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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are not "officially" dating, at least not yet ... but they are definitely headed in that direction, and the early returns seem promising.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Taylor's appearance at Travis' NFL game Sunday was NOT the first time they were together. We're told they have been together "several times" over the last few months.

While Taylor's show of support was very public, our sources say their person-to-person interactions before Sunday were always in a "very private setting."

Still, it's interesting Taylor is already meeting Travis' parents ... our sources say Sunday marked Taylor's first introduction to TK's mother, Donna, and father, Ed.

As you know, TayTay watched Travis score a touchdown from a suite with his family ... and cameras caught their excitement.

We're told Taylor's time with Donna, Travis' mom, went "very well" ... and that the matriarch calls Taylor "a lovely person."

Taylor has yet to meet Travis' older brother Jason -- sounds like that will have to wait -- he's busy playing for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.

Taylor and Travis smiled for the cameras as they left Arrowhead Stadium together after his Kansas City Chiefs pummeled the Chicago Bears, 41-10 ... leaving in a convertible. We're told they took a shot with some friends before leaving the stadium.

We didn't see any PDA from Taylor and Travis in public, but our sources say they were holding hands at the restaurant he rented out for his family, friends and teammates after the game. At one point Taylor was sitting on Travis' lap.

Taylor fit in well with Travis' friends and family ... she came to the game alone -- bodyguards excepted -- and was chatting up everyone.

Taylor's upcoming tour dates could make a full-blown relationship tricky ... she's about to go back on tour in a few weeks, and then in November she heads out for her tour's international leg. Meanwhile, the NFL will consume Travis' life, potentially through February's Super Bowl.

A pair of tickets to Ford's Theatre on the night of Abraham Lincoln's assassination have sold for an absolute fortune.

The 2 front-row balcony tickets, said to be in very good condition, made $262,500 through RR Auction, which closed the rare lot over the weekend -- they're dated "APR 14, 1865" and specifically say it's for "Ford's Theatre" in Washington, D.C.

Whoever owned the tickets would've been sitting in section D in seats 41 and 42. That would've put them on the opposite side of the theater from Lincoln's balcony seats, and given them an unobstructed view of the former president's assassination.

As you know, John Wilkes Booth -- who was an actor -- used his knowledge of the theater space to sneak into Lincoln's booth during the 3rd act of "Our American Cousin," shooting him in the head right next to First Lady Mary Todd ... days after the Civil War ended.

BTW, there aren't a whole lot of tickets from that fateful night still out there -- one of them is known to be at Harvard’s Houghton Library, and it's only half of the full ticket. The one at Harvard was even used to verify the balcony tickets that sold at auction.

Las Vegas Raiders superstar Chandler Jones claims he was forced into a mental health hospital last week ... and "injected" with a foreign substance.

The 33-year-old NFL player said it all happened after authorities told him "people were concerned about me because of my posts online."

"I answered my front door," Jones said Monday evening on his X page in what appeared to be pictures of recent journal entries, "and a group of 5 to 7 were there to put me in an ambulance where I was later injected and I asked them not to."

The pass rusher -- a two-time All-Pro -- says he was first taken to Southern Hills Hospital, before he was transported to the Seven Hills Behavioral Health Hospital, a treatment facility for those struggling with mental health issues.

"They tried to force me to take meds and injections," he said of his time at the facility.

Jones added that the place was not one for "high-profile athletes."

"My first night I slept on the floor and was not offered a bed," he said ... adding, "I'm still confused on what I did wrong. I'm stuck here. I'm very sane."

In his notes, Jones claims he tried to contact the Raiders "for help," but he's yet to hear back.

He also said he's continuing to work out despite the facility's conditions.

"All I know is whoever put me in here had bad intentions," he said.

Jones has not played for the Raiders this season after he was placed on the non-football illness list following a social media rant earlier this month where he declared that he did not want to play for Vegas anymore.

For the team's part, head coach Josh McDaniels has called the matter "personal" and "private."

A suspected armed robber was fatally shot by police in broad daylight in Arizona ... and the violent encounter was caught on newly-released video.

Ny'Kendreon Pride was wanted for a series of thefts in early August when his hours-long crime spree across Mesa came to a screeching halt.

A U.S Marshals-led task force spotted Pride -- believed to be carrying a handgun -- walking along a busy street.

Surveillance video shows Pride crossing the road and walking down a sidewalk as officers driving in an SUV close in.

One of the cops tosses a flash bang grenade out the window and it blows up near Pride, causing smoke to rise around his feet.

The non-lethal explosive device didn't seem to have its desired effect, which was to disorient Pride, who starts running away.

But he's soon gunned down by a shotgun-wielding detective in the SUV's front passenger seat -- after Pride pulled out what appeared to be a firearm.

Police body cam footage shows Pride dropping dead on the ground from his bullet wounds.

If James Harrison had a vote ... the Steelers legend would NOT be in the Hall of Fame -- the former NFL star tells TMZ Sports he truly doesn't believe his resume is good enough to earn him a bust in Canton one day.

"As far as Hall of Fame, you know, it's a lot of things that goes into that," the five-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion explained this month.

"And I believe numbers is one of those things, you know? And when you look at my numbers, they just don't, for me, they don't equate to what the numbers should be."

Harrison played in the league from 2002 through 2017 -- but he was really only a full-time starter from '07 to '13 ... something he clearly believes will likely prevent him from getting in the Hall.

Still, despite only roughly seven years as a cornerstone defensive piece, Harrison dominated when he was on the field -- earning All-Pro honors twice ... while finishing his career with 84.5 sacks and 811 combined tackles.

In fact, the totals were so good, the Hall of Fame announced earlier this summer that he's one of 173 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Harrison, though, clearly thinks he'll never get the ultimate call to the Hall ... telling us, "That's just how I feel."

But, if it did come, Harrison says he'd be thrilled for the award.

In the meantime, Harrison is going into at least one Hall this season -- the Steelers announced they'll be inducting him into their Hall of Honor later this year ... an accolade he said he's super proud of.

Adele expressed curiosity this weekend about Zak Bagans' haunted museum in the desert -- and the guy heard her loud and clear, 'cause he wants her to swing by for a scream or two ... on the house!

The "Ghost Adventures" star, who's famously obsessed with all things paranormal, caught wind of Adele talking to audience members about his Vegas-area Haunted Museum during one of her recent residency shows ... and he's thrilled about her curiosity.

ICYMI ... Adele was chatting up a guest at her concert, asking what they like to do in Sin City, and sounded awfully interested when they mentioned ZB's spooky tourist attraction.

Zak's museum features a crazy big collection of artifacts that are purported to be haunted. There's also a lot of grim history with the building itself, and the museum's been the subject of one of his shows.

Anyway, Zak tells TMZ he's personally inviting Adele to come to his establishment for a free VIP tour -- and, not just that, she can take him up on a personal séance too if she's so inclined.

He says he'd be willing to get well-known psychic/medium Patti Negri to lead it -- as PN is well-versed in this field.

Now, as kooky as that sounds ... Adele has actually dealt with personal tragedy in recent years -- including the death of her estranged father in 2021 and the recent passing of her BFF's mother. Presumably, she could try to contact these individuals ... if not others.

Whether she wants that or not, Zak's offer is out there now. And, she's practically right next door -- so why not take him up on it?

Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony has friends, family and fans fearing the worst with his hospitalization -- and it's an especially big shock to Three 6 Mafia's DJ Paul because he was in-studio just last week with Krayzie.

TMZ Hip Hop checked in with Paul, who says he and Krayzie recently put a jolt of urgency into their long-awaited collab album, as their respective fan bases have told them repeatedly that's the only thing they're checking for.

Paul says they were cranking out songs at an abnormal pace last Wednesday and his Cleveland counterpart seemed fine -- he humorously notes how Krayzie's tongue-twisting ways require a bit more writing time to cram the words into the notebook, but says they recorded more than usual.

It was the very next day that Paul says he learned Krayzie checked himself into the hospital. While he's been on pins and needles ever since then, Paul says he anticipates Krayzie will make a full recovery.

Paul credits Krayzie for ending the Bone Thugs vs. Three 6 wax wars by collaborating with Project Pat back in the '90s -- and says the beef was just a clash over similarities in their music. It famously flared up again during their 2021 Verzuz battle.

American singer Austin John Winkler was 23 years old when he was put on the music maps with him and his band's (Hinder) hit song "Lips Of Angel" back in 2005. -- grabbing over 307 million streams on Spotify and more than 311 million views on YouTube.

In 2013, Austin Winkler stepped away from the band ... Other key members of the group included guitarists Mark King and Joe Garvey, drummer Cody Hanson and bassist Mike Rodden.

And, just this year ... Austin recorded a new rendition of his popular banger "Lips Of An Angel."

"It's really good to hear your voice, saying my name it sounds so sweet ... Coming from the lips of an angel!"

There was a lot of commotion in the moments after the Las Vegas cyclist was intentionally struck and killed ... panic you can hear play out on the 911 call, made by the man's Apple Watch.

In the audio, obtained by TMZ, you can hear 64-year-old Andreas Probst's watch letting the 911 operator know he suffered a hard fall and was unresponsive.

What's more terrifying is the growing panic and chaos that can be heard in the background during the call, the retired police chief was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

That wasn't the only call from that day, however -- remember, cops believe the 2 suspects also hit another cyclist about half an hour before Probst. In that 911 call, you can hear the 72-year-old man tell dispatch the attack was intentional ... saying he could've been killed.

As we reported, 18-year-old Jesus Ayala, who was 17 at the time of the incidents, is now facing 18 counts, including murder ... this after cops say he was the one behind the wheel when Probst was killed.

Footage from the Probst incident was filmed by 16-year-old Jzamir Keys, and it sparked serious outrage after going viral. Officers had a hard time tracking down Keys a month after Probst's death, but he was eventually located and taken into custody, too.

Officials say Keys was behind the wheel during the non-fatal hit-and-run with the separate cyclist earlier in the day.

Veteran actor David McCallum, most famous for playing medical examiner Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard on the hit TV show "NCIS," is dead.

David died Monday at New York Presbyterian Hospital, the result of natural causes ... according to a statement from CBS.

The network is remembering David as "a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world."

CBS also says of David ... "He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours on film and television that will never go away."

David appeared in more than 400 episodes of "NCIS" on CBS ... and he was also known for his work on the 1960s TV show "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." ... earning nominations for Emmys and Golden Globes.

In addition to his work in TV, David also landed roles in movies ... including "The Great Escape," "A Night to Remember," "Mosquito Squadron," "Freud," and "The Greatest Story Ever Told."

David is survived by his wife of 56 years, his three sons, his daughter, and his eight grandkids.

CBS says an upcoming 20th anniversary "NCIS" marathon will add an "In Memoriam" for David.

He was 90.

The wife of a New York Jets player is furious with "Jersey Shore" castmate Angelina Pivarnick ... claiming the reality TV star slid into her hubby's direct messages this weekend -- despite knowing he was a married man.

Alexis Bawden -- Nick Bawden's longtime partner -- said the incident happened on Sunday afternoon ... right after the fullback had taken the field to play against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in Jersey.

According to Alexis, Pivarnick saw her decked out in gear representing her husband while she was on the sidelines at the stadium ... but ignored it all -- and went on to send a DM to Nick on Instagram anyway.

Alexis says Pivarnick wrote, "See u soon" -- and it made her livid because she believed it was an effort to woo her man.

"I just want to say if you're a fan of her, she's weird," she said in a TikTok slamming Pivarnick. "That's weird. You don't message a married woman's man you're going to see him soon after you see his wife go by on the field. Weirdo."

Pivarnick eventually responded after the TikTok went viral ... saying in a since-deleted statement on her Instagram Stories that she never made a move on the football player.

"This s*** that's being told about me sliding into a married man's IG has gotten out of control," Pivarnick wrote. "His wife is clearly a clout chaser and I only spoke to players I knew and in a friendly way."

"I know she's reaching," she added. "She needs to stop trying to slander me and stop being a liar. I am not into married men and would never write that shit. If she doesn't stop my lawyer will send her a letter of cease and desist soon. Not playing. Add this to TikTok girl. What a joke."

Pauly Shore is determined to get Richard Simmons on board with his plans to produce and star in a biopic ... and he has a new plan to appeal to the reclusive fitness guru.

Pauly joined us Monday on "TMZ Live," and he told us he wants to get the director from the Elton John biopic, "Rocketman" involved ... so they can bring something real to Richard and appeal to his heart.

The way Paul envisions things shaking out ... Dexter Fletcher directs a 10-minute presentation they can take to Richard, so they can show him the biopic is not some joke, but an important story that needs to be told for Richard's legion of fans.

Problem is ... Richard's so far been unreceptive. As we first reported, RS doesn't want to get involved in Pauly's project and prefers to continue living his life in private, remaining out of the spotlight.

Pauly's not giving up so easily though, and sounds confident he can change Richard's mind.

Richard's been out of the public eye for years ... and last summer TMZ released "TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons" on FOX and Hulu, which drew a huge response and led to Richard posting a rare message to his fans.

Here's something that almost NEVER happens to Taylor Swift ... walking anywhere, much less into an NFL game, with zero fanfare -- but we've learned that's exactly what she pulled off on Sunday.

This shot shows Taylor -- rocking the Chiefs' windbreaker -- walking into Arrowhead Stadium to see Travis Kelce and his team play the Chicago Bears. The woman in the black leather jacket is part of Travis' PR team, and she escorted Taylor and Trav's friends to his luxury suite.

The amazing part is ... we're told there were no fans screaming for Tay Tay as she walked into the stadium, and made her way to the suite.

You gotta hand it to Taylor and Travis for pulling off the perfect sneak attack. No one knew she was going to the game -- we got wind of it just 20 minutes before kickoff -- and, as a result, the Swiftie army was NOT lined up to see her arrival.

Kinda shocking they weren't on the lookout, considering Travis made it known he had invited her to a game.

As we reported, Traylor (yeah, that's what we're calling 'em) were quietly escorted out of the stadium -- and only one reporter, WGN's Jarrett Payton, was able to get a quick shot of them inside.

They pulled away from Arrowhead in a pretty conspicuous way, though -- looking like Danny and Sandy from "Grease" in Travis' metallic purple convertible muscle car -- but they definitely pulled off a 'Mission: Impossible' getting her in on the DL.

The Swifties seemingly rushed to get their Travis Kelce merch after Taylor was spotted supporting her new potential love interest at Sunday's game ... 'cause the Kansas City Chiefs superstar's jerseys are flying off the shelves!!

TMZ Sports has learned -- Kelce's No. 87 threads were among the most popular items on the NFL Shop on Sunday ... this according to Fanatics, the league's official e-commerce partner.

"Yesterday, Travis Kelce was one of the top 5 selling NFL players and saw a nearly 400% spike in sales throughout the Fanatics network of sites, including NFLShop.com," Fanatics tells us.

While it's impossible to tell who exactly made all the purchases, the massive increase in jersey sales comes on the heels of the "Anti-Hero" singer's visit to Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Chiefs whoop the Bears, 41-10.

So, yeah, it certainly feels like Taylor's fanbase is 'shipping' the duo ... and considering how passionate her following is, it wouldn't be shocking if the Swifties emptied their wallets to secure their new favorite athlete's jerseys.

Swift seemed right at home with Chiefs Kingdom as she watched the matchup in a suite alongside Kelce's mom, Donna ... despite being a longtime Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Swift and Kelce ended up leaving the stadium together ... cruising away in his old-school convertible.

Taylor Swift is in tight with the Kansas City Chiefs now that she's linked to Travis Kelce -- and as a result of her proximity/influence ... one Native American group is making a big ask.

This all has to do with the famed "Tomahawk chop" that Chiefs fans are known to do during games -- which has become tradition -- to the chagrin of some activist groups, including one that was outside Arrowhead Stadium Sunday to protest the gesture.

This org is called Not In Our Honor, and it's headed up by Rhonda LeValdo, who was out there among other Native American activists and advocates with signage reflecting their demands ... namely, lose the chop and maybe even the team name.

She tells TMZ ... she and her group are making a direct plea to Taylor, now that she's got a seat at the proverbial table, saying ... "We remain hopeful that an outside influence like Ms. Swift could be an ally for us in moving the conversation forward on why the chop is a racist act."

LeValdo adds, "To us, that hand gesture is synchronized racism. We implore Ms. Swift to take the time to understand our perspective and the scientific and psychological research into the harm to youth and communities caused by such behavior."

Worth noting -- TS was on camera during one of the Tomahawk chops at Sunday's game ... but she didn't participate in it, despite many others around her doing so. Instead, she literally danced in place -- but it's unclear if that telegraphed how she feels.

The folks over at NIOH are hoping she's on the same page as them, with LeValdo further telling us she encourages people to read up on their history -- and that they realize the "Chop" is a continued mockery of their Native American heritage and past ... which is riddled with ugly chapters dating back to day 1, when their land was occupied by white settlers.

This issue is part of a much larger conversation as it pertains to sports. The Washington Commanders recently changed their team name amid mounting outrage, and ditto for the Cleveland Guardians. Until now, the Chiefs appear to have mostly escaped the criticism.

Tory Lanez cleared up much of the speculation behind his recent inmate transfer, and just like we reported, he’s making the most of the situation!!!

Fans and haters alike were surprised Monday when Tory’s official social media accounts posted a pretty upbeat voice memo from jail where he sounded like he's free as a bird ... even though that's clearly not the case.

As we previously reported, Tory’s celebrity status has him holed up solo inside the Administrative Segregation at North Kern State Prison in Delano, CA … and the “Color Violent” rapper says he’s loving the extra legroom.

Tory’s new facility isn’t without its issues -- several people have been killed within the prison this year alone -- but Tory says it’s better than the L.A. county jail where they had him on 24-hour lockdown and in his words, they were “hating” on a G.

Tory thanked his supporters for holding him down and expressed how the situation made him fearless.

He's gonna need that confidence ... Tory's just starting a 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion.