NFL

Cam Newton says he thought his life and his career were OVER when he was arrested for stealing a student's laptop computer in 2008 ... but now he wants people to learn from his mistakes.

It was this exact date in 2008 that Newton was busted at the University of Florida (when he was Tim Tebow's backup). He was charged with felony counts of burglary, larceny and obstructing justice.

Newton struck a plea deal and all charges were dropped after he completed a pretrial diversion program.

But now, 9 years later ... the NFL star is opening up about the arrest and how it affected his life.

"I contemplated posting this and even reluctant about it, but as I think about my life and the MANY things I'm THANKFUL for, I tant to be an OPEN book so people can here my testimony and learn from the FLAWS and mistakes I MADE!"

"On this day 11/21/2008 I was arrested for a stolen laptop and I'm sure your asking yourself where is he going with this story."

"The moral of the story is this ... on this date I THOUGHT my life and my career was OVER and the fact that I had shamed my family with the media coverage surrounding this situation I vowed to myself on this day (9 years ago) that 'I will be BETTER from this situation'."

"What you must learn from this story is this: If you live your life listening to what OTHER people are saying what you should do AND NOT YOUR OWN, shame on YOU!"

Nick Swardson is a die-hard Vikings fan -- "I like the Vikings more than my family."

So, when we asked how he felt about Vikings QB Case Keenum leading his team to victory over the team that let him go last year, the Rams -- Swardson was LOVING it.

Backstory ... the Rams let Keenum go after the 2016 season after benching him for Jared Goff. The Vikings swooped him up and the rest is history.

Herschel Walker says he's always been a huge Marshawn Lynch fan ... until Beast Mode dropped the ultimate diss on America this past weekend.

"To stand for the Mexico anthem and sit for the American anthem is total disrespect," Herschel told TMZ Sports in NYC. "Lost respect for you ... that’s just not right.”

Walker says disagreeing with Donald Trump is fine -- but clearly thinks the way Marshawn expressed it is outta line. As the former NFL superstar's told us in the past, he believes taking the fight to Congress AFTER the season is the way to go.

Eddie George says he'll always remember Terry Glenn as a "good kid with a big heart" ... telling TMZ Sports he was honored to call the late NFL receiver his teammate.

George and Glenn played together at Ohio State in the '90s and later in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. The Heisman trophy winner says he admired how well Glenn thrived despite losing his mother at 13 years old.

"He was a great guy to be around. Great person," George says ... "Just always full of laughter and joy despite his troubles."

"He overcame a lot of that stuff and didn't succumb to the pressures around him and really made something positive out of his life."

George goes on to share his favorite memories of playing with Glenn ... and says he'll do whatever he can to help his family.

Meek Mill had a celebrity phone call during his time in prison -- speaking with Colin Kaepernick -- and he gave the QB a message to spread to his supporters.

"Spoke to Meek Mill & he wanted ppl to know regardless of his unjust situation, he’s in good spirits & humbled by the support the people have shown him," Colin tweeted.

"We'll continue to fight against the harsh sentencing practices that have affected Meek & millions of other POC for generations."

Colin had spoken out against Meek's sentence -- claiming 2 to 4 years in prison is way too harsh for a non-violent probation violation.

Meek was locked up earlier this month stemming from a conviction in a 2008 drug and weapons case.

Marcus Allen says he usually avoids politics ... but when it comes to Marshawn Lynch -- the NFL Hall of Famer says he has respect and admiration for the Raiders running back.

"I respect people that do what they believe with conviction," Allen said when asked about Lynch's national anthem demonstration in Mexico.

"You may not necessarily agree with it, but you gotta admire a person that stands up for what he believes in."

"LaVar Ball. Good lookin' out. I wouldn't have thanked the motherf**ker either."

That's Snoop Dogg heaping all sorts of praise on LaVar Ball and Marshawn Lynch in a heated rant about President Trump.

Snoop slams Trump as "garbage" and a "piece of s**t" for the way he's publicly treated the Ball family and Lynch ... he doesn't hold back.

"Let's suspend your ass motherf**ker," Snoop said in a response to Trump calling for the NFL to bench Lynch if he doesn't stand for the national anthem in the future.

Former NFL wide receiver Terry Glenn died in a car crash in Texas, officials confirm. He was 43.

We're told Glenn was in a single-car accident early Monday morning and was ejected from his vehicle. By the time officials responded to the crash site, it was clear Glenn had passed. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

Glenn had a passenger in his vehicle -- we're told it was his fiancee -- but she survived the crash. She's currently being treated at the ICU of a local hospital.

We're told officials plan on doing a full autopsy, including toxicology, to see if they can get more information on what led to the crash.

Glenn was the 7th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft -- taken by the New England Patriots after an impressive run at Ohio State.

He went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL -- with the Patriots, Packers and Cowboys.

Terry also famously caught Tom Brady's very first TD pass in 2001.

Story developing ...

Kristin Cavallari doesn't seem happy with Jay Cutler's decision to return to the NFL -- and after her husband was knocked out of Sunday's game with a concussion, she cryptically sounded off.

"Sometimes I wish I could just say how I really feel about this football shit ... And give commentary about what I’m realllllly thinking," Kristin posted from the family area of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

"How great would that be."

Cutler had retired before the 2017 season -- but signed a 1-year deal with the Miami Dolphins back in August after their starting QB Ryan Tannehill suffered a season-ending injury.

Earlier this year, Cavallari told TooFab.com her husband was excited to play another year so their kids could see daddy at work.

Clearly, she isn't feeling the same way ...

Donald Trump has turned his sights on BeastMode -- blasting the NFL star for sitting during the U.S. national anthem -- but standing for the Mexican national anthem -- during his game this weekend.

Marshawn Lynch was clearly looking to send a political message when his Oakland Raiders played the New England Patriots in Mexico City on Sunday.

But it rubbed Trump the wrong way ... with POTUS tweeting:

"Marshawn Lynch of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem. Great disrespect!"

"Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down."

Detroit Lions star Marvin Jones listen up ... sure you might've killed your "American Idol" audition like O.J. in his prime, but that doesn't mean you're gonna win the show ...

UNLESS YOU LISTEN TO RUBEN STUDDARD RIGHT NOW.

We got Studdard, America's "Velvet Teddy Bear" and 'Idol' Season 2 champion, at LAX and asked him to rate Marvin's audition, and give him a little advice for the journey to the top.

First off, Ruben was sold on Marvin's voice -- makes sense, the MAN CAN SANG -- and as far as advice, he used his gorgeous voice to drop some knowledge on the kid.

BTW -- Did you know Ruben Studdard was a former college football player? Neither did we, but now that we think about it, makes sense.

Terrell Owens is giving Ezekiel Elliott props for manning up and accepting his 6-game suspension -- telling TMZ Sports Zeke is absolutely doing "the best thing" for him and the Cowboys.

"Why fight it? Go ahead, take your suspension -- you live, you learn from it and keep it moving," T.O. said.

Elliott's been battling with the NFL for months over whether or not he should have to sit out over domestic violence allegations ... but officially threw in the towel on Tuesday.

Chad Johnson totally tore it up at the skatepark on Friday!!!

JK. He ate it. HARD.

For reasons unknown to TMZ Sports, Ocho thought it'd be a good idea to hop on a board with no gear ... and pull up on a ramp WHILE SMOKING A DAMN CIGAR.

As the video shows, it didn't end well for the former NFL superstar -- who ollied right onto his ass.

Jameis Winston says reports he sexually assaulted a female Uber driver are FALSE -- and claims he was NOT the only person in the car that night as the driver has claimed.

Winston just tweeted about the BuzzFeed report in which Uber driver Kate claims Winston grabbed her crotch during a rowdy drive home from the Scottsdale bar scene in March 2016.

Kate claimed Winston was in the front passenger seat when the alleged assault went down. Winston is saying Kate is wrong about the allegations AND who was next to her that night.

"The story falsely accuses me of making inappropriate contact with this driver," Winston says ... "I believe the driver was confused as to the number of passengers in the car and who was sitting next to her."

"The accusation is false, and given the nature of the allegation and increased awareness and consideration of these types of matters, I am addressing this false report immediately."

"While I am certain that I did not make any inappropriate contact, I don’t want to engage in a battle with the driver and I regret if my demeanor or presence made her uncomfortable in any way."

The part that's unclear ... is Jameis leaving the door open to the possibility that whoever was in the passenger seat DID sexually assault the driver? He's not saying it didn't happen ... he's just saying, "It wasn't me."

Jameis Winston is adamantly denying grabbing a female Uber driver by the crotch during a March 2016 ride despite a complaint the driver made to the company ... but now the NFL is investigating.

The woman who identifies herself as Kate told BuzzFeed she picked Jameis up from a nightlife area in Scottsdale, Arizona around 2 AM -- and Jameis got in the front passenger seat.

During the ride, Kate says the Tampa Bay Bucs star was out of control -- screaming homophobic comments to pedestrians -- before requesting a stop at a Mexican restaurant.

While in the drive-thru line to pick up food, Kate says Winston "reached over and put his fingers on my crotch. It wasn't accidental."

Kate says she wasn't just "creeped out" ... "I was frozen."

After the ride, Kate says she filed a complaint with Uber but did not go to police because she feared backlash from NFL fans.

Winston's camp says the allegations are completely false -- "We categorically deny this allegation. It is our understanding the Uber driver was unable to identify the specific individual who allegedly touched this driver inappropriately. The only reason his name is being dragged in to this is that his Uber account was used to call the ride."

Uber says Jameis has been banned from using the app in the future.

Tony Gonzalez says he was never sexually harassed in an NFL locker room ... but he's glad all the Hollywood scandals are putting athletes on notice.

"Stuff has changed. You gotta be more careful, and it's a good thing," Tony told TMZ Sports.

Gonzalez told us he's only experienced "guys in the shower messing around" ... and says all his former teammates knew not to cross that line.

But even though the future Hall of Famer didn't have to deal with any inappropriate hazing himself, he's fully behind the cultural shift in acting and in sports.