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Here's Joe Montana admitting something that must be tough to say ... Tom Brady is the greatest NFL quarterback of all time.

The 49ers legend -- who was widely considered the greatest ever during and after his NFL career -- says TB12's accomplishments are simply better than his.

Montana appeared on ESPN's "First Take" on Wednesday and was asked straight-up if Brady has replaced Joe as the NFL's G.O.A.T.

"Oh, I think Tom has taken his place on the top up there a long time ago," Joe said ... "So, he's had a tremendous career, he's fun to watch."

Joe said he's well aware of the G.O.A.T. debate -- "but if you look at what Tom's been able to accomplish in his time that he's played, I think it puts him definitely up there in the top of the list."

For the record, Montana's resume is pretty damn impressive -- 4 Super Bowl wins, 8 Pro Bowls, 2 NFL MVP awards.

But, Brady ... good lord.

7 Super Bowl championships, 10 Super Bowl appearances, 14 Pro Bowls, 3-time NFL MVP.

And, get this ... Montana's career passing yards -- 40,551.

Cops are on the hunt for a Buccaneers fan who they say robbed and shot a man during a "night of terror" shortly after a Super Bowl party in Tampa last month.

Officials at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office just released video of the suspect ... accusing the man in a Devin White jersey of turning "a night of celebrating into a night of terror."

"We want to find this individual immediately," Sheriff Chad Chronister said Tuesday. "& we are asking anyone who may have seen him the night of the big game to reach out to our detectives."

Cops say at around 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 8 -- just hours after Tampa's win over the Chiefs -- the Bucs fan and one other person offered a man a ride to a nearby Hard Rock Casino after a Super Bowl party.

The problem ... according to cops, the two men stopped the car on the way to the casino, ordered him out of the ride at gunpoint, and demanded he give them his jewelry.

Cops say the suspect in the White jersey then shot the man after he handed over the valuables. Officials claim the two men then fled the scene.

Fortunately, cops say the alleged victim is recovering ... but they're now releasing video hoping it leads to the arrest of one of the suspects.

In the footage, the man wanted by cops -- clearly sporting a jersey of the Bucs' best linebacker -- has a long beard and a black hat with light blue/grey jeans.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is sounding off on Gov. Greg Abbott -- saying his decision to drop Texas' COVID mask mandate is "ignorant" and dangerous.

"It's a mystifying decision," Coach Pop said Tuesday night in a pre-game presser before his Spurs beat down the visiting NY Knicks.

"Of course [restaurants and businesses] want to open up but getting rid of masks just seems ignorant to me."

Earlier in the day, Gov. Abbott announced he will "open Texas 100%" beginning on March 10 -- which means he will end the state's mask mandate and allow restaurants and other businesses to operate at 100% capacity.

"Too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities," Abbott said ... "Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills. This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100%."

Pop says Abbott's decision will obviously result in more COVID cases -- which means more death.

"When all of a sudden we act like [the pandemic] is over with -- when all of the science tells us the opposite -- it's basically like you're saying, 'You get infected? You die? That's the way it goes. We gotta open up!'

Investigators in the Tiger Woods crash have obtained a search warrant to pull the "black box" from the SUV the golfer wrecked on Feb. 23 ... but it's still very unlikely he'll be charged with a crime.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. confirmed the warrant to USA Today -- but insisted it was a "routine part" of a typical crash investigation and does not make it any more likely officials will hit the 45-year-old with criminal charges.

A car's black box usually contains information about the vehicle's speed at the time of a collision. It can also show if brakes were applied, airbags were deployed, seatbelts were worn, etc.

“We’re trying to determine if a crime was committed,” Sheriff’s Deputy John Schloegl told USA Today ... "If somebody is involved in a traffic collision, we’ve got to reconstruct the traffic collision, if there was any reckless driving, if somebody was on their cell phone or something like that."

"We determine if there was a crime. If there was no crime, we close out the case, and it was a regular traffic collision."

Sheriff Alex Villanueva previously said Tiger will NOT face criminal charges -- and suggested the worst thing that could happen is Woods gets hit with an infraction if investigators determined he was driving while distracted.

"We do not contemplate any charges whatsoever in this crash," Villanueva said last week ... "This remains an accident. An accident is not a crime."

Both Villanueva and Schloegl have said there is no evidence to support the theory Tiger was impaired while he was behind the wheel on Feb. 23 ... which is why officials never made a concentrated effort to obtain a blood sample.

Woods was severely injured in the wreck -- requiring major surgery to repair multiple fractures in his right leg.

If Gisele had it her way, the Super Bowl would have been Tom Brady's last ride ... 'cause the QB says his supermodel wife urged him to retire after the game, saying, "What more do you have to prove?"

Brady said the moment all went down just seconds after Tampa Bay won the championship ... explaining on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" those were some of the first words she told him after the big victory.

"We were looking for my family," Brady said of the minutes following the Super Bowl's final whistle. "I said, 'Where's my family? Where's my family?' All of a sudden, I see my oldest son run over to me."

"'Dad!' You know? I gave him a big hug. And I saw my two little ones. And then all of a sudden, I saw my wife and I gave her a big hug. And just as I did it, she says, 'What more do you have to prove?'"

43-year-old Tom said he didn't really respond to his wife's question ... adding with a smile, "I was trying to figure out a way to change the subject really quick."

"I think I moved on to something else pretty quickly."

Of course, it's no secret Gisele has wanted Tom to walk away from football for a while now ... just a couple years ago in 2018, she famously told Ellen DeGeneres she hadn't been successful in swaying him to hang up the spikes.

Tom, though, appears to have no ideas of shutting things down after his 7th Super Bowl title despite his wife's wishes ... 'cause everyone in Tampa is expecting him back for year #22 in next season.

Vanessa Bryant is opening up about her life after the deaths of Kobe and Gianna -- admitting, "This pain is unimaginable [but] you just have to get up and push forward."

"Lying in bed crying isn't going to change the fact that my family will never be the same again," Vanessa told People.com ... "But getting out of bed and pushing forward is going to make the day better for my girls and for me. So that's what I do."

Vanessa has kept very busy in the year after Kobe and 13-year-old Gianna passed away in that tragic helicopter crash -- taking the reigns on various projects Kobe had been working on in both entertainment and charity.

She worked with author Ivy Claire to complete Kobe's novel for young adults, "Epoca: The River of Sand" -- which dropped back in December.

And, she's been a force with Kobe's non-profit organization -- relaunching it as the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, with the mission of helping "underserved athletes and women in sports."

Vanessa says Kobe and Gianna serve as her inspiration to "keep going" -- "They inspire me to try harder and be better every day. Their love is unconditional and they motivate me in so many different ways."

Now, as Vanessa moves forward with her 3 daughters -- 18-year-old Natalia, 4-year-old Bianka and 1-year-old Capri -- she leans on her family to "give me strength."

Tyrod Taylor says the punctured lung he suffered before a game last September has NOT had any lasting impact on his health ... and now, he tells TMZ Sports he's ready for free agency.

You'll recall ... Taylor was the starting QB for the Chargers until Sept. 20 -- when team doctors botched a painkiller injection and injured his lung just minutes before kickoff against the Chiefs.

31-year-old Taylor was rushed to the hospital ... but the injury put him out for so long, star rookie Justin Herbert took the signal-caller reins and never gave them back.

It was unclear if Taylor was dealing with any long-term damage from the injury ... but when we got the QB out in West Hollywood on Tuesday, he told us he's 100% good to go.

"Everything good," Taylor said ... adding, "I'm healthy, bro!"

As for his football future, Taylor's a free agent this offseason ... and when he talked to us outside of Toast in WeHo, he didn't appear to be a man gearing up to head back to the Bolts.

But, Tyrod did say he won't be picky when it comes to his next football destination ... saying, "I'm ready either way."

Greg McDermott -- head coach of the 14th-ranked Creighton University men's basketball team -- is pleading for forgiveness days after using the word “plantation” in a post-game speech.

Following Creighton’s 77-69 loss to Xavier on Saturday, McDermott admits he made the following statement to his squad ... "Guys, we got to stick together. We need both feet in. I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can't have anybody leave the plantation."

Yeah ... not a good look.

Now, McDermott -- head coach at CU since 2010 and dad of NBA player Doug McDermott -- is apologizing for the “terribly inappropriate analogy” in a statement posted on his social media page.

“On February 27th, after an emotionally tough loss on the road, I addressed our student-athletes and staff in the postgame locker room and used a terribly inappropriate analogy in making a point about staying together as a team despite the loss."

That's when McDermott says he uttered the racially insensitive analogy.

The head coach says he knew right away that he screwed up.

"I immediately recognized my egregious mistake and quickly addressed my use of such insensitive words with the team. I have never used that analogy and it is not indicative of who I am as a person or as a coach."

"I am deeply sorry. I have apologized to our student-athletes and to our staff, as well as to President Hendrickson and Director of Athletics Bruce Rasmussen."

Creighton -- currently 2nd place in the Big East -- has had a great year on the floor ... with wins over teams like Villanova and Seton Hall.

James Harden's jersey will hang alongside Hakeem, Drexler and Yao Ming's one day ... with Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta announcing the team will "absolutely" retire its former superstar's #13 in the future.

Of course, the two sides had a nasty, public breakup earlier this season ... with the former MVP forcing a trade out of H-Town.

But, Fertitta is considering it water under the bridge ... telling the Houston Chronicle the Rockets WILL recognize the Brooklyn Nets guard with the highest honor eventually.

"James Harden will always be a Rocket," Fertitta said Tuesday. "Of course, we will retire his jersey. He made my first three years of owning this franchise unforgettable."

"The success he brought this franchise over eight years and the memories he created for our fan base/community (are) truly remarkable."

There's no debating Harden was one of the best players in the league during his 8+ seasons in Houston -- he had 3 scoring titles, 6 1st Team All-NBA nods and an MVP in 2018.

The 31-year-old led the Rockets to the playoffs each season with the Rockets ... making it to the Western Conference Finals twice.

Harden will become the franchise's 7th player to receive the honor when it happens.

Jake Paul is firing back at Canelo Alvarez for kicking 2 of the YouTube star's fans out of the ring during his post-fight interview on Saturday ... calling the champion an "old hater" who's ducking the real competition.

Of course, Canelo and Jake have had a beef brewing for months ... with the 30-year-old boxer saying the Paul brothers are disrespecting the sport of boxing.

The feud reached new levels when fans -- donning Jake and Ben Askren's faces on their shirts -- invaded the ring after Alvarez's dominant win over Avni Yildirim ... with Canelo telling them to "get the f*** out."

Jake is now speaking out about the incident ... and while he's not saying whether he knew about the prank beforehand, he's mad at how Alvarez handled the situation.

"Canelo, what's your problem, bro?! Why you hate me so much?!," Jake said on Tuesday.

"Canelo's mad. He has this thing against me. Said I'm bad for the sport. I'm disrespecting it, which doesn't make sense at all."

"I'm actually just bringing more eyeballs, more awareness to the sport of boxing. But since Canelo, you wanted to start this beef, let's do it!"

Jake goes on to say Canelo isn't the true pound-for-pound fighter in the world ... claiming he's hiding from real competition.

"Why not fight Caleb Plant? David Benavidez? BooBoo Andrade? You're ducking them. You're ducking them, Canelo! You're an old hater, that's what you are."

But, Canelo ain't the only boxing superstar going after Paul -- heavyweight champ Tyson Fury also had some words for Jake, seemingly trying to get him to fight his little brother, Tommy Fury.

Paul has some words for the Gypsy King as well ... saying he likes the guy and wants no beef -- but Tommy is a different story.

"If Tyson Fury took a s**t, it would be his little brother."

J.J. Watt might not have to find a new number in Arizona after all ...

Marshall Goldberg's daughter, Ellen Goldberg Tullos, tells TMZ Sports ... she would have no issue unretiring the #99 for the newest Cardinals star.

In fact, Tullos says she believes her dad would have been honored for Watt to wear his old digits in Arizona.

"He has my blessings," Tullos said of Watt, "and I'm sure my father would be more than delighted for him to carry it on."

If you're unfamiliar ... Goldberg -- who was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1939 NFL Draft by the then-Chicago Cardinals -- was a superstar in the league in the 1940s.

He played both ways ... and was considered such a legend by the Cards, they retired his #99 decades after he hung up his spikes.

He was later inducted into the team's ring of honor in 2006 ... just months after he died at age 88.

Many believed because of all that, Watt would not have the opportunity to stick with his old Texans digits in AZ ... but Tullos tells us if the 5-time All-Pro wants to keep the number, the Goldberg family would be all for it.

"Well, I know dad was really honored when they retired his number but also he's always respected other players," Tullos said. "And, if J.J. Watt had the number 99 with him for a long time and it meant something to him, I think he'd be delighted to let him use the number and unretire or whatever the proper word would be."

Tullos continued, "He would be fine with that. It's just the type of guy he was, you know? I think he would be happy to let him use his number and honored with that as well."

Watt agreed to a two-year deal with the Cardinals worth a reported $31 million on Monday morning. The 5-time Pro Bowler is expected to be introduced by the team later this month, though it's unclear when the team will officially assign him his number for the 2021 season.

Great news for Formula One driver Fernando Alonso -- the 2-time champ says he's ready to return to the track ... just 3 weeks after breaking his jaw in a gnarly cycling accident.

The 39-year-old racing star was road cycling in Switzerland last month when he was hit by a car that was attempting to turn into a supermarket parking lot.

Alonso was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors performed surgery to repair a fracture to his upper jaw.

Now, just 3 weeks later ... Alonso says he's ready to get back behind the wheel of his race car to compete in the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28.

Before the accident, Alonso hadn't competed in an F1 race since 2018 -- and was excited to get back on the track.

"I feel great and in the best shape I’ve ever been before both physically and mentally," Alonso told media Tuesday.

"I’ve been preparing myself for this comeback for quite a while now and I have a fresh motivation. I’m ready!"

Alonso insists his preparation and his overall fitness level are still top-notch -- despite the damage to his mouth.

Alpine F1 Team CEO Laurent Rossi also spoke about Alonso's recovery at the team's car launch on Tuesday .. saying he fully expects FA to compete right off the bat.

"He had a bad accident. A bike accident is rarely something that goes easy, but he was lucky, and he ended up only suffering from his jaw."

"So besides the necessary surgery and care on his jaw, the rest is totally fine. Fernando is completely fit. He is totally operational."

Alonso has been training like crazy following the crash ... and has posted updates of his own via Instagram.

"We are even surprised that he's recovered so quickly," Rossi added. "He confirmed to us almost immediately after the incident that he will be here in Bahrain, which has been confirmed with his doctors."

Brandon Marshall says Jerry Jones would be crazy to dump Dak Prescott for Russell Wilson ... telling TMZ Sports straight-up, "The grass isn't always greener on the other side."

"Dallas, you have your guy," the former NFL star receiver says. "Pay him! Let the world know he is the guy!"

Dallas is one of only four teams Wilson's agent said the QB would accept a trade to ... and, because of the ongoing contract feud with Prescott, many have wondered if the 'Boys would consider a 1-for-1 QB swap.

Marshall -- who played with Wilson in 2018 -- says if he were running the team, though ... that trade would be a big no for him, explaining, "To me, you have your guy."

"Continue to build your team around [Dak]," Marshall said. "You know, the grass isn't always greener on the other side because you don't know Russ' style and how he operates and how he moves."

Instead of Dallas, Marshall says the much better fits for Russ are back in Seattle ... or with New Orleans or Las Vegas.

But, if Seattle does ultimately deal Wilson ... the 'Hawks will likely get a bunch of draft picks in return -- and Marshall could have some big-time insight into who would be good fits there.

Marshall's House of Athlete is putting on an NFL scouting combine later this week ... where Brandon will get an up-close look at how tons of top prospects test for scouts.

PUT HIM IN THE DUNK CONTEST!!!

Here's NFL superstar Tyreek Hill lighting up a high school gym in Miami like he's a young Nate Robinson ... and the video is awesome!!

The 5'10" wideout celebrated his 27th birthday on Monday by hitting some VERY IMPRESSIVE acrobatic dunks -- including a 360 and a windmill!!!

Yeah, we know he can run ... but Cheetah can JUMP OUT THE GYM!!

After the dunk show, Hill played some pickup and flexed his hops all over the court -- while casually knocking down 3 pointers.

Look, this is just another example of Hill's freak athletic ability -- the guy is just built different.

It appears Hill played a little basketball in high school -- but his main focus was on track and football.

And yeah, that worked out for him ... but it makes you wonder how good of a hooper could Hill have been if he focused on basketball growing up?

Say goodbye to Johnny Football ... and say hello to Johnny FOOOOOREball -- 'cause Johnny Manziel says he's pursuing a career as a professional golfer!!!

The 28-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner revealed he's devoting the next 12 years of his life to golf ... in hopes of eventually making a PGA Tour event.

"I’m gonna grind this out and see how good I can get and see if I can’t enter in some tournaments, and see if I can’t try and go play professional golf eventually," Manziel said on Chris Long's "Green Light" Podcast.

"I think it is a very uphill battle, but that’s what I’m setting for my goals. I have 12 years to try and make a PGA Tour event."

Of course, Manziel is currently the QB for the Fan Controlled Football's Zappers ... but says it's just for fun, there's no plan to get back to the NFL.

As for golf, Manziel says he's been playing casually his whole life and wants to step his game up to the next level. Don't forget, when Johnny is locked in and focused, he's one of the most talented athletes in the world.

JM says he's a "work in progress" on the links -- and claims his current handicap is a 0 or a 1 ... which is certainly nothing to scoff at.

Johnny wouldn't be the first former Heisman to switch careers after stints in the NFL -- Tim Tebow most recently went from the gridiron to the baseball diamond before retiring last month.

The little girl injured in the Britt Reid car wreck likely has permanent brain damage and will be confined to a wheelchair for the foreseeable future, her family lawyer says.

The attorney for the family of 5-year-old Ariel Young appeared on "Good Morning America" with an update on her health ... and it's not great.

Attorney Tom Porto explained she's awake from her coma but has suffered very serious injuries that will affect her for the rest of her life.

"She’s awake, which is a huge development,” Porto said ... "She likely has permanent brain damage that she will endure for the rest of her life. She’s not walking -- it’s a sad, sad, sad story."

Porto also released images of the crash scene to ABC News showing Reid's white truck completely smashed in on the front side of the ride. It appears the truck was moving at a high speed when the collision occurred.

Reid -- an assistant coach for the KC Chiefs at the time -- allegedly slammed his truck into two cars that were parked on the side of the road on Feb. 4, badly injuring Ariel Young.

Young's family had driven to the scene to help another family member who was stranded on the side of the road after running out of gas.

All three of the cars involved in the wreck suffered severe damage -- and it's a miracle no one was killed.

As for Ariel Young, Porto says she had a long road ahead of her when it comes to her recovery.

Porto told ABC News the family wants Reid -- son of KC Chiefs head coach Andy Reid -- prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Porto cites a police report in which Reid allegedly admitted to consuming 2 to 3 alcoholic beverages -- and taking the prescription medication Adderall -- before getting behind the wheel that fateful day.

Porto said the family is hoping prosecutors hit Reid with felony DWI charges.