Football

Could Colin Kaepernick's NFL return be as few as a couple weeks away???

The answer could be yes ... because "multiple" teams and at least one head coach have legitimate interest in signing the QB before the start of the season, according to NFL Network reporter Michael Silver.

The plugged-in journalist said on the league's owned NFL Network on Wednesday, "I have talked to one head coach who is absolutely interested" in Kaepernick.

The holdup? Silver says it's all about the coronavirus pandemic ... and the lack of the ability for teams to physically workout Colin for a tryout at their facilities.

"Colin Kaepernick, who has not played since 2016, finds himself in the same situation that Cam Newton and Jadeveon Clowney do," Silver said, "which is a team that would be ready to sign him would want to work him out."

Of course, Kaepernick did famously hold his own workout last year -- which was on video ... but Silver says teams would still like a front-row view this summer before putting pen to a new contract.

The NFL reporter adds, "There could be a chance that something happens when teams are able to get that part of it done."

Unclear when teams will be allowed to host free agents for tryouts ... but training camps do open July 28 -- so seems that date is nearing.

Lawrence Wright -- the former Univ. of Florida football star who created the famous "Gator Bait" chant -- is urging school officials to reconsider the cheer's ban ... telling TMZ Sports it's not racist.

Back after the 1996 season, fresh off a national championship, Wright ingrained the chant in Gator fans' minds during a celebration ... and at nearly every UF event since, it had become a staple.

But, in a statement released by the school last week ... the University president said there will now be a ban on the chant over its racist ties -- effective immediately.

As for why ... if you're unfamiliar, the term "Gator Bait" was coined by white men who would take Black babies and use them as "bait" to draw out alligators on hunting expeditions. Horrible.

"Gator bait" was later used as a racial slur toward Black people for that reason.

In his statement, the school's president wrote, "there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase."

When we spoke with Wright about it all ... he told us he disagrees with the university's decision -- and is now trying to have a sitdown with the president to attempt to change his mind.

Wright says even though he's aware of the awful images associated with the "gator bait" term ... he claims his chant has absolutely nothing to do with that at all.

"We're only talking about collegiate things," Wright said.

Could the 2005 Heisman Trophy officially belong to Reggie Bush once again!?!

The USC legend stopped short of saying that this week ... but the former superstar running back did acknowledge he's hearing rumors it might actually go down!!!

"I don't want to put nothing out there," Bush said on Tuesday's "The Pat McAfee Show" ... "You know, I've heard conversations and things."

Of course, Bush was just reinstated to USC after he was banished for 10 years for accepting improper benefits during his time as a Trojan -- and many have wondered if his relinquished Heisman Trophy could follow suit.

For now, the people who are in charge of the award say nothing has changed ... but Bush's reaction when McAfee asked about a possible return of the honor sure makes it seem like something's in the works.

"I don't want to, uh --" Bush said sheepishly, before adding ... "if it's not here, it's not here!"

Bush also revealed a cool story about his trophy ... saying after he was busted and forced to give up the award, Heisman officials asked Vince Young to take it.

But, Bush claims Vince turned it down ... and he praised the hell out of him for doing so.

"That’s why I appreciate Vince because even in that moment and even in that time, he wasn’t a sucker," Bush said. "Period. He didn’t go for whatever they were trying to bring his way, and I appreciate him for that because that’s real. That’s real love."

Ben Roethlisberger says he's fought both porn and alcohol addictions in the past ... but credits his relationship with his religion for helping him cut the habits.

The Pittsburgh Steelers QB made the revelations at the "ManUp Pittsburgh" conference over the weekend ... giving a pump-up speech to people who are going through similar struggles.

"People don't realize all the time that us athletes, we're human," Roethlisberger said. "We sin like everyone else. I am no different. We make mistakes. We get addicted to things. We sin."

Big Ben continued, "And I think sometimes we get put on this pedestal where we can't make mistakes. We do. I've fallen as short as anybody."

Roethlisberger -- who's been in the NFL since 2004 -- says his past transgressions include vices like booze and porn ... adding, "which makes me then not the best husband, not the best father, not the best Christian I can be."

But, 38-year-old Ben says he was able to re-find religion after meeting his wife -- whom he married in 2011 -- and says he believes he's now a better person because of it.

"My message to the men out there that are watching this is, we all fall short," Roethlisberger said. "That's what happens. But it's OK. You can get back into the good graces."

Roethlisberger also spoke about his recent elbow surgery ... and said if it had happened earlier in his career, he's not sure he could have handled it.

Though Ben now says he's being patient with the whole process ... and is confident he'll return to form sooner than later.

In 2024 ... 39-year-old Adrian Peterson will STILL be running over defenders?!?!

The future Hall of Famer says he believes that's entirely possible ... telling TMZ Sports he's gunning to play FOUR more years in the NFL!!

"Man, why not four more years?" AD says. "Why not?!"

Of course, Peterson has never made it a secret he wants to play a whole lot longer than most running backs ever do ... but four more years is a big goal even for him.

Remember, back after the 2018 season, Peterson told us he only wanted to go "maybe two or three more years."

But, when we spoke with the Redskins star tailback over the weekend, he made it clear he wants to carry the rock until he physically can't anymore.

"I don't want to ever be in a position where I look back and say, 'Man, I should have played two more years,'" Peterson says. "'I should of played another year.' I want to enjoy it."

As for why, Adrian says he wants a Super Bowl ring badly ... but Peterson is only about 4,000 yards away from breaking Emmitt Smith's all-time rushing mark.

Seems with four more years of carries ... Emmitt might need to start sweating now??

A Cornell University freshman football recruit has reportedly been dropped from the team after using the n-word in a Snapchat video over the weekend.

Nate Panza -- a running back from Morristown, New Jersey -- was shown in a video with high school classmates ... when he is heard offscreen saying, "f**k that n***a."

Panza immediately told the man capturing the convo to not make the video public ... saying, "Oh wait, you can’t put that one up. You can’t post that."

The friend behind the camera then references George Floyd, who was killed at the hands of cops in May ... and Panza criticizes him for the comment.

"Now that’s f**ked up. Okay, you can't say that."

The video spread like wildfire on social media ... and several black student organizations at Cornell called for the school to take action.

Panza -- who signed his national letter of intent in February -- is no longer a part of the Big Red's football program as a result of the video, the Cornell Daily Sun reports.

"I am heartbroken I have hurt people; those I know and those I do not. I take full responsibility for my actions," Panza told the Sun.

"I do not believe that my language that night aligns with who I have tried to be as a person, the values I live by or the manner in which I have conducted myself as an athlete."

Panza continued ... "I plan to better educate myself on the issues of racism and injustice in America, as I want to be part of the solution and not the problem."

"The label 'racist' is not something I can live with and I will work to prove that every day for the rest of my life. It is my humble hope that I will come out of this incident as a better ally, better friend and better person."

Panza says he hopes to get a second chance with Cornell ... but the school has yet to publicly address the video.

We've reached out to Cornell for comment -- so far, no word back.

Michigan State legend Tom Izzo is admitting he was WRONG to be mad about Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest ... saying George Floyd's death helped him understand what the movement was all about.

"Listen, I learn lessons too. And, I’m still learning at this age," 65-year-old Izzo said on 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday.

"I talked to all those people to try to get a good feel. And, what I realized is, I wasn’t real happy with the Colin Kaepernick thing when it happened."

Izzo says he initially thought kneeling for the anthem was disrespectful to the flag ... but years later, he now knows what Kap was doing.

"And, yet, as I look back on it, how ignorant am I? Because that was a peaceful protest."

Izzo added he was "sickened" by Floyd's death last month ... saying, "It was real and it was disappointing, but it was disgusting."

"None of us know all the things that happen, but a human life is a human life and we’re treating it like it’s nothing."

THE RED SKINS ARE CHANGING THEIR NAME!!!

No, sadly, not Washington's NFL team -- but rather the lesser-known candy ... which Nestle now says is getting a makeover due to the racist implications of the moniker.

In a statement released Tuesday ... the candy company said it'll do away with the "Red Skins" name because it's straight up "out of step with Nestle’s values."

"This decision acknowledges the need to ensure that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues," Nestle officials said.

In addition to "Red Skins", the company also says it's canning the "Chicos" name for its jelly candy ... citing the racial undertones there too.

Props to the org. for realizing the ignorance and vowing to swiftly right the wrong ... but it all begs the question -- what is going on in the NFL?!

The Redskins -- who last week cut ties with their racist ex-owner George Preston Marshall by helping facilitate the removal of a stadium monument and FedExField lower bowl naming -- STILL refuse to acknowledge the need to reconsider their team name.

Despite many Native Americans finding it offensive -- and D.C.'s mayor calling for change -- owner Dan Snyder has repeatedly been reluctant to move on from the mascot.

So, could a candy company giving in finally be the catalyst that gets the NFL's gears turning on the issue???

Detroit Lions owner Martha Ford -- who has been in charge since 2014 -- has stepped down from her role with the team ... and her daughter, Sheila Hamp, will take over.

94-year-old Ford took over the team after her husband, William Ford Sr. -- the last surviving grandchild of Henry Ford -- passed away.

"It has been a great honor for our family to be associated with the Lions and with the National Football League," Martha said in a statement Tuesday.

"I am gratified that this family tradition, which my husband and I began almost six decades ago, will continue under Sheila's guiding hand."

"It is clear to me that Sheila will provide superb leadership and is fully committed to competitive excellence and community involvement."

Sheila addressed her new role, saying, "My mother has inspired all of us since taking on leadership of the Lions over six years ago."

"She has been a tireless leader to our family, our team and our community. Her smart decisions have given me a solid foundation to take the team forward."

"On behalf of the family and the team, I want to thank her for her countless contributions. I look forward to leading the Lions to excellence on and off the field."

The Fords have owned the Lions since 1963 ... when William bought the team for $4.5 million.

The franchise is now worth around $1.95 BILLION, according to Forbes.

NFL commish Roger Goodell released a statement on the transition, saying, "We are pleased that the Ford family will continue to own and operate this historic franchise."

Did you know Cam Newton has 7 kids? Neither did we!

The 31-year-old -- who's usually pretty private when it comes to his personal life -- opened up about his offspring in an emotional Father's Day post on IG.

"I’m a proud father of seven," the ex-Carolina Panthers star said.

"A daddy isn’t defined as the man who makes the child (not an all instances) but rather a MAN who extends his hands and time to help with the child’s raising and his heart to LOVE the child through anything!"

He continued, "Blood doesn’t always make you DADDY being a dad comes from the heart."

"Anybody can make a baby but it takes a real man to raise a child! Kudos to all the real men worldwide happy Father’s Day to us."

He also named all 7 of his kids -- Jaden, Shakira, Chosen, Sovereign-Dior, Camidas, Caesar, Cashmere.

We know what you're thinking ... doesn't Philip Rivers have a bunch of kids, too?

Yep -- Rivers has 9 KIDS!!

The SF 49ers -- Colin Kaepernick's former team -- are now flying a Black Lives Matter flag at Levi's Stadium ... putting the message front and center next to the Star-Spangled Banner.

"Indivisible with liberty and justice for all," the Niners said of the new flag in a statement on social media on Monday. "#BlackLivesMatter"

The new piece at the stadium is powerful ... and even star running back Tevin Coleman took the time out to acknowledge his squad's tribute, commenting raised fists on the pic.

Of course, S.F's owner, Jed York, has backed the BLM movement ever since George Floyd tragically died in late May ... pledging to donate $1 million to help fight systemic racism.

As part of the donation, York said at the time, "Before we are able to realize impactful change, we must first have the courage and compassion as human beings to come together and acknowledge the problem: black men, women and children and other oppressed minorities continue to be systemically discriminated against."

York has since given his team Juneteenth off and has insinuated he'll likely make election day in November a holiday for his employees as well.

Other 49ers players have also been vocal in their support of the BLM movement over the last few weeks ... with stud receiver Kendrick Bourne even shouting out Kaepernick while kneeling at a protest earlier this month.