Denver Broncos

He's usually a chatty guy ... but John Elway shut down when asked about the Von Miller sex tape case Wednesday night.

The Broncos GM was leaving Madeo with his smokin' hot wife when we asked how he felt about his biggest star being involved in a crazy sex tape war. It's clear it's a touchy subject.

Elway was down to talk the last time Von was involved in a big controversy -- saying it was "too bad" when Miller cut Elway out of a White House photo because he was mad about contract negotiations.

Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray has a fallback plan if the whole NFL thing doesn't work out -- he's a master Benihana chef ... and he's got the certificate to prove it!

The 23-year-old donned the trademark Benihana chef hat and apron -- and got cookin' on the teppanyaki ... grillin' up everything from shrimp to fried rice!

He even did the "spin the egg" trick!

Ray's teammate, Taurean Nixon, documented the whole thing -- and though Ray was strugglin' at times ... he did well enough to get certified!

Von Miller's sex tape partner says the NFL star is full of crap -- claiming she NEVER set him up or shook him down ... and says she only kept the X-rated footage as a self-pleasuring aid.

Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall has decided to end his national anthem protest --- and will STAND when the Star Spangled Banner is played for the rest of the season.

Marshall was one of the first NFL players to join Colin Kaepernick's protest -- and said he would be taking a knee during the anthem to "raise awareness for social injustice and to start conversation about what all of us can do to make a positive change."

Marshall explained his decision to call off the protest on Instagram before the Broncos vs. Raiders game Sunday night ... saying:

"Going forward, I will be standing for the National Anthem -- not because everything is perfect, or because I'm changing my stance on things. But because of my hope for what we can become."

"Just because I am standing doesn't mean the work will end. There’s much work to be done. I’ll continue to recognize and support organizations that are stepping up as leaders and making a real difference in our community, and I will do my part to be there for those in need."

Marshall added, "I really appreciate the support from my family, teammates, coaches and fans. I’m grateful for those who have taken the time to hear me out. I’m excited for what all of us can accomplish when we truly work together."

Ain't nuthin' but a Broncos paaarty ...

Tupac, Dr. Evil, the dude from "Coming to America" ... the Denver Broncos busted out some pretty awesome costumes at the team Halloween party Monday night -- and we've got the video.

Von Miller was Austin Powers' nemesis, DeMarcus Ware was The Mad Hatter, T.J. Ward was Macho Man Randy Savage (RIP) and Aqib Talib was either Willy Wonka or a pimp.

But the best costume ... Kayvon Webster and his date who went as Tupac and Jada Pinkett from that famous photo.

Are we sure Tupac isn't alive and playing cornerback???

How's this for fate ...

When Paxton Lynch was called off the Broncos bench to make his unexpected NFL debut this weekend, 100 of his closest friends and family members just happened to be in the stands.

Here's the deal ... the Broncos were playing in Tampa Bay -- about 90 minutes from where the Denver rookie went to high school.

100 of the QB's closest friends and family decided to buy tickets to the game to support their boy -- knowing he's the 2nd string QB behind Trevor Siemian ... who's been on fire lately.

Fast forward to the 2nd quarter -- Siemian goes down, Paxton goes in and balls out -- 14 of 24 for 170 yards and a TD ... and his cheering section LOVED IT!!!

"We weren't even expecting him to play," Paxton's mother, Stacie, tells us ... "We just went to show support, and were lucky enough to see him get some action."

"He was excited everyone was able to come!"

We also spoke with Lynch's high school coach, Allen Johnson, who says he wasn't surprised by Paxton's performance -- he'd been preparing like crazy for that moment.

"I talked to him after the game yesterday briefly," Johnson said ... "He said he’s going to be there for the team and not be the reason why they don’t make it back to the Super Bowl."

Denver Broncos star Brandon Marshall says Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem protest is a "beautiful thing" ... and his old college teammate inspired him to follow suit Thursday night.

"I thought about it and I felt like this was the right thing to do," the linebacker told "The Jason Smith" show on FOX Sports Radio.

"I feel like what Kaepernick started, it’s a beautiful thing. A lot of people won’t agree with me, but I feel like it’s a beautiful thing."

(FYI, Kaep and Marshall played together at the University of Nevada.)

"And I won’t just take knees, and that’s why I decided to donate an undisclosed amount to different programs that support the vets, ‘cause, you know, it’s tough for them in this country."

"We send them off to war and they come back and it’s like they don’t get a lot of help. It’s tough for my uncle that’s a vet and family members. So I think this will spark some conversation and help to spark some more change."

There's more ... Marshall says he only told ONE teammate about his plans to protest before the Broncos vs. Panthers game ... tight end Virgil Green.

"He told me, 'Look man, just be prepared for all that entails. They’re gonna ask you some tough questions. Just be prepared to answer them.'"

Ladies and gentlemen, meet your first regular season National Anthem protester ... Brandon Marshall of the Broncos.

The Super Bowl champs' star linebacker followed Colin Kaepernick's lead and took a knee during the Star Spangled Banner Thursday night in Denver during the league's kickoff game.

The Broncos almost immediately released a statement, saying ... “While we encourage members of our organization to stand during the National Anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision.”

As we've reported ... Kaepernick's movement has been spreading.

Von Miller may have started an expensive new trend on the Denver Broncos defense ... 'cause one of his teammates just got himself a brand new diamond grill ... and TMZ Sports has the pics.

You already know ... Von spent roughly $100k on insane mouth jewelry this off-season ... and now we've learned cornerback Bradley Roby got himself a shiny new piece as well.

We spoke with Scott Spira at Cooka T Grillz who says Roby wanted something special to kick off the 2016 NFL season ... so he hooked him up with a 14 karat white gold piece with 220 diamonds in it.

The Denver Broncos ... diamonds in their mouths ... and on their fingers.

TMZ Sports has obtained photos from inside the Dallas strip club where Denver Broncos star Aqib Talib may or may not have been shot back in June ... and it's a bloody mess.

President Obama is now officially the hero of Demaryius Thomas' family after cutting the wide receiver's grandmother a huge break on her life sentence.

Minnie Pearl Thomas is one of the 214 prisoners who got their prison sentences commuted by the Prez on Wednesday. Minnie got sentenced to life in prison in 2000 for running a cocaine distribution ring, but now she's set to be released Dec. 1 ... thanks to Obama.

Demaryius said this "Couldn't be a better day" ... as he gave the President a shout-out for giving families like his "second chances."

Denver Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders has a message for John Elway -- SHOW ME THE MONEY, TOO!!!!

This video is awesome ... Sanders was leaving Bootsy Bellows nightclub in L.A. (sportin' some very expensive jewelry) when we asked what he thought of his teammate Von Miller signing that MASSIVE $115 million contract!

"BIG MONEEEYYYY ... I LIKE IT," Sanders enthusiastically said while flashing a wad of cash ... "Hopefully, I'm next!"

The 29-year-old is reportedly next in line to sign a big contract with Denver -- and could fetch somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 MIL per season.

Peyton Manning said it would happen ... and now it's official -- Von Miller has signed a new deal with the Broncos and says he'll bleed orange and blue for life.

The Super Bowl hero reportedly agreed to a 6-year $114 million contract with $70 MILLION guaranteed in the first 2 years.

Miller went to Instagram to celebrate -- posting a pic with a caption that read, "FOR LIFE."

Congrats!

He may not be married, but Emmanuel Sanders says he has a "Til Death Do Us Part" relationship with a ring ... the one he got after the Super Bowl ... 'cause he NEVER takes it off.

The Denver Broncos wide receiver hit 1 OAK in Hollywood after the ESPYs -- wearing his precious -- when we asked if he got Peyton Manning a retirement gift.

"No, but I did get him a Super Bowl ring!"

Good news Broncos fans ... Peyton Manning says his neck is 100% healthy!!!

Bad news Broncos fans ... Peyton Manning says there's NO WAY IN HELL he's coming back to the NFL despite the aforementioned good news.

We got Peyton at LaGuardia airport in NYC earlier this week ... and chopped it up with the future Hall of Famer about the state of Manning ... and he told us it's ALL GOOD.

The clip is pretty freakin' awesome ... Manning also gives us the goods on his favorite topping on a pizza, and his standing in the town of Omaha, but when we ask if he's ever strapping it on again he couldn't have been more firm.

"I'm out of eligibility, I'm expired."

Peyton Manning is weighing in on the standoff in Denver ... telling TMZ Sports he believes Von Miller WILL re-sign with the team ... "I do not see that being a problem at all."