Football

Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Teair Tart has been officially banned for one game ... after he was caught on video stomping on the back of a Cleveland Browns star's leg.

Tart had appealed the 1-game suspension this week ... but the NFL upheld the ban on Friday -- 'cause, well, the whole incident was clear as day on camera.

In Sunday's Browns vs. Titans game ... Tart blew through the backfield but couldn't make the play. On his way back up the field, Tart JUMPED on Cleveland star O-lineman Wyatt Teller with one leg.

Check out the clip ... the play was SUPER dirty -- Tart put his spike right into Teller's hamstring.

Fortunately for the Browns, Teller avoided injury ... but the play will cost Tart and the Titans -- the NFL has now barred the dude from suiting up for Tennessee's game against Jacksonville on Sunday.

Beastmode could be back on an NFL field soon ... Marshawn Lynch just revealed he's considering a comeback -- and says teams have already reached out!!

The former Seattle Seahawks star told Conan O'Brien this week he still has at least SOME itch to play ... and could sign with a team soon if the opportunity is right.

"If the situation is right, then, yeah, I mean, it could happen," the 34-year-old said. "I've been asked some questions by a couple teams here recently, like, 'Are you ready?'"

"I'm ready if y'all Super Bowl ready," Lynch continued. "That's what it will take for me to come out."

Of course, a surprise unretirement would be nothing new for Lynch ... he did just that late in the 2019 season, joining up with the Seahawks after sitting out the entire year.

As for if a team would be willing to add him so late this year ... don't rule it out -- the Seahawks are having some tailback injury trouble and they could be an option for Lynch yet again in 2020.

Another one of Lynch's former teams, the Buffalo Bills, certainly could also use some RB help heading into the playoffs too.

And, both squads do potentially fit Marshawn's wishlist ...

Myles Garrett has done a complete 180 in 2020 -- the Cleveland Browns superstar has been nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year ... just one year after his helmet-swinging attack.

The league released its list of 32 finalists for each team on Thursday ... with the 24-year-old getting the nod for the Orange and Brown.

Of course, Garrett has been actively involved in the community since entering the NFL in 2017 -- from working alongside the Chris Long Foundation to bring clean water to East African communities to helping a man who lost his eye at a Cleveland protest in May.

Garrett has vowed to put his infamous 2019 incident with Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph behind him ... calling his 6-game ban a "small bump in the road" back in July.

Now, the defensive end can join names like J.J. Watt, Calais Campbell, Eli Manning and Drew Brees ... who have received the honor for excellence off the field.

Other nominees for 2020 include names like Russell Wilson, Travis Kelce, Devin McCourty and Andrew Whitworth.

Love social justice ... and dessert??

Ben & Jerry's announced a new flavor to honor Colin Kaepernick called "Change the Whirled" ... with a portion of the proceed's going to the QB's Know Your Rights Camp.

First, the flavor ... a non-dairy caramel base with graham cracker and chocolate cookie swirls.

B&J says the treat is made with sunflower butter "and is 100% certified vegan, just like Kaepernick himself."

The dessert will hit store shelves in 2021.

So, why the honor? The ice cream legends explained it this way ...

"We are so inspired by Colin Kaepernick’s bold activism for racial justice that we did what we do best: We whipped up a euphoric flavor to honor his work."

They added, "We’re proud to be working with a dedicated activist like Colin Kaepernick, whose work helped spark the international conversation around racial justice."

Ben & Jerry's has a long history of producing flavors with political messaging.

They famously released "Pecan Resist" -- which they say "had a powerful message about resisting the Trump administration’s regressive and discriminatory policies."

Louis Nix III -- a former star Notre Dame defensive lineman -- was shot in the chest in a horrifying incident in Florida ... but thankfully, he says he's doing alright now.

Cops in Jacksonville, FL say they responded to a gunfire call at around 9 PM Tuesday at a local gas station ... and found Nix lying wounded on the ground.

Officers say emergency medical personnel immediately rushed Nix to the hospital ... and there, a doctor told them Nix had said he appeared to be the victim of an attempted robbery.

In the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, cops say doctors told them Nix said, "the suspects put a flashlight into his face" and said something along the lines of "give me..." to him.

Officers say doctors told them Nix felt a gunshot to the chest when he pushed one of the suspects away.

In a video Nix recorded and posted to social media shortly after the incident ... you can see he was terrified about possibly losing his life due to the injuries.

In the clip, Nix -- who had a heavy bandage on his chest -- said, "If I don't make it, I really do love everybody."

Thankfully, in an update Nix posted to his official Facebook page on Wednesday, the 29-year-old said he's doing better.

"I'm alive everyone," Nix said. "The bullet that hit me ricocheted off my sternum into my lung. Surgery is the next step so keep praying for me."

Nix balled out in his 3 seasons as a starter for Notre Dame from 2011 to 2013 ... and he was eventually drafted by the Houston Texans in the 3rd round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Nix played for Houston, the Giants, Washington and Jacksonville up until the 2016 season.

According to the report, one witness said the suspects fled from the scene before officers arrived. No arrests have been made yet, and the investigation is ongoing.

Ohio State vs. Michigan is officially off -- after the Wolverines announced their COVID situation is so bad, they can't field a team to play this weekend.

The #4 ranked undefeated Buckeyes were scheduled to host the 2-4 Wolverines in The Game on Saturday -- one of the most anticipated rivalries in college football and really, all of sports.

But, the Michigan football program has been badly impacted by the pandemic -- and the school says it can't pull together enough healthy players to take the field on Saturday.

"The number of positive tests has continued to trend in an upward direction over the last 7 days," Michigan AD Warde Manuel said Tuesday.

"We have not been cleared to participate in practice at this time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close contacted individuals."

"This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision making."

Michigan also canceled last week's game against Maryland after at least 12 members of the program tested positive for COVID.

The situation is especially bad for Ohio State which is still in the college football playoff hunt.

They need to schedule another opponent ASAP -- and hopefully against a top opponent -- if they want to qualify for the post-season.

The NCAA says teams have to have at least 6 wins to be bowl eligible -- and OSU is currently 5-0.

One potential matchup could be Texas A&M ... since their game against Ole Miss was scraped because Ole Miss couldn't field a team.

Texas A&M is also 7-1 and ranked #5 in the country.

Ohio State has won 8 in a row against Michigan -- with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh 0-5 against his rivals.

The first Ohio State vs. Michigan football game took place in 1897 -- and it's been a heated rivalry ever since.

"He farted by my face. And, walked away."

That's NY Giants running back Wayne Gallman with a seriously stank allegation against Eli Manning ... claiming the QB hit him with one of the most aggressive crop-dusts of all time.

The 26-year-old RB blew the lid of Manning's putrid secret during a Q&A with NY Post columnist Steve Serby ... when he was asked to recall his favorite Eli memory during their time together in NY.

That's when Gallman dropped this [butt] nugget ...

"I wouldn’t say it was my favorite, but this is my most memorable -- we’re in the locker room before a game, he was doing his stretching while I was sitting in my chair listening to music, and he walked by and he farted by my face. And walked away."

IT WAS A HIT AND RUN!!

Serby asked, "You didn't get him back?"

To which Gallman replied, "There was no way I could get him back after that. Had to do something real nasty."

Serby again pressed ... "But, you didn’t do anything?"

Gallman -- "I didn’t get a chance to (chuckle)."

FYI, schoolyard rules state if Gallman would have yelled "doorknob" before Eli yelled "safety" ... everyone would have been allowed to punch Eli without consequence until he touched a doorknob. Everyone knows this.

Manning retired after the 2019 NFL season and has spent his time relaxing and hanging with his family.

Lamar Jackson says coronavirus hit him hard as an NFL linebacker ... telling reporters Tuesday night he was sick as a dog with COVID and he "wouldn't wish that on nobody."

The league's reigning MVP was diagnosed around Thanksgiving after displaying some symptoms ... and when Jackson was asked about his ensuing battle with the virus, the QB said it was all rough.

In fact, the 23-year-old Ravens star says he's STILL having a hard time tasting and smelling things.

"I had flu-like symptoms," LJ said after dominating the Cowboys, 34-17 ... "I guess my sense of taste and smell is going to come back sooner or later."

"But, I'm good now. I wouldn't wish that on nobody, though. It's not good to have."

Jackson took about two weeks to beat the virus ... and based on his play against Dallas on Tuesday -- it doesn't seem it should affect his game too much going forward.

LJ scored 3 touchdowns in the Ravens' rout ... and ran for 94 yards on just 13 carries.

Pro Bowl QB, one of the NFL's best broadcasters ... and now, an insane impressionist?!

Yup, Tony Romo really can do it all ... 'cause the former Dallas Cowboys superstar showed off his imitations of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre this week -- and they were all AWESOME!!!

TR joined Jimmy Kimmel on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" ... when the comedian asked Romo to show the world his impersonations of some of the NFL's most notable quarterbacks.

Tony was initially pretty bashful about it all ... but when he got going -- it was hilarious!!

Romo started with Brady, and it drew a HUGE laugh from Kimmel and the audience. The 40-year-old then went on to Manning and Favre, and they were equally as good!!!

"You could be in Vegas in the offseason doing this stuff!" Kimmel told Romo after the bit. "Think about it, Tony!"

"Well, I could be," Romo fired back. "And then my wife would say, 'Then go ahead and stay there!'"

There won't be a revenge game OR a comeback season for Dez Bryant ... the Ravens WR just quit the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign after testing positive for COVID-19 minutes before kickoff against the Cowboys.

The 32-year-old vet documented the bizarre chain of events on Twitter minutes ago ... saying he was warming up for Tuesday night's game when he was pulled off the field for a coronavirus test -- and it came back positive.

"Tell me why they pull me from warming up so I can go get tested... my s**t come back positive," Dez tweeted. "I tested positive for Covid WTF."

"The crazy thing is i have the same damn routine.... this s**t do not make sense to me."

It's already been a tough road back to the gridiron for the former All-Pro receiver -- he suffered an Achilles injury in his first practice with the New Orleans Saints in 2018 ... and was hoping to make an impact in Baltimore.

So far, he's had 3 game appearances and 4 receptions for 28 yards for the Ravens.

And, that may be all he'll rack up for the season ... 'cause Dez just tweeted he's done.

Larry Csonka celebrated the Steelers' loss like a BOSS on Monday ... breaking out a stogie and booze after Washington helped ensure the 1972 Dolphins would remain the NFL's only undefeated team for at least one more season.

"Tonight, I'm a Washington fan!" the legendary Miami running back said as he puffed his cigar.

Of course, Csonka and other Fins players from the '72 team that recorded the NFL's only perfect season have made it an annual tradition to throw a little party every time the league's last unbeaten loses.

Usually, it's a petty tweet or somebody poppin' bubbly ... but Csonka really went the extra mile this year!!!

The 73-year-old -- who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 -- stood in front of his TV while Washington wrapped up the win and he sipped his booze and gave out a cackle.

"Whohoooooo!!!!" Csonka wrote as WFT was sealing the 23-17 victory over Pitt. "Burn that clock out!"

So far, no other public celebrations from Csonka's old teammates yet ... but we're pretty sure it won't be too much longer until we hear from Mercury Morris.

Carson Wentz's time as the starter in Philly should be over -- at least for now -- so says Asante Samuel, who tells TMZ Sports the Eagles should play Jalen Hurts!

"If it was my decision," the former Philly defensive back said, "I think I'd go with the rookie."

Wentz has devolved this year into one of the NFL's worst quarterbacks ... he leads the league in interceptions with 15 and has the Eagles underperforming at just 3-8-1.

But, head coach Doug Pederson has been non-committal about sitting the QB in favor of Hurts (their second-round pick) ... and Samuel tells us he thinks that's a mistake.

The ex-Eagles star says a QB swap could inject some life -- and wins -- into a team that still has a very good shot at winning the NFC East crown.

"It's all about the W," Samuel says. "It's all about winning. It's all about production. If we have to bite a big cap loss, give away a lot of money and we think we got to move forward to make our team better, that's what I think you definitely have to do."

Pederson DID make the switch from Wentz to Hurts late in the Eagles' loss to the Packers on Sunday ... and Hurts seemed to be comfortable under center, throwing for 1 TD and 1 INT and rushing for 29 yards.

It remains unclear if Wentz will get the reins back this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints ... but, if it were up to Samuel, he's making it clear the decision would've already been made.

Scary scene in Pittsburgh ... blood POURED out of Alex Smith's shin after he was stepped on by a teammate -- but, thankfully, it was NOT the QB's surgically repaired leg, and he was able to return to the game.

Smith dropped back for a pass late in the 2nd quarter of Washington's game against the Steelers on Monday ... when one of his lineman slashed his shin with a cleat.

The video of the injury was WILD ... blood was coming out of Smith's leg so fast, it soaked through his sock and gushed onto his foot.

Not wanting to miss any game action ... Smith just had team trainers tape up the wound -- AND THEN HE CAME BACK IN!!!

Alex was able to lead his team down the field for a field goal just before the half ... and he's now in the locker room getting treatment.

Of course, the whole scene was pretty terrifying at first ... because it looked like the injury might have occurred on the same leg Smith had previously broken back in 2018.

Fortunately, Smith avoided any kind of repeat scenario ... and he appears poised to try to lead WFT to a comeback win over the Steelers in the second half.

Here's a new one.

UNLV quarterback Max Gilliam is apologizing for eating sushi off a naked model's body in an episode of "Below Deck" ... with his coach saying the incident made the football program look bad.

The 23-year-old shot the risqué scene for the Bravo reality show back in the spring ... but it didn't air until November.

During his episode, Gilliam and his girlfriend join two other couples on a boat in Antigua as they dine on raw fish served off a nearly-naked female model, who was paid to be there.

In fact, the model said on the show, "This is the funnest job ever!"

So, what's the problem if a bunch of consenting adults did something legal with another consenting adult?

Seems UNLV's head football coach, Marcus Arroyo, felt it was a bad look for the program ... a program that's currently 0-5 and straight trash.

In fact, Coach Arroyo even issued a statement saying UNLV players -- especially seniors -- "must recognize that when we go out in public we’re representing this team, this university and the alumni and fanbase."

He added, "How we conduct ourselves in public is just as important as how we do on the field."

So, Gilliam apologized ...

"I would like to apologize for my poor judgment while on the TV show 'Below Deck' and acknowledge that I have made a mistake that I will learn from," the QB said in a statement.

"While it was not my idea nor any of my friends' ideas to eat sushi off of a model, I should have exercised better judgment and declined the idea immediately when it was brought up by the producers."

"This is not a reflection of my character or the way I was raised nor a reflection of the culture of UNLV football."

The senior QB has played in each game for the 0-5 Rebels ... and says he "would like to humbly move past this and focus my time and energy on our game against the University of Hawaii this weekend."

How'd Tyrod Taylor get over an embarrassing 45-0 loss on Sunday??

DATE NIGHT WITH DRAYA MICHELE, BABY!!!

Just hours after the Chargers were pummeled by the Patriots at SoFi Stadium ... Taylor decided to date the pain away by hitting up an Orange County hotspot with his model GF.

The two were all smiles as they strolled into Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach ... and yeah, doesn't seem like L.A.'s backup QB was too hurt about his team's horrendous loss earlier in the day.

Then again ... how could you NOT smile on a night out with Draya?!?!

Michele posted about the evening on her social media page ... sharing a video of the couple's cocktails and writing, "Last night to dine out in LA."

Michele and Taylor have been linked for the past couple months now ... and it seems the two are going strong despite the global pandemic and the Chargers' abysmal season.

Cops in Massachusetts arrested a man who allegedly broke into a mansion owned by Tom Brady and Gisele ... but the superstars haven't lived there for months.

The Brookline Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports ... 1 suspect was taken into custody on suspicion of breaking and entering at 5:55 AM.

Cops say the suspect set off multiple house alarms -- plus, private security spotted the intruder ... so police raced over.

We're told responding units were given an access code and located the suspect in the basement area. He was arrested without incident.

The suspect, whose name hasn't been released, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning.

Tom and Gisele reportedly bought the property back in 2013 -- and built the home from the ground up. It was completed in 2015.

The 12,000-square-foot estate is sick -- 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms with a rec room, gym, wine room, spa AND an outdoor organic herb/vegetable garden.

The couple put the place up on the market in late 2019 for $39.5 million -- but then cut the price to $33.9.

They reportedly took it off the market for a while -- but recently decided to try their luck again privately, off-market ... so, it's currently up for grabs.

Of course, Tom and Gisele have moved to Tampa Bay, Florida -- since TB12 left New England to play for the Bucs.