NFL

Here's Peyton Manning sliding in the pocket, audible-ing his protection, and keeping the ultimate cool all while being besieged by an unrelenting bull rush ... of World Series fans at Dodger Stadium!

The retired NFL quarterback was chillin' at Game 2 with Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, but it was when he was leaving the stadium that he displayed all the poise that made him one of the greats.

The video is actually quite amazing, Manning signs autographs, takes selfies, moves the group forward, and directs his driver to get in the car (to get him the hell out of there) like he's conducting an orchestra.

G.O.A.T.

Marshawn Lynch ain't one for motivational speaking ... so when he visited his old high school, he decided to throw on some pads and straight WRECK fools at team practice.

'Shawn shared a video of himself droppin' sweat with the boys at Oakland Tech -- the place where Beast Mode all began -- and he didn't hold back ... taking on swarms of tacklers and even stiff-arming one kid to hell on his way to the end zone.

No word on when the video was shot -- but we're looking into it.

Lynch won't suit up for the Raiders this week after pushing a ref last Sunday ... but it's good to see he's welcome back at Tech -- even if he's smashin' on the young fellas.

The fact that Colin Kaepernick and Bruce Maxwell are dealing with blatant prejudice proves that protesting is the right move -- so says Denver Broncos star Brandon Marshall.

We spoke with Marshall -- one of the NFL's first players to take a knee -- about how Maxwell -- MLB's only player to take a knee -- was allegedly denied service by a pro-Trump waiter ... and Brandon saw a silver lining in the "ridiculous" act.

"It kind of just proves our point," he told TMZ Sports.

"Just like, I heard that Colin, I guess he just got a million-dollar book deal ... there was a lot comments, a lot of hate comments – and they’re just proving our point."

Point being -- "Those things need to be brought to light because prejudice is still (very) much alive in our society."

O.T. Genasis says he's all for Janet Jackson getting another crack at the Super Bowl ... especially if she busts out a finale like the first time!!

We got O.T. at LAX ... and the rapper told TMZ Sports he wouldn't perform at the big game himself 'cause there's too much BS going on between the NFL and its players right now.

But when it comes to Janet, O.T. says he's hoping for an encore ... 'cause his teenage self was a HUGE fan of her R-rated finish back in 2004.

"That was amazing. That was amazing."

Here's some great news to brighten your Wednesday morning ... Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is going to be reunited with his missing bicycle!!

The rookie -- who doesn't have a driver's license -- delivered the heartbreaking news Tuesday that his wheels had been jacked overnight ... forcing him to walk to practice.

With the help of teammate Antonio Brown, word spread fast on social media ... kick-starting a campaign to find his bike.

Turns out it was a great idea ... 'cause someone noticed they bought the exact same bike off the street for $200 on Tuesday and turned it in to cops, according to CBS Pittsburgh.

JuJu is set to reunite with his beloved bike later today.

Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson says he's aware the kneeling protests might be hurting NFL ratings -- but he's not fazed, telling TMZ Sports, "We feel how we feel."

There are reports NFL viewership is down from 2016 -- some people are pointing the finger at the national anthem protests ... saying fans have had enough.

We got Kareem out in NYC -- who's locked arms with his teammates but not taken a knee -- and asked him if the decline in ratings makes him think twice about speaking out.

"It may be messing with the ratings a little bit," Jackson admits ... "It is what it is though."

"We feel how we feel and that's that. At the end of the day, [they are] peaceful protests and we're all about equality."

Ex-NFL star Robert Mathis told police he drank alcohol and took a sleeping pill before getting behind the wheel of a pickup truck ... this according to the police report obtained by TMZ Sports.

Mathis was pulled over after cops noticed him driving the wrong way down a 1-way street early Tuesday morning -- and when officers approached the vehicle, Mathis was a mess.

The officer says, "As I asked Robert Mathis for his driver's license and vehicle registration, I noticed that his speech was slow and thick and he appeared lost and confused."

When asked for vehicle registration, Mathis handed the officer a large vehicle placard (a placard that comes with brand new vehicles).

According to the report, officers asked Mathis if he had anything to drink -- "He stated that he had one shot of cognac, but had also taken a sleeping aid around 10 PM."

Mathis told another officer he had two shots of Crown Royal along with the sleeping aid. He was given a field sobriety test and bombed it.

As we previously reported, Mathis' blood alcohol level was below the legal limit -- but officers felt he was under the influence and in no condition to drive so he was arrested for OWI.

During the process, cops noticed he had 2 dogs in his truck so his wife was called to pick up the animals.

There's a twist in the Robert Mathis arrest ... his blood alcohol level was BELOW the legal limit, law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports.

When the ex-Indianapolis Colts star was pulled over at 12:09 AM on Tuesday, we're told he blew a .052 -- well below the legal limit, .08.

So, why was he still arrested for operating while intoxicated?

We're told cops conducted a field sobriety test -- Mathis didn't do well -- and officers ultimately determined Mathis was impaired and unable to drive.

FYI, the law allows officers to arrest someone for OWI based on other tests besides B.A.C.. That seems to be what happened in this case.

As we previously reported, Mathis was stopped in the first place after cops say he was driving the wrong way down a 1-way street.

All in good fun ... and funny as hell!

Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall went all out to dress as teammate Von Miller for the team Halloween party on Monday night.

He got the cowboy hat. He got the Old Spice. HE GOT THE SEX TAPE!!!

Yep, Marshall spoofed Von's very public 2016 court battle to keep a sex tape he shot in Mexico from going public ... and it was kinda hilarious!

You remember the story ... Von claimed his sex tape partner Elizabeth Ruiz was trying to shake him down for millions ... allegedly threatening to release the tape if he didn't pay up.

The judge eventually blocked Ruiz -- and ordered her to destroy all copies of the video.

But Monday night, Marshall's detailed costume was the hit of the party. By the way, Von was at the party and we're told he LOVED it -- complimenting Marshall all night.

Von dressed up as Col. Sanders. Other players showed up as Mr. T and Zoro. And there were some SMOKIN' HOT ladies wearing barely anything. Good times!

Happy Halloween!!!

Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell -- the only MLB player who took a knee this season -- tells TMZ Sports he was confronted by a pro-Trump waiter at an Alabama restaurant who refused to serve him.

"He was like, 'You're the guy who took the knee? I voted for Trump and I stand for everything he stands for.'"

Maxwell says it all went down at a lunch with a local politician -- and after they complained to management, they got a new server.

But Maxwell says there's been a lot of POSITIVES that have come from his demonstration -- including a new friendship with Colin Kaepernick who's sort of mentoring him now.

"The dude's so positive," Maxwell says ... "He's such a strong, level-headed individual."

"His friendship definitely helps. His guidance comes through that. And just being able to use him as a sounding board some days does me some good."

Maxwell also says some very big names from both the NFL and MLB have reached out to lend their support ... guys like Dusty Baker, Coco Crisp, Torii Hunter, Adam Jones and more.

He hopes to unite everyone to help spread Colin's message. We know where they WON'T be having the next lunch meeting.

The Rams have returned to L.A. after stomping the Cardinals in London ... and as you'd expect, head coach Sean McVay was in a GREAT mood!

WARNING: Our photog was SUPER excited (big Rams fan) and fanboy'd out a little too hard when talking with Jared Goff.

But he settled down by the time McVay came by -- and talked to the 31-year-old head coach about how the Rams (and Goff) are taking the league by storm.

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham just a caught a huge break -- prosecutors have officially let him off the hook for bringing a loaded gun into an airport.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Bradham was arrested at Miami International Airport back in 2016 after he put a loaded gun through the X-ray machine.

Bradham had claimed he simply forgot the gun was in a zippered part of his backpack that he rarely used.

Initially, Bradham was charged with a 2nd degree misdemeanor -- but we've learned that charge was dropped.

We spoke with Bradham's attorney, Adam Swickle, who tells us, "The state had no case against him and they found that it wasn’t something he should be criminally sanctioned for."

Swickle pointed out Bradham had a valid concealed weapons permit and didn't intend to break the law. Simple accident.

He adds, "Nigel is a fantastic football player and a very high character guy."

Well, this is interesting ...

If Justin Timberlake wants Janet Jackson in his halftime show, he can have Janet Jackson ... because there is NO official ban barring her from performing at Super Bowl 52, TMZ Sports has learned.

After the nipplegate incident in 2004, Janet was seemingly blackballed by the NFL -- she hasn't worked with the league since.

Now, with JT getting the SB52 halftime show, it's clearly water under the bridge when it comes to his relationship with the NFL. But what about Janet?

We reached out to the league and we're told straight-up, "There’s no ban."

So, does this mean Timberlake will bring Janet on as a special guest?

An NFL spokesperson tells us, "We are not going to comment on any speculation regarding potential guests. There may be no guests. Along with Pepsi, we’re excited to have Justin Timberlake."

That's not exactly a "no" ...

Fingers crossed!

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Martavis Bryant let his Instagram fingers go wild Sunday night -- dissing' his teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster while complaining about the team.

FYI, the Steelers WON on Sunday -- beating the Bengals 29-14 ... but Bryant only caught 1 pass for 3 yards and is clearly pissed he's not getting the ball more. He reportedly requested a trade last week.

When someone on Instagram told him his WR teammate "[JuJu Smith-Schuster is] better" -- Bryant fired back, "Juju is no where near better than me fool all they need to do is give me what I want and y’all can have juju and who ever else."

JuJu caught 2 passes for 39 yards and a TD in Sunday's victory.

Moments later, the damage control had already begun ...

"@juju is the future and got great talent and is going to be one of the best to play the game I want him to get his I just want mines period point blank."

Bryant -- who missed the entire 2016 season due to drug violations -- added, "Ain’t nobody did nothing to get me back I worked my ass off to get myself back with no help and little support period in due time the process will show."

A hip-hop legend says don't look for Justin Timberlake to bring out Janet Jackson during his Super Bowl halftime show, telling TMZ Sports the reunion would be too risky for the NFL.

We got Pras -- one of the founding members of The Fugees -- out at Madeo in L.A. and asked if he thought Justin should do Janet a solid and bring her back to the big stage.

Janet's been banned ever since nipplegate back in '04, but let's face it, Justin was an accomplice and a lot of people think if JT's back in the fold, JJ should be too.

Not Pras, who told us there was "no need" to bring Janet back (ouch, bro) and went on to explain to us why he felt like the NFL might not be over Ms. Jackson being a little nasty.

Greg Hardy made a damn good decision switching over to MMA ... 'cause the former NFL star is already takin' out UFC fighters -- so says his boxing coach, Billy Padden.

Billy wouldn't name names ... but told us Hardy's killin' it at American Top Team (ATT) -- an MMA gym stacked with heavy hitters like Junior dos Santos and "Bigfoot" Silva.

"He actually knocked 2 UFC fighters down in sparring," Padden told TMZ Sports.

Billy says Greg's a "natural born fighter" -- and even has a shot to be 1 of the best in the world.

So when it comes to the opponent for his first amateur fight -- Joe "The Legend" Hawkins -- Padden told us The Kraken's gonna dominate.

Billy also defended Hardy from the haters ... explaining how he's making the most of his 2nd chance.