Football

Lamar Jackson -- the face of the Baltimore Ravens and its star quarterback -- has now tested positive for coronavirus.

The reigning NFL MVP is now among the slew of players from the Charm City to have contracted the virus ... this according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport who first reported the news on Thursday.

As you might have heard by now ... the Ravens are struggling to control the spread of the dangerous virus. ESPN previously reported Wednesday that 3 members of the organization contracted the virus. NFL Network later reported running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins had also tested positive.

At this moment, it's unclear if Lamar's experiencing any symptoms. The news comes after the team reportedly disciplined strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders for failing to report COVID symptoms. He also caught flak for not wearing his mask or his tracking device while inside the team's facility.

Then, on Thursday, the team learned about additional positive tests on the same day they were supposed to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a highly-anticipated matchup. The game was postponed to Sunday and it'll air at 1:15 PM ET on NBC.

Perhaps the lone bright spot of the coronavirus pandemic??? IT POSSIBLY MEANS MORE ADRIAN PETERSON, BABY!!!

The NFL superstar tells TMZ Sports, with teams not having preseason games and not practicing nearly as much due to COVID-19 protocols ... he believes his career has been extended.

In fact, Peterson says the lack of wear and tear put on his legs this season might allow him to play until he's 40 now!!!

"It actually took a lot off the body," the Detroit Lions running back said of the NFL's schedule this year. "Because we really didn't have a real training camp or OTAs or minicamp or anything like that."

"So, in hindsight, it really kind of allowed me to be a lot fresher."

Peterson -- who had told us back in June he was aiming to play 4 more years -- added, "Maybe it's five years now!"

The 35-year-old is still going strong regardless of the unique schedule ... he's rushed for 389 yards and 2 TDs this season -- and he's been solid every time the Lions have called his number.

And, Adrian's hoping that continues on Thanksgiving against the Houston Texans ... especially because he's doing some really cool charity work for the holiday.

Peterson tells us he and his foundation have partnered with The Athletes’ Corner to donate 100,000 meals to a local food bank in Detroit to help those in need.

To raise awareness for the situation, Peterson says he's going to be rockin' some custom kicks for the Turkey Day game against the Texans -- and check the spikes out ... they're AWESOME!!!

Johnny Manziel is being as transparent as ever ... saying his relationship -- and divorce -- with Bre Tiesi helped him come to terms with the man he is today.

The former Heisman winner joined the "Ya Neva Know: You Know What I Mean?" podcast with Mike. (which aired Tuesday) ... and faced his past successes and struggles head-on in a truly candid setting.

When the topic of soulmates came up, Manziel detailed the impact his ex-wife had on his life ... and how she helped him find happiness after hitting a rough patch.

"I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for my relationship and getting married," Manziel said. "I wouldn't have the same attitude towards everything else if I wouldn't have gone through the divorce and stuff, too, if I wouldn't have gone through that with Bre. 100% there's no chance."

"And, I wouldn't be here probably today, sitting where I'm at, if it wasn't for her as well."

Of course, Manziel and Tiesi were married for one year -- the QB proposed in 2017 after going official in 2016. Tiesi later filed for divorce in 2019.

Johnny -- who credits Tiesi with saving his life -- says he has no regrets over the relationship .. saying, "She helped me grow to where I needed to be and it got to a point where I'm cool, finally, for the first time, picking myself up, looking in the mirror and being cool with me for the first time in a long, long time and that's where a lot of the mental stuff comes from."

"'Cause I can finally look myself in the mirror and go, 'What's good? You still look like a f**king idiot.' I'm still gonna do me, bro. I'm still me, bro."

Manziel also addressed his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns ... admitting he regrets wasting 2 years of future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas' career ... and praising fellow QB Josh McCown for being the ultimate pro.

Dallas Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died Wednesday evening following a medical emergency at the team facility Tuesday, the team confirmed.

"Markus Paul, surrounded by his family, passed away at the hospital this evening at the age of 54," the Cowboys said ... "The cause of death is pending."

Team owner Jerry Jones issued a statement, saying, "The loss of a family member is a tragedy, and Markus Paul was a loved and valued member of our family."

"He was a pleasant and calming influence in our strength room and throughout The Star."

"His passion for his work and his enthusiasm for life earned him great respect and admiration from all of our players and the entire organization."

"Our hearts are broken for his family and all of the individuals whose lives he touched and made better."

As we previously reported, Paul suffered a medical emergency at Cowboys headquarters at around 7:30 AM Tuesday morning and was transported to a nearby hospital.

Doctors scrambled to save Paul -- but despite their best efforts, he passed away Wednesday evening.

Paul had been a mainstay in NFL locker rooms for decades ... he played for the Chicago Bears from 1989 to 1993 and had a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in '93 as well.

He later went on to become an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the New Orleans Saints in 1998. From there, he worked for the Patriots, Jets, Giants and Cowboys ... winning FIVE Super Bowls with those teams.

The Cowboys had just promoted him to lead their lead strength and conditioning department in January.

"Markus was a great coach and one of the best guys that I have ever known," NY Giants legend Eli Manning said on Twitter this week. "He will be missed."

Former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes added, "My heart is heavy. One of the finest men and coaches I have ever met. The world lost a GREAT MAN today. We love you! RIP Markus Paul."

Something historic might come out of the COVID pandemic ... Vanderbilt's head football coach says he's considering using a female soccer player to be his team's placekicker this week after the Commodores were hit by coronavirus quarantines.

Derek Mason, who's coached Vandy football since 2014, said Wednesday the school's women's soccer team's goalie, Sarah Fuller, "is an option for us" in the team's game against Missouri on Saturday.

FYI -- if Fuller does log a snap in the game ... it's believed she will be the first woman EVER to compete in live-action for a Power 5 football program.

As for why Mason's considering it ... aside from Vanderbilt's kicking woes this season -- the team had to place a bunch of special teamers in quarantine this week due to a possible COVID outbreak.

"Well, right now, we’re just looking at all options," Mason said of Fuller on ESPN 102.5 The Game. "She’s a complete competitor. She’s an option for us. So, right now, that’s where we sit."

According to the Vanderbilt Hustler, Fuller suited up for the Commodores at their practice Tuesday ... but did NOT kick with the team.

Instead, per the report, Fuller -- who donned full pads -- just went through walkthroughs with the team and coaches.

Fuller helped lead Vandy's women's soccer team to an SEC Championship last weekend in a COVID-shortened season ... playing in 8 games and logging 25 total saves.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban has tested positive for COVID-19 -- again -- only this time he's symptomatic and will likely not coach in the Iron Bowl against Auburn on Saturday.

"This morning we received notification that Coach Saban tested positive for COVID-19," the University said in a statement.

"He has very mild symptoms, so this test will not be categorized as a potential false positive. He will follow all appropriate guidelines and isolate at home."

#1 ranked Alabama is set to take on #22 ranked Auburn in the Iron Bowl this weekend -- a HUGE game -- but Saban is not expected to be on the sidelines this time around.

Saban previously tested positive for COVID back in October -- but was not symptomatic and he ultimately coached just 3 days after the positive test when Bama took on Georgia. The Tide won that game in a 41 to 24 shellacking.

After the game, Saban was seen on video dancing in the locker room with players while NOT wearing a mask.

Scary morning at the Dallas Cowboys' facility ... the team has canceled practice and its media availabilities after a staff member reportedly suffered a serious medical issue Tuesday.

The team has been mum on the circumstances surrounding the incident ... but NFL insider Josina Anderson reports a strength and conditioning staffer "had to receive serious medical attention."

"There is concern for this individual's well-being, per sources," Anderson added.

The Cowboys did say in a statement the medical emergency is NOT coronavirus related.

Canceling practice is a big deal for the Cowboys ... they play for 1st place in the NFC East against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, and every rep on a short week matters.

Dallas is coming off a huge victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday ... and is now looking to go on a win streak that could get it into the playoffs despite a 3-7 start.

Shannon Sharpe believes it's complete "bulljive" that Tom Brady didn't stick around after "Monday Night Football" to shake Jared Goff's hand ... and now, the Hall of Fame tight end says it's time to "call his ass out" for it.

Brady played REALLY poorly in the Buccaneers' loss to the Rams -- his interception with seconds to go in the 4th quarter sealed the 27-24 L for Tampa Bay.

And, as the clock was expiring, Tom bolted straight to the locker room pissed off ... leaving Goff without a postgame QB-to-QB handshake.

The scene was actually kind of sad ... Goff appeared to be looking for Brady after the game -- but the G.O.A.T was nowhere to be found.

Of course, Tom did the same thing to Nick Foles earlier this year after a loss to the Bears ... and now Sharpe is straight-up calling the guy a sore loser over it all.

"I guess Brady doesn’t know Goff well enough to shake his hand after losing. Yet, he knows every qb after he wins," Sharpe said. "Brady is full of what the elephant left on the show ground."

"His attitude is bulljive and it’s time to call his A** out on it."

The NFL has recommended players limit their contact postgame in order to prevent a possible spread of coronavirus ... but to Shannon's point, Brady has stuck around after every Bucs win to still shake his opponents' hands.

Buffalo Bills tight end Tommy Sweeney has been diagnosed with a serious heart condition as a result of COVID, this according to head coach Sean McDermott.

The 25-year-old -- who was drafted by the Bills in 2019 -- was initially put on the COVID result list back on October 24 ... but his health took a turn for the worse.

Coach McDermott says Sweeney was being tested by a cardiologist, per NFL protocol, when he was diagnosed with myocarditis ... which is essentially an inflammation of the heart.

According to the Mayo Clinic ... "Severe myocarditis weakens your heart so that the rest of your body doesn't get enough blood. Clots can form in your heart, leading to a stroke or heart attack."

Yeah, this is serious stuff -- but Mayo Clinic notes, "Early diagnosis is key to preventing long-term heart damage."

The diagnosis means Sweeney will miss the rest of the 2020 NFL season -- but the Bills are confident he can recover and return to the tea in 2021.

McDermott says it's his understanding Sweeney's condition is connected to COVID. He also notes Sweeney appears in "good spirits."

It's been a tough year for Sweeney who suffered a foot injury back in July and was hoping to claw his way into some playing time in the 2nd half of the 2020 season.

Joe Burrow. Dak Prescott. Drew Brees. Sam Darnold.

As NFL quarterbacks continue to go down with injuries, there's one guy who says he's ready for his shot -- COLIN KAEPERNICK.

The 33-year-old just sent ANOTHER message to GMs across the league -- saying he's BEEN READY to step in and compete for a job ... if there's a team with the cojones to pick up the phone and call.

"1,363 days of being denied employment," Kaepernick said on social media ... "Still putting in work with [Eric Reid].  
Still going hard 5 days a week.  #StillReady #StopRunning."

The message seems to be directed at the Bengals, who just lost #1 overall pick, Joe Burrow, to a knee injury over the weekend.

Kaepernick hasn't played a down in the NFL since the 2016 season.

Of course, Kap and Eric Reid both believe they're being blackballed for starting the now-famous kneeling demonstration during the national anthem.

High-profile critics including Donald Trump called for Kaepernick to be fired for kneeling -- despite support from people like Barack Obama, LeBron James and others.

As we've been reporting for years, Kaepernick has been training like a maniac -- and sources connected to the QB have been telling us repeatedly that he's been in game shape, ready to go at the drop of a hat.

Remember, it was Nov. 16, 2019, Kaepernick put his skills on display during a public workout -- and he looked pretty good.

So, will the Bengals, Cowboys, Jets or anyone else actually pick up the phone and make the call?

Dabo Swinney is FURIOUS Florida State canceled its game with Clemson on Saturday ... saying straight-up he thinks the Seminoles used coronavirus as an excuse to back out.

"This game was not canceled because of COVID," the Tigers head coach said Sunday. "COVID was just an excuse to cancel the game."

If you missed it, Florida State and Clemson were scheduled to kick off Saturday ... when it was revealed a Tigers player -- who had made the trip with the team to Tallahassee, FL for the game -- had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.

Dabo says the team followed all the proper protocols and believed, despite the test, no one else was affected by the virus and the game should've still gone on.

But, FSU officials, citing the health and safety of their players, decided it was best to NOT play ... and canceled the matchup.

Dabo, speaking in-depth about the decision on Sunday, absolutely railroaded the school for the choice ... insinuating the 'Noles (a HUGE underdog in the game) simply just didn't want to play Clemson.

"The standard to cancel a game was not met," Dabo said. "A guy testing positive on a Friday does not cancel a game."

The coach continued, "We offered to test again. Play Saturday night. Sunday. Monday. And it was declined. We met the standard to play, and we should've played."

The ACC is trying to figure out a way to reschedule the game ... but Dabo made it clear if FSU doesn't reimburse the Tigers for travel expenses -- which were reportedly in the $300,000 range -- he ain't playin' it.

"To me, the Florida State administration forfeited the game," Swinney said. "And if they want to play Clemson, in my opinion, they need to come to Clemson or they need to pay for all expenses."

"Other than that, there's no reason for us to play them. We were there, we were ready and we met the standards."

Green Bay receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling's costly fumble helped seal a loss for the Packers on Sunday ... and now, the dude says he's getting death threats over it all.

The untimely giveaway happened in overtime against the Colts in a 31-31 game ... when Valdes-Scantling caught a little bubble screen pass and then coughed up the football.

Indianapolis players were able to recover ... and just four snaps later, the Colts kicked the game-winning field goal to give the Pack its 3rd loss of the season.

Afterward, Valdes-Scantling says upset fans took things WAY TOO FAR ... writing on his social media page that some have actually threatened to kill him over the turnover.

"Death threats over a football game? Jesus you people need help," MVS wrote Sunday night. "It’s actually sick."

The good news? Valdes-Scantling says his teammates and coaches racing to his defense after the fumble (star QB Aaron Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur both said after they've still got plenty of confidence in the wideout) helped.

"I’m good," Valdes-Scantling said. "My team got my back."

The receiver also added earlier in the night, "Thank You God. Without failure there is no growth."

University of Miami head football coach Manny Diaz says he's been diagnosed with COVID -- the latest in a wave of positive tests to hit the team.

"I have tested positive for COVID-19," the 46-year-old said Friday morning.

"I am currently in isolation and feeling good overall. I will continue to work with our team virtually as we prepare for our next game at Wake Forest."

The Hurricanes have been hit hard by COVID -- starting back in October when 8 players weren't available for the Oct. 24 game against Virginia.

Leaving 11 players unavailable for the Nov. 6 game against North Carolina State -- and then it grew again to 13 this past weekend against Virginia Tech.

On Monday, University of Miami officials announced a 2-week stoppage -- meaning the team would resume its season on Dec. 5, against Wake Forest.

But, WF has its own COVID problems which led to the school canceling this weekend's game against Duke.

Former MLB prospect Brandon Martin will spend the rest of his life in a prison cell ... after a judge sentenced him to life without parole for brutally murdering 3 people, including his own father.

27-year-old Martin -- a 1st-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011 -- was convicted of the triple murder earlier this month ... and was facing the death penalty.

Martin was in a Riverside County, CA courtroom on Thursday ... where the same jury that convicted him in only 4 hours decided his punishment.

The jurors spared his life -- electing not to give him the death penalty. Instead, Martin will spend the rest of his life in prison.

The story surrounding the September 2015 murders is disturbing, to say the least.

Martin brutally beat and killed his 64-year-old dad, 58-year-old uncle, and a 62-year-old man the family had hired to install an alarm to protect them from Martin. Officials say Martin used a black baseball bat (with his name inscribed on it) to kill the men.

Mark Sanchez says it may be time for Sam Darnold to pack his bags and leave the dumpster fire that is the New York Jets behind ... suggesting it could be best for both sides to start fresh.

Of course, Sanchez knows a thing or two about the pressure that comes with being under center in the Big Apple -- he suited up for the Jets from 2009-2013.

But, while Sanchez was able to make the playoffs in his first 2 seasons with NY, Darnold's been dealt a bad hand -- resulting in an 11-21 record in 3 seasons.

As the Jets sit at 0-9 in 2020, Sanchez is now floating the idea it may be more beneficial for Darnold to sit out the rest of the season and give it another go somewhere else.

"There’s just so much uncertainty that it’s almost impossible for a quarterback to have success with all those circumstances," Sanchez said on the New York Post's "Gangs All Here" podcast. "I feel for him."

"It’s not like they’re going to turn around and make a playoff run. Now you get into these tough decisions as a competitor thinking, 'Man, maybe my time’s up here and that’s okay. Maybe, it’s best for both sides to move on.'"

But, Sanchez is holding out hope for his fellow USC Trojan ... saying, "In my opinion – and obviously, I’m biased, he’s a USC guy, he’s a SoCal guy – I think he’s a great player. He’s a franchise player. I think he’s somebody you invest in ... He just hasn’t been able to do it there."

Darnold still has one more year left on his rookie contract ... but signs are pointing towards a breakup sooner than later.

If the Darnold experiment really is over, there's a guy from Clemson (cough, Trevor Lawrence) who may be the Jets' savior ... unless, he decides to stay in school another year.

Reshad Jones -- a former Pro Bowl safety for the Miami Dolphins -- was arrested in Florida on Wednesday after cops say he was illegally carrying a loaded firearm.

According to a police report, obtained by WPLG Local 10, cops made contact with Jones at around 4 a.m. after witnesses say the NFL free agent was walking around Davie, Fla. gas stations carrying a gun.

In the report, officers say when they began questioning the 32-year-old former Miami defensive back ... they noticed the firearm sticking out of his pants.

Cops say Jones told them he did NOT have a concealed weapons permit ... and initially complied with their arrest orders for him to get on the ground.

Officers in the report, though, noted Jones later became combative ... and "appeared to be on the influence of an unknown substance."

Cops in the report also say Jones reeked of booze.

Jones was eventually arrested and booked. Jail records show he's since been released.

Jones had a great career for the Dolphins after being picked by the team in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played in Miami for 10 seasons, starting 113 games and recording 21 interceptions.

Jones was released by the 'Fins after the '19 season ... and he's yet to latch on with another team.