TMZ Sports - Page 6

The bitter feud between Sammy Sosa and the Chicago Cubs is over -- the two sides are making amends after the MLB legend finally fessed up to making "mistakes" during his career.

Sosa was essentially outlawed by his former employer after he retired from the league in 2007 ... with the main gripe believed to be the fact he never admitted to, or apologized for, using performance-enhancing drugs, which he tested positive for in 2003.

That all changed on Thursday ... when the 56-year-old released a statement owning up to his past.

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.

Dennis Rodman is apologizing to his estranged daughter Trinity -- writing a lengthy and emotional social media post -- after the U.S. soccer star went on a podcast and blasted her pops for being an absent dad.

"I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time," Rodman said in the IG post.

"I’m always here and tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me."

Move over, Santa ... Patrick Mahomes is winning Christmas these days in Kansas City -- he just dropped a treasure trove of gifts on his teammates for the holidays!!

The quarterback unloaded a Yeti cooler full of goodies for the offensive linemen who have kept him upright throughout most of this season -- and it's clear, he spared no expenses.

The guys got Rolexes, Oakley sunglasses, Lucchese boots and a pair of Normatec recovery leg sleeves. They also got some Whoop bands -- and some even appear to have been gifted an item or two from Louis Vuitton as well!

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.

Taylor Swift and her pals know style ... dressing up in honor of the pop star at an "Eras" tour-themed party -- with Brittany and Patrick Mahomes paying homage to a viral moment.

Mrs. Mahomes posted several photos from the party to her Instagram just about an hour ago ... showing off her silver outfit covered in fringe -- clearly an interpretation of T-Swift's own outfits on tour.

Brittany had Patrick dressed up too ... black tux with a white undershirt and bow tie -- complete with a black top hat hanging off his thick curls.

Damian Lillard is having a solid week -- not only did his Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, it is now being reported he has agreed to a lifetime extension with Adidas.

According to ESPN, the 34-year-old reached the deal after his most recent contract with the company expired last offseason.

Lillard -- who signed with the organization in 2012 -- will now join an exclusive list of athletes who have a lifetime shoe endorsement ... including Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

Swifties are convinced Taylor Swift is trying to shake off her past romance with Joe Alwyn ... by erasing all evidence of the actor from a recently released behind-the-scenes video.

The singer's team dropped a number of BTS clips on her YouTube page in honor of her 35th birthday. The uploads featured Swift on a couple of her music video sets, including "Anti-Hero" and "Bejeweled," where she served as both the star and director.

Yet, it wasn't the Grammy winner's directing skills that had Swifties' tongues waggin' ... as one scene appeared noticeably edited -- seemingly as an effort to keep Alwyn from popping up in the footage.

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.

Apparently there is a place in this world where a Chicago Bear and a Green Bay Packer legend can happily coexist ... 'cause Adrian Colbert said this week a recent trip to Central America with Aaron Rodgers changed his life.

The 31-year-old defensive back made the admission to Harvey and Charles on Wednesday's "TMZ Live" -- explaining that after he did ayahuasca with Rodgers on a three-night retreat in Costa Rica this past year, he came out of it a completely different person.

The two went on the excursion with fellow NFLer Jordan Poyer and others ... and Colbert said Rodgers' words on the getaway helped him learn how to "surrender."

F1 star Sergio Pérez was in the giving mood days before his departure from Red Bull ... hooking his whole team up with a ton of booze for the holidays!!

The 34-year-old Mexican driver showed up at the RBR facility in England on Saturday ... swapping out his RB20 for a semi-truck filled to the brim with Patrón El Alto tequila.

One bottle sells for over 100 bucks ... so it's a pretty nice gesture. We're told the whole haul was worth $300k, but it's fair to assume Checo wasn't handed the bill, as he has a sponsorship deal with the brand.

File this under the easiest decision ever ... the Iowa Hawkeyes announced they will retire Caitlin Clark's iconic number 22 jersey next year!

The school dropped the announcement Wednesday, saying the ceremony will take place during the team's matchup against USC on February 2 (2/2), playing off the number worn by Clark during her four years at IU.

"I'm forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball," Clark said in a statement. "It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni."

Jared McCain wasn't about to let surgery keep him from the content game -- the Philadelphia 76ers rookie wasted no time hopping on TikTok after having a procedure done on his knee ... singing a Drake song while he was still drugged up!!

The guard went under the knife on Wednesday to fix his torn left lateral meniscus ... an injury he suffered against the Indiana Pacers last week.

McCain is known to be a TikTok enthusiast and rap fan ... so once the doctors finished up his knee, it shouldn't be all that surprising the 20-year-old went straight to the app to give fans an update.