NFL

Ryan Quigley -- who was seriously injured in the New Orleans terror attack -- revealed to TMZ Sports he made a promise to his friend, Tiger Bech, before he was killed on Bourbon Street on New Year's Eve ... and thanks to the Eagles, he's able to see it through at Super Bowl LIX.

The Philadelphia team gifted Quigley Super Bowl tickets after he suffered severe injuries in the January 1 attack ... and as it turns out, Quigley previously promised Bech they would go to the Super Bowl if their favorite team made it.

"I promised him that I would take him to the Super Bowl if they made it this year," Quigley said.

Former professional football running back Priest Holmes was 27 years old when he rose to stardom after signing as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs -- and becoming the NFL's leading rusher with 1,555 yards -- back in 2001.

Holmes kicked off his career with the Baltimore Ravens in '97 and earned a Super Bowl XXXV ring with the Ravens' victory over the New York Giants in 2000. However, his 7 year run with the Chiefs is what propelled him to superstardom.

While reppin' no. 31, Holmes was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2002.

The Super Bowl is going big, about as big as it gets in Hollywood, anyway -- enlisting Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt to be part of Sunday's festivities ... TMZ has learned.

Sources involved in the production tell us both Tom and Brad will have prominent roles in FOX's Super Bowl pregame broadcast. We're told Brad's role will have something to do with a tribute to America about 30 minutes prior to the 6:30 PM ET kickoff.

It's unclear exactly what Tom will be doing for the pregame, but his involvement immediately takes us back to his Olympics Closing Ceremony appearance where he did a skydive to signal the Games coming to L.A. in 2028.

David Njoku isn't letting Myles Garrett leave Cleveland without a fight -- practically getting on his hands and knees to try and keep the Browns superstar from requesting a trade ... claiming their team isn't that far from contention.

The tight end addressed the big news of the week during his shirtless Radio Row appearance on Thursday ... and while he initially didn't name-drop the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, it's clear who he was talking about.

"Come on, dog," Njoku said. "Stay home, bro ... come on, give it another shot. We ain't that far off, honestly speaking."

Virginia Halas McCaskey -- the principal owner of the Chicago Bears -- has died at the age of 102.

The team announced her passing Thursday morning ... saying, "While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on earth."

"She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans."

Packers CB Robert Rochell is taking legal action against the people he says are responsible for a 2023 car accident that seriously injured him, and had a massive negative effect on his once-promising NFL career.

In the lawsuit, filed in L.A. County and obtained by TMZ Sports, 26-year-old Rochell says he was minding his own business, driving along the Hollywood Freeway in his nearly $100K Mercedes GT 63 AMG whip in February 2023, when RR says he was hit by a speeding vehicle, which badly injured him.

Rochell is suing three people, including the alleged driver.

At least one of the three suspects charged in connection to the Joe Burrow burglary appeared to love what they allegedly made off with ... as new photos show a man draped in several chains belonging to the NFL superstar for a photo op prior to his arrest.

The FBI provided an update this week ... saying Jordan Sanchez, 22, Bastian Morales, 23, and Sergio Cabello, 38, were all indicted for transporting stolen goods interstate and falsifying records in a federal investigation.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker said the investigation is ongoing ... and the charges appear to be just the "tip of the iceberg" in unearthing the crimes of the South American Theft Groups believed to be behind the string of high-profile burglaries at celebrities' homes.

2/6 1:45 PM -- Surprise!!! Lil Wayne revealed on Thursday his big reveal is "Tha Carter VI" is dropping in June ... in addition to being featured on LiAngelo Ball's "Tweaker (Remix)!!!"

Lil Wayne is going to be absent from Super Bowl LIX ... even though it's taking place in his hometown of New Orleans.

The rapper confirmed he'd be MIA from Sunday's big game by uploading a video announcement to his Instagram Stories, where he shouted out The Big Easy and said a seat would need to be filled in his absence.

While the "Lollipop" artist clearly won't be a surprise guest during Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance -- something that's been long speculated by fans -- Wayne assured fans he had "something very special" in the works and encouraged people to keep their eyes peeled on Thursday, February 6.

Before this cool kid rockin' a buzz cut turned into a star athlete and was rockin' three Super Bowl rings, he was just a lil' guy playing basketball, baseball AND football ... and admiring his famous father who could pitch mighty fast!

At the 2017 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs and spent his rookie season as the backup to QB, Alex Smith. On game day, he likes listening to J. Cole.

When this daddy of three isn't slaying his double-breasted suits, he's probably admiring his wife's Sports Illustrated photos.

President Donald Trump and Taylor Swift are already attending Super Bowl LIX ... and now the big game may be getting even more star power -- 'cause Kanye West says there's a chance he'll also be in the building!

Photogs caught Ye in L.A. Tuesday night where they asked West if he had any plans for Super Sunday. While he wasn't fully committed, he said he and his wife Bianca Censori might "pull up" to NOLA and catch the action.

It wouldn't be the first time Ye has attended the SB. In fact, he was in Las Vegas for the game last year (the Chiefs beat the 49ers), rockin' a face covering that featured a white crucifix, while Censori was decked out in an all-black fit.

Kendrick Lamar is about to find out if his smash hit "Not Like Us" is as popular with NFL and network lawyers and execs as it is with the public -- and his Super Bowl Halftime Show hangs in the balance.

This is a big day down in the Big Easy, as Kendrick's set list is expected to be handed off to the NFL and FOX honchos gathered in New Orleans for the game. Wednesday is typically the day Halftime Show performers pull back the curtain for the league, and reveal the songs they're going to perform.

But, this year there's extra attention on Kendrick's plans, because of "Not Like Us," and the defamation lawsuit Drake filed against Universal Music Group over the diss track ... which, as we all know, flat-out calls Drake a "certified pedophile."

The Washington Commanders decision to NOT switch back to the "Redskins" is being slammed by a Native American group ... who tell TMZ Sports the current name, chosen by "woke/racist decision-makers," is demeaning!

Josh Harris, majority owner of the D.C. franchise, recently confirmed the team would stick with the "Commanders" name, saying it'd been "embraced by our team, by our culture, by our coaching staff."

That decision has angered the Native American Guardian Association (NAGA) ... arguing the Commanders' name is disrespectful and degrading to their culture and heritage.

Lil Wayne appears to have a schedule opening this Sunday after announcing he'll be M-I-A at the Super Bowl -- and one strip joint is requesting his "Lollipop" services!!!

Mike Dickinson, the club operator for The Pony in Lexington, Kentucky tells TMZ Hip Hop ... “Lil Wayne is NEW ORLEANS culture and music. His hits get the party started everywhere they’re played especially at Pony Lexington where our entertainers and guests love him."

"We thought he should have been the halftime show so when he wasn’t we invited him!!!"

Reporters are trying their damnedest to get Travis Kelce to slip up and reveal whether he plans to put a ring on Taylor Swift's finger ... but the Chiefs superstar is giving a masterclass in evading the topic -- sidestepping several questions with ease during Super Bowl week.

The 35-year-old tight end was asked if he's recently gone diamond shopping during his availability on Wednesday ... an eye roll-inducing attempt at finding out whether he's been thinking about proposing to his pop icon girlfriend.

Kelce sniffed it out right away ... and played dumb when sharing his take on whether diamonds are a "good investment."

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are stoked to play in front of a sitting president during the Super Bowl ... with both Kansas City Chiefs superstars telling reporters Sunday's big game will be extra special with Donald Trump in the building.

The quarterback was asked about No. 47's expected presence in NOLA for his matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles ... and the honor isn't lost on him.

"It's always cool to be able to play in front of a sitting president," Mahomes said. "Someone that is at the top position in our country."

Clay Matthews had zero problems with Myles Garrett's trade demand this week ... in fact, he praised the Browns superstar for trying to take the future of his career into his own hands.

The 29-year-old pass rusher stunned the football world on Monday when he asked out of Cleveland ... and while plenty of NFL fans found his request selfish, Matthews told TMZ Sports he doesn't see it that way at all.

The Green Bay Packers great told us he knows all Garrett wants to do is win -- and he's happy the guy is now attempting to put himself in the best place to do that.