NFL

TMZ Sports has obtained footage of Everson Griffen moments after he jumped out of an ambulance on his way to a mental health evaluation ... and you can hear cops talking football to Griffen in an effort to calm him down.

It all went down on Sept. 22 after cops had been called on the Minnesota Vikings star following a string of bizarre and troubling behavior in the Minnesota area.

As we previously reported, Griffen allegedly threatened to shoot somebody at a hotel, wandered into a teammate's yard and forced a stranger to drive him around town against his will.

Cops ultimately got Griffen to agree to take an ambulance to a nearby hospital to be evaluated -- but he jumped out during the ride fearing someone was trying to harm him.

When cops approach Griffen, you can hear him saying, "I jumped out because I was scared for my life."

Griffen then explains that someone in the ambulance was "digging in his pocket pulling out something. He was digging in his pocket pulling out something and I called him. They had gloves on there’s something in here and they tried to get me. I’m not crazy."

Griffen mentioned that he plays for the Vikings -- and cops began talking football with him. That's when everything starts to cool down.

Ultimately, cops got Griffen to agree to get back in the ambulance and they took him to the hospital without further incident.

Dodgeball with Tom Brady and his softball-playing sisters was exactly what it appeared to be -- TERRIFYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This according to Gisele ... who took part in the summer "fun" -- where Tom famously got so competitive in the children's game and chucked a fastball at his own mother!!

Brady's supermodel wife went on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Thursday to explain exactly how savage football's G.O.A.T. and his fam get when they square up on the court ... and yeah, she says it's as aggressive as it looked.

"They're pretty strong," Gisele said of Brady's sisters. "They were softball players. They're intense!! I was scared ..."

Gisele says the rubber-ball violence was eye-opening ... especially compared to her family's game nights -- where they played sports AS A FREAKIN' TEAM!!

Don't get it twisted ... Gisele found a way to have fun -- she's just issuing a warning for those underprepared for Brady games.

"If they invite you to play this game with the ball, make sure that you're ready for it."

LeBron James clearly wants Colin Kaepernick to know he's got his back ...

Check out the shirt Bron wore to the Lakers preseason game at Staples Center on Thursday -- featuring the name "Kaepernick" on the upper back -- a pretty huge statement from the most famous athlete on the planet.

The shirt is made by Nike -- the company that just featured Colin as the face of its "Just Do It" campaign.

LeBron also has a deal with Nike and praised the company for having the balls to do business with Kap despite some pretty powerful critics ... including the President of the United States.

"I wore a Kaepernick shirt tonight, one, because it's Nike and I'm a Nike guy. And then, two, I support Kap. I've always supported Kap and what he stands for and what he believes in."

It's not the first time LBJ's publicly stepped forward to join Kap's fight ... after Colin received massive blowback for his new Nike deal last month -- Bron stepped up to say he stands "for anybody that believes in a positive attitude and a positive matter."

LeBron also posted pics of the shirt with the caption, "KAEP Drip #MoreThanAnAthlete," on social media late Thursday night.

Martellus Bennett wants Kanye West to keep Colin Kaepernick's name out of his mouth -- saying, "Why you trying to drag everybody else down into your sh*t hole?"

The ex-NFL star was at LAX rocking some Yeezy combat boots -- so, we had to ask if it was a show of support for the rapper who's been getting criticism for his support of Donald Trump.

Turns out, Marty B is anti-Kanye -- but he ain't about to light his shoes on fire.

Instead, Bennett says he simply won't buy another pair.

As for Kaepernick, we asked MB if he thinks Colin should take Ye up on his offer to meet with President Trump to hash out their differences.

Again, Marty was against the idea -- telling Kanye, "Don't try to drag other people in to make yourself feel like you're correct."

"Don't try to bring public figures who fight for black rights to help you and the foolishness that you're doing."

But, what about the spirit of reaching across the aisle?

"You wanna reach across the aisle to grab a bear? Or should you reach across the aisle to grab some greatness?"

Sorry, Aaron Rodgers ... your reign as King in the NFC North is over -- 'cause the Bears are the best team there now -- so says Chicago legend Mike Singletary.

Da Bears just waxed the Bucs 48-10 ... and when the greatest LB in Chicago history spoke with TMZ Sports about the W -- he told us he's convinced they're better than the Packers AND the Vikings.

"At the end of the day, I think the Bears are the most COMPLETE team in that division," Mike says.

Of course ... Detroit's also in the North -- but after their loss to the Cowboys on Sunday ... Mike didn't even bother to mention them in the same conversation.

Terrell Davis respectfully disagrees with the way Le'Veon Bell's dealing with the Steelers -- telling TMZ Sports, "If it were me, I woulda signed the franchise tag."

The Hall of Fame running back isn't trying to diss Bell ... and he understands why Le'Veon is holding out -- he just doesn't see eye to eye on the business side of it.

"I never thought he should've held out," Davis said at LAX ... "That's just me though. But, he's gotta do what he's gotta do."

"I can't fault anybody for trying to get more money and doing what they feel is right."

Bell is holding out for a longterm deal with guaranteed money -- despite the fact Pittsburgh hit him with the franchise tag which would have paid him roughly $15 mil this season.

The LAPD says the suspects who have been raiding the homes of celebrities in L.A. had a list of a dozen more stars they were targeting including LeBron James, Viola Davis and Matt Damon.

... and cops say the suspects had already obtained the addresses of their famous targets.

As we previously reported, cops had arrested one of the suspects who had allegedly hit the homes of Yasiel Puig, Rihanna, Christina Milian and L.A. Rams star Robert Woods ... but now, officials say they've arrested 3 more people.

Of the 4 people in custody ... 2 of them are 19-year-old men, one is an 18-year-old man and the other is a 34-year-old woman.

The female suspect is the MOTHER of one of the teenage men, according to LAPD Capt. Lillian Carranza.

And, that's not all ... cops believe there are more people involved in the burglaries and investigators are currently on the hunt to catch them too.

In total, cops say the burglary crew has already hit more than 24 homes -- with at least 12 more rich and famous targets in their sights.

The key to solving the case ... cops say Robert Woods' neighbor made the initial call to report the robbery at his house and when they found the first suspect, the found items connected to the other high profile cases.

In total, cops say the group stole more than $1 MILLION in property -- including $50,000 cash, watches, purses and a vehicle. Cops say one of the suspects also had a firearm.

Cops are asking the public to help strengthen their case against the suspects by identifying the stolen objects and giving information about the suspects and other possible crimes.

It was just a matter of time, but the NFL has finally suspended Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks for his role in an insider trading case.

Kendricks has already confessed and pled guilty to insider trading in a scheme, where he made more than $1.2 MILLION by plying a Goldman Sachs analyst with perks like cash and NFL tickets in exchange for private information.

Kendricks was cut by the Cleveland Browns after they found out about the charges during the NFL preseason -- but he was picked up the Seahawks shortly after ... knowing the league would probably suspend him.

In the 3 games he played in this season, Kendricks did well ... racking up 13 solo tackles and 2 sacks.

Now, the league has suspended him indefinitely while Kendricks waits for the sentencing phase (which is scheduled for January).

He may not regret it now, but Earl Thomas will end up wishin' he didn't throw the ol' single barrel salute to his team last Sunday ... his ex-Seahawks teammate Walter Thurmond tells TMZ Sports.

Earl had been SUPER pissed about not getting a new long-term deal from Seattle this offseason, but decided to play anyway ... and promptly broke his leg against the Cards.

That's when Thomas -- bitter about the whole situation -- threw up the one-finger salute to Pete Carroll and Co. ... something Thurmond says the All-Pro safety will regret.

"That's one of those things where it's, 'I shouldn't have done that. I let my emotions get the best of me,'" says Walter, who played with Earl in Seattle for four seasons.

"But again, it just shows that we're just human. And this whole situation, it's a human aspect."

Don't get it twisted ... Walter DEFINITELY feels for his boy -- and says he wishes NFL teams would treat its employees more fairly.

BTW ... that Legion of Boom defense Thurmond and Thomas were a part of from 2010 to 2014?? Walter tells us it'll go down in history with the Purple People Eaters, the 2000 Ravens AND the Steel Curtain as one of the greatest EVER.

Dez Bryant sent a memo to NFL teams Tuesday ... and here it is.

The ex-Dallas Cowboys superstar hit the football field and caught passes with one hand ... with two hands ... and then lying down.

"Monkey started to jump on my back," Dez said of the workout ... "We got some great work in today."

Translation: PLEASE SIGN ME!!!!!!

Dez hasn't found a football home since the 'Boys booted him back in April ... and just days after Terrell Owens told TMZ Sports Dez's career will be over if he ain't signed in the next few months -- Dez hit social media with this.

Coincidence?? We think not.

LeSean McCoy's ex-girlfriend Delicia Cordon has filed new court docs claiming the NFL star physically abused her during their relationship ... alleging he once literally kicked her out of bed.

It's all part of Cordon's ongoing lawsuit against McCoy, in which she accused him of orchestrating the violent home invasion back in July when she was pistol whipped by a masked intruder.

McCoy has adamantly denied any involvement in the incident. He has neither been arrested nor charged with a crime.

Cordon filed new docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, going in greater detail as to why she believes McCoy is involved ... and points to a history of violence.

Cordon says McCoy first got physical with her after the 2016 NFL season -- noting, "He would often grab [her] in a manner that was painful and would leave [her] skin reddened."

"McCoy did not care who was around when he would become enraged."

She added, "McCoy once physically kicked [her] out of the bed."

Cordon claims she and McCoy dated on and off since 2016.

Cordon claims the Buffalo Bills star would always shower her in gifts to get back into her good graces -- and she stayed quiet because she didn't want to hurt his reputation and jeopardize his NFL career.

She also admits in the docs she did not reveal the abuse before filing her lawsuit. Translation -- there are no police reports.

In the new court docs, Cordon also goes into greater detail about prior allegations that McCoy would physically abuse his own child and beat their pet dog.

The guy who attacked Pacman Jones -- and then got his ASS KICKED by the NFL star -- has just been sentenced to 1 year behind bars ... court officials tell TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... Jones was walking through the Atlanta International Airport on July 10 when Frank Ragin -- a man who worked at the terminal -- started talking trash to the NFL star.

Ragin shoved Jones into a wall and then the two began to fight -- with Jones knocking the guy out with a wild overhand right. Ragin also suffered a busted leg in the altercation.

Cops investigated and determined Ragin was the aggressor -- and they arrested him on the spot. He was later charged with 2 counts of battery, 1 count of disorderly conduct and 1 count of terroristic threats.

Ragin ultimately struck a deal with prosecutors where he agreed to plead no contest to 1 count of battery and the other 3 charges were dropped.

The sentence was harsh -- 1 year in jail and roughly 1 year of probation. He also has to complete 70 hours of community service and must stay away from Pacman.

As for Pacman, officials determined he was simply defending himself and well within his rights to strike back. He was not charged with a crime.

Brett Favre, John Elway, Tony Romo ... NONE of these dudes had the ability to chuck the pigskin like Patrick Mahomes does -- so says ex-Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil.

"His overall ability to throw the ball in any body position is the best I've ever seen," the legendary coach tells TMZ Sports.

Mahomes just won his fifth straight start ... killin' the Broncos on Monday night -- and when we spoke with Vermeil about it, he couldn't have been more impressed.

"He's so flexible, body-wise," Vermeil says.

"He can twist his hips and kick his legs and turn his shoulders, and all three variations are going different directions, and he throws the ball accurately anyway. It's amazing!"

Remember ... Vermeil's coached Pro Bowlers like Kurt Warner, Ron Jaworski and Trent Green -- so it's some seriously high praise.

But, the gushing didn't stop there ... 'cause Dick tells us Mahomes has MORE athletic ability than even Donovan McNabb!!!

In fact ... Vermeil says if Mahomes doesn't get Andy Reid his first-ever Super Bowl ring ... NOBODY will.

Great news for Tyler Eifert -- who had his ankle snapped in half on Sunday -- 'cause the Cincinnati Bengals TE is in good spirits after going under the knife ... and vows to be back better than ever!!

ICYMI -- Eifert suffered a nasty right ankle injury in the 3rd quarter of the Falcons game this week ... after De'Vondre Campbell accidentally fell on him while making a tackle.

It was a disgusting sight ... and if you haven't already seen it, DON'T CLICK ON IT.

Eifert shared a post-surgery pic with a thumbs-up on Monday night ... saying "At least my end zone celebration was fun! Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I’m all fixed, Dr. Anderson is the best. I’ll be back!"

Eifert has had his fair share of injuries since he was drafted in 2013 ... a dislocated elbow in 2014, stinger injuries in 2013 and 2015, back injury in 2016 and 2017. But, he's clearly not fazed by his history.

Senator Lindsey Graham says he LOVES Kanye West's idea of bringing Colin Kaepernick and Donald Trump together ... explaining, "I want to watch football without feeling guilty about it."

And get this ... it sounds like the Republican senator from South Carolina is actually on the same page with Colin when it comes to the reasons for his kneeling protest.

Graham told us he believes there's real work to be done when it comes to sentencing reform and prison reform -- particularly when it comes to black and Hispanic men.

As Colin has previously explained ... the point of his kneeling demonstration was to shine a spotlight on the mistreatment of minorities -- especially when it comes to the justice system.

"I want to work on sentencing reform, prison reform," Graham says ... "A lot of people in jail for a long period of time. African-American males, Hispanic males, particularly. Three strikes and you're out has been pretty hard. So, might be something we can all work on that would bring us together."

Graham explains the one major issue he has with Kaepernick is not standing for the flag -- but he clearly believes a White House summit could benefit both sides.

"Anything that will bring the country together."

And, Lindsey isn't the only one who feels this way -- we also spoke with ex-NFL star Marcellus Wiley who says a Kaepernick, Trump meeting would be a "great thing."

"Anyone that you have a difference with that has power, you should get in a room with them and try to find mutual ground and mutual agreement," Wiley said Monday night in Beverly Hills.

"No matter what side you're on, grab the person that you call 'adversary' and try to come to some mutual agreement."

"We're all sitting here on this same planet, coexisting ... so it would be great if we could coexist in some of these powerful meeting rooms and get our figures together.

Kanye West says he's reached out to Colin Kaepernick -- and wants to bring him to Washington D.C. for a special meeting with Donald Trump.

West -- wearing his Make America Great Again hat -- sat down with Harvey Levin on "TMZ Live" on Monday and said he hopes to bring the two sides together so they can work out their issues.

Of course, Donald Trump has been extremely critical of Kaepernick -- strongly pressuring NFL owners to fire all of the "sons of bitches" who don't stand for the national anthem.

Kaepernick has said he began kneeling to shine a spotlight on police brutality against black people -- but Trump feels the demonstration is disrespectful to the flag and military vets.

So, will Kanye succeed in putting together a peace summit between Trump and Kaep?

He didn't say if either side was open to the idea -- but Trump has praised Kanye as a brilliant leader, so we're guessing he would be in.