NFL

Houston Texans star linebacker Brian Cushing says he's pretty pumped for his team's new QB Deshaun Watson -- but he's not convinced he'll be the starter ... yet.

Cushing and his wife are out in Philly for the NFL Draft -- and after Houston selected the Clemson star with the #12 pick, we asked Cushing for his quick reaction.

Of course, Watson will have to battle for the #1 job with Tom Savage -- a 4th year QB out of Rutgers.

Jesus walks ... in Philly. And he's an Eagles fan.

Our guy ran into J.C. at the NFL Draft -- where he was offering up prayers for Myles Garrett, despite the fact he's probably going to the Browns.

Jesus offered up some advice ... he did the prayer pose ... and then he led a bunch of locals in the E-A-G-L-E-S chant.

It's the biggest night of their lives and the top prospects in the NFL Draft dressed up for the occasion.

TMZ Sports has a live look at the top guys as they get ready to head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Jewelry, shoes, suits, shades ... you better believe these guys are pulling out all the stops!

After all, they gotta one-up Ezekiel Elliott -- who rocked the crop top last year!

Good luck!

The man who shot and killed Joe McKnight says the ex-NFL player was fueled by a mix of steroids, pain pills and weed during their fatal confrontation ... and he only pulled his gun out of fear.

Ronald Gasser filed new court docs in the murder case against him -- claiming he learned McKnight "was under the influence of marijuana, pain pills, and anabolic steroids at the time [he] attacked Mr. Gasser."

Unclear where Gasser got his information -- it seems his legal team may have had access to McKnight's toxicology results following the autopsy.

However, in the docs Gasser paints a picture of a man in full steroid rage -- saying McKnight was "violent and erratic" following an intense chase through the streets of Louisiana on Dec. 1.

Gasser says he did NOTHING that he would consider "aggressive" to provoke McKnight -- and says it was Joe who was screaming and yelling like a maniac.

Gasser says he ultimately shot Joe while "fearing for his life."

At the time of the shooting, McKnight was a pro football player in Canada -- a running back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Deshaun Watston's uncle doesn't want a handout from the future NFL star -- he wants a job -- telling TMZ Sports he'll gladly be the QB's personal driver after he becomes a millionaire!

Watson's family is out in Philly for the NFL Draft and serving as the Clemson star's personal hype machine -- telling teams he's got the talent to be a "franchise changer."

But the best part of the video is DW's uncle who keeps it all the way real -- "I'm tired of working, nephew!"

The Indianapolis Colts lineman who threatened police and spewed homophobic insults after allegedly stealing a golf cart has pled guilty in the case ... and now faces 3 years behind bars.

As we previously reported, 25-year-old David Parry went on a crazy drunken bender in Scottsdale, AZ on Feb. 25 -- that culminated with the 300-pounder puking his guts out in a jail trash can.

During the incident, Parry called police "f**king f**gots," "fat f**ks" and "p**syboy."

Now, we've learned he's pled guilty to 1 count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct and 1 count of felony attempt to commit unlawful means of transportation.

He'll be sentenced next month -- and faces up to 3 years behind bars.

We've also learned he's been charged with two counts of extreme DUI -- including having a BAC of over .20 -- stemming from the same incident. We're told that case is being handled in another court.

Marshawn Lynch is going full BEAST MODE in his return to the Bay Area ... throwing a HUGE block party in Oakland on Thursday with big stars, new teammates and thousands of crazy fans!

We're told the guest list includes names like Michael B. Jordan, E-40 and Derek Carr -- not too shabby!

The party will take over 3 city blocks surrounding Marshawn's Beast Mode Apparel store near downtown. As one source put it, "It's gonna be bonkers!"

That's not all ... our sources say some of the Golden State Warriors are also expected to join in on the fun.

Just win, baby!

If Colin Kaepernick was on fire ... next to a burning American flag ... which one would you put out?

That's what Charlamagne tha God wants to know -- and if you even hesitate before answering, CTG says it tells him everything he needs to know about you as a person.

The MTV star -- and best-selling author of 'Black Privilege' -- is clearly pissed Colin hasn't been signed by an NFL team yet and doesn't mince his words about why that is.

"[He's] being punished for doing the right thing ... standing up for the rights of human beings."

New Orleans Saints legend Deuce McAllister says he's fired up about Adrian Peterson joining the squad -- because he'll be an excellent addition ... as a backup.

The Saints just finalized a 2 year, $7 mil contract with the future Hall of Famer -- but it doesn't guarantee he'll start. In fact, when we asked Deuce who's number one on the depth chart, it ain't AP.

"It's Mark Ingram, it's not even a question."

The woman accusing Gareon Conley of rape was friendly with the NFL prospect at a bar roughly 25 minutes before they ended up in a hotel room together ... and TMZ Sports has the video.

The footage shows Conley leaving the Barley House in Cleveland around 2:20 AM on April 9th ... with the accuser and her female friends following closely behind. At one point the accuser reaches out and touches Gareon's back.

A few minutes later, Conley has his arm around another woman in front of the bar and the accuser catches up from behind and grabs his arm. Gareon looks back and appears to hold her hand.

The video is critical because it appears to contradict what the accuser told police -- that she first met Conley in an elevator at the Westin hotel around 2:45 AM.

Both sides agree they ended up in a hotel room at the Westin together. She claims Conley raped her. Conley adamantly denies the allegation.

Gareon Conley says he is NOT a rapist -- and says he has video evidence that will help him prove the allegation against him is "completely false."

The ex-Ohio State cornerback -- and projected 1st round NFL Draft pick -- just issued a statement denying the claims in a police report filed in Cincinnati ... and says the accuser is trying to ruin his life.

"The allegations against me concerning the night of April 8/9 that have recently been reported in multiple media outlets are completely false."

"I did not commit a crime and have not been charged with a crime."

Conley says he prides himself in doing things "the right way" -- adding, "The things being said about me and what happened that night are not true and don’t fit my character at all."

"I realize that I put myself in the situation and I could have used better judgment. However, I have worked tirelessly to put myself in position to have the honor of being an NFL draft pick and these untrue allegations are putting a huge cloud over my name and the NFL Draft."

"These allegations appear to be an attempt to ruin this once in a lifetime experience for me and my family."

"There were several witnesses, including another female, who were present the entire time and have given statements that give an accurate account of what took place. We also have video evidence that further discredits and disprove other versions of these events. I am upset but realize that I am powerless when false accusations are made and people try to convict you in the court of public opinion. It’s sad that your name can get dragged through the mud based upon untrue and malicious allegations alone."

"I am completely confident that as the facts actually come out my name will be cleared."

"I was excited about participating in the Thursday’s draft but I have decided that i would be selfish for me to stay and be a distraction to the NFL, the other players and their families who have worked just as hard as me to enjoy the experience so I will not be in attendance."

While Marshawn Lynch to the Oakland Raiders rumors circulated the Internet, Beast Mode was helping his old Seahawks teammates host a football camp in Haiti!!

Marshawn is reportedly a physical exam from joining the Silver and Black ... and as the 'Hawks and Raiders work out a deal, he and Michael Bennett helped Cliff Avril host his annual camp.

The NFL stars taught kids fitness skills, helped build houses in the area, donated supplies to a local school and many other charitable efforts.

The boys spent the week in Haiti ... and now Marshawn is headed back to the States to get checked out by the Raiders.

Johnny Manziel ... future daddy?!

That seems to be the plan according to his fiancee, Bre Tiesi.

The ex-NFL quarterback and his soon-to-be bride were at Catch in L.A. when the "Wild 'N Out" model told us there could be kids in Johnny's future.

For now, Johnny says he still plans on getting back into the NFL -- but he wasn't exactly forthcoming with the details when we asked how the comeback is coming along.

By the way, it's only been 3 years since Manziel was taken with the 22nd pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. He's still only 24 years old.

That was quick!

Just days after Aaron Hernandez's death, his legal team has already filed a motion to have his murder conviction officially dismissed ... as part of a Massachusetts law that everyone's talking about.

Gareon Conley -- a projected 1st round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft -- has been named in a police report by a woman who claims he raped her in a Cleveland hotel but he adamantly DENIES the allegations.

So many questions ...

Colin Kaepernick turned up in Brooklyn, NY on Monday -- hanging at the Chris Brown concert at the Barclays Center where he posed for a photo with boxing star Adrien Broner.