NFL

Josh Mauro, a college football star turned 8-year NFL vet, died last week at the age of 35, his family announced on Tuesday.

The cause of death is not currently clear.

"With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new—living in the presence of the Lord—we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss of our amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend," Josh's dad, Greg, wrote on social media.

Not every headline is bad for Mike Vrabel this week -- the New England Patriots coach was just named the most influential Bostonian!!!

Deadlines are a bitch, huh?

Boston Magazine revealed the cover for its May issue on Tuesday ... and lo and behold, the guy at the center of a massive scandal with NFL insider Dianna Russini is plastered all over it -- smiling from ear to ear alongside his star quarterback, Drake Maye.

Diego Pavia might not have an NFL home, but he made a strip club his own last month ... 'cause TMZ Sports has obtained video of the former Vanderbilt quarterback throwing a wad of cash at a dancer's butt.

We're told the Heisman finalist made his way to Knockouts Gentlemen's Club in Albuquerque on March 8 ... where he spent the night enjoying the vibes.

Our source says ALL of the money scattered on the stage in the clips came from Pavia ... and he remained there until 5 AM.

Taylor Swift is out on the town with her pops in New York City ... breaking bread amid rumors she's getting married to Travis Kelce this summer in the Big Apple.

Check out this footage of Taylor going out Monday for a family dinner at The Jane Hotel ... she's rocking a striped blue dress, brown heels, and a yellow Dior handbag.

Taylor's father, Scott Swift, is by her side ... and the third wheel here is friend Ashley Avignone.

All TMZ Sports had to do was mention Caleb Downs' name to get Michael Irvin fired up -- the Hall of Famer tells us the Cowboys knocked their first-round draft pick outta the park ... and he's gonna help Dallas win a Super Bowl this year!!!

We caught up with No. 88 at LAX fresh off Day 1 of the NFL draft ... and our camera guy only got two words out before Irvin unloaded a passionate rant on the Ohio State standout.

"We're happy about that," Irvin said Friday. "Boy a bad boy, now. That's a bad dude. He is a game changer. He is one of the few right now in the game that plays like that dude Kyle Hamilton from the Ravens. That's the kinda safety -- plays all over the field and makes a difference all over the place. So I'm happy about it."'

Stefon Diggs' male sexual assault accuser, Christopher Blake Griffith, is asking a judge to force the NFL star to turn over his security footage from the night in question ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Christopher claims Stefon has failed to hand over information related to his finances, security footage, and various other items that he claims he's entitled to get in connection with the case.

Specifically, Christopher asked that Stefon turn over information and materials concerning security systems, surveillance footage, and access logs for the athlete's home in Maryland between May 20, 2023 to May 22, 2023.

Christopher claims Stefon said he would look into the matter but has yet to update him. He claims Stefon was aware Christopher filed a police report and says if security footage from the day in question was not saved, it could raise "serious questions of spoliation."

The photographer who snapped the pics of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini lookin' all cozy in Arizona was NOT a private investigator hired by a scorned spouse, despite the internet rumor.

In the wake of the Page Six photos, a theory has emerged online ... with fans speculating that Jen Vrabel, wife of the Patriots head coach, or Kevin Goldschmidt, the NFL insider's husband, recruited a P.I. to catch Vrabel and Russini in the act.

As juicy as that'd be, it just ain't the truth.

Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor -- widely considered the greatest defensive football player in NFL history -- was hospitalized in New Jersey after experiencing a medical emergency, TMZ Sports has learned.

The New York Giants legend's status is unclear at this time -- we will provide more information as soon as we get it.

We confirmed Taylor, 67, arrived at the emergency room and was shortly transferred to a different section of the facility.

Tim Tebow just shared some heartbreaking family news ... revealing his father, Bob, has passed away at 78 years old after a battle with Parkinson's.

The former Heisman Trophy recipient delivered a touching tribute to his dad on Friday ... saying, "Heaven ushered in a hero of the faith last night as my Dad was welcomed home!"

While Tebow acknowledged his friends, family and fans will say "sorry for your loss," he has a different perspective ... as Bob was a "hero of the faith" who is now "home."

Bret Michaels is a rock star -- and rock stars do awesome s*** -- but Friday night may be the pinnacle in career achievement for the lead man ... who's about to tick something big off his bucket list!

"This is so awesome. I'm here at the stadium, I grew up in Pittsburgh. This is a bucket list dream comes true for me. I'm a sports fanatic, a music fanatic. I said it's mixing everything I love, family, friends, music, sports, right here," the Poison front man told Babcock from Acrisure Stadium, previously Heinz Field, about Friday's gig at the NFL Draft, where he'll perform with Wiz Khalifa.

"Music and sports and my family having my back has really not only inspired me in life, but saved my life on many occasions. It goes so deep, and the NFL has been so incredible to work with. Wiz Khalifa, myself, Friday, 5:15 PM, kicking off the Friday night draft with nothing but a good time."

Since 2015, the NFL has moved the draft around ... after 50 years at Radio City in New York City, and Bret is pumped it's coming to the Steel City, where he was born and raised.

"This is a good day in my life."

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel says he hasn't lived up to his own standards amid his tawdry scandal involving former Athletic journalist Dianna Russini.

In a press conference Thursday before the start of the NFL Draft, Vrabel avoided Russini relationship specifics but admitted his "previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to."

Vrabel also said he's become a distraction to his family, his players, the Patriots organization and their fans, adding ... "My family needs me this weekend and that's where I'll be."

The Las Vegas Raiders officially have their franchise quarterback, selecting Fernando Mendoza, the gunslinging Heisman Trophy winner, with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Let's keep it a buck ... everyone knew Vegas was going to pick the former star Indiana QB -- it was the worst-kept secret in the NFL -- but now it's officially official.

Mendoza, 22, is coming off an incredible season at Indiana, where he not only led the Hoosiers to a national title but also had immense personal success, winning the coveted Heisman.

Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce Jr. is dodging a trial in his Rickea Jackson case after agreeing to enter an intervention program.

Pearce -- who was hit with felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, and resisting arrest, as well as misdemeanor stalking, after a Feb. 7 domestic dispute -- will take part in the program for six months under strict guidelines.

As part of the agreement, Pearce will not be allowed to make contact with or be near the WNBA star ... and must take part in therapy sessions.

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini's Arizona hangout raised plenty of eyebrows ... but turns out, that was just a rerun.

Newly released photos from March 2020, obtained by Page Six, show the now Patriots head coach and the former NFL reporter looking very cozy -- and at one point kissing -- at a dimly lit SoHo bar in NYC ... and yeah, this doesn’t scream quick drink between colleagues.

The two are posted up side by side under red lights, leaning in close and locked into conversation. They're handsy ... at one point holding hands while Vrabel also has his hand on Russini's thigh and holding her arm. Not exactly subtle.

Fernando Mendoza will be the first pick in the NFL Draft, but the Heisman Trophy winner isn't the consensus among everyone ... according to Lions star Terrion Arnold, who says Ty Simpson is actually Him!

"You know, I'm biased, but I think [Ty's] the best," the 23-year-old cornerback told TMZ Sports ahead of Thursday's draft.

FYI, Arnold and Simpson played two seasons together at Alabama, 2022 and 2023. During their last year together, Terrion was a star -- an All-American -- while Ty was still only a backup QB.

"[He's] somebody that's really seen the game from all angles. Like, when it got hard, Ty didn't run. He was in the smoke. He put his head down. He worked. He waited for his opportunity. And when his time came, he was prepared for it. So he's somebody that you know is going to be prepared for the moment."

There's uncertainty over where T.S. will be drafted, with different mocks having him going anywhere from the 13th pick (to Terrion's team, the Lions) ... or sliding all the way to the early 2nd round.

Arnold, the 24th overall pick in 2024, had some words of wisdom for everyone who will be drafted over the next few days.

"My advice is just run your own race," Terrion says ... pointing out some players have immediate success, while others don't. Ultimately, no one else matters.

"Go out there and try to be a better version of yourself and just be in a competition with yourself. I feel like, man, the possibilities are endless."

Arnold has been busy training and prepping for the season, while also doing a ton in his community.

2:15: PM PT -- Dave Merritt entered a not guilty plea in court on Thursday ... and he has since bonded out.

He's due back in court in June.

Former NFL player and current Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was arrested for domestic battery on Wednesday ... after reportedly causing bodily harm to "a daughter."

The 54-year-old was arrested around 9 PM in Overland Park ... and was booked into jail without bond, according to the Kansas City Star.

A complaint was filed with the Johnson County District Attorney's Office on Thursday ... claiming Merritt "unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly" caused bodily harm to a daughter -- a domestic violence offense, the outlet reported.