NFL

Forget plaques and record books ... Derrick Henry has found a new way to show off his legendary football resume -- an insane iced-out diamond chain!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Tennessee Titans star RB wanted to turn all of his pigskin accomplishments -- starting from high school -- into some bling for his 28th birthday this week.

So, he hit up celebrity jeweler Ali The Ice Champ in Dallas ... and the dude delivered the amazing piece in time for Henry's cake day this week.

The bling is awesome -- it features a huge 6.5-inch "Y" pendant that represents Henry's days at Yulee High School in Florida. The pendant also features a little VS1 diamond-infused Heisman Trophy to immortalize the award that Henry won back in 2015.

On the chain, Ali tied together logos of the Yulee Hornets, Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Titans ... and then he added several beads to represent some of Henry's historical football moments.

We're told some of those feature a diamond 12K bead for his 12,124 rushing yards in high school that set a national record as well as a diamond 2K bead for his 2,000 rushing yards in the Titans' 2020 season.

Ali -- whose clients range from Ezekiel Elliott to Post Malone -- tells us that Henry's one-of-a-kind necklace carries 100 carats of VS1 E-F color diamonds and has over half a kilo of gold.

No word on what it all cost the King ... but Henry's made over $30 million in his NFL career, so he's certainly got the cash to spoil himself.

Aaron Rodgers just unloaded on a reporter who said the QB does not deserve the MVP award this year ... calling the journalist "an absolute bum."

The Packers superstar ripped Chicago media member Hub Arkush for nearly two minutes on a conference call Wednesday -- just 24 hours after the reporter said Rodgers isn't his 2021 MVP because he's a "jerk."

"I think he’s a bum," Rodgers said of Arkush. "I think he’s an absolute bum."

"He doesn’t know me. I don't know who he is. No one knew who he was probably until yesterday’s comments."

If you missed it, Arkush said Rodgers wouldn't get his MVP vote this year because of the quarterback's COVID vaccine drama and his offseason gripe with Packers brass.

"I don’t think you can be the biggest jerk in the league and punish your team, and your organization and your fan base the way he did and be the Most Valuable Player," Arkush said on Chicago's 670 The Score.

Rodgers clearly wasn't happy to hear the comments ... saying, "His problem isn't with me being a bad guy or the biggest jerk in the league 'cause he doesn't know me."

"His problem is I'm not vaccinated."

FYI, the NFL's MVP is selected by 50 voters, including Arkush -- and it's supposed to be based solely on players' performances during the regular season. Rodgers is favorite to win it this year, despite Arkush's opinion.

For his part, Arkush actually apologized for his comments earlier Wednesday -- but not for blasting Rodgers. He said he's sorry for simply disclosing his voting plans.

Raiders rookie Nate Hobbs will likely return to the football field against the Chargers on Sunday ... less than a week after he was arrested for DUI.

Las Vegas interim head coach Rich Bisaccia updated the media on Hobbs' status Wednesday ... saying based on what the team knows at this time, the 22-year-old will not be punished prior to the Week 18 matchup.

"We take [the arrest] extremely serious, organizationally and certainly within our team," the coach said. "Based on what we've learned at this time, we expect Nate to play."

"It's a legal matter, and other than that I really have nothing else. We'll leave it at that."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Hobbs was arrested after cops say he was found passed out behind the wheel of his car parked in the exit ramp of a Vegas hotel early Monday morning.

Hobbs' attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, addressed the arrest ... saying, "The facts and circumstances related by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to the news media leave serious concerns that this does not qualify as a DUI under Nevada law."

It's a surprising move by the team, especially when Hobbs' former teammate, Henry Ruggs, was charged with 2 counts of felony DUI after he was accused of driving drunk and crashing his Corvette into the vehicle of 23-year-old Tina Tintor, who burned to death after her Rav4 caught fire, according to officials.

Former Indianapolis Colts LB Gary Brackett is putting his Super Bowl XLI and AFC Championship rings up for auction ... all to rake in some cash after being forced to file bankruptcy 'cause COVID destroyed his small business.

Brackett -- who played for the Colts from 2003-2011 -- won his only Super Bowl ring in 2007 alongside Peyton Manning after the Colts defeated the Bears, 29-17.

Gary's SB ring will go up for bids during the Ripley Auctions Super Sports & Entertainment Sale ... which is scheduled to take place Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

"This auction gives buyers an incredible opportunity to own the pinnacle of achievement in professional sports, a genuine, player-issued Super Bowl ring," Dan Ripley, owner of Ripley Auctions, says.

"The fact that both rings in our auction were won by one of the most popular Indianapolis Colts players ever, Gary Brackett, makes them even more special."

Of course, Brackett's ring is expected to fetch some serious value -- the ring is one of about 70 produced in total that were issued to players on the Colts roster at the time of their Super Bowl win.

Since retiring from the NFL at age 31, Brackett ventured into the restaurant industry ... where he owned the Stacked Pickle restaurant, which had nine locations in Indiana and one in Ohio.

Sterling Shepard and Chanel Iman are dunzo -- the NFL receiver has filed for divorce from the Victoria's Secret model, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

No word on what caused the split ... but we've confirmed the New York Giants star filed docs on June 7, 2021 to officially kickstart the process of ending their marriage.

The former couple first met at Victor Cruz's 30th birthday party back in 2016 ... and started dating shortly after.

They were practically inseparable ... going on lavish vacations in paradise with friends like Saquon Barkley and Baker Mayfield and their significant others.

28-year-old Shepard and Iman, 31, got married back in March 2018 ... and had their first child, Cali, that August.

They welcomed their second child, Cassie, in December 2019.

The clues were on social media for months -- both sides have scrubbed each other from their Instagram accounts ... while still posting pics of their kids regularly.

Scary scene at Mac Jones' home earlier this week ... a dinner made for the Patriots quarterback caught on fire -- but, thankfully, his girlfriend was able to put out the small inferno.

The wild scene was all captured on Jones' in-home Furbo camera on Monday ... showing Sophie Scott scrambling to douse a sheet tray that had burst into flames.

In the video, posted by Scott on Tuesday night, you can see Jones' GF raced through the kitchen with the hot plate all while screaming Mac's name.

Fortunately, she was able to get a sliding glass door open and chuck the pan onto the lawn -- avoiding catastrophe.

Scott joked about it all afterward ... saying, "It's okay to laugh (everythings ok) I shared because I'm dying laughing about what the Furbo catches."

Sophie said there was no second attempt to make dinner -- the couple, who have been dating since 2019, safely ordered takeout instead.

Good call.

Jay Gruden is taking a page out of his brother's insensitive comment playbook ... saying Tuesday he believes the Washington Football Team should have never dropped its racist "Redskins" name.

Jay made the eyebrow-raising statement on the "Russell & Medhurst" radio show ... just three months after Jon Gruden was ousted from his Raiders gig for a pattern of highly offensive comments in emails.

"I don't want to ruffle any feathers," the former WFT head coach said while mocking the hosts for talking so much about the team's plan to officially adopt a new nickname next month, "but they should have never changed the name in the first place."

Jay didn't expound on why he felt that way -- he was never asked a follow-up -- but one of the hosts did tell him, "You just ruffled some feathers. I like that."

"Hey, Jay," the other host added. "With the fanbase here, that's probably the greatest thing you've ever said to them. Because I think 90 percent of the fanbase agrees with you 100 percent on that as well."

Of course, the WFT moved on from its longstanding moniker before the 2020 season began ... after it received a tidal wave of criticism for years over the name's racist ties.

Nike had stopped selling the team's merch on its official website ... and Native American leaders routinely blasted it for being offensive -- so Dan Snyder and the WFT moved on.

Titans defensive end Bud Dupree grabbed a man and then wrestled with him for several seconds inside of a Walgreens in Nashville on Sunday night ... new video, obtained by TMZ Sports, shows.

In the footage, you can see the NFL player walk through the doors of the drug store and immediately get in the face of a man near the cash register.

It's unclear what prompted the verbal altercation -- but sources close to Dupree allege he was being heckled with nasty comments ... claiming the man threatened to spit on the women and kick Bud in the knee.

After exchanging words with the guy, Dupree appeared to try to grab the man's cell phone.

The 6-foot-4, 269-pound pass rusher then forcefully put the man in a bear hug, and all hell broke loose.

Video shows nearly everyone inside the store got involved in a wrestling match between the two ... before Dupree was ultimately separated from the group.

Dupree then seemed to try to leave the store, but as others stayed inside, the 28-year-old Tennessee defender went back, appearing to try to get others out of the fracas.

A separate video of the incident filmed from inside of the Walgreens, and obtained by Broadway Sports, appears to show Dupree ordered one of the people he was with to take a person's phone in the middle of the altercation.

As we reported, after conducting an investigation into the incident, cops cited Dupree for misdemeanor assault. They say the football player is due for booking on the citation in three weeks.

Jalen Hurts just fired off a letter to the NFL and Washington Football Team bluntly asking ... what are you gonna do to make sure fans and media aren't ever again put in a dangerous situation -- this after a railing collapsed at FedEx Field in D.C. on Sunday.

"I am writing to inquire about what follow-up action is being considered," Hurts said in the letter, "in response to the near-tragic incident that took place at FedEx Field on January 2, 2022."

"As you are aware, many individuals, including fans, media personnel, and myself, were placed in a dangerous situation when portions of the FedEx Field collapsed."

Of course, Hurts is alluding to the scary incident that occurred on Sunday following the Eagles 20-16 win over the WFT ... when a railing gave way as Jalen was walking into the stadium tunnel, sending several fans crashing to the ground.

Fans wearing Eagles jerseys were leaning over, trying to get as close to the star QB as possible ... when the railing collapsed.

Despite nearly getting crushed, Jalen didn't panic. The QB immediately sprang into action, helping the fans get back to their feet.

Hurts said the purpose of his letter was to ensure the NFL and WFT were going to take proactive measures to ensure this kind of situation doesn't happen again.

"As a result, I would like to know what safeguards the NFL and the Washington Football Team are Implementing to prevent this from ever occurring in the future."

Cops have just cited Tennessee Titans defensive end Bud Dupree for misdemeanor assault ... after they say he attacked an employee at a Nashville Walgreens on Sunday night.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Dept., several shoppers at the drug store got into an argument with a 20-year-old store employee and then left ... only to return a short time later with Dupree.

Cops say the 6-foot-4, 269-pound pass rusher then attacked the employee -- grabbing the man and his phone.

According to the police, a physical altercation then ensued ... before 28-year-old Dupree left the scene.

In a statement to TMZ Sports, cops say they issued the football player a citation for assault. They added he's due for booking on the citation in three weeks.

As we reported, the incident all went down just hours after Dupree had helped the Titans beat the Miami Dolphins at Nissan Stadium in Tennessee.

Dupree -- who just signed an $82.5 million contract with the team -- logged one tackle in the game and played 60 percent of Tennessee's defensive snaps.

Eli Manning is the newest member of Death Row ... and if you don't believe it, check out his new birthday chain -- courtesy of Snoop Dogg!!!

Snoop was the special guest during the third quarter of the Browns vs. Steelers "Manning Cast" on ESPN2 Monday night ... which just so happened to be Eli's 41st birthday.

And, D-O-Double-G was ready for the occasion ... whipping out a "Death Row Records" gold and diamond chain for the birthday boy -- and Eli's reaction is priceless!!

"Eli, I would like to present to you this Death Row chain for being so hip-hop! For being so hip!" Snoop said.

"That's yours, baby, when I see you. Put that around your neck. Happy 41st birthday Eli!"

Eli's mouth was wide open as Snoop shared the gift via video chat ... in complete disbelief over the gesture.

Snoop was showing nothing but love for Peyton and Eli throughout his appearance -- in fact, he even asked the bros to adopt him during the show.

"I love the way you guys won, I love the way you guys did y'all thing and I'm happy for y'all off the field with this show that you got and all your endeavors," he said. "Y'all keep up the great work."

"I wish I was a Manning," Snoop asked. "Can I be adopted?" ... and Peyton "absolutely" accepted his request.

Ex-NFL star Fred Taylor is parting ways with the show he helped blow up ... telling TMZ Sports he's split with Brandon Marshall's popular "I AM ATHLETE" show to launch his own podcast with fellow former football players Ryan Clark and Channing Crowder.

We talked to the 45-year-old former Pro Bowler before his new show, "The Pivot Podcast" launches Tuesday (with first guest Chad Ochocinco) about splitting with Marshall and what listeners will get with the new gig.

"Everybody gonna pivot in life at some point whether it's business, relationships, family, whatever it might be man," Taylor says.

The former RB went on to say ... "I believe us as black men, as businessmen in our own right, I think we dropped the ball in a sense because we didn't have the business completely buttoned up."

"We were out having fun man, just making magic, conversations, everyday locker room stuff, experiences. In the midst of all that, we didn't buckle up the business so when it came time to do the business part, you know there was some push back, some other stuff It just didn't add up."

Of course, "I AM ATHLETE" blew up last year ... and the show regularly features A-list guests. On YouTube alone, the channel has raked in around 66 million views.

Taylor and Crowder were both featured prominently on IAA. Former longtime Steelers DB Clark wasn't ... but is a regular on ESPN.

So, where's that leave Fred's friendship with Brandon? He tells us although they aren't working together, they're still buddies.

"I wish we could've really pushed forward with IAA. Brandon is gonna keep pushing forward and I support that. That's what I texted him when we talked about going different ways. I made sure, look, 'I support everything you do with House of Athletes, I AM ATHLETE.'"

"We still brothers man. Ain't no beef, ain't no animosity, ain't no sideway stuff. It's just his business and his vision didn't necessarily align with what everybody else expected or wanted and that's business."

Taylor -- who rushed for nearly 12,000 yards throughout his great career -- says the new show will be much like IAA ... have fun, keep it real.

"Trending topics, we're gonna hit those. Obviously sports, just life man.  Just wanna be organic and feel good. We're gonna keep it real like we was doing on the other show."

"We wanna have good energy, positive energy. It's gonna be some laugh, gonna be some crazy moments. It's gonna be everything."

The Washington Football Team will announce its new identity next month ... but there's one name that's already off the table -- RedWolves.

WFT prez Jason Wright broke the news to fans early Tuesday morning ... saying the fan-favorite "RedWolves" and more simple "Wolves" branding won't work due to trademark issues.

"One of the most awesome and powerful aspects of this process has been getting to hear and understand your preferences directly, and we know that many of you loved one or both of these names," Wright said in a statement.

The 39-year-old added the organization made a huge emphasis to focus on fan opinions, but other teams had already beaten them to the punch.

"Understanding the weight and importance of our team name, and excitement around other name options -- both internally and within our fan base -- we didn't want to risk going down a route that could be dotted with legal hurdles," Wright added.

"The prospect of years of litigation wasn't something that we wanted you, our fans, to have to bear as you begin to embrace a new brand."

Antonio Brown clearly isn't trying to keep a low profile following his breakup with the Bucs ... 'cause just 1 day after his shirtless meltdown at MetLife Stadium, he got front-row tickets to the Nets game.

Broadcast cameras caught the troubled wideout sitting courtside at Barclays Center for Monday's Nets vs. Grizzlies tilt ... and the dude didn't look torn up at all despite losing his job roughly 24 hours earlier.

Brown was rockin' a COVID mask, tracksuit and sunglasses ... and was seen chatting it up with people around his seat as if nothing had happened with him the day before in the Jets vs. Buccaneers game.

Brown Instagrammed from his chair while at the game -- writing in a selfie video, "It's a new day hit up KD [Kevin Durant]" -- and he was even later spotted at dinner in NYC smiling and in good spirits.

Of course, the images aren't too surprising -- Brown has stayed in the public eye just about every minute since Tampa Bay kicked him off the team for quitting mid-game Sunday.

Brown has posted on social media constantly, dropped a rap song, and cruised around the streets of NY with celeb driver Danny Chalet.

AB out ... TO in?

Terrell Owens is hoping that's the case now in Tampa Bay ... saying this week that after Antonio Brown got the boot from the Buccaneers on Sunday, he wants to step in and fill the void on the team's roster.

TO made the announcement on "Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. and Hatch" -- which airs every Sunday at 8 p.m. on Fubo Sports Network -- saying he truly believes he can fill in for Brown during Tampa's playoff run.

"If you think about where they are in the season, they don't need me for a 16-game season," Owens said. "Three to four games at the max."

"So, yes, I feel like I can go in, I can contribute at a high level and can be productive."

Owens hasn't played a snap in the NFL since the 2010 season ... but the 48-year-old Hall of Famer has routinely said he's kept himself in good enough shape to make a comeback.

And, Owens says if he gets a shot with Tampa -- he's sure he can prove his critics wrong.

"I know that I can do it," TO said.

As for if the Bucs will actually call ... they do need wide receiver help and are reportedly eyeing some free agents in the wake of Brown's departure from the team Sunday.

Antonio Brown took a break from his nasty Buccaneers breakup to send a thoughtful message to his former nemesis on Monday ... wishing Ben Roethlisberger the best before what might be his last home game as a Pittsburgh Steeler.

AB hasn't always shown love for Big Ben -- remember, the receiver called his former teammate a "loser" during a Twitter rant in 2019 ... and made other negative comments after leaving the Steelers in 2018.

But as Ben hints that Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns could be the last time he dons the Black and Gold at Heinz Field, AB had nothing but kind words for #7 ... claiming he doesn't think the 2-time Super Bowl champ will retire after the season.

“I know Ben. He’s a competitor," AB said in a Cameo for a Steelers fan. "He loves to play football. One of the greatest quarterbacks, all-time. And I just don’t see him hanging it up."

"Big Ben has a lot of football left, and he didn’t say that his career was over," Brown added.

“So let’s be positive. Let’s cheer him on. Let’s wish for one of his best games tonight. And let’s keep business boomin’."

Things weren't always bad between the two -- AB and Big Ben were one of the most successful duos in the league before Brown left the team in 2018.

Now, as AB finds himself in another bad breakup following his bizarre, shirtless departure from the Bucs vs. New York Jets game on Sunday, it appears he's extending an olive branch to his old teammate.