NFL

Brett Favre suited up again, but no shoulder pads or helmet this time ... just a hot pink swim cap for the first leg of a triathlon Saturday.

A bunch of Brett's female competitors surrounded him at the start of the Key West Triathlon. It's unclear which group he went out with -- the shorter sprint distance or the more grueling olympic -- but either one's longer than what the average retiree could do.

This isn't Brett's first swim/bike/run event, he did one in Alabama back in September in Alabama ... and placed 3rd in his age group!

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey says he's recovering VERY WELL after being shot in the head -- and says he's determined to get back in the NFL.

Bailey was shot in front of his family's home in Florida last Tuesday -- and underwent an emergency operation in the hours following the attack.

Now, the 25-year-old has issued a statement saying, "My recovery has been nothing short of a miracle (a work of GOD) and I can only give GOD the praise, glory and honor for which he is doing in my life at this time."

Peyton Manning is never getting his job back from Brock Osweiler ... 'cause TMZ Sports has picture proof that the young QB's success was foretold long ago ... by pimple-faced teen psychics in Kalispell, Montana.

Brock is tearing it up for the Broncos right now ... boasting an undefeated record as the team's starting QB since he took over for #18.

One group totally unsurprised by Osweiler's domination? The '09 class at Flathead High School, which voted Brock "Most Likely To Be Famous" during his senior year.

The Arlington PD has opened an investigation into a disturbing video showing a Carolina Panthers fan being choked out at the Dallas Cowboys game by an AT&T Stadium security guard ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The video went viral over the weekend ... showing a security guard trying to detain a man in a Panthers jersey who was reported as "disruptive."

The security guard eventually puts the man into a tight headlock ... and several concerned fans jumped in trying to loosen his grip.

The fan -- John Small -- filed a police report on Monday morning and now we're told cops are actively investigating the situation as a possible Class A misdemeanor assault.

Small insists he did NOTHING WRONG and is asking other fans to come forward with video if they have it.

They're 3 scary letters ... but Howie Long says when it comes to CTE, the NFL is doing "as good a job as you can" in preventing players from suffering brain injuries on the field.

Cam Newton could deliver an epic SCREW YOU to all his anti-dabbing critics -- 'cause he's got a pair of custom cleats coming his way for his Thanksgiving day game ... featuring Cam doing his dance.

Here's what we know ... the cleats were commissioned by Under Armour -- which sponsors Cam -- and designed by two artists, Dez Customs and Kreative Customs.

We're told the artists were informed Cam wanted a special pair of custom kicks when he takes the field against the Cowboys.

The result? Imagery of Cam doing his signature moves ... dabbing and striking his Superman pose. The shoes also include the words "grateful" and "thankful."

We're told he's expected to wear 'em for the game ... but there's always a chance he could change his plans.

Cam's dancing has been a lightning rod for critics lately -- so it'll be one hell of a statement if he straps on the shoes on one of the biggest stages in sports ... the Turkey Day classic.

The concrete was spattered with blood outside the Miami Gardens home where St. Louis Rams WR Stedman Bailey was shot Tuesday night ... after a drive-by shooting left him and another man hospitalized.

A neighbor who says he spoke with police claims he was told officers counted 33 shell casings at the scene.

Bailey and another man were sitting in a car outside Bailey's family home when a car rolled up and opened fire at 8:45 PM ... striking Bailey twice in the head. The other driver was hit multiple times, reportedly while trying to shield two children in the car from the gunfire.

According to cops, the victims drove themselves to a nearby hospital for treatment. Bailey is listed in critical but stable condition and is set to undergo surgery early Wednesday morning.

Bailey's neighbor says the NFL player has a good reputation in the area and was not known for being involved in dangerous activity -- "he's a good guy."

You know things are bad when your celebrity minority owner is begging her team for a VICTORY for her Xmas present.

That's what happened when we ran into Gloria Estefan in D.C. Monday. Of course, Gloria owns a piece of the Miami Dolphins ... who've lost 3 out of their last 4 games.

We brought up NY Giants owner Steve Tisch -- who recently told us he drops $30k per player when it comes to team gifts -- and asked if she plans to follow suit.

Short answer -- no.

The Cleveland Browns say they're "disappointed" in Johnny Manziel for hitting the club scene during the team's bye week ... and have demoted him from starter to 3rd string QB.

Browns head coach Mike Pettine issued a statement saying, "Josh McCown will be the starting quarterback on Monday night against the Ravens."

"I’m especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard. The improvements from last year to this year have been tremendous but he still has to consistently demonstrate that he has gained a good understanding of what it takes to be successful at the quarterback position on this level."

"Everyone in this organization wants what is best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room. It goes well beyond the field. We are going to continue to support him in every way possible, but at this point, we’ve decided it’s best to go with Josh as the starter going forward.”

As we previously reported, Manziel hit up at least two clubs in Austin, TX on Thursday and Friday -- partying with bottles of champagne.

It was clearly concerning to Browns brass considering Manziel entered treatment earlier this year after a hard partying streak.

Johnny Manziel's party weekend may have cost him his starting job ... with Browns coach Mike Pettine saying he's not ready to commit to Johnny as the #1 guy on Sunday.

Pettine just spoke to the media about the TMZ Sports footage of Manziel partying Friday night at an Austin nightclub with bottles of champagne.

Pettine says the Browns are still investigating the situation -- but admits he's disappointed in Manziel.

"I can't stand here and say it's not disappointing," Pettine said ... noting the whole thing was "frustrating."

Pettine says he'll have more information on the QB situation in Cleveland Wednesday.

Santa ain't got NOTHIN' on NY Giants co-owner Steve Tisch ... who tells TMZ Sports he's planning on dropping $30,000 PER PLAYER on holiday gifts this season.

For real.

FYI -- An NFL roster is comprised of 53 players ... so Steve's budget is right around $1.6 MILLION ... and that doesn't even include the coaching staff.

Ex-Dallas Cowboys cornerback Corey White tells TMZ Sports ... the reports that he was cut for not wearing a suit on a travel day are TRUE -- though he says, "I was wearing slacks and a button down."

White, along with running back Christine Michael, got the ax last week -- with the Dallas Morning News claiming it was all because they broke team rules by not wearing a full suit to a road game.

"I'm not angry," White tells us ... "It's the rules."

White says he thought his outfit would be acceptable -- "I tried to dress like a pro."

White says after he was cut, one of the coaches on the team told him it was specifically because of the dress code violation ... "It was about what I wore."

Michael Sam says he's still serious about a return to the NFL ... and tells TMZ Sports he hopes to finally make his regular season debut in 2016.

The 25-year-old hit up Craig's Sunday night ... where we also asked for his take on the epic collapse of Colin Kaepernick out in San Fran this year.

Sam told us there's a silver lining in Colin's 49er demise -- and it's all about the new QB running the show.

He won TWO Super Bowl rings with the Raiders -- but ex-NFL safety Mike Davis says his NFL career cost him his hearing ... a result of at least 11 CONCUSSIONS.

Davis -- who still rocks his rings from Super Bowl XV and XVIII -- was at the Chris Aire jewelry boutique this week when he told us he suffers from total deafness, vertigo, blurred vision and more.

The 59-year-old says he recently went back to the Raiders to pull his team medical records -- and the team had listed 11 concussions that he didn't know he had.

Davis says he knew he got banged around on the field -- but never thought the damage was as serious as it was.

Question is ... what does Davis want the NFL to do about it now? Check out the video.

Kurt Warner's jaw is ALL JACKED UP -- and it's all because the 44-year-old took an ELBOW TO THE FACE!!!

It's unclear exactly how or why Warner got bashed in the mouth -- but it looks incredibly painful judging by the pics he posted to social media.

Warner says his jaw is broken in multiple places -- and the hit was so jarring, it separated his teeth.

Dallas Cowboys star and alleged domestic abuser Greg Hardy still has a lot to learn, and Ray Rice believes he's the right man to teach him.