TMZ Sports - Page 50

Tom Brady is making it official ... he's leaving the New England Patriots after 20 seasons (and 6 Super Bowl rings) and continuing his NFL career in another city.

TB12 posted a long thank you message to Patriots Nation on Tuesday morning explaining he will always cherish the memories ... but it's time to leave.

"I wanted to say thank you to all of the incredible fans and Patriots supporters. MA has been my home for twenty years," Brady wrote.

"It has truly been the happiest two decades I could have envisioned in my life and I have nothing but love and gratitude for my time in New England."

He continued, "The support has been overwhelming - I wish every player could experience it. My children were born and raised here and you always embraced this California kid as your own. I love your commitment and loyalty to your teams and winning for our city means more than you will ever know."

WELCOME TO FIGHT SCHOOL!!

Paige VanZant welcomes UFC superstars like Yoel Romero, Henry Cejudo, Brian Ortega, Dominick Reyes and more into the secret MMA gym at the TMZ office where they're teaching legendary moves to our TMZ Sports producer, Lucas.

We're talking everything from flying knees to crazy chokes -- and even a human pretzel!!

Of course, the point of the show is to educate fight fans on the art behind these complex moves. But, it's also entertaining as hell to watch.

Episode 1 drops today on Snapchat and it's awesome!!

Amari Cooper is a VERY rich man today -- dude just agreed to a $100 MILLION deal with the Cowboys ... but could he have gotten EVEN MORE to spurn Dallas for its rivals?!!?

Yes ... because according to multiple reports -- the superstar wideout turned down "significantly" more cash from the Washington Redskins on Monday!!

As for why ... Coop's made no real attempt to hide it -- he loves Dak Prescott and Dallas -- and the fact that he logged more than 1,000 yards in his 2nd season with the Cowboys didn't hurt either.

Of course, $20 MIL per season -- with $60 MIL guaranteed -- wasn't exactly a hometown discount ... only 3 receivers in the history of the league have topped those numbers -- Odell Beckham ($65M), Julio Jones ($64M) and Michael Thomas ($60.5M).

As for all those Dallas fans who had to sweat until the deal was officially agreed to on Monday ... this wasn't THAT hard to see coming.

Remember, TMZ Sports broke the story ... just days after Cooper's first season with the Cowboys ended, he got a diamond pendant immortalizing his 1st games in Dallas.

Yeah, you don't do that just to leave for the rival a year later.

Derrick Henry didn't get the contract he wanted from the Titans this month ... but he sure as hell got a dope chain regardless -- coppin' an $85K piece to honor his hero, Kobe Bryant.

TMZ Sports has learned Henry grew up a huge fan of the Mamba ... and shortly after the Lakers legend's death in January, Derrick hit up ZoFrost to have tribute drip made.

As you can see, the jeweler -- who's worked with NFL stars like Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Earl Thomas this past year -- created a SICK piece for the Tennessee RB.

The chain and pendant features a mamba snake wrapped around Kobe's famous logo ... and we're told it holds approximately 35 CTs of diamonds.

We're also told the bling weighs a stunning 120 grams ... and all told, is worth $85,000.

We know what you're thinking ... but don't worry, even though Henry hasn't gotten a long-term deal from the Titans yet, the franchise tag they put on him this week is still set to pay him around $12 MILLION this season.

By the way, Henry ain't the only NFL star to get sick ice from ZoFrost this month ... remember the insane Bruce Lee piece Kyler Murray had made for him last week?

The MLB and MLBPA are teaming up to do what they can during the coronavirus pandemic ... donating a HUGE amount of money to put food on the table for thousands of people in need.

Of course, President Trump has declared a national emergency as a result of the spreading infection ... with many being told to stay home from work and unable to provide for their families.

MLB and the Players Association are looking to help those affected by the pandemic ... by shelling out $1 million total to Feeding America and Meals on Wheels.

Commish Rob Manfred released a statement on the decision, saying, "In these difficult times of navigating this pandemic, it is important that we come together as a society to help the most vulnerable members of our communities."

"As an institution, Baseball is extending our commitment to addressing childhood hunger and food availability issues during this crisis."

Feeding America plans to use the donation to help food banks in highly impacted areas ... while Meals on Wheels plans to extend its service to senior citizens in need.

The best receiver in the NFL was just traded ... for a 28-year-old running back!?!?

Yup, that just happened ... DeAndre Hopkins was sent packing from the Texans to the Cardinals for David Johnson -- and it's got everybody wondering, WHAT THE HELL IS BILL O'BRIEN DOING?!

The stud receiver -- a 27-year-old, 3-time All-Pro who was on a VERY team-friendly deal -- was traded along with a 4th-round pick just minutes into the league's legal tampering window Monday.

And, in return, O'Brien's Texans reportedly received Johnson, a 2nd-rounder this year and a fourth-rounder next year ... and the move is being universally panned on social media.

As for why ... if you're unfamiliar, Johnson has just 1,308 rushing yards in the last 3 seasons combined -- and was benched last year in Arizona in favor of Kenyan Drake.

Hopkins, meanwhile, has recorded at least 96 catches and 1,165 receiving yards in each of the past 3 years.

Yeah, not a great look for the Texans!!

Also, you'll recall ... O'Brien was the architect behind the trades that cost the Texans two first-round picks (in the Laremy Tunsil swap), and JaDeveon Clowney this past season.

Did the NBA coronavirus suspension just breathe life into a possible NBA return for Kevin Durant?!?!

Sorry, Brooklyn Nets fans ... it sounds like the answer to that question is a big, fat NOPE ... 'cause KD's right-hand man, Rich Kleiman, says a summer return from his Achilles injury is "not very realistic."

Of course, the 31-year-old superstar went down with the injury in the NBA Finals last June ... and KD hasn't played a minute of NBA basketball since.

With the entire Association coming to a screeching halt last week due to the coronavirus outbreak, many fans -- especially in BK -- speculated the suspension could be a blessing in disguise for Durant.

But, KD's longtime business partner, Rich Kleiman, put an end to the speculation on Monday ... telling ESPN the chances are slim he suits up in time for a potential playoff push for the 7th-seed Nets.

"Honestly, not very realistic from my standpoint, and not even spoken about," Kleiman told "Golic & Wingo."

At the time, KD was given a 12-month rehab timeline ... which would time up perfectly with the league's potential return date.

Regardless, Kleiman says don't hold your breath.

"It feels like (playing this season) clearly was not something that was in the cards prior to all this."

"And, now, I think just like the rest of the world, it's hard to take anything more than day by day."

Kleiman says the next step is figuring out the best place for KD to rehab while following the CDC's new recommendations ... which suggests no gatherings of more than 50 people.

Tyrann Mathieu is going to bat for Derrick Henry ... roasting the Tennessee Titans for choosing to sign Ryan Tannehill to a longterm deal instead of paying the workhorse RB.

"Damn they paid the QB but the RB who made the QB job 75% lighter he don’t get no love," the Honey Badger said Monday. "Boy it’s cold."

The Titans inked Tannehill to a monster deal Sunday ... agreeing to terms on a 4-year, $118 MILLION extension -- but chose not to pay Henry with a big contract as well.

Instead, the team will reportedly place the franchise tag on Derrick ... guaranteeing him only roughly $12 million for 2020.

It ain't exactly pennies ... but for comparison, Ezekiel Elliott -- who Henry outrushed last season by nearly 200 yards -- will make $15 mil next season with plenty more guaranteed for the following years.

"Thank god that man come from a good family," Mathieu said of Henry.

Of course, Tennessee can still get a longterm deal done with Derrick eventually this offseason ... although it seems unlikely, considering how paying RBs have worked out for NFL teams the past few years (sorry, Rams, Falcons and Cardinals).

Here's a challenge for you ...

Try watching this awesome video of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc surprising his mom with a brand new car for her birthday -- and DON'T think about coronavirus!

It's impossible!! But, we'll try ...

LeBlanc's story is amazing -- he was an undrafted free agent who was cut by 3 teams before catching on with the Eagles. He's growing into a stud cornerback and will probably sign a big contract one day, but he ain't exactly drippin' in cash yet.

Still, he decided to treat his mom to a brand new Jaguar for her birthday -- and made sure his friends and fam were standing by to catch the action!

But, all we can think about is ... SOCIAL DISTANCING!! Don't hug! Air high-fives maybe!?!

Make sure to wipe down the inside of the car before Mama gets inside!!!

Of course, LeBlanc's mom was THRILLED over the gift -- saying, "Thank you, Lord!"

25-year-old LeBlanc is obviously close with his mom. His father passed away when he was only a sophomore in high school.

"You deserve the world and much more," LeBlanc wrote on social media ... "I know we have been thru a lot and I'm here to relieve some of dat pain. enjoy ya new ride."