NFL

Donald Trump is channeling his inner-Richard Nixon when it comes to Colin Kaepernick -- when it comes to America, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!

Trump called in KIRO in Seattle and was asked how he felt about the 49ers QB's National Anthem protest -- and in classic Trump fashion, he didn't hold back.

"I think it’s personally not a good thing," Trump said ... "I think it’s a terrible thing."

NASCAR legend Tony Stewart just fired a huge shot at Colin Kaepernick -- calling him a "dumbass" and an "idiot" over his National Anthem protest.

"I'm sorry but @Kaepernick7 needs to learn the fact about police before running his dumbass mouth," Stewart said on Twitter.

"He has no clue what they go thru! #idiot."

Stewart is essentially echoing the sentiments of the San Francisco Police Officers Association -- which claimed the QB showed an "incredible lack of knowledge."

So far, Kaepernick has yet to respond to Stewart or the SFPOA.

3:04 PM PT -- Dolphins running back Arian Foster saw Tony's tweet and has responded -- saying, "How about attempting to educate him via your views instead of fueling hatred."

The San Francisco Police Officers Association is demanding an apology from the 49ers and the NFL -- claiming "your employee," Colin Kaepernick, has disrespected cops ... and they won't stand for it.

The SFPOA -- the largest union representing the S.F.P.D -- has fired off a letter to 49ers owner Jed York and NFL commish Roger Goodell to address the "recent ill-advised statements" made by the quarterback.

"We will not stand by while he attacks police officers killed in this country with statements such as 'People are on paid leave while people of color are killed.'"

"Not only does he show an incredible lack of knowledge regarding our profession and 'officer involved' shootings, but also shows a naivety and total lack of sensitivity towards police officers."

The SFPOA says Kaepernick has "embarrassed himself, the 49ers organization, and the NFL based on a false narrative and misinformation that lacks any factual basis."

The organization says it has invited Colin -- and any other NFL employee -- to visit the SFPD Academy to help educate them about police training and what officers go through on a daily basis.

"Until then we hope your organizations choose to do the right thing and at least apologize to the many police officers Mr. Kaepernick has disrespected for no apparent reason."

Finally.

The San Diego Chargers just announced #3 overall draft pick Joey Bosa has SIGNED HIS CONTRACT!

Bosa's deal -- 4 years, $25.8 million (ALL GUARANTEED) with a $17 million signing bonus ... so says NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Ezekiel Elliott says he didn't think he was doing anything wrong by visiting a recreational weed shop in Seattle before the Seahawks game last week ... but says it was ultimately a "bad decision."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the 21-year-old rookie running back hit up Herban Legends -- which LEGALLY sells weed for recreational purposes to people 21 and older.

"It was a bad decision," Elliott said (via Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram) ... "Just seen it walking around. Was curious."

"I didn't really think about it before I went in, what the repercussions could have been. It wasn't like I was trying to hide it or anything."

"I took pictures with people. It wasn't like I was up to no good."

As we reported, Elliott did not purchase anything or smoke anything while inside the shop.

Still, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was pissed -- calling the visit "not good."

Elliott says he apologized to Cowboys management -- and claims he's learned a valuable lesson.

"You definitely got to think of the perception of things before you actually do certain things ... It may not seem like it's a big deal to you yourself but there is a bigger picture."

Peyton Manning dragged Tom Brady into his comedy act at the Rob Lowe roast -- firing a zinger at the Patriots QB over the whole Deflategate scandal.

Manning was talking about Rob Lowe's famous 2012 blunder -- where Lowe erroneously tweeted out that Peyton would be announcing his retirement. Obviously, he did not.

Enter Peyton at the Roast ... when he turned to Lowe and said, "You tried to take the air out of my retirement announcement so fast, you can probably get a job as Tom Brady's ball boy."

Funny ... even Tom's gotta laugh at that ... right?

Safe to say Colin Kaepernick has a supporter in Charlie Sheen.

The Warlock was leaving dinner (and maybe a few drinks???) at Yamashiro in Hollywood this weekend -- when he told us he sees both sides of the Kaepernick debate ... but made it clear where he stands.

John Salley says he STRONGLY believes marijuana can extend the careers of pro athletes -- claiming if he smoked weed while he was playing in the NBA, "I'd probably still be playing."

The 52-year-old was out in L.A. over the weekend -- and explained why it's time for the NBA, NFL and even the NCAA to drop the antiquated anti-weed policies and let the athletes get high already.

What happens when a future NFL star meets a future WWE star on a high school football field?

According to WWE star Enzo, an NFL player took a ring-style body slam ... and he claims he delivered one of those to none other than NY Giants WR Victor Cruz.

We got Enzo -- and his tag team partner, Cass -- out in NYC and asked him to tell us about one of the proudest moments in his athletic career ... the time he claims he took it to VC.

Check out the clip -- Enzo is an absolute character ... and gives the most hilariously disrespectful play-by-play we've ever heard.

BTW -- the tackle in question is ON VIDEO ... watch below and see if it lives up to the hype.

Kim Zolciak's left arm is getting a serious workout thanks to the 11 karats worth of ice her husband just put on her for their 5th anniversary.

Kroy Biermann slipped the new diamond on her a few months early, but you know Kim's not complaining. The couple got married on 11/11/11 ... hence the karat count for the gift, we're told.

Our sources say the NFL linebacker dropped $100k on the piece and keep in mind ... Kim was already hauling a 10 karat engagement rock! Modern etiquette says 5th anniversary gifts should be silverware -- but imagine her face if he'd gone that route.

Kroy's playing for the Buffalo Bills this season, so Kim's gonna be solo in Atlanta for a few months.

The ring will keep her company.

Get your trapper keeper ready ... 'cause Houston Texans wide receiver Jaelen Strong is going back to school -- DRUG SCHOOL -- as part of the deal he cut in his weed arrest case.

As we previously reported, the former Arizona State standout was popped in Scottsdale back in February ... when cops found him trying to hide a bunch of joints in the crotch of his pants.

Strong was arrested and booked for possession of marijuana -- which carries a maximum sentence of 6 months in jail.

But Jaelen caught a break ... cutting a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to enter a drug diversion program (an educational course that can take up to 6 months to complete) and undergo counseling ... and in exchange, officials will drop the case.

It's a good deal for Strong -- just make sure you don't skip class!

If Ezekiel Elliott wants to smoke weed ... THE NFL SHOULD LET HIM SMOKE WEED ... so says Snoop Dogg.

Snoop is sick and tired of players getting punished for weed -- and he decided to vent about it while watching a segment about the Ezekiel Elliott pot shop story on ESPN's "First Take."

"The NFL is stupid for trippin' over motherf***ing weed," Snoop said.

As we reported, Elliott didn't buy or smoke any weed Thursday in the Herban Legends pot store (it's LEGAL to sell weed for recreational use in Seattle) ... but Jerry Jones said the whole thing was a bad look.

Snoop says he's NEVER heard of a player getting into some bad stuff because of weed -- while players get in violent situations because of alcohol all the time.

NFL player William Gay just learned a very important life lesson ... sometimes when you win, you completely freakin' lose in a major way ... especially when the game is credit card roulette.

Gay and his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates went out to dinner recently and the whole group of very large -- and probably very hungry -- athletes decided to settle the bill by playing credit card roulette.

If you don't know what that is ... it's when everyone who ate puts their card in a hat ... and the one that gets drawn has to foot the entire bill.

That was the story for William ... and James Harrison made sure to document the entire thing on video.

When in Seattle ... check out the LEGAL recreational weed shops -- that's what Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott did before preparing to play the Seahawks.

The 21-year-old rookie hit up the Herban Legends weed shop in Belltown -- a 5 minute drive from the Space Needle -- where he checked out some of the merchandise Thursday afternoon.

For the record ... our sources tell us they did NOT see Elliott make any sort of a purchase -- and we're told it's VERY common for tourists to just browse the weed shops while visiting town.

Elliott didn't seem like he was hiding or embarrassed to be there -- and even posed for pics with fans outside the shop.

Despite the fact it's legal in Seattle, weed is still outlawed in the NFL -- and players who test positive for marijuana could be suspended.

Gotta hand out props when props are due ... and Maurice Jones-Drew and Ike Taylor deserve some for getting as far as they did on the "Team Ninja Warrior" course.

The ex-NFL stars hit up Universal Studios Hollywood yesterday and put their skills to the test ... and it was all caught on video.

Look, they weren't exactly Kacy Catanzaro out there ... but they managed to navigate a few of the obstacles -- which (if you watch the show) is a lot further than a lot of people get!

Fellas, watch the video below ... study ... try again.

Devin Hester ain't hanging up his cleats just yet ... telling TMZ Sports he definitely plans to be in the NFL next year ... and nearly half the league is interested.

The 3-time All-Pro return specialist was released by the Atlanta Falcons this past July after battling a toe injury ... but that hasn't kept Hester from gunning for a return this season.

"I can't say much now, but I'm getting close," Hester says. "(I) got 14 teams waiting on me."

He wouldn't say which teams ... but Hester is considered the best returner in NFL history ... so it's no surprise there's a ton of squads looking to sign him.