NFL

Herschel Walker tells TMZ Sports he wants to be an active part of Donald Trump's inner circle -- and is making his pitch to be appointed to the head of a special government organization!

As we reported, Walker is a longtime friend of Trump and remains close with his family -- and was a vocal supporter of Trump during his campaign.

Now, Walker hopes to be rewarded with an appointment to the head of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition ... a post currently held by Drew Brees and Dominique Dawes.

"I hope he would at least consider me."

There's more ... Walker says he's been hit up by politicians trying to kiss his butt because he's close to the man who's about to become the leader of the free world.

There's one rule to talking sports with T.I. ... put your money where your mouth is ... and the rap star just proved that by straight PUNKING a TMZ photog who tried to make an NFL bet on the street.

T.I. was out in L.A. when one of our photogs dared to ask him about the state of Falcons football, and more specifically how Julio Jones would do against the Eagles this week.

That's when a rich guy (T.I.) told a not so rich guy (our camera guy) to put up (money) or shut up (your mouth).

There's a new comedy star on the horizon ... and according to Rob Lowe this guy can also throw a mean spiral ... 'cause Rob thinks Peyton Manning could have a future in the ha-ha game.

A former NFL defensive lineman wound up in cuffs Tuesday night after allegedly attacking a bar patron and a security guard during Donald Trump's victory speech ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The man at the center of the incident is Shane Burton -- a solid DE who played 8 seasons in the NFL (Dolphins, Bears, Jets, Panthers) and even tackled Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

But according to law enforcement, Burton went berserk at Barney's Beanery in Burbank just before midnight on Nov. 8th ... allegedly pulling a man off a barstool and battering a security guard.

Officials says 42-year-old Burton then walked out of the bar -- but didn't get far. Officers found him nearby a short time later and say he was drunk and initially refused to cooperate.

Burton was eventually handcuffed -- placed under citizen's arrest by the security guard -- and hauled to a nearby jail.

Cops say the alleged victims suffered "scratches, minor abrasions and a torn shirt."

Antonio Brown will honor Veteran's Day with a special pair of cleats ... featuring an image of NFL star-turned-Army Ranger Pat Tillman.

Randy Gregory has a problem with marijuana -- that's what the Dallas Cowboys defensive end tested positive for during his last drug test ... league sources tell TMZ Sports.

We're told Gregory -- who's currently serving a suspension for failing previous drug tests -- was tested again at the end of last week ... and it came up showing weed.

Our sources say Gregory was notified of the result on Tuesday -- and has been concerned that the Cowboys could get rid of him. So far, we're told no decision has been made.

Before this, Gregory had reportedly failed 5 NFL drug tests. This is number 6.

One source close to Gregory tells us, "He has a problem quitting."

We've reached out to Gregory's rep multiple times.

Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt STRONGLY believes he belongs in the Pro Bowl this year ... and threw himself a rally in L.A. on Thursday to fire up the voters to get his ass to Orlando!

Kenny says he's having the best season of his 8 year NFL career -- and wants the league to take notice.

37 catches for 584 yards and 3 TDs ... not bad. In fact, he's ranked #19 in total receiving yards this year.

Ray Rice. Adrian Peterson. DeflateGate. CTE. TV ratings ... Roger Goodell has a tough job -- and Adam Silver knows it.

The NBA commish was leaving a charity event for the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation in NYC Thursday night when we asked who has the harder job ... him or Goodell?

Silver's job hasn't exactly been a cakewalk ... Donald Sterling, the Rajon Rondo homophobia scandal, ATL Hawks racism scandal, Blake Griffin fight.

Okay, maybe Goodell does have the most challenging gig ... and even Silver acknowledged it.

That being said, Goodell reportedly made $32 MILLION last season ... so, worth it?

The wife of Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter says she was NOT being racist when she called Richard Sherman an "animal" on Twitter this week ... but she still refuses to apologize for it.

Kaela Carpenter got herself into hot water after the "Monday Night Football" game when she lashed out at Sherman for what she claims was a dirty hit on her husband. She posted a picture of a castration device with the caption, "I know what we do on the farm when a male can't control his own rage #ActLikeAnAnimalGetTreatedLike1"

Some people freaked out -- and pointed out the long, shameful history of white people comparing blacks to animals in America.

Kaela responded on Twitter Wednesday morning ... saying, "My attempt at humor during a heated and highly controversial NFL game has not been received the way I intended."

"When I saw the out of control nature of the events that happened on the field, I jokingly wanted to relate it to life on the farm, where I grew up, and how it would have been handled there."

"Unfortunately, I did not realize that a tone of racism would dominate the response to what I intended to be a lighthearted defense of my husband."

"Regardless of the narrative that has been attached to my post, it was never intended to be related to race, or the disgusting hatred that created the basis for racism."

No apology, just an explanation.

Bills kicker Dan Carpenter's wife is NOT HAPPY with Richard Sherman ... comparing the Pro Bowler to an animal and threatening to castrate him over a controversial play during Monday Night Football.

Sherman's been catching flak for diving at Carpenter's legs during a field goal attempt last night ... in a play many people said was dirty. For his part, R.S. claims he was simply going for the ball.

But Carpenter's wife, Kaela, ain't buyin' it ... so she hit up Twitter to send a very ominous message to Sherman.

"I know what we do on the farm when a male can't control his own rage. #LuckyImNotThere #Sherman #ActLikeAnAnimalGetTreatedLike1" ... along with a pic of a castrator attached.

Note to NFL defenders: Stay. Away. From. Dan. Carpenter's. Legs.

Rams fans, don't give up on your 3-5 squad just yet ... 'cause one of the team's best players, Kenny Britt, says L.A. still has a legit shot to make the PLAYOFFS!

TMZ Sports saw Britt leaving Catch in West Hollywood Monday night ... and asked the wide receiver if the Rams -- who've lost 4 straight -- could still make the postseason.

Britt ain't exactly exuding confidence ... but he says the Rams definitely have a shot.

If they do somehow make the playoffs ... will it be 'cause Jared Goff got 'em there?

DeAndre Jordan's a HUGE Dallas Cowboys fan. He's also friends with both Tony Romo and Dak Prescott.

Tre Mason won't go to jail stemming from his March arrest -- when cops used a taser on the ex-Rams running back to subdue him after a traffic stop.

Mason was pulled over in his Porsche in Hollywood, FL on March 5th -- but when cops ordered him out of the car, he refused to budge.

Cops used the taser to incapacitate Mason and later charged him with resisting arrest without violence, reckless driving, weed possession and more.

Now, we've learned Mason cut a deal with prosecutors in which he pled no contest to resisting arrest, weed possession and failure to register his vehicle ... and in exchange all he has to do is pay a $293 fine.

Reggie Bush's alleged baby mama's saying it loud and clear ... her kid's gonna need a LOT of stuff.

Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall has decided to end his national anthem protest --- and will STAND when the Star Spangled Banner is played for the rest of the season.

Marshall was one of the first NFL players to join Colin Kaepernick's protest -- and said he would be taking a knee during the anthem to "raise awareness for social injustice and to start conversation about what all of us can do to make a positive change."

Marshall explained his decision to call off the protest on Instagram before the Broncos vs. Raiders game Sunday night ... saying:

"Going forward, I will be standing for the National Anthem -- not because everything is perfect, or because I'm changing my stance on things. But because of my hope for what we can become."

"Just because I am standing doesn't mean the work will end. There’s much work to be done. I’ll continue to recognize and support organizations that are stepping up as leaders and making a real difference in our community, and I will do my part to be there for those in need."

Marshall added, "I really appreciate the support from my family, teammates, coaches and fans. I’m grateful for those who have taken the time to hear me out. I’m excited for what all of us can accomplish when we truly work together."

Marshawn Lynch reenacted his infamous 2006 golf cart joyride at Cal before the Golden Bears game.

It was hysterical. You'll recall when Marshawn got behind the wheel during the Cal/Washington game back in the day.

It definitely holds up.