Football

Colin Kaepernick hasn't played in a professional football game in nearly a decade, but the former star quarterback is STILL training for his NFL comeback ... this according to his longtime partner Nessa Diab.

TMZ Sports caught up with the radio and TV host this week in New York City ... when we asked about Kap, who remains a free agent, as several NFL teams are still without a QB.

Nessa -- who had a child with the former 49ers quarterback in 2022 -- told us Kap's busting his ass in the gym, training regularly, hoping an NFL GM will give him a shot to show he's still got what it takes to lead a football team.

A college football player in Missouri has died ... and cops say they suspect an accidental gunshot wound was the cause.

Todric McGee -- a four-year player at Missouri State -- was hospitalized Friday after injuries sustained at his residence, according to the Missouri State Athletic Department.

The Springfield Police Department tells TMZ ... they received a call about a wellness check Friday morning -- arriving on scene to find a man later identified as McGee, who they believe sustained a "possible accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound." We're told he was transported to the hospital, where he passed away from his injuries Saturday.

Colorado legend Chad Brown's clearly not a fan of his alma mater making the quick decision to retire Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter's jersey numbers ... telling TMZ Sports he finds the choice "odd."

The school revealed earlier this month they're putting away the Nos. 2 and 12 forever in honor of the recent Buffaloes' efforts on the gridiron ... but Brown told us Friday he does not love the move.

The former Buffs linebacker -- who left the school in 1993 -- said both guys are certainly deserving of the honor ... but so are a bunch of others who've been waiting far longer.

You won't catch Jon Beason boycotting Shedeur Sanders' jersey retirement later Saturday ... the former NFL star tells TMZ Sports he's cool with the honor -- although he does admit, it is a bit early.

The ex-Univ. of Miami linebacker -- who actually wore No. 2 with the Hurricanes to pay homage to Shedeur's dad, Deion Sanders -- broke down the situation for us while out at the grand opening of his new Dynasty Commodities cannabis dispensary in New York City.

Beason noted that most teams wait much longer to honor their stars ... but he said, at the end of the day, he doesn't have any qualms with it.

Kadarius Toney emphatically shut down rumors he's retiring from the NFL ... taking a shot at the people spreading the misinformation, while making it clear all the attention is great for his side gig -- music!

Rumors began circulating Thursday afternoon that the Giants' former first-round draft pick planned to hang up the pads for good, and would instead focus his efforts on his rap career.

But, Yung Joka is shutting down all that talk ... "Goofies on the net hollering im retiring," Kadarius wrote on Instagram.

"Just want klout... ain speaking on the 💩 nomo."

Pete Carroll assembled an Avengers-esque lineup of guests for his USC course this week ... with none other than Tom Brady and JuJu Watkins joining the class!!

The Las Vegas Raiders coach/professor welcomed the seven-time Super Bowl champion -- and as he noted, his new boss -- to Thursday's session via Zoom ... and students in attendance understandably lost it when TB12 popped up on the big screen.

The class, called "The Game is Life," is being taught by Carroll, USC Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni, and adjunct professor of entrepreneurship David Belasco.

Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned a month into NFL free agency ... and the four-time MVP's finally breaking his prolonged silence since his departure from the Jets -- saying retirement is still very much on the table.

Rodgers hopped on the "Pat McAfee Show" to talk about his current status after his two-year stint in New York and meetings with several organizations ... and he debunked some of the rumors flying around, including his contract demands.

"I told every single one of the teams I talked to it ain't about the money, I'll play for 10 [million]," he said. "I never once said I need a multi-year deal. Thirty, 40 million dollars. It's absolute bulls***."

While football fans wait to see who the Tennessee Titans select with the first overall pick in next week's draft, Cam Ward dropped a major hint that Roger Goodell will call his name first next week at the podium!

22-year-old Ward picked up the sticks to stream a little bit of Fortnite Tuesday night, and as he played, fans asked the University of Miami star QB questions about his favorite NFL players.

Wide receivers?

[Calvin] Ridley, Ja'Marr [Chase], Justin [Jefferson] and for my last one, Treylon Burks," he said.

The high schooler who rubbed elbows with Travis Kelce during a sweat sesh in Florida over the weekend is raving about the workout ... telling TMZ Sports the run-in with the Chiefs star "was amazing."

Jazz Lewis -- the teenage son of NFL legend Jamal Lewis -- sat down with us just a couple days after he got in the workout with Kelce ... and he had nothing but nice things to say about the future Hall of Famer.

Jazz, who plays wide receiver for Chamblee Charter H.S. in Georgia, tells us Kelce gave him a whole bunch of pointers that he's sure will help him when he hits high school gridirons in the fall.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly is speaking out for the first time following the tragic death of his former player Kyren Lacy ... remembering the wide receiver as a "bright star" and a good person.

Kelly talked with the media after the Tigers' practice on Tuesday ... revealing the players wouldn't be available for interviews as they continue to mourn Lacy, who passed away over the weekend after an apparent suicide.

Coach explained his decision to limit player availability ... saying he wanted to "give them a few more days to collect their thoughts."

Jamal Lewis tells TMZ Sports ... the guys' workout actually went down in Florida -- as they hit the Sunshine State to run with world-renowned trainer Tony Villani.

Travis Kelce's quiet offseason finally has a bit of noise in it ... the Chiefs tight end was spotted out in Georgia over the weekend -- getting in a training session with some high school football stars.

The 35-year-old, who's kept a low-profile since February, hit up Chamblee Charter H.S. to run some routes with NFL legend Jamal Lewis' son, Jazz, and take a look at a pic the younger Lewis posted following their workout -- Kelce sure got his sweat on.

Travis' tank top appeared soaked ... and Jazz -- a wideout in the class of 2028 -- was pumped about the time the two got to share on the Chamblee gridiron.

Rob Gronkowski is set to let loose at his Gronk Beach party in Las Vegas on WrestleMania Sunday ... and even though Bill Belichick is busy getting the Tar Heels ready for the 2025 season -- he says his old coach AND his girl have an open invite!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the Super Bowl champion ahead of his Sin City shindig to cap off WWE's biggest weekend of the year ... and while Flo Rida is slated to perform, Gronk teased the music lineup is just the beginning.

"We're going to have a lot of other special little tricks and treats going on as well," he said.

There goes JD Vance's shot at landing a roster spot on the Ohio State football team ... 'cause the Vice President just DROPPED the frickin' trophy as Donald Trump welcomed the Buckeyes to the White House to celebrate the Natty!

Check it out, the 2025 OSU winning squad was in Washington D.C. for a visit with POTUS ... to commemorate their big January victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

As the group -- football players, coaches, Trump, and Vance -- prepared to take a big group photo, JD attempted to pick up the trophy ... when the base gave way, careening to the ground (let's be honest -- it really wasn't Vance's fault).

New York Giants star Malik Nabers is completely devastated over the death of his good friend and former teammate Kyren Lacy, saying he's "f***in hurt" by the passing.

Nabers, who played with Lacy on the LSU Tigers during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, shared an emotional tribute Monday on Instagram, posting photos of them together on and off the field.

"Pain. Numb. Sad. Sorrowful. Downcast. Hurt. Broken. Devastated. Empty. Miserable," Nabers said in the IG post.

The death of Kyren Lacy has shocked the sports world ... with star athletes like Odell Beckham Jr. and Angel Reese paying tribute to the former star LSU receiver.

Lacy -- who scored nine touchdowns last season -- died on Saturday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police chase in Houston, TX.

The death of the 24-year-old football star came just days before a Grand Jury was set to convene to hear evidence in a fatal traffic incident from December 2024 -- which claimed the life of a 78-year-old retired U.S. Marine. Lacy was accused of causing the crash and fleeing the scene without calling for help.

Kyren Lacy, a former wide receiver for Louisiana State University, has died.

The LSU alum was found dead on Saturday night in the Houston area, according to an LSU official who spoke to ESPN.

As of now a cause of death has not been released.