Football

A trial date has finally been set in the Dallas Goedert bar fight case ... months after the Philadelphia Eagles tight end was knocked out in an incident caught on video.

Goedert was socked in the face during a June 20 altercation at a South Dakota bar ... after getting into it with another group.

The man who was arrested and charged for punching Goedert, 30-year-old Kyle Hadala, got hit with a simple assault charge ... and faces jail time if convicted.

Goedert -- who was hospitalized for injuries sustained during the incident -- was neither arrested nor charged with a crime.

In fact, he healed up in time for the NFL season ... only to suffer a broken ankle in Week 3 and hit injured reserve. Tough year.

So here's what's next ... a pre-trial hearing for Hadala is set for Nov. 2 -- where prosecutors will likely try to hammer out a plea deal.

If no deal is made, a trial date has been set for Nov. 18.

As we previously reported, Hadala says he was protecting his friends -- and plans to fight the charge.

The NFL is so pissed off over coaches continuing to flout its COVID mask rules ... it's now threatening to pull draft picks from teams if the violations continue.

It's all in a new league memo officials sent to the 32 clubs on Wednesday, which spells out the possible heavy punishments.

In the memo, obtained by multiple media outlets, the league says a forfeiture of picks as well as suspensions are on the table if coaches keep pulling down their masks during games.

Of course, the problem was a HUGE issue for teams in the first two weeks of the season ... and the league handed down some big fines over it all.

Head coaches like Jon Gruden, Sean Payton, Vic Fangio, Pete Carroll and Kyle Shanahan were all docked $100,000 ... while their respective teams were hit with $250k fines as well.

Coaches seemed to clean up their act in Week 3 ... with most of the previous offenders abiding by the rules.

But, cameras still caught Arizona Cardinals head man Kliff Kingsbury, Fangio and a few others once again ditching their masks ... and it's clear the league is tired of seeing it.

The Tennessee Titans have shut down ALL in-person activities immediately ... after 3 players and 5 additional staffers have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Minnesota Vikings -- who lost to the Titans on Sunday -- will also shut down their facilities as a safety precaution ... but have NOT reported any positive tests.

The Titans will reportedly not be allowed back at the team facility until Saturday -- which begs the question ... will they play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday without practicing????

The NFL and Players' Association released a statement on the matter, saying, "Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA, including our infectious disease experts, to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments."

"All decisions will be made with health and safety as our primary consideration. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available."

Tennessee also released a statement ... claiming the decision to work remotely was "out of the abundance of caution."

It's bad news for the NFL, which has been able to play 3 regular season weeks without any major outbreaks.

NFL lineman D.J. Fluker has brought in extra security to keep both himself and his daughter safe from the child's mother after she was arrested for kidnapping, TMZ Sports has learned.

We're told the Baltimore Ravens lineman has been working with the team to coordinate security in the wake of the arrest -- though it's unclear if the Ravens are footing the bill or just providing guidance.

We're told the team is being very understanding about the situation.

As we previously reported, Fluker's ex, Kimberly Davis, was arrested on Sept. 22 after allegedly kidnapping their daughter during a supervised visit while Fluker was out of town to play the Houston Texans.

TMZ Sports has obtained a photo of the moment Davis was taken into custody.

In his police report, Fluker says he has primary physical custody of the child -- and did not give permission for Davis to take her.

Fluker has also said he fears for his daughter's safety -- and his own safety. He has previously accused Davis of physically assaulting him, claiming she punched him in the nose back in July.

Sources close to the situation tell us Fluker has tried to work with Davis -- but feels she just won't cooperate to amicably co-parent their child.

In other words, he WANTS to have a good relationship and make peace with Davis -- but she's making it very difficult.

In the meantime, we're told Fluker has added extra security to be in place for future visitation with Davis and their daughter because he doesn't want to cut her out of their lives completely.

2020 just keeps getting better for Patrick Mahomes and his fiancee, Brittany Matthews -- the couple just announced they're having a baby!!

THERE'S JUST NO STOPPING THIS GUY FROM SCORING!!!

The 25-year-old Super Bowl MVP and his high school sweetheart shared the huge news on Tuesday ... posting an announcement pic with a sonogram around Brittany's tummy.

No, we don't know if it's a boy or a girl -- but we do know he or she will be insanely athletic!!!

After all, Mahomes is one of the top QBs in the league and Brittany is a fitness enthusiast who basically lives in the gym.

Brittany posted about the pregnancy on IG -- saying, "Mom & Dad, taking a small detour to the wedding."

Unclear how far along Brittany is -- but usually couples don't go public until around 12 weeks ... which means the baby is likely due around April 2021.

If that's the case, perfect for Patrick since it'll be the offseason and he won't have to worry about missing a game.

As we previously reported ... it's been one helluva year for Mahomes and Matthews -- the QB popped the question earlier this month after his Super Bowl ring ceremony at Arrowhead Stadium.

And, back in July, Patrick signed that historic $503 MILLION contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Which brings up another point ... did you see the ring on her finger?? It's as big as the pic of the fetus she's holding!!

Patrick's brother Jackson Mahomes has already chimed in on the pregnancy -- saying, "You guys will be the best parents!! CANT WAIT TO BE uncle Jack!!!"

NFL lineman D.J. Fluker claims his ex-girlfriend kidnapped their daughter earlier this month -- and he's concerned things could get worse.

Here's the deal ... Fluker claims his ex, Kimberly Davis, was supposed to have a supervised visit with their daughter and Fluker's sister on Sept. 19, while the Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman was away in Houston to play the Texans.

But, Davis allegedly kicked Fluker's sister out of the apartment and refused to return the child back to D.J. Fluker reportedly told Davis she did NOT have permission to keep their daughter overnight but Davis still wouldn't hand over the kid.

So, 29-year-old Fluker called police -- but Davis still refused to return the child.

Finally, cops arrested Davis on Sept. 22 and now she's facing a charge of kidnapping a child younger than 16 years old.

If convicted, Davis faces up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. She's since been released from custody.

Fluker told cops he's in "fear for the safety of our daughter" and added, "I don’t feel safe during this time," according to The Baltimore Sun.

Davis was arrested back in July after allegedly punching Fluker in the nose during a dispute. She was charged with 2nd-degree assault for that incident.

Patrick Mahomes' fiancee is ride-or-die with the QB, FOR SURE ... 'cause Brittany Matthews shaded the HELL out of the NFL over its rankings on video Monday -- and it's pretty great.

As the Chiefs star was shredding through the Baltimore Ravens' defense like it was a JV team on "Monday Night Football" ... Matthews was talking some smack on social media.

And, at one point, after Mahomes had scored his FIFTH touchdown of the game ... Brittany got REAL PETTY with her celly -- and referenced Mahomes' #4 ranking on the NFL's Top 100 list this summer.

Matthews counted to four on four of her fingers ... with the last one being -- yup, you guessed it -- the middle one!!!

And, to keep piling on ... she took to Twitter, writing, "No, let them keeping ranking him #4 in the league.....we love it."

Matthews was also caught on cam cheering on her man by calling him a straight-up "boss!"

For Patrick's part, he's never been a fan of his Top 100 ranking ... famously putting out a one-emoji tweet after it was revealed 3 players were said to be better than him.

And, the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons is ... Andre Rison???

The former NFL All-Pro tells TMZ Sports he wants to replace Dan Quinn as the head man in Atlanta ... and he says he's dead serious about taking over the reins.

DQ hasn't been officially relieved of his duties yet ... but after blowing ANOTHER huge lead Sunday -- this time a 16-pointer to the Bears -- many believe Quinn's time as Falcons coach will be over soon.

And, Rison tells us he's got hopes Arthur Blank will give him a legit shot at the job whenever that happens ... saying he's qualified to help turn Atlanta back into a Super Bowl contender.

"I'm waiting on that call!" Rison says.

It might sound crazy on the surface ... but Rison tells us he's quietly been building up a coaching resume since he retired from the NFL two decades ago.

Andre's been a high school head coach as well as part of Michigan State's staff ... and he thinks that, combined with his playing history, makes him more than qualified for the job.

Former Dallas Cowboys 1st-round pick Marcus Spears is going after a current player over a tackle he thought was dirty as hell ... calling the play straight-up "bullsh*t."

Here's the deal ... in the 4th quarter of the Cowboys' game against Seattle on Sunday -- defensive lineman Trysten Hill made an ankle-grabbing stop on 'Hawks star Chris Carson.

After the play, the RB was down on the ground in pain holding his knee ... and when the replay aired -- it wasn't hard to see Hill twisting the guy's leg well after he was down.

Spears saw the vid ... and went OFF on the Cowboys' starter -- saying, "This is a Code Breaker and Bullsh*t."

"There’s a Code that usually exists between players in the league as much as we wanna win."

Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz added ... "This dude has some hurt coming his way next week for this gator roll. We see it on film."

Hill is expected to be fined by the league over the tackle ... NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday.

Carson, meanwhile, fortunately, isn't expected to miss much time with a knee sprain ... Rapoport added.

Joe Montana is a badass ... first grabbing the alleged kidnapper who snatched his grandchild right inside his home, then grabbing some grub at a fancy restaurant.

Joe hit up Nobu in Malibu Saturday night, just hours after he and his wife, Jennifer, had an enormous scare. TMZ Sports broke the story ... and a 39-year-old woman got inside the Malibu home where Joe and Jennifer were staying, spotted their 9-month-old grandchild and scooped the infant up. She went to another part of the house, where Joe and Jennifer confronted her and got the baby back.

Someone inside the home flagged down cops, who happened to be on the same block, and the woman was caught and arrested for burglary and kidnapping.

Shocking admission from Tyreek Hill ... the Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro says he would flat-out LOSE in a race against Lamar Jackson!!!

The wide receiver made the revelation to TMZ Sports this week ... saying the Baltimore Ravens QB is just that damn fast!!!

"I done retired from racing, man," Hill says. "So, he'll probably get me right now."

Incredible level of respect for the QB from Hill ... considering most in the NFL believe Tyreek is the fastest player BY FAR.

But, the Chiefs wideout says Jackson is really that quick ... and really that good at football.

"Lamar, he's a G.O.A.T. He's a dog, man," Tyreek tells us ... "For him to be that fast and for him to make people miss, like, the way he does is just crazy."

Of course, the two players will have a chance to put their speed on display against each other later Monday ... when the Chiefs and Ravens face off in the most anticipated regular-season matchup of 2020.

Hill himself says he's jacked up for the game ... telling us, "This is why we play football, for reasons like this, man. To be a part of something like this."

As for if you need some fantasy points from Tyreek to win your matchup this week ... Hill tells us he's GUARANTEEING he'll get them for you.

His only request? He's asking you to check out his Soul Runner clothing line ... and drop some cash on some merch.

Dr. Oz says L.A. Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor's lung injury is really unfortunate, but likely nothing to freak out about ... telling TMZ Sports these accidents happen!!

Taylor was a late scratch prior to last weekend's game against the Chiefs ... after the 31-year-old suffered a punctured lung while receiving a painkiller injection for a cracked rib.

This isn't an everyday injury, so we hit up the Doc to make sense of it all ... and he gives a great explanation of what exactly happened.

But, the REAL question on everyone's mind -- is TT gonna be okay?? Oz is optimistic.

"Every doctor who has ever numbed someone's ribs knows it's a potential complication," Oz tells us.

"I don't think Taylor is gonna be getting many more injections in there, I suspect, and I'm hoping the hole is a very small one because the needles we need and use to numb up the nerves are very small."

"So hopefully it recovers on its own and by game 3 or 4 rather, it will be forgotten

As for the doctor responsible for the mishap, Oz thinks it'll be a learning experience moving forward, saying, "I mean, doctors make mistakes. The key for us is that we own it and improve from it."

With the first pick in the fake NFL franchise draft ... Warren Moon tells TMZ Sports he'd take Patrick Mahomes over Lamar Jackson!!!

... but, the Hall of Famer says it ain't an easy decision!!!

Mahomes and Jackson are set to square off on "Monday Night Football" this week ... and when we asked Moon which young QB he'd rather have -- Warren went with the Chiefs star.

"I would probably go with Patrick Mahomes right now because he's the reigning Super Bowl champ," Moon says. "He's the reigning Super Bowl MVP and he was the MVP the year before."

"So," Moon continued, "he would probably be the guy that I would go with right now."

Moon, though, says the decision is close as hell ... admitting he couldn't go wrong with Lamar or even Russell Wilson at this point.

"I would tell you what," Moon says, "I wouldn't kick those other two out of bed either!"

There's more ... we also asked Moon for his thoughts on Cam Newton -- and Warren tells us he ain't surprised to see Newton back to his MVP self, considering he's finally healthy.

What happens when you combine the powers of The Hulk and Goku?!?

You get a sick leg sleeve tattoo!!!

At least, that's the case for Robert Griffin III ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the Baltimore Ravens quarterback just got the heroes inked on his leg -- and the artwork is INSANE!!

We're told Griffin is a HUGE fan of cartoons and comic books ... and hit up Nic Westfall recently to immortalize his love for some characters on his left leg.

And, it's clear the artist didn't disappoint ... check out the piece -- Goku and Hulk look real as hell!!!

In total, Westfall tells us Griffin sat for 10 HOURS to get the tat done ... and says the former Heisman Trophy winner is still planning on adding more to the piece this offseason.

Westfall says RGIII wants some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the inside part of his leg -- and tells us the QB could add some more Dragon Ball Z characters too.

Unclear what the 30-year-old is paying for the artwork ... but Westfall says RGIII loved it all so much, he gifted a dope autographed jersey!!!

Being a little too rah-rah backfired immediately on a college football coach calling shots for the Army -- he got headbutted by one of his own players ... who still had their helmet on.

Indeed ... ouch. This went down Saturday when a sideline coach tried congratulating an offensive lineman during a timeout, after the Army Black Knights got on the board against the Cincinnati Bearcats. This is something players often do to each other -- the distinction being ... both parties are usually still wearing helmets.

Unfortunately, this coach and lineman seemed to forget that. Check it out ... coach comes up for some sorta embrace, but the OL must've thought he wanted to go noggin-to-noggin -- 'cause he went head-first into the guy's face, knocking him back and making him stumble.

The coach is visibly disoriented as he tries to regain his composure and others around him make sure he's okay. Frankly, he might have suffered a concussion -- it was a hard hit.

#59 definitely felt bad -- you can see he stuck around too to see if his coach was alright. It's unclear if he was treated for a head injury or not, or if he just shook it off. Either way, it's a very healthy reminder that football can be dangerous ... on and off the field, apparently.