Trevor Bauer Out For Remainder Of Dodgers' Season After Paid Leave Extended

UPDATE

11:44 AM PT -- Bauer's co-agents, Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba, say the pitcher agreed to the paid leave ... saying the move was part of "a measure of good faith and in an effort to minimize any distraction to the Dodgers organization and his teammates."

UPDATE

The agents added that Bauer "continues to cooperate with the MLB investigation and refute the baseless allegations against him."

Trevor Bauer will not pitch again for the Dodgers this season -- not even if they make it to the World Series -- 'cause the MLB has just extended the star's paid leave through the end of the year.

The baseball org. and the MLBPA announced the move Friday ... agreeing to put Bauer on the shelf for the rest of 2021 as an investigation into sexual assault allegations against the pitcher continues.

As we previously reported, the 30-year-old Cy Young winner has been on administrative leave since late June ... following accusations that he got violent with a woman during two sexual encounters in the spring.

The alleged victim told cops Bauer punched her and choked her unconscious during their meetups ... leaving her with scrapes, scratches, bruises and other injuries.

The woman had obtained a temporary restraining order against Bauer following it all ... though a judge ruled last month a permanent one could not be put in place because Bauer did not pose a continual threat to the accuser.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, are still mulling whether or not Bauer should be hit with criminal charges ... after police turned over their investigation findings to the L.A. County D.A. in late August.

Another woman, meanwhile, has also come forward claiming she, too, was physically assaulted by the baseball player during sex.

Bauer, for his part, has denied any and all wrongdoing in both cases.

The MLB is still in the middle of its investigation into all of the claims.

Originally Published -- 11:10 AM PT

Ex-WWE Star Al Snow Heroically Saves Child ... From Ocean Riptide

Former WWE star Al Snow is being hailed as a hero ... after the wrestling legend saved a child's life Thursday by jumping in the ocean and pulling the boy from a riptide.

The incredible act of bravery all went down at Santa Rosa Beach in Destin, Fla. ... when Snow -- who gained fame in the 1990s for carrying and talking to a mannequin head named "Head" during matches -- says he heard yelling and screaming while he was in the water.

Snow says when he looked around, he saw a boy being hit by waves while being pulled away by a rough current.

JUMPING INTO ACTION
TMZSports.com

58-year-old Snow says a lifeguard was on the beach ... but added, "I knew she wasn't going to make it in time" -- so he sprung into action.

"I made it, thank God," Snow said. "And, I caught him just by the arm just as a wave started to pull him even further out. If I hadn't have grabbed him, I think he'd have probably went out to sea."

"That would have been it."

Snow, though, says the rescue mission nearly turned dire after he snagged the child ... 'cause a wave took them under -- and it caused him to remember Shad Gaspard, the wrestling star who tragically died in the Pacific Ocean in May 2020.

"I was able to stay up," Snow said, "and hand him off to the lifeguard and I made my way back across to my friend and we went up on the beach and I felt like I was about to collapse. I was exhausted."

Snow said neither he nor the boy suffered injuries ... and added the child's mom cried and thanked him repeatedly afterward.

And, in a lighthearted moment, after everyone was safe and sound, Snow says a couple on the beach actually recognized him from his wrestling days!!

#Amazing

MMA's Jason 'Mayhem' Miller Arrested For Domestic Violence ... Struggled W/ Cops, Tased

Jason "Mayhem" Miller, troubled ex-MMA fighter, was arrested for felony domestic violence in L.A. ... after allegedly getting physical with a woman, TMZ Sports has learned.

40-year-old Miller was taken to jail ... and his bail has been set at a whopping $1.385 million.

He is still currently in custody.

Our law enforcement sources tell us cops in the San Fernando Valley received an emergency call before 3 AM Friday morning ... made by a female who was screaming on the phone.

Police -- lights and sirens blaring -- raced to the scene code 3 ... and found the female caller with visible marks on her face and neck.

At that point, cops *attempted* to arrest Miller inside the home ... but, he didn't cooperate.

A struggle ensued, and LAPD tased him.

Finally, police were able to cuff Miller ... and he was taken to the hospital to be checked out by doctors.

Miller was ultimately booked for felony domestic violence.

It's not the first time Mayhem's lived up to his name ... he's got a (very long) rap sheet.

In 2011, Miller was arrested for allegedly putting his sister in a headlock ... and refusing to release her.

Then in 2012, he was arrested for allegedly going into a church and spraying a fire extinguisher, before getting buck naked.

In 2015, Jason was locked up for allegedly trying to use a ceramic tile as a weapon against cops ... before being tased and arrested.

During his day, Miller was a really good MMA fighter ... beating Robbie Lawler and Tim Kennedy, back in the day. Miller spent time in the UFC ... but last fought for the promotion in 2012. Mayhem hasn't fought anywhere professionally since 2016.

Cesar Millan His Pit Bull Allegedly Killed Queen Latifah's Dog Lawsuit Claims Cesar Tried Covering it Up

Cesar Millan is in the throes of a lawsuit over his pit bull severely biting a promising gymnast, who alleged this dog not only has a history of extreme violence, it allegedly attacked and killed Queen Latifah's dog and he then, according to the lawsuit, tried to cover it up.

Lidia Matiss claims in 2017, she went to her mom's office building in Van Nuys, CA, a building she says is owned by Cesar. Lidia says she was visiting her mom, who worked for Cesar.

She says she encountered Cesar's pit bull, Junior, who was roaming the halls unsupervised and unleashed. She says the dog attacked her, repeatedly biting her on the legs, including her left calf. She went to the ER and it became apparent ... her injures were severe.

The lawsuit says Lidia was a "star gymnast" who performed at a Level 10 ... the highest level in the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Programs. She says she was being actively recruited by the University of Pennsylvania, but everything changed with the dog bite. She could no longer compete due to the extreme pain she was enduring.

Lidia -- repped by attorneys Omar G. Qureshi and Brian M. Adesman -- says Cesar knew Junior had a history of violence yet regularly allowed the dog to roam free. She says the dog had bitten several people and mauled several dogs, including one dog owned by Queen Latifah.

According to the lawsuit, Queen Latifah brought 2 of her dogs to Cesar's Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, CA. She says Junior mauled one of her dogs to death, and Lidia claims Cesar covered it up by telling his staff to tell Queen Latifah the dog was hit and killed by a car.

Cesar filed an answer to the lawsuit, claiming, among other things, Lidia assumed the risk of being bitten because she knew of the danger. He also claims Lidia herself was negligent, although he doesn't say how.

Lidia says the bite left her impaired ... wounded, disfigured and she continues to suffer physical and emotional pain. She's suing for unspecified damages.

The lawsuit is ongoing.

NFL's D'Andre Swift Not Under Investigation For Murder ... Says Lions Head Coach

Detroit Lions star D'Andre Swift is NOT a suspect in a murder case ... so says his head coach Dan Campbell, who called this week's reports merely "Internet rumors."

Swift began trending on social media Thursday after he had been allegedly named in a report involving a Philadelphia homicide in July.

We reached out to the Philadelphia Police Dept. ... and they said they could not comment on the matter.

DON'T BELIEVE THE RUMORS
Detroit Lions

Campbell, though, told media members Friday that, to his knowledge, his running back has not been involved in any nefarious criminal activity whatsoever.

"I think that's just Internet rumors that I don't feel like I need to comment on right now if I'm being honest with you," Campbell said.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Friday he's heard similar things to Campbell ... explaining, "Sources have indicated D'Andre Swift is not under investigation."

"There is an open murder case," Garafolo added. "But again, no indication Swift is a suspect."

D'Andre -- who Campbell said is "ready to go" for the Lions' season-opener this weekend -- is expected to have a huge role for Detroit this year after he totaled 878 yards from scrimmage in 13 games last season.

Cam Newton Pats Cut Me 'Cause Of My 'Aura' ... Mac Jones 'Would've Been Uncomfortable'

Cam Newton says his "aura" -- his hairstyle, the way he talks, the way he dresses and the way he dances -- is the reason Bill Belichick cut him last month.

The quarterback made the claim in a sit-down interview with his dad this week ... saying he believes his personality is so big, the Pats were forced to shove him off their roster despite his willingness to stick around and be Mac Jones' backup.

"The truth of the matter is this," Cam said. "[Mac] would've been uncomfortable. He would've."

Newton says because he's such a huge figure -- he believes New England thought Jones wouldn't have been able to flourish while constantly looking over his shoulder at the high-profile QB.

"[My aura] is my gift and my curse," Cam said. "When you bring a Cam Newton to your facility -- when you bring a Cam Newton to your franchise -- people are interested by mere fact of, 'Who is he?'"

"'Why does he wear his hair? Why does he talk? Why does he perform? Why does' -- all these questions."

Newton, though, said he's "not bitter" about how it all went down ... and made it clear he thinks he's still one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the world.

As for Cam's dad, Cecil Newton, Sr., he wasn't exactly pleased with Belichick's decision ... saying cutting the QB was a "sucker move."

There's more ... Cam also ripped the Pats and the NFL for the way they handled his COVID testing situation while he was away from the team in August -- explaining he felt "bamboozled" when they forced him to sit out five days after he returned from a trip home in training camp.

"I'm like," Cam said, "'Y'all told me to go!'"

Cam added that he has absolutely zero plans to retire despite how it all went down in New England.

Donald Trump Prop Bets Sleepy Joe, Fake News, China How Many Times Will He Say It???

How many times will Donald Trump mention "Sleepy Joe" or "fake news" while commentating the Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort fight??

If you're thinking it's a high number and have some money to put up, there's a bunch of prop bets goin' down on what the former POTUS will say on Saturday night!!

Here's a list of what MyBookie will be keeping a close eye on during the big event:

(Not familiar with betting?? The "-" is how much you need to risk to win $100 ... and the "+" is how much you’ll win if you wager $100).

How many times Trump says "Fake News" --
Over 10.5 -140
Under 10.5 +100

Will Trump curse on the broadcast --
Yes -160
No +120

How many times he'll say "China" --
Over 2.5 -150
Under 2.5 +110

Will Trump announce he's running for president in 2024 --
Yes +250
No -500

Will Trump say "Sleepy Joe" --
Yes -120
No -120

Which family Trump will namedrop more during the broadcast --
The Bidens -110
The Clintons +225
The Cuomos +400

I'D K.O. JOE!!!
Triller

There's also a wager on what #45 is gonna "debate" about first -- from COVID-19 to Afghanistan to the anniversary of 9/11 ... plus the border, China and climate.

But, if you're not into politics like that, you can also put money on what color Trump's tie will be.

There's one on the Mrs. too -- if Melania Trump will pop up on the broadcast -- and the chances we'll see her ain't good.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Kendall & Kris Birthday Parties, Coast to Coast!!!

The Jenner family was out and about on opposite coasts Thursday night, looking stylish and celebrating friends' birthdays ... but Kendall Jenner's night included a close encounter of the EX kind.

Kendall and her BF, NBA superstar Devin Booker, hit up Lucali in NYC where they were attending the bday bash of their friend, model and DJ Fai Khadra. Not shockingly, Kendall was dressed to the nines in a skintight, and tiny, black dress. Hey, she is a supermodel!

But, here's the thing, Fai has another NBA-playing buddy by the name of Blake Griffin, and he showed up ready to party too -- although, not nearly as decked out as his ex-GF.

We don't know if Kendall and Blake actually saw each other inside, but they split way back in 2018. We're guessing everybody's cool by now.

Meanwhile, on the west coast, Kris Jenner was out at Craig's in WeHo for a birthday dinner for one of her gal pals.

(GRAND)MUM'S THE WORD
The Limelight Post/BACKGRID

The Kardashian/Jenner matriarch was beaming about Kylie having another baby ... but made sure not to spill any tea about her grandchild-to-be. Instead, she just called the latest family pregnancy a blessing.

Dak Prescott To Tom Brady Cowboys Will Rematch Bucs In Playoffs ... Hot Mic Picks Up QB's Guarantee

Dak Prescott was feeling himself so much after ballin' out in a loss to the Bucs on Thursday ... he straight-up told Tom Brady after the game that a rematch in the playoffs is coming.

Just minutes after Dallas fell in heartbreaking fashion to Tampa Bay ... a hot mic picked up the guarantee in a postgame conversation between the two star QBs.

At first, the guys appeared to just congratulate each other on a hard-fought game -- but then Dak hit TB12 with this promise ...

"We'll see y'all again."

Of course, the only way that's possible is if both teams make the playoffs ... something Prescott sure seems confident about after throwing for 403 yards and 3 TDs in the opener.

And, if we're all being honest, Prescott's take ain't exactly a hot one.

Brady looked unstoppable in the 31-29 victory, and Dak matched him throw for throw throughout the night ... leading most football fans to believe both the Cowboys and the Bucs will likely win their divisions this year.

That would put the two on a collision course in the postseason -- which, clearly, Dak can see coming some 3 months from now.

And, if that future matchup is anything like Thursday's ... getcha popcorn ready.

Daffney 911 Audio Caller Tried To Get Wrestler Help Before Death ... But Cops Couldn't Locate Her

A CALL FOR HELP

A 911 caller attempted to get Daffney help while she was still alive and emotionally broadcasting on Instagram Live ... but tragically, cops could not locate her before her death.

The call, obtained by TMZ Sports, reveals a man who identified himself as a friend of a friend of Daffney's trying to get police in Georgia out to the ex-wrestler on Sept. 1 before she could harm herself.

In the audio, the man can be heard saying Daffney -- real name Shannon Spruill -- was on the social media platform, appearing to be suicidal.

"She is on Instagram Live about to commit suicide, reading suicide letters," the man said.

"Talking about where to donate her things. Crying. Won't answer her phone. Certainly needs a wellness check."

The man provided what he believed to be a current address for Daffney, but, sadly, cops tell TMZ Sports it was not a correct one.

Cops say another caller dialed in a short time later with a different address, but said that caller did not have an apartment unit number for the former WCW star.

At 11:25 PM -- some time after the two initial calls -- cops say a caller had found what they believed was Shannon's car at an apartment building ... but still had no answer for which unit she was in.

Cops tell us they tried asking people at the building for the location of Daffney -- but got no answers. They added that they "checked around the building and saw no signs of any disturbance and no one reported anything out of the ordinary" like gunshots or screaming.

Around 12:50 AM, maintenance was contacted and they unlocked a door they believed to be Daffney's, however, an "interior lock was engaged." Police did not believe they had enough cause to force their way into the unit.

Eventually, hours later around 2 AM, cops say they received another call with credible information. Police returned to the address, and had the fire department breach the door, but tragically it was too late.

In a police report, cops say Daffney was found dead at the apartment by officers with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest.

"Certainly this is a tragic situation but our officers did all they could within the boundaries of Georgia law and departmental policies," a spokesperson for the Gwinnett Police Dept. tells us.

"They made a good faith effort to locate Shannon each time they got updated information."

Daffney -- who wrestled in WCW from 1999 to 2001 and later starred in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling from '08-'11 -- was 46 years old.

#RIP

Mike Piazza Post 9/11 HR Was 'Bittersweet' ... Just Didn't Want To Screw Up

"I just remember being on the line for the national anthem and I said, ‘Lord, please, just help me get through this night.’"

That's Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, reflecting on the post-9/11 game where he launched the most memorable home run of his career, admitting despite the rush of hitting a game-winning shot, the moment is still "bittersweet."

It's all part of an interview with the Mets legend, conducted by OSDB (a large online sports database created by Aaron Rodgers and his biz partners), where MP opens up about the unforgettable game.

Of course, it was the night of September 21, 2001 ... 10 days after America was attacked, and thousands of innocent people were murdered.

Baseball, after taking a week and a half off, was back ... but there was a sense of uneasiness in Shea Stadium in Queens -- only 14 miles from the site of Ground Zero.

That was until the now 53-year-old slugging catcher hit a massive 2-run, go-ahead dinger in the 8th inning off reliever Steve Karsay ... giving the Mets a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Braves.

The lead held up in the 9th ... and the Mets won the game. But, it was much more important than a dub ... or 1 home run out of Piazza's 427 career long balls.

The HR helped bring those inside the stadium -- and the entire country -- back.

“Afterward, obviously we were excited to win the game and we were excited to give the people something to cheer about and it was enriching for us to get a feeling that people wanted to be together and people wanted to hug and be at the ballpark and try to take the first small steps to getting back to living,’’ Piazza explained.

The HOF'er says this time of year brings back difficult memories, but regardless of how tough it is, "it’s very prudent and very appropriate that we continue to remember and memorialize the tragedy of the events of 9/11."

In fact, Mike says he still finds it hard to talk about his epic home run ... but he obliges fans because he understands it's important to them.

“It’s a little overwhelming for me. I always try to treat it with reverence. At times, I’m uncomfortable when I talk about it. I just do the best I can but I feel that people do want to talk about it so I kind of owe them that.’’

Saturday will mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Never forget.

Karl-Anthony Towns Defends Jordyn Woods' Body Transformation ... 'This Is All Natural'

UPDATE

4:01 PM PT -- Jordyn's responded to the criticism as well, and echoes many of the same points KAT made ... insisting that finding fitness saved her life, especially after dealing with depression and the loss of her dad 5 years ago.

UPDATE

Jordyn says, "Working out became my therapy and my saving." She adds that her fitness platform is for everyone but doesn't guarantee "you'll look like me" ... but she launched it for people who may be struggling like she was.

UPDATE

She concludes ... "Working out saved me and I wanted to let everyone know we all start somewhere. You're beautiful at any weight, shape, or size, but you're not alone."

Karl-Anthony Towns is going OFF on all the trolls talking down on his GF Jordyn Woods' recent body transformation ... saying he's personally seen her put in the work -- and it's ALL natural.

Woods was the center of awful social media criticism this week after posting a before-and-after pic from her fitness journey ... with some claiming her new look was manufactured.

But, KAT is having none of that talk ... shooting down any notion Woods went under the knife in a passionate Twitter rant on Thursday.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

"Are we saying that women can’t work hard and transform their bodies??" Towns said minutes ago. "I’ve SEEN the hard work and I’ve seen the results and trust me, this is all natural."

"Since she was 10 years old, people been calling this woman vile things because of her weight and instead of letting the Internet run her life, she went out the put the damn work in and changed her whole life. FITNESS SAVED HER LIFE!"

Towns says he's not going to stoop to the trolls' levels and respond with hate -- instead, he's keeping positive by hoping they "find the love you are so badly craving."

KAT -- who's been officially dating Woods for about a year -- also sends a personal love note to his bae ... calling her his queen, rock and his everything.

"That comparison picture, as I told you before you posted it, is gonna help a lot of people, especially young girls who feel they can never reach the body that you’ve acquired NATURALLY."

Originally Published -- 3:36 PM PT

Shaq Rips Ben Simmons Over Trade Request ... 'You're Not That Good!!!'

Shaquille O'Neal is goin' at Ben Simmons yet again -- this time, the Big Diesel is putting the Sixers star on blast for requesting a trade out of Philly.

"Ben Simmons, you're not that good," the Hall of Famer said on The Big Podcast with Shaq.

"You're not great," he added ... before saying, "To be great, you have to work on your game. Don't be putting pictures on your Instagram of your Ferrari or what actress you're hanging around with."

Simmons has been heavily criticized -- including by Shaq himself -- ever since his performance in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, when he scored just 5 points in a Game 7 loss.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

In fact, things have gotten so bad, Simmons has reportedly requested a trade ... something Shaq clearly despises.

"When you play for a town like Philadelphia, Boston, L.A., Miami -- a hard-working town -- they don’t give a s*** about none of that," O'Neal said. "They want you to come, work hard and play hard."

Charles Barkley agreed with Shaq ... saying he, too, has been disappointed by what he's seen from Simmons over the past few months.

"When you give somebody $200 million to dribble a stupid basketball," Barkley said, "and the only thing you ask him is be better as a player, and their first response is, 'I don't want to play here anymore,' that disappoints me as a player. It disappoints me as a fan."

For what it's worth, Simmons' teammate, Joel Embiid, has gone to bat for the point guard ... saying publicly that he absolutely wants Ben to stay.

Jake Paul No Rematch w/ Woodley After Failed Tattoo Bet ... Eyeing Fury Next

Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley II will NOT happen -- at least not in the foreseeable future ... 'cause Paul just said a rematch is off ... after Woodley wouldn't get an "I love Jake" tattoo.

The Problem Child broke it all down on the "Full Send Podcast" this week ... explaining he's not going to fight Woodley a second time after Tyron refused to honor their initial ink bet.

"The tattoo was the bet before this fight," Paul said. "It was the loser had to get the tattoo. So, now, all the sudden he's trying to change it to make it for the rematch?"

"[A rematch] doesn't make sense," Paul continued. "If he would've gotten the tattoo, like, now, and that clip goes viral, and everyone's like, 'Jake, do it! Do it!' I'd be like, 'I kind of have to do this.' But he f***ed up."

Paul added, "He's saying, 'Oh, I'll get it once we sign the contract.' No. You f***ed up. Just get the tattoo and let me decide from there."

If you missed it ... Paul and Woodley initially agreed that the loser of their Aug. 29 fight would have to get a tat of the winner somewhere on their bodies.

In fact, the two even flew in famed artist Tatu Baby to draw the ink on the guys directly after the fight.

8/25/21
THE STAKES ARE HIGH
TMZSports.com

But, Woodley has yet to go under the needle -- and it's now clear because of that, Paul has his sights set on a different opponent for his next bout.

As for who that might be, Jake said Tyson Fury's little bro, Tommy Fury, is "at the top" of his list.

"He's skilled," Paul said. "He's undefeated. And then, yeah, he's [Tyson Fury’s brother]. And he’s a real boxer. And he has like 4 million followers on Instagram which is good engagement."

9/4/21
TIME TO FIGHT A REAL BOXER
TMZSports.com

Good news for Jake ... Tommy told TMZ Sports just last week he's all-in on that fight.

So, let's get it on, gents!

Barack Obama & Bill Clinton Triller Wants Ex-Presidents to Call Fights!!! Offer Out to Bill Already

Triller Fight Club is bipartisan -- or it's trying like hell to be -- because we've learned the company's made Bill Clinton an offer it hopes he can't refuse to get on the mic to announce a fight later this year.

TMZ Sports is told Clinton's people have been sent the deal, but hasn't responded to Triller one way or another. The offer comes after Triller successfully landed ex-Prez Donald Trump to do commentary for Saturday's Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort fight.

Someone at Triller's got POTUS fever, obviously, because we're told they're also planning to offer an announcing gig to Barack Obama. The specifics of Clinton and Obama's potential deals aren't clear -- but if they mirror Trump's, Triller's gonna be backing up a Brinks truckload of dough.

As for the fights Clinton and/or Obama would be on the mic for, we're told it's possible it could be for the return of Oscar De La Hoya, who was originally supposed to fight Belfort this weekend until he got COVID-19.

I'D K.O. JOE!!!
Triller

Obviously, landing #42 and #44 could be a PPV draw, but it's also an important strategic move. Trump is the most polarizing person in the country, and many fans were not happy when Triller brought him aboard. Obama and Clinton would make the company look politically unbiased.

One more thing ... we don't know if Bill and Barack would be working a fight together or doing separate matches. You can bet Triller would take 'em any way they want.

T.J. Watt Scores Massive $112 Million Contract ... After Big Ben Goes To Bat For Star

UPDATE

1:40 PM PT -- 9/9 -- What Big Ben wants, Big Ben apparently gets ... 'cause just 1 day after the quarterback urged the Steelers to pay Watt, the team has vowed to do just that.

UPDATE

Watt and Pittsburgh agreed to a mega, 4-year, $112 MILLION deal on Thursday ... NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

UPDATE

The contract -- which Watt is expected to officially sign within the next day or so -- comes with a fully guaranteed $80 MIL, Rapoport reported.

UPDATE

Watt should now be fully ready to play against the Bills on Sunday ... but first, perhaps a thank you gift or two for Ben???

Ben Roethlisberger says the Steelers better pay T.J. Watt ASAP ... explaining to reporters on Wednesday a new contract for the defensive star is "one of the reasons I took less money."

"I think T.J. should get whatever the heck he wants," Big Ben said. "He's arguably the best football player in the game right now, not just on defense, just in general."

Watt is currently locked in a heated contract dispute with the Steelers ... and things have gotten so contentious, there's a chance Watt -- who's sat out team drills in Pittsburgh practices while waiting for a new deal -- might miss the season-opener on Sunday over it all.

PAY THE MAN
Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben clearly thinks it should never have gotten to this point ... 'cause the QB explained to media members this is why he agreed to take a pay cut to play for the Steelers this season.

"One of the reasons I took less money was for guys like him to get paid, and he needs to get paid," Roethlisberger said.

"He deserves every penny that he wants and asks for. T.J. Watt is that guy that should get whatever he wants."

Watt has made the Pro Bowl in 3 of his 4 seasons with the Steelers ... piling up 49.5 sacks in 62 games. His next contract is expected to make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league.

"He was here every single day and he didn't need to be, working, busting his butt," Roethlisberger said. "He should get taken care of."

Originally Published -- 9/8 9:20 AM PT

Old news is old news!
Be First!

Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser!