Football

Drew Rosenhaus, Leigh Steinberg, Jimmy Sexton and ... T.J. Ward?!

In just a short matter of time, the ex-Denver Broncos star could very well be in the same conversation as the trio of famed NFL superagents ... 'cause the former Super Bowl champ just started his own agency -- and he tells TMZ Sports he's looking to change the player rep game with it.

Ward launched the Player Above Sports Group recently ... and he said with all of his experience as a high-level NFL player, he believes he and his new team can impact athletes' lives off the field in a way other agencies can't.

"There's not a lot of player representation for players," the former defensive back said. "There's not a lot of guidance, in that aspect, for players by players and that's what I want to do."

"We want to give them something in a viewpoint from someone who's been there," Ward added. "I've done a few things in this league and have a lot of experience and I know I can help these players with their careers right now."

Ward played in the NFL from 2010 to 2017 -- logging time with the Browns, Broncos and Buccaneers. He said during his career, he suffered "ups and downs" with his representation, and he's now making it his goal to help ensure future athletes don't have similar issues.

Ward's already got a few clients under his belt -- including former Oregon star Nick Pickett -- but he's looking to grow quickly.

Ex-NFLer Nate Burleson isn't ready to give up on Zach Wilson's career just yet ... telling TMZ Sports the New York Jets QB can still be a starter in the NFL.

The 2021 #2 overall pick was benched after another bad outing in the Jets' 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football ... leaving many wondering if he'll ever play for the Green and White again.

In fact, Mike White -- who replaced Wilson as QB1 earlier this season -- was reportedly cleared to play following his rib injury on Monday ... solidifying Wilson's return to the pine.

While Wilson's career has gotten off to a nightmarish start, Burleson -- who played 11 seasons in the league -- wants everyone to pump the breaks before labeling the 23-year-old a bust.

"Give him some time," the TV host told us at LAX on Friday. "He just got into the league, man. It's a rollercoaster ride."

Burleson says Wilson is learning how to handle the tasks of being an NFL quarterback ... and that includes taking accountability for his poor play when speaking to the media.

"You can lose a team by your play, but you also can lose a team by how you respond to your play," Burleson added. "I think that's the biggest lesson he learned. What you say to the media, that can have an impact on the locker room."

Wilson may be benched for now, but NB believes he can regain a spot at the top of an NFL depth chart down the road.

"He does have the tools to be a QB1 in this league, but it's going to take some time."

The Denver Broncos have fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett amid their disastrous 4-11 season ... just one day after the team suffered a massive 51-14 loss to the Rams on Christmas.

Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner released a statement on Monday ... thanking the 43-year-old coach for his hard work and dedication to the organization, but saying it was time for a change.

"Following extensive conversations with George and our ownership group, we determined a new direction will ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos," Penner said.

"This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach."

Hackett became the Broncos' head coach in January 2022 ... just a few months before the team traded for Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.

Both Hackett and Wilson struggled this season with the Broncos' offense ... only scoring 15.5 points per game.

The embarrassing 51-14 loss against the Rams on Christmas night was the last straw ... leaving the Broncos with a 4-11 record and at the bottom of the AFC West standings.

"Moving forward, we will carefully evaluate every aspect of our football operations and make whatever changes are necessary to restore this franchise's winning tradition," Penner added.

The Cincinnati Bengals learned a lesson about flying on XMAS eve ... it's all about the landing.

After beating the New England Patriots Saturday, the players jumped on the team plane in Rhode Island for a flight back home. At some point during the flight, an engine on the Delta jet conked out and 71 minutes after taking off ... the plane made an emergency landing at JFK in NYC.

One of the players called the incident "a little rough" ... given the weather on the east coast and the emergency, it had to be super scary,

The plane landed safely, the players switched planes and they returned to Cincinnati around midnight.

ICYMI ... the Bengals are on a roll, winning their 7th straight game by a score of 22-18.

Nathaniel Hackett deserves at least one more season in Denver ... so says former Broncos star T.J. Ward, who tells TMZ Sports his old team shouldn't can the coach after his first year in the Mile High City.

Hackett is believed by many to be on the hot seat -- following the disastrous first 14 games of his Denver tenure. The team is just 4-10 ... and he's made some calls that fans believe have cost the Broncos several wins.

But, Ward told us this week Denver honchos just have to give the guy more time.

"One year shouldn't define you as a coach with one particular team," Ward said. "That's just my opinion."

Ward did acknowledge Hackett has made some missteps ... but he told us Denver's just got to live through the growing pains -- at least for 12 more months.

"It is his first time being a head coach," Ward said. "He's still learning."

As for Hackett's QB, Russell Wilson, Ward preached patience there, too.

He said he doesn't believe the former Seahawks star -- who was traded to Denver in the offseason for a boatload of draft picks -- is washed ... but he did say it's painfully obvious the signal-caller needs a better running game in order to succeed with his new team.

Ward also said he thinks the quarterback would benefit from a quieter offseason -- one where distractions and pressures won't be as great as this past one.

The Broncos have just three games left to go in the 2022 season ... after that, will they gear up for another year of Hackett and Wilson like Ward wants?

Several New York Giants players and the team's announcer were inside the Mall of America Friday night when a 19-year-old man was shot and killed -- forcing the mall into lockdown -- just hours before the team was scheduled to play the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.

Thankfully, all Giants team personnel are safe.

The Giants are staying across the street from the famous mall ... and a group of players headed over to do some shopping Friday night.

According to Bloomington police, there was an altercation between two groups of men before gunfire erupted around 7:50 PM in Nordstrom. The teenage victim was hit multiple times and did not survive.

Following the shooting, the gigantic mall, busy with last-minute Christmas shoppers, was placed on lockdown.

"Everyone is back in the hotel and accounted for now," Giants PR man Pat Hanlon told the AP.

The identity of the players who were at the mall isn't known. It's also unclear how many Giants were on the premises when the shooting happened.

Bob Papa, longtime Giants radio announcer, was also at MoA Friday night.

Papa tweeted, "Scary here [at Mall of America]. Shooting in mall. On lockdown at #TwinCitiesGrill. Two gunmen at least one victim," before sending out an update about an hour later where Bob reassured his followers he was safely out of the mall.

Police have not yet made any arrests.

Jimmy Garoppolo likely wouldn't get his job back in the playoffs if Steve Mariucci was in charge of the Niners ... the ex-head coach tells TMZ Sports he'd stay with Brock Purdy in the postseason in order to "ride the hot hand."

Garoppolo broke his foot back on Dec. 4 -- but with a recovery timetable of 7-8 weeks ... there's a chance he could be ready in time for the NFC Championship Game, or even the Super Bowl.

Mooch, though, said out at LAX last week that if SF gets that far -- and Purdy is still playing well -- he'd keep Jimmy G on the bench.

"If Brock Purdy keeps playing like he's playing right now -- which is unbelievable -- I don't know that you change that," said Mariucci, who was the Niners' head coach from 1997-2002.

"If he's got the hot hand going in, I'd probably be more inclined just to stay with the hot hand."

Purdy has been dominant in his 2-plus games as Garoppolo's fill-in, logging 612 passing yards, 6 passing TDs and a single INT since taking over for Jimmy G.

Nyheim Hines is ready to be both Josh Allen AND Santa's helper this Saturday ... the Bills running back just copped some awesome cleats for Buffalo's Christmas Eve game -- that are elf-themed!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the tailback -- who was traded to the Bills in November -- wanted a Xmas design on his feet to celebrate the holiday during the pregame of Buffalo's tilt with Chicago. So, he hit up his main cleat artist Rodney Jackson for the hookup ... and, as always, the guy delivered.

Jackson customized a pair of Adidas spikes for the 26-year-old ... wrapping the kicks in green velvet material -- just like Santa's elves. The shoes also feature red trimming all over -- plus jingle bells.

The design was all Jackson's idea ... and we're told it only took about two hours to put together, despite a need to finesse the curvy toes.

"I cut elf slippers and added a lil' more stuffing [to the cleats], glued it, sewed it, and added new bells to it," Jackson said.

Of course, this won't be the first Xmas weekend game Hines has been swagged out for ... last year, when he was an Indianapolis Colt, he wore Jackson-made furry Grinch pre-game cleats.

Miles Austin, the former Dallas Cowboys superstar and current wide receivers coach for the NY Jets, has been suspended by the NFL for violating its gambling policy ... the league announced Friday.

Austin's agent, however, said in a statement following the news that the 38-year-old is appealing the punishment ... saying Austin wagered "from a legal mobile account on table games and non-NFL professional sports."

"Miles did not wager on any NFL game in violation of the Gamblign Policy for NFL Personnel," Austin's attorney added.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter ... Austin's ban will be "for a minimum of a year" if it's ultimately upheld.

Miles -- a two-time Pro Bowler who spent 10 seasons in the NFL -- got into coaching and scouting following the conclusion of his playing days ... first latching on as an intern with the Cowboys in 2017.

He later went on to become a 49ers quality control coach in 2019 ... before eventually landing the gig with the Jets in 2021.

Ex-NFL star Willie McGinest is sharing his deep regret for attacking a man at a restaurant earlier this month ... saying the incident never should have happened.

"First and foremost, I want to offer my deepest apology for my lapse in judgment and behavior on December 9 at a restaurant in West Hollywood," the New England Patriots legend said. "To my family, community, friends, and youth I mentor, please know I feel horrible for my actions and take full responsibility."

51-year-old McGinest was involved in an altercation at Delilah ... with video, obtained by TMZ Sports, showing he not only punched a man -- but bashed him in the head with a bottle as well.

The former football player, who was inducted into the Pats Hall of Fame in 2015, turned himself in to cops on Monday over it all, and was booked for assault with a deadly weapon. He eventually posted bond ... and was released.

McGinest -- who also serves as an analyst for NFL Network -- was later suspended from his TV gig following the incident.

"To my colleagues at the NFL Network and those I work closely with as an advisor to professional and community-base organizations, please know I am embarrassed and regret what occurred," McGinest added.

"Most of all, I am disappointed in myself, as I know this is an isolated incident and is not reflective of my faith, role as a father, life's body of work, or the role model I've worked hard to become. It is personally devastating that decades of community service, youth engagement, mentoring, and professional development would become an afterthought in a single moment that should have never happened."

"This incident has prompted me to deep self-reflection -- mind, soul, and spirit. I know that violence is never the answer to such situations, no matter how intense the provocation. Rest assured, I will take whatever steps necessary to restore the public trust, mend damaged relationships, and ensure this never happens again."

Zach Wilson and the New York Jets were a mess during Thursday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars ... and the quarterback says the fans in attendance had every right to be pissed -- admitting "we don't blame them" for booing.

The 2021 #2 overall pick was the center of criticism throughout the 19-3 defeat ... and after going just 9-18 for 92 yards and an INT, he addressed the fans in the crowd who voiced their displeasure from the stands.

"We don't blame them. We have a very passionate fanbase and they're here to watch us score touchdowns and we're not scoring touchdowns."

"We're not getting first downs, we're not moving the ball. We obviously can't throw the ball. So, of course they're going to be frustrated."

Wilson's bad outing might be the last straw for the Jets ... as he was benched for former CFL signal-caller Chris Streveler in the middle of the game.

In fact, former Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick thinks Wilson's time in the Big Apple is over ... saying on the Prime broadcast the former BYU star has officially lost the locker room.

Dallas Cowboys rookie defensive end Sam Williams was involved in a car accident in Texas on Thursday ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

According to the Plano Police Dept. ... the 23-year-old football player was traveling in a black Corvette in Plano -- a quick drive from the team facility in Frisco -- at around 2:15 p.m., when he struck another vehicle that had attempted a turn in front of oncoming traffic.

Williams and the other driver were not seriously injured, cops say, but both parties were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Cops say there's no indication drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash. An investigation is ongoing.

The second-round pick has made a big contribution on the field for Dallas this season ... and has made several big plays for the Cowboys in recent weeks, including a fumble recovery against the Indianapolis Colts.

Williams has 19 total tackles and three sacks in 13 appearances for the Cowboys this season.

Ronnie Hillman, the former Denver Broncos running back who helped Peyton Manning win a Super Bowl, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer, his family announced Wednesday.

He was just 31 years old.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother & father, Ronnie K Hillman Jr.," the family said in a statement. "Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends."

The 2012 third-round pick had been diagnosed in August with Renal Medullary Carcinoma -- a rare form of cancer that affects young African Americans with sickle cell trait. He had fought it valiantly -- but was recently placed in hospice care.

His former Denver teammates -- Derek Wolfe and Orlando Franklin -- had asked Broncos fans to pray for him as his condition had worsened this week.

"We as the family, appreciate the prayers and kind words that have already been expressed," Hillman's family added in a statement Wednesday night. "We ask that you would give us time to process our feelings as we prepare to lay our precious RJ to rest."

Ronnie spent six seasons in the NFL -- playing for the Broncos, Vikings, Chargers and Cowboys. But, it was his time in Denver that most will remember him for.

He spent 2012 through 2015 in the Mile High City -- and had his greatest moment with the Broncos at the end of the '15 season ... when he was a member of the Super Bowl 50 team that defeated Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

"A bright soul gone far too soon," the Broncos said in a statement Thursday. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Hillman family during this difficult time."

R.I.P.

Best teammate ever?!?

Isaiah McKenzie just threw his hat into the ring for that title in the NFL ... 'cause the Bills wideout gifted his fellow receivers custom arcade game machines for the holidays -- and they're awesome!!

McKenzie shared the presents with his guys on Thursday ... and you can see in video of the goodies, they're decked out in Bills colors -- with the players' pictures and jersey numbers on them too.

Isaiah got a machine for Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Tanner Gentry, Jameson Crowder, and Khalil Shakir, plus one for himself. He also made sure to grab one for the team's WR coach, Chad Hall.

Each one had a bow on it -- and when the guys saw them, they went crazy.

"My boy got us right!!" Davis said. "Appreciate u my boy!!"

Added Shakir, "Real one big bro!! Appreciate you."

The arcade game machines come equipped with the popular NFL Blitz series already on it -- something the players made sure to ask about -- and over 9,600 other games.

It's been a generous week for many around The Shield ... both Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen helped hook up some of their teammates with scooters -- while Patrick Mahomes gifted several Chiefs with golf clubs.

Not bad presents at all ... but even those guys gotta admit it's no match for a classic arcade game machine.

It clearly pays to be a good person ... 'cause the New England Patriots fan who kept his cool as a Las Vegas Raiders supporter tormented him during Sunday's game is getting the hookup -- with free tickets from Robert Kraft!!

Video of the incident went viral this week ... showing a woman in a Derek Carr jersey berating a man in Tom Brady threads in the Allegiant Stadium stands right after the Pats lost in heartbreaking fashion.

The guy -- Jerry Edmond -- was praised on social media for not stooping to the woman's level ... and Kraft was so moved by his handling of the situation, he decided to give the fan a VIP experience at this weekend's game against the Bengals.

As it turns out, the Pats vs. Raiders contest was Edmond's first NFL experience ... and he said he didn't want to ruin his experience by retaliating toward the heckler.

Not only is Edmond getting free tix to the game, the team says he's going to get a customized jersey and pregame field passes to watch the players warm up.

Move over, Santa Claus ... Aaron Rodgers, Jaire Alexander and Adrian Amos just won Christmas in Green Bay -- gifting some of their Packers teammates with souped-up scooters!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the trio of GB stars came together this month to collectively purchase 22 of the electric rides for some of their fellow locker mates.

The PHAT Rides scooters were all given to the Packers players this week -- and they're awesome ... featuring the ability to zoom around at speeds of up to 20 MPH.

The scooters have been popular gifts around the NFL this year ... Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen also copped 11 of the rides for his offensive line this week.

We're told PHAT Rides painted the floorboards of Allen's presents in Bills colors ... and added each player's jersey number.

PHAT Rides says each scooter can hold up to about 400 pounds, by the way ... so, yeah, even the big boys can get around on them just fine.

As for the price tags on the units ... no word on what the football players formally dropped, but each scooter will cost the public around $3,500 apiece.

Of course, that ain't much to dudes like Allen and Rodgers -- who own two of the biggest NFL contracts in history.