Football

Georgia State freshman QB Mikele Colasurdo says he's been diagnosed with a heart condition after battling COVID-19 ... and he won't be able to play this season.

"Today I was diagnosed with a heart condition as a result of my COVID-19 infection," Colasurdo said.

"Unfortunately, this means that I will not be able to play this football season."

Colasurdo -- 6'1", 210 lbs -- thanked the Georgia State football program for "providing a safe environment for us to train and practice."

"Ultimately it was the procedures and tests set forth by GSU that allowed the doctors to find this condition in my heart and help keep me safe," the QB said.

"I am very thankful."

Colasurdo was the South Carolina Gatorade High School Player of the Year in 2019 -- and a finalist for South Carolina Mr. Football.

He was also expected to compete for the starting QB job in 2020 as a true freshman.

Despite the situation, Colasurdo says he'll return for the 2021 season.

Scary news out of Cleveland Browns' camp ... veteran cornerback Kevin Johnson lacerated his liver in practice Wednesday and is now in the hospital receiving treatment.

The Browns made the announcement Thursday ... saying Johnson initially complained of abdominal pain after a teammate landed on him during drills.

Turns out, Johnson was seriously injured ... with the team saying test results revealed the liver damage after he was sent to the hospital.

"Kevin is resting comfortably and is expected to remain in the hospital for at least another 24 hours for observation," the team said.

Johnson -- a Houston Texans first-round pick back in 2015 -- joined the Browns this offseason and was expected to be in the team's two-deep on opening day next month.

Distance learning sucks if you don't have a dope computer to stay connected in school ... and Deshaun Watson knows it.

That's why the Houston Texans star QB teamed up with Reliant Energy to hand out $175,000 in tech Wednesday to students who need it!

Most Houston area schools have opted to begin the school year virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic ... creating tough situations for some families in dire financial straits.

Watson and Reliant decided to help out by working with the Comp-U-Dopt organization -- which specializes in "providing technology access and education to underserved youth."

Comp-U-Dopt says the $175k donation from Watson and Reliant will allow 500 STUDENTS to receive computers, which they can keep. How great is that!?

"Reliant will also fund afterschool student programming with Comp-U-Dopt for the next three years," the org says.

Watson didn't just cut a check -- he personally went down to the giveaway point in Houston and helped deliver the equipment to the families who needed it.

The 24-year-old baller is big in the community in Houston.

"I would say that if you walked away from practice you'd say, 'Hey, who the hell was #58!?'"

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy says Aldon Smith is KILLING it in his first official workouts with the team ... this despite the dude being away from the game for the past 5 YEARS.

McCarthy praised the hell out of the embattled pass rusher Thursday ... calling Smith's skill set "extraordinary" and his return from a long layoff "impressive."

"I'm very, very happy with where Aldon is right now," McCarthy said ... before adding, "Aldon is off to a very good start. He's impressive. Still very impressive."

It's a pretty shocking report from the Cowboys head man ... Aldon hasn't played a down in the NFL since the 2015 season -- and has battled legal troubles and substance abuse issues during his time away.

But, Smith's sober now, and he told us this offseason he busted his ass in Jay Glazer's gym in L.A. to get his body back into NFL shape ... and clearly, it's all paying off.

"You can see his power and his length is extraordinary," McCarthy said.

Smith was officially reinstated by Roger Goodell back in May.

The Cowboys open up the season in less than a month ... and seems Smith might actually be one of their starting defensive ends for the game.

Ric Flair just gave some amazing advice to NFL tight end George Kittle after the 49ers star signed his new $75 million contract -- DON'T GET DIVORCED!

It's a hilarious moment that all went down during a live radio interview on the Bay Area's 95.7 The Game ... when the hosts brought in Flair to surprise Kittle, who happens to be a massive WWE fan.

"Yeah, it’s the Nature Boy Ric Flair! Congratulations George Kittle. You’re limousine riding and jet flying!!"

Kittle was rendered speechless -- which is saying a lot for him ... ultimately saying he couldn't believe he was on the phone with one of the all-time great pro wrestlers!

Flair was so impressed with Kittle's new 5-year, $75 million contract extension with the SF 49ers ... he offered up some financial advice to the 26-year-old.

"Listen, stay married. That $15 million could go real fast if you get divorced!"

Flair was referring to Kittle's $18 mil signing bonus -- but fudged the numbers. It's fine. You get the point.

Bottom line ... Flair is stoked. Kittle is stoked.

And, Boyfriend of the Year honors go to ... Las Vegas Raiders rookie Henry Ruggs!!!

Here's video of the NFL first-round pick surprising his girlfriend with a brand new, custom Mustang 5.0 -- and yeah, dude's clearly great both on the field and in relationships!!!

TMZ Sports has learned the former Alabama star receiver hit up Gaudin Ford dealership in Nevada for the whip ... and as you can see in the footage, Ruggs clearly chose the right car.

Check out the clip ... Henry brought his GF, Kiara Washington, and their 3-month-old daughter down to the driveway -- and when Kiara realized what was happening, she busted out into tears!!

"Henry!!!" she screamed repeatedly ... before adding, "Thank you!!"

We're told 2020 Mustang GTs don't come in yellow ... but Ruggs made it happen because that's his girl's favorite color.

AWWWW!!!

By the way, the car should remind Washington of Henry every time she gets in it ... 'cause it's fast as hell -- we're told this model has 332 horsepower and can go 0 to 60 MPH in under 5 SECONDS!!

As for price ... unclear what the ride set back Ruggs -- but don't worry, dude just inked a 4-year, $16 MILLION contract with the Raiders.

Brace yourself, football fans ... there's another Manning coming!!!

Peyton & Eli Manning's nephew, Arch, was just named the top QB in the 2023 class ... making him arguably the most coveted sophomore recruit on the planet!!!

Cooper Manning's son was given the honor Wednesday by college recruit ranking website 247 Sports ... which also named the 6'3", 195-pound QB the #5 overall player in the class.

The accolade comes as really no surprise, considering Arch destroyed defenses all year during his freshman season at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans.

The quarterback threw for 2,438 yards and 34 touchdowns to just 6 INTs ... and went 9-1 as a ninth-grade starter.

"He really surpassed what we could have hoped for," his head coach, Nelson Stewart, told 247.

In fact, in one game that Peyton attended last season ... Arch threw for 6 touchdowns -- showing off an arm just like Uncle Peyton and Uncle Eli!!!

No word yet on which college Arch will end up playing for ... but seems Ole Miss and Tennessee might have the best shots considering the Manning legacies.

Another huge victory in court for Robert Kraft ... video allegedly showing the Patriots owner receiving sex acts in a massage spa has been ruled INADMISSIBLE once again.

The 79-year-old's dream team of attorneys had successfully argued last year that Feb. 2019 footage of Kraft inside a Jupiter, Fla. day spa violated his rights and should NOT be allowed to be used in the case against him.

But, prosecutors appealed the decision to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal ... and said at a June hearing that police had every right to roll on Kraft.

On Wednesday ... judges sided with the New England owner -- saying in a lengthy opinion that cops screwed up in the way they went about recording video inside of the spa.

In the opinion, the judges say Kraft -- and others who received legitimate non-sexual massages -- had a reasonable right to privacy inside the facility.

The judges also say officers didn't do enough in their surveillance to protect those innocent people who were inside the spa getting perfectly legal massages.

Prosecutors now have the option to appeal yet again to a higher court ... but this is likely the last stop.

In other words, seems the footage has been officially blocked for good.

It's a huge deal for RK ... officials have hit him with 2 charges of soliciting prostitution and he was realistically looking at a fine and community service if convicted -- but with no smoking gun video, it'll be much harder to get a conviction.

A spokesperson for Kraft tells TMZ Sports the Pats owner is "pleased" with the ruling -- noting that it effectively blocks footage "that should never have been taken."

"In doing so, the appellate panel unanimously agreed with every judge who has examined these issues and ruled that law enforcement acted unconstitutionally when conducting their investigation."

NFL running back Derrius Guice is adamant he did NOT rape two women back in 2016 while attending LSU, despite new claims to the contrary.

Both women claim Guice raped them in their own apartments after a night of heavy boozing -- and both claim the allegations were reported to LSU, but never properly investigated.

The women each spoke with USA Today Sports, but have not revealed their identities publicly.

The first woman says she drunkenly passed out on her bed after throwing a party -- and later began to have flashbacks of Guice assaulting her. Plus, she claims other football players at the party said Guice had bragged about having sex with her that night.

The accuser said she told a friend on the diving team about the incident -- who told her diving coach. The diver claims the coach reported the incident to LSU athletics officials.

The accuser claims she later got an email from an LSU official following up on the allegations -- but nothing really came of it.

However, the accuser claims LSU coach Ed Orgeron mentioned the incident later to her then-boyfriend, a player on the LSU football team.,

The player told USA Today Sports ... Orgeron made comments telling him not to be bothered by Guice's involvement with the accuser because "everybody’s girlfriend sleeps with other people."

The player doesn't know exactly how much Oregron knew about the incident.

The second accuser, a former LSU tennis player, claims Guice also sexually assaulted her after a night of drinking.

The woman later went to rehab for substance abuse issues and in 2017, told a rehab staffer about the alleged rape.

The staffer allegedly reported the allegation to LSU -- but the accuser claims it was never properly investigated.

For his part, Guice's attorney Peter D. Greenspun told USA Today Sports the allegations are baseless and looking to make Guice look worse after his recent domestic violence arrest in Virginia.

"At no time were allegations of physical or sexual assault brought against Derrius during his years as a student athlete at LSU," Greenspun told USA Today.

"To bring up such assertions only after the Virginia charges were initiated certainly calls into question the credibility, nature and timing of what is being alleged years later."

"Such speculation and innuendo should not be the basis for Derrius to be required to make any comment at all but he wants to be absolutely clear. The allegations in this story are just that and have no basis in fact."

Guice -- a talented running back -- was released by the Washington Football Team earlier this month after cops say he violently attacked a woman he was romantically involved with on 3 separate occasions from Feb. to April.

LSU issued a generic statement -- but did not address the Guice allegations specifically.

Two camps are claiming to be in possession of the REAL jersey worn by Michael Strahan in Super Bowl 42 ... which means someone has a FAKE.

And now, the situation is about to explode -- with both sides claiming they have solid arguments for why their jersey is the real thing.

In one corner, Michael Strahan -- Pro Football Hall of Famer.

In the other, Goldin Auctions -- one of the top sports memorabilia dealers in the country, which prides itself on trading in authentic items.

Strahan claims after his NY Giants beat the New England Patriots on Feb. 3, 2008, he gave his jersey to a friend and instructed that person to take it straight to Strahan's hotel room for safekeeping.

Per a source close to the NY Giants legend, Strahan is adamant the same jersey he passed to his friend ended up in a frame which is now on display at his home.

If you take a close look, we're told those stains on the jersey are champagne and Gatorade stains from the locker room celebration.

But, Goldin Auctions is disputing that claim ... insisting the REAL jersey ended up with a Giants equipment manager that day, who then passed it along to another person ... who brought it to Goldin Auctions.

Ken Goldin, Goldin Auctions Founder and CEO, tells us he's had two well-respected photo match experts -- Mei Grey and Resolution Photo Matching Service -- take a look at his jersey and both agree his jersey is legit.

Goldin also says when you take a close look at the jersey in Strahan's home, he believes there are obvious inconsistencies from high-definition photos of the jersey that were taken directly after the game.

In other words, Goldin believes the photo evidence proves he's got the REAL uniform.

"We are 100% confident the Strahan jersey in the auction is authentic," Goldin says ... "And the photo matching services letters and images speak for themselves."

So, what happens next? We're told Goldin is prepared to defend his claims and will proceed with his auction.

The most recent bid for the Strahan jersey is a cool $39k -- and Goldin believes it can crack $100k.

Really good at football. Really bad at singing!!!

That's how the Philadelphia Eagles players felt about rookie QB Jalen Hurts -- booing the guy off the stage during a performance at the team facility  ... and the footage is hilarious!!!

The former Oklahoma/Alabama star tried to best to perform Maze's 1981 hit, "Before I Let Go" on Tuesday -- but man, it did not work out!

Tone-deaf? Yes. Pitchy? Yes. Voice cracking during the song? Mmmhmmm.

And, since it's Philly, the crowd LET HIM HAVE IT -- booing the crap out of the guy ... with some players yelling, "Get the f**k outta here!"

Obviously, the whole thing is in good fun ... NFL rookies have been embarrassing themselves in team "talent" shows for decades. Never gets old.

Hurts had previously performed Al Green's "Love & Happiness" for the team last week --- no boo's there, though.

Who's the Kim Kardashian of the Gronkowski family?!

IT'S NOT ROB!

This according to the NFL superstar himself who says he's teaming up with his bros for a new FAMILY project ... and it sounds insane!

Rob tells TMZ Sports he spent his entire offseason beating  up his brothers -- Gordie, Dan, Chris and Glenn -- for their new YouTube channel, "The Gronks."

"We all just compete verse each other," Rob says ... "We all team up with each other to do all different type of weird activities or fun activities, or crazy activities, however you wanna categorize it."

Paintball, jet skis, beer pong -- you name it, they're doing it. With intensity.

We asked Rob if the new project is part of a larger strategic plan to set up a post-NFL career for himself in Hollywood.

His response is classic.

"I don't really have a plan. I really just take whatever I'm doing at the moment. Obviously right now my plan is just football, for real."

"I'm just really focused on the game right now and I'm loving it."

Gronk sat out of the 2019 season -- but says he feels awesome right now ... and when we asked how much longer he wants to play pro ball, he didn't commit to an answer.

"I'm not gonna lie, the game of football doesn't last for your whole life," Gronk said ... "So, it's good to have options when you're done playing but as of now, the focus is just there to get better and play some ball."

The Gronks say as part of their new channel, they team up with a ton of big stars for some insane physical challenges ... and even teased a possible Tom Brady cameo.

Michael Strahan's game-worn Super Bowl 42 jersey -- when his NY Giants upset Tom Brady's UNDEFEATED Patriots in 2008 -- just hit the auction block ... and it's expected to crack the $100k mark!

TMZ Sports has learned ... Goldin Auctions is featuring Strahan's white and red NYG jersey in a current auction. The starting bid was $20k and it quickly exploded to $36k.

The game -- played on February 3, 2008, in Glendale, AZ -- is widely considered one of the best in Super Bowl history. It was also Strahan's final game of his legendary NFL career.

Goldin Auctions insists the jersey is 100% authentic -- it was photo-matched from 2 different companies that specialize in apparel authenticity.

Of course, New England entered the game as huge 12 point favorites and was looking to go 19-0 ... joining the Miami Dolphins as the only teams in history to complete an undefeated championship run.

But, Strahan -- along with Eli Manning and some help from a sure-handed, sure-helmeted David Tyree -- ruined the Patriots' night in a 17-to-14 upset.

Don't feel too bad for Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and the rest of the gang ... they won other Super Bowls. They're just fine.

Strahan had a solid game that night -- chalking up 3 tackles and a sack.

He later went on to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame and launched a TV career that could eclipse his playing career ... and that's really saying something!!

The jersey auction will run until August 22 and could get super hot in the final days as there are some rabid and rich Giants fans that would LOVE to get their hands on this.

This is the sports highlight of the day, BY FAR.

Washington Football Team QB Alex Smith made his official return to full practice on Tuesday ... nearly 2 years after he ALMOST DIED from complications following a devastating leg injury.

You can see in the amazing footage ... Smith runs through drills alongside QB Dwayne Haskins -- even connecting on a short pass to running back Antonio Gibson.

This is IMPROBABLE video considering everything Smith has gone through over the past 2 years.

Remember, the QB suffered a compound fracture in his right leg -- the bone broke through the skin -- during a game in November 2018.

Days later during his recovery, Smith became VERY sick and his leg turned black. He was diagnosed with sepsis -- a life-threatening condition that stems from a bad infection.

Doctors later determined Smith had a flesh-eating bacteria that ultimately required 17 surgeries!!!

Somehow, Smith battled through all of the procedures, all of the rehab ... all of the mental torture -- and was CLEARED by docs to return to the field over the weekend.

Alex's family celebrated the news with a champagne-spraying party -- and cake! Amazing moment.

And, now, once again Smith is beating the odds ... most everyone though the 36-year-old would just hang up his cleats and move on with his life.

But, Alex made it clear football is his passion and made it his mission to get back on the field.

Mission accomplished.

Tom Brady is fitting in just fine as the new guy down in Tampa Bay ... so says his new star wide receiver Mike Evans -- who absolutely GUSHED over the QB on Tuesday!!!

"He's the G.O.A.T. on and off the field," Evans said. "It's crazy. He's a superstar. The most accomplished player in our game in history. And. he's just like everybody else."

"He just works extremely hard. He's always taking care of his body. He loves his family. He loves family time. And, he's just cool."

Evans added, "He's a real down-to-earth guy. And, he's already up there as one of my favorite teammates."

It's huge praise from the 3-time Pro Bowl wideout ... considering the guys just became teammates about 5 months ago and have only had a few official practices as Bucs.

But, Evans says he truly means it ... saying, "I'm learning a lot from him. And hopefully, we tear it up this year."

Seems Brady's having a blast with Evans too ... Tom told NBC's Peter King earlier this week he's "so happy with the decision I made" to bolt from New England to Florida.

Good times in Tampa, huh?!

Dez Bryant has officially touched down in Baltimore ... next stop, a new contract with the Ravens?!

The former NFL superstar was at BWI Airport in Maryland Tuesday making his way to the Ravens' practice facility for a much-anticipated tryout ... and the dude seems PUMPED!!

The ex-Dallas Cowboys WR said straight-up "it'd be fun" to join the Ravens ... before adding he wants to play with Lamar Jackson BADLY!!!

"He the man," Dez said of the Baltimore QB. "He the man. Hell yeah. I've been rooting for Lamar since his Louisville days. Anybody that knows me knows that!"

Of course, there are a few hurdles Dez has to jump through before the Jackson-to-Bryant connection can be a reality.

Per NFL rules, Bryant must pass COVID testing prior to taking the field ... and even then, he's got to prove to Ravens coaches he still belongs in the league.

Remember, the 31-year-old hasn't played a down in the league since the 2017 season ... and has suffered through a blown-out Achilles in the meantime.

But, Dez has been working like a mad man to get back ... and, judging by his swagger at the airport Tuesday, dude's clearly confident heading into the tryout.

Good luck!!