NFL

More financial problems for Vince Young ... TMZ Sports has learned the ex-NFL star has been sued for allegedly borrowing $700k back in 2011 and never paying it back.

The allegations are pretty cut and dry -- Young and his former financial adviser Ron Peoples are being sued by Triton Financial ... which claims Young took out the loan in April 2011 (when he was still with the Tennessee Titans) and agreed to pay the WHOLE THING BACK in 5 short months.

Young also agreed to pay a $21k "origination fee."

Problem is, according to Titan, Young never forked over the money ... and now his debt (with interest) has grown to a whopping $1,163,194.58.

It's just another HUGE money issue for Young -- who sued Peoples back 2012 claiming the guy cheated him out of millions. The two reportedly reached a settlement.

Young filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year ... and according official docs, he owes between $1 mil and $10 mil in various debts.

Not everyone in Texas believes in "switch" justice -- so says Texas congressman Michael McCaul who tells TMZ Sports he doesn't believe hitting kids with a branch like Adrian Peterson.

McCaul was out in D.C. this weekend -- and while he stressed that his priority was hunting down the terrorists from ISIS -- he also weighed in on the allegations Peterson is facing in his home state.

"I'm all for discipline," McCaul said ... "but it's gotta be the right discipline."

He added, "I've never taken a branch from a tree and hit my children."

NFL legend Cris Carter just WENT OFF on Adrian Peterson -- scolding the Vikings running back for beating his 4-year-old kid ... and admitting his own mother was wrong for hitting him as a child.

The whole thing was incredibly emotional -- with Carter appearing on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" and ripped the idea that Peterson's form of punishment was OK because that's how AP was taught when he was a kid.

"My mom did the best job she could do ... but there are thousands of things I have learned since then -- that my mom was wrong."

"She did the best she could, but she was wrong about some of the stuff she taught me ... and I promised my kids I won't teach that mess to them."

Carter then hails the Vikings -- his former team -- saying they did the right thing by deactivating AP.

The Carolina Panthers have decided to DEACTIVATE superstar defensive end Greg Hardy because of his domestic violence conviction -- a decision that was made by the team Sunday morning and it seems fairly obvious it's all because of the Ray Rice situation.

Back in July, a North Carolina judge found Hardy guilty of attacking his girlfriend and threatening her life during an altercation in May -- but the Panthers and the NFL decided not to punish Hardy while he appealed the decision and pursued a jury trial.

Translation -- THEY SAT ON THEIR HANDS AND DID NOTHING FOR MONTHS.

But now, in the wake of the Ray Rice scandal -- and a public outcry against the NFL for taking too light of a stance against domestic violence -- the Panthers have decided to deactivate Hardy for today's game.

As for the incident, Hardy's ex had claimed he beat the living crap out of her and threatened to kill her during a jealous late-night rage.

The woman had testified that Hardy got angry that night when he heard a Nelly song at a nightclub -- which angered him because the woman had briefly dated the rapper when she was on a break from Hardy.

Story developing ...

Marion Barber's former NFL teammates tell TMZ Sports they're "shocked" by the details of the former superstar's handgun-in-a-church arrest ... and are hoping he gets the help he needs.

We broke the story ... Barber was taken into police custody in June after allegedly taking a loaded gun into a Texas church and flashing it at the congregation. He was held for mental evaluation.

One former NFL teammate -- a fellow superstar who didn't want to be named because he maintains a close friendship with Barber -- says, "He needs help, I care about him."

We also spoke with former Cowboys cornerback Brian McCann -- who played with Barber in 2010 -- who says the Marion he knew was a "fun-loving guy."

"[The Marion described in the police report] doesn't sound like him at all. He never seemed like a troubled guy."

"He was the team jokester. He showed me you can still have fun at this level."

Ray Rice and his wife Janay have finally emerged in public -- attending a high school football game with their daughter Saturday .... laughing and smiling as if they didn't have a care in the world.

The couple surfaced in New Rochelle High School in NY -- where Ray played ball back in the day -- and cheered on the school from the sidelines.

Interesting, considering Ray's middle school recently took down his football jersey in the wake of the elevator attack video.

Meantime, the NRHS football coach expressed SUPPORT for Ray -- and said he will always be a part of the New Rochelle High family.

Ray didn't speak with the media -- and left before the game ended.

The Montgomery County DA's office just said Adrian Peterson's decision to whip his child with a tree branch exceeded "reasonable discipline" and that is why he has been indicted for felony child abuse.

The DA says parents are allowed to use discipline -- presumably some physical force -- but it has to be in line with reasonable community standards.

The DA said reports that a grand jury had previously rejected the case are false -- the grand jury that indicted Peterson on Friday is the only to ever hear the case.

The DA says the grand jury heard the case for several weeks before making it's decision.

The stakes are high for Peterson ... if he's convicted of the felony he could serve up to two years behind bars.

Ray Rice's criminal case was handled "outrageously" and "shamefully" ... this according to numerous prosecutors in the office ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Multiple prosecutors in the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office have spoken with TMZ -- on condition of anonymity -- and they say it is "virtually unheard of" for their office to allow someone like Ray Rice to avoid felony charges. What's more ... they say it all happened behind closed doors ... behind their backs.

We previously reported ... the grand jury indicted Rice for felony abuse after viewing the elevator video posted on TMZ Sports. Rice's lawyer then petitioned for something called PTI -- Pre-trial Intervention -- which gives first time offenders a break ... reducing the charge to a minor offense.

As one prosecutor said, "If there is violence or even a threat of violence by the perpetrator, prosecutors almost always object to a PTI and judges always follow the prosecutor's wishes" ... meaning the case gets tried as a felony.

Not so with Rice. We're told the case did NOT go to the Domestic Violence Unit ... which is where it should have gone. Instead, it was micromanaged by Jim McClain, the prosecutor who runs the office and his number 2 prosecutor, Diane Ruberton. The Domestic Violence Unit was in the dark.

Another prosecutor said, "Never did I see a case this violent get PTI. It's off the charts abnormal."

The prosecutors say virtually everyone in the office was outraged when the case was closed on May 20. As one prosecutor said, "The video is disgusting. He [Rice] treated her like a pile of s***, human garbage, dragging her out of the elevator."

And it gets worse. We're told either on June 17 or 18 ... Jim McClain called all of the prosecutors into the conference room and said he would no longer use the Domestic Violence Unit to process cases where the grand jury indicts abusers. We're told McClain said it was just a matter of resources.

But our sources say McClain's decision is a disaster. They say the cases are now handled by overworked prosecutors who handle general crimes and don't have the time or training to handle DV cases. They have no time to help the victims through the process. Our sources say McClain has "all but obliterated the DV Unit."

As for why McClain handled the Rice case the way he did and then emasculated the DV unit ... none of the prosecutors have a clue.

McClain tells TMZ Sports Diane Ruberton is "one of our most experienced attorneys," adding she was assisted by a Victim Witness Coordinator. McClain also said he consulted with Ruberton and another prosecutor who handles PTI domestic violence applications, before deciding not to object to Rice's PTI bid.

Adrian Peterson turned himself over to authorities early Saturday morning on child abuse charges ... faintly smiling for his mug shot.

Peterson was booked in Houston just after 1 AM and released a half hour later.

The football star is accused of beating his 4-year-old son with a tree branch ... hitting him so hard it left welts and caused him to bleed.

Peterson actually admitted to cops he gave his son "a whooping" and says it's the same treatment he got as a kid. Peterson's lawyer adds that his client "deeply regrets the unintentional injury."

The Vikings have deactivated Peterson for Sunday's game.

Mo'Nique just joined an even smaller club than than the Academy Award winners group she already belongs to ... people who want to give Ray Rice a second chance.

The "Precious" star was on "Good Day L.A." on FOX 11 this week and when asked about the Rice situation, showed a tidal wave of support for Rice -- more than any other big star has so far.

"A lot of people are saying get rid of him ... in our worst moments we would want empathy."

4:12 PM PT -- According to the police report, Peterson allegedly sent text messages to the child's mother saying he "felt bad" because he struck the kid in the testicles.

"Got him in the nuts once I noticed. But I felt so bad, n I'm all tearing that butt up when needed!" the text said.

Peterson allegedly sent a follow up text saying, "Never do I go overboard! But all my kids will know, hey daddy has he biggest heart but don't play no games when it comes to acting right."

4:10 PM PT -- According to the police report, the child told authorities he had also been hit by a belt and there were "a lot of belts in daddy's closet."

The child also said AP had put leaves in his mouth when he was being struck and that his pants were down.

3:50 PM PT -- The Vikings have deactivated Peterson for Sunday's game.

3:34 PM PT -- Peterson has issued a statement through his lawyer saying, "The charged conduct involves using a switch to spank his son."

"This indictment follows Adrian's full cooperation with authorities who have been looking into this matter. Adrian is a loving father who used his judgement as a parent to discipline his son."

"He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in East Texas. Adrian has never hidden from what happened."

"He has cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours."

"Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this inquiry from its beginning. It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury."

3:00 PM PT -- The police report on the case includes photos of cuts on the boy's thigh and hands. He also had bruises on his lower back and buttocks, and according to the report ... Peterson admitted punishing him.

One law enforcement source tells TMZ ... Peterson decided to discipline his son by grabbing a branch from a tree -- and then whipping the child on his bare skin. We're told several of the wounds were bleeding when the child went back to his mother.

2:31 PM PT -- The Vikings have issued a statement saying ... "The Vikings are in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation involving Adrian Peterson."

"At this time, we will defer further questions to Adrian’s attorney Rusty Hardin."

Minnesota Vikings superstar Adrian Peterson has been indicted for child abuse in North Montgomery County, TX ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources connected to Peterson tell us ... the alleged victim is a male child from Minnesota who was visiting Adrian back in May at AP's home in Texas.

We're told the child returned home to his mother in Minn. who noticed injuries and took the child to a doctor. A short time later, the doctor contacted authorities in Texas to report Adrian.

Child Protective Services confirms it is working on a case involving Peterson. Multiple sources tell us the alleged victim is a 4-year-old boy.

Peterson was indicted in Montgomery County for reckless or negligent injury to a child, this according to MyFOX Houston 26.

Peterson missed Vikings team practice yesterday -- though the team explained it as a "veteran's day." Peterson did attend practice today and was said to be laughing and joking on the field.

Earlier today, Peterson posted a message on Twitter -- though it's unclear if it's related to the case.

"People understand that if you are on God's course and suppose to have that position and man decides to remove you know that God will remove everyone to place you rightfully! You matter!"

"Its your season! Weapons may form but won’t prosper! God has you covered don’t stress or worry!"

Story developing ...

Toni Braxton says she believes in "standing by your man" ... but when it comes to Ray Rice, it's clear the singer thinks Janay Palmer should make an exception.

Toni and her sister Towanda were leaving Mr. Chow in Bev Hills last night when she told us how she sympathizes for Janay for having to deal with her situation in the public eye ... but strongly implies that she should leave her NFL husband.

Everyone loves football ... even the Amish ... who often BREAK their no-electricity rule to catch NFL games on Sundays -- so says "Breaking Amish" star Kate Stoltz.

Stoltz -- who grew up Amish before leaving the farm to become a Maxim model -- was out at Fashion Week in New York City last night when she told us that football is definitely worth the risk.

"We sneak our televisions and we watch football ... like every single week we watch football."

Ronda Rousey says ... the Ray Rice story would've had a MUCH, MUCH different ending if she was in the elevator with the NFL star.

The UFC champ was at LAX Thursday when she was asked what would have happened if she was in Janay Palmer's shoes on that fateful night in an Atlantic City casino.

Ronda's answer -- well, ya gotta watch the video.

One major NFL sponsor tells TMZ Sports ... they are "frustrated" with Roger Goodell -- and will keep a close eye on the investigation to determine whether or not to end its relationship with the NFL.

A key member of the company -- who would not let us use his or his company's name, but trust us ... it's as big as it gets -- tells us, "It's one thing after another [with Goodell]" ... noting the company is particularly "frustrated" with Goodell's "inconsistent policies."

We're told the company has had several internal meetings to discuss its relationship with the league -- but it's NOT at the point of pulling money right now.

"We're concerned with the unknown right now. Where is [the Goodell saga] going next?"