NFL

Diddy just got a huge endorsement from one of the most powerful men in the NFL -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft ... who says he's a huge fan of the rap mogul.

It's high praise -- and the timing couldn't be better ... with Diddy publicly declaring his intentions to become the next owner of the Carolina Panthers.

So, when we saw Kraft in Bev Hills with his GF, Ricki Noel Lander, we asked if he thinks Diddy has the chops to crush in the NFL.

"I'm a big fan of Diddy," Kraft tells TMZ Sports ..."He's a good businessman. He's a very good businessman and I have a lot of respect for Diddy."

Washington Redskins safety Su'a Cravens is threatening to sue cops in Virginia -- claiming he was racially profiled and roughed up during a recent traffic stop ... and he's got video of the aftermath.

TMZ Sports has confirmed the 22-year-old safety was pulled over by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Dept. on Nov. 29.

According to official records, Cravens was cited for going 39 in a 25 and also for having illegal tint on his windows. He has a court date set for January 26.

But, Cravens says the entire situation is BS -- claiming he was only pulled over because "I'm black. I've got tattoos on my neck. I'm out here in a nice car."

Cravens says he was put in handcuffs and made to sit in a squad car while officers searched his whip for marijuana.

Cravens says the cops found nothing. He was eventually released and flipped on his camera phone -- showing the officers he claims roughed him up.

Johnny Manziel's fiancee, Bre Tiesi, almost had one of her lips torn off by a dog ... but it looks like she's gonna be OK after one of the Kardashians' plastic surgeons worked his magic.

Bre detailed the scary incident on social media -- saying her lip was "legit hanging off" after she tried to break up a canine throwdown involving her two pups.

But the IG model wasn't about to let a random ER doc mess with her kisser ... so she hit up Garth Fisher -- a Beverly Hills surgeon who's worked on Kris Jenner -- and he stitched her up, good as new.

Well, not exactly ... but Bre says she should be scar-free in just a few weeks!

Not like she wouldn't be smokin' hot either way.

Allen Iverson says it's "definitely an honor" making Odell Beckham's leg sleeve Hall of Fame ... and he's showing love to OBJ for the ink.

"I thought that was dope," A.I. told TMZ Sports at Baron Davis' Black Santa Basketball Fundraiser and celebrity game in Santa Monica. "I'm a big fan -- that's my little man."

FYI, Odell finished up his leg mural a couple weeks back ... putting the iconic play where Iverson took Tyronn Lue's soul next to black revolutionaries like MLK and Obama.

A.I. clearly loves the piece ... but we had to ask -- how does Coach Lue feel about it?!

"I know he don't have no problem with that."

Still waiting on confirmation from Ty ...

It's the big question every Carolina Panthers fan is asking -- will the drama surrounding owner Jerry Richardson affect the players on the field?

Who better to ask than a former NFL star who played 10 seasons in the league -- including 1 year with the Dallas Cowboys?

So, when we saw Marcellus Wiley at Compton City Hall giving out toys to kids (salute!) we had to know ... is the Panthers' season doomed, despite their 10-4 record?

If you can't beat 'em, join em?!

Colin Kaepernick is now throwing his hat in the ring to be the next owner of the Carolina Panthers!

The embattled QB was seemingly inspired by Diddy's efforts to buy the team from alleged terrible person Jerry Richardson ... and tweeted at the rap mogul moments ago.

"I want in on the ownership group! Let’s make it happen!"

Diddy has been on a media blitz -- explaining why he'd make the perfect NFL owner. He also said he wants to sign Colin.

Some experts believe the team could sell for more than $2 BILLION.

Hope you guys saved up!

7:05 PM PT -- Diddy is weighing in on the Panthers' sale ... and it sounds like he wants to throw his hat in the ring as the next owner.

Well that was fast -- Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson says he's putting the team up for sale at the end of the season ... the same day the NFL said it's investigating him.

Richardson released a statement Sunday saying he was planning to sell the Panthers franchise to new ownership, but wouldn't start the process 'til the very last game.

As we reported ... the Panthers launched an investigation into their owner this week for alleged misconduct in the workplace, including reported cash settlements for at least 4 employees.

According to Sports Illustrated, the misconduct centered around alleged sexual harassment and the use of a racial slur. The NFL also announced Sunday that it was taking over the Panthers' original probe ... which appears to have forced Richardson's hand.

Gotta say ... this reminds us a lot of when TMZ Sports revealed racist comments made by former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling ... who sold the team after news of his scandal broke.

Claudia Jordan's taking a serious shot at Ben Roethlisberger before his Steelers take on her Patriots this Sunday ... pointing to past sexual assault allegations against the QB.

"Steelers, your quarterback is very questionable. He should be in jail," Claudia told TMZ Sports outside Delilah in L.A.

Remember -- Big Ben was accused of sexual assault by two separate women in 2008 and 2010 ... but no criminal charges were brought against him in either case.

But, the former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star clearly ain't buying Roethlisberger's innocence.

LaVar Ball picking a Lithuanian league for LiAngelo and LaMelo had a lot of people scratching their heads ... but not Swae Lee, who says the Big Baller's makin' money moves!

"I think wherever the bag is calling, you gotta chase the bag," the Rae Sremmurd rapper told TMZ Sports outside Poppy in L.A.. "It could be Columbia, it could be Venezuela, it could be Australia -- wherever the bag is calling."

Swae ain't wrong, in theory ... but BBB claims it ain't about cash -- with Gelo and Melo reportedly pocketing no more than $500 per game.

This is why it's awesome to be in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Vernon Hargreaves' rumored GF ... a woman so hot we, here at TMZ Sports, feel there should be a charge to read this post (there might be soon -- thanks, FCC).

The woman is IG model Kaitlyn Patrise, and there have been multiple reports that her and Vernon are getting cozy ever since she was spotted in the booth of a Bucs game.

Dean Cain is giving Roger Goodell a Kryptonian kick right in the ass ... telling TMZ Sports the commish's PHAT new contract is money horribly spent, cause Goddell SUCKS at his job.

Roger is now SWIMMING in money ... with the owners agreeing to extend his contract 5 years to the tune of a whopping $200 million.

Cain ripped into the new deal when we got him at LAX ... saying Goodell has mismanaged huge issues like Ray Rice, Tom Brady, and Ezekiel Elliott, making the big money a big mistake.

Dean's not the only one BTW ... Jerry Jones is leading a faction of owners in open rebellion against Goodell, mostly due to a perceived failure to gain control of the kneeling protests by players.

From Hollywood to the NFL ... now a powerful NFL owner is being investigated for alleged misconduct in the workplace.

The Carolina Panthers have confirmed they have "commenced an internal investigation" into 81-year-old Jerry Richardson. Details of the allegations have not been made public.

"The Carolina Panthers and Mr. Richardson take these allegations very seriously and are fully committed to a full investigation and taking appropriate steps to address and remediate any misconduct," the team said in a statement.

"The entire organization is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally. We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it."

As for the NFL ... our sources tell us the Panthers made the league aware this afternoon that they'd launched an investigation.

Jerry Rice better watch his back ... 'cause there's one current NFL superstar who's on pace to take the crown from the 49ers legend ... this according to ex-Pro Bowler Chad Johnson.

TMZ Sports spoke with Ochocinco about Antonio Brown dominating today's game ... and asked straight-up whether it's possible AB84 can end up at the top of the all-time receiving yards list.

Johnson completely believes Brown can eventually pass Rice's record of 22,895 career yards ... and explains exactly what needs to happen in order to actually get those numbers.

FYI -- Brown is currently at 9,886 through almost 8 seasons in the league ... getting nervous yet, Jerry??

Here's a video the NFL should show at the 2018 Rookie Symposium -- NY Giants WR Brandon Marshall being cussed at in NYC by a heckler ... and he handles it like a champ.

It all started when an NYPD officer approached Brandon's Rolls-Royce and started to write him a parking ticket. Like anyone, the WR wasn't happy about it.

A fan spotted the incident and started recording. He then asked Brandon for a selfie, but the NFL star wasn't in the mood (obviously) and declined.

The fan turned on Marshall and yelled at him, "That's why your team sucks, man. That's why your team sucks!"

He added, "What's y'all record?! F*cking bum!"

But, Marshall smartly kept his cool and walked away ... only saying one thing to the heckler, "Go to work." He left the situation without incident.

This had all the makings of a situation that could have gone very south ... and it didn't.

This clip with Joel McHale sums up the NFL's problem with Thursday Night Football in a nutshell -- he knows it's dangerous for the players ... but he loves the sport too much to stop watching.

McHale is a footballaholic -- but with huge names like Drew Brees and Richie Incognito calling for an end to the mid-week game due to a spike in injuries, we asked Joel if he would support one less day of the NFL.

The short answer ... no.

McHale was a tight end for the Washington Huskies back in college -- so, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to the risks of the sport.

Cardi B twerked like her life depended on it at HOT 97's Hot for the Holidays concert on Thursday -- and got rewarded for her efforts with a Colin Kaepernick meet-and-greet after the show!

You might've heard ... Cardi's been backing Kaep ever since she blew up with "Bodak Yellow" -- saying she was gonna boycott the NFL if no team signed him back in September.

Fast-forward a few months ... and the hip-hop star finally got to meet her favorite football player and his GF, Nessa -- a HOT 97 radio host -- backstage at the Prudential Center.

Nessa even congratulated Cardi for "being the sweetest and for poppin' that booty onstage!!!"

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