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Rob Gronkowski is setting the record straight ... he does NOT hate Bill Belichick -- and his sappy thank you letter to The Hoodie and Pats nation on Thursday proves it!!

"First and foremost, I want to thank the Patriots Organization for everything over the last 10 years," Gronk said. "Without Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick taking a chance on me in the 2010 draft, I wouldn’t be sitting here in this position in life."

Of course, there's been some chatter in the football world that Gronk bolted from New England to play with Tom Brady in Tampa this week because he was over Bill's hard-ass mentality.

But, Gronk clearly doesn't feel that way ... writing in his letter on social media to the coach, "THANK YOU."

Rob also took some time out to appreciate New England fans ... saying, "You guys have been nothing but amazing."

"I love you guys and appreciate your constant support for me big time over the last 10 years (even during retirement). THANK YOU all so much, the memories are incredible."

As for his future in Tampa Bay ... Gronk even addressed that, explaining he's FIRED UP for the fresh start in Florida.

The NFL draft will be without one if its staples this week ... ESPN star Todd McShay says he has COVID-19 and will not be able to participate in the TV coverage while he recovers.

"I'm so sorry to tell you I won't be working the NFL Draft this year," McShay says ... "I just want to say I miss you all."

Todd -- who's worked ESPN's annual draft coverage for YEARS -- appeared to be in good spirits while making the announcement Thursday, vowing to be back soon.

In fact, the 43-year-old was feeling so good ... he even took a jab at his fellow ESPN draft analyst, Mel Kiper Jr.!!!

"I'll be watching and I hope you will be too," McShay says. "I also hope [Trey] Wingo and crew will help me out and do their part to keep Kiper in line!"

BOOOOM!!!

"Holy f**king sh*t! Tom Brady is in my f**king house!!!"

That's how one Tampa Bay resident described an accidental trespass visit from Tom Brady earlier this month ... and the story is absolutely hilarious!!!

Here's the deal ... David Kramer is next-door neighbors with Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich in the Tampa area -- and he says back on April 7, Brady was set to meet the coach at Leftwich's place for the first time since signing with TB.

The problem? Kramer and the Tampa Bay assistant coach's houses look super similar ... and the G.O.A.T. apparently got them mixed up!!!

Kramer says he was sitting in his kitchen on the phone ... when Brady straight-up barged in through the front door with duffel bags in hand.

"I literally was just sitting here and I watch this tall guy just walk into my house," Kramer says ... "He didn't even look at me. He just like dropped his duffel bags down on the floor and just kind of like looked up at me and I'll never forget the look on his face."

"He just goes, 'Am I in the wrong house?!'"

Kramer, who's got a side hustle as a comedian, tells us when he realized what was going on ... he was in complete shock -- and Tom couldn't have been more apologetic over the mixup.

"He was like, 'I am so sorry! I am so sorry!'" Kramer says. "Grabs his bags and just is gone. I don't think I've seen someone leave a house faster!"

Kramer says Tom was super nice, super genuine and flashed a big smile throughout the whole ordeal ... and says he doesn't blame the QB at all for the error.

In fact, Kramer says he thought the whole situation was funny, and had no issues whatsoever with the accidental break-in!!!

As for Brady, it's been a rocky transition to Tampa when it comes to moving around the city ... remember, he was also booted from a local park this month for trying to work out during quarantine times!!

By the way, we're told the QB at least followed social distancing guidelines at Leftwich's -- a Bucs source tells us the trip was just a quick one to pick up materials from his new coach.

Welcome to Tampa, Tom!

Marshawn Lynch is going full BEAST MODE on coronavirus -- riding through Oakland on a cart to hand out masks to people who need 'em!!

The NFL running back slowly made his way through his hometown -- on his birthday!! -- Wednesday ... spreading a bit of safety around Lake Merritt.

Lynch even dropped a Beast Mode business card with every mask -- adding a bit of that signature Marshawn flair.

"Marshawn out here for the people, man!" the Twitter user who captured the awesome moment said in his video.

But, it's not just a one-time thing for Lynch -- the running back has been spotted taking masks to local hospitals and food banks all week!!

There was no fancy tailored suit for Gardner Minshew when he was drafted back in 2019 -- HE ROCKED JORTS, BABY!!

The Jacksonville Jaguars QB shared a behind-the-scenes pic from the moment he received that fateful call ... and yeah, the fashion is right on brand!

Topless? Check. Shades? Check. Skin-tight cutoff jean shorts? YOU KNOW THIS!!!

"One of the best days and calls ever!," Minshew tweeted out with the pic ... "Good luck to everyone hoping to get their name called!"

Of course, the Jags took Minshew with the 178th pick -- and he's become a fan favorite for his signature fashion sense (plus, he's not a bad QB either!).

Minshew went on to raise hell in 14 games this past season ... throwing for 21 TDs and 3,200 yards and winning some impressive games as a rookie.

"It doesn’t matter when you get picked. Just enjoy your dream coming true!"

Minshew ain't the only NFL QB to rock the shorts on Draft Day -- Brett Favre wore some back in the day ... and still hasn't lived it down!

What's the fashion plan for rookies in 2020? We'll find out tonight!!

L.A. Dodgers legendary broadcaster Vin Scully is being hospitalized after taking a fall at his home on Tuesday, TMZ Sports has learned.

BUT, DON'T WORRY -- HE'S GOING TO BE OKAY!!

We're told 92-year-old Scully took a fall Tuesday afternoon at his home and medical responders transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A Dodgers spokesperson tells us he's expected to be released from the hospital soon and he's currently resting comfortably and in good spirits.

In fact, Scully released a statement saying, "I won't be doing anymore head first sliding, I never liked it."

HA!

Scully is an icon -- he famously called Dodger games for 67 seasons, starting back in 1950 when the club was still in Brooklyn!

He's called some of the most memorable moments in MLB history -- including:

-- Hank Aaron's 715th home run (the one that broke Babe Ruth's record)

"What a marvelous moment for baseball. What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia. What a marvelous moment for the country and the world."

"A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. And, it is a great moment for all of us, and particularly for Henry Aaron, who was met at home plate, not only by every member of the Braves, but by his father and mother."

-- Bill Buckner's error in the '86 World Series

"Two outs, three and two to Mookie Wilson. Little roller up along first. Behind the bag. It gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight, and the Mets win it."

-- Kirk Gibson's legendary walk-off home run during Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

"High fly ball into right field ... she ... isssss ... GONE!!!"

Besides baseball, Scully also called events for the NFL and the PGA Tour.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The man suspected of killing the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris is now accused of going ballistic in jail last month ... allegedly attacking and biting officers in a fit of rage.

According to court records obtained by multiple media outlets this week, officials say Ibraheem Yazeed -- who's been charged with capital murder in the death of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard -- acted out after he was being escorted back to his jail cell on March 23.

Officials say 3 corrections officers were handling Yazeed at the Lee County Detention Center in Alabama when he became combative.

Yazeed allegedly refused to enter his cell ... and when one of the officers attempted to tase the 30-year-old, he began swinging and kicking.

When other officers arrived to help subdue Yazeed ... he bit one of them in the leg, according to court docs.

Yazeed has now had a 2nd-degree assault charge added on to his case over the incident.

As we previously reported, Yazeed is accused of kidnapping Blanchard at an Auburn gas station in October and killing her.

Wanna see what Roger Goodell's "man cave" looks like?

Great, because he's finally giving the world a glimpse into his Westchester County home ... where he'll be conducting the NFL Draft.

"We're right here in what we affectionately call in they Goodell family ... the man cave," Roger said on "Good Morning America."

Roger says he and his wife Jane Skinner have twin girls -- and the room was formerly used as a storage space for their dolls, but that's been changed for a more football-strong look.

"We've turned this into a mini studio. There will be 3 people in here with me [during the NFL Draft]."

So, what's in Roger's man cave? Some football books, football bobbleheads, old cleats, signed footballs, an American flag.

Rog says he's been testing out his Internet connection and his technology and insists "it worked pretty well last night."

There's more ... Roger was also asked if the NFL season is in danger of being canceled.

"One thing I've learned about what we're going through as a country is you can't tell a week from now, much less 3 months from now. Our job is to be ready. We'll be ready to make alternatives ... we'll be putting public safety #1 as we always do and make sure our fans, our players, everyone are able to be in a safe environment."

Translation -- who knows?!

As for the tradition of booing Goodell at the NFL Draft -- Roger says he "loves" it (yeah right!) and insists the NFL is figuring out a way to incorporate boos into the Draft broadcast.

Are you ready for some MORE football?!?!

Good ... 'cause the NFL has announced its helping fund a new National Football Wheelchair League -- and the game sounds exciting as hell!!!

According to Disabled Sports USA -- Roger Goodell's league has given its NFL Bob Woodruff Foundation of Healthy Lifestyles and Creating Community (HLCC) a grant to help kick off the new form of football next fall.

The games -- which are set to be played in Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Kansas City, Missouri -- will feature teams of 7 disabled players going at it on 60-yard, hard surface courts.

"Tackling" will instead be one-hand touch above the waste, and the kicking aspect of the game will be eliminated ... but other than that, the league is promising similar action to the NFL.

"Generally," the DSUSA says, "if it is legal in the Stand Up game, it is legal in the USA Wheelchair Football League."

The NFL will help announce the new league's beginnings at its draft this weekend ... with Purple Heart recipient and Marine vet Brad Lang -- who tragically lost both his legs in Afghanistan in 2011 -- announcing a Carolina Panthers pick on Saturday.

"We believe that sport has the unique power to bring people together and to push them beyond what is possible, redefining their ability,” DSUSA executive director Glenn Merry said.

It doesn't happen often, but Kawhi Leonard has been defeated -- the NBA superstar just lost his copyright battle with Nike over the "Klaw" logo.

Remember, the LA Clippers guard -- a Nike athlete from 2011-2018 -- claimed he got a cease and desist in 2018 from Swoosh execs who said they owned the copyright to his "Claw Design" ... forbidding Leonard from using it elsewhere.

In his lawsuit, filed in the heart of the 2019 NBA playoffs, Kawhi claimed he came up with the design in college back in 2011 ... and since he created the logo, he should have the rights to it.

But, a judge just blocked Leonard's attempt on Wednesday ... ruling Nike's design is an "independent piece of intellectual property" put together by its team of designers and it is distinct from Leonard's early sketch of the idea ... meaning, KL doesn't own it. So, the judge dismissed KL's complaint.

Leonard's attorney Peter Ginsberg addressed the outcome on Wednesday, saying "Kawhi put his heart and soul into that design so we are obviously disappointed the judge ruled the logo belongs to Nike and not Kawhi," according to The Oregonian.

Red Sox nation is breathing easier today ... MLB just released its findings from its probe into cheating allegations -- and Boston's coming away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

The MLB found the Sox DID violate sign-stealing rules and regulations ... but commissioner Rob Manfred says the rule-breaking was minor and handed down minimal punishment.

Here's the deal ... Manfred says Red Sox staffer J.T. Watkins was officially responsible for LEGALLY decoding opponents' signs -- but took it too far at points during the 2018 season.

Manfred says Watkins ILLEGALLY used in-game live footage to help him with his sign-decoding assignments ... unacceptably gaining an advantage in getting opposing catchers' signs.

It should be noted Manfred says Watkins DENIED the allegations.

Manfred claims based on his interviews with current and former players ... the scope of the illegal activity was small -- saying Watkins' use of the in-game video was only episodic and even then, only useful when the Sox had runners on second base.

But, Manfred laid a small hammer down Wednesday nonetheless ... announcing Watkins is suspended without pay for all of 2020. Manfred also prohibited the guy from serving as a replay room operator for 2021.

Manfred also took a 2nd round pick away from Boston in this year's MLB draft ... but said no other Red Sox players or personnel would be disciplined.

It's a big breath of fresh air for Boston ... after the Houston Astros were caught and heavily punished for their sign-stealing scandal -- many in Beantown hoped to avoid a similar fate.

Of course, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was eventually canned for his role as a bench coach in the Astros' scandal ... but Manfred says in his report Cora was NOT complicit in the Sox's scheme.

"It's not the easiest place to play but it gets you right."

That's Rob Gronkowski being brutally honest about his 9 years with the New England Patriots -- admitting it was tough, but worth it.

"I'm very thankful for the 9 years I had with the New England Patriots," Gronk said during a call with reporters on Wednesday ... "I've learned so much under that organization."

Gronk shouted out both Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft -- saying he will ALWAYS have respect for those guys for drafting him and growing him into the NFL champion he is today.

But he was honest about the experience in New England -- saying, "I'm not going to sit here and say its an easy organization to play for."

"I've also never played for another organization. I haven't even been down to Tampa yet."

"I know that the NE Patriots, hands down, it is not the easiest place to play but it gets you right. It gets you mentally right, it gets you physically right ... but I'm definitely going to take what I've learned ... and apply it to my daily life, big time."

Gronk didn't get into details about why it was a tough place to play but it seems obvious -- it was an all work, no play kind of a job.

During Wednesday's call, Gronk also explained how influential Tom Brady has been in his decision to come back to the NFL.

"Tom is like the appetizer of the whole meal. He got me hooked when he went down to Tampa."

"Playing with Tom is special," Gronk said ... "We have a great chemistry out there and every time we get together, its just like the old days. It doesnt matter if we take a month off or 6 months apart, we just go out there and we're throwing the ball just like its a normal practice."

After Tom selected Tampa Bay, Gronk says he started looking into the Bucs roster and was impressed with what he saw.

"I saw what was down there. Just the opportunity to go down there and play with that type of offense. I mean they got some special wide receivers out there, they got other great tight end and let me tell you, I love working with tight ends too so I'm definitely looking forward to that, working with [OJ Howard and Cameron Brate]. That's definitely going to be a special opportunity. Just blessed to be in this situation."

Gronk says his decision to retire from football in 2019 was motivated by real injury concerns -- saying his body felt beat up and he needed a break.

"I was in a very painful situation. Even my very last game, I couldn't for four weeks. I couldn't walk that well after the last Super Bowl game we won from my quad contusion."

Rob continued ... "That's what I did the last year. I took care of myself. I let my body heal, I let my body rest, I let my body get the treatments that it needed. I feel like I broke up all the scar tissue that's in my body. Got rid the inflammation in my body that was holding me back my last year, I feel like. It feels good."

Gronk also admits, "I had no fire last year" -- but as time rolled by, "my body started feeling good."

Dennis Rodman tells TMZ Sports he is praying for his friend Kim Jong-Un to make a full recovery after reports say the North Korean leader is on his deathbed.

Of course, Rodman and Jong-Un go back years -- he famously kicked with KJU in 2013 and brought a bunch of NBA stars for an exhibition game in 2014.

Dennis has been fond of Jong-Un ever since -- and now with reports of the 36-year-old being in "grave danger" following a cardiovascular procedure, Rodman is concerned.

"I hope it's just a rumor that Marshal Kim Jong-Un is sick," Rodman says ... "Hopefully I will find out more soon."

"There is still so much work we have to do between both the USA and DPRK. If he is not feeling well, I am praying for his speedy recovery, so that both my friends [President Trump & Marshal Kim] can continue towards a peaceful success."