NFL

Someone check Tim Tebow's blood pressure ... the ex-Florida star just went NUCLEAR trashing the new California law allowing college athletes to get paid -- saying it'll ruin NCAA sports forever!!!

"I feel like I have a little credibility and knowledge about this because when I was at the University of Florida, I think my jersey was one of the top-selling jerseys around the world.," Tim said.

"It was like Kobe, LeBron and then I was right behind them. I didn't make a dollar from it and nor did I want to because I knew going into college what it was all about."

There's more ... Tebow is FIRED UP -- but first, a quick review of the new CA law.

It's being called the "Fair Pay to Play Act" and it was passed by the CA State Senate this week, allowing college athletes to be paid for the use of their name, likeness and image without being punished.

California Governor Gavin Newsom now has 30 days to decide whether it will be signed into law -- but the NCAA is fighting like hell to get him to shut it down.

Enter Tebow ... who's taking the side of the NCAA -- going on ESPN's "First Take" to declare war on the 'FPPA.'

Tebow says college should be more about following your dreams and contributing to an institution than trying to make a buck.

"I knew going to Florida, my dream school, where I wanted to go, the passion for it and if I could support my team, support my college, support my University, that's what it's all about."

"But now, we're changing it from 'Us' from 'We' from 'My University' from being an alumni where I care, which makes college football and college sports special, to then 'Okay it's not about us. It's not about we, it's just about me.'"

"And, yes, I know we live in a selfish culture where it's all about us but we're just adding and piling it onto that. Where it changes, what's special about college football. We turn it into the NFL, where who has the most money, that's where you go."

Tebow added ... "That's why people are more passionate about college sports than they are about the NFL."

"That's why the stadiums are bigger in college than they are in the NFL, because it's about your team, it's about your university, it's about where my family wanted to go, it's about where my grandfather had a dream of seeing Florida win an SEC championship and you're taking that away."

"And, you're taking that away so that young kids can earn a dollar and that's just not where I feel college football needs to go."

The issue with Tebow's point ... obviously ... is that to a lot of players, earning a dollar is more important than contributing to the legacy of an already rich University.

Tebow -- who came from an already financially stable family -- went on to earn millions of dollars in the NFL and other endeavors.

A huge amount of NCAA athletes don't have that financial stability or promises of fortunes waiting for them after college.

Antonio Brown should pack his bags ... the WR is expected to travel to Miami and play for the New England Patriots on Sunday, despite facing very serious rape allegations.

Brown practiced with Pats on both Wednesday and Thursday (and worked out at Tom Brady's TB12 facility) ... and now NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says all signs are pointing to AB being active.

"Generally with Bill Belichick, the way it works is if you practice on Wednesday, then you are preparing to play," Rapoport says.

Earlier this week, Belichick wouldn't commit to an answer when asked if AB would play on Sunday ... telling the media the team was taking things one day at a time.

But, as Ian pointed out, AB wouldn't be getting reps at practice if he wasn't expected to play -- that's just the Belichick way.

As for as his eligibility, neither the NFL nor New England has said Antonio CAN'T play ... despite a new lawsuit that was filed on Monday in which Britney Taylor alleges AB raped her in Miami back in 2018.

In her suit, Taylor also accuses Brown of inappropriate sexual acts in 2017 ... including one incident where she says Brown "began masturbating near her without her knowledge and ejaculated on her back."

For his part, Brown -- through his attorney, Darren Heitner, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus -- has strongly denied the allegations.

Since the case is civil, and NOT criminal -- NFL officials didn't rush to place Brown on the Commissioner's Exempt List, which would almost certainly have happened had charges been filed.

Rapoport reported Friday morning if Brown doesn't play -- it'll likely be due to football reasons and NOT the new accusations against the embattled wide out.

Remember, the guy is still dealing with injured feet due to a cryotherapy mishap.

"Nothing has stepped in and stopped Antonio from being eligible to play," Rapoport said. "It certainly seems like that is the direction things are going to go in New England."

The Patriots square off with the Dolphins in Miami at 10 AM PT ... and inactives lists are due a couple hours before game time, so things won't be official either way until early Sunday.

The action on the field was boring ... the action in the stands was VIOLENT!!

A bunch of Carolina Panthers fans decided to pass the time at Bank of America Stadium in NC by beating the the living hell out of each other while hundreds of people gathered around to watch.

No, it wasn't an "official" fight club ... but look at the crowd watching these people fight.

Old people, young people, men, women, children ... people in visors -- everyone stopped dead in their tracks to watch the idiots throw hands.

Unclear who actually won the brawl ... but the fans seemed to like it -- maybe they felt like they got their money's worth?!

As for the game, when the rain stopped ... the Panthers got back on the field and blew a few late game opportunities as they eventually took an L to the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Don't fight, people. You look stupid.

Antonio Brown wants to show he's not being shunned by his Patriots teammates -- it's the opposite -- with Tom Brady welcoming the embattled WR to his famous TB12 training facility.

AB went live on Instagram on Thursday to show fans that he got a tour of the facility and a private workout with Tom's personal guru, Alex Guerrero.

Brown had a message for his fans during the live stream ... saying "Stay focused. The devil gonna try to bring you down when you get closer to your goals. The key is, don't let him."

Brown has been at practice the past 2 days despite a sexual assault and rape allegation spelled out against him in a lawsuit filed in Florida.

Earlier this week, Bill Belichick said the Pats are taking the situation very seriously, but wouldn't say if they planned on having AB with them on the field on Sunday.

What's still unclear is if the Patriots knew about the allegations before they signed him to a 1-year, $15 million contract on Saturday.

Another interesting note -- the Patriots have a rep for being tough on players when it comes to posting on social media ... but AB's post seems pretty harmless, unlike the aggressive posting he did during his time with the Raiders.

Major accusations from Odell Beckham ... who claims former Cleveland Browns coach Gregg Williams ordered his players to "take [Odell] out" of a 2017 preseason game.

And, Odell says he's got proof ... current Browns teammates who straight-up told him about the dirty hit mandate.

First off ... yeah, Gregg Williams is the same guy from the 2012 "Bountygate" scandal, where New Orleans Saints players had cash incentives to injure players on opposing teams.

Williams is now the defensive coordinator for the NY Jets -- and Odell and the Browns are playing them on Monday night. Odell was asked about Williams during a media session Thursday and went off on the guy.

"Just gotta watch out for the cheap shots and the dirty hits and all of the things that he likes to teach," Beckham said.

That's when the allegations came out ... with Odell saying current Browns players told him that Williams made him a target in a 2017 preseason game against OBJ's NY Giants.

"I had players on this team telling me that that's what [Williams] was telling them to do, take me out of the game."

Beckham suffered an ankle injury during that game due to a low hit from Browns cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun -- and you can tell Beckham's still PISSED.

"It's something that I will never forget, it changed my life forever."

Beckham says the injury led to other injuries (including a season-ending fractured ankle) -- and it almost tanked his NFL career. He clearly blames Williams and still hates the guy's guts.

"If I were a coach, I would never teach what he teaches," Odell said at practice on Thursday. "But, that's just him and what he does."

Scary revelation from Rob Gronkowski ... who says he's probably had 20 concussions in his life from playing football including 5 blackout moments -- but he feels like he's "fixed" now.

The New England Patriots legend was talking football to CBS News when he was asked if he'd ever let his child (if and when he has children) play the sport he loves.

“I would let my son play football, but first off I would educate him on the game," Gronk said ... "Educate him on what I went through."

But, here's the scary part ...

"I truly believe any injury that you receive is fixable though. I went through it. I had 9 surgeries. Probably had like 20 concussions in my life, like, no lie. I remember 5, like, blackout ones."

Of course, with CTE concerns at an all-time high, Gronk's statement is concerning, to say the least.

He also described having a pint of blood drained from his body following the Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles ... an issue he chalks up to internal bleeding.

But, the NFL superstar -- who recently signed a deal with a CBD medical company which focuses on pain management -- says straight-up, "I'm fixed."

As we previously reported, Gronk has said he's open to an NFL comeback if he feels passionate about playing the game again ... and recently joked that he'd join the Pats in Week 14.

We love Gronk ... but man, 20 concussions is A LOT.

Be careful, bro.

Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller says he's GLAD the world knows about his battle with substance abuse ... because he's inspiring others and it "feels like I'm living with a purpose."

Waller's story is incredible ... the 26-year-old is insanely talented but almost watched his career go down the toilet after multiple violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy over the years.

The Raiders gave him a shot in late 2018 and now he's become a key part of the Oakland offense ... catching 7 passes for 70 yards in the Week 1 win over the Broncos.

Waller's addiction issues were featured on the HBO series "Hard Knocks" -- and Darren tells TMZ Sports the reaction has been amazing.

"A lot of people are reaching out relating to my story and that’s the kind of stuff that makes me feel like I’m living with a purpose," Waller says.

"When I go out there, I kind of try and do it for them."

Waller says he still makes it a point to attend AA meetings and other support groups regularly -- even when the team is on the road.

And, get this ... Waller says he never expected a second chance in the NFL, but now that he's got it -- he's determined to make the most of it. He's making sure to use all resources available to him to stay sober, understanding it's a constant battle.

As for the football side of things, Waller says he ain't surprised by the Raiders' performance in Week 1 -- even without Antonio Brown -- saying the guys busted their asses all offseason and don't want to let the fans down!

If future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas wanted to make an NFL comeback, the dude wouldn't be returning to the O-Line ... 'cause the guy looks less like a hog and more like a GOD!!!

Remember ... the 34-year-old -- who holds the record for most consecutive snaps played -- usually weighed around 312 pounds during his 11-year career with the Cleveland Browns. But, the days of XXXL t-shirts are HISTORY -- Thomas says he's lost nearly 60 pounds since retiring in 2017!!!

So ... how did he do it??? Thomas says he's been swimming like a maniac ... and the results are incredible. Seriously, look at this physique. Abs. Arms. Shoulders. Is it getting hot in here???

The Browns legend (10-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer) says he got back into the sport because he's had 5 knee surgeries and needed low-impact workouts to prevent more injuries.

To say the swimming is working would be an understatement ... and Thomas says he's hoping to swim for the rest of his life.

Get this man a Speedo contract!!!

Deep breath Pats fans, the drama around Antonio Brown will NOT derail New England's season ... so says Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch.

Branch had 2 stints with the Pats ('02-'05, '10-'12) and won 2 Super Bowls with Brady, Belichick and Kraft ... so he knows the organization inside and out and he's confident the legendary coach knows how to handle controversy.

"Everything starts with Bill," Branch says. "It starts with your leader on the team. Coach Belichick, out of all the years he's been coaching and been a part of numerous different organizations, trust me, this ain't the first time something like this has came up with some of his players. He will do what's best for the organization, that we all know."

As we previously reported, Brown -- in a lawsuit in Florida -- was accused of sexually assaulting and raping a woman on 3 occasions. AB adamantly DENIES the allegations.

On the football field, the Pats had a DOMINANT week 1 performance -- thrashing the Steelers 33-3 -- and Antonio didn't even suit up.

Victor Cruz is all-in on Odell Beckham flossin' with a $350k watch during NFL games ... telling TMZ Sports he LOVES it!!!

It's been a hot topic since OBJ wore an insanely expensive Richard Mille watch in the Browns' match-up against the Titans on Sunday ... considering it's uncommon for a player to wear a timepiece mid-game.

Of course, Cleveland got ROCKED by Tennessee ... but that was almost overshadowed by Odell's accessory, which is NOT approved by the league's rule against wearing "hard objects."

So, when we asked the ex-Giants great about the issue ... Vic is siding with his old teammate.

"The rich get richer, baby," Cruz told us at Cantor Fitzgerald in NYC on Wednesday. "I love it, I love it!!!"

Odell's gonna need the support -- he says he's gonna keep wearing it during games ... no matter what the league says and what fines come his way.

Jerry Jones and Roger Goodell should have a stern talking with DeMarcus Lawrence over his interaction with a little New York Giants fan ... this according to the boy's father.

11-year-old Kamil Bautista made headlines earlier this week after video surfaced of Lawrence -- a Dallas Cowboys superstar -- blowing off his autograph request because he was wearing a Saquon Barkley jersey.

In the video, you can see Lawrence give Kamil a sideways look, and tell him straight-up, "Get the right jersey, son!"

TMZ Sports spoke with Kamil's father, Jorge Bautista, and he told us the situation at AT&T Stadium really sucked ... saying he didn't think the way Lawrence reacted to his son was right.

In fact, Jorge says he believes DeMarcus' bosses need to sit the 6-foot-3, 265-pound pass rusher down and explain to him he can't act that way around fans.

"I've got employees," says Jorge, a Giants fan who works in a tennis shop in McAllen, Texas ... "If my employees say something wrong to a customer, I'd be like, 'Hey, that's not right. You gotta be humble. You gotta be polite to people.'"

Jorge says he's not mad over the fact that DeMarcus didn't sign for his son ... he claims there were several other Cowboys -- including Randall Cobb and Jaylon Smith -- who did the same.

But, Jorge's beef stems from the way Lawrence reacted to Kamil ... saying, "You've got my son who has the guts to approach you with his New York Giants fan, and you disrespect him like that?"

"I was like, man, I don't think that was right."

Jorge says he hasn't heard anything from the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Giants over the incident ... but two organizations have reached out to try to help massage the situation.

We're told Overtime Athletics US is donating a signed Saquon Barkley jersey to Kamil ... while an anti-bullying organization has also sent the Bautistas a message.

Cops in Miami and Hollywood, FL, as well as Pittsburgh, PA, tell TMZ Sports they have NO records of Antonio Brown's rape accuser ever filing a criminal complaint with officers.

A woman named Britney Taylor alleges the NFL superstar sexually assaulted her twice in the Pittsburgh area in 2017 ... and claims Brown raped her in the Miami area in 2018.

When we spoke with officials from the Hollywood Police Department in Florida -- where Brown has a residence -- they told us they have no records of a complaint ever filed by Taylor.

A spokesperson from the Department of Public Safety in Pittsburgh says they have no records of a complaint either, adding, there are "no active investigations into" Brown at this time.

As for the Miami-Dade Police Department, a spokesperson there tells us, "The Special Victims Bureau does not have any records of a sexual assault reported by the alleged victim, nor any reports where Antonio Brown is subject."

Of course, none of this means a crime DIDN'T happen ... rather, it simply means Taylor did NOT go to police prior to filing a civil lawsuit against Brown in federal court Tuesday.

We reached out to Taylor's attorneys multiple times about the situation, but so far, no word back.

For his part, Brown has denied all of the allegations against him ... with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, saying Wednesday, "These allegations are false. [Brown] denies every one of them."

Rosenhaus added, "I am very confident that his legal team has facts that will prove this."

The woman accusing Antonio Brown of rape claims she took a polygraph test after the alleged incidents which proved she told the truth.

Britney Taylor claims she went to "one of the nation's leading examiners, who previously led the FBI's polygraph program" and was asked about TWO incidents of sexual assault allegedly carried out by Brown.

As we previously reported, Taylor claims AB "ejaculated on her without her consent" in June 2017 and then forcibly raped her in May 2018.

In her lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Florida, Taylor says the polygraph exam confirmed her "completely truthful account."

Of course, the polygraph is FAR from a slam dunk for Taylor -- there are plenty of issues with using lie detector tests in court.

First, they are not considered scientifically valid for evidentiary purposes and most courts will not admit them as evidence.

Second, Taylor's test was administered by a hand-picked polygraph expert at the direction of her counsel ... not exactly an impartial 3rd party.

In her suit, Taylor also claims she has a trail of evidence to back up her accusations ... including an aggressive email Brown sent her in which he brags, "I jack my d*** on your back."

Taylor also says she left a paper trail after the alleged rape ... purchasing an STD test and a pregnancy test at Walgreens just weeks later.

Plus, she claims in January 2019 she reached out to the #TimesUpNow organization and described the allegations in a message, without naming Brown.

What's unclear at this point is if Taylor ever reached out to police or had a rape kit administered. There's no mention of either in her lawsuit, something Brown's legal team will surely point out.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick says Antonio Brown WILL practice with the team on Wednesday while the organization continues to investigate rape allegations against the WR.

But, when it comes to AB playing on Sunday, Bill would not commit to an answer saying, "We're taking it one day at a time."

Bill was also asked if the team knew about the rape allegations BEFORE they signed him to a 1-year contract worth up to $15 million over the weekend ... and he punted on that question.

Belichick constantly deflected and was combative with reporters -- especially when asked if AB spoke with the team about the situation.

Belichick told reporters he already answered that question -- to which a reporter fired back, "No, you didn't."

The reporter told Belichick that fans had a right to know if the team knowingly got into bed with a WR who was being accused of rape.

What Belichick did say was that the Patriots have "looked into the situation. We're taking it very seriously ... all the way through the organization."

Regarding Antonio's statement on the case -- AB adamantly denies the allegations -- Bill said, "They are what they are."

Bill constantly tried to turn the conversation back to the upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins -- and then told the media, "I appreciate all the questions and what's been said is what's been said."

Have a crappy week 1 of fantasy football? Eddie George has the solution ... TRADE FOR SAQUON BARKLEY AND SONY MICHEL ASAP!!!

We got the NFL legend out in NYC this week and had to ask for his take on the RB landscape in fantasy football ... and that's when he told us he's predicting big years for 2 guys.

"[Saquon] is going to be a beast," George says. "Catching the ball out of the backfield, he's going to be a monster this year."

And, the other? "Sony Michel. New England. He's playing with Tom Brady -- they're going to use him in so many different ways, man."

Soccer superstar Neymar wasn't too bothered after his Brazil squad lost a friendly to Peru at the Coliseum in L.A. on Tuesday ... taking time for a pic with NFL star Todd Gurley!

By the way, this was the first time Brazil had lost in 17 straight games -- the last L they took was during the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals when they were defeated by Belgium.

Neymar didn't start the game but came in off the bench. Brazil hung tough for the most of the match until Peru hit net in the final minutes of the 2nd half.

This is the 5th time Peru has EVER beaten Brazil in the 46 times they've played each other!!

So, why was Neymar in such a good mood? Might have to do with the fact that officials in Brazil announced this week that the woman who accused him of rape is being prosecuted for allegedly making the allegations in an effort to blackmail the soccer star.

As for Gurley, the L.A. Rams running back had GREAT seats for the game -- sitting right behind the Brazil goal when Peru hit the winning shot.

After the game, Gurley hopped into a pretty sick car -- a Vanderhall Carmel, a 3-wheeled vehicle with a $35k starting price tag!

Gurley will return to the Coliseum on Sunday when the Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in a rematch of the 2018 NFC Championship game!