NFL

Deion Sanders' ex-wife was sentenced to seven days behind bars today for failing to return their kids in a timely manner ... as they agreed to do in their divorce agreement.

Pilar Sanders was found in contempt, and immediately taken into custody. The judge ruled she did not bring their 3 children back to do Deion on time after a visit last July -- and also took them when it wasn't her turn.

According to local reports, Pilar did not have an attorney with her ... and at one point told the court, “I am not a part of the United States corporation." As we first told you ... Pilar now believes she can only be judged by the Moroccan Empire (which does not exist).

J.J. Watt received an awesome gift from the coolest 7-year-old on the planet ... and TMZ Sports has learned little Anthony Tarantelli can expect something in the mail from #99 real soon.

Tarantelli captured the hearts of every sports fan when he sent Watt an autographed jersey (not the other way around) and included a letter saying he was "the most feared rusher in my league this year."

Anthony's dad Joe tells TMZ it took a little luck to get the delivery to Watt. Joe says he posted about it on Facebook ... and a friend came forward saying he knew Watt's agent.

Lauren Tarantelli, Anthony's mom, tells TMZ Sports ... J.J. reached out to Anthony after getting the package and sent along a video message ... in which he said Anthony can "expect something in the mail."

Mama Tarantelli -- who was a college tennis player herself -- says Anthony's love of J.J. came about all on his own (his dad's a Bills fan) and that he's so feared in his league ... he once had the referee tell him to go easy.

Perhaps NFL refs should try that approach with J.J.

The New England Patriots are all business on the field, but they know how to have fun off it ... because a bunch of the team's stars rocked the mic at a karaoke event on Monday benefiting sick kids.

The "Open Mic Holiday Party" in Foxboro, Mass was hosted by safety Patrick Chung (who rocked out to Katy Perry's "Firework") with fellow Pats Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, and Devin McCourty in attendance.

Chung and the Pats raised $80,000 for "Chung Changing Lives" -- an organization that supports personal and academic development in kids -- and several other Boston area charities.

Pats owner Robert Kraft even made a cameo, and promised to perform an Elton John song next year.

Here's hoping he keeps his word.

Ray and Janay Rice partied hard Monday night ... their friends threw them a surprise party -- complete with cake and hard booze -- to celebrate being in Baltimore for seven years.

Janay posted a few pics from the party at their home -- looks like they played Cards Against Humanity and drank beers and a handle of Fireball.

We don't know what Ray was drinking, but as we first reported -- he blamed the entire elevator incident on hard alcohol and told friends he was swearing off the stuff completely.

Janay captioned her pics with: "our Bmore family is seriously the best!!! We thought we were having a normal Monday night then the doorbell rang...little did we know there they were with drinks, food, games, and the most of all love & support!"

One of her hashtags was "#lovenomatterwhereweare" ... perhaps an acknowledgment that after 7 years they'll most likely be leaving Baltimore when -- and if -- Ray gets picked up by another NFL team.

Adrian Peterson might have the smoking gun he needs to get his indefinite suspension overturned -- audio of NFL exec Troy Vincent seemingly promising the Vikings star he'd only sit for 2 games.

Peterson had previously claimed Vincent made the promise, but now -- 2 days after an arbitrator denied AP's appeal to overturn the suspension -- ABC News played audio of the Nov. 12 convo between Vincent and Peterson.

On the tape, Vincent never uses the p-word, but does say ... "I gave you my word." He also hints Peterson needs to "go through the process" quietly. Translation: keep your mouth shut, don't blast the league ... and you'll be back on the field in no time.

The NFL Players Association filed a lawsuit Monday on AP's behalf, challenging the decision on Friday to uphold his indefinite suspension.

Earlier this month we talked to Vincent about the alleged "promise." Interestingly, he didn't say AP was wrong for calling him out -- and only said he was "praying" for him.

Kerry Collins couldn't just sling a football ... the former NFL quarterback had a GUN as a pitcher too ... so says Mike Piazza.

Mike was out in NYC when we asked if there were any athletes who impressed him with during the ceremonial first pitch over the years.

That's when Mike brought up the ex-Carolina Panthers QB -- who said he fired the ball so hard back in the day, it actually scared him when he was behind the plate.

Like you need ANOTHER reason to like Odell Beckham Jr.????

Well, here we go -- 'cause the NY Giants receiver says he turned down an amazing opportunity to join the U.S. National soccer program when he ws a kid ... because he'd miss his family too much.

Beckham Jr. -- who's also a hardcore sneakerhead -- was at the opening of the OG Sole sneaker shop in Jersey this weekend when he explained why he chose football ... instead of leaving his family and pursuing a career in soccer at 14-years-old.

In fact, OBJ also picked his college to stay close to his fam -- choosing LSU instead of any other program in the country ... just so he could stay local.

Things worked out.

Fun Fact -- Odell says he has more than ONE HUNDRED pairs of sneakers ... including a pair of the most sought after kicks in the shoe game.

Cleveland Browns linebacker Zac Diles is officially in the fashion game -- and his company is selling an Italian cashmere baseball cap ... FOR $1,200 EACH!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... Diles is a part owner of Melin ... a company that specializes in high-end designer headwear.

The company uses everything from antique metals to genuine pony hair to pimp out their products -- with the top item, the $1,200 hat, boasting real ostrich leather.

We spoke with Diles who tells us ... his teammates have been incredibly supportive -- with guys like Johnny Manziel, Joe Haden and Donte Whitner rockin' various items.

"It's always great to see guys in the locker room supporting."

Adrian Peterson has almost ZERO chance of getting back on the field this season -- the NFL star's appeal of his suspension was denied Friday.

Peterson was immediately placed on leave after his arrest for abusing his 4-year-old son. The case wrapped up on Nov. 4 .. when he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault. He had hoped the NFL would reinstate him shortly after that.

No dice. Instead the Vikings running back was suspended without pay. He appealed the NFL ruling, but an independent arbitrator ruled today the punishment was fair and consistent ... and refused to lift the suspension.

Peterson plans to appeal the ruling in federal court, but with only 3 Sundays left in the regular season ... it's highly unlikely he'll be back in 2014.

Ray Rice got his suspension overturned back on Nov. 28 -- but still hasn't been signed by an NFL team.

President Barack Obama just went after Roger Goodell -- saying the NFL Commish is "winging it" when it comes to the league's disciplinary action on domestic violence.

Obama called in to ESPN's "The Herd" and talked to Colin Cowherd about the Ray Rice situation.

"The way it was handled also indicates that the NFL was behind the curve," Obama said ... "As a lot of institutions have been behind the curve, in sending a clear message.”

That's when Obama took aim at Goodell -- who's been under fire for being inconsistent with the punishment he's dished out to players.

"You don’t want to be winging it when something like this happens. You want to have clear policies in place."

Former NFL star Darren Sharper has been indicted for rape in New Orleans -- stemming from an alleged 2013 incident involving two women.

According to the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office ... Sharper was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape and one count of simple rape.

Officials believe Sharper and two other men were involved -- and raped two women at a N.O. condo back in September 2013.

Sharper's alleged accomplice, Erik Nunez, was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape and one count of obstruction of justice.

A Sheriff's deputy has also been tied to the incident -- Brandon Licciardi who was indicted on three counts of human trafficking and obstruction of justice.

Prepare to apply palm to forehead.

Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen made one of the all-time blunders yesterday when asked about a sexual assault case involving a Tennessee Titans football player.

The 65-year-old politician explained that he's not really a big football guy ... but keeps up with Peyton and Eli Manning ... and knows the following thing to be 100% true:

"Eli and Peyton DON'T DO sexual assault against people ... other than their wives."

(apply palm to forehead now)

Even more shocking, the congressman didn't seem to realize his gaffe ... and moved on to the next topic without correcting himself.

The Heisman Fraternity always sticks together ... mostly ... so says football legend Archie Griffin who tells TMZ Sports there's a good reason he hopes Johnny Manziel racks up a big "L" this weekend.

The 2-time Heisman Trophy winner (the only man to ever win twice) was out in NYC yesterday -- and while he wouldn't reveal his favorite for this year's statue, he says all 3 finalists belong at the ceremony.

But when we started talking about Johnny Football -- who won the Heisman during his freshman season at Texas A&M -- Griffin reminded us why he'll be rooting for the other team.

Mike Vick is like the black Paul Mitchell .. 'cause his black hair brush business is KILLING IT ... with demand for his WaveMasterz products higher than ever ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Vick and Bow Wow got involved with the company last year after falling in love with the brushes.

Vick ended up buying 40% of the company. Bow Wow got 10%.

And the investment is paying off in a big way ... with WaveMasterz telling us the company is shipping out more than 500,000 brushes this holiday season to keep up with demand.

We're told the company only shipped out 3,000 last year ... when the company was in its infancy.

We spoke with Vick who tells us he's ecstatic about the growth -- saying, "I love the WaveMasterz brush ... it’s why I wanted to do more than endorse the brush, but be a part of this company."

He adds, "Now, we have to make sure the production keeps up with the demand because the response, even as we launch has been amazing."

11:54 AM PT -- The Menlo Park PD tells TMZ Sports ... cops detained two people involved in the incident -- and determined they were both intoxicated.

Cops say they tried to speak with key witnesses, including McDonald and Lloyd -- but they bounced before police arrived.

But get this, a hotel security guard told police he tried to stop the men from leaving ... but claims "he was purposely pushed out of the way."

The security guard later told police he did not want to pursue any action against the guy who pushed him.

As for the fight itself, cops say everyone involved has decided NOT to press charges.

Case closed.

9ers stars Ray McDonald and Brandon Lloyd jumped into action at a San Francisco-area hotel -- breaking up a FIGHT between a drunk guy and two women ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... McDonald and Lloyd were at the Rosewood Hotel in Menlo Park around 2AM Friday when a man who appeared to be super drunk began shouting at the two women who had been hanging at the bar with the players.

Witnesses tell us ... the drunk man called the women "whores" ... which obviously didn't go over well. We're told things quickly escalated with the women eventually charging at the man in a violent manner.

That's when the NFL stars rushed in and broke things up ... and then left the hotel when they felt the women were safe.

Cops were called to the scene -- and they took a report on the incident after talking to witnesses at the hotel ... but we're told no charges have been filed against anyone.

Oprah Winfrey hasn't written off Michael Sam after all ... with her OWN Network announcing they will air a 90-minute special on the football star later this month ... plus a sit-down interview.

Initially, Sam was reportedly supposed to be a part a docuseries -- just like the network did with Lindsay Lohan.

But after a MAJOR backlash from the NFL community, the project was called off. Sam was recently cut by the Dallas Cowboys and is currently a free agent.

Unclear if Sam's employment status contributed to the network's decision to run a special ... which is set to air on December 27th.

OWN says Oprah will sit-down with Sam to discuss everything that has unfolded since the NFL Draft.

According to OWN, "the documentary captures the moment when Michael was drafted by the St. Louis Rams, the intense media scrutiny that immediately followed, and Michael’s struggle to stay focused despite the pressure and chaos."

"Additionally, the documentary explores Michael’s relationship with his boyfriend Vito and the challenge of balancing his personal life alongside his pursuit of NFL stardom."

The news seems to be a shock to Sam .. who recently told TMZ Sports he didn't expect to have any sort of a professional relationship with Winfrey after the docuseries was called off.