NFL

Let the Hall of Fame debates officially begin ... Jamaal Charles is calling it an NFL career -- reportedly set to sign a 1-day deal with the Chiefs to retire this week.

The legendary RB told TMZ Sports earlier this month his football future was "up in the air" ... but 610 Sports Radio reported Tuesday he'll ink a ceremonial deal and officially hang up his cleats shortly.

It's not too surprising ... Charles hadn't started a single game since the 2015 season -- and told us earlier this month it was "a possibility" this day could come.

But, now that it's here ... the Hall of Fame process can officially begin.

Remember, Charles just told us he believes he IS worthy of having a bust in Canton ... saying, "I mean, some of my numbers look way better than some people already in Canton."

It caused a ton of debates ... 'cause Charles' numbers -- 7,563 rushing yards and 44 total TDs -- aren't quite the slam dunk totals necessary to get in.

But, is he deserving now that his playing days are over and people can really reflect on his 11-year career??

Ezekiel Elliott saw a kid get hit by a hockey puck at the Dallas Stars playoff game on Monday ... so he jumped into action and raced over to make sure the little boy was okay.

Don't worry, the kid appears to be fine -- and now he's got selfies with Zeke!

Unclear exactly when the kid was hit by the puck -- or how serious the impact was -- but Elliott (who's been a regular at the Stars games) made his way over to the boy in the 3rd period to check in on him.

The Dallas Cowboys superstar thought snappin' a pic with the youngster would help sooth the oncoming bruise ... and guess what?? IT DID!!

You can see in the video ... the boy cracks a smile as Zeke daps him up and busts out the phone for a few pics. His family seemed happy with the gesture too.

Elliott also made sure another fan who was hit by the puck ricochet got some love as well.

It's not like Zeke works for the Stars and was sent over by management to diffuse the situation -- just a famous guy who was trying to help out. Seems like it worked.

CNN's Don Lemon says he wasn't shocked to see President Trump congratulate Nick Bosa on being the #2 pick in the draft -- while ignoring Kyler Murray -- in part because Bosa is white and Murray is black.

Lemon was leaving the CNN building after his show Monday night when we asked about Trump's congratulatory tweet to Bosa ... who had been very vocal about his support for #45.

"Bosa is a supporter of Trump," Lemon said ... "[Bosa] doesn't like Kaepernick. It's everything this President is about."

Lemon added, "I think we should be congratulating the #1 person [Kyler Murray] as the #1 person made history."

Of course, Murray became the first person to be selected in the first round of the NFL and the MLB draft ... an amazing accomplishment.

"Don't forget the #1 person [Murray] is also black," Lemon added.

As for Bosa, he had previously called Kaepernick a "clown" on social media -- but later deleted the tweet.

When pressed about Kaepernick at his first press conference with the San Francisco 49ers, Bosa backtracked ... saying the name-calling was a bad decision.

Bosa also said he "respects what [Kaepernick] has done" and apologized for the initial tweet.

Sorry Patriots fans ... the guy who filled in for Rob Gronkowski in 2016 ain't interested in doing it again in 2019 -- with Martellus Bennett telling TMZ Sports he's retired for good.

Bennett -- who had 5 catches for 62 yards in the Super Bowl that season -- announced his retirement from the NFL in March 2018.

But, that was BEFORE Gronk decided to hang up his cleats ...

Remember, it was just back in February Marty joked about rejoining the Cowboys during a monster workout session in the gym. Dude still looks like he can play!!

So, when we spotted Marty B out in NYC Friday afternoon, we had to ask if he would consider putting the jersey back on for another stint with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

The long story short ... the 32-year-old says his mind is made up -- and it's a hard no.

"It's not me, I'm not the one," Bennett told us.

Instead, Bennett tells us he's focusing on his multimedia production company -- he's doing everything from book publishing to animated features and more.

The mother of NFL star DeAndre Hopkins was blinded in a violent attack in 2002 -- but the way she heroically fought to stay alive and continue to raise her family is now the subject of a major Hollywood movie.

Sabrina Greenlee has talked about the incident before ... she was ambushed by a woman who was the girlfriend of a guy Sabrina had only been dating for 3 months. Sabrina had no idea the man was in another relationship.

The attacker threw a dangerous mixture of Red Devil Lye (drain cleaner) and Clorox bleach at Sabrina's face, blinding her immediately ... and almost causing her to suffocate.

But, she fought like hell to recover -- always thinking about her 4 children, including DeAndre, who was only 12 years old at the time of the attack.

After the incident, Sabrina fell into a deep depression and began to abuse alcohol.

But, somehow she managed to battle through it all and became an active and important mother to her kids and a leader in the community.

Now, Hollywood has taken notice -- BRON Studios has partnered up with Good Fear and Kituufu Films to make "Sabrina."

Sam Bailey of HBO's "Brown Girls" is set to direct the flick ... and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" writer Kristen Buckley is working on the screenplay.

No word on who will play Sabrina on the big screen ... but ya gotta think huge stars would love this kind of inspiring role.

DeAndre is obviously proud of his mom -- and issued a statement saying, "My mom has always put everyone before herself and sacrificed things unimaginable."

"Now it’s time for people to see her true value and learn that giving up is not an option."

"Game of Thrones" creator George R.R. Martin is UNLOADING on the New York Giants ... blasting the team for taking relatively unknown Duke QB Daniel Jones.

Martin -- the brain behind 'GoT' -- happens to be a HUGE fan of the New York football teams ... and like so many other G-Men fans, he's distraught over this weekend's draft.

"Daniel Jones from Duke at number six?" Martin wrote on his website ... "Yes, they need a young quarterback to groom as Eli’s successor. But Dwayne Haskins was right there. Why not him?"

Why not Haskins -- OSU's star QB -- is the question a lot of fans are asking.

"By every measurable Haskins is way better than Jones. Jones threw 52 TDs in three years at Duke, Haskins threw 50 in one year at Ohio State. Within fewer interceptions. Against much tougher opposition."

Martin didn't seem to like NY's 2nd 1st-round selection much more ... the pick the Giants got in return -- along with Jabrill Peppers -- for Odell Beckham Jr.

The team picked massive 342-pound DT Dexter Lawrence ... and Martin -- who doesn't hate the player -- added some context.

"All it cost us was a Hall of Fame receiver."

So, what's George's outlook for the upcoming season? Well, it ain't good.

L.A. Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram REALLY likes his team's top draft pick -- telling TMZ Sports the addition of Jerry Tillery makes the Bolts "the best D-line in the league!!"

Ingram was out in L.A. over the weekend showing off his sick diamond chain, when we asked about Tillery -- the star defensive tackle from Notre Dame who was selected by the Chargers with the 28th overall pick in the draft.

Safe to say Ingram is PUMPED -- telling us multiple times how DOMINANT the Chargers defensive line will be now that it's stacked with himself, Joey Bosa and Tillery.

Tillery is a monster -- 6'6" and 295 pounds -- and he logged 8 sacks in 2018 while leading the Fighting Irish to an undefeated regular season record.

The 22-year-old is smart too -- he graduated from ND last May with a degree in economics.

As for the Chargers defense, they were already pretty stacked last year -- finishing 9th overall in total team defense, according to NFL.com.

WARNING -- "GAME OF THRONES" SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

Okay. This is pretty amazing ... Arian Foster's home security cams were rolling while he was watching "Game of Thrones" on Sunday ... and his reaction to the ending is AMAZING!!!!

Second warning ... here comes a spoiler!!!

The ex-NFL star was watching the Battle of Winterfell on his couch with some friends -- when he jumped up for Bran's final showdown with the Night King.

Third and final warning ... big spoiler coming your way!!!!

So, when Arya came out of nowhere LIKE A BOSS to stab that bitch-ass, ice-faced demon, Foster went crazy!!!!

You gotta watch the video ... Foster lets a scream you can hear -- even though the video has no sound!!!

Arian's buddy starts to dance on the couch ... even the dog gets fired up!

But now, everyone's gotta chill ... Jon Snow, Daenerys, Tyrion, Sansa and the rest of the gang have another battle on their hands next week ...

Cersei is waiting!!!!!

Roddy White was BLINDSIDED when he got the cuffs slapped on him during a traffic stop earlier this month ... telling cops he had no idea he was driving on a suspended license.

"I never got anything in the mail or anything," the Falcons legend says as he's being arrested.

It's all on police video obtained by TMZ Sports ... which shows the ex-Atlanta WR telling Gwinnett County police he straight-up had no clue he missed a court date earlier this year.

You can see in the clip White is shocked to learn of the offense, saying, "Why is my driver's license suspended? Can you tell me why?"

As we previously reported ... White was pulled over in Atlanta on April 12 after officers say he dangerously crossed double lines to enter the carpool lane on I-85.

When cops ran Roddy's name in the system -- they found he had a warrant out for his arrest stemming from a court date from a November 2018 traffic violation that he blew off.

White was hauled to a nearby station where he was booked and processed. His car, an Audi A8L, was impounded.

Corey Ballentine, who was just drafted by the New York Giants, is recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered in a shooting that killed his former college teammate.

Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas says Ballentine was injured in the off-campus shooting that killed the 23-year-old junior defensive back, Dwane Simmons. The school says Ballentine, a 6th-round pick by the Giants, is expected to make a full recovery.

Ballentine's gunshot wound is reportedly non-life threatening and the cornerback is expected to be back on the field in a few weeks.

The Giants drafted Ballentine with the 180th overall pick in the 6th round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, and the shooting happened early Sunday morning, according to the school.

Move over Todd Gurley ... Ezekiel Elliott's contract is about to TOP your epic $57.5 MILLION deal -- so says Zeke's dad, who tells TMZ Sports the Cowboys are about to make his son rich!!

"Ezekiel will be the highest-paid running back EVER," Stacy Elliott says ... "In the history of the NFL!"

Of course, Zeke is still 2 years away from NEEDING a new deal -- the Cowboys just picked up his 5th-year option this week, keeping him under team control through the 2020 season.

But, Elliott's camp has already made it clear they'd like a new contract -- and his dad tells us it ain't gonna be cheap.

But, don't get it twisted ... Stacy says there won't be any sort of Le'Veon Bell-like holdout going down in Dallas -- saying the Elliotts' relationship with Jerry Jones is GREAT!!

As for what's going on with Zeke ON the field ... Stacy says he's never seen his son in better shape -- and tells us don't be surprised if Zeke rushes for more than 2,000 yards this season.

Anyone wondering if New Orleans Saints receiver Tedd Ginn Jr. is a fan of his quarterback, Drew Brees, you're about to get your answer ... and that answer is almost religious.

Ginn Jr. and Brees have been running mates for a couple years now, so when we talked to the speed burner from Ohio State recently, we wanted to know how he felt about his signal caller.

"He's a god. Anybody that gets with Drew seems like they get better and better. The things that he does on and off the field as a person are just really self-explanatory for who he is."

Far be it for us to compare gods to mere men, but we had to ask ... if Drew is so special, how does he stack up against one Mr. Thomas Brady?

According to Mr. Ginn, pretty damn good.

"The things that he does to make things work, I really don't see Tom Brady doing."

Before you call Ginn Jr. a homer (he needs the ball thrown to him, we get it) he also admits Brady is pretty good too.

"Some of the things Tom Brady does, I don't see Drew doing."

The Human Joystick is NOT the greatest return specialist in NFL history ... so says Dante Hall himself -- who tells TMZ Sports there were TWO guys who were better!!

"I give it to Hester," Hall says ... "And, then I give it to Deion after that!"

It's a crazy revelation from the Kansas City Chiefs legend ... 'cause the dude does have a legit claim to the G.O.A.T. kick returner title.

But, Hall was honest with us when we got him out in Nashville this week, telling us Devin Hester and Deion Sanders were better.

"I put myself at 3 ... that's my order."

Dante's admittedly humble -- so you make the call ...

Hall -- 2,261 punt return yards, 10,136 kick return yards, 12 total TDs

Hester -- 3,695 punt return yards, 7,333 kick return yards, 19 total TDs

Sanders -- 2,199 punt return yards, 3,523 kick return yards, 9 total TDs

No matter who ya got at No. 1 ... EVERYBODY can agree on one thing -- Hall's old highlights were nasty!!

Donald Trump tried firing up his base again, this time using the newly-minted San Francisco 49ers top draft pick, Nick Bosa.

Trump tweeted, "Congratulations to Nick Bosa on being picked number two in the NFL Draft. You will be a great player for years to come, maybe one of the best. Big Talent! San Francisco will embrace you but most importantly, always stay true to yourself. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

It doesn't take a James Holzhauer to figure out ... Trump's reference to staying "true to yourself," followed by MAGA, is a not-so-veiled reference to various remarks Bosa made on social media ... remarks that have been scrubbed.

As you know, Bosa called Colin Kaepernick a "clown" in August 2016, and not too long after, Trump blasted the then-San Francisco 49ers' QB and urging team owners to fire the "sons of bitches" who dared to kneel.

And, there's another comment one of Nick's friends made ... "I'm going to post using the N-word." Nick "liked" the comment. He also expressed disdain for "Black Panther" and Beyonce's music.

Nick has now apologized, saying, "I definitely made some insensitive decisions throughout my life ... I'm sorry if I hurt anybody. I definitely didn't intend for that to be the case."

Two things Tennessee Titans legend Chris Johnson wants you to understand about his NFL career ...

#1 -- He says he's a Hall of Famer FOR SURE.

#2 -- He says he's the fastest player EVER!!!

CJ2K's bold claims all went down Wednesday at the launch party for his supplement company in Nashville ... when he told TMZ Sports straight-up, "I think I'm a Hall of Famer" and "I'm the fastest guy that ever played in the NFL."

There ain't much debate about Johnson's speed ... the guy held the Combine record for YEARS with a 4.24 40-yard dash.

But, as for the HOF debate??? That might not be as clear-cut ... Johnson finished his career with less than 10,000 rushing yards and just 55 TDs -- numbers that haven't always gotten guys in.

But, Johnson tells us, "Hopefully they do the right thing. And we'll see what happens."

By the way ... Johnson knows Bengals stud John Ross technically owns his Combine record for the 40-yard dash now, but ya gotta hear why he doesn't respect that number.

The Robert Kraft case is now at the profanity-laced, name-calling stage ... at least according to a prosecutor who's clearly pissed off at one of Kraft's attorneys.

There's a pretty heated hearing going down Friday in South Florida ... and so far, Kraft's lawyer, Alex Spiro, has been grilling a Jupiter PD detective like a cheeseburger. This afternoon, an Assistant State Attorney got so annoyed, she stood up and voiced her displeasure with a line of questioning.

You gotta see what happened next.

After the judge intervened and allowed Spiro to continue his questions, the prosecutor whispered, "What an asshole."

It's unclear if anyone outside of the prosecution heard it, but we picked it up on a microphone in court. No one in the courtroom reacted.