Bill Belichick Wins Are Cool And All ... But I Care About Championships!!!

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WINS NOT A FACTOR
ESPN

Bill Belichick is only 15 wins away from passing Don Shula for the most head coaching wins in NFL history ... but he claims that wasn't on his mind before he took his new gig with North Carolina -- 'cause what he really cares about is championships.

Days after his introductory press conference in Chapel Hill, Bill gave an update on his first few days on the job during his appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" ... saying he's been busy recruiting high school players and working the transfer portal as he starts to build out his roster.

The 72-year-old was then asked about seemingly giving up on being the winningest coach in NFL history as a result of his move to the NCAA ... but he's making it clear there's something that holds much more weight in his eyes.

Dolphins' Grant DuBose Positive Update After Scary Hit ... But Receiver Still Remains In Hospital

The Miami Dolphins gave out some good news on Monday morning on inured wide receiver Grant DuBose ... saying he has movement in all of his extremities -- although he still remains in the hospital.

Dubose was hurt in the third quarter of the Fins' Sunday morning tilt with the Texans ... when defensive back Calen Bullock drilled him in the head just as he was trying to haul in a pass from Tua Tagaovailoa.

DuBose laid motionless for several minutes ... and the scene was horrifying -- as trainers appeared to cut off his jersey before they strapped him to a backboard and transported him to a nearby hospital.

Travis Hunter Defends Fiancée After Backlash ... 'We're Inseparable'

Travis Hunter is coming to his fiancée's defense after a drama-filled few days ... saying all the haters need to find something better to do with their free time, 'cause Leanna Lenee is going nowhere.

The 21-year-old became the second Colorado player to ever win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday ... and while it was a major accomplishment in Hunter's life, some of the talk on social media was what went down at a meet and greet with his fans over the weekend.

A clip made rounds showing Hunter taking photos with fans while Leanna was sitting on a nearby couch ... and at one point, she said, "What do you want me to do ... I just sit here then."

L.A. Dodgers' Freddie Freeman Walk Off Grand Slam Ball Sells For $1.56 Mil!

Freddie Freeman's walk-off Grand Slam home run in game one was the swing that set the tone for the eventual World Series champions ... and now the ball just sold at auction for $1.56 million!

The whopping price tag makes the Freeman ball the third most valuable in the history of baseball -- coming in behind Shohei Ohtani's 50th HR ball and Mark McGwire's 70th HR ball from 1998.

The Ruderman family -- who caught the mega-valuable ball, blasted by the eventual W.S. MVP in the 10th inning of the then-tied ballgame -- consigned the item to SCP Auctions.

Conor McGregor, Dee Devlin All Smiles on Date Night Weeks After Civil Case

Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin put on a united front during a night on the town ... with the UFC superstar's partner sharing snaps from a romantic date just a few weeks after the conclusion of his civil case.

The longtime couple looked inseparable in the pictures Devlin posted of the outing -- they were cozied up, holding hands and laughing at what appeared to be a dinner.

Devlin had an all-denim look for the night ... while McGregor elected for a matching green short-sleeve button-down and pants.

De'Vondre Campbell 49ers To Suspend LB ... Over Refusal To Play

De'Vondre Campbell's refusal to play last week is going to cost him ... he's reportedly now being suspended without pay for the rest of the regular season over his decision.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on X on Monday Kyle Shanahan is planning to sit Campbell down for the final three games after he wouldn't take the field at the end of San Francisco's "Thursday Night Football" loss to the Rams.

With the Niners' playoff hopes all but squashed, the ban will almost certainly spell the end of Campbell's tenure in the Bay Area.

Kim Zolciak & Kroy Biermann Cops Called to House Again ... Moving Truck Unable to Leave Property

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's house was visited by police once again ... this time over a simple parking dispute -- TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... a moving company came by Kim and Kroy's Georgia home Sunday morning to move some of the last items out.

However, we're told Kroy parked his car in front of the moving truck so it was unable to leave ... allegedly because he didn't want Kim leaving with items he didn't think she should have.

Dodgers Fan Gruesome Injury Photos After World Series Firework Mishap

The L.A. Dodgers fan who had a horrific firework accident during the World Series has undergone several procedures to mend his hand ... but despite the unfortunate event, he tells TMZ Sports he's staying positive through it all.

We spoke with Kevin King fresh off his fourth surgery after the DTLA incident that cost him his pointer and middle finger on his left hand ... and he is thankful it wasn't worse.

"If you're only losing a couple of fingers, don't worry about it," he said. "Thankful it wasn't my face, eye or ears."

Dolphins Receiver Grant Dubose Taken Off Field in Stretcher ... Transported to Hospital

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EXITING THE FIELD
@WillKunkelFox

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose needed medical attention after a big hit Sunday ... with a stretcher coming out to roll him off the field.

The rookie WR was playing in Houston against the Texans Sunday ... when Tua Tagovailoa targeted him with a downfield pass early in the third quarter.

While trying to make the catch, Houston Texans cornerback Calen Bullock came up and ran right through DuBose ... breaking up the pass and leaving the seventh-round draft pick lying, unmoving on the turf.

Troy Aikman I Expect Hell Of An NFL Career From Shedeur Sanders ... 'I Love His Game'

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EVERYONE'S GOT A PRICE
TMZSports.com

If Troy Aikman were running an NFL team, he'd clearly have no qualms heading into the 2025 season with Shedeur Sanders under center ... telling TMZ Sports he absolutely loves the Colorado QB's game.

Aikman made no bones about it during a chat with us this week ... explaining he's been a fan of Sanders ever since the 22-year-old was dominating on high school football fields.

"I do think he's a franchise quarterback," said Aikman, who played with Shedeur's father, Deion Sanders, in the 1990s. "I love his game."

Babes Rockin' Beanies ... Knitty or Nice?!

Baby it's cold outside, but these beanie babes are comin' in hot ... they're beani-full and they know it! With a variety of colors and styles, embrace the cozy vibes with these lovely ladies warming up the temps!

Singer Rosalía took a break from singing some winter beats and opted for some beanie treats, while gymnast Livvy Dunne kept snug at the ice rink in a chic black beanie!

Look back at rapper Ice Spice -- whose beanie-game was money in the music studio, and of course, Megan Thee Stallion's beanie hat hit hard in the gym!

NFL's Xavier Legette Raccoon's Actually 'Delicious' ... Celebrity Chef Insists

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ROASTED RACCOON
TMZSports.com

Anyone who yucked Xavier Legette's yum needs to reconsider ... 'cause celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern tells TMZ Sports eating raccoon is actually quite delightful.

The host of "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" (what a fitting title for a topic like this) weighed in on the Panthers receiver's shocking reveal this week ... when he disclosed on a podcast he enjoyed some trash panda on Thanksgiving.

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AN ACQUIRED TASTE ...
The St. Brown Podcast

Zimmern is siding all the way with the South Carolina native ... who claimed raccoons don't taste like chicken, but possess a very distinct flavor.

Lamar Odom Spreading Holiday Cheer ... Participates in Toy Drive

Lamar Odom's certainly no Grinch ... 'cause he handed out toys to thousands of kids Saturday -- though the notorious Christmas villain did make an appearance.

The former basketball star cohosted a toy drive with Steve Pazmany -- star of "Fully Torqued" on History Channel -- with the help of LAPD Devonshire PALS Center, an org that helps fund after-school programs for kids.

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giving back
Gina Rodriguez

After taking a pic with Pazmany and the Grinch, Lamar walked around the giant warehouse full of toys ... and, check it out 'cause it look like they've got enough to fill Santa's sleigh a few times over.

Daniel Penny Meets Donald Trump, J.D Vance ... Big Smiles at Football Game!!!

Daniel Penny was facing a long prison sentence last week ... but, now he's living the good life -- meeting two of the most powerful men in government on Saturday.

The Marine veteran met President-Elect Donald Trump and his future Vice President J.D. Vance ... posing for pictures with them at the Army-Navy football game in Maryland.

In the photo -- posted by one of Trump's staff members -- the three share big grins ... with Penny taking center stage in the photo between the two politicians.

Juan Soto Celebrates Mets Signing W/ Steak ... So(to) Delicious!!!

Juan Soto got an amazing dinner to go along with a $756 million contract on Thursday ... TMZ Sports has learned the Mets bought their new star and his family a steak feast to celebrate his formal signing with the team.

We're told just a few hours after Soto put pen to orange-and-blue paper at Citi Field, Steve Cohen hosted the 26-year-old and his loved ones at the world-renowned Benjamin Prime in NYC.

Soto grubbed on mozzarella and tomato salad ... and for a main course, he had a ribeye (if you were wondering, he's a medium-plus temperature kind of guy).

Shawne Merriman De'Vondre Campbell's NFL Career Likely Over ... Barring Heartfelt Apology

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HOW TO WRECK YOUR REP

It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, and a single moment to ruin one ... and Shawne Merriman says that's exactly what 49ers LB De'Vondre Campbell is about to experience!

"I think his reputation is done. I'd be shocked if another team decides to pick him up after the season because he now is going to be deemed unreliable," the retired former All-Pro told Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1) on Friday.

Of course, we're referencing an incident in the 3rd quarter of the Rams vs. 49ers Thursday Night Football game when the 9-year NFL vet refused to enter the game once Dre Greenlaw, who just replaced him in the starting lineup, went down with a leg injury.