NFL

Donald Trump is sticking by the guy who stuck by him ... defending his friend, Tom Brady, as an "honorable guy" who was completely innocent in the DeflateGate scandal.

Trump opened up about his relationship with the New England Patriots QB on 'OBJECTified' (airs Friday at 10 PM ET on Fox News Channel) ... and explained why he likes Tom so much.

He usually doesn't drop anything ... but somehow, a diamond ring slipped through Odell Beckham's fingers at a NY strip club Thursday ... during a boys night out with Von Miller.

Eric Dickerson ain't too confident in his squad -- telling TMZ Sports he doesn't believe the Rams will make the playoffs this year ... so why not start Jared Goff and get him ready for next season?

It's kind of a shocking opinion considering the Rams are 4-5 and right in the thick of things for a playoff spot ... especially with 7 more games to go. One good run and who knows what could happen.

The Seahawks are leading the NFC West with a 6-2-1 record ... followed by the Cardinals at 4-4-1.

For the record, Dickerson says he's not rooting against the Rams -- he just thinks it'll be a tough road to hoe.

First off, Tony Dorsett is awesome.

Second, the Dallas Cowboys legend explains why he's a HUUUGE Ezekiel Elliott fan -- and will be rooting for the guy to break his Cowboys rookie rushing record.

Dorsett rushed for 1,007 yards back in 1977 -- and no other Cowboys rookie has surpassed that mark ... until now. Zeke is just 2 yards short ... and still has 7 more games to go!

With the Houston Texans going to Mexico for a game against the Raiders this weekend, the NFL has sent a safety memo to the team -- essentially advising them how not to get robbed ... or diarrhea.

NFL running back Isaiah Pead seems to be in good spirits -- or as good of spirits as he could be in -- while recovering from a bad car crash ... smiling in multiple pics from the hospital.

Pead was badly hurt when he wrecked his car in Ohio around 2 AM on Saturday -- and his injuries are so bad, his family says his football career is over.

But despite the bad news, the 26-year-old mustered up a smile when he was visited by an old friend the other day -- University of Cincinnati Asst. Athletic Director Bob Mangine ... who specializes in sports medicine.

Mangine brought over Pead's old college football jersey -- which elicited a smile from the RB.

Pead also posed for a pic in front of the hospital -- sporting a smile while seated in his wheelchair.

We've reached out to Pead to find out how he's doing. We'll let you know if we hear back.

Geno Smith is battling through his ACL tear -- working his butt off to try to get back on the field next season ... just days after undergoing surgery.

The NY Jets QB went under the knife to repair his right knee on Nov. 9th after suffering the ACL tear while playing the Ravens on Oct. 23rd.

Just 3 days later he was already in physical therapy -- and today, one week later, he's still pushing himself.

Geno's a free agent after this season and he's most likely done with the Jets -- question is, where will he land next season?

L.A. Rams defensive end Robert Quinn was shaking uncontrollably during an episode on Monday morning -- and his mother-in-law called 911 because she believed he was having a seizure.

The 26-year-old was at a home in Agoura, CA when the medical episode began around 6 AM. His mother-in-law was at the residence at the time -- and despite the fact she was clearly frightened, she composed herself enough to call 911.

At the time of the call, Quinn's mother-in-law told the operator he was still shaking ... though he stopped during the call and actually stood up. The operator advised Quinn to lay back down.

Emergency personnel raced to the scene and Quinn was transported to a nearby hospital. He was released the next day.

Well, that was quick.

Tampa Bay Bucs star Mike Evans says he's officially calling off his Donald Trump protest -- and apologizing to the people he offended.

Evans sat down during the National Anthem at the Bucs vs. Bears game this past weekend -- claiming he was upset that Trump won the election.

But a backlash soon began when it came out that Evans -- who lives in Florida -- didn't vote in the election.

Now, he's issued an apology.

"I want to start by apologizing to all the U.S. military members, their families, and the fans who I offended by my actions on Sunday. It was never my intention as I have tremendous respect for the men and women who serve our country."

"I have very strong emotions regarding some of the many issues that exist in our society today. I chose to sit as an expression of my frustration towards this year’s election. It was very personal for me, as it was for so many Americans."

"With that being said, I will not sit again during the National Anthem because I want to focus my efforts on finding more effective ways to communicate my message and bring about change by supporting organizations and movements that fight for equal rights for minorities."

"This Sunday, I will be back to standing with my teammates."

Yeah, we know he's kidding ... but it's still fun to watch Chad Johnson call out Ray Lewis -- and threatening to beat his ass!

We got Chad out at The Grove in L.A. -- smoking his stogie -- and recalling the most ferocious hit he ever took during an NFL game.

Chad says he went to fight Ray after the game -- but Ray ran out of the locker room, fearing the wrath of the 6'1", 190 pound receiver.

The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson has debunked the fight story in the past -- saying Chad and Ray are good friends ... but Chad's a trained fighter and it makes you wonder, "What if?"

Still probably Ray.

Two sensational rookies ... but only one can be NFL Rookie of the Year -- and according to LaDainian Tomlinson, it's Ezekiel Elliott all the way.

We spoke with the NFL legend about the insane season both Zeke and Dak Prescott are having -- and while Tomlinson is extremely impressed with both guys ... he makes the case for EE.

More bad news for the Chicago Bears ... star wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been suspended for 4 games after testing positive for PEDs.

A rep for the NFL says, "Alshon Jeffery of the Chicago Bears has been suspended without pay for the team’s next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances."

Billy Gardell says it's not time to jump off the Big Ben bandwagon just yet ... but the "Mike and Molly" star admits the bandwagon needs one thing -- a good backup driver.

We got Gardell out in NYC Monday and asked the lifelong Steelers fan how he felt about the gut-wrenching loss to the Dallas Daks this past Sunday.

Pittsburgh is now 4-5 and a lot of people are wondering if it's time to start searching for the heir apparent to Roethlisberger ... now that his injury, and age -- he's 34 -- are becoming a factor.

Billy makes it plain ... Ben's still got his heart, but it might be time for the Steelers to find their Tony Romo ... a qualified and dependable backup.

The Bears looked downright terrible on Sunday -- but don't peg the loss solely on Jay Cutler ... EVERYONE in a Chicago uniform stunk ... so says Mike Ditka.

The Chicago Bears legend wasn't exactly a staunch defender of the QB when we spoke with him about the crushing 36-10 loss to the Bucs moments ago ... but he explained why it isn't fair to JUST go after Cutler.

Ditka also weighs in on Broncos QB Trevor Siemian -- "Is he the guy? I dunno. But he's the guy they got!"

Less than 24 hours after shocking the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott and a bunch of other Cowboys stars hit up a Salvation Army to serve an early Thanksgiving dinner to the needy.

The guys were in pretty good spirits -- and the people at the Salvation Army couldn't have been more excited!

Jason Witten, Lucky Whitehead and Alfred Morris were among the players who pitched in.

Dak and Ezekiel seemed especially chummy during the charity event -- and at 8-1, why wouldn't they be?

How bout dem Cowboys?!

The Steelers broke Snoop Dogg's heart again -- and the rapper says it's all because his squad still hasn't been able to replace Troy Polamalu.

Snoop vented about Pittsburgh's last second loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday -- and placed the blame on the Steelers' secondary.

"Since Polamalu left, our DBs ... very, very skeptical."