NFL

Forget Kylie ... Sean Payton is the best influencer on social media.

... this according to PFT Commenter, who tells TMZ Sports the Saints head coach's TV appearance in a Barstool Sports "Roger Goodell Clown" shirt has caused sales to skyrocket!

EVERYONE was talking about Payton's shirt on Wednesday -- when the Saints coach went on camera to talk about the blown non-P.I. call in the NFC title game that cost N.O. the game.

You can see Payton rocked the shirt underneath his pullover -- an obvious shot at Goodell -- and the crew at Barstool LOVED the publicity.

"Doesn't surprise me at all," PFT Commenter told TMZ Sports out in Atlanta ... "Sean Payton's a badass."

PFT says sales of that shirt are WAY up -- and he's considering customizing a new anti-Goodell shirt in Saints colors for all of the people in Who Dat Nation looking to send a message to the Commish.

NY Jets star safety Jamal Adams tells TMZ Sports he has ZERO REGRETS about putting the hit stick on the Patriots mascot last week -- and definitely ain't sweatin' a possible lawsuit.

You've seen the hilarious video by now, Adams blindsided Pat Patriot during Pro Bowl practice ... DE-CLEATING the mascot in front of fans and media members.

The problem ... the person in the costume was reportedly injured from the hit -- and is still dealing with soreness in his back, neck and jaw. Seems as if a lawsuit is imminent.

So, when we spoke with Jamal at the Merging Vets & Players Super Bowl kickoff party in Atlanta on Wednesday night ... we asked if he regretted the hit.

"Nah ... at the end of the day it was all for the kids," Adams says.

Adams says he has not reached out to the mascot because he's not really sure about the seriousness of Pats' injuries ... but it's obvious Jamal thinks the whole thing was in good fun and he's not worried about a legal battle.

Cole Beasley is wrong ... he SHOULDN'T be getting more passes than either Amari Cooper OR Michael Gallup in Dallas -- so says Michael Irvin.

Beasley went off on his role with the Cowboys last week ... griping that he was never treated like a #1 receiver and that he should be getting more passes thrown his way.

In fact, Beasley seemed to blame Jerry Jones himself for the lack of targets, writing, "Honestly, the front office pushes who they want to get the ball to."

When we got Irvin out at Jay Glazer's Merging Vets & Players Super Bowl Party on Wednesday night ... he told us Beasley's being ridiculous.

"Never should Beasley be in front of Amari Cooper. Never should he be in front of Michael Gallup," Irvin tells us.

"And, what he has to do -- lemme tell him, stop looking at Julian Edelman and expect to have the kind of year Julian Edelman has!!"

Irvin says he understands why there's frustration from Beasley -- he just tells us Cole has to know his role.

"The Patriots play the game inside out, Cole Beasley. The Cowboys play it outside in. The only way you catch passes like Edelman is if you go to New England. Right now, you're in Dallas."

Could Beasley change that in a few weeks?? Cole is set to be a free agent -- and Tom Brady's ALWAYS looking for another slot wideout ...

Will Kathy Ireland be the one who finally convinces the NFL to green light CBD???

She hopes so ... and now she's in a real position to make it happen.

The former supermodel-turned-business mogul has joined the board of NFL Players Inc. -- a wing of the NFL Players Association.

Kathy has become a real force in the fashion and beauty world over the years -- her kathy ireland Worldwide brand has made BILLIONS of dollars in revenue, landing her on the cover of Forbes twice.

Now that she's working with the NFLPA, her main focus will be advising the org. in matters of marketing and advertising ... but it's obvious she's also passionate about bringing CBD to the NFL.

Ireland has a line of CBD wellness products and, when we spoke with her at LAX, she told us she thinks NFL players could really benefit.

"The CBD that we work with, we're seeing great results," Ireland said.

Ireland says she does NOT use THC in her products -- the property in marijuana that makes people get high -- and says that's a big deal that a lot of people just don't understand.

"I think it's misunderstood by a lot of people so it's fortunate to have the opportunity to educate people on what it's about."

Colin Kaepernick's attorney just went off on NFL Commish Roger Goodell -- claiming his explanation that teams just don't think Colin can help them win is the biggest crock he's ever heard.

And, Kap's lawyer is using Mark Sanchez to make his point.

Mark Geragos appeared on "Today" Thursday and was asked about the comments Goodell made at his State of the NFL Address this week ... when Goodell said Kap's unemployment status is based on football, not politics.

"Anybody who believes that will believe that Mark Sanchez was a better choice," Geragos said ... noting several other QBs who are "well past their prime" were also signed this season.

Geragos also asked why NFL teams did NOT give Kap a workout in 2018 -- "Why didn't anybody ever bring him in and see where his skills were at? I think the whole thing is basically a ruse."

Geragos believes Goodell's statement will help Kap's collusion case against the NFL -- saying, "The collusion actually was the NFL kowtowing to [President Trump]."

He also says ... "There isn't anybody who's got a couple of neurons firing that wouldn't say this is collusive activity."

For the record, Mark Sanchez was signed by the Washington Redskisn at the end of the NFL season after starting QB Alex Smith went down with an injury.

Forget diamond Super Bowl rings ... Sean McVay's smokin' hot GF is opting for crystals for Sunday's big game -- 'cause she just got a custom jacket made with 4,000 of 'em in it!!!

TMZ Sports has learned Veronika Khomyn hit up Leah Miller at Bella Artistry to have a one-of-a-kind piece made to cheer on her BF during the Rams-Pats game ... and the fit came out GREAT.

We're told, the satin bomber jacket was hand-cut and hand-sewn ... and had 4,000 Swarovski crystals hand-placed into it.

The jacket also features a "Mob Squad" patch and a whole bunch of Rams logos ... and, in total, took about 14 HOURS to complete.

We're told similar jackets run for around $1,000 ... and Khomyn completed the outfit by adding a custom Rams hat that featured 600 crystals hand-set into it!!!

Veronika won't be the only WAG stuntin' at the Super Bowl ... tons of BOTH Rams and Patriots wives hit up Leah to get their own one-of-a-kind gear made for the game.

So, you be the judge ... who's winning the Rams-Pats swag battle in the box suites this weekend???

Rob Gronkowski's smokin' hot GF says modeling agencies pressured her to drop serious weight in order to get gigs ... but the NFL superstar urged her to not give in to their demands.

Camille Kostek said Gronk made her realize she shouldn't have to conform to the crazy, unrealistic standards in traditional modeling ... and it turned out to be some of the best advice she's ever gotten.

"He had seen me get rejected by a lot of agencies," Kostek said on Mark Dohner's "Livin' Large" podcast ... explaining how she was sometimes told to lose 15 pounds in 3 weeks or to shed inches off her thighs in order to be considered for jobs.

"I was like, I just don't want to do that. [Gronk] was like, 'Do you even want a body like that?' And I was like, 'No.' And he was like, 'Yeah, I don't even want you to be like that.'"

Turns out, it was great advice -- the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition tapped Kostek to be a rookie model in 2018, and her career has exploded ever since.

And now, those same agencies that wanted her to starve herself are probably begging for a callback. How's that for karma?!

There's a bunch more in the interview ... Camille also talks about her time as a Patriots cheerleader ... and how she linked up with Christian Yelich for the California Strong campaign for the CA wildfires and Borderline Bar shooting.

Jerry Rice is flexin' HARD in Atlanta -- rocking all 3 of his Super Bowl rings ... plus his Hall of Fame ring!!!

The 56-year-old NFL legend flossed his hardware on the plane to ATL -- just another classic Rice humblebrag.

Of course, Rice and the 49ers won Super Bowl 23, 24 and 29 ... with Jerry being named MVP of 23 with some insane receiving stats -- 11 catches for 215 yards and a TD.

Super Bowl week is funny when it comes to former NFL stars -- who often bust out their accolades to show off to other players and fans.

Jerry has been on a self-PR push lately -- remember, over the summer he went onstage with Charles Barkley at a charity event in Lake Tahoe and told the crowd, "I'm the f*cking best football player of all time."

He might be right.

Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 and is widely regarded as the best WR ever.

Ex-NFL star Brandon Browner wants his conviction overturned in his attempted murder case -- and he's playing the CTE card at the advice of his new attorney, famed O.J. Simpson prosecutor, Chris Darden.

Remember ... back in December, Browner pled no contest to attempted murder for brutalizing his ex-girlfriend in front of her two children. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Browner has since fired his old lawyer and brought on Darden -- who claims the NFL star got screwed because the old attorney didn't realize Browner wasn't mentally fit to cop a plea.

In court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, Browner claims he's been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD and wasn't on his proper meds during his original hearing.

Browner also claims he can't fully concentrate or focus -- and a forensic psychologist believes this could be the result of CTE caused by the numerous hits he sustained during his 11-year NFL career.

Now, Darden and Browner are begging the judge to throw out the conviction and enter a new plea -- presumably, a not guilty plea -- so he won't spend the next 8 years behind bars.

Doesn't seem Tom Brady's got too many nerves heading into his NINTH Super Bowl ... 'cause the G.O.A.T. was nothing but smiles at Patriots practice Wednesday!!!

New England hit the field at Georgia Tech for the first time since landing in Atlanta earlier this week ... and Tom was as cool as ever during the workout.

In fact ... the 41-year-old seemed downright giddy -- laughing and smiling throughout the practice.

Begs the question ... what is he so thrilled about just a few days before yet another pivotal game in his 19-year career??

Perhaps it's that Rob Gronkowski was healthy and on the field practicing ... or maybe he's just that confident about a victory over the Rams????

Roger Goodell was just asked -- twice -- why he thinks Colin Kaepernick is not on an NFL roster ... and he pointed the finger at NFL teams who don't believe the QB can help them win games.

In other words, Goodell says it's about football -- not politics.

Goodell was addressing the media live from Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta -- in a crowd packed with reporters from all over the world and even a few NFL owners (ATL's Arthur Blank and NE's Robert Kraft).

When the subject of Kaepernick came up ... it was clear Roger had his answers ready -- hammering the same main talking point ... that roster decisions are made by individual teams looking to win games.

"Our clubs are the ones that make decisions on players that they wanna have on their roster," Goodell said.

"They make that individually. They make that in the best interests of their team."

He added, "They all want to win ... and they're all gonna do whatever they can to win."

When a second reporter pushed Goodell on the issue he reiterated his points.

"I think if a team decides that Colin Kaepernick or any other player can help their team win, that's what they'll do."

"They want to win and they make those decisions individually in the best interests of their club."

Goodell is clearly pushing the individuality of decision-making, because Colin is suing the NFL for collusion -- claiming NFL owners and key officials conspired to keep him out of the league because of his kneeling demonstration during the national anthem.

The thing that makes the least amount of sense ... is that guys like Nathan Peterman and other sub-par quarterbacks are getting multiple workouts and opportunities with NFL clubs while Colin is not.

Besides taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl back in 2013 -- Kaepernick has thrown for 72 TDs and only 30 INTs in his pro career.

How'd Sean Payton handle losing a chance at the Super Bowl on the worst missed call in NFL history???

"I sat and probably didn't come out of my room. I ate Jeni's ice cream and watched Netflix for three straight days."

Yeah ... not so well.

The New Orleans Saints coach met with media members for the first time since his team got robbed against the Rams in the NFC title game ... and he revealed it hurt.

A lot.

"What is it now, a week and a half? It feels like it's been longer than that."

The game caused MAJOR strife in Louisiana ... with everyone from athletes to actors to even U.S. senators ripping the league for missing the 4th-quarter pass interference call.

To his credit ... Payton stood and fielded questions about the heartbreaking loss for nearly 20 minutes Wednesday -- and vowed his team would get over it.

But ... did Payton take a veiled shot at Roger Goodell during the presser??? Some say yes ... 'cause his undershirt DOES look a whole lot like Barstools Sports' infamous clown tee ...

Adrien Broner says he'd LOVE to fight Manny Pacquiao again ... but isn't sure it'll happen because after he thinks he may have injured Pac-Man so badly during their fight, Manny might be DONE FOREVER.

Also, Broner shows us stacks and stacks of money ... like a lot of money ... guy claims to be very, very, economically stable.

Our broke asses got Broner -- with his buddy "The Youngest Legend" -- at LAX on his way to Atlanta, where AB told our destitute camera guy he was headed to ATL for Super Bowl festivities ... then he flashed the cash.

When we asked what the money was for, Broner said at least part of the haul -- $100k -- was to bet on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, which seems like a pretty good idea.

But, when we asked him about a possible rematch with Pacquiao to attempt to avenge his loss from earlier this month -- AB suggested he might've finished Pac-Man off for good.

"Well, they say I detached his retina, so I don't know if he gonna box again. I hope so though."

There were early reports that Pacquiao did, in fact, suffer a detached retina during the bout -- but his camp has since refuted those claims ... saying the injury was nothing more than a scratched cornea.

If true, a detached retina is a possible career ender for a boxer. A scratched cornea, not so much.

Wanna level up like a real Champ?! Ex-NFL superstar Champ Bailey's ATL mansion -- complete with a private ELEVATOR -- is hitting the auction block ... and it's all going to the highest bidder!!

The All-Pro corner previously listed his 10,400-square-foot pad for $2.99 million back in November ... but no takers. Now, Bailey has decided to put it up without reserve at an auction in February.

So, what all is the lucky winner getting?? How does this sound ...?

6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 7 fireplaces, chef's kitchen with breakfast bar and walk-in pantry, wine cellar, media room, custom sports bar ... and, oh yeah, a freakin' ELEVATOR!!

The pad is sick ... and we're told the only reason Bailey wants to part ways is because his family is getting too big for the place (he reportedly has six kids!).

The house is hittin' the auction block courtesy of Concierge Auctions through Feb. 28.

Maroon 5 will NOT be taking questions from the media about their Super Bowl halftime show -- the NFL just announced the pre-show press conference is officially OFF.

The halftime show press conference has been a tradition for YEARS -- Justin Timberlake held one last year, Gaga before that ... Prince famously busted out his guitar and rocked out at his back in 2007.

So, why scrap the presser? The NFL says Maroon 5 and the other artists like Travis Scott want to "let their show do the talking" -- but it seems pretty obvious it's all about Kaepernick.

There's been a strong push from big stars like Common and Nick Cannon for the halftime show performers to pull out over the way the league has treated Kap.

Other stars like Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kelly Rowland have said they wouldn't work with the NFL in the wake of Kaepernick's allegations he's been blackballed for taking a knee during the national anthem.

SportsBusiness Journal's Daniel Kaplan says the presser had been on the official schedule of events -- and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport essentially confirmed by saying the presser was "canceled."

The NFL issued a statement saying ... "Maroon 5 has been working hard on a Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show that will meet and exceed the standards of this event."

"As it is about music, the artists will let their show do the talking as they prepare to take the stage this Sunday."

Instead of hosting a press conference, the NFL says the artists and the league will participate in a "social and digital media rollout" to promote the show.

8:33 AM PT -- New information about the Barstool Sports incident at the Super Bowl Opening Day event in Atlanta -- cops say PFT Commenter was NOT arrested -- but he was issued a criminal trespass warning.

A spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports ... both PFT and Barstool president Dave Portnoy were "in possession of fake Super Bowl LIII media credentials."

"The individuals ... were issued criminal trespass warnings by APD officers at the request of State Farm Arena security staff."

"Neither man was arrested or cited. Both had the fake credentials taken away and were advised they would be arrested for criminal trespass if they attempted to enter either State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park, or Mercedes Benz Stadium property again."

We spoke with Portnoy who tells us the trespass warning means he's not allowed to attend the Super Bowl, even though he has a ticket.

Portnoy also delivered a message to NFL Commish Roger Goodell.

PFT Commenter -- the cohost of the "Pardon My Take" podcast on Barstool Sports -- says he was arrested at the NFL's Super Bowl Opening Night event in Atlanta on Monday night.

The Barstool star -- real name Eric Sollenberger -- had been having a pretty successful night, firing off questions to everyone from Rob Gronkowski to Todd Gurley ... even Bill Belichick.

But at some point during the evening, event organizers decided they wanted PFT Commenter out -- and they sent security to escort him off the property.

Eventually, PFT says the Atlanta Police Dept. got involved and arrested him for criminal trespassing.

PFT says officials even called in the FBI to question him.

PFT's boss -- Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy was also escorted out of the event. Portnoy says he was not arrested.

Barstool and the NFL have a rocky relationship -- Portnoy and his team have attacked NFL Commish Roger Goodell on several occasions ... and it's clear they're not welcome at official NFL events.

Story developing ...