Football

Jerry Jones says he will make no effort to block out the sun at AT&T Stadium ... despite the roaring glare costing his team points in their playoff loss last weekend.

The Dallas Cowboys owner was adamant there will be no addition of sun shades or a curtain to his domed palace in Arlington, explaining Friday on 105.3 The Fan, "that's about 10,000th on my list of things to worry about."

"We're not going to do anything with it," Jones said. "It goes both ways."

If you missed it, toward the end of the first half of the Cowboys' loss to the 49ers on Sunday, a Dak Prescott pass fell incomplete due to the sun.

The intended target, Cedrick Wilson, said the glare blinded him -- and robbed him of a completed pass that would have put Dallas in position to kick a field goal.

Most thought it would lead to Jones finally putting something up to block out the sun ... but he said emphatically on Friday he has no plans whatsoever to do that.

"I need to be worrying about something frankly that gets us back this week, next year, in the playoffs," Jones said.

Tom Brady's football career could be just days away from ending ... so says his ex-teammate Rob Ninkovich, who said this week he wouldn't be surprised if the QB retired after this season.

Ninkovich, who played eight years with Brady in New England, made the stunning claim on ESPN's "Get Up" ... saying if the Buccaneers lose this weekend, it could very well be the last game of Tom's historic career.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Tom just kind of walked away and do whatever he wants to do," the former Patriots linebacker said.

Of course, it would certainly shock the majority of NFL fans ... considering just how good Brady's been in Tampa.

In his two seasons in Florida, the 44-year-old has amassed 83 passing TDs and nearly 10,000 passing yards. He's also just three wins away from his EIGHTH Super Bowl ring.

Brady has also said repeatedly he can play until he's 50 years old -- which would be another six or seven seasons.

But, Ninkovich, who won two Super Bowls with Tom as a Patriot, said Brady's done everything he's needed to do on the field, and could call it a career after Sunday.

"It wouldn't shock me," he said.

Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay -- who's started 19 games for the team the past two seasons -- was arrested Wednesday night ... just four days before Kansas City's playoff game against Buffalo.

Jail records show the 23-year-old was arrested by the Overland Park Police Department in Kansas at 10:30 p.m. He was booked on a charge of criminal damage roughly two hours later.

According to jail records, Gay is still in custody. He has a court date scheduled for later Thursday afternoon.

Further details surrounding the arrest are unclear -- we're working on it.

Gay was picked by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has been a key contributor for the team the past two seasons, logging 87 total tackles, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks in 28 games.

His status for the Chiefs' home playoff game Sunday against the Buffalo Bills is now in question following the arrest.

Story developing ...

It's been seven years since Deflategate, but Aaron Rodgers clearly hasn't forgotten about it -- 'cause the dude is STILL taking jabs at Tom Brady over the scandal.

The Green Bay Packers superstar was doing an interview with Sportsnet when he unleashed the zinger ... commenting on the feeling of a football that was handed to him.

"This is too firm for the Patriots," Rodgers said.

Get it? 'Cause Brady (allegedly) deflated Patriots' footballs in the 2015 AFC Championship game in order to gain an edge on the Colts?!

Don't worry ... Rodgers clearly had no malice behind the comment -- he and Brady have a good relationship, and Rodgers even smirked toward the camera while making the quip.

It's still possible, though, that Brady gets the last laugh on Aaron this month ... because if both the Packers and Buccaneers win this weekend, they'll play in the NFC Championship Game the following weekend.

Daniel Jones won't be going to Super Bowl LVI this year -- but the NY Giants signal-caller made sure a New Jersey H.S. QB is attending ... surprising the player with free tickets!

"What's up Danny Dimes?!" a stoked Alex Brown said when DJ hit him up via Facetime on Wednesday.

FYI -- Brown is a senior QB out of Red Bank Catholic H.S. ... and made headlines after he scored 8 touchdowns (6 passing, 2 rushing) in a 58-34 playoff win in November 2021.

What made this stunning performance even more impressive was the fact Alex lost his mother, Michelle, to breast cancer the day before.

"Yesterday I lost my amazing mother," Brown said on Nov. 12, "Today I scored 8 touchdowns, thank you for watching over me mama ❤"

The G-Men QB admired the heartfelt moment and told Brown he was hooking him up with three SB tickets -- for him and his family.

"On behalf of the Giants, just wanna let you know that we wanna recognize you," Jones said, "and give you three tickets to the Super Bowl this year for you, your dad, and your brother."

And, needless to say ... Brown was hyped!

"Oh my God," Brown screamed, "That's insane! Oh my God!!!!"

The Super Bowl is still a few weeks away, but you can start losing your minds for the halftime show now ... 'cause the official trailer for the big event just dropped -- and it's awesome!!

Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar are set to share the stage on February 13 ... which, understandably, has a ton of people hyped.

Pepsi just added to the anticipation by releasing a nearly 4-minute Hollywood film-style clip dubbed the "official trailer" ... featuring all the performers getting "the call" and preparing to hit up L.A. for the show.

The vid shows Em, Snoop, MJB, Kendrick and Dre all leaving their daily lives to join forces outside SoFi Stadium ... with Dre moving all the pieces in a big game of chess.

The visuals are nuts ... and if it's any indication as to how the real halftime show will go, we're in for a treat.

Malik McDowell's high school football coach says the NFL player told him he "doesn't remember" a single thing from his naked altercation with cops on Monday.

"He said he doesn't remember anything," Reggie Wynns told cleveland.com on Wednesday, just hours after McDowell was released from jail.

"He doesn't remember nothing."

Wynns, who coached McDowell at Southfield H.S. in Michigan and later went on to be a mentor for the football player, said he spoke with McDowell shortly after he was arrested following the incident with officers in Deerfield Beach, FL.

Wynns said in their conversation, McDowell got "so emotional" over the arrest.

"I don't know if someone laced him or what," Wynns said. "I don't know. That's not him at all. All I'm hoping is that when they test him, they figure out that he had been drugged."

As we reported, shortly after a trip to the gym on Monday morning, McDowell stripped down at his hotel and roamed the streets near a children's learning center completely naked.

Video from the scene, shot by a bystander, shows when the 25-year-old was confronted by cops, he charged at one of them and appeared to throw punches.

Cops say they eventually tasered McDowell and arrested him ... and later booked him on three charges.

McDowell, who started 14 games for the Cleveland Browns this season without incident, has yet to publicly comment on the situation.

Antonio Brown is finally addressing his mental health, adamantly claiming there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with his mental well-being ... during an in-depth sit-down interview with Brandon Marshall.

The 7x Pro Bowler joined Marshall's "I AM ATHLETE" show with ex-NBA star Nick Young and former 1st round NFL draft pick Jared Odrick ... where they chopped it up about everything from AB's future in the league to whether he has regrets about the end of his Bucs tenure.

Brown -- who has heard endless fans and experts refer to him as "crazy" -- also addressed his psyche ... and he didn't mince words.

"Why every time something happens bad, or how someone reacts, 'Aw, he's crazy, there's something wrong with his mental health,'" AB asked.

"There's nothing wrong with my mental health. Someone told me to get the f**k out of here. I'm not passive-aggressive."

Of course, Brown is referring to the reaction after he took his jersey, pads, and shirt off in the middle of the game for the Jets, before walking off the field.

During the interview, AB again put the onus on Bruce Arians ... insisting the Bucs head coach knew he was injured, but just didn't give a crap, and attempted to force him to play with a serious injury.

"An NFL Super Bowl team coach told a guy on the team who's playing hurt 'get the f*** out of here.'"

AB's 2021 season is obviously over. Question is, does AB -- one of the greatest WR's of his generation -- ever play another down of NFL football?

During the interview with Brandon and the guys, sources tell us Antonio makes it crystal clear he wants to play, but accepts it's also dependent on an NFL squad signing him.

That could a long shot after the way his tenure in Las Vegas, New England and Tampa Bay ended.

Baker Mayfield finally had surgery on his injured shoulder Wednesday ... and he said it went so well, he's hoping this is a step toward getting back to his "true self."

The Cleveland Browns QB initially injured the shoulder in September while trying to make a tackle following an interception ... and he never seemed to be quite right afterward.

He struggled all year long ... throwing 13 INTs to just 17 TDs, and the Browns ended up missing the playoffs.

But, Baker said just hours after surgery wrapped that he's confident he can now get back to his pre-injury level -- even though the rehab road promises to be grueling.

"It's not going to be an easy one," Mayfield said, "but it's going to be one I'm going to remember, and it's going to be a special one."

Baker added, "This is not the end of my story."

Bruce Arians will have to pay up for slapping his own player's helmet during last weekend's playoff game ... 'cause the NFL is fining him $50k for the incident.

The moment happened during the Bucs vs. Eagles Wild Card game on Sunday ... after Philly receiver Jalen Reagor fumbled a punt return and Tampa Bay recovered.

During the pileup, Bucs safety Andrew Adams appeared to try to get Philly players out of the way ... which pissed Arians off to the point of striking the 29-year-old in the helmet.

The whole thing was caught on camera during the broadcast ... with Troy Aikman admitting he was puzzled by Arians' actions.

"He takes a wack at Adams," Troy Aikman said at the time. "Not exactly sure what that's about."

The 69-year-old coach explained after the game that he struck Adams to avoid a penalty.

"You can’t pull guys out of a pile," Arians said during postgame interviews.

"We just got a big play, great field position, and he’s trying to pull a guy out of a pile, and I was trying to knock him off of that guy so he didn’t get a penalty."

Cleveland Browns star Malik McDowell got all pumped up -- during a fairly uneventful workout at a Florida gym -- shortly before he was arrested for being completely naked in public and attacking a cop.

TMZ Sports obtained surveillance videos recorded Monday at the gym in Deerfield Beach, FL ... where the 6'6", 290 lb. D-lineman is seen walking around, hugging friends and all in all ... just acting completely normal.

People close to McDowell tell us ... after the gym, he walked next door to the hotel where he was staying, and took a shower -- and we're told he never got dressed after that. Instead, he walked out of his room stark naked, started walking down the street and even laid down in the middle of the road, at one point.

He particularly set off a panic because he happened to be near an elementary school, which went into lockdown. When cops arrived on the scene, McDowell allegedly punched a cop several times before he was subdued and taken into custody.

McDowell's demeanor in the gym stands in stark contrast to what happened an hour later ... and seems to point to him having some sort of mental health episode. It's worth noting, Malik suffered serious head trauma in an ATV accident back in 2017 -- which could, obviously, be exacerbated by his NFL career.

Cops have not said anything about McDowell being impaired or under the influence. Broward County Sheriff's Dept. tells TMZ Sports ... "Appropriate tests were conducted. Detectives continue to investigate circumstances surrounding the incident."

A woman frantically hurried kids into lockdown while NFL player Malik McDowell was roaming naked nearby ... new 911 audio, obtained by TMZ Sports, reveals.

In a call to dispatch ... a female can be heard on the line saying a man -- later identified as Cleveland Browns defensive lineman McDowell -- was "naked walking the premises" in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

The call is redacted, so it's unclear where the woman exactly is, but it seems she's calling from the school that cops say McDowell had walked near before his arrest on Monday afternoon.

"You're going to go into lockdown," the woman can be heard saying on the call. "You're going to have to take these kids into the bathroom, OK? Yes. One-by-one."

The woman then told dispatch McDowell was "out front."

"He's just walking up and down in front of the building," she added ... "He's completely naked."

At another point during the call, the woman can be heard again appearing to rush kids into lockdown, saying, "Whitney, help them get into their safe places!"

Two other callers, meanwhile, urged dispatch to get cops out to the scene ASAP ... describing McDowell as fully nude.

As we reported, cops say they were able to eventually tase McDowell at the scene and take him into custody. In video of the arrest, obtained by TMZ Sports, you can see McDowell was completely naked while interacting with cops.

McDowell was ultimately booked on charges of aggravated battery on an officer, resisting and exposing sex organs in public.

The Browns released a statement on the arrest on Tuesday, saying, "We are aware of the very concerning incident and arrest involving Malik McDowell and are in the process of gathering more information."

"We understand the severity of this matter and our thoughts are for the well-being of all involved. … No further comment at this time."

Pete Rose has a shocking revelation ... and no, this time it's not what you think -- the all-time MLB hits leader claims he was much better at football than he was at baseball.

Rose made the comments on Rob Gough's brand new podcast, "Talking to Titans With Rob Gough" show (entire convo can be heard here) ... telling the host that his father -- who was a great football player himself -- was the reason he was a far superior football athlete than baseball star.

"Back in the '40s, '50s and '60s, that's all we had to do was sports," Rose said. "We didn't have the iPads, we didn't have the computers, we didn't have the iPhones. We didn't have none of that stuff."

"We had sports and I was a three-sport player but, to be honest with you, I was a much better football player than I was a baseball player because of my dad."

It's a pretty shocking statement ... especially considering Rose would be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame had it not been for his gambling controversy.

Pete says growing up, he simply wasn't into school ... but that he did well enough so he could remain eligible to play.

However, looking back, Rose -- who almost attended the University of Tennessee -- said if he knew then what he knows now ... he'd have put more emphasis on his education.

"If I was growing up, I would have been a ding dong," Pete said, "Because I just didn't give a darn about school ... I just went to school and got your grades enough to stay eligible."

"But if I was playing today in high school, I'd probably try to get really good grades knowing what's ahead of ya as far as going to college. We didn't worry about going to college back in the '50s and early '60s."

Rose -- who spent 7 seasons as a manager for the Cincinnati Reds -- had a message for kids who might have the same feelings towards school as he did when he was younger.

NBA referees just called out Dak Prescott -- pressuring the league to take action against the Cowboys QB after he praised fans who threw objects at officials after the playoffs game with the 49ers.

If you missed it ... Cowboys fans were pissed over the controversial ending to the wildcard game (Dallas lost 23-17) on Sunday ... which abruptly ended their season.

Of course, Dallas fans blame the refs for the L -- since the ump wasn't able to spot the ball with enough time for Dak to get a snap off and clock the ball ... leaving time for one last play in the end zone.

After the game, reporters asked the Dallas Cowboys QB about fans throwing stuff ... and he simply replied, "Credit to them. Yeah, credit to them."

Well, the NBA referees (NBRA) feel some type of way about it ... and called him and the league out.

"The NBRA condemns the comments by Dak Prescott condoning violence against game officials," the National Basketball Referees Association said via Twitter on Tuesday.

"As an NFL leader, he should know better."

The NBRA added, "We encourage the NFL to take action to discourage this deplorable behavior in the future."

The NFL has been totally mum ... neither addressing Dak's comments, nor the NBA Refs' statement. Does anything change now that the refs have called on the league to punish Dak?

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Lerentee McCray was arrested over the weekend ... after police say he flipped off cops and then led officers on a high-speed chase in Florida.

According to police documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, the Fruitland Park Police Dept. attempted to pull over McCray at around 1 AM on Sunday after they say he was going 88 MPH in a 50 MPH zone.

Cops, though, say McCray refused to stop ... and put his middle finger out of his driver's side window before continuing on at speeds of around 100 MPH.

Police say they tried to catch McCray ... but claim he was driving so recklessly and at such a rate of speed, they ultimately called the pursuit off.

But, cops say McCray was stopped about 15 minutes later by the Tavares Police Dept.

Cops say during that stop, McCray was "acting erratically" and was eventually transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

Officers say during questioning at the hospital, McCray told them "he did not flick the officer off and he was trying to motion for the officer to continue following him."

McCray was eventually transported to jail ... and records show he was booked on a felony charge of fleeing/eluding police.

He bonded out later Saturday, according to jail records. He's due in court for a hearing on the matter next month.

Malik McDowell is in trouble with the law once again ... the NFL player was arrested on Monday after he allegedly stripped naked near a children's learning center and got into a fight with cops.

The bizarre incident is all spelled out in a police report, obtained by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

In the docs, cops claim they were called out to a scene in Deerfield Beach, FL after McDowell had allegedly taken off all of his clothes and walked naked near a children's learning center.

Cops say kids were present while McDowell was near the learning center -- adding that he got violent with police as soon as they approached him.

One officer said in documents that McDowell “charged at me ... at full speed with closed fist." The officer said a fight then ensued.

In the docs, cops claim McDowell was able to flee the scene ... but was ultimately apprehended after cops tased the 6-foot-6, 290-pound football player.

McDowell was taken into custody and later booked on charges of aggravated battery on an officer, resisting and exposing sex organs in public, jail records show.

The Browns released a statement on Tuesday following the news of the arrest, saying, "We are aware of the very concerning incident and arrest involving Malik McDowell and are in the process of gathering more information."

"We understand the severity of this matter and our thoughts are for the well-being of all involved. … No further comment at this time."

As we've reported, McDowell -- who had a standout season for Cleveland this year, starting 14 games -- is no stranger to run-ins with the law ... he's been arrested multiple times over the past few years, including in 2019 when he fought a cop at a gas station.

McDowell served time behind bars as well as a suspension from the NFL over it all -- but said this year that he had turned a corner and was in a great place.