Football

Los Chargers están en último lugar de la tabla y prácticamente todo el mundo cree que es inevitable que el entrenador Brandon Staley pierda su trabajo y de acuerdo con Antonio Gates, uno de los mejores jugadores en la historia de la franquicia, eso sería un error.

TMZ Sports se encontró con el jugador a principios de esta semana en Los Ángeles, quien pasó sus 16 temporadas en los Bolts, y le preguntamos si era hora de que Staley de un paso al costado después de otra temporada decepcionante en el sur de California.

"Yo personalmente no creo que [el entrenador deba ser despedido]", nos dijo Antonio Gates.

El candidato al Salón de la Fama explicó su razonamiento: "Solo por la relación que tiene con los jugadores. ¿Puedes conseguir que los chicos jueguen para ti? Siento que Staley tiene una buena relación con los jugadores, y creo eso porque he estado en ese vestuario".

Staley ha sido el entrenador desde la temporada 2021 y aunque el equipo está lleno de talentos, incluyendo la estrella Justin Herbert, el equipo ha tenido dificultades para conseguir éxitos en la post temporada. La temporada pasada, los Chargers, con 10 victorias, perdieron ante los Jaguares de Jacksonville en la ronda de Wild Card, y este año ha sido un desastre.

Las cosas han ido tan mal para el equipo 4-7, que la conversación sobre quién podría sustituir a Staley es casi constante después de su casi garantizada desaparición y Bill Belichick está a menudo en la parte superior de la lista.

Las cosas no van precisamente bien para el entrenador ganador de 6 Super Bowl (8 en total) en la otra costa. Según los informes, Bill y el propietario Robert Kraft han tenido tensiones y no es una locura pensar que Belichick se alejará o incluso será despedido después de la temporada 2023.

Le preguntamos a Gates si cree que Belichick encajaría bien en Los Ángeles.

"Creo que Belichick es un ganador histórico y probado. ¿Por qué no sería bueno para cualquier equipo? No sé cómo sería ahora la transición de los entrenadores de la vieja escuela. Yo vengo de esa mentalidad de la vieja escuela, pero no sé si estos chicos pueden comprometerse con ese estilo de juego. No estoy seguro. No lo sé".

"Pero lo que sí sabemos es que es un ganador probado. Simplemente, no sé si su estilo de juego todavía se considera valioso en la Liga Nacional de Fútbol".

A los Chargers les quedan 6 partidos, incluyendo un enfrentamiento con los Pats este domingo.

The Chargers are in last place and virtually everyone believes it's a foregone conclusion head coach Brandon Staley will lose his job ... and that'd be a mistake, according to Antonio Gates, one of the greatest players in franchise history.

TMZ Sports ran into the 8x Pro Bowler earlier this week in L.A., who spent all of his 16 seasons as a pro with the Bolts, and asked him whether it was time Staley got the ol' heave-ho after another disappointing season in SoCal.

"Ya know, I don't personally think [the coach should be fired]," AG told us.

The Hall of Fame candidate explained his reasoning ... "Just because of the relationship he has with the players. I'm big on, 'Can you get the guys to play for you?' I feel like Staley has a rapport with the players, and I believe in that particularly because I've been in that locker room."

Staley's been the HC since the 2021 season ... and while the squad is chock full of talent, including star QB Justin Herbert, the team has struggled to find any postseason success. Last season the 10-win Chargers lost to the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round, and this year has been a disaster.

Things have been so bad for the 4-7 squad, there's near-constant talk about who could replace Staley after his all-but-guaranteed demise ... and Bill Belichick is often at the top of the list.

Things aren't exactly going smoothly for the 6x Super Bowl-winning head coach (8 total) on the other coast, either. Bill and owner Robert Kraft have reportedly had tension, and it's not crazy to think Belichick walks away or even gets fired after the 2023 season.

We asked Gates if he believed Belichick would be a good fit in Los Angeles.

"I think Belichick is a proven, historical winner. Why wouldn't he be good for any team? I don't know how the old-school coaching would transition now. I come from that old-school mentality, but I don't know if these guys can commit to that style of play. I'm not sure. I don't know.

"But we do know what we know is that he's a proven winner. I just don't know if his style of play is still considered valuable in the National Football League."

The Chargers have 6 games remaining … including a matchup with the Pats this Sunday.

Ricky Williams would almost certainly have a bust in Canton today if the NFL had eased its weed policies during the running back's heyday -- at least, that's according to Calvin Johnson.

The Lions legend told TMZ Sports he not only thinks Ricky was just that good ... but he truly believes the benefits that marijuana provided the tailback could've helped Williams extend his career too.

"Ricky would probably be a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he didn't have the issues with that," Johnson told us.

And, get this, the 38-year-old said his own career "possibly" would've lasted longer if the league had adjusted its ganja laws during his playing days as well.

The NFL, however, has finally laxed its tight policies recently ... and Johnson is hoping the changes will help open the door for some of the league's athletes -- and ones in college too -- to use his new line of CBD products.

If you're unfamiliar, in retirement, Johnson has teamed up with his former Detroit teammate, Rob Sims, to create a cannabis company called Primitiv ... and just recently, the duo added a line of products called Primitiv Performance to help sports competitors with recovery.

Johnson says they're working on obtaining their NSF certification for sport ... and he wants athletes to dive into it all if and when that comes through.

"We truly believe in it," he said of the new products. "I use it!"

Johnson even joked with us that Primitiv Performance is something that could help injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers return to the field quicker this season.

Theo Von has entered the college football chat — and he confused the hell out of some OGs on the air … which was absolutely hilarious to watch.

ESPN tapped into the TikTok zeitgeist and hired Theo Von as their celebrity guest panelist for “College GameDay” Saturday … where he, Pat McAfee and the rest of the professional analysts sat around making picks ahead of a packed schedule.

The only difference this time around was Theo’s very unpredictable nature and rants — which certainly shone through during the telecast, especially when he was talking about the matchup between Louisville and Florida State.

Apparently, TV thought it was 2013 again … ‘cause he invoked Jameis Winston’s name to talk about the Seminoles’ chances. Only problem … Winston has long left the university, something Pat reminded Theo of … forcing him to pivot and come up with a new rationale.

It was pretty typical Theo, but Lee Corso couldn’t believe (or comprehend) what he was hearing … making for a funny-ass exchange live on TV.

Cleveland Browns star David Njoku burned nearly a quarter of his body during his serious bonfire mishap earlier this season ... with the tight end's doctor revealing his injuries were "probably the most painful burn you can have."

The 27-year-old sat in front of a camera and detailed the September 29 incident this week ... giving a play-by-play of exactly what happened that fateful night.

Njoku said he likes to have bonfires in his backyard to relax on Fridays ... and after running out of his usual lighter fluid, he tried out a spray to ignite the logs in his pit.

Unfortunately ... when he went to start the fire, particles in the air caught ablaze and blew up in his face.

Dr. Joseph Khouri of University Hospitals explained the extent of Njoku's ailments ... saying he had second-degree partial-thickness burns, which involve the top two layers of the skin.

Khouri recommended Njoku not play right after the incident ... but of course, the tight end did the exact opposite -- suiting up for the Browns just two days later, calling the matchup against the hated rival Ravens "personal," and stating there was no way he wasn't going to play.

Njoku ended up recording six catches for 46 yards in the contest ... and he said he felt "intense" pain throughout.

Un novillo sin vida fue encontrado afuera de una fraternidad cerca del campus de la Universidad Estatal de Oklahoma (OSU). El hecho ocurrió el viernes, alrededor de 24 horas antes de que los Cowboys y los Texas Longhorns se enfrenten por el campeonato de fútbol Big 12 ... Y ahora, la policía está investigando.

Según J.D. Miles de CBS 11, el cadáver fue descubierto alrededor de las 6:30 de la mañana frente a la FarmHouse Fraternity con el estómago abierto. Las palabras "F*** FH" también fueron escritas en el cuerpo del novillo (también conocido como longhorn).

Las autoridades ya retiraron al animal de la propiedad, y aunque el motivo no ha sido oficialmente esclarecido, la mayoría cree que el acto está vinculado a OSU y al gran juego del sábado contra la Universidad de Texas, cuya mascota es un longhorn.

"La Universidad Estatal de Oklahoma está consternada por la inquietante muestra de crueldad hacia los animales que se produjo durante la noche afuera del campus, cerca de una casa de fraternidad", dijeron funcionarios en un comunicado tras el descubrimiento.

"El Departamento de Policía de Stillwater está investigando el incidente y la Oficina de Apoyo y Conducta Estudiantil de la universidad también ha iniciado una investigación".

"La Universidad Estatal de Oklahoma espera que todos los estudiantes se adhieran a los códigos de conducta de la universidad y se tomarán las medidas apropiadas en función del resultado de la investigación".

La policía está pidiendo a cualquier persona que tenga información que llame al 405-372-4171 o la línea de punta en 405-533-8477.

A dead steer was found at a fraternity house near Oklahoma State University's campus on Friday, around 24 hours before the Cowboys and Texas Longhorns face off in the Big 12 championship football game ... and now, police are investigating.

According to J.D. Miles of CBS 11, the carcass was discovered around 6:30 AM in front of the FarmHouse Fraternity ... with its stomach cut open. The words "F*** FH" were also written on the longhorn's side.

Authorities have since removed the animal from the property ... and while a motive hasn't been officially given, most believe the act is tied to OSU's huge Saturday game against UT -- whose mascot is a longhorn.

"Oklahoma State University is appalled at the disturbing display of animal cruelty that occurred overnight at an off-campus location near a fraternity house," OSU officials said in a statement following the animal's discovery.

"The Stillwater Police Department is investigating the incident, and the university’s Office of Student Support and Conduct also has initiated an investigation."

"Oklahoma State expects all students to adhere to university codes of conduct, and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation."

Police are asking anyone with information to call 405-372-4171 or the tip line at 405-533-8477.

Tyreek Hill's making sure his photographer will still have a steady flow of cash this year despite his ban from NFL sidelines ... telling media members Thursday he'll cover the guy's salary after their epic TD celebration led to the punishment.

The Dolphins star said it was a no-brainer to kick the money his cameraman's way ... because the two are good pals -- and, after all, it was his endzone backflip that got the dude booted.

"I told him, 'I was going to make sure that I do what's right and take care of you and make sure you're not out of a job,'" Hill said in front of his locker. "So, that's my guy."

Hill and the photog, Kevin Fitzgibbons, have been friends for a while ... after the Miami wideout initially hired him for some video work.

And, the two's relationship ultimately led to Fitzgibbons landing a job with the NFL -- though after Hill used the cameraman's phone to film a flipping touchdown celebration ... the league revoked his credential for this season -- and perhaps longer.

The move was panned by many -- including LeBron James, who said it was "F'd UP!!!" -- and Hill said he actually tried to get Roger Goodell and Co. to reverse their decision.

"I went through every avenue," he said. "But, they've got their reasoning."

Hill explained he's still going to work with Fitzgibbons on other projects even after covering his salary ... and added that he's been giving him some positive encouragement as well.

The pregnant woman who Von Miller allegedly roughed up during a violent altercation on Wednesday told a 911 operator she was bloodied and bruised after the NFL star's attack.

In the call, the woman appeared a bit frazzled as she tried to explain to dispatch how Miller -- who she described as her boyfriend -- had put his hands on her just minutes earlier.

"My boyfriend was choking me," she said, "hitting me, pulling my hair."

She added, "I have bruises all over me, I have hair -- my hair's out."

When the operator asked if she needed paramedics ... she said "I don't know," before revealing she had "some blood on me."

In court documents, authorities say when officers arrived on the scene shortly after the call had been placed, the woman told them the confrontation had started after she and Miller got into an argument over weekend travel plans.

According to the docs, Miller became "visibly angry" with her ... and pushed and shoved her, before he put his hands on her neck. Authorities said the woman alleged that during the assault she told the football player, "Stop I'm pregnant."

Miller left the scene before cops arrived -- though a felony warrant for his arrest was later issued due to the allegations. On Thursday afternoon, he turned himself in to police and took a mug shot -- before he bonded out of jail.

The woman now, however, has apparently recanted her story ... with WFAA reporting late Thursday evening she said in a text message to their reporters, "Things were blown way out of context."

"No one assaulted anyone," she reportedly wrote in the message. "This is insane. And sad."

The Bills, who are currently on their bye week, said in a statement Thursday they were aware of the allegations against their star pass rusher and "are in the process of gathering more information."

Before this stylish and swift boy was running down the field, he was just an athletic kid from Westlake, Ohio ... playing basketball, football and baseball and gearing up to play college ball for the Cincinnati Bearcats.

This handsome fella must have good "Karma" because he's got a couple Super Bowl rings! And, he may be rocking his jersey on the field, but he's got even more swag and style off! Whether he's starring in a beer commercial or working with his older bro, he's always taking his career to "New Heights!"

3:15 PM -- Von Miller has turned himself in ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to a spokesperson for the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, the Buffalo Bills star was booked at the Glenn Heights Police Department in Glenn Heights, Texas at around 4 PM CT on Thursday.

Von Miller has been accused of getting violent with a pregnant woman this week -- shoving her, pulling her hair, and putting his hands around her neck in a heated altercation.

The disturbing allegations are all spelled out in a felony warrant of arrest issued for the Buffalo Bills star on Wednesday.

In the documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, authorities say the confrontation initially began inside Miller's Dallas-area apartment at around 10:40 Wednesday morning ... when he and the woman argued over their weekend travel plans.

According to the docs, the woman grew upset during the spat, left the bedroom and walked into the home's office, slamming the door behind her ... which made Miller "visibly angry."

Officials say in the documents Miller then entered the room and demanded she leave the place. The woman, according to the docs, said she'd comply -- though she wanted to grab a laptop and some cell phones from the residence as "they were both cohabitants of the unit."

That's when Miller, however, allegedly turned things physical.

In the docs, officials say the victim alleged Miller walked up to her while she was getting her things and repeatedly shoved and pushed her.

"While the altercation was going on," officials wrote in the warrant, the woman "kept yelling 'Stop I'm pregnant.'"

But, the victim told authorities Miller eventually pushed her onto a chair -- before he used one hand to apply pressure to her neck "for 3 to 5 seconds before letting go." The woman told officials, according to the docs, that she felt pain, but did "not have difficulty breathing."

Miller then allegedly chucked the woman's laptop on the ground and stomped on it. Officials say the woman told them when she went to retrieve the electronic device, the NFL player then "pulled her by her hair, ultimately pulling a chunk of hair out and causing her to fall to the ground."

Officials in the docs say Miller later pushed her onto a couch and "placed pressure around her neck with both hands, again causing pain but no difficulty breathing."

"When [the woman] got up she stated to [Miller] she was going to call for police, resulting in [Miller] leaving the residence," officials said in the docs.

According to the warrant, when cops arrived on the scene, the woman -- who said she was six weeks pregnant -- had visible abrasions on her left hand, as well as bruising on her neck, abdomen and left bicep.

34-year-old Miller is now wanted on one felony charge of assault on a pregnant person -- though as of Thursday afternoon, he had yet to be formally arrested.

Miller -- a DeSoto, Texas native -- joined the Bills in 2022 after a successful run with the Denver Broncos and L.A. Rams ... and despite a good start with his new team in his first year, he's been largely ineffective this season returning from an ACL injury.

Buffalo is currently on its bye week.

The University of Minnesota Duluth community is devastated over the sudden death of football player Reed Ryan ... and TMZ Sports has learned the athletic department will honor the 22-year-old this weekend with ribbons, decals, and a moment of silence.

As we previously reported, Ryan -- a defensive end for the Bulldogs -- passed away Tuesday after collapsing during a workout earlier this month.

To honor his memory, we're told all Bulldogs sports teams will pay tribute this weekend ... starting with a moment of silence for Reed before their home games.

The volleyball team will wear ribbons with his jersey number, 99, when they play Wayne State College in the NCAA II Central Regional tournament game on Thursday.

We're also told that the hockey team may wear #99 decals.

"It’s on the minds of every staff member and student-athlete right now," a UMD Athletics spokesperson told us, "and the tributes will be on going through their seasons."

The redshirt senior joined the Bulldogs this season and had eight total tackles and one sack. Before UMD, he played four seasons at the North Dakota State University ... who gave him a full scholarship out of Waunakee High School.

Reed was a double major in professional sales and marketing.

TMZ Sports has learned an arrest warrant has been issued for NFL superstar Von Miller ... after he allegedly assaulted a pregnant woman.

According to a spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department ... the warrant stems from an incident involving Miller and a woman on Nov. 29 at around 11 AM.

Cops say they responded to a Dallas-area residence over "a major disturbance call" ... and officers were told there was "a verbal argument" between Miller and a woman that turned physical.

Cops say Miller left the scene before officers arrived -- and the woman "was treated for minor injuries," but was not taken to the hospital.

As of early Thursday morning, the 34-year-old Buffalo Bills pass rusher had not been jailed.

Miller's team released a statement on the matter, saying, "This morning, we were made aware of an incident involving Von Miller. We are in the process of gathering more information and will have no further comment at this point."

The NFL, meanwhile, said in a statement of its own, "We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club. We have no further comment at this time."

Miller, who's from DeSoto, Texas, is currently on a bye week. He last played for Buffalo on Sunday in Philadelphia, logging 21 snaps in an overtime loss to the Eagles.

Miller initially began his career in 2011 with the Broncos and put together a Hall of Fame resume for the Denver franchise -- but he was traded to the Rams during the 2021 season.

After helping L.A. win a Super Bowl that season, he moved on to Buffalo in 2022 ... and while his Bills career got off to a solid start, he's largely been ineffective since tearing his ACL on Thanksgiving last season.

In his career, Miller -- the Super Bowl 50 MVP -- has totaled 123.5 sacks in 169 games.

LeBron James is racing to Tyreek Hill's cameraman's defense ... ripping the NFL for suspending the guy for his role in one of the Dolphins receiver's touchdown celebrations earlier this year.

The Lakers forward took to his Instagram page to blast The Shield late Wednesday evening ... just days after Hill's photog said Roger Goodell's league might remove him from its sidelines forever for participating in Hill's backflip celly during a game in October.

"Man," the NBA superstar wrote, "this is F'd UP!!!"

"Suspended for the year and possibly for good!" James added. "C'mon NFL! Do better! S*** ain't that serious."

A lot of people on social media certainly agreed with The King's stance ... because, after all, Hill's endzone party with his cameraman has so far been one of the best moments of the year in the NFL.

It all happened back on Oct. 15 ... after Hill scored six against the Carolina Panthers.

Once he crossed the goal line, he raced through the endzone -- and when he noticed his photog and good pal Kevin Fitzgibbons filming him, he grabbed the guy's cam and performed a selfie backflip. Fitzgibbons jumped up and down, and Hill appeared to be in great spirits after it too.

The league, however, clearly didn't love it -- refs penalized Hill for it during the game for using a prop, and officials fined him for it afterward. Later, the league pulled Fitzgibbons' credentials for the remainder of the 2023 season as well.

In a video posted to his TikTok page this week, the 20-year-old photographer said he understood the NFL's decision ... and said he was grateful for the opportunity it gave him. He added that he hoped the league would let him back next year.

4:46 PM PT -- Ryan Shazier tells TMZ ... "Michelle and I have been living apart and are currently separated. As we work through what comes next for our family, I ask for privacy and prayers."

Ryan Shazier is a "liar and a cheater" ... this according to his wife, who just put the former NFL linebacker on blast by sharing raunchy text messages she claims he sent to another woman.

Michelle Shazier -- who has been with Ryan well before his career-ending spinal cord injury in 2017 -- unleashed on her husband in a since-deleted Instagram post on Wednesday ... saying, "A person that loves his family … this is what they do to their family … the WIFE.. that has been there for him since day 1!"

Michelle -- a former college basketball player who has raised two boys with the Pro Bowler -- posted multiple text exchanges allegedly between Ryan and a woman named Marie ... and while they initially start off as casual flirting, things eventually got more intense.

In fact, in one screenshot, a text exchange shows the person Michelle claims is Ryan sending links to books titled "The Ultimate Guide To Anal Sex For Women" and "Blow By Blow: A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Give Blow Jobs So Explosive That He Will Be Willing To Do Anything For You."

"Infidelity at its finest!" Michelle continued in her post. "I can’t sit here and keep hiding anymore . You can have it. I deserve better. 🤍 This is Ryan… he’s a liar and a cheater!"

Ryan and Michelle got married back in May 2019. He has yet to address the allegations.

Antonio Gates says he feels like he belongs in the Hall of Fame ... and he tells TMZ Sports if and when he gets in, Julius Peppers should be there right alongside him!!

The two NFL legends were officially named semifinalists for the highest honor in professional football earlier this week ... and when we saw Gates out in LA on Tuesday, we had to get his thoughts on it all.

The former Chargers tight end said he was stoked for the recognition, calling it a "dream come true" -- before adding that he was pretty sure when the final cutdown comes, he'll make it.

"I feel like, mentally," he said, "I belong in there."

As for the rest of the 24 semifinalists, Gates said he could make a case for just about every player on the list ... though he specifically said Peppers definitely deserves the nod.

Some other names who will be considered for the class of 2024 include legends like Dwight Freeney, Andre Johnson and Devin Hester -- three guys Gates said should get long looks for the Hall's final cut next year too.

The list of 25 will be pared down to 15 finalists soon ... before the Class of 2024 is officially revealed at "NFL Honors" in February.