Super Bowl

Super Bowl LVI MVP voters got it wrong -- Aaron Donald should've gotten the honor, not Cooper Kupp ... so says Calais Campbell.

The NFL star was adamant about it while leaving SoFi Stadium on Sunday night ... telling TMZ Sports he truly believed Donald deserved the award more than Kupp.

"Cooper Kupp did a great job, he's worthy," Campbell said. "Aaron Donald played an amazing game. He should've been Super Bowl MVP."

Kupp did score the game-winning touchdown -- and he finished the night with 92 receiving yards on eight catches -- but Donald had two sacks and helped force an incompletion on Joe Burrow's final pass of the night.

Campbell clearly believed that was enough to overtake Kupp for the award ... telling us, "He went and earned it today."

In fact, Donald had such a good game ... Campbell said the night put him "in the conversation" for best defensive player ever.

As for the possibility that Donald could retire following the game, Campbell told us he's hoping that doesn't happen ... saying he's not done seeing the Rams superstar yet.

Larry Fitzgerald and Rams fans are all in the same boat following the Super Bowl ... as in, they're all now praying Aaron Donald doesn't walk away from the game after the big win.

The legendary wide receiver told TMZ Sports following L.A.'s victory that he's hoping like hell Donald doesn't now retire ... saying, "That would be a big blow to the league."

Of course, nobody even dreamed it could be a possibility before Sunday ... but Rodney Harrison reported on the broadcast in the leadup to the game that it could definitely happen.

"He also told me this," Harrison said of a conversation with Donald before the Super Bowl, "if he wins a Super Bowl, there's a strong possibility that he could walk away from the game and retire."

Donald sidestepped questions about his future after the win -- appearing to reveal he is, in fact, considering the option -- but Fitzgerald is clearly pleading for it to not go down.

"I hope that's not the case, man," he told us.

Eminem paid tribute to Colin Kaepernick on the biggest of stages at the Super Bowl ... spurring discussion (and some confusion) as to whether the NFL was kosher with the move.

The rapper ended his portion of his set Sunday at SoFi Stadium by dropping down to his knee with his head low, and holding the position for a good while as things transitioned over to Dr. Dre again.

Eventually, he got up and took his place among the other performers -- but what only amounted to about 30 seconds or so ended speaking volumes in the NFL’s backyard.

Of course, the question is ... was it sanctioned or not??? Well, depends on who you ask ... and how you interpret the NFL's official response. There are reports saying the move was forbidden by higher-ups, but a rep for the league went on record Sunday ... saying they’d seen Em take a knee during rehearsals, and were well aware it was included.

Whether they ever asked him not to is a different story -- and not necessarily addressed in the guy's statement here. But, it’s irrelevant now -- the dude did it, and by doing so ... definitely invoked the memory of Kap.

As you know, the ex-QB spent his final year or so in the league doing just this before each game, all in the name of social justice.

Eminem has voiced support for the cause, and it seems he wanted to make a point about it during the most important moment of the broadcast.

Author and activist Michael Eric Dyson saw it live at SoFi, and gave Em major props for the gesture.

There was only one game in town for celebs Sunday night in L.A. ... yeah, you guessed it.

So, let's go through a partial list ....  Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Kanye, Olivia Rodrigo, Charlize Theron, Kevin Hart, The Rock, Matt Damon, the Biebers and Kendall Jenner were front and center.

But wait, there's more ... Ellen DeGeneres, Devin Booker, Floyd Mayweather, Keke Palmer, Drake, Adam Devine, Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas, Martha Stewart, The Weeknd, Prince Harry, Tyga, YG, Antonio Brown, Will Farrell, Ryan Reynolds, Sean Penn, Chris Tucker, Tracy Morgan, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Mark Wahlberg, Nelly, 2 Chainz, Steph Curry, Michael Strahan and Shawn Mendes. Oh yea, Jay Z and Beyonce also showed.

And, that doesn't even include the Halftime performers.

Check out the gallery ... good luck L.A. Health Dept, which requires masks indoors ... because there wasn't a mask in sight.

Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson's wife wasn't quite able to catch her hubby's thrilling Super Bowl win on Sunday ... 'cause she had to leave the game early on a stretcher to have the couple's baby!

Samaria Jefferson was rushed out of SoFi Stadium just minutes before L.A. beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20, to win Super Bowl LVI ... according to multiple reporters on the scene.

Thankfully, though, Samaria was able to make it to a medical facility without any issue -- and after Van and the Rams pulled off their comeback, he joined her to welcome their new baby.

Van posted a pic with the newborn just minutes after winning his ring, smiling with glee and writing, "X2!!!!!"

Samaria had spoken about the possibility of the situation just days before the Big Game, telling The Athletic that she was "praying" her water didn't break during the middle of the contest.

In fact, in the hours leading up to the game, she posted on her Instagram page that she was "still praying."

Cameras actually caught Van sprinting out of the stadium following the win ... showing him leaving in a hurry.

The baby is the couple's second child -- they had their first daughter together five years ago.

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre did NOT disappoint at the Super Bowl Halftime Show -- and they didn't come empty-handed either ... trotting out none other than 50 Cent.

The two headliners kicked off the star-studded performance Sunday at SoFi Stadium, going through a few of their hits, including 'The Next Episode' and 'California Love,' -- but in the middle of them doing their thing on stage ... Mr. Jackson swung into action down below!

Fitty turned out to be the big surprise guest that had been rumored for weeks now ... and he performed 'In Da Club' on a set piece underneath Snoop and Dre -- this while hanging upside down.

It made for a ton of fanfare ... and folks cheered the trio on. Soon after, Mary J. Blige came on and went through a quick medley as well, before passing the baton on to Kendrick ... who eventually handed things off to Eminem, pumping up the energy with each performance.

Snoop and Dre eventually took center stage once again ... and ended things on a high note with 'Still D.R.E.' -- and were flanked by all the artists by the finale of the song.

Seems like this one was a major homage to the legacy of Dre, and turned out to be pretty damn rad as a result ... living up to the hype and then some.

Super Bowl LVI is already off to a bumpy start -- because the folks running the broadcast apparently couldn't tell one of their marquee singers from another ... oof.

Shortly before kickoff Sunday, NBC was introducing R&B singer Jhene Aiko -- who was going to belt out 'America the Beautiful' ... shortly before country singer Mickey Guyton was set to take the mantle for the National Anthem.

All seemed to be going just fine ... that is, until they panned to the wrong person entirely while flashing a Jhene name graphic on the screen. Instead of her, they focused on Mickey -- who was looking on from an elevated platform.

Huge blunder, obviously ... but the camera eventually found the right person in Jhene, who gave us a solid, and somewhat subtle, rendition of the tune.

Mickey was up next, and her performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was absolutely spectacular ... getting huge cheers and applause.

Still, everyone noticed the screw-up that started everything -- and some couldn't help but wonder how and why they could've gotten it that wrong. Here's hoping the rest of the program isn't as messy.

Win or lose ... Odell Beckham Jr. is hitting the field in style today -- the Rams star will be rocking a custom pair of $200K cleats featuring diamonds in them for the Super Bowl LVI pregame.

TMZ Sports has learned ... OBJ teamed up with Dominic Ciambrone, aka "The Shoe Surgeon" in L.A., and Jason of Beverly Hills to create "the most expensive cleat ever" for Beckham to wear on Super Sunday.

We spoke with Dominic -- who has over 1 million followers on his social media page -- and he told us Odell's 1-of-1 cleats feature yellow gold (symbolic of the Rams' colors) and 1,494 round brilliant white diamonds on the Nike swoosh sign.

Dominic tells us the connection between him and OBJ formed after he collaborated with one of Odell's teammates, Jalen Ramsey, to make some cleats for the Rams star cornerback.

"I was making cleats for Jalen and a few other guys," Dominic said. "But this year Jalen hit me ... game one of the playoffs and then Odell hit me."

"We just knew we were going to work together. And it just happened to be on the biggest stage for the sport."

FYI, the turnaround time for a project like this is typically 3-to-5 months, but Dominic told us his team spent over 100 man-hours working on the project to ensure the cleats were ready for game day.

Speaking of the game ... we asked Dominic for a prediction, and, well, he couldn't pick against his friends.

"You already know that answer, man," he said. "The Rams are gonna win."

Russell Wilson and Ciara beat a hasty retreat from a Super Bowl party after the father of one of her children showed up -- aka Future.

Russell and Ciara hit up Drake's show at h.wood Group and REVOLVE's Super Bowl party at the Pacific Design Center in WeHo Saturday night ... a party packed with celebs, including Lizzo, Teyana Taylor, Cardi B, Offset, and Jack Harlow.

Little did they know ... Drake had a surprise guest ... Future.

As you know, Ciara and Future had a difficult breakup, which became even more complicated once she hooked up with Russell who became super close to baby Future Zahir. Shade was thrown in all directions.

It's unclear where Future now stands with Ciara and Russell, but given their reaction after Future showed up, it doesn't seem like all is kumbaya.

Megan Thee Stallion was in top form Saturday night as she performed along with Doja Cat and Lil Baby at Michael Rubin's Fanatics Super Bowl LVI party in Culver City.

Megan rocked a leather mini and looked super glam as she entertained the crowd.

The guest list was impressive, to say the least ... Ciara, Russell Wilson, Quavo, Meek Mill, Rachel Lindsay, A$AP Ferg, Robert Kraft, Kevin Hart, Guy Fieri, J Balvin, Jasmine Tookes, Jerome Bettis, Joan Smalls, Joe Montana, Jonathan Cheban, Josephine Skriver, Dr. Oz, Erin Andrews and Eli Manning, Noah Beck, Dixie and Charli D'Amelio.

Notably ... Travis Scott was also at the bash.

This may be the best ticket in town for Super Bowl weekend. It's the party that's been building as the marquis celebration.

Most other parties are open if you can buy a ticket. This one's strictly invite-only, but scalpers have found a way to make a buck ... lots of bucks.

Megan wasn't done with her evening .. she showed up at another soiree in Hollywood at the Sunset Room. She and Diplo performed for the crowd at the Hall of Fame Party.

Drake and Future rocked the Pacific Design Center Saturday night as a house packed with celebs celebrated the lead-up to Super Bowl Sunday!

As for who was there at the bash hosted by the h.wood Group and REVOLVE ... Lizzo, Teyana Taylor, Cardi B, Offset, Cheryl Burke, Victoria Justice, Jack Harlow, Busta Rhymes, Larsa Pippen, Jack Dorsey, Scooter Braun, Ray J, Princess Love, Cedric the Entertainer, Ciara and Russell Wilson, Logan Paul, Jon Hamm, Lais Ribeiro, Jamie Foxx, Stassi Karanikolaou and Josie Canseco.

Justin and Hailey Bieber were front and center as he seemed to ignore everything around him as he embraced and kissed his wife ... and rubbed her butt!!! They danced super close during the show.

JB is clearly into Drake's music. You see him throw his arms up in the air as he feels the beat and mouthes the lyrics.

Bieber took the stage the night before at the same venue, where guests included Drake, Leo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Kendall Jenner and Khloe Kardashian.

Timing is everything, and Super Bowl LVI's couldn't be worse for celebs already on edge due to recent violent crimes in L.A. -- and all that adds up to way more biz this weekend for private security companies.

During a normal Super Bowl, celebs attending the big game wouldn't call for backup, as it were, because the NFL and host city always have tight security teams and measures in place -- but that's different this year. However, Los Angeles has seen a lot of violence building up to game day, so big names in attendance are asking for more protection.

2 Deep Security says they're covering a handful of clients at the game, including Saints linebacker Kwon Alexander. They say each client's getting 3 guards ... 2 inside SoFi Stadium, and one on the outside. They've normally dispatched one bodyguard per celeb at Super Bowls.

Of course, L.A.'s famous for traffic ... so, naturally, Ratpack Worldwide Security says it's getting a spike in specialty transportation requests. A rep tells us their bulletproof rides and black truck fleets are providing the kinda protection celebs want while traveling to and from the game and all the parties this weekend.

Speaking of those parties, Kings Protection tells TMZ ... many of their clients are avoiding the bigger public parties they'd normally attend, and instead, doing smaller ones at hotels and Airbnbs -- but even there, they'll still have protection.

If the Bengals can't find Evan McPherson at halftime on Sunday, here's why ...

Cincy's star kicker tells TMZ Sports he wants to see Dr. Dre, Eminem and everyone else at the halftime show so badly ... he's considering not going into the locker room for the break!!

'"I'll be super bummed if we can't at least watch it on a TV or something," said the 22-year-old, who's kicked two game-winners for the Bengals so far this postseason.

"I hope I get to watch it," he added. "I hope I get to be out there to experience it."

Of course, this year's Super Bowl halftime show is expected to be one of the biggest ever ... with some of the music industry's biggest legends gracing the stage.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige are all set to perform ... and there's expected to be at least one special guest joining them.

McPherson tells us there's a chance he might be allowed to stay out and watch it all ... though he's unsure if his coaches will ultimately let him.

As for the game .... Evan tells us if the situation calls for him to kick another game-winning field goal, he'll be ready for that moment.

"I mean, that would definitely be really cool," McPherson said. "If it comes down to a field goal like our last couple of games have come down to, then, you know, I'll be ready to give this franchise its first super bowl."

It's the most wonderful time of the year -- SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!! -- and what better way to celebrate the big day than by honoring the wives and girlfriends of the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams!!!

Kelly Stafford -- who's been with Matthew since their University of Georgia days -- will certainly be at SoFi Stadium to root for her man ... hopefully, no pretzels involved.

BTW -- Kelly spent more than $200k on tickets for Rams fans to attend the NFC Championship game ... so props to her.

On the Bengals end, Olivia Holzmacher is used to cheering for Joe Burrow in a title game -- the two have been dating since #9 tore it up at LSU, where he won the Heisman and NCAA Championship in 2020.

But, it will be the first (in many ways) for Odell Beckham Jr.'s girlfriend Lauren Wood -- besides it being OBJ's first Super Bowl, the two are also expecting their first child any day now.

We can't forget to mention Erica Donald who married Aaron -- one of the best defensive players ever -- after they met when she worked for the Rams.

Justin Bieber brought a ton of A-listers out to his show for the opening night of Super Bowl weekend ... including Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, who couldn't get their hands off each other.

JB was the highlight of h.wood Group and REVOLVE's Super Bowl party Friday night at Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood ... an event which also included Leonardo DiCaprio, Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Shawn Mendes, Tobey Maguire, Tyga, Logan Paul and a ton of others.

Jeff and Lauren certainly enjoyed the performance, and got pretty handsy during their set as they hung out with her ex, NFL legend Tony Gonzalez in a roped-off VIP section.

Justin performed a variety of his hits in the almost-hour-long set, including "What Do You Mean?" as the crowd of about 1,500 sang along.

Jeff and Lauren were spotted leaving the party around 1 AM, but didn't appear to show up at the after-party where shots rang out more than an hour later.

Wanna bet Eminem rocks the Slim Shady platinum blonde hairdo during the Super Bowl halftime show?!

Or that Mary J. Blige might show some cleavage?!

Well, if you have money to put up, there are a whole bunch of fun prop bets waiting to be made on BetOnline.ag on everything from the coin toss to National Anthem too ... boobies!!

Eminem's hair color?

• Brown/black -300 (risk $300 to win $100)
• White/blonde +200 (risk $100 to win $200)

Will any of the Halftime headliners be smoking?

• Yes +200 (risk $100 to win $200)
• No -300 (risk $300 to win $100)

FWIW, we talked to 2 Chainz this week in L.A. and he said Snoop has to smoke!!

Mary J Blige's earrings?

• Hoop/huggie -125
• Chandelier/Cluster +175
• Teardrop +275
• Stud +750

Mary J. Blige shows cleavage?

• Yes -300 (risk $300 to win $100)
• No +200 (risk $100 to win $200)

The "Queen of Hip Hop Soul" ain't the only one you can place a bet on to show a little somethin' ... you can also wager on whether country singer Mickey Guyton will show cleavage during the anthem.

You can also bet on Joe Burrow ... not in regards to the game (well, you can bet on the game, too), but as to whether he'll be compared to his "look-alike" Macaulay Culkin.

There's more ... you can also bet on the commercials. Or, which Hollywood landmark will be shown first on the broadcast.

What will be shown first?

• Hollywood sign -300 (risk $300 to win $100)
• Hollywood walk of fame +200 (risk $100 to win $200)