Brenden Rice Caleb Williams And I ... Can Be The Next Gronk & Tom Brady

he's gonna be just fine
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If the Chicago Bears take Caleb Williams AND Brenden Rice in this week's NFL draft, they won't regret it ... 'cause Rice tells TMZ Sports he believes the duo can be the next "Gronk and Tom Brady."

The two, of course, got pretty close to that level of greatness while they were teammates at USC -- particularly in 2023, when Rice, the son of Jerry Rice, logged 791 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.

The 22-year-old wideout told us he'd expect a whole lot more of the same if the guys were able to reunite on the Bears, who are expected to take Williams with the No. 1 overall pick Thursday night.

Colts Owner Jim Irsay Disputes Cops' 'Overdose' Report ... Says Leg Injury Caused Medical Emergency

Jim Irsay says his medical emergency back in December was NOT due to an overdose ... insisting this week a leg injury was actually the cause of the scare.

Cops, of course, have stated otherwise. Carmel Police Department officers said in an incident report they responded to the Indianapolis Colts owner's Carmel residence on Dec. 8 at around 4:30 AM after he had been struggling to breathe with a weak pulse. They said following an administration of a dose of Narcan -- a drug commonly used to revive people in opiate overdose situations -- "he responded slightly."

Irsay was ultimately strapped to a stretcher and taken to the hospital ... and cops ended up classifying the whole ordeal as a suspected "overdose" and "overdose/poisoning."

Kelsey Plum, Darren Waller It's Over!!! ... Divorcing After 1 Year

WNBA star Kelsey Plum and NFL tight end Darren Waller are taking a trip to Splitsville -- the two pro athletes just filed a joint petition for divorce, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

Plum and Waller got married after a year of dating in March 2023  ... and they were quite the sports power couple -- Kelsey is a two-time champion and former No. 1 overall pick, and Darren was a Pro Bowler in 2020.

It'll be a pretty clean breakup ... as a joint petition means they have already agreed on distribution of assets and debts, as well as alimony.

Brittany Mahomes Bikini Holds On For Dear Life ... On Yacht W/ Gal Pals

Patrick Mahomes' wife, Brittany, really is a bikini model now -- the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie put her stunning body on display during her vacation in Mexico ... and flaunted some serious underboob in the process.

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar and his longtime partner had a romantic trip in Cabo San Lucas over the past several days ... but on Sunday, it was all about the girls.

Brittany was spotted on a luxurious yacht with at least four other ladies ... soaking up the sun as they lounged on the back deck.

Robert Kraft 'Deeply Saddened' By Columbia Univ. ... Cuts Off Funding

Robert Kraft graduated from Columbia in '63, and has been a huge proponent of the school in every way, including financially ... but all that changed Monday when the billionaire Patriots owner made it clear he wasn't going to stand by and watch his University be taken over by hate and vitriol.

"The school I love so much - the one that welcomed me and provided me with so much opportunity - is no longer an institution I recognize," 82-year-old Kraft said in a statement released by Stand Up To Jewish Hate, adding, "I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country."

Of course, since mid-last week, students and others have taken to Columbia's NYC campus to demand the University sever all ties to Israel. Some protestors have been seen showing support for Hamas and their actions on October 7, even calling for repeated attacks.

Matt Ryan Former NFL MVP Retires At 38

Matty Ice is putting his career on ice for good -- former NFL MVP Matt Ryan is officially retiring from professional football after 15 seasons.

The Atlanta Falcons great -- who played all but one season with the organization -- released a heartfelt goodbye to the game on Monday ... saying it was time to hang up the helmet.

"Today, 16 years after being drafted, my childhood dream has officially come to an end," Ryan said.

Jake Plummer Down For Pat Tillman HOF Honor ... But I Know His Legacy Will Go On Regardless

MAYBE ONE DAY
TMZSports.com

If Pat Tillman ever gets honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jake Plummer will be the first one there for the ceremony ... although he tells TMZ Sports if it doesn't happen, he knows the hero's legacy will go on regardless.

Plummer and Tillman were good pals before the Army ranger's tragic death in 2004 -- the two played together at Arizona State and then once more with the Arizona Cardinals -- and when we asked if it was time to include the former defensive back in Canton, Plummer said he'd be for it.

After all, despite playing in just 60 games in his pro career, there might not be a more universally respected person in the history of the NFL.

Mike Jenkins Ex-Dallas Cowboys Star Involved In Heated Confrontation At Florida Bar

SCREAMING AT SECURITY
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Former Dallas Cowboys star Mike Jenkins was involved in a heated confrontation at a Florida bar over the weekend ... video obtained by TMZ Sports shows.

The incident happened at The Kenwood on Sunday night in St. Petersburg ... after Jenkins had apparently become upset with the way one of the establishment's employees had handled his credit card.

A witness tells us the worker had either misplaced or lost Jenkins' plastic -- which agitated the former 2008 NFL Draft first-round pick.

Brenden Rice Jerry's Son Won't Wear No. 80 In NFL ... Determined To Create Own Legacy

CREATING HIS OWN LEGACY
tmz sports

Another Rice is making his way to the NFL this season ... but don't expect him to look anything like Jerry on gamedays -- no, Brenden Rice tells TMZ Sports he's gunning to be his own man when it comes time to perform on Sundays.

Brenden has been a baller receiver at USC for the last two years -- but he's now entering the NFL draft ... and he says when he gets on his new team next week, he doesn't want anyone to compare him to his dad.

While, of course, he loves his father and respects the hell out of the legacy the football legend left with the 49ers -- he says he's determined to build his own name ... and not ride on anyone's coattails.

Jim Harbaugh Check Out My New Ink ... Fulfills Tattoo Promise

TATTED UP
Instagram/ @mikesainristil

Jim Harbaugh's a man of his word ... fulfilling a promise he made to ink his body if they won a national championship -- and his players filmed the whole experience.

The Michigan Wolverines football team met up Saturday to receive their national championship rings ... and, JH lived up to his end of the deal -- sitting down with an artist and getting the Michigan "M" tatted on his right arm.

After Michigan defeated the Washington Huskies in the title game 34-13 back in January, Jim revealed he'd promised his team he'd tattoo their logo with the record "15-0" as a shout-out to their accomplishment.

Patrick & Brittany Mahomes Trolled By Fans on Vacation ... Raider Nation Out in Cabo!!!

4/18/24
Date Night
TMZSports.com

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes might be on vacation, but the trolls seem to find them regardless ... with some hardcore Raiders fans giving them guff as they left a restaurant.

TMZ obtained video of the pair grabbing a bite at Rosa Negra -- a luxury Latin restaurant in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico -- Thursday night, and it looked like one hot date night for the couple, sans any kids.

Eyewitnesses say the couple hung out for about two hours before dipping out ... and, that's when they got heckled by some fans of an opposing team ... with some goons booing and hissing them, not to mention shouting "RAIDERS" to Patty and Brit as they bounced.

Dave Portnoy Freaks Out Over Taylor Swift's 'thanK you aIMee' ... Calls Kim K A Rat

Jail time !!!

Dave Portnoy certainly has a new favorite song -- the Barstool Sports founder went bonkers over Taylor Swift's apparent Kim Kardashian diss track, "thanK you aIMee" ... calling it nothing short of a "masterpiece."

Swift's latest project, "The Tortured Poets Department," dropped on Friday ... and there's one song in particular that has everyone talking due to lyrics that seemingly shade the hell outta Kardashian.

Portnoy -- a diehard Swiftie -- gave a passionate review of the tune on X ... saying it validates his longtime stance in Swift's infamous feud with Kim K.

Brittany Mahomes Hyped For Taylor Swift's New Album ... 'Let's Goooooo'

Brittany Mahomes showed big love to her new BFF Taylor Swift on Thursday ... taking some time out of her vacation to praise the pop star for her new album.

Britt and her NFL star hubby, Patrick Mahomes, were on a trip to celebrate one of their pal's birthdays when T-Swift dropped "The Tortured Poets Department" ... but Britt was able to slip away for a minute to take to her social media page to express how excited she was for the work.

Mrs. Mahomes shared a screenshot of Tay Tay's album art on an Instagram story ... and wrote, "Let's goooooo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽."

Micah Parsons Body Shot Challenge W/ Boxer ... Taps Out Early!!!

Cowpuncher

Micah Parsons is used to putting the hurt on quarterbacks, but it was the Dallas Cowboys star who was in a world of pain recently -- taking body shots from pro boxer AJ Graham!!

The 24-year-old linebacker was with the undefeated featherweight fighter this week at TMack Elite Training in Texas ... testing out the combat sport as part of his offseason workout routine.

At one point, Parsons and Graham ditched the punching bags for their own human bodies ... trading vicious blows until one of them backed out.

TAYLOR SWIFT Talks Touchdown in New Love Song ... Travis Her Muse?!?

Taylor Swift is singing about sports and feelings on her new album ... which is why a lot of people think she might've given her boyfriend Travis Kelce a shout-out.

The singer's new album "The Tortured Poets Department" dropped Friday ... and her song, "The Alchemy" paints a picture of a blossoming romance with loads of football lingo -- and plenty of her fans are pretty sure it’s a nod to her athlete boo.

Just dive into the lyrics and decide for yourself ... "So when I touch down / Call the amateurs and cut 'em from the team / Ditch the clowns, get the crown / Baby I'm the one to beat."

Taylor Swift Habla de touchdown en una nueva canción ¿Inspirada en Travis?

Taylor Swift está cantando sobre deporte y sus sentimientos en su nuevo álbum, por lo que mucha gente piensa que podría estar refiriéndose a su novio Travis Kelce.

Su nuevo álbum "The Tortured Poets Department" salió el viernes y su canción "The Alchemy" pinta la imagen de un floreciente romance con un montón de jerga de futbolística y un montón de sus fans están bastante seguros de que es un guiño a su nuevo novio.

Revisa la letra y decide por ti mismo: "Así que cuando aterrice (touch down) / Llama a los aficionados y sácalos del equipo / Deshazte de los payasos, consigue la corona / Nena, yo soy el que hay que vencer".

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