NFL

Alshon Jeffery's insurance fraud arrest apparently stems from a fender bender earlier this year ... and the ex-NFL star is confident his name will be cleared once all the details surrounding the matter come to light.

TMZ Sports has obtained a statement from the 36-year-old's Super Bowl champ's rep, Denise White ... who said her client "categorically denies the allegations."

"The underlying incident was a minor freeway fender bender, and he provided his information at the scene," the statement read.

The Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel sports scandal has claimed another victim ... NFL reporter Crissy Froyd, TMZ has learned.

Crissy tells us she was sacked on Thursday from USA Today ... just days after she blasted Dianna's resignation.

Crissy tells TMZ she's "beyond distraught" ... especially because Nancy Armour did a story for the network expressing a similar sentiment about Dianna without punishment.

Pacman Jones can breathe a massive sigh of relief ... the former NFL star was sentenced to five years of probation in his officer assault case on Tuesday -- after staring a year and a half in prison right in the eyes.

Jones went before Judge Patricia Summe in Kenton County, Kentucky on Tuesday ... wearing a dark-colored suit for the occasion.

Jones shared a prepared statement in court -- apologizing for his actions in June 2025 and stating he didn't realize he had hit "rock bottom" until after the incident.

Dianna Russini might've been sidelined by her bosses, but it's quite literally "business as usual" in Foxborough for Mike Vrabel, according to the Patriots, who say the head coach is hard at work prepping for the NFL Draft.

Pats EVP of Player Personnel, Eliot Wolf, met with the media in New England, and was asked about Vrabel's participation as the scandal involving him and The Athletic reporter continues to be the most talked about story in sports and media.

"[Mike is] very involved. Business as usual," Wolf said. "He's been in there with us probably this round of meetings a little bit more than last year."

Rueben Bain Jr. was the driver in a fatal accident in 2024, according to a new report ... as the University of Miami star prepares for the NFL Draft, where he's a near lock first-round draft pick.

Bain, now 21, was driving a 2021 Land Rover SUV with three other passengers -- Canes teammates Nyjalik Kelly and Wesley Bissainthe, and a 22-year-old woman, Destiny Betts, on March 17, 2024.

Around 4 AM, Rueben rear-ended another vehicle, according to The Read Optional, sending his SUV careening into multiple concrete barriers.

Dianna Russini has been put on ice ... her employer, The Athletic, is doing a deep dive into the cozy pics of Mike Vrabel and the reporter, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

It's an about-face for the NY Times-owned outlet, which initially vehemently came to the defense of Russini, calling the pics "misleading" and saying they lacked "essential context."

But, sources tell us based on new information, the outlet is conducting a thorough investigation ... and with it, they've decided to shelf Russini as the process plays out.

The situation was described to us like this ... "[Dianna's] coverage is being reviewed. That process is expected to take time. She will not be reporting in the interim."

Browning Nagle, star QB at Louisville and second round NFL Draft pick, has tragically died after a battle with colon cancer. He was 57 years old.

Nagle burst onto the scene as a star at Louisville in 1989 ... throwing 32 touchdowns and 4,653 passing yards in his two seasons as a starter.

In 1991, he was named the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl after leading his Cardinals squad to a victory over Alabama.

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini are doing their best to put out the massive fire that erupted after they were spotted holding hands recently ... insisting the pictures published on Tuesday don't tell the real story.

Page Six obtained images of the New England Patriots head coach and Athletic NFL reporter -- who are both married to other people -- spending time together at the Ambiente resort in Arizona when they were in town for NFL meetings last month ... showing them lounging by a pool and hugging on a rooftop.

The outlet also cited sources claiming the two were damn near inseparable throughout the day -- enjoying breakfast together before hopping in the hot tub ... and then soaking in the sunset later that night.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael has been diagnosed with CTE a year after his death, the Concussion and CTE Foundation announced.

McMichael's wife, Misty, said she donated Steve's brain to be studied when his lengthy battle with ALS led to his passing in April 2025.

Misty added there are "too many" former NFL players developing Lou Gehrig's disease after football ... and she hopes more research on the link between ALS and CTE will come following her husband's diagnosis.

Baker Mayfield has a pretty polarizing reputation in the NFL ... but Lavonte David is here to set the record straight on who the quarterback REALLY is -- telling TMZ Sports the former No. 1 overall pick is actually very "humble" and a great guy to be around.

The retired Buccaneers linebacker played with Mayfield when the quarterback joined Tampa in 2023 -- and admitted he initially expected him to match the outside perception of being cocky and kind of a diva at times.

"He's nothing what people say," David said.

The NFL announced Rashee Rice will not be punished after his ex-girlfriend accused him of domestic violence ... stating an investigation into the claims concluded he did not violate the personal conduct policy.

The Kansas City Chiefs star's partner of eight years -- Dacoda Jones -- dropped several disturbing claims on social media back in January ... stating Rice got physical with her and treated her terribly during their relationship, even when she was pregnant with their child.

Jones also shared photos on social media she said backed her story.

Puka Nacua is getting help this offseason -- the Los Angeles Rams superstar checked into rehab to focus on "personal growth" early last month ... weeks before a woman accused him of biting her during a New Year's Eve outing.

Levi McCathern, Nacua's attorney, tells TMZ Sports Puka's currently at a state-of-the-art holistic care facility in Malibu ... and he's using the time to get in tip-top shape personally and professionally ahead of the season.

McCathern said Nacua will be out in "plenty of time" to make it to Rams OTAs in May ... adding, "Puka is also deeply grateful for the support he has received from his family, friends, Coach [Sean] McVay, and his teammates."

It doesn't sound like Puka Nacua's employer is too concerned about his headline-filled offseason -- L.A. Rams head coach Sean McVay just told reporters he hopes the superstar is with the organization for years to come.

McVay met with the media at the NFL's annual league meeting in Arizona on Monday ... and was asked about the recent allegations made against the 24-year-old.

TMZ Sports broke the story -- Nacua is being accused of biting a woman and hurling an antisemitic slur during a night out on New Year's Eve in Los Angeles.

While his attorney, Levi McCathern, said the bite happened during a moment of horseplay, the Rams star adamantly denies saying "f*** all the Jews" at dinner that night.

Joe Burrow is keeping the rumor mill hot … ’cause the Bengals QB was spotted pulling up to a Los Angeles pool party on Sunday with Olivia Ponton right by his side.

Burrow and Ponton now have been spotted together multiple times this month, including at events leading up to the recent Fanatics Flag Football Classic -- keeping her firmly in the picture as his presumed partner.

Burrow kept it chill for the Sunday bash, rocking a “Sad Papi” tee, colorful trunks and sneakers -- staying gridiron ready with a football in one hand as he clutched a tumbler in the other.

Next to him, Ponton brought the poolside vibes in a blue bikini top, capri pants and sandals ... holding a Diet Coke, a towel and a smile as they walked in together.

Derwin James Jr. says it's cool that NFL players have the opportunity to compete in the 2028 Olympics, but he's suggesting they skip the Summer Games, telling TMZ Sports the injury risk in the sport is too high.

That's what the Los Angeles Chargers star told us at LAX this week, after the Fanatics Flag Football Classic went down, where his fellow NFL players competed with the U.S. men's national flag football team and celebrities.

James Jr. -- who didn't participate in the FFC due to injury -- gave kudos to the flag football players, saying their skill set gives them an edge in Olympic competition ... and the active NFL players should consider sitting out the upcoming Games.

"I say the next Olympics," James Jr. said, "give them boys this one 'cause I feel they're more prepared, they're more skilled. I mean, you seen the formations they was running out there, it was crazy!"

Well, that was quick.

10 days after a mansion that once belonged to Antonio Brown hit the open market ... TMZ Sports has learned the pad is now under contract.

Real estate sources tell us there were multiple offers on the house -- listed for just under $4 million -- but someone has swooped in and offered to buy it at full price in cash.