NFL

Willie McGinest says the best thing the Raiders could do is sign Marshawn Lynch -- explaining why Beast Mode would send that high-octane Silver and Black offense into overdrive!

McGinest also gives his take on why a Lynch to the Patriots deal probably has little hope.

The man convicted of shooting and killing ex-NFL star Will Smith is now suing Smith's widow in civil court -- claiming it was Will who triggered the violence that fateful night and ruined his life.

Cardell Hayes is suing Racquel Smith, the estate of Will Smith and others over the events from April 9, 2016 ... when Hayes shot Smith in New Orleans following a road rage incident.

In the suit, Hayes says Smith was very drunk when he began dangerously taunting him on the road that night ... culminating in Hayes slamming his car into Smith's vehicle.

Hayes says Smith threw a drink in his face and punched him while one of Smith's associates tried to club him with a weapon.

Hayes says Smith went back to his car, grabbed a gun and shot at him multiple times.

Cops say they found a loaded gun in Smith's car that night -- but prosecutors had said there's no evidence he ever fired it during the altercation.

Hayes was eventually convicted of manslaughter and could face up to 40 years in prison. Sentencing is set for later this month.

Meantime, Hayes is suing the Smiths in civil court for the assault, severe emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and more.

Big win for Von Miller ... an L.A. judge has BLOCKED a woman from releasing the sex tape featuring the NFL superstar after months of fighting it out in court.

As we previously reported, Elizabeth Ruiz claims she owns the rights to 50% of the video which was shot during a trip to Mexico in June 2016. She claimed Miller knew he was being recorded and consented.

But Miller claimed Ruiz was trying to shake him down for $2.5 MILLION -- insisting she was only using the tape in a cash grab scheme.

She denied trying to extort Miller -- saying it was HIS legal team that made the first cash offer and she was down to play ball.

But earlier this week, a judge issued a permanent injunction in the case -- forbidding her from not only distributing the tape ... but she's not even allowed to let anyone see it.

The judge also ordered Ruiz to pay Miller $50,000 in attorney's fees.

And get this ... the judge also ordered that a copy of the sex tape that Ruiz had submitted as evidence must be destroyed ASAP.

When Houston Texans offensive tackle David Quessenberry finished his last round of chemotherapy after a 3 year battle, he got to ring the victory bell at the hospital ... AND BROKE THE DAMN THING!

It's actually an awesome video ... Quessenberry has been fighting Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma since he was diagnosed in 2014 ... a year after he was drafted into the league.

Now, more than 1,000 days after he began his battle ... Quessenberry completed his last chemotherapy treatment at MD Anderson cancer hospital in Houston and got to ring the bell to announce to the world that he's well on the road to recovery!

He rang it so damn hard it broke!

Quessenberry commented about it, saying, "This bell, just like cancer, never stood a chance."

Another win for the greatest of all time ... with Bill Belichick finding a way to get out of testifying in the Aaron Hernandez double murder case without getting in trouble with the court.

The New England Patriots head coach was initially named a witness for the defense. Unclear what they expected to get out of Belichick, but nonetheless, they wanted his testimony.

So, when he didn't show up during the hearing, questions arose ... until today.

The judge addressed Hernandez's lawyer, Jose Baez, and said the clerk had received a call from Belichick's attorney wondering if he was in trouble for not participating in the case.

Baez explained that his people TRIED to serve Belichick with papers compelling him to testify -- but they had a very hard time getting the papers to the coach in a timely manner.

"The reason for the delay on that part was the community where he lived," Baez told the judge ... "Our process server was not able to get him numerous times."

When they finally got to Belichick, the trial was wrapping up so Baez and his team "made a strategic decision to release him from service of process."

Ultimately, Baez said ... "We didn't think his testimony was critical to the defense so we released him."

Bottom line -- Belichick ducked the court without consequences.

Ex-NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich says his naked drug arrest was a rude awakening about how out of control his substance abuse issues had gotten ... and now he's fighting to live for his kids.

The 47-year-old opened up to TMZ Sports about his life since his arrest back in August -- when cops found him naked in a stranger's backyard -- and how it was the rock bottom he needed to change his life.

"I've been running [from my addiction] for years and it definitely came a time, especially after the arrest, the humiliation that that brought, the self-loathing that I was feeling, where I was finally willing to do the things necessary to get better."

Todd says he's stopped counting the days he's been sober -- instead, he takes a day-by-day approach -- but says he's been getting treatment and he's in a MUCH better place.

"I have never been better," Todd says ... "I think it's a long time and a long journey getting to this point."

Todd's substance abuse issues are well-documented. He's struggled with addiction since he was a star QB at USC in the late '80s, early '90s and has been to rehab several times before.

So, what's different this time around? Todd says he's got two little kids who are motivating him to stay clean.

Suprise! The WWE is definitely interested in Rob Gronkowski -- AFTER he wraps up his career in the NFL ... this according to WWE superstar Mojo Rawley.

Mojo appeared on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Wednesday night on FS1) and told us how awesome it would be crushing inside the squared circle with Gronk ... his longtime best buddy.

And with Gronk being such a natural during his 2 recent WWE cameos, we had to ask if Vince McMahon's company has taken steps toward locking him up full-time.

Mojo fills us in and talks about A LOT more in the full interview tonight on FS1.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Senquez Golson was stopped by TSA agents at an airport in Alabama after they found a handgun and bullets in his carry-on bag ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Maybe he was flying United???

Here's what we know ... the 2015 2nd round draft pick was going through security at Mobile Regional Airport around noon Wednesday when they found a Glock .45 caliber pistol along with 23 rounds of ammunition in the magazine.

There's a discrepancy over whether the gun can be considered "loaded" or "unloaded" since there was technically not a round in the chamber.

TSA alerted police and officers took the bag and escorted Golson out of the area.

Golson was NOT arrested. Instead, cops offered to hold the gun for him until he returned from his travels ... at which time he could pick it up.

How's that for southern hospitality?

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker JUST returned from a trip with the U.S. military -- and says he realized he played college football against one of the soldiers!

Walker was part of a USO tour to various U.S. military bases in the Middle East, Asia and North America -- where he learned how to fire weapons, ride camels and even threw around the pigskin!

In fact, Walker and Cam Jordan even hit some trick shots -- involving a basketball hoop!

In the end, Walker said he LOVED the trip and has even more respect for our troops.

Tre Mason is laser-focused on leaving his troubled past behind and returning to the NFL ... teaming up with old Auburn teammate Ricardo Louis for major off-season workouts, TMZ Sports has learned.

Mason missed the 2016 season after several run-ins with cops -- including an intense police chase on his ATV. He was released by the Rams earlier this March.

But Louis says Mason is puttin' in work every day to get back in the league in 2017 ... and once Mason finds a new team, Louis expects the running back to pick up right where he left off.

As for Louis, he says he's disappointed in his rookie campaign in The Land and dedicated his off-season to improving every aspect of his game ... and we've got the video.

Marshawn Lynch did NOT want to sign autographs for fans at LAX on Monday -- and he smacked a cell phone out of a fan's hand and spit in his direction to make his point.

Lynch had just touched down at LAX when he was approached by two guys -- a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old.

The guys tell us they knew someone on Marshawn's flight who tipped them off so they decided to head to LAX to try and get an autograph.

At first, Marshawn approached the 18-year-old and slapped the phone out of his hand. Lynch then went inside the terminal and came out a few minutes later and spit in their direction as he walked past them.

The owner of the phone says it got cracked in the incident and he's considering filing a police report for assault.

We reached out to Lynch's camp for comment. So far, no word back.

Police used a taser to subdue and arrest Washington Redskins linebacker Junior Galette during an alleged violent incident at Black Beach Weekend in Mississippi ... law enforcement tells TMZ Sports.

We spoke with Sgt. Rhodes of the Biloxi Police Dept. who tells us an officer was flagged down around MGM Park for a fight around 10:30 PM on Friday. When the cop arrived to the scene, he claims he saw 6'2", 260 pound Galette punch someone.

Sgt. Rhodes says the cop went after Junior, but we're told the NFL star ran. When the officer caught up with Galette, he used his taser to take down the 29-year-old.

Galette was eventually arrested for disorderly conduct and failure to comply. From that point on, we're told Galette was "very cooperative."

All that being said, Sgt. Rhodes says the incident was "extremely minor" and Galette was not charged with assault because they didn't think the alleged victim would cooperate.

Macklemore -- one of the biggest Seattle Seahawks fans alive -- says it would hurt his heart if Marshawn Lynch signed with the New England Patriots.

The Boston Herald is reporting that Lynch has privately expressed interest in playing for the Pats if he can't reach a deal with the Oakland Raiders ... and Mack no likey.

Macklemore says he understands if Lynch signs with another team ... BUT NOT THE PATS!!

Rob Gronkowski had a nice quiet weekend in Vegas ... ripping off his shirt and raging with WWE superstar Mojo Rawley while bikini chicks sprayed 'em with champagne ... and we have the video.

There's a 60% chance Tony Romo will play in the NFL again ... so says one of his 2016 Dallas Cowboys teammates.

We spoke with safety Barry Church -- who played with Romo for years before signing a new deal with the Jaguars this off-season.

N.Y. Jets stud Buster Skrine says Michael Vick is without a doubt the hardest throwing QB he's ever faced ... telling TMZ Sports he almost broke his finger deflecting one of Vick's passes.

Skrine gives us the lowdown on just how much sauce Vick put on the ball ... and it's safe to say his hands are relieved the 4-time Pro Bowler's retired.