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Fernando Mendoza didn't only sit atop the NFL Draft Thursday night ... he was also the most popular athlete when it came to merch sales!

Mendoza, 22, was scooped up by the Silver and Black with the first overall pick, and fans didn't waste any time in buying his jersey in droves!

In fact, our Fanatics sources tell us Fernando was not only the most popular player among the rookies, nor the wider NFL ... his threads sold at a greater clip than any athlete in all American sports, period.

More than Travis Kelce. More than LeBron James, Shohei Ohtani, and Patrick Mahomes. Mendoza reigned supreme.

Thanks in large part to all the jerseys he sold, the Las Vegas Raiders were the top-selling team, beating out all the other NFL franchises.

Mendoza also got his first trading card courtesy of Topps. The iconic brand was on hand to instantly -- we're talking inside 90 seconds -- snap photos and create cards for the first round draftees.

Those cards will be available for purchase over the next 2+ days.

In Fernando's case, that meant sending a photographer to his home, where he celebrated the joyous occasion with his family and friends.

Mendoza even signed his card (so did the other players!), inscribing it ... "My 1st NFL Auto"

The photographer who snapped the pics of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini lookin' all cozy in Arizona was NOT a private investigator hired by a scorned spouse, despite the internet rumor.

In the wake of the Page Six photos, a theory has emerged online ... with fans speculating that Jen Vrabel, wife of the Patriots head coach, or Kevin Goldschmidt, the NFL insider's husband, recruited a P.I. to catch Vrabel and Russini in the act.

As juicy as that'd be, it just ain't the truth.

Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor -- widely considered the greatest defensive football player in NFL history -- was hospitalized in New Jersey after experiencing a medical emergency, TMZ Sports has learned.

The New York Giants legend's status is unclear at this time -- we will provide more information as soon as we get it.

We confirmed Taylor, 67, arrived at the emergency room and was shortly transferred to a different section of the facility.

Ex-University of Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore's former mistress and assistant, Paige Shiver, just dropped a bombshell about their relationship -- she claims she was pregnant with his baby.

Shiver shared the shocking news during an interview with ABC News that partly aired on "Good Morning America" Friday morning. She tearfully said she wanted to keep the baby, but her docs told her it wouldn't be safe to carry the child due to her Pompe Disease, a progressive disorder that weakens muscles and causes respiratory and heart issues.

Shiver also spoke about the manipulation tactics Moore allegedly used during their relationship, explaining ... "[He] had complete control over me, over my emotions, over my career, and he knew that, and he used it against me."

Mike Vrabel put on a happy face for the newest member of the New England Patriots ... telling the team's first-round draft pick he's "doing great" on Thursday -- even though he's in the middle of a massive scandal with Dianna Russini.

The Pats shared footage from inside their draft room as they called offensive tackle Caleb Lomu to relay the life-changing news ... and the former Utah Ute was over the moon.

When the org's Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf passed the phone to coach, he introduced himself and asked how Lomu was doing.

Tim Tebow just shared some heartbreaking family news ... revealing his father, Bob, has passed away at 78 years old after a battle with Parkinson's.

The former Heisman Trophy recipient delivered a touching tribute to his dad on Friday ... saying, "Heaven ushered in a hero of the faith last night as my Dad was welcomed home!"

While Tebow acknowledged his friends, family and fans will say "sorry for your loss," he has a different perspective ... as Bob was a "hero of the faith" who is now "home."

The Las Vegas Raiders officially have their franchise quarterback, selecting Fernando Mendoza, the gunslinging Heisman Trophy winner, with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Let's keep it a buck ... everyone knew Vegas was going to pick the former star Indiana QB -- it was the worst-kept secret in the NFL -- but now it's officially official.

Mendoza, 22, is coming off an incredible season at Indiana, where he not only led the Hoosiers to a national title but also had immense personal success, winning the coveted Heisman.

Mike Vrabel got over his Titans unemployment by hitting a casino with none other than Dianna Russini ... and he seemed pretty happy, even though Tennessee kicked him to the curb just weeks prior to this photo.

TMZ Sports has obtained a pic of the current Patriots head coach and former Athletic insider at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi shortly before midnight on January 31, 2024. They were both married at the time.

Why Biloxi?? It might have had to do with the 2024 Senior Bowl held in Mobile, Alabama on Feb. 3 ... about an hour drive away.

A witness tells us they snapped the pic when they recognized Vrabel ... and assumed at the time that the woman by his side was his wife based on their body language. They didn't realize until the recent bombshell news that the lady was actually Russini.

Sherrone Moore's former assistant is breaking her silence after the coach's stunning downfall ... claiming he had "complete control" over her during their secret affair and used that power to keep her trapped.

Paige Shiver sat down with ABC News in an interview set to air Friday during "Good Morning America" and didn't hold back ... saying Moore manipulated her emotionally and professionally throughout their relationship.

"Here's a man that had complete control over me, over my emotions, over my career -- and he knew that, and he used it, he used it against me," Shiver said.

Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce Jr. is dodging a trial in his Rickea Jackson case after agreeing to enter an intervention program.

Pearce -- who was hit with felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, and resisting arrest, as well as misdemeanor stalking, after a Feb. 7 domestic dispute -- will take part in the program for six months under strict guidelines.

As part of the agreement, Pearce will not be allowed to make contact with or be near the WNBA star ... and must take part in therapy sessions.

Fernando Mendoza will be the first pick in the NFL Draft, but the Heisman Trophy winner isn't the consensus among everyone ... according to Lions star Terrion Arnold, who says Ty Simpson is actually Him!

"You know, I'm biased, but I think [Ty's] the best," the 23-year-old cornerback told TMZ Sports ahead of Thursday's draft.

FYI, Arnold and Simpson played two seasons together at Alabama, 2022 and 2023. During their last year together, Terrion was a star -- an All-American -- while Ty was still only a backup QB.

"[He's] somebody that's really seen the game from all angles. Like, when it got hard, Ty didn't run. He was in the smoke. He put his head down. He worked. He waited for his opportunity. And when his time came, he was prepared for it. So he's somebody that you know is going to be prepared for the moment."

There's uncertainty over where T.S. will be drafted, with different mocks having him going anywhere from the 13th pick (to Terrion's team, the Lions) ... or sliding all the way to the early 2nd round.

Arnold, the 24th overall pick in 2024, had some words of wisdom for everyone who will be drafted over the next few days.

"My advice is just run your own race," Terrion says ... pointing out some players have immediate success, while others don't. Ultimately, no one else matters.

"Go out there and try to be a better version of yourself and just be in a competition with yourself. I feel like, man, the possibilities are endless."

Arnold has been busy training and prepping for the season, while also doing a ton in his community.

2:15: PM PT -- Dave Merritt entered a not guilty plea in court on Thursday ... and he has since bonded out.

He's due back in court in June.

Former NFL player and current Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was arrested for domestic battery on Wednesday ... after reportedly causing bodily harm to "a daughter."

The 54-year-old was arrested around 9 PM in Overland Park ... and was booked into jail without bond, according to the Kansas City Star.

A complaint was filed with the Johnson County District Attorney's Office on Thursday ... claiming Merritt "unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly" caused bodily harm to a daughter -- a domestic violence offense, the outlet reported.

Mike Vrabel's decision to skip out on Day 3 of the NFL draft for counseling isn't sitting well with one of the most popular Patriots fans alive -- Dave Portnoy says he's all for the coach getting help ... but it's the timing that has him irked.

The New England coach revealed Wednesday night he was seeking help to be "the best version of me" for his family and the team ... and he was getting the ball rolling this weekend after Page Six published more snaps from his time with Dianna Russini in Arizona last month.

The decision means the Pats will pick their new players in rounds 4-7 without their coach ... and the Barstool Sports honcho isn't too pleased about it.

Devin Booker went IN on NBA ref James Williams over a baffling technical foul call after the Suns' loss to the Thunder on Wednesday ... saying officiating has gotten so bad, fans are gonna start thinking they're watching WWE.

The Phoenix star was in quite the grumpy mood as he met with the media ... and it wasn't just going down 0-2 to OKC that had him pissed.

With a few minutes left in the third quarter, Booker dove toward the courtside seats to save a loose ball from going out of bounds.

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling amid his tawdry scandal involving former Athletic journalist Dianna Russini.

In a statement Wednesday, Vrabel said he would be headed to counseling this weekend while also spending time with his family outside of Massachusetts. As a result, Vrabel will miss Saturday's third day of the NFL draft.

In addition, Vrabel repeated his vow, promising to give his wife, Jen, their two sons, and the Patriots organization, "the best version of me that I can possibly give them."

Everyone knows Fernando Mendoza is going to be the first pick in the NFL Draft, but who's the best defensive player out of the bunch ... Arvell Reese says it's him!

"I think I'm the guy because I think I play with a relentless effort, and I play with a violent mindset," the 20-year-old former Ohio State star told TMZ Sports.

"I'm putting violence and relentless effort first."

Draft experts have the All-American slotted anywhere between the second and fifth pick ... with many believing he'll go to the New York Jets, who pick second, or the Arizona Cardinals, if Gang Green passes on Arvell.