NFL

Cam Newton turns 28 today ... and he celebrated by hitting the water with the mother of his children on a crazy expensive Caribbean vacation.

Cam and Kia Proctor -- who he has 2 kids with -- were spotted out on jet skis Wednesday ... having a blast.

But the best part ... Cam made his own birthday music video showing off all the awesome stuff he's been doing on vacation ... and it's SICK AS HELL!

Yachts, ATVs, dance parties ... looks like his birthday wish has already come true.

Julio Jones hit the club scene in Hollywood Wednesday night -- but he wasn't a sloppy Lindsay Lohan-style mess -- he was sober, sippin' water and tellin' us why he LOVES the guys his ATL Falcons took in the NFL Draft.

The WR was leaving Warwick (rockin' a man bag, we'll get to that later) when he told us why he thinks the Falcons had an "amazing" draft.

FYI, Atlanta went defense with their first 2 picks -- DE Takk McKinley in the 1st round and LB Duke Riley in the 3rd.

Julio also praises the Dallas Cowboys -- and told us why he thinks they'll easily rack up at least 10 wins again.

But back to the man bag ... (which Julio INSISTS is not a fanny pack). JJ says there's a real solid reason he wears it out and even told us what he keeps in it.

Don't worry, Julio, if it's good enough for The Rock, it's good enough for us ...

6:27PM PT -- Jones' agent Peter Schaffer tells TMZ Sports Ruege is a liar who is changing his story for publicity.

When asked to elaborate Schaffer claims Ruege admitted fault at the scene of the accident and fessed up to texting while driving (Reuge denies he was on his phone).

Schaffer also says Ruege informed Jones there was no hard feelings but is now demonizing Jones in a shameless attempt to grab headlines.

The man on the other end of the Pacman Jones car crash is an 18-year-old high school student -- a JROTC cadet -- who says the NFL star tried to apologize after the crash ... but he won't accept it.

Pacman exploded on Kylar Ruege after an early morning collision in Ohio on Tuesday -- after Kylar's '92 Mustang collided with Pac's Rolls-Royce Ghost.

FYI, Kylar is an infantryman in the National Guard and hopes to pursue a military career after he graduates.

Kylar says Pacman called him every name in the book in the moments after the crash -- and was so angry, a witness stepped in to make sure things didn't turn physical. Kylar says he was scared for his own safety.

Kylar says his mother filed a complaint with the Bengals -- and Pacman eventually tried to apologize for his behavior. Pacman invited Kylar to come to Bengals training camp as his guest, but he declined.

And get this, we asked if Kylar had a message for Pacman -- "Lives are more important than cars."

Johnny Manziel's NFL comeback is taking a backseat ... to boobies.

The QB and his smokin' hot fiancee, Bre Tiesi, are on a pre-wedding vacation in Tulum, Mexico with 2 of Bre's insanely attractive lady pals.

For some incredible reason, the women all decided to lose their tops for a quick dip in the ocean while Johnny was hanging out and taking in the sights.

Just a few weeks ago, Manziel told us he didn't need a bachelor party before the wedding ... and now, we kinda get why.

Oh, one more thing ... one of the women in the group is Jordan Ozuna (she's the middle girl in the group shot) -- who's currently connected to Tyga and previously dated Justin Bieber.

Congrats ... to everyone.

Aaron Hernandez's attorney, Jose Baez, says his legal team is in talks with the NFL player's former agents to see how the abatement of his murder conviction will affect his contract with the Patriots.

There are theories that with the murder conviction erased, the New England Patriots will be on the hook to pay out the remainder of his contract to Aaron's estate ... a number reportedly around $6 million.

Baez says Aaron's family and legal team are still grieving over Aaron's death and while they're exploring their options, they're not rushing to action.

As for prosecutors suggesting that Hernandez planned to kill himself in a plot to exploit the abatement doctrine to force the Patriots to pay out his family ... Baez says it's a long shot theory and "I don't give it any shred of credibility at this point."

9:05 AM PT -- The Bristol County D.A.'s Office just said they plan to appeal the judge's decision.

Aaron Hernandez's conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd has officially been dismissed by a judge.

The case went before the court in Massachusetts early Tuesday morning where Hernandez's team argued that the conviction cannot stand because he had not exhausted all of his appeals before his death. The doctrine is called abatement ab initio.

Prosecutors argued against it -- claiming Hernandez knew about the rule and used it as a loophole in a diabolical plot to get millions of dollars from the Patriots for his family.

The evidence, prosecutors claim, was spelled out in his suicide note to his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins ... in which he told her, "You're rich!"

Prosecutors say Hernandez knew if his conviction was erased the Patriots would have to pay out the remainder of his NFL contract ... estimated to be worth around $6 million.

Prosecutors claimed he shouldn't be rewarded for cutting his own appeal short by committing suicide -- but ultimately the judge didn't see it their way ... and cleared the conviction.

Odin Lloyd's family was in the courtroom when the judge announced her decision. They were visibly upset and left the courtroom in a rush.

NY Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson -- a rising star who had a solid 2016 season -- was arrested at a music festival in Florida this weekend after allegedly fighting a police officer, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 23-year-old was at the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami on Sunday --where stars like Migos, Gucci Mane, 21 Savage and Future performed -- when he got into it with security.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Anderson was fighting with security after being told to leave.

He refused and that's when a Miami PD lieutenant got involved and told him to sit on the ground.

That's when things went from bad to worse ...

"[Anderson] tensed his body and pushed [the officer]. [Anderson] was redirected to the ground and continued to fight with police and security."

Anderson was arrested for felony resisting arrest with violence and misdemeanor obstruction of a police officer.

In the police report, Anderson is listed at 6'3", 180 pounds.

The Jets were hoping for big things from Anderson in 2017 -- he had 42 catches for almost 600 yards as an undrafted rookie in 2016.

KC Chiefs rookie QB Patrick Mahomes has a rocket for an arm -- in fact, he once threw a baseball 96 MPH!!!

Mahomes was a baseball star in high school before focusing on football -- plus his father, Pat Mahomes, was an MLB pitcher for 12 years.

So, we asked if he could still fire the rock -- and he told us he really believes he could hit 100+ if he got back in the baseball groove.

For the record, Patrick once threw a football 62 mph -- on video.

If he says he can hit 100 mph with a baseball ... we kinda believe him.

How does the guy sharing the broadcast booth with Jay Cutler feel about his new partner?

TMZ Sports spoke with NFL on Fox color analyst Charles Davis who says he's fired up!

Davis says he and Cutler are already working on building their chemistry -- and even though they have yet to meet in person, they're already becoming tight.

Of course, we had to ask the big question ... which QB will be better in the booth, Cutler or Tony Romo?

Tom Brady is all about tradition -- so, he's rounded up some of his favorite New England Patriots teammates and they're all flying to the Kentucky Derby on a private jet.

Tom's backups Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett joined other Pats like Julian Edelman for the trip to Churchill Downs for the big race this weekend ... as seen in the pic first posted by Pats color analyst Scott Zolak.

Once they landed, the guys met up with Aaron Rodgers.

Tom does the Derby almost every year -- but our favorite memory is when his then-teammate Wes Welker won BIG and handed out $100 bills to random people.

The owner of the Cincinnati Bengals is telling fans he knows the team "took a risk" in drafting Joe Mixon -- but he's hoping Joe is a changed man who won't screw up again.

Mike Brown -- who's also the team president -- wrote an open letter to fans who have expressed concerns about Cinci's decision to pick a player who brutalized a woman in 2012.

In the letter, Brown points out Mixon's upside as an athlete -- while condemning the "regrettable deed."

"In making our decision, we took a risk," Brown says ... "In this case, the risk has an upside as well as a downside."

"We believe Joe has put this behind him and that he can turn into the player and community member that creates a plus for Cincinnati. We are going to do everything in our power to make this happen."

"Our hope is that time will prove that this opportunity is deserved, and perhaps -- if given a chance -- Joe can write a chapter in Cincinnati sports history that both he and Cincinnati can be proud of."

Here's the letter in its entirety:

"In the NFL draft last Friday, the Cincinnati Bengals selected a very talented football player who did a terrible thing his freshman year at college.

The player – Joe Mixon – is a top level football player by everyone’s account. Joe’s regrettable deed was that he struck a young woman, another student, shortly after arriving on campus in Norman, Oklahoma, three years ago.

Joe and this young woman recently met in person, came to terms with the incident, and they agreed to resolve their differences so they could move forward with their lives. While the circumstances that led up to the incident are unclear – what is clear is that it is unacceptable for a man to strike a woman.

Since the incident three years ago, Joe was suspended by the football team, pleaded guilty in court, and accepted the consequences of his actions. He later went on to become a good citizen in Norman, a popular teammate, a player respected by his coaches, and one of the most talented players in college football.

The Bengals take pride in our hometown and want to provide winning football on the field and successful players off the field. That is the reason we drafted Joe – he is a rare football talent, and his conduct over the past three years leads us to believe he can help us win football games and also become a productive member of this community.

In making our decision, we took a risk. In this case, the risk has an upside as well as a downside. We believe Joe has put this behind him and that he can turn into the player and community member that creates a plus for Cincinnati. We are going to do everything in our power to make this happen. Our hope is that time will prove that this opportunity is deserved, and perhaps – if given a chance – Joe can write a chapter in Cincinnati sports history that both he and Cincinnati can be proud of.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jay Cutler is officially pulling a Tony Romo -- leaving the football field for the broadcast booth ... but he won't say he's officially retired from the NFL.

The 34-year-old ex-Chicago Bears QB has signed on to join the NFL on FOX team this upcoming season as a color commentator ... reportedly replacing John Lynch, who is now running the 49ers.

Cutler issued a statement kind of explaining where he is in life right now ... but not officially announcing his retirement.

"I don't know if retirement is the right word; I don't feel that anyone ever retires from the NFL," Cutler said.

"You are either forced to leave, or you lose the desire to do what's required to keep going. I'm in between those situations at this point in my life."

Cutler was released by the Bears this off-season -- and while he reportedly spoke with other teams, didn't sign a new contract.

"Words can't express how grateful I am to everyone who helped me along my journey," Cutler added in his statement.

"To my parents, my sisters, my wife and kids – thank you for putting your wants and needs on the back burner while I played a game every Friday, Saturday or Sunday. You made it all possible."

Aaron Hernandez went by a slew of nicknames during his time behind bars -- including "AA," "Chico," and "Big Nose" ... this according to official prison documents obtained by TMZ Sports.

Among the nicknames ...

-- Boom

-- Rokk Boy

-- Double A

-- AA

-- Big Nose

-- Chico

-- A Money

-- Can't Get Right

Leonard Fournette just did his best 'Price Is Right' impression with his mom ... 'cause she just got A NEW CAR!!!!!

Fournette -- who was taken 4th in the NFL Draft by the Jaguars -- is projected to sign a $27 million contract with an $18 million signing bonus.

So, with all that dough coming in, the former LSU superstar decided to spread the wealth by gifting his mother with what appears to be a brand new Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe (which start at $110k).

Leonard is the latest 1st round pick to hook his mom up with a sweet ride -- Deshaun Watson bought his mother a new Jag.

Aaron Hernandez wrote "John 3:16" in blood on the walls of his cell -- and also in ink on his forehead -- before he hanged himself in his Massachusetts prison cell ... this according to the police report.

TMZ Sports has obtained

which says officials at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center found Hernandez in cell #57 around 3 AM on April 19.

In addition to "John 3:16" written on the walls in blood -- officials say there were also several drawings in blood ... though the report does not specify what the drawings were of.

Officials say under the drawings was a Bible opened to the passage "John 3:16" with the 16th verse marked in blood.

"John 3:16" is essentially the centerpiece of Christianity -- "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

The door had been jammed with cardboard -- apparently to prevent people from entering the cell to save him.

When officials broke through, the floor was covered in shampoo to make it slippery -- apparently to prevent Hernandez from gaining his footing in case he wanted to stop himself from hanging.

He had also covered the window to his cell with a sheet which is what alerted officers in the first place.

The report says Hernandez had a fresh cut on his right middle finger and there appeared to be large circular blood marks on each of his feet.

The report also confirms the presence of 3 handwritten notes in the cell -- though the contents of the notes have been redacted.

Investigators -- including a handwriting expert -- analyzed the notes and determined they were written by Hernandez.

Officials say surveillance footage shows Hernandez talking on the phone "just prior to his cell door being locked" for the last time. Officials went back and listened to the call and determined there was no apparent indication of an intent to harm himself.

Tampa Bay Bucs running back Doug Martin was involved in a car accident in Tampa on Thursday afternoon and crashed into an air conditioner ... but luckily he escaped with only minor injuries.

Tampa PD says the 2-time Pro Bowler was driving his black BMW through an intersection when he was hit by another driver in a black Kia who blew through a stop sign. Martin's Beamer was forced off the road and ended up colliding with an outdoor air conditioning unit.

Law enforcement tells us Martin didn't go to a hospital and was treated on the scene for minor cuts and bruises.

As for the other driver, Tampa PD cited him for a stop sign violation.

The Bucs just issued a statement saying, "Doug was the unfortunate victim in an auto accident earlier today after leaving our team facility. While Doug's vehicle sustained a large amount of damage, we are pleased to report that he received only minor cuts and bruises. He has been evaluated by our medical staff and has headed home."