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People in and around the sports world are honoring the life and legacy of Chicago Bears great Dick Butkus following his death ... with Barack Obama, Bill Belichick and more sharing their memories of the Hall of Fame linebacker.

"In Chicago, Dick Butkus was football," Obama -- a diehard Windy City sports fan -- said on Friday. "Thinking of his family today, and all the Bears fans who loved watching one of the best to ever play the game."

Belichick also addressed the tragic loss ... taking a few minutes out of his press conference to praise Butkus' impact on football.

"The prototype middle linebacker," the Patriots coach said. "From his playing style, to the look, to his ads. He was a Chicago Bear if there ever was one."

BB added he got to spend time with Butkus in recent years ... saying it was great to meet and talk with him.

"A ton of respect for Dick, his play style, what he did for the game. At that time, the way he played, he was the ultimate middle linebacker."

Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher also joined in paying his respects ... saying, "Dick Butkus was not only a Legend, he was my Idol. Loved his Frankness, Toughness, and the Inspiration he was for me! You set the Standard for the role of a MLB! Love you Dick."

Current Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore -- who finished with 8 receptions, 230 yards and 3 touchdowns during Chicago's win over the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football -- also shared a touching message about 51 after the game.

"R.I.P Dick Butkus. Was looking over us Tonight," he tweeted.

21 Savage has a Green Card and he's finally putting it to good use, joining Drake in Toronto to perform together ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ 21 and his team will be in "The 6" Friday and Saturday night for the Toronto stops of the "It's All a Blur" tour. It's the first time in years 21 has legally been able to leave the United States.

Drake dropped his highly-anticipated "For All The Dogs" album Friday, and hinted 21 had finally cleared his immigration issues on the track "8AM in Charlotte."

Drake raps, "Savage got a green card straight out of the consulate/Where I go, you go, brother, we Yugoslavian."

It was back in 2019 when 21 was taken into custody by ICE, and we learned he was actually from the UK -- living in the United States illegally on an expired visa. The case dragged on for years, further complicated by the fact he was caught with codeine and a handgun during the ICE bust.

Of course, 21's been touring with Drake for months now but has never been able to hit locations outside the US -- most notably when Drake went to Vancouver and brought Travis Scott out in place of 21.

Soak up his new album, "For All the Dogs," because Drake is dropping the mic -- he says he's walking away from music to deal with a health issue that's plagued him for a long time.

He made the bombshell announcement Friday morning on his SiriusXM show "Table for One" ... saying, "I need to focus on my health, first and foremost." Apparently, he's been battling a gastrointestinal issue ... he says, "I've been having the craziest problems for years with my stomach."

He didn't get any more specific about the ailment, but says it's gonna require enough of his time that "I'ma lock the door on the studio for a little bit. Maybe a year or something ... maybe a little longer."

It's a huge revelation, and not just for his fans, but for the music industry as a whole. Quite frankly, Drake's thing has been quantity -- the guy cranks out records very regularly.

He's dropped 9 studio projects in the last 13 years, most of them packed with #1 hits that dominate radio play and streaming services.

But, just hours after releasing his latest, he's making it clear he's got more important things to deal with now -- "I need to focus on my health, and I need to get right."

Britney Spears needed some serious rest and relaxation after becoming the target of social media criticism for dancing with knives ... and decided the best place to escape was a private island.

Sources close to the pop star tell TMZ, she and a group of friends took off to the famous Brando hotel in French Polynesia this past weekend.

Britney shared a quick video of herself and some pals in a private plane as they flew over the crystal blue water near the resort.

Fans speculated one of the men onboard the plane, and sitting closest to Britney, could be a new love interest, but our sources say that's not the case ... they're simply acquaintances.

Of course, it's no surprise why Britney might have wanted to escape.

She took a ton of heat for posting multiple videos dancing with knives, a stunt that even prompted a police response for a welfare check. Britney has maintained the knives were fake, but some disagree.

If the Brando sounds familiar ... it's the same spot Beyoncé recently rented out for her birthday during a small break from her "Renaissance" tour. Kim Kardashian also took a group of her closest friends and family members there for her 40th birthday.

The resort features a bunch of private villas, offering anywhere from one to four-bedroom accommodations.

Beyoncé rented out the cream of the crop for her bday bash ... a villa with a private pool which usually goes for about $20,000 per night.

Deion Sanders was under the weather on Thursday after having a bad reaction to medication ... Coach Prime was forced to skip his radio show Thursday, but thankfully, Colorado says the Hall of Famer is okay!

The CU Buffs' weekly radio show started Thursday afternoon with one very noticeable absence ... Deion, the man everyone wanted to hear.

Instead, assistant coach Gary "Flea" Harrell was behind the mic ... and show host Mark Johnson provided an update on Sanders.

“We are going without Coach Prime here today," Johnson said. "We received notification a little while ago that (he) was a little under the weather and had a bad reaction to his immune IVs, is what I was told.”

A spokesperson for the Buffs didn't add any further detail, per The Denver Post, but added the coach was fine.

Sanders has had a few health issues since putting on the headset. In 2022, Sanders had two toes on his right foot amputated.

The good news ... Coach Prime is expected to be well enough to travel with his team for their game on Saturday against Arizona State.

The Buffs started the season 3-0, and were ranked as one of the top 20 teams in the country ... before being blown out by Oregon.

Drake dissed a particular "gyal" from his past on "For All The Dogs" ... and fans think he's firing at his former flame Rihanna -- A$AP Rocky's feelings be damned!

The possible Rihanna disses pop up at the opening of "Fear of Heights," where Drake raps, "Why they make it sound like I'm still hung up on you?/That could never be/Gyal can't ruin me ... better him than me."

If that wasn't indication enough, Drake repeatedly screams how he's "anti" -- the title of Rihanna's last released album, a project he's even featured on, before going on the claim the sex wasn't so amazing like the song goes ... he remembers it as average. 😱

He goes on to claim he's been with women whose beauty is superior and her new man is stuck like Chuck in their current situation.

As you know, Rihanna and Rocky just welcomed their 2nd child together in August ... months after performing pregnant at the Super Bowl -- they haven't given Drake much thought.

Travis Kelce's mom is opening up about her son's budding relationship with Taylor Swift ... revealing that she's a HUGE fan of the pop star.

Donna Kelce sat down for an interview with host Jennifer Vickery Smith on the podcast "Got It From My Momma" -- and discussed a range of Taylor-related issues, including her 2 favorite songs: "Shake It Off" and "Bad Blood."

During Friday's episode, Donna also addressed all the drama surrounding Travis and Taylor's romance over the past few weeks since the couple went public.

Donna said, “I feel like I'm in an alternate universe. It’s something I never thought I’d be involved with." She briefly mentioned her family has been targeted by "haters" who are unhappy about the relationship.

Now, Trav's mom also popped up on NBC's 'Today' Friday morning, and Hoda Kotb and co. asked her what it was like to sit next to Taylor in those stadium suites for 2 consecutive weeks. Let's just say it wasn't exactly a glowing review, and more than anything it seems like Donna's hesitant to get too excited about her son's new "situation."

But, she's also keenly aware that the NFL is “laughing all the way to the bank,” with all the ticket sales at games Taylor has attended to watch Travis play with the Kansas City Chiefs.

On the podcast, Donna went on to say her family has given the NFL better publicity than any pricey PR firm, which would charge the league a million bucks.

But, there's no bad blood between them. Donna says she's happy for the NFL, adding, “Good for them. They’re getting the ramifications of everything."

As we reported ... Taylor and Travis started seeing each other several months ago - but they stayed under the radar at first. Now, the lovebirds are out there for all to see as Taylor has shown up at 2 of Travis' football games within the last few weeks.

Jay Cutler has apparently found love again three years after his split with Kristin Cavallari ... 'cause the ex-NFL star just went Instagram official with his new girlfriend!!

The former quarterback's new flame is Samantha Robertson ... and the two have grown so smitten with each other, she's now thrown him up on IG twice in the last couple weeks.

The first came on Sept. 20 ... when she shared some snaps of her and Cutler on the social media platform at a friend's wedding in France.

In total, there were three pics of the duo, including one where she was tucked into his chest with a glass of wine on a gravel road.

"Vive la France," she captioned the post.

When one of Robertson's friends commented, "I love, love" -- Cutler replied, "don't we all♥️"

Just days later, Robertson posted another pic of the two enjoying a Montana sunset. Cutler also commented on that post, writing, "When are we going back?"

"I was ready the second we left," she wrote back.

Robertson was previously married to Trace Ayala -- an actor and Justin Timberlake's good pal. Cutler, of course, had been with Cavallari for nearly a decade before they called things off back in 2020.

Jay had said in 2021 that dating post-Kristin was "hard as hell," explaining on his "Uncut with Jay Cutler" podcast that "meeting people is hard."

J-Hope of BTS is kicking ass during his mandatory military service -- the K-pop star just revealed he's achieved the level of special class warrior!!

The 29-year-old rapper and singer provided an update on Weverse for his die-hard fans on Friday ... saying he's been giving 100% after enlisting as an active-duty soldier in April.

J-Hope -- who was reportedly appointed to assistant training instructor with the 36th Infantry Division in Wonju -- had to go through rigorous tests to reach the title ... including challenges like shooting, running and sit-ups.

There are certainly some perks that come with it ... as he was granted a brief vacation for his success.

Not only is it a big accomplishment for Hobi, it also takes a lot of pressure off of him ... 'cause his bandmate, Jin, jokingly warned him back in July he'd be an embarrassment to the group if he didn't get the distinction.

As we previously reported, all seven members are required to serve at least 18 months for their country over the next few years ... which has brought BTS' wildly successful run to a temporary halt.

Ring, the company known for its doorbell and home security cameras, wants to see proof of alien life ... and is offering up a hefty cash prize for anyone who can capture footage.

The company launched its "Million Dollar Search for Extraterrestrials" this week, offering up a $1M grand prize for anyone who has "unaltered proof of Extraterrestrial life" -- specifically documented on one of its Ring cameras.

Ring says the footage can be of an unearthly being walking around your backyard, or even a UFO pullin' up to your driveway ... but all submitted materials will be looked at by an expert for approval.

Skeptics might see this as an easy challenge from Ring -- putting up big bucks for something that may not be legit ... but for those that buy the strange phenomenon, here's your shot.

In case ya forgot, we spoke with Neil deGrasse Tyson in August about the potential of alien life visiting our planet -- especially as the topic's being taken more seriously in the U.S.

According to Neil, the high-tech world we live in is a reason why he's not so sure UFOs are here ... mostly because the only alleged footage we've seen is grainy as hell! But, Ring's big challenge might put Neil's concerns to rest.

Drake is making a habit of putting big smiles on the faces of his fans by giving away designer bags on tour ... and the latest one in Miami came with a very important disclaimer.

Champagne Papi was performing last week at the Kaseya Center when he spotted Nicolette Valenti singing along in the crowd, and eventually he had his security deliver her a brown Birkin.

Drake picked her out between songs, but let the audience know he wasn't blessing her with a bag because of her large breasts -- which has been a thing at previous tour stops -- instead, he said it was because of the way she was singing all night.

In video capturing the giveaway, Drake tells the audience he likes to make people's days and Nicolete needs a brown Birkin to go with her brown top, and then security swooped in for the handoff.

Nicolette tells us she immediately called her mother ... Drake noticed her making the call, and after she showed him her phone, he dedicated the next song to her mom.

Birkin bags can run well past 5 figures in retail, so Drake arranged for Nicolette to get a police escort out of the venue ... and she says Drizzy's stage manager made her text him to make sure he knew she made it home safely with the Birkin.

It was an unforgettable moment for Nicolette ... and she tells us she is never selling the bag.

Jodie Turner-Smith is already in post-breakup hotness mode days after filing to divorce Joshua Jackson ... but she's also deep in thought about the "illusion of separation."

The actress and model was glowing at the Balmain fashion show Thursday in Paris, rocking a black bodysuit that showed off her toned legs.

She also shared some photos earlier this week from her time at the Gucci show, looking drop-dead gorgeous -- and folks in the comments certainly agreed.

Hot shots weren't the only things she posted, however ... because a string of text on Jodie's IG story Thursday seemed to point directly to her recent divorce filing.

She reposted a quote about quantum physics, which talks about "a particle vibrating due to your sound when you speak," saying it can affect a molecule inside a star "at the edge of the Universe instantly."

It says the phenomenon is known as "quantum entanglement" ... and added, "The greatest illusion of this Universe is the illusion of separation."

The timing here is telling ... TMZ broke the story, Jodie pulled the plug on her marriage with the "Dawson's Creek" star earlier this week, citing the usual "irreconcilable differences" in the divorce docs.

She's asking for joint custody of their 3-year-old, Juno, and wants to ditch the idea of spousal support for both sides -- there's also no prenup in place.

Tupac Shakur's murder suspect went out for his morning walk, and then suddenly found himself in handcuffs ... charged in the nearly 30-year-old unsolved case.

TMZ just obtained police body cam footage from Duane "Keefe D" Davis' arrest, and you see him walking down a residential street when cops pull up, and tell him he's being busted.

Keefe D is totally compliant throughout the interaction with Las Vegas cops ... he doesn't resist at all. In fact, his only complaint was that he was "thirsty as f***" for the bottled water he was carrying.

It's the first time we've seen the footage of Keefe D's arrest ... and he goes pretty quietly.

When officers put him in the car, he tells them he's a "pro" and climbs in the front passenger seat. He even engages in some casual conversation with one officer that makes it clear, Keefe knows exactly why he's being arrested.

In his words, he's involved in the "biggest case in Las Vegas history" ... and drops the exact date of Tupac's murder.

As we reported ... Keefe was arrested Friday and charged with one count of murder with a deadly weapon, plus a gang enhancement.

Keefe appeared in court for the first time this week ... but his arraignment proceedings ended up being delayed.

Tupac was shot and killed in Las Vegas in September 1996 ... and cops arrested Keefe over 27 years later ... saying his outspoken interviews about being involved in Pac's murder prompted them to reopen the case.

Jason Derulo is calling BS on a new lawsuit claiming he fired an up-and-coming musician after she repeatedly refused to have sex with him.

In a video statement posted on Instagram, the singer addressed the salacious allegations in the suit filed by Emaza Gibson in L.A. Superior Court Thursday.

Derulo said, "I wouldn’t normally comment but these claims are completely false and hurtful. I stand against all forms of harassment and I remain supportive of anybody following their dreams."

He continued, "I’ve always strived to live my life in a positively impactful way, and that’s why I sit here before you deeply offended, by these defamatory claims. God bless."

In her suit, Gibson says Derulo contacted her in 2021 offering her a joint contract with him and two record companies, Atlantic and Future History, to produce songs.

Gibson says Derulo chose her because he needed to bring a fresh artist to Atlantic to launch the project, and she eagerly signed the agreement, believing he was now her mentor.

She says the plan was to work closely with Derulo on a mixtape and an album, delivering the final recordings to music execs within 6 months.

But, Gibson claims Derulo had other ideas, wanting her to participate in cocaine-fueled sexual rituals called “goat skin and fish scales" to fulfill his role as her artistic collaborator.

On several occasions, Gibson says Derulo also propositioned her to have dinner with him and tried to ply her with booze to get her into bed.

When she refused his advances, Gibson says Derulo eventually cut off all communication with her and terminated her contract with him and the record companies.

As a result, Gibson says she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after she suffered breakdowns and other medical issues.

He may have a significant head start, but Drake's son, Adonis, is already making his mark in the rap world ... not only designing the cover art, but rapping on his dad's new album too.

Drake dropped "For All The Dogs" -- his highly-anticipated album -- with features from Bad Bunny, 21 Savage, J. Cole and more. However, it's on the song "Daylight" where Adonis seemingly freestyles over the beat.

The 5-year-old says, "Don't talk to my man like that. I like it when you like it. My, my, my, my man. My, my, my, my man. Don't talk to my man like that. I like it when you like it. My, my, my, my man. My, my, my, my man. You know which one you want. I don't care which one you want. You can take whatever. I don't care what you do. I will always, watchin' for you."

The kid doesn't offer a lot of context to his verse, but who cares ... it's still cute as hell.

As we reported, Adonis drew the cover art for the album, a picture of a goat -- which he says represents his dad. Unclear if Adonis was paid for the artwork or his verses, but knowing Drake, he likely got some sort of cut.

The Mexican luxury resort where "Love Is Blind" filmed part of the latest season is now offering fans a special vacation package ... and, best of all, you don't have to propose to a complete stranger.

The Netflix dating show filmed 2 post-pod episodes at Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Cancún, and the resort is looking to cash in on its newfound reality show fame by putting together an all-inclusive package they're calling the "Love Is Blind" experience.

Here's what the more than $1,200 a night package includes ... an upgrade to a 1,300-square-foot suite with ocean views, plunge pool, walk-in shower, jacuzzi and romantic decor ... plus some sparkling wine and chocolate truffles upon arrival

"Love Is Blind" fans also get 50% off roundtrip transportation from Cancún International Airport ... and a $100 credit toward a private stargazing tour, oceanfront picnic or another romantic experience.

The package even includes a 7-step hydrotherapy session at the spa ... complete with a eucalyptus-scented steam room with chromotherapy, polar pool, aromatherapy sensory shower, sauna, jacuzzi and a multi-sensory pool. We're talking pure relaxation.

These same amenities were showcased on the Netflix show ... and Grand Velas Riviera Maya is offering the "Love Is Blind" package through December 15.