NFL

Lamar Jackson is about to be immortalized in Louisville ... the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is getting a statue in his honor at Cardinal Stadium!!

Of course, the Baltimore Ravens MVP only left the school 4 years ago ... but the Cards wanted to waste NO time getting the ball rolling on the major tribute .... with Athletic Director Vince Tyra making the announcement during "The Deener Show" on Monday.

Tyra didn't expand on any of the details like location, timeframe or how big the statue will be ... but knowing Jackson's impact on the school, we can only expect it to be nothing short of incredible.

From 2015-17 with the Cardinals, Jackson had a total of 9,043 passing yards, 4,132 rushing yards and 119 overall touchdowns!

LJ also broke records ... having the most rushing yard and rushing touchdowns for the Cardinals football program.

On top of that, he's the youngest player -- and first Cardinals player -- to ever win the Heisman ... and first to make the All-American team for Louisville.

Now, the 24-year-old is entering his 4th season with the Ravens and has made the playoffs ever season -- but eventually hopes to win the Super Bowl.

Tom Brady was so ticked off over some poor plays at Bucs practice on Sunday ... he threw a major temper tantrum, cussing, slamming his helmet and even punting a football.

Reporters on the scene in Tampa say it all went down during 11-on-11 drills ... with the G.O.A.T. going off after he took a would-be sack.

Tom grabbed the ball and booted it in frustration ... sending the pigskin over 40 yards.

On the next series, Tom was sacked again and threw a few incompletions ... leading to an even bigger meltdown.

The 43-year-old QB -- who turns 44 on Tuesday -- slammed his helmet into the ground ... and according to the Tampa Bay Times, he dropped an F-bomb on his teammates.

"Gotta make a f***ing play when you’re tired fellas," Brady said, according to Rick Stroud.

Don't worry ... this apparently ain't sort of beginning of a decline for Tom -- by all accounts, he's had an awesome start to training camp, and even his head coach, Bruce Arians, was cool with TB12's attitude during practice.

"Guys have got to make plays," Arians told reporters. "You’re in a critical situation, you can’t fall down. He gives you a chance to win the game. You’ve got to go down and win the game. I don’t care how tired you are."

Cowboys fans, no need to panic ... Jerry Jones says Dak Prescott is "doing fine" -- and could play in a game right now, if it was necessary.

TMZ Sports talked to the Cowboys owner outside of Craigs in West Hollywood (Dallas holds training camp at nearby Oxnard, CA) ... and we asked Jones about his injured quarterback.

"He's doing fine."

Prescott -- who signed a 4-year, $160 million contract extension this off-season -- strained a muscle in his throwing shoulder last week ... forcing him to miss practice.

Of course, Prescott sustained a gruesome, season-ending compound fracture and dislocated ankle injury last year ... so Cowboys fans are justifiably uptight about their signal-callers health.

But, Jerry says if the Cowboys had a game Sunday, Dak could be under center.

"If we were playing a game [today], we could" ... Jones says when discussing Prescott's status.

We also asked Jerry about the Cowboy's COVID-19 vaccination status.

Remember, if 90% of players on a team get the vax, pandemic restrictions are eased -- so hitting that figure is a pretty big deal.

"We're at 90% [vaccination] and going up."

Dak ✅, Vax ✅

Next time you see Odell Beckham, ask him to smile ... and you'll witness a $1.8 million dollar grin!!!

Sources tell TMZ Sports ... the Cleveland Browns star pretty much has a mansion in his mouth now ... after hitting up celeb dentist Dr. Thomas Connelly to get some natural porcelain veneers done.

But, the 28-year-old didn't ask for your regular pearly whites ... he wanted his on a different level -- framed with a load of diamonds ... and Connelly delivered!

OBJ's new teeth look AMAZING ... with a iced-out cross on his fang and the back of his teeth -- on both sides -- infused with gems.

We're told Connelly -- who's made icy teeth for Post Malone and Chris Brown -- did a 28 unit full mouth reconstruction ... and it carries 13 carat diamonds!!!

The 3-time Pro Bowler dropped $1.8 MILLION on his new teeth ... but it won't hurt his pockets -- he's made over $60M in his NFL career so far.

It'll be nice to see the guy get back on the field after going down with a season-ending injury in November 2020 ... but wear a pair of shades if you stare at his smile ... just in case.

The NFL Alumni association was paid a whopping $3,500,000 by the CDC to promote the COVID-19 vaccine, TMZ Sports has learned.

U.S. Federal Procurement docs show the CDC and the NFL Alumni assoc. signed the multi-million dollar deal at the beginning of May.

The total value of the contract is listed at $3.5 mil ... with the money earmarked for "NFL Alumni (NFLA) Health COVID-19 Vaccination Community Outreach and Education Project."

FYI, the NFL Alumni was founded in 1967 by a group of retired football players. The organization's current president is former NY Giants lineman, Bart Oates.

The NFL Alumni's website features pro-COVID-19 vax testimonials from former NFL stars like Franco Harris, Rod Woodson and Harry Carson, amongst others.

The site also has a "Vaccination Tracker" and a link to access vax locations.

The group is a separate entity from the NFL ... though you must have played or coached in the league to be a member.

Prior to awarding the windfall of cash, the CDC issued a Notice of Intent, announcing the grant.

"The [CDC] intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to The NFL Alumni Association (NFLA). The overall purpose of this contract is to facilitate collaboration among NFL Alumni and federal state and local public health officials as well as other local leaders to address vaccine hesitancy through communication and engagement with communities less likely to get vaccinated."

The notice continues ... "The CDC Vaccine Task Force will work directly with the NFLA to promote community-level and national COVID-19 education outreach and vaccination acceptance."

The agreement with former players is interesting, because many current players and coaches are pissed about the NFL's new COVID vax rules

The league has threatened to take away players' game checks and even force forfeitures if unvaccinated players cause COVID outbreaks.

29-year-old superstar WR DeAndre Hopkins tweeted his frustrations with the rules, even hinting at contemplating retirement. Minnesota Vikings assistant coach Rick Dennison was even reassigned after refusing to get the shot.

The New Orleans Saints are doing their part to try to get people vaccinated as COVID cases are surging in Louisiana ... trading signed jerseys for shots at their training camp Friday.

N.O. officials made the vaccines available to fans at their practice facility in Metairie ... and encouraged people to show up by giving away autographed Michael Thomas and Cameron Jordan swag.

And, while they limited the cool gear to just the first 15 people who got the shots, the gesture is a powerful one ... considering how bad COVID is hitting the state at the moment.

More than 20,000 people have tested positive for the virus in Louisiana in the last week ... making it arguably the nation's biggest COVID hotspot area.

Of course, Sean Payton knows all too well the effects of the virus ... the Saints head man was the first big NFLer to test positive for COVID in 2020, and battled fever and chills in his bout with it.

Tim Tebow will not stop ballin' at Jags camp ... here's the Jacksonville tight end catching a TD pass from the team's new superstar QB, Trevor Lawrence!!!

Yup, you know what this means ... Tebow might actually make the team!!!!!!!

Tim has been flashing during his first training camp workouts with the Jaguars this month ... he's shown off good hands, a jacked frame, AND he's already a crowd favorite.

But, as far as we know, this was Lawrence's first TD connection with the former Heisman Trophy winner ... and it's got us all now wondering, is this a glimpse into the Jaguars' future???

The play was pretty sweet ... Lawrence rolled out to his left in a team red-zone drill and found Tebow dragging across the back of the endzone for a score.

No celebration from Tim -- just a low-five with his teammate -- but the fans sure gave him applause for the grab.

Of course, Tim has been considered a long shot to make Jacksonville's opening day roster ... but quickly developing chemistry with Lawrence could change all of that.

The marriage between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will last two more seasons before it ends ... so says Green Bay legend LeRoy Butler.

"After '22," Butler tells TMZ Sports, "I think [Rodgers] will be gone to wherever he wants to go and they'll be glad to get rid of him at that point."

It's a pretty bold prediction from the ex-Packers star safety ... because after Rodgers' candid meeting with reporters on Wednesday, many believe he's absolutely gone after this season.

If you missed it, Rodgers ripped Packers execs for not giving him more say in team decisions as well as not extending his contract when he says he initially asked for it all in February.

The writing seems to be on the wall that he'll be traded as soon as this season ends because of it ... but Butler tells us he thinks it'll play out differently.

LeRoy says he doesn't think Jordan Love will be ready to take over in 2022 ... and that'll lead to more offseason drama followed by yet another year of Rodgers under center.

"I think they'll go through this same thing again -- it'll be just as toxic," Butler says. "But, at the end of the day, I think Aaron will be the quarterback for '21 and '22."

As far as any other scenario -- like the Packers trading Love and extending Rodgers' contract -- Butler just doesn't see that going down.

"You would have to fire [general manager Brian Gutekunst]," Butler says. "There's no coming back from that."

How'd the Dallas Cowboys celebrate Dak Prescott's 28th birthday on Thursday??

A GIANT CAKE TO THE FACE, BABY!!!

Dak's offensive lineman, La'el Collins, appeared to orchestrate the whole thing after 'Boys practice in Oxnard, Calif. ... and it was all funny as hell.

Check out the footage shot by the team ... Collins brought out a cake, and got everyone in attendance to start singing "Happy Birthday" to Dallas' big star.

They eventually coaxed the quarterback to take the cake out of its box ... and as he was admiring his birthday dessert -- Collins, Ezekiel Elliott and a bunch of other Dallas O-lineman shoved it right into his grill!!

The yellow frosting got everywhere ... in Dak's eyes, mouth and even ears!!

To his credit, Prescott took it all in stride ... though he did make sure his best buddy Elliott got a little cake in the face too!!

Overall, it was a pretty solid B-day for Dallas' signal-caller ... his girlfriend, Natalie Buffett, wished him "Happy Birthday" earlier Thursday with an adorable message.

Prescott also found out earlier in the day his shoulder injury isn't expected to be serious ... and he's slated to be ready to go for Cowboys regular season in September.

Tyreek Hill says it's put up or shut up time for Usain Bolt ... 'cause after the track legend talked some smack about the NFL star's speed, Hill officially challenged him to a race!

The scene played out in hilarious fashion Thursday ... after Bolt joined "The Pat McAfee Show" and mentioned Tyreek has urged him in the past to set up a race.

"Me and Tyreek Hill got into it," Bolt told McAfee, explaining it never happened because he says, quite frankly, his 40-time is just too damn electric.

"He was talking 'blah blah blah,'" Bolt said of Hill. "But, then I went to the combine one year, and if you go on the net right now, I ran 4.22 in my sweats and some street shoes."

"I was like, 'Come on, Tyreek Hill. You got no chance!'"

Hill saw the chatter ... and now wants Bolt to finally put his money where his mouth is -- and hit the track for a showdown!!

"Line up then," Hill said on social media. "Stop hiding."

The race might actually be a decent one ... Bolt, after all, is retired from competitive running -- and Hill is just entering the prime of his NFL career.

Plus, Tyreek has track experience ... and has told us in the past he wants to run in the Olympics some day.

Tebowmania has officially arrived in Jacksonville!!!

Tim Tebow practiced for the first time in front of Jaguars fans Thursday -- and it's clear as day, he's already a crowd favorite!!!

Check out how the new tight end was received as he walked onto the field -- fans cheered, hooted, hollered and even yelled out his name!!

And then, Tebow went out and kind of put on a show for them!!

The former NFL quarterback -- who looks JACKED -- caught several passes during Thursday's workout ... and got in some special teams and blocking work too.

Of course, Tebow's been considered a longshot to make Jacksonville's opening day roster ... given that he's never played the tight end position professionally, and has been out of football for years.

But, if Thursday's practice is any indication, Tebow certainly looks like he belongs ... showing off a huge frame and obvious athleticism.

Plus, it ain't like the Jags tight end room is completely loaded with talent this season.

A sexual misconduct investigation is NOT keeping Deshaun Watson away from the Texans practice field ... the star QB worked out with his Houston team Wednesday, seemingly unbothered by it all.

Cameras captured the 25-year-old hitting Texans practice in full workout gear ... throwing passes, participating in drills and running around without any issues whatsoever.

It's unclear, though, what the Texans' plan for Watson is going forward ... the team's general manager, Nick Caserio, dodged questions about the QB's status before he hit the field Wednesday.

Caserio declined to say how much Watson would do, if he was the team's starter, if he'd be traded, or how a criminal investigation into Watson plays into all of the above.

"From our perspective," the Houston exec said, "it's a day-to-day endeavor."

The NFL said Tuesday it's placing "no restrictions" on Watson yet ... even though more than 20 female massage therapists have accused him of crossing the line during what were supposed to be routine rubdown sessions.

Twenty-two women have sued the quarterback ... and Watson's attorney says 10 women have filed criminal complaints against Deshaun as well.

Both police and the NFL say they're investigating it all.

Watson has denied the allegations ... and his reps have said any sexual encounters he had with female masseuses were entirely consensual.

A Patrick Mahomes rookie card just sold for over $4 MILLION ... and the price tag was so staggering, even the NFL star himself couldn't believe it!!!

PWCC Marketplace announced the sale Wednesday ... saying the deal officially makes the piece the most expensive football card ever.

And, Mahomes was blown away by it all ... tweeting of the item, "My goodness."

As for why the card is so coveted ... it's an ULTRA rare 2017 Panini National Treasures piece that features Mahomes' signature and a cutout of an NFL shield patch from one of his Chiefs jerseys.

It's the only card of its kind to ever be created (AKA a 1-of-1) ... and it was also given an 8.5 grade, which means it's in damn-near perfect condition.

The $4.3 million price tag easily topped the previous football card record of $3.1 million that an autographed Tom Brady rookie card fetched in the spring.

As for the buyer of the Mahomes piece, it's been revealed LJ's Card Shop in Ohio scored the card ... and a store spokesperson said they're fired up over the purchase.

“We are continually hunting for unique cards that add to our collection in a meaningful way," the spokesperson said. "The 2017 National Treasures NFL Shield Patrick Mahomes Rookie is truly a piece of art."

The NFL says Deshaun Watson is currently free to practice, workout and even play with the Houston Texans ... this despite the QB facing numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.

The league made the announcement Tuesday ... saying in a statement there are currently "no restrictions" being placed on Watson even though more than 20 female massage therapists have accused him of crossing the line during what were supposed to be routine rubdown sessions.

"At this time," NFL officials said, "there are no restrictions on Watson's participation in club activities."

As we previously reported, police and the NFL are currently investigating Watson ... after multiple women claim he got inappropriate with them on several occasions over the past few years.

Twenty-two women in total have filed civil lawsuits against Watson ... and the QB's attorney said Monday that 10 accusers have filed criminal complaints against the quarterback as well.

Most NFL pundits believed the allegations would be enough to land the 25-year-old star on some sort of paid leave -- similar to the way the MLB is handling the Trevor Bauer accusations -- but, clearly, that's not the case.

"As we continue to gather additional information and monitor law enforcement developments," the NFL said, "we will make appropriate decisions consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Personal Conduct Policy."

The NFL added its probe into Watson is still "ongoing and active."

For Watson's part, he's insisted he committed no wrongdoing ... while his reps have said anything that went down between the quarterback and masseuses was entirely consensual.

Rick Dennison will remain with the Vikings despite his COVID vaccine refusal ... though the team has announced he's been reassigned to a different role in the org.

The longtime NFL assistant coach had reportedly parted ways with Minnesota last week due to his decision to not get the shots.

Per NFL rules this season, if a coach isn't vaccinated -- he or she cannot have direct contact with players in meeting rooms and on the field, and therefore simply cannot effectively do the job of being an assistant coach.

ESPN had reported Friday that meant Dennison -- who was the team's offensive line coach -- was OUT.

But, the Vikings said Tuesday they've found a compromise with the coach ... moving him to a new senior offensive advisor role.

The team confirmed Phil Rauscher will step into Dennison's old offensive line coach spot.

"I'm not going to talk about Rick Dennison's medical situation," Vikings general manager Rick Spielman told reporters Tuesday. "I just know that Rick Dennison is an important part of this staff."

Spielman added the team is "excited" to still have Dennison on board ... though he declined to comment on what the 63-year-old's new role actually entails.

New England definitely ain't gonna like these apples ...

Matt Damon -- one of the biggest die-hard Boston-area sports fans EVER -- just admitted he'd root against the Patriots in a Super Bowl!!

The Academy Award-winning actor made the shocking revelation on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday ... saying if it came down to Tom Brady's Buccaneers vs. the Pats in this year's Big Game, he's team TB12 all day!!

"Listen," Damon said. "I love that guy."

Damon -- who is from Cambridge, Mass. -- has been a Pats fan since forever ... but it's clear his relationship with Tom outweighs all of that.

"Go Bucs," Damon said on the show.

It's gotta hurt the Patriots ... but, hey, they do get to square off against Tom in the regular season in Foxborough in October.