NFL

3:39 PM PT -- We talked to Jamal Lewis about the pardon ... and the story is crazy!

The retired NFL star told Michael J. Babcock he had NO IDEA clemency was an option, so he actually missed the phone call when it came in from Alice Johnson.

Check out the interview with Jamal!

Donald Trump is throwing a lifeline to some former gridiron stars ... signing off on pardons for a handful of ex-NFL players who dominated on the field, but also got tangled up in legal trouble.

The Commander-in-Chief granted clemency on Thursday to five former football standouts, wiping away criminal convictions tied to drug crimes, fraud and other offenses ... framing the move as a shot at redemption long after their playing days ended.

"As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation," White House "pardon czar" Alice Marie Johnson posted to X while thanking Trump for his "continued commitment to second chances."

The personal chef who accused Stefon Diggs of choking her following a Patriots game in December is speaking out after his first court appearance Friday in Boston, saying she's focused on healing as the legal process begins to play out.

Mila Adams shared her statement shortly after Diggs entered a not-guilty plea in the case, writing that she would "never make false claims for personal gain or to damage someone's reputation."

"I did not seek public attention and reported this matter through the proper legal channels. This is an active criminal matter, and I will continue to respect the legal process. I will not engage in rumors, personal attacks, or respond to misinformation on social media, and I will ask others to refrain from spreading false narratives."

Stefon Diggs appeared in court on Friday for his arraignment over the alleged assault of his personal chef, with the NFL star pleading not guilty just days after the Patriots wideout played in Super Bowl LX.

Diggs, 32, along with his lawyers, was in front of the judge in the Dedham District Court for about a minute ... with Stefon pleading "not guilty" to the charge he assaulted his chef in December 2025.

After the hearing, Mitchell Schuster, part of Diggs' legal team, told reporters the allegations are false.

Travis Kelce’s NFL future is hanging in the balance … and Mama Kelce says the final call belongs to him!

Donna Kelce tells TMZ Sports she’s giving her superstar son total freedom as he weighs his options of returning to the Kansas City Chiefs, signing elsewhere in free agency or calling it a legendary career.

“You know, I just want him to do what he feels comfortable doing,” Donna told us this week outside LAX. “He’s gotta talk to people in his life to decide what he wants to do.”

“So I’m not sure. We’ll see what happens!!!”

Stefon Diggs is switching teams the day before his arraignment on charges stemming from an alleged assault on his personal chef -- the NFL star has hired a new attorney to help him with his legal battle.

According to court records viewed by TMZ Sports, the 32-year-old has retained Sara Silva of Silva Kettlewell and Pignatelli LLP, moving on from Michael DiStefano. We've reached out to Silva for comment, but have not yet heard back.

Silva has more than 20 years of trial experience and was named the 2020 Lawyer of the Year in Massachusetts by Boston University School of Law.

Chloe Kim fell just short of making history at the 2026 Winter Olympics ... as the 25-year-old took home the silver medal after putting up a score of 88.00 in an attempt to become the first snowboarder ever to win three straight gold medals in a single event.

Things were looking good for Kim when she took an early lead after her first run. For those who don't know, the best score you post counts toward the final results.

It took until the third run for someone to pass her ... when South Korea's Gaon Choi scored a 90.25 on her last attempt. When Kim took the pipe for her response, she took a spill on her third trick, sealing the victory for Gaon.

The Backstreet Boys made headlines Sunday with their hilarious Super Bowl commercial ... but that's not enough for them -- they now have their sights set on the next halftime show!

AJ McLean threw their hat in the ring last night during a show at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

The singer proposed the idea of the band headlining the 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show to a screaming crowd, who -- it's safe to say -- fervently supported the idea.

New details have emerged in the case against former New York Jets first-round pick Darron Lee after authorities say he murdered his girlfriend ... with police detailing the gruesome scene they found at the home and prosecutors indicating they will seek the death penalty.

Lee appeared in a Tennessee courtroom on Wednesday following Friday's arrest for first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Gabriella Carvalho Perpetuo.

Prosecutors said there was the presence of "blood in every room," including inside a vehicle in the garage. They say Lee was the one who called 911, telling dispatchers Perpetuo was unresponsive and that he believed she fell in the shower.

If James Pearce Jr.'s case goes to trial, the alleged victim, Rickea Jackson, is down to take the stand, according to her attorney, who notified the court she's "willing to testify."

Jackson's lawyer filed notice on Tuesday, saying Jackson remains cooperative, and if needed, will give her testimony about the alleged incident with her ex-boyfriend, which led to his arrest on Saturday.

Rickea's attorney also indicated she hopes to put the matter behind her, sooner rather than later.

Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl story is Hollywood-worthy -- and the Seahawks QB has a few A-list ideas about who should play him if/when a movie eventually gets made.

Fresh off hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, Darnold joked to TMZ Sports that if his unlikely redemption arc ever hits the big screen, he’s got a surprising casting shortlist ready to go.

"Ron Weasley?" Darnold said ... laughing while trying to remember actor Rupert Grint’s name. "Trying to think of the one person who has red hair in Hollywood."

San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White is breaking his silence after he was shot in the ankle ... but the third-year pro made no comment on the reports that the incident came following an argument with Lil Baby.

White took to his Instagram Tuesday night to thank everyone who reached out to him after the Bay Area incident ... and shared visual evidence that he's in good spirits, despite needing surgery.

"For those who know me, y'all know this won't stope me from spreading peace and joy to the world," White said. "Full steam ahead. I'm in great spirits and ready to make the most of this off-season."

Jill Zarin suffered a huge own goal today ... the original "The Real Housewives of New York City" cast member was fired from E! reunion show "The Golden Life" following a wild tirade against Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Blink49 Studios -- the production company behind "The Golden Life" -- issued a statement to TMZ, writing ... "In light of recent public comments made by Jill Zarin, Blink49 Studios has decided not to move forward with her involvement in ‘The Golden Life.’ We remain committed to delivering the series in line with our company standards and values.”

A source close to the situation tells TMZ ... the cast had been warned not to say or do anything controversial, and while the women were initially excited about the show, Jill's actions have dampened the mood though the other women understand why she was fired.

Jill's controversial comments were made in an Instagram post, which she deleted, but users later reposted on X.

The investigation into the shooting of Keion White just took a wild turn ... because of what reportedly happened between the 49ers DE and rapper Lil Baby before the shots rang out just hours after the Super Bowl.

According to The San Francisco Standard, which says it's seen the police report, 27-year-old White and Baby got into an argument after the Grammy-winning rapper and his friends were turned away from the third-year pro's private event at a local SF lounge.

Per the outlet, a witness told police he saw the verbal argument and went to get help from bar staff ... before he heard two gunshots ring out. When the witness returned, he discovered White had been shot in the ankle area.

50 Cent is taking a dig at Stefon Diggs after rumors surfaced the NFL star and Cardi B broke up during Sunday's Super Bowl LX.

Always the troll, 50 hopped on Instagram Monday and wrote, “Can you imagine waking up this morning and you done lost this b!tch and the Super Bowl?”

The rapper added, “I would tell everybody get away from me, have a drink and go back to sleep. LOL.”

San Francisco 49ers DE Keion White was shot in the ankle Monday morning, just hours after the Super Bowl ended, with the 3-year NFL vet sustaining a non-life-threatening injury.

White, 27, is currently in a local hospital where he's undergoing surgery.

The team confirmed the news in a statement to The Athletic, saying they will update his condition “when appropriate.”

Tracy Scroggins, who spent all 10 seasons of his career as a member of the Detroit Lions, has died at 56 years old, TMZ Sports has learned.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tracy Scroggins," the Scroggins family said in a statement sent to us.

"Tracy was a devoted father, cherished family member, and loyal friend whose life was marked by remarkable strength and perseverance. While many knew him for his career as a professional football player in the NFL, those closest to him knew him as a kind-hearted and generous man who cared deeply for his family and friends."