Football

Cops say Lawrence Taylor was arrested because he had been living in a hotel for months -- but failed to reveal that to law enforcement despite being required to do so.

It's all spelled out in new police documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, in which cops say the NFL legend committed a huge no-no after he failed to inform them that he had left his permanently registered address back in April.

According to the docs, officers say due to his status as a sex offender stemming from a 2011 conviction, Taylor must be diligent any time he moves and notify authorities of the change of address.

Cops, though, say an investigation revealed Taylor moved into a hotel in Florida on April 2 and had been living there without properly notifying them.

Police say when they questioned Taylor about the move ... he told them, "he was living at the hotel ... to avoid issues with his soon to be ex-wife."

Cops say Taylor told them he was unaware that he needed to report the change of address -- though the officers claim in the docs that they have paperwork showing Taylor should've known better.

According to the docs, cops issued a warrant for his arrest over it all ... adding that Taylor "promptly turned himself in" once he was made aware of the warrant.

Taylor has since been charged with two felony counts of failure to register as a sex offender.

Gross scene at the Idaho Potato Bowl on Tuesday ... a Kent State offensive lineman got so sick during the game, he puked all over the field.

... and he got flagged for it!!

The nasty play went down early in the second quarter of KSU's bowl game with Wyoming ... when the Golden Flashes were facing a third-and-goal situation.

In video of the scene, you can see left tackle Bill Kuduk -- wearing a No. 71 jersey -- vomited right before the ball was snapped ... causing defensive players on Wyoming to flinch across the line of scrimmage.

Of course, the refs threw a flag on Kuduk for a false start penalty ... which was assessed after the up-chucking happened during the snap count.

To Bill's credit, he stayed in the game and seemed to play well ... and was a good sport over it all afterward, tweeting, "Puke and Rally!!! Appreciate the shout out #MACtion."

Packers and Ravens fans got into an all-out brawl during the teams' game Sunday -- and the action got so violent, one fan left the melee with his jacket covered in blood.

The wild scene all went down in the stands at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore ... when Green Bay supporters began jawing with men in Ravens jerseys.

Unclear what initially started the arguments -- but video from the scene shows a guy in a cheesehead hat appeared to ignite the physical fracas after he struck a Baltimore fan in the face.

Check out the video, as soon as the man was hit -- fists flew everywhere, with roughly half a dozen people getting involved in the skirmish.

At one point, a Ravens fan wanted to insert himself so badly into the fight -- he left his feet to jump on top of the crowd.

As security came to separate the combatants, you can see in the clip a woman appeared to have been struck in the cheek during the commotion, which caused one Ravens fan to yell, "Who the f*** punched her in the face?! I swear to f***ing God I'll kill you!"

Eventually, security was able to gain control of the situation -- though it's unclear if any arrests were made. We've reached out to cops, but so far, no word back yet.

Of course, this is far from the first act of violence at an NFL game this season -- fans have been fighting all year, including at the Rams vs. Bears game earlier in the season.

Wanna live like NFL superstar Khalil Mack?? Now you can -- if you've got a small fortune layin' around ...

TMZ Sports has learned the Chicago Bears pass rusher -- who began his career with the Oakland Raiders -- is selling his insane hillside mansion in NorCal for $2.88 MILLION.

The 3-time All-Pro bought the place in San Ramon, Calif. shortly after the Raiders drafted him ... but with no need to be in the Bay Area anymore, he's ready to get rid of the pad.

The place -- which is being listed by Maria Afzal from Keller Williams Luxury Palo Alto after being referred to by Luther Robinson II from Robinson Luxury Group -- is insane, featuring 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.

It's 3,700 square feet and has a spa bathroom, chef's kitchen and a huge patio with views that overlook hills and lights from the city.

Of course, if the home sells, it'll be the second time Mack has unloaded property this year -- 'cause he just sold his home in Illinois for $3.9 million.

Unclear if it all means Mack is gearing up to play football for a new team in a new city next year, or if the dude just wants some extra cash in his pocket.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley -- who said he'd rather die than get the vaccine -- tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday ... and is expected to miss at least 10 days before returning to the team.

The news became official just minutes ago ... with the Bills placing Beasley on the COVID-19/Reserve list.

Beasley -- who is unvaccinated, obviously -- returned a positive test, and is now sidelined for the Bills' big game against the Patriots.

Of course, Cole has been as passionate as they come on his decision to not get the jab -- back in June, Beasley went on a social media rant ... calling out everyone from the NFLPA to fans on Twitter.

"Hi, I'm Cole Beasley and I'm not vaccinated!" the 32-year-old said at the time. "I will be outside doing what I do. I'll be out in the public. If you're scared of me then steer clear or get vaccinated. Point. Blank. Period."

"I may die of Covid, but I’d rather die actually living."

Beasley's decision to not get vaccinated even drew criticism from Mavs owner, Mark Cuban, who pled with the slot wideout to get vaxxed for the sake of everyone else.

"Cole's a good guy, but, you know, getting vaccinated isn't just about you, it's about everybody else as well," Cuban said.

Despite Cuban's advice, Cole -- who already had to quarantine earlier this summer after coming into close contact with a trainer who tested positive for the virus -- doesn't seem like he's changing his mind anytime soon.

Prosecutors tell TMZ Sports they believe Aldon Smith was driving with a BAC of greater than .20 before he was arrested for a DUI earlier this month.

Smith was booked back on Dec. 6 after cops say he had driven drunk in San Mateo County and then got involved in a two-car accident -- and, on Monday, prosecutors formally filed charges against the 32-year-old over it all.

Court documents show Smith was hit with two felony DUI charges ... and, in the docs, prosecutors revealed they believe Smith was HEAVILY intoxicated at the time of the incident.

In the docs, prosecutors say Smith had a BAC of greater than .15 ... and when we spoke with the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office on Monday afternoon, a spokesperson told us they believe Smith actually had a BAC of greater than .20.

The DA spokesperson noted they're waiting on further test results to reveal the final number. Of course, the legal limit in California is .08.

Prosecutors also allege in the docs that Smith had an open container of booze in his car at the time of the crash ... and they also claim he had weed in an open container in the vehicle as well. They added that the other person involved in the accident suffered minor injuries.

Smith is facing up to three years in prison if he's convicted on the charges, prosecutors say. He's due in court for a hearing on the matter on Tuesday morning.

We've reached out to Smith's attorney for comment, but so far, no word back yet.

As for Smith's NFL career ... he balled out for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, but he's currently a free agent after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks before the 2021 season began.

Warren Sapp let it all hang out for his special day ... stripping down to a skimpy mankini and showing off his birthday bod!!

The Hall of Fame defensive tackle turned 49 years old on Sunday ... and kickstarted his next trip around the sun with as minimal clothing as possible.

"49 never felt so Good since I wore it at Apopka!," Sapp said on Instagram ... referencing his old high school number. "#HappyBirthdayFatBoy"

Warren wasn't only wearing the banana hammock -- he made sure to have a diamond chain on as well.

Of course, Sapp was one of the greatest players of his time -- he is a Super Bowl champ, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 7-time Pro Bowler, and was named to the league's All-Decade teams in the 1990s and 2000s ... so he's definitely got a lot to celebrate.

Lawrence Taylor is fighting back in his sex offender case ... the NFL legend has pled not guilty to two felony charges, TMZ Sports has learned.

Court records show Taylor, through his attorney, submitted the pleas on Monday afternoon.

"Lawrence has pled not guilty and we will be working with the prosecutors on the case for a full dismissal," one of Taylor's lawyers, Arthur Aidala, tells us.

"There was some confusion as to Lawrence’s home address that has since been rectified."

As we previously reported, LT -- arguably the greatest New York Giant ever -- was arrested on Dec. 16 in Florida ... and ultimately charged with two felony counts of failure to register as a sexual offender.

Further details surrounding the case and the arrest have yet to be revealed, but Aidala said the day after Taylor was booked that it was all a big misunderstanding.

"Mr. Taylor was constantly a resident of the marital home where he was registered, but on advice of local law enforcement he was sleeping outside the home," Aidala said.

"We are confident that this will be dismissed at the first court hearing."

Chris Godwin is completely devastated after suffering a season-ending knee injury Sunday -- with his wife, Mariah, saying in a statement the Bucs star is hurting badly over the news.

"To be honest," Mariah said Monday, "it makes me wanna throw up and cry and smash a window all at once."

Godwin tore his ACL during the Bucs' 9-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday ... when defensive back P.J. Williams hit him directly on the knee cap.

The 25-year-old needed to be helped off the field ... and tests revealed his knee injury was so severe, he'd be done for the rest of Tampa's 2021 season.

Mariah says he's heartbroken over it all ... writing in a statement, "If you know Chris at all you know why this is just gut wrenching."

"This man loves his team and loves what he does and f***ing LOVES working to be the greatest he can possibly be."

Mariah -- who married the Pro Bowler in May 2021 -- says his suffering has made her sick ... adding that even their pet dog, Piggy, "does not like seeing Chris like this."

But, Mariah -- who made soup for the injured star on Monday night to make sure he gets proper nutrients to kick off his road to recovery -- promised Chris would make every effort to be back better than ever in 2022.

"You're only down if you stay down and it's no staying down around here," Mariah said of Chris, who's slated to be a free agent after the season ends.

Eric Decker choked back tears as he remembered his friend and former teammate Demaryius Thomas on Monday ... giving a powerful speech at the former NFL star's celebration of life.

Past and present members of the Denver Broncos flew to Atlanta to pay tribute to Thomas ... with John Elway, Champ Bailey, Courtland Sutton, T.J. Ward and more attending the service.

Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion was filled with mementos of Thomas' career -- including game balls, jerseys, and a large #88 hanging behind the stage.

Decker and Bailey -- who both played with Thomas on the Broncos -- spoke to the crowd ... and it's pretty emotional.

"He was the brother I always wanted," Decker said, fighting tears.

Bailey added ... "I just hope that D.T. understands that I have tremendous love for him. And I hope he felt it, because I definitely felt the love he had for me. I was one of those people that he stopped and paid attention to."

"I don't know why he came into my life, but I'm sure glad he did. I'm going to miss him so dearly."

Frodo -- the final surviving dog from the infamous Michael Vick dogfighting ring -- has died ... officials at the BADRAP animal rescue org. confirmed on Monday.

The pup was estimated to be 15 years old.

According to BADRAP, Frodo was one of 48 dogs that were saved after Vick's dogfighting ring was broken up by law enforcement back in 2007.

The org. says Frodo found a new home following the former NFL star's arrest, and spent the last 14 years "being pampered like a prince with his new family."

But, sadly, the org. says he died on Saturday ... though they did note the dog had one final steak before he passed away.

Officials at the org. say two other known surviving dogs from the Vick case died recently as well.

As we previously reported, Vick was released from the Atlanta Falcons and also spent time behind bars over his role in the case.

The ex-quarterback did apologize for it all ... and he later went on to start for the Philadelphia Eagles following his release from prison.

He's since fought tirelessly against animal abuse ... even advocating at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2015 to pass a bill to allow cops to rescue pets from hot cars.

Kurt Warner was looking like he was ready to go into orbit during the Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders game on Monday ... and naturally, Twitter couldn't get enough of it.

The Hall of Fame QB was looking extra warm in the booth for NFL Network -- rocking a metallic silver puffer coat while calling the game ... and as soon as he showed up on TV, viewers flocked to social media to get their jokes off.

"Kurt Warner looks like he’s about to land on the moon," one user wrote ... while another compared him to "a baked potato wrapped in tinfoil."

"Kurt Warner paying homage to Missy Elliott," another Twitter user said Monday. "I respect it."

There's more -- "Kurt Warner dressed like Puff Daddy lol"

NFLN even got in on the fun ... comparing their guy to a Hershey's Kiss.

Warner addressed the roasting on social media ... saying, "We have to get you all a better game in 2nd half. WAY TOO MUCH TALK ABOUT MY JACKET!!! Haha… #ThanksForWatching."

As for the game ... it's a low-scoring battle. But everyone saw that one coming, especially with Baker Mayfield and a ton of Browns players out with COVID-19.

Horrible news ... Raiders linebacker Will Compton says his mom tragically died just hours before Las Vegas' game against the Browns.

"I am heart broken to let you know my mom suddenly passed away last night," Compton said in a statement on his social media page just before the Cleveland-Raiders kickoff on Monday. "I am headed home to be with family."

He continued, "It has been a brutal last 16 hours."

Compton -- who's been in the NFL since 2013 -- had just signed with the Raiders earlier this month ... and had just posted Sunday about how excited he was to play for the team.

The Raiders announced early Monday morning that the 32-year-old would miss the Cleveland game.

"Please love on your moms and keep my family in your thoughts and prayers," Compton said. "Our mom was everything to us."

Several NFL players have already reached out to support Compton on social media, with Bobby Wagner and Quandre Diggs offering thoughts and prayers.

Teddy Bridgewater was forced to spend Sunday night in a hospital ... after he terrifyingly slammed his head on the grass during the Broncos' game against the Bengals.

The horrifying scene all went down on Sunday in the third quarter of the game at Empower Field in Denver ... when Bridgewater dove for a first down but landed awkwardly on his head and neck.

Video of the play is scary ... you can see in the clip, Teddy appeared to be knocked unconscious as soon as his face hit the turf.

Trainers and staffers raced out to tend to the star quarterback ... removing his facemask and strapping him to a backboard, before taking him off the field and to a hospital on a stretcher.

Denver head coach Vic Fangio announced after the game Bridgewater would be kept at a medical facility for evaluation through at least Monday ... though he did say he expected the signal-caller to somehow be okay.

"Everything has checked out good up to this point," Fangio told reporters after Denver went on to lose, 15-10. "They're just going to keep him overnight for observations. But they think he'll -- should be and will be fine. Eventually."

Bridgewater is no stranger to horrible injuries -- you'll recall, he nearly lost his leg after he gruesomely tore his ACL in a play during Minnesota Vikings practice in 2016.

He's since come back from that injury strongly ... and had been having a solid year for Denver this season, recording 3,052 passing yards and 18 passing TDs.

Get well soon, Teddy.

The T in TB12 now stands for temper ... 'cause Tom Brady completely lost his cool during a bad loss to the Saints on Sunday -- appearing to tell New Orleans coach Dennis Allen to "go f*** yourself."

It was anything but Brady's night in Tampa Bay -- the Bucs fell 9-0 in a blowout lost to New Orleans ... and things came to a head when the 7-time Super Bowl champ threw an interception to C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the 4th quarter.

After the pick, many believe Brady ran over to Allen -- who stepped up after HC Sean Payton tested positive for COVID-19 -- and cussed him out.

The interaction was caught on video ... and naturally, every amateur lipreader on social media came up with the same conclusion.

But, that wasn't the only outburst of the night -- Brady got so pissed later in the 4th quarter that he chucked his Microsoft Surface on the sideline ... completely wrecking it in the process.

The frustrations have been piling on in recent years ... as Tom can't seem to figure out how to beat the Saints in the regular season since joining the Bucs.

Jimmy Smith is dancing on Florida State's grave ... thanking the school for not hiring Deion Sanders in 2019 and clowning the program for now losing to the Jackson State headman on the recruiting trail.

Smith took the hilarious shots at the 'Noles in a conversation with TMZ Sports this week ... explaining why he believes Prime will not leave JSU for a Power 5 school anytime soon.

"This is his baby," said Smith, who played his college ball for the Tigers before starring in the NFL. "Why would he want to go anywhere else?"

"You look at Florida State and what they did," Smith continued. "They did not give him a chance to be the head coach in the beginning. Now, look at you, Florida State! Huh?! He's ours now. Thank you!"

Of course, Sanders was rumored to be in the running for FSU's vacant head coaching job back in 2019 -- but the Seminoles passed on him and hired Mike Norvell instead.

Sanders went on to take the JSU head coaching gig in 2020 -- and he just ripped the Noles' hearts out this week by flipping top recruit Travis Hunter.

Smith said he couldn't be more fired up to watch Sanders continue to succeed at his alma mater ... telling us, "These kids are coming to Jackson State because they want to play there!"

"You know, they can go anywhere in the country but they want to be at Jackson State," Smith added. "I'm glad to be an alumni of Jackson State. This is just great!"