NFL

Tom Brady is addressing the controversial penalty called in his team's favor during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons ... saying don't blame me, "I don't throw flags, I throw tablets."

"As I said after the game, I don’t throw flags," Brady joked on his "Let's Go!" podcast with Jim Gray. "What I do throw is tablets. I didn’t have one accessible at that time."

Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett was penalized for roughing the passer ... after sacking Brady on a pivotal 3rd and-five play with about 3 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

The call was, umm, let's say ... questionable.

Brady admitted Jarrett wreaked havoc Sunday afternoon, saying, "He was in the backfield all day. He had a hell of a game. I’ll leave it at that.”

If you've watched Tom play long enough, you know tablet-throwing is on brand for the 7x Super Bowl-winning QB ... when things aren't going according to plan (see Saints game this season).

The photographer shoved to the ground by Davante Adams after the Raiders-Chiefs "MNF" game has officially filed a police report against the NFL superstar, claiming he was injured during the incident and had to go to the hospital.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the man went to cops at Arrowhead Stadium at around 10:30 PM -- just moments after Adams had pushed him following the Raiders' 30-29 loss.

Authorities tell us the man claimed he was the victim of an assault. They say he told them he suffered injuries ... though they were "thought to be non-life threatening."

They added that the man was later transported to the hospital.

Cops say they are investigating it all -- and following the completion of the probe, detectives "will coordinate with the applicable city or state prosecutor to determine any applicable charges."

For his part, Adams apologized for his role in the incident -- once at his locker following the game, and then again on Twitter.

"I wanted to say sorry to him for that because that was just frustration mixed with him literally just running in front of me," said the 29-year-old, who signed a five year, $140 million contract with Vegas this offseason. "I shouldn't have responded that way, but that's how I initially responded. So, I want to apologize to him for that."

It's unclear if the NFL is seeking punishment for the wideout.

Brett Favre is finally breaking his silence on his alleged role in the Mississippi welfare funds scandal ... insisting this week, "I have done nothing wrong."

Favre released a lengthy statement to Fox News in order to "set the record straight" -- claiming he had no idea that the funds he was seeking to help build a volleyball facility at Southern Mississippi were intended for those in need.

"No one ever told me, and I did not know, that funds designated for welfare recipients were going to the University or me," the NFL legend said. "I tried to help my alma mater USM, a public Mississippi state university, raise funds for a wellness center. My goal was and always will be to improve the athletic facilities at my university."

As we reported, Favre has been accused of working with government officials to obtain $5 million from Mississippi welfare funds in order to build the venue at his alma mater -- where his daughter played volleyball.

Favre was also accused of pocketing over $1 million in welfare funds for public speaking engagements that he allegedly blew off.

Texts to an official appeared to show Favre knew what he was getting into ... with one reading, "If you were to pay me is there any way the media can find out where it came from and how much?"

Favre's attorney, though, explained to Fox News that simply, "Like most celebrities, he didn't want his source of income to be public."

"He had no idea that the payment came from [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families]," Eric Herschmann said, "and had he known he never would have accepted that money."

Favre added in his statement, "I have been unjustly smeared in the media."

JuJu Smith-Schuster just arrived to "Monday Night Football" drippin' in vibranium -- he rocked a "Black Panther"-inspired fit ... that was completed with a sick car and some sweet kicks!!!

The Kansas City wideout rolled up to Arrowhead Stadium in a "1-of-1 Black Panther" Lexus ... and when he got out of the ride -- he revealed he was head-to-toe in Wakanda-themed gear.

He had on a black #3 jersey featuring a bunch of nods to the blockbuster flick -- and he also had on a large "Wakanda Forever" jacket.

And, as he said hello to fans who had lined up outside of the stadium to cheer him on, he revealed he's going to play against the Raiders in some 'Black Panther' spikes.

Smith-Schuster is clearly a big fan of the movie franchise -- which will debut its sequel, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," next month -- but he also has some ties to Chadwick Boseman dating back to his Steelers days.

In 2019, Boseman came to then-Heinz Field to see a practice ... and he and Smith-Schuster chatted it up before the receiver hit the gridiron.

Antonio Brown is going way too far with his most recent Twitter antics ... sharing an insensitive image making fun of mental disability on Monday -- and people are pissed.

AB has had zero filter on social media lately ... firing tweets with seemingly no care about the repercussions, including tasteless jokes about Tom Brady's marriage issues with Gisele Bündchen.

34-year-old Brown randomly decided to post the offensive picture just minutes ago ... showing a distorted image of the Arizona Cardinals logo and a modification of the team name that featured the R-word.

"Starting my own Team Sign 🆙" AB said in the tweet.

Of course, not many are laughing at his awful attempt at humor ... and made sure to let him know in the replies.

In fact, some users are even comparing AB's actions to Kanye West, who was recently criticized for preaching "White Lives Matter" over the past week -- leading Brown to add, "All Lives Matter" in a post of his own.

"are you and kanye in some kinda competition?" the user said of the newest post ... while another pleaded, "you gotta just get off social media bro."

Gisele Bündchen is trying to feel better after separating from her husband Tom Brady ... visiting a spiritual healer to get back on track.

The supermodel paid Dr. Ewa a return visit Friday in Florida, sporting a prayer necklace and carrying a box from Amazon on her way into her spiritual intervention.

Ewa came armed with some Tupperware filled with yellow soup, and two cups.

Again, no wedding ring for Gisele ... she hasn't been spotted wearing it recently, but we should note -- she rarely wore the thing even before leaving Tom.

TMZ broke the story ... Gisele recently separated from Tom, declaring their marriage was over. She's been threatening to divorce him several times over the years, with football as the core issue.

Gisele's living in Miami while Tom plays another NFL season in Tampa ... and we've seen her hitting the gym a lot, even taking her kids to a workout amid her search for a divorce lawyer.

The Matt Rhule era in Carolina is over -- the Panthers just announced they're parting ways with their head coach after a 1-4 start.

It's no secret -- the Panthers have been a mess so far this season ... and have really struggled during Rhule's tenure, going 5-11 and 5-12 in his first two years on the sidelines.

The decision comes just weeks after Panthers owner David Tepper said the organization would be "patient" with Rhule.

The Panthers lost 37-15 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday ... and after the game, he was questioned about his job security.

"I've got nothing to say about that now, just here to talk about the game today," Rhule said. "Would never want to make this about me."

Rhule had four years left on his $62 million deal ... but it was clear the organization felt it was time to make a change ASAP.

Prior to the Panthers, Rhule was the head coach Baylor University, where he turned the program around. In his first year the team went 1-11. In 2018, his second year, they went 7-6. Then, in 2019, the team, ranked as high as 7th in the nation, went 11-3, and played in the Big 12 Championship.

He won the Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year Award in 2019, which is voted on by fellow coaches.

Before Baylor, Rhule coached at Temple ... going 28-23 and bringing success back to the program.

Steve Wilks will serve as interim head coach.

If anyone knows about surviving a shooting, it's 50 Cent ... that's why the rap legend shouted out Commanders RB Brian Robinson on social media,  celebrating the 3rd round draft pick for playing just six weeks after he was shot twice.

"That s**t ain’t stop nothing, 👀when God has bigger plans it’s just a bump in the road. @b.robinson_4 right back in action 💪🏽," 50 wrote on Instagram Monday morning.

50, of course, was famously shot 9 times in 2000 ... and miraculously survived.

23-year-old Robinson returned to the field on Sunday ... after being shot in his butt and leg on August 28th. The Commanders lost to the Titans, 21-17, but Robinson ran the ball 9 times for 22 yards.

Robinson -- who had surgery after the shooting -- was medically cleared to play last week ... but the team wanted to give the rookie ball carrier a little extra time to heal.

It was well worth the wait for fans ... who were clearly pumped to see Robinson. When he ran onto the field before kickoff, he received one of the loudest ovations.

After the game, someone on the internet put Fif's song "Many Men" -- largely about his shooting -- to video of Robinson running onto the field for the first time ... and it's pretty damn cool.

The Texans are giving their fans a chance to sever ties with Deshaun Watson once and for all -- announcing a jersey exchange program that will allow people to ditch their old #4 unis for other players.

Houston CEO Cal McNair announced the event Monday morning ... explaining that for just this week, Texans supporters can swap their Watson jerseys at the NRG Stadium team store for a new set of threads at a steep discount.

McNair and the Texans never mention Watson by name in promoting the swap -- but they made it very apparent the whole thing stems from fans clamoring for a way to dispose of the #4 attire.

The photo the team used for the flier contains a #4 jersey. The discount on the new jersey is 44%. And, in the caption on McNair's video, one fan points out it's looking to get rid of the jersey of "one particular player."

Technically, the Texans say any player the team acquired from 2017 to 2021 is eligible for the promotion ... but check out the list of names -- it's clear Watson is the only jersey people are jumping through these hoops for.

Of course, Watson and the Texans unceremoniously parted ways earlier this year -- following allegations that the star quarterback had been sexually inappropriate with multiple female massage therapists.

A little boy who ran onto the field during an NFL game Sunday was grabbed by a security guard and slammed to the turf ... all while Tom Brady looked on from just feet away.

The incident happened early in the Buccaneers' game against the Falcons in Tampa Bay ... when a 10-year-old hopped the stadium railing and sprinted onto the playing surface.

The kid -- wearing a Brady shirt -- made it several yards down the sideline ... juking stadium workers who were trying to stop him.

Eventually, however, one staffer grabbed a hold of him and tackled him to the ground. Video shot by a fan in the stands shows the kid being taken down with force.

Authorities then slapped cuffs on the child, before hauling him into a holding area inside the stadium.

A spokesperson for the Tampa Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports the boy was issued a civil citation, given notice to appear in court ... and then released.

This is the second time in less than a week that a field invader has caused a scene at an NFL game ... last Monday, a smoke-bomb-toting protester was slammed by Rams star Bobby Wagner in the middle of "Monday Night Football" against the 49ers. He filed a police report over the incident. The case is ongoing.

Ex-NFL star Jamal Lewis says Tua Tagovailoa needs to be very, very careful with his health going forward after suffering a concussion last week ... telling TMZ Sports effects from similar head injuries that he's experienced in the past have lingered "for years."

"This is a silent creeper," Lewis said of post-concussion symptoms, "that can haunt you for the rest of your life slowly."

Lewis, unfortunately, knows all about head trauma -- the former Baltimore Ravens running back sustained several concussions in his career ... including one in 2009 that he says was a horrifying experience.

The ex-tailback says he was knocked out during a game, and didn't feel quite right following the hit for months. At one point while trying to recover, he says he "woke up not really recognizing myself."

The 43-year-old -- one of only eight people to ever rush for more than 2,000 yards in an NFL season -- is now telling Tagovailoa to use him as a cautionary tale ... and truly take care of his head before returning to the field.

"You gotta be more smart and understand that you might have a family," Lewis said, "that you have other people that are more important than this game."

Tagovailoa appeared to suffer a head injury initially against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25.

After telling docs it was his back, not his head, that bothered him, he was allowed to return to the game and then play again four days later against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In that game, he was slung to the ground and knocked out for several moments. He was rushed to the hospital, and has since been away from the Dolphins recovering.

Jaire Alexander will be honoring Queen Elizabeth during the Green Bay Packers game in London on Sunday ... with these new custom cleats featuring Her Majesty.

TMZ Sports has learned the Packers organization reached out to celeb artist Joe Castro last month -- in order to have custom spikes made for their 25-year-old cornerback for their big game against the Giants.

"They wanted something to commemorate the Queen while they play in England," Castro tells us.

And, Castro delivered!!!

You can see a portrait of the Queen -- who sadly passed away on Sept. 8 at 96 years old -- in front of the United Kingdom flag on one side of the green-and-yellow-painted Adidas.

There's also a detailed design of London's skyline on the other side of the Pro Bowler's cleats.

Deshaun Watson made his way to Los Angeles before heading back to northeast Ohio to rejoin his teammates ... having a night out on the town with his girlfriend during his last weekend away from the Cleveland Browns.

The 27-year-old quarterback and Jilly Anais showed up at Catch Steak for dinner on Friday ... just days before he's allowed to return to Browns practice.

Watson is currently serving his 11-game suspension for multiple sexual misconduct allegations made against him ... but is allowed to train with the team starting Monday.

The Browns are currently 2-2 ... and will continue rolling with backup Jacoby Brissett until Watson can make his debut in Week 13 against his former team, the Houston Texans.

It's a rare public appearance for Watson ... who has stayed relatively under the radar as he awaits his return.

The Bills loss was no death knell for John Harbaugh, according to Jamal Lewis ... who tells TMZ Sports despite the bad defeat, the Ravens shouldn't consider canning their head coach.

Of course, a bunch of Baltimore fans felt much differently on Sunday following the 23-20 L ... as the Ravens had all of the chances in the world to pull out a victory.

They were up 20-3 late in the second quarter ... and despite blowing that huge lead, they still had opportunities at the end to pull it out, but didn't. Afterward, people called for Harbaugh's head.

Lewis, though, says it certainly ain't the right time to press the eject button ... telling us, "It was a game I felt like we should've had but as far as Harbaugh's job being taken, no."

Harbaugh has a Super Bowl win on his resume, and he owns a 139-90 record in his tenure as Ravens head man. But, he has yet to advance past the second round of the playoffs with Lamar Jackson -- something fans are heated about.

Lewis, a Ravens legend, is clearly preaching patience here ... saying the loss is "not the end."

"We're still a great football team," he said. "I think we'll learn from those mistakes."

Bad news for Justin Herbert ...

Myles Garrett will be back in action for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday -- the NFL star is slated to be a full participant against the Los Angeles Chargers ... just 13 days after getting in a terrifying car accident.

The 26-year-old confirmed the news on Friday ... saying he's feeling good and doesn't believe the bicep and shoulder injuries he suffered during the crash will hold him back at all.

It's amazing news for the Browns ... who certainly missed their All-Pro defensive end in a devastating 23-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons during Week 4.

As we previously reported, Garrett told cops he believed he was driving around 65 MPH in a 45 zone when he flipped his Porsche 911 Turbo S ... and was issued a citation.

Antonio Brown is being dragged to court yet again ... this time, a man in Florida claims the wideout sold him a bogus Richard Mille watch for $160K, fully knowing it was a phony worth far less.

Ryan Kane filed a lawsuit against Brown over it all in Broward County earlier this week ... alleging the NFL star ripped him off on the sale back on July 27.

In the suit, obtained by TMZ Sports, Kane says Brown assured him the watch -- allegedly an RM 011 model -- was real ... and said it had a value "in excess of $400,000."

Kane says he bought it based on Brown's claims -- wiring the $160,000 to Brown's company -- but he learned a few weeks later the thing was a fake.

Kane says in the suit that he took it to a watch appraiser to have it authenticated and appraised for insurance purposes -- but claims the guy delivered him some bad news while he was there ... it was worth only a couple hundred bucks.

Kane says after he asked around, he learned that Brown had bought the fake watch -- and three others like it -- from a dealer in Dubai earlier this year for less than $500 apiece.

Kane is suing Brown for fraud and more ... seeking to get his money back plus interest.

Of course, this couldn't be further from the first time that Brown has been hauled into court ... over the last few years, a personal trainer, a chef and others have filed lawsuits against him.