New England Patriots

Asante Samuel says he doesn't need to openly campaign for the Hall of Fame ... telling TMZ Sports the facts from his career do all that talking for him!!

The ex-Patriots DB is finally eligible to be inducted into pro football's most exclusive club in 2019 -- and he says if voters are listening to his numbers, he should be in.

"The facts are the facts," he says. "If you're not going by the facts, then what are you going by?!"

What exactly are Samuel's facts?? He explains them ... and he clearly knows how his numbers stack up with some of the all-time greats.

BTW ... there's gonna be some heavy competition for spots in the '19 HOF class with Ed Reed, Champ Bailey and Tony Gonzalez all now eligible -- plus, legends like Edgerrin James, Isaac Bruce and John Lynch are also still waiting for their call.

It's been 192 days since Super Bowl LII ... but in case anybody in New England forgot what happened that game -- Eagles fans have them covered WITH A BIG-ASS FLYING BANNER!!

The Pats and Eagles play in a little S.B. rematch Thursday night ... and Philly fans were kind enough to remind New England how their last go-around went -- with an airplane over Gillette Stadium.

The sign -- in big, bold, red letters -- reads, "41-33 Philly Philly SB LII."

Of course ... the Eagles whooped the Pats, 41-33, to win their first-ever Super Bowl back in February.

A lot less is on the line in preseason Week 2 ... but we're pretty sure Tom Brady's still pissed.

Did you know Tom Brady is actually black?!

Well, it's true ... at least according to Chad Johnson.

Ochocinco played with the QB in New England back in the 2011 season ... and he just revealed to TMZ Sports the GOAT is not, in fact, a white male.

"He's black. Period," Chad tells us.

"You gotta meet Tommy. You wouldn't understand it with me just saying it but, you know, he's Robin Thicke. You get where I'm going with this s**t?"

Not really ... BUT -- Chad explained further.

"You can't teach that type of, just, aura. That persona. You can't teach that."

Birthday boy Tom Brady got roughed up at Patriots practice on Friday ... but it wasn't a 300-lb. lineman pouncing on him -- it was his gorgeous wife, Gisele!!

TB12's 41st birthday turned into an all-out party in Foxborough ... complete with a massive #12 cake, cards, balloon Brady and cutout goat ... but the best present had to be Gisele and their kids' surprise appearance towards the end of drills.

Brady looks completely caught off-guard about the adorable attack ... which eventually turns into kissing and slight butt-tapping.

Tom Brady is turning the big 4-1 Friday ... and Patriots Nation is throwing the QB a massive birthday bash in New England complete with a giant cake, a balloon animal Tom Brady ... and a birthday song!

It all started when TB12 jogged out to the field --the crowd went crazy and then busted out the song. Brady smiled and waved at the fans.

Off the field, there was a giant #12 birthday cake and a giant #12 birthday card for fans to sign.

But, the best part ... was the life-size "Balloon Brady" ... which was put together REALLY WELL by a person with better than average lung capacity.

Brady also got some love from his wife, Gisele Bundchen -- who posted a love note to her hubby on social media ...

Ben Simmons was with rich company for his birthday in Vegas over the weekend ... partying with a squad worth nearly $10 BILLION combined ... and TMZ Sports has the pics!!

The NBA Rookie of the Year kicked off his 22nd year with ragers at both Drai's and TAO nightclubs in Vegas on Saturday ... livin' it up with Sixers co-owner Michael Rubin (net worth: 3 billion), Patriots owner Robert Kraft (6 billion) and Meek Mill (okay, he's not a billionaire, but he's rich).

FYI -- all these guys played a huge role in the #FreeMeek campaign ... so it's great to see them all hangin' out together after the rapper's release.

We're told the gang rolled together to Drai's to support Meek's performance ... and judging by our vid from TAO that same night, all eyes were on the Philly Clout Gang.

Seems Danny Amendola hated playing for Bill Belichick ... 'cause he called the Patriots coach a "principal" with a "principal's office" -- and even insinuated he didn't want to play hard for him.

It all went down on the Barstool Sports' "Comeback SZN" Podcast ... when the Dolphins wideout was trying to compare his new coach, Adam Gase, to B.B. -- and he couldn't find enough differences.

"It's almost like coach Gase is one of the guys, one of the boys," Amendola says.

"And you want to fight hard for your boys. Back in New England, it's almost like you got a principal and a principal's office and sh*t like that."

Amendola's railing against Belichick -- a coach he played under for five seasons -- didn't stop there.

"[Gase] is our head coach, but he's also our boy. So, it's cool. It's refreshing to have that kind of relationship with a coach, something I haven't had in a long time."

FYI ... the Dolphins play the Pats twice next season, with the first matchup coming Sept. 30.

While the Gisele's away, the Bradys will play ... beach soccer, and superdad Tom Brady clearly doesn't care what you say about his dad bod.

Tom and fam are still down in Costa Rica for their annual offseason vacay, but Gisele's actually getting some work done too. While she was doing a photo shoot, Tom was at the beach with his 3 kids.

There was a little ocean swimming, a little futbol and Tom swinging little Vivian around -- y'know, typical OTA-type stuff for the Patriots G.O.A.T.

Don't feel bad for Gisele ... she seemed to be having fun splashing around at her modeling shoot -- and Tom eventually showed up for moral support.

BTW, Pats camp kicks off next Thursday -- so, just a few summer days left before TB12's bod gets NFL-ready.

Eric Dickerson's got the perfect fit for Le'Veon Bell when he inevitably bolts from the Steelers after this season ... and it's going to make Tom Brady VERY happy.

"The Patriots would be a good team," the NFL legend tells us.

Bell and the Steelers missed the deadline (again) on Tuesday to sign a long-term deal ... and all signs are pointing toward the running back leaving Pittsburgh in 2019 for a team that WILL pay him.

Sooo ... Dickerson says the Steelers' loss should be Bill Belichick's gain!

Terrell Owens says he meant no REAL harm when he called Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the rest of the New England Patriots "cheaters" on Tuesday ... saying he was just joking around.

Just a short time after T.O. posted video where he told his friend, Sam Cassell, that he sounded like the "cheater" Pats ... we spotted him at the Century City Mall in L.A. and asked him to explain.

That's when Owens backed off ... big time ... and even dished out a few compliments for Tom and Bill.

In fact, T.O. says the whole conversation stemmed from a friendly debate he was having with Cassell about who's the G.O.A.T. -- Tom Brady or Joe Montana?

Bottom line ... Owens says he didn't mean it.

Terrell Owens says Tom Brady is a cheater. Ditto for Bill Belichick and the rest of the Patriots ... and it's all on video.

T.O. was playing some pickup basketball with Sam Cassell -- and, while joking around after the game, he playfully accused Sam of cheating. That's when the anti-Pats trash talk began.

"You sound like the Patriots. You know what I mean?" T.O. says ... "I don't care about the Patriots. Belichick, Brady -- they cheaters. They cheated. They cheated."

So, why the attack?

Well, the Pats beat T.O.'s Eagles in Owens' only Super Bowl appearance back in 2005 -- and just a few years later ... they were busted for Spygate.

Mark Wahlberg says he believes in Baker Mayfield -- so he placed a REAL bet on the Cleveland Browns to win 6 games in 2018.

Yeah, he's being serious.

Don't worry, he also made some less risky wagers -- betting on the Patriots and the Eagles to get back to the Super Bowl this season.

Wahlberg also bet on Ronda Rousey -- casting her in his new movie, "Mile 22" ... and he's super fired up about her role in the flick.

Mark raves about Ronda's performance and says she's more than just an action star -- she's a legit actress who nailed her dramatic scenes like a boss!!!

The movie -- which opens next month -- will be Ronda's most important Hollywood role yet. Of course, she starred in the "Entourage" movie ... but played herself.

Now, she's got a real shot to follow stars like The Rock ... and parlay action sports stardom into a real Hollywood career.

Ella Rose is about to overheat ... her phone that is, if she doesn't put it away.

Julian Edelman's baby mama hit the beach in Santa Monica during L.A.'s heatwave. Don't worry ... she managed to cool off in the Pacific sans her phone.

Ex-Seattle Seahawks star Brandon Browner has been charged with attempted murder for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend ... officials say.

Browner has been hit with 1 count each of attempted murder, first-degree residential robbery, first-degree burglary, person present, and false imprisonment. He also faces two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to a child.

Officials say Browner broke into his former GF's apartment in La Verne, CA on July 8 and allegedly chased the victim, dragged her and then smothered her in a carpet.

Her two children were present when the alleged abuse occurred.

Browner is accused of stealing the victim's Rolex watch. He fled the residence but was later arrested.

Bail has been set at $10 million. If convicted as charged, Browner faces a possible maximum life sentence in state prison.

Browner is a former Pro Bowl cornerback who was part of the original Legion of Boom defense. He won one Super Bowl with the Seahawks and one with the Patriots.

And, the summer of Tom Brady destroying his family continues ...

TB12 took his son out in the backyard for a little pre-training camp/post-vacation workout Monday -- and left his child grasping at straws after some savage juke moves.

Well, "savage" for a guy playing against an elementary schooler.

Remember ... Tom's been killin' his fam the past few weeks -- firing lasers at his mom in dodgeball and throwin' tantrums in front of them on the golf course in Montana last week.

Looks like his son ain't immune to the Hall of Famer's competitiveness, now that the family's back home, either.

TOM BRADY HAS NO CHILL!!!!

The future Hall of Fame quarterback threw a laser AT HIS OWN MOM during a crazy dodgeball game ... and had zero regrets!!!

TB12 was holding a family dodgeball game at the home where they're staying in Montana -- with everyone from Gisele to their kids and other family members (?) ... including Tom's parents.

The balls flew fast and furiously -- people were laughing, but you can tell there's some serious aggression!!

But, the craziest moment was when Tom's mom daintily underhanded a ball at her son to get him out ... and he responded with a 90 mph fastball!!!

Sorry, Mom ... shoulda remembered the 5 Ds of dodgeball -- dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.