NFL

Adrian Peterson is finally speaking out -- saying he's a changed man and vows to never hit any of his children with a switch again ... in what seems like an obvious ploy to appease NFL commish Roger Goodell.

The NFL star just gave an interview with USA Today, essentially saying he now understands why people are upset at the way he disciplined his 4-year-old son ... and that he feels terrible about it.

"There's different situations where a child needs to be disciplined as far as timeout, taking their toys away, making them take a nap. There's so many different ways to discipline your kids."

He added, "No one knows how I felt when I turned my child around after spanking him and seeing what I had left on his leg. No one knows that dad sat there and apologized to him, hugged him and told him that I didn't mean to do this to you and how sorry I was."

"I love my son. I love my kids, my family. Like I said after I took the misdemeanor plea, I take full responsibility for my actions. I regret the situation. I love my son more than any one of you could even imagine."

The timing of the interview is VERY curious ... considering NFL commish Roger Goodell just ripped Peterson in a letter for having shown "no meaningful remorse" since the incident.

In a letter, which Goodell made public, the NFL commish explained why he banned AP for the rest of the season without pay.

"You have shown no meaningful remorse for your conduct. When indicted, you acknowledged what you did, but said that you would not ‘eliminate whooping my kids’ and defended your conduct in numerous published text messages to the child’s mother."

Goodell continued ... "You also said that you felt ‘very confident with my actions because I know my intent.’ These comments raise the serious concern that you do not fully appreciate the seriousness of your conduct, or even worse, that you may feel free to engage in similar conduct in the future.”

So, the question now ... you buyin' AP's new stance? Or is it just lip service to try and get back on Roger's good side?

Cleveland Browns superstar Joe Haden is such a huge sneakerhead -- HE JUST BOUGHT AN ENTIRE STORE ... and TMZ Sports has learned he's having a massive grand opening party on Black Friday!

Here's what we know ... Haden has been wanting to get into the shoe biz for a while -- and bought out an existing sneaker shop in downtown Cleveland, which he renamed "The Restock."

We spoke to Joe's business partner David Damier, who tells us ... "It's a consignment-based store. We specialize in offering shoes that you can no longer find in stores. Rare shoes are our specialty."

Doors open on Black Friday -- and David says Joe will definitely be on hand to celebrate ... even though the Browns have a game in Atlanta that weekend.

"They don't fly out until Saturday, so Joe will definitely be there. There will be a bunch of athletes there."

No word if Haden will be selling anything from his personal collection -- which is stocked with some of the most sought-after sneakers ever made ... including Air Yeezys, South Beach LeBrons, Corks, and some ultra-rare Air Jordan VIIs.

Don't worry Tom Coughlin, the Jonas Brothers got your back.

With Tiki Barber calling for Coughlin's job, Nick Jonas -- a huge NY Giants fan -- is still supporting his favorite head coach, telling TMZ Sports he loves the guy ... despite the team's 3-7 record.

Dennis Miller's short-lived stint as broadcaster for "Monday Night Football" has been described in a lot of ways ... but this might be the first time anyone's called it a "good run."

The comic's former "MNF" booth partner Al Michaels was out in NYC yesterday when we asked if Miller got a fair shot when he was part of the ABC team from 2000-02.

"He was on the air for 2 years," Michaels said ... "That's a pretty good run on 'Monday Night Football.'"

Problem is ... it's not.

O.J. Simpson went 3 seasons in the booth. So did Alex Karras.

The only famous announcer to spend less time on the "MNF" team is Joe Namath .. who was fired after 1 season in 1985.

As for Miller, he was replaced by a guy named John Madden. Apparently, he has a video game or something.

New England Patriots RB Stevan Ridley got a jump on the Xmas season -- dropping $20k on some sick bling for some of his favorite teammates ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Ridley -- along with Pats teammate Danny Amendola and former LSU teammate Ron Brooks -- recently hit up the Nialaya jewelry store in L.A. ... which happens to be owned by "Euros of Hollywood" star Jannik Olander.

We're told the guys picked out all sorts of rings, bracelets and necklaces ... but when the $20k bill came, Ridley picked up the tab.

Friends ... they're better when they're millionaires.

Check out the hardware ...

There's only one way to save the Oakland Raiders ... FIRE EVERYONE ... so says ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman, who says the team is "as bad as it gets."

"They need to clean house," Merriman says ... "Bring some people in there who WANT to play football ... and people who want to win."

But the best part about the encounter with the former San Diego Chargers linebacker -- when he took a second to PRAISE the Silver and Black.

"I used to love playing the Raiders ... they sent me to many Pro Bowls. So I can't hate."

Burn the Titans. Burn with Snoop ... that seems to be the rapper's motto because he just offered up a fat victory blunt to Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell.

Snoop -- a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan -- was so impressed with the running back's record-setting performance last night, he offered Bell a smokeable reward to enjoy the next time they get together.

He's calling it a "LeGarrette BLUNT" ... get it?

Might not be the best idea, considering Bell (and coincidentally LeGarrette Blount) were arrested for weed possession in Pittsburgh earlier this year.

Hours after having one of the biggest games of his life, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell wasn't done showing off his moves ... cyber-flirting with Jordin Sparks.

Bell played out of his mind last night -- putting up 204 yards against the Titans ... the most rushing yards by a Steelers player in "Monday Night Football" history.

Well, the recently single Sparks took notice ... posting, "Le'Veon Bell is just a beast. Titans D cannot contain him."

She then reposted Le'Veon's stat line ... adding, "Again, beast."

Bell -- who also appears to be single -- was all about it and tweeted back at Sparks ... "I see @JordinSparks liked the way I played last night."

Total cyber-flirting, right?

For the record, Sparks is a huge football fan (her dad is ex-NFL star Phillippi Sparks) .... and after things ended with Jason Derulo earlier this year ... we asked if Phillippi would be cool with his daughter dating a football player. She gave an interesting answer.

As for the twitter-flirting ... we'll keep an eye on it.

Adrian Peterson will not play in the NFL this season ... he's been suspended for at least the rest of the year -- without pay -- for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

The earliest Peterson will be considered for reinstatement is April 15, 2015.

In a letter to Peterson informing him of the suspension, commissioner Roger Goodell wrote, "The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counseling and treatment program set forth in this decision. Under this two-step approach, the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions."

He continued, "We are prepared to put in place a program that can help you to succeed, but no program can succeed without your genuine and continuing engagement. You must commit yourself to your counseling and rehabilitative effort, properly care for your children, and have no further violations of law or league policy."

Josh Gordon's 10-week stint at an Ohio car dealership was NO JOKE ... the guy worked his ass off and was a big part in several car sales ... multiple employees tell TMZ Sports.

The Cleveland Browns wide receiver has been reinstated -- and is officially back with the team -- which means he will no longer be working with the sales team at Sarchione Auto Group in Ohio.

It seemed like the gig was a joke at first ... but we're told Gordon took the job seriously and treated the whole thing like a very serious apprenticeship.

"He was totally into it," one employee tells us ... "He was very patient with customers. He answered their questions. Josh knows a lot about cars."

We're told Josh often shadowed one of the owners -- spending most of his time at the Chevrolet dealership -- and showed real potential when it came to working in the car biz.

"He was working a full schedule. 8AM to 8PM Mondays and Thursdays ... 8AM to 6PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He also worked 8-3 on Saturdays."

We're told several of Gordon's teammates visited the WR on the lot -- unclear if any of them actually bought a car.

But get this ... Cleveland Cavs player Mike Miller leased a car from the dealership ... and we're told Gordon had a lot to do with the sale.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was officially welcomed to the Roc Nation Sports family this weekend with a huge party at Jay Z's NYC nightclub ... complete with champagne, hot chicks and expensive jewelry.

It all went down at Jay's 40/40 Club ... where Dez sipped on expensive Ace of Spades champagne and D'USSE Cognac.

Also, check out Dez's brand new chain -- the Roc Nation Sports logo -- we're guessing a gift from his new agency.

Of course, Dez fired his old agent and signed with Jay's group earlier this month -- and clearly, he's fired up about it.

The Navy Seal Team 6 member who shot Osama Bin Laden is a huge Washington Redskins fan -- and met with the team last night to motivate the guys to take out Tampa Bay.

Rob O'Neil attended the team meeting on Saturday and even took a photo with superstar wide receiver Pierre Garcon.

"We had the honor of meeting and listening to a real HERO tonight before our game tomorrow and he's a Redskins fan," Garcon wrote.

"Navy Seal Team 6 Rob O'Neill thank you for the inspiring words. #HTTR"

Jameis Winston is rubbing top NFL agents the wrong way -- with several top flight dealmakers telling TMZ Sports there's no way in hell they would ever consider signing the Heisman winner.

Winston has been involved in all sorts of off-the-field drama during his short career at Florida State ... from a rape investigation to crab leg theft to cussing on campus to alleged soda-jacking and more -- and we're told his reputation is scaring off the agencies.

One agent, who reps several Pro Bowl NFL stars, says ... "It's been a topic of conversation at the agency. Everyone around the table feels it's best to be hands off."

"Personally, I wouldn't touch him."

Another big agent, who also reps several NFL superstars, tells us he doesn't even want Jameis on the same teams as his clients.

"I wouldn't want him playing with my guys -- too much of a distraction."

The agent continued, "He’s a great athlete but he has too much going on off the field. We don't want that kind of drama around here."

We also spoke with several sports management companies who shared similar sentiments -- and explained that top level agents and managers don't want to waste their valuable time on someone who seems like a headache.

Brandon Marshall's mother says it's "very sweet" that her son is willing to fight a smack-talking Lions fan who dissed her on Twitter -- telling TMZ Sports, "I'm honored."

As you know ... the Chicago Bears star offered $25k to FIGHT a man named Anthony Kalla after Anthony went on a social media tirade this week and called Brandon's mother a w**re.

"I am honored that my son wanted to have a duel on his mother’s behalf," Brandon's mother Diane tells us. "I think this is Brandon’s way of getting the guy’s attention."

Still ... when push comes to shove, Diane says she does NOT believe Brandon was being serious when he made the offer.

"He’s not going into a boxing ring and putting gloves on to fight anytime soon."

As for Brandon's initial challenge to Anthony -- that Kalla would have to work in an orphanage if he lost the fight -- Diane says she still expects the less fortunate to benefit from the situation.

The New England Patriots have issued an apology for one of the biggest Twitter backfires EVER -- when the team celebrated it's 1 millionth follower ... by retweeting a user with a SUPER RACIST handle.

The NFL team decided to celebrate reaching the 1 million follower milestone by allowing creating custom webart for anyone who retweeted the team's original celebratory post.

The Patriots team account would then automatically tweet the custom art for ever single person who took part in the publicity stunt.

Problem is ... one of the users was using the Twitter handle "IHATEN**GERSS."

Long story short ... the Pats Twitter page retweeted the super racist jersey that had been auto-created to their 1 million followers ... and all hell broke loose.

The team eventually deleted the racist piece of art ... and issued an apology:

"We apologize for the regrettable tweet that went out from our account. Our filtering system failed & we will be more vigilant in the future."

[Insert Bill Belichick disapproving scowl here]

Matt Lauer says his sitdown with Ray Rice's wife was "great" -- but it's clear he doesn't want to give too much away ... because he just bobbed and weaved like Muhammad Ali!

Matt was heading over to 30 Rock in NYC this morning when he acknowledged the interview was in the can.