TMZ Sports - Page 50

Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson's wife wasn't quite able to catch her hubby's thrilling Super Bowl win on Sunday ... 'cause she had to leave the game early on a stretcher to have the couple's baby!

Samaria Jefferson was rushed out of SoFi Stadium just minutes before L.A. beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20, to win Super Bowl LVI ... according to multiple reporters on the scene.

Thankfully, though, Samaria was able to make it to a medical facility without any issue -- and after Van and the Rams pulled off their comeback, he joined her to welcome their new baby.

Van posted a pic with the newborn just minutes after winning his ring, smiling with glee and writing, "X2!!!!!"

Samaria had spoken about the possibility of the situation just days before the Big Game, telling The Athletic that she was "praying" her water didn't break during the middle of the contest.

In fact, in the hours leading up to the game, she posted on her Instagram page that she was "still praying."

Cameras actually caught Van sprinting out of the stadium following the win ... showing him leaving in a hurry.

The baby is the couple's second child -- they had their first daughter together five years ago.

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre did NOT disappoint at the Super Bowl Halftime Show -- and they didn't come empty-handed either ... trotting out none other than 50 Cent.

The two headliners kicked off the star-studded performance Sunday at SoFi Stadium, going through a few of their hits, including 'The Next Episode' and 'California Love,' -- but in the middle of them doing their thing on stage ... Mr. Jackson swung into action down below!

Fitty turned out to be the big surprise guest that had been rumored for weeks now ... and he performed 'In Da Club' on a set piece underneath Snoop and Dre -- this while hanging upside down.

It made for a ton of fanfare ... and folks cheered the trio on. Soon after, Mary J. Blige came on and went through a quick medley as well, before passing the baton on to Kendrick ... who eventually handed things off to Eminem, pumping up the energy with each performance.

Snoop and Dre eventually took center stage once again ... and ended things on a high note with 'Still D.R.E.' -- and were flanked by all the artists by the finale of the song.

Seems like this one was a major homage to the legacy of Dre, and turned out to be pretty damn rad as a result ... living up to the hype and then some.

The Los Angeles Rams are Super Bowl champions ... beating Joe Burrow's Cincinatti Bengals on a late fourth quarter drive, in one of the best SB's in recent history.

The Bengals were leading 20-16 with just minutes to go ... before Matt Stafford led his squad on a 15 play drive that culminated in a Cooper Kupp touchdown.

28-year-old Kupp -- who caught 8 balls for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns -- was named the SB MVP.

It was an incredible game ... close from start to finish.

34-year-old Stafford -- a 13 year NFL vet -- threw for 283 yards and 3 TD's and 2 INT's.

As for 25-year-old Burrow ... he threw for 263 yards and 1 TD.

Aaron Donald was electric. He had 4 combined tackles and 1 sack ... but was a nuisance the entire game.

The Bengals had the ball late, and were driving, with a chance to tie with a field goal or take the lead with a touchdown. The game came down to a 4th and 1. Cue AD ... who pressured JB, forcing the incompletion.

Game over. Super Bowl over. Rams win.

Oh, and the halftime show was awesome. Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Eminem killed it!

The Jaguars' hiring of Doug Pederson just got two thumbs up from legendary Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor, who tells TMZ Sports he loves the move.

The former Jag -- who played 11 seasons in Duval -- said he believes the marriage of Pederson and star quarterback Trevor Lawrence could yield huge results.

"Sky is the limit," Taylor said out in L.A. this week. "We’re hoping that. Everybody in Duval hoping it.”

No matter what, things can't get too much worse for the Jaguars -- because, as Fred noted, last season under Urban Meyer was a disaster.

In fact, Taylor actually called it all a "comedy," saying, "It was a big circus, man. Things was all over the place."

But, Taylor is hopeful Pederson can turn things around ... particularly because of the success he had with the Philadelphia Eagles.

You'll recall, Pederson and Philly actually beat Tom Brady and the Patriots at Super Bowl LII in 2018.

Fred, however, did express a desire to see teams hire more Black coaches because "they're more than capable" ... but he said he understands that owners are allowed to make the decisions they deem best for their team.

"The number is the numbers," Taylor said. "I mean, you can’t run from that, and the numbers pretty much show there’s discrimination."

Super Bowl LVI is already off to a bumpy start -- because the folks running the broadcast apparently couldn't tell one of their marquee singers from another ... oof.

Shortly before kickoff Sunday, NBC was introducing R&B singer Jhene Aiko -- who was going to belt out 'America the Beautiful' ... shortly before country singer Mickey Guyton was set to take the mantle for the National Anthem.

All seemed to be going just fine ... that is, until they panned to the wrong person entirely while flashing a Jhene name graphic on the screen. Instead of her, they focused on Mickey -- who was looking on from an elevated platform.

Huge blunder, obviously ... but the camera eventually found the right person in Jhene, who gave us a solid, and somewhat subtle, rendition of the tune.

Mickey was up next, and her performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was absolutely spectacular ... getting huge cheers and applause.

Still, everyone noticed the screw-up that started everything -- and some couldn't help but wonder how and why they could've gotten it that wrong. Here's hoping the rest of the program isn't as messy.

Win or lose ... Odell Beckham Jr. is hitting the field in style today -- the Rams star will be rocking a custom pair of $200K cleats featuring diamonds in them for the Super Bowl LVI pregame.

TMZ Sports has learned ... OBJ teamed up with Dominic Ciambrone, aka "The Shoe Surgeon" in L.A., and Jason of Beverly Hills to create "the most expensive cleat ever" for Beckham to wear on Super Sunday.

We spoke with Dominic -- who has over 1 million followers on his social media page -- and he told us Odell's 1-of-1 cleats feature yellow gold (symbolic of the Rams' colors) and 1,494 round brilliant white diamonds on the Nike swoosh sign.

Dominic tells us the connection between him and OBJ formed after he collaborated with one of Odell's teammates, Jalen Ramsey, to make some cleats for the Rams star cornerback.

"I was making cleats for Jalen and a few other guys," Dominic said. "But this year Jalen hit me ... game one of the playoffs and then Odell hit me."

"We just knew we were going to work together. And it just happened to be on the biggest stage for the sport."

FYI, the turnaround time for a project like this is typically 3-to-5 months, but Dominic told us his team spent over 100 man-hours working on the project to ensure the cleats were ready for game day.

Speaking of the game ... we asked Dominic for a prediction, and, well, he couldn't pick against his friends.

"You already know that answer, man," he said. "The Rams are gonna win."

Adrian Peterson is gonna be in a jail cell this weekend, 'cause he was arrested on his way out of Los Angeles ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the ex-Vikings running back was arrested and booked for felony domestic violence Sunday at LAX -- this after airport police got a call at about 8:30 AM over a disturbance on an aircraft leaving LAX and attempting to take off en route to Houston.

We're told the plane actually had to turn around and link up with the gate again after an apparent verbal and physical altercation between a man and woman.

After a preliminary investigation -- and after making required notifications to the FBI -- our sources say Peterson was taken into custody ... as the alleged victim was seen to have sustained a small mark from whatever happened. Indeed ... we're told the woman is Peterson's wife, Ashley Brown.

After her husband was hauled off the plane, we're told the flight was able to depart as planned ... which included Ashley, who stayed on board with the rest of the passengers.

The two of them were in town the night prior, attending a Super Bowl event put on by DIRECTV.

We've reached out to Peterson's camp ... so far, no word back.

Joe Montana says he doesn't believe Tom Brady's career is over just yet ... telling TMZ Sports he thinks there's a good chance the quarterback returns.

The original G.O.A.T. explained his theory to us at the Fanatics event in Los Angeles on Saturday night ... saying he believes Brady is "crazy" to hang up the cleats right now.

"Look at the team he's got, why would you want to leave that?" Montana said. "I don't think it's done yet. I don't think that's over with."

Montana says he's pretty sure the way Brady's 2021 season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Rams will sway him to ultimately come back.

"He's still able to play at a high level," Joe tells us, "and the way his season ended for him, I would think that with the team he has, give it at least one more shot."

Montana did note that Gisele could play a big role in keeping Brady retired ... but he made it clear if he had to put a bet on it, he'd say Tom returns to the Buccaneers eventually.

As for Brady's opinion on the matter, he did leave the door open for a possible comeback ... saying on his podcast earlier this month, "you never say never."

Russell Wilson and Ciara beat a hasty retreat from a Super Bowl party after the father of one of her children showed up -- aka Future.

Russell and Ciara hit up Drake's show at h.wood Group and REVOLVE's Super Bowl party at the Pacific Design Center in WeHo Saturday night ... a party packed with celebs, including Lizzo, Teyana Taylor, Cardi B, Offset, and Jack Harlow.

Little did they know ... Drake had a surprise guest ... Future.

As you know, Ciara and Future had a difficult breakup, which became even more complicated once she hooked up with Russell who became super close to baby Future Zahir. Shade was thrown in all directions.

It's unclear where Future now stands with Ciara and Russell, but given their reaction after Future showed up, it doesn't seem like all is kumbaya.

Megan Thee Stallion was in top form Saturday night as she performed along with Doja Cat and Lil Baby at Michael Rubin's Fanatics Super Bowl LVI party in Culver City.

Megan rocked a leather mini and looked super glam as she entertained the crowd.

The guest list was impressive, to say the least ... Ciara, Russell Wilson, Quavo, Meek Mill, Rachel Lindsay, A$AP Ferg, Robert Kraft, Kevin Hart, Guy Fieri, J Balvin, Jasmine Tookes, Jerome Bettis, Joan Smalls, Joe Montana, Jonathan Cheban, Josephine Skriver, Dr. Oz, Erin Andrews and Eli Manning, Noah Beck, Dixie and Charli D'Amelio.

Notably ... Travis Scott was also at the bash.

This may be the best ticket in town for Super Bowl weekend. It's the party that's been building as the marquis celebration.

Most other parties are open if you can buy a ticket. This one's strictly invite-only, but scalpers have found a way to make a buck ... lots of bucks.

Megan wasn't done with her evening .. she showed up at another soiree in Hollywood at the Sunset Room. She and Diplo performed for the crowd at the Hall of Fame Party.

Drake and Future rocked the Pacific Design Center Saturday night as a house packed with celebs celebrated the lead-up to Super Bowl Sunday!

As for who was there at the bash hosted by the h.wood Group and REVOLVE ... Lizzo, Teyana Taylor, Cardi B, Offset, Cheryl Burke, Victoria Justice, Jack Harlow, Busta Rhymes, Larsa Pippen, Jack Dorsey, Scooter Braun, Ray J, Princess Love, Cedric the Entertainer, Ciara and Russell Wilson, Logan Paul, Jon Hamm, Lais Ribeiro, Jamie Foxx, Stassi Karanikolaou and Josie Canseco.

Justin and Hailey Bieber were front and center as he seemed to ignore everything around him as he embraced and kissed his wife ... and rubbed her butt!!! They danced super close during the show.

JB is clearly into Drake's music. You see him throw his arms up in the air as he feels the beat and mouthes the lyrics.

Bieber took the stage the night before at the same venue, where guests included Drake, Leo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Kendall Jenner and Khloe Kardashian.

TMZ obtained new footage of the Kodak Black shooting that shows the lead-up to the gunfire and what appears to be the weapon.

You see Kodak standing with Gunna and Lil Baby, posing for photos and casually chatting with one another early Saturday morning outside Justin Bieber's after-party at The Nice Guy.

You see Gunna walk behind Kodak and whispers something in his ear. Kodak turns his head and nods and says something back.

Gunna walks away and gets in his SUV and closes the door. At that point, someone yells, "Oh S***. What?!?" As the camera swings around you see several people, including Kodak, race toward someone.

We froze the video so you could see what appears to be a gun.

At that point, Kodak swings at someone, and then gunshots ring out. Kodak turns and stumbles backward.

4 people, including Kodak, were hit by bullets, but everyone is expected to be OK. Kodak was hit in the leg, taken to the hospital and listed in stable condition.

The shooter is still at large.

Timing is everything, and Super Bowl LVI's couldn't be worse for celebs already on edge due to recent violent crimes in L.A. -- and all that adds up to way more biz this weekend for private security companies.

During a normal Super Bowl, celebs attending the big game wouldn't call for backup, as it were, because the NFL and host city always have tight security teams and measures in place -- but that's different this year. However, Los Angeles has seen a lot of violence building up to game day, so big names in attendance are asking for more protection.

2 Deep Security says they're covering a handful of clients at the game, including Saints linebacker Kwon Alexander. They say each client's getting 3 guards ... 2 inside SoFi Stadium, and one on the outside. They've normally dispatched one bodyguard per celeb at Super Bowls.

Of course, L.A.'s famous for traffic ... so, naturally, Ratpack Worldwide Security says it's getting a spike in specialty transportation requests. A rep tells us their bulletproof rides and black truck fleets are providing the kinda protection celebs want while traveling to and from the game and all the parties this weekend.

Speaking of those parties, Kings Protection tells TMZ ... many of their clients are avoiding the bigger public parties they'd normally attend, and instead, doing smaller ones at hotels and Airbnbs -- but even there, they'll still have protection.

If the Bengals can't find Evan McPherson at halftime on Sunday, here's why ...

Cincy's star kicker tells TMZ Sports he wants to see Dr. Dre, Eminem and everyone else at the halftime show so badly ... he's considering not going into the locker room for the break!!

'"I'll be super bummed if we can't at least watch it on a TV or something," said the 22-year-old, who's kicked two game-winners for the Bengals so far this postseason.

"I hope I get to watch it," he added. "I hope I get to be out there to experience it."

Of course, this year's Super Bowl halftime show is expected to be one of the biggest ever ... with some of the music industry's biggest legends gracing the stage.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige are all set to perform ... and there's expected to be at least one special guest joining them.

McPherson tells us there's a chance he might be allowed to stay out and watch it all ... though he's unsure if his coaches will ultimately let him.

As for the game .... Evan tells us if the situation calls for him to kick another game-winning field goal, he'll be ready for that moment.

"I mean, that would definitely be really cool," McPherson said. "If it comes down to a field goal like our last couple of games have come down to, then, you know, I'll be ready to give this franchise its first super bowl."

It's the most wonderful time of the year -- SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!! -- and what better way to celebrate the big day than by honoring the wives and girlfriends of the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams!!!

Kelly Stafford -- who's been with Matthew since their University of Georgia days -- will certainly be at SoFi Stadium to root for her man ... hopefully, no pretzels involved.

BTW -- Kelly spent more than $200k on tickets for Rams fans to attend the NFC Championship game ... so props to her.

On the Bengals end, Olivia Holzmacher is used to cheering for Joe Burrow in a title game -- the two have been dating since #9 tore it up at LSU, where he won the Heisman and NCAA Championship in 2020.

But, it will be the first (in many ways) for Odell Beckham Jr.'s girlfriend Lauren Wood -- besides it being OBJ's first Super Bowl, the two are also expecting their first child any day now.

We can't forget to mention Erica Donald who married Aaron -- one of the best defensive players ever -- after they met when she worked for the Rams.

Browns fans are not going to like this ... but Michael Irvin believes the Odell Beckham Jr. experiment in Cleveland was never truly going to work out ... because the city wasn't the right stage for him.

The Hall of Famer spoke with TMZ Sports outside of Shannon Sharpe's Super Bowl party this week ... and he told us why OBJ's departure from the Browns was inevitable.

"Odell Beckham is a bad boy on the football field," Irvin said. "Period."

"He just needed the stage and the right atmosphere to show everybody."

He continued ... "And, Cleveland just wasn't it, I'm sorry. I love Cleveland, but it just wasn't it. This right here, L.A., Hollywood, Super Bowl, and all the energy and the bright lights it brings, that's Odell Beckham."

OBJ's mostly-disappointing tenure in the Land came to a bittersweet (but mostly bitter) end when the Browns released Beckham ... after his father posted a video on social media trashing Baker Mayfield.

And, from the sound of it, Irvin feels that signing to the Rams was best for OBJ ... explaining that Odell being in L.A. is a perfect fit.

Beckham found instant success with QB Matthew Stafford since pulling up to SoFi Stadium ... and #88 is glad he's once again showcasing his talent on the field.