NFL

His brother is Patrick Mahomes. His father is a former MLB pitcher. Even his godfather, LaTroy Hawkins, threw in the big leagues as well.

Jackson Mahomes -- Pat's little bro who isn't a pro athlete -- says living in that shadow wasn't easy at all ... and claims it was TikTok that helped him get out from under it.

The younger Mahomes said in a video Thursday, growing up as someone who wasn't in love with a sport like the rest of his family was SUPER hard on him.

"I loved basketball, I played it for so long, but I wasn't in love with it when I had the opportunity to go to college," Jackson said. "So, after that, I was very, like, lonely, upset. I didn't know what I was going to do with my life."

But, Jackson says once he began creating content for TikTok ... everything changed.

"Growing up, in everything I did, it was always like, 'Oh, look, it's Patrick Mahomes' brother,'" Jackson said.

"I'll never forget the first time that I was at a football game or at a store when people came up to me noticing me as Jackson from TikTok and not just Patrick Mahomes' brother."

Jackson is now a verified user on TikTok with nearly 1 MILLION followers ... and he just started up a YouTube channel that already has 18,000 followers as well.

Jackson says he's now created a clothing brand celebrating his new path ... and, he's decided to call it "Unathletic."

The Kansas City Chiefs have painted social justice messages in both end zones at Arrowhead Stadium ... as the team gets ready to kick off the 2020 season.

The phrases -- "End Racism" and "It Takes All Of Us" -- will be displayed throughout end zones across the league this season ... and were revealed prior to the Chief's season opener against the Houston Texans.

It's all part of the NFL's social justice push that came after several players banded together to demand more action from the league.

Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham and more called on the NFL to do more for victims of police brutality and social injustice in a powerful video back in June.

Roger Goodell and the league later admitted they mishandled players' peaceful protests -- including Colin Kaepernick's kneeling demonstration -- in the wake of several high profile incidents of police brutality.

There are reports players form both the Chiefs and Texans will participate in a demonstration or decide to stay in the locker rooms during the national anthem before Thursday's game.

The Miami Dolphins have already made their decision -- saying they will stay inside for both the national anthem and the Black national anthem this season in a powerful video.

"This attempt to unify only creates more divide," the players said. "So we will skip the song and dance, and as a team we'll stay inside."

If Patrick Mahomes retired today, he WOULD get in the Hall of Fame ... so says his former teammate Spencer Ware, who tells TMZ Sports the QB's resume is already that damn good!

"He'll definitely get in there," Ware says.

The debate has been raging ever since the K.C. Chiefs superstar won his first ring last February ... with many saying the SB win over the 49ers punched his ticket to Canton.

Ware is firmly on the side that thinks Mahomes is already worthy ... telling us with an MVP award, a Super Bowl title AND other records -- Mahomes would get his vote.

Now, Ware IS a little biased ... the NFL RB has been Mahomes' teammate the past 3 seasons -- but he insists Pat's Super Bowl victory gave the QB enough to get the HOF nod already.

As for what's in store for Mahomes considering he's NOWHERE NEAR done yet ... Ware says he's envisioning AT LEAST 2 more rings for the Chiefs star in the next few years!

NFL wide receiver Josh Bellamy was arrested Thursday after officials say he misused government loans intended to help struggling businesses survive the COVID pandemic on lavish items like Gucci, Dior and casino trips.

31-year-old Bellamy -- who was cut by the NY Jets just 2 days ago -- is essentially accused of participating in a scheme in which people applied for more than $24 MILLION in PPP loans, intended for business owners to help stay afloat during the pandemic.

But, prosecutors say neither Bellamy nor his co-conspirators put the money toward their businesses -- instead, Bellamy blew a fortune on things like custom jewelry, designer clothes and casino trips.

In fact, officials say Bellamy spent $95k on custom jewelry, $5,381 at Gucci and $2,014 at Dior.

They also claim he dropped more than $62k during a recent trip to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Of the requested $24 mil, officials say Bellamy and his co-conspirators received roughly $17.4 million in PPP loans.

The alleged conspiracy is complicated but boils down to this ...

Officials believe Bellamy not only requested PPP loans for his own company based on false records ... but would then recruit others to apply for giant loans -- and when that money was received from the government, Bellamy would take a sizable kickback from the borrower.

By the way, prosecutors say Bellamy does technically own a business -- Drip Entertainment -- but officials say it hasnt been “active” since 2019.

Prosecutors say they have bank records showing Bellamy made large bank withdrawals recently -- taking around $302,800 between May and July 2020.

Officials say Bellamy executed the scheme while he was preparing for the 2020 NFL season.

If convicted, both the bank fraud and wire fraud charges carry lengthy prison sentences ... we're talkin' decades.

Bellamy was an undrafted free agent out of Louisville in 2012 -- and went on to play for the Chiefs, Bears, Jets and others.

Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson just came through in the clutch for each other's cities ... by donating meals to frontline workers in KC and Houston before facing off in the NFL season opener.

The Chiefs and Texans are set to kick-off the 2020 campaign Thursday night ... and the 2 quarterbacks decided to help their opposing team's city by sending some local grub to those battling the pandemic.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP decided to send some grub from Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill -- a Black-owned restaurant in Houston -- to workers at Harris Health System via Postmates.

Watson returned the favor by hooking up workers at the Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City with meals from Niecie's Restaurant, a local Black-owned soul food joint.

Let's not forget -- the last time these guys faced off on the field, the Texans blew a 24-0 lead in the divisional round of the playoffs as the Chiefs went on to win, 51-31 ... eventually winning the Super Bowl.

New police video obtained by TMZ Sports shows La'el Collins' car accident was more serious than initially believed ... the Cowboys star complained of neck pain while 2 vehicles sat mangled in a street nearby.

The NFL O-lineman was initially described as fine after he was involved in a wreck on Aug. 20 in Little Elm, Texas ... but you can see in the new footage, Collins was definitely aching.

As he and a responding police officer broke down how his 2015 Cadillac Escalade collided with a Volkswagen ... the 6'4", 320-pound Dallas player said his neck wasn't feeling well.

"Should I go to like a hospital or like a, what do you call it? An emergency room?" Collins asked the officer, before adding, "I mean, my neck -- my neck is hurting right here."

Of course, it ain't too difficult to see why Collins was in pain ... the damage on the two vehicles involved in the crash suggests a pretty violent collision took place.

Collins' driver's side quarter panel and front wheel were destroyed -- with one cop describing the rim on video as "broken" with a "complete crack" in it.

The other driver's car, meanwhile, had its whole front bumper ripped off.

According to the accident report, the other driver "failed to yield the right of way" after coming out of a stop sign and turned right into Collins' ride.

As for Collins' neck ... the Cowboys ultimately put him on injured reserve to start this season ... though they claim it's unrelated to the crash -- saying a hip problem he had been previously dealing with was the reason for the move.

Collins -- who will be out at least the first 3 weeks of the season while he's on IR -- is one of the Cowboys' best players and is considered a top-five right tackle in the league.

Aqib Talib is calling it a career -- saying he's retiring from the NFL, despite a multi-million offer from the New England Patriots.

"Aqib Talib is officially retired," the 34-year-old defensive back said on the "Call to the Booth" show ... "I'm bringing my talents to the booth."

Talib started the 2019 season with the L.A. Rams -- but suffered a rib injury and was traded to the Miami Dolphins after 5 games. He never played a snap in Miami.

After the season, Talib told himself he would play one more year "as long as somebody give me a nice check ... or if someone gave me a nice ass role."

That's when Talib says he got a call from his former coach, Bill Belichick -- who wanted to bring Aqib back to New England for one final season.

"My guy, my big homie Bill Belichick called my phone man, told me that he had the role of a lifetime for me," Talib said.

Talib says the role was to basically cover tight ends -- and initially, Aqib LOVED the idea.

Oh, Talib says New England's offer was around the $6 million mark!

But, when Aqib started evaluating the monsters playing tight end in the NFL right now -- from George Kittle to Travis Kelce -- he quickly reconsidered.

"I looked at this f*cking schedule and the thought 'Can I even strap these damn tight ends?!'"

"Once that negative thought crossed my mind, man my heart, my competitive edge -- like I ain't really in it like that no more ... I just wasn't feeling it no more honestly."

Talib continued, "You gotta play this game with heart. If you don't play with heart, that's how you get real injuries, concussions and bad injuries when you out here playing nervous and things like that."

Talib was a 1st-round NFL Draft Pick back in 2008 out of Kansas -- and went on to play for the Bucs, Patriots, Broncos and Rams ... making the Pro Bowl 5 times.

He also won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos.

Myles Garrett wants to meet face-to-face with Mason Rudolph and squash their beef for good ... saying he's down to make peace with the Steelers QB after the infamous helmet-swinging incident.

"If it were to happen, I’d be fine with it,'' the Cleveland Browns superstar told Cleveland.com. "Not just fine, but I wouldn’t mind it and I’d be happy to make it happen, if there were a way."

Of course, Garrett was suspended a total of 6 games in 2019 after he hit Rudolph with the QB's own helmet during a game against Pittsburgh on November 15.

Garrett claims the attack was sparked by Rudolph using a racial slur ... which the QB adamantly denies.

The 24-year-old says he's unsure if Rudolph would accept the invite to meet ... but explains he'd like to chat about "how we move forward, and just being better men and football players and not letting something like that happen again."

And, get this -- Garrett reveals he contemplated leaving the game of football entirely following the incident ... and even thought about starting a baseball or basketball career instead.

"I just would’ve moved onto something else I enjoy and found another way to save my competitive nature, whether it would’ve been trying out for a basketball team or going to play baseball like [Michael] Jordan," Garrett told the outlet.

But, that didn't happen ... as the defensive end just inked a massive 5-year, $125 MILLION extension to stay in Cleveland ... and he's out to prove he's no the helmet-swinging monster people made him out to be.

"What happened, happened, and at the end of the day you have to move forward," Garrett says.

"I was given a second chance and you have to make the best of it. I know something like that won’t happen again, but life’s funny that way."

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has officially decided to retire from the NFL ... nearly 3 years after suffering a serious spinal injury during a game.

The 28-year-old sustained a spinal contusion after attempting a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 4, 2017 ... and many feared he would be permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

Shazier defied the odds and worked like crazy to rehab following the incident ... slowly improving his mobility over the course of the following year -- and was eventually able to deadlift and jog.

The Pro Bowler has moved on from his dream of returning to the field for new endeavors on Wednesday ... announcing his decision in an emotional video.

"When you play the game of football the way I did, you convince yourself you're Superman. That nothing can stop you," Shazier says.

"But then the moment I got hurt, I stopped being Superman and that was difficult to make sense."

"But, the way I look at it, God put us all here for a purpose. For 20 years, he let me play football and now its time for me to do what he wants me to do."

"I'm gonna step away from the game for a while and see what else life has to offer. I know football will always be here for me if I need it but right now I'm excited to explore new challenges and different paths."

Shazier hints he won't be stepping out of the public eye ... and promises to reveal details about his next project soon.

The linebacker goes on to thank all the coaches, fans and doctors who supported him throughout his rehab process ... and showing how much they care about him off the field.

"When I got hurt, football may have been taken away for me, but everything it gave me is still here inside."

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALLLL?!?!?! will NOT be asked before "Monday Night Football" games in 2020 ... 'cause ESPN is ditching Hank Williams Jr.'s classic intro for a more COVID-friendly track.

Of course, the singer's '"All My Rowdy Friends Are Here On Monday Night" has been part of MNF's presentation dating back to 1989 ... but execs reportedly wanted to call an audible during the pandemic, given most stadiums will be empty.

In other words ... folks are supposed to be social distancing -- NOT getting rowdy together.

ESPN will replace Williams, Jr.'s song with a remix of the late Little Richard's "Rip It Up" ... featuring music by a band called Butcher Brown, according to Sports Business Daily.

No word on what the plan will be once the coronavirus sitch is over ... but ESPN has dropped Williams' track in 2011 over negative comments he made against Barack Obama and Joe Biden on Fox News. He was later brought back in 2017.

Either way ... we're one more day closer to actually kicking this season off.

Leonard Fournette just threw some MAJOR shade at Blake Bortles, Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles ... saying he loves being in Tampa Bay, 'cause he FINALLY gets to play with a quarterback!!!

The new Buccaneers running back spoke to reporters on Tuesday about becoming Tom Brady's newest teammate ... and straight-up dogged his former Jacksonville Jaguars QBs in the process.

"For the first time in my life, I really have a quarterback."

Of course, Fournette's time in Duval was filled with ups and downs -- including a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2018 -- and ended when he was abruptly cut last week.

And, it's no secret ... the Jags weren't the strongest at QB during Fournette's 3 years with the team

Now that LF has found a new home in Tampa ... he couldn't hide his excitement about playing with the 6-time Super Bowl champ.

"I'm happy to be back there with one of the greatest, or the greatest that played this game," he said.

There's a huge buzz surrounding the Bucs offense now ... with TB12, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski and more expected to make noise in the NFC.

Buffalo Bills star Tre'Davious White nearly broke down in tears talking about his new $70 MILLION contract ... saying he's going to retire his parents with the new money!!

"It was a whole load that was lifted off of my shoulders," White told media members after inking the new 4-year deal.

"Because I knew that I could retire my parents and they'll never have to worry about anything."

White -- arguably the best cornerback in the NFL -- was super emotional during his entire press conference about the contract ... fighting back tears talking about his plans for the cash.

"I have a lot of people and a lot of family members that I could change their lives," White said. "And that's what I plan to do."

The 25-year-old, who was picked in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, added he's been able to take care of himself with his rookie contract ... but now, he can put the rest of his family in a good spot.

"There's a lot of people in my family that are hurt," White said. "So I plan on lightening the burden on them."

Vince Young won't have to spend any more time behind bars over his DWI case stemming from a 2019 arrest ... TMZ Sports has learned the case has now been dismissed after the ex-NFL QB completed a diversion program.

We broke the story ... 37-year-old Vince was arrested on Feb. 4 in Fort Bend County, Texas last year after police officers say he was drunk driving at around 4:30 AM.

Cops say Young slurred his speech, bombed field sobriety tests and emitted a strong odor of alcohol during the stop.

Young was initially hit with a DWI charge over the incident ... but prosecutors eventually reduced the charge to misdemeanor obstruction of a highway after Young and his attorney successfully fought it in court.

Still, Young was facing up to 180 days in jail over the Class B misdemeanor ... but court records show the case was dismissed on Aug. 25.

According to court docs ... Young "completed a pretrial intervention program supervised by the probation department," which led to the dismissal.

It's not Young's first drunk driving case ... remember, back in 2016, he pled no contest to a DUI charge and was sentenced to 18 months probation.

You're looking at an ultra-rare autographed Colin Kaepernick rookie card featuring a piece of a game-used jersey.

It's awesome. It's valuable. And, the only reason the owner is parting ways with it is because he wants to raise money for the QB's "Know Your Rights Camp."

The story behind the card is great ... the owner tells us he started buying up CK items in 2016 when collectors thought Colin's kneeling protest would cause his collectibility value to plummet.

Among his purchases, the guy bought a 2011 Topps Platinum Rookie Patch Autograph Red Refractor card featuring Colin ... a 1 of 1 card.

He bought the card for just under $1,800 -- but experts tell us the card could sell now in the neighborhood of $25,000 ... maybe more!

The owner took the card to Goldin Auctions with the caveat that half of the winning proceeds would go toward Colin's "Know Your Rights Camp."

In case you're wondering, Colin's KYRC says it's mission is to "advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders."

We're told the Camp is thrilled about the auction and appreciates the forthcoming donation.

The auction -- which already has a $1,000 bid -- closes later this month.

Sweatin' a fantasy football draft?? Kay Adams has you covered ... the NFL Network star tells TMZ Sports her guide to winning SERIOUS cash this season is simple!!!

First, Adams says WAIT on QBs ... a tough thing to do with Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes in the NFL -- but Adams says you can always find high-scoring guys later.

"You can get a guy like Drew Brees or even Tom Brady," the host of "Good Morning Football" says. "Aaron Rodgers is going in like the 7th round. Wait on quarterbacks!"

Next, Adams says focus in on running backs ... and if you get the chance to take Philadelphia Eagles star tailback Miles Sanders -- GRAB HIM!!!

"I wouldn't be surprised if Miles Sanders actually does out-perform Saquon Barkley," Adams says.

When it comes to who you should avoid ... Adams tells us she isn't exactly sold on Dallas Cowboys star WR Amari Cooper -- saying she's worried about injuries and potential targets in a crowded offense.

As for late in the draft -- Kay says Tom Brady's teammate, slot receiver Scott Miller, could sneakily help win leagues in 2020!!

"I heard today that Brady is calling him Scooter," Adams says. "And I'm like, that is some Edelman, Amendola stuff right there. He's going to be the kid moving the chains on the field."

Ex-New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas is fighting back in his hit-and-run case ... pleading NOT GUILTY to all charges, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 25-year-old is accused of slamming his black Chevrolet SUV into a pickup truck after exceeding speeds of 100 MPH in Chico, Calif. on June 15.

Cops say multiple witnesses saw the former Pro Bowler wreck the car and then flee the scene on foot.

Officers add, when they were finally able to detain Aldrick hours later, they say his hands, legs and bare feet were bloody.

Aldrick was eventually hit with three misdemeanors over the incident -- including reckless driving on a highway and hit-and-run -- but court records show he pleaded not guilty to all charges last week.

The case is obviously a big deal for Rosas ... he was cut by the Giants shortly after the arrest -- and has yet to land with another team despite being one of the league's better kickers.

We've reached out to Rosas' attorney for comment ... but so far, no word back yet.