NFL

The New England Patriots' franchise quarterback is speaking out on Mike Vrabel -- Drake Maye says the locker room is standing firmly in their coach's corner amid the Dianna Russini scandal.

The MVP runner-up was asked about the leader of the Pats' sidelines while at a charity event on Wednesday ... and his response is further proof the whole organization is committed to moving forward with 50-year-old Vrabel.

"We're here for coach," Maye told 7News' Jonathan Hall. "We love coach -- what he does for us, what he's done for us this past year, you can't speak into words."

Mike Vrabel isn't under fire everywhere ... the embattled Patriots head coach received an ultra-warm welcome at an event for season ticket holders Tuesday night, with fans making it clear they support him!

The 50-year-old Pats coach walked into a Q&A sesh with diehard Patriots supporters at Gillette Stadium last night and got a standing ovation right off the bat, with fans going crazy for Vrabel, according to Dave Portnoy.

Patriots reporter Mike Reiss MC'd the event and sat next to Vrabel on stage.

Former NFL star Jeremiah Trotter now has two sons in the NFL after this year's draft ... and he tells TMZ Sports he wholeheartedly believes they'll both end up better than he ever was!!

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Josiah Trotter in the second round on Friday after playing at West Virginia and Missouri in college ... joining his older bro, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Jr., in the league.

Trotter Sr. -- an Eagles Hall of Famer and All-Pro linebacker in his own right -- said he knew when his boys were young they were destined for the NFL ... and he's "truly blessed" to see it come true.

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.