NFL

Bow Wow learned a valuable lesson in social media on Thursday ... 'cause the rapper fell for a fake Instagram comment involving Travis Hunter's fiancée -- prompting him to give a passionate plea to the Heisman Trophy winner.

For those who don't live on the internet, there's a popular parody X account -- @TheNBACentel -- which pretends to give up-to-date information on all things hoop ... and usually, it's pretty funny stuff masked as actual news.

Several notable figures have fallen victim to the hi-jinks ... and Shad Moss was the latest to get duped after the infamous profile shared an edited snap of Hunter's partner, Leanna, putting a money emoji under Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards' picture -- a reference to the gold digger claims she's faced (and denied) in recent months.

A bunch of quarterbacks are getting their linemen gifts this week, but Joe Burrow's presents to his boys were simply a cut above the rest ... as he got them all swords!!

The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. reported on Thursday night that the Bengals signal-caller scored some "authentic Japanese Katana swords" for Cincinnati's big men -- and let each one pick out their own.

"They are all unique," Dehner Jr. reported. "Each sword comes with its own story, from certain towns or battles."

NFL fans looking to Texas Hold some Beyoncé-themed cocktails during her halftime performance on Christmas Day are in luck ... TMZ Sports has learned Houston will be selling drinks with Yoncé flair in honor of her much-anticipated show.

Aramark Sports + Entertainment -- which has provided football fanatics with goodies at Texans games throughout this season -- tells us four specialty drinks paying homage to Beyoncé will be available for purchase at NRG Stadium during Houston's Dec. 25 tilt with the Ravens.

The first is called the "Texan Honey" -- and it's a mix of whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup and ginger beer that will all come mixed in a souvenir cup.

Rest easy, Dolphins fans ... Tyreek Hill says he doesn't want to go anywhere anytime soon -- telling reporters his "Time for me to go coach" social media post wasn't what it seemed like.

The star wide receiver sent the Miami faithful into a panic Wednesday morning after sharing the ominous tweet ... which, if read a certain way, certainly sounded like he was hoping to get traded out of Florida.

Hill cleared the air at the team facility on Thursday ... explaining the actual message he was trying to convey in his post.

12:28 PM PT -- Dion Dawkins ended up making his way to the Bills' facility on Thursday afternoon ... and he told reporters in attendance he was saddened by the tragedy -- and he's praying for the pilot's family.

Bills star Dion Dawkins missed Buffalo practice on Thursday ... after a small plane crashed in his yard.

Authorities in Aurora, N.Y. say the single-engine aircraft went down at around 11:22 AM -- after it had apparently experienced mechanical issues.

Law enforcement stated the plane was engulfed in flames after it landed on the ground just feet away from Dawkins' residence -- and one person tragically died.

Michael Penix Jr. went from buying in bulk to being the main guy in Atlanta ... with the quarterback revealing he found out he was getting the Falcons' starting gig while shopping at Costco.

The Washington product chatted with reporters a day after it was announced Kirk Cousins was getting benched ... and he painted a pretty vivid picture of what it was like when he got the call while buying groceries.

"As you can imagine, there were some nerves, there was some excitement," he said. "But I'm just super blessed to be in this position. Super blessed to be on this on this team for the opportunity."

Tom Brady got in a swole sesh with his dawgs this week -- and we mean that literally ... with the seven-time Super Bowl champion taking his furry pals to the gym in Miami!!

The legendary quarterback and FOX Sports analyst was out and about in Florida ... with his four-legged friends in tow as he left a workout.

Speaking of legs, it's clear TB12 ain't neglecting his lower limbs ... 'cause he put his chiseled gams on full display as he rocked a pair of black short shorts.

It ain't extra reps, workouts or practice time that's got Josh Allen ballin' out this season ... no, according to the Bills quarterback, it's love!!

The Buffalo superstar admitted to The Associated Press this week that his relationship with Hailee Steinfeld has helped him elevate his game to a whole 'nother level.

"She’s been a huge part," he said of the singer/actress. "The morale, the support. When I get home, she’s my biggest fan, my biggest supporter. She’s just the best."

Some of the New York Jets' recent front office moves were not based in reality, but off a video game -- at least, that's what one report is stating ... with Woody Johnson allegedly rejecting a trade for Jerry Jeudy due to the star receiver's 'Madden' rating.

The allegation is one of many laid out in a negative feature focused on Johnson in The Athletic ... which details how several anonymous players and staffers really feel about the guy.

The main takeaway is how most folks disagree with Johnson's decision-making ... and the most surprising example is when the Jets were close to landing the now-Cleveland Browns star before the Johnson & Johnson heir got involved.

Tee Higgins says he's hasn't seen a change in Joe Burrow's demeanor despite the scary break-in at his place earlier this month ... telling TMZ Sports the QB "is handling it really well."

Burrow's Cincinnati pad, of course, was burglarized back on Dec. 9 -- while he was in Texas playing in a "Monday Night Football" game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The situation was disturbing -- as one of his windows was found smashed ... while one of his bedrooms was discovered ransacked. To make matters worse, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Olivia Ponton was on the scene -- creating more worries and questions for Burrow.

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is adamant his team isn't soft ... and he's telling anyone who disagrees with him to shove that notion "right up your ass!"

Callahan went on a two-minute diatribe about his squad during a testy meeting with reporters Wednesday afternoon ... insisting the guys in his locker room are nothing but "tough f***ers."

He said repeatedly he thinks his team plays hard ... and just because the Titans are 3-11 this season doesn't mean they won't hit their opponents in the mouth over and over again on Sundays.

Travis Kelce won't be able to spend his entire Christmas roasting chestnuts on an open fire with Taylor Swift, but he doesn't mind working on the holiday ... saying he's grateful to suit up whenever, wherever the NFL sends 'em!

The Chiefs tight end talked about the team's upcoming stretch with bro Jason Kelce on their "New Heights" podcast ... and while he acknowledges his body is not as excited for the short rest between games, he's excited for it.

"I just know I'm just so fortunate to play this game," Trav said. "I'm gonna cherish every time I get to play on the field. I'm not gonna harp on that schedule that was given to us."

NFL cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting is setting the record straight on his dating life ... saying he's NOT the guy kissing Bobbi Althoff in a blurry video making rounds this week -- despite what some folks thought on social media.

The podcaster shared the clip to her Instagram story ... showing her kissing and being all lovey-dovey with a taller man -- but purposely leaving his face out of frame to preserve his identity.

The irresponsible X aggregators were quick to spread the misinformation ... stating as fact it was the Arizona Cardinals player on the other side of Bobbi's smooches in the footage.

Jahmyr Gibbs fantasy football managers, rejoice ... the Lions superstar says he's fully prepared to take on the bell cow role in Detroit in wake of David Montgomery's injury, telling TMZ Sports, "it's nothing I'm not used to."

Gibbs, of course, already had a huge hand in Dan Campbell's backfield -- toting the ball 186 times this season -- but after Montgomery hurt his knee in Sunday's loss to the Bills, he's now expected to get the majority of the snaps going forward.

When we asked Tuesday if the 22-year-old was ready for that ... he didn't mince words -- and gave a resounding yes.

Michael Vick is taking on a new challenge -- the former NFL superstar is reportedly the next head football coach at Norfolk State!!

According to reporter David Teel, the four-time Pro Bowl selection is set to replace Dawson Odums on the sidelines ... after he was fired for going 15-30 over his four years at the helm.

While the 44-year-old has plenty of experience on the gridiron, the one area he doesn't have much expertise in is a coach -- as this job will mark the first time he throws on a headset.

It's not Jayden Daniels or Brock Bowers ... no, according to Patrick Surtain II, Bo Nix is the Rookie of the Year in the NFL this season!!

The Denver Broncos superstar made no bones about it while speaking with TMZ Sports out at a Raising Cane's bike giveaway event in Colorado on Monday ... explaining his quarterback is "my top vote."

"Whoever you got against him, I would love to see," the DB said. "Because Bo, he's been putting in the work since Day One."