Football

OUUUUUUUUUUUUUCHHHHH!!!

NFL tight end prospect Mitchell Wilcox just took a ball straight to the face in his combine workout ... and it looked like it hurt like HELL!!!

The former USF standout was going through the famous gauntlet drill Thursday ... when for some reason, he didn't put his hands up before the third pass was thrown.

You can see the clip ... the fastball hits him right in the dome -- and it's pretty clear the shot didn't feel great.

To Wilcox's credit, he was able to finish the drill and is still out there chugging along -- although the damage to his face AND his NFL future might already be done.

Aside from getting hit in the noggin in front of a bunch of scouts ... Wilcox ran a slow 4.88 40-yard dash time and stumbled through other parts of his workout as well.

It ain't exactly a great look for the 23-year-old -- but there is hope ... remember the last dude who embarrassed himself in front of a national audience at the combine?

Yeah, Chris Jones is a Super Bowl champ now!!!

More trouble for NFL player Mark Walton ... the running back was arrested AGAIN Thursday after cops say he was involved in a dispute with the mother of his child.

Police in Opa-Locka, Fla., tell CBS Miami ... they responded to a domestic dispute call around 3:30 AM and found 22-year-old Walton arguing with a woman.

After cops say they found the woman had a protection order against Walton ... they arrested the former Miami Dolphins player -- booking him at Miami-Dade County jail.

You can see in his mug shot, obtained by TMZ Sports, the dude was NOT pleased to be back behind bars.

Of course, this is the FIFTH TIME within the last two years Mark has been arrested ... with his most recent incident going down back in November when he was accused of roughing up his pregnant GF in Davie, Florida.

Walton was cut by the Miami Dolphins immediately after that arrest ... and has yet to catch on with an NFL team.

In another one of Mark's previous arrests ... he was tased while running away from officers -- and video of that incident is WILD.

"The halftime show last night was beyond inappropriate. Shakira laying on her side gyrating like sex, Lopez on a stripper pole, Lopez bending over to expose her butt crack, both performers grabbing their vaginas, Shakira grinding her butt against some tinfoil wearing man’s penis. This was incredibly offensive. My children were watching."

That was one of 1,312 super pissed-off people who complained to the FCC after Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's scorching hot Super Bowl halftime performance.

TMZ Sports requested the complaints made to the Federal Communications Commission -- a U.S. government agency which regulates television -- and it's clear while many praised the performance ... others, not so much.

"Completely inappropriate half time-show with simulated orgies, stripping, and borderline pornography. This is a family event during prime time and should never have happened," ... a viewer from Indiana wrote.

"I do not subscribe to The Playboy Channel, we do not buy porn for $20 a flick, we simply wanted to sit down as a family and watch the Super Bowl. God forbid we expected to watch football and a quick concert but instead had our eyes molested," a family from Tennessee wrote.

The continued ... "JLo’s movie Hustlers was rated R so since when is rated R viewing allowed on network TV at 7/8:00pm?"

A person from Michigan even evoked Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction ... saying JJ's performance was "by far better," despite showing nudity.

Some people were so pissed, they say they're DONE watching football.

"That was a disgusting display allowed of something that our children can't un see!!!"

"Strip clubs have that crap with sluts performing like this! This is soft porn! Fine the NFL or stop the HALFTIME shows! Beyond INAPPROPRIATE!!! Honoring a dog killer now THIS! BOYCOTTING THE NFL!!!"

Despite all the outrage, the performance has almost 136 MILLION views on YouTube ... so someone's watching!!

Ex-NFL QB Trevone Boykin was just sentenced to 3 years behind bars after he pled guilty to charges stemming from an incident where he roughed up his GF ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

Boykin -- a former TCU superstar -- was accused of choking and breaking the jaw of his girlfriend, Shabrika Bailey, during a fight back in 2018.

Trevone was facing DECADES of prison time after he was hit with two felony charges in the case ... and to make matters worse for the 26-year-old, he was also arrested again months later.

In that case, Boykin was accused of stealing money from fans in an elaborate memorabilia scheme ... and was hit with two additional theft charges.

But, the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office officials tell us Boykin reached a plea agreement Wednesday to close out both cases.

According to a DA spokesperson, Boykin pled guilty to felony aggravated assault and felony tampering with a witness ... and he also pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges of theft.

We're told Boykin was sentenced to 3 years in prison for the felonies and 180 days for the misdemeanors ... but the sentences are set to run concurrently.

"Mr. Boykin has failed to take responsibility for any of his assaultive and criminal behavior up until this point," prosecutor Allenna Bangs said in a statement.

"The victim in this case sustained a long-standing relationship of abuse by Mr. Boykin and, along with our office, feels his prison sentence is vindication for what she endured and the consequences he was able to avoid in the past because of his ability on the football field.”

We spoke with one of Boykin's attorneys in the case, Steven G. Gebhardt, who said of Trevone's feelings on the agreement, "I think he's glad to just have it over."

Gebhardt added Boykin is now looking to continue his football career once he's released from prison ... telling us, "We believe that door has not closed."

Boykin had huge potential during his time at TCU -- he was once considered a big-time NFL prospect -- but he couldn't stay out of trouble, most notably getting arrested for fighting an officer just days before TCU's 2015 Alamo Bowl game.

"That s**t all f**king bulls**t! F**k that!"

That's Pittsburgh Steelers star Maurkice Pouncey going OFF on NFL reps over new Collective Bargaining Agreement talks ... calling the league's latest proposal an AWFUL deal for players.

"Man, this s**t so f**king crazy, man!" Pouncey said in an epic rant Wednesday. "I vote no. F**k that s**t. Our NFLPA -- the dudes at the top, the leaders -- man, that s**t all f**king bulls**t. F*ck that. They ain't looking out for the best of the players!"

If you haven't seen it ... the NFL is THIIIISSS close to establishing a new CBA -- with owners and NFLPA officials in agreement over tentative terms for a new deal.

FYI ... the proposal reportedly includes a new 17-game regular season, a shorter preseason, and more playoff teams -- among several other polarizing topics.

All that remains left to ratify the agreement is a majority of the league's players have to vote yes ... and if Pouncey had it his way, there'd be no way in HELL that happens.

"If ya'll want my vote, the Pouncey twins vote no," Maurkice said ... "All the vets on each team, stand the f**k up. Stand up! Show these guys that we care about them!"

It's unclear exactly which part of the new proposal Pouncey hates ... but several big-name players, including J.J. Watt, have also spoken out against the new deal.

"They trying to sign a bulls**t-ass deal just so these motherf**kers and the sitting president can go around and smile and say, 'I got something done,'" Pouncey said. "You ain't get s**t done!"

Tom Brady says Kobe Bryant's death has kept him up at night and brought him to "so many tears" -- and now he's opening up about why the "real superhero" meant so much to him.

TB12 didn't just love Kobe as an athlete -- but he respected him as a father, husband and businessman ... and says Bryant was an inspiration.

The NFL star penned a very long statement about how he's been processing Kobe's death -- while paying tribute to everything Bryant stood for.

Here's Tom's statement in its entirety ...

"I have been deeply affected by the passing of Kobe, Gigi and the others in that tragic flight weeks ago," Brady said.

"Since then, I've witnessed the well deserved outpouring of love and support for the families that had so much left to give, and it’s helped me reflect and gain perspective. I know that love and peace and joy will always endure. And in this tragedy, I have learned so much."

"Why has this touched me in the way it did? Why has it kept me up at night, and brought me so many tears?"

"I'm not going to NOT play."

That's Joe Burrow making Bengals fans feel A LITTLE better -- telling media at the NFL Combine he won't hold out (or force a trade) if selected with the #1 pick in the NFL Draft.

"I'm a ball player," Burrow said ... "Whoever picks me, I'm going to go show up."

The former LSU superstar -- who just won the Heisman Trophy -- hasn't exactly sounded stoked about potentially going to Cincinnati.

But Burrow is pointing the finger at the media -- saying, "You guys [in the media]  kind of took that narrative and ran with it. There has never been anything like that from my end."

As for recent comments about having "leverage" going into the 2020 Draft -- Burrow explained he was referring to his workout at the NFL Combine -- saying he won't be pressured into doing drills he doesn't feel like doing.

Burrow insists he was NOT trying to imply he would force his way out of Cinci.

In fact, when asked about the likelihood of being drafted by the Bengals, Burrow pointed out the team is located about 2 hours from his home in Ohio ... and he he could go home for dinner if he wanted to.

Joe Burrow's NFL career might be over before it even began ... and it's all because of his small mitts!!!

Of course, the Heisman winner and projected #1 overall pick's small paw dilemma was revealed prior to the NFL combine this week ... with his hand measuring 9 inches from thumb to pinky -- which would tie for the smallest QB hands since 2008.

Now, the tiny hands didn't stop Burrow from leading the LSU Tigers to a perfect season and posting some of the best QB numbers the sport has ever seen ... but people like to freak out over this kinda stuff.

Burrow decided to break his silence over the reports on Monday ... and he faced the music with some good, old-fashioned comedy gold!!!

"Considering retirement after I was informed the football will be slipping out of my tiny hands. Please keep me in your thoughts," Burrow tweeted.

Darren Sproles says he deserves a bronze bust in Canton someday ... straight-up telling TMZ Sports he's a Hall of Famer.

"I feel like I am," Sproles says. "But it's not for me to choose."

FYI ... Sproles' ex-teammate and All-Pro OL Brandon Brooks couldn't have agreed more with the former Eagles RB while the two were out in LA this week, saying, "Bro, there is no doubt."

Sproles has a solid case ... the 36-year-old played in the NFL for 14 years and is considered one the best utility backs that's ever touched the gridiron.

The 5-foot-6, 190-pound NFLer rushed for 3,552 yards in his career, added 4,840 more receiving yards and piled up more than 10,000 punt and kick return yards as well.

It's unclear if he'll ever get in -- the Hall doesn't have too many util guys in it -- but Darren is eligible for the honor starting in 2025, having retired after this past season.

John Ross' NFL combine record is in serious trouble this week ... 'cause Alabama star receiver Henry Ruggs WILL run a 4.20 40-yard dash in Indy -- so says his Tide teammate.

"Somewhere around that range," Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs tells TMZ Sports. "That kid's fast!"

Of course, Ross currently holds the mark for quickest 40 time ever at the NFL's marquee pre-draft event ... logging a 4.22 back in 2017.

But Ruggs has a legit shot of breaking that mark when receivers run this week ... because during his time at 'Bama -- he FLEW by defenders on a regular basis.

"Ruggs is real fast," Diggs tells us. "He's going to run a real, real, real good time."

As for how that pure speed will translate to the NFL ... Diggs says he has no doubts the guy will be a stud -- saying his skill level is right on par with Tide superstar Jerry Jeudy's.

"He got good routes, he's fast, he's a playmaker as well," Diggs says. "Like, you get the ball in his hands, like, no one is going to catch him. Like, nobody."

Cedric Benson's longtime home in Austin -- which he completely rebuilt from the ground up -- is hitting the market ... and it's got a $4.5 million price tag.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Benson bought the Texas pad back in 2006 and worked passionately to turn it into his dream home.

The finished product is amazing -- it's got 6 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, pool and spa, personal gym ... and it's all sitting on top of a hill overlooking downtown Austin.

We're told it took 2 years to completely rebuild the house ... and Benson was involved in every detail of the house.

The crib is looking for a new owner who will love the place as much as the former NFL star did ... and it's currently listed for $4.5 million.

The biggest names in the NFL's rookie class -- from Joe Burrow to CeeDee Lamb -- are getting ready for their big day in the most baller way possible ... by going all-out on some JEWELRY!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... LSU superstars Burrow, and Patrick Queen, Oklahoma's Lamb and Jerry Jeudy and South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw -- who are all potential first-round picks -- got their ice fix from Leo Frost in Houston ... before taking the stage at the Draft on April 23.

Here's a breakdown of the haul ...

The Heisman winner and national champ copped a #9 pendant in 18k white gold with VVS diamonds, which is worth $10k.

Even better for Burrow ... he didn't pay for the jewelry!! The bling was a gift from Baton Rouge, Louisiana born rapper Boosie -- a huge LSU fan.

Burrow's teammate, Queen, bagged a "Level Up" VS1 diamond pendant in 14k yellow and white gold, worth $45k.

Jeudy went ALL OUT with two-tone yellow and white gold 'JJ4' and 'JEW' pendants with VS diamonds on 14k yellow VS gold diamond Cuban chains, worth $100k total. On top of that, Jeudy also got an 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet, fully flooded with VS2 diamonds!!

Kinlaw copped a Jesus piece with chocolate brown diamonds on a two-row VS diamond tennis chain, worth $45k.

Last, but def not least, Lamb went with a '32' pendant made with two-tone 14k yellow and white gold on VS diamond Cuban chains, worth $90k!

Is Dez Bryant a future Kansas City Chief?!?!!

Seems like it could be a possibility ... 'cause the former All-Pro wide out ran routes for Patrick Mahomes on Friday -- and there seems to be chemistry there!!!

Of course, Dez hasn't played a down in the NFL since 2017 ... but he's been working like a mad man to get back, even telling TMZ Sports this month he's "for damn sure" returning to the league soon.

And, we gotta say ... in the clips of Dez and Mahomes, the former Dallas Cowboy superstar still looks like he has hit!!

Check out how he high points the ball and turns upfield in one of the clips ... sure looks a lot like 2014, right???

It's unclear why the Super Bowl MVP decided to link up with Dez for the workout ... but Mahomes is from the Tyler, Texas area -- so it coulda been just two elite athletes getting some run in.

Then again, maybe Andy Reid put his quarterback up to it to report back to Chiefs kingdom?!?!

Victor Cruz tells TMZ Sports ... Roger Goodell needs to shut down the idea of a 17-game season ASAP, saying, "We don't need any more games!"

"We got enough!" Cruz says. "16 is enough!"

Of course, a big part of the league's new collective bargaining agreement could, in fact, include a 17-game schedule ... because owners believe it'll bring in a TON of cash.

But, when we got Cruz -- a former New York Giants superstar -- out in NYC on Thursday ... he told us it's not a great idea for the players to go along with that plan.

"I just don't want them adding any more games," Cruz tells us. "These players, there's enough wear and tear on their bodies. We don't need any more games."

Cruz says he DOES like one of the owners' new proposals, however ... saying the idea of expanding playoffs from 12 teams to 14 is a GREAT move.

"That I'm not mad at because there's a lot of teams that go 10-6 and if they don't win the division, they might not make the playoffs or get that wildcard spot."

Cleveland Browns lineman Greg Robinson -- the #2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft -- is in custody after officials say he was found with A LOT of marijuana at a border patrol checkpoint.

We're told Robinson was stopped on Monday at the Sierra Blanca border checkpoint near the U.S., Mexico border. We're still working on the details surrounding the arrest.

Jail records show Robinson is still in custody and we're told he's facing a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute.

27-year-old Robinson was an absolute stud back in his college days -- making 1st Team All-SEC during his 2013 season at Auburn.

The NFL scouts drooled over Robinson -- he's 6'5", 332 pounds -- and when the Rams took him with the #2 pick in 2014, they signed him to a fully guaranteed 4-year $21 million contract.

The bad news for the Rams ... he didn't live up to the hype so they traded him to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round pick in 2017. The Browns signed Robinson in 2018 and re-signed him in 2019.

Sources tell us the Browns recently informed Robinson they would not be bringing him back for the 2020 season.

Robinson has reportedly made more than $29 million in contract money during his NFL career.

We reached out to Robinson's rep and the Cleveland Browns -- so far, no comment from either.

THIS IS SOOOOOOOO GROSS/AWESOME!!!

Baltimore Ravens starting OL Bradley Bozeman ate 4.5 POUNDS of steak -- PLUS FIXINGS -- at dinner Wednesday night ... and the dude hardly broke a sweat!!!

The epic meal went down in Amarillo, Texas at "The Big Texan Steak Ranch" ... where Lamar Jackson's personal protector decided to take on the restaurant's famous food challenge.

Here's the deal ... ya gotta kill a 72-ounce steak, a shrimp cocktail, a baked potato, a salad and a roll with butter in under 1 hour -- and winners get a FREE T-SHIRT (plus, the meal is free and you get your name on the wall).

Bozeman -- a 6'5", 317-pound NFL stud -- happily accepted the challenge ... and you can see in video of him chowing down, he CRUSHED it!!!

The 25-year-old finished every last bite, with more than 10 minutes to spare ... and afterward, he didn't look any worse for wear at all!!

Of course, when we spoke with Bozeman hours after the meal ... he wasn't feelin' all that hot about it, telling us, "That was definitely the hardest thing I've ever had to eat."

By the way, the reason Bozeman was in the North Texas town was pretty cool ... he and his wife, Nikki, had just finished a successful stop on their country-wide tour of schools to speak to kids about the dangers of bullying.

Up next for the Bozemans is a speaking engagement at a school in Albuquerque, N.M. ... but Bozeman says there's absolutely NO CHANCE he has another steak there.