NFL

Colin Kaepernick says he's disappointed in Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's criticism of his national anthem protest ... saying it's just another example of a white person dodging the "real issue."

As we previously reported, RBG said Kaep's protest was "dumb and disrespectful" and she takes issue with his point of view.

But in a locker room interview with reporters on Tuesday, Kaepernick responded -- "It is disappointing to hear a Supreme Court Justice call a protest against injustices and oppression ‘stupid, dumb’ in reference to players doing that."

"I was reading an article and it refers to white critique of black protests and how they try to delegitimize it by calling it ‘idiotic, dumb, stupid,’ things of that nature, so they can sidestep the real issue."

"As I was reading that I saw more and more truth how this has been approached by people in power and white people in power in particular."

Kaepernick also said people are "getting too caught up in the flag" ... adding, "At the end of the day the flag is just a piece of cloth and I am not going to value a piece of cloth over people’s lives."

Kroy Biermann says he's keeping himself in shape and wants to return to the NFL this season ... despite being cut by the Buffalo Bills last month.

Kroy -- along with his wife, Kim Zolciak, and daughter, Brielle -- were at LAX when the 31-year-old linebacker told us he's definitely not ready to retire.

By the way, Brielle is dating Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech -- who threw a 105 MPH FASTBALL back in the summer. Dude's a stud.

So, we asked how he's getting along with Kroy -- sounds like things are moving in the right direction.

Steve Young has a message for Colin Kaepernick now that he's been named starting QB of the 49ers again ...

YOU BETTER LOSE YOURSELF IN THE MUSIC, THE MOMENT, YOU OWN IT, YOU BETTER NEVER LET IT GO. YOU ONLY GET ONE SHOT. DO NOT MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BLOW!!!

Okay, he didn't say that exactly ... but that's the essence of it.

"I want him to take this opportunity and stay with the 49ers."

There's more ... we also asked Young how he feels about passing on the Brett Favre cameo in "There's Something About Mary" back in the day.

PLUS -- did you know Young is a direct descendant of Brigham Young? It's true.

We told you it was coming ... and now it's official -- Johnny Manziel has been formally sued for not paying rent on a $25,000 per month party pad in the Hollywood Hills.

However, Manziel says he's being unfairly targeted and has done NOTHING wrong.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the guy who owns the legendary Weidlake mansion (used in tons of TV shows) served Manziel and his friends with an eviction notice last week -- claiming the QB missed a rent payment and had badly damaged the property.

Manziel had claimed he never rented the home and the allegations were bogus -- but in his suit, the owner included a copy of the original lease which includes Manziel's name listed as a person who would be residing in the home.

In his suit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Fitzgerald claims Manziel and his two friends are all on the hook for more than $25k for rent and other fees.

We reached out to Fitzgerald who says he's planning to file a separate lawsuit for the damages -- which could go into the 6 figure range.

We reached back out to Manziel who says he did occasionally stay at the home -- but NEVER signed any agreement that would put him on the hook for the rent.

Ex-NFL star Greg Hardy says he's transitioning from football to MMA -- and plans to take a REAL heavyweight fight in 2017.

Hardy spoke with MMAFighting.com and said, "I'm very focused and excited to start my MMA career."

"I'm going to do this the right way, I can assure you of that."

The 28-year-old was regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NFL before a series of off the field issues derailed his career ... including a domestic violence conviction (which was eventually dismissed) and a drug arrest.

Hardy's camp says he currently weighs around 285 lbs and should fight as a heavyweight in 2017.

Ezekiel Elliott was ballin' out in the bar 36 hours before ballin' out on the football field against the Bengals ... and TMZ Sports has video.

The Dallas Cowboys superstar hit up Concrete Cowboy bar in Dallas Friday night/early Saturday morning. We're told Elliott popped bottles (including champagne) ... and chilled with friends.

The turn up had ZERO negative effect on his play ... 'cause E.E. had a ridiculously good game Sunday afternoon (134 yards, 2 TDs).

Check out the vid!

Turns out Hollywood's more than just a Lakers town -- celebs are making the L.A. Rams a new Sunday Funday tradition.

A-listers like Ty Burrell, Tyga, Josh Hutcherson, Ashley Greene, Gene Simmons, Chris Paul, Lindsey Vonn, Chloe Grace Moretz and many more spent the afternoon at the Coliseum cheering on the Rams during their 2nd game back in the West Coast.

Sure, they lost to the Buffalo Bills ... but at least they can fall back on the ole "We've got hot fans" cheer.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem protest is "dumb," "disrespectful," "stupid," and "arrogant."

Pierre Garcon just touched down in Haiti on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder's jet ... carrying a bunch of medical supplies for people affected by the brutal hurricane last week.

TMZ Sports talked to Garcon Sunday night ... who told us, "I'm headed to Haiti tomorrow. Our owner is flying me and Ricky [Jean Francois] down to pass out medical supplies."

Garcon and Jean Francois are both of Haitian descent.

FYI -- Hurricane Matthew devastated the country -- killing over 950 people -- and injuring countless others.

Garcon and Jean Francois aren't the only athletes helping in Haiti ... boxer Andre Berto tells us he just arrived in the country with canned goods in tow.

Wanna live like an NFL quarterback without having to get crushed by guys like J.J. Watt?? Now you can ... if you've got a few million dollars to throw around.

A bunch of QBs (past and present) are unloading their fancy mansions -- from RG3 to Tony Romo and Jeff Garcia ... and we've got the lowdown on all the hot real estate.

He floats like a butterfly ...

He stings like a bee ...

Which is why Antonio Brown's new custom cleats are paying tribute ... to Muhammad Ali!!!

The Pittsburgh Steelers superstar is planning to make another statement with his feet on Sunday -- with cleats featuring images of the legendary boxer.

They've even got images of a bee and a butterfly, thanks to artist Corey Pane -- the same guy who designed AB's Arnold Palmer cleats from last weekend.

Move over, Joe Biden ... there's a new passenger on the Wentz Wagon -- Chelsea Clinton!

Chelsea was in North Dakota visiting with Senator Heidi Heitkamp -- when she handed Hillary's daughter a #11 jersey for her husband, Marc, who was born in Philly.

Of course, Carson Wentz played his college ball at North Dakota State before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chelsea LOVED the gift and tweeted back, "Thank you for the warm welcome Heidi & for the #Wentz jersey for Marc (even if one of our kids will be wearing it on Sundays)! #FlyEaglesFly."

She's just the latest celebrity to join the Wentz fan craze ... joining Biden, Sly Stallone and Pete Wentz.

Here's ex-NY Giants star Antonio Pierce surrounded by half naked women ... and talking about Eli Manning.

Happy Friday!

Pierce was at the grand opening of Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar in NYC Thursday night -- when 4 of the thong'd out dancers started grinding up on him. Good times.

Don't worry ... we fired off some Eli Manning questions and Pierce told us the QB is NOT ready for Canton yet. He laid out what Eli has to do to get a bust of his own one day.

Remember, Pierce and Eli were teammates for years -- with Eli leading the team to one of the greatest Super Bowl victories ever over the undefeated Patriots in SBXLII.

Buffalo Bills superstar Marcell Dareus says he's PUMPED to make his 2016 debut after serving his 4 game drug policy suspension -- explaining, "I sought out the help I need and I'm moving on."

Dareus joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show on FS1 and told us about the impact his life coach, Bruce Smith, has had on him ... and why he's more motivated than ever to be a great person and player.

Oh, and he also dishes out some smack talk to the L.A. Rams -- telling us how he plans to celebrate in Los Angeles if/when they upset the NFC West leaders.

3:27 PM PT -- Green has been arrested in California and will be extradited to Utah to face the charges ... officials confirm.

A former Utah State linebacker -- who was cut by the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason -- was formally charged with raping multiple women back in 2015 ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Torrey Green was hit with 4 counts of rape, 1 count of kidnapping and 1 count of sexual assault -- all felonies.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... cops in Utah were investigating Green for allegedly raping 3 women between January 2015 and November 2015. The details from the investigation can be seen here.

Green had signed a free agent contract with the Falcons earlier this year, but they cut him as soon as they learned about the investigation.

DeAndre Jordan says Odell Beckham is one of his best friends -- they talk daily -- and he strongly believes the NY Giants star would be better off playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

You know the backstory ... Odell has been having emotional outbursts on the field lately. He claims the refs are targeting him. Giants coaches (past and present) have called him a "distraction."

Jordan -- without naming names -- explained to us, "They're picking on him, giving him a hard time."

But the real statement is when DJ makes it clear he thinks his friend needs to LEAVE NEW YORK and play for the Dallas Cowboys.