New England Patriots

Asante Samuel says if Tom Brady came out of retirement and rejoined forces with the New England Patriots ... he'd almost certainly win his eighth Super Bowl this season.

"This terrible team that everybody sees is a terrible team," Samuel told TMZ Sports on Monday, Brady "can come right now, today, and win a Super Bowl for the New England Patriots. Because that's Tom Brady."

Samuel made the bold claim while discussing the state of the 2023 Patriots -- who, with a 38-0 loss to New Orleans on Sunday, are now just 1-4.

The former All-Pro said the bad losses are all further proof that Bill Belichick has largely been a failure when Brady is not under center for his teams. In fact, he said it's all showing that TB12 was the one most responsible for the Patriots' dynasties.

"I don't understand why is it such a big drop off when one man leaves the 53-man roster -- why is it such a big dropoff and you can't replace it but you're supposed to be a great coach?" Samuel said.

Samuel, who played for Belichick and alongside Brady from 2003 to 2007, added that he thinks Brady could solve all of this team's woes ... if he just simply showed up.

"I compare this team to the 2015 Super Bowl champions," Samuel said. "I see the same exact team -- it's only minus Tom Brady is the difference. And I can see Tom coming and leading this to the Super Bowl."

He continued, "My point in saying that is Belichick is a guy there that's not providing much for the team. And it's showing over and over and it's getting worse and worse."

Former New England Patriots Pro Bowl tight end Russ Francis, along with another man, were killed Sunday when the small plane they were flying in crashed in Lake Placid.

Francis was 70 years old.

The crash, according to police, occurred a few minutes after 4 PM near Lake Placid Airport in New York.

The plane was a Cessna 177 Cardinal ... a light, single-engine aircraft that was first introduced in the late '60s. The Cessna "experienced an emergency after takeoff" and "attempted to return to the airport but failed to make the runway," according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

The second passenger who died alongside Francis was Richard McSpadden, a Senior Vice President for the AOPA. McSpadden was a very accomplished pilot, commanding the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during his military career.

It's unclear if Francis, also a pilot, or McSpadden were flying at the time of the crash.

On the football field, Francis was one of the best at his position.

Russ was drafted with the 16th overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots after starring at Oregon. He played 13 total seasons with the Pats and San Francisco 49ers, making 3 Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pro teams. Francis played in 167 games, catching 393 balls for 5,262 yards and 40 yards.

The Patriots released a statement on Francis' death.

"On behalf of the entire New England Patriots organization, we extend our sincerest sympathies to the family of Russ Francis, who tragically passed away yesterday," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft in a prepared statement.

Tom Brady gave hundreds of kids a day to remember Saturday, by not only hitting up a sports trading card event but also getting in on the action!

Brady was the surprise guest at the Fanatics and Topps Hobby Rip Night in Linwood, New Jersey.

There were some big stars front and center, including Travis Scott, Kevin Hart, who hosted the event, and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin.

Fanatics is the biggest sports merchandizer in the game.

The Linwood store has a capacity of 100, but so many people showed hundreds more descended onto the parking lot.

Brady was all in, trading cards with fans and the kids went nuts. Fact is ... Brady owns tons of football cards.

Tom Brady hizo que cientos de niños pasaran un día inolvidable el sábado, no solo asistiendo a un evento de tarjetas coleccionables, sino también participando en todo momento.

Brady fue el invitado sorpresa en el Fanatics y Topps Hobby Rip Night en Linwood, Nueva Jersey.

Hubo algunas grandes estrellas, incluyendo a Travis Scott, Kevin Hart (quien fue el anfitrión del evento) y el CEO de Fanatics Michael Rubin.

Fanatics es el mayor merchandiser de deportes en el negocio.

La tienda de Linwood tiene una capacidad para 100 personas, pero mucha más gente apareció en el estacionamiento.

Brady fue el centro de atención. Le regaló tarjetas con los fans y los niños se volvieron locos. El hecho es que Brady posee toneladas de tarjetas de fútbol.

Before Dion Lewis was hauled off to jail last week, he allegedly called cops "p***ies" and threatened to spit on an officer -- this according to new court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports.

In the docs, Seminole Police Dept. officers say they were called out to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa in Florida at around 2 PM on Sept. 18 after venue security claimed Lewis was being "unruly."

Cops say the former New England Patriots running back was told he had to leave the property ... and was escorted out to valet where authorities said they allowed him to either cab it or Uber it away from the premises without further repercussions.

But, according to the docs, "Lewis became belligerent in front of other casino patrons, calling officers 'p***ies,' and advising he was not leaving property because he did nothing wrong."

He then allegedly said he'd spit in a sergeant's face "if he touched him."

Lewis was taken to a nearby jail a short time later ... and ultimately charged with misdemeanor trespassing.

His attorney submitted a not guilty plea on the former tailback's behalf earlier this week. He's now due back in court next month.

Antes de que Dion Lewis fuera llevado a la cárcel la semana pasada, supuestamente insultó a los policías y amenazó con escupir a uno de ellos, de acuerdo a nuevos documentos judiciales obtenidos por TMZ Sports.

En los documentos, los oficiales del Departamento de Policía de Seminole dicen que fueron llamados al Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa en Florida alrededor de las 2 PM el 18 de septiembre, después de que la seguridad del lugar afirmara que Lewis estaba siendo "revoltoso".

La policía dice que al ex New England Patriots se le dijo que tenía que irse de la propiedad y fue escoltado por el encargado de los estacionamientos, cuando las autoridades dicen que se le permitió pedir un Uber o un taxi afuera de las instalaciones, sin más repercusiones.

Pero según los documentos, "Lewis se volvió beligerante frente a otros clientes del casino, llamando a los oficiales 'p***ies', y advirtiendo que no iba a salir de la propiedad porque no hizo nada malo".

Luego, supuestamente, dijo que iba a escupirle en la cara a un sargento "si lo tocaba".

Lewis fue llevado a una cárcel cercana poco tiempo después, y en última instancia, acusado de un delito menor de allanamiento de morada.

Su abogado presentó una declaración de inocencia en nombre del exjugador a principios de esta semana. Deberá volver a los tribunales el próximo mes.

Ex-New England Patriots star Dion Lewis has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charge he was hit with following his arrest last week, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court records, Lewis' attorney submitted the plea for the former running back in his Hillsborough County, Fla. court case on Tuesday.

Lewis is now due back in court next month.

We broke the story ... Lewis was arrested on Sept. 18 after authorities alleged he had been unruly and belligerent at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. They claimed the 33-year-old caused a disturbance -- and then refused to leave the premises, leading officers to slap him in handcuffs.

Lewis was hauled off to a Hillsborough County jail ... and later charged with misdemeanor trespassing.

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."

The fan who died at the Patriots game on Sunday was involved in a physical altercation prior to his death, and now officials are reviewing video footage of the incident to determine what happened.

The Norfolk District Attorney's office tells TMZ Sports "Our investigation has included numerous law enforcement interviews and the examination of multiple angles of video capturing the scuffle prior to Mr. Dale Mooney's collapse during the Sunday night game at Gillette Stadium."

Officials tell us they conducted a preliminary autopsy which pointed to a medical issue, as opposed to a traumatic injury as a possible factor in the death. A final determination hasn't yet been made.

As we previously reported, 53-year-old Dale Mooney, who was at the Patriots vs. Dolphins game, was rushed to a local hospital after what was initially classified as an "apparent medical event."

He was pronounced dead at the medical facility.

Following the tragic news, videos of the incident surfaced online appearing to show a man in a Dolphins jersey striking a fellow spectator, presumed to be Mooney.

El hincha que murió en el juego de los Patriotas el domingo pasado estuvo involucrado en un altercado físico antes de su muerte, y ahora los funcionarios están revisando las imágenes del incidente para determinar que sucedió exactamente.

La oficina del Fiscal del Distrito de Norfolk le dijo a TMZ Sports: "Nuestra investigación ha incluido numerosas entrevistas con las fuerzas del orden y el examen de múltiples ángulos de video que capturan la pelea antes del colapso del Sr. Dale Mooney durante el partido del domingo por la noche en el Gillette Stadium".

Los funcionarios nos dicen que llevaron a cabo una autopsia preliminar que apunta a un problema médico, en lugar de una lesión traumática como posible factor de muerte. Aún no se ha tomado una decisión definitiva.

Como informamos anteriormente, Dale Mooney, de 53 años, que estaba en el partido de los Patriots contra los Dolphins, fue trasladado a un hospital local después de lo que fue clasificado inicialmente como un "aparente evento médico".

Fue declarado muerto en el centro médico.

Tras la trágica noticia, aparecieron videos del incidente que parecían mostrar a un hombre con una camiseta de los Dolphins golpeando a un espectador, presumiblemente, Mooney.

Victoria's Secret model Chanel Iman and New England Patriots player Davon Godchaux have a lot to celebrate -- the engaged couple welcomed their first baby together on Tuesday ... and it's a girl!!

The former LSU Tiger -- who signed an extension with the Patriots last season -- shared the great news on his Instagram with a photo of Iman holding their newborn daughter in the delivery room.

"Capri Summer Godchaux 09-19-2023," Davon captioned the pic.

The Patriots, fans, family and friends congratulated the defensive tackle and model ... with one user saying, "such a beautiful name! So thankful you and baby are well. God bless your beautiful family."

Capri is Iman's third child -- she shares two girls with her ex, Sterling Shepard. The New York Giants receiver filed for divorce from Iman in 2021.

Godchaux also has a son from a previous relationship.

Iman and Godchaux first went public with their relationship in early 2022 ... and he popped the question this May during a bae-cation in Italy.

"I never thought I would be getting down on one knee but LOVE will make you do some amazing things in life!" Godchaux said after the proposal.

"Chanel I love you so much and I wouldn’t have rather spend this moment with no one else by my side!"

Dos personas han fallecido tras ser alcanzadas por un rayo en una playa de México, y el espeluznante incidente fue grabado en video.

El terrible suceso ocurrió en Michoacán este lunes, ubicado en la costa del Pacífico, cuando el clima se puso muy complicado. En el video se puede ver a alguien recogiendo un quitasol, justo antes de que caiga el rayo.

Después de que la primera persona es golpeada, se puede ver cómo el rayo parece viajar por la arena hasta alcanzar a la segundo. Ambos colapsaron tras recibir el impacto, causando gritos de horror en las personas que estaban en el lugar.

Según el medio español MARCA, las víctimas eran un hombre y una mujer. Uno vendedor de hamacas y el otro turista. La mujer murió en el acto, mientras que el hombre falleció en el hospital mientras recibía tratamiento.

Las probabilidades de que una persona sea alcanzada por un rayo son escasas, aproximadamente de 1 entre 15.300.

Former New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis -- who won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady -- was arrested in Florida on Monday, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to a Hillsborough County jail official, the 32-year-old was booked at 3:12 PM on a misdemeanor charge of trespassing. He was released several hours later at 11:48 PM on a $500 bond.

Further details of the allegations surrounding Lewis were not made immediately available.

Lewis made his NFL debut back in 2011 after being picked by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the draft ... but he became a household name when he joined Brady and the Patriots in 2015.

Lewis started 19 games in his three seasons in New England ... scoring 13 total touchdowns. In his second year with the Pats in 2017, he helped Brady score a huge comeback victory over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. He nearly helped Brady get another Super Bowl win in his final season with the Pats ... though he and New England came up just short of a victory in SB LII in a thriller against the Eagles.

Lewis went on to play for the Titans and Giants ... before retiring in 2021.

A 53-year-old man tragically died while attending the Patriots' home game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday ... after experiencing what officials are calling an "apparent medical event."

According to local outlets, the incident happened in the 300s section at Gillette Stadium around 11 PM ... in the closing minutes of New England's 24-17 loss.

The man -- Dale Mooney of Newmarket, New Hampshire -- was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Details surrounding the incident have not been revealed at this time.

The Norfolk District Attorney's Office tells TMZ Sports the investigation is ongoing and is currently in its preliminary stages. No charges have been filed.

Another medical emergency also went down at the same game ... when a second man suffered cardiac arrest earlier in the night.

According to reporter Bridget Condon, two off-duty firefighters sprang into action and conducted CPR for several minutes ... bringing the man back to life. His current status has not been released at this time.

Un hombre de 53 años murió trágicamente mientras asistía al partido en casa de los Patriots contra los Miami Dolphins el domingo, luego de experimentar lo que los funcionarios llaman un "aparente evento médico".

Según los medios locales el incidente ocurrió en la sección 300s en el Gillette Stadium alrededor de las 11 PM durante los últimos minutos de la derrota de Nueva Inglaterra 24-17.

El hombre —Dale Mooney de Newmarket, New Hampshire— fue llevado a un hospital cercano donde fue declarado muerto. Los detalles que rodean el incidente no han sido revelados en este momento.

La Oficina del Fiscal del Distrito de Norfolk dice a TMZ Sports que la investigación está en curso y se encuentra actualmente en sus etapas preliminares. No se han presentado cargos.

Otra emergencia médica también se redujo en el mismo juego cuando un segundo hombre sufrió un paro cardíaco temprano en la noche.

Según el reportero Bridget Condon, dos bomberos fuera de servicio entraron en acción y llevaron a cabo la RCP durante varios minutos para traer al hombre de vuelta a la vida. Su estado actual no se ha dado a conocer en este momento.

Patriots fans clearly left a bad taste in Tyreek Hill's mouth ... 'cause after the Dolphins torched the Patriots off the field, the Fins superstar receiver laid into them off the field, calling them out for some of the worst fans in the NFL!

29-year-old Hill ripped the New England fans to the media after the Dolphins' 24-17 win at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Sunday night.

"Those fans are some of the worst in the NFL," the 7x Pro Bowler told reporters, "And I'm going to stand on that, they are real nasty."

Hill continued, accusing some of the Patriot faithful of having said some brutal stuff during the game.

"Some of the things they were saying wasn't, you know, I wouldn't say in church."

"So yeah, it felt great to wave goodbye to the fans, and I'll do it again. Bye."

Of course, the 0-2 Patriots are off to their worst start since 2001 ... and their fans are surely on edge. The Pats had a chance to win Sunday's game but came up a few inches short on the final drive.

It's not the first time Hill and Patriots fans had beef .... in 2018, a Pats fan flipped Cheetah the bird and threw beer at him after he scored a touchdown while a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.