Need one last feel-good moment heading into 2025?? Kirk Herbstreit's got ya covered ... 'cause the popular sports announcer shared footage of his 14-month-old dog, Peter, enjoying the beach for the first time -- and it'll warm your heart.
The adorable pup accompanied Kirk out to Los Angeles for the massive College Football Playoff matchup between Ohio State and Oregon going down at the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day ... and with more than 24 hours before kickoff, the two took a stroll at Manhattan Beach for the final sunrise of 2024.
Peter clearly loved running around the shore ... and while we don't know if he took a dip in the Pacific, it's much warmer than snowy Indiana!!
Taylor Lewan isn't rubbing any extra salt in Mark Ingram's wounds ... telling TMZ Sports he's absolving the guy from a Michigan-Alabama bet the two made earlier this season.
The former Wolverines offensive lineman revealed to us out at Super Bowl week in Las Vegas that the guys placed a wager on their alma maters ahead of their Rose Bowl matchup back in January.
By the sounds of things, it seems some serious cash was on the line ... but even though UM won the big game in overtime, Lewan is now ready to let bygones be bygones -- with a little bit of catch.
The ex-Tennessee Titans first-round pick said all Ingram has to do is come on his podcast, "Bussin' With The Boys," later this year and everything will be forgiven.
In fact, Lewan said he's giving Derrick Henry -- a former Tide tailback -- similar treatment after they, too, bet on the game.
"'Hey,'" Lewan said he told the guys after relieving them of their debt, "'I don't want the money. I'd rather you guys come on the show.' 'Cause those are great dudes and their personality being shown is the most unbelievable thing."
Speaking of UM, Lewan said he's fired up to see what Jim Harbaugh will do with the Los Angeles Chargers after he led the Wolverines to the natty ... telling us he wouldn't be shocked if the head coach had the Bolts in Super Bowl contention sooner rather than later.
More bad news ... the 2021 Rose Parade is officially OFF -- the first time the event has been canceled since World War II.
But, there's still hope the Rose Bowl football game will take place ... even if there are no fans allowed.
Tournament of Roses Chief Executive David Eads made the announcement Wednesday morning -- saying it's just too dangerous to host the parade with the looming COVID pandemic.
“For 132 years, the Tournament of Roses has been able to bring the hope and joy of the new year to people around the world,” Eads told the L.A. Times.
"We’re really disappointed that we’re not going to be able to do that again this year, but the health and well-being of all our participants and guests is our top priority."
Eads says he was initially hopeful the January 1st tradition would continue ... but after meeting with health officials, it was clear the risk was just too high.
Rose Parade organizers met with officials at the USC Keck School of Medicine and were told the event "would inevitably lead to large numbers of people being in close proximity, creating a high risk for viral spread," according to the L.A. Times.
The float-building is also way behind schedule because of the stay at home orders keeping many of the volunteers from helping out.
As for the Rose Bowl football game -- the Granddaddy of them All -- there's still hope.
Eads told the L.A. Times the game is still on the schedule ..."whether it is with a socially distanced audience or an empty stadium."
Guess Baker Mayfield's over that Rose Bowl loss ... because the Oklahoma QB hit up Staples Center to watch the Clippers on Tuesday night with absolutely no worries.
Mayfield arrived to the game with a hot lady friend -- and the two sat pretty close to the court to watch former OU stud Blake Griffin ball out.
The 22-year-old future NFL Draft pick was still rocking his Rose Bowl hat -- so, can't be too upset, right?
For the record, the Clips beat the Grizzlies ... with Blake droppin' 21 points.
Former NFL star John Abraham is BLASTING Baker Mayfield for going full Johnny Manziel in Oklahoma's double-OT heartbreaker to Georgia ... saying the QB lost the game by showboating.
"You had a chance to be a champion ... and you wasted energy running around and you got beat," Abraham told TMZ Sports in the ATL. "It's real cute until you lose."
After the Rose Bowl, a Georgia LB yelled at Baker to "humble yourself" ... and John couldn't agree more, warning the Heisman winner to clean up his act before he gets to the NFL.
"It don't ride like that in the pros. You jump around like that and we lose ... people don't wanna be around you like that."
Abraham would know -- he played 15 years in the NFL and was a 5-time Pro Bowler.
The University of Wisconsin's football team has a game plan -- not just for the Rose Bowl -- but for handling Hollywood paps! Will they fare better than USC? Let's go to the video ...
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