NFL

Richie Incognito is playing the "everybody does it" card to explain why he hammered Jonathan Martin with threatening, racist, and violent language -- and further, he says it's just how he and Martin talk to each other.

In his first extensive interview, Incognito -- who's been suspended for his actions -- basically said players in NFL locker rooms, black and white, use the n-word freely.

Incognito admitted being "embarrassed" by the voicemail he left for his teammate ... where he called him a "half n**ga" -- and said he feels it's inappropriate for him to ever use that word. Strange ... since he's also saying he does it all the time.

As for bullying? Incognito told FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer ... he didn't think this was a case of bullying ... and was more "an issue of mine and Jon's relationship, where I've taken stuff too far, and I didn't know it was hurting him."

Incognito also shared text messages he says his "best friend" Jonathan sent him after the controversy exploded. He claims Martin said ... "I don't blame you guys. I blame some stuff in the locker room. I blame the culture. I blame what was going on around me."

For that football dude Richie ... Incognito is more than just a name -- it's now a lifestyle.

Jay Glazer -- who interviewed the troubled NFL'er for FOX NFL Sunday's pre-game show -- tells TMZ Richie has not left his swanky hotel suite in Bev Hills since blowing into town Friday.

It's interesting ... Richie is not one to live on the downlow. If you have doubts about that check out the Ferrari he bought right after all the hazing stuff became public.

Richie Incognito calls Jonathan Martin his best friend on the Miami Dolphins -- and says he's worried about him ... even though Martin's allegations of hazing got Richie suspended ... TMZ has learned.

Incognito talked today for the first time about the scandal ... with FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer. Sources on the FOX set tell us Incognito wasn't exactly apologetic for his actions -- but instead expressed deep concern about Martin's health since he left the team.

We're told Incognito was willing to answer any and all questions about the controversy -- including alleged threats against Martin's family, and the infamous voicemail he left ... where he allegedly called Martin a "half n***a."

Pretty surprising for Incognito to refer to Martin as his "best friend" ... considering his accusations could ultimately ruin Incognito's NFL career.

The interview will air during tomorrow's FOX NFL Sunday pregame show.

It's unclear if Incognito addressed the video TMZ posted of him raging in a sports bar, yelling the n-word -- but we'd bet it came up.

Richie Incognito just touched down in Los Angeles ... and it's pretty clear some crisis manager has given him a playbook for the weekend.

Our sources say Richie is headed for a swanky hotel in Beverly Hills ... obviously to work on fixing his tarnished image.

No word on how Incog plans to resurrect himself ... but typically when someone is looking to fix their image, L.A. is the first stop.

A local Miami station and some paps caught up with Richie when he landed ... but the NFL star wouldn't say much.

He also stopped at Starbucks when he got off the plane.

Miami Dolphins lineman Richie Incognito shouted the N-word ... in a shirtless rage ... during a crazy outing with teammates at a bar earlier this year -- and TMZ Sports has the footage.

The video was shot several months ago ... showing Richie running around Dirty Blondes -- a pool hall in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

As the video begins, Richie shouts, "Mike Pouncey, N**GA!!"

FYI -- Mike Pouncey is a member of the Dolphins and it looks like he's in the video. When Richie drops the N-bomb, it seems like he's announcing that Pouncey is in the bar.

In the footage, Incognito proceeds to stomp around the bar with his shirt off while patrons watch the lineman go berserk.

Incognito is under fire for allegedly harassing his teammate Jonathan Martin -- and calling him a "half-n**ger" in a voice mail.

Incognito has since been suspended by the team.

Houston Texans' head coach Gary Kubiak remains in a Houston hospital after collapsing on the field at halftime yesterday ... team officials say he's being monitored by doctors .... but he's "alert, coherent and in good spirits."

Kubiak had to be carried off the field on a stretcher ... after he fell to the ground complaining of dizziness during the Texans-Colts game. Team officials say he didn't have a heart attack and never lost consciousness.

Team doctors treated Kubiak on the field before he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. A statement from the Texans' front office says he was admitted overnight and will be watched by doctors for the next 24 hours to try to figure out why he collapsed.

The man who allegedly beat Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son to death has just been released from jail.

27-year-old Joseph Patterson was released from Minnehaha County Jail in South Dakota this morning after posting $750,000 bond.

The bond was lowered from $1 million yesterday after Patterson pled not guilty in court. He has been charged with second degree murder and 2 counts of first degree manslaughter, as well as aggravated battery of an infant. He has also been charged with felony child abuse.

Shawne posted a pic earlier this week of some gnarly mat burn he got while training at the WWE's Performance Center in Florida ... leading many to believe he signed with the wrestling company.

But multiple sources tell us .. no deals were made, no paperwork has been signed ... Shawne was just messing around after WWE exec Triple H invited him down to check out the state of the art facilities.

We're told Shawne had a blast ... and the WWE people enjoyed having Shawne ... so, there's a possibility of the two juggarnauts working together in the future.

But for now, it's too early to tell if Shawne has a professional future in the squared circle.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley says he's finally been transferred out of the ICU -- and was able to walk today -- after badly injuring his spinal cord during Sunday's game against Cleveland.

Finley -- who was removed from the field on a stretcher yesterday -- tweeted moments ago ... "I'm happy to report that I have been transferred out of the intensive care unit and that I have full feeling in my arms and legs."

He added, "As importantly, I was able 2 walk to & from the shower today, which was badly needed after yesterday's victory!"

"Thank u again 4 the support, and Go Packers!"

Joe Theismann is flipping the script -- telling TMZ he believes the name "Redskins" isn't derogatory at all ... insisting it's a TRIBUTE to Native Americans.

Theismann -- who quarterbacked Washington from 1974 to 1985 (winning Super Bowl XVII along the way) was at LAX this weekend and told us, "I was very proud to wear the Redskin uniform."

Joe says he was also proud to "represent the Native American nations of this country as proudly as we could with such great honor."

Theismann says after he won the Super Bowl, he was given an "Indian headdress" -- but couldn't remember which tribe gave it to him.

The man who allegedly beat Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son to death was just charged with second degree murder ... TMZ has learned.

Joseph Patterson was charged with second degree murder and 2 counts of first degree manslaughter, as well as aggravated battery of an infant. He was also charged with felony child abuse.

Patterson, who was dating Adrian's baby mama at the time, was supposed to be caring for the child while she was away.

NFL star Adrian Peterson never skimped on child support to the mother of his 2nd child, not once -- despite her claims -- at least according to official documents obtained by TMZ.

As we reported ... Erica Syion filed court docs back in April, accusing AP of stiffing her on more than $50,000 in unpaid child support and other bills (including travel expenses and tuition) related to their 4-year-old son.

She told us, Adrian eventually settled with her in September, paying all his outstanding bills -- but we've obtained official docs showing child support was NEVER in arrears.

According to the papers, Adrian has dutifully paid his child support to Erica ($2,500 a month) since 2009.

Sources close to AP tell us the court order which determined child support ... did NOT require him to pay tuition and travel expenses -- however when Erica raised the issue, Adrian ponied up.

We've also obtained docs showing Adrian asked the court for more visitation time with his son.

Adrian Peterson baby mama #2 Erica Syion left out one HUGE detail when she said the NFL star has taken good financial care of his kids -- back in April, TMZ has learned, she sued his ass for $52,032 in unpaid child support and other child-related bills.

Erica -- who has a 4-year-old son with Adrian -- went on "TMZ Live" Wednesday, claiming AP dutifully pays his child support on time. But that wasn't the case earlier this year.

We've learned Erica filed court docs, claiming Peterson failed to pay child support for three straight years, and also failed to reimburse her for their son's travel expenses and school tuition -- a bill that totaled $52,032.

There must have been some bad blood after that -- because Erica filed additional docs in July, asking the court to order Peterson not to trash talk her in front of their son, and not to hide their son from her.

But it was all resolved in September -- according to court docs, the two reached a settlement. Erica tells us, Adrian paid all his back child support as well as the other bills.

But there's a catch -- according to the docs, AP plans to stop paying school tuition for their son by next year. Interesting.

It's a battle of the football baby-daddies!

Here's 28-year-old Adrian Peterson who's reportedly fathered five (or possibly 7) children to date (left) -- and 29-year-old Antonio Cromartie who famously struggled to remember the names of his seven children on HBO's "Hard Knocks" show (right).

Our Adrian Peterson baby count was off by two -- at least according to one of the NFL star's baby mamas, who tells us AP has actually fathered SEVEN kids, not five.

TMZ broke the story about baby #5 today, but Erica Syion -- a former dancer who met AP in Houston a few years back -- called in to "TMZ Live" today to correct our math ... and the numbers are pretty shocking.

Adrian Peterson's baby count is now at 5 ... 'cause a 4th woman has surfaced who has a child with the NFL star, TMZ has learned.

This time, the baby mama is Erica Syion -- a former dancer who worked at a gentlemen's club in Dallas, TX. Erica and Adrian have a 4-year-old son together.

Sources connected to the situation tell us ... the two have a financial arrangement, in which Adrian gives Erica money to pay for the kid's schooling, as well as living expenses.

We're told the two met in Houston back in 2007 ... but their relationship has deteriorated in the past few years.

Sources tell us Adrian IS involved in the child's life -- but Erica is the primary parent, with Adrian visiting when he can.

In total, Adrian has fathered (at least) 5 children: 2 kids he referenced in a 2009 documentary ... one was 4 at the time. He didn't mention the age of the other (it's likely he was referencing his son with Erica).

Since then ... he fathered Adrian Peterson Jr. (who's 2-years-old) and a 3-month-old daughter with a waitress in Minnesota. His other son, a 2-year-old, passed away last week.

It's possible his 8-year-old and AP Jr. have the same mom -- but so far, we haven't been able to confirm.