Nolan Wells Death

Nolan Wells' high school football coach, Tracy Lampley, is breaking his silence on the death investigation ... and he doubts race was involved.

Tracy joined us on "TMZ Live" Tuesday ... and we asked him if there were racial tensions at their Mississippi high school.

Nolan's coach says that's not the vibe he gets ... telling us the students "grew up together" and "played together."

What's more, Coach Tracy says Nolan got along with everyone ... remembering him for his big smile and big personality. He says people gravitated towards Nolan.

Nolan Wells' parents say they haven't gotten a meaningful update from authorities in nearly a week as the mystery surrounding their 18-year-old son's death drags on.

In an interview with theGrio alongside attorney Ben Crump, Nolan's mom, Christine Wonsley, said the family hadn't heard from investigators since last Tuesday ... and she says they only got a call after she reached out herself asking for an update.

Hear them out ... according to Christine, they were told there was essentially nothing new ... and she says they haven't heard from anyone since.

The Nolan Wells police probe will not be rushed, as investigators are now working with prosecutors to figure out what exactly happened in the mysterious death of the teen ... this according to the Mississippi sheriff in charge of the case.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter told ABC News on Monday that it's essential for his investigators not to be put on a timetable and rushed by people who are clamoring for answers.

Ledbetter also called for anyone with information to provide it to his investigators so they can get to the bottom of the puzzling case.

Ben Crump, the attorney for Nolan Wells' family, is following every lead in the teen's tragic death ... including a photo that suggests he may have made it back to the Mississippi mainland before he died.

Crump shared a snap circulating on social media that shows a group of teens at a "land-based pool party" ... and people think one of the kids in the photo is Nolan.

The internet believes the snap was taken before 1 a.m. on July 5 ... and Crump reposted the photo from an account called Shannel Tarot TV.

Crump said in his caption, "Now listen, I don't know if these are facts or rumors because no official statements have been confirmed. We sometimes have to follow all clues until the truth is found."

Jay-Z is spitting fiction, not facts, when he claims Colin Kaepernick agreed to be silenced by the NFL ... an allegation Jay dropped live on stage at Yankee Stadium, and one refuted by sources speaking to TMZ Sports.

The moment came during Jay's Friday night opener ... in a freestyle rap aimed at his critics, he said, "They run out of characters, had to bring back up Kap again. Buddy took a check, I ain't even mad at him, but along with that check you have to sign a non-disparagement. I’m the one they can’t control."

The shot at Kaepernick -- 7 years after he and the NFL reached a settlement -- had some fans wondering, "Why now?" But, sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Sports, the bigger issue is Jay's wrong ... Colin did not sign a non-disparagement agreement when he settled the lawsuit in which he'd claimed NFL teams were colluding to keep him out of the league.