Super Bowl

The NFL season is still 4 months away ... but T.I. is already making his Super Bowl prediction -- Atlanta Falcons, baby!!!!

The rap legend was at Studio Space in Atlanta when we started talking about the NFL Draft -- and it's clear T.I. is fired up about the Falcons' 1st round pick ... WR Calvin Ridley.

"We're going to the Super Bowl this year! I said it ... I can't take it back!"

T.I. isn't the only star who likes the Ridley pick -- Deion Sanders raved about him right after the draft saying, "[Falcons] got a steal with Ridley at that pick so late. That kid can play and he will see all 1on1 coverage because of [Julio Jones]."

As for Tip, this ain't the first time Tip's raved about his Dirty Birds to TMZ Sports ... remember when he money shamed our photog when he tried to make a Falcons bet in 2016?

Good times ...

Another member of the Philadelphia Eagles' 2017 Super Bowl team says he's not planning on going to Trump's White House with the team ... this time it's linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

"Me personally, I wouldn't go," Ellerbe says ... noting, "I've already been before."

Ellerbe -- who's now a free agent -- is referring to the Super Bowl ring he won as a member of the 2012 Baltimore Ravens team. That squad visited then-President Barack Obama.

But, several Eagles players have stated they're not feeling the current President and will not attend the ceremony at 1600 Penn ... including Torrey Smith, Chris Long and Malcolm Jenkins.

Plus, it recently came out that Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie had made some anti-Trump comments -- calling his presidency, "disastrous."

Travis Scott is firing back at the promoter who sued him for bailing on a Super Bowl weekend concert, while keeping the dough he'd been paid ... TMZ has learned.

Travis filed a response to PJAM's lawsuit against him, but also filed his own countersuit against the company. According to the docs, Travis says the promoter never sent him a confirmed travel itinerary for the Minnesota show. He says right up to Feb. 3, the scheduled day of the show, he hadn't received the travel plans.

In his suit, Travis says he learned PJAM lacked the cash to cover his transportation or the remaining money he was owed for the performance. He admits they did pay him $150k in advance.

Travis is also pissed because he believes someone from PJAM spoke to TMZ about his gig ahead of time. He says that's a violation of the confidentiality agreement both sides signed for the show.

Sources close to Travis had told us at the time he canceled due to weather and logistics, but PJAM thinks he flat-out "refused to show up to the event."

PJAM was suing to get its money back, and damages. Travis is suing to get the additional payment he never got.

Travis' attorney, Howard King, tells us PJAM's lawsuit is “An obvious effort to shake Travis down and avoid the consequences of their breaches. Instead of pursuing a misguided attempt to spin the narrative and salvage their tattered reputation, the responsible step would have been for PJAM to pay Travis the balance of his fee and move on to their next opportunity."

He adds, "Travis apologizes to any fans who were duped by these "wannabe" promoters -- Alex Martini, Jefferson Agar and Patrick Johnston -- into showing up at the cancelled show even after the promoters failed to take the steps to get Travis there.”

Michael Irvin says it's a damn shame some Eagles are boycotting Trump's White House ... and hopes the time-honored tradition can continue once POTUS is outta office.

"I hate that we're at that place," Irvin told TMZ Sports. "Hopefully we can get back to that, if not this President's term, maybe the next."

Remember, The Playmaker won 3 rings with the Cowboys ... so it wasn't a surprise when he told us he thinks the ceremony's a BIG deal.

That said, Mike says he realizes times have changed with #45 in the Oval Office ... so when it comes to Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Long and the other Eagles skippin' out on the visit, he ain't gonna hold it against them.

Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Bennett was charged a felony after allegedly injuring an elderly paraplegic woman at the Super Bowl last year.

Bennett, 32, was indicted by a Harris County, TX Grand Jury after being accused of pushing a 66-year-old female NRG Stadium employee who was controlling access to the field at Super Bowl 51.

Michael's brother, Martellus, was a member of the Patriots ... who won the game.

According to the Harris County Texas District Attorney, Bennett "shoved his way on to the field where players were gathering to celebrate."

The charge ... "injury to the elderly, includes intentionally and knowingly, causing bodily injury to a person 65 years or older."

If convicted, Bennett faces up to 10 years in prison, and a $10k fine.

Harris County has issued a warrant for M.B.'s arrest.

1:10 PM PT -- The Eagles just released the following statement ... “We are aware of the situation involving Michael Bennett and are in the process of gathering more information. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”

Eagles star Brent Celek is taking a line from "Terminator" in his heartfelt farewell to Philly -- telling fans not to be sad about him getting released 'cause, "I'll be back."

Brent -- who missed only 1 regular-season game in 11 SEASONS with the team -- says he's not 100% on continuing his playing career ... but no matter if it's on the field or off, he's gonna fly with the Super Bowl LII champs in the future.

"One day I'll be back with the Eagles in some capacity," Celek told TMZ Sports.

"When -- who knows? But, I love that organization ... I owe it to 'em."

Brent's also got nothing but love for Philly and its hardcore fans -- saying they've been great to him since he got drafted by the team in 2007.

Case in point -- the standing O they gave him at the 76ers game on Tuesday ... just hours after he was released.

Brent described everything it meant to him ... and you're gonna need some tissues.

Tom Brady is finally showing everyone the hand injury he suffered during the NFL playoffs -- and it's WAYYYY worse than everyone thought ... a massive, deep, bloody gash.

Remember, Brady got the cut in practice just days before the AFC Championship -- but tried like hell to downplay the severity of the wound.

Well, now he's revealing all the gory details on his reality show, "Tom vs Time" -- and it's a miracle he was able to throw the ball at all.

"When I hurt my thumb, I thought, ‘This is it. This is the way the season ends,'" Tom said.

"I’m looking down at my thumb as it’s split open, and I’m thinking ‘I really don’t know what happened to my thumb, but I know it doesn’t feel good and I’m having a real hard time believing I’m going to go out and play well against the #1 ranked defense in four days.'"

Of course, Brady ended up beating the Jaguars before losing to the Eagles in the Super Bowl -- but he played like a BEAST considering the friggin' hatchet wound on his thumb ... which got a healthy dose of acupuncture after it was stitched up.

Super Bowl hero Trey Burton has a message for the Philadelphia Eagles -- please don't make me leave and find a new team!!

Burton is the tight end who completed the "Philly Special" to Nick Foles on 4th and Goal in Super Bowl 52 ... a key play in Philly's 41-33 victory over the Patriots. He instantly became a fan favorite in Philly.

Problem is ... he's now a free agent and he hasn't received an offer from Philly.

We spoke with Burton who says he REALLY wants to continue his career with the Eagles -- where he's spent his entire career since entering the league in 2014 ... but he also understands it's a business.

"I wanna be back here," Burton says ... adding, "The ball's not really in my court. It's in their court."

Burton caught 5 TDs last season and some people think he could be the best tight end available in free agency.

So, where would he end up? Burton says he's down to play anywhere (even Cleveland!)-- but his goal is to return to the Super Bowl champs.

What's the first thing Super Bowl champ Chris Long did after crushing one of the gnarliest volcanic mountains on the planet?

Break out a dog mask and Philly flag -- to declare Mount Kilimanjaro EAGLES COUNTRY!!

Chris has been scaling the 20,000-FOOT mountain this past week to raise awareness for the water crisis in Africa through his charity, Waterboys (love the name).

The other waterboys on the climb included football stars Steven Jackson, Vince Young, Connor Barwin, as well as MMA star Justin Wren ... who's been on the front line of the clean-water fight for years.

FYI, all of the funds they raise are going toward drilling wells in East African communities that desperately need them.

Props to these dudes for "Conquering Kili" -- and doing it for a good cause.

Rob Gronkowski and his family are raging through New England -- hitting up 3 children's hospitals in less than 24 hours ... in a mission to give away a TON of cash!!

Rob -- along with his bro Dan and father Gordie -- decided today would be the day they distributed the $75,000 they raised by raffling off tickets to the Super Bowl.

The donation spree started off at Boston Children's Hospital -- where the Gronks played games with the kids and then presented a big, ol $25,000 check!!!

Dan tells TMZ Sports the family is en route to Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland, Maine -- followed by Hasbro Children's Hospital in Rhode Island.

And yes, each hospital gets a big $25k check -- and some play time with the Gronks!

Super Bowl champ Corey Clement just made a LIFETIME deal with Philly -- as in, he just got the Eagles mascot tatted on his arm!

Clement BEASTED OUT in Super Bowl 52 in Minnesota -- hauling in 4 passes for 100 yards and a key touchdown after only catching 10 passes for 123 yards in the regular season.

So, how do you commemorate the GREATEST day of your life? Tattoos, baby!!!

The 23-year-old running back got some pretty sick ink of an Eagle tearing through his right forearm -- and the letters "SBLII" tatted on his neck.

It might get a bit awkward if Clement ever ends up playing for another team -- especially if the Dallas Cowboys come calling -- but for now, bask in the awesomeness.

Justin Timberlake wasn't the guy gunning for a Prince hologram during his recent Super Bowl halftime show ... it was a bigger name attached to the show, according to Sheila E.

We got Sheila E. at LAX Friday where she told us people need to stop tearing JT apart for his halftime show's Prince tribute since a bigger company was behind the idea. She wouldn't name names, but it's not hard to figure out who she's talking about -- either the NFL or Pepsi, which sponsored the show.

You're about to hear rap legend Busta Rhymes heap praise on the most underrated, underexposed MC you've ever heard of ... Peter Dinklage.

Yeah, you read that right.

We got Busta in NYC and asked if he helped Dinklage kill the Super Bowl commercial in which PD effortlessly mashes Busta's "Look At Me Now" verse (it's hard) -- and that's when Mr. Rhymes set us straight.

"I actually didn't teach him, I just gave him some guidance. He already knew what he was doing. As a matter of fact Peter Dinklage used to have his own rap group."

We checked, and Busta ain't lying -- the group was called Whizzy, and back in the 90's Peter laid it down with them Funk-Pop-Rap style.

What'd ya do after raging around Philly all day in a Super Bowl parade? The Eagles players KEPT THE PARTY GOING ... by raging with Lil Uzi Vert!!

As we previously reported ... the champs and the Philly rap superstar hosted a Super Bowl turn up at NOTO nightclub after the MASSIVE victory parade ... and they didn't disappoint.

Kenjon Barner and Rodney McLeod showed off their best rappin' chops while Uzi performed his hits "Money Longer" and "444+222."

Other players who joined in on the fun include Jason Peters, Sidney Jones, Mychal Kendricks and Brandon Graham -- the dude who had the game-clinching strip sack on Tom Brady.

Tom Brady says he's done some reflecting after losing to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII -- and he's THANKING them for "bringing out the best in us."

"There are many emotions when you come up short of your goal. And they are all part of learning and growing in this journey of life," Brady said in an Instagram post.

"Learning turns everything into a postitive. And the number one feeling I have had the past 4 days is gratitude"

Brady gave some love on IG to his teammates, coaches and the Patriots organization -- before shouting out Philly.

"Gratitude to the Philadelphia Eagles team and organization for bringing out the best in us and being gracious winners (as well as congratulations on winning the championship)."

He also thanked the fans "who showed up every week to cheer us on and commit their time and energy and love and support to what our goals are. And gratitude to my family and friends who continue to love and support my dreams."

WOOOO!!!

Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jason Kelce just gave one of the greatest Super Bowl parade speeches EVER -- blasting the team's haters in an expletive-laden, WWE-style scream-athon.

AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!

Kelce was decked out in his full Mummers costume -- and named names of writers/media members who predicted doom for the Eagles this year.

He cussed. He spat. He yelled a lot. He got the crowd to chant every time he took a breath.

Of course, his teammates and coaches loved it.

Fly, Jason, Fly!!!