NFL

Jamal Adams better sleep with one eye open ... 'cause Rob Gronkowski is vowing REVENGE on the Jets safety for his brutal attack on the Patriots' mascot!!!

ICYMI ... J.A. was playing around at Pro Bowl practices last week -- when he went after Pat Patriot and tackled the poor guy to the ground.

Turns out ... Adams really hurt the dude -- NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says the person in the costume is still "dealing with jaw, neck, and back soreness."

Enter Gronk ... who told reporters at Monday night's Super Bowl media day that he's not just gonna sit around and let a New York Jet do that to his team's biggest supporter.

"We're going to have to figure a way out to get the revenge. That was not nice what he did. I heard the guy got seriously hurt!"

The 2019 schedule hasn't been released yet ... but we know the Pats will play Adams' Jets TWICE next season.

Tom Brady once beat the hell outta Wes Welker in a beer-chugging contest ... and it all went down during the best bar night EVER -- so says his ex-Pats teammate.

TMZ Sports spoke with ex-teammate-turned-Impact Wrestling star "Moose" (aka Quinn Ojinnaka) -- an OL who blocked for Tom during New England's '10 season -- and he says Brady's G.O.A.T. skills extend far beyond the gridiron.

Per Moose ... when the team got snowed in after a road game in Buffalo in Dec. 2010 -- they decided to hit a bar in the "middle of nowhere" -- and that's when Tom put on a show.

"I realized then that Tom Brady was the greatest quarterback ever, because him and Wes Welker got in a beer-chugging contest and as good as he is being the quarterback, he's even better chugging beer!"

Moose says TB12 mopped the floor with the legendary slot-WR ... prompting him to call it, "The best night out I've had as a football player."

If you think he's exaggerating -- he ain't ... 'memba when Tom went on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and murdered a pint of suds???

Be very afraid, Rams.

Clinton Portis says there's TWO reasons he would booze on Hennessey before taking the field during his NFL career -- pain management and "turning up."

Yeah, it's confusing ... but that's how the former Washington Redskins running back justified his alcoholic pre-game ritual while appearing on FS1's "Fair Game with Kristine Leahy" on Monday.

"If you're going out to have a good time, you pre-game" Portis explained while comparing playing in the NFL to hitting the clubs with friends.

In other words, Clinton started off by saying the shot helped him get his mind right.

"It was a turn-up ... for me, it wasn't like I was getting drunk. We took one shot."

Then came the pivot -- it's almost like Clinton realized his explanation wasn't going over well, so he played the self-medication card.

"For me, it was kind of like, 'This shot and I'm going out to play.' Like this is going to take the pain away or the fear or whatever it was. Like, now it's time."

Portis says he was never one to take pain-killers or drugs ... so hittin' the bottle before he hit the pads was his way of coping with the injuries he suffered throughout his 9-year career.

"After I took that shot, it was like, okay, now it's time to go do this instead of going to lay down and take a Toradol shot which all the sudden it comes out and it's hazardous to your health."

Tom Brady's autographed HANDWRITTEN notes from Super Bowl XXXIX just hit the auction block ... and they can be all yours -- if you've got the cash.

... like, $25,000 worth of it.

TMZ Sports has learned the drive chart Brady filled out during the Patriots' 24-21 win over the Eagles in the 2005 big game is up for sale in a Steiner Sports auction.

The chart is DOPE ... it's got all of Brady's notes -- including downs, distances, plays AND Philadelphia's defensive fronts -- from every Pats' offensive snap in the game.

The G.O.A.T. even signed the piece in the top left corner ... and there's speculation blood from a cut he suffered during the game even splattered onto the sheet!!!

Of course, this was the ONLY Super Bowl Brady won that he didn't get the MVP in ... his top wideout, Deion Branch, ended up with the award after the game.

We're told bidding will start at $2,500 ... but the piece is expected to fetch more than $25,000 when the auction ends next month.

Tom Brady says the Super Bowl is a great excuse to bring his entire family together -- so, he's flying 'em all to Atlanta for the big game on Sunday ... mom, dad, wife, kids ... everybody!!

It'll be especially cool to see Brady's mom, Galynn, back at the game after battling breast cancer in 2017.

Tom raved about his family to WEEI's Mut and Callahan on Monday, explaining how the Super Bowl has kind of turned into an annual family reunion (it's his 9th SB) ... and he loves it.

"I'll have a big crew," Brady exclaimed ... "If there's one thing that sports has done for my family it's kept us all seeing each other and a part of each other's lives."

Tom and his mother are super close -- and her cancer fight clearly had a major impact on him on and off the field. Before last year's Super Bowl, Brady told reporters how much it meant for his mother to be at the game.

"To have my mom here [in 2017] -- I had my whole family here -- was very, very special," Brady said.

"Even all my kids here for the first time at the game, and we get a chance to do it a second time. I hope it's a happy ending."

It wasn't -- the Patriots lost to the Eagles in a 41-33 shocker.

Brady has 3 kids -- 2 with his wife Gisele and a son, Jack, from ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan.

His son with Moynahan lives with Bridget in New York City -- but it seems QB has a pretty solid relationship with the kid, who was featured in Tom's reality show "Tom Vs. Time."

During the WEEI interview on Monday, Tom also explained why he's embracing all the anti-Patriots hate -- and how it fuels them.

The New England Patriots team mascot says he was REALLY hurt when he was unexpectedly tackled by NY Jets safety Jamal Adams at a Pro Bowl practice ... and is now dealing with pain in his neck and back.

It all went down on Wednesday in Orlando -- where Adams told fans he was "finna go knock this mascot out" before launching himself at the mascot, knocking the guy to the ground.

The man inside the costume sought medical attention after the incident -- and now Ian Rapoport says the guy is still "dealing with jaw, neck, and back soreness."

Rapoport says the mascot was also checked for a concussion -- but despite his condition, the man is still planning on going to Atlanta to cheer on the Patriots at the Super Bowl

As for Adams, he had previously issued a statement saying he did NOT regret the tackle -- even though the NFL had been contacting him to talk about the incident.

Here's the obvious concern for Adams ... if the mascot suffered real injuries, he's probably going to sue Adams -- who's currently playing in a 4-year, $22.2 million contract.

Adams didn't seem too bothered by the situation while playing in the Pro Bowl on Sunday -- where he won the defensive MVP award as his AFC squad beat up on the NFC in a 26-7 victory.

NFL wide receiver Lucky Whitehead was arrested in Virginia -- and this time, cops are CERTAIN they got the right guy.

The former Dallas Cowboys player was pulled over around 2 AM on Dec. 23 after cops say he failed to obey a traffic signal.

During the stop, cops suspected the 26-year-old had been drinking -- and asked him to perform a breathalyzer test. Whitehead refused but cops say there was enough evidence to prove he was intoxicated so they arrested him for DUI.

He was hauled to a nearby police station where he was booked for a bunch of charges including DUI, driving without a license and failure to use a seat belt.

He's due in court next month.

Of course, Lucky was WRONGFULLY named as a suspect in a shoplifting case in Virginia in 2017 -- when the real perpetrator lied to police and said he was the NFL player. The dude even gave cops Lucky's date of birth and social security number.

Despite the fact Lucky wasn't even in Virginia at the time of the incident, the Cowboys cut him. He was later picked up by the NY Jets.

Whitehead was cut by the Jets in 2018 and now he's a free agent looking for a job.

Drew Brees admits he's frustrated and disappointed after the Saints got screwed in the NFC Championship game -- but has a message for New Orleans, "I refuse to let this hold us down."

The future Hall of Fame QB just issued a giant statement to Who Dat Nation saying he's spent the last week "navigating the heartache and disappointment from the game."

Brees notes -- "Some things within our control and some outside our control that caused us to fall short."

"The longer I play I realize that we truly are one heartbeat with our fans. Our success is your success. Our disappointment is your disappointment. We are inspired by one another to accomplish things far greater than what we could ever do on our own."

Brees never mentions a specific play from the game but offers this advice to Saints fans on dealing with the "frustration we feel now."

"Pour that passion and emotion into your families and communities. Inspire others with your focus & determination and positive outlook. This will make us stronger, this will bond us tighter, this will be a source for our success in the future."

"There is no place like New Orleans. There is no community like ours. No fans like the Who Dat Nation. I refuse to let this hold us down. I refuse to let this create any negativity or resentment. I embrace the challenge."

Remember when a bunch of jerks burglarized Rob Gronkowski's home while he was playing in the Super Bowl last season??

His big bro says there's no way in hell that happens again next week ... 'cause Chris Gronkowski tells TMZ Sports the Pats superstar has beefed up his home security system!!!

Actually ... Chris says the reason Rob's Boston-area pad was broken into last year was because some of Gronk's roommates forgot to set the alarm.

But, Chris tells us that mistake won't happen again ... and even if it does -- Gronk's beefed up his security with a brand-new camera system.

"That place will be on lockdown for sure now."

FYI ... the 3 guys who broke into Rob's place last season and stole an Apple Watch, a Rolex, 2 rare coins and multiple firearms -- were all caught and arrested.

Now, Chris is warning the same thing will happen to anybody who tries it again, saying, "They're definitely going to get caught."

We also asked Chris about his Ice Shaker business -- the one A-Rod and Mark Cuban have famously invested in -- and ya gotta hear why he's banking on J. Lo to give the company a huge boost!!

Tom Brady and the Patriots have really convinced themselves they're the underdogs in Super Bowl LIII ... which couldn't have been more obvious than at their send-off rally.

The Pats' QB was center stage Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA for one last hurrah before the team heads out to Atlanta ahead of the big game against the Los Angeles Rams. With Blue Man Group on hand to warm up the crowd ... Brady finished 'em off by starting a battle cry that screams of defying the odds ... "WE'RE STILL HERE!!!"

The only problem ... the Patriots are heavily favored to win, so they're not underdogs at all -- even if they and their die-hard fan base truly believe they are.

In case you missed it, Tom and co. had a nice little mantra going among themselves last weekend when they beat the Chiefs in overtime ... "You're/I'm too old." But, Julian Edelman probably said it best on the sideline ... "YOU'RE TOO F***IN' OLD!!!"

This will be Tom's ninth trip to the Super Bowl with the Pats, and it'll be a chance to win his sixth SB ring. Considering they've been here time and again with young buck teams like the Rams ... something tells us they'll be just fine.

Whatever works for you guys, though.

Meanwhile, in LA ... Rams fans stood outside the still-to-be-completed L.A. Stadium at Hollywood Park, where they did their best to match the Pats' energy. They got spirit ... we'll give them that.

Todd Gurley and Sony Michel listen up ... Terrell Davis is giving some Super Bowl running back advice that you better take if you wanna have success in the big game.

"Try not to make this game any different than the ones you played," T.D. tells TMZ Sports.

Sound simple?? Sure ... but the ex-Broncos star says he's seen way too many guys over the years turn the game into too big of a deal -- and then ruin it.

"A lot of times, what happens is players assume, 'It's a Super Bowl, so I gotta do something different. I gotta prepare more, I gotta do something that I'm not used to doing.'"

"And, that's when they get in trouble."

FYI, Davis is an ex-Georgia superstar like Michel and Gurley ... AND the guy's won 2 rings -- so seems the Pats and Rams RBs would be wise to take note.

BTW ... we also asked Terrell about Tom Brady -- and ya gotta hear why the Hall of Famer is SO astonished by what the Pats QB is doing at 41 years old.

Anthony Barr says he has LOVED his time in Minnesota ... but the superstar LB admits his Vikings career might be over -- telling TMZ Sports, "My possibilities are open."

A.B.'s had a stellar past 5 seasons with the NFC North squad ... starting 71 games and earning 4 Pro Bowl selections.

But, Barr's set to be a free agent in a couple weeks ... and tells us he could actually see himself in another uniform next season.

"I love Minnesota, but I'm willing to play anywhere I find fit."

Anthony likely won't come cheap ... he's NFL.com's No. 11 available free agent this offseason -- and could net a deal somewhere in the $45 MILLION range!!!

11:00 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell us ... Bates hailed a cab in Manhattan and was taken to his hotel in Queens, and the fare totaled $32.06. We're told, he told the driver he didn't have cash or a card and took off ... so the driver called the police.

We're also told before Bates attacked the sergeant at the station, he said, "I want to punch you in the face" ... then did exactly that.

Our sources say Bates has now officially been charged with assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, along with theft of services.

A relatively unknown NFL linebacker just made a name for himself in the worst way ... by allegedly flying off the handle and punching a cop in the face!

According to law enforcement sources ... Lions LB Trevor Bates was arrested around 3 AM Saturday morning at a Hampton Inn in Queens, NY for refusing to pay his cab fare. Cops were called to the hotel and took him into custody for theft of services.

We're told while he was at the local station preparing for fingerprinting, Bates became irate and declared he didn't like one of the officers in the room. He then allegedly punched a sergeant ... causing a laceration above the cop's left eye.

Our sources say the sergeant received 3 stitches and was treated for a concussion at the hospital before being released.

Bates was taken to the hospital, as well, for a psych eval. We're told he has not formally been charged yet for assaulting an officer.

Kelly Rowland has a ton of respect for Gladys Knight -- but tells TMZ Sports she would NOT have made the same choice to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl.

Of course, Rowland is playing Gladys Knight in the BET series, "American Soul." She's previously talked about what an "honor" it is to play the 74-year-old singing legend.

So, with Knight at the center of the NFL controversy -- we asked the former Destiny's Child singer what she would have done if the NFL asked her to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the big game.

Rowland tells us ... she would have turned them down -- though, she doesn't go into detail.

As we previously reported, there's been a backlash from stars like Nick Cannon and Common who have told us they wish stars like Travis Scott would pull out of the Super Bowl over the way the league has treated Colin Kaepernick.

Despite the criticism, Knight has doubled down on her decision to perform -- saying she hopes to use the Super Bowl platform to unite the country.

Rowland has worked with the NFL multiple times in the past -- in fact, she performed with Beyonce at the Super Bowl back in 2013.

What do Tom Brady and Atlanta strip clubs have in common???

THEY'RE BOTH THE BEST IN THE WORLD!!!

At least, according to Asante Samuel ... who tells TMZ Sports that Brady's still the G.O.A.T. -- and the booty clubs in ATL are too!

We got the ex-Pats DB just a couple days after Brady earned his 9th trip to the Super Bowl ... and Asante couldn't help but gloat about the correct Brady prediction he made to us last month.

"He's still the G.O.A.T. He's the best ever to do it. You can't compare him to nobody ... When it's time to make the play to win the game or the situational plays, he's the G.O.A.T.!"

Then, Asante -- who played 2 seasons for the Falcons -- broke down the strip club scene that fans will be faced with at SB 53 ... and tells us that, like Brady, they're the best too!!!

"The strip club is the main attraction, man. You go in there and see all the booty you want!"

It's crazy Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy took time Friday to blast the NFL on the floor of the Senate ... so says Jay Glazer, who tells TMZ Sports, "Talk about damn politics!"

The blown pass interference call in last weekend's NFC title game has put every Saints fan on the planet into an uproar ... with everyone from players to politicians ripping the league.

In fact ... Cassidy took the debate straight to Capitol Hill this week -- calling for the NFL to launch a full investigation into the incident!!!

But, Glazer tells us it's ridiculous that happened ... saying politicians need to have their focus on things other than the gridiron.

"Let's try and get the government right first before we start talking about what's going on in the NFL."

As for the Glazer's feelings on the call itself ... he says it was atrocious -- and guarantees BOTH the Rams AND Saints feel bad about it all.