NFL

Colton Underwood says he would literally hide from his teammates in the locker room during his football playing days ... admitting he was terrified he would get turned on and be outed as gay.

29-year-old Underwood -- who played in the NFL from 2014-16 -- opened up about being in the closet throughout his athletic career in an interview with "Call Her Daddy" ... claiming he went through extreme measures to make sure no one knew about his sexuality.

"I wouldn't shower after practice because I was afraid of getting turned on in the locker room or in the shower," Colton told Alex Cooper.

"I never really was attracted to anybody who I played with, or coaches. So, it's sort of silly to even say that. But, I wanted to avoid any chance of being outed, so I would not shower with the rest of the team."

Instead, the former Bachelor star said he would change clothes in a corner or in a bathroom stall ... or just leave the locker room entirely.

"There was just a lot of things that I sort of did differently than other players because I felt like I had to, because I didn't want questions to start being asked."

The caution remained through college as well -- Colton says he'd even sleep through his own house parties out of fear of revealing his sexuality while drunk.

Colton says his excuse would be that he's too focused on his career to party ... which is also the same reason he said he was famously a virgin late into his 20s.

Damon Arnette -- who was cut by the Raiders after he recorded himself waving around firearms while threatening somebody -- has just been signed by the Dolphins.

The team announced the move Wednesday ... saying it's added Arnette to its practice squad just over one month after the Raiders released him.

The move is surprising -- because while Arnette, a former first-round pick, is talented, his off-field issues have certainly raised some concerns.

The 25-year-old defensive back has been hit with 2 lawsuits in the past year -- with one alleging he injured a woman during a car crash in 2020.

Of course, disturbing video of Arnette brandishing guns also surfaced in November -- and in the clip, the former Ohio State star can be heard making threats to somebody.

"I swear to God I will kill you, n****," Arnette says in the footage. "On everything I love, I will kill you, n****. You talking crazy."

Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said after releasing the corner that the video was "unacceptable."

"We can not stand the video of Damon with a gun threatening to take a life," Mayock told reporters at the time ... "The bottom line; the Raiders will not tolerate this type of behavior."

The NFLPA is going after the NFL ... saying the league's decision to take away daily COVID-19 testing for players has resulted in widespread outbreaks across the league.

"The NFL decided to take away a critical weapon in our fight against the transmission of COVID-19 despite our union's call for daily testing months ago," the PA said on social media.

"We're talking to our player leadership & to the NFL about potential changes to the protocols so that we can complete the season."

As of Wednesday, the league’s COVID reserve list skyrocketed to nearly 100 players -- including several big names like Odell Beckham Jr., Jalen Ramsey, and Browns QB Baker Mayfield.

Of course, that number is expected to grow over the next few weeks -- with the holidays approaching -- a scenario the NFLPA says the NFL could have avoided if they had just listened to them in the first place.

Back in September, JC Tretter -- NFLPA prez -- released a statement on the potential ramifications of not testing daily and what kind of issues that move could present for the league.

Well, now the PA's doubling down on Tretter's initial stance ... expressing disappointment over the league's decision to stop testing players daily.

NFL commish Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director Demaurice Smith haven't had the best relationship over the years ... so it'll be interesting to see how the NFL responds.

The PA did tweet they were in discussions with player leadership, as well as the NFL, about potential changes to the existing protocols.

The top football recruit in the nation will be suiting up for Deion Sanders' Jackson State Tigers next season ... with Travis Hunter flipping from Florida State to play for the NFL legend's team.

The 5-star cornerback made the move official during national signing day at Collins Hill High in GA on Wednesday ... tossing hats from Georgia, Auburn and FSU -- the school he committed to in March 2020 -- and putting on a JSU Tigers cap!!

Of course, Sanders is a Seminoles legend ... and was rumored to be a candidate for FSU's head coaching spot after Willie Taggart was fired in 2019.

So yeah, this one's gotta sting in Tallahassee.

Hunter spoke about his decision to switch to Jackson State ... saying, "Jerry Rice, Doug Williams, and of course the legend, JSU's own Walter Payton -- Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich history in football."

"I want to be part of that history in football. I want to be part of that history, and more, I want to be part of that future."

Hunter says he hopes this move can show other high school recruits that playing for a HBCU isn't a bad thing and "may be everything you want and more."

"I look forward to working with the iconic Deion Sanders, and especially my fellow Tigers."

Of course, Coach Prime is hyped -- saying on Instagram, "When we stick together anything can happen."

Cincinnati Bengals star running back Joe Mixon is giving kids an awesome surprise for the holidays ... by handing out brand new bicycles!!!

Mixon partnered with Strikes for Kids for the special event ... hooking up 28 youngins at the local Boys & Girls Club with some wheels just in time for Christmas.

TMZ Sports is told ... the kids were taken to Main Event Entertainment Center in West Chester, where they enjoyed two hours of unlimited games, pizza and Icees.

As they had tons of fun, they were surprised with new bikes and helmets ... as the 25-year-old posed for pics with them.

Of course, the kids couldn't wait to try out their new wheels ... moving around inside the event space to get in a quick ride.

Mixon spoke about his decision to help out ... saying, "This community has embraced me and become a second home for me, so to be able to give back and inspire these children is the least I can do."

Mixon's kind gesture comes on the heels of notching yet another 1,000 yard rushing season -- the third time the RB has done so in his career.

It's clear he's a difference maker for the Bengals -- on and off the field.

Holy crap, this is nuts.

The Cleveland Browns have a major COVID-19 problem on their hands -- Baker Mayfield and head coach, Kevin Stefanski, tested positive for the virus Wednesday ... just one day after 8 players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The timing couldn't be worse for the Orange and Brown -- they're fighting for a spot in the playoffs and have a crucial game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.

This is now the second time Stefanski has tested positive -- last season, he had to miss the Browns' playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While Baker and KS could return in time for Saturday if they return two positive tests, there's a lot more to worry about -- stars like Jedrick Wills, Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, Wyatt Teller and Kareem Hunt were also placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

As of right now, there is no plan to postpone the game.

The woman Henry Ruggs slammed his Corvette into in a fiery car crash last month burned to death ... officials revealed on Tuesday.

According to reps from the Clark County coroner's office in Nevada, Tintor "died from thermal injuries due to a motor vehicle collision."

The officials added other contributing causes to the death included "inhalation of products of combustion, fractures of the nasal bones, right sided ribs, and left forearm, and a left hemothorax."

The officials ruled the death accidental.

As we previously reported, Ruggs is accused of drunkenly causing the accident ... after officials say he was speeding with a .161 BAC before he rammed his sportscar into the back of Tintor's RAV4 at around 3:39 a.m. on Nov. 2 in Las Vegas.

In 911 calls, obtained by TMZ Sports, you can hear witnesses telling dispatchers the fire surrounding Tintor's car following the collision was intense.

"It's almost all gone," a woman said of Tintor's fire-engulfed vehicle ... adding, "and I think someone is in it."

Players and coaches on the Green Bay Packers put their wallets together to make a huge donation this week ... in an effort to help the victims of the Christmas parade tragedy in Waukesha that left several people dead and others injured.

The team announced the gesture Tuesday ... saying 42 players and coaches teamed up to donate $135,525 ... with the Packers Give Back program matching that amount to make it $270,650 for the United for Waukesha Community Fund.

Packers prez Mark Murphy spoke about the efforts in a statement ... saying, "We were all heartbroken after the senseless tragedy in Waukesha and we worked with our players to help determine the best way to have an impact as an organization."

"After receiving pledged donations from our players and coaches, the organization was proud to match their donations. Our thoughts remain with the victims, along with their families and the Waukesha community, as they continue to grieve and heal from this horrific event."

BTW -- more than $3 million dollars has been donated from various individuals and organizations throughout the world.

As we previously reported, Darrell Brooks Jr. has been hit with 6 counts of first-degree intentional homicide after cops say he ran his SUV through a Christmas parade.

62 people -- including some children -- were injured in the incident.

Odell Beckham Jr.'s touchdown celebration during "Monday Night Football" has earned himself an "absolute 10" -- so says the internet star he was mimicking, who tells TMZ Sports the whole moment was amazing!!

OBJ caught his third tuddy as a Ram during LA's win against the Arizona Cardinals ... snagging the score in the second quarter of play.

Beckham decided to celebrate the TD by doing some viral self-defense strategies made popular by Commander Dale Brown of "Detroit Urban Survival Training" (if you have TikTok, you've definitely seen this guy).

We spoke to Brown about the touchdown tribute ... and he says he loved every second of it!!

"I'm still moved!" Brown tells us. "I'm getting messages from across the country. People sending me all kinds of memes connected to that. It's great, literally. I was literally shocked."

In fact, Brown was impressed at how well the NFL receiver did the maneuver ... and if he had to rate it, he'd give OBJ a perfect score.

"It was 10. It was an absolute 10," he added. "He got out of the way of the barrel, reversed it and he also did the iconic move."

"Outstanding showing an actual technique that can actually help save people's lives. That's great and that's what it's all for."

BTW -- Brown founded Detroit Threat Management and Detroit D.U.S.T. to help people protect themselves in a non-violent way ... and he's happy his training videos get out to the masses -- even if they're turned into memes.

"Anywhere we can get it out there -- through humor or, in this case, a world-class athlete that the world respects -- and actually showing it, is outstanding," Brown tells us.

"Sports athletes are a great way to do that, to bring the message forward to the entire country."

After OBJ brought more limelight to Brown's cause, he hopes to connect with the 3-time Pro Bowler to show him more moves ... and maybe collab on a training course.

"We'll be out in LA and I hope to come in contact with him," Brown says. "I can actually show him the tactic in real person."

Imagine being married to the greatest football player on the planet ... and hating football.

Gisele Bundchen says she couldn't stand the sport in the early days of her relationship with Tom Brady ... admitting the first game she ever attended was a complete snooze fest.

The supermodel made the revelation in Brady's 'Man in the Arena' docuseries on ESPN+ ... saying she was invited to TB12's game between the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers in January 2007 after going on a few dates with the now-7-time champ.

And, Bundchen -- who grew up loving the other football -- wasn't impressed.

"I thought it was the most boring thing I've ever seen in my life," Gisele said. "I was like 'What are they doing? Why do they stop all the time? Where is the goal?'"

"In the end, I was like, 'God I don't know what to tell this guy. He's gonna ask me, 'How was the game?' I was like, 'Oh, it was great!' I didn't understand anything," Bündchen added.

It all worked out, though, 'cause Brady and Bundchen tied the knot two years later ... and she's grown to become Brady's biggest supporter.

In fact, she even famously ripped his teammates after a Super Bowl loss to the Giants in 2011, saying, "My husband cannot f***ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time."

Former NFL player Phillip Adams -- who slaughtered 6 people before taking his own life -- had a severe case of CTE when he went on a violent rampage, according to a neuropathologist.

Ann McKee, a top brain doc who runs the CTE Center at Boston University -- the nation's premier facility when it comes to examining brains -- released her findings after thoroughly examining Adams' brain.

Adams was suffering from stage 2 CTE, considered a "severe" case, because it was found in both frontal lobes of his brain.

In fact, Dr. McKee said Adams' case of CTE was similar to Aaron Hernandez's ... who was convicted of murder in 2015, and like the defensive back, also took his own life.

Adams went on a killing spree in York County, South Carolina in April, brutally murdering a prominent area doctor, his wife, two grandkids (5 & 9-years-old), and two people working on the family home.

Adams then took his own life a short time later.

In light of the horrific incident, Adams' family agreed to send his brain to Boston U.

FYI, "Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is the term used to describe brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas. CTE is a diagnosis made only at autopsy by studying sections of the brain," according to the Mayo Clinic.

At the time of the shooting, Phillip's sister told USA Today her brother was struggling with mental health issues, but said her brother "wasn't a monster."

Dr. McKee's findings likely finally explain the bizarre and violent behavior.

Adams was a 7th-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers out of South Carolina State. He played 6 seasons in the league ... for the 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Raiders, Jets and Falcons.

Demaryius Thomas was at the forefront of everyone's mind this Sunday -- especially for his former team, the Denver Broncos, who paid tribute to him ... with an assist from the Lions.

The late wide receiver -- who died suddenly last week -- was honored during the opening minutes of the game ... with just 10 men on the Broncos taking the field, and WR Courtland Sutton taking a knee on the sidelines as his team let the play clock run out.

It essentially served as a moment of silence -- the significance of leaving Sutton/Thomas' position vacated on the field was symbolic, almost like it was meant to be filled by him in spirit.

Denver was penalized for this, but the Lions declined the penalty ... and let them play on as if nothing had happened -- something the team seemed to be grateful for online. There was also a video compilation played on the jumbo screen before kickoff, which showed off some of Thomas' highlights from when he was playing for them.

In addition to the on-field moment and the video, there were a number of other tributes set up all throughout the stadium, including a memorial that had been set up for Thomas that Peyton Manning and his family visited before the game got underway.

There was also a portrait of the guy that was on display in the tunnel, which players kissed and tapped as they made their way to the gridiron. And even on the field itself, the Broncos emblazoned Thomas' former number, 88, right there onto the grass.

All this was to be expected ... as we reported, the Broncos were pulling out all the stops to make sure their guy was recognized properly, as he was a big part of their SB run in 2016.

Thomas was found dead at his home on Thursday, with a call for cardiac arrest triggering a police response. It's unclear what exactly happened to him -- an autopsy is pending.

WWE Superstar The Miz is not ready to give up on Baker Mayfield just yet ... telling TMZ Sports despite the QB's recent struggles, fans need to have some patience with the Browns signal-caller.

"He's injured. Like he's injured," Miz said. "He's not playing to his highest caliber because he's injured."

"I mean, how good are you when you're injured, you know what I mean?"

Miz says that anyone who wants to see the Browns move in a different direction at QB doesn't appreciate what Mayfield represents ... adding that fans need to throw their support behind the first overall draft pick.

"Everyone's so quick to get rid of quarterbacks nowadays," he added. "Like, you kind of got to stick with people and be like, 'look, this is our guy.' It's one thing, like, I remember a team that wasn't 6-6 that didn't win a game an entire season and I was still on the bandwagon."

Miz recalled the days where the Browns had less than desirable plays at the QB position -- he rooted for guys like Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and Johnny Manziel -- but, after Cleveland's bye week, he's predicting things will take off for his hometown team.

"I mean after this bye we have Baltimore," the former champ said. "If we beat them, we're one game out of first place in the AFC North and people are talking a different story."

So, what are his expectations for this underwhelming season?!?

"We're going to the Super Bowl. That's on my mind. I 100% think that."

If you know anything about The Miz, the Ohio native always reps for his squad ... and he's confident that with the roster they have, they can make a Super Bowl run.

"I trust in Coach (Kevin) Stefanski. I trust in Baker Mayfield," Miz said. "I trust in Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb. I think Myles Garrett will be Defensive Player of the Year, and you're going to the Super Bowl. So, let's win, beat Baltimore, and get it started after the bye week!"

Rey Maualuga -- the ex-NFL star accused of driving drunk and crashing his car through a neighborhood earlier this year -- officially has a trial date set for April, TMZ Sports has learned.

The ex-Cincinnati Bengals linebacker is facing two felony charges as well as one misdemeanor ... and, according to a spokesperson for Kenton County, Kentucky prosecutors, he could be locked behind bars for up to 10 years if he's convicted on all counts.

We broke the story, Maualuga was arrested on Aug. 11 in Villa Hills, Kentucky after cops say he drunkenly drove his vehicle through mailboxes and front yards before ultimately crushing into a parked car and a tree.

In police documents, cops say when they questioned the former USC star at the scene, he was "sweating profusely" and admitted to drinking "a few" alcoholic beverages before driving.

Maualuga was ultimately charged with felony first degree wanton endangerment, felony first degree criminal mischief, and misdemeanor DUI -- third offense. His trial has been officially scheduled for April 6, 2022.

Of course, this is far from the first time Maualuga has faced time behind bars -- the 34-year-old has been arrested for DUI two times previously.

He was also arrested in 2017 for allegedly attacking an employee at a Miami nightclub while he was a member of the Dolphins.

No Denver Broncos player should ever wear #88 again ... so says Brandon Marshall, who tells TMZ Sports the team needs to retire the digits to honor Demaryius Thomas.

"It's just fitting, it just makes sense," said the former Broncos linebacker, who played with Thomas in Denver for years. "[He's] one of the greatest Broncos ever."

Marshall is making the push for his former team to go ahead with the tribute following Thomas' death this week ... telling us Demaryius is more than deserving of the honor.

Marshall explains Thomas' resume on the field was simply that good ... but he also says Thomas' off-the-field actions warrant the jersey praise as well.

"He's one of the greatest Broncos of all-time, point blank, period," Marshall said. "He's one of the greatest receivers of my era -- of our generation. One of the greatest receivers in Broncos history."

"And, as Peyton [Manning] said, he's an even better guy."

While no jersey retirement is in the cards yet -- the Broncos already have plans to pay tribute to the former Super Bowl champion before the Lions game this weekend at Empower Field At Mile High regardless.

Head coach Vic Fangio said the team will wear helmet decals and play a video tribute prior to kickoff. He also said a moment of silence will be observed.

Carl Madsen -- the NFL official who tragically died on his way home from a game earlier this year -- passed away due to heart disease ... an autopsy report, obtained by TMZ Sports, revealed.

In the docs, investigators officially ruled Madsen's cause of death as "hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease" -- conditions that are known to contribute to fatal heart problems.

Officials say in the docs obesity was also a contributing cause of Madsen's death.

As we previously reported, Madsen died on Oct. 24 in Tennessee -- shortly after he had worked the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans game.

Cops said at the time that first responders had found Madsen unconscious in the driver's seat of his car on I-65 North ... and despite attempts to resuscitate him, he later died at a local hospital.

Madsen -- a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who worked as both an on-field official and a replay official in his career -- was 71 years old.

"Carl Madsen was an NFL officiating fixture for more than two decades, first as a highly respected on-field official before transitioning to a replay role beginning in 2009," NFL senior VP of officiating training and development Walt Anderson said after Madsen's passing.

"A terrific friend and colleague, Carl's love of football and dedication to officiating was ever-present, as he generously shared his time to mentor young officials at clinics across the country. A veteran of the Air Force, Carl had a tremendous spirit and will be greatly missed."