TMZ Sports - Page 50

The man who allegedly stole Tom Brady's Super Bowl jersey has been up close and personal with Tom, Robert Kraft and other Super Bowl stars for years ... and TMZ Sports has the photo proof.

Mauricio Ortega made a habit of snapping selfies with the big stars from the Super Bowl games he covered during his stint as the news director for La Prensa -- a Mexican media outlet.

We're told the photo with Tom Brady was taken after Super Bowl 39 in 2005. Same with Robert Kraft.

Ortega also posed with Heath Miller at Super Bowl 40, Brandon Jacobs at Super Bowl 42. He also got one with Ben Roethlisberger.

Guys, if you're missing any gear ...

Tom Brady says he's PUMPED to get his Super Bowl jerseys back -- and gave a big shout out to the cops who helped track it down.

"I am happy my jerseys from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered," Brady said in a statement.

"I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved. I know they worked hard on this case -- and it is very much appreciated."

"Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience."

Denver Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders turned 30 with a bang ... turning all the way up with Rick Ross and boxing superstar Danny Garcia at one of the hottest nightclubs in Miami.

Both guys were up in VIP (Garcia was celebrating his 29th bday) at LIV nightclub ... while Ross, Wale and Meek Mill performed for Rick's album release party.

If you like seeing Carmelo Anthony in Knicks colors, turn your head ... cause Melo was out in L.A. Sunday night chatting it up at Catch with Sam Cassell, an assistant coach for the Clippers.

The Clippers are one of Melo's most talked about potential landing spots, and rumor has it that a trade between them and the Knicks almost happened at the deadline.

Add into the equation Melo's wife, LaLa, has an exploding acting career (never hurts to be in L.A.) and the Knicks seem to be souring on Anthony in favor of Porzingis and this meeting could be HUGE.

Does the criminal craziness surrounding Tom Brady's jersey INCREASE the value? We went to the expert -- Rick Harrison from "Pawn Stars."

11:28 AM PT -- The suspect's name is Mauricio Ortega -- a former executive at a Mexican news organization called "Diario La Prensa."

According to La Prensa, Ortega resigned from his position on March 14th. The paper was unaware of the investigation into Ortega until today.

Here is video of the man suspected of stealing Tom Brady's Super Bowl jersey ... according to Ian Rappaport of NFL Network ... and it sure looks like he's got something under his arm.

Robert Kraft traveled on Air Force One ... in his Air Force 1s.

How cool is that?

The New England Patriots owner flew from West Palm Beach, FL to D.C. on POTUS' plane on Sunday.

After the flight, Kraft was transported to the South Lawn of the White House on Marine One.

The two had spent the weekend at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. No word on what they talked about.

9:02 AM PT -- Sources connected to the investigation tell us 2 Patriots jerseys and 1 Broncos helmet were recovered in Mexico.

The Broncos helmet is likely that of Von Miller, as Jay Glazer reported.

We're told no cleats have been recovered ... at least not yet.

Glazer said Miller's cleats also went M.I.A. after Super Bowl 50. Unclear if it's connected to this investigation.

The man who jacked Tom Brady's Super Bowl jerseys may have ALSO stolen Von Miller's helmet and cleats from Super Bowl 50 ... so says Jay Glazer.

Glazer appeared on "Undisputed" on FS1 and said investigators used video footage to identify the suspect in the Super Bowl 51 caper.

Glazer says investigators saw the suspect enter the locker room behind Bill Belichick and leave a short time later with something tucked under his arm.

Glazer says the suspect had a legitimate media credential -- but may not be a real journalist. He may have been running a scam.

And get this ... Glazer says the Denver Broncos believe the suspect hit Von Miller in the previous Super Bowl.

Story developing ...

The Houston PD wants to make it perfectly clear it was NFL security that had watch over the Patriots locker room ... and therefore it's NFL security who should get the blame for Tom Brady's jersey going missing.

LaVar Ball is putting way too much pressure on his kids ... and it's not fair to them -- so says NFL star Victor Cruz.

The ex-NY Giants superstar clearly understands what it takes to dominate as a pro athlete -- and believes the crazy statements LaVar's been making ain't helpin' his 3 boys.

Here's a treat for all you North Carolina fans ... video of a totally bummed out Kyrie Irving licking his Blue Devil wounds after his alma mater was eliminated from the tourney.

Duke went down to South Carolina Sunday night ... and when we got Irving out in L.A. he told us the loss hurt him, 'cause he thought the guys had a chance to win it all.

Irving played for Coach K back in 2010 (for all of 12 games) but even though he's killing it in the NBA right now it's clear from the clip he still bleeds blue.

The FBI has recovered Tom Brady's stolen Super Bowl 51 jersey and the Houston PD says it was tracked to MEXICO!!!

Roger Federer is an "a**hole."

That's what his opponent told a stadium full of people at the BNP Paribas Open final this weekend ... but don't worry, they weren't exactly fighting words.

An emotional Stan Wawrinka was on the mic addressing the crowd -- and his good friend, Roger -- when he dropped this doozie.

"I would like to congratulate Roger ... he's laughing. He's an a**hole, but it's okay."

Federer continued laughing.

As for Stan, he explained he was just drained after playing a tournament in the Indian Wells, CA heat.

Dana White ain't exactly saying "never" when it comes to Greg Hardy possibly fighting in the UFC ... but the ex-NFL star has to prove himself in some "serious fights" before he gets a look.

Hardy -- who was a beast in the NFL -- has transitioned into MMA and vows to be a real deal fighter ... with hopes of one day competing in the Octagon.

White warns that athletes who come from other sports often get WRECKED when they try to fight ... since most successful MMA fighters have been training for combat since they were kids.

Jim Brown's teenage son is following in his father's footsteps ... as a killer lacrosse player -- and TMZ Sports has the video!

FYI, Jim has been hailed as one of the GREATEST lacrosse players of all time (in addition to that whole NFL Hall of Fame thing) ... and it's clear his son, Aris, has his father's gifts.

Aris is a freshman at Sierra Canyon High School in L.A. where he's already crushed a few impressive goals ... showing off speed, strength and shot power.

We spoke with Jim Brown who tells us, "It's great that he's playing lacrosse and that he loves it!"

5:15 PM PT -- Elliott's attorney tells TMZ Sports the Coast Guard boarded the yacht to make sure there were enough life jackets onboard. He says no citations were issued, and the party continued.

Ezekiel Elliott had his good time temporarily ruined again this week ... only now it was by the U.S. Coast Guard during a rager yacht party in Miami.

Ezekiel was partying with friends and a gaggle of chicks Saturday on a yacht called No Rules II, when a Coast Guard cruiser pulled up. We're told the yacht had docked minutes before.

Eyewitnesses tell us 2 guards boarded the yacht and conducted a 20-minute search on-board. We're told once the search was complete, the guards went back to their vessel and took off.

Unclear what they were looking for, or why they approached Ezekiel and co. A rep for the Coast Guard tells us they're checking ... but he believes it was probably a safety check to make sure the boat and the guests were in compliance with maritime safety protocol.

Also important to note ... the yacht did not belong to Ezekiel. Sources tell us it belongs to a guy who rents 'em out to celebs and other rich folks. Ezekiel was just there for the ride.

Either way, it's been a bad week for the star NFL player. You'll recall ... he caught a lot of heat for forcefully exposing a woman's breast during a St. Paddy's parade. Now this.