NFL

Myles Garrett is a good person who made one HUGE mistake ... so says ex-Browns asst. coach Bob Wylie who tells TMZ Sports the helmet-swinging maniac is "not the real Myles Garrett I know."

You probably remember Wylie from "Hard Knocks" -- he worked alongside Garrett as an assistant coach from 2017-18 (remember the belly-shaking "set, HUT!").

Wylie says he was disappointed to see the DE weaponize a helmet against Mason Rudolph during Thursday night's game against the Steelers ... but hopes it doesn't permanently ruin MG's reputation.

"He's not a bad person, he's a real good kid and he plays a violent sport," Wylie says.

"You play right on the edge and he plays right on the edge of the sport. And, he went over the edge."

The former offensive line coach says Garrett is a model teammate who went out of his way to help Wylie's guys ... and he NEVER saw an outburst like that before.

"All the times I spent with him on the practice field and in meetings, I never saw that Myles. I saw his effort, I saw his ability to compete, I saw his study habits ... but I never saw that."

The Cleveland Police Dept. is NOT investigating Myles Garrett for assault stemming from the helmet attack on Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, a spokesperson tells TMZ Sports.

We asked if the CPD was planning to arrest the 23-year-old and we were told quite simply, "No."

"The person who was hit would have to file a report. There is no criminal complaint filed," Cleveland PD Public Information Officer Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia tells us.

The incident went down in the final seconds of the game at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland -- when Garrett and Rudolph tussled after a play ... followed by Garrett ripping off Mason's helmet and swinging it at his head.

After the game Garrett spoke about the incident -- "What I did was foolish, and I shouldn’t have allowed myself to slip like that," Garrett said ... "It’s out of character."

"I lost my cool and I regret it," he added ... "It’s going to come back to hurt our team. The guys who jumped into the scrum, I appreciate my team having my back, but it never should have gotten to that point."

Rudolph also commented ... saying, "I thought it was pretty cowardly and bush league."

"I’m not going to back down from any bully. I felt like I had a bone to pick with him. I appreciate the line always having my back, but I was angry."

We spoke with "Friday Night Lights" director Peter Berg after the game -- and he told us the scene looked like something out of "Game of Thrones."

As for punishment, Berg says a 4-game suspension is probably fair.

Other stars, like ex-NFL linebacker James Harrison, seem to be calling for harsher punishment.

"That’s assault at the least... 6 months in jail on the street.. now add the weapon and that’s at least a year right?!"

Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson is back at practice ... this while an investigation into a 21-year-old woman's death continues.

Nicholson was one of two men who brought an unconscious and unresponsive woman to an E.R. in Ashburn, Virginia on Thursday at around 1:30 AM. Officials say the woman died at the hospital and all signs point to a drug overdose.

Nicholson has NOT been arrested or accused of any wrongdoing -- but officials are VERY curious about what happened before she arrived at the hospital. We're told Nicholson is cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.

The 23-year-old defensive back had missed practice on Thursday to deal with the matter ... but on Friday, Nicholson was back with his team, wearing sweats and his #35 jersey.

Nicholson has yet to comment on the situation ... and it's unclear if he'll play this weekend against the New York Jets.

Antonio Brown believes his 8-hour meeting with NFL officials Thursday over rape allegations went well -- and it's clear he expects to get back on the field soon.

The NFL had been trying to speak with the WR about the lawsuit filed in Sept. by his ex-trainer Britney Taylor, who claimed AB sexually assaulted her 3 times, including a violent rape in 2018.

"I'm told Antonio Brown's interview w/t NFL lasted approximately 8 hours, omitting breaks," ESPN's Josina Anderson says.

"Brown felt it went well, had a chance to share his reflections during the time he's been out of the game & was very responsive to all questions."

Brown was definitely in good spirits after the sit-down -- and went to social media to talk about his plans to work out later that night. Seems obvious he thinks he'll be back in the NFL.

Anderson says the NFL might conduct some follow-up interviews with Brown before making a decision about possible punishment.

AB has adamantly denied the allegations and vowed the fight the case in court.

Seems this probe went WAY better than the deposition Brown sat for in his Sept. -- when the WR allegedly went berserk while being questioned in his apartment-trashing case.

As we previously reported, Brown is being sued by his former apartment complex in Miami for allegedly trashing his place ... and in a deposition explaining his side, he was accused by the complex's attorneys of being "defiant" and "profane."

In fact, the meeting went so poorly ... AB has agreed to retake the depo later next month.

The QB has landed!

Colin Kaepernick flew into Atlanta on Thursday to get ready for his NFL workout -- and our sources say he's already in game mode.

Kap touched down around 5 AM in hopes of getting through the airport without fanfare -- and he pretty much did.

We're told he was with a very small group of people and the person who shot the pic tells us, "He looked like he was focused."

Of course, Colin was decked out in Nike gear -- no shock considering he has a deal with the Swoosh, which has stuck with him through everything.

Next up for Colin ... showtime on Saturday -- when roughly a dozen NFL teams will have reps at the Atlanta Falcons facility to evaluate the 32-year-old.

There's been a ton of stuff going down behind the scenes ... Kap's camp wanted the workout on a weekday so more NFL team decision makers could attend. He also wants a list of team reps attending the workout, something the NFL says it will NOT provide.

Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson is cooperating with authorities who are investigating the death of a 21-year-old woman, TMZ Sports has learned.

Here's what we know ...  law enforcement has confirmed a "death investigation" is underway after an unconscious and unresponsive woman was brought to an E.R. in Ashburn, Virginia on Thursday around 1:30 AM.

The victim was pronounced dead in the emergency room. We're told officials believe the woman died from a drug overdose.

Cops tell us ... "The two males who brought her to the emergency room immediately left the area but have since been identified and located."

Multiple sources connected to the situation tell us one of the men is Montae Nicholson.

Nicholson has NOT been arrested or charged with a crime. However, cops say the case is being actively investigated by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and it's likely they'll speak with Nicholson as part of the probe.

Nicholson was NOT at Redskins practice on Thursday and we're being told his absence is due to this situation and not his ankle injury.

We reached out to the Redskins and a rep told us, "We’ve been made aware of the tragic event and extend our deepest sympathies to the family who lost a loved one."

"Our team has alerted the league office and is cooperating with local authorities. We fully support law enforcement and respect their process as they investigate the matter."

Nicholson was arrested back in December 2018 after cameras caught the NFL player in a late-night street brawl with a civilian.

The video, obtained by TMZ Sports, shows Nicholson (in a red hoodie) wrestling with a man in a jean jacket before he eventually lands a violent knockout blow.

Montae was arrested and charged with assault and battery and public drunkenness ... but prosecutors eventually dropped the case citing insufficient evidence.

Ex-Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson will lead the drills at the Colin Kaepernick workout on Saturday, the NFL has announced.

The league issued a statement saying ex-Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin will also be in attendance and involved in some capacity.

According to the NFL, 11 teams will send reps to attend the workout -- Arizona, Atlanta, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Miami, New England, New York Giants, New York Jets, Tampa Bay and Washington.

It's possible more will join the list -- but the NFL wants Kap and his fans to know video of the workout will be sent to all 32 teams ... "including head coaches and general managers."

There's definitely an issue behind the scenes involving Kap's camp and the NFL.

We're told Kap's camp was under the impression they would be getting a list of team representatives who will attend the workout. The NFL says they made no such promise.

Colin's concern is that NFL teams could send lowly peons instead of high-powered decision-makers. He wants to make sure he's flexing his skills for the right people.

O.J. Simpson says he's CONCERNED about Colin Kaepernick -- claiming the QB's friends are hurting his chances of getting back to the NFL ... and he needs to shut them up!

Simpson wasn't specific about which "friends" he was referring to -- but a bunch of people close to Colin (from Eric Reid to Brandon Marshall) have publicly said they think the NFL workout could be a sham.

Both guys have said the circumstances surrounding the workout are "fishy" since Kap was only given a few days notice and because it's being held on a Saturday so late in the season.

"I'm a guy that's been through just about everything," Simpson said in a new video ... "and the one thing I've learned is that sometimes your friends, and I don't doubt these are your friends, but sometimes they can say and do things that aren't in your best interests."

"You're an intelligent guy ... maybe you should tell some of these friends that you can speak for yourself."

Colin hasn't said much about the workout -- but tweeted this week, "I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday."

Simpson wants to make it clear he's ROOTING for Kap -- adding, "Go down to Atlanta and kick ass! There's some NFL teams that I and everybody knows could use your skills."

Sorry, Patriots haters ... it could be another FIVE YEARS before New England sucks again -- 'cause Tom Brady's trainer says the QB is now gunning to play until he's 47!!!

TB12 has always said his goal was to play until his early 40s ... but on "The Greg Hill Show" on WEEI Thursday, Brady's trainer, Alex Guerrero, revealed that target has now shifted.

"He goes in and he's like, ‘Guys, I feel so good still. I think I am going to go till 45,'" Guerrero says. "I am like, 'okay.' Now he’s like, ‘Alex, I think I can go like 46 or 47.'"

Yeah, AFC East ... YIKES!!!

Guerrero says Brady's TB12 Method is working so well for him ... the 42-year-old's body just isn't breaking down like a normal aging quarterback would.

It's horrific news for everyone hoping to see the inevitable end to the Pats dynasty ... because all signs seemed to be pointing toward a demise.

Also, not great news for Gisele -- who's said for years she's tried to talk Tom into retiring.

Brady is selling his New England-area mansion ... and with the way his contract will make him a free agent in 2020 -- some thought this could be the end.

Even Brady himself hasn't exactly guaranteed a future on the gridiron beyond this season.

The famous Joe Montana "Catch" statue was VANDALIZED after the 49ers lost to the Seahawks on Monday night ... and now cops say they've arrested the dude who committed the worst facemask penalty ever!

Levi's Stadium security detained 37-year-old Jorge Alberto Lopez after he allegedly climbed the 350-pound statue and ripped off the facemask after the Seahawks kicked the game-winning field goal in OT.

Santa Clara PD formally arrested the guy who was booked on a FELONY vandalism charge, according to police record. TMZ Sports has obtained Lopez's mug shot.

The Montana statue is part of the 2-piece tribute to the famous "Catch" by Dwight Clark in the 1982 NFC title game that was erected in 2018. The statues are massive and weigh 350 pounds each ... and are 23 yards apart (honoring the distance of Montana's pass).

The team has already worked to repair the facemask and expect Montana's equipment to be fixed in time for the next home game this weekend.

Colin Kaepernick's friend and former teammate, Brandon Marshall, says there's something "weird" about the NFL's workout for the QB ... telling TMZ Sports, "It seems so fishy."

"It could be disingenuous," Marshall says ... "It could be a PR stunt just to get away from the blackball talk."

Marshall has known Colin since he was 17 and they played college ball together at Nevada. Brandon says he's convinced the QB still has the talent to excel at the highest level.

But, when it comes to the Saturday workout, organized by the NFL, Marshall says there's something that rubs him the wrong way.

"There's so many questions to this. That's why everyone's looking at it sideways. Like, what's going on with this?"

Some of the questions ... why isn't the NFL more flexible with the workout date? We're told Colin's camp wanted to move the workout to a weekday because most teams have games on Sunday and it's tough to send decision makers to a Saturday workout.

Also, why didn't interested teams just go directly to Colin's camp in the first place instead of the NFL?

Brandon says, despite the questions, he REALLY hopes the workout is legit and Colin gets an opportunity to show what he's capable of.

As for Brandon's own career, the 7-year NFL vet says he's working on his own comeback and can't wait to prove his doubters wrong.

At least ONE team has committed to sending a rep to the Colin Kaepernick workout on Saturday -- the Miami Dolphins -- but the question is ... who will attend???

Remember, one of Colin's demands is that the workout must be attended by real shot-callers and decision-makers to ensure the workout is legit and not a PR stunt.

Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores was asked if his team will be sending anyone ... because the QB situation in MIA is HORRIBLE ... and Flores said they're planning on going.

"We'll have someone there," Flores said ... "We'll see what he looks like."

"We like our quarterback situation right now. We're going to do our due diligence."

Kaepernick says he expects "head coaches and GMs" -- so we'll see if Flores makes the trip.

Meanwhile, NY Jets head coach Adam Gase was also asked if his team is planning on going ... but he declined to answer, saying he's focused on the Redskins.

As we previously reported, Kaepernick is set to work out in Atlanta on Saturday in the hopes of getting back into the NFL after being out of the league for 3 years.

NFL lineman Malik McDowell was just sentenced to JAIL for fighting a cop in Feb. -- but he's also been ordered to write multiple lengthy essays about the law ... for real.

For example, McDowell must submit a 1,000-word paper to the court on "Finding Meaning In Life Other Than Committing Crimes."

Also, another 750-word essay on "Principles of Declaration of Independence and How Your Behavior Undermines Them."

His other two assignments -- two more 750-word papers on "Importance of Respecting the Rule of Law" and "Importance of Respecting Property Rights."

AND, ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN 90 DAYS!

It stems from the Feb. 18 incident in Lathrup Village, Michigan when McDowell -- a 2017 2nd round pick of the Seattle Seahawks -- was pulled over for a routine traffic violation and ended up brawling with the officer in a gas station.

Video of the incident, obtained by TMZ Sports, showed cops ultimately using a taser to subdue the 6'6", 300-pound defensive lineman. He was charged with multiple felonies including assault and resisting arrest.

Just a few months later in April, McDowell was arrested again ... this time after he was accused of stealing a $75,000 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor. He was hit with a felony charge of receiving and concealing stolen property for that incident as well.

McDowell eventually pled guilty to all the charges after cutting a deal with prosecutors last month ... and at a hearing Wednesday, a judge sentenced him to jail.

Per a court official, McDowell was ordered to spend 153 days behind bars (with credit for 66 days already served) for the cop fighting case ... and an additional 244 days for the truck theft case.

Plus, the judge -- famous for handing out unusual sentences -- ordered McDowell to complete at least 4 essays. McDowell played his college ball at Michigan State -- hopefully he attended a few English classes!

There's more ... McDowell was also ordered to pay fines and fees as well as complete some testing and a substance abuse treatment program.

Of course, it's a solid deal for McDowell, who was facing MULTIPLE years behind bars for the crimes.

Skip Bayless is firing back at Ezekiel Elliott's mom over criticism of the Cowboys running back -- he feels bad she's upset over his comments, but says, "I cannot tell a lie!"

The FS1 megastar trashed Elliott and his No. 21 jersey after the RB had a rough game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday ... and Momma Zeke was NOT happy about it.

"I certainly hope I don’t ever see @RealSkipBayless post another pic wearing my son’s jersey," she wrote on social media.

But, Skip went on "Undisputed" on Wednesday to explain himself ... and said he's hurt that she's upset by his comments -- but he's standing by them regardless.

"Does it pain me that Momma Zeke is down? Yes, it does! Yes, it does!" Skip said. "But, I cannot tell a lie. I cannot defend her son when he doesn't deserve being defended!"

Skip says because of Elliott's fat contract ... he deserves criticism when he's not playing well, saying, "I have a job to do, and he has a $50 million guaranteed job to do on Sundays."

Skip added he's hoping he can eventually take Elliott's jersey out of his trash ... saying he wants to see a HUGE game out of the star this weekend against the Lions or next weekend against the Patriots.

As for Momma Zeke's reaction to the show? She seemed understanding of Skip's explanation ... writing on social media that she still hasn't dumped the photo of Skip and Zeke that "Undisputed" execs sent to her months ago.

"I haven’t thrown out the pic, even though MY mother asked me why it was still on my nightstand," she said.

Here's LeBron James going out of his way to show love to NFL star Kyler Murray at the Lakers game on Tuesday ... it's a cool moment.

But, there's another issue with this clip ... did LeBron ignore L.A. Dodgers star Cody Bellinger, who was sitting right next to the QB?!

SAY IT AIN'T SO BRON!!!

Here's the deal ... King James went over to the expensive seats at Talking Stick Resort Arena with about 25 seconds left in the 4th quarter to dap up Murray, the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

FYI, Murray and LeBron have been friends for a while -- in fact, Kyler has a deal with Bron's Uninterrupted media company ... and rocked the logo inside of his suit jacket on Draft night.

But, during the broadcast, we DIDN'T see LeBron show love to Cody ... who was sitting right next to Kyler!!!

Look, doesn't mean Bron didn't chop it up with Cody before or after the game (or maybe LBJ just didn't recognize Cody in a backward hat).

Bron definitely SHOULD know Bellinger ... he shouted out the MLB star for wearing his Lakers jersey for a Taco Tuesday-themed Halloween costume this year!

But hey, at least Cody's killin' it off the diamond ... he and his smokin' GF, Sabrina, seem to be happily in love.

L.A. Rams WR Robert Woods is going to bat for his QB Jared Goff -- telling TMZ Sports the team is still 100% behind Goff ... but acknowledges he's having a "rough year."

25-year-old Goff signed a $134 million contract extension in Sept. after leading the team to the Super Bowl in 2018 -- but the Rams are 5-4 in 2019 and Goff hasn't been playing great.

In fact, many critics are saying the Rams WAY overpaid the former #1 overall draft pick -- with some even suggesting the team needs to cut bait, ASAP.

But, now Woods ... who says Goff is still a monster with all the right skills -- tells us the QB just needs to get out of his funk.

"Jared's the same guy," Woods says ... "Still got that arm, still got that talent. It's just a rough year, it's a rough patch."

"He's just gotta put the ball in my hands and let's go," Woods joked ... "Just get it in your athletes' hands. Let us run! Let us do our work!"

Woods says he strongly believes the Rams are still solid playoff contenders and Goff is the QB that will lead 'em to the promised land.

As for Goff's stats -- he's thrown 11 TDs with 9 INTs this season. In 2018, Goff had 32 TDs and 12 INTs.

As for Robert's contract -- he's in the middle of a 5-year, $34 million contract which he signed in 2017 -- but believes he's got even BIGGER money coming his way down the line.