Super Bowl

El himno nacional del Super Bowl de este año contará con nada menos que Reba McEntire para cantar la canción.

La liga hizo el anuncio hace unos minutos, añadiendo que Post Malone cantará "America The Beautiful" justo antes de que la leyenda de la música country suba al escenario el próximo domingo en el Estadio Allegiant de Las Vegas.

Las actuaciones del dúo estarán precedidas por un espectáculo de la ganadora del Grammy Andra Day, que cantará "Lift Every Voice and Sing" para dar comienzo a las festividades previas al partido.

Por supuesto, los actos tendrán algunos zapatos grandes que llenar, ya que el año pasado, la interpretación de Chris Stapleton de "The Star-Spangled Banner" fue tan buena, que hizo llorar al entrenador en jefe de los Eagles, Nick Sirianni.

En cuanto al medio tiempo del Gran Juego de este año, la NFL anunció hace unos meses Usher se encargará de esos deberes.

Eminem says Rams QB Matt Stafford owes him, and he’s calling in a favor -- let the Lions win on Sunday!

The legendary rapper is a big Detroit Lions fan ... and with the team hosting a home playoff game tonight for the first time in 3 decades (1994), Eminem sent a message to the 35-year-old former #1 overall draft pick ahead of the highly anticipated Super Wild Card matchup.

"Stafford, what'd I say? You owe me this favor, bro. I was there for you when you won it. I was there for you. I was right there. I rapped for you Stafford, bro, I rapped for you. Can you just let us have this one? Just this one!"

When Em says he "rapped for" Matt, he's referring to Super Bowl 56 at SoFi Stadium in 2022 ... where Marshall (along with Dre, Snoop, Mary J., and 50) performed one of the best halftime shows in SB history.

On the field, Stafford's Rams beat the Bengals, 23-20 ... and Em showed love for the former Lions star.

Of course, before he ever played a down as the Rams QB, Stafford broke into the league as a Lions star in 2009 ... when he was drafted with the first overall pick.

Stafford, after 12 seasons in Detroit, was traded for now-current Lions' signal-caller Jared Goff, in 2020.

Goff's played some of the best football of his career since leaving SoCal, and led the Lions to a 12-5 record this season. It's the rare trade that has worked out great for both organizations.

Eminem aside, anticipation of Matt's return to the Motor City has become a bit of a contentious topic ... with some fans calling for a boycott of his Lions jersey at Ford Field, which didn't sit well with Stafford's wife, Kelly.

As for Sunday's game, it's expected to be incredibly close ... so you can't fault Em for trying to get an advantage!

The Lions have never won a Super Bowl (they won 4 championships before the SB era), and haven't won a playoff game since January 1992.

Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are applauding Jake Browning's ability to fill Joe Burrow's shoes this season ... telling TMZ Sports the Bengals backup made it an "easy transition" for the whole team.

The former Washington quarterback's number was called after the team's franchise player went down with a wrist injury back in November ... and found some success under center, going 4-3 and helping Cincy finish the season with a winning record.

We spoke with the Bengals' top two targets this week about Browning ... and both guys had nothing but positive things to say about him.

"Jake came in and did his job, honestly, man," Chase said. "Him just being poised enough to get in there and have to piggyback off what Joe's doing or what he has done, it's not easy."

"Him having two elite receivers to play with is just going to make it even easier for him."

Higgins also pointed out how Browning got reps with the first stringers when Burrow went down with a calf injury in training camp ... and he did a helluva job rebuilding that chemistry mid-season.

"I felt like it was an easy transition for him and for us."

Chase added Burrow's impact was still felt even though he wasn't on the field ... as his presence alone "brings joy to guys' faces."

We also spoke with Chase about a fellow superstar LSU Tiger -- Jayden Daniels -- and he said he was thrilled to see the Heisman winner hold it down in Baton Rouge this year.

As for whether he had a better season than Burrow, Chase said there's one big thing that separates the two.

Gear up, Swifties ... Brett Favre tells TMZ Sports if the Chiefs don't make this year's Super Bowl -- fans WILL blame it all on Taylor Swift!!

Favre, of course, doesn't think it's right ... but he says, like it or not, it'll come if Travis Kelce and Kansas City aren't able to compete for the Lombardi Trophy next month.

"If they don't win it," Favre said, "or get to the Super Bowl, people are going to say, 'That's why.'"

Swift, needless to say, is used to it by now ... after all, people have deemed her a K.C. curse for weeks -- as her new boyfriend and the Chiefs only won five of their last 10 regular season games.

But, good news for her and the rest of Chiefs Kingdom ... Favre tells us he believes Kansas City -- despite being the No. 3 seed -- should still be considered the favorite to come out of the AFC's side of the bracket.

"Until Andy Reid is unseated as the champion," Favre said, "I have to see it to believe it."

Kansas City will begin its quest to win its second straight title later Saturday ... when it kicks off its wild card round game in frigid temperatures against the Miami Dolphins.

The Dawg Pound is rallying behind Joe Flacco with their wallets amid the Browns' surprising winning streak ... with fans rushing to buy the backup-backup-backup QB's jersey!!!

The former Super Bowl winner's journey back to the gridiron has been one of the biggest storylines of the season -- he went from sitting on the couch on Sundays to leading the Browns to a 4-1 record after Cleveland lost Deshaun Watson and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson to injuries.

TMZ Sports has learned ... No. 15 threads have been a hot commodity since Flacco took over under center in December.

Fanatics -- the league's official e-commerce partner -- tells us Flacco is among the top 20 most popular jerseys in the NFL ... and is currently the top-selling Browns player.

In fact, we're told the sales spiked more than 400% during the span of his first victory on Dec. 10 to his playoff berth-clinching performance on Thursday Night Football against his former New York Jets team on Dec. 28.

FYI, Flacco has led the Browns with 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in just five games ... which is more than he had when he played for the Jets in TWO seasons.

It's been quite the feel-good story after Flacco tried to find a new home for the past five seasons. Remember, Joe signed with the Denver Broncos, Jets and Philadelphia Eagles after spending 11 years with the Baltimore Ravens.

He won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens in 2013, their second in franchise history.

Warren Moon says if he were coaching the Ravens, he wouldn't sit Lamar Jackson, Odell Beckham Jr. or any other starter this week -- telling TMZ Sports he believes the moves could seriously ruin their chances at a Super Bowl.

Of course, with the No. 1 seed in the AFC already locked up, John Harbaugh revealed earlier this week Jackson and several others will take a seat on the bench against the Steelers on Saturday in order to stay healthy for the postseason.

Moon, though, doesn't think that idea's so great ... explaining that because Baltimore has a bye in the first round of the playoffs, there's now a far greater chance the squad will be rusty when it finally kicks off its divisional round game in more than two weeks.

"As a football player," the Hall of Famer said, "you want to stay within that routine and that habit of what you've been going through the whole season to make you successful."

Moon said he's by no means advocating playing Jackson and co. the full game against Pittsburgh -- he just thinks a few series could mitigate any potential problems down the road.

"That's the only thing that concerns about this team and some of the guys that they're sitting down," the ex-quarterback said. "How sharp are they going to be in three weeks after going through a season where they're used to playing week after week after week?"

In addition to Jackson ... three other starters -- Beckham, Marlon Humphrey and Kevin Zeitler -- have already been ruled out. Star rookie Zay Flowers and star defensive back Kyle Hamilton appear poised to miss the game too.

Nonetheless, Moon still believes the Ravens have done enough to show him they're the NFL's best heading into 2024.

Derrick Ward, a former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion, was arrested this week in Los Angeles for allegedly committing multiple robberies around the city, TMZ Sports has learned.

43-year-old Ward, an L.A. native, is accused of robbing several businesses, including gas stations, over a recent period of time.

Law enforcement tells us ... Ward did not use a gun during the alleged robberies -- but officers say he did use force and fear to get money from the stores.

Ward was taken into custody on Monday afternoon and booked into jail around 6:30 PM. His booking information lists him at 6 feet tall, and 230 lbs.

DW was a 7th-round pick (NY Jets) in 2004 ... and also spent time with the NY Giants, Tampa Bay Bucs and Houston Texans over his 8-year professional football career.

Derrick -- who at one point signed a $17 million contract -- was a member of the NYG Super Bowl-winning squad that beat Tom Brady's undefeated New England Patriots to cap the 2007 season.

Ward played in 93 NFL games, carrying the rock 551 times for 2,628 yards. He had 15 total touchdowns ... 12 of them rushing.

Derrick is still in custody, according to jail records ... and bail has been set at $250K.

Derrick Ward, ex jugador de la NFL y campeón del Super Bowl, fue arrestado esta semana en Los Ángeles por presuntamente cometer múltiples robos en la ciudad, según ha podido indagar TMZ Sports.

Ward, de 43 años y nativo de Los Ángeles, está acusado de robar en varios negocios, incluyendo gasolineras durante un período de tiempo reciente.

Las autoridades dicen que Ward no utilizó un arma de fuego durante los presuntos robos, pero que sí usó la fuerza y atemorizó a las personas para obtener dinero de las tiendas.

Ward fue detenido el lunes por la tarde y puesto tras las rejas a las 18:30 horas. Su información personal revela que mide 6 pies de altura y pesa 230 libras.

Derrick Ward fue parte de la selección de 7ª ronda de los New York Jets en 2004 y también pasó tiempo con los Giants de Nueva York, los Tampa Bay Bucs y los Houston Texans durante sus 8 años de carrera profesional en el fútbol.

Derrick, que en un momento firmó un contrato de $17 millones, fue miembro de la NYG Super Bowl, el equipo ganador y que venció a los invictos Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra de Tom Brady para cerrar la temporada 2007.

Ward jugó en 93 partidos de la NFL, llevando la roca 551 veces por 2.628 yardas. Tuvo 15 touchdowns totales, 12 de ellos corriendo.

De acuerdo con los registros de la cárcel, Derrick todavía está bajo custodia y la fianza se ha fijado en $250K.

Grab a pen and paper, chicken wing lovers -- food guru Guy Fieri is dropping knowledge on how to make the perfect drums and flats ... AND keep you from burning your house to a crisp in the process!!

The celebrity chef recently joined the "TMZ Sports" TV show on FS1 to talk about his annual Super Bowl party ... but before he got off the interview, Babcock had to get Guy to weigh in on a recent traumatic food experience.

Here's what happened -- Babcock was enjoying the UFC 294 fights with some buddies back in October ... when a longtime TMZ Sports producer from Buffalo decided to whip together his hometown's signature grub on the stove.

Babcock explained there were a few mishaps with the oil during the frying process ... resulting in a smoke-filled apartment and a growing fear the apartment would burst into flames at any moment.

Sources close to the situation tell us the wings were damn good, but came with a side of watery eyes due to the clouds creeping in from the kitchen.

Guy gave a step-by-step tutorial on what Babcock's coworker can do moving forward ... and also revealed some key pointers on how he can make them even better next time.

The Super Bowl is going going, back back, to Cali Cali -- the NFL announced Thursday the Big Game will be held in Los Angeles in 2027 ... after a unanimous owners' vote.

This will be the second time SoFi Stadium hosts the NFL's title game in a five-year span ... and the ninth Super Bowl overall for the city.

Most recently, Super Bowl LVI was held at SoFi when the hometown Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.

"We are very excited to bring the Super Bowl back to Los Angeles for the second time in five years," NFL commish Roger Goodell said in a statement. "The city did an outstanding job hosting Super Bowl 56 in the incredible SoFi Stadium and we believe that Super Bowl 61 will be even more memorable."

"The Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Host Committee and many other outstanding partners will help create an unforgettable week of events culminating in Super Bowl Sunday in 2027 that will celebrate the region as an epicenter of sports, entertainment and culture."

Super Bowl LXI (gotta brush up on your Roman numerals) will follow LX ... which is going down at Levi's Stadium in 2026.

Of course, Las Vegas is hosting this season ... with New Orleans following in 2025.

Don't be surprised if Lamar Jackson's lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of this year ... 'cause former Baltimore star Peter Boulware says he's confident the Ravens have what it takes to win the Super Bowl this season.

The ex-pass rusher made it clear to TMZ Sports he loves what the Baltimore QB is doing ... as well as everyone else that's surrounding the talented signal-caller this year.

"They've got the pieces in place and they've got the coaches in place to really, really get it done," Boulware said. "So, they're in a really, really good position."

Of course, Boulware is biased ... he played for the Ravens for the entirety of his career from 1997 to 2005, and won one Super Bowl for the org. But, Baltimore does truly appear to be that good this season.

They're currently 9-3 and tied for the No. 1 seed in the AFC ... and with quarterback injuries all over the conference, they -- alongside the Chiefs -- certainly seem like the favorites for now to make it to the Big Game in February.

Peyton Manning got behind the wheel of late NFL legend John Madden's bus ... hilariously attempting to steal the iconic Madden Cruiser from the Pro Football Hall of Fame!!

But no need to check the jail records ... it was all part of the quarterback's "Peyton's Places" show on ESPN, where Manning and 49ers great John Taylor got an up-close experience with the vehicle.

In a clip of the Omaha Productions project, Manning and Taylor line-hop to get right onto the bus in Canton ... before the two-time Super Bowl champ decides to make a run for it!!

Of course, Madden -- who was famously terrified of flying -- would crisscross the country in his luxurious Madden Cruiser, going from city to city, depending on his broadcasting schedule.

The whip was actually a Greyhound bus before Madden flipped it in the late '80s.

The Madden Cruiser has now been restored to its original condition ... including two color TVS, radio, two laser disc players, stereo and VHS layer.

Memphis Bleek is in such disbelief that Coach K thinks Jeezy is a bigger artist than Jay-Z, that he thinks the label boss must have been talking about anything other than music.

We caught up with the Memph Man along with his Warehouse Music Group crew out in NYC and by his calculations, weight is the only way Jeezy is outsizing Jay in terms of their career.

Coach K, who managed Jeezy at one point, recently argued that the trap rap legend eclipsed Jay's popularity and relevancy at the time of his artistic peak, but Bleek still couldn't be convinced.

Don't get him wrong -- Bleek says he remembers when Jeezy first hit the scene and commanded his "Snowman" nickname but in terms of their current streaming numbers, there's really not much indicating that the teacher surpassed the master.

A changing of the guard Bleek does think is doable, however, is Usher besting Rihanna's Super Bowl viewership -- which currently ranks as the highest viewed of all-time!!!

The chances of that happening are likely higher than Bleek getting his Jay-Z collab album off the ground ... apparently Hov's been too frightened of Bleek's rap skills to hop in the booth with him!!!

12:22 PM -- Joe Burrow just met with media members to discuss the injury ... and he said he felt "a pop" while he was throwing the touchdown pass to Joe Mixon.

As for the brace he had on his hand when he landed in Baltimore earlier this week, he told reporters it was simply a compression sleeve to keep some of his other "bumps and bruises" in check.

"This is a completely different thing," he said.

Burrow added that he's planning to still be around the team the rest of the year despite being out for the remainder of the season.

The Cincinnati Bengals will have to try to win a Super Bowl this season without Joe Burrow.

The team just announced its star quarterback suffered a significant wrist injury that will keep him from playing the rest of this year.

According to Cincy head coach Zac Taylor, Burrow appeared to sustain the ailment just before throwing a touchdown pass to Joe Mixon in the second quarter of the team's Thursday Night Football game against the Ravens.

Burrow tried to play through the pain ... but cameras inside of M&T Bank Stadium showed he just simply couldn't grip a football -- and sat out the rest of the contest, which the Bengals lost, 34-20.

Taylor said his 26-year-old star will "likely" need surgery to fix the issue.

The team, meanwhile, could find itself in hot water over it all ... as the NFL is reportedly investigating whether or not the Bengals knew about a potential problem with Burrow's wrist leading up to the big "TNF" matchup.

Burrow was seen getting off the team plane in Baltimore wearing some kind of brace on his hand -- yet he was not listed on the team's injury report heading into the game.

Regardless, losing Burrow is obviously a huge blow for Cincinnati ... as the signal-caller is widely considered one of the five best quarterbacks in the game right now.

The Bengals -- now 5-5 -- will turn to Burrow's backup, Jake Browning, to try to save their season.

Floyd Mayweather's returning to the boxing ring to take care of some unfinished business ... the legendary fighter is taking on John Gotti III in Las Vegas over Super Bowl weekend in February, a rematch of their '23 fight that ended in chaos!

TMZ Sports is told the event will happen around Super Sunday (February 11 in Sin City) and will be headlined by 46-year-old Mayweather vs. 31-year-old Gotti III.

Floyd, 50-0, is one of the greatest fighters to ever put on a pair of gloves. Gotti III, grandson of the legendary Gambino family crime boss, John Gotti, was originally an MMA fighter (5-1), who eventually got into boxing (2-0).

The rest of the card will be anchored by Floyd's Mayweather Promotions fighters.

Of course, Floyd and John have history. Back in June, they boxed at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida ... but the bout was called in the sixth round after a bunch of holding and other shenanigans in the ring.

Although the fight was technically stopped by ref Kenny Bayless, it was just the beginning of the fighting ... as mayhem erupted inside the squared circle, and outside of it, too.

In fact, Joseline Hernandez and Big Lex were seen scrapping.

Order was eventually restored ... and reps for the fighters spoke and peaced things up.

Now, the men are set to battle again ... during what was already one of the biggest weeks in all of sports.

And, to make sure there isn't a repeat of the first fight, we're told there are clauses in the contracts that could trigger a financial fine if anyone gets out of line.

The fight, a pay-per-view event airing on Zeus network, will be promoted by Mayweather Promotions, along with partner Hidden Empire Films!

Tom Brady is so confident Michigan will roll over Ohio State in the next couple weeks ... he's betting a Super Bowl ring on it!!!

Well ... kind of.

The seven-time champ and UM alum made the wager with former Buckeyes star C.J. Stroud earlier this week on his "Let's Go!" podcast ... before quickly revealing he was just playing around.

"So," Brady said to the Texans QB on the show as the two signal-callers were bantering about their alma maters, "if Ohio State wins ... how about this, you get one of my Super Bowl rings."

Brady, however, then quickly made it clear he was kidding ... adding, "And if Michigan beats Ohio State, then you got to give me all your youth, your agility, your time in the 40 and all your future years in the NFL."

Stroud played along for a minute, telling the G.O.A.T., "All right, that's a bet. That's a bet," before he said, "I'm not going to take your Super Bowl rings, Tom! I'm not going to lie. That's yours, bro, I want to get my own."

Unclear if the two will ultimately make some sort of wager on this year's rivalry game ... given how confident both guys were when talking about their former squads on the pod.