Super Bowl

He's a legend in Minnesota ... and that's why Adrian Peterson was all about giving his former team a pump-up speech before the NFC Championship game!

The NFL superstar spoke with TMZ Sports ... telling us why he's truly excited and happy for Minnesota's success, despite the fact he now plays for the Arizona Cardinals.

And if the Vikings can ultimately win the Super Bowl, AP says he wouldn't turn down a ring from the team if they offered him one ... saying, "That would be awesome ... I did help build that stadium a little bit!"

There's more ... AP also updates us on his NFL future and how his body feels going into 2018.

Spoiler alert -- he ain't even close to hangin' it up!

Eli Roth's got a grand idea for the NFL -- CANCEL THE DAMN SUPER BOWL ... 'cause no squad's got a chance in hell of overthrowing Tom Brady and the Patriots dynasty.

"It's over! Just give him the title! Brady's the GOAT," Eli told TMZ Sports outside Craig's in L.A.

The horror film guru clearly ain't impressed by the Eagles, Vikings and Jaguars -- who his Pats play this weekend -- so why waste time delaying the inevitable??

Here's some Super Bowl real talk, courtesy of Steelers legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer and SB40 champ Jerome Bettis -- who we got outside Poppy in L.A.

Fact -- Tom Brady and the Patriots are heavy favorites to win it all.

Also fact -- There's 1 team in the field that's got the goods to pull off an upset ... but "it's gonna take a big effort," according to The Bus.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane was arrested for DUI over the weekend in Washington ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The 27-year-old former Super Bowl champ was arrested and later booked Sunday morning at 5:30 AM in the Seattle area. Bail was set at $1,000.

He was released a short time later on his own recognizance, according to official records.

Lane had a decent career with the Seahawks until he lost his starting job earlier this season. The team reportedly tried to ship him to Houston, but he failed his physical -- killing the deal.

"Atlanta broke my heart" ... so says 6LACK, who tells TMZ Sports he's rooting for the Falcons in the NFL playoffs -- but he doesn't want his soul crushed again!

6LACK is from Atlanta and grew up a Falcons fan ... but says he's being guarded this time around because, "I think I've just been scarred."

It's not just the 28-3 situation from last year -- remember 1998? When the Falcons were on fire only to get crushed by the Broncos in Super Bowl 33?

Yeah, 6LACK still remembers, too.

Terrell Owens' old quarterback says it's about damn time he gets his gold jacket ... saying the controversial receiver is more than deserving to get in the Hall of Fame this year.

TMZ Sports spoke with Jeff Garcia -- who played 5 seasons with T.O. on the 49ers -- and while it wasn't always smooth sailin' between the guys, Garcia says the off-field drama should NOT keep Owens out of Canton.

"With what he was able to accomplish statistically, being a top 5, top 2 guy in many categories. Stop beating around it, the guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Put him in the Hall of Fame."

Critics have labeled T.O. as a QB killer and bad teammate ... and that's been the knock against him making the Hall. So, Garcia having his back is a big deal.

Owens -- who didn't get enough votes the last 2 years -- finds out if 3rd time's a charm on February 3 ... the day before the Super Bowl.

Wanna get a seat higher than the nosebleeds for the Super Bowl?? Now's your chance ... 'cause Ricky Williams is hosting his very own weed party for the big game!!

The ex-NFL superstar-turned-ganja advocate is hosting the highly anticipated event in February ... and instead of making it a BYOB party, Ricky's inviting guests to BYOW -- Bring Your Own Weed!!

The exact location of the party is still TBA ... but it'll be going down somewhere in the Hollywood Hills.

LaVar Ball picking a Lithuanian league for LiAngelo and LaMelo had a lot of people scratching their heads ... but not Swae Lee, who says the Big Baller's makin' money moves!

"I think wherever the bag is calling, you gotta chase the bag," the Rae Sremmurd rapper told TMZ Sports outside Poppy in L.A.. "It could be Columbia, it could be Venezuela, it could be Australia -- wherever the bag is calling."

Swae ain't wrong, in theory ... but BBB claims it ain't about cash -- with Gelo and Melo reportedly pocketing no more than $500 per game.

Tom Brady says Colin Kaepernick is a "damn good quarterback" who's proven he can play at a high level -- but the Pats superstar says he "has no idea" if Kaep's actually being blackballed.

Brady appeared on WEEI's "Kirk and Callahan" Monday morning where he was asked straight-up if NFGL owners are colluding to keep Kaepernick out of the NFL.

Brady took a long pause and then delivered his answer ...

"You know, I don't ... I have no idea if he's being blackballed."

"I think he was a ... I competed against him. I thought he was a damn good quarterback. And he's played at a high level, brought his team to Super Bowls."

"You know ... that's how I feel about him."

Super Bowl 52's taking its slogan seriously ... and it'll be EVERYWHERE for EVERYONE to see and buy.

TMZ Sports obtained docs filed by the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee outlining where it wants to place its slogan "Bold North." There's the obvious -- key chains, magnets, wallets, umbrellas, portable chairs, jigsaw puzzles, toys, temporary tattoos, clothing, etc.

Basically, it looks like everything you'll buy at the stadium will feature the slogan, even the menu items. The trademark gets super specific with the foods they're giving the Bold North name to, including:

-- Sandwiches (brisket, turkey, beef and vegan, too!)

-- Fried chicken

-- Pretzels

-- Pizza, calzones

-- Hot dogs, corn dogs

-- Donuts

-- Burritos, tacos and fajitas

Bold ... for sure.

Janet Jackson has a Classic Man in her corner begging the NFL for a JJ + JT reunion at the Super Bowl halftime show ... 'cause Jidenna says it's only right to give the duo a shot at redemption!!

As we previously reported ... Janet is NOT banned from performing at the show, so when we broke the news to Jidenna ... he let out a huge "HALLELUJAH!!"

The "Bambi" singer says the league should let Janet perform with Justin Timberlake this year ... and jokes if they don't like the results, they can start a kneeling protest of their own.

All kidding aside ... Jidenna says a Janet appearance would be "massive."

O.T. Genasis says he's all for Janet Jackson getting another crack at the Super Bowl ... especially if she busts out a finale like the first time!!

We got O.T. at LAX ... and the rapper told TMZ Sports he wouldn't perform at the big game himself 'cause there's too much BS going on between the NFL and its players right now.

But when it comes to Janet, O.T. says he's hoping for an encore ... 'cause his teenage self was a HUGE fan of her R-rated finish back in 2004.

"That was amazing. That was amazing."

Well, this is interesting ...

If Justin Timberlake wants Janet Jackson in his halftime show, he can have Janet Jackson ... because there is NO official ban barring her from performing at Super Bowl 52, TMZ Sports has learned.

After the nipplegate incident in 2004, Janet was seemingly blackballed by the NFL -- she hasn't worked with the league since.

Now, with JT getting the SB52 halftime show, it's clearly water under the bridge when it comes to his relationship with the NFL. But what about Janet?

We reached out to the league and we're told straight-up, "There’s no ban."

So, does this mean Timberlake will bring Janet on as a special guest?

An NFL spokesperson tells us, "We are not going to comment on any speculation regarding potential guests. There may be no guests. Along with Pepsi, we’re excited to have Justin Timberlake."

That's not exactly a "no" ...

Fingers crossed!

A hip-hop legend says don't look for Justin Timberlake to bring out Janet Jackson during his Super Bowl halftime show, telling TMZ Sports the reunion would be too risky for the NFL.

We got Pras -- one of the founding members of The Fugees -- out at Madeo in L.A. and asked if he thought Justin should do Janet a solid and bring her back to the big stage.

Janet's been banned ever since nipplegate back in '04, but let's face it, Justin was an accomplice and a lot of people think if JT's back in the fold, JJ should be too.

Not Pras, who told us there was "no need" to bring Janet back (ouch, bro) and went on to explain to us why he felt like the NFL might not be over Ms. Jackson being a little nasty.

Justin Timberlake is coming back to conquer the Super Bowl halftime show this year ... according to Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon.

JT posted a vid Sunday that confirmed reports he was performing at Super Bowl LII, with his and Jimmy's mini skit playing on the phrase "have the time" ... which quickly morphed into "You're doing the halftime show at the Super Bowl??!!"

As we reported ... the rest of 'NSYNC could possibly join Justin onstage during his performance, which seems even likelier now that he's definitely got the gig.

Can't say the same for Janet Jackson, though. She was recently mum on rumors about a possible reunion, ya know ... after 2004 and all.

We got this feeling ... there probably ain't gonna be a next time.

Hines Ward is calling BS on all that Ben Roethlisberger retirement talk ... saying his old QB still has "plenty left in the tank" -- enough to win a Super Bowl.

Big Ben admitted he contemplated hangin' 'em up after the 2016 season -- but decided to come back. Then there was the "maybe I don't have it anymore" comment earlier this month.

But Ward ain't buyin' any of that retirement garbage -- telling TMZ Sports #7 is still a championship-caliber player, period.