Super Bowl

WWE superstar Mojo Rawley tells TMZ Sports ... he's been talking with his best friend, Rob Gronkowski, and he's confident the guy will be "good to go" for the Super Bowl.

Of course, Gronk took a big shot to the head during the AFC Championship on Sunday and missed the 2nd half of the game after being evaluated for a concussion.

But, Rawley says Gronk is "one of the toughest guys I know and I'm sure he'll be fine for the big one."

"I've got confidence in my friend, my best friend."

Rawley says Gronk may come off as a meathead, but when it comes to his mental health, the guy is no dummy -- "He's taking the right steps and following the right protocols."

The WWE star also says he's REALLY hoping to get to the Super Bowl to cheer on his friend in person after Gronk came to WrestleMania last year to support him.

There's more ... Mojo was also in attendance at UFC 220 where his friend Stipe Miocic beat up Francis Ngannou.

So, we had to ask ... does Stipe have a future in the squared circle?! You'll wanna see the answer!

Alright, guys ... this might actually be a thing.

Tennis superstar Genie Bouchard and the guy who won a date with her by betting on last year's Super Bowl are going back to the big game ... after NFL Canada (Genie's home country) offered to take them as guests.

The best part -- SHE ASKED HIM!!

"OMG. Back to where it all began?! And with the Patriots too?! I’m in! What do you say?" Genie tweeted at Missouri University student, John Goehrke.

Of course, John accepted -- "This keeps getting better. I’m in!"

You know the story -- Genie made a bet with John last year when the Falcons were up big on the Patriots ... agreeing to a date if the Pats pulled off a comeback.

They did ... and they've since gone on (at least) a few dates -- including a bikini beach sesh in Miami.

There will be no Jerseygate 2 at Super Bowl LII -- with law enforcement putting together special plans to watch Tom Brady's jersey LIKE A HAWK in the wake of last year's theft, TMZ Sports has learned.

First off, the guy who jacked Tom's jersey out of the locker room in 2017, Mauricio Ortega, has been banned from all Super Bowls (and all NFL games) for life ... an NFL spokesperson tell us.

Law enforcement directly involved with the SBLII protection in Minneapolis says the protection of player property -- especially game-used memorabilia -- will be a major priority this time around.

As one source put it ... "One of the main goals is to keep people and property safe. We do not want a repeat of last year and we have learned lessons from other major sporting events."

We're told the overall security plan involves federal agencies, multiple state agencies and private security plus "surveillance everywhere."

Still, Tom might wanna have a designated "jersey guy" just in case ...

With LeBron James and Steph Curry picking the teams for the NBA All-Star game, we asked Kyrie Irving if he'd be upset if his old teammate didn't pick him first.

Ya gotta see what Kyrie says when we spotted him at Delilah in West Hollywood.

For the record, Irving is having a killer season with the Boston Celtics -- averaging 24.5 points per game and carrying the team on his back. He's definitely an MVP candidate.

So, Bron's GOTTA pick him first, right?! We'll see ...

Here's video of the Philadelphia Eagles dancing their damn faces off after destroying the Minnesota Vikings ... and we gotta say, the guys look like they could've gone another two quarters.

Moments after the game was over, WR Alshon Jeffery took his celebration to IG live and got live with his teammates ... while Chief Keef and Meek Mill blasted in the background.

Highlights included Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie getting into the act, but the guy who stole the show was CB Jalen Mills, who broke it down with a Macarena-style turn up we've never seen before.

No cold front expected when the Minnesota Vikings travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles for a shot at Super Bowl LII ... and you can blame these HOTTIES!!!

Though the Vikings are led by a QB that went undrafted and the Eagles' man waited until Pick No. 88 to get off the board ... these smoke shows no doubt are No. 1 pick material.

To the left is Ally Courtnall ... Vikings LB Eric Kendricks' girlfriend. To the right is Viviana Volpicelli who is dating Eagles WR Nelson Agholor. Doesn't end there ... we also have the WAGS of Adam Thielen, Andrew Sendejo and Patrick Elflein reppin' SKOL nation and also the ladies of Lane Johnson, Brandon Graham and Jordan Hicks for the Bleeding Green.

He's a legend in Minnesota ... and that's why Adrian Peterson was all about giving his former team a pump-up speech before the NFC Championship game!

The NFL superstar spoke with TMZ Sports ... telling us why he's truly excited and happy for Minnesota's success, despite the fact he now plays for the Arizona Cardinals.

And if the Vikings can ultimately win the Super Bowl, AP says he wouldn't turn down a ring from the team if they offered him one ... saying, "That would be awesome ... I did help build that stadium a little bit!"

There's more ... AP also updates us on his NFL future and how his body feels going into 2018.

Spoiler alert -- he ain't even close to hangin' it up!

Eli Roth's got a grand idea for the NFL -- CANCEL THE DAMN SUPER BOWL ... 'cause no squad's got a chance in hell of overthrowing Tom Brady and the Patriots dynasty.

"It's over! Just give him the title! Brady's the GOAT," Eli told TMZ Sports outside Craig's in L.A.

The horror film guru clearly ain't impressed by the Eagles, Vikings and Jaguars -- who his Pats play this weekend -- so why waste time delaying the inevitable??

Here's some Super Bowl real talk, courtesy of Steelers legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer and SB40 champ Jerome Bettis -- who we got outside Poppy in L.A.

Fact -- Tom Brady and the Patriots are heavy favorites to win it all.

Also fact -- There's 1 team in the field that's got the goods to pull off an upset ... but "it's gonna take a big effort," according to The Bus.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane was arrested for DUI over the weekend in Washington ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The 27-year-old former Super Bowl champ was arrested and later booked Sunday morning at 5:30 AM in the Seattle area. Bail was set at $1,000.

He was released a short time later on his own recognizance, according to official records.

Lane had a decent career with the Seahawks until he lost his starting job earlier this season. The team reportedly tried to ship him to Houston, but he failed his physical -- killing the deal.

"Atlanta broke my heart" ... so says 6LACK, who tells TMZ Sports he's rooting for the Falcons in the NFL playoffs -- but he doesn't want his soul crushed again!

6LACK is from Atlanta and grew up a Falcons fan ... but says he's being guarded this time around because, "I think I've just been scarred."

It's not just the 28-3 situation from last year -- remember 1998? When the Falcons were on fire only to get crushed by the Broncos in Super Bowl 33?

Yeah, 6LACK still remembers, too.

Terrell Owens' old quarterback says it's about damn time he gets his gold jacket ... saying the controversial receiver is more than deserving to get in the Hall of Fame this year.

TMZ Sports spoke with Jeff Garcia -- who played 5 seasons with T.O. on the 49ers -- and while it wasn't always smooth sailin' between the guys, Garcia says the off-field drama should NOT keep Owens out of Canton.

"With what he was able to accomplish statistically, being a top 5, top 2 guy in many categories. Stop beating around it, the guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Put him in the Hall of Fame."

Critics have labeled T.O. as a QB killer and bad teammate ... and that's been the knock against him making the Hall. So, Garcia having his back is a big deal.

Owens -- who didn't get enough votes the last 2 years -- finds out if 3rd time's a charm on February 3 ... the day before the Super Bowl.

Wanna get a seat higher than the nosebleeds for the Super Bowl?? Now's your chance ... 'cause Ricky Williams is hosting his very own weed party for the big game!!

The ex-NFL superstar-turned-ganja advocate is hosting the highly anticipated event in February ... and instead of making it a BYOB party, Ricky's inviting guests to BYOW -- Bring Your Own Weed!!

The exact location of the party is still TBA ... but it'll be going down somewhere in the Hollywood Hills.

LaVar Ball picking a Lithuanian league for LiAngelo and LaMelo had a lot of people scratching their heads ... but not Swae Lee, who says the Big Baller's makin' money moves!

"I think wherever the bag is calling, you gotta chase the bag," the Rae Sremmurd rapper told TMZ Sports outside Poppy in L.A.. "It could be Columbia, it could be Venezuela, it could be Australia -- wherever the bag is calling."

Swae ain't wrong, in theory ... but BBB claims it ain't about cash -- with Gelo and Melo reportedly pocketing no more than $500 per game.

Tom Brady says Colin Kaepernick is a "damn good quarterback" who's proven he can play at a high level -- but the Pats superstar says he "has no idea" if Kaep's actually being blackballed.

Brady appeared on WEEI's "Kirk and Callahan" Monday morning where he was asked straight-up if NFGL owners are colluding to keep Kaepernick out of the NFL.

Brady took a long pause and then delivered his answer ...

"You know, I don't ... I have no idea if he's being blackballed."

"I think he was a ... I competed against him. I thought he was a damn good quarterback. And he's played at a high level, brought his team to Super Bowls."

"You know ... that's how I feel about him."

Super Bowl 52's taking its slogan seriously ... and it'll be EVERYWHERE for EVERYONE to see and buy.

TMZ Sports obtained docs filed by the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee outlining where it wants to place its slogan "Bold North." There's the obvious -- key chains, magnets, wallets, umbrellas, portable chairs, jigsaw puzzles, toys, temporary tattoos, clothing, etc.

Basically, it looks like everything you'll buy at the stadium will feature the slogan, even the menu items. The trademark gets super specific with the foods they're giving the Bold North name to, including:

-- Sandwiches (brisket, turkey, beef and vegan, too!)

-- Fried chicken

-- Pretzels

-- Pizza, calzones

-- Hot dogs, corn dogs

-- Donuts

-- Burritos, tacos and fajitas

Bold ... for sure.