Football

Sorry, Bucs fans -- Tom Brady almost certainly ain't bringing Rob Gronkowski to Tampa this season ... Gronk's bro tells TMZ Sports he thinks the TE is officially DONE with football.

"I can't say anything for him," Chris Gronkowski says. "But, I think that he might be moving on ... I would be surprised for sure."

Of course, rumors have flown about a possible Gronk-Brady reunion in Tampa this past week ... with some thinking, the move is in the best interest of both parties now that TB12 is the Bucs' new starter.

Remember, Gronk's had a year off to get his body right after retiring suddenly in March 2019 ... and he'd certainly be a big weapon for his old pal in the new Florida digs. Also, Chris tells us Rob DID use to own property in the area.

But, Gronk just signed a deal with WWE to be a part-time personality for the org. ... and when we spoke with Chris on Monday, he said he thinks that should officially signal the end of Rob's football days.

"Man, it looks like it after this deal," Chris says. "But, I'm not him, so I have no idea what he's thinking. But, as of right now, it looks like a pretty cool position that he's in."

As for how Chris thinks Gronk's Wrestlemania-hosting gig will go next month ... big bro has all the confidence in the NFL legend, telling us, "I expect good things."

"I think it's going to be entertaining and I hope he gets in the ring at some point as well."

Travis Frederick -- the Dallas Cowboys star center with Hall of Fame potential -- shockingly announced his retirement Monday ... this just 2 years after he battled a serious disease.

The 29-year-old fought through Guillain-Barre Syndrome -- a rare disorder that weakens the immune system -- in 2018 ... and the disease affected him so badly, he missed all of Dallas' games that year.

But the 6'4", 320-pound O-lineman returned to start all of the Cowboys' 16 games in 2019 ... and was even selected to the Pro Bowl.

Travis said in a statement Monday, however, he felt like his play had dipped ... and because of that, he's calling it a career.

"Each day I faced a struggle: I could no longer perform at my highest level," Frederick said. "Playing 'well' is not what I expect of myself and is not what my teammates deserve."

"Because of this, I know my days as a football player are done."

Travis says his time away from the Cowboys, fighting off his illness two seasons ago, opened his eyes to life after football ... and made his decision this week easier.

"Facing the potential end of my career because of my illness forced me to imagine life after football," Travis said. "I had to prepare for my career potentially ending ... After months of contemplation, I not only accepted that moment, but I also surprisingly found myself welcoming the moment."

Travis was the Cowboys' first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft ... and he went on to have a monster career, being selected to FIVE Pro Bowls in six seasons.

Montae Nicholson's time with the Redskins is over ... he's been cut by Ron Rivera -- this just 4 months after he was wrapped up in an investigation over a woman’s death.

We broke the story, back on Nov. 14, Nicholson and a friend found 21-year-old Julia Crabbe "foaming at the mouth" in the safety's Ashburn, Virginia home after a night out.

According to police documents, 24-year-old Nicholson and the friend took Crabbe to a nearby hospital ... where she was later pronounced dead.

At the scene the following day, cops say they found pills, weed and "foil with residue" when they searched Nicholson's home ... although they did NOT say who the drugs belonged to.

A spokesperson for the county medical examiner told us back in January that Crabbe died of accidental fentanyl intoxication ... but the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office tells us an investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

For his part, Nicholson has said he's fully cooperating with police and called the days after Julia's death "extremely hard."

Nicholson was also famously involved in a street brawl just a year prior in 2018 ... where video showed him pummeling a man in the middle of a Virginia street around 2 AM.

He was charged with assault over the incident ... but prosecutors dropped the case a few months later.

Nicholson was a pretty solid safety for Washington since being selected in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft ... and he still had one year left on his rookie contract.

It's unclear if his release Monday was related to his off-field incidents ... although Rivera and the Redskins announced they cut four other DBs along with Nicholson.

Jimmy and Dee Haslam -- the owners of the Cleveland Browns -- are joining the fight against the coronavirus pandemic ... by pledging $1.5 MILLION to help Ohioans in need.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the entire country ... and there have been 351 confirmed cases in Ohio -- with more people infected by the day.

The Haslams announced their contribution on Monday ... saying $1 million will go to the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund ... with the remaining $500k going to the Columbus Foundation's Emergency Response Fund.

"We are humbled by the tremendous work of people around the world in their efforts to help those impacted by COVID-19 and we wanted to try to positively impact those affected in our own communities of Cleveland and Columbus," the Haslams said in a statement.

"We are grateful for the individuals who are putting others before themselves and for the sacrifices they are making."

Darius Slay -- one of the best defensive backs in the NFL -- says he's changing his jersey number from #23 to #24 ... and it's all to honor Kobe Bryant.

Slay was just traded from the Detroit Lions to the Philadelphia Eagles -- Kobe's favorite team. And, since Darius is looking for a fresh start, he felt a number change was in order -- and with #24 available, he scooped it right up!

"I'm rockin' with that two-four this year," Slay said on IG ... "Kobe mode. Black Mamba baby. Rest in peace to the GOAT! One of my favorite players."

"Playing for Kobe's favorite NFL team is a dream come true," Slay said on Instagram, "Man, it's truly a blessing."

Slay rocked #23 for all 6 years he played with the Lions. Before that, it was #9 at Mississippi State. And, #4 during his high school days. So, it's not like there's a prior connection.

The #24 jersey was previously worn in Philly by RB Jordan Howard -- but he signed with the Miami Dolphins last week ... leaving the number wide open.

"I think I'm gonna look good in 24," Slay adds.

Slay is expecting to rock #24 for at least the next 3 years in Philly -- since the Eagles made him the highest-paid CB in the league with a 3-year deal worth $50 million.

Jameis Winston is taking his offseason training to the streets -- literally -- pushing a 5,500-pound SUV up an incline ... in an effort to remind NFL teams he's still a beast!

The 26-year-old just lost his job in Tampa Bay to some old guy ... and while his agents work on getting Winston a deal with another squad, Jameis decided to put in some work!

We did some research ... Winston is pushing a 2020 Ford Expedition -- which weighs between 5,500 and 5,800 pounds depending on how tricked out it is.

Oh, and it looks like he's working out on an INCLINE -- so gravity ain't helping him out there. Winston even busts out a little sprint at the end.

Jameis led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards in 2019 and set a Bucs single-season franchise record with 33 TD passes.

BUUUUT ... he also led the NFL with 30 interceptions -- 7 of which were returned for TDs.

The first jump from the XFL to the NFL is here -- Houston Roughnecks stud QB P.J. Walker is going to sign with the Carolina Panthers!!

"Houston, it was great. I feel Houston has some of the best fans I played in front of. I appreciate everything they've done over the past couple of months," Walker told FOX 26's Mark Berman.

Of course, Vince McMahon's football league took a hit last week due to the coronavirus pandemic ... with its comeback season officially canceled.

But, it didn't take long for Walker to find employment elsewhere ... inking a deal to reunite with his old coach, Matt Rhule in Charlotte.

Walker played under Rhule at Temple from 2013-16 ... and broke a bunch of school records in the process.

FYI -- Walker was a straight-up beast on the field for the Roughnecks ... passing for 1,338 yards and 15 touchdowns. Walker had a brief stint with the Colts after college but never made it off the practice squad.

How does Tampa Bay Bucs superstar WR Mike Evans feel about his new 42-year-old QB, Tom Brady?!

"I've been on that Hennessy. Oh, I'm drinking!"

That's what the 26-year-old told gamers during a Fortnite stream on Twitch (he's a huge gamer) -- explaining why he's already thinking PLAYOFFS, BABY!

"He's about to be my quarterback, bro ... I've played 6 years in the NFL and I haven't been to the playoffs yet. Tom Brady has won 6 Super Bowls."

Evans continued ... "Bro, I've been on that Hennessy. Oh, I'm drinking. I got Tom Brady. You know what I'm saying?"

The 6'5" wideout is already considered one of the best WRs in the league -- in fact, in 2018 the Bucs signed him to a 5-year, $82.5 million contract extension!

Brady must be stoked about the situation as well -- he reportedly only had one major demand in his contract negotiations with the Bucs ... he wanted all of the players' personal cell phone numbers.

A Tom Brady swap for Jameis Winston in New England?!?!

Donovan McNabb is all for that ... the legendary NFL QB tells TMZ Sports he thinks Jameis is the perfect replacement for TB12 in Foxborough.

"I think he would kind of flourish in the New England offense," McNabb says.

As for why ... Donovan tells us he thinks Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick could finally get Winston to stop throwing interceptions -- something the ex-Bucs QB did 30 TIMES last season.

"It'd be more dink-and-dunk, protect the football," McNabb tells us, "and all a sudden, we're talking about New England again possibly winning the AFC East."

The signing wouldn't be all that crazy ... Winston is likely open to a team-friendly deal now that most QB-needy teams are full -- and the Pats certainly could use his talent level on their depleted QB roster.

United States military personnel swooped into Honduras to save a U.S. women's tackle football team Friday ... after it had been stranded in the foreign country due to coronavirus closures.

The story of the team is wild ... back on March 11 -- just hours before the American sports world shut down over COVID-19 -- 55 members of a women's football team boarded planes for Honduras to take part in the Americas Women's Bowl.

The tournament featured women from the USA, Honduras, Mexico and Costa Rica -- and a big part of the trip was doing charity work with a local homeless shelter. Things had been going really well for the Americans all the way up until Sunday.

That's when the team learned their flights back home were grounded after government officials in Honduras closed down the country due to coronavirus fears.

The entire team was stranded ... and communication with loved ones in the States wasn't easy. Finding enough cash to pay for hotels and food wasn't any better either.

But, the team got good news Friday ... 'cause U.S. government officials stepped in and got the squad airlifted out of the country and back home safe.

"The @usairforce @US_TRANSCOM and @SOUTHCOM conducted an air mission earlier today taking a group of U.S. women's football players from Honduras to Charleston," a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense said.

"We continue to assist @StateDept in repatriating US citizens."

Antonio Brown is fully campaigning to be the next Tampa Bay Bucs WR -- saying he's already been texting with Tom Brady ... and praising head coach Bruce Arians.

"He's one of those guys that have befriended me," Brown said about TB12 during a radio hit Friday on "The Mike Calta Show" ... "One of my close friends around the NFL."

Of course, Tom was a big reason the Patriots signed Brown for the 2019 season -- though he was released after a bunch of horrible off the field issues.

But, they've stayed close ... Brown says he shot a few texts Tom's way after the Bucs signing -- "I congratulated him, wished him well."

Remember, Tom even let Antonio stay in his house with Gisele when he first came to Foxborough -- will he make the same offer in TB??

There could be one big hurdle ... earlier this year, Arians poo-pooed the idea of bringing Brown to TB back in January, saying AB was "too much diva" for him.

"I've heard so many stories -- I like Antonio -- he plays as hard as anybody on Sunday, and he practices hard. He's just gotta make better decisions off the field, be on time, do some of those little things," Arians said on "The Adam Schefter Podcast."

AB, however, doesn't see any problems ... telling Mike Calta he feels he could work very well with Arians.

"I think when I played with him in Pittsburgh, man, I was averaging like 16 yards a catch," Brown said of Arians. "I think he likes me. I think we had a lot of fun together, man."

Of course, Brown has a LOT of hurdles to jump over before the Bucs can even think about signing him ... AB is still under league investigation for multiple incidents -- including allegations he raped his former trainer. He was also arrested in January 2020 for assaulting a moving truck driver.

There will be no drama in Tampa over the #12 ... Buccaneers star receiver Chris Godwin says if Tom Brady wants his jersey, he can have it!!!

"Just out of respect to everything that he's accomplished and everything that he's done, I would kind of have to defer to him," Godwin said on ESPN on Friday. "He's the GOAT, you know?"

It's got to be a breath of fresh air for Brady to hear his new teammate say those words ... Tom's been rockin' the 1-2 for 20 YEARS -- and has built his whole TB12 brand around the number.

And, in even more good news for Brady, it sounds like he might not even have to part ways with a huge chunk of cash for the digits either.

"If he's willing to give it up, then perfect," Godwin said. "But, I mean, if not, then I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there. But, I'm not too worried about it."

Of course, the number does mean a hell of a lot to CG ... he's been rockin' it since back in high school -- and has become one of the NFL's best receivers in the uni.

If anyone knows how Tom Brady is feeling while getting ready to join a new team at 42 years old ... it's Brett Favre!

Of course, Brett left the Green Bay Packers after 16 seasons ... and spent time with the NY Jets and Minnesota Vikings before finally hanging it up after the 2010 season at 41 years old.

So, with TB12 getting ready to join the Bucs, we dug up this clip from January of Brett talking about what it was like to QB for a brand new team on the tail end of his career ... and it's pretty great!

"I remember when Joe Montana was traded from the 49ers to the Chiefs and I said to myself, and in saying this, I had zero inkling that that would ever happen to me. I said if they could trade Joe Montana, they could trade anyone. No one's off-limits. And, then that day came for me."

Favre continued ... "I finally realized that I'm not gonna play here and if I do play, it's gonna be somewhere else and I'm not real sure where that will be. That was really an odd time. I still felt like, yeah, I was older. But, I still felt like, much like Joe did, that you had some juice left in the tank."

"In some ways, it was kind of a renewed excitement starting over again even though there's a lot of apprehension because you gotta learn new guys, the new roads, how do you get to camp, what about buying a house?"

"A lot of stuff that you got so familiar with in Green Bay or San Francisco, it all changed. So, there was a lot of good and a lot of bad. A lot to be excited about, a lot of anxiety that you had to deal with."

It's official ... Tom Brady is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer -- and he says he's "excited, humbled and hungry" to get started on the next chapter of his football career.

"If there is one thing I have learned about football, it’s that nobody cares what you did last year or the year before that," Brady said Friday. "You earn the trust and respect of those around through your commitment every single day."

He added, "I’m starting a new football journey and thankful for the @buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do."

News of Brady's commitment to Tampa broke on Tuesday ... but it wasn't until he took a physical in NY later in the week that he was able to officially put pen to contract paper.

His new deal with TB is reportedly a two-year contract worth roughly $30 MILLION per season ... and the Bucs said Friday they could not be happier that the move is now official.

"I've known Tom since we drafted him in New England 20 years ago and through this process it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has," GM Jason Licht said. "He possesses the type of rare natural leadership qualities that will immediately impact our entire organization."

Brady added in his statement, "I have always believed that well done is better than well said, so I’m gonna not gonna say much more - I’m just gonna get to work! #Year1."

NFC South ... heads up!!!

Todd Gurley's run in Los Angeles was just cut short ... the Rams announced they're releasing the former All-Pro -- less than 2 years after making him the NFL's highest-paid RB EVER.

The team made the roster move official Thursday ... and while it's shocking considering his massive contract -- it ain't exactly surprising, considering his actual play on the field.

Gurley has been a shell of himself almost since the day he signed his 4-year, $60 MILLION deal in July 2018 ... with things getting so lousy, L.A. media grew obsessed with talking about a knee injury he insisted didn't exist.

Todd had his worst season as a pro last year ... rushing for just 857 yards -- and gave away a lot of playing time to backup Malcolm Brown, who usually found more success than TG on the field.

The Rams were reportedly trying to trade Gurley the past few weeks ... but couldn't find a dance partner -- mostly because of the dude's enormous contract.

The Rams will have to eat MILLIONS of dollars on their cap to cut the tailback ... which probably says all you need to know about what they think of Gurley's future.

But, the halfback is only 25 years old ... and a nice market could exist for him if the price is right.

Perhaps, down in Tampa Bay with Tom Brady???

Robert Kraft wanted to send one last message to Tom Brady before he heads to Florida ... so he bought up 12 billboards for a special tribute to his former (!!!) quarterback.

"Thank You Tom, The Greatest Of All Time," the signs read ... "With Love, The Kraft Family and the New England Patriots."

The billboards are up all around Gillette Stadium, where Brady played for the past 20 seasons.

The next step for Brady ... he will undergo a physical conducted by a doctor in New York and if (when) he passes, he should be cleared to be the next starting QB of the Tampa Bay Bucs.

The physical is supposed to go down TODAY. Guessing TB12 will gas up his private jet to get to NYC to minimize contact with other people.

Earlier this week, Kraft issued an emotional statement about Tom leaving -- saying, "I love Tom like a son and I always will."