TMZ Sports - Page 13

The NFL season kicks off in a little over 24 hours, but Bill Belichick might have just stolen the spotlight from the league -- as the eight-time Super Bowl champion shockingly announced he's joined Instagram!!!

The second-winningest coach in NFL history made the bombshell announcement on Wednesday's "Pat McAfee Show" ... this after living in social media oblivion for YEARS.

In true Belichick fashion, he screwed up the name of the app while telling Pat of his new endeavor.

Former NFL star Adrian Wilson has struck a deal with officials to close out his domestic violence case -- ensuring if he completes a series of conditions ... the whole thing will be behind him in a matter of months.

Scottsdale, Ariz. court records show the five-time Pro Bowler cut the pact with prosecutors on Tuesday -- agreeing to enter into a pretrial diversion program to eventually rid himself of the disorderly conduct charge he had been facing.

As part of the agreement, officials dropped the other two counts against him -- domestic violence assault and domestic violence damage to property.

Artem Chigvintsev's domestic violence arrest is moving along ... 'cause the Napa County Sheriff just turned the case over to the D.A. -- and, formal charges could be coming.

Napa County D.A. Spokesperson Carlos Villatoro tells TMZ ... their office is currently reviewing the case, and no decision has been made yet on charges the pro dancer may face.

We're told the D.A. will make a decision after a thorough review of the case and will then make a public announcement.

Philadelphia Eagles star Darius Slay is issuing an apology -- but not to any one person -- rather to an entire nation ... saying he's sorry to Brazil for comments he made about the country ahead of his team's upcoming game in São Paulo.

The 33-year-old cornerback took to his X account to make the mea culpa on Tuesday night -- just days after he said he did not want to travel to Brazil for the Eagles' season-opener against the Packers at all.

Slay said on his "Big Play Slay" podcast he was concerned about the country's crime rate -- before he asked straight up, "NFL, why do y'all wanna send us somewhere where the crime rate is this high?"

Donald Trump is heaping praise on Brittany Mahomes ... days after the wife of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes made headlines after seemingly throwing her support behind the former president.

"I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me, and the fact that MAGA is the greatest and most powerful Political Movement in the History of our now Failing Country," #45 posted on Truth Social Wednesday morning.

Trump wasn't done ... he then gave Patrick a shout-out.

Travis Kelce's reps are on the ball when it comes to shutting down this viral Taylor Swift breakup rumor ... even enlisting legal help to tackle the drama head-on.

Here's the skinny ... an alleged "Comprehensive Media Plan" from the NFL star's reps at Full Scope Public Relations made the rounds online Tuesday night, seemingly suggesting Travis and Taylor's "Love Story" was all fabricated for press -- and that there was even a plan to break up on September 28.

It didn't take long for the one-sheet to go viral online ... especially since so many Swifties believe the pop star has finally found "The One" with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end.

Glen Powell's on fire -- not just in Hollywood but on the field too -- showing out as he filmed his new sports TV comedy, "Chad Powers."

The actor's stepping into the cleats of Oregon Ducks college quarterback Russ Holliday -- and you can see him stretching out before the cameras roll in Atlanta ... featuring him dodging Georgia Bulldogs defenders and charging toward a winning touchdown.

These scenes are all about reliving his character’s glory days, with Glen rocking a youthful mullet, compared to the shaggier look he’s been sporting on other filming days.

Johnny Gaudreau's wife is commemorating their third wedding anniversary with a truly heartbreaking message ... just days after the NHL star and his brother tragically passed away.

"I never post this much but John deserves it," Meredith said on Instagram on Wednesday. "3 years ago today I became yours forever. One of the best days of my life, including the night we got engaged and the days we brought our babies into the world."

Meredith -- who shared pictures of their ceremony and honeymoon with the emotional note -- explained she knew from the moment she met the Columbus Blue Jackets star she would end up being his wife ... and their relationship only got better as time went on.

Rajon Rondo just a cut deal with prosecutors to close out his recent criminal case -- reaching an agreement that will ensure he won't have to spend further time behind bars ... if he keeps his nose clean for the next several months.

According to court records, the former NBA star pleaded guilty in an Indiana court room on Tuesday to a misdemeanor count of unlawful carrying of a handgun ... and in exchange, the two other charges he was facing -- possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia -- were dropped.

As part of the deal, Rondo was sentenced to 180 days in jail ... but the sentence was suspended, meaning he'll instead spend the time on probation. If he has a brush with the law in the next half a year or so, he could find himself behind bars ... but he won't have to serve any hard time if he stays out of trouble.

A dirt bike race in Argentina caused quite the calamity ... a stuck bike resulted in multiple collisions during the competition -- though organizers say riders only sustained minor injuries.

Video shows how the crash at Enduro del Invierno in Mar del Plata, Argentina went down ... beginning after one moto rider got himself and his bike stuck in beach sand -- and he frantically waves to keep other racers from plowing into him.

A few bikers just barely miss the competitor ... before one runs right through rider and bike alike.

Viral Olympic breaker Rachael Gunn -- AKA "Raygun" -- is issuing a mea culpa to the entire community for all the backlash it faced following her Paris 2024 performance ... saying despite the end results, she truly tried her best.

Raygun did a sit-down interview with "The Project" on Wednesday ... where she addressed all the hoopla surrounding her infamous routine last month -- including the not-so-nice reactions.

"It is really sad to hear those criticisms, and I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced," Raygun said. "But I can't control how people react."

Aryna Sabalenka's win at the US Open in New York on Tuesday night ended up being a big victory for all in attendance ... as she promised free booze to everyone who watched her score the W.

The 26-year-old made the offer just after rolling through Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium ... when ESPN's Pam Shriver asked her how she planned on getting support in the next round against American Emma Navarro.

"Umm," the Belarusian said, "drinks on me tonight!?"

Charles Barkley believes Caitlin Clark is being grossly mistreated by her fellow WNBA players so far in her career ... and he's chalking it all up to "petty jealousness."

The Chuckster teed off on the current state of the W during an interview with Bill Simmons this week ... claiming despite all Clark has done for the organization, her peers are dropping the ball by being grade-A haters.

"These ladies, and I'm a WNBA fan, they cannot have f***ed this Caitlin Clark thing up any worse if they tried," the Hall of Famer said.

His nickname might be El Presidente, but don't expect to see Dave Portnoy on a ballot anytime soon ... 'cause the Barstool Sports founder says there's a ZERO percent chance he ever runs for political office.

Portnoy -- who is passionate about his views on social media -- was asked about the possibility of getting into government on the most recent episode of "The Resilient Life" with Ryan Manion ... and despite admitting he's entertained the idea in the past, he's adamant that's as far as he'll go.

"Never," Portnoy said. "I've thought about it. I get so mad, but I'm a firm believer you can get a lot more done not in political office."

TMZ Sports has learned Miller Moss -- the star quarterback who helped lift the Trojans to an upset win over No. 13 LSU this weekend -- was investigated by USC a little less than three years ago ... after he was involved in a feud with his roommate.

The probe occurred sometime in the spring of 2022 -- just after the signal-caller had finished his first season at Southern Cal.

The school tells us it could not get into the specifics of the matter due to legal reasons -- but in a statement released on Moss' behalf, the redshirt junior QB said he was remorseful for the behavior that apparently sparked the investigation.

A University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestler has been arrested for murder ... following the shooting death of star gymnast Kara Welsh, law enforcement tells TMZ Sports.

The Whitewater Police released a statement days after Welsh, 21 years old, was found dead at her off-campus apartment ... tragically struck down by multiple gunshots on August 30.

A 23-year-old male, Chad Richards, was present at the apartment when police arrived following the fatal shooting ... and after a thorough investigation, WPD determined the shooting was a result of an altercation between the two.