Football

Tim Tebow's gonna need a miracle to make it in his NFL comeback ... so says Charles Barkley, who thinks it'll be "impossible" for the former quarterback to switch to tight end.

Chuck gave his honest opinion about the 33-year-old signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars with "Waddle and Silvy" on ESPN Chicago this week ... saying he likes Tebow as a person, but has serious doubts about his chances at making a real impact on the field.

"I think it's going to be very difficult for him to just pick up football, another position," Barkley said.

"Tim's such a good dude, but you know, a lot of people don't like Tim because his religion. He wears it on his sleeve. I don't care about that. I like the kid, but I don't think he can just come pick up another position."

Of course, Barkley has been outspoken about his hatred for the media frenzy that always surrounds the former Heisman winner -- he once admitted to being "Tebowed out" -- but regardless, the Hall of Famer thinks this is just too big of a challenge for Tebow.

"I think he'll just be disrespectful to jocks saying, 'Oh I haven't played football, but I can come and be a pro at it.' I just think that's impossible, personally," he said.

"Michael Jordan tried, he tried to play baseball. You can't just go play a pro sport."

Emotional moment after the Packers' workouts Tuesday ... star RB Aaron Jones was asked how he's doing in the wake of his father's death, and he couldn't help but tear up talking about it all.

Jones' dad tragically passed away at 57-years-old from COVID-19 complications in early April ... and the Green Bay tailback took it very hard.

He and his father, Alvin Jones Sr., were super close ... and Aaron told media members Tuesday he owes his entire football career to the man.

In fact, Aaron said every time he plays a snap in the NFL for the rest of his life -- it's now getting dedicated to Alvin Sr.

"The rest of my career will be dedicated to my father," the 26-year-old said. "I mean, he's the reason I started playing football. He's what kept me going so many times when, as a kid, you want to give up, he's what kept me going."

"So, like I said, I'm going to dedicate the rest of my career to him."

Aaron was asked several more questions about his father and how his Packers teammates were helping him get through the tough time ... and that's when tears started flowing from his eyes.

"I have a locker room full of brothers here who are making sure I'm OK," Aaron said. "So, some nights I'm there with them on their couch and different things like that."

"So, that's what this game is all about. Having your brothers around you."

You hear that noise?? That's Who Dey Nation celebrating the sight of Joe Burrow making his big return to the practice field ... just 6 months after the star QB suffered a catastrophic knee injury!!

Remember, the 2020 #1 overall pick tore his left ACL and MCL and suffered partial tears to his meniscus and PCL in a Week 11 matchup on Nov. 22 ... putting an abrupt end to his solid rookie campaign.

But, 24-year-old Joey B has been rehabbing like crazy to get back to 100% before the start of the 2021 season ... and took his first steps towards that goal by participating in Cincy's OTAs on Tuesday.

The video's great news for Bengals fans. Burrow -- sporting a big knee brace on his left leg -- is shown dropping back and throwing darts to his teammates, including his old LSU teammate, Ja'Marr Chase.

Burrow spoke about getting back on the gridiron with reporters after practice ... saying he's feeling great and hoping to get the thumbs up to be ready in time for training camp.

"It felt really good today, it was optimistic," Burrow said of his knee.

"It was good to be back, good to see everybody ... It was fun being back on the field, that's for sure."

Burrow and the Bengals kick off their 2021 NFL season on Sept. 12 -- hosting the Minnesota Vikings.

There will be another Dallas Cowboys player in the #9 jersey in the post-Tony Romo world after all ... linebacker Jaylon Smith has just acquired the number -- and fans are PISSED.

The Cowboys hadn't let anyone use the digit since Romo retired after the 2016 season ... but Smith was just assigned it this week, and the outrage has been palpable.

While Dallas has NEVER officially retired a jersey number, Troy Aikman's #8, Emmitt Smith's #22 and Roger Staubach's #12 haven't been given out since their retirements ... and many thought Romo would get the same treatment.

But, the Cowboys let the #9 go on Tuesday ... and with Smith being one of the biggest disappointments for Dallas in the 2020 season, it hasn't exactly been a welcome sight in Big D.

Fans have blasted Jaylon and the team on social media for making the change ... but the 25-year-old sure seems happy as hell to have the number regardless.

It's meant a lot to him -- he wore it in high school and in college at Notre Dame -- and with the NFL adopting new jersey number rules this season ... he jumped at the chance to take Tony's old uni.

It's unclear how Romo -- who went 78-49 in his 13-year career with the Cowboys -- feels about the whole situation ... but it all might not even matter come September.

The Cowboys took two off-ball linebackers in last month's draft -- including 1st-rounder Micah Parsons -- and some believe it could lead to a Smith trade or even a Smith cut before the season begins.

The sports world is honoring George Floyd on the one-year anniversary of his death .... with the NFL and NBA releasing powerful messages on continuing to fight for change throughout the country.

Both leagues paid tribute to Floyd and his family with statements on Tuesday -- acknowledging the work that has been done since he was murdered by a Minneapolis PD officer on May 25, 2020 ... and calling for more action.

"One year ago, the killing of George Floyd advanced a global reckoning around systemic racism and inspired a movement for social justice," The NBA said in a statement.

"Today, and every day, members of the NBA family stand united in working for change and a future that provides true equality."

The NFL added ... "As we mark one year since the murder of George Floyd, our thoughts are with the Floyd family and all who have been affected by his death."

"This has been a year filled with reflection and reckoning, one that has renewed our commitment to build and strengthen our communities. The work for equitable justice must continue and the NFL and its clubs are proud to work alongside NFL players to build a more just society."

The NFL also shared a video of stars like Texans safety Justin Reid and Saints linebacker Demario Davis, who reflected on the tragedy and the protests that followed.

Floyd's death sparked massive movements in both leagues over the past year ... with the NBA adding the words "Black Lives Matter" on the courts for the remainder of the 2020 season ... and allowing players to wear social justice messages on the backs of their jerseys.

The NFL followed by adding the words "end racism" and "it takes all of us" on the fields ... and allowing players to honor people impacted by police brutality by wearing the names of victims of their helmets.

The QB room in Green Bay just got a whole lot less awkward ... Aaron Rodgers finally broke his silence on his beef with the Pack -- and he insisted Jordan Love is NOT the problem.

The reigning NFL MVP joined Kenny Mayne for the legendary anchor's final SportsCenter on Monday ... and revealed his issues with his team do not stem from them drafting Love last year.

"With my situation, look, it's never been about the draft pick, them picking Jordan," Rodgers said. "I love Jordan. He's a great kid. Lot of fun to work together."

Many assumed it was the exact opposite ... 'cause after Green Bay took Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft instead of a receiver, Rodgers had seemed blindsided.

But, Aaron went on to say during his interview with Mayne that he's more upset with the way he believes the Packers have changed their "philosophy."

"I love the coaching staff, love my teammates, love the fan base in Green Bay -- it's been an incredible, incredible 16 years," Rodgers said. "It's just kind of about a philosophy."

"And, you know, and maybe forgetting that it is about the people that make the thing go. It's about character. It's about culture. It's about doing things the right way."

In other words, it's clear Rodgers is upset his team wouldn't commit to him with a fresh, new contract after his monster 2020 season.

"The wrench was just kind of thrown into it when I won MVP and played the way I played last year," Rodgers said. "So, this is just kind of the, I think, the spill out of all that."

So, where do they go from here? Rodgers -- who partied in Hawaii over the weekend instead of prepping for Packers organized team activities this week -- sure seemed like a guy who was pretty dug in on the ride being over in Green Bay.

What's better than prepping for voluntary NFL workouts??? If you're Aaron Rodgers ... clearly it's singing and dancing in Hawaii!!!

Here's video of the Packers star partying his face off in Kapalua just two days before he skipped out on Green Bay organized team activities ... and yeah, it doesn't seem like an end to his beef with his team is coming anytime soon.

We're told ... it all went down Saturday night when the quarterback and his fiancee, Shailene Woodley, showed up to a local restaurant and could not have had a better time.

We're told Rodgers -- along with Woodley, actor Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh -- were all enjoying food and music when they decided to turn things up a notch.

The group requested songs, sang and danced -- and video shows they all had a helluva lot of fun!

Check out the footage, Aaron and the rest of the crew were hanging loose, belting out classics and playing the guitar -- and we're told they all partied together for about 2 hours!

Of course, back in Wisconsin, Rodgers' coaches and teammates would certainly rather see him doing all of that in the Green Bay locker room.

You'll recall, Rodgers is currently feuding with the team over his contract situation and some of its recent personnel decisions ... and he's skipped out on Monday's OTAs presumably because of it all.

We're told Aaron did not seem disgruntled in any way ... not even bringing up his football drama and instead just enjoying the moment.

NFL star Greg Olsen says his 8-year-old son, TJ, is hospitalized in North Carolina with a serious heart condition -- and may need a heart transplant very soon.

The 36-year-old tight end -- who retired following the 2020 season -- revealed the situation Monday on social media ... saying, "This past week has been exceptionally challenging for our family."

"As many of you know, our son TJ has faced serious heart issues since birth. TJ has already undergone 3 open heart surgeries and has survived with a modified heart for his first 8 years of life."

Greg and his wife, Kara, have publicly talked about TJ's condition for years -- explaining he was born with a congenital heart disease.

Olsen continued, "Unfortunately, it seems his heart is reaching its end. We are currently working through the process to determine our next steps, which ultimately could lead to a heart transplant."

Olsen says TJ is currently being treated at Levine Children’s Hospital in North Carolina -- and praised the team for the "world class care" TJ is receiving.

FYI, Greg and Kara donated $2.5 million to the Levine Children's Hospital in 2019 to help fund a pediatric cardiovascular and congenital heart outpatient clinic.

"We don’t know how long we will be within these hospital walls," Olsen added ... "We do know that we are in full control of our attitudes and our outlook."

"TJ has been a fighter since birth. We are going to get through this as a family and be better off as a result of this experience."

The Olsen Family is getting a ton of support on social media from athletes, fans, reporters and even politicians.

Erin Andrews posted, "Thinking of you guys!!"

North Carolina senator Thom Tillis added, "Susan and I are praying for your family."

It's over for Julio Jones in Atlanta -- the Falcons superstar just confirmed he wants out during a phone call on LIVE TV!

You've probably heard the rumblings about a potential breakup between the two sides ... well, so did Shannon Sharpe and he straight-up took out his cellphone and called the WR live on Monday's 'Undisputed' on FS1.

Sharpe started off the convo by asking about rumors that he wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys ... or would he rather stay in Atlanta?

"Oh man, nah ... I'm outta there, man," Jones told Shannon.

Shannon followed up -- "Ideally, where would you like to go?"

Julio replied, "Right now, I wanna win."

Shannon: "Well don't go to Dallas, you ain't winning in Dallas, Julio!"

Julio: "Man listen, c'mon, man. You already know I know! Haha!"

DAMN!!

That's a lot to unpack ... first, seems he's definitely set on leaving Atlanta and second, taking shots at the Cowboys too?!

Of course, the Falcons have reportedly been looking to trade the 32-year-old All-Pro after 10 seasons in ATL ... with both sides looking for a fresh start.

It could be tough to find a team willing to take on Jones' $15.3 million in guaranteed money this season ... but you'd have to imagine someone would want a 7-time Pro Bowler around.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says it's not as nasty as it may seem -- explaining, "[Jones] requested a trade from the organization a few months ago, sources say, and the team then agreed to listen to offers. That’s how it began and why it continues."

"This is why Julio Jones told Shannon Sharpe he’s 'out of there.' Because he knows he requested a trade and the team is open to considering it. But it doesn’t mean he will get traded."

The stands at the Nashville Predators game Sunday looked more like a frat party -- at least for a few seconds -- 'cause cameras caught Taylor Lewan chugging beers like he was in college ... and it awesome!!

The Tennessee Titans star made an appearance at Game 4 of Nashville's playoff series with Carolina ... and it didn't take long for the guy to lose his mind pumping up the crowd.

When the 29-year-old was introduced on the jumbotron, he played it cool at first -- waving with his daughter in his arms ... but a short time later, his shirt was off and beers were down the hatch!!

Check out the footage ... the Preds showed flashback video of Lewan previously going crazy at a game in 2018 -- so he did his best to one-up the show, and damn near delivered!!

Lewan chugged one beer ... and then ripped off his shirt. Seconds later, he chugged another -- and the crowd lost its mind!!

Even Predators star Ryan Johansen got a kick out of it -- laughing while staring at the insanity!!

The Preds used the energy and went on to win the game 4-3 in double overtime ... and said afterward Lewan is now required to be at every game going forward.

"HEY @TaylorLewan77," the team tweeted, "ITS MANDATORY YOU COME TO EVERY SINGLE GAME FOR NOW ON THANKS."

As for Lewan, he seemed pumped about it all ... but admitted his family wasn't too pleased with the beer spillage.

"Had a long car ride home of wynne telling me it 'wasn’t nice' to get her and mommy wet," Lewan said.

He added, though, "worth it."

Amazing news ... Central Michigan quarterback John Keller has pulled through after being shot in the chest last month -- and he's now heading home from the hospital!!

The 20-year-old athlete's chances of making it to this point appeared VERY grim less than 4 weeks ago ... after his family said he was "fighting for his life" after being struck by gunfire at a party in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

But Keller -- who required a ventilator and a lengthy stay in the ICU as part of his recovery process -- has finally been discharged, and he couldn't be happier about it!!

"Very thankful to be heading home today," Keller wrote on his Twitter page on Friday.

"First, I have to thank god and I want to thank all of you for the prayers and support as they have been answered on this tough road. Thank you Hurley [Medical Center] for saving my life."

Keller's dad added, "John is headed home today!! God is Great!"

As we previously reported, Keller and another CMU student were shot at an apartment complex on April 24 after police say an altercation broke out at the event.

Cops say Kenneth Thomas was involved in the dispute ... left the party to get a gun from his car, and then came back and shot Keller and the other student.

Officials say Thomas has since been arrested and hit with 10 charges -- and is facing SERIOUS time behind bars if convicted.

Patrick Mahomes has a suggestion for the NFL to help officials more accurately call games -- PUT A MICROCHIP IN THE FOOTBALL!

"I feel like the chip in the ball has gotta happen at some point," Mahomes said this week on the WHOOP podcast ... "If you cross the line, it just tells you, touchdown!"

The KC Chiefs superstar QB says one of the biggest issues for him is the "pile" by the goal line ... and he believes microchip technology could help solve that problem.

"There is literally no way you can tell if he’s in the end zone or not and like, it’s just whatever they call."

The problem with Patrick's suggestion, as ProFootballTalk points out, is that a chip in the ball only solves half of the problem.

The other issue is ruling when a ball-carrier is considered down by contact.

In other words, if the chip in the football confirms the ball crossed the goal line -- it still leaves the question of, "When did the runner's knee hit the ground?"

So, it's not a complete solution -- but it could be a step in the right direction.

Still, Mahomes says he believes the microchip thing will "happen soon enough."

In the meantime, Patrick says he understands human error when it comes to officiating is "just part of the game" ... like balls and strikes in baseball.

Oh, and for the record ... the NFL already uses a microchip in footballs to track data for the league's Next Gen Stats program.

Ezekiel Elliott's dogs have gotten the running back in legal trouble once again ... this time, cops say the NFL star's animals -- including a Rottweiler -- got loose and bit two neighbors.

Police say three of the Dallas Cowboy's dogs escaped Elliott's Frisco, Texas home just before 9:30 AM on Thursday and attacked bystanders.

Cops say when they arrived on the scene, they were able to secure the dogs ... and put Elliott's Rottweiler into a mandatory 10-day quarantine after they determined it had done the biting.

Police say Elliott was issued three citations for "Dog at Large" (one for each dog) ... and added the two people who were bitten were treated at local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cops say they've launched an investigation into the incident, and charges could be coming depending on the findings of the probe.

You'll recall, this is not the first time Elliott's dogs have allegedly attacked people ... remember, Elliott is currently being sued by a pool cleaner who claims Zeke's dogs bit her in March 2020.

In that case, the woman said Elliott's Rottweiler bit her arm and dragged her ... before the 25-year-old's two bulldogs began attacking her legs.

The woman claimed she had to have surgery over the incident ... and in pictures TMZ Sports obtained of her alleged injuries, you can see it all looked VERY painful.

The woman is asking for over $200,000 from the Cowboys superstar in the suit.

Elliott's attorney, Frank Salzano, had adamantly denied wrongdoing in that case -- which is still playing out in the court system.

As we previously reported, Elliott is SUPER fond of his pups ... his Rottweiler is tattooed on his forearm -- and he even introduced all of them to his followers on a Twitch stream last year.

There will be no Rob Gronkowski-like return for Julian Edelman -- not now nor ever -- so says the former Patriots star, who claims he's REALLY retired.

Rumors of a possible reunion with Tom Brady in Tampa at some point in the future have still swirled despite the 32-year-old's retirement announcement last month ... but JE insists he's seriously done.

Edelman -- who still certainly appears to have game left in his body -- broke it all down for Michael Irvin on The Michael Irvin Podcast this week, explaining he simply doesn't want to push his body any further.

“My knee's breaking down," he said. "I’m not going to sit here, you know, I got everything I want. I got three rings. Played in a magical dynasty with an unbelievable franchise, coach, best quarterback of all time, like, yo, I’m not a greedy guy."

Edelman continued, "I'm not going to sit out there and look like some old dude in an old BIKE knee brace and ankle braces -- you know the old guy? I don't want to look like that, man. I can't do that."

Some of Edelman's closest friends clearly are having a hard time believing him ... Gronk told TMZ Sports just a few weeks ago there was a "69% chance" Edelman joins him on the Bucs eventually.

And, even Brady joked about an Edelman reunion in Tampa during the NFL draft weekend last month too.

But, Edelman -- who's taken a gig as an analyst on Inside the NFL since announcing his retirement -- swears that just ain't happenin'.

Move over, Jerry World ... Dan Snyder says he's in the process of building his own massive palace for his Washington Football Team -- telling TMZ Sports he expects to have it all done by 2027!!!

The WFT owner was in Los Angeles this week scoping out SoFi Stadium to draw inspiration for the new project ... and he explained to us he's got "big plans" for the building.

The logistics, though, are still murky ... Snyder says they don't have a tentative location or any sort of blueprints yet -- but he and WFT President Jason Wright said they're fired up for it all regardless.

"We're touring stadiums," Snyder said. "We're coming West Coast and touring. There's about 12 of us and we're just looking to build a new venue back home in D.C., Virginia, Maryland."

"So, we're everywhere. Jason, our whole group, 12 of us, we're having some fun and looking at the future."

Snyder says the stadium tour will take them all the way to Europe too ... explaining they hope to get all kinds of ideas for the new "state of the art" facility in the D.C. area.

"We're taking inspiration from everywhere," Wright said. "Because if we're going to do something that our fans really deserve -- which is cutting edge and innovative -- we're going to take in all the ideas. So, we're absorbing."

As for if the team will have a new name by the time the stadium opens ... both Wright and Snyder said they weren't sure of that -- but insisted the search for a permanent moniker is going well.

IT'S TEBOW TIME IN JACKSONVILLE!!!

Tim Tebow has formally signed his 1-year contract with the Jaguars to begin his journey as an NFL tight end -- and is expected to work out with the team STARTING TODAY!!

33-year-old Tebow -- who hasn't worked out with an NFL team since a brief stint with Eagles in 2015 -- says he's ready to compete for a roster spot.

"I want to thank the Jaguars for the opportunity to compete and earn the chance to be part of this team," Tebow said Thursday morning.

"I know it will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I embrace."

He added, "I am dedicated to taking the direction of our coaching staff and learning from my teammates. I appreciate everyone's support as I embark on this new journey."

Tebow will rock #85 on his jersey for Thursday's practice -- though NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says the number could change if he makes the roster.

Tebow is facing a steep uphill battle to make the roster considering he was drafted as QB back in 2010 ... and spent the past 5 years playing minor league baseball for the NY Mets organization.

Will he be able to make an impact? NFL tight end Marcedes Lewis told us he thinks Tebow has a legitimate shot.