Football

Pack up the tin foil hats and UFO paraphernalia ... NFL agent Leigh Steinberg tells TMZ Sports the conspiracy theory that owners blackballed Shedeur Sanders during last weekend's draft is "nonsense."

The former Univ. of Colorado signal-caller, of course, was largely expected to be a first-round pick ... but tumbled all the way to the fifth round on Saturday -- which had people racing to social media to accuse franchises of colluding with one another to keep Deion's son down.

Steinberg, though, told us this week there's just no way that actually happened.

Shedeur Sanders getting clowned during the NFL Draft is the prank call heard around the world ... but one of the most legendary telephone jokesters says it's a subject they would've never touched!

TMZ Sports spoke with Johnny Brennan -- creator of The Jerky Boys -- about the viral call ... and while he admits he doesn't think it was that big of a deal (and kinda funny), he explains why the JB's steered clear of draft day content.

Brennan says a reason their legendary conversations were so popular is they were never mean-spirited ... and often talked about absurd scenarios.

The cop who busted Justin Blackmon for public intoxication earlier this month put a brief pause on arresting the ex-NFLer to educate him on some Oklahoma State football history ... police video shows.

Check out the body camera footage TMZ Sports obtained ... just after an Oklahoma State University Police Dept. officer stopped the former OSU Cowboy for allegedly roaming the Stillwater campus while drunk on April 19 at around 1:30 AM -- he talked a bit of ball with the one-time Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver.

Blackmon stated he had played for the Pokes in 2011 -- and "went to the league" afterward. The cop then asked, "Did you play under [Mike] Gundy?"

Puka Nacua's brother is in trouble with the United Football League -- Samson Nacua was just suspended for slapping a fan in a heated post-game altercation.

The UFL handed down the punishment on Tuesday ... stating the Michigan Panthers receiver was banned one game without pay for "an altercation with a spectator" after the matchup against the St. Louis Battlehawks at The Dome at America's Center on Saturday.

On top of the forced sit-out, the league says Nacua has agreed to do community service at some point later in the season.

Jordon Hudson is doubling down on how she met Bill Belichick as the internet casts doubt ... reposting the book the legendary coach signed during their first interaction.

Chapter one of the couple's love story has been scrutinized in recent days ... after Hudson refused to let Belichick talk about it during a now-infamous interview with CBS.

The interruption has folks wondering if their rom-com-esque flight run-in was bogus ... and Hudson's seemingly aware, 'cause she reposted an old Instagram of her "Meetiversary" from February, which showcased the textbook, "Deductive Logic" featuring the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach's John Hancock.

Shedeur Sanders is 10 toes down in Northeast Ohio ... the Cleveland Browns' notable fifth-round selection just arrived at the team's facility after a whirlwind draft weekend.

Sanders posted video to his Instagram on Tuesday ... showing him working his way through the team's building in Berea with a black duffel bag over his shoulder.

It comes 72 hours after the 23-year-old saw one of the most shocking draft slides in recent memory. After many expected he could go as early as the top five, he didn't hear his name called until the final day of the event.

The lawyer representing the woman accusing Shannon Sharpe of rape will not be releasing the video that allegedly depicts the two engaging in sex ... calling it "key evidence" in their case against the former NFL star.

Tony Buzbee tells TMZ Sports ... he and his client -- who filed a lawsuit against Sharpe earlier this month for sexual assault using the pseudonym Jane Doe -- have zero plans right now to put the footage out to the media.

"The only reason you know about the existence of a video recording is that Mr. Sharpe specifically referenced it in his bulls*** statement," Buzbee said. "The contents of the video was shared during the mediation process with Sharpe’s attorneys. Again, Sharpe and his team disclosed that, not us. Sharpe himself was offered on more than one occasion to view it himself. He declined. We've never made any claims or threats about it and won't do so."

Deion Sanders isn't letting his son's NFL draft waiting game ruin his spirits ... telling TMZ Sports the Man Upstairs is just as great as he was before Shedeur fell to the fifth round.

We caught up with the Colorado Buffaloes head coach and Hall of Famer at LAX fresh off Shedeur joining the Cleveland Browns with the No. 144 pick ... and despite all the chatter surrounding how it played out, he hammered home a message of faith.

Deion was in good spirits about it all ... saying, "You know how good God is" when asked if he was pleased with how things turned out.

Jordon Hudson went completely off the rails during Bill Belichick's CBS interview -- to the point where she stormed out of the room and delayed shooting for 30 minutes ... sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ Sports.

Belichick agreed to do a sit-down with Tony Dokoupil of "CBS Mornings" to promote his new book, "The Art of Winning," but it turned into an L -- at least PR-wise -- when his 24-year-old GF interrupted the interviewer, asking Bill how they met.

We're told outside of that baffling moment that made the final edit, there were numerous other instances of Hudson butting in -- even when the legendary coach was answering questions about football, she would stop and correct him.

Puka Nacua's brother, Samson Nacua, has more than just the UFL investigation to worry about after he slapped a fan at Saturday's game -- St. Louis Police tell TMZ Sports they are currently looking into the matter.

A spokesperson says the department is aware of the video from the St. Louis Battlehawks game on Saturday ... which shows Samson, who plays for the Michigan Panthers, slapping a fan at The Dome at America's Center.

"We are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and we are working to obtain video from The Dome at America's Center that may have captured what led up to the encounter," the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said.

Shedeur Sanders would still be without an NFL home if it weren't for President Donald Trump's NFL draft temper tantrum -- at least that's what the White House press secretary joked on Monday ... saying, "The facts speak for themselves."

No. 45-47 was FURIOUS after Day 1 of the annual draft ... claiming anyone who passed on the former Colorado quarterback was "STUPID" not to take him, as his Hall of Famer pops did a great job raising him.

When Karoline Leavitt was asked about whether Trump's Truth Social outrage ultimately led to Sanders going No. 144 overall to the Cleveland Browns more than a day later, she said the proof is in the pudding.

Saquon Barkley is addressing the backlash he's received for hangin' with Donald Trump on Sunday ahead of the Eagles' White House visit on Monday, making it clear he respects anyone who holds the office of the President!

The Philadelphia Eagles star running back was spotted with POTUS this weekend, playing golf at his club in Bedminster, chitchatting at lunch, and even flying on Marine One -- the presidential chopper -- with Trump.

47 even joked he wanted to race Barkley, but decided not to. Smart!

The Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call mystery has officially been solved ... with the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich admitting he was the person behind the cruel joke, calling it a "tremendous mistake."

Jax Ulbrich, the college sophomore son of the former NY Jets interim head coach, fessed up Sunday afternoon in a social media post.

"On Friday night I made a tremendous mistake. Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I'm so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish. I could never imagine getting ready to celebrate one of the greatest moments of your life and I made a terrible mistake and messed with that moment," Jax wrote on Instagram.

Shedeur Sanders may have slipped pretty far down into the draft ... but, that didn't diminish his party spirit at all -- 'cause he threw a star-studded event to celebrate his achievement.

The Cleveland Browns' newest QB held the party at Hyde & Seek -- a popular restaurant in Dallas ... looking fashionable in a black tank top, tons of jewelry hanging off him and a backwards Browns cap.

Sanders looks like the life of the party at the event ... drawing a ton of eyes with his big smile -- and even thrilling members of the crowd -- like Yung Miami -- with his music skills.

Shannon Sharpe got up close and personal with a cute female fan at an event in Nevada last year ... with video showing the Hall of Famer in great spirits throughout the interaction.

TMZ Sports obtained an exclusive clip from the Mr. Olympia festivities at Las Vegas' Resorts World in October 2024 -- the same month he was accused of forcing himself on a separate woman in a rape lawsuit.

In the clip, the two hit it off immediately ... and Shannon gave the lady his full attention, hanging on to her every word as she whispered into his ear.

The New York Giants' decision to choose Jaxson Dart over Shedeur Sanders has ruffled some feathers, but two-time Super Bowl champ Brandon Jacobs tells TMZ Sports the G-Men made the right move, saying the ex-Ole Miss QB is a better fit for the team!

Jacobs -- Giants running back from 2005 to 2011 -- expressed adulation for his former team's first-round picks during the NFL Draft on Thursday, after they selected Abdul Carter at No. 3, before trading up to land Dart at 25.

"I give them an A+," Jacobs said of the Giants' draft day. "No question, A+."