Houston Texans

Von Miller says he's HURT by the Demaryius Thomas trade from the Broncos to the Texans ... saying in a lengthy goodbye letter, "I can’t believe this is real!"

Denver shipped D.T. and a 7th-round pick to Houston on Tuesday for 4th and 7th-round picks in return ... and Miller was so sad about it, he took to his social media page to vent.

"These last 8 years have been incredible," Von wrote ... "I love you bro. I’m hurt, no doubt. I can’t be too hurt because every chance I got to tell you I love you, did just that."

"From our time together off the field, to our time on it. You are a brother to me, and 'Blood couldn’t make us any closer' LOVE ETERNALLY!"

Of course ... Demaryius and Miller were back-to-back Broncos 1st-round picks in 2010 and 2011 -- and helped lead the team to a Super Bowl title in 2016 over the Panthers.

For their part ... the Broncos issued a goodbye to the wideout as well, saying, "Demaryius will always be a part of the Denver Broncos family."

Ex-NFL star Arian Foster says Beto O'Rourke isn't some flash in the pan viral video star -- he's WAY more impressive than that NFL kneeling video shows ... and that's saying A LOT.

O'Rourke is running for senator in Texas against Ted Cruz -- and his popularity exploded last week after footage surfaced showing him explaining why he supports the NFL kneelers.

Foster -- who played for the Houston Texans and still lives there -- went out and met with O'Rourke last week because they had a mutual friend and he wanted to see what Beto was all about.

Important to note that Foster doesn't identify himself with ANY political party -- but says he's decided to throw his support behind Beto after hearing his policy ideas ... ideas that are specifically beneficial to the black community.

"He's for criminal justice reform. He's for accountability for police officers ... even deeper than that, some of the things he wants to do with education, he wants to fund inner city schools."

Foster noted, "He's extremely to the point. He answers your questions and it's substantive."

Arian also says he's 100% in agreement with Beto when it comes to his stance on the NFL kneelers -- agreeing that players trying to shine a spotlight on injustice are acting in a patriotic fashion.

As Beto said in his viral speech -- "I can think of nothing more American than to peacefully stand up, or take a knee, for your rights, anytime, anywhere, any place."

Tons of athletes besides Arian are also supporting Beto after seeing that video -- including LeBron James and Reggie Bush.

Meanwhile, Ted Cruz has attacked Beto over the speech -- saying Beto's views are disrespectful to U.S. military personnel and are not in sync with the majority of Texans.

Arian acknowledges that is was risky for Beto to take such a strong stand on the anthem issue -- but says he respects O'Rourke even more for doing so.

"Really it's like a make or break for him honestly. Because this is a red state, Texas, and you have some people who love that, and some people who hate that."

DeAndre Hopkins had to dodge punches like they were Iggy Azalea dating rumors Wednesday ... 'cause 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward tried to mess up his face during practice!!

It all went down in Houston -- where the Niners are in town for a joint workout with the Texans -- when Hopkins didn't like that Ward ripped off his helmet during a 1-on-1 rep.

The superstar wide receiver shoved the DB ... took a swing -- and then had to FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE as the whole 49ers squad swarmed.

D-Hop was eventually taken to the ground and a pig pile formed ... but when it all unfolded, everyone was alive and practice carried on.

Who's hungry?!!

It's that time of year again -- the Houston Texans cheer team just threw their annual bikini BBQ (awesome) ... and TMZ Sports has all of the amazing photos and video.

You're welcome.

Every year (starting last year), the cheer team gather for some bonding, barbecue and bikinis before the NFL season kicks off.

It's a better tradition than the Masters.

This year, the ladies kicked things off with a special group strawberry-eating session (awesome) -- followed by some bubble blowing, model poses and mimosas.

As for the main course, the ladies threw some turkey burgers on the grill -- and gave us a breakdown about why they axed red meat from the menu.

So, where were the Texans players during the party? Not invited -- this shindig was "cheerleaders only" and to prevent any unwanted party-crashers ... it all went down at a "secret location."

The Cardinals cut ties with Tyrann Mathieu ... so he's cutting ties with Arizona -- putting his million dollar desert mansion on the market for $1.4 mil ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Honey Badger bought the 5,700 square foot pad back in April 2017 -- when he was in the middle of a five-year, $62.5 million deal. But he got the chop from the Cards in March and signed with the Houston Texans ... so his loss can be your gain!

The place is dope -- 6 beds, 6.5 baths, big backyard with a pool and a hot tub ... and a MOVIE THEATER!!

It also has a misting system -- which is nice ... since Arizona is hot as hell right now!! (It's 109 degrees in Phoenix!!!!)

A former Houston Texans cheerleader has lawyered up -- with Gloria Allred -- to sue the team after claiming she was treated like a bad sorority pledge ... all because she was considered "skinny fat."

The woman -- Angelina Rosa -- says the Houston Texans cheerleading staffers cornered her before a 2017 game and forcibly duct taped parts of her body to make her body appear tighter.

The woman claims the entire experience was "painful" and humiliating, and now she's out for legal revenge.

"I stand here today to make sure no other girl or woman has to endure the same humiliation."

Rosa claims she was so emotionally scarred, she developed an eating disorder.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson had a great day at Minute Maid Park ... rubbing elbows with some huge stars -- from Aaron Judge to CC Sabathia ... even Reggie Jackson!

Deshaun was a special VIP guest of the Houston Astros before they took on the New York Yankees -- and FOX 26's Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) was right there on the field as Watson came face-to-face with the MLB greats.

By the way, Watson is no small dude -- he's 6'2", 215 pounds and looks TINY next to 6'7", 285-pound Judge!

Watson got his own custom jersey and even got to hang with the team during batting practice.

Colin Kaepernick sure seemed to be in a good mood in Houston on Friday -- after personally attending the deposition of Texans owner Bob McNair in his collusion case against the NFL.

TMZ Sports obtained a photo of Kaep after the depo with his attorney, Ben Meiselas -- with some extra pep in their step.

As we previously reported, Kaepernick had filed a grievance against the league claiming owners and other high-ranking NFL officials were in cahoots to blackball Colin after his national anthem demonstration.

Kaepernick had arrived in Houston earlier this week -- and even knocked out a QB workout with his trainer.

As far as the case goes ... McNair isn't the only big name on the witness list -- Kaep's legal team from Geragos & Geragos also subpoenaed Seahawks owner Paul Allen and coach Pete Carroll along with Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft.

This is gonna be music to J.J. Watt's and Deshaun Watson's ears ... one of the greatest running backs of all time tells TMZ Sports his "dream scenario" would be to sign with the Houston Texans!

With Adrian Peterson and the Arizona Cardinals officially parting ways, we spoke with AP about his NFL future ... specifically where he wants to play next.

"Obviously, being back home would be awesome," Peterson said ... "Houston has always been a team I've thought about."

Not only was Peterson born and raised in Palestine, Texas (about 150 miles from Houston) -- he also owns a famous 10,500 square foot mansion in the Houston area.

"Being back here at home where I work out every day. My family is here. My family is close. My mom is here. Being around her a little more during this time [in my life] would be even more a cherry on top."

Peterson says it doesn't hurt that the Texans are stacked on both sides of the ball.

"The defense is incredible, obviously. Good division to be in. Good young quarterback, receivers, Hopkins! It's a lot of talent there as well."

The hole for Houston seems to be the running back spot -- no one on the team rushed for more than 900 yards last year.

Your move, Texans ...

J.J. Watt got the hard questions today from a woman who makes penis cakes for a living ... a woman who wants to know where all of the money J.J. raised for Hurricane Harvey is actually going!

The woman runs an adult bakery in Houston called "Adult Cakes By Kim" -- and appears to be a huge fan of both the Houston Texans and J.J. Watt.

She also makes a killer "Poppin' Penis Man Cake" for $75.

But when she's not making delicious edible genitals, Kim's concerned about her community ... and reached out to Watt on Twitter about how the millions J.J. raised is being distributed.

"Do we know where any of money went because I can't find one person they got any help from the JJ Watt foundation for Hurricane Harvey and I know JJ's a great man."

We know she loves the Texans because Kim also offered a topless Texans cake for $80.

Oh, and yeah ... J.J. responded.

"There are 2.3 million people in Houston alone, Kim. I apologize that we aren’t able to reach every single person, it’s simply not possible."

"We’ve rebuilt homes & day cares, provided food & medical care and our work is far from finished! I promise we’re doing the best we can!!!"

Sounds good ... anyone hungry?

In case you weren't already impressed by Simone Biles' cheerleading debut for the Houston Texans, get this -- it took the gymnast just DAYS to master the squad's whole routine!!

"She learned everything for that game in literally 2 to 3 days," Texans cheerleader Mallory told TMZ Sports.

Simone was such a badass on game day, Mallory says the Olympic legend now has her own locker ... and can come through anytime she feels like bustin' out her boots and pom-poms.

"Once you're a part of the team, you're a part of the sisterhood."

Here it is ... video of Simone Biles' DEBUT as a Houston Texans cheerleader -- and it's awesome!!

The Team USA gymnastics superstar grabbed her pom-poms and hit the sidelines with the team on Sunday as the very first "honorary" member of the squad.

Biles did pretty well outside of missing a couple of steps ... but given the fact she only had a few days to practice, it's super impressive.

And get this ... Biles trained with the team AFTER gymnastics practices, where she's putting in work for the 2020 Olympics.

Simone Biles is just days away from making her debut as a Houston Texans cheerleader -- and TMZ Sports has the first shots of the Team USA star in action!

Here's the deal ... a couple weeks ago, Simone (an H-town native) tweeted outta the blue -- "honestly how fun would it be to be an NFL cheerleader?"

The Texans cheer squad immediately stepped up -- offering her a spot as their very first "honorary" cheerleader.

The two sides hooked up -- and Biles will make her NFL debut on Sunday when the Texans play the 49ers in Houston.

Things are going so well in practice, they even initiated the gold medalist with her very own pair of "legendary red boots" on Thursday.

Simone's face says it all ... and with moves like hers, Sunday should be lit!

Here's the aftermath of J.J. Watt's season-ending leg surgery ... and if you're not a fan of cringe-worthy scars, you're gonna wanna look away.

The Houston Texans superstar shared a video of his rehab progress on Friday after going down with a fractured tibial plateau in his left leg early in October ... showing his first steps without crutches or a brace.

While the walking is a great sign for Watt's improving health, the scar on his left leg is something serious.

BTW ... despite being sidelined, Watt's been continuing to put in work for Hurricane Harvey relief, and was able to finally check out some of the rebuilding in person on Thursday.

Todd Gurley had a hell of a Sunday.

After putting a 33-7 beatdown on the Houston Texans, the L.A. Rams superstar running back dashed over to Nightingale Plaza in Hollywood to celebrate with a smokeshow date.

We're told the two got the VIP treatment on the way in -- and the way out. Let's face it, the Rams are finally getting treated like rockstars in Los Angeles.

No word on who Todd's attractive lady friend is -- but we're workin' on it.

Congrats!

Colin Kaepernick dug his own football grave ... so says Warren Moon, who tells TMZ Sports he doesn't think teams will go near Kaep after he filed a grievance against NFL owners.

We spoke with the Hall of Famer and Houston legend about Kaep's status with the league ... and he questioned whether the controversial QB actually wanted to play this season.

"If he was gonna file a lawsuit, he maybe should've waited 'til this season was over if he did want to play this year," Moon says, "because it was almost like, does he really wanna play if he's gonna go and sue the league and then also try to get signed by a football team ... the 2 just don't seem to mix."

We also asked about Bob McNair referring to players as "inmates" ... and from his experience with the Texans owner, Moon believes his comments were misunderstood.