NFL

Is Matthew Stafford a Hall of Famer?? If you ask his favorite target in Detroit, Calvin Johnson, we will absolutely see the quarterback in Canton one day ... but he tells TMZ Sports an MVP trophy on his résumé solidifies his chances.

We spoke with Johnson amid one of Stafford's best seasons ... and he said the game "looks easy to him right now."

"He's playing good football. He has some great receivers around him. Seems like the offensive line is doing a great job as well."

Shaquil Barrett isn't reconsidering his decision to retire ... telling TMZ Sports he's done with football -- and NFL teams don't need to waste their time trying to change his mind.

The two-time Super Bowl champ made it clear this week after announcing his decision ... even though he worked out with the Indianapolis Colts just over a month ago.

"I'm not really chasing the NFL dream anymore, so I'm not just gonna be out there doin' NFL workouts every day to stay ready because I'm not that hungry for it anymore," Barrett said.

Mark Sanchez has barely uttered a peep since he was stabbed in Indianapolis, leaving him fighting for his life and facing serious criminal charges ... until Friday, when the retired QB wrote a heartfelt tribute to his family.

The former first-round draft pick turned NFL broadcaster took to Instagram, where he posted two photos of his wife, Perry, and their two adorable little twin daughters, alongside a message of gratitude for those who have had his back.

"This time of year always makes me look around and appreciate what matters, but this one hits different," 39-year-old Sanchez wrote. "I’m just grateful—to wake up, to be home, and to be able to wrap my arms around my wife and kids."

If there's one thing Jaxson Dart and Theo Johnson can take away from the N.Y. Giants 2025 season, it's a desperate need to study the area's geography ... 'cause the duo were caught on camera getting a much-needed lesson from their coach!

The hilarious moment went down during the season premiere of Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East Tuesday night, when Dart began questioning the winds at the Meadowlands, and where the stiff breeze originated.

Interim offensive coordinator Tim Kelly told them it was coming off "the massive ocean two miles that way" ... to Dart and Johnson's dismay.

"I thought the ocean was that way," Dart responded.

NFL great Rodney Harrison had fans worried he was dealing with a medical issue after he appeared to be struggling on live TV ahead of "Sunday Night Football" ... but thankfully, the two-time Super Bowl champ seemed completely fine after the game.

The concerning moment happened as NBC's pregame crew consisting of Harrison, Jac Collinsworth and Tony Dungy broke down the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders matchup before kickoff ... when the Colts coaching legend looked to get the 52-year-old former Patriots safety involved in the conversation.

Harrison stumbled over a few words before admitting he forgot the question ... and when Collinsworth tried to help out two different times, he gave up on contributing to the discussion.

C.J. Stroud is all about family ... and he tells TMZ Sports that once his dad is released from prison, he plans to have him work with his foundation!!

The Houston Texans quarterback opened up to us about his plans nearly a decade after his father, Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, was sentenced to Folsom State Prison near Sacramento.

Stroud's dad is currently serving a 38-year sentence after pleading guilty to carjacking, kidnapping, robbery and misdemeanor sexual battery in 2015.

Bert Kreischer's a diehard Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, and he LOVES Baker Mayfield ... and we now know why.

The uber-popular comedian joined Babcock on the heels of the Bucs' third straight loss, when we asked whether he'd lost faith in his squad.

Kreischer hasn't, saying "I still feel good" ... though it's the why that's notable.

Detroit Lions star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Lem Barney is "alive and well," his family tells TMZ.

Amid reports that the 80-year-old football icon has died, his son, Lem Barney III, has confirmed to TMZ he is alive, adding that he spoke to him today.

He says he is in the care of "around-the-clock" caretakers who have given him no reason to worry about his health -- and says he was even sent a picture of his father today.

Jordon Hudson worked off her Thanksgiving meal Friday at cheer practice -- and we saw her showing off her ripped abs in her uniform!

Check out our gallery -- Bill Belichick's better half was suited up in short athletic shorts and a tiny cheer bra emblazoned with rhinestones and her team name "Code Black" on it ... and there was no missing her rock-solid abs.

Jordon was seen filling her posh Mercedes with gas -- new models of the luxury car can cost up to $100,000.

Bill was nowhere in sight, but we know he's seen his girl rock her uniform recently -- he was spotted at her Cheer Extreme All-Stars event less than 2 weeks ago. And, she was in the stands as the University of North Carolina took on Duke last weekend -- another loss for Bill.

Calvin Johnson says it's NOT time to panic in Detroit -- even after losing on Thanksgiving, and sitting outside the NFL playoff picture -- 'cause there's plenty of football left to play!

The Lions, who breezed into postseason action last season with a 15-2 record, haven't been nearly as dominant in 2025, losing two of three, including Thursday's Turkey Day game against their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

The 31-24 loss means the Lions don't control their destiny with the division, but they're still very much in the playoff hunt, according to Calvin.

Talk about shocking the system -- two of Detroit’s biggest legends collided when Eminem crashed Jack White’s stage during the NFL’s Thanksgiving Halftime Show at the Lions’ annual Turkey Day Classic.

Jack was the only one officially on the bill -- tearing into “Seven Nation Army,” the forever stadium anthem at Ford Field -- before he shocked the crowd by bringing out fellow Detroit legend Eminem for a surprise cameo.

Eminem hit the stage in full Detroit armor -- hoodie up and rocking a custom Lions jacket -- and launched into a wild mashup of "Till I Collapse" with the White Stripes’ "Hello Operator."

The Detroit Lions are hours away from playing in their annual Thanksgiving game, and those in attendance better be hungry ... 'cause TMZ Sports got a look at the offerings that will be on tap -- and they look just as good as grandma's cookin'!!

Levy Restaurants -- the official food and beverage provider of the Lions -- shared what their chefs have been cooking in the kitchen ahead of kickoff.

It wouldn't be a Thanksgiving feast without some bird ... so turkey legs will be on the menu, served with cornbread dressing and cranberry BBQ sauce.

The NFL brought the heat this Thanksgiving with three matchups -- but it's the wives and girlfriends of the athletes that are hotter than your favorite dish currently sitting in the oven!!

The first game of the November holiday is between the Packers and Lions ... featuring two of the season's top quarterbacks, Jordan Love and Jared Goff.

Of course, Love's wife, Ronika, wouldn't miss her QB hubby's third Thanksgiving game ... and model Christen Harper always stuns at the Mr.'s games -- holiday or not!

New footage has been released from the night of Marshawn Kneeland's death -- showing officials in pursuit of the Dallas Cowboys player's speeding Dodge Charger as it dangerously weaved in and out of traffic on the highway ... and tirelessly searching for him after he crashed his vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

The Texas Department of Public Safety shared the body and dash cam footage from the Nov. 5 incident ... which showed cops chasing his vehicle around 10:30 PM, initially believing it was stolen.

24-year-old Kneeland was allegedly driving up to 160 MPH while behind the wheel ... and struck another vehicle before ending up in a grassy area off the road.

Adrian Peterson's recent legal trouble isn't ruining his holiday season -- a month after the former All-Pro running back was ordered to remain in Texas over his DWI and weapon arrest, he was granted permission to travel to Oklahoma to spend Thanksgiving with his family.

TMZ Sports obtained court documents filed earlier this month, in which Peterson's lawyer asked the judge to let the ex-Vikings superstar go to the Sooner State for Turkey Day from November 23 until December 1.

As part of the conditions of his release, AP agreed to keep his nose clean, surrender all firearms, avoid illegal drugs, submit to random testing and stay in the state unless he had permission.

Kylie Kelce is making it clear whose side she's on heading into the Dallas Cowboys big Thanksgiving game against the Kansas City Chiefs ... imploring her fans to cheer on "Uncle Trav," while saying the Cowboys can "get f*****!"

KK spoke about the highly anticipated game on her "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, which dropped Tuesday, saying she is "sick" of the notion that the Cowboys are America's team.

"They can kiss my a** and, you guessed it, get f*****."