Alexander Zverev is no longer the best men's tennis player without a Grand Slam title.

After years of near-misses, collapses, injuries, brutal draws and uncomfortable questions about whether he had the nerve to finish the job on the sport's biggest stage, Zverev finally broke through Sunday at Roland Garros.

"You can strip the labels. Sascha Zverev is now, and forever, a Grand Slam champion," TNT play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson exclaimed as the German claimed the final point.

Zverev defeated Flavio Cobolli, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1, to win the 2026 French Open and capture the first major championship of his career.

FRENCH OPEN WINNER MIRRA ANDREEVA QUICKLY CORRECTS TROPHY POSE AFTER HISTORIC VICTORY

It was a long time coming.

Zverev had already reached three Grand Slam finals before this tournament. He lost the 2020 U.S. Open final to Dominic Thiem after taking a two-set lead. He lost the 2024 French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz after holding a two-sets-to-one advantage. He lost the 2025 Australian Open final to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.

For most of his career, Zverev was defined by those losses. He was always a great player, even elite at times. He won an Olympic gold medal. He's been ranked as high as the No. 2 player in the world, and has been entrenched in the top five since April 2024.

But he had never won a major.

Now, finally, he has.

Zverev's off-the-court legacy is more complicated. He has faced domestic abuse allegations from two former partners, both of which he has denied. The ATP closed an investigation into one set of allegations in 2023 after finding insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims, and a German court closed a separate case in 2024 after a settlement with no finding or admission of guilt.

As a tennis achievement, though, this was the breakthrough he had spent years chasing.

He also became the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Boris Becker won the 1996 Australian Open.

And he did it at the one tournament where history has been almost impossible to crack.

Roland Garros has mostly belonged to Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and, more recently, Alcaraz. Stan Wawrinka's 2015 title was the rare exception. Wawrinka was the only player other than those three to win the French Open since 2010. Now, Zverev has added his name to one of the most exclusive clubs in sports.

It also made Zverev the first men's Grand Slam champion outside the Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic and Nadal group in years. He's the first to win a major other than those four since Daniil Medvedev won the 2021 U.S. Open. The U.S. Open is typically the tournament that sees breakthrough winners, too. Zverev is the first player not named Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic, Nadal or Federer to win the Australian Open, Wimbledon or the French Open since Andy Murray won Wimbledon in 2016.

The 2026 French Open started on an inauspicious note with Alcaraz, the defending champion and reigning Australian Open winner, withdrawing prior to the tournament because of a right wrist injury.

Sinner, the world No. 1 and the player many expected to challenge Alcaraz for the title, was knocked out in a stunning second-round defeat. Djokovic, still fighting Father Time better than anyone should reasonably be allowed to, suffered a third-round upset.

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA SAYS WIDE-OPEN FRENCH OPEN IS GOOD FOR TENNIS: ‘YOU NEED SUSPENSE’

That confluence of events opened the door.

Zverev walked through it.

Now comes the bigger question.

Did Zverev just turn the Alcaraz-Sinner era into something closer to a new Big 3 conversation? Or did he take advantage of one wide-open major and finally cash in on a chance he might not have again?

The latter is more likely.

Zverev didn't beat Alcaraz to win this title. He didn't beat Sinner. He didn't beat Djokovic. That matters, because those are the measuring sticks in men's tennis right now.

Alcaraz already owns the career Grand Slam. Sinner has already proven he can dominate hard courts and beat the best players in the world, though he's still seeking the elusive French Open victory. Djokovic, even at 39, showed he can still compete at the highest level, reaching the final in the 2026 Australian Open.

Zverev still has work to do if he wants to be viewed as a true peer in that group.

But he also has something now that he never had before: proof.

Proof that he can survive a Grand Slam final. Proof that he can handle the last Sunday of a major. Proof that his best tennis is good enough to carry him through two weeks and end with him lifting one of the four biggest trophies in the sport.

That changes the conversation.

Before Sunday, Zverev's career was defined by the missing hardware. Now, it's defined by what comes next.

If this is indeed the start of a second act, men's tennis suddenly gets more interesting. Alcaraz and Sinner are still clearly the present and future of the sport. They are head and shoulders above everyone else on the planet right now. The results speak for themselves: those two combined to win nine straight Grand Slam titles prior to Zverev's breakthrough. And Zverev was arguably only in this position due to Alcaraz's injury and Sinner's early exit.

Still, the lanky German has plenty of game and finally added the experience and confidence that come with winning a major tournament.

He answered the biggest question of his career Sunday in Paris. He is capable of winning a Grand Slam.

Now he has to answer the next one.

Can he do it when Alcaraz or Sinner is standing across the net?

That’s what will decide whether Roland Garros was a career-changing breakthrough or the best two weeks of a very good career.

Either way, Zverev finally has the one thing he was missing.

As Brian Anderson put it, "Sascha Zverev is now, and forever, a Grand Slam champion."

Rupert Everett is looking back on his "slightly sociopathic" past.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, the 67-year-old actor discussed his rebellious past, calling himself "Brash. Pushy. Disingenuous. Lethal."

"Well, I was lethal. I was just interested in myself and my own pleasure. That’s always lethal. I think I was slightly sociopathic. I was a terrible gossip, and I repeated everything everyone told me. I’d borrow people’s clothes and never give them back," he said. "I don’t know how I justified it to myself. I was lethal."

The "Shrek 2" star explained he was very concerned about his "vanity," saying for him, vanity is "a feeling of deep insecurity rather than feeling how fabulous I am."

CHARLIE SHEEN ADMITS HE ‘LIT THE FUSE’ THAT BLEW HIS LIFE APART AS TURBULENT PAST RESURFACES

He has since left his partying ways behind him, saying that while he thought he would still be clubbing in his 70s, he is "not remotely interested" in any of that.

"I’m interested in dust particles and things like that," he said. "I could quite happily sit just watching spring...I love smaller things now, thank God."

Not only was he "lethal" to others in his life, he also admits to being careless with his body, telling the outlet "I ruined myself."

When looking back at his body when he was younger, noting, "I was wonderful-looking at one point" and had muscles, but admits to going to great lengths to get there.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

"I ruined myself. Now I’m almost crippled as a result. I could never be bothered to do all those things, like stretching, which were necessary for lifting weights, because your tendons get tighter and tighter. So boring. I didn’t do any of that. So now my demise will be musculoskeletal, I think."

As he has gotten older, Everett admits that while he is "still quite selfish," but less so than when he was younger, adding he is "probably more thoughtful about other people’s spaces," adding, "You have to be when you live with someone."

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

The actor has been with his wife, Henrique, for 16 years, confirming in August 2024 that the two had officially tied the knot.

"As soon as you live with someone, that’s the end of that – otherwise you’d split up after five minutes," he said. "You have to make allowances, give territory."

Everett had his breakthrough in the entertainment industry in the 1981 play "Another Country," and later reprised his role in the 1984 film adaptation. 

He then gained international stardom in "My Best Friend's Wedding," which earned him a Golden Globe and BAFTA nomination.

He later earned another Golden Globe nomination for his role in the 1999 movie, "An Ideal Husband."

Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy is so good these days that it seems like him being a Vezina Trophy finalist is kind of a shoo-in.

But one of the best back stoppers of the last decade is not immune from being the butt of a joke, and the Lightning decided to have some fun while giving Vasilevskiy his second career Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best goaltender.

And it was the kind of prank that would look right at home on an episode of "Punk'd."

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

...Remember "Punk'd"?!

The NHL has been doing this thing over the last couple of years where they announce all of the award winners early instead of doing it at the NHL Awards. I'm not big on this, and I think the idea is to come up with ways to surprise winners and cook up some sweet, sweet social media content to boot.

So, with Vasilevskiy winning the award over Boston's Jeremy Swayman and Islander Ilya Sorokin, the team got creative with how they'd give him the award.

HERE ARE THREE NHL GOALIES WHO WERE MASSIVE VEZINA TROPHY FINALIST SNUBS

And what better way to do that than by calling in some of Tampa's finest to make him think his car has a large suspicious object in it?

I mean, they could give him a Ruth's Chris gift card, but this works too!

Nothing like making your goalie break out in a sweat, thinking his car is about to explode before you go, "Nah, bro. Congrats!"

My favorite part is when Vasilevskiy said he was relieved that nothing went wrong and he wouldn't have to deal with his insurance company.

I felt that. I think we all felt that.

Well, congrats to Vasilevskiy. What a year he had. One that included a fight in an outdoor game against Vezina nominee Jeremy Swayman. No other Vezina winner can say that.

But where do you go from here? The only thing more extreme would be going for something like another hidden camera prank show, "Scare Tactics".

Maybe they make him think he's being abducted by aliens, or that Bigfoot is smashing his mailbox.

And what happens if an actual police incident occurs?

You don't want him seeing a secure perimeter and a bomb-disposal robot and saying, "Alright, guys — what did I win this time?!"

America turns 250 on the Fourth of July, and communities across the country are marking the milestone with a yearlong lineup of concerts, fireworks, festivals and historical events. From California to Boston, destinations are building special travel experiences around the Semiquincentennial, making this a memorable time to hit the road.

We rounded up eight destinations worth adding to your itinerary for America's 250th anniversary, including iconic historical landmarks and a few lesser-known stops. Read on to start planning your trip, and the gear we recommend you take with you along the way. 

READ MORE: America 250 is coming: What to know and the best commemorative gear to buy

No destination is more closely tied to America's 250th anniversary than Philadelphia. The city is marking the milestone with the Wawa Welcome America Festival, a multi-day celebration running June 19 through July 4 that includes six days of fireworks and culminates in a free concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway featuring Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, The Roots and more. Visitors can also explore the First Bank of the United States, which reopens to the public July 1 for the first time in decades.

Penn's View Hotel is an Italian American family-owned boutique property housed in an 1828 brick building in Philadelphia’s Old City. Guest rooms blend historic character with modern comforts, and many feature fireplaces and views of the Delaware River. The hotel also sits within walking distance of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and other major historic sites.

For a quieter stay outside the city, consider the Hotel Warner in nearby West Chester. But in general, if you're planning a trip around the anniversary celebrations, book early, as Philadelphia hotels are expected to fill quickly.

Boston is celebrating America's 250th anniversary with a yearlong lineup of events under its Boston 250 initiative, including reenactments, museum exhibits and waterfront programming throughout the summer. The centerpiece is the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Fourth of July along the Charles River Explanade, including expanded viewing areas and performances by Lainey Wilson and Chance The Rapper, among others. Visitors can also catch the return of Sail Boston, which brings tall ships and military vessels back to Boston Harbor for the first time since 2017.

Stay at the Revere Hotel Boston Common, which has created a Revolution 250 package featuring complimentary tickets to the Paul Revere House, a Freedom Trail map and welcome cocktails. It's right at the foot of plenty of historical sites in the area. A more premium option if you want an elevated stay is the Liberty Hotel, housed in the former Charles Street Jail, offering a Fourth of July package that includes prime views of the Charles River fireworks. 

One of the most unique events on the summer 2026 calendar is the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. On Aug. 22 and 23, the NTT INDYCAR Series will race on the National Mall for the first time, using a 1.7-mile, seven-turn street circuit that passes landmarks including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. General admission is free, and the Sunday race will air live on FOX. While you're in the capital, consider adding a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, which is planning special programming tied to America's 250th anniversary.

The Viceroy Washington DC blends modern amenities with locally inspired design in the heart of the 14th street corridor. Its location offers easy access to the National Mall during race weekend, while also placing guests near Logan Circle's popular restaurants and nightlife. For a stay even closer to the action, Hotel Washington puts visitors within walking distance of the race and many of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

If your ideal America 250 celebration centers more on music than fireworks, consider a trip to New York's Hudson Valley. The Hudson River Music Festival returns to Croton Point Park on June 21, continuing a tradition rooted in the folk music championed by Pete and Toshi Seeger in the 1960s. The all-ages event features performances across three stages set along the Hudson River, bringing together a diverse lineup of artists in one of the country's most historic landscapes.

For a casual stay, consider The Roundhouse in nearby Beacon, which pairs a boutique hotel experience with scenic waterfall views. For a more elevated stay, check out the Tarrytown House Estate, a historic property with Gilded Age architecture. It offers access to walking trails overlooking the Hudson River.

READ MORE: The FOX News Wine Shop lets you sip American wines at home — here's how it works

Celebrate the end of summer on the Southern California coast at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa's Labor Day Festival on Sept. 5, featuring a headline performance by country musician and "Yellowstone" star Luke Grimes. For a dose of history, drive about 30 minutes south to Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, which commemorates the first recorded European landing on the West Coast. Families can also add a stop at nearby Legoland California to round out the trip.

Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort & Spa, offers one of the more accessible beachfront stays in the area, perched above the shoreline just south of Carlsbad Village. The property features ocean-view dining and easy beach access, while its location places guests about a 15-minute drive from Omni La Costa Resort & Spa for festival events.

Few destinations capture the spirit of the American road trip quite like South Dakota’s Black Hills. During the summer, Mount Rushmore National Memorial hosts nightly lighting ceremonies that include ranger-led programs, recognition of veterans and the illumination of the monument after sunset. Visitors traveling over the Fourth of July can also enjoy a full day of special programming, including presidential re-enactors, Indigenous cultural demonstrations and a performance by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band.

Round out the trip with a visit to the nearby Crazy Horse Memorial and a drive through Custer State Park, where scenic roads offer opportunities to spot bison, wildlife and some of the region’s most dramatic landscapes.

For a glamping experience near Mount Rushmore, Under Canvas Mount Rushmore offers safari-style tents on the site of a former gold-mining settlement. Guests get amenities like king-size beds and private bathrooms, making it a comfortable alternative to traditional camping. For a more personal experience, consider Eagle Landing Lodge, a family-owned farmhouse about 20 minutes from Custer State Park. Each morning begins with homemade breakfast, best enjoyed on the front porch when the weather is good. 

READ MORE: Celebrate America's 250th with these patriotic keepsakes and collectibles, from $16

Yellowstone National Park became the nation's first national park in 1872, making it a fitting destination during America's 250th anniversary year. Visitors can watch Old Faithful erupt at regular intervals, see the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring — the largest hot spring in the United States — and explore one of the country's most iconic landscapes. Wildlife viewing is another major draw, with bison roaming Hayden Valley and elk frequently spotted near park lodges and roadways.

Located about 20 minutes from Yellowstone's West Entrance, Island Park Lodge offers a quieter and often more affordable base for exploring the park. Guests can choose between traditional hotel rooms and modern rustic cabins, both designed with easy access to Yellowstone in mind. For a more immersive stay inside the park, consider the historic Old Faithful Inn, a National Historic Landmark known for its soaring timber architecture, massive stone fireplace and views of the famous geyser from select rooms.

Located just south of Astoria, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park preserves Fort Clatsop, the reconstructed winter camp where the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1805-06 after reaching the Pacific Ocean. During the summer, visitors can explore living history programs, paddle portions of the Lewis and Clark River or join ranger-led hikes through the surrounding landscape. Nearby, the Astoria Column rewards those willing to climb its 164 steps with sweeping views of the Columbia River and Pacific Coast. For even more coastal scenery, Cannon Beach and its iconic Haystack Rock sit about 25 minutes away.

Painstakingly restored in the early 2000s, Hotel Elliott offers a boutique stay in downtown Astoria within easy reach of the waterfront. Guests can take in views from the rooftop terrace while staying close to attractions. For a more upscale experience, Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa sits directly over the Columbia River and features private balconies with views of passing ships and the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Guests also receive a complimentary glass of wine at check-in.

READ MORE: Shopping for America 250? Here's what's actually made in the USA — and what's imported

From a carry-on suitcase and passport holder to a soft-sided cooler for road-trip snacks, these are the travel essentials we’d pack for any of these America 250 destinations.

The Béis Carry-On Roller is an editor-favorite thanks to its built-in compression system and hidden trolley sleeve that lets it stack securely on larger luggage. Associate Production Editor Jaclyn Kaufman praised the spinner wheels, noting that they "glide effortlessly" through the airport. It also comes in a variety of distinctive colors that are easy to spot at baggage claim.

This Italian Nappa leather passport holder delivers a premium look and feel for less than $30. Inside, it features four card slots, a pocket for boarding passes and RFID-blocking lining designed to help safeguard personal information. It's also available in several bright colors, which one five-star reviewer noted makes it easy to "find in a handbag." 

Original price: $200
 

The YETI Hopper Flip 12 holds up to 11 cans plus ice and is built to keep drinks cold throughout a full day outdoors. Its closed-cell foam insulation delivers impressive temperature retention, while the leak-resistant zipper helps prevent spills and messes during travel. The compact design also makes it easy to bring along for road trips, beach days and outdoor events.

READ MORE: Save 40% or more on linen shirts, cooling fans and more on Amazon ahead of Prime Day

A good neck pillow can make long flights and road trips far more comfortable by helping support your head and neck while you rest. This Cabeau travel pillow uses memory foam for added cushioning and includes straps that attach to most headrests to help keep the pillow securely in place.

Original price: $69.99

This Anker power bank can top off your phone and earbuds on the go with enough capacity for multiple device charges. The built-in cable means there's one less accessory to dig out of your bag before a trip.

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals

Original price: $26.98

Don't let an overstuffed suitcase limit your packing options. These packing cubes compress to help organize and condense clothing. The set includes one large cube, two medium cubes, two small cubes and a drawstring shoe bag, providing plenty of room for an entire vacation wardrobe.

Find even more products on Amazon and get your packages ASAP when you become an Amazon Prime member. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping.

A man found with zip ties and duct tape has been charged with assaulting five women in less than an hour on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus last week.

Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, 29, allegedly sexually assaulted two women and tried to sexually assault a third at UCLA, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He allegedly physically assaulted two other women. Four of the women are students.

Akindahunsi, who is not a student at the university, is charged with one felony count of attempted kidnapping to commit a forcible rape, three felony counts of assault with the intent to commit a forcible rape during the commission of a first-degree burglary, and two felony counts of assault likely to produce great bodily injury.

"These disturbing attacks strike at the core of campus safety, traumatizing five victims and unsettling campus life," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. "We are working closely with the UCLA Police Department to bring the attacker to justice and ensure that he will be held fully accountable for his actions."

FORMER UCLA GYNECOLOGIST SENTENCED AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO SEXUALLY ASSAULTING PATIENTS AT SCHOOL

"Our swift actions should send a powerful deterrent message to anyone thinking of coming onto a college campus to harm anyone: they will be arrested, prosecuted, and punished," he added. "Our university campuses need to be safe and protected spaces for our students, faculty, staff, and community, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that this happens."

Akindahunsi's alleged spree began at 11:30 p.m. on May 28 when he attacked a woman on Bruin Walk, a main campus walkway, and fled with her phone, authorities said.

Minutes later, he slipped behind two women into their dorm building and followed them to their room, prosecutors said. He allegedly sexually assaulted one of the women and assaulted the other. Both women managed to escape.

STUDENTS AT TOP PARTY COLLEGE ON EDGE AFTER RAPE, STRANGULATION REPORTED IN CAMPUS HOUSING

Afterward, Akindahunsi entered a different dorm building and attempted to kidnap a woman walking down a hallway, authorities said. She broke free and fled.

Authorities said that shortly after, Akindahunsi sexually assaulted a woman in the hallway of her dorm, when a resident intervened and Akindahunsi fled the scene.

He was arrested by campus police minutes later near a parking structure after officers were flagged down by witnesses, the UCLA Police Department said.

Multiple witnesses identified Akindahunsi as the attacker, police said. He was found with zip ties, duct tape, and paracord, authorities said.

Akindahunsi is being held in the Los Angeles County Jail with no bail, according to jail records. His citizenship status was not immediately clear.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the university, as well as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Kylie Jenner looked pretty in pink in her latest Instagram post.

The 28-year-old reality star shared a series of photos from her girls trip to Turks & Caicos for her Kylie Cosmetics brand, sharing pictures of her and her girls at dinner, the beautiful table set up and multiples of her in a pink bikini.

She captioned the post, "sunset dinner with @kyliecosmetics 💓."

In the photos, Jenner is posing in a pink string bikini in different locations. In one of the photos she has her back to the camera as she looks over her shoulder with a serious look on her face. Behind her, the sun is setting on the horizon behind the ocean.

KYLIE JENNER DAZZLES IN DARING WHITE STRING BIKINI FOR POOLSIDE PHOTOS

 In the photos, Jenner accessorizes the pink bikini with a matching pink skirt with ruffles on the bottom.

Later in the post, she stands in the same spot, this time facing the lens, as she pouts her lips to the camera.

She also included photos of her standing on the balcony of the home she is staying in while visiting the Caribbean island, dressed in the same bikini, which she paired with earrings and a pair of white flip flops.

Jenner further showed off her abs in a selfie taken while walking down a flight of stairs, in which her face is cut off, but her toned body is fully visible.

"Oh My God, But what a diva. 😍❤️," one fan wrote in the comments section. Another added, "Obsessed w the bathing suit 🌸💕🩷💗."

"Such a Barbie," one person wrote, with other comments: "BODYYYYY," "Gorgeous," "So stunning," "serving the bodyyy," and "Unmmmm insane."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Earlier this year, the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star posed topless to announce a drop for her fashion label, Khy. She posed with her hands covering her chest, with "I Heart LA" tattooed on her arm in sparkling rhinestones.

The Kylie Cosmetics founder revealed in her caption that the upcoming collection is a tribute to her roots.

"Born in LA <3 this new collection for @khy is very personal to me," she wrote to her 390 million followers. "It’s inspired, designed, and almost all of it made here in Los Angeles. i can’t wait for this and everything we have coming this year and beyond! .. from LA to wherever you are. xx ky"

Jenner first launched her clothing company in November 2023, and since then has aimed to bridge the gap between high-end luxury and everyday streetwear by partnering with emerging designers.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

The Philadelphia Eagles traded wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots on Monday, and the wide receiver said his relationship with star quarterback Jalen Hurts grew distant.

Brown, 28, said that while there’s no bad blood with his now-former quarterback, the two grew apart.

"Not as close as we once were," Brown said during an appearance on "7PM in Brooklyn."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I believe that’s fine. It’s like, there’s no bad blood. There’s actually still a lot of love, I love him to death. I want him to succeed and accomplish all the things that he wants to accomplish."

The three-time Pro Bowler said that nothing happened and both parties accepted that they were drifting apart. Hurts recently made news for not attending Brown's wedding in May.

"Nothing happened. People just grow apart. Nothing happened between me and him, or our families, our wives, anything. Nothing like that ever happened," Brown said. "But life happens and you just look up sometimes and you find yourself drifting away. And that’s fine. And I think both parties accepted that."

The former Ole Miss star said he was confused as to why their friendship became such a talking point among the public.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

"I didn’t truly understand why our friendship became the center of everybody’s attention when it came to football because looking back on it we haven’t been as close as we were for a couple of years now, that didn’t stop anything," Brown said.

"We still competed, we still pushed each other, we still led the team. It’s kind of strange, people just got so fixated on our relationship."

Hurts and Brown helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory two seasons ago. In four seasons in Philadelphia, Brown caught 339 passes for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Despite the success, the Eagles moved on from Brown on Monday after it became more advantageous to trade him on June 1 due to salary cap implications.

The Eagles went from possibly carrying a $43.4 million dead-money charge for the trade to shrinking that to $16.3 million based on NFL June 1 salary cap rules. The team acquired a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection from the Patriots for Brown.

Now in New England, Brown has nothing but love for Hurts.

"Nothing but love for him, I want him to do well and accomplish everything his heart desires."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.