Detroit Lions

While we don't know if Lil Wayne will be making an appearance at the Super Bowl in his hometown of New Orleans, we do know another big-time rapper will be in attendance -- Big Sean -- who tells TMZ Sports he already has tickets to the big game!

That's how confident Sean feels!

We caught up with the Detroit rapper out in Los Angeles ... and he didn't waver at all -- he's emphatic in his declaration that Jared Goff and the Lions are a lock to make the big game.

Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston is adamant he didn't go No. 2 on himself while on the field Sunday ... saying the stain on the back of his pants was actually nothing more than some spilled sports drink.

Houston -- the 217th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft -- put all the speculation to bed in a late-night X post following Detroit's come-from-behind win over the Texans ... explaining the poop-colored marking on his white trousers was simply Gatorade.

"Ay yall," he wrote, "I had sat on some Gatorade."

Eminem and Kid Rock are showing folks how to put politics aside and unite behind a common cause ... in the most American way possible ... finding common ground over football!!!

Yes, the NFL's Detroit Lions are bringing Eminem and Kid Rock together ... despite them taking opposing positions on the upcoming presidential election.

Eminem, as we reported, introduced Barack Obama at a Kamala Harris rally in Detroit last week ... and Kid Rock's been an outspoken Donald Trump supporter who performed this summer at the Republican National Convention.

It ain't the Vikings, Packers or Bears ... no, according to Kerby Joseph, the real kings of the NFC North are the Lions!

The defensive back made it clear to TMZ Sports following Detroit's huge Week 7 win over Minnesota that he truly believes his squad is the top dog in the NFL's best division.

In fact, he told us he thinks the Lions should be considered the favorite from here.

Aidan Hutchinson suffered a gruesome injury during the Lions' 47-9 thrashing of the Cowboys on Sunday ... but, there's some good news -- the star pass rusher is expected to recover fully!

The team released a statement Monday morning ... saying the 24-year-old former number two overall pick "underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured tibia and fibula at Baylor White Medical Center in Irving, Texas last night."

"Hutchinson will return to Detroit this week and is expected to make a full recovery. There is no timeline for his return to play."

The Detroit Lions dismantled the Dallas Cowboys in a 47-9 victory ... but the clock hitting zero didn't stop the trash-talking -- as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jourdan Lewis kept the bad blood rolling on social media.

Not too long after the Lions got revenge for their controversial loss to America's Team last season, their fourth-year wide receiver took to social media to call Lewis out without directly mentioning him.

It was clear to Lewis, though, who he was talking about ... as he slid into St. Brown's DMs with a simple message -- "You a bitch."

The Sunday afternoon shooting at a Detroit Lions tailgate party that resulted in the loss of two lives was all captured on video ... and, warning, the footage is graphic.

In the clip, obtained by TMZ Sports, you can see several men were out at Eastern Market in downtown Detroit following the Lions' loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field ... when an argument breaks out.

At least half a dozen people can be seen exchanging words ... when, suddenly, one of the guys wearing a black T-shirt and black jeans brandishes a gun in his right hand.

10:20 AM PT -- Detroit Police tell TMZ Sports the second man involved in the shooting has tragically passed away.

A Lions fan lost his life on Sunday -- after he was shot and killed during a party after Detroit's home game against the Buccaneers.

Detroit Police say the man -- who was in his 40s -- had been at a tailgate at Eastern Market in downtown in the hours after the Lions lost a heartbreaker to Tampa Bay ... when he got into an altercation with another man.

Cops say witnesses told them the two guys squared up as if they were going to fight -- when, suddenly, the man's opponent pulled out a gun and fired.

Detroit Lions legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt passed away on Wednesday, the team announced. He was 92 years old.

"Joe Schmidt had the heart of a Lion," team owner Martha Firestone Ford said on Thursday ... "which made it appropriate that he was also the heart of our team."

"Joe was a key part of our Championship seasons and continued to be an important part of our organization until his passing."

The Giants and Lions are in the dog house with the NFL before the regular season even starts ... 'cause both teams were just handed hefty fines for throwing hands at their joint practice!!

The NFL confirmed the penalty on Wednesday ... stating both organizations will be hit with $200k penalties for the scuffles that popped off on the practice field this week.

A memo was also sent out to all 32 NFL teams regarding etiquette ... and any fights, like what happened between the Giants and Lions, won't be tolerated.

It's hot as hell out and football players are already sick of training camp ... so, no surprise Giants star rookie Malik Nabers and Lions safety Kerby Joseph came to blows at practice on Tuesday!

A fan watching the joint NYG and Lions practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in New Jersey recorded the altercation ... and the fists were flying!

The footage shows 21-year-old Nabers -- the 6th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft -- attempting to catch a pass that was broken up by DB Terrion Arnold.

Hulk Hogan's busy July isn't showing any signs of stopping ... the WWE legend was just spotted out at the Detroit Lions practice -- where he ran wild on a promo with head coach Dan Campbell!!

The Hulkster pulled up to the training camp workout in a Lions-colored bandana ... and after watching Jared Goff and the boys prep for the 2024-25 season -- he got in front of a camera with Campbell, and did his thing.

Hulk delivered a fiery speech ... where he called Campbell his "new tag team partner." He also said he expected a Super Bowl and "nothing but greatness" from Detroit this season. The guys then hugged it out, before Dan got back to his job.

Jared Goff got a ring -- the Detroit Lions quarterback tied the knot with his stunning model fiancée, Christen Harper, over the weekend!!

The two lovebirds got married at an intimate ceremony in Ojai, California on Saturday ... surrounded by their closest family members and friends.

Goff rocked a snazzy black tuxedo and bowtie for the occasion ... and Harper had on a strapless white gown and veil.

Barry Sanders suffered a heart-related medical scare over the weekend ... the NFL Hall of Famer announced Friday.

The former running back said the health issue happened out of nowhere on Father's Day, but did not go into detail on what he experienced.

"It was unexpected and served as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant about our physical well-being, even when we are feeling fine," Barry said in a statement released by the Detroit Lions.

Did you know Megatron could transform into a PGA Tour golfer in retirement?

It's true ... at least that's according to Calvin Johnson himself, who tells TMZ Sports he's that good with a club in his hands!!!

The former Detroit Lions superstar is adamant he could make a real run at earning cash full-time at hitting fairways and greens in regulation ... if only he had just a little bit more free time on his hands.