Las Vegas Raiders

"Greetings. Welcome to the Death Star, where our opponent's dreams come to die."

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis gave a helluva pump-up speech before the first practice at the new Allegiant Stadium on Friday ... introducing the team's state-of-the-art facility and revealing its official 'Star Wars'-themed nickname.

"My father always said that the greatness of the Raiders is in its future. Well today, that future really starts."

Of course, Friday marked the first time the team practiced inside the new stadium ... which, might we add, is really badass.

Davis hit the players with some inspirational words and a number of cliches ... but overall, the guys have to be jacked to get to play in this thing.

The NFL owner said the stadium was "built on the backs of thousands of players coaches, administrators, and fans, who for the past 60 years have proudly worn the Silver and Black ... adding, "This is our field of dreams. This is our house."

"The stadium's personality will be defined by you, so take pride every time you step on this field wearing those famed black jerseys and silver helmets. You are the Raiders. There will be many personal accomplishments out here on this field."

There's more ... it's good stuff!!!

"Someone on this field today will make the first tackle, somebody will score the first touchdown and somebody will make the first interception, but most importantly ... it is what we do as a team."

What sucks is that fans won't be able to experience the epic Death Star until next season (maybe) ... but at least the games are on schedule to happen on location in 2020.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden just gave a big surprise to the men and women who put together their new stadium ... thanking the workers and giving a pump-up speech to finish strong.

"I just had to tell you, the stadium looks freaking awesome," Gruden says. "It's the greatest thing I've ever seen."

BTW -- If you haven't seen Allegiant Stadium yet ... it's pretty damn cool and gives off badass Star Wars Death Star vibes.

"I just wanted to congratulate all you workers for an incredible accomplishment during adversity."

Naturally, Gruden went full football guy in his motivational message to finish the job strong.

"It's the 2-minute drill. You've done 99% of the work, maybe 97% of the work. I just challenge you to finish like a champion."

The personal video marked a huge milestone for Allegiant Stadium -- it was the first time the video board and sound system were used at the same time ... so a pretty monumental moment for the workers.

The stadium is set to be ready to go in time for the 2020 NFL season ... if that happens.

Gruden finished the vid by reminding everyone to keep wearing their masks ... after all, we ARE still in a global pandemic.

"He was trying to move a trailer or something -- move furniture or something," Ruggs Jr. told AL.com on Monday, "and the trailer just kind of pinned him against a car or a wall or something."

Papa Ruggs says his son -- who was the first receiver selected in April's NFL Draft over guys like Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb -- suffered some sort of cut/gash/wound to his leg.

Ruggs Jr., though, added he believes his son is feeling "OK" despite the ailment.

"It was just like a little open wound on his leg, a little incision," Ruggs III's father said. "Like something had stuck him right there on his thigh a little bit."

"With this COVID-19 stuff still going on, they wouldn’t let anybody in [to see the doctor],” Ruggs Jr. added. "He’s just having to walk on crutches. Not putting as much pressure on it."

For the Raiders' part, they said in a statement to The Athletic on Monday, "The #Raiders are aware of a report regarding an off-field injury to Henry Ruggs III. Respecting Henry’s right to medical privacy, the team will not be commenting on the report."

Jon Gruden dropped in and surprised an online Univ. of Tennessee stats class this week ... and it was hilarious -- mostly because the guy absolutely sucks at using Zoom!!

The Raiders head coach -- who has an affinity for the Vols (remember #Grumors?) -- surprised a group of students Thursday that included star RB Ty Chandler ... but he didn't exactly pull off the drop-in without a hitch.

As soon as JG busted in the class ... his camera wasn't working and students couldn't see him. Later, the 56-year-old had a hell of a time trying to sign out.

But, hey! In between all of that -- Gruden's visit was cool as hell!!!

Gruden ribbed Chandler (a 2021 NFL Draft prospect), provided messages of encouragement for the young students and even got a "Spider 2 Y Banana" shoutout from the teacher. Good times, right?

As for why this happened ... Chuckie's always had a great relationship with UT -- he once was a grad assistant at the school and his wife was actually a former Vols cheerleader.

And here ... we ... go!!!!

Tom Brady might really be on his way outta Foxborough ... 'cause his agents have been busy meeting with potential suitors while in Indy for the NFL Combine, this according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Talks of TB12 leaving the Patriots intensified on Thursday ... with ESPN's Jeff Darlington going as far as to say he'd be very surprised if the 6-time champ returned to New England.

Now, the NFL Network is naming names ... with Rapoport saying the Colts, Raiders and Chargers have met with Brady's longtime agents, Don Yee and Carter Chow, about their superstar client.

In fact, TMZ Sports spoke with Brady's old teammate, Willie McGinest, who also believed the 42-year-old QB could either retire or end up elsewhere ... so don't be shocked if it actually happens.

As for Brady ... he's probably gonna troll the hell outta everybody until he makes his decision -- whether it be Hulu ads or triggering comments on Keenan Allen's IG posts.

Take a deep breath, Pats fans ... and remember the man brought you 6 rings.

Also, if you think Pats owner Robert Kraft is simply going to let Tom walk out the door without making a solid effort to re-sign him, you clearly didn't watch our shaky, hard-to-hear 12-second BOMBSHELL clip from a few weeks ago.

Originally Published -- 1:12 PM PT

Wanna see why it's DOPE to be an NFL player??? Just check out Las Vegas Raiders star Johnathan Abram leaving a Miami hot spot with not one, not two, not three ....but FOUR very attractive women!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the 23-year-old stud leaving Prime 112 in South Beach on Thursday and he appeared to be in great spirits -- it's not hard to figure out why.

Not only was Abram in good company, but he's also apparently a really generous guy ... 'cause we spoke with his lovely friends after the dinner ... and they say the Raiders safety paid for everyone's meals!!!

But, the group wasn't just munchin' on apps all night ... they told us they were chowing down on steaks and crab cakes!!!

FYI -- Abram is in the middle of a 4-year, $11 million deal ... so yeah, let him splurge a little bit.

We also asked the star safety about the team's move to Sin City ... and the dude sounds pumped!!!

Eventually, Abram parted ways with the ladies, hopped in his Lambo and drove off.

The Black Hole turned on Derek Carr in a HURRY Sunday, 'cause after the Raiders lost to the Jags -- the QB was booed off the field ... all while fans hurled trash into the endzone!

The wild scene all went down in the final Raiders game ever at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum ... where fans were clearly pissed that the team blew a 16-3 lead to Jacksonville.

As Carr was leaving the grass ... fans rained down boos on the 28-year-old -- and once he made his way into the locker room -- things turned chaotic.

Video from the scene captured fans throwing trash and food all over the place ... and one reporter claims she even saw a woman gushing blood from her forehead.

A man was also taken off the field by stadium security ... and the whole thing was an awful look for the Raiders in their last game in the Bay Area before their move to Las Vegas.

Of course, hours before the disappointing 20-16 L ... things were much happier -- 'cause Marshawn Lynch handed out shots of tequila to the crowd!!

Pics of the ex-Oakland star running back in the parking lot were pretty epic ... Lynch was giving out shot glasses like water!!

Antonio Brown's new teammate is already going to bat for the star wide receiver ... 'cause Tyrell Williams tells TMZ Sports AB is 100 percent NOT a locker room cancer!!

"He's awesome," the stud receiver says ... "We love him. We love him. It's been fun."

Of course, there are a few dudes in Pittsburgh who'd disagree ... Brown left the Steelers on bad terms a few months ago -- and everyone from JuJu Smith-Schuster to ex-teammate Ryan Clark blasted the guy.

But, it's so far, so good in Oakland ... so says Tyrell (who just signed with the Raiders this offseason himself), 'cause the WR tells us he's actually learning some tricks from Brown.

We also asked Williams if he thinks Derek Carr and Brown can be a better duo than Big Ben and AB were ... and Tyrell said, "Sky is the limit. You never know what's going to happen."

4:12 PM PT -- Peete is ADAMANTLY denying the allegations in a new statement to TMZ Sports ... saying through a rep, "There was no scam."

Here's the statement in its entirety:

"First of all, the investor in this venture in question was not Carlos Rogers the NFL player but another Carlos Rogers altogether. Unfortunately, the error in naming the incorrect Mr. Rogers in the initial reporting caused him unnecessary involvement, confusion and inconvenience.

In 2016, Rodney Peete -along with other former NFL players as well as business and community leaders teamed up to create a dynamic coalition to craft a proposal to keep the Raiders from leaving Oakland, California, acquire a new stadium and develop the surrounding property.

The effort was a well documented, noble and hard fought one. It lasted about two years. There were several enthusiastic investors involved and hopes were high especially among the many Oakland Raiders fans and the Oakland community who had a strong emotional investment in keeping their beloved team from moving again. Tremendous amounts of hard work, sweat, passion, time, energy and money went into this effort. There was no scam or anything fraudulent or illegitimate about this venture or the people involved whatsoever.

It was and still is crushing to so many that it didn’t succeed but it was not from lack of effort.

Investors understand that not all investments pan out, but everyone who invested in the efforts for the Raiders to remain in Oakland fought with integrity to make that time and effort worthwhile, in honor of the millions of fans in Oakland and throughout the West Coast who have supported the team since 1960.

Rodney is very proud of the work he put into this project and would do it all over again

Currently attorneys are in active talks on a resolution to this matter."

1:25 PM -- We initially reported the man behind the suit, Carlos Rogers, is the former NFL star -- but that is not the case. The ex-NFL player named Carlos Rogers DID not file the lawsuit.

The Carlos Rogers who DID file the lawsuit is a real estate and business investor.

Ex-NFL star Rodney Peete is being sued for allegedly running a scam on an investor in a failed plot to keep the Raiders from moving to Las Vegas.

It's all in court docs obtained by TMZ Sports ... in which a man named Carlos Rogers says Peete approached him in 2016 to invest in a group that would provide financing for football facilities that would help sway the Raiders to stay in NorCal.

In his lawsuit, Rogers says Peete provided him with a real investment plan that looked solid -- and if the Raiders decided to move to Vegas, he was promised he'd get his investment back in full.

In fact, Rogers says Peete personally guaranteed that he'd get paid back -- a point he reiterated in emails. One read bluntly, "Everyone will be paid back."

Rogers says he wired $350,000 to Peete in 2017 -- but when the Raiders announced they were moving to Vegas, he never got his money back as promised.

Rogers says he pressed Peete, but Rodney repeatedly stalled and came up with excuses -- and he still hasn't been paid back.

Now, Rogers is suing for fraud -- claiming Peete never ever intended to pay back the money ... it was a scam all along.

He's seeking all of his money back PLUS $100,000 in punitive damages.

The Golden Knights have proven ... just because you play in Vegas doesn't mean you'll be consumed by hookers and blow!

In fact, the Knights did damn well in 2018 (with really no major off-the-ice issues) ... so, when we saw star defenseman Nate Schmidt at the ESPYs, we asked if he had any essential advice for the Raiders.

Of course, the Silver and Black are moving to Sin City in the near future -- and even team owner Mark Davis knows there's potential for trouble there.

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis was sitting right up on the glass at the Vegas Golden Knights game Wednesday night ... and even though the team lost, it's probably another big win for him.

The Raiders have been on a PR push to win over Vegas fans before the Silver and Black move into town -- they've taken out newspaper ads and put up billboards.

But, having Davis with his face pressed against the glass (sitting next to Jim Gray) is another good look for the Raiders ... especially since he's been to a TON of Knights' regular season games.

He's also supported other Vegas teams -- attending the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces game on Sunday night. That's commitment!

Don't worry Bay Area teams ... Mark's been courtside cheerin' on the Warriors this season -- he just likes Vegas better now.

Get ready for your daily testosterone injection ... 'cause U.S. Senator Dean Heller from Nevada is about to tell the world how he's helping to build the Raiders' new home ... and it involves blowing stuff up.

We got Heller in D.C. and he told us he's really enjoying the construction of the Raiders' new stadium, partly because it involves him getting to be the triggerman on some really big fireworks.

"They're detonating 800 pounds of dynamite everyday. They let me push the switch that imploded 800 pounds of dynamite ... I got to tell you as a male that was pretty fun."

First off, we're sure plenty of ladies would love to blow some stuff up, too. Secondly, 800 POUNDS A FREAKIN' DAY!!!! Seems a little excessive to us.

Today's Gruden Grinder goes to JON GRUDEN'S AGENT -- who's reportedly landing a $100 MILLION contract for Chucky to coach the Raiders.

Just win, baby!!!!

The deal is reportedly $100 mil for 10 years, the longest coaching deal in NFL history according to Adam Schefter.

Gruden hasn't coached in the NFL since 2008 and has since worked as a color commentator and featured on-air personality for ESPN, where he's reportedly one of their highest paid employees.

Gruden famously won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Bucs back in 2003 ... when he beat the Raiders.

Beast Mode ain't playing around about this NFL comeback -- running crazy footwork drills IN THE SAND with a legendary footspeed specialist ... and it's scary good.

Marshawn Lynch hit the beach with Luis Badillo Jr. -- who's said to have the fastest feet in the world. He's trained world class athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Asafa Powell and tons of NFL players.

This time, he flew up to the Bay Area to put in some work with the Oakland Raiders star -- and it's clear these dudes ain't messin' around.

John Madden says Marshawn Lynch could be a game changer for the Oakland Raiders -- and kinda took a shot at Pete Carroll in the process!

The NFL legend and former Raiders coach was asked why bringing Beast Mode to the Silver and Black would be a big deal. Here's what he said:

"One of the worst things in pro football now is short-yardage and goal line offense," John said.

"Teams can’t get 1st downs by running and they get down on the goal line and they’re down there on the 1-yard line throwing the ball! What’s that about?!"

BOOM! (Super Bowl 49 anyone?)

"I think if Marshawn Lynch can take them out of that, if he can get 1st downs on third downs, and if he can get touchdowns on goal line, that’ll be a great big deal for the Raiders."