Super Bowl

A shot at a Titans Super Bowl title did not end when Derrick Henry got injured Sunday ... so says Chris Johnson, who tells TMZ Sports Tennessee is still "the team to beat."

Of course, most disagree with CJ2K ... considering Henry -- who's expected to miss the rest of the season after foot surgery Tuesday -- was the leading rusher in the league and by far the Titans' best player before his injury.

But, Johnson says he doesn't expect a dip at all from the Titans going forward ... saying there's just too many playmakers on the roster to allow that to happen.

"We got a good quarterback," the ex-Titans star said. "We got two good receivers out there. So we should be all right."

Johnson tells us he expects to see Tennessee turn into more of a passing team ... though he did say he's confident if the team needs to rely on the newly signed Adrian Peterson, it can do that as well.

"Adrian's been able to show that he's been able to come in and can contribute to whatever team that he goes to," Johnson said.

The former running back explained a Titans' Super Bowl run is still more than possible ... and even delivered an uplifting message to downtrodden Tennessee fans.

The first game without Henry is slated for Sunday night against the Rams -- who, by the way, just added Von Miller to the roster this week.

A Connecticut man could spend the rest of his life behind bars ... after a jury found him guilty this week of sex trafficking during the 2020 Chiefs vs. 49ers Super Bowl.

Federal prosecutors say the man, Edward Walker, brought two women and a 17-year-old girl to Miami from Connecticut in order to coerce them into having sex with people for cash during the Big Game and the leadup to it.

Authorities say Walker took the money for the acts and kept it all -- and had planned to do the same thing with the women in the future at different locations like the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago and Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Walker, though, was eventually arrested and charged, and after a trial this month ... he was found guilty of several charges, including sex trafficking by force and coercion.

Feds announced Friday that Walker now faces up to life in prison ... with his sentencing hearing slated for Jan. 6, 2022.

If Eazy-E gets a shout-out during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in L.A. it will be a touching and monumental tribute ... so says the late rapper's daughter.

Ebie tells TMZ ... she's ecstatic about the entertainment lineup for Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, less than 15 miles from Compton, where Eazy-E grew up and formed N.W.A. with Halftime Show headliner, Dr. Dre.

Ebie, who feels her father would probably have been part of the Halftime Show lineup if he were alive, says Eazy-E would be proud because he would see an extension of himself on that stage in Compton icons Dre and Kendrick Lamar.

For that reason, she'd love for there to be some kind of acknowledgment of her father during the performance. She says Eazy-E, once the leader of N.W.A., broke barriers and revolutionized gangsta rap ... paving the way for so many other rappers.

Kendrick certainly agrees with that sentiment -- he once penned a tribute to Eazy-E in 2015 saying, "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Eazy."

Dre and Eazy, of course, had a falling out that culminated with Dre leaving the group and going solo. They later mended the childhood friendship to the point of reuniting N.W.A. but, sadly, Eazy-E died soon after in 1995 due to complications from HIV/AIDS.

Ebie knows the Halftime Show is not long .... especially trying to fit 5 huge stars in a roughly 20-minute slot. That being said, she hopes a simple shout-out -- even a "RIP Eazy-E" -- would mean the world to her.

The Super Bowl halftime show will feature not one, not two, but FIVE incredible music acts this February ... with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige slated to perform!!

The epic list was just announced minutes ago ... with Pepsi revealing the lineup for the big game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb 13.

The halftime show is absolutely nuts -- as the company notes, there are 43 Grammy awards and 19 Billboard-topping albums amongst the bunch ... and they'll all be sharing the stage in L.A.

The show's lineup makes a whole lotta sense to L.A. too ... Dre, Snoop and Kendrick are all born and raised in the city of angels. Jay-Z, who played an instrumental part in getting the lineup together says the event will be "history in the making."

The announcement Thursday also notes the show is expected to be "12 minutes of unforgettable greatness." Nearly 100 million people tuned in last year to watch The Weeknd perform in Tampa Bay.

Ciara wore something Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber and Grimes couldn't get their hands on for the Met Gala -- a Super Bowl ring, courtesy of Russell Wilson!!

The singer showed up to the big event Monday night channeling her hubby's day job -- decked out in a sparkly green dress resembling Wilson's #3 Seahawks jersey, which was designed by Peter Dundas.

Ciara also held a bedazzled mini football clutch ... just to make sure everyone knew the theme she was going for.

But, to complete the look, Ciara pulled out quite possibly the biggest flex of all-time -- Wilson's Super Bowl XLVIII ring he won in 2014!!!

"My Hubby’s color rush Seahawks jersey transformed into a dress + His Super Bowl XLVIII ring = EVERYTHING!" Ciara posted on Instagram.

So, where was Russ?? The Seattle superstar was busy bro'ing out with Peyton and Eli Manning during their "Monday Night Football" broadcast ... but don't worry, he was sure to shower her with compliments in the comment section.

"My queen. My Everything," Wilson said.

Donnie Wahlberg is bummed that his Patriots cut ties with Cam Newton this week ... telling TMZ Sports he was sure the QB would have gotten his favorite squad to this season's Super Bowl!

The "Blue Bloods" actor -- who's a SERIOUSLY diehard Pats fan -- broke it all down for us out in NYC this week ... explaining he really did love Newton as Tom Brady's successor.

"Mannnnn, I love Cam," Wahlberg told us. "I thought he was going to lead us to the Super Bowl!"

Don't get it twisted ... Wahlberg still has love for New England's new starter, Mac Jones -- he was just that high on Newton heading into this year.

"I'm telling you," Wahlberg said, "I thought he was going to take the Patriots to the Super Bowl. And, hopefully, Mac will as well. So, we'll see what happens."

Jones did ball out during the preseason, posting a 97.4 passer rating with no interceptions ... while Newton struggled. Cam also missed time due to COVID protocols.

But, Wahlberg told us he doesn't think the COVID issues and vaccine status had anything to do with the release ... saying he believes Bill Belichick just let him go so he'd "have a chance to start elsewhere."

Wahlberg added he's going to believe in Belichick at the end of the day no matter what ... saying, "If you're a Patriots fan, you trust him and that's it."

Usain Bolt isn't mincing words, flat-out telling TMZ Sports that Tyreek Hill can NOT beat him in a race ... and he's fully willing to prove it on the track!!

And, he'll even risk one of his 8 Olympic gold medals.

We spoke to the 35-year-old track legend -- the fastest man EVER -- about his (good-natured) beef with the 27-year-old KC Chiefs superstar ... and straight-up asked Bolt how the race would go.

"For me I still think I would get him in 40 [yard dash]" ... adding, just to be safe, he'd like the race to be a bit longer -- something like 70 yards.

Somewhat surprisingly, Usain -- who retired in 2017 -- says he'd have to ramp up his training before racing Hill.

"I definitely gotta train. He's been working out. I work out too, but I would have to step up my training."

Bolt added ... "Remember, I retired for a while, so I still gotta get my legs going again, know what I mean? I still got speed, but I gotta get it going."

FYI, Hill -- aka Cheetah -- is considered by many to be the fastest player in the NFL.

In fact, Tyreek reportedly ran a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day ... and has allegedly clocked a super-impressive 10.19 in the 100m.

With that said ... Bolt holds the world record in the 100m -- having run a blazing fast 9.58 seconds in 2009.

As for having some skin in the game ... Usain says he doesn't believe Hill would have the you-know-whats to put his Super Bowl LIV ring on the line.

Brandon Marshall says he's changed his tune ... the ex-NFL star is now admitting to TMZ Sports he actually thinks the Dallas Cowboys will make a run to the Super Bowl this year!!!

We got the former Giants wideout at Catch in L.A. earlier this week with his "I AM ATHLETE" co-host Channing Crowder ... and the guy couldn't help but gush about Dallas despite his past feelings on the team.

"The last two months," Marshall said, "I've shifted. I think they're a true contender."

As for why he believes the Cowboys have gone from a 6-10 squad to now a true threat in the NFC?

"Dak Prescott healthy. Defense, middle of the road -- Super Bowl!" he said.

Crowder, though, ain't convinced ... the former Miami Dolphins linebacker said he believes it'll take Dak Prescott a full TWO YEARS to bounce back from his gruesome ankle injury.

"You recover from injury two years after the injury," Crowder said. "I don't think Dak's going to be back this year."

We also talked with the guys about Deshaun Watson ... and they told us they hate the idea of the quarterback currently being listed as the fourth string on Houston's depth chart.

The two agreed that if the NFL won't put Watson on paid leave amid sexual misconduct allegations ... the Texans should either start him or trade him to another team that will.

By the way, the dudes are KILLIN' IT with their "I AM ATHLETE" show ... and after talking ball with us, they promised big things are coming with the show and the brand in the near future!

Tom Brady's seventh Super Bowl ring just might be his best one ... 'cause the QB and the Bucs' championship bling was finally revealed Thursday night, and the ice is INSANE!!

TB12, Rob Gronkowski and the rest of the squad received the rings at a party in Tampa Bay ... and even the guys who are used to big title drip were blown away by the pieces.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the ring -- created by Jason of Beverly Hills -- features a staggering 319 total round diamonds on the top, which was a nod to the Bucs' 31-9 Super Bowl LV win over the Chiefs.

The top also unscrews to reveal a hand-engraved, 3D Raymond James Stadium ... making it the first-ever Super Bowl ring with a removable piece.

There's also 8 emerald diamonds on each side of the ring to represent the 8-game winning streak the Bucs went on to close out the season ... and there are inscriptions all over the bling including the words "historic" and "trust, loyalty, respect."

And, the guys were clearly thrilled with the final product -- check out how running back Leonard Fournette could not get enough of the jewelry with his teammates!!!

Brady spoke at the ceremony after getting the ring ... and in true Tom fashion, he admitted he's already thinking about what No. 8 is going to look like, telling a story about how he learned his favorite ring is "the next one!"

The future Hall of Famer then capped off his speech while nodding to his teammates ... "Love you. Proud of you. Let's f***ing go."

Janet Jackson's brothers are thanking Justin Timberlake for stepping up and taking responsibility for his role in the infamous Super Bowl Halftime wardrobe malfunction, and hanging their sister out to dry.

Tito, Marlon and Jackie Jackson appeared on Andy Cohen's SiriusXM radio show Wednesday and opened up for the first time about JT's apology, saying they appreciated him finally saying something ... albeit, 17 years after the fact.

Marlon said, "First of all, I just want to thank Justin Timberlake. It takes a man to step up and do that, so we do thank him." That being said ... Marlon added they'd like to move on from the negativity that surrounded the Super Bowl XXXVIII incident.

In case you were in diapers back in 2004 ... Justin and Janet were embroiled in controversy when a "wardrobe malfunction" exposed Janet's breast to MILLIONS of viewers tuning in to the highly-anticipated Halftime Show.

It seemed everyone BUT Justin suffered for an incident dubbed "Nipplegate" -- Janet's career took a big hit, and the FCC slapped CBS with a $550k indecency fine.

Two years later, during an interview with Oprah, Janet said she felt Justin left her hanging with all of the emphasis put on her "as opposed to us."

Tom Brady admits he REGRETS drunkenly throwing the Lombardi Trophy from boat to boat during that legendary floating Super Bowl parade

... but hey, things happen when you're completely sloshed!

"First of all, there was not a lot going through my mind at that point," Brady told Michael Strahan on 'GMA.'

Remember, Tom and the rest of the Tampa Bay Bucs hit the Hillsborough River back in February to celebrate their Super Bowl LV victory over the K.C. Chiefs.

The booze started flowing ... and the QB started throwin' (trophies).

"I mean, that was not smart for a couple of reasons," a sobered up Brady says.

"One is, if we drop it, that's a little bit of a problem. But, the worst thing that could happen is the edges on that trophy are so sharp -- and had those things clipped one of my boys in the other boat, it would have been an ugly, ugly parade."

He's right -- but fortunately, his sure-handed teammates caught the trophy with no problems.

Brady says of the event, "From what I remember, yes it was pretty cool."

During his interview with 'GMA,' Brady also opened up about why he wants to continue playing the NFL.

Remember, in the wake of winning his 7th title, Gisele had asked him, "What more do you have to prove?"

"I don't think proving it for me is the motivation," 43-year-old Tom told Strahan ... "I still want to play, I got like a little sickness in me that just wants to throw a frickin' spiral, you know what I mean?"

"Once you stop you can't go back and do it, I got some more football [left in me] I mean not a lot, and I know that, but what I got left, I'm gonna go I'm gonna give everything I got."

Bruce Arians' momma clearly didn't raise a quitter ... 'cause the Bucs coach stuck to his word this month and got a HUGE tattoo to commemorate Tampa Bay's Super Bowl win!!!

The 68-year-old head coach had promised to get the ink if his team scored the victory over the Chiefs ... and just a few weeks after the Bucs' big win, Arians went under the needle.

The tat is big as hell ... it appears to be centered up on the top of his left shoulder blade -- and it's AWESOME.

The piece features the SB LV emblem, the 31-9 score of the Bucs-Chiefs game, and it also has the Buccaneers' logos.

"I’m a man of my word," Arians said, revealing the art on Tuesday. "'When we win the Super Bowl, I will get a tattoo' well I got mine and I love it!!"

Of course, Arians now joins an ever-growing list of Bucs who got Super Bowl tattoos after securing the ring ... Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield both got theirs done a few weeks ago.

Brett Favre says his rock-bottom moment came right after winning the Super Bowl in 1997 ... admitting his addiction to painkillers nearly cost him his life.

The NFL Hall of Famer opened up on his battle with pills on "Bolling With Favre" on PodcastOne with guest Dr. Phil this week ... saying he first got addicted in 1994 after suffering an injury.

Favre started taking 2 pills a day ... which led to teammates helping get him more and more painkillers "to a point where I was basically taking in 2 days, a month's prescription, which is crazy."

Favre says he even suffered 2 seizures due to complications from his increased pill intake in 1995, which forced him to come clean with his addiction.

Despite a 75-day stint in rehab, Favre's addiction didn't end until after winning 3-straight MVP awards AND the Super Bowl in 1997 ... when he "was as low as I could possibly be."

That's the moment he knew he had to kick his addiction for good, saying "I said it's one of two things -- I die, or I flush these pills down the toilet."

"I sat by the toilet for two hours," Favre said. "Eventually, I dumped the pills in the toilet, flushed them and I almost wanted to kill myself because of doing that."

"I could not believe that I've actually done that and I was so mad at myself because now what was I gonna do?"

Mike Evans is fresh off winning a Super Bowl, but he’s not done making great plays -- the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star just donated $50k to help those affected by the winter storm tragedy in Texas.

27-year-old Evans is originally from Galveston, Texas ... an area that was heavily impacted by the storm. In fact, there were reportedly 3 storm-related deaths in the area ... and at least 25 others in nearby Harris County.

Evans says he was inspired to help the same community that shaped him into an NFL star ... which resulted in a $50,000 check from his foundation to the United Way of Galveston.

"The Galveston community has been so supportive of me throughout my career," Evans said Monday. "After I heard about the destruction the winter storm caused, I knew I had to do something to give that same support back.”

The money given to United Way of Galveston will be distributed in two parts ... $37,500 will be given to the families in need in the form of gift cards for food and other essential items Lindsey White, executive director of United Way of Galveston said.

The remaining money will be given to the Johnny Mitchell Boys & Girls Club of Galveston and St. Vincent’s House to help underserved children and families.

“We’re so thankful that the foundation entrusted us with these much-needed funds for Galveston families," White continued.

"Their decision to support our community as we’re reeling from the compounded effects of the pandemic and the winter storm will have a huge impact on those that call Galveston home.”

Here's further proof NOBODY in the NFL is having more fun right now than Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady ...

Coming off their Super Bowl win (and the endless stream of ensuing partying) ... Gronk decided to play around with TB12 with an epic FaceTime prank -- and it's hilarious!!

Check out video Rob posted Thursday ... the 31-year-old tight end called up Brady, just to immediately tell him that he's "busy right now" and needs to call him later.

"Did I call you!?" Brady asked with a perplexed look on his face.

Keeping the gag alive, Gronk went back and forth with Brady about who called whom … until Brady finally gave in -- "Alright," the QB said, "I did call you.”

When the jig was finally up, Robby G let Touchdown Tommy in on the prank ... and the 43-year-old QB couldn't help but laugh and slap himself on the forehead!!!

Gronk then found another person to prank ... his dad!!!

It’s unclear who had a better grasp on the tech between Papa Gronk and Brady, but it sure looked like Rob got them both pretty good.

FYI -- the fun video is the latest edition of the #imbusyrightnow challenge -- a social media trend where celebs and people alike call their friends/family members, and immediately tell them they are going to have to call them back.

Pranksters have ranged from NBA legends like Kenny Smith and Shaq to the Kardashians, and the list of victims varies even more.

Newly crowned Super Bowl champ Jaydon Mickens is in trouble with the law ... TMZ Sports has confirmed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was arrested last week in Los Angeles.

Law enforcement tells us the 26-year-old -- a Bucs receiver and return specialist -- was pulled over on March 5 after cops say his window tint was too dark.

During the stop, we're told officers found a gun inside the car -- NOT on his person -- and arrested him over it.

Mickens was booked on a felony concealed weapon charge. We're told the LAPD later informed the NFL of the arrest.

The Bucs issued a statement saying they are "aware of the issue regarding Jaydon that occurred in Los Angeles last week."

"He reached out to let us know about the situation soon after it happened and we have been in contact with the league office to ensure they were aware."

"We will continue to monitor the situation but will have no further comment at this time."

Mickens played in Tampa's championship win over the K.C. Chiefs last month ... taking back three kickoffs for an average of 25 yards a pop.

The 4-year NFL veteran was signed by the Bucs back in the 2019 season ... and has served as a key special teamer since.

He caught 7 passes for 58 yards this past season.