Olympics

Mary Lou Retton is opening up about her battle with pneumonia for the first time since she contracted the illness earlier this month ... and she says while she is recovering, she's not totally out of the woods yet.

In a statement posted to her Instagram page on Monday afternoon, the Olympic legend thanked her followers for all of their support ... but added that her recovery from the ailment is moving at a snail's pace.

"I'm beyond blessed to have the opportunity to make this statement," the 55-year-old said. "I am overwhelmed with all the love and support from the world as I fight. I am forever grateful to you all!"

"I'm with family continuing to slowly recover and staying very positive as I know this recovery is a long and slow process," she added. "I appreciate everyone's respect of my privacy at this time."

Retton was diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia at the beginning of October ... and ended up in the ICU over it all.

During her multiple-day stay at the hospital, her family revealed she suffered a "scary setback" ... and at times, things seemed dire. Thankfully, however, Retton was able to fight through it all ... and returned home to recover last week.

In her statement Monday, she promised to reveal more about her fight at a later time.

"I love you all," she wrote.

Mary Lou Retton has just taken a huge step in her fight to beat pneumonia ... she's been released from the ICU -- and is now at home recovering.

One of the Olympic legend's daughters, McKenna, shared the good news on her Instagram page on Monday ... thanking doctors, nurses and fans for everything they've done to get her to this point.

"We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us," McKenna wrote, "but baby steps."

Retton was first admitted into the ICU earlier this month after contracting a rare form of pneumonia ... and while initially her family was pleased with her progress, they said she suffered a "pretty scary setback" last week.

Seems, though, Retton has battled past that ... something her family is obviously overjoyed about.

"We are overwhelmed with the love and support from everyone," McKenna said. "Grateful doesn't scrape the surface of the posture of our hearts."

Mary Lou Retton acaba de dar un gran paso en su lucha por vencer a la neumonía. Fue dada de alta de la UCI y ahora se está recuperando en casa.

Una de las hijas de la leyenda olímpica, McKenna, compartió la buena noticia en su página de Instagram el lunes, agradeciendo a los médicos, enfermeras y a los fans por todo lo que han hecho para llegar a este punto.

"Todavía tenemos un largo camino de recuperación por delante", escribió McKenna, "pero estamos dando pequeños pasos".

Retton fue admitida por primera vez en la UCI a principios de este mes después de contraer una rara forma de neumonía, y aunque inicialmente su familia estaba contenta con su progreso, confirmaron que sufrió un "aterrador revés" la semana pasada.

Parece, sin embargo, que lo peor ha pasado, algo por lo que su familia está obviamente, muy contenta

"Estamos abrumados con el amor y el apoyo de todos", dijo McKenna. "Decir agradecidos no raspa ni la superficie de la postura de nuestros corazones".

Mary Lou Retton has suffered a "scary setback" this week in her battle with a rare form of pneumonia ... and she now remains in the ICU fighting for her life.

The Olympic legend's daughter, Shayla, provided the concerning update in a video on her social media page Wednesday evening ... saying Retton had been showing signs of improvement prior to the turn.

"Basically, at the beginning of this week," Shayla said, "we were going on the up-and-up. We were so excited. Seeing so much progress. And then yesterday, we had a pretty scary setback. She is still in ICU."

Thankfully, there is at least a bit of positive news ... Shayla said Retton had a much better day Wednesday, though the 55-year-old former gymnast is clearly nowhere near out of the woods yet.

"We're just working through some things as far as her setback goes," Shayla said.

Retton has been in the ICU since earlier this month ... though plenty have sent prayers her way in the hopes she improves. So far, over 8,000 donors have given more than $450,000 to a SpotFund created on her behalf ... something Shayla said she's super grateful for.

Mary Lou Retton ha sufrido un "aterrador revés" esta semana en su batalla contra una rara forma de neumonía, y ahora permanece luchando por su vida en la UCI.

La hija de la leyenda olímpica, Shayla, entregó la preocupante actualización en un video publicado en sus redes sociales el miércoles por la noche, en donde dice que Retton había estado mostrando signos de mejoría antes de este revés.

"Básicamente, a principios de esta semana", dijo Shayla, "íbamos mejorando y mejorando. Estábamos muy emocionados. Veíamos muchos progresos. Y entonces, ayer, tuvimos un retroceso bastante aterrador. Todavía está en la UCI".

Afortunadamente, hay al menos algunas noticias positivas. Shayla dijo que Retton tuvo un día mucho mejor el miércoles, aunque la ex gimnasta de 55 años aún está lejos de estar fuera de peligro.

"Estamos trabajando en algunas cosas en lo que respecta a su revés", dijo Shayla.

Retton está en la UCI desde principios de este mes, aunque muchos han enviado sus oraciones con la esperanza de que se mejore. Hasta ahora, más de 8.000 personas han donado más de $450.000 a un SpotFund creado en su nombre, algo por lo que Shayla dijo sentirse muy agradecida.

Rob Gronkowski podría estar de vuelta en 2028 y le dice a TMZ Sports que se retiraría del fútbol si eso significaba que podía jugar la versión de la bandera de la misma para el equipo de EE.UU. en los Juegos Olímpicos.

La leyenda de los New England Patriots no se anduvo con rodeos a la hora de hablar de este deporte y su posible inclusión en los Juegos del 28, diciendo: "¡Cuenten conmigo ya!".

"Ojalá no haya pruebas y simplemente me acepten", dijo el ex tight end, que se alejó definitivamente de la NFL en 2022. "Pero estoy dentro. Voy a por ello si hay espacio para el football de banderas en los Juegos Olímpicos de 2028. Estados Unidos va a por todas".

Gronk tendría 39 años cuando los Juegos Olímpicos comiencen oficialmente en Los Ángeles, pero dice que ha estado cuidando de su cuerpo durante este tiempo y que ahora está de vuelta al 100 por ciento y parece anticipar que las cosas seguirán así.

De hecho, dice que si la NFL creara un espacio para las Olimpiadas, él estaría ahí.

"Te puedo decir esto", dijo, "Si hubiera una liga de fútbol bandera de la NFL, yo estaría jugando en estos momentos".

Por supuesto, este deporte aún no se ha añadido oficialmente a los Juegos. Se espera que el Comité Olímpico Internacional vote sobre él y algunos otros en los próximos días.

Aunque si se añade oficialmente, Gronk podría tener a un gran compañero corriendo junto a él en cuatro años más. Tyreek Hill dijo a principios de esta semana que también estaría feliz de participar.

Mientras tanto, cuando Gronk no está ocupado en mantenerse en forma, está tratando con su multitud de empresas de negocios, incluyendo su última idea, Voomerang.

Rob Gronkowski could be back on a gridiron as soon as 2028 ... telling TMZ Sports he'd unretire from football if it meant he could play the flag version of it for Team USA in the Olympics.

The New England Patriots legend didn't mince words when talking about the sport and its potential inclusion in the '28 Games ... saying point-blank Thursday, "Count me in already!"

"Hopefully there's no tryouts and they just accept me," said the former tight end, who walked away from the NFL for good in 2022. "But I'm in. I'm going for that if there is flag football in the Olympics in 2028. USA going all the way!"

Gronk would be 39 years old when the Olympics officially kick off in Los Angeles ... but he says he's been taking care of his body so well in retirement, he's now back to 100 percent -- and he seems to anticipate things staying that way if and when it comes time to put the flags on.

In fact, he says if the NFL created a league of its own prior to any sort of Olympic action, he'd be down to lace up his cleats ASAP for it.

"I can tell you this." he said, "If there was a flag football league -- an NFL flag football league -- I would be playing in that currently as we speak."

Of course, the sport has not yet officially been added to the Games -- the International Olympic Committee is expected to vote on it and a few others in the coming days.

Although if it does get officially added, Gronk could have some serious firepower running alongside him in four years ... as Tyreek Hill said earlier this week he'd be all-in for it as well.

In the meantime, when Gronk isn't busy staying in shape ... he's dealing with his multitude of business ventures -- including his latest one, Voomerang.

Donations towards Mary Lou Retton's medical expenses now top $360k and the Olympic star's daughter, Shayla, says she's blown away by the "unbelievable love" her mom is receiving from her fans.

"My sisters and I are overwhelmed," Shayla said via Instagram on Wednesday, "We didn't even realize that there's so many people out there that love her just as much as we do."

"It's been a really hard time for our family."

Since news broke that the Olympic gold medalist was battling a rare case of pneumonia, fans have flooded the SpotFund account launched by her other daughter, McKenna.

As of Thursday morning, the fund sits at $363k (after starting with a goal of just $50k!) with over 6,000 donors! And it's going up by the hour.

"Just seeing that people love her like that and showing her that support has just meant the world to us and to her," Shayla said.

"Thank you for your unbelievable love & support for our mom. Please continue to pray for her full recovery."

Mattress Mack is hoping his family's generous contribution toward Mary Lou Retton's medical expenses leads to more donations for the Olympics legend ... telling TMZ Sports it's the least they could do.

Mack -- real name Jim McIngvale -- and his wife, Linda, wrote a check for $50,000 to assist with the gold medalist's hospital bills as she remains in the ICU with a rare form of pneumonia.

We spoke with Mack -- who owns Gallery Furniture in Texas -- about his family's decision to step up in such a big way ... and he said they have been fans since before she became a household name at the 1984 Olympic Games.

"We followed Mary Lou since her career in Houston," Mack said. "My wife and I have always been a huge support of Béla and Márta Károlyi's gymnastics team. My son worked out with them on the team for years, my daughter did as well."

"Mary Lou was always a shining point of light, as George Bush would say, and we pray for Mary Lou's recovery and the $50,000 is the least we could do to help an American icon get better."

In fact, Mack said Linda went through a similar health scare when she suffered a severe lung infection from pneumonia a year ago ... and now that she's doing much better, he hopes the same happens for Mary Lou.

"My parents taught me, and I try to teach my children, and Linda certainly lives that life, that the essence of living is giving," Mack added. "People get in a hard spot, let's help 'em out because one of these days, all of us will be in a hard spot. We're thrilled to help our Mary Lou, we pray for her speedy recovery and, again, I've lived my life by that motto -- 'the essence of living is giving.'"

2:44 PM PT -- La hija de Mary Lou Retton, McKenna Kelley, acaba de actualizar a sus fans sobre su madre a través de Instagram, diciendo que ella todavía está en la UCI y sigue luchando. "¡Ella está recibiendo una atención médica increíble! Gracias a todos los médicos y enfermeras".

Kelley, junto con sus tres hermanas Skyla, Shayla y Emma, también agradecieron a todos por su amor y apoyo. "Pedimos que continúen las oraciones y los pensamientos positivos para nuestra mamá".

¡El SpotFundMe también ha aumentado a más de $285k!

9:29 AM PT -- La recaudación de fondos para Mary Lou Retton ha llegado a un cuarto de millón de dólares, gracias a la donación de Linda, la esposa del famoso empresario de Texas, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, quien aportó la asombrosa suma de $50.000.

La leyenda de los Juegos Olímpicos, Mary Lou Retton, está recibiendo un tremendo apoyo financiero para hacer frente a un grave problema de salud. La ex deportista lleva recaudados más de $181k en donaciones.

Como informamos anteriormente, la medallista de oro ha estado luchando por su vida en la UCI, en donde está siendo tratada por una "forma muy rara de neumonía", según informa su hija. Actualmente, ella es incapaz de respirar por sí misma.

Teniendo en cuenta que Mary Lou, de 55 años, no tiene seguro médico, la familia abrió una página en SpotFund para ayudar con las facturas médicas, y poco después de que la recaudación de fondos se pusiera en marcha superó su objetivo de 50.000 dólares.

De hecho, hasta el miércoles por la mañana, la causa había recaudado más del triple de su objetivo inicial y solo sigue aumentando.

Hasta el momento, más de 3.900 personas han donado para ayudar con los gastos de Retton, y muchos han compartido palabras de apoyo hacia la gimnasta y su familia.

Retton es una de las gimnastas olímpicas estadounidenses más populares de los años 80. En 1984 ganó la medalla de oro en el all-around (que considera la sumatoria de todas las pruebas por aparato), así como un par de medallas de plata y bronce.

Ahora todos sus fans a lo largo del país la están apoyando nuevamente.

2:44 PM PT -- Mary Lou Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, just updated fans about her mom via Instagram ... saying she's still in the ICU and continues to fight.

"She is getting incredible medical care! Thank you to all the doctors and nurses!"

Kelley -- along with her three sisters Skyla, Shayla, and Emma -- also thanked everyone for their love and support.

"We ask for continued prayers and positive thoughts for our mom."

The SpotFundMe has also increased to over $285k!

9:29 AM PT -- The fundraiser for Mary Lou Retton has now hit a quarter-million dollars ... with famous Texas businessman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale's wife, Linda donating an astounding $50,000.

The financial support is pouring in for Olympics legend Mary Lou Retton ... with more than $181k in donations being collected as she battles a serious medical issue.

As we previously reported, the gold medalist has been in the ICU fighting for her life as she deals with a "very rare form of pneumonia," according to her daughter ... and she is currently unable to breathe on her own.

Considering 55-year-old MLR is uninsured, the family started a SpotFund page to help with medical bills ... and shortly after the fundraiser went live, it shattered its goal of $50,000.

In fact, the cause has raised more than triple the original goal as of Wednesday morning ... and it only continues to rise.

So far, more than 3,900 people have donated to Retton's expenses ... with many leaving words of support for the gymnast and her family.

Retton is one of the most popular American Olympians from the '80s ... earning gold in the all-around, as well as a pair of silver and bronze medals, in 1984.

Now, her fans throughout the country are pulling for her once again.

Mary Lou Retton -- an Olympic gold-winning gymnast  -- is currently fighting for her life in the ICU ... this according to her daughter, who says her mom is battling a rare form of pneumonia.

McKenna Kelley shared the sad news on Tuesday via her Instagram story with a photo of a SpotFund account that she started for Retton's medical costs.

"Please help my mom continue to fight," Kelley said in the post.

The fundraiser says the 55-year-old former athlete is unable to breathe on her own due to the rare form of pneumonia.

"Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details," Keller said on the page. "However, I will disclose that she not insured."

"We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill."

Kelley added, "ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y’all so very much!"

The fundraiser has a goal of $50k and as of Tuesday, over 79 donors have contributed.

"If anyone can WIN we know it’s YOU! GEAUX MARYLOU!" one fan said on the page. "We are praying hard for you from La!"

Retton was a massive star in gymnastics ... in fact, she made history as the first American woman to win the all-around gold in the 1984 Olympics. She also won two silvers and bronzes that same year.

After retiring, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997 and was the first woman to be selected into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Mary Lou Retton —una gimnasta ganadora del oro olímpico— está actualmente luchando por su vida en la UCI, esto de acuerdo a su hija, quien dice que su madre está luchando contra una forma rara de neumonía.

McKenna Kelley compartió la triste noticia el martes a través de su historia de Instagram con una foto de una cuenta SpotFund que ella comenzó para los gastos médicos de Retton.

"Por favor, ayuden a mi mamá a seguir luchando", dijo Kelley en el post.

La recaudación de fondos dice que la ex atleta de 55 años no puede respirar por sí misma debido a la rara forma de neumonía.

"Por respeto a ella y a su privacidad, no revelaré todos los detalles", dijo Keller en la página. "Sin embargo, revelaré que ella no tiene seguro".

"Les pedimos que si pueden ayudar de alguna manera, que 1) ¡OREN! y 2) si pueden ayudarnos con las finanzas para la factura del hospital".

Kelley añadió: "CUALQUIER cosa, absolutamente cualquier cosa, sería de gran ayuda para mi familia y mi madre. Muchísimas gracias a todos".

La recaudación de fondos tiene una meta de $50k, y hasta el martes, más de 79 donantes han contribuido.

"¡Si alguien puede GANAR sabemos que eres TÚ! GEAUX MARYLOU!", dijo un fan en la página. "¡Estamos rezando mucho por ti desde Los Ángeles!".

Retton era una reconocida estrella en la gimnasia, de hecho, hizo historia como la primera mujer estadounidense en ganar el oro en los Juegos Olímpicos de 1984. También ganó dos medallas de plata y bronce ese mismo año.

Después de retirarse, fue incluida en el Salón Internacional de la Fama de la Gimnasia en 1997 y fue la primera mujer en ser seleccionada en el Salón de la Fama de los Deportes de Houston en 2020.

Tyreek Hill has a ring, now he wants a medal! 🥇

Flag football was proposed as one of a handful of new sports that could be coming to the 2028 Summer Olympics ... and Cheetah's aiming to put together an Avengers-like all-star squad and win gold!

"Calling all NFL guys let's bring one home," the 29-year-old tweeted in response to the news on Monday.

It's not a done deal just yet ... flag football, in addition to baseball/softball, lacrosse, cricket and squash will be voted on by the International Olympic Committee in the coming days.

Assuming FF gets enough votes, it'll debut in five years in the City of Angels, and Hill clearly wants to represent the U.S.

Hill would be 34 when the Games commence.

Professional flag football leagues do exist, but it's hard to imagine anyone being better than Tyreek and his fellow NFL stars.

Sure, there's no need for Trent Williams ... but, imagine Cheetah, Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase -- scary!

In fact, we've seen what Hill can do sans pads ... Tyreek took on an entire women's flag team last year, and was unstoppable, all by himself.

Caitlyn Jenner parece decidida a pasar el resto de su vida sola. Asegura que el romance no está en sus futuros planes.

La ex atleta olímpica habló sobre su vida amorosa en una entrevista con The Times, diciendo que no está saliendo en este momento y que no tiene ningún problema en mantenerse así.

Aquí está su cita: "Estoy bien. Ni siquiera estoy cerca de buscar una relación. Nunca voy a tener una relación en el futuro. Simplemente no veo eso en mi vida. No es algo que estoy buscando". Caitlyn añade que está "muy soltera" y bastante contenta por el momento.

En cuanto a la soledad, Caitlyn dice está muy lejos de eso, citando a sus perros como buena compañía, por no hablar de su gran familia, con la que todavía está en buenos términos diciendo: "Cada noche de la semana podría ir a casa de alguien a cenar".

Caitlyn termina señalando que hace muchas cosas para mantenerse ocupada (pasatiempos y panoramas) y que ella está en el momento de su vida que se llama "diversión". Sin embargo, señala que otros capítulos pueden aparecer en el camino. En otras palabras, mantiene la mente abierta.

Caitlyn Jenner is on track to spend the rest of her life by herself -- because romance just isn't in the cards for her ... so says CJ herself.

The former Olympian dished about her love life in an interview with The Times -- saying she's not dating right now ... and that she might not even date ever again, 'cause she apparently doesn't see or need that in her future going forward.

Here's her quote ... "I’m fine. I’m not even close to looking for a relationship. I’ll never have a relationship in the future. I just don’t see that in my life. I am not looking for that." Caitlyn adds she's "very single" and quite content with that status at the moment.

As far as loneliness, CJ says she doesn't experience it ... citing her dogs as good enough company -- not to mention her big family, with whom she suggests she's still on good terms with ... saying, "Every night of the week I could go to somebody’s house and have dinner."

Caitlyn ends her thoughts on her romantic life by noting she does a lot to keep herself busy -- hobbies and such -- and that she's simply in her "fun" chapter in life ... while noting other chapters may follow down the road. In other words, she's keeping an open mind.

The last person Caitlyn was rumored to have been involved with was Sophia Hutchins -- but they've since distanced themselves from that speculation ... saying there's no "hanky panky."