Football

The top football recruit in the nation will be suiting up for Deion Sanders' Jackson State Tigers next season ... with Travis Hunter flipping from Florida State to play for the NFL legend's team.

The 5-star cornerback made the move official during national signing day at Collins Hill High in GA on Wednesday ... tossing hats from Georgia, Auburn and FSU -- the school he committed to in March 2020 -- and putting on a JSU Tigers cap!!

Of course, Sanders is a Seminoles legend ... and was rumored to be a candidate for FSU's head coaching spot after Willie Taggart was fired in 2019.

So yeah, this one's gotta sting in Tallahassee.

Hunter spoke about his decision to switch to Jackson State ... saying, "Jerry Rice, Doug Williams, and of course the legend, JSU's own Walter Payton -- Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich history in football."

"I want to be part of that history in football. I want to be part of that history, and more, I want to be part of that future."

Hunter says he hopes this move can show other high school recruits that playing for a HBCU isn't a bad thing and "may be everything you want and more."

"I look forward to working with the iconic Deion Sanders, and especially my fellow Tigers."

Of course, Coach Prime is hyped -- saying on Instagram, "When we stick together anything can happen."

Cincinnati Bengals star running back Joe Mixon is giving kids an awesome surprise for the holidays ... by handing out brand new bicycles!!!

Mixon partnered with Strikes for Kids for the special event ... hooking up 28 youngins at the local Boys & Girls Club with some wheels just in time for Christmas.

TMZ Sports is told ... the kids were taken to Main Event Entertainment Center in West Chester, where they enjoyed two hours of unlimited games, pizza and Icees.

As they had tons of fun, they were surprised with new bikes and helmets ... as the 25-year-old posed for pics with them.

Of course, the kids couldn't wait to try out their new wheels ... moving around inside the event space to get in a quick ride.

Mixon spoke about his decision to help out ... saying, "This community has embraced me and become a second home for me, so to be able to give back and inspire these children is the least I can do."

Mixon's kind gesture comes on the heels of notching yet another 1,000 yard rushing season -- the third time the RB has done so in his career.

It's clear he's a difference maker for the Bengals -- on and off the field.

The first athlete named to Michigan State's recruiting class Wednesday was not a five-star QB or a four-star D-lineman ... no, it was Tate Myre, who the Spartans honored following his tragic death in the Oxford H.S. shooting.

"We are honored to recognize Tate Myre as the first Spartan Dawg of the 2022 class," MSU football head coach Mel Tucker said in a video message on National Signing Day.

"A Spartan Dawg is defined not by the plays they make on the field, but by the character they exemplify, the leadership they bring to their team and their community, and for extraordinary individuals like Tate Myre, their heroism."

Tate was one of four people killed when a gunman opened fire in the Michigan high school on Nov. 30. He tragically died while trying to disarm the suspect.

Just days before the shooting, the Wildcats' two-way football player visited the Univ. of Toledo as a recruit -- but, growing up, he had made it known MSU was his dream school.

"He had a passion to one day play for Michigan State," Tucker said. "This passion was paired with an unstoppable drive and follow-through to get there."

"Tate's consistency on and off the football field elevated everyone who knew him. Tate is, and always will be, a Spartan Dawg."

Tucker added that the Spartans will continue to support Myre's family as well as the families of the other victims -- Hana St. Juliana, Justin Shilling and Madisyn Baldwin.

Holy crap, this is nuts.

The Cleveland Browns have a major COVID-19 problem on their hands -- Baker Mayfield and head coach, Kevin Stefanski, tested positive for the virus Wednesday ... just one day after 8 players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The timing couldn't be worse for the Orange and Brown -- they're fighting for a spot in the playoffs and have a crucial game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.

This is now the second time Stefanski has tested positive -- last season, he had to miss the Browns' playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While Baker and KS could return in time for Saturday if they return two positive tests, there's a lot more to worry about -- stars like Jedrick Wills, Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, Wyatt Teller and Kareem Hunt were also placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

As of right now, there is no plan to postpone the game.

Odell Beckham Jr.'s touchdown celebration during "Monday Night Football" has earned himself an "absolute 10" -- so says the internet star he was mimicking, who tells TMZ Sports the whole moment was amazing!!

OBJ caught his third tuddy as a Ram during LA's win against the Arizona Cardinals ... snagging the score in the second quarter of play.

Beckham decided to celebrate the TD by doing some viral self-defense strategies made popular by Commander Dale Brown of "Detroit Urban Survival Training" (if you have TikTok, you've definitely seen this guy).

We spoke to Brown about the touchdown tribute ... and he says he loved every second of it!!

"I'm still moved!" Brown tells us. "I'm getting messages from across the country. People sending me all kinds of memes connected to that. It's great, literally. I was literally shocked."

In fact, Brown was impressed at how well the NFL receiver did the maneuver ... and if he had to rate it, he'd give OBJ a perfect score.

"It was 10. It was an absolute 10," he added. "He got out of the way of the barrel, reversed it and he also did the iconic move."

"Outstanding showing an actual technique that can actually help save people's lives. That's great and that's what it's all for."

BTW -- Brown founded Detroit Threat Management and Detroit D.U.S.T. to help people protect themselves in a non-violent way ... and he's happy his training videos get out to the masses -- even if they're turned into memes.

"Anywhere we can get it out there -- through humor or, in this case, a world-class athlete that the world respects -- and actually showing it, is outstanding," Brown tells us.

"Sports athletes are a great way to do that, to bring the message forward to the entire country."

After OBJ brought more limelight to Brown's cause, he hopes to connect with the 3-time Pro Bowler to show him more moves ... and maybe collab on a training course.

"We'll be out in LA and I hope to come in contact with him," Brown says. "I can actually show him the tactic in real person."

Imagine being married to the greatest football player on the planet ... and hating football.

Gisele Bundchen says she couldn't stand the sport in the early days of her relationship with Tom Brady ... admitting the first game she ever attended was a complete snooze fest.

The supermodel made the revelation in Brady's 'Man in the Arena' docuseries on ESPN+ ... saying she was invited to TB12's game between the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers in January 2007 after going on a few dates with the now-7-time champ.

And, Bundchen -- who grew up loving the other football -- wasn't impressed.

"I thought it was the most boring thing I've ever seen in my life," Gisele said. "I was like 'What are they doing? Why do they stop all the time? Where is the goal?'"

"In the end, I was like, 'God I don't know what to tell this guy. He's gonna ask me, 'How was the game?' I was like, 'Oh, it was great!' I didn't understand anything," Bündchen added.

It all worked out, though, 'cause Brady and Bundchen tied the knot two years later ... and she's grown to become Brady's biggest supporter.

In fact, she even famously ripped his teammates after a Super Bowl loss to the Giants in 2011, saying, "My husband cannot f***ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time."

Demaryius Thomas' former teammates paid their respects to the ex-NFL star on "Monday Night Football" ... with Von Miller and DeAndre Hopkins wearing helmet decals to honor DT.

The Rams and Cardinals superstars both put #88 stickers on their respective helmets to show love for the former wide receiver just days after he tragically died in his Georgia home.

Miller's emblem featured an 88 with Broncos colors, while Hopkins' sticker had a simple white and black 88.

"88 4 L ETERNAL 🖤," Miller said of the tribute in a caption on his social media page.

Of course, Miller played alongside Thomas for years in Denver ... while Hopkins shared time with the wideout when the two were in Houston together in the 2018 season.

Another one of Thomas' former Broncos teammates, Cardinals kicker Matt Prater, also put an 88 sticker on his Arizona helmet for the game.

As we previously reported, Thomas' old Denver team honored DT on Sunday with a video tribute, helmet stickers and a special delay of game penalty in their matchup with the Lions. Thomas' former Jets team, meanwhile, also held a moment of silence before their game against the Saints.

Thomas would have turned 34 years old on Christmas.

Demaryius Thomas was at the forefront of everyone's mind this Sunday -- especially for his former team, the Denver Broncos, who paid tribute to him ... with an assist from the Lions.

The late wide receiver -- who died suddenly last week -- was honored during the opening minutes of the game ... with just 10 men on the Broncos taking the field, and WR Courtland Sutton taking a knee on the sidelines as his team let the play clock run out.

It essentially served as a moment of silence -- the significance of leaving Sutton/Thomas' position vacated on the field was symbolic, almost like it was meant to be filled by him in spirit.

Denver was penalized for this, but the Lions declined the penalty ... and let them play on as if nothing had happened -- something the team seemed to be grateful for online. There was also a video compilation played on the jumbo screen before kickoff, which showed off some of Thomas' highlights from when he was playing for them.

In addition to the on-field moment and the video, there were a number of other tributes set up all throughout the stadium, including a memorial that had been set up for Thomas that Peyton Manning and his family visited before the game got underway.

There was also a portrait of the guy that was on display in the tunnel, which players kissed and tapped as they made their way to the gridiron. And even on the field itself, the Broncos emblazoned Thomas' former number, 88, right there onto the grass.

All this was to be expected ... as we reported, the Broncos were pulling out all the stops to make sure their guy was recognized properly, as he was a big part of their SB run in 2016.

Thomas was found dead at his home on Thursday, with a call for cardiac arrest triggering a police response. It's unclear what exactly happened to him -- an autopsy is pending.

WWE Superstar The Miz is not ready to give up on Baker Mayfield just yet ... telling TMZ Sports despite the QB's recent struggles, fans need to have some patience with the Browns signal-caller.

"He's injured. Like he's injured," Miz said. "He's not playing to his highest caliber because he's injured."

"I mean, how good are you when you're injured, you know what I mean?"

Miz says that anyone who wants to see the Browns move in a different direction at QB doesn't appreciate what Mayfield represents ... adding that fans need to throw their support behind the first overall draft pick.

"Everyone's so quick to get rid of quarterbacks nowadays," he added. "Like, you kind of got to stick with people and be like, 'look, this is our guy.' It's one thing, like, I remember a team that wasn't 6-6 that didn't win a game an entire season and I was still on the bandwagon."

Miz recalled the days where the Browns had less than desirable plays at the QB position -- he rooted for guys like Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and Johnny Manziel -- but, after Cleveland's bye week, he's predicting things will take off for his hometown team.

"I mean after this bye we have Baltimore," the former champ said. "If we beat them, we're one game out of first place in the AFC North and people are talking a different story."

So, what are his expectations for this underwhelming season?!?

"We're going to the Super Bowl. That's on my mind. I 100% think that."

If you know anything about The Miz, the Ohio native always reps for his squad ... and he's confident that with the roster they have, they can make a Super Bowl run.

"I trust in Coach (Kevin) Stefanski. I trust in Baker Mayfield," Miz said. "I trust in Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb. I think Myles Garrett will be Defensive Player of the Year, and you're going to the Super Bowl. So, let's win, beat Baltimore, and get it started after the bye week!"

No Denver Broncos player should ever wear #88 again ... so says Brandon Marshall, who tells TMZ Sports the team needs to retire the digits to honor Demaryius Thomas.

"It's just fitting, it just makes sense," said the former Broncos linebacker, who played with Thomas in Denver for years. "[He's] one of the greatest Broncos ever."

Marshall is making the push for his former team to go ahead with the tribute following Thomas' death this week ... telling us Demaryius is more than deserving of the honor.

Marshall explains Thomas' resume on the field was simply that good ... but he also says Thomas' off-the-field actions warrant the jersey praise as well.

"He's one of the greatest Broncos of all-time, point blank, period," Marshall said. "He's one of the greatest receivers of my era -- of our generation. One of the greatest receivers in Broncos history."

"And, as Peyton [Manning] said, he's an even better guy."

While no jersey retirement is in the cards yet -- the Broncos already have plans to pay tribute to the former Super Bowl champion before the Lions game this weekend at Empower Field At Mile High regardless.

Head coach Vic Fangio said the team will wear helmet decals and play a video tribute prior to kickoff. He also said a moment of silence will be observed.

The Denver Broncos will recognize Demaryius Thomas before their game against the Lions this weekend ... honoring DT with helmet stickers and a video tribute just three days after his tragic death.

Head coach Vic Fangio just announced the plans ... saying there will also be "a moment of silence and maybe another thing or two" before kickoff at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday.

"There's still 10 players on this team that played with [Thomas], a bunch of coaches that coached him," Fangio said Friday. "And we've got over 40 workers in the organization and the support staff that were around him."

"And just seeing and feeling their reaction and hurt just tells me what a special player DT was."

As we previously reported, cops say they found Thomas dead in his shower in Roswell, GA at around 7 PM on Thursday night.

The reaction to his passing in the NFL community has been overwhelming since the news broke, with nearly every major player in the league expressing heartbreak over the death.

Stars like Tim Tebow, Tom Brady and DeMarcus Ware have all penned emotional notes on their social media pages -- and the Broncos themselves have also released statements mourning the death.

Thomas -- who played 10 seasons in the league, including 9 with the Broncos -- would have turned 34 on Dec. 25.

Ex-NFL star LaVar Arrington says it was a "bitch move" for Robert Griffin III to write a book about the alleged sexual harassment he dealt with while the QB was at Washington ... saying the Baylor star shouldn't have waited years to disclose what went down.

43-year-old Arrington made the controversial comment on his "Two Pros And A Cup Of Joe" podcast, saying ... "So, RGIII, with all due respect, it’s kind of a bitch move to say you’re going to do a tell-all now," the former #2 overall pick said.

"Why didn’t you do your tell-all three or four years ago?"

If you're not familiar with RG3's allegations, we previously reported the QB announced he wrote a book called "Surviving Washington" ... that's releasing next year.

"I'm gonna detail the medical mismanagement that I received during my time in Washington," Robert said on social media while asking fans to preorder the book.

"I'm gonna open your eyes to the sexual harassment that permeated the walls of that building and give you a deep dive into a power struggle between one of the most powerful coaches in all of sports and an owner who many of you want gone."

But, Arrington -- who played for WFT from 2000 to 2005 -- believes the team's past scandals have made it easy for Griffin III to put the team on blast.

"You were scared of backlash that you would receive saying what you believed your truth was in a time where you didn’t have all of the stuff that has come out with the cheerleaders, and the emails, and all this stuff that makes it safe for you to be a front-runner of justice."

Arrington added, "I hate when dudes do bitch moves to be heroes and heroic about the things that they're doing and you do it in the comfort of knowing people already know what's going on."

"Stand up and be a man! Do that 'S' before now."

And, LaVar wasn't alone ... 'cause fellow former WTF player, CB Fred Smoot also went off on Robert.

"Sensitive thugs need a hug and RGIII is one of these sensitive thugs who needs a hug," Smoot told the guys.

"Then he said, ‘I’m going to tell everybody how I got sexually harassed.' The ugliest quarterback of all time?! Yes, I said it. He ain't attractive."

"Bobby failed at his career in the NFL, let’s be honest. Now he wants to bring attention to himself by any means necessary, and that’s why he wrote this book."

The news of Demaryius Thomas' sudden death on Thursday has rocked the NFL community ... with stars all over the league -- including Tim Tebow and Von Miller -- expressing heartbreak over the tragedy.

Just minutes after cops in Georgia confirmed Thomas had been found dead in his Roswell home ... ex-teammates and others from around the NFL wrote sad tributes to the former Broncos great.

"Woke up and saw the really devastating news about my teammate and friend, Demaryius Thomas," said Tebow, who connected with Thomas in one of the most famous touchdown passes in NFL playoff history in 2012.

"So many are going to remember him for his athletic ability…," Tebow continued, "but I’ll be remembering him for his kindness, his smile that would light up a room, and the love he had for those in his life. Please join me in prayer for the Thomas family."

Miller -- who played with Thomas in Denver for years and won Super Bowl 50 with the wide receiver -- was also heartbroken ... writing on his social media page, "I love you bro."

"FRFR real love," Miller added. "Unreal."

Terrell Davis, Russell Wilson, Jalen Ramsey, Dak Prescott and so many more posted remembrance notes to the former four-time Pro Bowler as well.

"Meeting in Denver to win a Super Bowl and then to South Africa to celebrate!" future Hall of Famer and former Broncos star DeMarcus Ware said Thursday night. "So glad you KNEW you were my brother ... Love you 88…until the next time we meet 🙏🏾. #RestInParadise"

Thomas was just 33 years old.

RIP

The Canadian Football League has suspended an Argonauts exec for his involvement in the wild brawl between Toronto players and Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans on Sunday ... after he slapped a spectator and allegedly used a homophobic slur.

"The Canadian Football League has suspended indefinitely John Murphy, Toronto Argonaut Vice-President Player Personnel, following an investigation into his physical and verbal altercation with fans following last Sunday’s Eastern Final," the league announced Wednesday.

The CFL added the investigation into the incident is still under investigation.

As we previously reported, the altercation happened at the end of the Argos' playoff loss to the Ticats, when a few Toronto players hopped a railing and got physical with fans after someone allegedly spit beer in a player's face.

In a video of the altercation, Murphy appears to make contact with a fan who flipped him off during the scrap ... and using the homophobic f-word towards someone else.

Dak Prescott is one of the best QBs in the NFL and apparently one of the best teammates, too -- 'cause he just gifted his squadmates with pairs of sick, Cool Grey Jordans!!

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jabril Cox revealed the present on his social media page ... showing off the feet heat while thanking his team's signal-caller.

"Bless you 4Dak," Cox said while opening the box.

In the note on the shoes, Prescott -- who signed a deal mega deal with Jordan brand this offseason -- wrote to his teammates, "Thankful for you this holiday season." He also autographed the paper.

Of course, the gift is going to be well received in the locker room -- the Jordans have yet to be released to the public, and they'll no doubt be hard to obtain when they eventually drop this week.

The shoes will retail for $225 -- but they'll almost certainly go for way more than that on resale sites ... so, dope gift for sure, Dak.

Drew Brees is speaking out on Glenn Foster's death ... posting a touching tribute to his former New Orleans Saints teammate on Tuesday.

"My heart goes out to the family and friends of my former teammate Glenn Foster," the future Hall of Famer said Tuesday on Instagram. "I’ll always remember his smile and positive nature."

As we previously reported, Foster died while in police custody on December 6 ... just two days after he was initially arrested on charges of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and attempting to elude.

The details surrounding his death are unclear.

Foster played for the Saints alongside Brees in 2013 and 2014, logging 3 sacks in 17 games.

Players throughout the league have mourned Foster's death, including fellow ex-teammate Terron Armstead, who said, "I really can't find the words to properly express. Rest In Peace Glenn Foster, you’ll be missed bro!"