Arizona Cardinals

Ex-Arizona star Frank Sanders just got a tattoo of Kliff Kingsbury -- and it's clear the former Cardinals wideout wasn't trying to hide it, getting a BIG piece done on his arm.

The 48-year-old -- who played for the Cards from 1995 through 2002 -- put the ink on his forearm on Tuesday ... and check it out, it ain't tiny!

Sanders said it measures around 3 inches tall and 6 inches wide ... and features a "K2" to honor the two "Ks" in Kliff Kingsbury's name. The tat also features the letters "PHNX" surrounded by the Cardinals' logo.

As for why Sanders got it -- he had been critical of Kingsbury in the past but promised if the Cardinals scored a win over the San Francisco 49ers back in Week 9, he'd get the tat.

Arizona Cardinals' defensive end J.J. Watt is stepping up in a major way ... by offering to pay for the funeral expenses of all the victims of the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy.

Watt was devastated after learning of the deadly incident ... calling it "horrific" and expressing concern for those who had been injured and killed.

The incident hits close to home for Watt, especially since he's a Wisconsin native and Badger alum. He also went to high school in nearby Pewaukee, just a few miles from Waukesha.

Now, the Cardinals star is putting his wallet where his enormous heart is ... 'cause he is offering to cover the funeral costs of all the lives lost as a result of the heinous catastrophe.

Of course, J.J. is known to give back -- in 2017, Watt was named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year ... which recognizes recipients for their charitable efforts.

In 2018, he also offered to cover the funeral costs of the people who died in the Santa Fe High School shooting ... and he raised $37 million in an effort to help rebuild Houston and the Gulf region after they had been ravaged by Hurricane Harvey.

Watt's efforts come at a time where a community reeling from tragedy is looking for a reason to celebrate something positive.

Kyler Murray had a bone to pick with Myles Garrett following their game Sunday ... telling the Cleveland Browns star he was ticked over his inclusion in the dude's Halloween QB graveyard!

Murray's hilarious beef was all picked up on a hot mic after the Cardinals beat Cleveland ... with the quarterback asking Garrett why he had to be on one of the headstones in the pass-rusher's front lawn.

"Why you got me in the graveyard, dawg?!" Murray asked. "Why you got me in the graveyard?!"

Garrett gave a sheepish smile and then explained, "I need some added motivation."

Murray clearly didn't love the answer, replying back, "Damn!" But, he did tell Garrett he did appreciate not having a "RIP" on his marker.

As we previously reported, Garrett has laid out QB gravestones in front of his house to celebrate the spooky season ... with Murray, Lamar Jackson, Ben Roethlisberger and four others being featured in the decorations.

Garrett had said they were up because he thought they were funny, and that he liked being "kind of a troll."

Don't worry ... it seemed like Murray didn't care that much, 'cause he complimented Garrett's game and said, "You're the best at it, man."

Arizona Cardinals LB Zaven Collins -- a 1st-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft -- just cut a deal with prosecutors in his criminal case ... pleading guilty to speeding in order to close it all out.

Collins was arrested in Scottsdale, Ariz. back on June 20 after cops say they caught him going 76 MPH in a 35 MPH zone.

Body camera footage from the arrest showed Collins begged officers to let him off ... but he was taken to the station and ultimately charged with speeding and reckless driving.

TMZ Sports, though, has learned ... in exchange for pleading guilty to the speeding charge, prosecutors dropped the reckless driving count.

Court records show as punishment, Collins was hit with over $500 worth of fines and fees.

The case is now listed as closed.

Of course, it's a big load off Collins' shoulders ... the charges loomed over the rookie's head for the entirety of his first-ever training camp with the Cards this month.

"I know you could scold my ass, and I know you could really, really help me out and, just -- please, sir!"

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins -- a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft -- begged cops over and over again to not arrest him during a speeding stop in Scottsdale, Ariz. last month ... and the entire incident was captured on police video.

In the footage, obtained by TMZ Sports, cops pulled over Collins and told him they were stopping him because they said he was going a staggering 76 MPH in a 35 MPH zone.

Collins was surprised to hear the number ... and told one of the officers, "Nah, I was not going that fast," before adding, "I apologize."

Collins then explained he plays for the Cards while handing over his ID.

The officers eventually placed Collins in cuffs ... and after they told him they were arresting him for excessive speed and reckless driving -- the 22-year-old football player began pleading with them to let him go.

"There's no reason for this," Collins said. "Are you serious?"

Collins then begged some more to the officers ... adding, "I've been cool. I've been chill. Can you please? Please, sir?"

Collins was ultimately placed in the back of a squad car ... and he tried one last time to get out of the arrest there.

"I know I sped a little bit, sir," Collins said ... "I'm just saying, can you help, like, please? Just show a little bit of love. Please. God bless. Please."

Unfortunately for the football player, he was still booked and later charged with 1 count of exceeding the speed limit and 1 count of reckless driving.

Collins' case is still playing in the court system. His next hearing is slated for late August.

The end of the pandemic means no masks and a return to normalcy for some ... but for DeAndre Hopkins -- he tells TMZ Sports it's an opportunity to help thousands in his new hometown.

The NFL superstar couldn't do as much charity work in Arizona after being traded to the Cardinals in 2020 due to the coronavirus ... but he says he's hopeful that'll all change as we enter a post-COVID world.

"My mom and I, we're about to get into the community," Hopkins said out at LAX. "You know, it was COVID, so we really couldn't do much."

It's spectacular news for Arizonians ... 'cause, if you're unfamiliar, Hopkins and his mom, Sabrina Greenlee, have an amazing charity called S.M.O.O.O.T.H.

It was established to help women who have been affected by domestic violence.

Hopkins has been very active when it comes to raising funds for it all ... he even helped create a line of breakfast cereal this year to try to get more cash flow into the company.

Hopkins clearly wants to see it thrive in the desert, telling us, "We're in Houston right now, but trying to touch the Arizona market."

The best wide receiver in the NFL could be the best at the breakfast game now too ... 'cause TMZ Sports has confirmed DeAndre Hopkins is getting his own cereal box!!!

... and, it's all for a great cause!!

Troy Witt, a rep for PLB Sports & Entertainment (the same people who helped create Flutie Flakes!), tells us the company is in the process of launching a cereal for the Cardinals star called "DeAndre's HOP BOX."

The sweet treat will be Honey Nut Cheerios style ... and will release online and in local Arizona Fry's grocery stores sometime in August.

But, the best part of it? Witt tells us a portion of the proceeds from the cereal will go toward the S.M.O.O.O.T.H. Foundation, a charity set up by DeAndre and his mom, Sabrina Greenlee, to help survivors of domestic violence.

"DHop's Hop Box will be unlike any athlete cereal before it," Witt says. "DeAndre helped curate this box in a way that only he can by blending football, fashion, and family. We’re proud to be working with him!”

We're told the cover of the box will feature Hopkins, while one of the side panels will have a nod to DeAndre's famous TD celebrations with his mother.

Witt says the back of the box, meanwhile, will feature a color-in style design that fans can win autographs and more from for unique creations.

The FaZe Clan empire is expanding ... this time, the world-famous Esports organization has added NFL star Kyler Murray as an official member!!!

FaZe made the announcement official on Monday ... saying the 23-year-old Arizona Cardinals QB has joined the family as "FaZe K1."

Murray says he's been playing video games since he was 5 years old ... and his love for Madden and Call of Duty made the move a natural fit.

"I’ve played video games my whole life," Murray said. "To be drafted by FaZe and welcomed into the family is a blessing and an honor, and honestly one of the most exciting moments of my life and career so far."

FYI, Murray spends a lot of time on Twitch when he's not busy with his day job -- he's gained nearly 63,000 followers on his channel.

"I am looking forward to this next chapter and representing FaZe at the highest level.”

On top of becoming an official member, Murry is currently working on becoming an investor for the org.

Murray joins a growing list of massive sports names joining the FaZe Clan recently ... including NBA star Ben Simmons and LeBron James' son, Bronny.

Co-founder FaZe Banks shared his excitement on the big get ... saying, "We’re so stoked to officially welcome Kyler to the FaZe family."

"Aside from being one of the best QBs out there, he is embedded in the gaming community racking up hours upon hours playing and streaming. The friendship with Kyler, myself and all the FaZe members is natural and organic."

"He’s a perfect fit for FaZe as we continue to lead the cultural collision of traditional sports and gaming."

Dez Bryant tells TMZ Sports if he never plays another down in the NFL ... he's still a Hall of Famer FOR SURE!!!

The former Dallas Cowboys superstar didn't mince words when we asked him about his HOF candidacy in L.A. this week ... saying straight-up "of course" his resume is already good enough for the Hall right now.

"Nobody put up TDs the way I put up," the 32-year-old said. "Not as fast."

Dez -- who's a free agent now after returning from a 2-year hiatus to play for the Ravens last season -- is going to have an interesting case for Canton if his career is in fact over.

His numbers -- 7,506 career receiving yards and 77 total touchdowns -- aren't historically enough to lock him in ... but he is one of the freakiest players to ever play.

Dez tells us what he did in such a short time should be enough to get him in ... but he did admit he's probably not a first-ballot kind of guy at this point.

First, J.J. Watt ... next, Dez Bryant?!

If Dez had it his way, that's exactly the way things would go down in Arizona this offseason ... 'cause the former Cowboys superstar tells TMZ Sports he wants to follow in Watt's free agent footsteps and be a Cardinal in 2021!

"I think that would be dope being next to my boy D Hop [Deandre Hopkins], Christian Kirk, Kyler Murray," Bryant told us out in Beverly Hills on Thursday.

"I think they have a dope offense. I feel like they got a dope defense. I think they got a dope coach ... If I had to choose, yeah, if that opportunity presented itself, I think I would take it."

It's unclear if Arizona has any interest in signing Bryant ... the receiver will turn 33 years old in November -- and the Cards are already loaded at wideout, especially if Larry Fitzgerald returns.

But, Dez -- who came back from a two-year hiatus to play well and score two TDs for the Baltimore Ravens last season -- says he thinks he could thrive for the Cards in a #2 or #3 role.

"I feel like if you gonna play me one-on-one," Dez said, "I'ma win."

If Arizona doesn't work out ... Dez said he'd be more than open to re-signing with his former Cowboys squad, telling us he LOVES what Dallas did with Dak Prescott's new contract.

"I'll tell you this," Dez said, "if it was possible, of course I'd be open to it if it was possible."

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.

J.J. Watt is landing in Arizona -- the defensive end confirmed the move Monday in a deal reportedly worth $31 MILLION!!

The 31-year-old recently parted ways with the Houston Texans -- the team that selected him in the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

But, the Texans are a mess and Watt was clearly looking for an opportunity with a team built for immediate success.

There were rumblings J.J. was interested in signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where his two brothers T.J. and Derek Watt are currently playing.

But in the end, Watt has agreed to a 2-year, $31 million deal with the Cardinals with $23 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Cardinals confirmed the move on social media -- "We have agreed to terms with J.J. Watt on a two-year contract."

The move brings J.J. to a team with a high-powered offense led by quarterback Kyler Murray and superstar WR DeAndre Hopkins.

Hopkins and Watt's were teammates in Houston for 7 years before DeAndre was shipped to AZ in one of the most puzzling trades of all time.

Now, Watt will bolster a defense that already includes stars like Chandler Jones and Budda Baker.

J.J. is already showing off his new team colors -- rockin' Cards swag in a gym session Monday morning.

Congrats!

One of the best football players EVER says COVID-19 whooped his butt ... with Larry Fitzgerald telling reporters Thursday he lost NINE POUNDS while battling the virus.

... oh, and the future Hall of Famer says he's STILL having trouble smelling and tasting things.

The Arizona Cardinals superstar tested positive for coronavirus in the last week of November ... and in his first meeting with media members since the diagnosis, Fitz explained it wasn't fun at all.

"There were a couple days I didn’t feel great," the 37-year-old said ... adding all of the reports of coronavirus deaths had him terrified.

Fitz explained he lost weight and actually re-worked his will while he was sick ... saying, "You reevaluate things."

Fortunately, Larry has been testing negative the past few days ... and he was activated from the Cardinals' COVID/Reserve list earlier this week.

Here they are ... the Arizona 49ers!!

Okay, technically they're still the S.F. 49ers -- but they officially practiced in their new "home" stadium in Arizona on Thursday for the first time since they were forced out of the Bay Area over COVID rules.

Just a few days ago, the 49ers were told they would no longer be allowed to practice or play games at their home facility in Santa Clara after county officials placed restrictions on activities to try to limit the spread of coronavirus.

So, the Niners and NFL reps worked with the Arizona Cardinals to practice and play for the foreseeable future in Glendale at State Farm Stadium ... and so far, it seems the team is OK with the new set up.

The 49ers got in some drills and workouts Thursday ... just a couple days before they'll take on the Buffalo Bills on "Monday Night Football" at the stadium next week.

The Niners will stay in Arizona the following week for their Dec. 13 game against Washington Football Team ... before hitting the road to play the Cowboys in Dallas on Dec. 20.

The team will be back in Arizona for a "road" game against the Cardinals on Dec. 26 -- so, yeah, get ready to call Glendale home for the Niners for quite some time!

The Niners are a longshot to make the postseason -- they're 5-6 -- so a home playoff game in Glendale is unlikely.

Pretty good situation for the 49ers all things considered -- especially with the weather ... it's gonna be 70 and sunny this weekend!

The San Francisco 49ers have found a new home for the next few weeks ... with the team forced to host its Week 13 and 14 matchups in Arizona due to COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara.

The move comes days after the county released new protocols to fight the coronavirus pandemic ... which placed a ban on contact sports in the area for the next 3 weeks.

The restrictions also require anyone traveling from more than 150 miles away to quarantine for up to 14 days.

The solution?? The Niners will now play their games against the Buffalo Bills on December 7 and Washington Football Team on December 13 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Cards.

The Niners praised the NFL and Cardinals for coming through in the clutch in a statement on Monday, saying, "The Cardinals organization, State Farm Stadium and League officials have been supportive and accommodating as we work through the many logistical issues involved in relocating NFL games."

While the team has solved its game day issues, there's still some more planning to do about how they will practice.

One option -- moving the team into an AZ hotel for the next few weeks.

DeAndre Hopkins has publicly claimed he was NOT speeding through a Trump caravan in Arizona on Sunday -- but new video seems to show otherwise.

TMZ Sports has obtained footage of the NFL star driving through a group of POTUS supporters on his way to his Cardinals' game against the Seahawks ... and it's clear as day the dude was FLYING!

In the video, you can see the driver filming the caravan is going between 60-70 MPH ... and Hopkins BLOWS by him with ease.

You can also see Hopkins appeared to be in the emergency lane ... moving so quickly, he kicked up dirt with his tires.

Later in the clip, it's clear Hopkins made several lane changes through cars at a rapid pace.

Of course, witnesses claim DeAndre drove recklessly throughout the entire caravan ... and some said he even flipped them off on his way past.

Hopkins, though, denied driving dangerously on the "All Things Covered Podcast" podcast Tuesday ... saying it was Trump supporters who were screwing with him in traffic.

"They were honking the horn at me to tell me to get out of their way -- and I didn't -- and the guy in front of me stepped on his brakes and tried to stop dead in traffic," he said.