Football

Stefon Diggs is helping kids in Buffalo as they gear up for another year of school -- by handing out backpacks and gift cards at the site of the tragic Tops mass shooting earlier this year.

The Bills' star wide receiver partnered with the city of Buffalo to hold the event, where he handed out 300 Nike gift cards and 300 Nike backpacks filled with supplies.

Stefon approached Mayor Byron Brown's office with the idea of holding the giveaway outside the Tops on Jefferson Ave -- where 10 were killed and 3 others were injured in May -- and plans on making it an annual event, according to WIVB4.

"I saw my mom struggle ... so as far as paying it forward and doing my due diligence, this is what my mom would want me to do anyway,” Diggs told the outlet.

"I feel like I’m being impactful, and I’m going to always do something in the inner city."

The wideout also took photos with Tops employees -- and put smiles on the faces of young fans, sending them home with signed t-shirts and footballs, per the outlet.

Diggs and the Bills have stepped up in a major way since the awful tragedy ... devoting time, energy, and resources to restoring the community.

Stefon -- a fan favorite in Buffalo for his dynamic playmaking skills on the gridiron -- told News 4 giving back gives him a different sense of fulfillment.

"It’s one of those things that make you feel more full inside. I like scoring touchdowns. I like making plays – that’s a good feeling as well," Diggs said.

Baker Mayfield is clearing the air on allegedly saying he'd "f*** up" the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 ... claiming he didn't even come close to hurling the bulletin board material.

Earlier this week, NFL Media's Cynthia Frelund stated she spoke with the new Carolina Panthers QB after their preseason game against the Buffalo Bills ... and claimed he told her he was going to get revenge on his former team with an NSFW statement.

It's a comment that almost certainly lit a fire under his old teammates' asses ... with Myles Garrett saying the Browns were going to "take it and use it."

But Baker spoke with the media at practice on Wednesday ... and he says the conversation didn't go as Frelund claimed.

"Well, first, I didn't say it," Baker told reporters.

"That is not how I phrased it. That's not even what I said."

Bake claims he "didn't even say anything" other than wanting to get a win in Week 1 ... which isn't nearly as eye-opening as the initial statement.

If Mayfield is telling the truth, it was a pretty believable quote nonetheless -- after all, this is the guy who went #1 overall in the 2018 draft but still played with a chip on his shoulder.

As for Frelund, she later admitted she should have kept the conversation private ... but stood by her intent -- which was to show support for the QB.

Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kedon Slovis is wasting no time fitting in with his new school ... grabbing a mic and shouting "F*** West Virginia" at a pep rally ahead of their big rivalry game.

21-year-old Slovis was recently named Pitt's starter after transferring from USC this year ... beating out redshirt senior Nick Patti to be Kenny Pickett's successor.

Apparently, the guy already bleeds Blue and Gold ... 'cause when the team hosted an event to get fans pumped up for their "Backyard Brawl" season opener against the Mountaineers, Slovis let everyone know how he felt about the rival team.

In the clip, it sounds like the whole thing was planned ... as Slovis' teammates join in on the battle cry.

FYI -- Pitt and WVU is one of the oldest rivalries in college sports ... and with the two schools being just 75 miles from each other, there's a lot of bragging rights at stake.

Of course, the two teams haven't gone at it since 2011 ... which might explain why the Panthers are overly excited about Thursday's matchup.

Former NFL pass rusher Steve White -- most known for his time as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer -- has sadly died at 48 years old, his former teammates confirmed Tuesday.

The ex-defensive end had been dealing with chronic lymphocytic leukemia -- a type of cancer that affects blood and bone marrow.

He spoke about the fight with the disease in a tweet back in April, saying it had been affecting him for nearly a decade.

"Many of you know that I have been dealing with a cancer (CLL) diagnosis over the last 8 years," he said. "I am now at a point where I need to go through a bone marrow transplant. It is something I knew would eventually have to happen since 2017 and now that day is actually here."

White's ex-playing mates paid tribute to him Tuesday following the news of his passing -- with Warren Sapp tweeting a highlight video that featured the two getting after Donovan McNabb together.

"RIP Steve White #94 in your Program but #1 in Our hearts!!" Sapp said. "#SmartToughAndGreatMan #DLine."

Former Bucs QB Shaun King added, "Just heard my former teammate @sgw94 passed away. Condolences to his family and loved ones. Always had an encouraging word for me when I was a young player with the @Buccaneers."

White was initially taken by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 6th round of the 1996 NFL Draft, but he went on to join Tampa Bay -- and played six seasons for the Bucs, piling up 11.5 sacks in 94 career games. He did his best work in the playoffs for the team, famously recording seven tackles, one interception and two sacks in the Buccaneers' two postseason games in the 1999 season.

White finished his career with the Jets. He went on to write about football following his retirement.

"#RIP to my road game roommate @sgw94," White's former teammate Tyoka Jackson said Tuesday evening. "My condolences go out to his wife, children, family and friends. The memories, the fun, the conversations will never be forgotten."

Orlando Scandrick -- the longtime Dallas Cowboys corner who played in the NFL for 11 years -- says he's got no issues whatsoever with Tom Brady's mid-training camp break ... telling TMZ Sports he'd have the QB's back if he was in the Bucs locker room.

The former NFLer -- who played against Brady during his lengthy pro career -- admitted the situation is a little "fragile" ... but given everything Tom has accomplished over the last two decades, he wouldn't be the guy complaining about the signal-caller's absence.

"I think it's fine," said the 35-year-old, who left the league following the 2019 season. "I think you've got to weigh the reward and the risk. I think Tom Brady's a very, very proven person in this league, and if anybody is going to get the benefit of the doubt, it's going to be him and I would have given it to him."

Brady initially left Tampa Bay camp on Aug. 11 -- with head coach Todd Bowles saying only that he was out dealing "with some personal things."

Tom eventually came back to practice on Aug. 22 -- and explained over the weekend that he needed the off time because, "I'm 45 years old, man. There's a lot of s*** going on."

Scandrick says all of that would have been good enough for him ... telling us he would have said to Tom, "Do what you got to do."

Scandrick also weighed in on Aaron Donald's helmet-swinging temper tantrum at Rams vs. Bengals practice last week -- and he said he doesn't believe the L.A. superstar should be punished over it.

"It's a little work scuffle," he said with a smile.

Orlando is promising to give much more of his takes on NFL hot topics on his new "Airing It Out with Housh and Scandrick" show with former NFL star T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Jon Gruden says he still wants another NFL coaching gig -- despite being forced out of his Las Vegas Raiders job amid allegations he fired off emails containing racist language.

Gruden -- who spent two seasons at the helm with the Raiders -- said during an interview at the Little Rock Touchdown Club on Tuesday that he takes accountability for the email scandal that sullied his reputation and cost him his job.

"I'm ashamed about what has come about in these emails, and I'll make no excuses for it," Gruden said. "It's shameful, but I am a good person. I believe that. I go to church, I've been married for 31 years, [I] got three great boys."

"I still love football. I've made mistakes, but I don't think anybody in here hasn't, and I just ask for forgiveness, and hopefully, I get another shot."

In October, The Wall Street Journal reported Gruden sent an email to then-Washington Football Team exec Bruce Allen, commenting on NFLPA director DeMaurice Smith.

"Dumboriss Smith has lips the size of Michelin tires," Gruden wrote, according to the report.

Gruden became embroiled in even more controversy -- The New York Times reported he referred to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in emails as a "f*****" and "clueless anti-football p****."

Jon apologized for sending the email about Smith's lips -- calling the comment "horrible" and insisting he "doesn't have an ounce of racism in me."

Shortly after, Gruden resigned as coach, saying ... "I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction. Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff, and fans of Raider Nation."

"I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone."

The former Tampa Bay Bucs coach -- who won a Super Bowl with the team in 2003 -- expressed remorse and is passionate about someday coaching in the NFL again.

Six months before he was arrested for DUI, Marshawn Lynch had another troubling incident on the roads of Las Vegas ... crashing his pricey Lambo at around 4 a.m. -- this according to cops.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. officers said in police documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, that Lynch was driving a 2014 white Lamborghini Aventador on Feb. 22 when he struck a curb and eventually came to a stop in a landscape area.

Officers say in the docs a man claiming to be Lynch's cousin initially took responsibility for the crash at the scene. They claim the man told them he tried to make a U-turn and "lost it."

Cops, though, didn't seem to buy the story. They said in the docs they had seen a black van pull up to the scene and pick someone up from the disabled Lamborghini -- and when they asked the man about it, they say he told them, "No I came in the van."

They say the man "then changed his story to say the van came to pick up a passenger that was in the car."

Cops say they issued the man citations -- but they later voided them when they say they proved he was not the driver of the car.

Eventually, according to the docs, cops say they were able to get in contact with Lynch -- who came to the traffic bureau on Feb. 25 for an interview about the crash. The report states Lynch "took full responsibility for the collision" and blamed the wreck on being "unfamiliar with the area due to being a new resident."

Cops said in the documents when they asked Lynch why he left the scene, he told them people began to show up and video him and he didn't want to be filmed. Cops say Lynch told them he did not know the man claiming to be his cousin had attempted to take responsibility for the crash initially.

8 News obtained police video from the scene, and in it, you can see the Lamborghini was a complete mess.

Lynch was eventually cited over the crash, and court records show he cut a plea deal with prosecutors in April to close out the case. Records show he was ordered to pay $750 in fines and fees.

Lynch's attorneys, Richard Schonfeld and David Chesnoff, told 8 News "this is a non-story" ... adding, "Marshawn addressed this matter many months ago and was found responsible for a parking violation."

Lynch was later arrested in Vegas on Aug. 9, after cops say they found him asleep at the wheel of a banged-up 2020 Shelby GT500 near the strip. Officers say they smelled booze on him -- and after they claim he was uncooperative -- they arrested him and booked him on several charges, including DUI.

Brian Robinson is back at the Commanders' facility for the first time since Sunday's shooting -- and he's clearly pumped to return to work, flashing a huge smile while laughing with his coaches.

The star rookie sported a big wrap on his right knee and needed crutches to get around -- but in video and pics shared by Washington, you can see he was thrilled to be there.

Robinson even brought Oreos "to fulfill his rookie duties of getting snacks for the RB room," the team said.

"Boy, let me tell ya," Commanders running backs coach Randy Jordan said after seeing Robinson in the facility's lobby, "you're a sight for sore eyes!"

Ron Rivera also gave Robinson a big hug -- and after the head coach asked him if he was doing well, the 23-year-old said, "It's good to be back in the building, for real."

As we reported, Robinson was struck by gunfire in the glute and his lower leg at around 5:30 p.m. in D.C. on Sunday after authorities say two people tried to rob him at gunpoint.

Robinson required surgery to fix the damage caused by bullets -- but both he and Rivera have said the recovery process has gone smoothly since.

Deion Sanders says his JSU football team and the university is in crisis mode right now ... after flooding in the area caused the city of Jackson to be without clean running water.

"We hit with a little crisis in the city of Jackson," the Hall of Famer said on Tuesday.

"We don't have water. Water means we don’t have air conditioning. Can’t use toilets. We don’t have water, therefore we don’t have ice, which pretty much places a burden on the program."

The whole problem is a result of the severe damage to the city's major water pump -- a complication of the Pearl River flooding this week, according to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves.

This will leave 180,000 people without clean running water -- including JSU students -- who, according to the university, will "pivot to virtual instruction for the remainder of the week."

But, Sanders is going to do everything he can for the Tigers ... starting off with getting them into a hotel.

"I gotta get these kids off campus -- the ones that live on campus, the ones that live in the city of Jackson -- into a hotel and accommodate them so that they can shower properly and take care of their needs," Sanders said.

"Make sure all of our kids are fed, all of our kids have the necessities of life for the next several days, until this crisis resides."

The NFL legend will also try to find a location for the Tigers football team so they can practice for their Florida A&M game on Sunday in Miami Gardens.

Despite it all, Prime is remaining positive.

"The devil is a lie. You ain’t gon’ get us today."

Governor Reeves also declared a state of emergency and says the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will help distribute drinking and non-drinking water to residents with the National Guard.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson was released from the hospital on Monday -- one day after being shot during an armed robbery attempt in Washington, D.C.

As we previously reported, 23-year-old Robinson was struck by two bullets in the glute and lower leg, when two suspects attempted to rob him just several miles from his home stadium.

Robinson was treated on scene by paramedics and ultimately transported to the hospital, where he remained stable.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera visited Brian at the hospital in the immediate aftermath of the incident ... and said Brian was in "good spirits."

Rivera spoke with reporters on Monday, and while he didn't specify when the NFL rookie will hit the field this season, he did say, "It'll just be a matter of time before he's back out here."

"There is no timeline, but as I said, everything was very positive," Rivera said.

And, sure enough ... later that day Robinson was released from a local hospital, and now begins the rehab process, with the hope of getting back on the field ASAP.

Robinson -- who was selected out of Alabama by the Commanders in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft -- posted on social media Tuesday, "Shake back. See ya'll soon."

The Metropolitan Police Department in D.C. has released photos of the suspects and the vehicle involved in the shooting.

The parents of former Bills punter Matt Araiza say they've received "horrific threats of violence and death" in the wake of rape allegations made against the football player last week.

Araiza's mom and dad explained their situation in a lengthy statement to KUSI in San Diego on Monday evening -- saying "we have all been canceled" following a civil lawsuit that alleged Araiza participated in the gang rape of a 17-year-old in October 2021.

"There has been war waged on our son," the statement, which was attributed to "Mr. and Mrs. Araiza," read. "He has been tried and convicted in the media based on information released solely from the alleged victim and her attorney, much of it through social media."

"People have taken his information as factual, when it is not."

A woman ID'ed as only "Jane Doe" in court documents, filed last week, alleged that shortly after she showed up to a Halloween party at Araiza's home in San Diego when he was a member of the San Diego State football team, he and two of his teammates took turns raping her for over an hour.

Araiza denied the allegations shortly after the suit became public ... but the Bills cut him regardless on Saturday.

The 22-year-old punter's parents say it's been hell for them since ... adding in their statement, "[Matt] has been extorted, discriminated against, harassed and the subject of multiple and continuous threats of violence and death."

"Salacious rumors grew as fact," they continued. "There are multiple witness reports to deny the claims that are made against him. The legal system is designed to find the facts and make decisions. They should be allowed to do that."

A man accused of impersonating a Patriots player in a wild ruse to fraudulently obtain and sell Tom Brady Super Bowl rings has just been sentenced to THREE YEARS in prison, authorities announced.

According to federal prosecutors, 25-year-old Scott Spina was sentenced on Monday morning ... over eight months after he pleaded guilty to five charges.

As we previously reported, Spina was accused of obtaining a Super Bowl LI ring that had been awarded to a New England player for his role on the 2016 championship team by giving the football player a bad check.

Officials claim once Spina got the ring, he turned around and sold it to a broker for $63,000.

Then, prosecutors say, he began an elaborate scheme to fraudulently make even more money off the situation.

Officials said when Spina got the title bling, he also received information that allowed the former player to buy more Super Bowl rings -- albeit smaller ones -- for family and friends.

"Spina then called the Ring Company, fraudulently identified himself as [the former player], and started ordering three family and friend Super Bowl LI rings with the name 'Brady' engraved on each one, which he falsely represented were gifts for the baby of quarterback Tom Brady," officials said in court documents. "The rings were at no time authorized by Tom Brady. Defendant Spina intended to obtain the three rings by fraud and to sell them at a substantial profit."

Authorities say Spina did ultimately sell the Brady rings -- and one of them ended up going for a staggering $337,000.

Prosecutors say Spina eventually fessed up to the crimes -- and struck a plea deal to close out the case.

Sauce Gardner is really living up to his name ... 'cause the star NFL rookie just signed a deal with Buffalo Wild Wings -- with his very own "Sauce sauce!!"

The New York Jets cornerback and the sports restaurant franchise made the announcement on Monday ... showing Gardner rockin' a BWW jacket and saying how he LOVES to put sauce on literally everything.

"Sauce on wings, pizza, sandwiches," Gardner says. "Even sauce on sauce".

That's when out of nowhere, Gardner hilariously starts pouring sauce out of a bottle similar to his custom VVS diamond sauce pendant he copped from Al The Jeweler.

Of course, the sauce coming out of the blinged-out bottle is probably some commercial magic -- but it's still dope!

"Our partnership was meant to be," Gardner told CBS Sports about the new deal.

"It is natural. I have my sauce, it is a smoky, sweet, and spicy barbecue. It has its own personality, just like me."

Gardner -- the 4th overall pick from the 2022 NFL Draft -- will release his new dressing on September 1 at a "Signed With Sauce" event in New Jersey.

"I think I am the only person with my own sauce," Gardner said, "The fact that it is able to be called 'Sauce Sauce,' it really is my sauce. It is just a blessing, man."

Sorry to kill all the fun, but Cleveland Browns player Martin Emerson, Jr. was NOT walking around with a bunch of weed during Saturday's preseason game ... as it turns out, it was a bag of sunflower seeds.

Shocker, right?!

Of course, some folks and/or trolls on Twitter tried to take a grainy picture of the Browns vs. Chicago Bears broadcast ... and play it off like Emerson was holding a bag of weed on the bench.

The pic quickly made rounds on social media ... with users cracking their "typical Browns" jokes for retweets and favorites, and playing it off like the players were getting ready to toke.

But, one intrepid account decided to find a much clearer image of the alleged weed ... and yeah, it's definitely a bag of seeds.

If you don't believe your eyes, our sources confirm it's not marijuana and there were several players clearly chewing in the same clip that made its rounds online.

FWIW, the NFL has softened its stance on weed recently ... but sunflower seeds, however, are not banned.

Brian Robinson is speaking out for the first time since he was horrifyingly shot in D.C. on Sunday -- saying on Monday he underwent surgery for his injuries ... and, thankfully, it all "went well."

The Washington Commanders tailback, who was hit by bullets in what appeared to be a robbery attempt less than 24 hours ago, posted the positive message on his social media page.

In the note, he said he was thankful for everyone's prayers ... and added, "God is great!"

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, meanwhile, also provided some good news on the 23-year-old ... saying to media members on Monday morning, "The doctors were very positive with him, and he was very positive as well."

Robinson, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, was struck in the glute and the lower leg in the incident. Rivera said there's currently no timetable for a return to the field for the football player.

"He's doing well," Rivera said. "It'll just be a matter of time before he's back out here. There is no timeline, but as I said, everything was very positive."

The Commanders took the former Alabama star in the third round of this year's NFL draft. He was having a huge preseason before the shooting -- with some suggesting he could have been the team's starting running back when it kicks off its season next month.

Parting ways with his Super Bowl ring just got much easier for Hakeem Nicks ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the former NY Giants star's bling fetched a whopping $117,000 at auction this weekend.

The gavel officially dropped on Saturday -- netting Nicks around $40K more than what Heritage Auctions officials had initially expected it to sell for.

It's great news for not only Nicks ... but charities as well -- as we're told the former wideout had planned to donate a portion of the proceeds to those in need.

Nicks initially put the piece up for sale earlier this month ... after he helped Eli Manning and the G-men win it back in 2012.

Nicks piled up 10 catches and 109 yards in the SBXLVI win over Tom Brady's New England Patriots.