Albany's AJ Simon Dead At 25 ... Was NFL Draft Hopeful

Former Albany defensive lineman AJ Simon, who was hoping to get picked in the upcoming NFL Draft, has died at only 25 years old.

The university announced the tragic news on social media on Wednesday, writing ... "The UAlbany football program was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Amitral "AJ" Simon this morning."

"AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout his time at UAlbany. he was a role model both on and off the field, serving as a pillar to this program over the last two years."

O.J. Simpson Es oficialmente cremado Su abogado y otros testigos estuvieron presentes

O.J. Simpson ha sido oficialmente cremado y parece que solo estuvo presente un selecto grupo de personas, incluyendo su abogado, ahora convertido en albacea de su patrimonio.

Malcolm LaVergne confirma a TMZ que el cuerpo de su cliente por muchos años fue incinerado el miércoles en una instalación llamada Palm Mortuary en Las Vegas y dice que estuvo presente, al igual que algunos otros, aunque no quiso decir exactamente quiénes.

04/16/24
Nuevo sombrero, nuevas obligaciones
TMZ.com

Nos dicen que la cremación se llevó a cabo esta mañana alrededor de las 10 AM. LaVergne dijo a AP que no había planes inmediatos para hacer un memorial público.

O.J. Simpson Officially Cremated Atty., Others Were Present

O.J. Simpson has officially been cremated -- and it sounds like there were only a select few people around to bear witness ... including his attorney-turned-executor of his estate.

Malcolm LaVergne confirms to TMZ that his longtime client's body was burned to ashes Wednesday at a facility called Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas ... and he says he was present, as were some others, although he wouldn't say exactly who.

04/16/24
NEW HAT, NEW OBLIGATIONS
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We're told the cremation went down this morning around 10 AM. LaVergne told AP there were no immediate plans for a public memorial.

Jason Kelce I lost My SB Ring In A Chili Pit ... Seriously!!!

Now In A Landfill
New Heights / Wave Sports + Entertainment

The live taping of a 'New Heights' show at the Univ. of Cincinnati last week came at a steep cost for Jason Kelce ... who says he actually lost his Super Bowl ring during all the hoopla.

The former Philadelphia Eagles center said on this week's pod he believes the championship bling made its disappearance at some point during a chili tub scavenger hunt that he and his little brother, Travis, were overseeing.

Jason says as part of the game, contestants had to sift through the slop in some inflatable pools for a sock that had his actual SB LII jewelry inside of it.

But, none of the contestants were able to come up with it ... and after searching for it for hours, his pals couldn't find it either.

"I legitimately lost my Super Bowl ring in this event," Kelce said. "They could not find it."

Jason -- who explained the game was actually set up to make fun of his propensity for losing the ring and then finding it days later -- said he's pretty sure that because everything was thrown in the trash following the big event, the prized item is now in a landfill somewhere in the Cincinnati area.

Travis -- who has three Super Bowl rings of his own -- roasted his big brother for involving his jewelry in the game ... calling him "a f***ing imbecile."

Jason, though, wasn't too broken up about it ... he said he's already filed an insurance claim for it -- and is hoping to get a new one remade soon.

Quavo 'Huncho Day' Is Back In ATL!!! ... Hoops, 7v7 Football, Gun Violence Prevention

Quavo's "Huncho Day" event is back in Atlanta for 2024 ... and TMZ Sports has learned the superstar rapper is expanding this year, adding both basketball and 7v7 football games in addition to his first-ever "Quavo Cares Social Impact Hub", a gun violence prevention that focuses on community safety.

For the past six years the 33-year-old rapper, along with apparel brand Legends, has given back to his city of ATL by throwing the annual shindig -- a celebrity football game -- at his alma mater, Berkmar High School.

But, this April 28th, Quavo (real name Quavious Marshall) is adding to the festivities ... the 7th annual "Huncho Day" will feature the Team Huncho Basketball and Team Huncho Elite 7v7 football games.

Football and basketball youth clinics, supported by the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Falcons, will also be there, along with a fun zone for kids.

He's also introducing a new initiative called the "Quavo Cares Social Impact Hub" ... and we're told it's "an experiential space for civic and community resource partners to provide and educate the Atlanta community on their service offerings, with a special focus on gun violence prevention."

The social impact hub -- which is powered by Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund -- has several partners, including the Hawks, Falcons, 100 Black Men, Be SMART, H.O.P.E. Hustlers, the Atlanta City Mayor's Office, and more.

We're told the gun violence prevention foundation stems from the death of fellow Migos rapper and Quavo's nephew, Takeoff, who was shot and killed in 2022.

Proceeds from this year's Huncho Day will go to Rocket Camp, a program led by the Offender Alumni Association, and it's 10-week summer violence intervention program ... a tribute to Takeoff.

Travis Kelce Officially A Game Show Host ... Confirms 'Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?' Gig

It's official ... Travis Kelce will be adding game show host to his already impressive resume -- the NFL superstar just confirmed he has been tapped to be the frontman of the new "Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?" program.

Prime Video announced Tuesday the show will be a spin-off of "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" ... and Kelce said in a statement he's pumped to be the mic man for it.

"I grew up loving game shows," Taylor Swift's boo said, "and I'm excited to be following in the footsteps of so many TV icons by hosting my very first one with 'Are you Smarter than a Celebrity?'"

Patrick Mahomes Raves Over Taylor Swift ... 'Most Down-To-Earth Person'

It's safe to say Patrick Mahomes approves of his best buddy's relationship with Taylor Swift ... he gushed over Travis Kelce's boo during a recent interview, praising the pop star for being "down to earth."

The Chiefs quarterback spoke about the "Bad Blood" crooner during a lengthy chat with TIME for its Most Influential People of 2023 issue ... and he had nothing but kind things to say about her.

He said of all the celebrities he's met, she's "probably" the most chill out of all of them. He then raved about her tireless work ethic ... before saying he's also been impressed by the way she's trying to become a football expert.

Patrick Mahomes Alaba a Taylor Swift... "La persona con los pies más en la tierra"

Es seguro decir que Patrick Mahomes aprueba completamente la relación de su mejor amigo con Taylor Swift, ya que le lanzó un montón de flores a la novia de Travis Kelce en una entrevista reciente, elogiando a la estrella del pop por "tener los pies en la tierra".

El quarterback de los Chiefs habló sobre la cantante de "Bad Blood" durante una larga conversación con TIME para su edición de las personas más influyentes de 2023, y no tenía nada más que cosas buenas que decir sobre ella.

Dijo que de todas las celebridades que ha conocido ella es "probablemente" la más relajada de todas. Luego alabó su incansable ética de trabajo, antes de decir que también ha quedado impresionado por la forma en que está tratando de convertirse en una experta en fútbol.

Denard Robinson Ex-Michigan Star QB ... Arrested For OWI

Former Univ. of Michigan star quarterback Denard Robinson was arrested on Monday ... after he was allegedly involved in a single-car crash while intoxicated.

A spokesperson for the Ann Abor Police Dept. said the accident occurred at around 3:05 AM near the Wolverines' headquarters at the school's Ann Arbor campus.

Further details surrounding the allegations against Robinson were not made immediately available ... although the spokesperson said charges against the 33-year-old "are pending toxicology results."

Robinson played for the Wolverines from 2009 to 2012 -- and became such a huge star, he actually covered the ultra-popular EA Sports "NCAA Football 14" video game.

Nicknamed "Shoelace" for the way he ran out of his shoes when he was youngster, Robinson threw for 6,250 yards in his UM career while running for an additional 4,495 yards. He scored a total of 42 rushing TDs and 49 passing ones.

He was ultimately picked by the Jaguars in the 2013 NFL Draft, and after playing sparingly from '13 through 2016, he tried to latch on in the Alliance of American Football league ... before he got into coaching and then scouting.

Robinson had just landed a role on UM's staff as the assistant director of player personnel in 2022 ... but following his arrest Monday, head coach Sherrone Moore said in a statement he's now suspended indefinitely.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and will have no further comment at this time," Moore said.

Rashee Rice Sued Over Dallas Car Crash For More Than $10 Million

Two people who say they were injured in the car crash that Rashee Rice was involved in last month are now suing the NFL star ... asking that he fork over more than $10 MILLION for his role in the wreck.

Edvard Petrovskiy and Irina Gromova filed the lawsuit in Dallas County last week -- less than a month after they say Rice's reckless actions caused them injuries in a massive pileup on a Texas highway.

Petrovskiy and Gromova say on March 30, Rice was in a Lamborghini Urus, racing his friend Theodore Knox -- who was in a Corvette -- when the two lost control and barreled into other innocent drivers on the roadway.

Rob Gronkowski Spikes 1st Pitch At Sox Game ... Epic Kickoff To Patriots' Day!!!

Rob Gronkowski got Red Sox fans fired up for their Patriots' Day game in the most Gronk way possible -- by spiking the ceremonial first pitch straight into the ground!

The New England Patriots legend took the mound at Fenway Park just before Boston took on the Guardians in the annual holiday tilt ... and instead of firing a fastball to his catcher, he decided to bring out his touchdown celebration instead.

Check out the footage, Gronk hurled the baseball into the dirt so hard, it made a loud thud -- and the crowd couldn't have loved it more!!

Even some of the Sox players were spotted cheering it on!!

Gronk then gave his catcher a leaping side bump ... before he settled in to watch the game.

So far, the former tight end's antics have appeared to give at least one of the Red Sox players some juice ... as Wilyer Abreu just robbed Jose Ramirez of a first-inning home run.

JASON KELCE DEFENDS Travis' Grad BEER CHUG ... Not Just Random, Y'all

Jason Kelce says Travis Kelce had every right to pound a beer at their "graduation" ceremony last week ... 'cause it was all for a good cause, and for their podcast.

The recently-retired Eagles center responded to someone online over the weekend who kinda criticized Travis' frat boy routine from last at the University of Cincinnati ... where he walked across the stage after receiving a fake diploma, only to pound a cold one right after.

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TRAVIS KELCE STYLE
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It was all a hokey bit that Travis and Jason were doing with the university as part of a "New Heights" episode ... and it was meant to highlight the fact they never walked back in the day.

Aaron Rodgers Grinds Through Santa Monica Workout ... Achilles Appears A-OK

Aaron Rodgers' surgically repaired Achilles is already looking game ready ... as it seemed to hold up extremely well during a grueling workout in Santa Monica over the weekend.

The New York Jets quarterback hit up a popular staircase in the city on Friday afternoon with a couple members of the USC football team ... and he sure looked like a guy who had two healthy legs underneath him.

AARON BACK IN ACTION
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The 40-year-old went up and down the stairs over and over again -- with pace every time -- and the exercise was such a grind, it actually seemed he was on the verge of upchucking.

But, at no point did it appear his Achilles was bothering him ... an obviously great sign for the Jets.

As you know by now, the 10-time Pro Bowler had to miss the entirety of the 2023-24 season ... after he blew out the tendon just a few minutes into NY's opener on Sept. 11.

Clearly, though, it's healed up nicely.

The Jets will get an up-close look at it all themselves starting on Monday -- as Rodgers showed up to the team's voluntary offseason program in NY minutes ago with a smile on his face.

If Aaron's still somewhat limited -- there won't be a need for panic, as regular season games are still some five months away. Although based on Friday's footage, doesn't seem there will be any breath holding necessary for Jets fans from here.

NFL's Raheem Mostert I Coulda Been A Pro Surfer ... Here's Why I Chose FB

MISSIN' THE WAVES
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Miami Dolphins star Raheem Mostert is opening up on his decision to chase touchdowns over big waves ... telling TMZ Sports he left his pro surfing dreams behind to pursue a college education!!

For those who don't know, the NFL's rushing-scoring leader last season was a beast on the board back in the day ... in fact, he even had a sponsorship offer from Billabong when he was in his mid-teens.

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We caught up with Mostert at LAX this week about his first love ... and he said while he misses the sport, he knows he made the right decision by putting his focus on football.

Cam'ron Slams Caitlyn Jenner Over O.J. ... You Killed People, Too!!!

YOU'RE NO BETTER!!!
It Is What It Is

Cam'ron's defending O.J. Simpson's legacy ... saying people need to back off since a jury acquitted him -- and blasting Caitlyn Jenner in the process.

The rapper hopped on the "It Is What It Is" podcast Friday to discuss Simpson's legacy the day after he died, and immediately started defending the controversial figure.

Cam points out a jury found O.J. not guilty of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in his 1995 criminal trial ... so, he says he's shocked people think it's fine to call him a murderer.

Taylor & Travis Make Coachella Appearance ... Dance Backstage, Support Jack Antonoff & Ice Spice

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce made a surprise appearance at Coachella Saturday night ... getting cozy backstage while showing support for Tay's Collaborators.

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The couple was spotted backstage hugging and dancing while friend Jack Antonoff's band Bleachers performed.

Traylor also showed support for Tay's "Karma" collaborator Ice Spice during her Coachella performance.

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