NFL

One of Jason Pierre-Paul's ex-teammates is begging the NFL star to IGNORE THE HATERS after his 4th of July fireworks injury ... insisting it "could have happened to anyone."

JPP hasn't exactly received a ton of support after mangling his hand in the explosion -- with people calling him a buffoon, irresponsible and reckless.

But Chicago Bears defensive back Antrel Rolle -- a 3-time Pro Bowler who played with JPP on the Giants -- says he's still got Jason's back ... and he's just glad Jason wasn't killed.

"I am just happy that my boy has his health. This was a freakish accident that could have happened to anyone," Rolle said.

"Every year I do fireworks for the kids in my family and some of the kids in the neighborhood. Have been doing it for 7 years strong already. So my point is this could have happened to anyone including myself."

Rolle continued, "Many people are going to doubt, hate, speculate and that's all cool and they are well within their rights. But one thing they can't do is define who you are as a person and put a limit on your will and determination!"

As if the past 24 hours haven't been bad enough for Mark Cuban -- now he's getting mocked by former sitcom star Mark Curry, who says he LOVES that Cuban got burned in the DeAndre deal.

"TOO BAD MARK CUBAN," Curry told us ... saying a handshake deal isn't worth squat and that DeAndre had every right to bail on the Mavs because nothing was ever signed in ink.

FYI -- Curry is a huge Golden State Warriors fan ... and during the clip, rips both the Clippers and the Mavs ... calling 'em both LOSERS.

It's kinda funny.

Ex-NFL Running back Thomas Jones is BLASTING Giants stud Jason Pierre-Paul ... saying JPP is a total BUFFOON for mangling his hand in a fireworks accident on the 4th of July.

Jones -- who spent 12 seasons in the league -- was commenting on the recent report that JPP had a finger amputated due to the severity of the fireworks injury ... and wrote bluntly:

"NOW THIS IS A MORON!!"

"These guys running around looking like Raptors with 3 and 4 fingers and s**t tryna light firecrackers at home. What the hell is goin on!!!"

He wasn't done ... Jones continued with another brutally honest message:

"Attention All NFL Players: LEAVE THE F*****G FIREWORKS ALONE!! YOU BUFOONS!!!!"

Donovan McNabb is stepping away from his NBC sports radio show -- at least temporarily -- to deal with "personal issues" in the wake of his DUI arrest ... TMZ Sports has learned.

McNabb hosts a show called "Under Center" with Mark Malone ... a daily sports talk show on the NBC Sports Radio Network.

But 2 weeks after Donovan's 2nd DUI arrest -- network officials tell us McNabb is taking a break.

"Donovan McNabb is taking immediate leave to address some personal issues, and we support him in this decision," the network tells us.

McNabb WAS on the show yesterday and addressed the arrest -- saying he was "handling the matter." Clearly, he's had a change of heart.

Seems Donovan McNabb tried the ol' boozy breath cover up trick before his DUI -- 'cause cops say he had TWO cough drops in his mouth when they arrived to the crash scene.

In the incident report, obtained by TMZ Sports, cops say McNabb had all of signs of a drunk person when they approached him after he smashed into another car in Arizona on June 28th -- plus one cop said, "I noticed a strong, fruity odor on his breath."

When the officer asked what the smell was, McNabb said he was fighting a cold and had taken Robitussin and was eating 2 cough drops.

Cops asked McNabb to spit out the drops -- he did -- and suddenly, the arresting officer says he could definitely detect a "strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath."

According to the report, McNabb admitted he had been at a local sports bar before the incident -- and was just trying to get home. At one point, he asked if he could just walk back to his house, but insisted he was "good to drive."

Cops didn't believe him and arrested McNabb for DUI -- and things got worse.

As McNabb was walking into the detention area at the police station, he tripped ... another sign he was drunk, cops say.

McNabb didn't take a breathalyzer -- but submitted blood. The results were not included in the report.

Terrell Owens says he's genuinely worried about his ex-teammate Donovan McNabb -- saying he's lucky the QB didn't kill anyone in his recent DUI arrest and wants him to get help, ASAP.

TMZ Sports spoke with T.O. who says the June 28th arrest should serve as a "wake up call" for the former Philadelphia Eagles star.

"DUI is a very serious thing. The number of lives that have been lost from it are staggering. It's a blessing no one was hurt."

Owens continued, "We may not still be playing, but we still serve as role models. You have to be more responsible."

July 5th was National Bikini Day ... and to honor this wonderful holiday, the hottest cheerleaders around the NFL busted out their best 2-pieces and stormed the sand.

NFL legend Eddie George is all about nipple equality ... telling TMZ Sports he completely supports Chrissy Teigen's war on boob censorship ... because, well, "She's on the right track."

Teigen's tatas have been all over the news ever since she posted topless pics on Instagram -- pics that Instagram took down due to its no female nipple policy.

But George says he agrees with Teigen that women aren't getting treated fairly when it comes to what they can show off in public.

"Hell, if she wants to show her nipples to the world, show the beauty behind it, I'm all for it. Save the nipple."

NFL legend Emmitt Smith is now distancing himself from Donald Trump ... backing out as a judge in the upcoming Miss USA pageant after Trump trashed Mexicans.

Smith was one of 5 celebrity judges that was scheduled to participate on the show.

Several high profile people have dropped out from the production including co-host Cheryl Burke, Flo Rida (who was supposed to perform) and Roselyn Sanchez.

Ex-New England Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes has pled GUILTY in his hit and run case stemming from a June crash in his Maybach ... but he won't do one single minute behind bars.

Instead, Spikes has been ordered to pay more than $2k in fines and his driver's license has been suspended for one year.

As we previously reported, cops found Brandon's expensive Maybach on the side of the interstate in Foxboro, Mass. on June 7. At first, Spikes said he hit a deer, but was lying. Instead, he smashed into the back of an SUV -- leaving 3 people with minor injuries, including a 12-year-old girl.

Spikes was initially charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, negligent driving, speeding and failure to stay in his lane.

But he struck a plea deal, and got probation for one year. His driver's license was suspended and he's been ordered to complete a safe driving course.

A super embarrassing moment on social media paid dividends for Robert Griffin III -- 'cause the NFL star says he's "good friends" with the U.S. women's soccer team now, after a mix-up back in 2012.

RG3 was out at Mastro's Steakhouse last night when he told us he's thrilled for Team USA -- especially since he's become tight with stars like Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Sydney Leroux.

So, what's the embarrassing part? Back in '12, he THOUGHT he met Alex Morgan at an event ... and even went to Twitter to thank her for being so nice.

Problem is ... it wasn't Alex Morgan -- who responded on Twitter, "I think u met @TobinHeath today but hopefully I'll see u around. Good luck in the draft!"

Oops.

The good news ... RG, Alex and Tobin all joked about it on social media -- and RG3 says they're all friends now. So, the public humiliation paid off!

Warren Sapp won't let a little thing like allegedly beating, stomping and biting his GF keep him from having a good time ... 'cause days after he was hit with criminal charges, Warren went fishing.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Sapp participated in the 5th Annual University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Dolphin Tournament over the weekend, laughing and smiling with U of M cheerleaders.

The tourney raises money for various charity organizations ... and Warren actually hosted the tournament in 2012.

Still, considering Sapp was charged with 3 counts of domestic violence on Thursday ... it was interesting that he showed up ready to fish just 24 hours later.

Warren hasn't issued an official statement about the charges ... but he definitely sent a message this weekend -- he's not letting it bother him.

Troy Aikman just took a baller vacation straight out of a Jay Z video ... chartering a $10 MILLION super yacht destined for Richard Branson's insane private island ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources tell us ... Aikman and his GF, Tracy Ripsin, boarded a PIMPED OUT yacht earlier this month called the Sea Legend ... an ultra-luxury ship with a gym, hot tub, pool, kitchen and all sorts of baller stuff.

We're told the couple set sail for Necker Island ... owned by Branson ... though it's unclear if Troy actually hung out with the billionaire or just kicked it his private paradise in the Virgin Islands.

It's good to be rich.

New York Giants linebacker J.T. Thomas believes in the "Treat Yo Self" mentality ... because after he inked his new $12 MILLION contract ... he picked up $55k in brand new bling ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Thomas hit up Avianne and Co. in NYC -- and scored himself an 18 karat gold Cuban link chain for $35k.

And because he didn't want that chain to get lonely, he got a 2nd piece ... a 25 karat ruby, surrounded by diamonds ... which ran him another $20k.

Tom Haverford would be proud ...

NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin says he's very concerned about his friend Warren Sapp ... saying he's reached out to Sapp several times ... but Sapp doesn't seem to understand the gravity of his situation.

Irvin appeared on The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz on 104.3 FM in Miami yesterday moments after we broke the story that Sapp had been charged with domestic violence for allegedly attacking his longtime GF.

"I worry about him man, there's no doubt," Irvin said ... adding that he texts Sapp all the time.

But the problem, Irvin says ... is that Sapp seems to be convinced that everything's fine -- even though he's clearly in a very bad place.

Irvin even brings up Sapp's prostitution arrest during Super Bowl weekend -- and says he tried to talk to the guy about it ... but couldn't seem to get through to him.

On a completely unrelated note ... Irvin also talks about his Hall of Fame jacket -- and how he accidentally got some "Lewinsky" on it while breaking it in with his wife on the night he was inducted.

Good times.

Now, Mike Vick knows how all those defenders felt ...

The NFL quarterback got crossed over HARD at his celebrity basketball game in Virginia this week ... and was left swingin' at air ... and the culprit is one of his closest friends -- LeSean McCoy!

The two former Philadelphia Eagles teammates hit the hardwood at Warwick High School in Newport News -- where Vick grew up -- to raise money for the Mike Vick Foundation, which works with underprivileged kids.

We're told Vick beat McCoy in a 40-yard dash a few years ago ... and McCoy had vowed revenge ... which he finally got on the court.