Antonio Gates says he feels like he belongs in the Hall of Fame ... and he tells TMZ Sports if and when he gets in, Julius Peppers should be there right alongside him!!

The two NFL legends were officially named semifinalists for the highest honor in professional football earlier this week ... and when we saw Gates out in LA on Tuesday, we had to get his thoughts on it all.

The former Chargers tight end said he was stoked for the recognition, calling it a "dream come true" -- before adding that he was pretty sure when the final cutdown comes, he'll make it.

"I feel like, mentally," he said, "I belong in there."

As for the rest of the 24 semifinalists, Gates said he could make a case for just about every player on the list ... though he specifically said Peppers definitely deserves the nod.

Some other names who will be considered for the class of 2024 include legends like Dwight Freeney, Andre Johnson and Devin Hester -- three guys Gates said should get long looks for the Hall's final cut next year too.

The list of 25 will be pared down to 15 finalists soon ... before the Class of 2024 is officially revealed at "NFL Honors" in February.

University of Minnesota Duluth football player Reed Ryan tragically died on Tuesday ... after collapsing during a workout earlier this month, his family announced.

He was just 22 years old.

According to an obituary written by family members, the 6-foot-3, 241-pound defensive end was training in a weight room on Nov. 21 "doing what he loved" ... when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest.

The family says school officials began life-saving measures ... and after they regained the football player's pulse, he was rushed to the ICU. Sadly, he passed away seven days later.

Ryan's family explained in their obituary the medical emergency was all due to "an undetected genetic heart condition and a large, loving heart."

"Reed had a contagious smile and lived life to the fullest in his short years," Reed's family wrote. "Reed loved people, he could talk to anyone and prided himself on being surrounded by friends, family, mentors, and being part of a team."

Reed starred at Waunakee High School in Wisconsin before he accepted a full-ride to North Dakota State University. He played four seasons for the Bison before he transferred to the University of Minnesota Duluth. In his one year for the Bulldogs, Ryan logged eight total tackles and one sack.

"Our staff and players are devastated about Reed's passing," UMD head football coach Curt Wiese said in a statement. "Reed aspired to be better every day at whatever task was at hand. He helped bring out the best in others with his positive attitude, infectious smile, and genuine care for the people around him."

NDSU football added in a statement on X on Wednesday that Ryan was "the ultimate teammate, a constant source of joy, a genuine selfless spirit, and a beloved friend."

"We'll miss you, Reed," the Bison wrote. "Your legacy will live on."

Aaron Rodgers has taken yet another step toward making an improbable comeback this season ... returning to Jets practice Wednesday -- albeit in a very limited capacity.

Rodgers got back on the New York training field with his teammates just minutes after head coach Robert Saleh revealed the star quarterback has now been cleared for "functional football activity."

However, the sight of Rodgers on the field doesn't necessarily mean he's anywhere close to game action ... as Saleh told reporters that, for now, it's just another small jump in his rehab progression.

The 40-year-old, who now has 21 days to return to game action after his practice was opened, is expected to do little more than simulate in-game dropbacks and throw to teammates during workouts over the next few days. Still, it's a good sign for the Jets nonetheless, considering Rodgers tore his Achilles less than three months ago.

Saleh, meanwhile, stressed they will not push the signal-caller too hard, even if he looks good.

"There's certain things that he's been cleared that we are going to allow him to do," Saleh said ... before adding, "Aaron is not going to do anything to put himself in harm's way."

For Rodgers' part, he said on Tuesday on the "Pat McAfee Show" that he'll only return to in-game action this season if he's healthy enough ... and if the Jets are in playoff contention.

Aaron Rodgers ha dado otro paso hacia su improbable regreso esta temporada. El jugador volvió a la práctica de los Jets el miércoles, aunque con una capacidad muy limitada.

Rodgers regresó al lugar de entrenamiento de Nueva York con sus compañeros de equipo pocos minutos después de que el entrenador en jefe Robert Saleh revelara que el mariscal de campo estrella ha sido autorizado para la "actividad funcional de fútbol".

Sin embargo, su visita en el campo de juego no significa necesariamente que esté cerca de pasar a la acción. Saleh le dijo a los periodistas que, por ahora, este es solo otro pequeño paso en su camino hacia la rehabilitación.

Se espera que el jugador de 40 años haga poco más que simular dropbacks en el juego y hacer lanzamientos a los compañeros de equipo durante los entrenamientos de los próximos días. Sin embargo, es una buena señal para los Jets, teniendo en cuenta que Rodgers se rompió el tendón de Aquiles hace menos de tres meses.

Saleh, por su parte, hizo hincapié en que no van a presionar demasiado al jugador, incluso si se ve bien.

"Hay ciertas cosas para las que ha sido autorizado, que le vamos a permitir hacer", dijo Saleh, antes de añadir: "Aaron no va a hacer nada que lo ponga en peligro".

Rodgers, por su parte, dijo el martes en "Pat McAfee Show" que solo volverá a jugar esta temporada si está lo suficientemente bien y si los Jets están en la contienda por los playoffs.

It wasn't even a milestone birthday, but don't tell Patriots DT Davon Godchaux ... he gifted his fiancée Chanel Iman with a brand new Mercedes Benz G-Wagon for her upcoming 33rd birthday, and it literally brought the model to tears!

The 7-year NFL pro shocked Iman with the 4-wheeled gift on Tuesday -- three days before her actual birthday (December 1) -- and shared the surprise on his Instagram story.

You can see the bright blue whip, which starts around $140k, sitting in the driveway with a massive red bow on the hood ... as the Victoria's Secret Angel stood next to the Benz, smiling ear to ear.

"Thank you so much, honey!" Iman yelled. "This is the best gift ever! I love you!"

Chanel was super excited ... there was even dancing and some (very happy) screaming.

"She was crying lol," Godchaux said in the caption. "Big baby!"

Making the whole scene even sweeter ... the couple's little newborn daughter got to witness mom and dad's joy from the baby stroller.

"Happy early birthday to you baby! Thank you for always holding it down," Godchaux said.

"Real ones do real things."

Godchaux -- who signed an extension with the Pats last year -- and Iman went public with their relationship in 2022 ... before revealing they were having a baby in May.

The 29-year-old proposed to Iman shortly after the pregnancy announcement ... and the couple welcomed Capri in September.

"I never thought I would be getting down on one knee," Godchaux said in May, "but LOVE will make you do some amazing things in life!"

Diontae Johnson is owning up to his lack of effort in the middle of the Steelers' matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals ... saying he addressed the situation with his teammates and vowed to do better moving forward.

The 27-year-old wide receiver faced a ton of backlash for seemingly giving up in the middle of a play during Pittsburgh's 16-10 win on Sunday ... with game footage showing him appearing uninterested in going for the ball after Jaylen Warren fumbled in the first quarter.

Johnson spoke with reporters about the now-viral lowlight on Wednesday ... and he's looking to get past the whole ordeal.

"I addressed the situation with my teammates," Johnson told the media. "They know how I feel and how I feel about the situation. I'm not perfect. All I can do is move forward and just keep playing football."

Johnson -- who was pissed he messed up on a potential touchdown catch on the previous play -- explained he does not want to be judged based on one moment ... and he promised to prove it with his play from here on out.

Producers of The Match might want to get a load of this ... Tom Brady says he's super down to get a round of golf in with country music superstar Morgan Wallen!!!

The "Last Night" crooner first initiated the offer to the NFL's G.O.A.T. on Wednesday morning ... after Brady had posted a highlight reel of golf shots to his Instagram page with some of Wallen's most popular songs playing in the background.

And, following Morgan's comment ... it only took a matter of minutes for Brady to accept the musician's challenge.

"LFG [let's f***ing go] @morganwallen," Brady wrote.

Wallen hasn't been spotted golfing publicly often -- so it's unclear how good his game is -- but odds are, Brady would be the overwhelming favorite if the two got in 18.

Brady, widely believed to be a scratch golfer, has put on a bit of a show each time he's participated in The Match -- and you've gotta think he'd do the same against Wallen.

A Kansas City Chiefs fan's mom is coming to his defense ... claiming that all of the haters who are saying his gameday outfit was offensive need to kick rocks.

Holden Armenta caused a big stir online on Sunday when TV cameras at the Chiefs vs. Raiders game in Las Vegas showed him donning a headdress with a painted face.

Some, including Deadspin, thought the boy was wearing blackface ... and urged the NFL to speak out on the matter -- calling his feathered attire inappropriate as well.

Armenta's mother, however, said on her Facebook page this week there was simply no need for the outrage ... explaining the boy's face paint actually consisted of both black and red colors -- in order to match his favorite team's hues.

As for the headdress, she said Holden is Native American.

"People are ridiculous," Shannon Armenta wrote in one post.

She also shared a few other snaps of Holden from the game ... and said, "Everyone asked to take a photo with him."

"The players even loved it!"

Holden's dad added on his Facebook page that his son is simply "The biggest Fan" of the Chiefs.

Jevon Holland didn't just make the Dolphins and their fans happy with his 99-yard touchdown last week ... he also got to upgrade his entertainment room AND line his pockets with some extra cash for the score too!!

The Dolphins safety broke the whole situation down with Michael Babcock on the "TMZ Sports TV Show" on FS1 on Tuesday ... revealing he had no idea what was about to come his way after he scored the improbable TD in a win over the Jets on Black Friday.

It turns out, as part of a preseason promo called the "Ultimate Gameday Upgrade," TCL was offering to hand out a million dollars worth of 98-inch TVs if a player scored a 98-yard-or-longer touchdown during the Friday Night Football contest.

And, after Holland did it ... TCL decided to make him a spokesperson as well as give him one of their 98-inchers -- things he was very clearly thrilled about.

"It was cool!" said the 23-year-old former second-round pick, who's still on his rookie contract. "I was excited."

Holland said all weekend he heard from fans who also received the 98-inch TVs as part of the promo ... and he thought all the love "was awesome."

In even more fortunate news for Holland, he also said he happens to have a wall big enough to fit the TV -- though just barely!!

Bradley Cooper says he'd trade away not one, not two -- but THREE Oscars in 2024 if it meant Jalen Hurts and the Eagles were this season's Super Bowl champions instead.

The A-list actor -- whose Oscar-worthy film, "Maestro," is set to drop next month -- made the stunning claim to Howard Stern earlier this week ... after the radio host posed a "Sophie's Choice" style question on-air.

"I really want you to answer this in a serious manner," Stern said to Cooper. "You win the Oscar not only for Best Director [for 'Maestro'] but Best Actor, and Carey Mulligan wins Best Actress."

"Or," Stern continued, "the Eagles have a Super Bowl victory."

Without hesitation, Cooper said, "Eagles Super Bowl victory. Eagles."

"I know," he added while shaking his head. "I'm sick."

When Stern asked if Cooper was lying, he repeated that he truly wasn't fibbin'.

It's an eyebrow-raising statement, to say the least ... considering Cooper's never won an Academy Award despite being nominated nine times -- and the Eagles just won a ring in 2018 (which he got to witness in person).

But, Bradley was adamant he'd still take a title for his beloved team over some golden hardware for his mantle.

Of course, it really might not be farfetched to think Bradley was telling the truth ... after all, he's been seen at Philly games regularly this season, including on Sunday, when he went crazy celebrating their overtime win against the Bills.

Aaron Rodgers says his return to the football field is contingent on two big factors ... revealing he will only suit up again this season if the New York Jets are still in playoff contention and he is fully healthy.

The four-time NFL MVP was at the Jets training facility when he made his weekly appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday ... and he gave a significant update on his Achilles recovery timeline.

Rodgers explained the first step in his potential return during the 2023-24 season is evaluating his health and playing ability ... and if he's not able to move around and protect himself on the field, he won't risk it.

If he's cleared by doctors and is satisfied with his athleticism, Rodgers will then assess where the Jets stand in terms of playoff chances.

"It's health first, and then can I play, are we alive for the playoffs, second," Rodgers said ... adding as of right now, he is not to the point where he could even consider playing.

There's been talk around the NFL that Rodgers is eyeing a Christmas Eve return when the Jets take on the Commanders at MetLife Stadium in Jersey ... just over three months after his initial injury, which would be one of the fastest bounce-backs from an Achilles tear in NFL history.

The Jets' remaining schedule is a bit of a mixed bag -- they play winnable games against the Patriots and Washington, but also face off against the Texans, Browns, and Dolphins, all legit playoff contenders.

Worth noting -- many Jets and NFL fans have been concerned about Rodgers being hellbent on returning ... especially because New York's offensive line is dreadful, and he would undoubtedly lack protection up front.

In fact, the Jets have allowed 47 sacks this season ... the third most across the league.

Además de la cerveza y los Bentleys, Post Malone acaba de lograr una buena combinación de dos de sus cosas favoritas en el mundo: los Dallas Cowboys y la ropa nueva. Esto, pues el rapero está ayudando a su amado equipo con una nueva línea de merchandising.

El cantante de "Better Now" debutó oficialmente con artículos para los Cowboys esta semana, después de colaborar con el diseñador de Cheatin Snakes, Grant Kratzer.

La línea de ropa cuenta con 22 piezas en total e incluye camisetas, chaquetas, sudaderas, pantalones cortos y mucho más.

Todos los artículos tienen una mezcla única de logotipos de los Cowboys de Dallas, así como imágenes asociadas con Post, y los aficionados podrán tenerlos oficialmente en sus manos a finales de esta semana, a través de la plataforma de transmisión en vivo NTWRK.

Los jugadores de los Cowboys, por supuesto, ya pudieron echar un vistazo al botín y Dak Prescott, así como otros de sus compañeros de equipo, y claramente son fans de todo.

Los artículos oscilarán entre $40 a $168, y cuando a Post, que ya se asoció con su equipo favorito, a principios de este año para hacer un restaurante con temática de los Cowboys, se le preguntó su opinión sobre todo esto, acertadamente dijo que tenía una sola cita ...

Step aside beer bongs and Bentleys ... Post Malone just combined two more of his favorite things -- the Dallas Cowboys and cool clothes -- into a winning combination ... helping his beloved squad with a sweet, new merch line!!

The "Better Now" crooner officially debuted the Cowboys-approved items this week ... after collabing with Cheatin Snakes designer Grant Kratzer.

The clothing line features 22 pieces in total ... and includes tees, jackets, sweatshirts, shorts and more.

All of the items have a unique blend of Dallas Cowboys logos as well as imagery associated with Post -- and fans will be able to officially get their hands on them later this week through live stream platform NTWRK.

Cowboys players, of course, already got an early look at the swag ... and Dak Prescott -- as well as some of his other high-profile teammates -- were clearly fans of it all.

The gear will range from $40 to $168 ... and when Post -- who's already partnered with his favorite team earlier this year to make a Cowboys-themed Raising Cane's restaurant -- was asked for his opinion on it all, he fittingly had just one quote ...

Despite starting 1-10 and firing their head coach this week, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper says he's still "totally confident" he picked the right quarterback, even though Bryce Young is struggling, and C.J. Stroud is an MVP candidate!

The billionaire hedge fund whiz and team owner since 2018 met with the media in North Carolina after giving Frank Reich the ax less than a season into his head coaching tenure ... when he was asked some tough questions about their QB situation.

"In the case of Bryce, I believe it was a unanimous decision with the coaches and the scouts," Tepper said. "We preferred Bryce. He was our number one pick."

"We are totally confident in that pick."

The statement of support from Tepper amid a report from Pro Football Talk that said some people around the league believe the owner pressured his football people to select Bryce, even though they wanted C.J.

Tepper says that isn't true.

The signal callers are having polar opposite seasons. Stroud's Texans are 6-5 and fighting for a playoff spot. He's thrown for 3,266 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in 11 games. His completion percentage is near 64%, and he has a QB Rating of 100.8.

As for Young's numbers ... he's thrown for 1,877 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He's completed 61.7% of his passes, and has a quarterback rating of 74.9.

Tepper also talked about the firing of Reich ... and responded to the charge that he's been far too impatient with coaches.

"There's reasons for each individual situation,' Tepper said. "I do have patience."

FYI, DT has fired Ron Rivera (HC for 28 games under David), Perry Fewell (4 games), Matt Rhule (38 games), and Reich this week (11 games).

Kroy Biermann is being dragged to court by Chase over what the bank says is more than $10,000 in credit card debt ... and Chase wants a judge to make him pay.

Kim Zolciak's hubby just got hit with a lawsuit by the banking giant -- and in the docs, obtained by TMZ, Chase is alleging he owes a total of $13,071.88 ... which the bank says is way past due.

Chase attached Kroy's credit card statements in their complaint, which show the fat balances starting to rack up since summer.

Kroy and Kim's financial issues have been well documented ... starting with the alleged seven-figure sum they owe the IRS.

As we've told you, BMW just won a case against Kroy over non-payment of a Rolls-Royce ... and just this month a judge ordered Kroy to return the $400,100 SV to the car company.

Kroy was also sued by Sky Warrior over a $52,500 gambling debt from a bad run at a casino down in the Bahamas.