NFL

John Lennon was not a saint. In fact, The Beatles legend is a "bad guy" ... so says NFL star Chris Long.

Long was responding to a Twitter challenge where he was supposed to state a "controversial yet unproblematic opinion" ... and he wrote, "John Lennon was a bad guy."

The Philadelphia Eagles stud doubled down in all caps -- "JOHN LENNON WAS A BAD GUY AND IF THIS MAKES YOU MAD UNFOLLOW ME."

When asked why he felt this way, Long responded, "It’s easier for me because I don’t care for the Beatles. I don’t feel a need to cape for an abuser."

Long is clearly referring to Lennon's admission that he physically abused women -- something he touched on during a 1980 Playboy interview.

"All that 'I used to be cruel to my woman, I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved' was me. I used to be cruel to my woman, and physically -- any woman."

"I was a hitter. I couldn't express myself and I hit. I fought men and I hit women. That is why I am always on about peace, you see. It is the most violent people who go for love and peace."

"Everything's the opposite. But I sincerely believe in love and peace. I am not violent man who has learned not to be violent and regrets his violence. I will have to be a lot older before I can face in public how I treated women as a youngster."

In fact, his first wife, Cynthia, wrote a book and said Lennon once slapped her in the face.

Think it's impossible for an NFL player to win a collusion case against the league?

Bryant McKinnie says it's VERY possible -- and he's living proof.

The ex-NFL lineman says, just like Colin Kaepernick, he filed a grievance against the NFL back in 2002 when he felt the Minnesota Vikings and K.C. Chiefs had colluded against him and another player.

At the time, McKinnie was trying to work out his rookie deal -- and was pissed the Vikings were offering him a smaller signing bonus than a player who was taken AFTER him in the draft.

McKinnie claims the Vikings and the Chiefs had secretly teamed up to pay him (the 7th pick) and Ryan Sims (the 6th pick) less than the Cowboys paid Roy Williams (the 8th pick).

Bryant says the Vikings eventually folded and paid him what he wanted -- but only because his team had strong evidence to prove his claim.

He eventually dropped the case and signed his deal -- so, technically he didn't "win" but he got what he wanted.

Rob Gronkowski can dance anytime, anywhere ... including in the streets of the Bahamas with some locals.

The Patriots TE was in the Caribbean last weekend and hit up the Bahamas' Junkanoo Carnival ... and it didn't take long for him to join in on the fun.

Gronk jumped around and high-fived people before he was given a festive hat and a couple of bells to add to the music. He made the most of it.

Former Rams running back Isaiah Pead is learning to walk -- scratch that, he's already jogging -- in a brand new prosthetic leg ... with hopes of eventually achieving Paralympic gold.

Pead shared a vid of himself trying out his new running leg for the first time Friday, and while it looks like he's got some work to do to get the hang of it ... we know he's not gonna slow down 'til he does.

TMZ Sports spoke with Isaiah last month, and he told us he's on a quest to hit the track in the 2020, 2024 and 2028 Summer Paralympics ... and he'll be in it to win it.

He says his goal is to compete in the 400, an event he dominated as a high school sprinter.

Herschel Walker says he understands why NFL teams won't hire Colin Kaepernick -- but offers a simple solution ... if a team asks you to stop kneeling, stop kneeling.

The ex-NFL star says he respects what Colin was trying to accomplish with the kneeling, and wants to help the QB make a real difference in the communities.

But when it comes to the workplace, Walker says Colin should either fall in line and do what he's asked ... or don't expect anyone to hire you.

"I own a chicken company," Walker says ... "If the guy that I hire don't want to do what I ask him to do, why do I hire him? And I think that's the problem right there, you know."

Walker says he has contacts in D.C. -- including the President -- and would happily team up with Kaep to get things done. He just thinks the kneeling demonstration is the wrong way to go.

Speaking of politics, we also spoke with Walker about his new position on Donald Trump's Fitness Council -- and he's VERY excited to make a difference.

Colin Kaepernick says he was subjected to racism as a kid -- but his mother Mama Bear'd the hell out of anyone who dared talk smack about her kid ... even at Little League baseball games!

Kaep honored his mother for a VH1 special called "Dear Mama: A Love Letter to Moms" -- and if you know Colin's story, you'd know he was adopted by a white couple, Teresa and Rick Kaepernick.

Colin says he always knew he looked different than the rest of his family -- but he knew they loved him as deeply as any parent would love their child.

However, Colin says the "privilege" of his parents (being white) could not protect him from real-life racist situations ... but when his mother sensed something was wrong, she would ferociously protect him.

"When adults were unaware of who my mother was at little league baseball games," Colin said ... "it was her that gave a tongue lashing to the parents in the stands speaking ill about the black child striking out all of their sons."

Corey Clement is #30 on the field, but his new body art is all about #23 ... 'cause the Eagles star got a freakishly realistic tat of Michael Jordan on his leg!!

Clement clearly ain't afraid of the needle ... he got tats honoring his Super Bowl win just days after the game -- with an eagle on his forearm and 'SBLII' letters on his neck.

But it's just the beginning for the young RB ... 'cause the dude's following Odell Beckham's lead and getting his whole leg tatted with his favorite legends -- starting with His Airness!!

TMZ Sports spoke with CC's tattoo artist, Dan Czar ... who says he did a private 5-hour tat sesh at Clement's New Jersey home on Thursday.

BTW -- Czar's been blowing up in the sports world ... he's done work on stars like Johnny Manziel, Jihad Ward and Sidney Jones.

Czar says Corey wants to cover his leg with all his inspirations ... and reveals Jimi Hendrix will be the next addition to the sleeve.

A SWAT team in Florida raided the home of a former college football player -- after cops say he threatened several Dallas Cowboys members after not getting selected in the NFL Draft.

The Melbourne Police Dept. has confirmed the SWAT team was dispatched to the home of 26-year-old Keyon Reed -- who played linebacker for the University of Tennessee Chattanooga until 2012.

Cops were told Reed "had called members of the Dallas Cowboys and was telling them they needed to sign him. They stated he was making threats to harm people if the Cowboys did not sign him."

When cops arrived to Reed's home, Reed allegedly fessed up to making the threats -- including telling Cowboys employees he was going to "f*** their wife."

Reed explained he was "frustrated they wouldn't 'show him the real money' and sign him to a contract."

Cops ultimately determined Reed was not an imminent threat and he was not arrested.

Reed had issues back in his playing days -- the 6'1", 228 pounder was arrested for assaulting a police officer before the 2013 season.

His relationship with Tom Brady might be over, but Donald Trump's still cool with Bill Belichick -- with POTUS appointing the Patriots coach to his new Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.

Trump will be appointing a handful of his pals to the council including Herschel Walker, golfer Natalie Gulbis, beach volleyball star Misty May-Treanor and Mariano Rivera ... according to Axios.

Remember, Belichick has been friends with Trump for years and famously wrote him a letter back in 2016 congratulating him on a "tremendous campaign."

Gulbis and Walker have both appeared on "Celebrity Apprentice" with Trump.

The point of the council is to help find ways to motivate kids to be more active.

Belichick spoke about the new position, saying "The Council's mission aligns with my beliefs and several of the Bill Belichick Foundation's goals and values as they relate to sports, youth athletics and personal health and wellness."

"The physical fitness of children in our country is an apolitical issue that is extremely important to our future. When I was contacted by Ivanka Trump and asked to participate, I was humbled to be asked and honored to accept, as I would have done for any administration."

Arizona Cardinals rookie QB Josh Rosen left a fat ass tip after a sushi date with his mom ... and it's all to honor the late daughter of ex-Cardinals tight end Todd Heap.

Tragically, Heap's 3-year-old daughter Holly passed away last year after a car accident at the family home in Arizona.

To honor her memory, the Heaps started Hugs From Holly Day on May 3 -- and encouraged people to spread love and joy in their community with a random act of kindness.

The Heaps also asked people to wear pink (Holly's favorite color).

Rosen answered the call and after a $94 sushi meal in Manhattan Beach, CA -- he dropped a $300 tip for the staff. Pretty cool.

And he also wore pink.

Heap played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 and 2012 after spending 10 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

How's this for a parting gift -- Jerry Jones just gave Jason Witten a totally BLINGED-OUT football for his retirement ... and it's dope!!

The Cowboys superstar officially hung up his cleats at a news conference on Thursday ... and J.J. thanked Witten for his 15 years of service by giving him a pigskin covered in REAL diamonds.

How do we know it's not a bunch of CZs?? Jones made sure Witten's wife, Michelle, knew they were the real deal -- as if J.J. would EVER miss out on a chance to go big.

Witten finishes his career with 11 Pro Bowls, more than 12,000 yards, 68 touchdowns, a new Monday Night Football gig ... and a shiny new ball!!

Colin Kaepernick is now getting support (sorta) from one of the greatest QBs of all time -- with Joe Namath saying the guy DESERVES to be on an NFL roster.

Broadway Joe appeared on "Varney & Co." on FOX Business and went to bat for Kaep and Eric Reid -- who have both filed grievances against the NFL claiming they've been blackballed for kneeling.

"I think in Eric's case and even Kaepernick's case they're good enough players to be out there and having a job," Namath said.

"Why aren't they? I don't know. I don't believe in the collusion though, I think the NFL is smarter than that."

Namath did not explain why he thinks teams haven't signed the players.

Joe did argue back when the host suggested the kneeling hurt the game.

Greg Hardy has a message to UFC star Derrick Lewis who recently said he'd LOVE to beat the hell out of the ex-NFL player -- careful what you wish for.

Hardy is gearing up for his first fight in the UFC Contender Series -- where he'll battle for a chance to win a real UFC contract.

Hardy says he's incredibly grateful for the chance, and promises to show Dana White he's a good person and worth the risk.

"I'm not trash or something to get scrapped aside,"Hardy says.

Hardy's past is what set off "The Black Beast" in the first place -- Lewis previously told TMZ Sports he believes Hardy is a "wife beater" and wants to teach him a painful lesson of his own.

As we've previously reported, Hardy was arrested for domestic violence back in 2014 and was initially convicted -- but he appealed and the conviction was overturned.

Julio Jones is gearing up for 2018 with a future Hall of Famer ... running wide receiver drills in Georgia with Terrell Owens.

The two hit up Johns Creek High School in the Atlanta area -- where they ran routes, worked on footspeed and of course, caught passes.

Jones looked great (of course) -- but 44-year-old Owens was pretty damn impressive, too!!!

Meanwhile, the newest ATL Falcons wide out -- Calvin Ridley -- was also putting in work during a military-style workout with his personal trainer in Alabama.

Ridely was the Falcons' first round draft pick -- 26th overall -- and people are expecting big things from him.

In fact, with rumblings of a rift between Jones and the Falcons ... Ridley could be the next #1 WR in the ATL.

The 72-year-old man who was rescued by Christian McCaffrey and his brother just got hooked up AGAIN -- this time the NFL star sent AWESOME Panthers gifts to celebrate being discharged from the hospital.

As we previously reported, Christian -- along with his brothers and friends -- spotted 72-year-old Dan Smoker, who had suffered serious injuries after falling 20 feet during a hike in Colorado.

Christian's group rushed to help -- with one of McCaffrey's friends performing chest compressions when the inured man stopped breathing. Christian called 911 and prayed with the man and his grandson until help arrived.

Smoker suffered major injuries -- including several broken bones and bleeding on the brain -- but he's made a spectacular recovery and was recently released from the hospital.

To celebrate, Christian sent Dan and his family a gift basket with autographed jerseys and an invite to a Panthers home game!

Gotta love a story with a happy ending!

Eric Reid has followed Colin Kaepernick's lead and has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL ... and sources tell us President Trump's name is involved.

The 26-year-old safety has not been signed since his contract with the 49ers ended at the end of the 2017 season and many believe it's because he participated in Kaep's kneeling demonstration during the national anthem.

Reid is a former Pro Bowl safety who racked up 67 tackles and 2 interceptions last season -- and many believe he should have easily gotten a roster spot in 2018 based on his talent.

Bleacher Report had Reid ranked as the 10th best safety in the league in 2017.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells us ... Reid's grievance invokes Trump's name -- essentially claiming POTUS has intimidated owners into not signing players who kneel.

In fact, one NFL source described it as the "Bezos Effect" -- meaning owners are afraid if they cross Trump, he'll publicly attack them like he did to Amazon because he doesn't like Jeff Bezos.

Trump has regularly trashed players who took a knee during the anthem -- in fact, he just went after them during a rally in Michigan last week.

The NFLPA has issued a statement saying, "Our union is aware that Eric Reid and his legal representatives filed a collusion claim, which will be heard through the arbitration process as spelled out in our collective bargaining agreement."