NFL

Ex-NFL superstar Shawne Merriman tells TMZ Sports ... he was approached to be a part of Will Smith's "Concussion" movie but SHOT IT DOWN.

The former San Diego Chargers linebacker says he's convinced the movie is "definitely going to give the NFL a black eye" ... but says he didn't feel right jumping aboard the project.

The movie -- set to come out in December -- is supposed to blow the lid of an alleged NFL conspiracy to hide the debilitating life-long effects of concussions from players.

"I turned it down and said 'No' ... I don't want to be a part of it because I didn't know how they were going to make it look."

Not like Odell Beckham Jr. needs more ways to prove he's swag, but he went and got one anyway ... in the form of a $10,000 custom rug!

TMZ Sports has learned OBJ was looking to score a centerpiece for the game room in his crib ... y'know, something to tie it together -- and hit up Keith Collins, rug maker extraordinaire. Keith tells us OBJ only had a few requirements ... it had to be red and black with his name and number.

Collins says the piece took more than 3 months to complete, but OBJ was so impressed with the end result ... he's already talking about an epic sequel: a tapestry of "the catch" from last season.

Collins is used to dealing with baller clients -- he's made rugs and tapestries for the likes of Lebron James, Floyd Mayweather, and even Michael Jackson.

It might be illegal to use J.A.R.V.I.S. in the NFL, but Bengals star Mohamed Sanu is still reppin' the Avengers leader (sorry, Cap) by rocking a pair of Iron Man inspired cleats to take on the Ravens Sunday.

Sanu is a HUGE comic book fan (probably figured that out by now) and his new kicks took over eight hours to create. They have special S.H.I.E.L.D. issued repulsor beams and missile detection technology. Kidding. They're just painted red-orange and gold ... but it works for him.

Michael Sam is making the right moves to get another shot at making it in the NFL, but it'll take divine intervention for him to beat Tim Tebow back to the league ... according to ex-player Shawne Merriman.

Merriman says he's talked to Sam about his effort to get on an NFL roster -- and thinks firing his publicist is a good FIRST move. Still, he says Sam has one major hurdle before he can convince a team to call ... something Tebow is making a habit of doing.

Michael Sam is dead set on making his way back to the National Football League ... and has fired his agent and his publicist in an effort to get his career back on track.

One of Sam's biggest hurdles will be convincing NFL teams he's serious about football -- and no longer cares about stuff like "Dancing With the Stars" and working with Oprah Winfrey. Firing his publicist and agent could go a long way to proving to teams he's only focused on football.

Sam told KMIZ he's brushing up on his media skills during his break from football. He's taken a gig working for the Mizzou Network after his stint in the CFL didn't work out ... but Sam says he plans on working hard to make an NFL roster in 2016.

Sam's recent career track closely mirrors that of Tim Tebow ... who told TMZ Sports on Thursday he's still figuring out what he's going to do next ... after he was cut recently from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Keep the dream alive, fellas.

Michael Sam has landed a job in football, but it's not on the field ... it's on television.

Sam has scored a gig working for the Mizzou Network, where he'll be talking about his alma mater, the University of Missouri Tigers.

The job comes after Sam announced his retirement last month after a failed stint with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.

7-fingered bench press? No problem.

After critics said Jason Pierre Paul's disfigured hand would be a huge hurdle when it comes to weight training, the NY Giants star hit the gym ... to prove he can still lift weights, despite missing digits.

JPP busted out a set of bench presses -- with a towel in his right hand to stabilize the bar.

It's the second time Jason's posted training footage -- in an effort to prove he can still be effective in the NFL after seriously damaging his hand in a fireworks accident.

You convinced?

This is pretty cool ... Buffalo Bills safety Aaron Williams received an outpouring of love from teammates and Patriots players after suffering a neck injury on Sunday -- with one teammate bringing over a home cooked meal ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Williams was hospitalized after a nasty collision with Julian Edelman on Sunday -- but was released a short time later.

We spoke with Aaron's mom, Val Williams, who tells us she was "terrified" during the incident -- especially because she was at the game and tried to get to her son while he was down on the field.

"I was at the 28th row and ran all the way down to the 1st row when I saw he wasn’t moving ... people were just praying with me."

The next day, Val says Aaron's teammates went above and beyond to show their support.

"Corey Graham (safety) came over to his house and his wife made some food for Aaron, and the whole team has just been coming in bunches checking on him just seeing what he needs offered him rides to work."

Aaron's dad, Anthony, says his son's even getting love from the enemy -- Patriots players and fans ... including Pats DT Malcolm Brown, who called to check in.

C'mon, this is just adorable ...

Check out Adrian Peterson and his son Adrian Peterson Jr. slappin' high-fives with Minnesota Vikings fans outside TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday ... right after AP dominated the Detroit Lions.

The pics are cute -- AP2 had a custom #28 jersey with the name "Daddy" across the back ... and a huge smile across his face.

California should call Marcus Mariota ... 'cause he's the man to end long droughts -- according to country music star and ex-QB Sam Hunt, who thinks Marcus is gonna make it rain for the Titans.

On the heels of Mariota becoming the first rookie QB to toss 4 TDs in his first start ... we got Sam -- a huge Titans fan -- and asked him about MM's historic debut.

Hunt played ball at Middle Tennessee State, and was invited to Chiefs camp ... which means his review carries a little more weight than a casual fan. So, is it too soon for Titans faithful to dream about their first postseason since 2008?

Check out the clip -- Sam seems as down with Mariota as every chick seems to be down with Sam ... which is very, very, down.

The Buffalo Bills are NOT taking shots at Tom Brady's Deflategate debacle ... they're just innocently trying to sell some ball pumps, and it just happens to be the same week Brady's coming to town.

Yes, the citizens of Buffalo know a joke when they see one, because the Bills team store can barely keep the pumps on shelves. Of course, it looks like a brilliant piece of trolling, but the store insists it's not.

The manager tells TMZ Sports it's not like they started selling the pumps this week -- they've been doing it since the start of the season ... when they knew full well Brady and the Pats were coming to town in week 2.

He does admit, "No one bought them until this week. Now they're going fast."

This has Rex Ryan's fingerprints all over it.

Darren Sharper got some great news -- considering he's sitting in jail waiting to find out how long he'll be in prison ... he's now officially a candidate for the NFL Hall of Fame.

The former Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints safety got the nod in his first year of eligibility for the honor ... but it would be pretty controversial if he's selected.

As we've reported ... Sharper is awaiting sentencing for multiple rapes in multiple states. He's struck a plea deal and will most likely only serve 9 years in prison for all the crimes.

Right now, Sharper's just on the initial list of 103 candidates, which will get cut down to 25 ... before the final inductees are selected. Soooo ... Sharper is certain to have a prison cell before he has a serious shot at having a bust in Canton.

A pack of vicious and cowardly 49ers fans bashed in a Vikings fan's face during a chaotic melee outside the Monday night game, and if not for one brave security guard ... the Vikes fan might be dead.

Russell Wilson needs a new game plan when it comes to Ciara and abstinence -- at least that's how future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez sees it.

We asked Tony about Seahawks fans blaming their opening weekend loss on Russell's relationship with Ciara. TG's not so fast to buy into that whole Drake-Serena Williams theory, but he thinks there might be something to the lack-of-sex theory.

Check out Tony's take on laying off getting laid. He cops to trying abstinence during his playing days -- but says, like most things ... it's best in small doses.

His football knowledge is limited, but Harvey Levin knows MONEY -- so with fantasy football season underway, our fearless leader has put together some tips that could help you win MILLIONS!!!

It's all part of DraftKings' $10M Millionaire Maker Contest -- which starts Sept 13th at 1PM EST. It's $20 to enter, but if you're any good ... it can go a loooooong way!

So, without further ado, take it away Haaaaarv!!!

Fantasy Musts

Odell Beckham Jr. -- "Two words -- Amber. Rose. These two seem to be banging now ... and if he wants to keep bangin' her, he better put up some numbers this year. #motivation."

Peyton Manning -- "If he can conquer pizza, he can conquer the AFC. Dominating the pizza business is hard work, but Peyton is crushing it with all of his Papa John's restaurants. Still a winner to me."

Fantasy Busts

Drew Brees -- "I usually like Drew Brees. But I saw the video of him killing the crocodile with Bear Grylls and it really rubbed me the wrong way. Crocodile karma is a bitch. I think he's in trouble."

The Philadelphia Eagles know they done messed up now ... 'cause Sly Stallone -- a Philly Icon -- says the team totally crapped the bed ... by cutting Tim Tebow.