NFL

Richard Sherman never backs down from a challenge ... and never hesitates to tell you about it (see Erin Andrews) -- and dirty diapers are no different for the Seahawks superstar.

Sherman was flying into LAX last night when he did something he never does -- help out an opposing QB ... in this case, the Redskins' RG III. Sherman had a baby boy back in February, and Griffin's got one on the way.

Griffin told TMZ Sports yesterday everyone says his sleeping days are over -- and Sherm co-signed on that, and added another tip ... saying, "Get ready for a wild ride."

And it sounds like the wildest part for Richard has been dealing with soiled diapers. Check out the clip, especially if you're RG III.

Former Miami Dolphins cornerback Will Allen is a mini-Bernie Madoff ... so says the SEC which claims the ex-NFL player ran a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme and blew some of the cash in clubs and casinos.

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Allen -- who signed a $12 million contract with the Dolphins in 2006 -- was a co-owner of Capital Financial Partners, which made loans to pro athletes.

The SEC says 36-year-old Allen and his partner raised $31 million from investors but only loaned out $18 mil ... and used some of the remaining money to PARTY THEIR ASSES OFF!

Now, the government agency is going after Allen and his partner for all of the money they allegedly stole -- plus interest and penalties.

FYI -- Allen was a 1st round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft ... and played in the league until 2012.

Shocking moment in the Aaron Hernandez case -- the ex-NFL star's lawyer just suggested that Aaron was a WITNESS in the Odin Lloyd murder ... and the killer was someone he knew.

Hernandez's attorney just wrapped up his closing statements -- and while once again denying Aaron pulled the trigger ... told the court that Hernandez was merely a witness.

"He was a 23-year-old kid who witnessed something, a shocking killing, committed by someone he knew," Aaron's lawyer said.

Here's your 2-minute Matthew Stafford wedding recap -- where the Detroit Lions QB and his wife Kelly breakdown their entire insane weekend in 120 seconds.

Among the topics:
-- The free Nike giveaway to party guests
-- The honeymoon plans
-- Some of the best gifts they got
-- Close up shots of Kelly's massive ring

The Staffords are great -- in fact, Kelly was still wearing her custom "Mrs." baseball cap from the reception while strolling through LAX on Tuesday.

There's more ... Matt also reacts to the crap he got from a Detroit media outlet last month for not clapping enough during Michigan State vs. Oklahoma game.

He couldn't hack it on the field ... and now, Michael Sam's been axed from the ballroom as well.

The first openly gay man to be drafted into the NFL found himself on the wrong end of the chopping block on "Dancing with the Stars" Monday night ... after his final rumba didn't cut it with the judges.

Sam became the 3rd contestant eliminated from the show ... following Charlotte McKinney and Redfoo.

FYI -- Suzanne Somers, "Bachelor" Chris Soules and Rumer Willis still remain.

Now, Sam is faced with a decision -- try to battle his way back into the NFL ... or give up and focus on a career in pop culture.

With a baby on the way, Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III tells TMZ Sports he's been getting all sorts of advice from people on how to prepare for life with a kid.

So, we had to ask ... what's the best piece of advice he's received so far?

RG3 and his wife Rebecca announced the pregnancy back in February ... and if we assume she was 12 weeks at the time (usual announcement time) ... she's probably around 20 weeks now.

Which means the kid's due around the end of August ... right before the season kicks off.

Seems Richard Sherman's elbow's all better -- 'cause the guy was healthy enough to get on the 1s and 2s at a crazy pool party in Vegas this weekend ... with his pal Brody Jenner!

The two -- along with Richard's teammate Kam Chancellor -- took over the DJ booth at Tao Beach at the Venetian ... providing the beats as a bunch of young, hot, barely-dressed (mostly drunk) people partied their faces off.

Later that night, the gang took the party to Tao Nightclub ... where Jenner has a DJ residency.

We're told the guys were cool, took pics with tons of fans -- and gambled a little bit later that night.

Thanks to our friends at SpyOnVegas.com for the pics.

Mickey Rourke doesn't know who the hell Rob Gronkowski is ... doesn't care either ... 'cause the actor tells TMZ Sports he practically gave up on the NFL when Dan Marino retired.

The "Iron Man 2" star was out in L.A. this weekend -- and we asked if he had any tips for athletes like Gronk who are trying to make it in Hollywood.

Rourke's answer is hilarious ...

"What made them great athletes is gonna make 'em good actors ... they've got discipline and f**king that kind of sh*t," Rourke said.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to be an actor."

Matt Stafford is officially a married man -- tying the knot with longtime girlfriend Kelly Hall ... and every single guest got a FREE PAIR OF NIKES!!!!

The two got married in a lavish ceremony in Atlanta on Saturday night -- in front of friends, family members and several Detroit Lions teammates including Golden Tate (pictured below) and Joe Fauria (above left).

But the coolest part (besides the couple getting married) ... was the wedding swag -- a free pair of Nikes to every guest and a custom airbrushed trucker hat for all.

At the end of the night, the couple got into what appeared to be a vintage Rolls-Royce ... and well, you know what happens next -- TOUCHDOWN!!!

Mazel!

If they can do it in the NBA, there's no reason female refs can't kill it in the NFL too -- so says Dallas Cowboys star Orlando Scandrick who says he's excited for Sara Thomas to make history.

"I look forward to it," Scandrick said in L.A. this weekend ... "I'm sure she'll get the adequate training and she'll be fine."

There are people who are concerned that Thomas is putting herself in harm's way -- due to the risk of being hit during a play -- but Orlando says that's BS and says he's convinced she can hack it.

FYI -- Thomas is a 41-year-old mother of 3.

Not everyone has given up on Michael Sam -- in fact, he's got a pretty powerful supporter, NY Giants co-owner Steve Tisch who tells TMZ Sports he really hopes the guy makes an NFL squad.

Tisch was out in L.A. having dinner at Craig's when he told us he still believes the first openly gay man to be drafted into the NFL has the skill and the talent to compete at the highest level.

But at what point should Sam hang up the cleats and pursue another career? Tisch talks about that too.

Johnny Manziel took a break from his intensive rehab to hit the links with his family.

Johnny, his dad and sister played the front 9 Saturday at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport, Louisiana.

People who interacted with the Cleveland Browns QB say he was in good spirits and extremely friendly. Johnny took a pic with Brian Hall, one of the golf pros.

We don't know what he scored but he's a good golfer and has played the course before.

If the whole millionaire rapper thing gets old for Kendrick Lamar ... Patriots star Chandler Jones tells TMZ Sports he has a job offer for the Compton MC ... as the team's official world ambassador.

Kendrick got the whole 'net talking about the Pats (again) by rockin' a throwback New England jacket in the his latest video "King Kunta" -- which has 2 million views on Youtube.

Chandler says he's been paying attention to the internet hubbub and wants Kendrick to be a global ambassador for the Patriots ... spreading the love of Tom Brady to the whole world.

"It would be really cool. I'm a huge fan of his and a lot of people on my team are too."

It's not a crazy idea ... other pro sports teams like the Raptors and Wizards have enlisted huge hip hop stars like Drake and Wale to be their ambassadors ... and Jones thinks he can convince owner Robert Kraft to go for the idea.

"I've seen [Kraft] in a lot of photos with iconic rappers like Rick Ross and artists like Usher. I would say he’s a very hip hop owner ... so I‘m just saying he wouldn’t mind some Kendrick."

Ron Gronkowski is clearly the biggest star in Hollywood in a physical sense, but he's becoming king of the night life, too.

Gronk was leaving 1OAK Saturday night when our photog asked him about his foray into movies, playing Officer Weadon in the upcoming "You Can't Have It."

We see lots of stars on the Sunset Strip, and no one fills a room like Gronk.

Rob Gronkowski answers to Officer Weadon ... because he IS Officer Weadon.

Our photog spotted Gronk and company cruising Bev Hills Friday where he called out the faux cop's name. Gronk doesn't get it at first, but then the real story unfolds.

Turns out Patriot's tight end played the man in blue in an upcoming movie, "You Can't Have It."

Gronk's manager, Henry Penzi -- one of Mark Wahlberg's boys -- makes it clear, there's life after football. In fact, Gronk is such a natural, he didn't even have to read for the role.

Jacksonville Jaguars lineman Sen'Derrick Marks strongly believes ... the NFL's move to hire the league's 1st female ref is more about publicity than talent ... and compares her to Michael Sam.

According to multiple reports, the NFL has hired Sarah Thomas -- a pioneer in women's officiating -- to be the first female line judge in league history.

The move has drawn widespread praise from most ... but Marks says Thomas' hiring is less about progress and more about a league desperate for positive stories.

"For women, it's great," Marks says ... "Ain't nothing wrong with it, especially as long as she knows what she's doing."

However, Marks adds ... "It's just like the Michael Sam situation -- if he wasn't gay, he would've gone undrafted. Instead the league drafts him because I think they are trying to monopolize on every aspect of the world ... the same thing with hiring a female ref."

"For the league it's great publicity. The NFL is all about monopolizing every opportunity."

No matter what the reason, it seems Thomas has finally cracked the boy's club -- and Marks says now that she's in, he's rooting for her to succeed.