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If Tom Brady took a knee for the national anthem ... it would change EVERYTHING -- so says Martellus Bennett, who says, "White America would be like, ‘Oh my God. What is this that Tom Brady’s talking about?!'"

TB12's former Patriots teammate joined a panel at the "Athletes + Activism" discussion on Thursday ... and said if QBs like Brady and Drew Brees knelt, people would be far more understanding of Colin Kaepernick's protest.

"The conversation in the NFL would change," Bennett says ...

"All these great white heroes that they have running around, throwing the football -- if they jump into the conversation, it would be projected to -- it would be so much bigger.”

Bennett says Brady and Brees kneeling would cause masses to actually dive into the real reasons behind Colin's initial protest ... and actually understand it, saying, "They would start doing research."

"They would join in the conversation," Martellus added ... "It would pique their interest. But since it’s a black guy taking a knee, it’s like, ‘Alright, these guys, here he goes again. It’s another one of these guys out here doing this.’”

There's more ... Bennett also sounded off on the NFL and domestic violence, saying if a player hits a woman, "you should not be playing football."

In fact, the 32-year-old -- who retired back in 2017 -- said, "I wanted to choke the sh*t out of Ray Rice" after his domestic violence incident back in 2014.

2:15 PM PT -- Meek has just accepted the Cosmopolitan's apology. His lawyer, Joe Tacopina, tells TMZ, "We appreciate the Cosmopolitan's apology and will no longer pursue legal recourse at this time."

Meek Mill has received the public apology he was promised by The Cosmopolitan.

The Las Vegas hotel and casino says ... "We apologize to Meek Mill for how we handled the situation on Saturday, May 25, as we did not act in a respectful manner and were wrong."

The Cosmo goes on ... "Meek Mill has not had any prior incident on our property. The Cosmopolitan has zero tolerance for discrimination and we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive environment. We look forward to welcoming Meek Mill back to the resort."

Meek is expected to post soon that he accepts the apology, and we're told the threat of a lawsuit will disappear.

As we told you ... Cosmo was expected to express regret and accept fault for ordering the rapper off its property last Saturday and threatening to arrest him for trespassing if he didn't comply. Video of the incident showed a security guard telling Meek it was because of a prior incident ... but didn't give specifics. Now, they say there was never a "prior incident."

James Gandolfini's son is back in time to portray his famous pops ... and it's soooo groovy, man.

Michael Gandolfini was in Queens Friday on the set of the 'Sopranos' prequel ... "The Many Saints of Newark." Michael is playing young Tony Soprano. Looks like he's having a far-out time working alongside costars Alan Taylor, Alexandra Intrator and Gabriella Piazza.

Gotta admit ... 19-year-old Michael's making the bell bottoms and butterfly collar work for him. The movie focuses on the Jersey gangster's formative years, and it's set to be released September 2020.

President Trump ain't got no shame in his Twitter game ... kicking off Pride Month by congratulating the LGBT contributions a month after his administration effectively banned transgender people from the military.

POTUS reminded us moments ago in a tweet, "As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation."

Earlier this month the Trump Administration also announced a proposal that would essentially allow health care providers to discriminate based on gender identity, rolling back progress for the transgender community that was made over the past decade.

Just last month, the Pentagon began to implement a controversial new policy that critics say is essentially a "don't ask, don't tell" policy for trans service members. The Department of Defense says it's NOT a ban ... but it clearly says anyone with gender dysphoria taking hormones or who has already undergone gender transition will NOT be allowed to enlist. #SAD.

Kit Harington is finding healthy ways to release stress -- getting in a workout down the street from his stay at a "wellness center" ... aka rehab.

The "Game of Thrones" star was walking out of a gym Friday in the Connecticut neighborhood where he's been taking what his people call a mental health retreat ... at a luxury facility.

Kit, who played Jon snow on the extremely popular HBO series, was rocking jeans and a button down on his way out of the gym. His female companion appears to be someone connected to the facility -- maybe a sponsor ... she's been seen with him around town in late April.

As we reported ... Kit's reportedly getting treatment for exhaustion, stress and alcohol abuse at a facility that's believed to cost about $120,000 per month. As you can see, he's allowed to leave the facility from time to time.

We're told Kit spent about 90 minutes at the gym ... plenty of time to get in a killer workout.

Lil Durk doesn't see any reason why he should be rotting in a jail cell while awaiting trial for his alleged role in a shooting ... and he's promising not to run from the long arm of the law if he's freed.

The rapper wants to post bond and enjoy life on the outside until his trial -- despite the fact Atlanta police have charged him with 5 FELONIES, including criminal attempt to commit murder.

In docs obtained by TMZ, the rapper points out he chose to surrender ... so there's no reason for the court to think he's a flight risk. Lil Durk says he owns a home in the area, where he lives with his fiancee and their child, and adds he's a successful artist signed to a major label who gives back to his community -- which he claims is proof he isn't going on the lam.

TMZ broke the story ... Lil Durk turned himself in on Thursday, after cops issued a warrant for his arrest. Police believe Durk was involved in a February shooting outside an Atlanta restaurant, that sent one man to the hospital for a gunshot wound.

Lil Durk thinks it's rich he's in jail while the shooting victim walks free ... he claims the other dude is a known criminal with a long rap sheet.

The actress whose arrest prompted T.I. to boycott Houston's restaurants will NOT face criminal charges ... but TMZ's learned she's gonna sue.

Prosecutors in Fulton County, GA say they will not pursue a criminal case against Brittany Marie Lucio because she's completed all requirements of a pretrial intervention program. We're told the program included taking a class about civics and citizen's rights.

Brittany had initially been charged with 1 count of misdemeanor criminal trespass and 1 count of misdemeanor willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer when she was busted in Atlanta a year ago.

Cops said she and her friends ignored multiple requests to leave a Houston's restroom. One of Brittany's friends, Asia'h Epperson, refuted that account ... saying Houston's staffer gladly let them use the restroom and never asked them to leave prior to things turning violent.

Asia'h recorded the incident, which shows a security guard -- an off-duty ATL police officer -- dragging Brittany and her friends outta the joint. When the video surfaced, T.I. got involved and called for a Houston's boycott. He also posted pics showing Brittany's alleged injuries.

Brittany said the off-duty cop used excessive force and said there's zero doubt her skin color played a role in the aggressive way she was taken down. Brittany's attorney, Gerald Griggs, tells TMZ she now plans to sue.

Griggs says, "Ms. Lucio’s name has been cleared and she looks forward to pursuing a civil action against law enforcement for the damage and injuries she sustained. She would like to thank all of her supporters in this matter including [T.I.] and others that stood up for her."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and his TV star GF, Sandra Lee, are bidding adieu to their luxurious Colonial mansion ... for a pretty penny.

The longtime couple put their quintessential 1950s Colonial mansion in the Northern Westchester enclave of New Castle, NY on the market for $2 million. The couple of nearly 2 decades says they're gonna continue living in the mansion until it's sold. Sandra bought the crib for $1.22 million back in 2001.

Check out the pics ... the 4,129 square foot home's a beaut featuring 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms. It was restored and personally decorated by Sandra, the Emmy-winning TV host and best-selling author.

There were rumors the couple was splitting up and the reason why they were selling the exquisite home ... but Sandra put those rumors to rest saying they're selling because they simply don't need a large space now that Cuomo's 3 daughters are adults.

Frank Lucas, one of America's most infamous drug kingpins, died Thursday night ... TMZ has confirmed.

Frank, famously played by Denzel Washington in the 2007 movie "American Gangster," died in New Jersey, according to his brother. We're told Frank was being transported to a hospital for an unknown health issue and died on the way.

Lucas rose to power dealing heroin in Harlem in the 1960s and '70s, and he boasted of cutting out middlemen by buying his product directly from Southeast Asia ... then smuggling the drugs back to America using the coffins of dead U.S. servicemen.

Frank was born and raised in North Carolina before moving to New York City ... where he eventually got into the drug trade, cutting into the Italian mafia's business and carving a name for himself.

Lucas bragged his heroin was among the purest on the street, and he infamously dubbed his product, "Blue Magic." While he was at the top of the NYC drug trade, Frank rubbed elbows with elites from Hollywood, politics and the business world.

Frank was finally busted in the mid-1970s and all of his enormous assets and wealth were seized. Lucas owned property across the country in Chicago, Miami, Detroit, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina -- and even Puerto Rico.

When the DEA raided Frank's Jersey home in 1975, agents found more than $584,000 in cash.

Frank was convicted of federal and state drug violations ... and sentenced to 70 years in prison. Lucas ratted out others in the drug biz, and he and his family entered a witness protection program.

After 5 years in custody, Frank had his sentence reduced to time served plus lifetime parole ... but he was later busted for drug dealing again, and spent another 7 years behind bars before being released in 1991.

Cardi B's strip club beatdown case just got way more serious for her -- potentially, anyway -- because of a grand jury ... a sign prosecutors want her to face stiffer charges.

The rapper was decked out in pink as she arrived Friday at the courthouse in Queens. Inside the court, the judge revealed Cardi's case is now being heard by a grand jury. That's a big deal because she was only facing misdemeanors -- for assault and reckless endangerment -- but with a grand jury on the case, the charges could be upgraded.

Prosecutors tell TMZ ... they decided to present the case to a grand jury after "further investigation." They would not say what was uncovered during the investigation.

As we've reported, Cardi's accused of ordering an attack on sisters Jade and Baddie Gi last August. The women were bartenders at a strip club, and say they were attacked by Cardi's people because Cardi thought Jade had slept with Offset.

As we reported ... prosecutors offered Cardi a plea deal in April, but she swiftly shut it down. The offer was to plead guilty to a single misdemeanor. She would have dodged jail time, but agree to a conditional discharge and avoid trouble for some period of time. She wasn't having it.

Cardi was arrested and booked in October for her alleged role in the strip club incident.

Myles Garrett came to the rescue at an Apple store in Ohio this week ... busting out his wallet to help out a guy who couldn't afford an iPhone -- and it almost brought a grown man to tears.

The Browns superstar happened to be shopping at the Summit Mall in Fairlawn, Ohio on Wednesday ... where 27-year-old JJ Remmy was trying to replace a cell phone that crapped out on him.

The problem for Remmy ... he was told it would cost $116 bucks to replace the device -- and he simply doesn't have that kind of cash.

So, as Remmy was getting ready to sadly walk out of the store without a phone ... Garrett -- who overheard the situation -- stepped up and offered to cover the bill.

"I literally almost broke down man," Remmy said ... "I had no cash...spent the rest of my money getting my title for my car."

"I’m getting ready to leave and MYLES GARRETT LOOKS AT ME AND SAYS ILL PAY YOUR BALANCE!"

Look, Garrett is in the middle of a 4-year, $30 MILLION contract -- so it ain't no skin off his back ... but it's still pretty cool for a guy like Myles to step in and help out when he didn't have to.

And, to top it off, Garrett also posed for a pic with Remmy! Awesome, right?!!

"Myles is a Great guy and he changed my whole entire day yesterday," JJ says ... "Just had to share my story... GO BROWNS!!!!"

Tommie Lee might want to send her judge a Christmas card this year, because despite facing up to 54 years ... she won't spend a day in prison, IF she stays out of trouble ... for the next decade.

The 'Love & Hip Hop' star was sentenced Friday in her child abuse case after pleading guilty to 5 charges -- including first-degree cruelty to children. The judge gave her 10 years, but none of them will be served in prison. Instead, Tommie's been ordered to complete a residential recovery program and 12 months of successful aftercare with licensed doctors.

If she does that, she'll remain on probation for the rest of the sentence -- that's the good news for her. The difficult part is ... that's a long time to keep her nose clean, and any slipup could mean immediate prison time.

Under her probation conditions, Tommie can't have violent contact with a child, can't travel outside the state of Georgia without written approval and can't attend work or promo events where drugs or alcohol are present. That part could make 'L&HH' shoots difficult.

She'll also have an 11 PM curfew, pay a $1,000 fine and submit to random drug and alcohol testing. We're told she's already out of custody and in the recovery program.

We broke the story ... Lee requested entry into the court's mental health program following her arrest and indictment on child abuse charges for assaulting her middle school-aged daughter. A judge denied her, but it seems Tommie's going to get help after all.

"Aladdin" star Mena Massoud would rather get around town on a flying carpet than get behind the wheel of another Tesla -- he's suing the company for causing his car wreck.

According to a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ ... the actor says his brand new Tesla Model 3 had manufacturing and design defects that made him crash the whip into a tree.

In the docs, Mena says he bought his Tesla last September, and the very next day he was changing lanes on Hollywood Boulevard when the front right wheel suddenly crumpled and flew right off the car!

He says his vehicle went skidding off the sidewalk and only stopped when it smashed into a tree. The lawsuit includes photos of his banged-up ride ... as well as the innocent tree that got jacked up.

Mena, who's hired attorney Kevin K. Javidzad at Colony Law, says he suffered personal injuries and his Model 3 was totaled. In the suit, he says the blame lands squarely on Tesla's shoulders because wheels shouldn't just be flying off of their cars.

Ric Flair is praising the doctors who "brought me back again" -- saying it's a "miracle" he survived a terrifying medical scare earlier this month ... and he's got the $1.8 MIL bill to show for it.

In his first video since leaving the hospital last week, the 70-year-old apologized for not speaking out sooner ... but says his vocal cords have been sore from having a tube down his throat.

But, it didn't take long for Flair to start screaming and "woooing" again while explaining how he almost DIED for the second time in just 2 years.

As we previously reported, Flair was rushed to the hospital on May 16 after suffering a "very serious" medical emergency. He underwent surgery and was released a week later.

Flair says his treatment was a "$1.8 million tune" ... and said, "Thank god for insurance."

"I'm living here to tell you the kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', limousine riding, jet flyin' son of a gun is not gonna change, slow down, I'm moving forward!!"

Naitch says a bunch of his famous friends checked in on him during his hospitalization -- from Triple H to Charles Barkley to Hulk Hogan to Offset.

But, Flair also CALLED OUT a bunch of his so-called friends who DIDN'T call. While he didn't name names, it's obvious he's really pissed at those people.

Doctors told Flair he needs to "grow up" and treat his body better -- but Flair says HELL NO ... he's gonna continue to push the limits and booze and party until his dying breath.

"I'm never gonna get old. I got a wife that wants a 35-year-old man every day of her life."

"I don't care how many doctors tell me, 'you gotta learn to grow up' ...I'm not gonna act like my age, don't ever tell me that!! I'm paying you to make me better so I can be me. That's me and that's all i'm ever gonna be ... good or bad."

"I'm up, I'm well, and I'm just starting to tell my story."

YNW Melly thinks it's unfair he's stuck in a jail cell awaiting trial for double murder, because he voluntarily turned himself in ... and he insists he's not going to run from the law.

According to new legal docs ... the rapper wants to be able to post bond and walk free until his trial -- despite the fact he's facing 2 counts of first-degree murder in South Florida. Melly says if he was going to go on the lam, he would have done so when he first got word he was facing capital murder charges.

Instead, the rapper says he chose to surrender ... so there's no reason for the court to think he's a flight risk. On top of that, YNW points out he was born and raised in the area and his entire family lives there -- which he says is even more proof he isn't going anywhere.

As for his actual case -- in which the rapper's accused of killing his friends and staging a fake drive-by shooting -- Melly seems to like his chances in court. In the docs, he says there's no murder weapon, no witnesses tying him to the shooting, no DNA evidence implicating him and no motive.

We broke the story ... the State of Florida disagrees with Melly, and is seeking the death penalty.

9:23 AM PT -- Drake took the jet North Thursday night to cheer the Toronto Raptors onto victory against the Golden State Warriors. He talked plenty of smack ... and clearly got into Draymond Green's head.

Drake should have plenty of cash available to stock his massive new jet with the finest champagne ... because he didn't pay a dime for it.

TMZ's learned the rapper got his custom OVO jet dubbed "Air Drake" for FREE ... because the Canada-based airline that made it, Cargojet, believes it'll more than pay for itself in publicity as a high-profile traveling billboard with one of the biggest rappers in the world.

The 767 jet retails for up to $200 MILLION, and all Champagne Papi has to do is use it to travel around the world and take photographs flaunting it. Fortunately for Drake ... that's right up his alley.

Cargojet's investment's already paying dividends -- Drizzy gave a tour of the jet as the final touches were being added to it earlier this month, and he was spotted in the Bahamas this week putting other private jets to shame with his luxury behemoth plane.

Yep, there's some of that free advertising the airline's looking for.

As for Drake's Caribbean trip ... he was there celebrating his beloved Toronto Raptors making the NBA Finals, and drew attention -- and catcalls -- wherever he went.

He should be rested up now, though, because like he raps on "Sicko Mode" ... the 767's got a double bedroom, man.