NFL

Urban Meyer ain't the only one shutting down USC rumors -- so is Kansas City Chiefs' OC Eric Bieniemy ... telling reporters Thursday, "I am focused on the task at hand."

The first question at Bieniemy's press conference wasn't about his teams week 2 game against the Ravens ... but the rumors about him being a candidate for USC's head football coaching vacancy.

EB immediately laughed at the reporters inquiry ... saying, "You know me."

"You guys know me. I am where my feet are. So, when it’s all said and done with, I am focused on the task at hand."

Bieniemy added, "I’m not worried about anything like where my name is being mentioned. My job right now is to make sure that we’re preparing for this weekend’s opponent.”

Another reporter followed up, asking *hypothetically* what Eric would do if USC hit him up, and again, Bieniemy shut down the question.

"If USC reached out to me right now, my answer would be, ‘I am preparing for this team to play against the Baltimore Ravens.’ That’s how I roll. You guys know that."

"My job is to make sure we’re ready to play a complete, sound, 60-minute football game where we can come out and win the game."

Honestly, it'd be hard to blame EB if he had interest in one of the premiere college football jobs ... after he was passed up for several head coaching gigs in the off-season.

But, it certainly appears Bieniemy is committed to sticking with KC this season.

Tee Higgins' days in the #85 jersey are officially numbered ... the Bengals star just told media members he's switching to #5 next season -- and it's all 'cause of Chad Johnson.

The second-year NFL wideout said he's tired of being compared to Chad and being called "Ochocinco 2.0" -- so he's moving on from the digits as soon as the 2021 season ends.

"I just want to make a name for myself," the 22-year-old said. "I keep seeing on Twitter that, 'Ochocinco 2.0.' I don't want to be a 2.0."

"No disrespect to Chad," Higgins continued. "He's a great receiver, this and that. I just don't want to be a 2.0 for myself, man."

Higgins has done a great job reminding Bengals fans of their past superstar ... in just 15 starts for the team, he has 71 catches for 966 yards and 7 TDs.

But, Higgins clearly ain't down for the comparison game anymore -- even if it's to a legend like Johnson -- saying Thursday, "I want to be Tee Higgins, 1.0. #5."

Higgins added he believes it's only a matter of time before the Bengals retire the #85 for Johnson anyway.

"I just got a good feeling that his number is gonna get lifted one day," he said.

When will Tom Brady retire?! No time soon ... 'cause the 44-year-old Bucs quarterback says he can play until he's 50 years old.

It's one of the NFL's most asked questions ... and in an episode of "Tommy & Gronky," the 7x Super Bowl champ addressed his future, specifically, if he can QB until 50.

"Seems to be a really hot question lately. Can Tom Brady play until 50? Like 50 years old?" Brady told Rob Gronkowski.

"I don't find it so difficult. And plus, Florida is sorta a retire-y state, so I feel like I can play and then just guide into retirement. I think I can. It's a yes."

Tom's latest answer represents a slight change in position ... in fact, it was only June when TB12 refused to commit to playing until his Golden birthday.

At the time, the G.O.A.T. said ... "50? That’s a long time. Even for me, that’s a long time."

He continued ... "I’ve always said 45 was the age that I wanted to reach and that was my goal. This year I’ll be 44, so next year I’ll be 45. I got a two-year contract."

But, just a few months later, and after his awesome Week 1 performance against the Cowboys (379 yards, 4 TD's), Brady has obviously changed his tune.

FYI, Tom just celebrated his 44th birthday on August 3 ... meaning there's 6 more seasons (including this year) until he'll turn 50.

If he balled as a 50-year-old ... that'd mean 7 more seasons of TB12.

For some context, the oldest quarterback ever was George Blanda, who retired as a 48-year-old in 1976. Future Hall of Famer Drew Brees retired this off-season ... at the age of 42.

Urban Meyer just shut down rumors that he's considering leaving the Jaguars for USC ... telling reporters Wednesday "there's no chance" he's bolting from Jacksonville now.

The Trojans just fired their head coach Clay Helton on Monday ... and with Meyer always being linked to huge college football program openings, it didn't take long for his name to circulate as a possible Helton replacement.

Plus, after the Jags looked bad losing to the Texans on Sunday ... the idea of the Jacksonville headman moving to Southern California didn't seem too far from the realm of possibility.

But, Meyer quickly squashed the idea of all of that ... saying emphatically, "I'm here, committed to try to build an organization."

Meyer added he's ignoring all of the speculation, rumors and criticism that's come with the newfound SC opening.

"I learned about 6 years ago when I read something that was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, I said, 'I'm good, I'm done. I'll never read again,'" Meyer said.

The first-time NFL coach went on to say his only focus right now is on the Jaguars' home-opener Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Calvin Johnson still has big beef with the Detroit Lions ... saying things will remain icey with his former team until they give him back $1.6 MILLION.

The Hall of Famer broke down his feud with his ex-squad while speaking with Graham Bensinger recently ... explaining he's still furious with the Lions over the way they took back some of his signing bonus following his abrupt 2016 retirement.

"I put it like this," Johnson said on "In Depth With Graham Bensinger." "Imagine you had a friend -- well, maybe not even a friend, just somebody. They gave you something and then they take it back. And, then are y'all gonna still really hang out?"

"Are y'all still cool?" Calvin added. "And, imagine you did a whole bunch of work for it, too. It's the principle. It's the principle of it. Like, no, you cannot have me back unless you put that money back in my pocket."

The Lions reportedly recently made an attempt to give Johnson back the cash -- offering him, according to the Detroit Free Press, $500K a year for three years of work with the team, plus a $100K charity donation.

But, Johnson told Bensinger he declined that deal ... calling the offer a "joke."

"I'm not saying they got to repay me the $1.6 all up-front, but they need to figure out a way to do it, and not have me work for it," Johnson said. "Because I already did the work for it."

The Washington Football Team is welcoming the LGBTQ community to Thursday Night Football this week ... with the org. announcing its monumental "Pride Night Out."

It's a first for the WFT ... which partnered up with Team DC -- an organization that promotes LGBTQ involvement in sports -- to put on the event for their Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants at FedEx Field.

The team is hosting a dope pre-game party with an all-you-can-eat buffet and beer ... plus a "guaranteed limited edition Washington Football Team Pride giveaway."

There will also be reserved tickets -- prices starting at $28 -- specifically for the Pride Night attendees, so they can enjoy the game together in the lower level, upper level and club level.

The bash will have performances by The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and the LGBTQ marching band, the DC’s Different Drummers, at the game, too.

WFT's Vice President of Guest Experience Joey Colby-Begovich says the team is taking a different direction than they have in the past when it comes to their audience.

"We want to be intentional in celebrating our communities beyond the traditional football fans and that includes people of color and marginalized communities," Colby-Begoich said to the Washington Blade.

"Football is for everyone!"

The event comes on the heels of Las Vegas Raiders star Carl Nassib making history as the first openly gay player to take the field in a regular-season game.

One of Aaron Rodgers' former favorite targets in Green Bay, Jermichael Finley, just went off on the quarterback ... saying he believes the Packers star has lost his "hunger" to play.

The ex-Green Bay tight end -- who caught passes from Rodgers from 2008 through 2013 -- made the eyebrow-raising comments Tuesday, explaining he thinks Rodgers has simply lost his fire.

"Bro, it's the National Football League," Finley told Max Kellerman on the "Keyshawn JWill & Max" show. "Each offseason you've got to work like it's your last season."

"And, I just don't see a work ethic in Aaron Rodgers that I have in previous years."

Rodgers had one of his worst games as a pro on Sunday, throwing for just 133 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 38-3 loss to the Saints.

And, after an offseason where Rodgers stayed away from Green Bay and instead traveled the globe with his fiancee Shailene Woodley and hosted "Jeopardy!", it's clear Finley believes Rodgers' priorities have shifted from being great on the gridiron to other parts of his life.

"Actually, you can see it right through his helmet," Finley said of his ex-QB. "The eyes and the face tells everything as a personality. And, I just don't see that NFL hunger and just the hunger to go win another championship."

Finley has been critical of Rodgers in the past and has been accused of having an ax to grind against the NFL MVP ... but Jermichael insisted he was not "hating" with his strong takes Tuesday.

"I'm not a hater," Finley said. "I'm looking out, actually. I just want the guys to do their best and play Packer football."

For his part, Rodgers didn't seem too concerned about his Week 1 performance while talking with Pat McAfee on Tuesday ... even joking about a shot he took to his groin during an interception.

Aaron Rodgers says one of the interceptions he threw against the Saints on Sunday was NOT his fault ... explaining the miscue was all entirely due to two New Orleans players hitting him in the groin during the play.

Seriously.

The Green Bay Packers star made the claim on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday ... saying two defenders careening on his family jewels just before he threw a third-quarter pass caused him to toss the ball to the opposite team.

"I don't like to make a lot of excuses for interceptions," Rodgers said. "There's some s*** ones. There's some ones you wish you had back. And, there's some ones that really aren't your fault."

Rodgers continued, "That one was entirely due to the double nut shot I took."

In video of the play, you can see what Rodgers is talking about ... 'cause just before he released his pass, two defenders' arms do appear to hit him just below the belt.

"Right before I'm throwing it I took a left kind of closeline," Rodgers said, adding, "and somebody on the right with a right kind of cross -- double nut shot."

Rodgers called it "painful" -- "they got their money's worth on that one," the reigning NFL MVP said -- but he joked he's "got to overcome that and throw a better ball in that situation."

Good to see Rodgers can laugh about it all now ... especially considering he and the Pack ultimately got obliterated, 38-3, in the season opener.

LSU football student staff member Kevione Faulk -- daughter of 3-time Super Bowl champion Kevin Faulk -- tragically passed away on Monday, the team announced. She was just 19 years old.

The Tigers released a statement on Faulk's passing ... saying, "We are heartbroken with the passing of Kevione Faulk, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Faulk family and all of those who love Kevione."

A cause of death has not been released at this time.

"She was part of the LSU Family, and we mourn the loss of a daughter, a sister, a friend, a classmate and a colleague. We ask that all Tigers keep the Faulks in their prayers and respect their privacy at this difficult time."

Kevione's father, Kevin, currently serves as the running backs coach in Baton Rouge ... and is the program's all-time leading rusher after a stellar career from 1995-98. He was on staff when LSU won the national championship in 2020.

Kevin also had a lengthy career in the NFL ... playing from 1999-2011 for the New England Patriots, winning 3 Super Bowls with Tom Brady.

Carl Nassib became the first openly gay player ever to play in an NFL game Monday night ... and then he came up big for his squad -- helping the Raiders win with a huge sack in overtime!!

Lining up for the first time in a regular season game since opening up publicly about his sexuality in June ... Nassib was all over the field during Las Vegas' win over the Ravens on "Monday Night Football."

He logged three tackles and was disruptive throughout the evening -- but in the game's overtime period, he made a monster play to help lead the Raiders to a victory.

As the Ravens were attempting to drive down the field for a game-winning score ... Nassib sacked Lamar Jackson, forcing a fumble.

The Raiders were able to recover the ball ... and just a few snaps later, Derek Carr sealed it with a 31-yard touchdown pass.

Afterward, Nassib was pumped to get the win ... telling reporters, "It was really special."

"I'm really happy that we got the win on the day that kind of made a little bit of history which was really nice to do," Nassib added.

A reporter also informed the 28-year-old that a fan had worn his jersey and was attending an NFL game for the first time in order to support Nassib after his announcement.

And, Carl was stoked over the anecdote -- saying, "That's amazing. That's a great story. I love that."

A Washington Football Team fan unloaded on a fellow fan in the stands during the team's game against the Chargers on Sunday ... dropping haymaker after haymaker on the poor guy.

In footage of the melee, filmed by someone sitting near the violence, you can see a man in a Clinton Portis jersey began scrapping with another guy in a Sean Taylor uni.

Unclear what started the tilt ... but the man in the Portis jersey quickly got the upper hand -- and never let off the gas pedal until other fans finally intervened.

The clip shows the dude threw roughly 13 punches -- with many of them landing flush on the other man's face.

No word if anyone suffered injuries in the fight ... but we're betting at the very least, they're both pretty damn sore today.

As for the action on the field, the WFT ended up losing to L.A., 20-16 ... so, yeah, tough day all around for these guys.

Several Bears and Rams fans got into a wild brawl Sunday night -- with multiple men throwing and landing massive haymakers -- and the violence was all captured on video obtained by TMZ Sports.

The calamity all started at the beginning of L.A.'s game against Chicago ... when one witness tells us a Bears fan got into a verbal argument with several Rams fans for cheering the action on the field.

The witness says things got so aggressive in the seats, security at SoFi Stadium had to step in and request people swap chairs in order to keep the peace.

We're told after the game, though, some of the men ran into each other inside the concourses at the newly built arena -- and it didn't take long for the fists to start flying.

In video of the battle, you can see multiple scraps broke out ... including one where a man in an Akiem Hicks jersey was pummeled by punches and kicks.

In fact, the fights were so violent ... you can see blood actually ended up smeared all over the man's Hicks jersey.

We're told security was eventually able to break things up ... ultimately putting one of the combatants in handcuffs -- though it's unclear if any actual arrests were made.

Scary news from the Denver Broncos ... head coach Vic Fangio says offensive lineman Graham Glasgow was forced to go to a New York hospital following their game Sunday after he experienced heart issues during the contest.

Fangio said Glasgow left MetLife Stadium in an ambulance after the team's 27-13 win over the Giants ... explaining the 29-year-old guard "had an irregular heartbeat going."

"We kept him up there in New York and they examined him totally," Fangio said. "He's still up there. He'll stay the night."

The good news ... Fangio said tests so far have come back "so good" -- and the expectation is Glasgow will return to Denver on Tuesday.

Glasgow -- who signed a 4-year deal worth $44 million with Denver in 2020 -- thanked everyone for checkin' up on him Monday ... writing on his social media page, "I appreciate all the well wishes."

"Looking forward to a quick recovery and getting back out there. It was a great team win, and excited to see where myself and the team go from here. Thanks."

The Broncos are scheduled to play next Sunday in Denver against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Stefon Diggs paid a special tribute to the late Michael K. Williams during the Bills' season opener on Sunday ... rockin' some incredible "The Wire" tribute cleats while on the field.

The heat feet were white and black with blue laces ... and they featured painted-on characters from "The Wire," including Williams' iconic Omar Little.

On one of the spikes, the cleat artist -- Mache -- also painted on the words "A Man Must Have A Code" ... which, of course, was a famous line Williams' character used often during the ultra-popular series.

On the other cleat, the words "The Wire" were written on the outer part of the shoe.

As we previously reported, Williams was tragically found dead in his Brooklyn apartment earlier this month after an apparent overdose. He was just 54 years old.

Baltimore Orioles announcer, Kevin Brown, also recently honored MKW ... quoting another iconic line during a home run call last week.

Patrick Peterson is hoping to be locking up receivers all the way until 2026 ... telling TMZ Sports he wants to play in the NFL for the next half-decade!!!

"If you ask me," Peterson says, "I got about five left. So, that's a lot of games."

Of course, the new Minnesota Vikings star is only 31 years old -- so the goal ain't exactly farfetched -- but, remember, he's been in the league for 10 years already.

Peterson, though, sounded confident he can play that long ... which will end up being a VERY good thing for at least one Peterson fan.

The reason? Patrick tells us he's launching a new NFT for charity -- explaining the person who wins will not only get the sweet piece of one-of-a-kind digital art ... but they'll also get two tickets to EVERY ONE of his games going forward.

Peterson says to enter to win the contest ... all his fans have to do is buy entries -- which will ultimately end up benefitting the Patrick Peterson Foundation for Success.

"All the donations, all the funds go to low income, inner-city kids," Peterson says. "Giving them opportunities for resources and to help them reach their full potential."

As for the NFT -- it features his old LSU #7 jersey and his new Vikings #7 jersey ... which, by the way, Peterson says he's stoked to be wearing in 2021.

In fact, Peterson wasn't having any bit of any QB who criticizes the new jersey number rule change (looking at you, Tom Brady) -- offering up one small piece of advice for them ...

"Don't throw at the opposite color!"

Benny The Butcher's "Bills Mafia Anthem" song is getting a bit of a remix ... 'cause the rapper tells TMZ Sports he's droppin' a new music video -- featuring Buffalo players!!!

Buffalo's own Benny -- who signed a management deal with ROC Nation -- put out the first music video in January, right before the Bills' AFC Championship run.

Check out some of the lyrics:

"You know who the beasts in the AFC East
We gon' grind this thing out for seventeen weeks, yeah
You hatin' on them Bills, then you way off
Talk is cheap, meet us in the playoffs"

The Mafia and the team LOVE it -- so much that Benny tells us he's putting out another music video of the song this season.

"I got the video coming out Week 5," Benny says, "We shot it at the stadium. We was in the Bills players' locker room. I had my own locker in there, it was crazy!"

And, Benny -- who was on La Brea following a photoshoot with LRG -- says it features THREE Bills players -- "My boy Tremaine Edmunds, my boy Dion Dawkins, of course, and Cody Ford!"

Sorry, no Josh Allen ... but Benny says he's working on that.

"We need Josh Allen in one the Benny The Butcher videos," Benny says.

"Josh Allen, man, come to the east side of Buffalo. We know the rest of Buffalo love you, come to the east side of Buffalo!"

We also talked football with Benny -- the loyal fan tells us Josh is taking home TWO titles this season ... MVP and Super Bowl champ!

If Allen gets the Bills to the SB, he'd be the first QB to do so since Jim Kelly, who appeared in four (1990-1994) ... but of course, Buffalo came up short each time.