New England Patriots

Jerry Rice's daughter says Julian Edelman was a great prom date and a lovely boyfriend ... but she tells TMZ Sports her ultra-famous father wasn't so hot on the guy ...

"My dad wasn't always the nicest to him," Jaqui Rice says ... "But, I mean, I guess that's understandable because he's my dad, you know?"

33-year-old Julian grew up in the same Northern California neighborhood as Jerry in the 1990s ... and, turns out, he and the G.O.A.T.'s daughter had a thing for each other.

Jaqui joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airing weeknights on FS1) to explain it all ... and says, "This goes a while back. I've known Julian since we were kids."

"He played Pop Warner football, I was a Pop Warner cheerleader."

Jaqui says she and Julian dated -- and didn't just go to prom together -- but went to several other school dances ... despite not going to the same high school!!

As for how Jerry felt about the young Edelman ... Jaqui says the two didn't always have the most friendly relationship, telling the guys, "I think [Julian] was a little intimidated by my dad growing up."

Good news for everybody? Julian has seemed to have grown on Jerry -- the two attended the Kentucky Derby together back in 2017, and Jerry posted a cool pic with the Patriots star.

As for Jaqui and Julian, their romantic relationship didn't make it much further than high school ...  but she says she still considers Edelman a good friend!

By the way, Jaqui is helping her pops launch a new energy drink called G.O.A.T. FUEL ... and ya gotta hear why she says the stuff is going to change the energy drink game.

Jerry Rice says Antonio Brown deserves an Academy Award for the performance he put on in Oakland ... 'cause the superstar played EVERYONE like a fiddle to ultimately land with the Patriots.

The G.O.A.T. weighed in on the disastrous few weeks surrounding AB's time with the Raiders on 95.7 The Game on Monday ... saying Brown got exactly what he wanted all along, and channeled his inner Denzel Washington to make it happen.

"He was a Denzel Washington and he won the Oscar," Rice said. "He won an Oscar, guys. Imma be honest with you. Because He had all of us sold. Then all of a sudden, you started to get all of this drama, what was happening with the Raiders."

It seems Rice is insinuating that Brown had a master plan from the beginning to sabotage things in Oakland to force the team to cut him so he could sign with Bill Belichick's Pats.

"He was a Denzel all the way and he pulled it off. He really did."

Jerry admits AB personally played him too ... saying he took AB at his word when he said he wanted to be a San Francisco 49er earlier this year.

Illegally recording a phone conversation in California carries a maximum 1-year jail sentence ... which could be a BIG problem for Antonio Brown if Jon Gruden wants to stick it to the WR.

Patriots fans might want to pay attention ...

Obviously, the issue here is the video Antonio posted on social media Friday night (when he was still a Raider) which contained pieces of a phone call between AB and Gruden.

It seems obvious Gruden didn't know he was being recorded at the time of the call -- and if Antonio was in California (a 2-party consent state) when he pressed "record," he committed a misdemeanor crime.

It's all spelled out in California Penal Code 632 -- an invasion of privacy statute that essentially forbids the recording of a conversation without the knowledge/consent of both parties.

If convicted, it carries a maximum 1-year jail sentence, $2,500 in fines and other penalties.

So, if Gruden believes AB was in CA during the call (which is likely considering Brown was staying in a home near Raiders HQ in Northern California), Jon COULD report Brown to authorities with the intention of having Antonio prosecuted.

Of course, even if Brown was convicted, it's VERY unlikely he would get jail time -- but a criminal investigation/conviction would likely force the NFL to take action as well.

The NFL's Personal Conduct Policy not only allows the league to suspend a player for a criminal conviction, but it also allows the Commish to discipline a player who "undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel."

To our knowledge, the NFL has never dealt with an alleged illegal recording situation before -- so there's no precedent -- but it's clear they DON'T need a conviction to mete out punishment.

Ezekiel Elliott was neither charged nor convicted of a crime when the league hit him with a 6-game suspension following a domestic violence investigation in 2017.

Will Gruden or the Raiders choose this option? Again, unlikely ... but it all depends on how pissed off they are at the WR.

Who's feeling petty?!!?

Rob Gronkowski ain't retired from WHOOPIN' THAT ASS ... 'cause the ex-NFL superstar tells TMZ Sports he wants a WWE fight against his "wimp" friend Mojo Rawley!!!

The 30-year-old knows his way around the ring ... he famously helped Rawley win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33 in 2017.

So, when the ex-Patriots tight end was out in NYC promoting his partnership with CBDMedic earlier this week, we had to ask if a full-time gig with WWE was in his future.

"My friend's in there and he's a little wimp, so I gotta go in that ring and whoop his ass!!!" Gronk tells us ... referring to his former partner as "Mojo 'Small Piece' Rawley!!!"

It's been a hot topic for YEARS ... given Gronk is a freak of nature and is hella charismatic. So, the fact that he called out his first fight opponent is a big deal.

But, as we previously reported ... Gronk says he's keeping his NFL window open, saying he could return if the desire comes back.

Rob Gronkowski says he's not closing the door on his NFL career -- saying he's open to strap on the pads again if he starts jonesing for some football action!

Gronk says his body is finally "pain free" after getting into bed with a CBD company called CBD Medic ... and he hosted a media event on Tuesday to announce his partnership.

In short, Gronk says CBD has helped him get right since retiring and he hopes the league and other star players like Tom Brady will help get CBD approved for pain management in the NFL.

And, since he feels good, Gronk was asked about rejoining the Patriots -- and the 30-year-old explained that he's keeping an open mind.

"If I have the desire to play football again, if I feel passionate about football again, if I'm feeling like I need to be out there on the field, I will go back to football," Gronk said.

"But, as of now, that's not the case."

"It could be the case in 6 months. It could be the case in 2 years, could be the case in 3 years, could be the case in 3 months. But, I truly don't see it in the foreseeable future, in like a week or a month."

Gronk says toward the end of his career, "Football was bringing me down and I didn't like it and I was losing that joy."

Now, the future Hall of Famer says he's enjoying life away from the game and hopes the fans will support him.

During the event, TMZ Sports also asked Gronk if he had advice to fellow retired NFL star Andrew Luck ... and the TE delivered a heartfelt message to the QB.

Gronk also talked about Tom Brady and said he's excited to talk to TB12 about using CBD in his health care.

Patriots safety Patrick Chung won't be in court Wednesday to face his cocaine charge ... he waived his arraignment hearing and had his attorney plead not guilty for him on Monday instead.

The New England defensive back was indicted by a grand jury in Belknap County, NH earlier this month after officials say Chung was found in possession of coke back on June 25.

Chung was slated to appear in court later this week to fight the charge ... but according to court officials, that hearing has been canceled after Chung's attorney entered a not guilty plea on the 32-year-old's behalf.

Chung is now slated to head back to court on Nov. 8 ... just 5 days after the Patriots play the Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

Chung's cocaine charge is a serious one ... the guy is facing 7 YEARS behind bars if he's convicted.

Chung -- who's helped New England win 3 Super Bowls -- has not played in the Patriots' 3 preseason games this month.

Head coach Bill Belichick has declined to comment on the safety's status ... and the team said in a statement last week, "We will not be commenting while his judicial proceedings take place."

Rob Gronkowski's retirement will end THIS SEASON ... so says ex-Patriots TE Jermaine Wiggins, who tells TMZ Sports, "You heard it here first, he's going to be back this year!"

30-year-old Gronk famously hung up his spikes this past spring ... but there haven't been many people who have believed he's truly done with football.

Wiggins -- who's still plugged in with the Patriots -- says count him on the side that thinks Gronk's going to make a comeback ... telling us, "I would bet money -- at this point in time, I'm, like, 97% sure he's going to come back."

And, why? Jermaine thinks Rob is just going to miss playing too much to not eventually come walking back into Bill Belichick's locker room later this year.

"He loves the limelight," Wiggins says ... "And, what better way to keep continue to build the Gronk brand by being out on the field?"

As for how successful Gronk will be after such a long layoff from football, Wiggins says he thinks the future Hall of Famer will have no trouble getting back into form.

In fact, Wiggins tells us he thinks the time off will actually HELP Gronk!!

New England Patriots star Patrick Chung has been indicted for cocaine possession and now faces PRISON time if convicted.

It all stems back to an incident in New Hampshire on June 25 when cops say the 32-year-old was in possession of coke.

The case went to a grand jury which ultimately decided to charge Chung with a Class B felony which carries up to 7 years in prison if convicted, according to the Laconia Daily Sun.

Chung -- who's won 3 Super Bowl rings with the Patriots -- is scheduled to be arraigned next week.

Officials say Chung was not formally arrested and there is no mug shot.

Details surrounding the incident are sparse -- we're working on it.

Story developing ...

Troubled NFL player Josh Gordon is getting another shot ... the league announced it will conditionally reinstate the receiver on Sunday.

The New England Patriots star was indefinitely suspended back in December for committing several violations of the league's substance abuse policy.

Gordon's been suspended several times since 2012 ... and also stepped away from the game to focus on his mental health last year.

The league made the news official on Friday, saying Gordon will be able to attend team practices and meetings ... but will not be able to play until he's properly conditioned.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement ... saying "We are all rooting for Josh to succeed, both personally and professionally."

Tom Brady putting his $40 million mansion up for sale is NOT an indication he wants to retire from the Patriots after this season ... so says the legendary QB himself.

"You shouldn't read into anything," Brady said on "The Greg Hill Show" on WEEI on Monday ... "I think it takes a long time to sell a house."

TB12 just put his Boston-area pad on the market last week ... and after signing a contract that makes him a free agent after this season -- people tried connecting the retirement dots.

But, 42-year-old Brady fired back at those rumors ... saying the sale of his house has NOTHING to do with his future football plans.

"My house is a little bit of an expensive one," Brady said, "so, it doesn't fly off the shelf in a couple weeks."

Brady added, "I love playing for the Patriots. I have such a great relationship with Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick and our team."

It's great news for Pats fans ... Brady's gunning for his SEVENTH Super Bowl win this season -- and losing him after this year would almost certainly mean no shot at an 8th one in 2020.

By the way, if you haven't had the chance to see Brady's mansion ... it's insane -- 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms on 5 ACRES of land!!!

The perfect complement to Ty Law's Hall of Fame gold jacket -- custom Air Jordans -- featured 12,000 crystals ... and TMZ Sports has learned the insane kicks took 40 HOURS to customize!!!

The New England Patriots legend hit up Leah Miller at Bella Artistry to make sure his footwear was right for the biggest day of his post-football life ... and the results were incredible.

The shoes feature 12,000 black, gold and New England Patriot-colored Swarovski crystals ... and we're told they were all HAND-PLACED one by one.

The kicks -- which took nearly two FULL days to complete -- have Law's famous No. 24 on them ... as well as the No. 323 to represent his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The shoes also have the letters "H.O.F." on the back with the Patriots logo on the front ... and Law clearly loved them, wearing them during his induction speech.

In fact, 45-year-old Law thought so highly of them, he placed them on his grandparents' graves just 2 days after the ceremony, saying, "The journey is now complete!!"

Tom Brady is putting his $40 million, Boston-area mansion up for sale ... and it's got us all wondering -- IS THIS A HINT AT RETIREMENT FOR THE G.O.A.T.?!?!

Of course, TB12 just signed a contract extension with the Patriots ... but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the details of the deal mean Brady is only under New England control through the 2019 season.

Translation -- both the Pats AND Brady are off the hook if he wants to retire after this year.

Most figured that was just standard procedure when dealing with a QB who's 42 years old ... but now that Brady's listed his house for sale -- is it time to start worrying in New England???

If these are Brady's last days in New England ... at least we now know the guy was living like a king during his time there -- 'cause his Chestnut Hill house is INSANE!!!

It's a 5-bedroom, 7-bathroom pad located on 5 acres just feet from one of the nicest golf courses in the state.

It's got a rec room, gym, wine room, spa AND an outdoor organic herb/vegetable garden ... and the place even features a guest house with a full yoga studio in it.

Reports say Brady and Gisele are house hunting for new places to live in both Connecticut and New Jersey.

By the way, if ya want to move in to Brady's palace ... hope ya got some serious cash -- Brady's asking $39,500,000 for it!

Hope ya saved up!

Tom Brady's back under center ... in a smoldering beach make out session with his supermodel wife, Gisele! 

TB12 loaded up the family and flew to Costa Rica for their annual offseason beach vacation -- where the couple proved they've still got that fire 10 years after they tied the knot! 

38-year-old Gisele showed off her legendary physique in a pretty tiny bikini -- while 41-year-old Tom didn't look too bad either! 

In fact, Brady looks like he's made some gains in the gym since those infamous dad-bod pics from last summer. 

Maybe avocado ice cream is worth looking into after all!? 

Of course, Tom is on a ticking clock when it comes to his vacation ... the New England Patriots report to training camp on July 25 -- only 9 days away. 

Robert Kraft has a new lady in his life ... someone he's been holding hands with at multiple major public events -- but her identity is a mystery!!!

People first noticed Kraft's new lady at the French Open in Paris back on June 9 -- when the New England Patriots owner showed up to watch some tennis from the VIP boxes with a female friend on his arm. You can see the two holding hands. 

Fans -- and even major media outlets -- mistakenly identified the woman as Ricki Noel Lander, Kraft's ex-girlfriend ... but our sources say that woman is definitely NOT Ricki. 

The following month, Kraft attended the Women's World Cup final in Paris on July 7 to watch Team USA defeat the Netherlands ... with the same new lady on his arm. 

Again, fans and media outlets mistook the woman for Lander. 

Sources connected to Kraft tell us he's still on good terms with Lander -- but they broke up last year and they're living separate lives. 

Who inspires the man who inspires so many??? TOM BRADY!!!

You probably know Rob Mendez from the ESPYs -- he's the amazing high school football coach born without limbs who was honored Wednesday night with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

Rob's story is incredible ... the 31-year-old was unable to play football due to a rare condition called tetra-amelia syndrome, which prevented him from growing limbs. 

But, he loved football and paid his dues as an assistant coach before being named the JV head coach at Prospect a Bay Area high school in California in 2018, where he nearly won a title in his 1st season!

He's clearly an inspiration -- but who inspires him? We spoke with Rob right before the ESPYs ...

"I heard Tom Brady's not gonna be here but he definitely inspires me with his determination to win," Mendez says ... "I love his [famous battle cry] 'Lets go!'"

Mendez says he's never met TB12 but would love the opportunity to sit down with him and talk football. 

"Come on, Mr. Brady, I need some Xs and Os coaching here!"

Rob Gronkowski could be catching passes from Tom Brady in a REAL game this season ... so says Jay Glazer, who tells TMZ Sports he thinks the TE could definitely unretire this year!!!

"Could he possibly come out of retirement for a last little playoff push? Why not?!" Glazer says ... "Why wouldn't he?!"

Of course, Gronk is currently enjoying the retired life ... he's been partying up with his swimsuit model GF, Camille Kostek, and traveling all over the world dancing his face off.

But, rumors of a possible return have swirled almost since the day the 30-year-old made his retirement announcement in March ... given how dominant he still is on the field.

And, after Gronk was spotted working out with TB12 at UCLA earlier this week ... people are REALLY startin' to wonder if a comeback is in the works.

Glazer -- who's one of the best NFL insiders out there -- says he doesn't see Rob unretiring any time soon ... but says if the Pats are in a late-season playoff hunt, watch out.

As for how effective Rob would be after such a long layoff ... Glazer has no worries about that, telling us, "Gronk could retire for 10 years and come back and still dominate."

"He is ridiculous."