Football

The actor who went viral for his spot-on Rob Gronkowski portrayal on the new Aaron Hernandez drama is hoping to strike gold again with his upcoming role as Travis Kelce ... telling TMZ Sports he wants to win over the Swifties!!

Laith Wallschleger became an overnight sensation after his scenes as the legendary New England Patriots tight end premiered on "American Sports Story" ... with fans pointing to his perfect impression of Gronk's signature laugh.

As it turns out, Laith has had a while to study the subject ... 'cause he's actually been pretty tight with Gronk over the years -- even partying with the four-time Super Bowl champ on countless occasions.

Tragic news for the Cleveland Browns -- beloved play-by-play announcer Jim Donovan has passed away at 68 years old after a battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The team announced the loss on Saturday ... with owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam saying it is an "incredibly difficult day" for the organization.

Donovan became the "Voice of the Cleveland Browns" upon the team's return to the NFL in 1999 ... and held the role for 25 seasons. Despite the team's overall lack of success during his tenure, the Boston native famously maintained an optimistic approach to each game day.

Diddy's kids are sticking together during this challenging time ... with his sons showing up to celebrate their sisters at a high school football game.

Christian Combs posted a clip to his Instagram Friday night ... showing the crowd cheering for the cheerleading squad receiving some sort of honor on the field.

The clip captured Christian hanging out with his big brother Quincy -- Kim Porter and Al B. Sure!'s son who Diddy legally adopted back in the day.

Baby Mahomes number three is on the way ... but momma's still gotta get her workouts in!

Brittany Mahomes -- who this summer announced she was expecting her third child with Patrick Mahomes -- posted several shots on social media ... rockin' a cute bright orange two-piece exercise fit.

Britt, glowing, with an ever growing belly, looks great!

Move over, Jimmy Kimmel ... Jason Kelce might be about to take up residence in the late-night space -- he's reportedly in talks with ESPN about hosting his own show.

John Ourand of Puck reported Thursday that ESPN honcho Jimmy Pitaro is looking to widen the network's reach -- and part of the plan to accomplish that feat could include an after-hours program starring Kelce.

Unclear if it'd be in the traditional style -- one where a host (like Kimmel) brings in various celebs and athletes to talk about life and upcoming projects in a fun Q-and-A fashion -- although Ourand stated at the very least it "wouldn't be a highlight or recap show."

Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds was wounded during a shooting last week in Denver, the team announced on Thursday.

In a statement, the NFL franchise said Reynolds suffered "minor injuries" ... although it did not reveal any further details about the incident.

"Out of respect for the legal process," Broncos officials said, "we will defer further comment on this matter to the authorities."

Traffic is always a nightmare in Los Angeles -- and it's expected to be even worse with a full slate of events throughout the city this weekend ... but TMZ Sports has learned the local public transit system is taking action to mitigate as many headaches as possible.

It's a fully stuffed few days for the City of Angels -- especially Friday, with the Dodgers, Lakers and USC all in action ... as well as concerts being held at the Intuit Dome and Forum.

L.A. County Metro tells TMZ Sports the service is bracing for the big weekend by increasing service on the rails ... mainly the A, B, D, and E lines.

2:15 PM PT -- Bill Belichick's making it clear he's siding with his girlfriend in the feud ... rockin' a Bridgewater State University cheerleading tee while hanging with Jordon Hudson on Thursday.

Bill Belichick's cheerleader girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, is so flippin' mad over some recent jabs a radio host threw her alma mater's way ... she's now issuing a challenge to the woman in an attempt to completely embarrass her.

The beef all began on Monday ... when Winnie Akoury -- who appears on Kiss 108's "Billy & Lisa in the Morning" -- trashed Bridgewater State University's cheerleading program.

Marsha Kearney -- the mother of Kansas City Chiefs star Rashee Rice -- was slapped with a misdemeanor charge this month over allegations she stole her neighbor's package ... TMZ Sports has learned.

North Richland Hills Police in Texas tell us ... after Kearney's neighbor accused her of snatching some Chappell Roan records right off their porch in plain view of their Ring camera on Sept. 29, an arrest warrant for the 43-year-old was issued on Oct. 8.

Cops say Kearney ended up turning herself into the Tarrant County Sherriff's Office a week later -- on Oct. 15 -- and she was eventually charged with one count of mail theft.

Jason Kelce is putting an end to sleep-gate ... emphatically saying he was NOT snoozin' during Taylor Swift's recent "Eras" tour show in Miami, despite what the internet thinks!

JK was choppin' it up with bro Travis Kelce on the latest edition of their "New Heights" podcast ... when the conversation turned to the recent viral photo which seemingly showed the retired NFL star catching some Zs during TS' latest show.

And, in the pic -- taken by Jason's former Eagles teammate Beau Allen -- it surely seems like Kelce was sleeping ... but he swears he was wide awake!

Patrick Mahomes Sr. is back behind bars, but he has not been accused of further wrongdoing -- TMZ Sports has learned he's simply begun serving his sentence for his most recent DWI conviction.

A Smith County jail official tells us ... the father of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes was booked on Tuesday afternoon at around 4:53 PM and took a new mug shot. He's now not expected to be released until Halloween.

Of course, the 10-day stint in the slammer was all planned ... as it was a condition of the plea agreement Mahomes Sr. reached with prosecutors stemming from his Feb. 3 arrest for drunk driving in Tyler, Texas.

Baker Mayfield was spotted poppin' a ZYN during "Monday Night Football" ... but if you thought the company behind the nicotine pouches would be thrilled with the free promotion -- think again!!

Swedish Match -- which manufactures ZYN -- got wind of Mayfield catching a buzz before the second half of the Buccaneers vs. Ravens game at Raymond James Stadium ... and let's just say it had a mixed reaction to the moment.

"Swedish Match appreciates its loyal consumers and encourages them not to show the product in any situation where someone under 21 years old could see it," a ZYN spokesperson told TMZ Sports.

Jon Gruden's split with the Raiders was UGLY ... but that doesn't mean the Super Bowl champion-winning former head coach is down on his old employer in Las Vegas!

In fact, Gruden says he not only watches the team, but he still actively pulls for his old squad!

"You know my son [Deuce Gruden] is on that staff. He's one of the strength coaches, so I watch every single play. I still root for 'em like I was still on the staff," the Gruden told Pacman Jones and Evan Rosenblum on BetOnline's "The Pacman Jones Show."

Aaron Rodgers says he's never once eaten one of his boogers ... even if it sure looked like he did during the Jets game Sunday night.

The star quarterback was adamant about the matter when Pat McAfee brought it up to him during Tuesday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show" ... insisting he's never, ever dug for gold and then shoved it down his mouth.

"I've actually never eaten my boogers," he told Pat, matter-of-factly. "That's one thing I'm very proud of."

Kristin Cavallari is wishing Jay Cutler "nothing but the best" after his recent run-in with the law ... saying she hopes her ex-husband seeks support in the wake of his DUI arrest.

The former reality TV star briefly addressed the retired NFL quarterback's legal troubles at the top of her 'Let's Be Honest' podcast this week ... explaining she recorded the episode prior to the "very public" news of Cutler's arrest -- and would not be commenting on what happened later on in the show.

"I do, of course, wish Jay nothing but the best and I do hope that he gets the help that he needs," Cavallari said during the intro. "But that's the only thing I will be saying about it publicly."

There are many things needed on an NFL sideline to ensure players are ready to go ... water, medical tents, video tablets -- and a container of ZYNs?!?

Well, that was at least the case during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the Baltimore Ravens on "Monday Night Football" ... 'cause Baker Mayfield was spotted getting his nicotine fix on the bench.

The ESPN cameras captured Mayfield popping one of the popular pouches -- which are billed as an alternative to tobacco products -- right before the second half.