Controversial S#!T

Baltimore Ravens CB Jimmy Smith has been suspended 4 games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy ... after an investigation determined he verbally threatened and emotionally abused his baby mama.

The Ravens released a statement Tuesday ... saying the investigation found "threatening and emotionally abusive behaviors by Jimmy toward his former girlfriend that showed a pattern of improper conduct."

The woman involved in the incident has a child with Smith. The two had been in a custody dispute that begin in 2015.

Details on any specific incident are unclear ... but NFL insider Mike Garafolo reports the punishment stems from court docs filed by Smith's ex, claiming "physical violence."

While the league found no evidence of Smith putting his hands on his baby mama, the Ravens believe there was enough evidence to punish Smith for the first 4 weeks of the season.

The Ravens say they spoke with relationship and domestic violence experts and a group of "women and men executives, not directly involved with our football operations" to review the situation as well.

"We also engaged in conversations with Jimmy about his past behavior and his intention to change."

"Additionally, it is our understanding that following a long-running and difficult custody dispute with his former girlfriend and mother of his son, Jimmy has resolved his custody and support issues."

Smith -- the 27th overall pick in the 2011 Draft -- addressed the suspension, apologizing and owning up to his actions.

Kyle Shanahan is adamant the 49ers are NOT one of the teams allegedly colluding against Eric Reid to keep him out of the NFL ... saying S.F. would LOVE to have him back.

But ... there's a catch -- with Shanahan telling reporters Tuesday the Niners would only take the safety back if he were willing to play on a minimum deal AND as a backup.

Remember ... Reid was one of Colin Kaepernick's first and loudest supporters when it came to kneeling during the national anthem -- and he's part of a lawsuit alleging the NFL is blackballing him from the league because of that.

Shanahan didn't comment on that matter ... but he did say he would have no problems re-signing the former Pro Bowler at the right price.

"I like Eric," Kyle says. "He's a good player. A good person. And, that'd be great if we could have him in that role."

In fact, Shanahan says it's actually Eric that might be holding up the whole process of being signed -- saying he thinks the DB wouldn't "be that interested in" a backup deal.

Kobe Bryant playing in the BIG3 next year is "100% not happening" ... so says the woman who runs Kobe's company.

Rumors started swirling Tuesday when BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz told reporters on a conference call that he heard from a "credible source" that "Kobe is going to be playing next year."

Of course, Ice Cube and several BIG3 players including Stephen Jackson and Allen Iverson have called for Kobe to join the league -- because it would be awesome -- but Bryant had always said he's retired from basketball.

In fact, when rumors swirled that Kobe was considering coming back to the Lakers for one last season with LeBron James, Vanessa Bryant was adamant he's DONE with hoop.

So, when Kwatinetz suggested Kobe was down for some 3-on-3, we reached out to Molly Carter -- the Chief Marketing Officer at Kobe Inc. -- who told us straight-up, "NOT True. 100% not happening."

A 37-year-old Asia Argento snuggled with then-17-year-old Jimmy Bennett on a bed, shirtless, their foreheads pressed together, her arm over his as they lay with satisfied smiles ... that is the photo that Asia paid $380,000 for -- a photo TMZ has now seen.

The photo was taken on May 9, 2013 in a room at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Marina del Rey, California. Our sources say the selfie was shot by Jimmy after the 2 had sex. Jimmy claimed Asia liquored him up, began kissing him, pushed him onto the bed, performed oral sex on him and then climbed on top of him and had intercourse ... this according to documents obtained by the New York Times.

The photo is not overtly sexual, however a casual observer would clearly conclude it looks like a post-sex pic as the 2 faintly smiled while they lay on a shared pillow.

Asia -- who is one of the first alleged victims to come forward claiming Harvey Weinstein raped her -- has not been reachable since the recent story broke. What's interesting ... she still has up the Instagram pictures of her at the Ritz-Carlton that day ... saying in one photo, "Waiting for my long lost son my love."

We also have information as to why Asia did not have Jimmy sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in return for paying $380k. Fact is, she couldn't, because in California confidentiality agreements are not enforceable when they involve allegations of child sex acts ... even if the victim is now an adult.

Weinstein's lawyer, Ben Brafman, lashed out at Argento, saying it was the height of hypocrisy for her to secretly cut a deal involving her own alleged sexual misconduct at the same time she was going after his client. She settled her case with Jimmy in April.

Animal Crackers are now FREE ... from their cages, that is.

It took 116 years, but the packaging of Barnum's Animals no longer depicts the exotic creatures in pens.

Nabisco's popular snack now features a zebra, an elephant, a lion, a giraffe and a gorilla roaming free among grass and trees.

Previously, packaging showed animals and their young locked up in cages.

The stark change has been driven by PETA. In April 2016, the animal rights organization gave notice to Nabisco's parent company, Mondelez International, saying circuses would shock, chain, beat and whip animals in order to intimidate them and force them into performing tricks.

PETA also brought to light dubious practices like circuses separating mothers from their babies and holding animals in chains and cages.

Circuses across the country have also been undergoing change. Ringling Bros. shut down in May 2017 after 146 years in operation, the result of mounting pressure from animal welfare groups, skyrocketing operation costs, legal battles and declining ticket sales.

Nicki Minaj isn't just comparing herself to Harriet Tubman -- she's now saying she IS Harriet Tubman ... just new and improved.

We got the "QUEEN" MC leaving her hotel Monday night on her way to the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall, where our camera guy asked about a new controversy swarming around Nick from a tweet she put out earlier in the day ... conjuring Harriet's name, and drawing comparisons.

Some Twitter fans were furious Nicki insinuated she was in the same league as Harriet, although Nicki never explicitly compared herself to the civil rights icon. Until now, that is. Our photog has her on camera saying it straight-up ... "I am the new Harriet Tubman."

We press her to make sure she knew what she's saying, and the implications of her remarks -- which are certainly shocking. She pushes right back, insisting she is the next Harriet Tubman. You do you, Nick?

BTW ... we also got Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner heading to the VMAs, and asked if they were gonna try to squash the beef Nicki started on Sunday. They were mum on all that ... but we're guessing that whole mess will sort itself out in the stands.

We got 50 Cent out after the VMA's and asked him what he thought about the Harriet Tubman reference and he was ... guarded.

Safaree says he isn't worried about potentially running into his ex, Nicki Minaj, on the red carpet at the VMAs ... but he does have some advice for her.

We got the 'Love & Hip Hop' star Monday as he was heading to Radio City Music Hall in NYC to attend the MTV awards show when he took some clear shots at Nicki on the heels of their online beef ... not to mention all her other Twitter squabbles this week.

As we reported ... Safaree claimed Nicki once tried to stab him with a knife in 2014 -- she called him a liar. Nicki also called out Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner over the weekend for working together to push his album sales past hers on the charts.

Safaree's got some thoughts on that too ... pick your battles, Nick. And grow with the times.

Our guy also asks if he beefed up security to avoid any nasty run-ins with Nicki on the red carpet -- like MTV brass is already doing to accommodate the feuding exes -- but he insists he's only rolling deep as a result of his robbery earlier this year.

Asia Argento -- one of Harvey Weinstein's first accusers and a prominent figure in the #MeToo movement -- reportedly paid off her own accuser, a then 17-year-old boy.

The NYT cites documents it obtained outlining an agreement between Argento's lawyer and her accuser's attorney to pay former child actor Jimmy Bennett -- who once co-starred alongside Argento in a 2004 film -- $380,000 over multiple installments.

The Times reports Bennett's attorney reached out to Argento's camp late last year -- shortly before Ronan Farrow's bombshell New Yorker piece -- stating an intent to sue ... and describing alleged "sexual battery" between Argento and Bennett in 2013 -- when he was only 17 years old. He's 22 now.

According to the Times, the documents claim Jimmy met Asia at a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Marina del Rey, CA on May 9, 2013 and that she proceeded to give him alcohol, kiss him, push him back onto the bed, perform oral sex on him ... and then climb on top of him to have intercourse.

Argento has photos of her and Bennett on her social media account from the day in question. One post shows a photo of the two of them with her caption reading "Happiest day of my life reunion with @jimmymbennett xox". The Times says Bennett's lawyer claimed his client had more photos, one of which allegedly depicts both of them lying topless in bed from that day.

According to the Times ... Argento agreed to pay Bennett $200,000 this past April as an initial installment for the copyright to the risque photo that was in his possession. The Times also cites an email written to Argento from her lawyer saying ... "Ultimately, you decided against the non-disclosure [NDA] language because you felt it was inconsistent with the public messages you’ve conveyed about the societal perils of non-disclosure agreements."

The alleged email ends with this ... "Bennett could theoretically tell people his claims against you. However, under this agreement, he cannot sue you for them. Nor can he post the photo of the two of you. At the very he is not permitted to bother you for more money, disparage you or sue -- so long as you comply with your obligations in the agreement."

Rudy Giuliani just added a new edition to the "alternative facts" library from the Trump White House -- telling a reporter "truth isn't truth" when it comes to ... well, the truth.

The President's personal attorney was on NBC's 'Meet the Press' with Chuck Todd and got grilled on why 45 hasn't sat down for an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller to wrap up the Russia investigation. Giuliani's reason ... let's not rush into a lie under oath.

He basically says Mueller's gonna get a he said, he said -- from Trump and Comey -- as to who said what to whom ... who knew what ... and when. And, because Comey used to be tight with Mueller in the FBI, Rudy says it's a no-brainer who the latter will believe.

Andre Rison sure as hell wishes Terrell Owens hadn't blown off his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony ... 'cause he's telling TMZ Sports that REALLY HURT his chances at getting in!!

The legendary Falcon was one of the baddest receivers in the game ... and his career numbers stack up with just about every wideout in the Hall.

But ... he tells us his HOF candidacy -- which didn't have a whole lot of steam to begin with from NFL writers -- took a serious hit when T.O. pulled out of Canton earlier this month.

"When I hear T.O.'s argument, I know it's valid, I know it's good, but I really wish he would've went," Rison says.

"Because he does make it hard sometimes for guys like myself, who was a rough rider."

Rison says he's not going to complain about it ... he's just trying to let his numbers do the talking.

Fat Joe wanted to lean back after a good meal at Ruth's Chris Steak House ... but the rapper instead got booted for a dress code violation he says was reminiscent of the Old South.

The big man from the Bronx was stunned last week when he and his crew were asked to leave the Ruth's Chris Steak House in North Carolina ... and even more perplexed by the fact the manager who made the request was black.

Ex-Ohio State assistant football coach Zach Smith took pictures of his penis while inside the White House during a 2015 team visit to celebrate the OSU national championship ... so says his ex-wife.

But, Smith's attorney says the penis in the photo -- which reportedly shows a tie and wedding ring that match up with Smith -- does not belong to his client.

FYI, Zach is the former Ohio State WRs coach who was fired last month in the wake of reports detailing an alleged history of domestic violence.

As for the penis photos, Zach's ex-wife Courtney told college football reporter Brett McMurphy she believes the pics to be authentic.

McMurphy did not publish the pics but described them in detail -- saying one features Zach's penis while he's wearing the black suit he wore to the White House event.

Another photo features Zach's penis next to a towel with the presidential seal on it.

Courtney also claims Zach took multiple penis pics in the Ohio State coaches' office during his employment with OSU -- including one where he's receiving oral sex from an OSU staffer.

Zach's attorney told McMurphy none of the penis pics are actually his client -- but didn't offer up an explanation.

McMurphy is also reporting Smith ordered $2,200 in "sex toys, male apparel and photography equipment" which he had sent to the Ohio State athletic offices.

Among the items ... "Men’s spider enhancer thong triple c**kring, body wear CS2 metallic erotic c**k strap gold and snake skin, WildmanT ball lifter red, candyman men’s jock suspenders" and more.

Tyron Woodley was so pissed off that he was forced to sit near Darren Till at UFC 227 -- he stormed out of his seat and ordered staff to open a room at the arena so he could release some of his aggression in an impromptu training session.

Woodley and Till are scheduled to fight at UFC 228 in Dallas on Sept. 8 -- but, Tyron says someone at UFC 227 in L.A. thought it would be "real cute to put two f**king dogs next to each other right before they're about to fight."

It didn't sit well with the champ -- and things erupted right inside Staples Center.

Tyron tells the whole story on this week's 'Hollywood Beatdown' -- where he also rips Donald Trump over his "blatantly racist" comments about Omarosa.

Champ Bailey thinks he's no doubt a first-ballot Hall of Famer ... but the ex-NFL corner says he won't pull a Terrell Owensif he doesn't get in on the first try.

The legendary Broncos DB joined the Talk of Fame Network and revealed there's just no way he could do what T.O. did if he missed out on the Hall on the first try.

"For T.O., he carries his emotions a little different," Bailey says.

"So, I can understand him being ticked off a little differently because he's always carried himself that way."

Don't get it twisted ... Bailey says he'd be pretty pissed off too -- 'cause "I objectively think I should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer."

But still ... don't count on him missing his induction ceremony to spite the selection committee.

"I don't know if I would do the things [T.O.] did," he says. "But, every man has his own choices to make."

The President of ESPN says the network will NOT air the national anthem -- and the drama that goes along with it -- during the 2018 season of "Monday Night Football."

"We generally have not broadcasted the anthem and I don't think that will change this year," ESPN prez Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement reported by Axios' Sara Fischer.

"Our plan going into this year is to not broadcast the anthem. Again that could change. It's unpredictable what could happen in the world but as of now, we're not."

Obviously, the anthem has become a hot button issue -- with player demonstrations becoming such a big issue, everyone from team owners to the President of the United States have weighed in.

1:37 PM PT -- A rep for Miss America tells us, "The Miss America Organization supports Cara. It is disappointing that she chose to air her grievances publicly not privately. Her letter contains mischaracterizations and many unfounded accusations. We are reaching out to her privately to address her concerns."

The reigning Miss America is railing on the org, saying they have silenced and ignored her and instead focused all of their attention on former Miss America and Chairperson of the Board of Directors Gretchen Carlson.

Cara Mund is outraged that the Miss America CEO as well as the chair of the org "have silenced me, reduced me, marginalized me, and essentially erased me in my role as Miss America."

Mund claims she's been told she's "not important enough to do big interviews, and that the major press is 'obviously' reserved for Gretchen." She's certainly strongly insinuating ... either Gretchen or her allies at Miss America are pushing her and the #MeToo movement and that's all they care about.

Mund says she's been disrespected, belittled and literally erased from Miss America ... her photo was even removed from a fundraising website page and replaced with a past winner.

She believes the org is pushing the #MeToo movement and the message it all started with Gretchen revealing abuse at the hand of FNC head Roger Ailes. FNC was ordered to paid Gretchen $20 million.

Mund says she's been banned from posting comments on social media. She says she's been told she's "bad at social media" and that's why sponsors have dropped out of the Miss America org.

She even says she's been sabotaged ... told to show up at the wrong locations so the org could paint her as flaky.