NFL

Just because he's giving life advice to NFL rookies doesn't mean Ray Rice has given up on his NFL dream -- with multiple sources close to the RB telling us he's still hoping to play this season.

Over the past few days, 29-year-old Rice returned to the Baltimore Ravens to advise the rookies about the importance of being a good person. He also spoke with the football team at Western Michigan.

Many people saw the moves as an indication he was finally ready to let his NFL dream go -- instead, exploring a career as a life coach or motivational speaker.

But we're told that's just not the case.

Our sources tell us Rice has been training like crazy -- keeping his body in NFL shape in case a team decides to kick the tires.

As one person put it -- "his primary focus is on himself, his family and educating others but he would still like to finish what he started."

Knowshon Moreno says he's laser-focused on an NFL comeback -- with the running back telling TMZ Sports he's healthy and ready to go ... and would love to return to his old team in Denver.

The 28-year-old -- who hasn't played since suffering an ACL injury in 2014 -- appeared on the "TMZ Sports" TV show on FS1 and discussed his comeback plans.

"I still have a lot in the tank ... probably TOO MUCH in the tank! I have to let it out!"

Ray Rice is back in with the Baltimore Ravens -- not as a player, but as a teacher.

Rice met with his former team's new class of players on Wednesday, and Ravens officials say ... "He clearly had the attention of our rookies."

Eddie Lacy went all Rocky Balboa (from "Rocky IV") in his off-season workout -- training in the snow TWICE A DAY with his P90X trainer Tony Horton.

Horton -- who created P90X -- spent months helping the Green Bay Packers running back trim down for the season ... and judging by the last video we shot of Lacy, it worked. Dude's pretty ripped now.

So, we asked Horton how he got Lacy back to form -- and the training regimen he revealed is pretty hardcore ... including some snow shoveling sessions in Jackson Hole.

Horton says Lacy was a natural when it came to working out -- but there was ONE exercise the guy couldn't stand.

Johnny Manziel's drinking and drug use is worse than ever -- but the QB refuses to seek help ... and now people close to him are convinced he's going to die unless something changes soon.

Here's what we know ... Manziel has become even more reckless with his drug problem recently -- even blowing lines in front of people he barely knows.

"He's in a horrible downward spiral," one source very close to the QB tells TMZ Sports.

There have been multiple serious attempts to help Johnny -- with one group of close friends recently sitting him down and "confronting" him about his situation. But, as one source put it, "He flipped out and would not hear it."

His friends are desperately trying to get through to him but haven't been successful -- and they're hoping this story will serve as a wake-up call.

Maybe Vegas can reach him -- because, as multiple sources have told us, he's become persona non grata at several of the top spots after his violent outburst this past weekend at JEWEL nightclub at the Aria.

"He's too much of a risk," one high-powered nightclub source tells us ... "He's a good guy, but he's a f***ing mess."

Manziel is still living under the delusion that he'll make it back to the NFL -- and recently talked about his comeback plans with TMZ Sports. But no one has seen him training and when we asked him about it last month, the idea of working out seemed like a joke.

Instead, he continues to party like a maniac -- L.A., Vegas, Miami, Coachella, Dallas -- and, as one source put it, "If he continues this way for much longer he will die.”

His own father expressed grave concern about Johnny back in February -- saying if he doesn't get help, "he won't live to see his 24th birthday."

We reached out to Manziel's rep -- but she told us there was nothing she could say on the matter.

Shots. Fired.

Here's ex-NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew ripping into 49ers coach Chip Kelly -- explaining why he SUCKS as a coach in roughly 60 seconds.

MJD definitely has a strong point of view ... blaming Kelly's "gimmick offense" for destroying the Philadelphia Eagles.

He also has a strong message for 49ers fans -- as long as Chip's in charge, you're completely screwed.

Johnny Manziel is the subject of an active NFL investigation -- with the league taking a particular interest in the QB's role in last month's Mercedes Benz crash on the Sunset Strip.

Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith and a gang of Buffalo Bills royalty traveled to Mexico ... all to surprise their former teammate, HOF running back Thurman Thomas ... on his 50th birthday.

TMZ Sports spoke to Thurman's wife, Patti Thomas, who says she surprised T.T. with a 5 day Mexican vacation. She invited 70 of his closest friends ... including Bills legends Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, and Cornelius Bennett.

Oh yeah, Ken Griffey Jr. was there too.

Among the festivities ... a private golf tournament (Thurman's daughter won), some R & R at the pool, and ... French Champagne.

This isn't the first time the Bills have reunited in the 25 years since their first Super Bowl appearance. In February, Kelly and the guys hit up Napa Valley for a wine tasting tour.

#TheTeamThatLoses4HeartbreakingSuperBowlsTogetherStaysTogether

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry tells TMZ Sports he's fired up about sharing the backfield with DeMarco Murray ... saying he's a "good guy" and a "great leader."

The '15 Heisman Trophy winner -- and 2nd round pick of the Titans -- touched down at LAX for an NFL rookie event ... so, we had to ask if he was concerned about competing with DM for the starting job.

But Henry says there's no hostility -- and he's excited to work with a guy who's already "done such a great job in the NFL."

He JUST got rich -- but Bengals rookie wide receiver Tyler Boyd says he's already got big plans for the millions of dollars he's about to bring in ... starting with a HUGE expensive dinner for his teammates.

Boyd reportedly signed a $4 million contract after being selected in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft -- so, we had to ask ... what's the first big purchase gonna be?

Check out his answer -- his mother is gonna be STOKED!

But then we asked about the most expensive ritual in pro sports -- the rookie hazing dinner.

Shockingly, Boyd says he's already got a plan in place -- and is EXCITED to treat his teammates to one of the finest restaurants in town.

Careful what you wish for ... just ask Jevon Kearse (see video below).

NFL superstar Devin Hester -- one of the greatest kickoff returners of all time -- is imploring Pop Warner football to reconsider its ban on kickoffs because... well, isn't it obvious?

"I disagree with that decision," Hester tells TMZ Sports.

FYI -- Pop Warner recently announced it would be eliminating kickoffs in games involving kids between the ages of 5 and 10, citing safety concerns.

Hester says he believes there can be a safe compromise and doesn't want to see his position go extinct.

In fact, when we asked if he thinks the NFL will eliminate kickoffs, he told us, "It's a possibility. The league is always trying to figure out how to prevent injuries and maybe that's what they will try to do."

"But it's a violent sport. At the end of the day, there's no way around it."

9:23 AM PT -- We asked GQ if Gronk was really fully naked for the shoot.

The answer -- "Yes, he was naked."

Boom.

So, here's a pic from Gronk's highly anticipated GQ article ... in which the photo shoot motivation was apparently, "Surprise! Here's my dong!"

The flashee in the shot is supermodel Hailey Clauson -- who teamed up with the Pats tight end for the cover of the upcoming June issue of the magazine.

The guy who wrote the article about Gronk spent some time embedded with the NFL star and described his life the following way:

"Gronkowski seems to exist in a permanent shower of champagne spray and nightclub-foam-party foam ... all without ever seeming like a creepy douchebag.”

#GronkJustBeingGronk

Tia Shipman didn't exactly spill the beans when we asked about her new pro athlete BF, but she slipped us enough hints to help us crack the case! We think.

The actress just joined the "WAGS" cast, and when we saw her out in West Hollywood we tried our best to get the name of the baller she's banging. Check out the vid ... Tia refused to give up the surprise, but played along with our game of 20ish questions.

We walked away thinking it's the Washington Redskins new cornerback Greg Toler.

Want your ass to feel what it's like to be a Seahawks team rep during the NFL Draft?

Well, now you can ... 'cause the league is auctioning off a "used draft chair" -- which was sat in by an official Seahawks team rep at Radio City Music Hall from 2011 to 2014!

Yes, you can own the seat that may have been sat in by the person who may have turned in the selection card to draft Russell Wilson!

The auction started at $40 ... it's already over $500!!! (Proceeds from the auction benefit multiple charities connected to the NFL).

Turns out what happens in Mexico ... we get to drool over ... 'cause the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders hit Cancun for their annual team swimsuit shoot and the pics are muy caliente.

The Kardashians just did what no lineman could ever do ... they stopped Lawrence Taylor dead in his tracks.