Controversial S#!T

Kareem Hunt and Reuben Foster, listen up ... Ezekiel Elliott is handing down advice on how to get through the lengthy suspensions you're about to face.

"Just focus on your day-to-day life, making sure you’re winning the next day," Elliott told reporters Wednesday.

"Because when you start looking down the road, you kind of get bogged down."

Of course, Elliott has already walked a mile in Hunt and Foster's shoes ... having been accused of domestic violence and getting slapped with a subsequent suspension.

In Zeke's case ... the Cowboys superstar -- who was never arrested or charged -- was popped for 6 games and often spoke about how difficult it was to get through the month-and-a-half absence.

So, his message for Hunt and Foster this week was simple ... "Focus on day to day, doing better day to day, and things are going to work themselves out."

Jason Whitlock says there's only one way for Kareem Hunt to make it back to the NFL ... and he's giving TMZ Sports the blueprint.

"If he goes out and makes an earnest attempt to get the proper help, and continues to stay humble and contrite, makes amends with the victim -- yeah, I think he gets another shot in the NFL."

Of course ... Kareem's got a long way to go to even start down that road -- the league is mulling a huge suspension for the former Chiefs RB after TMZ Sports posted footage of him attacking a woman in a Cleveland hotel.

But, once Hunt gets through that ban ... Whitlock says he's got no problem with an NFL team picking the 23-year-old up -- IF the RB gets help and shows contrition.

"I wouldn't object to that."

The host of FS1's "Speak for Yourself" also tells us why everyone needs to ease up on the NFL when it comes to policing domestic violence ... saying it shouldn't be the league's job.

"We're holding the NFL to a standard that I think is unfair. We keep beating up the NFL, 'They don't understand how to deal with domestic violence,' but the police don't either!"

Whitlock says it's time to start thinking of the NFL as what he says it actually is -- a television show.

Dan Rather says he wasn't shocked to learn Urban Meyer is retiring ... telling TMZ Sports it's clear to him the Ohio State coach NEEDS to focus on his health.

Urban and the Buckeyes announced Tuesday the coach will hang up his headset after the team's Rose Bowl game next month ... and Rather thinks it's easy to see why.

"I had the impression this last season that his health was not as good as he liked it to be."

In fact ... the CBS News legend says he thinks the rigors of the Zach Smith controversy really took a toll on the coach who once left a job at Florida because of complications with a brain cyst.

Ohio State says it'll replace Meyer with offensive coordinator Ryan Day ... but Rather tells us he doesn't necessarily think this is the end of Meyer's run on a football sideline.

Trina Braxton has an interesting thought about radio stations banning the Christmas song "Baby It's Cold Outside" in the #MeToo era -- and it's basically this ... Too. Damn. Far.

The singer was at LAX Tuesday where our photog gave her props for her and her sisters' new holiday album, "Braxton Family Christmas," which spurred a convo about the latest holiday controversy -- certain stations yanking 'Baby It's Cold' because critics think it promotes date rape.

If you've never paid attention to the lyrics, the song's about a woman trying to leave a date, while the guy insists she stay. One of the more problematic verses ... "Well maybe just a half a drink more // I'll put some records on while I pour // The neighbors might think // Baby it's bad out there // Say what's in this drink?"

Much as Trina defended the song, even she told us that verse is pretty shaky. Still, she says it's a classic that shouldn't be touched, and besides ... she reminds us the woman decides to stay in the end.

Phaedra Parks wants Cardi B to handle her business -- in court, that is, before it starts affecting her money biz.

We got the 'RHOA' star Tuesday night heading into NYC's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for the TPG Awards and wanted to kill 2 birds with one stone -- getting a celeb lawyer to weigh in on Cardi skipping her Monday court date to shoot a music video.

As we first reported, Cardi pissed off the judge in her strip club beatdown case when she was a no-show to Monday's court hearing in NYC. Turns out she was twerking her ass off in Miami ... for work, of course.

Michael Vick says the only way Kareem Hunt can get back to the NFL is if he gets serious help ... and the ex-QB tells TMZ Sports he's willing to be a part of that whole process.

"He can always reach out to me, I'm going to give him positive advice," Vick says ... "I didn't condone what he did, I'm against that -- but he's gotta learn from the situation."

Of course ... Vick knows all about what it takes to go from exiled to NFL superstardom -- he came back to the league after serving 19 months in prison for illegal dogfighting.

Vick says it was help from others that paved that whole road for him ... and now he's urging Hunt to find the same thing.

"You gotta get help. That's what I did. I got help. People helped me in my situation. He gotta get help, and that's what's most important."

Vick's advice for Hunt on where to start that journey?

"Anger management. Learn to control it."

Mike says the NFL is a second-chance league ... and says Kareem can latch back on if he does all the right things -- but admits he'd still pause at the idea of bringing the RB aboard his team.

"If I'm a CEO, I'll bring my daughters in and let them ask the questions. I mean, for real," Vick tells us.

Cleveland prosecutors have stonewalled TMZ Sports for days, refusing to answer a pretty simple question — what's the logic behind not prosecuting Kareem Hunt for brutalizing a woman?

The video of the incident is the kind of smoking gun prosecutors rarely get ... showing the former Kansas City Chiefs running back shoving and kicking a woman. We’ve made multiple calls to the Cleveland City Prosecutor's Office, asking for an explanation for passing on the case. We got nothing.

A law enforcement source in Cleveland told TMZ Sports the decision not to prosecute was rooted in the fact the victim refused to testify. Fact is, prosecutors commonly file charges in cases where the victim won't testify, if there's additional evidence to prove the charges. Like this one ... where there's video and other eyewitnesses besides the victim.

Think about it ... if prosecutors turn a blind eye just because a victim doesn’t testify, not a single murder case would ever be filed. That’s the absurd logical extension of such a legal standard.

The Hunt case is way more compelling to prosecute than most cases involving men who assault women, because most boil down to “he said/she said.” Here, there’s video ... video of Hunt kicking a defenseless woman. Yet charges were never filed.

The bigger picture ... there’s a much larger issue way beyond Hunt.

Cleveland's City Prosecutor's Office is sending a dangerous signal to the community: that men who assault women can brutalize without consequences, even when the evidence is overwhelming.

Good news, Colin Kaepernick fans: Jay Gruden says the Redskins are seriously considering signing the QB!!!

Bad news, Colin Kaepernick fans: Jay Gruden says they likely won't.

Just a day after losing their SECOND starting QB in less than a month ... Washington's coach says the team has discussed inking Kaep -- but then revealed they probably won't.

"[There's] not a lot of time to get a brand new QB and a system installed and taught in a couple days," Gruden said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday.

"He's been talked about and discussed, but we'll probably go in a different direction."

Of course ... the 'Skins lost Alex Smith to a gruesome injury back on Nov. 18 -- but passed on signing Kaepernick the following week in favor of adding Mark Sanchez.

But ... on "Monday Night Football" -- the Redskins lost yet another starter when Colt McCoy broke his fibula -- and now say Kaepernick's back in play.

Gruden says the team will have a workout with QBs later this afternoon ... though it's unclear if Kaepernick will be a part of those.

Michael Avenatti didn't skip a beat as he paid President Trump a compliment. Yes, you read that correctly, but we admit it was a pretty backhanded one.

We got Avenatti hitting up Craig's Monday night in WeHo and wanted to get his 2 cents about Trump's plan to attend Wednesday's memorial service for former Prez George H.W. Bush. As you know ... Trump also paid his respects Monday in the Capitol Rotunda.

Trump is not expected to speak at Wednesday's service, but will meet privately with the Bush family. Still, the fact he's decided to honor President Bush has Avenatti -- perhaps the most harsh Trump critic -- giving 45 props. We're pretty sure it's the first time ever.

Also, it's official now ... we won't see them go head-to-head in 2020, because Avenatti said he's decided NOT to run after his family asked him to stand down.

Jason Witten was downright PISSED the Redskins claimed Reuben Foster after TWO allegations of domestic violence ... saying, Washington "used horrendous judgment in claiming this guy."

It all went down in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' blowout win over the 'Skins on Monday night ... when Witten was asked on the telecast for his take on the Foster signing.

The ex-Cowboys tight end didn't hold back ...

"I believe the Washington Redskins used horrendous judgment in claiming this guy," Witten said ... "I understand that it's an ongoing investigation."

"But, my family has been affected by domestic violence. I understand the anguish that it causes. Young players just have to understand that there is no tolerance for putting your hands on a woman. Period."

The cause hits close to home for Witten ... his family was impacted by D.V. when he was a child -- and he now has a foundation that serves women and families that have experienced it.

Of course ... Witten opened himself up for criticism -- 'cause he didn't have as strong of takes on ex-Dallas teammates Greg Hardy and Ezekiel Elliott when they faced similar accusations.

T.I. is doubling down on his hatred of President Trump, but it's not personal ... instead, Tip's concerned the "madman" is turning the U.S.A. into an international laughingstock.

T.I. sat down with our Raquel Harper for Tuesday's episode of "Raq Rants" on BET, and she asked what his biggest issues are with America under Trump's administration. T.I. ran through his list of grievances so smoothly, it was almost like a freestyle.

Bottom line for the Atlanta emcee ... America will no longer be the greatest nation on Earth if we don't start making some changes.

Bernie Williams tells TMZ Sports the Mets trade for Robinson Cano is great for the 2nd baseman ... but not so much for his ex-team -- 'cause Bernie says Yankees fans are gonna hate it!!

Remember, Cano used to be a beast for the Yanks ... but took a big-money deal back in 2014 to play for the Mariners.

But, Robinson was just dealt from Seattle back to NY in a trade with the Mets -- and Bernie says while the move is huge for the 8-time All-Star -- it's bad for pinstripe faithful!!

"I think it's going to be good for him to be back in New York. But, I don't know if Yankees fans are gonna like that, though!!"

As for Cano's game ... Bernie says he's got no doubt the dude will be able to re-energize his career after a season marred by an 80-game PED suspension.

The Game's feud with Meek Mill is officially over and he's happy to talk about why ... right after he chomps down a Starburst.

We got Game Sunday night leaving L.A. hotspot The Argyle, where he was celebrating his 39th birthday, and asked him about Meek tweeting he'd be down to collab with Game again.

If you don't remember ... Game and Meek had major beef dating back to 2016. It eventually died down -- especially once Meek got locked up -- but it was never squashed.

Well, the rappers are on the same page now ... 'cause Game had nothing but glowing reviews for Meek's new album, "Championships."

Seems our talk with Game about Meek had him thinking long after celebrating ... 'cause he posted a tribute to Meek early Monday morning.

Aside from Game's message to Meek in the caption, the video he posted is cool. That's Meek's "Dreams and Nightmares" bumpin' as Game's bottle service arrived at Argyle.

Troy Aikman just went off on a reporter accusing him of being "cliche" for defending Mike McCarthy ... clapping back at the guy and saying, "Is that cliche enough for ya?!"

The legendary QB stood up for the ex-Packers head man after he was canned following a loss to the lowly Cardinals on Sunday, saying, "Mike McCarthy deserves better."

Enter Gerry Callahan -- one half of the famous WEEI Mut & Callahan show ... who hated Aikman's take so much, he scorched him on social media.

"Troy Aikman, cliche machine, says Mike McCarthy deserved better," Callahan wrote.

"McCarthy was head coach in Green Bay for 13 years. He won one Super Bowl. How long did he deserve, Troy? Fourteen years? Twenty?"

Didn't take long for Troy to respond ...

"Two losing seasons in 12 years (one of those last year without Rodgers for 9 games); took the Packers to the playoffs in 9 of the last 11 seasons; 4 NFC Championship Games, 1 Super Bowl title."

"Yes Gerry, he deserved better than to be fired mid-season. Is that cliche enough for ya"

Not everyone wants to cancel Kareem Hunt -- Ryan Leaf tells TMZ Sports he hopes NFL teams and fans will give the guy a second chance ... if Hunt takes the steps to turn his life around.

"I mean this country is all about second chances," Leaf told us ... "Look at me."

After being selected with the #2 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, Leaf's life fell apart -- he was arrested multiple times for things like drug possession and burglary.

But, Leaf got help, sobered up and got his life back on track -- he now hosts a sports talk show on SiriusXM.

Leaf says if Hunt can focus on taking positive, healthy steps at bettering himself ... he really hopes the running back can play pro football again.

Still, Leaf is not minimizing Hunt's actions.

"Playing in the NFL, it's a privilege, it's not a right. And, there's consequences to your actions and you always have control over that."

So, what should Hunt be doing during his time away from the league?

"Just working on himself. That's the only thing you can do. You can't control what anybody else does."

Halsey's making it clear, just because she appeared in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show ... she's still pissed off about one of its execs disregard for the LGBTQ community.

The singer, who performed in the VS Show, blasted the show as it was airing Sunday night. She called out Ed Razek, the chief marketing officer for VS's parent company.

Last month in Vogue, he was asked about having transgender models in the show and said ... "No, I don't think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It's a 42-minute entertainment special. That's what it is."

Halsey's IG post slammed VS for "a lack of inclusivity" ... and added she stands in solidarity with the trans community.

For his part, Razek apologized and walked back his comment, as soon as the backlash began. He said, "To be clear, we absolutely would cast a transgender model for the show."

Razek added, "We've had transgender models come to castings. And like many others, they didn't make it. But it was never about gender. I admire and respect their journey to embrace who they really are."

Halsey seems to want action, not words.