Football

Bill Belichick's been a regular in the headlines ever since his relationship with Jordon Hudson became public ... and his former player Asante Samuel tells TMZ Sports the irony is not lost on him.

Samuel was having some fun at his old coach's expense when he chopped it up with us this week ... saying while BB had to change his ways to conform to the college game at UNC, his off-the-field life has changed, too.

"Coach is being a hypocrite, man," he said. "He's been a hypocrite the way he's carrying on. He told us to stay off and don't have family distractions and things like that."

Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ben Cleveland has cut a plea deal with prosecutors in his DUI case and has been sentenced to probation ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court documents we obtained, the Ravens guard pleaded guilty on Nov. 4 to one count of DUI following his arrest in February -- where cops say he blew a .178 (more than two times the legal limit) on a breathalyzer after he was spotted driving erratically.

As part of his deal, he is set to serve a 12-month probation period. While he was supposed to spend 24 hours behind bars ... they credited the 27-year-old with time served.

A high-end trading card shop owned by Tom Brady was robbed in New York City of nearly $10,000 worth of baseball and Pokémon cards, according to police.

The NYPD says the incident occurred shortly before noon on October 20 ... when a man at CardVault by Tom Brady attempted to purchase items, but his payment declined.

The suspect then allegedly managed to trick the employee into believing the items were paid for, before ultimately walking out of the store with $9,710 worth of merchandise.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed Marshawn Kneeland's passing on Wednesday ... saying the team's "heart is heavy" as it deals with the loss -- while also revealing the late defensive end's girlfriend, Catalina, is currently pregnant with the couple's child.

The first-year head coach met with the media coming off Dallas' bye week ... and opened up his availability by offering condolences to Marshawn's family and his girlfriend as they navigate the difficult situation.

Schottenheimer said they had the opportunity to "celebrate" Kneeland's life Tuesday night ... and they were able to "tell some stories, share, laugh [and] cry."

Rob Gronkowski has officially retired as a member of the New England Patriots ... but not without one last effort from owner Robert Kraft to get him to suit up for "Thursday Night Football" against the New York Jets!!

The legendary tight end signed his one-day contract to end his career in Foxborough on Wednesday ... and as he put pen to paper, Kraft joked he could make it a two-day deal to give him a farewell outing against their AFC East rival.

While it was obviously a joke, Gronk sure does look football-ready at 36 years old ... although he's done enough for the Patriots organization.

Amon-Ra St. Brown isn't going as far as apologizing, but the Lions star receiver is explaining himself ... after some fans were pissed he hit the Trump Dance after scoring a TD during the Commanders game!

St. Brown addressed the celebration on his "St. Brown" podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Equanimeous, saying his goal was definitely not to offend anyone.

"If any President was at that game, if they had a dance, I would have done it," Amon-Ra said. "It had nothing to do with who the President was."

He continued ... "We were just having fun. Doing the dance, nothing more, nothing less. Just a quick shimmy, whatever you call it."

Cleveland Browns great Bernie Kosar is currently in the hospital dealing with liver issues ... revealing he was slated to receive a transplant over the weekend -- but the donor organ was infected.

The 61-year-old posted the video from his University Hospitals bed on Wednesday ... saying he had "two aggressive procedures" to address internal bleeding on Monday, and he was about to have a third.

Kosar explained the bleeding started following the Browns' 27-20 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday ... but despite the challenges he's facing, he wants to spread positivity.

Antonio Brown stood in a Florida courtroom Wednesday morning for the first time since his arrest for attempted murder ... where the judge ruled the former NFL star can walk free ahead of his trial, as long as he has bond money.

AB, rocking a red prison jumpsuit, was present in the Miami-Dade courthouse as the judge set bail at $25,000 ... and ordered he be put on the most lax form of house arrest (level 3). Brown will have to wear an ankle monitor.

The former Steelers superstar was also ordered to steer clear of the alleged victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu.

The N.Y. Giants need a coach, and former star RB Brandon Jacobs believes he's got the guy who will return the G-men to their Super Bowl-winning ways -- Antonio Pierce!

TMZ Sports talked to the former Giants running back, as the team begins its hunt to replace Brian Daboll ... after their eighth loss of the season on Sunday.

Jacobs says his former teammate, Pierce, with whom he won Super Bowl XLII, is the ideal choice for the high-pressure gig, believing AP's grit and toughness are exactly what the Giants need.

Antonio Brown is officially back in the Sunshine State ... the former NFL star was captured walking off a jet in Miami as he prepares to go on trial for attempted murder.

AB was seen arriving back in Florida hours after his plane touched down ... a few hours after he left the Essex County Jail in New Jersey, days after he told a judge he wouldn't fight extradition back to Florida. Brown was initially taken into custody last week in Dubai.

In the video, captured by Andy Slater, 37-year-old Brown is wearing a blue jacket while being escorted down the jet bridge stairs to the tarmac.

Brian Kelly has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, Louisiana State University, nearly three weeks after he was fired ... and the former head coach is demanding his massive buyout be paid in full!

The lawsuit, obtained by ESPN, was filed in Louisiana on Monday ... where the longtime coaches' lawyers argue the university is trying to find a way out of paying the $54 million buyout, claiming LSU says he was fired for cause.

Everyone from Jon Gruden to Lane Kiffin's names have been bandied about in the wake of the Giants' firing Brian Daboll ... but former G-Men running back Rashad Jennings has his eye on another potential head coach with ties to the team -- Steve Spagnuolo!

"Out of all the coaches that have coached, I wouldn't be surprised if they asked Spags to come back to lock down that defense and get an offensive-minded coordinator to take over the offense," Jennings told Babcock, referencing the former Giants defensive coordinator (and briefly interim HC).

"But, you know, sky's the limit for them guys," Rashad added, alluding to the young talent on the Giants roster, including Cam Skattebo ... who is expecting to return to the field next season after suffering a gruesome ankle injury against the Eagles late last month.

Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten is denying he had a role in a spectator's decision to storm the field during Sunday's game against the Commanders ... saying he didn't utter a single word to the guy all night.

Video of the fan's stunt made rounds on social media ... and some folks claimed an interaction with Hatten caused the whole thing.

Hatten went to social media on Monday to explain that couldn't be further from the truth ... calling the claims "inaccurate."

Antonio Brown's fighting back against claims he tried to shoot and kill someone at a celebrity boxing match earlier this year, pleading not guilty to 2nd degree attempted murder ... an incident his attorney is adamant was nothing more than self-defense!

AB hired Mark Eiglarsh ahead of his trial ... and the lawyer sent TMZ Sports a statement addressing the altercation at Adin Ross' event, explaining he took the case because he "passionately believes in Brown's defense."

"The actions he was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim's violent behavior," Eiglarsh said. "Brown was attacked that night and acted within his legal right to protect himself from an individual who had previously committed criminal acts against him. It's a privilege to represent him, and I am determined to ensure that justice is served."

It's been a horrible year for the Miami Dolphins, so Sunday's win was cause for serious celebration ... the Fins were livin' it up after upsetting the rival Buffalo Bills, from surfing on carts to breakdancing coaches!

Check it out -- it's the most hyped you'll ever see a 3-7 team.

Linebackers Willie Gay Jr. and K.J. Britt were pushed around the locker room in laundry carts. There was also dancing. Lots of dancing.

A group of players circled one of their coaches, who busted out some gnarly breakdance moves, including a backspin and a (quick) worm!

Amon-Ra St. Brown is known for his touchdown celebrations, and Sunday was no exception ... breaking out the infamous "Trump Dance" after scoring a touchdown -- all while the president was watching from the stands!

The moment went down from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, where President Donald Trump was taking in the Lions vs. Commanders game.

After the Lions' leading receiver scored his ninth touchdown on the season --  which extended the Lions' lead to 14-3 -- St. Brown began looking around the stadium for DJT, before hitting the dance!