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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley -- who said he'd rather die than get the vaccine -- tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday ... and is expected to miss at least 10 days before returning to the team.

The news became official just minutes ago ... with the Bills placing Beasley on the COVID-19/Reserve list.

Beasley -- who is unvaccinated, obviously -- returned a positive test, and is now sidelined for the Bills' big game against the Patriots.

Of course, Cole has been as passionate as they come on his decision to not get the jab -- back in June, Beasley went on a social media rant ... calling out everyone from the NFLPA to fans on Twitter.

"Hi, I'm Cole Beasley and I'm not vaccinated!" the 32-year-old said at the time. "I will be outside doing what I do. I'll be out in the public. If you're scared of me then steer clear or get vaccinated. Point. Blank. Period."

"I may die of Covid, but I’d rather die actually living."

Beasley's decision to not get vaccinated even drew criticism from Mavs owner, Mark Cuban, who pled with the slot wideout to get vaxxed for the sake of everyone else.

"Cole's a good guy, but, you know, getting vaccinated isn't just about you, it's about everybody else as well," Cuban said.

Despite Cuban's advice, Cole -- who already had to quarantine earlier this summer after coming into close contact with a trainer who tested positive for the virus -- doesn't seem like he's changing his mind anytime soon.

'The 1619 Project' is celebrated, debated and, for some, hated ... and that's partly why its creator has written a couple of sequels, of sorts -- works she's urging her most fervent critics to simply read before tearing it apart.

Nikole Hannah-Jones, who developed '1619' for the NYT, has turned her long-form journalistic endeavor from a magazine series into a book collection ... and she came on "TMZ Live" to dissect why she thinks the concept alone pisses off so many, especially on the right.

If you're unfamiliar, '1619' theorizes our nation's foundation traces back to that year -- instead of 1776 -- when African slaves were first brought here, and explains how the slave trade continued to impact American politics and economics for centuries.

Now, back to the original question ... what is it that makes people so angry that it influences them inside voting booths???

In NHJ's eyes, their fury pretty much boils down to propaganda, and oftentimes, ignorance ... much in the same way critical race theory is often confused or mischaracterized by people who have no sense of what it really is. Something that was on display during Virginia's gubernatorial race this year.

Nikole says the strongest critics of the 1619 Project often haven't even read it -- so they don't understand what they're arguing against. But, if they'd simply absorb the material, they'd probably learn something valuable ... even if they walked away still disagreeing, an outcome she says she'd accept, knowing it was at least considered.

Her latest books, "The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story" and "The 1619 Project: Born on the Water" are already on the NYT Bestsellers List.

Luka Doncic may be a Dallas Maverick, but he's clearly never forgotten where he's come from -- 'cause he just sent a bunch of gifts to kids at a hospital in his Slovenian hometown.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the NBA All-Star just directed a special delivery to the Children's Hospital of the University Medical Center Ljubljana -- surprising almost 200 kids with all kinds of goodies to brighten up their holidays.

The shipment was filled with toys -- like LEGOS and dollhouses -- as well as headphones, Jordan sportswear, and gift cards.

We're told Luka also sent each kid an autographed photo and a sweet note from the NBA star ... plus he recorded a video message that everyone got to watch from their hospital bed.

"These children are going through so much," Luka said in a statement. "I just hope this gives them a little bit of happiness during these difficult times."

"I hope they feel better soon, so they can get back to doing what they love. I'm thinking of them and I wish the children and their families a happy New Year in 2022."

Of course, this isn't the first time Doncic has given back to his Slovenian roots ... in 2020, he launched a program with Slovenian athletes Jaka Bijol and Robert Kristan to help the country's healthcare system during the pandemic.

The 22-year-old has also donated to the city of Dallas during the pandemic -- gifting 100 pairs of Jordans to healthcare workers at UT's Southwestern Medical Center.

Doncic also partnered up with Mark Cuban, Dwight Powell and the Mavs' Foundation to donate $500k to the same medical center and Parkland Hospital.

Blac Youngsta is either clueless or he's gonna have a wave of hate coming his way from Young Dolph fans after posing next to a tomb with the late rapper's name on it in a new music video.

Youngsta -- who was a known enemy of Dolph -- released the video for his song "Im Assuming" Monday, filmed almost entirely in a cemetery. While it's very brief, around the 1-minute-mark of the video, you see the last name Thornton on the tomb he's rapping in front of ... Dolph's real name was Adolph Thornton Jr.

While the song's lyrics don't seem to directly talk about Dolph's death, they're certainly violent -- "I been a street n**** that murder s*** ... I'm on the verge, 'bout to purge with the young n*****. They stackin' bodies."

Blac Youngsta and Young Dolph had a very nasty history, back in 2017 BY turned himself in to cops investigating a Dolph shooting in Charlotte ... and he was also named a person of interest when Dolph was shot in L.A. later that year.

Charges against BY in the Charlotte case -- where more than 100 rounds were fired into an SUV Dolph was traveling in -- were dropped for lack of evidence.

Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian are officially a bi-coastal couple -- doing date nights in New York and breakfasts in California ... as evidenced in new photos.

We've obtained pics of Kim and Pete taken Tuesday morning at the Fountain Coffee Room in the Beverly Hills Hotel and looking like they just rolled out of bed. We're told the pics were taken around 7:30 AM PT, so it would seem they're both early risers.

Even more interesting, Pete's in town with Christmas only a few days away. It's unclear what his holiday plans are exactly -- we've been told Kim is going to be with her kids -- but his presence suggests ... maybe he'll stick around for Santa???

Of course, he could fly back to the East Coast in a flash if he wanted, but the fact he dropped in, even if it ends up being brief, just goes to show -- these two are quite serious.

The breakfast outing follows their very public date on Staten Island over the weekend ... where Kim and Pete rented out a private theater all for themselves, but not before being spotted by a ton of other moviegoers, who were snapping pics of them like crazy.

Danielle Bush -- a dancer for the Utah Jazz -- got the surprise of a lifetime during Monday night's game ... when she got an epic marriage proposal during her on-court routine!

The amazing and romantic moment went down at the Hornets vs. Jazz game, when the Utah dancers were performing during a break.

In the video, you can see Danielle and the rest of the team were hitting synchronized moves, when suddenly, the routine changed and Danielle had no idea what was happening.

A few seconds later, though, her boyfriend popped out with a ring ... and asked her to marry him!

Danielle said "yes" as Bruno Mars' "Marry You" played over the speakers ... and it was all super sweet.

The dancers provided background moves while the whole thing went down ... making the whole thing all the more magical.

Amazing moment -- congrats!!

Prosecutors tell TMZ Sports they believe Aldon Smith was driving with a BAC of greater than .20 before he was arrested for a DUI earlier this month.

Smith was booked back on Dec. 6 after cops say he had driven drunk in San Mateo County and then got involved in a two-car accident -- and, on Monday, prosecutors formally filed charges against the 32-year-old over it all.

Court documents show Smith was hit with two felony DUI charges ... and, in the docs, prosecutors revealed they believe Smith was HEAVILY intoxicated at the time of the incident.

In the docs, prosecutors say Smith had a BAC of greater than .15 ... and when we spoke with the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office on Monday afternoon, a spokesperson told us they believe Smith actually had a BAC of greater than .20.

The DA spokesperson noted they're waiting on further test results to reveal the final number. Of course, the legal limit in California is .08.

Prosecutors also allege in the docs that Smith had an open container of booze in his car at the time of the crash ... and they also claim he had weed in an open container in the vehicle as well. They added that the other person involved in the accident suffered minor injuries.

Smith is facing up to three years in prison if he's convicted on the charges, prosecutors say. He's due in court for a hearing on the matter on Tuesday morning.

We've reached out to Smith's attorney for comment, but so far, no word back yet.

As for Smith's NFL career ... he balled out for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, but he's currently a free agent after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks before the 2021 season began.

A Miami Airport cop saw things quickly spin out of his control during a struggle with a traveler ... getting so bad, the officer was forced to pull his gun to get the guy to back off.

Check out the video, you see the man and the cop tied up -- with the cop seemingly on the losing end -- before he's able to break free. After distancing himself from the man, the officer pulls his gun, pointing it at his aggressor and getting things under control.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, officers were called to the gate after an "unruly passenger" named Gregorio Serranopaca, jumped in front of an airport golf cart, snatched the keys and sat on the hood, demanding to speak to a supervisor.

Serranopaca was allegedly pissed he had missed a chartered flight, and took it out on other staffers.

Once cops arrived, things escalated, triggering a large brawl between cops and Serranopaca. At one point, you see another man, Alberto Yanez Suarez, attempt to pull officers off of Serranopaca.

After being struck several times, the officer then backs away, pulling his gun and getting things under control.

Lawrence Taylor is fighting back in his sex offender case ... the NFL legend has pled not guilty to two felony charges, TMZ Sports has learned.

Court records show Taylor, through his attorney, submitted the pleas on Monday afternoon.

"Lawrence has pled not guilty and we will be working with the prosecutors on the case for a full dismissal," one of Taylor's lawyers, Arthur Aidala, tells us.

"There was some confusion as to Lawrence’s home address that has since been rectified."

As we previously reported, LT -- arguably the greatest New York Giant ever -- was arrested on Dec. 16 in Florida ... and ultimately charged with two felony counts of failure to register as a sexual offender.

Further details surrounding the case and the arrest have yet to be revealed, but Aidala said the day after Taylor was booked that it was all a big misunderstanding.

"Mr. Taylor was constantly a resident of the marital home where he was registered, but on advice of local law enforcement he was sleeping outside the home," Aidala said.

"We are confident that this will be dismissed at the first court hearing."

Even when Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson look like they're going to the movies like a normal couple, there's nothing average about it ... not when they're renting out the joint for themselves.

If it wasn't clear before, things are definitely heating up between these 2, and there seems to be a common theme when they're in his neck of the woods -- Pete loves taking Kim to places he's gone his whole life.

Jesse Scarola, who owns Atrium Stadium Cinemas on Staten Island -- site of Kim and Pete's most recent date night -- says the lovebirds rented out a private screen to watch "House of Gucci."

Scarola tells us Pete hits the spot at least once a month with friends ... although, it was a slightly different experience with Kim, as her security team called ahead to make sure it was cool for the couple to enter through a side door.

Despite making a low-key entrance, Scarola says Kim and Pete chatted with staff and fans -- like PD usually does -- and they even took pics with folks. Point is, we're told Kim made an effort to get to know people at her BF's neighborhood theater.

As we reported, Kim, Pete and Scott Disick all hit Atrium Saturday for movie night just hours before 'SNL' started. Unclear if Scott originally planned to watch Pete in action at 30 Rock before the show was scaled back, but he was at least able to tag along for the flick.

As you know, Kim started seeing Pete a couple of months ago. She'd filed for divorce from her Kanye West back in February.

Diddy is the proud owner of his clothing brand again -- being reunited with his Sean John line after buying it out of bankruptcy for a steal.

The rap mogul won the rights to Sean John after a bidding war with 4 other parties ... claiming it for about $7.5 million, cash. The deal will be finalized this week, barring any objections -- and safe to say, the guy's pretty excited about it.

He tells TMZ ... "I launched Sean John in 1998 with the goal of building a premium brand that shattered tradition and introduced Hip Hop to high-fashion on a global scale."

Diddy adds, "Seeing how streetwear has evolved to rewrite the rules of fashion and impact culture across categories, I’m ready to reclaim ownership of the brand, build a team of visionary designers and global partners to write the next chapter of Sean John’s legacy."

Like we told you ... the SJ line fell into bankruptcy recently under management firm GBG USA Inc., which had owned 90%. When word of its assets being up for grabs reached Mr. Combs, he'd expressed interest in gaining control once again, especially considering how cheap it was going for earlier this month.

Connor Smith -- who once appeared on MTV's "Are You the One?" -- was arrested in Indiana for raping and brutally assaulting a 16-year-old girl ... according to local authorities.

Cops in Cook County Illinois busted Smith on multiple charges last week -- including a count of rape, sexual battery and two counts of criminal confinement ... and the narrative spelled out in the arrest affidavit is insane.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, the unidentified teen told cops she was kidnapped out of her room back in July after going to visit family members in Indiana. She initially said she'd exchanged Snapchat info with someone selling a cat, and gave them the address of the home where she was staying.

The alleged victim told police, that evening ... a man ripped open her bedroom window screen, yanked her out of the room, threw her into his truck and drove to a motel while sexually assaulting her. In later interviews, she said she'd actually linked with the alleged attacker on a dating app, and voluntarily snuck out to meet him.

In any case, once she met him in the truck she says she "immediately had a bad feeling" ... and he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex while driving to the motel, slapping and choking her multiple times, urinating on her in the motel room and forcing oral sex again.

Once he was finished, the teen claims he drove her back to her home and allegedly told her he'd be back the following night to pick her up again. When they pulled into her neighborhood, cops say her family was out front looking for her ... and as soon as they saw the truck, they all gave chase.

The alleged victim was able to escape, but the witnesses got enough info on the vehicle to relay to cops ... who then pinned it to Smith, who had appeared on the MTV show back in 2015.

The NHL will pause its season on Wednesday ... as the league scrambles to figure out ways to manage the COVID outbreak it's currently experiencing.

The NHL released a joint statement with the NHLPA on Monday explaining the decision ... postponing games this week to try to get the surge in coronavirus cases to slow down through the holidays.

"Under the revised schedule," the league announced, "Dec. 22, Dec. 23, Dec. 24, and Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) shall be off days for all purposes -- including travel."

Of course, this announcement has been brewing for a few days ... as COVID cases continue to spike, not just in the hockey league but in the NFL and NBA as well.

As of this week, 11 NHL teams have suspended operations and 49 total games have been postponed, including the games affected by the pause starting Wednesday, according to a report by ESPN.

There's more -- the NHL also reintroduced stricter protocols this week for players ... which means more rigorous testing (daily, instead of once every three days), social distancing measures, and restrictions on where players can go when they're not playing.

"Players will report back to their Clubs on Dec. 26, which shall be used for testing, practice and/or travel only," the league's statement said.

"Upon return from the Holiday Break to team facilities, no individual in the team’s Traveling Party shall enter the facility (other than for testing purposes) until they have a negative test result. "

Britney Spears' lawyer says it is an "abomination" her father is asking for even more money now that the conservatorship has been terminated and reports have surfaced alleging the conservatorship was one big money grab.

Mathew Rosengart issued a blistering statement -- "The conservatorship has been terminated and Mr. Spears was suspended ignominiously. Under the circumstances, his petition is not only legally meritless. It is an abomination. Britney poignantly testified about the pain her father caused her and this only adds to it. This is not what a father who loves his daughter does."

Jamie Spears filed legal docs to make Britney's estate pay for his legal fees in winding down the conservatorship, asking that it be paid in a "prompt" fashion.

This all comes on the heels of a blistering report by the New York Times, alleging, among many other things, Jamie received a $40,000 loan from Britney's then business manager, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment early on. According to the NYT, Jamie received $6 million from Britney's estate, while Tri Star benefited to the tune of untold millions.

The report also claims the estate paid for a security company that surveilled members of the #FreeBritney movement who went after Jamie and Tri Star and its owner, Lou Taylor.

And the NYT reports Tri Star donated tens of thousands of dollars from Britney's charitable foundation to a Christian counseling group ... a group in which Taylor was associated.

And, the allegations go on ... that Britney's estate paid for advertisements touting Tri Star and Taylor.

As we previously reported, Tri Star was receiving a percentage of Britney's earnings, which for many years were sky-high. When she stopped performing, Tri Star asked Jamie to approve a minimum guarantee of $500,000 which we're told Jamie approved. This drew heavy criticism because the concept of getting a percentage is that you take the good with the bad.

Jamie's lawyer, Alex Weingarten, has said all expenditures were made with the approval of the court or Britney's court-appointed lawyer, saying, "Jamie has nothing to hide and will therefore hide nothing."

Lil Durk and his soon-to-be Mrs. are living large on the heels of their mid-concert engagement, flying to Aspen for a little last-minute Christmas shopping ... at Louis Vuitton.

The couple was draped in designer clothing for their holiday shopping spree -- Lil Durk wore a blue Chanel jumpsuit, and his new fiancée, India Royale, had on Chanel earmuffs.

But, all that stuff was overshadowed, almost literally, by the new huge diamond on India's left hand!!!

The Colorado getaway comes right after the rapper got down on bended knee during his Saturday night performance in their hometown of Chicago.

He'd brought India, his longtime girlfriend, out on stage to pop the question -- saying, "You've been the realest to me ... Do you wanna be my wife?"

Of course, the crowd ate it up, and later India posted about the engagement -- "I said 'Yes.' #issafiancé".

She was also sure to show off her new sparkling oval-shaped rock, and so did her jeweler. Can't blame 'em ... the thing is freakin' impressive!!!

India and Durk have been together since 2017, and they have a daughter, Willow, together.

A vacant lot next to one of Beyonce's childhood homes is up for sale in Houston... and of course, the sellers are making it all about Bey to try and push the property.

The piece of land, located on Rosedale Street in Houston, is right next to the house where Beyonce spent her early years. The vacant lot was listed for $315k earlier this year but was pulled off-market in November. Interested buyers are still welcome, and there's a number available for them to call and inquire.

We spoke with real estate investor Kevin Wright, who is selling the property, and he tells us that he is asking for an offer close to $315k, but it is negotiable. The lot previously had a home on it, but the house burned down in a fire 4 years ago.

As you can see in photos, realtors are doubling down on the fact Beyonce was the girl next door... even if it was many many years ago. There is a huge sign on the tiny lot -- about a tenth of an acre -- that says "Build On Beyonce's Old Block."

The Knowles family bought their home on the street for $64k in 1981, but moved out before Solange was born in 1986.

It's unclear if they've gotten any offers, but one thing's for sure ... it's bound to attract a Beyhive of attention!!!