NFL

O.J. Simpson staged a paparazzi run-in with a photog Wednesday night so he could make (and possibly sell) a video commenting on the Vegas massacre.

Simpson was having dinner at a posh Vegas country club where our photog overheard him planning a TMZ-style video shoot. He was going over the shoot with the people at his table.

When he got to the parking lot, it was lights, camera action and O.J. offered up his "thoughts and prayers" while his friend recorded.

Our photog fired up his camera to ask some questions, but apparently that really screwed things up. O.J.'s photog tries to run our guy out of the shot, but Simpson realized his plan had been foiled and beelined it for his car.

The situation is almost identical to the paparazzi "run-in" at a Nevada gas station after O.J. was released -- when Simpson acted shocked someone had found him in the middle of the desert, yet still gabbed away.

The Cam Newton fallout begins ...

Dannon Yogurt has announced they have fired the Carolina Panthers QB as a sponsor for their Oikos Greek Yogurt brand after his sexist comments to a female NFL reporter.

"We are shocked and disheartened at the behavior and comments of Cam Newton towards Jourdan Rodrigue, which we perceive as sexist and disparaging to all women."

"It is entirely inconsistent with our commitment to fostering equality and inclusion in every workplace. It's simply not OK to belittle anyone based on gender."

"We have shared our concerns with Cam and will no longer work with him."

Newton has worked with Oikos for years -- in fact, the company reportedly dropped John Stamos to work with Newton instead.

Still think it's funny when women talk about football? Last we checked, there were several women in big-time positions at the NFL Network ... running one of the biggest football shows on the air.

Check out this photo of "NFL Total Access" host Lindsay Rhodes posing for a photo with some of the people behind the scenes ... right after Cam Newton's offensive comments to a female reporter.

"Just finished today's @NFLTotalAccess- for which the producer, sr producer, sr coordinating producer & segment producer were women. #funny."

"Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins says Cam Newton has two choices -- he can either get used to a world where women know football, or get left behind with the rest of the cavemen.

We got Patty out at Craig's and asked her what she thought of Newton sticking his foot in his mouth, telling a female reporter it was "funny" she was asking him about route running.

Cam's in the hot seat for the comments, and Patty told our guy it's probably best he rethink things.

"I think it's a changing world. It takes people time to get used to the fact that so many things like that have changed."

But she saved her most important words for last.

"Everybody has to catch up or get left behind."

Take the help, Cam.

Washington Redskins WR Terrelle Pryor says he flipped off and cussed out hecklers at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday after being called the n-word.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Pryor was definitely being cussed at as he walked into the tunnel following the 'MNF' game against the Chiefs. He shot back with a middle finger and an F-bomb.

Now, Pryor says he reacted after things had gotten racial.

"Being called a n***er several times to the point where an NFL employee had to step to me and stand by me the whole game from 2nd quarter on is the exact reason why guys are kneeling during anthem," he wrote in a statement.

"As I walked in tunnel hearing some one call me a n***er and say F you to me ... flicking the person off is more deserving."

"I do apologize to my teammates and the organization. But at some point you keep calling us the N word .. we going to start acting up. #straightlikethat"

O.J. Simpson's having no problem finding work after prison ... he's already back in the autograph biz, and that could be a BIG problem.

Check out the pic, showing O.J. singing a ton of memorabilia in a private room at a Las Vegas hotel Tuesday night, and he plans to do the same Wednesday night. We're told he was in the room for 2 hours signing a variety of items, including USC and Buffalo Bills helmets.

The gear will most likely be sold to auctioneers.

Now here's the rub. O.J. owes a whopping $100 MILLION to the Goldman and Brown families -- the original judgment was $33.5 mil, but 22 years of interest really adds up.

If Simpson makes money, it's subject to seizure to satisfy the judgment. The families have gotten almost nothing from Simpson in the 22 years, and O.J. has made it clear ... he has no interest in paying.

If he were to take money under the table to avoid paying the judgment, he would be violating federal tax laws. If he violates the law, his parole can be revoked and he can be thrown back in prison.

Cat ... meet mouse.

Former NFL QB Christian Ponder says he had a pretty powerful excuse for some of his bad NFL Sundays, 'cause when he had a tough day at the office, he'd blame God.

Ponder and his wife, sports reporter Sam Ponder, sat down at Liberty University Convocation when Christian opened up about how far he's come in his walk with the lord.

"With my faith going into the NFL, I honestly would think if I pray and get into the bible I'm gonna play well on Sunday."

What happened when Christian didn't cut it on the field? Best to let him explain ...

"When I played well I was like, 'God's awesome.' When I didn't play well it was almost like I blamed him for not playing well."

Christian went on to say he's in a better place spiritually now, a more even and fulfilled place with his maker and thanks Sam in part for that awakening.

Still, let's hope his fantasy team does well this weekend, just in case.

TMZ Sports has obtained new video of Terrelle Pryor's post-game blowup from Monday night ... revealing the Redskins star got heated over insults about his alma mater.

In the new video, you can hear the fan say, "Hey Terrelle, you bitch! F*ck you! F*ck Ohio State!!"

Of course, Pryor played for the Buckeyes from 2008 to 2010 -- right before he was hit with a 5-year ban from OSU football amid an NCAA investigation into players receiving improper benefits.

Clearly, he's still proud of his school -- and launched his middle finger and an F-bomb after the Ohio State insults.

AN 'NSYNC REUNION AT SUPER BOWL LII?!?!

Don't rule it out -- so says Joey Fatone ... who tells TMZ Sports there's definitely a possibility the gang could reunite if Justin Timberlake signs on to do the halftime show.

Important to note, neither JT nor the NFL have confirmed anything yet -- but there are reports the two sides are in talks.

So, when we saw Fatone out at LAX, we asked if he'd be interested in an 'NSYNC reunion on the biggest stage in the world.

Joey reminded us of 'NSYNC's 1-night reunion at the 2013 MTV Music Awards ... when he re-teamed up with JC, Chris and Lance for Justin. They also rocked out together at Super Bowl XXXV, FYI.

But as Fatone told us, a lot of pieces gotta fall into place -- from the NFL asking nice to all the boys being free.

If it IS all good -- "Then we do it ... it's pretty simple."

Fingers crossed people!

Here's how NOT to take an L, brought to you by Redskins star Terrelle Pryor -- who went buckwild on a heckling Chiefs fan after their MNF game.

As he's entering the tunnel, the wideout drops an f-bomb and 1-finger salute on the heckler -- which got more K.C. fans to clap back.

But Terrelle REALLY lost it when the same guy called him a "little p*ssy" ... to the point where a team staffer had to step in and restrain him. At one point, Pryor acts like he's going to swing his helmet at the fan but stops himself.

The NFL will have an official moment of silence to honor the victims in the Las Vegas shooting before the Washington Redskins play the Kansas City Chiefs on "Monday Night Football," the league confirms.

An NFL spokesperson tells TMZ Sports, "The Commissioner has asked that there be an on-field moment of silence for Las Vegas before tonight's game."

"This will be a moment of reflection for the victims, their families and loved ones and also for the heroic efforts of the first responders."

The man who claims he was attacked by Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith suffered so much damage to his face, he required major reconstructive surgery, including a metal plate.

Sources connected to the case tell TMZ Sports ... the victim was diagnosed with 5 facial fractures following the July 4 attack, in which officials say Smith punched and stomped on him in the streets of Pasadena.

Smith has plead not guilty to felony assault charges -- but we're told the victim is adamant Smith was his attacker.

We're told the victim had been dating Smith's sister for 2 years -- and have known each other for 6 years.

As for rumors that Smith was retaliating against the victim for an alleged violent attack on his sister, one source tells us that's "absolutely not true" -- there have never been allegations of domestic violence involving the victim and his GF.

We're told the victim is extremely traumatized by the attack -- and has withdrawn from school where he was working on his master's degree in social work.

Kirk Cousins' days in Washington are likely numbered -- so says Redskins legend Mark Rypien, who tells TMZ Sports the front office screwed the pooch by not locking Kirk down before the season.

"I think they should've signed him to a long-term deal," Rypien said.

Mark was leaving Michael's restaurant in NYC ... and told us why he thinks Washington may have really blown its chance to keep Kirk in D.C. for the long haul.

To be fair, Kirk says it's Jesus who's urging him to shut down the long-term contract -- he wants to be on 1-year deals because he feels that's God's divine plan.

Can't argue with God, right Mark?

Chad Johnson says the NY Giants should be very careful on how they handle Odell Beckham Jr. -- because if they get on him too hard for the dog pee celebration, it's gonna mess up his head.

Look, Chad says Odell is special ... and if going crazy on the field helps him dominate, so be it. The worst thing you can do is neuter him ... get it?

We also asked if it's time to fire Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati -- after the team's 0-3 start.

Stevie Wonder is telling TMZ Sports exactly what the national anthem protests mean to him ... and why taking a knee does NOT disrespect the flag.

We asked Stevie about the NFL movement sweeping the country ... and he told us that it's a fight for respect and unity -- two things Donald Trump wasn't preachin' when he told NFL owners to fire their "SOB" players.

"People want to be respected ... the constitution's about everyone being respected," Stevie said.

"It's about stopping all this ... putting one group against the other group."

As for criticism that kneeling ain't patriotic -- "People have died for the flag -- everyone, every culture, every ethnicity -- so it's not about not valuing the flag."

FYI, the legendary singer joined the protest last weekend ... dropping to his knees in back-to-back concerts.

A Legends Football League star says the league's decision to ban players from kneeling for the national anthem is totally unfair, even though she thinks kneeling is a weak form of protest.

TMZ Sports spoke to Ogom Chijindu, one of the biggest stars in the LFL -- mostly for twerking on an opponent -- who says she doesn't at all agree with the policy requiring players to stand.

"We're supposed to have a 1st Amendment right is that not correct? So for someone, anyone, I don't care who it is to tell me I have to sit, stand, kneel, or do any type of gesture I feel is inappropriate."

That doesn't mean Ogom would be kneeling even if she could ... telling us while she totally agrees with Colin Kaepernick's politics, she thinks kneeling is a subservient act.

"Who told Colin Kaepernick to start kneeling instead of sitting, I'm not trying to be mean. I'm not sugarcoating it, it was a white Navy S.E.A.L."

*Note -- it was actually an Army Green Beret