, California.

And, we mean experienced -- Ronnie Baker is one of the 16 runners and that dude ran a 9.94 in the 100m earlier this year!!!

Keep in mind, Metcalf hasn't competed in a legit track competition since high school -- where his best event was the hurdles and the triple jump (though he also ran the 4x100 relay).

But clearly, DK has world-class speed -- which he put on display back in October when he sprinted 90 yards to chase down fleet-footed AZ Cardinals defensive back Budda Baker, one of the fastest guys in the league.

And, don't forget, he also clocked a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine -- which is insane for someone of DK's size.

The big question ... is DK fast enough to make the US Olympics team? Maybe!

DK would have to crack the 10.05 mark in the 100m race to qualify for the Olympic Trials, according to the USATF.

Yeah, he's a long shot but DK is confident -- even dropping a teaser clip on his social media page.

"With him being that upset shows me just how weak he is."

Terry Bradshaw is straight-up PISSED over the way Aaron Rodgers is handling his beef with the Packers ... and the Hall of Famer is growing so tired of seeing it, he's now urging the NFL MVP to just retire.

Bradshaw dropped the passionate criticism while appearing on WFAN's "Moose & Maggie" this week ... repeatedly calling Rodgers "weak" for beefing with the Pack.

"For him to be upset, my God, I don’t understand that," Bradshaw says.

"Who the hell cares who you draft?" Terry added. "He's a three-time MVP in the league and he’s worried about this guy they drafted last year [Jordan Love]?!"

Bradshaw says if he were running the Packers, he would NOT give into Rodgers' trade demands ... and would simply just let the quarterback walk if he's truly that upset.

"Here’s what I would do: I wouldn’t budge," Bradshaw said of how he'd handle running the Packers through this drama.

"Let him gripe. Let him cry. Retire. You are [37]. Go ahead and retire. See you later. I’m really strong about stuff like that. It just makes him look weak."

Bradshaw continued, "Probably he should just retire and go do 'Jeopardy!' That's the way I look at it. But, I wouldn't budge. I'm strong about stuff like that. I wouldn't budge a bit."

Bradshaw says back when he was with the Steelers ... he embraced when his team would draft other QBs to try to replace him -- explaining, "I wasn’t worried about those guys."

"They didn’t scare me a bit. So, I don’t understand why he is so upset at Green Bay.”

For his part, Rodgers has reportedly been mad at the Packers for months ... upset over his contract and some of the team's personnel decisions -- including when GB picked Love in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft instead of selecting a top wide receiver.

Packers brass has said repeatedly it will not trade the disgruntled star ... with GM Brian Gutekunst saying last week, "I do think he'll play for us again."

Terrell Davis is issuing a stern warning to Saquon Barkley ... saying if the injured running back returns too early from his ACL injury, it could have DIRE consequences.

The Hall of Famer explained it all to TMZ Sports ... with Davis telling us when he rushed back early from a knee injury following the 1999 season -- it cost him A LOT.

"For me, I tell players coming back from an injury is sometimes you have to protect yourself from yourself," Davis says. "And, what I mean by that is we're very competitive and we want to come back and beat the timeframe."

"So, if the doctor says it's a six-week or six-month recovery -- whatever it is -- our minds is, 'I'm coming back in half that time. I'm coming back in three weeks or three months.'"

Davis continued, "I remember coming back and I thought I was ready to play and I was really trying to get back on the field but I think long term it hurt me."

Davis says if he had just taken the extra time to ensure he was 100 percent, the ending of his career could have gone MUCH differently.

"I always tell players," Davis says, "'Listen, I understand you feel like you're ready to come back, make sure you're sure. Make sure that you're ready to come back because you can do more damage if you come back prematurely than if you wait.'"

Barkley tore up his knee back on Sept. 20, 2020 ... and he's been rehabbing and training like a mad man to get back on the field ASAP.

In fact, the 24-year-old just posted video of some of his workout sessions last month ... showing he's already jumping off his injured leg.

It's all a great indicator that Barkley should be ready for the Giants' season opener in September ... but Davis is making it clear, Saquon NEEDS to listen to his body fully before he straps on the pads again.

KISS THE BABY!!

Ex-NFL superstar Chad Ochocinco has signed a deal to fight in an exhibition boxing match on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard  -- the very first fight of his career.

In other words, Chad is making his boxing debut at 43 YEARS OLD!

The former Cincinnati Bengals WR has been training his ass off in boxing gyms for years -- but never really expressed serious interest in taking a fight.

But, Chad says he was approached by Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe recently ... and offered a spot on the undercard for the big June 6 event at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Chad says he immediately asked his family for their thoughts -- and when they gave their blessing, Ochocinco told Ellerbe he would do it!

Ochocinco -- formally known as Chad Johnson -- broke the news on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast.

So far, no opponent has been locked in -- but we're hearing promoters are looking to match Chad up against another former non-boxing athlete.

The obvious choice would be ex-NFL wideout Brandon Marshall, who's been putting in serious work in the boxing gym for years ... and has openly talked about wanting a big-time fight.

In fact, Brandon spent some time training with Evander Holyfield who compared Marshall to heavyweight knockout artist Deontay Wilder.

As for Chad, he's already got a new nickname -- calling himself, "Sweet Feet Johnson!"

Forget champagne and fancy steak dinners ... Ohio State star Jonathon Cooper found a much better way to celebrate his NFL draft selection -- by being mobbed by neighborhood kids!!

The linebacker was picked Saturday in the 7th round of the annual selection show by the Denver Broncos -- and it didn't take long for a block party to ensue.

Once word got out that Cooper was headed to the Mile High City ... a bunch of neighborhood kids showed up at his house in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday to congratulate him -- and video from the scene is adorable.

There were hugs, high fives and cheers ... and the party didn't stop there -- 'cause they all ended up sitting around later and grubbin' on some food!!

And then, of course, they got in some good ol' fashion football in the backyard!!!

23-year-old Cooper was a beast at OSU -- he logged 77 total tackles and 10 sacks in his 5-year career ... and he played a key role in this past season's journey to the National Championship game.

And, even though he's moving on to Denver now ... it's clear there will always be a neighborhood in Columbus watching him closely going forward!!