Denver Broncos

A bunch of Denver Broncos players decided to blow off some pre-Super Bowl steam Monday night with a huge sushi dinner in NYC -- with champagne and models ... but no Peyton Manning, TMZ Sports has learned.

We know ... linebacker Brandon Marshall, defensive tackle Mitch Unrein, linebacker Wesley Woodyard and roughly 15 of their teammates hit up Tokya sushi lounge around 8pm.

We spoke to Tokya owner Roee Nahmani who tells us ... the guys were hesitant to scarf down the sushi at first, out of fear of a possible bubble gut situation ... but quickly got over it and proceeded to eat more than 100 ROLLS.

We're told the guys did booze a little bit -- drinking some Don Julio 1942 tequila, Moet Rose champagne, Ciroq vodka and Hennessey ... and toasted to the Super Bowl with every round.

Don't worry, Nahmani says things never got out of control and the guys couldn't have been nicer.

Richard Sherman was feeling the love -- AND THE HATE -- in New York last night when he was confronted by a Broncos fan who started talking all sorts of trash ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Sherman was leaving the Nets game in Brooklyn along with some of his Seahawks teammates when a Denver fan started heckling at close range.

"Sherman, let's go Broncos, Sherman ... Demaryius is gonna OWN YOU this week!"

That's when some of Sherman's supporters got his back -- screaming back at the Denver fan.

You can hear one Sherman fan yell out, "Number one corner in the game. Number one f**king corner baby!!! Talk it -- we love it in New York!"

Sherman stayed composed during the incident -- and made it back to the team bus without engaging the haters.

Ex-NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski tells TMZ Sports ... there are a handful of dirty plays from his NFL career he wishes he could take back -- like the time he SNAPPED A DUDE'S FINGER!!!

Bill -- one of the most ferocious defensive players of all time -- is out in NYC for the Super Bowl ... and says he still feels bad about the time he was in a pile with running back Dave Meggett, grabbed the guy's finger and "cracked it like a chicken bone."

"I heard it and felt it ... and then heard the scream at the bottom of the pile."

Still, Bill admits, "There are probably 5 plays I'd love to take back ... but I can't."

It pays to get into business with Peyton Manning ... TMZ has learned, the 21 Papa John's franchises he bought last year are KILLING IT right now -- and employees are calling it the "Peyton Factor."

We called up each of Peyton's 21 Papa John's in the Denver area, and the story is the same everywhere: business has greatly improved since the Broncos QB took the helm.

Before Peyton purchased the locations, several restaurants reported sales of $3,000-$4,000 on any given game day -- and that number has jumped up to roughly $5,000-$6,000/day ... which equals about 60 pizzas an hour.

One location reported a 25% increase in total sales since last year.

It helps that Peyton's killing it on the field too -- his Papa John's locations offer 50% off on Mondays after a Broncos win, and so far they're undefeated. Fans recognize Peyton's stores because they all feature cutouts of PM and Papa John ... and he even makes personal visits from time to time.

To compare, neighboring Papa John's locations NOT owned by Peyton reported no significant improvement in sales.

NFL legend Michael Irvin hit up Craig's in Hollywood last night ... which reminds us ... THE NFL SEASON OFFICIALLY STARTS TONIGHT ... AHHHH!!!!!!!!!

We talked to Irvin about the NFL's new deal with the Uber car service -- in which each NFL player gets a $200 credit in an effort to prevent players from getting DUIs.

It's actually an interesting story ... and Irvin thinks it could actually work ... but THE NFL STARTS TONIGHT!!!!!

RAVENS vs. BRONCOS!!!!!

Denver Broncos star linebacker Von Miller was arrested Sunday at a gun club in Colorado ... but his arrest has NOTHING to do with firearms, TMZ has learned.

The 24-year-old All-Pro was trying to enter the Centennial Gun Store and Range just outside of Denver -- and submitted to a routine mandatory background check, as required by everyone looking to shoot at the range.

But the background check revealed a warrant out for Miller's arrest -- which was issued back in January after he failed to appear in court to face multiple traffic violations.

According to law enforcement, Miller had been charged with careless driving, driving without a license and having no proof of insurance back in October 2012.

Miller was taken into custody at the gun shop -- and was hauled to a nearby Sheriff's Dept. where he was booked ... and posed for a mug shot, obtained by TMZ.

Miller was eventually released on a $1,000 bond.

Peyton Manning is OFF-LIMITS in practice ... and any defensive teammate who even thinks about SNEEZING too hard around PM could wind up on a missing persons list ... this according to Von Miller.

The Denver Broncos superstar linebacker -- who signed a $21 million contract in 2011 -- was at the Playboy mansion this week ... when he spelled it out for us -- NO ONE TOUCHES MANNING.

"I have never even touched ... even got CLOSE to Peyton Manning," Miller said ... "We know how important he is to our team. We don't get close to him."

Of course, Manning's not just valuable -- he's fragile -- with serious neck issues.

7/12 -- Ok, look ... we're having a pretty intense convo in the newsroom. We can't really tell our Mannings apart.

Some people think Peyton's the one in the red shirt ... honestly, we can't really tell.

If only they were wearing their Super Bowl rings.

He's already got 2 ringz ... but this week, Eli Manning threw on 2 Chainz ... and gangster'd himself out (along with his brother Peyton) ... for another DirecTV commercial shoot in New Orleans, and TMZ has the pic.

With Eli sporting a red Kanye-inspired jacket and a quasi-mullet ... and Peyton sporting a Jew-fro and Birdman shades ... we're guessing the NFL superstars were doing another one of those goofy spots for Sunday Ticket.

Back in 2011, the two dressed up like cops ... it was hilarious.

More importantly ... you know what this means?? FOOTBALL SEASON IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!

NFL stud Eric Decker and country singer Jessie James flaunted their disgustingly perfect bods on their honeymoon ... and staked their (debatable) claim to the title of hottest married celebs.

Seriously ... Ken and Barbie should bury their heads in the sand.

Just days after tying the knot, Denver Broncos star Eric Decker and country singer Jessie James took their talents to Maui ... and DESTROYED everyone else who dared put on a swimsuit.

Seriously, these people are frickin' beautiful.

The couple married back on June 23 in Colorado after a year-long engagement.

Game's over bitches -- TMZ has already found the most beautiful two people attending the Super Bowl this weekend ... and you'll NEVER guess who they are.

Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker and his country singer fiancee Jessie James touched down last night in New Orleans, where they'll be staying to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday.

Decker's not playing -- obviously -- but that won't stop him and his girl from COMPLETELY OVERSHADOWING every other hot couple expected at the big game ... a list that includes tons of other NFL players, Victoria's Secret models, Hollywood actors, actresses, you name it.

Disagree with our expert opinion? Tell us in the comments section, where you'll still be wrong.

Eli and Peyton Manning's mother will only visit one of her famous sons on turkey day -- and, as far as we're concerned there's only ONE way to choose ... scoooorebooooard!!

Olivia Manning is in a serious jam ... she has two really famous and successful kids ... each living in different parts of the country ... but she can only spend Thanksgiving with one!!!!!

So ... Who. Does. She. Choose?!?!?!!?

Don't worry ... Mrs. Manning doesn't wuss out -- she actually gives an answer.

Peyton Manning is officially a Denver Bronco -- which means Tim Tebow's out of a job.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen just made the announcement alongside Broncos legend John Elway -- a deal worth a reported $96 million over 5 years, making Peyton the highest paid player in the NFL.

John Elway made it clear during the announcement ... the Broncos are NOT a Super Bowl caliber team with Tim Tebow.

Peyton -- who will wear #18 on the team -- said he's unsure about Tim Tebow's future ... but claimed, if Tebow stays with the Broncos next year, "I'm going to be the best teammate I can be."

Elway said a Tebow trade hasn't been discussed with other teams yet -- but admitted it's very possible the Broncos will get rid of him. Elway speculated Tebow was "disappointed" by the announcement -- but Tebow never said it to him. According to Elway, Tebow was very understanding about the Broncos' decision.

The #18 is significant in Broncos history -- it once belonged to famed Broncos QB Frank Tripucka in the 1960s ... and retired with him. Peyton said Frank personally asked Peyton to resurrect his number, so the Broncs UN-RETIRED it just for PM.

Now that the acquisition's official -- the Broncos will be trying to trade Tebow ... though it's unclear where the 24-year-old will be headed.

Several teams have reportedly been in discussions about snagging Tebow -- who led the Broncos on a tumultuous ride through the playoffs last season -- including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.

It's curtains for Tim Tebow in Denver ... 'cause Peyton Manning has reportedly selected the Broncos as his next team.

According to ESPN, Manning is just about ready to close the deal to become the next quarterback of the Broncos ... and Tebow will be traded away as soon as the deal is done.

Story developing ...

Tim Tebow and the Broncos got beat so badly by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots yesterday ... even Jesus is taking shots at Timmy now!

We caught up with Jesus of West Hollywood (real name: Kevin), who did not hesitate to take a cheap shot at his number one fan. He even dropped down on one knee for a little Tebowing.

The Broncos lost 45-10 and Brady outpassed Tebow 363-136. Brady threw six touchdown passes to Tebow's none.