Cincinnati Bengals

NFL linebacker Rey Maualuga dodged a bullet ... 'cause he ain't gonna spend a single minute behind bars for allegedly grabbing a club employee by the throat -- as long as he stays outta trouble.

As we previously reported, Maualuga -- who spent 9 seasons in the NFL with the Bengals and Dolphins -- was arrested in Miami in Nov. 2017 after officials say he got into a physical altercation over a $40 bar tab. He's accused of shoving and grabbing a bar employee by the throat.

31-year-old Maualuga was initially charged with misdemeanor battery and faced up to a year in jail if convicted.

But, TMZ Sports learned, the former USC Trojan cut a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to complete a pretrial diversion program and, in exchange, the charge will be dropped.

The program requires Rey to attend two 6-hour anger management courses -- designed to teach conflict resolution and impulse control ... and he's gotta stay away from the club.

Seems like a good deal to us.

Mike Vick would be rockin' a Super Bowl ring on his finger these days if somehow one of his teams had managed to trade for Chad Ochocinco ... so says the legendary QB himself.

We got Vick and Chad promoting WinView out in Bev Hills when we asked the two what would've happened if they were on the same team ... and Vick couldn't help but dream.

"Man, I mean, to have him, I would have probably had a ring for sure," Mike says.

Chad seemed to agree, saying, "That woulda been dope."

So, why'd it never go down?? Chad was locked in with the Bengals and Vick was entrenched with the Falcons during their primes.

"He woulda never got traded and I woulda never got traded, so we woulda had to have been drafted at the same time," Vick says.

As for how their careers went without each other and if they warrant busts in the NFL's Hall of Fame ... both surprisingly didn't seem too worried about that just yet.

"I'm not one that really needed validation," Ochocinco tells us.

Added Vick, "You leave that up to the people."

Great news for Tyler Eifert -- who had his ankle snapped in half on Sunday -- 'cause the Cincinnati Bengals TE is in good spirits after going under the knife ... and vows to be back better than ever!!

ICYMI -- Eifert suffered a nasty right ankle injury in the 3rd quarter of the Falcons game this week ... after De'Vondre Campbell accidentally fell on him while making a tackle.

It was a disgusting sight ... and if you haven't already seen it, DON'T CLICK ON IT.

Eifert shared a post-surgery pic with a thumbs-up on Monday night ... saying "At least my end zone celebration was fun! Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I’m all fixed, Dr. Anderson is the best. I’ll be back!"

Eifert has had his fair share of injuries since he was drafted in 2013 ... a dislocated elbow in 2014, stinger injuries in 2013 and 2015, back injury in 2016 and 2017. But, he's clearly not fazed by his history.

Those who are quick to get queasy should look away-- Bengals star Tyler Eifert's ankle went in a direction it definitely shouldn't have during a game against the Falcons ... and his season is likely over.

Cincinnati's starting tight end suffered a gruesome injury Sunday against Atlanta, where he was attempting to run the ball downfield ... but got pummeled by linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, who awkwardly fell on Tyler's right ankle, and snapped it sideways.

Tyler was eventually carted off the field, and he appeared to be in sheer agony as they drove him away. It's almost certainly a season-ending break, which sucks for the dude since he's had a series of injuries over the last few years that have kept him from playing.

He missed the entire 2014 season to an elbow injury, hurt his other ankle in 2015 and had both his 2016 and 2017 seasons delayed due to back issues. Tyler's 2017 season ended after just two games due to another injury as well. He's never played a full 16-game season.

Chad Ochocinco's first go-around with the MLS didn't go so well ... but he's got a new plan to make the futbol league -- telling TMZ Sports he's coming back as a keeper!!

And, yeah, he says he's "dead ass" serious.

Remember ... Chad once tried out for Sporting Kansas City during the NFL lockout in 2011 -- and actually got in a reserve game ... but the MLS told him "thanks, but no thanks" afterward.

Now ... Chad's telling us he's got a new way to revive that soccer dream ... getting set to return to the pitch as a goalie for David Beckham's Miami club -- which kicks off its inaugural season in 2020.

"I really think I can be exceptional at goalie with the proper training for the next two years," Chad says.

"So, when Beckham has his team, I'm going to go try out for goalie. Period."

It makes sense ... dude is a freak athlete who caught everything that came his way as an NFL wideout for 11 seasons -- so why not?!

A.J. Green says he's not mad at Julio Jones for holding out in his contract dispute with the ATL Falcons -- telling TMZ Sports, "He gotta do what he gotta do, man."

The Bengals superstar WR was out shopping in Bev Hills -- and explained that when it comes to getting paid at the pro level, you gotta strike while ya can.

"The NFL stands for 'Not For Long,' so you gotta get it while it lasts."

Green knows what he's talking about -- he signed a 4-year $60 MILLION contract extension in 2015.

But, if things don't work out for Julio in ATL, Green says he's down to share some of the pass-catching workload in Cinci.

Shocking statement from Terrell Owens ... who says he has officially TURNED DOWN his invitation to attend his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Owens says he will NOT go to Canton, Ohio for the ceremony in August -- instead, he will "celebrate what will be one of the most memorable days of my life, elsewhere."

T.O. did not explain the reason behind his decision -- he did, however, praise the NFL and the H.O.F.

"While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton."

"I have already shared this information with the Hall. After visiting Canton earlier this year, I came to the realization that I wish to celebrate what will be one of the most memorable days of my life, elsewhere. At a later date, I will announce where and when I will celebrate my induction."

"I would also like to thank the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals for the time I was granted with each organization. I am thankful for the relationships forged and the lessons learned while part of each team."

"I wish to congratulate all past, current and future inductees. It is quite an honor to be part of such elite company. This honor is something that I will cherish forever."

Former Cincinnati Bengals star T.J. Houshmandzadeh claims he got bamboozled into fronting hundreds of thousands of dollars for a bogus weed business.

The retired WR filed suit against two men -- Damien Marzett and John Wiegman -- for allegedly convincing him to invest $200K into construction for their new dispensary under false pretenses.

In the docs obtained by TMZ Sports, T.J. claims Marzett and Wiegman approached him in 2015, trying to get him to fund a new weed club in L.A. ... which they said would make hundreds of thousands of dollars a month.

He also claims they signed a contract to pay him back interest of $180K by Dec. 2017 if he floated them the dough.

Well, he says he paid ... but never saw any of that money by the due date -- and eventually learned they didn't even have a license to operate a weed club in the state.

The NFL Players Association believes the Cincinnati Bengals violated league policy by trying to get Eric Reid to agree to stop kneeling in exchange for a possible contract.

It's all part of a new grievance the NFLPA filed on behalf of Reid -- who believes he's being blackballed for taking a knee during the national anthem in the 2017 season.

Reid met with the Bengals on April 9 and was reportedly asked if he would kneel during the 2018 season. According to reports, Reid refused to answer the question. He ultimately did NOT get a contract offer.

Enter the NFL Players Association which is saying Reid is getting screwed because the NFL has NO league rule prohibiting players from demonstrating during the national anthem and teams that try to stop them are in violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

In fact, the NFLPA obviously references the Bengals in a news release ... though it doesn't call them out by name.

"According to our information, a club appears to have based its decision not to sign a player based on the player’s statement that he would challenge the implementation of a club’s policy prohibiting demonstration, which is contrary to the League policy."

The situation sounds VERY similar to what Colin Kaepernick went through with the Seattle Seahawks -- which shut down a workout with the QB because he would not agree to stop kneeling.

Kaep and Reid are repped by the same attorneys -- Mark Geragos and Ben Meiselas -- who issued this statement:

"Colin and Eric have taken courageous action at the expense of their professional careers and personal lives. They did these selfless acts because they wanted to shine light on inequity and oppression."

Pacman Jones says he's lucky to be alive -- after power lines fell down Thursday in the middle of the highway near the Bengals practice facility causing multiple cars to crash ... including his.

"I’m driving, these power lines just fall down out of nowhere bruh, in the middle of the highway. Almost got killed," the Cincinnati Bengals star said on video from the scene.

"I’m just so happy I’m alright man. If I wouldn’t have came across man I might be dead."

Jones showed damage to his black Dodge Durango -- but says he's not worried about that ... he's happy he wasn't hurt.

Devon Still -- one of the most beloved pro athletes around -- tells TMZ Sports his days of being an NFL player might be coming to an end.

You know Still's story ... he fought alongside his daughter Leah while she battled cancer -- at the same time he was trying to earn a roster spot with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Together, Devon and Leah have raised millions of dollars for cancer research. In fact, Devon and Leah got an ESPY in 2015 -- the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.

But now, the 28-year-old seems to be at crossroads -- he hasn't caught on with a team since being waived by the Jets earlier this year ... so when we saw him in NYC we wanted to know what his future on the gridiron would be.

"I don't know. We'll find out in a couple of weeks. I'll make my decision about whether I'm gonna continue with my NFL career or move on with my next venture in life."

If Still decides to hang up his cleats ... he definitely has a future as a motivational speaker/fundraiser. Millions of people are rooting for him.

BTW -- We also asked Devon about the controversial hit Kiko Alonso put on Ravens QB Joe Flacco, and Still told us KA's wallet might get a little lighter soon.

Chad Johnson says the NY Giants should be very careful on how they handle Odell Beckham Jr. -- because if they get on him too hard for the dog pee celebration, it's gonna mess up his head.

Look, Chad says Odell is special ... and if going crazy on the field helps him dominate, so be it. The worst thing you can do is neuter him ... get it?

We also asked if it's time to fire Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati -- after the team's 0-3 start.

One of the greatest receivers in Cincinnati Bengals history says it's time for Andy Dalton to step up and play like an elite quarterback ... or he's gonna get benched.

TMZ Sports spoke with T.J. Houshmandzadeh about the Bengals' 0-2 start to the season ... and he says Dalton's miscues are a big reason why they're still hunting for their first win.

T.J. says there are no more excuses now that Cincy fired its offensive coordinator, Ken Zampese ... and says all the pressure's on Dalton to succeed.

Adam "Pacman" Jones is taking Joe Mixon under his wing -- and treated the Bengals rookie to a night out at the Future concert this week ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Turns out, Jones is pretty tight with Future -- they grew up together in Atlanta -- and the rapper hooked the Bengals star up with tickets to his Cincinnati concert Wednesday at the Riverbend Music Center.

We're told Jones invited Mixon as his guest -- and they had a blast together and took pics with fans.

So, why Mixon? We're told Jones quietly mentors a lot of young players on the team -- including Joe -- and he likes the guy.

Joe Mixon has touched down in L.A. -- and just got his first taste of paparazzi and autograph hounds.

The Cincinnati Bengals rookie is in town for the NFLPA Rookie Premiere event -- designed to help 1st year players learn the business of pro football.

Mixon told us his teammates and Cinci fans have been cool with him since he was drafted -- but didn't say much else.

Then he busted out a little Milly Rock in front of the Lehigh softball team ... which happened to be at the same baggage claim.

Props to Pacman Jones' attorney -- 'cause despite all the crazy stuff the NFL star did during a crazed Jan. 3rd tirade in Cincinnati, he won't serve another minute behind bars.

The Bengals star just appeared in court (sporting a nice suit) where he pled guilty to obstructing official business stemming from the incident where he allegedly got into it with a hotel security guard.

Remember, Pacman went off on the guard AND Cincinnati police that night -- wishing death on one of the officers and telling the cop to, "Suck my d**k."

Pacman was initially charged with disorderly conduct and assault as well -- but those charges were dropped as part of his deal.

In exchange, Pacman was sentenced to 2 days in jail -- but got credit for time served ... so, he won't be going back behind bars.

Pacman apologized for his actions in court -- telling the judge he's trying to become a better person and his actions that night were not a true representation of the real Adam Jones.

Pacman's attorneys told the judge he's a "kind person" and only lashed out because he was frustrated. His lawyers also pointed out that Pacman's involved with the Special Olympics and other charitable endeavors.

Pacman's agent tells TMZ Sports, "As you can see there was no assault or head-butting or spitting. He plead guilty to obstructing official business based solely on his tone that night."