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Ex-NFL owner Jerry Richardson -- the founder of the Carolina Panthers -- has died, his former team announced Thursday.

He was 86 years old. No cause of death has been revealed.

Richardson officially became an NFL owner in 1995, when the Panthers entered the league as an expansion franchise. He went on to be the honcho of the org. until 2018, when he sold the team to billionaire David Tepper.

"Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic," Tepper said after learning the news of his death on Thursday. "With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans a team to call their own.''

Tepper added, "He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful."

The Panthers made the playoffs eight times under Richardson's watch, making two Super Bowl appearances.

His tenure, however, was not without controversy. He was accused of sexually harassing female staffers and using racist language while running the team.

The league investigated the claims, and in 2018 -- just before he sold the franchise to Tepper -- he was hit with a $2.75 million fine.

A statue of Richardson that stood in front of the Panthers' stadium for years was eventually removed in 2020 -- after the team said it feared people would try to take it down during a summer of national protests.

Jon Jones spent his entire career in the light heavyweight division, but, not anymore ... the UFC legend is now a heavyweight, and we're seeing JJ's physique for the first time!

35-year-old Jones posed for promotional photos on March 1 ahead of his UFC 285 fight with 32-year-old former interim champ Ciryl Gane ... and you can clearly see 6'4" Jon packed on some serious size.

Jones systematically bulked up, adding muscle over the last 2+ years. When his fight with Alexander Gustafsson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame last fall, Jon told the crowd he weighed 255 lbs.

It's unclear how much he tips the scales at now, but Jon previously stated he was aiming to weigh 270 lbs. heading into fight week, before cutting a few pounds to make the heavyweight limit of 265 lbs.

FYI, Jones weighed 204 lbs. for his last fight against Dominick Reyes ... which he won by unanimous decision.

Of course, Jones is the greatest LHW (205 lb.) fighter to ever step foot in an MMA cage ... but, there's a reason weight classes exist. Size matters, despite what you've heard.

As for his opponent, Gane is a bonafide heavyweight. He's 6'5", and weighed 247 lbs. for his last fight against Tai Tuivasa.

Alvin Kamara just pled not guilty to two criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the beatdown of a man outside of a Las Vegas nightclub last year.

The New Orleans Saints superstar appeared in a Vegas courtroom on Thursday morning with his attorneys to enter the plea.

He wore all black, and said very few words during the hearing.

A trial date for the 27-year-old was tentatively set for July 31 -- right around the time the Saints will kick off their 2023 training camp.

Kamara's co-defendants in the case -- which includes Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chris Lammons -- also pled not guilty to the charges at the hearing.

Prosecutors have charged Kamara with one gross misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit battery and one felony count of battery with substantial bodily harm after they say he attacked a man inside The Cromwell Hotel and Casino in February 2022.

According to a lawsuit filed by the alleged victim, Darnell Greene, the altercation happened after he and Kamara got into an argument over the use of an elevator outside of the hotel's popular Drai's Nightclub.

Video of the incident, obtained by TMZ Sports, appears to show Kamara throwing multiple blows at Greene ... while others kicked and punched the man as well.

Kamara was initially arrested over it all after the 2022 Pro Bowl game. He went on to play the entire 2022 season, starting 13 games and rushing for 897 yards.

Antonio Brown is officially walking away from football -- but only as a player -- because the newly retired NFL superstar just became part owner of a National Arena League team.

The former All-Pro receiver officially shut the door on his NFL career this week, according to ML Football ... and now, he's fully focused on his new role as part owner of the Albany Empire -- the same franchise his father, Eddie, played for back in the day.

TMZ Sports is told AB is 100% committed to his new position with the team ... and will be as hands-on as his schedule allows.

Eddie is also involved in his son's new journey ... and will serve as vice president of football operations.

Of course, AB grew up near the area during part of his childhood as his dad starred for the Albany Firebirds ... making the move a full-circle moment for him. The transaction came to be rather quickly ... as we're told after a few social media interactions and phone calls, it was a done deal.

AB was officially introduced at a press conference on Thursday ... and said he was "excited and grateful to be a part of the Albany Empire."

FYI -- the Empire are back-to-back champions in the NAL ... and AB said he's ready for a three-peat.

We're told AB has big plans for his role as part owner alongside Mike Kwarta ... and will help boost media coverage and promotion for the team.

AB finishes his NFL career -- which was marred by controversy on and off the field -- with more than 900 receptions and 12,000 receiving yards, 83 touchdowns and a Super Bowl ring.

Joe Montana's iconic jersey, worn during Super Bowl XXIII (and SB XIX), when the legendary quarterback engineered "The Drive," the most iconic drive in football history, sold for an astounding $1.212 million, smashing the previous record of $480K, which a fan paid for a Tom Brady jersey last year.

Goldin brokered the historic sale.

"It's only right that the two greatest quarterbacks of all-time are still trading off records, even in retirement," said Ken Goldin. "Montana was already in rarefied air with four championship rings and three Super Bowl MVPs -- [and] with the record-breaking sale of his Super Bowl XXIII jersey, Montana has surpassed Tom Brady on top of that mountain."

Montana -- who went undefeated in Super Bowls during his career (4-0) -- first sported the record-breaking jersey in Super Bowl XIX (1985) when the 49ers defeated the Dolphins, 38-16. Joe was named SB MVP.

The 4x Super Bowl champ -- regarded by many as the G.O.A.T. -- also wore the same jersey in Super Bowl XXIII (imagine that happening now) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami on January 22, 1989.

The 49ers were trailing the Bengals 16-13 late in the fourth quarter when Montana cemented his legendary status by marching his team down the field 92 yards, scoring a touchdown with less than 3 minutes to go in the game.

The game-winning 92-yard drive is historic among sports fans -- as it propelled the Niners to a 20-16 victory over the Bengals. It was Montana's third Super Bowl championship.

The social media war between A.J. Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster ain't over yet -- the two NFL stars just revisited their heated post-Super Bowl beef ... with the Philadelphia Eagles receiver unloading on the Kansas City Chiefs champ for mocking his team on social media again.

It's been more than two weeks since JuJu dropped his first troll jab on the NFC champs ... when Brown got pissed over a Valentine's Day shot at his teammate, cornerback James Bradberry.

But JuJu wasn't done dancing on the Eagles' grave ... 'cause he participated in a skit shading Brown and other Philly players this week -- and his own mom even acted in the vid.

Once Brown got wind of the clip, he made his reaction crystal clear ... and he's sending some serious warning shots toward JuJu.

"You really need somebody else to play with," Brown tweeted at JuJu. "Don't let that ring get you beat tf up. Because I'm with all the dumb shii. I'm not gone speak on it no more.."

Turns out Brown ended up speaking on it again 15 minutes later ... reposting a DM he sent to JuJu's inbox.

"I don't play them kids games, if you wanna see me , I'm with it," he said. "You better go to Cabo and enjoy your ring and stop f***ing with me. Leave me off all your TikTok shii p****."

Top NFL prospect Jalen Carter -- the potential No. 1 overall pick in next month's draft -- turned himself in to police on Wednesday night ... posing for a mug shot -- before quickly being released.

The former Univ. of Georgia star defensive lineman was booked at 11:33 PM, according to jail records -- just hours after the Athens-Clarke County Police Department issued warrants for his arrest for his alleged role in a January car crash that killed two people.

The records show Carter was released just 16 minutes after he was initially booked. He's facing misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing.

In his mug shot, Carter -- wearing a white tank top -- appeared to be emotionless and stoic.

As we reported, cops have accused Carter of racing UGA staffer Chandler LeCroy in a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk ... before LeCroy's 2021 Ford Expedition veered off the road and crashed into power poles and trees.

Police said in a statement Wednesday morning, an investigation into the crash showed both Carter and LeCroy "switched between lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel" -- adding that LeCroy reached speeds of 104 MPH before the accident.

Carter, who was at the NFL's combine in Indianapolis when the arrest warrant was made public, immediately left the league's scouting event to head back to Georgia. He later said in a statement, "There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing."

Notre Dame men's basketball head coach Mike Brey won his home finale Wednesday night -- and then he won the party afterward too ... slamming shots with fans at a nearby bar!!

The epic celebration happened at Linebacker Lounge in South Bend, Ind. ... just moments after the Fighting Irish beat No. 25-ranked Pittsburgh at Purcell Pavilion.

Brey, who's leaving ND after this season following 23 years as the school's head coach, popped into the watering hole ... and immediately began throwin' 'em back with college-aged kids.

In one video of the scene, shot by Notre Dame beat reporter Tyler Horka, you can see Brey took down a shot of Jameson's with a couple Irish supporters -- all while Morgan Wallen blared over the bar's speakers.

Later, Brey was spotted chatting it up with nearly everyone in the room ... making sure a drink was firmly in his hand.

Of course, Brey had every right to turn back the clock and celebrate like a college student -- because the win earlier in the evening capped off a hell of a run at Notre Dame's home gym for the coach. He improved his record with the win to 315-76 in front of home crowds.

After the game, Brey took a bit of a victory lap around the arena -- before he triumphantly walked off the court.

XFL star A.J. McCarron says the NFL could "100 percent" adopt some of Dwayne Johnson's new league's rules ... as a way to make the National Football League more exciting!

Of course, The Rock's iteration of the XFL launched a couple of weeks back ... and the games featured some very interesting, new rules. For example, teams have the option to go for 3 after a touchdown. Also, instead of an onside kick, teams have the opportunity to attempt to convert a 4th and 15. Get the yards, and keep the ball.

Fans have enjoyed the new rules to such a degree, there's talk about the NFL implementing them. We asked the 3x National Champion and St. Louis BattleHawks QB if he believed it could actually happen.

"I do, 100%," A.J. told us.

"If you look at it, the NFL itself, a couple of years ago changed the extra point rule," McCarron said, explaining, "They moved the extra point back because the percentages were almost 100 percent on making extra points, and so they wanted to figure out ways to make the game more interesting."

The XFL's rules certainly make things interesting. During Week 1, McCarron's squad was trailing the San Antonio Brahmas 15-3 with under 2 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. But, thanks to the league's new rules, St. Louis was able to pull off the otherwise impossible upset.

After the dub, A.J., who has been a part of some huge football games throughout his career, was visibly emotional after the come-from-behind win. McCarron explained why he's still playing the game when he doesn't necessarily need to do it for the money.

As for the rules actually being instituted ... McCarron believes the NFL could start by replacing the onside kick with the long 4th down attempt, and he feels the transition would be seamless.

Willie McGinest is now facing serious time behind bars for his role in a December restaurant beatdown ... TMZ Sports has learned the ex-NFL star has just been charged with two felonies.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed the charges this week ... hitting the New England Patriots legend with one count of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury.

Each charge carries up to four years in prison.

McGinest's arraignment in the case has been set for April.

We broke the story, McGinest was initially arrested in the case back in late December ... after video showed him and several others beating the hell out of a man on Dec. 9 at Delilah in West Hollywood.

The footage appears to show McGinest socking the guy in the face ... before later picking up a bottle and smashing it into the man's head.

McGinest eventually apologized for his role in the brawl -- calling everything a "lapse in judgment and behavior."

"To my family, community, friends and youth I mentor," the 51-year-old said, "please know I feel horrible for my actions and take full responsibility."

"A lot of times people see someone in a wheelchair with a disability, they think they can't enjoy alcohol and other things, and I'm like that's totally not true, and I wanted to end that stigma."

That's 32-year-old former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand, paralyzed during a college football game in 2010, turned motivational speaker/kick-ass businessman telling TMZ Sports why he decided to launch his very own Kentucky Bourbon, LeGrand Whiskey.

"I wanted to create a brand of something that represents me, which I feel like whiskey is the perfect thing that represents me," Eric said, adding ... "It takes patience, it is something that's tough, strong and something that you celebrate life to."

Celebrities have been slapping their names on alcohol for years, but that's not the case with Eric -- he was very involved in the process, all the way through.

LeGrand hooked up with business partner Brian Axelrod ("Brian worked very closely with Conor McGregor and his team on [Proper No. Twelve]"), found a distillery in Kentucky, and they made Bourbon!

"I'm thinking this is about to taste like rubbing alcohol, it's gonna be terrible. I took a sip and I'm like hold up, let me get a little bit more. I took another sample and I'm like whoa," Eric said, describing his first time tasting the product.

"I'm like, we got something special here. This is perfect."

And, if drinking good bourbon wasn't enough reason, Eric's also raising money for charity.

"We have a purpose behind this. We want to raise money for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to help us find a cure for paralysis. Every case that we sell, $5.20 will go back to the foundation, because 52 was my number."

Eric LeGrand Whiskey officially launched this week ... and to commemorate his latest endeavor, EL's celebrating at Batch Bin & Barrel in New Brunswick, NJ on Thursday -- just miles from where he played football!

Cheers, Eric! 🥃

Nick Sirianni might be the coolest coach ever -- the Eagles head coach hit up a local bar and took shots with Philly fans over the weekend ... and the video is awesome!!

We're told 41-year-old Sirianni -- who's entering his third season on the headset for the Eagles -- showed up with his buddies at Brewers Towne Tavern in Haddon Township, New Jersey around midnight on Saturday ... and stayed at the spot for a few hours.

At one point, Sirianni got behind the bar and raised a toast to the fans in attendance ... with everyone letting out an Eagles chant before taking shots together. BTW, nice TV show selection in the background.

Sources tell us Sirianni couldn't have been nicer throughout his time at the pub ... enjoying drinks and talking to patrons.

One bargoer, a content creator named Yahmitch, tried to get Coach to make a shoutout to a friend ... but Sirianni made it clear he was just hanging out and wanted to chill like a regular person.

Sirianni wasn't gonna leave the guy without a memento, though ... so he granted a selfie.

Travis Kelce might be a Chief, but he turned into a Raider (of the Lost Ark) for his Saturday Night Live hosting gig ... channeling his inner Indiana Jones for a hilarious promo!!!

The superstar NFL tight end is testing out his comedic chops for the sketch comedy show this weekend ... and he's already proving he'll do whatever it takes to make people laugh.

Kelce teamed up with Marcello Hernandez for the clip ... showing him attempting to swap out a gold SNL logo with a Lombardi trophy, à la Indy in his classic scene from the 1981 adventure flick.

There's a lot of hype around Kelce's debut -- after all, SNL alum, Taran Killam told us last year he thought the dude would be perfect for the job.

"Travis Kelce is one of the funniest, coolest dudes and a legend," Killam said.

"It's just not fair to be that strong, fast, good, charismatic, handsome and hilarious. I hate him. He's coming for my job."

The show goes down on Saturday (duh) ... and we're sure Chiefs Kingdom will be tuning in.

Michael Irvin has scored yet another big W in his civil case with Marriott ... a second judge -- this time a federal one -- has ruled the hotel giant must turn over any video it has that shows the NFL legend with his misconduct accuser on one of its properties last month.

The ruling was just handed down on Wednesday afternoon ... marking the second time in two weeks that a court has ordered Marriott to turn over the footage.

Initially, on Feb. 16, a state judge made the ruling ... but Marriott argued it should be allowed to take its time in handing over the clips, essentially saying Irvin was being disingenuous about the need to rush things. The case was ultimately kicked over to federal court to mete out.

The judge there, though, backed the ruling ... saying Irvin had the right to obtain the video in an expeditious manner -- because of the reputational and economic damage he said he's suffering by not having it.

The judge did rule, however, that Marriott can protect the identity of Irvin's accuser, saying the company's concern for her privacy "is well founded."

Irvin's attorney, Levi McCathern, tells TMZ Sports he's happy with the new order ... saying, once again, he believes the videos will show Irvin did nothing wrong when he interacted with the female hotel worker on Feb. 5 in Arizona.

"Michael and I are pleased with the ruling, and we thank the Court for ruling so quickly and equitably," McCathern said. "We look forward to receiving the information that we believe will prove that Michael was engaged in no wrongdoing."

New troubling allegations surrounding the alleged pickup basketball brawl between Ja Morant and a teenage boy in July ... with the young hooper claiming the Memphis Grizzlies superstar flashed a gun at him during the altercation.

TMZ Sports broke the story in January -- Morant is accused of punching a 17-year-old boy after getting in an argument during a game at Ja's residence in Tennessee ... which resulted in a lawsuit filed in September.

According to the docs, the boy claimed he "accidentally" hit Ja in the face after throwing the ball in his direction ... and the All-Star guard retaliated by hitting him with a closed fist and knocking him to the ground.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that not only did the teen accuse Morant of punching him at least 12 times, resulting in a "large knot" on his head ... but the 23-year-old also went into his house and returned with a gun in his waistband -- with his hand on the weapon.

The boy told detectives Ja's dad, Tee, then yelled at him ... telling him to go back inside.

When Morant was questioned about the incident, police mentioned the boy's claims of exposing a weapon, but did not explicitly ask if he had a gun. The outlet notes Morant and his attorneys did not deny the claim.

As for the altercation, Morant told detectives he did, in fact, hit the teen ... but claimed it was out of self-defense after he was hit with the ball. In his eyes, "The ball was the first swing to me."

As we previously reported, Morant filed a police report of his own a few weeks later ... claiming the teen threatened to "come back and light this place up like fireworks" and he feared for his safety.

Police investigated the allegations for several weeks ... before they submitted the case to the district attorney's office on Oct. 4. Less than a month later, cops say the D.A. declined prosecution, citing a lack of evidence.

Taylor Lewan is clearing the air ... admitting he asked the Titans to drop off his football equipment/belongings at his home, telling everyone to "stop overreacting."

On Tuesday, the former star left tackle posted a photo of two trash bags (and a pair of shoulder pads) on his porch, along with the comment, "Shout out to the Titans dropping my stuff off today. They even let me keep the shoulder pads."

Most fans interpreted the message as sarcastic, assuming Lewan was shading his former team for just dropping his crap off outside.

But, Lewan -- who was recently cut by Tennessee -- says that's not the case ... he actually asked the team to drop everything off outside.

"Yeah it's in trash bags, who cares," Taylor said. "What does it need to be in a horse-drawn chariot, a gold chariot that they ride up in and say, 'Hey, thanks for the last nine years.'"

The 31-year-old spent nine seasons with the franchise ... but despite being cut, the 3x Pro Bowler says he has nothing but love for the org. and their relationship is fine.

"Let's stop overreacting."