Robert Kraft Pumped for Tom Brady's Return to Boston ... 'I Love Him'

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WARM WELCOME
TMZSports.com

No bad blood between Robert Kraft and Tom Brady -- in fact, the Patriots owner tells TMZ Sports he can't wait to welcome the QB back to New England!

"Excited to have him," Kraft told us Friday afternoon in Beverly Hills ... "He's a great guy and he did so much for us. I love him."

Of course, Tom will make his highly anticipated return to Boston during Week 4 of the 2021 NFL season -- the first time he'll play in Gillette Stadium as a visitor!

Tickets for the game are already in ultra-high demand -- with some ticket brokers fetching 4-figures for seats in the nosebleed section!

We asked Kraft how he feels about the big matchup -- and he told us, "We should have a fun night! But, I'm excited for Week 1 … and we play Miami."

There's more!!!

We also asked Bob about the Pats QB situation -- they recently selected Mac Jones in the 1st round of the NFL Draft after re-signing former NFL MVP Cam Newton.

So, who'll end up with the starting gig?

"We're excited to have [Mac Jones] but I'm excited to have Cam Newton, too," Kraft said ... adding, "I pay Bill Belichick a lot of money. He can decide that."

He's not wrong!

Antonio Brown Sued Over Alleged Violent Encounter ... With Moving Truck Driver

Just when it appeared Antonio Brown's legal troubles were behind him ... he's now being sued again, this time for allegedly assaulting a moving truck driver, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

According to the lawsuit, Anton Tumanov claims he was the moving company driver that initially accused Brown in February 2020 of assaulting him during a violent encounter outside of the NFL star's mansion in Hollywood, Fla.

In the docs, Tumanov says he was hired to move some of Brown's belongings from California to Florida ... but he claims when he arrived at Brown's home on Feb. 11, the receiver snapped.

Tumanov says after a dispute over payment ... Brown and his trainer, Glenn Holt, beat the hell out of him, damaging his truck and other people's belongings in his truck in the process.

Tumanov reported the incident to police, and in his 911 call, you can hear he told dispatch he thought Brown was "high."

TMZ Sports has obtained the 911 call made during Antonio Brown's alleged altercation with a moving company driver  ... and the alleged victim claims the NFL star was high and making threats. 01/22/20
"HE'S THROWING STONES IN MY TRUCK"
TMZSports.com

32-year-old Brown was eventually arrested and hit with 3 criminal charges for his alleged role in the incident ... though he later cut a deal with prosecutors in June 2020 to put the case behind him.

Brown agreed to probation and other stipulations, including community service hours and an anger management course, to have the case dropped.

According to Tumanov's suit, he's now suing Brown AND Holt for damages in excess of $30,000.

As we previously reported, Brown had appeared to have cleared up all of his legal issues in recent months, including settling a civil lawsuit with his rape accuser, Britney Taylor.

Brown just signed a new 1-year contract with the Bucs to reunite with Tom Brady on the field in 2021.

New Bucs QB Kyle Trask Tom Brady's Taking Me Under His Wing ... He Wants Me To Throw With Him!!!

There will be no Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Love-like drama in Tampa ... 'cause new Bucs rookie QB Kyle Trask says Tom Brady's already offering to be his mentor!!

The former Univ. of Florida signal-caller -- who was drafted in the 2nd-round by Tampa Bay last week -- says Brady is already looking to meet him, throw with him and take him under his wing.

“He actually did reach out to me a couple of days after the draft," Trask said of Brady to NFL Network.

"Just checking in on when I was going to get into town so that we can get together and maybe do some throwing and things like that. That meant a lot to me."

Trask says others in the org. have been equally as welcoming ... telling the Network, "You can definitely tell that they have a great culture and a great group of people just in this building and I can’t wait to get started."

Of course, things aren't always this way in the NFL ... Rodgers and his drama with the Packers after they drafted Love in 2020 certainly highlights that.

But, Brady's always made an effort to get along with his backups/potential replacements ... in fact, Jimmy Garoppolo just said this week TB12 really helped him after the Patriots brought him into New England in 2014.

Brady, man ... MVP on the field -- and clearly MVP guy off of it!

Tom Brady Copping New $6 Mil, 77-Foot Yacht ... G.O.A.T. Adding To Boat Collection

Tom Brady is now closing in on having as many boats as Super Bowl rings ... the QB says he's adding to his watercraft collection by copping an insane $6 MILLION yacht!!

The NFL superstar revealed last week he's in the process of scoring the Wajer 77 -- a 77-foot superyacht -- so he and his family can take more overnight trips on the sea from their Tampa-area home.

You'll recall ... Brady famously already owns the Wajer 55S -- the smaller Wajer boat he got back in December that he later took to the Bucs' Super Bowl parade in February.

But, Tom says the new yacht he's getting will allow him to do much more than the 55-footer ... and he's PUMPED to add it to his growing list of water rides.

"The 55S is an amazing boat, and it’s been an amazing boat for our family," Brady said during a revealing of the new Wajer 77 yacht last week.

"I think the 77 will be a little bit more suited for what we need it for down here, which is a few more day trips and weekend trips. We spend a lot of time in the Bahamas. So going from the East Coast of Florida across into the Bahamas and around the Bahamas would be really great trips for us as a family."

The yacht is absurd ... it features bedrooms that look like hotel rooms -- with the boat company saying nine people can sleep in it comfortably, along with two crew members.

Brady says it'll bear the same name as the 55-footer -- "Viva A Vida" (a nod to a cause very close to his wife, Gisele) -- and he's hoping it'll get delivered before the end of the year.

"With a little bit bigger boat, for us, the 77 allows us to sleep overnight really comfortably and those weekend trips would be really something," Brady said. "That would be great memories for our family for years to come."

Tom Brady Jokes About Edelman's Retirement ... He Wants To Play With Me In Tampa!!!

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NOTHING TO ANNOUNCE ... YET
NFL

Did Julian Edelman think about joining Tom Brady with the Bucs before retirement???

Tom's at least joking about it ... saying Thursday, "We know Julian didn't retire. Let's be honest. He's just too scared to tell Bill [Belichick] he wanted to come to Tampa!"

Brady was laughing the entire time he said it -- so it's tough to say if that's actually what went down ... but Thursday's interaction between the two pals and other celebs was hilarious nonetheless!!

The former Patriots teammates joined up with Kevin Hart, Michael Strahan, Mark Wahlberg, Deion Sanders and Kay Adams for a roundtable Zoom call during the NFL draft -- and their entire interaction together was pretty damn funny.

Everyone was ribbin' each other ... but it was Brady's joke that raised eyebrows.

You can see in the clip, after Brady made the comment ... others on the call kind of lost their minds!!

Of course, 34-year-old Edelman said just a few weeks ago Tom and Tampa had NOTHING to do with his retirement ... explaining his injuries just wouldn't allow him to play football any longer.

But, when Hart asked Edelman if he was SERIOUSLY done with football -- Julian didn't exactly give a convincing "no" ... with the receiver winking several times while saying, "I am done."

Suuuuure, Jules. Sure.

Antonio Brown Re-Signs With Buccaneers ... Days After Settling Sexual Assault Case

Antonio Brown is officially returning to Tampa ... the star receiver re-signed with the Buccaneers on Wednesday morning, just 1 week after settling his sexual assault case.

Brown was a key part of Tampa's Super Bowl-winning team in 2020 -- he caught a TD in the title game against the Chiefs -- and he had been campaigning for a 2021 return.

And, after AB struck a settlement last week with the woman who had accused him of a 2018 rape, the Bucs clearly felt comfortable bringing the 32-year-old back.

The deal is a one-year contract worth up to $6.25 million, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. The agreement also includes a $2 million signing bonus, Pelissero added.

Brown -- who released a joint statement with his accuser, Britney Taylor, last week saying "Their dispute is resolved and they wish each other great continued success" -- played in 8 games for the Bucs last season.

The 7-time Pro Bowler caught 45 passes for 483 yards and 4 TDs ... and his quarterback, Tom Brady, made it no secret the wideout was one of his favorite targets.

Rob Gronkowski '69% Chance' Edelman Joins Bucs ... After Pats Retirement

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Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski ... AND Julian Edelman in Tampa?!?!

Gronk says it's all possible after Edelman's retirement from the Patriots ... explaining he believes there's a "69% chance" Julian's a Buccaneer in 2021!

The future Hall of Fame tight end made the revelation at LAX on Monday night -- just hours after Julian hung up his Patriots spikes -- saying he believes his former New England teammate ain't done with the NFL yet.

"He'll be back," Gronk said of Edelman. "He'll be back. Yeah."

Edelman, though, didn't seem so sure of that on Monday ... in his retirement announcement, Julian explained injuries just won't let him go any further with his football career.

But, Gronk knows Julian as well as anybody -- the two were Pats teammates from 2010 through 2018 -- and he made it pretty clear he doesn't think Edelman's REALLY done.

If somehow it is the end of the road, Gronk said Julian is 100 percent a Patriots Hall of Famer ... though he added he's not sure if Edelman is a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame yet.

"I definitely think he has a great possibility to be a Hall of Famer," Rob said. "He’s a beast. And the numbers just don’t show everything that he brings to the table. The attitude, the competitiveness that he has."

As for Gronk's future -- he's coming back to Tampa in '21 -- but could he be doing it with a fiancee?!

Check out the clip, does Rob's answer on Camille Kostek make him seem like a man that's about to propose????

Tom Brady On Super Bowl Boat Party I Was Hammered!!!

Tom Brady admits he REGRETS drunkenly throwing the Lombardi Trophy from boat to boat during that legendary floating Super Bowl parade

... but hey, things happen when you're completely sloshed!

"First of all, there was not a lot going through my mind at that point," Brady told Michael Strahan on 'GMA.'

Remember, Tom and the rest of the Tampa Bay Bucs hit the Hillsborough River back in February to celebrate their Super Bowl LV victory over the K.C. Chiefs.

The booze started flowing ... and the QB started throwin' (trophies).

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DROPPIN' DIMES
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"I mean, that was not smart for a couple of reasons," a sobered up Brady says.

"One is, if we drop it, that's a little bit of a problem. But, the worst thing that could happen is the edges on that trophy are so sharp -- and had those things clipped one of my boys in the other boat, it would have been an ugly, ugly parade."

He's right -- but fortunately, his sure-handed teammates caught the trophy with no problems.

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TAMPA YAY!
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Brady says of the event, "From what I remember, yes it was pretty cool."

During his interview with 'GMA,' Brady also opened up about why he wants to continue playing the NFL.

Remember, in the wake of winning his 7th title, Gisele had asked him, "What more do you have to prove?"

"I don't think proving it for me is the motivation," 43-year-old Tom told Strahan ... "I still want to play, I got like a little sickness in me that just wants to throw a frickin' spiral, you know what I mean?"

"Once you stop you can't go back and do it, I got some more football [left in me] I mean not a lot, and I know that, but what I got left, I'm gonna go I'm gonna give everything I got."

Tom went on to praise his wife of 12 years -- saying, "I give her a lot of credit ... she's the one that supports the family. She's the one that at the end of the day makes a lot of sacrifices. She brings out the best version of me."

Aaron Rodgers Trolled By 'Jeopardy!' Contestant Over Playoff Loss to Tom Brady!!!

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THE REAL QUESTION
Jeopardy!

Answer: THIS is what Aaron Rodgers got hit with in the final seconds of his 'Jeopardy' hosting debut ...

Question: What is ... A SICK BURN!?!?

Yep, the Green Bay Packers QB was heckled during Final Jeopardy over that lousy NFC Championship playoff loss to Tom Brady ... and it was hilarious!!

Rodgers was a pretty solid guest host on Monday's show -- keeping a solid pace and offering some fun banter along the way. He crushed it.

But, the best moment of the show took place at the end ... when contestant Scott -- the reigning 2-day champion -- decided to have some fun at Aaron's expense during Final Jeopardy.

The category was Daytime TV Personalities -- but Scott realized he didn't know the material and couldn't win the game.

So, instead of scribbling down a legitimate guess ... he wrote on his monitor, "Who wanted to kick that field goal?!"

SICK BURN!!!

Aaron smiled, laughed and said, "That is a great question! It should be correct!"

Scott is referring to the bizarre call at the end of the NFC Championship game back in January ... where Packers coach Matt LaFleur opted to kick a field goal on 4th and Goal, despite being down 8 points with around 2 minutes remaining.

The Packers got the 3 points -- but Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Bucs got the ball back and successfully ran out the clock, winning the game.

Most people -- including Aaron -- think Rodgers should've gotten a chance to score a TD on 4th down, followed by a 2 point conversion try. But hey, hindsight is 20/20 right?

Don't worry, Rodgers has a solid support system around him -- including his fiancee, Shailene Woodley, who raved about Aaron right before he made his hosting debut.

"This guy right here is super sexy, super attractive ... just shaved his neck this morning! Has a little man bun growing," she joked.

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OUR BIG STAR

"This guy is hosting Jeopardy! tonight!"

So, why was Aaron selected to host? Rodgers actually won "Celebrity Jeopardy" back in 2015 ... and explained in his opening comments that he wanted to honor the memory of the late, great Alex Trebek.

Mission accomplished.

TB Bucs Carlton Davis Apologizes for Tweeting Asian Slur Team Vows to Help Him Learn

UPDATE

12:09 PM PT -- Tampa Bay Bucs GM Jason Licht says the team has already been in touch with Davis and they will work on ways to help him learn and grow from this experience.

"Words carry weight and it is incumbent upon all of us to have a thorough understanding of the words we choose and the effect they may have on others," Licht said in a statement.

UPDATE

12:09 PM PT -- "We look forward to working with Carlton to find appropriate ways to learn from this experience and continue our joint efforts to put an end to all forms of social and racial injustices."

UPDATE

The Bucs also pointed out Carlton has been an active member of the team's Social Justice Player Board and has a sterling reputation with the organization.

Super Bowl champion Carlton Davis is in hot water for tweeting out a VERY offensive Asian slur -- though Davis claims he didn't know the "dark" history behind the word.

"Gotta stop letting g***s in Miami," the Tampa Bay Bucs cornerback posted on Sunday evening in a since-deleted tweet.

Obviously, the tweet went viral and people couldn't believe an NFL player would hurl such an offensive word around so casually.

Davis initially offered an explanation -- and actually had the balls to attack the media for criticizing him in the first place.

The 24-year-old posted a screenshot from the Urban Dictionary definition of the word (which, conveniently, wasn't even the top definition).

"A term commonaly [sic] used in South Florida to describe a person who is Lame. Synonym for Lame, wack, Fool or Stupid."

Davis added, "I would never offend any group of people. You reporters can look for another story to blow up. The term was directed towards a producer claiming he 'ran Miami.' With that being said I'll retire that word from my vocabulary giving the hard times our Asian family are enduring."

Just minutes later, Davis was changing his tune in another statement.

"I used a term that from where I come from has always meant 'lame' but I did not realize it has a much darker, negative connotation. I have learned a valuable lesson and want to apologize to anyone that was offended by seeing that word because we need to focus on helping each other during these tough times."

FYI, the g-word is an incredibly offensive anti-Asian slur that's been around for decades. It was widely used by American soldiers against Koreans and Vietnamese people during military conflicts.

Ans since Davis is into using definitions ... how about this one from Merriam-Webster.com:

"offensive -- used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a nonwhite, non-American person and especially for an Asian person."

No word if the NFL plans to take action.

Davis was a 2nd-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and had a pretty solid 2020 season ... logging 68 tackles and 4 interceptions during the Bucs' championship run.

Originally Published --  5:57 AM PT

Tom Brady Recovering 'Very Well' From Knee Surgery ... Bucs GM Says

The G.O.A.T.'s knee is healing up just fine ... Buccaneers GM Jason Licht says Tom Brady's recovering "very well" from offseason surgery.

The 43-year-old Tampa Bay QB had to go under the knife shortly after winning his 7th Super Bowl ... with Licht saying TB12 needed a "minor surgical procedure" to clean up some things in his leg.

But, Licht says there are no worries as of now that Brady might have to miss regular-season action in 2021 ... explaining, "I know things are going well."

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"I talked to him last week," Licht told reporters Thursday ... "I know that things are going very well."

Brady had reportedly been dealing with pain in his knee throughout the 2020 season ... and had planned to get surgery once the Bucs' year concluded.

Licht said Brady is now in the rehab stage ... but he added he did not want to place an official timetable on a return to action for his team's superstar.

"I don't want to put an exact timeline on it right now because I don't want to set expectations one way or the other," Licht said.

For his part, Brady was spotted out with Gisele in Costa Rica last week ... and despite the small wrap on his surgically repaired left knee, he didn't look any worse for wear at all.

Bruce Arians Bucs Coach Gets Super Bowl Tattoo ... 'I Love It!!'

Bruce Arians' momma clearly didn't raise a quitter ... 'cause the Bucs coach stuck to his word this month and got a HUGE tattoo to commemorate Tampa Bay's Super Bowl win!!!

The 68-year-old head coach had promised to get the ink if his team scored the victory over the Chiefs ... and just a few weeks after the Bucs' big win, Arians went under the needle.

The tat is big as hell ... it appears to be centered up on the top of his left shoulder blade -- and it's AWESOME.

The piece features the SB LV emblem, the 31-9 score of the Bucs-Chiefs game, and it also has the Buccaneers' logos.

"I’m a man of my word," Arians said, revealing the art on Tuesday. "'When we win the Super Bowl, I will get a tattoo' well I got mine and I love it!!"

Of course, Arians now joins an ever-growing list of Bucs who got Super Bowl tattoos after securing the ring ... Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield both got theirs done a few weeks ago.

Tom Brady still doesn't have his (at least, we don't think so!) ... but if Arians of all people got it done -- maybe the GOAT will consider it?!?!

Mike Evans Donates $50,000 For Texas Storm Relief

Mike Evans is fresh off winning a Super Bowl, but he’s not done making great plays -- the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star just donated $50k to help those affected by the winter storm tragedy in Texas.

27-year-old Evans is originally from Galveston, Texas ... an area that was heavily impacted by the storm. In fact, there were reportedly 3 storm-related deaths in the area ... and at least 25 others in nearby Harris County.

Evans says he was inspired to help the same community that shaped him into an NFL star ... which resulted in a $50,000 check from his foundation to the United Way of Galveston.

"The Galveston community has been so supportive of me throughout my career," Evans said Monday. "After I heard about the destruction the winter storm caused, I knew I had to do something to give that same support back.”

The money given to United Way of Galveston will be distributed in two parts ... $37,500 will be given to the families in need in the form of gift cards for food and other essential items Lindsey White, executive director of United Way of Galveston said.

The remaining money will be given to the Johnny Mitchell Boys & Girls Club of Galveston and St. Vincent’s House to help underserved children and families.

“We’re so thankful that the foundation entrusted us with these much-needed funds for Galveston families," White continued.

"Their decision to support our community as we’re reeling from the compounded effects of the pandemic and the winter storm will have a huge impact on those that call Galveston home.”

Great move by Evans!!

Rob Gronkowski Back To The Bucs ... Signs Deal Worth $10 Mil

Rob Gronkowski told us it was happening, and now it's official -- the superstar tight end has re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a deal worth up to $10 million!!!

Remember, 31-year-old Gronk told TMZ Sports just last week he wasn't handing in his retirement papers just yet ... saying he was ready to run it back as Tom Brady and Co. try to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

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TMZSports.com

"I'm back, man!" Gronk told us. "I will be back playing football, man. I love the game of football. I loved playing last year. I had a great time."

Gronk wasted no time with free agency kicking off this week ... agreeing to a 1-year, $10 milli deal on Monday.

Rob was solid in 2020 -- his first season back since leaving the game in 2018 -- putting up more than 600 yards and 7 TDs.

Oh yeah, and the guy won his 4th Super Bowl. Not too shabby.

Gronk reacted to the news with a nod to the SpongeBob SquarePants pirate ... saying, "Arrr You Ready Kids??"

Somewhere, Brady is saying "aye, aye, captain!!"

Tom Brady Agrees To Extension W/ Bucs ... Locked In 'Til He's 45!!!

UPDATE

9:23 AM PT -- TB12 has officially inked his new deal ... saying, "In pursuit of 8...LFG @Buccaneers we’re keeping the band together"

UPDATE

Brady's wardrobe choice for the monumental moment?? His signature "7" hoodie ... which, of course, represents his 7 Super Bowl wins. Just in case you forgot.

UPDATE

Nice flex, Tom. Nice flex.

Tom Brady's battle with Father Time can now continue at least 2 more years ... he just agreed to an extension with the Bucs that locks him into Tampa through the 2022 season!

The G.O.A.T. just made the deal Friday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, agreeing to sign a new 4-year extension that will ultimately become a one-year extension due to voidable years on the contract.

Unclear the dollar amount Tom will get with the new deal ... but he signed a 2-year, $50 MILLION contract with the Bucs before the 2020 season began -- so safe to say it'll be somewhere in the ballpark of another $25 mil per season.

Of course, the new agreement means Tom is officially signed on to play until he's 45-years-old -- an age he's aspired to play to for a long time.

In fact, since things are going so well (you might have heard he won his SEVENTH Super Bowl ring last month) ... Tom said in February playing PAST that age is something he'll "consider."

Tom lit it up in his first year with Tampa ... throwing for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns.

He initially had just one year left on his contract before Friday's agreement to extend.

At this point, the conversation becomes ... WILL TOM PLAY UNTIL HE'S 50?!!?!

Originally Published-- 7:57 AM PT

Rob Gronkowski Trolls Tom Brady With Epic FaceTime Prank ... 'I'm Confused!!!'

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GOTCHA!
@gronk / Instagram

Here's further proof NOBODY in the NFL is having more fun right now than Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady ...

Coming off their Super Bowl win (and the endless stream of ensuing partying) ... Gronk decided to play around with TB12 with an epic FaceTime prank -- and it's hilarious!!

Check out video Rob posted Thursday ... the 31-year-old tight end called up Brady, just to immediately tell him that he's "busy right now" and needs to call him later.

"Did I call you!?" Brady asked with a perplexed look on his face.

Keeping the gag alive, Gronk went back and forth with Brady about who called whom … until Brady finally gave in -- "Alright," the QB said, "I did call you.”

When the jig was finally up, Robby G let Touchdown Tommy in on the prank ... and the 43-year-old QB couldn't help but laugh and slap himself on the forehead!!!

Gronk then found another person to prank ... his dad!!!

It’s unclear who had a better grasp on the tech between Papa Gronk and Brady, but it sure looked like Rob got them both pretty good.

FYI -- the fun video is the latest edition of the #imbusyrightnow challenge -- a social media trend where celebs and people alike call their friends/family members, and immediately tell them they are going to have to call them back.

Pranksters have ranged from NBA legends like Kenny Smith and Shaq to the Kardashians, and the list of victims varies even more.

We're all waiting to see what the return fire from Brady to Gronk will look like now ... getcha popcorn ready!