Ryan Clark ATL Should Go After Belichick, Fields ... It'd Be A Helluva Match!!!
-
Exclusive
- 110 shares
Ryan Clark tells TMZ Sports if the Atlanta Falcons are looking to get better quickly ... acquiring both Justin Fields and Bill Belichick would be a heck of a place to start.
Of course, the Falcons appear to be exploring the idea of bringing both guys on board this offseason ... and Clark made it clear to us this week he'd have no qualms with either addition.
"I could see that being a match in Atlanta that would work not only for a coach," the 44-year-old ex-Steelers defensive back said, "but also a player."
As for how possible it'd be ... it seems it could very well go down. After all, the Falcons have already interviewed Belichick for their vacant head coaching role ... while Fields appears to be available via trade in Chicago after the Bears locked up the No. 1 overall draft pick through the Carolina Panthers.
Clark seems confident Belichick would want Fields under center, too ... knowing the coach loves to acquire talent that's previously performed well against him.
"Justin Fields played absolutely out of his mind against Bill Belichick last year," Clark said.
As for the rest of the coaching carousel around the NFL, Clark said he could envision Jim Harbaugh landing in L.A. ... and he told us he could also see big shakeups coming in Dallas and Philadelphia too.
Meanwhile, Clark was pumped for this week's episode of "Inside The NFL," which airs Tuesdays on The CW ... telling us there are some mic'd up moments from this weekend's wild card games he's super excited to bring to viewers.
related articles
Bills, Steelers Fans Snow Way We're Missing This Game!!!
A little bit of snow -- okay, a TON of snow -- wasn't gonna stop Bills and Steelers fans from making their way to the stadium for Monday's Wild Card game ... with diehard supporters trudging to their seats in time for kickoff.
The playoff matchup was originally slated to go down on Sunday ... but Mother Nature had other plans, as a snowstorm forced the N.Y. governor and NFL commish Roger Goodell to push it back a day.
The Bills pulled out all the stops in hopes of getting Highmark Stadium ready in time for the contest ... even offering folks $20 an hour to help clear out the snow.
The Bills paid fans $20/hour to come shovel snow
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 14, 2024 @BleacherReport
How it’s currently going 🤣❄️:
(via Eric Carl Shields/FB) pic.twitter.com/wPipMzHsZ3
Despite the efforts, there was plenty left over from the storm ... but judging by videos of spectators walking through knee-deep piles in order to get to their seats, they didn't care one bit.
In fact, when Buffalo tight end Dawson Knox caught the first touchdown of the game, Bills Mafia made use of the extra snow by throwing it up in the air to celebrate.
The snow is flying in Buffalo! 😂❄️
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024 @NFL
📺: #PITvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rnjmj1Pg4j pic.twitter.com/OMGXw3QZRE
All things considered, the field looks damn good for the game ... with not one snowflake in sight.
Some cold playoff football in Buffalo coming your way. ❄️
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024 @NFL
📺: #PITvsBUF –- 4:30pm ET on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/JQ0WRjytqV
The Bills -- who are no strangers to uncooperative weather -- have the early lead over Pittsburgh ... but there's still plenty of ball left.
Ryan Shazier Files For Divorce From Wife
-
Exclusive
- 29 shares
Ryan Shazier is officially calling things off with Michelle Shazier ... filing for divorce from his longtime partner less than two months after she publicly accused him of cheating.
According to court records obtained by TMZ Sports, the former NFL star filed the docs on Wednesday.
No further details surrounding the matter were revealed, however, as a court has ordered the case to be sealed.
An attorney for Ryan declined to comment when we reached out on Thursday.
As we previously reported, Michelle went scorched earth on Ryan back in late November, claiming he sent raunchy texts to another woman.
The messages, she said, showed Ryan flirting ... before sending links to books filled with sexual content.
Ryan Shazier's Wife Accuses Ex-NFL Star Of Cheating, Exposes Alleged Texts W/ Woman
"Infidelity at its finest!" Michelle said in a caption on her post of the images of the messages. "I can't sit here and keep hiding anymore . You can have it. I deserve better. 🤍 This is Ryan… he’s a liar and a cheater!"
Ryan said in a statement to TMZ Sports at the time of the allegations, "Michelle and I have been living apart and are currently separated. As we work through what comes next for our family, I ask for privacy and prayers."
Michelle and Ryan -- who have raised two boys together -- met well before he suffered his catastrophic spine injury in 2017. They married in 2019.
related articles
Rashard Mendenhall Let's Replace The Pro Bowl I Want All-Black vs. All-White Game Instead!!!
Rashard Mendenhall wants to see the NFL's annual All-Star game get a big-time makeover ... suggesting the Pro Bowl evolve into -- get this -- a contest that pits the league's Black players vs. its white ones.
The ex-Pittsburgh Steelers star came up with the eyebrow-raising idea after he said he became agitated listening to white people break down NFL action.
"I'm sick of average white guys commenting on football," the former Super Bowl champion said in a post on X.
I’m sick of average white guys commenting on football. Y’all not even good at football. Can we please replace the Pro Bowl with an All-Black vs. All-White bowl so these cats can stop trying to teach me who’s good at football. I’m better than ur goat.
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) December 18, 2023 @R_Mendenhall
"Y’all not even good at football. Can we please replace the Pro Bowl with an All-Black vs. All-White bowl so these cats can stop trying to teach me who’s good at football."
The statement was polarizing ... though ex-NFL star J.J. Watt actually seemed to have some kind of fun entertaining the idea.
"We’d get cooked at corner, not gonna lie," Watt said in a comment on the post. "Nobody on our squad is covering Tyreek [Hill]." He added a crying/laughing emoji as well.
Of course, there's no way in hell a tilt like this could go down -- not only because of the obvious ... but also, the Pro Bowl doesn't even exist anymore (it's merely a skills competition these days).
related articles
Steelers' Damontae Kazee Suspended Rest Of Season ... After Violent Hit On Michael Pittman Jr.
-
Breaking News
- 19 shares
Steelers safety Damontae Kazee has just been sidelined for the rest of this season ... after the NFL slapped him with a suspension for his dangerous hit on Michael Pittman Jr. over the weekend.
In a statement announcing the ban on Monday, the league said the blow -- which happened in the second quarter of Pittsburgh's loss to Indianapolis on Saturday -- was "a serious violation of the playing rules."
The play was one of the most violent of the season -- Kazee left his feet and made contact with Pittman Jr.'s head/neck -- and the NFL made it clear when revealing Kazee's punishment it doesn't want that kind of act ever repeated again.
oh my fucking god pic.twitter.com/tjLzfIB5Ux
— alex (@highlightheaven) December 16, 2023 @highlightheaven
"You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided," NFL exec Jon Runyan said in a letter to Kazee revealing the suspension. "Your actions were flagrant, and as a result, you were disqualified from the game."
Kazee will now miss Pittsburgh's games against the Bengals, Seahawks, Ravens and any potential playoff games this season.
Runyan noted in his letter that previous violations factored into Kazee's lengthy ban.
"When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties," he said.
Kazee -- who started 9 games for Pittsburgh this year, piling up two interceptions and 61 total tackles -- will be allowed to appeal the suspension.
related articles
Diontae Johnson Addresses Giving Up During Game ... 'I'm Not Perfect'
Diontae Johnson is owning up to his lack of effort in the middle of the Steelers' matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals ... saying he addressed the situation with his teammates and vowed to do better moving forward.
The 27-year-old wide receiver faced a ton of backlash for seemingly giving up in the middle of a play during Pittsburgh's 16-10 win on Sunday ... with game footage showing him appearing uninterested in going for the ball after Jaylen Warren fumbled in the first quarter.
Diontae Johnson all hustle team pic.twitter.com/JXuzO1oI8E
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) November 26, 2023 @BarstoolBigCat
Johnson spoke with reporters about the now-viral lowlight on Wednesday ... and he's looking to get past the whole ordeal.
"I addressed the situation with my teammates," Johnson told the media. "They know how I feel and how I feel about the situation. I'm not perfect. All I can do is move forward and just keep playing football."
Diontae Johnson addressed his Steelers teammates on the infamous fumble/effort situation.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 29, 2023 @C_AdamskiTrib
Says he still expects to start Sunday.
“I’m not perfect… It won’t happen again… It looked bad on film.” pic.twitter.com/dBISBjtvNi
Johnson -- who was pissed he messed up on a potential touchdown catch on the previous play -- explained he does not want to be judged based on one moment ... and he promised to prove it with his play from here on out.
"One play doesn’t define me," he added. "It never will. I didn’t come up playing football like that. It looks bad on film. From here on out, going forward, just be smart, keep playing to the whistle."
related articles
Titans' Treylon Burks Carted Off Field ... After Suffering Scary Injury
Tennessee Titans star Treylon Burks was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field after suffering a scary injury during Thursday night's game ... but, thankfully, he now appears to be doing OK.
The terrifying moment happened late in the fourth quarter of Tennessee's tilt with the Steelers in Pittsburgh ... when Burks attempted to make a circus catch to keep a late-game Titans drive alive.
Scary: #Titans WR Treylon Burks went down on this play and didn’t move since.
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) November 3, 2023 @AryePulli
He was taken off on a backboard.
You see this play happen all the time. Never know what can happen. pic.twitter.com/NdfmAf1eby
The 23-year-old jumped up for the ball, grabbed it with two hands ... but when he came crashing to the grass, it slipped from his grasp as his head and neck slammed violently into the ground.
Burks lay motionless for several moments ... before trainers and medical personnel rushed to stabilize him.
The wide receiver -- a former first-round pick -- was eventually taken to the locker room ... where Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said he was showing positive signs of recovery.
"He's alert, moving," Vrabel told reporters after the game. "I'll have more of an update hopefully tomorrow, but he's back there being evaluated. But, I would say that the way it looked -- it's probably better than how it looked."
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel said @TreylonBurks is alert and moving. pic.twitter.com/Uoz9d2afd3
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 3, 2023 @jwyattsports
Adding insult to injury, the Titans couldn't complete their comeback attempt against the Steelers ... falling, 20-16.
related articles
ANTONIO BROWN PAGA 15.000 DÓLARES DE MANUTENCIÓN Después del arresto
-
Exclusivo
- 1 shares
Antonio Brown soltó $15.000 para los pagos de manutención para los hijos después de su detención a principios de este mes. En un video que publicó el martes parecía bastante amargado por la situación.
Brown fue encerrado el domingo después de haber sido acusado de evadir los pagos a su ex, Wiltrice Jackson, pero poco tiempo después, se repartió los $15K necesario para salir de la cárcel.
El martes compartió un video en Instagram que lo muestra cantando algunas letras de Young Jeezy que parecía mostrar que estaba enojado con Jackson, la madre de su hija de 15 años de edad.
"Y no quiero decirle a mi hijo que sus madres no valen nada", canturreó mientras sostenía lo que parecía ser un recibo por el pago de manutención y un gran fajo de billetes. "Y esto no se trata de mí, ella es solo una perra hambrienta de dinero".
Jackson le dijo a TMZ Sports la semana pasada que estaba molesta con Brown por no pagar la manutención de su hija, alegando que le debía casi $31.000.
"Yo quiero que lo arresten", dijo. "Porque ahora mismo, se está burlando del juez... de todo, porque se siente intocable".
Desde que salió de la cárcel, Brown ha sido visto en un centro comercial de compras y en un rascacielos de Nueva York.
Antonio Brown Forks Over $15K Toward Child Support ... After Arrest
-
Exclusive
- 268 shares
Antonio Brown coughed up $15,000 toward child support payments following his arrest earlier this month ... and in a video he posted Tuesday, he seemed bitter about the situation.
Brown was locked up on Sunday after he had been accused of ducking payments to his ex, Wiltrice Jackson ... but a short time later, he doled out the $15K necessary to get out of jail.
And, on Tuesday, he shared a video on Instagram showing him singing some Young Jeezy lyrics that seemed to show he was mad at Jackson, the mother of his 15-year-old daughter.
"And I don't wanna tell my child that his moms ain't s***," he belted out while holding what appeared to be a receipt for the child support payment and a large wad of cash. "And this ain't about me, she just a money hungry bitch."
Jackson told TMZ Sports just last week that she was upset with Brown for not paying child support for their daughter ... claiming he owed her nearly $31,000.
"I do want him arrested," she said. "Because, right now, he's making a mockery out of the judge, out of everything, because he feels like he's untouchable."
Since he was released from jail, Brown has been spotted at a mall on a shopping spree ... as well as in a high-rise in New York City.
related articles
Ryan Clark James Harrison's A 'Borderline' HOFer ... But I Hope He Gets In!!!
-
Exclusive
- 20 shares
James Harrison says he's not a Hall of Famer, and Ryan Clark fears the Steelers legend might be right ... but he tells TMZ Sports he's hoping like hell his old teammate ends up being wrong.
Harrison admitted last week he doesn't believe his numbers are good enough to one day get a bust in Canton ... and when we spoke with Clark this week, he said he shares the same concerns as the guy he played with from 2006-2012.
"I would say he's borderline," Clark said of the ex-Pittsburgh pass rusher. "I don't know if he gets in."
Clark tells us ... he's unsure if Harrison sustained a level of excellence for long enough to sway voters -- though he did note the guy's Super Bowl wins and Defensive Player of the Year award might ultimately be enough.
"My bias says he deserves it, but I understand how it works," Clark said ... before adding, "I hope he gets in."
Harrison played in the NFL from 2002 to 2017, but he was only a full-time starter for about seven years. He logged 84.5 sacks in his career ... as well as 811 combined tackles.
The totals were good enough to earn him a place in Pittsburgh's Hall of Honor this season ... and, clearly, Clark is hoping it'll one day get him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame too.
"It would be an honor to be in the stands and in the crowd to hear James Harrison accept that gold jacket," Clark said.
related articles
James Harrison I'm Not A Hall of Famer
-
Exclusive
- 229 shares
If James Harrison had a vote ... the Steelers legend would NOT be in the Hall of Fame -- the former NFL star tells TMZ Sports he truly doesn't believe his resume is good enough to earn him a bust in Canton one day.
"As far as Hall of Fame, you know, it's a lot of things that goes into that," the five-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion explained this month.
"And I believe numbers is one of those things, you know? And when you look at my numbers, they just don't, for me, they don't equate to what the numbers should be."
Harrison played in the league from 2002 through 2017 -- but he was really only a full-time starter from '07 to '13 ... something he clearly believes will likely prevent him from getting in the Hall.
Still, despite only roughly seven years as a cornerstone defensive piece, Harrison dominated when he was on the field -- earning All-Pro honors twice ... while finishing his career with 84.5 sacks and 811 combined tackles.
In fact, the totals were so good, the Hall of Fame announced earlier this summer that he's one of 173 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Harrison, though, clearly thinks he'll never get the ultimate call to the Hall ... telling us, "That's just how I feel."
But, if it did come, Harrison says he'd be thrilled for the award.
In the meantime, Harrison is going into at least one Hall this season -- the Steelers announced they'll be inducting him into their Hall of Honor later this year ... an accolade he said he's super proud of.
"To be put in a group of guys that are in that company right now, that Hall of Honor, that's a tremendous, tremendous honor."
related articles
JAMES HARRISON NO SOY UN MIEMBRO DEL SALÓN DE LA FAMA
Si James Harrison tuviera un voto, la leyenda de los Steelers NO estaría en el Salón de la Fama. La ex estrella de la NFL le comentó a TMZ Sports que realmente no cree que su currículum sea lo suficientemente bueno como para ganarse un busto en Canton algún día.
"En lo que respecta al Salón de la Fama, hay muchas cosas que entran en juego", explicó este mes el cinco veces Pro Bowler y dos veces campeón de la Super Bowl.
"Y creo que los números son una de esas cosas, ¿sabes? Y cuando nos fijamos en mis números, simplemente no lo hacen, para mí, no se equiparan a lo que los números deben ser ".
Harrison jugó en la liga desde 2002 hasta 2017 - pero en realidad solo fue titular a tiempo completo de '07 a '13 ... algo que claramente cree que probablemente le impedirá entrar en el Salón.
Sin embargo, a pesar de sólo siete años como pieza defensiva fundamental, Harrison dominó cuando estuvo en el campo - ganando honores All-Pro dos veces ... mientras terminaba su carrera con 84,5 sacks y 811 tackles combinados.
De hecho, los totales eran tan buenos, el Salón de la Fama anunció a principios de este verano que es uno de los 173 finalistas de la era moderna para el Pro Football Hall de la Fama de la Clase de 2024.
Harrison claramente piensa que nunca recibirá la llamada definitiva al Salón y nos dice: "Así es como me siento".
Pero, si llegara, Harrison dice que estaría encantado con el premio.
Mientras tanto, Harrison entrará en al menos un Salón esta temporada. Los Steelers anunciaron que lo incluirán en su Salón de Honor a finales de este año, un galardón del que dijo estar muy orgulloso.
"Estar en ese Salón de Honor, es un tremendo, tremendo honor".
Antonio Brown Compares Steelers O.C. To Hitler ... 'Adolf Canada'
Antonio Brown has seen enough of Matt Canada's offense in Pittsburgh -- the controversial ex-NFL superstar just unloaded on the Steelers coach in a social media rant ... wildly comparing him to Adolf Hitler.
AB has been an outspoken critic of Canada recently ... ripping his former team over its scoring struggles this season, and even throwing out his interest in replacing the current offensive coordinator.
Steelers OC to the Rescue……………… pic.twitter.com/LiGSYI4JTS
— AB (@AB84) September 24, 2023 @AB84
Brown continued his public bashing on Monday ... sharing a picture of Canada with Hitler's signature toothbrush mustache drawn on it and saying, "Adolf Canada."
The posts were understandably met with backlash ... with several users also pointing out they fell on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism.
Antonio Brown rips Matt Canada and wants to be the Steelers new offensive coordinator. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/euhVTb2e6F
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) September 24, 2023 @Blitz_Burgh
"Tweeting this is crazy," one follower replied ... while another added, "Yeah, this is wildly inappropriate. It's not even remotely funny."
The Steelers were able to score a few offensive touchdowns en route to a 23-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders ... but it's safe to say AB was still not satisfied with Canada's performance nonetheless.
AB is no stranger to speaking his mind on social media ... but he definitely should have reconsidered these posts.
Pittsburgh Steelers Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Kansas City ... After Raiders Game
The Pittsburgh Steelers still have yet to make it home following their big win against the Raiders in Nevada .... their charter plane was forced to make an emergency landing on Monday morning -- stranding the team in Kansas City.
The Delta Airlines flight was grounded not long after it left Las Vegas following Pitt's 23-18 victory ... after the plane reportedly experienced oil pressure issues.
Thankfully, a Steelers spokesperson said in a tweet Monday morning that everyone on the flight is safe.
VICTORY 🫵 MONDAY 🫵 pic.twitter.com/kS2wOQ3rsW
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 25, 2023 @steelers
"We are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today," they added.
Pittsburgh star Cam Heyward was able to joke about it all despite the scary nature of the scene ... poking fun at his teammate, Minkah Fitzpatrick, on his X account.
"Dang emergency landing in KC," he wrote. "I think it’s due to @minkfitz_21 'roughing the passer call' but seriously landing KC."
Dang emergency landing in KC.I think it’s due to @minkfitz_21 “roughing the passer call” but seriously landing KC……….
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) September 25, 2023 @CamHeyward
He later jokingly asked Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift to give him a ride from K.C. to Pennsylvania ... as the two just so happened to be in the area for the Chiefs star's game earlier in the day.
"Yo @taylorswift13 & @tkelce," the defensive lineman wrote, "we might need a ride to Pittsburgh."
A replacement plane is reportedly set to get the Steelers and take them home in a matter of minutes.
related articles
Minkah Fitzpatrick 'I'm Not A Dirty Player' ... Defends Chubb Tackle
Minkah Fitzpatrick says he was not trying to end Nick Chubb's season when his goal line tackle resulted in a devastating injury ... defending himself and claiming the controversial hit wasn't a dirty play.
The three-time Pro Bowler broke his silence on the incident with reporters on Thursday ... clapping back at critics who say the result could have been prevented.
"You can tell me how to tackle him low, but it's a fast game," Fitzpatrick said. "It's a game where you make decisions in milliseconds."
"Can't really control what happens after you choose to make your decision. I already chose to go low. Somebody got on his back when I was going low, and what happened happened. There's nothing I really would do differently."
Chubb will be sidelined for the rest of the season ... and his football career remains up in the air as a long road to recovery awaits him.
Fitzpatrick said it's still unfortunate what happened and he hopes Chubb gets well soon.
"Nick Chubb's a great player," Fitzpatrick said. "He makes the game a lot better when he's playing."
Not everyone is criticizing Fitzpatrick for the tackle ... Steelers legend James Harrison told us the blame for the hit falls on the NFL's shoulders due to its restrictive tackling rules.
related articles
James Harrison Blame NFL Rules For Nick Chubb Injury ... Not Minkah Fitzpatrick!!!
-
Exclusive
- 228 shares
James Harrison says it's the NFL's fault Nick Chubb is done for the season -- not Minkah Fitzpatrick's -- telling TMZ Sports he believes the league's rules forced the Steelers safety to go low on Monday night.
The former Pittsburgh superstar didn't mince words when talking about the hit that ended Chubb's season ... explaining he thinks Fitzpatrick had no other choice than to aim for the Browns tailback's knees on the controversial play.
"You've made it to where if a guy goes in there and comes in high and hits him in the head, now he's getting fined," Harrison said. "So what do you have to do? You've got guys shooting low now. That's just what you've done made the game into."
In fact, Harrison says if he were still playing today ... he fears he would have caused similar injuries in an effort to avoid penalties and fines from NFL officials.
"To be honest with you, there would probably be a whole lot more people getting hurt," he said. "Because I'm going to shoot at your legs."
RC, you know I love you like a brother so I mean this with all due respect… You are wrong on this one fam. The reason there is outrage about that hit on Chubb isn’t about the game or it’s fans getting soft. The problem is Minkah who is a veteran DB torpedoed at Chubbs leg while… https://t.co/H9KzXZmNpD
— Nathaniel E Burleson (@nateburleson) September 19, 2023 @nateburleson
Not all have agreed with Harrison ... former NFL wideout-turned-broadcaster Nate Burleson said on Tuesday he thought Fitzpatrick could have done a whole lot more to avoid hurting Chubb.
The 27-year-old running back, meanwhile, has yet to publicly comment on the hit ... as he's in the process of undergoing surgeries to fix the damage done to his ligaments.