Jets' Quinnen Williams Arrested ... Brought Gun To Airport

UPDATE

8:05 AM PT -- Williams' attorney, Alex Spiro, says in a statement the arrest all stemmed from a "technical issue."

UPDATE

"Mr. Williams respects and follows the law," Spiro said. "There was allegedly a technical issue with the manner in which the lawfully owned firearm was stored -- and we expect the matter to be resolved shortly."

UPDATE

6:48 AM PT -- The Jets just released a statement on Williams' arrest, saying, "We have been in contact with Quinnen Williams and are fully aware of the situation."

UPDATE

"We will have no additional comment as this is a pending legal matter."

UPDATE

6:10 AM PT -- Sources tell TMZ Sports the gun was NOT loaded ... but one 15-round high capacity magazine was discovered in the luggage he was checking.

UPDATE

We're told Williams was headed to Birmingham, AL.

New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams was arrested at LaGuardia on Thursday ... cops tell TMZ Sports the former 1st-round pick brought a gun to the airport.

Law enforcement sources tell us Williams was going through a security checkpoint at around 9:15 PM ET when TSA agents scanned his luggage and found a Glock 19.

The way it was put to us ... Quinnen told officials he believed he could carry the gun into New York legally ... since the 22-year-old does have an Alabama permit for the firearm.

But, after authorities explained to the 6'3", 303-pound NFL player he had to have an NY permit to carry there ... they arrested him on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon.

We're told Williams was issued a summons ... and will be forced to appear in court later this month.

Quinnen was a MASSIVE star coming out of the Univ. of Alabama ... he was the No. 3 pick by the Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Williams played in 13 games for NY this past season -- starting nine of them -- and he recorded 2.5 sacks with 28 combined tackles.

Originally Published -- 5:53 AM PT

Antonio Cromartie Blasts Adam Gase ... Jets Should Hire Chiefs' OC Instead!!!

Antonio Cromartie
WRONG FIT
TMZSports.com

Antonio Cromartie says Adam Gase has NO future with the Jets ... telling TMZ Sports if he were running his old team, he'd fire the guy ASAP for Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy!!

Cromartie made the bold statement when we got him out in Miami recently ... and he did NOT mince words when it came to his feelings about AG.

As for why he dislikes the guy so much ... Cromartie says the way Gase treated Le'Veon Bell during the season speaks volumes about his capabilities as a head coach.

"We don't give our running back the ball in the second half of a game," Cromartie says. "It just shows you that you're trying to say that you don't need him."

Cromartie says he would have cut bait with Gase after the season ... but says the Jets are stuck with Gase for at least the 2020 season since they didn't move on from him in January.

As for Cromartie's choice for a Gase replacement ... he tells us Andy Reid's offensive coordinator in Kansas City is the perfect man for Gang Green.

"I would go get Eric Bieniemy," Antonio says.

The ex-defensive back also spoke with us about the Rooney Rule ... and says NFL officials are really failing their minority coaching candidates by not revamping the rule.

Le'Veon Bell I Don't Hate Gase ... I Swear!!!

Le'Veon Bell
GOIN' WITH THE FLOW
TMZSports.com

Le'Veon Bell says he has absolutely NO beef with his head coach Adam Gase ... and tells TMZ Sports he wants to play for the NY Jets for AT LEAST the next few years!!

"Me and coach Gase had our exit meeting," Bell says. "It was fine, so we straight. Yeah, we good."

Of course, it's unclear if his team feels the same way -- there are a ton of rumors casting a shadow on Bell's future in the Big Apple ... and most of them stem from reports Gase doesn't like Le'Veon.

It was reported last off-season Gase had no desire to sign Bell to his huge contract ... and, in December, the coach didn't seem thrilled about the idea of bringing the RB back in 2020.

But when we got Bell out at Unique Rides pop-up in Miami (a sick custom car shop where Bell's brother is opening a new Midwest location soon), he told us he thinks everything is fine with the Jets.

"Everybody blowing everything out of proportion," Bell says. "Water under the bridge -- we're fine. We good ... Jets for four more years unless something drastic changes."

As for what Bell is doing to blow off the steam of all the rumors ... he's been focused on his rap career -- releasing his "Catch Me If You Can" album this month.

In fact, the 27-year-old even put on a performance at Rockwell Nightclub on Monday night to celebrate the release ... and we're told clubgoers LOVED his new music!

020420_leveon_bell_4725063 :: 0_79c242da :: 0_x3bdkcxn
CLUB RAPPIN'
Rockwell

Le'Veon Bell's Teammate Jets RB Is 'Real Deal' ... Don't Cut Him!!!

Brandon Copeland
PLAY IT SMART
TMZSports.com

Cutting Le'Veon Bell would be a HUGE mistake for the Jets ... so says his teammate Brandon Copeland, who tells TMZ Sports the RB is "the real deal!!!"

"He made a lot from nothing this past year," the NY linebacker says.

Bell has been in an awkward situation with his head coach, Adam Gase, ever since the ex-Steelers star inked a monster $52.5 MILLION deal to sign with NY this past off-season.

Gase was reportedly upset over paying an RB that much cash ... and at a press conference at the end of this season, Adam didn't exactly seem stoked about the idea of bringing Bell back in 2020.

All of it has led to trade rumors and even speculation that Bell could be cut this off-season ... but when we got Copeland out in NYC on Wednesday, he said that shouldn't be on the Jets' table at all.

"Everybody's going to talk," Copeland says. "But you keep one of the best running backs in the game right now. He's a good dude. He's working hard."

As for what Brandon's up to this offseason ... the 28-year-old tells us he's still teaching finance classes -- and he even offered up some great cash advice for future NFL rookies!

Le'Veon Bell Refusing NFL's HGH Drug Tests No More 'Dirty Ass Needles'

Le'Veon Bell is sick and tired of the NFL's "random" drug testing -- and says he refuses to cooperate anymore because he's sick of being poked with "those dirty ass needles."

"I done had 5 'random' HGH blood test in 10 weeks," the NY Jets running back posted on Twitter ... "I’m not doing another after today."

"Whatever y’all lookin for it obviously ain’t there & I’m not about to keep allowing y’all to stick me with those dirty ass needles."

He continued, "Find the players who really do that HGH BS & get off me."

Of course, Bell isn't the first high profile player to complain about the NFL's drug-testing policy ... back in 2018, Eric Reid said he was forced to undergo 7 "random" drug tests in just 3 months after signing with the Carolina Panthers.

For its part, the NFL insists the process is legit and fair and no specific players are targeted.

It'll be interesting to see if Bell changes his tune when the NFL drug testers come calling for a 6th test.

Ex-Jets Player Mark Gastineau I Was Raped as a Kid

Former Jets star Mark Gastineau says he was raped as a child for years.

The ex-defensive end -- a five-time pro-bowler who played for the team between 1979 and 1988 -- made the shocking revelation this weekend to the NY Post after emerging cancer-free following a years-long battle with stage 3 colon cancer and several rounds of treatment.

He told the outlet that his sexual abuse started at age 11 and continued until he was 14, allegedly at the hands of what he describes as a Mexican farmworker on his family farm in Arizona. He says the guy was his own father's "right hand" on the 80-acre ranch.

Despite holding in the story for years, Gastineau didn't say he doesn't attribute any off-field trouble he found back in the day -- including assault and drug abuse problems -- to the trauma he experienced as a child, which he didn't elaborate on much with the Post.

Gastineau says he'll get more into the details in a memoir he plans to publish soon. Apparently, he's currently working with a ghostwriter on his book.

Jamal Adams Calls Out Jets GM 'You Went Behind My Back'

NY Jets safety Jamal Adams says he was double-crossed by the team's general manager Joe Douglas -- who allegedly "went behind my back" to try to deal him to another team.

Adams was on the trade block before Tuesday's NFL deadline -- but ultimately, the team couldn't make a deal. The Dallas Cowboys and the Ravens were each reportedly making a serious run at the 24-year-old.

After the trade deadline passed, Adams went to social media to blast his team ... saying he was NOT the driving factor behind the potential trade. In fact, Adams says he told Jets officials he wanted to stay.

"Any reports of me asking to be traded from the New York Jets are completely false," Adams said.

But, here's where things turn nasty ...

"At the end of the week last week, I sat down with the GM and Coach Gase and told them I want to be here in New York. I was told yesterday by my agent that the GM then went behind my back and shopped me around to teams, even after I asked him to keep me here! Crazy business."

That obviously leaves both Adams and the Jets in a pretty awkward situation -- can you imagine what practice is gonna be like tomorrow?

Adams is one of the few bright spots on the 2019 Jets -- he's blossomed into an absolute stud after being selected with the 6th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

He's still in his rookie deal, and is pretty much locked up in NY until 2022 if the Jets want to keep him.

So, how do the Jets make things right with Adams? Who knows ... might be irreparably damaged.

Stay tuned ...

George R.R. Martin 'I'll Finish 'Game Of Thrones' Books Before Jets or Giants Win Super Bowl!!!

George RR Martin
GAME OF THROWS
TMZSports.com

Good news, bad news for "Game of Thrones" fans!!!

The Good News ... author George R.R. Martin is finally giving a timetable on when he plans to finish the final two books from his "A Song of Ice and Fire" saga!!!

The Bad News ... George says they'll come out BEFORE the NY Jets or Giants win another Super Bowl -- so it could be a while!!!

Of course, Martin is a HUGE NY football fan -- he blogs about both teams -- but he's REALLY down on the Jets and Giants at the moment because, well, they suck!!!

But, don't get too upset NY fans ... Martin tells us he's actually warming up to the Giants' infamous Daniel Jones pick!!! So, that's a start!!!

Now, get back to writing ... we're waiting to hear what really happens to Arya!!!

Jets' Jamal Adams Fine For Hitting Baker Overturned ... 'HA HA!'

New York Jets safety Jamal Adams was dancing his face off Thursday ... 'cause the league overturned his fine for hitting Baker Mayfield -- AND HE WAS STOKED!!!

Back in Week 2 ... Jamal laid a questionable hit on the Browns quarterback -- and the superstar defender was PISSED after he was fined for it.

Jamal called it "bullsh*t" and appealed it ... and after he won this week -- he did a little victory dance and rubbed it in to reporters!!!

"HA HA!!!" Adams said. "I told ya'll, if you just listen to me, I'm going to be completely honest, and I'm going to tell you straight up, I knew I was going to win it."

Adams -- who's KILLING It for NY this season -- said he's gonna do some big things with the fresh $21k that was returned to him for winning the appeal ... saying a gift for Mom is now on the way!!!

“I can spend that lovely money on my mother – for her birthday so, you know, I’m excited.”

Congrats!!

Alaska Airlines Coach Passenger Who Demanded First-Class Restroom Arrested

An Alaska Airlines passenger flying coach was arrested by federal authorities after he went nuclear because he was blocked from using the first-class bathroom.
RESTROOM RANT
TMZ.com

An Alaska Airlines passenger flying coach was arrested by federal authorities after he went nuclear because he was blocked from using the first-class bathroom.

The man wearing a Jets jersey was on a flight Thursday from JFK to LAX, when he got super frustrated over the long line for a coach head.

He ranted, "By making 7 people wait here to use the bathroom while the whole bathroom up there is empty, it's wrong."

The pilot got on the horn and tried to cajole the passenger -- who was decked out in a Jets jersey and matching hat -- to sit down ... to no avail. That's when the man allegedly threatens to kill the pilot and others onboard.

The plane made an emergency landing in Kansas City and passengers cheered as the guy was removed from the plane and taken into custody.

Unclear if he'll be charged.

Sam Darnold Viral Sign Girl Did Not Give Me Mono Never Met Her, I Swear!!!

You know that hot chick who says she gave Sam Darnold mono??? The NY Jets QB is setting the record straight -- saying he's never met the woman in his life, let alone swapped spit with her!!!

You've seen the pic by now ... a v attractive Jets fan made light of Darnold having the kissing disease during NY's Monday Night Football match-up with the Browns ... holding up a sign that read "I gave Darnold mono."

Of course, for obvious reasons, the claim didn't seem so far-fetched ... so everyone had fun with it.

But Darnold just *had* to play the role of party pooper on Tuesday ... addressing the viral girl's claim on the 'Michael Kay Show' on ESPN.

"I know there was a sign also at the game that some girl claims she gave it to me ... I've never seen that girl in my life. So, I'd just like to set the record straight on that."

BOOOOOOOOO. That's no fun, Sam.

FWIW -- TMZ Sports spoke with the woman (who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity) ... and she says it was all a joke, too ... so case closed.

We're just gonna pretend neither side ever said anything. It's much more fun that way.

Saquon Barkley To Dissed Fan ... Come To A Giants Game, Bro!!!

Saquon Barkley is jumping in to save the day for a dissed Giants fan ... he just invited the little kid who was roasted by DeMarcus Lawrence to a game in November!!!

11-year-old Kamil Bautista -- a NY fan living in McAllen, Texas -- drove 9 hours with his family to watch the Cowboys play the Giants in Dallas last weekend.

But, after the game when he was searching for autographs from players outside the stadium ... Lawrence blew him off, telling him his Barkley jersey was the wrong team!!!

DeMarcus Lawrence
RIVALRY RUNS DEEP

TMZ Sports spoke with Kamil's father, Jorge Bautista, who told us the whole situation sucked ... and said Jerry Jones should sit down with Lawrence to explain to him that wasn't right.

Jorge Bautista
IT WAS THE RIGHT SHIRT
TMZSports.com

Well, Barkley saw the whole situation ... and guess what??? HE WANTS TO HANG OUT WITH THE KID NOW!!!

Sources close to the situation tell us Barkley reached out to the Bautistas this week and invited them to their Nov. 10 game against the Jets in New York.

We're told Barkley is flying them out and will give them a meet-and-greet experience as well as VIP treatment at MetLife Stadium.

Oh, and we're told the kid will almost certainly get some autographs from the team too!!!

Pretty cool move by the Giants superstar ... props to the tailback for making it happen!!!

NY Jets' Chris Herndon Suspended 4 Games ... After DUI Crash Case Conviction

NY Jets TE Chris Herndon -- who had a breakout rookie campaign last year -- will be banned 4 games this season after he pled guilty in his DUI crash case, the NFL announced.

Herndon was lucky to be alive after cops say the 22-year-old smashed into another car on a New Jersey highway on June 2, 2018 after he was speeding at more than 100 mph.

TMZ Sports obtained footage from the aftermath of the crash ... and you can see Herndon's 2018 Nissan Armada nearly rolled over wrongside up.

071618_chris_herndon_aftermath_kal
CRASH AFTERMATH
TMZSports.com

To make matters worse, 23-year-old Herndon bombed field sobriety tests ... and he was arrested for DUI at the scene.

Chris fought the charge in court throughout the Jets' season last year ... but eventually cut a deal with prosecutors and pled guilty in the case.

Herndon was sentenced to complete 12 hours of an intoxicated driver education program. Plus, his driver's license was revoked for 90 days. He was also hit with $639 in fines and fees.

Now, the NFL has weighed in with their punishment, hitting the guy with a 4-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the initial ban was supposed to be 2 games ... but after a woman at the scene claimed the crash caused her bodily harm, the NFL upped it to 4.

Herndon -- who caught 39 passes for 502 yards and 4 TDs last season -- is expected to be a key contributor to the Jets this season when he returns from the ban.

Le'Veon Bell The Jewelry Heist 911 Call ... Suspects Were Naked!

0620-leveon-bell-tmz-01
911 AUDIO
TMZSports.com

The two suspects who allegedly stole half a MILLION dollars worth of stuff from Le'Veon Bell were 2 women he left naked in bed earlier in the day ... this according to the Jets star himself.

In 911 audio obtained by TMZ Sports ... Bell tells dispatch on May 25 two women stole "clothes, shoes, money and my jewelry" in a burglary at his Hollywood, Florida home.

When dispatch asks for a description of the females ... Le'Veon says he can't say what they were wearing -- because when he left them earlier in the day, they were naked in his bed!!!

Of course, according to the police report, Bell describes the two as his "girlfriends" ... so seems the NFL superstar at least had a solid start to the day ...

"When I left, [one of the women] was in the bed," Bell said on the 911 call ... "She was in the bed, not wearing clothes when I left. So, I didn't see her. You know what I'm saying."

And the other lady ... "She was in the bed too. They didn't have clothes on."

Bell says in the 911 call the women stole his watch, his jewelry and "a couple more things of value out of my house" ... and estimated everything they took was worth around $1 MILLION.

Police eventually determined the value of the jewelry Le'Veon lost was $520,000. As we previously reported, one of the items that was taken is a diamond Black Panther pendant.

Unclear if Bell has been able to get his stuff back -- or if the suspects have been caught. The Hollywood PD tells us the investigation is still ongoing and "no update yet."

We've also reached out to the Jets for comment, but so far, no word back.

Le'Veon Bell Black Panther Chain Stolen ... $500k Jewelry Heist

Le'Veon Bell lost more than HALF A MILLION dollars in jewelry-- including his beloved Black Panther chain -- after 2 of his female friends allegedly swiped his belongings from his Florida home last month.

According to Hollywood PD ... the NY Jets running back came home from a gym workout on May 25 and noticed some things were missing -- his 2 gold and diamond chains, a Rolex watch, the Black Panther pendent ... as well as the 2 girls who were chilling at his house.

The valuables are worth $520,000 in total.

Sources tell us Le'Veon -- who just signed a 4-year, $52.5 million deal with the Jets back in March -- made his new team aware of the theft after the incident occurred.

Story developing ...

Rob Gronkowski Acting Advice ... From Ex-NFL Star Thomas Jones!!!

050619_thomas_jones_kal
FULL-TIME COMMITMENT
TMZ.com

Rob Gronkowski will NOT be successful transitioning from the NFL to Hollywood if he doesn't take it seriously ... so says ex-NFL star Thomas Jones -- who says the move is hard as hell!!!

Of course, TJ knows first-hand what it takes to go from on-the-field stud to on-the-screen star ... he spent 12 years in the league before becoming a respected actor.

And, he tells us the only way Gronk is going to have similar success is if he truly devotes himself.

"Just commit yourself to the industry, man," Jones says of his advice to the future Hall of Fame tight end ... "You can't really halfway do this. You have to really, really buy into it."

The reason? Jones says football players have to train themselves to be "inhumane" to be a beast on the field ... but acting requires more vulnerability.

In fact, Jones says he took acting classes for 4 YEARS to get that all down ... saying, "I took the craft seriously."

The good news for Gronk? Jones says the ex-Patriot will be a natural once he decides to put all his energy into it.

"He's got some great relationships. He's got a big personality. I know people will be ready to work with him."