NFL

A former Denver Broncos special teams player has reached a settlement after filing a lawsuit over a season-ending knee injury he suffered during a game in 2022.

TMZ Sports broke the story -- Aaron Patrick tore his ACL in overtime of the Broncos and L.A. Chargers' "Monday Night Football" contest at SoFi Stadium after stepping on a mat in order to avoid colliding with an NFL official positioned on the sidelines.

The mat was placed on the turf to cover cords and cables for the league's instant replay monitors ... but Patrick claimed his foot got caught in it, causing his knee to bend awkwardly.

Taylor Swift is playing a major role in getting Travis Kelce out of his Super Bowl funk ... with the Kansas City Chiefs superstar revealing her music is the soundtrack to his recovery after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 35-year-old tight end talked all about being down in the dumps on his "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Jason, on Wednesday ... when the retired offensive lineman asked his go-to remedy.

"Jason, the only way you can find yourself in the light is to find yourself in the dark first, right?" Travis said. "I listen to music that is very telling of my mood."

President Donald Trump is, in fact, sending White House invitations to the Philadelphia Eagles ... after erronoeus reports suggested the Super Bowl winners would NOT be pulling up to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave!

On Tuesday, 47 confirmed his intentions to invite the Eagles squad to his home in D.C. ... while explaining the invitations just aren't in the mail, yet.

"They will be," Trump said of the invites while speaking with the press.

Travis Kelce hasn't revealed his plans for 2025 ... but according to the Kansas City Chiefs general manager, you can expect to see him take the field next season -- with Brett Veach revealing as far as he knows, the superstar tight end does NOT intend to retire.

The front office exec shared his side of the speculation at the NFL Combine on Tuesday ... saying during exit interviews, TK seemed fired up to get back at it after coming up short in Super Bowl LIX.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was also asked about his offensive weapon ... but he really just said all that's important right now is Kelce gets some time to relax after the long season.

The Baltimore Ravens are breaking their silence on the sexual misconduct allegations leveled against Justin Tucker ... with the team's General Manager sailing the number of claims against their star kicker "serious and concerning."

Eric DeCosta met with reporters Tuesday morning ahead of the NFL Combine ... where they peppered him with questions on the JT situation -- in light of 16 masseuses coming forward to claim Tucker was inappropriate with them over the years.

"We're fortunate the league is doing an investigation," DeCosta said. "We'll wait as patiently as we can for as much information as we can, and we'll make our decisions based on that."

While plenty of New York Giants fans are still upset the team let Saquon Barkley walk in free agency last offseason ... the team's general manager seemingly isn't living with any regrets -- saying he's happy for Barkley after winning his first Super Bowl!

Joe Schoen met with the media ahead of the NFL combine in Indianapolis ... and right off the bat, he was asked about the team's former first-round draft pick helping propel the Eagles to their second Lombardi trophy in franchise history.

"I'm happy for Saquon," he said. "Obviously he went on to win the Super Bowl and we wish him nothing but the best."

Patrick Mahomes didn't have much to celebrate after the Super Bowl, but he was back to being in good spirits at the Texas Tech basketball game on Monday ... losing his mind after a fan nailed a full-court putt!!

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar -- sporting a fresh cut -- and his wife, Brittany, had courtside seats to check out his alma mater's matchup against Houston ... and during a break in the action, one guy showed off his impressive golf game in an on-court promotion.

The fan hit the shot from the opposite baseline and through a hole in a board to win a pair of AirPods Max ... and everyone in the arena lost their minds -- including the three-time champion.

NFL star Solomon Thomas is used to the Jets, but he's enjoying a different form of transportation this week -- cruising around on a fancy yacht in St. Barts with his stunning girlfriend.

The 29-year-old New York defensive tackle was spotted making the most of his offseason near the Caribbean island alongside Kaylie Alyson ... with both ditching their clothes for some bathing suits.

They looked happy as ever as they had their fun in the sun -- which included lounging around on a raft and downing some drinks on the deck.

11:42 AM PT -- TMZ Sports has obtained Wilhoite's mugshot.

10:00 AM PT -- TMZ Sports has obtained more details on the arrest ... with a Denver Police officer claiming he was working a curb assignment on the East arrivals level of the airport around 2:09 PM when the alleged incident occurred.

The cop says he told Wilhoite he could not leave his 2021 Ford Bronco unattended, to which Wilhoite allegedly replied, "shut the f*** up" two times.

The cop claims Wilhoite bumped his chest into him, causing him to step backward. The cop says he then shoved Wilhoite ... who responded by punching him in the right side of the face with a closed left fist, forcing him to the ground.

Chris Kluwe says he's been contacted by multiple people from the Democratic party, and while he straight up says he doesn't want to run for political office, the former Vikings punter tells TMZ Sports he'd be willing to do it.

43-year-old Kluwe went viral last week after he delivered an explosive anti-Donald Trump, anti-MAGA speech at a city council meeting in Huntington Beach, CA ... which ultimately led to his arrest.

We spoke with the 8-year NFL vet ... and asked him about a potential run for office.

If Shedeur Sanders wants some tips on how to navigate following a famous dad's footsteps into the NFL ... Patrick Surtain II is offering up some, free of charge.

The newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year -- who's the son of former Miami Dolphins star Patrick Surtain -- told TMZ Sports out at Super Bowl week this month Sanders merely needs to "keep being" himself if he wants to succeed in the pros.

It, of course, is a simple concept ... but as the offspring of Deion Sanders -- Surtain II knows it's not always the easiest task.

Don't expect Adrian Peterson to follow in Deion Sanders' coaching footsteps anytime soon ... the ex-NFL tailback tells TMZ Sports he has absolutely no desire to run a football team's sidelines.

Sanders' success in the college game has paved the way for several other football legends to get HC gigs -- Eddie George, Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson all have headsets now -- but Peterson told us out at Super Bowl week this month he won't be next.

The former Minnesota Vikings star said it's just too stressful of a job ... and right now, he's enjoying relaxing and being a dad.

NFL general managers looking to have Aaron Rodgers on their team in 2025 better listen up ... he just revealed what he's looking for in his next squad!!!

The soon-to-be free agent quarterback doled out his wish list following a training session in sunny Southern California on Thursday ... explaining that he really only desires two things in his next team.

No. 1, he asked to be wanted. And No. 2, he said he was hopeful to be surrounded by talent. It didn't seem he'd be opposed to some good weather, either.

2:27 PM PT -- A spokesperson for Terrell Suggs tells TMZ Sports ... "Terrell is relieved that he can now put this unfortunate incident behind him. The safety and well-being of his family and himself have always been his top priority, and he is grateful that they are all safe. He appreciates the support and understanding from everyone during this time and he looks forward to moving forward."

Former NFL superstar Terrell Suggs pleaded guilty to a criminal charge on Thursday in his Starbucks threat case, TMZ Sports has learned.

The ex-Baltimore Ravens pass rusher appeared in a Maricopa County, AZ courtroom in a shirt and a tie -- and, after cutting a deal with prosecutors, he submitted a guilty plea to one count of disorderly conduct.

In exchange, officials agreed to drop the second charge of threatening or intimidating they had hit him with over a March 2024 incident at a local Starbucks.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler and Super Bowl X winner Mike Collier died at the age of 71 at his home in Maryland on Sunday.

According to an online obituary ... Collier passed away at a local hospital in Hagerstown. No cause of death was provided.

After playing college ball at Morgan State University in Baltimore ... the running back was a 14th-round selection by the Black and Gold in the 1975 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he appeared in 14 regular season games, rushing for 124 yards and three touchdowns.

If Hailee Steinfeld wasn't already the queen of Bills Mafia ... someone better get her a crown now -- 'cause she just roasted Buffalo's biggest rivals!!

Josh Allen's fiancée fired off the savage burn during a game of "Truth or Wear" with Who What Wear on Wednesday ... after she was asked to take a "football IQ quiz."

Part of the test required her to list off everyone in the Bills' AFC East division ... but rather than go through the Patriots, Dolphins and Jets by name -- she went a route Buffalo fans will adore.