New England Patriots

Rob Gronkowski missed the game-saving tackle in the Dolphins game on Sunday ... but his S.I. model GF tells TMZ Sports it was NOT a mistake havin' him on the field.

We got Camille Kostek out at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year ceremony at The Beverly Hilton in L.A. ... when she explained why Bill Belichick should give Gronk more burn on defense.

"I don't play football, I don't make the rules -- I support whatever he does. So if he needs to be put at defense again, I say, 'Go for it, baby!!'"

Of course, Patriots fans were pissed ... and confused about why Gronk -- a 6'7" tight end -- was on defense in the first place for Kenyan Drake's miracle sprint.

But, Camille says her BF ain't one-dimensional -- and she knows her man will get it done if he's in the same spot again in the future.

"I mean, look what he does as a tight end. He doesn't just catch the ball and get in the end zone. He's blocking, he does it all. So, yeah, I think I can see him doing it again!"

As for the couple's future ... we had to ask if wedding bells are coming down the pipe ... and while Camille says not right now ... she definitely didn't say no to the idea down the road!!

Kenyan Drake is admitting he REALLY screwed up in the "Miami Miracle" on Sunday ... 'cause of the historic football he threw into the stands -- he says he needs that thing back!

After the Dolphins RB pulled off the most improbable TD of the season -- completing a 69-yard game-winning score with no time left against the Pats -- Drake threw the ball about 30 rows up into the stands.

Turns out ... the Miami superstar and his team would kinda like to have that thing back.

"Yesterday was one of the most amazing moments of my life and I was glad to share it with all you guys," Drake says.

"But, I have a PSA. I threw the ball in the stands, and I would love to have it back."

So, what's Drake offering up in return for the piece of history??

Kenyan says cleats, gloves, a jersey and even tickets!!

Tom Brady couldn't help but laugh his ass off at seeing Bill Belichick cuss out Minnesota's star wide receiver on Sunday ... saying, "That was pretty funny."

During the Pats win over the Vikings ... Adam Thielen flipped out at Belichick for challenging a close spot in the 4th quarter -- to which The Hoodie replied, "Shut the f*ck up!"

Brady couldn't help but chuckle at the whole scene ... telling WEEI's "Mut & Callahan" show, "I’ve been on the other end of that a few times in my career."

"Pretty funny. … It’s competitive out there. It’s very feisty and everyone’s emotions are on their sleeves. You say something and there is just an emotional reaction. That was pretty funny.”

Of course ... Tom and Bill can laugh all they want now -- they ended up rollin' the Vikings and look poised to catch the Kareem Hunt-less Chiefs for the top seed in the AFC.

As for Minnesota -- their season's on the verge of crumbling ... but at least Thielen still looks like he's gonna be an All-Pro at the end of the year.

Remember the two field goals Adam Vinatieri made that won Tom Brady and the Patriots two Super Bowls??

Yeah ... A.V. says they aren't the best of his career.

"As proud as I am of those two kicks, I think the one that I'm probably the most proud of is the one in the Snow Bowl game in the divisional playoff game against Oakland."

That's right ... the dude who's made over 575 kicks in his career and owns the most points in NFL history says his 45-yard, 4th-quarter boot back in 2001 tops 'em all.

"There were five, six, seven inches of snow on the ground, we’re down by three and it’s a 45-yard field goal," Vinatieri said on the Talk of Fame Network.

"And, if you miss, the season’s over and you’re cleaning out your locker."

Adam continued: “To be able to put that one through the posts … to be able to tie the game up and then go into overtime and have a shorter field goal to win … I think that’s probably the one I’m most proud of just because of the sheer difficulty."

Of course ... that WAS the field goal that kicked off the whole Pats dynasty -- so maybe Adam's got a point.

Then again, if the Tuck Rule never happened -- neither does the kick.

Sorry, Oakland.

Tom Brady's fed up with Michigan losing to Ohio State ... saying the game was "pretty crappy to watch" ... and now he's gotta wear a "ridiculous" outfit because of it.

TB12 unloaded on his alma mater's ugly 62-39 loss to the Buckeyes -- appearing on WEEI's "Mut and Callahan" show and griping, "Man, freakin’ Wolverines. They can’t win a big game, man."

"We gotta figure out how to beat those guys," Brady says.

It's true -- Michigan has lost 14 out of the last 15 matchups with OSU ... and the current losing streak is at 7.

But, it's a double-whammy for the Pats superstar ... 'cause Tom had "a couple hundred bucks" with his teammate on the line.

"Unfortunately, I lost a bet to Nate Ebner and already paid him his money," Brady said ... noting he'll have to wear a "ridiculous outfit" to practice on Wednesday as part of the bet.

Obviously, Tom can afford to lose the money -- but having to wear an OSU jersey??

Josh Gordon is getting used to this whole "winning" thing ... bragging about a Patriots W with fans at an NBA game over the weekend ... and TMZ Sports has the vid!!

The New England receiver hit up the Orlando Magic and L.A. Lakers game on Saturday ... and we're told the guy couldn't have been nicer -- interacting with fans nearby and posing for pics.

Flash even gave a private smack talk sesh to a Bears fan ... reminding him about the 38-31 loss the Pats handed Chicago in week 7.

Tom Brady ain't going to be reprising his role as the terrible throwing dude at a carnival anytime soon -- the Pats QB says his career as a "Saturday Night Live" host is likely over.

And why? He's too damn busy.

"I'm basically on a reality TV show every Sunday afternoon for 3 hours so I feel like I'm on TV enough in the Fall and Winter."

The GOAT appeared on WEEI's "Mut & Callahan" on Monday and was asked about life outside of football -- particularly if he'd ever return to 30 Rock like he did back in 2005 when he famously played "Alan" ... a guy with an arm like Nathan Peterman.

TB12 says he loves the show ... but it's too big of a commitment and he'd rather be hanging out with Gisele and the kids.

"It's hard for my family to give that up," Brady says.

"It's hard to say, 'All right guys, well, I'm going to go off and do another week of something that I've really done before.'"

ICYMI ... the carnival sketch was Brady's best work -- but he also donned a sultan outfit and played the manager of "Falafel City" ... and had a sketch where he joked about his rivalry with Peyton Manning and other QBs.

Good times.

Drew Brees deserves the MVP this season ... AND it's time we start talking about him as the greatest of all time ahead of Tom Brady -- so says his ex-Saints teammate Lance Moore.

TMZ Sports spoke with the WR who won a Super Bowl with Brees back in 2009 -- and he's dying to know what more Drew needs to do to finally get the respect he believes the QB deserves.

"I don't know how else you would quantify the greatest of all time," Lance says.

"If you're talking statistics, Drew's the all-time completion leader, all-time completion percentage leader, all-time yards leader, he's second in touchdowns -- what more do you want from this guy?!"

Of course, Lance is a bit biased ... dude did play with Drew for 8 years in New Orleans -- but he says that only strengthens his argument for why Brees belongs above Brady.

"I was with the guy forever and I know not just how great of a player and how he prepares, but how great of a person he is."

Don't get it twisted ... Moore says he's still got Brady along with Peyton Manning in his all-time top 3 -- it's just he's got Drew leading the pack.

We also spoke with Lance about N.O.'s star receiver, Michael Thomas ... and he explains why M.T. can secure a spot over both Joe Horn AND Marques Colston as the best Saints wideout ever down the road.

AND ... if you're looking for a Super Bowl prediction, Moore gave us one of those too.

Forget Tom Brady ... the Harlem Globetrotters gave the New England Patriots cheerleaders something to REALLY get fired up about -- INSANE TRICK SHOTS!!!

Zeus McClurkin and Firefly Fisher hit up Gillette Stadium, and after kickin' it with Pats owner Robert Kraft ... they took to the field with cheerleaders and fired away at some baskets.

They shot it from the scoreboard ... the concourse ... the stands ... and even the nosebleeds -- and yup, bang, bang, bang on all of them.

No, Brady or Bill Belichick weren't in the house for the show ... but, don't worry, the Globetrotters made sure at least ONE goat was there!!

The cheerleaders and even the team's mascot loved it all. Eat your heart out, Julian Edelman.

What do you do if Bill Belichick tells you you're not allowed to leave the Patriots at any point of the season -- but you're scheduled to have a child support hearing in Ohio???

If you're Josh Gordon, you beg the judge to push the date back until after the Super Bowl -- and that's exactly what the WR did.

Here's the deal ... Gordon's been at war with his baby mama Christina Lockhart for years. She claims he owes her thousands of dollars in unpaid child support for their 3-year-old daughter.

The judge previously told Gordon he could go to jail if he doesn't pay.

Gordon's next court date was set in Ohio for Dec. 12 -- right before the Pats play the Steelers -- so JG had a big problem.

Here's what he did ... Gordon filed docs with the court begging the judge to delay the hearing until after the Super Bowl so he can keep his job.

As you probably know, Gordon is BALLIN' right now ... and, if he keeps it up, he could get a HUGE contract before next season -- more money for everyone.

Here's what Josh wrote to the judge ...

"[Gordon] is unable to appear in court on said date as he is prohibited from leaving the team (in Massachusetts), per instruction from his employer."

"Defendant/Father will not be available for hearing in Cleveland until mid-February, at the earliest, when the football season will be completed (including any possible post-season games)."

The Red Sox kept their World Series party rollin' Sunday with some dudes that are pretty familiar with winning championships -- Tom Brady and Bill Belichick!!!

Alex Cora, J.D. Martinez and the boys hit Gillette Stadium before the Pats beat down the Packers ... showing off their new 'ship to The Goat, The Hoodie and the 65,878 fans in attendance.

Bill held the trophy ... J.D. got the crowd fired up ... Cora got a selfie in with Tom. Good times were had by all (sorry, Aaron Rodgers).

The Sox won the Series two weekends ago ... and have hardly come up for air since -- dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars at clubs and tearing up the streets of Boston on parade day.

Speaking of that ... remember how the trophy took a beating from a rogue beer can out there? Thing looks all good now!

Julian Edelman doesn't play for Pittsburgh ... but he's got the city's back regardless -- wearing a Jewish star hat Sunday, and saying last month's synagogue shootings were "uncalled for."

After the Patriots beat the Packers last night, the WR -- who is of Jewish heritage -- wore a Team Israel hat from the World Baseball Classic.

He told reporters he wanted to show the people affected by the anti-Semitic shootings inside the Tree of Life synagogue that they're in his thoughts.

"Just letting the people out in Pittsburgh know I'm thinking about them," Edelman said ... "I'm sending vibes and they're in our prayers. It was a big hit to the community, and it's uncalled for."

"So, I just let them know, 'Hey, I'm behind you and I'm supporting.'"

The Pittsburgh Steelers -- who played in Baltimore on Sunday -- held a moment of a silence for the victims before their win over the Ravens ... while star QB Ben Roethlisberger wore "Stronger Than Hate" cleats.

Members of the team also attended funeral services last week for two brothers, Cecil and David Rosenthal, killed in the tragedy.

It's the day before Halloween and Tom Brady still has NO IDEA what his costume's gonna be ... but TB12's keepin' calm in the pocket, 'cause he's leaving it all up to Gisele!!

ICYMI ... the superstar couple went viral with their avocado toast costume last year (which we pretty much assumed was Gisele's idea at the time).

But, Brady came clean during his weekly interview with "Kirk & Callahan" on WEEI about how much he contributed to the couple's outfit selection this year ... and it seems like the dude's been spending too much time in the film room to give much effort.

"I gotta check in with the missus. I don't know what she got," Brady says. "That hasn't been on my radar, unfortunately."

"She got something, so ... I'll ask her today."

Nothin' like a good ole 2-minute drill, Halloween edition, from Brady.

There's more ... Brady was asked about his upcoming match-up with Aaron Rodgers ... and Brady says he's been inspired by the Packers QB.

Don't give Tom Brady the brown just yet -- Terry Bradshaw LAUGHED when we suggested the Patriots QB is the greatest football player of all time ... and then named 3 guys he thinks are better.

It's becoming a big debate -- where does Tom fall on the NFL's G.O.A.T. list? Tim Tebow previously told us he thinks TB12 is "probably" #1.

He's got the resume -- 5 Super Bowl rings. 8 AFC championships. 3 NFL MVPs. 4 Super Bowl MVP. 13 Pro Bowls.

But, Bradshaw says it ain't enough to jump 3 offensive legends -- and he didn't mention Lawrence Taylor, who a lot of people argue could easily be the best ever.

"You guys are too quick to anoint someone 'The Greatest,'" Bradshaw told us.

It's gotta be the knee!!!!

At least, that's what we think Josh Gordon was saying when he decided to throw a tat of Spike Lee on his right leg this week.

The New England Patriots wideout hit the tattoo shop to get a pic of Spike -- in full Mars Blackmon costume -- permanently etched near his kneecap ... and it came out pretty dope.

Unclear why J.G. wanted a photo of Lee from the iconic, "It's Gotta Be The Shoes" Michael Jordan Nike ads ... but, then again -- there are a lot of questionable tats on Josh's bod these days.

(He wears No. 10 now. Thanks, Tom.)

1:14 PM PT -- The Foxborough Police Dept. has identified the suspect as a 21-year-old man from Massachusetts.

Cops say the man will be charged with 2 crimes -- disorderly conduct and "throw object at sporting event."

A court date will be set.

Cops say they were able to ID the suspect using surveillance video from the stadium.

12:39 PM PT -- Tyreek Hill wants the fan who threw beer at him to be arrested and charged, according to Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus ... who spoke to Adam Schefter.

“Players have to be protected. We want that fan to be prosecuted.”

10:44 AM PT -- The Patriots say the fan has been identified and has now been BANNED FOR LIFE from attending Patriots games at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots add, "The matter has been turned over to local law enforcement and the fan will be sent a letter of disinvite to all future events at Gillette Stadium.”

The Foxborough Police Dept. is investigating the embarrassing moment at Gillette Stadium on Sunday when a Patriots fan doused a Kansas City Chiefs player with beer after a TD ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Cameras were rolling as Tyreek Hill scored a 75-yard touchdown with 3:03 left in the 4th quarter and then came face-to-face with a pack of Pats fans who were flipping him off and shouting insults.

One of the people in the group -- who appears to be wearing a Pats jersey -- threw his Bud Lite at Hill's face. Terrible moment, but props to Hill for not fighting back (you know he wanted to).

Now, the Foxborough PD tells us ... they're looking into the incident and would like to speak with the fan to find out what happened.

Hopefully, they track this scumbag down and ban him from the stadium for life -- because players shouldn't have to deal with this crap.

In fact, Reggie Bush has already spoken out about it on Twitter, saying, "Now if he smacked the piss out of one of you clowns you would be all over social media crying ready to sue him!"

"Fans need to chill before somebody get hurt! You don’t have to like the opposing team but you need to show respect or don’t go!"

True.

We reached out to the Patriots for comment -- so far, no word back.