NFL

DeSean Jackson plans to make a huge statement on the field on Sunday -- but not just with his play ... with his cleats.

Jackson commissioned artist Marcus Rivero -- a.k.a. SolesBySir -- to put a yellow caution tape design on his cleats to protest the deaths of African Americans at the hands of police officers.

We reached out to Jackson for a comment ... and were told "I've seen enough yellow caution tape and it's time for a stand and a change in our community and society."

"Senseless killings have been ongoing for awhile and police brutality in our black community ... and as a young black leader with a stage and platform I'm starting awareness to help prevent these killings, and hopefully get justice to these cops who have taken lives of innocent human beings."

Jackson says he doesn't just want justice, but also "a change with the decision making on these cop killings."

"I am also coming up with a master plan to start a movement" with the intention of making a real impact.

We're told Jackson plans to wear the cleats during pregame warmups tomorrow ... and possibly during the game.

With a TON of huge celebs becoming partial owners of the UFC -- from Sly Stallone to Ben Affleck -- Dana White says he welcomes their input ... especially if Tom Brady wants to weigh in!

Jay Glazer says he genuinely cares for troubled NFL star Josh Gordon -- and says if there's anyone who can help him deal with his addiction issues, it's his good friend Demi Lovato.

Master P says Ricky Williams called the shots when it came to putting together his infamous 1999 NFL rookie contract and all he did was help the Heisman winner get the deal HE wanted.

Master P joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Friday night on FS1) -- and explained how the deal got done when Williams was a client at P's No Limit Sports agency.

"Ricky was the type of guy that ... he wanted to do what he wanted to do," P explained.

"I mean he wanted $8 mil up front. He didn't care what the incentives was. If he didn't do that deal with me he was gonna do it with somebody else."

"He was poor. He didn't have any money. He needed the money up front and he thought that $8 million ... he was going to turn it into something else. He had some other business ideas."

FYI, the contract famously contained a max value of $68 MILLION -- but only if Ricky hit some spectacularly tough to achieve performance incentives.

It's been criticized as one of the worst contracts in NFL history.

Master P says Ricky ended up making around $14 mil on the deal -- but says there were bigger issues ... and suggested that Williams got lazy in his career and lost the drive to perform.

The Carson Wentz wagon is reaching capacity ... 'cause yet another Eagles superfan is hoppin' on board ... with Sly Stallone saying the rookie QB can lead Philly to a Super Bowl THIS YEAR!!

Of course, Wentz is only 3 games into his NFL career ... but Stallone explains why he's already convinced the kid can go the distance.

The Eagles are on a bye week ... but then they've got the Lions, Redskins, Vikings and Cowboys.

Fresh off the heels of a cleat controversy, Antonio Brown just had ANOTHER sick pair of kicks custom made for his next game ... a tribute to golf legend Arnold Palmer.

We spoke with Brown who tells us he went to his cleat guy, Corey Pane, and asked for something that would show his respect to "The King."

The results speak for themselves.

Remember, Brown got into some trouble with the NFL officials last week for custom blue cleats that had images of his kids painted on them. He was told to change them at halftime or else ... in part due to the colors not matching the Steelers uniform.

These new cleats happen to be in Steelers colors -- so hopefully he'll avoid any sort of drama ... especially since they're super dope.

Lady Gaga has been promoted from the National Anthem at last year's Super Bowl ... to headlining Super Bowl LI in February ... the NFL has confirmed.

The timing couldn't be more perfect for Gaga ... who is launching a new album in October.

Gaga received all types of praise for her rendition of the National Anthem at Super Bowl 50 -- and clearly impressed the NFL enough to lock her down as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LI.

U.S. Olympic legend John Carlos -- who famously raised the black power fist at the '68 Games -- is warning Shaquille O'Neal about criticizing Colin Kaepernick's protest ... saying he's going to wind up on the wrong side of history.

Earlier this month, Shaq was adamant he would never follow Kaep's lead, cited relatives in law enforcement and military, and said, "There are other ways to get your point across."

Well, that obviously struck a chord with 71-year-old Carlos, who was in D.C. to be honored by President Obama at the White House.

He told TMZ Sports, "To Shaq and all the other guys that want to be the naysayers to what Kaepernick is doing, all I can say to them is they better be careful on how they gonna come out ... on which side of history they're gonna come out in the future."

"I think they're gonna come out on the wrong side of the street."

As for Obama, he praised Carlos and Tommie Smith for their legendary protest -- saying, "It woke folks up and created greater opportunity for those that followed."

Cleveland Browns superstar Josh Gordon is headed back to rehab ... the team just announced.

Dude, you SURE you wanna come back to work???

Tom Brady and Gisele made time for an Italian tanning session while hanging out in Positano -- a session that was sure to take the QB's mind off his 4 game Deflategate suspension.

Of course, Tom is now gearing up for his NFL return -- which is now just 10 days away.

8:00 AM PT -- TMZ Sports spoke with Tolbert who says he tried to pay with a check, but the shop said they would only take cash.

So, he went to the bank and got the money ... in change.

As for the dispute, Tolbert says he NEVER threatened anybody -- but says he firmly believes he was intentionally overcharged by more than $1,000 because he's an NFL player.

Tolbert says his car still isn't running correctly and he'll be taking it to another shop for further repairs.

One last thing ... Tolbert says the shop is slandering him -- and if they don't stop, he'll consider taking legal action.

Here's a jerk move -- Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert paid an auto shop $3,900 IN COINS after feuding with the owner over the price of a new motor.

It all started when Tolbert went to Motion Lab Tuning to get some work done -- but MT says the place tried to rake him over the coals because "I'm a millionaire." He posted on Instagram calling the owner a crook.

But the shop has now fired back in a Facebook post (likely written by the owner) -- claiming Mike was the real problem ... demanding free work because of his NFL status.

The shop says the dispute got so intense, Mike and a friend threatened him -- so he called police and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD banned Tolbert from the property.

However, that wasn't the end of the war ... the owner claims, "In a passive aggressive manner, [Tolbert] thought he would get the last laugh by paying in coins."

"Pretty dumb really. All $3,900 in coins were easily identifiable as they came from a bank in boxes and perfectly counted out. I will say this, those coins will be taken in the boxes they came in and will be taken to a teller at BOA for deposit."

The worst part of the story -- the shop owner says, " I also have to break it to my son who is a fan of Mike Tolbert that he is a real scumbag that doesn't want to pay his bills."

[H/T Jalopnik]

Robert Griffin III is making it clear ... his marriage is dead -- claiming in divorce docs there is ZERO chance of a reconciliation.

The Cleveland Browns QB filed for divorce from his college sweetheart Rebecca Liddicoat earlier this month -- and in court docs obtained by Bossip, RG3 spells out why he pulled the plug.

"The marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities between petitioner and respondent that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation."

And if that wasn't clear enough, remember RG3 tatted his NEW girlfriend's name, Grete Sadeiko, on his arm to hammer the point home.

In the divorce docs, filed in Texas, RG3 also says he wants Liddicoat to have primary physical custody of their 1-year-old daughter ... and he has agreed to pay child support.

However, Griffin notes that he wants to be "joint managing conservators" -- which would give him shared authority to make major decisions in his daughter's life.

So far, Liddicoat has yet to comment on the divorce.

Tom Brady doesn't need Rob Gronkowski -- he's already got the best tight end in the business!!

While the rest of the Patriots are preppin' for the Bills ... Tom was boating around Italy with Gisele ... who was showing off her insane physique in a black thong bikini.

Former NFL star Greg Hardy was arrested for possession of COCAINE late Sunday night in Texas ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to the police report, Hardy was pulled over in a 2010 Dodge Challenger because he didn't use a turn signal.

Dak Prescott is good ... but Tony Romo is GREAT and Dallas will be even BETTER when he returns to the field ... so says Cowboys legend Drew Pearson.

TMZ Sports spoke to the Super Bowl XII champ who tells us why he doesn't think Romo should/will lose his starting job to the rookie ... despite the fact he's been playing pretty damn well.

"This organization really believes in Tony. What Dak is doing right now, Romo will do even better."

In fact, Pearson says Dak's impressive play is taking a huge weight off Romo's shoulders -- allowing him time to fully heal from his injury so he can return at 100%.

"When he gets back, he’ll get to prove he can perform at the same level or better than before his injury."

Carson Wentz is lightin' it up in the league ... but if he was on the L.A. Rams, he'd be sittin' on the bench, just like Jared Goff ... NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson tells TMZ Sports.

Dickerson -- one of the greatest Rams of all time -- joined "TMZ Sports" (weeknights on FS1) to discuss the 2 QBs ... and whether the Rams screwed up selecting the one they did.

FYI -- Wentz, the #2 pick, has led his Eagles to a 2-0 start (3 TDs, 0 INTs). On the other hand, Goff, the #1 pick, was inactive for the Rams 1st game ... and served as the backup for the 2nd.

So, does Eric think the Rams screwed up not drafting Wentz? And if they drafted him, would he be killin' it with the Rams like he has with the Eagles?