NFL

Michael Irvin says fans worried about Steve Smith beating his ass can chill -- 'cause Steve ain't actually pissed about Mike ROASTING his plaid pants on "Thursday Night Football."

"Steve's fine, man. Steve's my guy. He was just having fun," Mike told TMZ Sports.

FYI, a straight-faced Smith said he was gonna bust up Irvin the next time they cross paths ... but Mike claims they were just putting on a show for the cameras.

It's been a pretty compelling story on social media -- especially after Irvin made a personal video for Steve asking for forgiveness.

Bonus: Irvin dropped some big news on his son, Michael Irvin Jr., who was suspended from the University of Miami's football team last month.

Deion Sanders destroyed Tony Romo. There's really no cute or punchy way to put it. The guy opened up his Hall of Fame mouth and ate the soul of Romo live on television.

It happened because Tony dissed Deion's tackling ability again, calling out Chiefs player Marcus Peters for not sticking his nose in a hit and saying MP "makes Deion Sanders look good in tackling."

Prime obviously had enough, 'cause he used his platform on "NFL GameDay," and pushed Romo off it ... here are some highlights.

"You're 2-4 in the playoffs, you ain't won nothing."

"I got a gold jacket that I didn't buy. Dak says hi, and bye." (That one had to hurt.)

"19 interceptions in 2012! You threw to everyone but me!"

BTW, we got Deion out a couple days ago and asked him about people (Romo) ribbing him about his tackling. If you look at him closely, you can see the storm brewing.

No response from Romo yet, but take our advice and don't throw over there.

Finally, some good news for ex-Seattle Seahawks star Brandon Browner -- officials decided not to move forward with charges in his domestic violence case ... despite allegations he threatened his ex with a gun.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... 33-year-old Browner was arrested back in Sept. after allegedly making criminal threats to a female.

Now, we've obtained official documents laying out the case against Browner -- which show Brandon's ex-GF told police things got scary during a FaceTime conversation.

"He showed her a gun and said he would kill her," the docs say.

But Browner told police she was lying and he never had a gun. Prosecutors couldn't prove the gun threat actually happened ... so they dropped the case.

Finally, a politician is going to bat for pro athletes who wanna use weed -- saying the NFL and NBA are treating players like 2nd class citizens for taking away their rights to get high (medically).

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) says it's about damn time league commissioners acknowledge that marijuana is BETTER for treating the "really terrible pain" pro athletes endure.

"It's much less damaging than the opiods, the painkillers, the shots, the pills ... and it's time professional sports stops punishing them but works with them."

Congressman Blumenauer says 2/3 Americans have legal access to medical marijuana -- so to ban NBA and NFL players is basically treating them like "second class citizens."

BTW -- shout-out to the great people of the 3rd District in Oregon, your rep is the COOLEST DUDE EVER.

We also spoke with ex-NBA player Al Harrington -- who's actively lobbying the NBA to lift the weed ban -- and asked if there's been any progress since he spoke about the issue with ex-commish David Stern.

Vin Scully says he'll NEVER watch a single down of NFL football again ... and it's all thanks to the players protesting during the national anthem.

The legendary Dodgers announcer was speaking at an event in Pasadena on Saturday when he was asked about the controversy surrounding commissioner Roger Goodell, team owners and players ... and Scully didn't hold back.

“I have only one personal thought, really. ... and I am so disappointed. I used to love, during the fall and winter, to watch the NFL on Sunday."

Scully -- who spent one year in the Navy -- adds ... "but I have overwhelming respect and admiration for anyone who puts on a uniform and goes to war. So the only thing I can do in my little way is not to preach. I will never watch another NFL game.”

Bob McNair's "inmates" comments could serve as free agent repellent ... scaring off top NFL players who simply don't want to play for the Houston Texans owner ... so says Kenny Smith.

The former Rockets star is a legend in Houston and says McNair's comments at a recent NFL owner's meeting -- where he said, "Can't have the inmates running the prison" -- didn't fall on deaf ears.

"It will be difficult to attract great free agents," Smith says ... noting that McNair has to "really make a big stance" to prove he's not the racially insensitive jerk some of his own players think he is.

Remember, DeAndre Hopkins was so pissed at McNair he walked out of Texans practice -- so, who's gonna willingly join a team with so much internal drama?

UFC honcho Dana White ain't exactly slamming the door shut on Greg Hardy -- telling TMZ Sports there IS a chance the ex-NFL star could fight in the octagon one day ... despite his issues in the past.

Hardy was found guilty of domestic violence by a judge in 2014 -- but the conviction was thrown out when he appealed in 2015 to have the case go in front of a jury ... and his accuser stopped cooperating with prosecutors.

He later signed with the Dallas Cowboys -- but after a less than stellar season, they cut ties and he wasn't able to catch on with another NFL team.

Hardy pivoted to MMA and has been training with American Top Team. His first amateur fight is Nov. 4 -- and he told TMZ Sports his ultimate goal is to become a UFC champ.

So, when we saw Dana out in NYC ... we asked if he would ever consider working with Hardy and he didn't exactly say no.

Deshaun Watson has broken his silence on his devastating season-ending knee injury -- saying he knows it's all part of God's plan.

The Houston Texans rookie QB phenom tore his ACL during Thursday's team practice -- which SUUUUUCKKKKS for football fans ... especially in Houston.

"They say you never miss it until it's gone and even though it's not gone for long, I already miss it," Watson wrote.

"Yesterday I felt like I let my teammates, my fans and my family down. However, as a child of God, I understand that everything happens for a reason. He DON’T make mistakes!"

Watson thanked all his fans, teammates and other pro athletes who reached out and offered support -- saying, "I am humbled and can only say thank you from the depths of my heart."

"I promise that I will continue to work diligently so that this team can one day bring a championship to Houston, and when I return, I will be better, stronger and more focused than ever before! Now the grind begins."

Former NFL star Kerry Rhodes and actress Nicky Whelan have called it quits in their marriage ... after less than 6 months!!!

The 2 filed divorce paperwork Wednesday together ... and it looks like it should be a pretty smooth process. They both gave up their right for spousal support and say they have no community assets together.

Kerry and Nicky were wed on April 14, 2017 and list their date of separation as October 1. The Australian actress wants her last name back, too.

Rhodes last played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2012 ... and dabbled in acting himself after leaving football.

Did you drop Ezekiel Elliott from your fantasy team this week amid rumblings his 6-game suspension was finally gonna stick???

Well, guess what dummy ... HE'S BACK!

In the seemingly never-ending saga of will he/won't he play this week -- the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has granted Zeke's request to prevent the league from immediately enforcing his domestic violence suspension.

So, what does it all mean? Simply ... he's cleared to play the Chiefs on Sunday (big game) -- and then his fight is back on.

The next phase -- a 3-judge panel will hear the case and issue a ruling, which the losing side will undoubtedly appeal.

Does Marcell Dareus think his new Jacksonville Jaguars squad can make a serious run in the playoffs?

HELL YEAH.

TMZ Sports spoke with Sacksonville's newest defensive stud -- a 2-time Pro Bowler who joined the squad last week after a blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Bills.

To say Marcell is excited is an understatement ... he's convinced the Jags, especially the defense, is locked and loaded.

"I mean, really, the sky's the limit man. We got some hellacious defensive backs ... the defense can be as good as we wanna be. We can be the best in the league, easily."

Eric Dickerson says the Ezekiel Elliott suspension proves one thing -- "The NFL is the only league where you're guilty until you prove yourself innocent."

The Hall of Famer tells TMZ Sports he agrees with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones -- who thinks Zeke is getting screwed by the NFL as the result of an "overcorrection" from the Ray Rice situation.

O.J. Simpson. Scariest. Halloween. Costume. Ever.

Yes, O.J. actually greeted trick-or-treaters at the Las Vegas home where he's been living since getting out of prison -- and he even dressed up for the occasion. Sorta. Simpson grabbed one of his old Buffalo Bills jerseys -- maybe one he's planning to hawk online.

He did cut through more NFL defenses than Freddy Krueger in that #32.

Doesn't look like O.J. handed out candy, but he did take selfies and sign autographs. More evidence of what we reported ... neighbors are welcoming him with open arms, and apparently their kids are too.

Rob Gronkowski tried spitting bars (again) -- this time in rap battle form -- and got absolutely WRECKED by "Jane the Virgin" star Gina Rodriguez.

On "Drop the Mic" ... Gronk took the stage in a tank n' chain, bragged about his Super Bowl rings and dropped some cringy sex jokes on Gina.

"You're a Virgin, I'm not -- I score all the time."

Gina responded with a series of shots at Gronk's intelligence ... leaving the Patriots superstar looking legitimately hurt.

"I spit fire -- you look like the caveman that discovered it."

"Gronk's his nickname and we know what that means -- it's the only sound he made until he was 16."

And the KO blow -- "This is not a revelation, I'm sure you've heard it all. But check your manhood, 'cause I just deflated your balls."

Update: Gronk's ego has officially been placed on the IR.

Ex-NFL star Greg Hardy says he's going for it all in his MMA career ... telling TMZ Sports his ultimate goal is to be in the UFC, and he thinks he can be the heavyweight champ.

Hardy, who's making his amateur debut this weekend, has been training for over a year at American Top Team in Florida ... the same gym where bad asses like Tyron Woodley, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Amanda Nunes train.

You know his past -- Hardy was one of the best players in the NFL before his domestic violence case made him persona non grata in the league. Despite the fact he's a grappling newbie, Hardy says he wants it all.

"Honestly I would like to be in the UFC, and be able to obtain UFC gold."

There are some -- including FOX Sports' Jay Glazer -- who says Hardy's past should keep him out of the Octagon, but Hardy's plugging ahead, preparing for his first fight November 4 at Rise of a Warrior 21 against Joe Hawkins.

"I want to be champion of everything I can be. The world champion, best heavyweight."

12:05 PM PT -- A rep for the Texans says Clowney insists there "was no hidden meaning behind his Halloween costume. He was not taking a 'shot' at anyone. It was just that – a costume at a Halloween party," according to the Houston Chronicle.

Jadeveon Clowney rocked an ORANGE PRISON JUMPSUIT to the Texans' Halloween party ... seemingly in response to Houston team owner Bob McNair's controversial comments.

JC isn't the first Texan to outwardly show displeasure with BM after his "you can't have the inmates running the prison" comment.

DeAndre Hopkins bolted practice last week and most of the squad -- including Clowney -- took a knee for the anthem before Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

As for the actual party ... it went down last night in H-Town, with everyone from Deshaun Watson, Kareem Jackson, Alfred Blue and Bruce Ellington in attendance.