Football

JaMarcus Russell is opening up about his codeine use in college and the NFL ... saying he would drink lean to cope with injuries instead of taking painkillers.

Of course, the troubled history of Russell is well-known ... from his short venture with the Oakland Raiders (2007-2009) to being arrested in 2010 for possession of codeine syrup.

The 36-year-old says he first drank lean when he was just 14 -- when he accidentally grabbed it (thinking it was soda) from a cooler while hanging out with friends at a park in Mobile, Alabama.

"That was my first time drinking syrup," Russell said in the Players' Tribune. "Wasn’t the last time."

He added ... "Some syrup, for us, that’s like you might drink some wine or something. I’m not glorifying it, but back then, that was the cheapest way for them boys to sip on something. You grow up in poverty, you’re going to figure out a way to cope with it, you feel me?"

Russell says he eventually used codeine to deal with his pain in college ... days after injuring his shoulder in the 2005 SEC Championship Game.

"I was in so much pain that one morning I just said f*** it and took some drank with me to class," Russell said.

"Looked just like a soda from the cafeteria. I don’t know how the hell the teacher even found out, but somebody in class snitched on me."

Russell says LSU coaches found out about it and suspended him for the 2005 Peach Bowl.

"I ain’t no saint, but come on, man," he added. "They shoot your ass up with the strongest painkillers on earth just to get you out on the field. But, you’re drinking some cough syrup and now you’re a criminal?"

Russell says his drinking continued in the NFL ... claiming the team would hand out painkillers "like Skittles" ... but he preferred to do things on his own terms.

"Was I perfect? As a player? As a person? Hell no," Russell said. "I shouldn’t have been sippin’ like that, in the NFL. I should’ve stayed in better shape. I should’ve been more of a student of the game. I got to live with my mistakes. I’d do it 10 times differently today, if I was coming up in a different era."

The NAACP is urging the Washington Commanders to can Jack Del Rio ... after the assistant coach called the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol a "dust-up."

NAACP president Derrick Johnson pleaded with the NFL team to make the move immediately in a statement on Thursday afternoon -- saying Del Rio's remarks "could not have been more offensive and ignorant."

If the Commanders don't make the move, Johnson urged Del Rio to flat-out resign.

The strong statement from Johnson came just one day after Del Rio attempted to explain why he believed the national riots following George Floyd's death in 2020 should be investigated the same way as the 2021 insurrection in D.C.

"I see the images on TV, people's livelihoods are being destroyed. Businesses are being burned down -- no problem," Del Rio told reporters at Washington practice. "And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, where nothing burned down. And we're going to make that a major deal."

Del Rio later apologized for the remarks -- though Johnson is clearly not ready to accept it.

"Downplaying the insurrection by comparing it to nationwide protests, which were in response to a public lynching, is twisted," Johnson said. "You can’t coach a majority Black team while turning your back on the Black community. It's time for you to pack up and step off the field."

The Eagles might go 17-0 this season ... and it's all thanks to Coldplay's beautiful performance of the team's "Fly Eagles Fly" fight song at their concert in Philadelphia.

The show went down at Lincoln Financial Field -- home of the Eagles -- on Wednesday ... as part of the band's "Music of the Spheres" tour.

The group made sure to give the hometown fans what they REALLY wanted ... pausing their regularly scheduled setlist to bring a tear to any Eagles fan's eye.

Of course, the tune is usually shouted out by any drunk fan wearing a Brian Dawkins jersey at the bar on NFL Sundays ... but frontman Chris Martin basically turned it into a Billboard Top 100 ballad.

The crowd clearly loved it ... chanting along as Martin even finished it off with the signature "E-A-G-L-E-S" chant.

Well done by the "Viva La Vida" crew ... but football fans can only hope they turn this into a tradition everywhere they go now.

Maybe the Eagles play this before every game from now on??

WWE superstar The Miz -- a HUGE Cleveland sports fan -- says he ain't droppin' his Browns support due to the Deshaun Watson trade ... but he did tell TMZ Sports he will never wear the QB's jersey.

We got the wrestler out in NYC this week ... and given the new sexual misconduct allegations against Watson this month -- we had to ask if his Browns fandom is still intact.

The Miz said yes -- reminding us that he's been rooting for the NFL team for decades -- but he made it clear, he won't tout Watson as his favorite player.

"Yeah, I'm still a Cleveland Browns fan," the 41-year-old said. "But you're not going to see me wearing a Watson jersey."

The Browns traded for Watson in March and gave him a massive, fully guaranteed $230 MILLION contract ... despite more than 20 women alleging he had been sexually inappropriate with them during massage therapy sessions in the past few years.

Since the trade, two more civil lawsuits have been filed against Watson claiming misconduct -- while other women have came forward to the New York Times to make further allegations against him.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about all of the new claims during Browns practice on Wednesday, but he told reporters, "I think for me, I'm going to be respectful of the investigation, of the legal proceedings and let that play out."

Coach Jack Del Rio is walking back his comments on January 6, addressing the controversial statements on social media. While Del Rio didn't do a total 180, the coach apologized for downplaying violence at the Capitol last year.

"I made comments earlier today in referencing the attack that took place on The United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Referencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry."

"I stand by my comments condemning violence in communities across the country. I say that while also expressing my support as an American citizen for peaceful protest in our country."

The Commanders DC ended his apology reaffirming his love for the USA.

"I have fully supported all peaceful protests in America. I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, players, and staff that work with and respect their views and opinions."

Jonathan Allen -- one of the Commanders' best players -- says Del Rio's comments have not appeared to ruffle any feathers in the locker room.

"In my opinion, everyone's entitled to their own opinion," the defensive lineman said. "Some guys decide to share it on Twitter. Some guys don't. Doesn't make one person better than the other."

He added, "At the end of the day, you can have a difference of opinion and still respect one another."

Shocking comments from NFL coach Jack Del Rio ... who just called the Jan. 6 attacks at the nation's Capitol "a dust-up."

The Washington Commanders defensive coordinator made the remarks during a meeting with media members on Wednesday -- in an attempt to explain his controversial post on his Twitter page earlier this week.

If you missed it, in a tweet on Monday, the 59-year-old questioned why the 2020 riots following George Floyd's murder were not being investigated with the same fervor as the January 2021 attack at the Capitol.

"Would love to understand 'the whole story' about why the summer of riots, looting, burning and the destruction of personal property is never discussed but this is ???," he wrote. "#CommonSense."

Del Rio elaborated further on his tweet to reporters at Commanders practice Wednesday ... making comments that raised eyebrows.

"Let's get right down to it," Del Rio said. "What did I ask? A simple question -- why are we not looking into those things if we're going to talk about it. Why are we not looking into those things?"

"Because it's kind of hard for me to say, I can realistically look at it -- I see the images on TV, people's livelihoods are being destroyed. Businesses are being burned down -- no problem. And then we have a dust-up at the capital, where nothing burned down. And we're going to make that a major deal."

FYI -- the insurrection, which occurred following the results of the 2020 election, resulted in the deaths of five individuals.

"I just think it's kind of two standards," Del Rio continued. "And if we apply the same standard, and we're going to be reasonable with each other, let's have a discussion. That's all it was. Let's have a discussion. We're Americans. Let's talk it through."

Del Rio, who posts polarizing opinions on his social media page daily, insisted his players are not concerned by his comments ... but added, "If they are, and they want to talk about it, I'll talk about it with anybody."

"I'm for us having a great opportunity to have a fulfilled life," he said.

Del Rio was hired by the Commanders following the 2019-20 NFL season. He previously worked as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders.

Tom Brady's changed up his hairstyle yet again -- now choosing to dye it orange -- but, this time, the move is all for a great cause!!

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers partnered with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation on Wednesday to throw a "Cut and Color for a Cure" event ... and Brady was front and center for the action.

At the event -- which allowed kids who are battling pediatric cancer to give hair makeovers to Bucs players in an effort to raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer research -- Brady sat down in a chair and let the youngsters go to town on his famous 'do.

The kids sprayed his hair front to back in orange -- the official color of the NPCF -- leaving the GOAT with a sweet new look.

Brady and the Bucs also donated a check for $117,000 to the org. at the function.

“The support of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in our fight to end childhood cancer is invaluable,” NPCF exec David Frazer said.

“The team’s continued commitment to assist kids facing a cancer diagnosis makes them so much more than a sports team -- they are truly heroes, rallying to create a better tomorrow for their young fans and supporters nationwide.”

Ex-NFL player Darren Sharper -- who's currently serving 2 decades behind bars following a multi-state rape case -- has reached a settlement with three women accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting them back in 2014, TMZ Sports has learned.

The women filed a lawsuit against the 46-year-old Super Bowl champion in December 2015 -- two of the plaintiffs claim Sharper drugged and sexually assaulted them after meeting at a nightclub in West Hollywood on January 14, 2014 ... while the third claims Sharper drugged and sexually assaulted her in Las Vegas the next day.

Sharper was arrested shortly after ... and women in Louisiana, Arizona and Nevada also came forward with their own disturbing allegations of drugging and rape at the hands of the former safety.

Sharper pled guilty and was handed a 20-year sentence in 2016 ... which he's currently serving.

Details on the settlement were not revealed ... but will be made official once all sides sign off on the paperwork.

The NFL will have to wait for its first black team owner -- the Denver Broncos just sold for a record $4.65 BILLION to Walmart heir Rob Walton and his family ... which is sad news for Magic Johnson and Kanye West.

The Broncos and the Walton-Penner family announced the deal late Thursday night ... which is believed to be the biggest deal for a North American franchise in sports history.

Walton -- who has a reported net worth of $59 BILLION -- will also take the throne as the richest owner in the league BY FAR -- David Tepper, the owner of the Carolina Panthers, has a net worth of $16.7 bil.

As we previously reported, the Lakers legend was part of a group led by Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Josh Harris ... although it's unclear how far along their bid made it in the process.

The agreement also means Yeezy's Donda Sports will not be part of a historic sale ... after Antonio Brown previously told TMZ Sports the company was "extremely serious" about buying the Broncos back in March.

It's worth mentioning -- it's unclear if Donda ever actually brought a bid to the table.

Walton spoke about securing the deal ... saying, "Having lived and worked in Colorado, we've always admired the Broncos."

"Our enthusiasm has only grown as we've learned more about the team, staff and Broncos Country over the last few months."

He added ... "We look forward to earning the confidence and support of the NFL as we take the next step in this process. When the necessary approval procedures are met, our family is excited to share more with Broncos fans, the organization and the community."

Aaron Donald just got a $40 MILLION raise from the Rams ... but he still might be underpaid -- so says NFL legend Bruce Smith.

The former Buffalo Bills pass-rusher explained his opinion to TMZ Sports just one day after Donald re-worked his contract with the Rams ... saying AD is so good, he could have asked for, and legitimately received, far more cash than he got.

"Aaron Donald deserves that and more," Smith said of the new, 3-year, $95 million contract Donald now has with the Rams. "He's worth every penny he's being paid."

As for why, Smith, who logged 200 sacks in his own epic 19-year career, believes Donald is just that good -- telling us there aren't many players who have more of an impact on the game than AD does.

"Aaron has proved that time and time and time again," Smith said. "His ability to take over a game and single-handedly will his team to a victory has just been remarkable to watch."

In fact, Smith said even though Donald has only played eight seasons, he already belongs in the conversation for greatest defensive player of all time.

Seems there's a lot of opposing QBs who'd agree -- because, after all, AD has 98 sacks in just 127 total games ... and also has three Defensive Play of the Year awards too.

Deshaun Watson allegedly received massages from at least 66 women over the course of 17 months ... this according to a new investigation into troubling claims made against the Cleveland Browns quarterback.

26-year-old Watson -- who previously stated he hired around 40 different massage therapists during his five years in Houston -- is being accused of making sexual advances towards multiple massage therapists who are speaking out for the first time, according to the New York Times.

One woman -- who did not file a lawsuit or go to police -- claims Watson requested she put her hands "uncomfortably close" to his testicles as she worked on his behind and upper thighs ... and when he flipped onto his back, he was erect and "begged" her to put her mouth on his penis, which she said she rejected.

Another woman who met with Watson says he initiated sexual acts during each of their three appointments ... claiming he "got into the happy baby yoga pose -- on his back with his feet in his hands -- and asked her to massage between his testicles and anus."

The therapist -- who did not sue -- says she laughed off the request but Watson grabbed her wrist and put her hand in that area.

The report also claims the Texans' head of security provided Watson with non-disclosure agreements to give massage therapists ... which were put in his locker after one therapist threatened to "expose" him on Instagram.

Watson -- who has adamantly denied any wrongdoing -- appeared to respond to the report on Tuesday ... quoting "Rich Off Pain" by Lil Baby, Lil Durk and Rod Wave on his Instagram story.

"See, the blogs can't break me down, see, I'm the voice, I don't reply," Durk says in the song.

"But the rumors y'all done heard, I'ma humbly deny, yeah, yeah."

Watson is now facing 24 lawsuits over claims of sexual misconduct during massage appointments. Two grand juries in Texas declined to charge Watson over the allegations back in March ... but his NFL future remains uncertain as the league investigates.

If the Raiders ultimately end up wanting to sign Colin Kaepernick, Derek Carr is making it clear he won't have any issues with it, telling reporters Tuesday he "loves" the former 49ers star.

Speaking with media members for the first time since Kaepernick worked out for Las Vegas coaches last month, Carr said he'd welcome the 34-year-old into the Raiders' quarterback room with no problems at all.

"I've enjoyed my time around him," said Carr, who actually played against Kaepernick back in their college days and in the NFL. "I love him. Him and I would get along great."

Carr said he's pretty sure the rest of Vegas' locker room feels the same way he does as well.

"For us," Carr said, "I think he'd be great."

No word on if the Raiders are actually planning to sign Kaepernick following the tryout ... head coach Josh McDaniels did not provide much insight about their feelings on the signal-caller in the days after working out the QB.

For now, the Raiders' QB roster consists of Carr, Nick Mullens, Chase Garbers and Jarrett Stidham ... but if the team suddenly wants to add Kaepernick to that mix, Carr is making it obvious he won't stand in the way of it.

Channing Crowder regrets making his polarizing comments about Ciara during a podcast back in April ... but he says he still ain't budging on his opinion of Russell Wilson, insisting the dude is "a lame."

To catch you up ... the ex-Miami Dolphins linebacker made waves on his "The Pivot" pod after he said he believed Ciara was only with Wilson because of his money.

Crowder insisted there was no way Ciara could be with the NFL star otherwise ... saying he couldn't fathom how she could go from dating a guy like Future to dating one like Wilson.

On Tuesday, Crowder backpedaled on at least some of that opinion, saying on "The Breakfast Club" that he shouldn't have involved Ciara in the conversation.

"Bringing up Ciara, bringing up the man's family -- I'll take that back," Crowder said.

But, the former NFL player refused to walk back his shade of Russ.

"Have ya'll seen Russell's videos?" Crowder asked. "Have you seen, 'Mr. Unlimited'?! And, this goofy s*** he does?!"

"I don't know why so many people were mad at my opinion of Russell Wilson is a square and a lame."

Crowder added, "I didn't call him an alcoholic. I didn't call him a deadbeat dad. I didn't call him a pedophile. I called him lame!"

CC told the roundtable his remarks toward Wilson were not personal ... explaining, "There's lame people all around."

YouTuber and boxer Austin McBroom is looking for redemption when he puts on his next boxing event at Crypto.com Arena in July ... enlisting Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell and a former Lakers star to fight on the card.

TMZ Sports spoke with the social media superstar ahead his July 30 fight -- a professional bout against AnEsonGib -- and he's dropping some major hints on the huge names involved.

Among those names include the former Steelers star, some high profile musicians and even a popular ex-NBA hooper ... but aside from Bell, McBroom was tight-lipped on revealing who exactly he was talking about.

Of course, McBroom's Social Gloves' first attempt at the boxing game -- the Battle of the Platforms -- resulted in lawsuits and fighters claiming they didn't get paid ... but the 30-year-old says he's learned his lesson and is ready to put on a hiccup-free show.

"This time around, we're working with people who have been doing this for a while. We have a new team, new streaming partner, everything is new," McBroom tells us. "Guys that are really experienced and I've been very blessed and fortunate to have another shot at this."

"Everything in the past is behind us -- no lawsuits, fighters are paid and we're ready to do this thing the right way and put on a show how it was supposed to be put on the first time around."

McBroom is hellbent on making this a great experience for everyone involved this time around -- hoping to sell out the arena and sell around 300,000 Pay-Per-Views.

As for his own fight, McBroom says he's expecting to make light work out of Gib ... which he hopes will pave the way for a fight against Logan Paul's old opponent, KSI.

Olivia Culpo is giving a special shoutout to her man on his 26th birthday ... penning a lovey note for Christian McCaffrey and sharing some steamy shots together.

The 30-year-old model posted a snap of the couple posing in their swimsuits on board a luxurious boat ... with the Pro Bowl running back smoking on a cigar.

"It’s someone’s birthday!!" OC said on Instagram. "I love you so much Christian. You are the most dependable, inspiring, thoughtful, + grounding person and I feel so lucky to call you mine."

OC and CMC have been going strong ever since they started going out in public in 2019 ... and they've never shied away from professing their love for each other on their special days.

Odell Beckham doesn't need a damn invite to have a good time -- the NFL superstar straight-up crashed Sean McVay's wedding over the weekend ... and the Rams coach loved every second of it!!

McVay got hitched to his longtime GF, Veronika Khomyn, at an incredible ceremony in Beverly Hills ... but while on the "I Am Athlete" Sirius XM radio show, coach explained the guest list was kept pretty short, so only a few current Rams players made the cut.

"So, I just invited the captains from last year's team and then there was a couple of other guys that are retired players that you still have great relationships with," McVay said on the pod.

But, that didn't stop the free-agent receiver from popping up unexpectedly ... with McVay saying OBJ pulled off his best Owen Wilson/Vince Vaughn and crashed the party.

"Only in Odell's fashion could he be the wedding crasher at our wedding," coach added. "So, O showed up, crashed the wedding and I loved it that he was still there."

As it turns out, OBJ's appearance came with a cost -- 'cause coach joked the Super Bowl champ now has to re-sign with the Rams this offseason!!

Another interesting note ... McVay says Odell -- who tore his ACL during the Rams' win over the Bengals -- was looking smooth on the dance floor ... even to the point where the team doc had to tell him to chill out.

If Ryan Clark's goal for Monday was to stir things up, mission accomplished ... the former NFL star just kicked a hornet's nest by saying Chris Brown is "more talented" than the legendary Michael Jackson!

Oh, he was immediately ripped for it ... the ex-safety received all sorts of mean comments from Twitter users after he tweeted the controversial statement.

"Chris Brown is more talented than Michael Jackson," Clark said, "there I said it! Have a great week."

"I do not care!! You out CB and MJ in the talent Olympics Chris Brown wins."

The responses RC got were hilarious -- from GIFs to some fans asking Clark if he was drunk or high ... 'cause they couldn't believe a sober mind could come up with such an analogy.

"Drinking early this morning??" one fan said while another said, "Whatever you're sippin on, I need it for later 😂 😂"

Another fan thought Ryan needed a Snickers candy bar ... saying, "I trust you and highly respect you but maybe you are hangry or something! Stay happy!"

Clark -- who currently works for ESPN -- even got ripped by his colleagues ... Marcus Spears hit him with the classic 'how?' GIF. Cowboys writer Clarence Hill Jr. even got in on the fun, responding, "get your boy man".

😬😬😬😬😬