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Draymond Green's mom is justifying her son's actions at Warriors practice last week ... saying he only hit Jordan Poole because he was shoved in the first place.

Mary Babers-Green went to social media to give her two cents on the wild incident ... and essentially put the blame on how Poole handled their interaction, claiming Draymond was not trying to pick a fight.

"That wasn't a Sucker punch," Babers-Green said on Monday. "Dray didn't aggressively go to Poole. His hands were down. Man to Man you go over to talk (to ask what's up, what you say)!"

"Got shoved and reacted," she added. "End of story!"

Mary also believes the incident has been blown out of proportion ... and says the two "can get beyond this."

"Anything is fixable! Everything ain't always what you think you see!"

As we previously reported, Green is taking a few days away from the team after TMZ Sports posted video of the practice punch ... and he has since apologized to the team, Poole and Poole's family.

The punch has been a major topic in the sports world ever since it was released -- but folks appear to be divided on whether or not it was a big deal.

Kenny "The Jet" Smith recently told us violent altercations happen all the time on NBA teams ... calling it nothing but a "scuffle."

Tom Brady is addressing the controversial penalty called in his team's favor during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons ... saying don't blame me, "I don't throw flags, I throw tablets."

"As I said after the game, I don’t throw flags," Brady joked on his "Let's Go!" podcast with Jim Gray. "What I do throw is tablets. I didn’t have one accessible at that time."

Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett was penalized for roughing the passer ... after sacking Brady on a pivotal 3rd and-five play with about 3 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

The call was, umm, let's say ... questionable.

Brady admitted Jarrett wreaked havoc Sunday afternoon, saying, "He was in the backfield all day. He had a hell of a game. I’ll leave it at that.”

If you've watched Tom play long enough, you know tablet-throwing is on brand for the 7x Super Bowl-winning QB ... when things aren't going according to plan (see Saints game this season).

The photographer shoved to the ground by Davante Adams after the Raiders-Chiefs "MNF" game has officially filed a police report against the NFL superstar, claiming he was injured during the incident and had to go to the hospital.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the man went to cops at Arrowhead Stadium at around 10:30 PM -- just moments after Adams had pushed him following the Raiders' 30-29 loss.

Authorities tell us the man claimed he was the victim of an assault. They say he told them he suffered injuries ... though they were "thought to be non-life threatening."

They added that the man was later transported to the hospital.

Cops say they are investigating it all -- and following the completion of the probe, detectives "will coordinate with the applicable city or state prosecutor to determine any applicable charges."

For his part, Adams apologized for his role in the incident -- once at his locker following the game, and then again on Twitter.

"I wanted to say sorry to him for that because that was just frustration mixed with him literally just running in front of me," said the 29-year-old, who signed a five year, $140 million contract with Vegas this offseason. "I shouldn't have responded that way, but that's how I initially responded. So, I want to apologize to him for that."

It's unclear if the NFL is seeking punishment for the wideout.

Brett Favre is finally breaking his silence on his alleged role in the Mississippi welfare funds scandal ... insisting this week, "I have done nothing wrong."

Favre released a lengthy statement to Fox News in order to "set the record straight" -- claiming he had no idea that the funds he was seeking to help build a volleyball facility at Southern Mississippi were intended for those in need.

"No one ever told me, and I did not know, that funds designated for welfare recipients were going to the University or me," the NFL legend said. "I tried to help my alma mater USM, a public Mississippi state university, raise funds for a wellness center. My goal was and always will be to improve the athletic facilities at my university."

As we reported, Favre has been accused of working with government officials to obtain $5 million from Mississippi welfare funds in order to build the venue at his alma mater -- where his daughter played volleyball.

Favre was also accused of pocketing over $1 million in welfare funds for public speaking engagements that he allegedly blew off.

Texts to an official appeared to show Favre knew what he was getting into ... with one reading, "If you were to pay me is there any way the media can find out where it came from and how much?"

Favre's attorney, though, explained to Fox News that simply, "Like most celebrities, he didn't want his source of income to be public."

"He had no idea that the payment came from [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families]," Eric Herschmann said, "and had he known he never would have accepted that money."

Favre added in his statement, "I have been unjustly smeared in the media."

Kenny Smith says Draymond Green violently socking Jordan Poole in a practice last week is a huge nothing burger ... telling TMZ Sports similar incidents will happen "at least twice a year on each team."

We spoke with "The Jet" out at LAX last week shortly after we posted the shocking footage of Green blasting Poole in the middle of a Warriors workout ... and the NBA analyst told us that while it was "uncomfortable" to watch, it's not nearly as serious as some think it is.

"That behavior is uncommon in normal society, without question," Smith said. "However, that behavior happens a lot in sports because of the physicality, the adrenaline, and all those things."

"I thought it was going to be worse when I saw the video. I was like, 'Oh, they just got into a scuffle.'"

The video certainly seems to show far more than that -- in the footage, Green appears to lunge at Poole with full force following a verbal spat ... striking him in the jaw and knocking him to the floor.

Smith, though, insisted fights like these happen all the time in the Association -- including back in his playing days.

"I won two championships with like five guys who fought," said Smith, who won back-to-back titles with the Rockets in 1994 and 1995.

Draymond, meanwhile, addressed his actions on Saturday following the release of the video ... taking accountability for his role in the fight and saying he was stepping away from the team for a few days.

Smith told us he doesn't think the Dubs will ultimately suspend Green for the punch when he gets back, but he did say a fine for the 4-time NBA champ is likely on the horizon.

JuJu Smith-Schuster just arrived to "Monday Night Football" drippin' in vibranium -- he rocked a "Black Panther"-inspired fit ... that was completed with a sick car and some sweet kicks!!!

The Kansas City wideout rolled up to Arrowhead Stadium in a "1-of-1 Black Panther" Lexus ... and when he got out of the ride -- he revealed he was head-to-toe in Wakanda-themed gear.

He had on a black #3 jersey featuring a bunch of nods to the blockbuster flick -- and he also had on a large "Wakanda Forever" jacket.

And, as he said hello to fans who had lined up outside of the stadium to cheer him on, he revealed he's going to play against the Raiders in some 'Black Panther' spikes.

Smith-Schuster is clearly a big fan of the movie franchise -- which will debut its sequel, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," next month -- but he also has some ties to Chadwick Boseman dating back to his Steelers days.

In 2019, Boseman came to then-Heinz Field to see a practice ... and he and Smith-Schuster chatted it up before the receiver hit the gridiron.

Antonio Brown is going way too far with his most recent Twitter antics ... sharing an insensitive image making fun of mental disability on Monday -- and people are pissed.

AB has had zero filter on social media lately ... firing tweets with seemingly no care about the repercussions, including tasteless jokes about Tom Brady's marriage issues with Gisele Bündchen.

34-year-old Brown randomly decided to post the offensive picture just minutes ago ... showing a distorted image of the Arizona Cardinals logo and a modification of the team name that featured the R-word.

"Starting my own Team Sign 🆙" AB said in the tweet.

Of course, not many are laughing at his awful attempt at humor ... and made sure to let him know in the replies.

In fact, some users are even comparing AB's actions to Kanye West, who was recently criticized for preaching "White Lives Matter" over the past week -- leading Brown to add, "All Lives Matter" in a post of his own.

"are you and kanye in some kinda competition?" the user said of the newest post ... while another pleaded, "you gotta just get off social media bro."

Highlighter green's out ... neon pink's in -- and, it's all for a great cause!!!

The Oregon Ducks announced Monday they're ditching their traditional uniforms for next weekend's home game against UCLA ... in order to pay homage to Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The kit has been dubbed "Stomp Out Cancer" by the school ... and the jerseys are sweet!

The numbers are colored-in pink ... as are most of the accents, including the school's logos.

The wings on the helmets, meanwhile, will also feature a similar shade of pink ... and the Ducks' gloves, cleats and wristbands will have the color all over them, too.

Of course, Oregon has become known for its bold jersey choices over the years -- and in fact, it was one of the first schools to ever douse its uniforms in pink for October.

Back in the Marcus Mariota days, Oregon had a few variations for the month ... including a hot-pink helmet.

Gisele Bündchen is trying to feel better after separating from her husband Tom Brady ... visiting a spiritual healer to get back on track.

The supermodel paid Dr. Ewa a return visit Friday in Florida, sporting a prayer necklace and carrying a box from Amazon on her way into her spiritual intervention.

Ewa came armed with some Tupperware filled with yellow soup, and two cups.

Again, no wedding ring for Gisele ... she hasn't been spotted wearing it recently, but we should note -- she rarely wore the thing even before leaving Tom.

TMZ broke the story ... Gisele recently separated from Tom, declaring their marriage was over. She's been threatening to divorce him several times over the years, with football as the core issue.

Gisele's living in Miami while Tom plays another NFL season in Tampa ... and we've seen her hitting the gym a lot, even taking her kids to a workout amid her search for a divorce lawyer.

The Matt Rhule era in Carolina is over -- the Panthers just announced they're parting ways with their head coach after a 1-4 start.

It's no secret -- the Panthers have been a mess so far this season ... and have really struggled during Rhule's tenure, going 5-11 and 5-12 in his first two years on the sidelines.

The decision comes just weeks after Panthers owner David Tepper said the organization would be "patient" with Rhule.

The Panthers lost 37-15 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday ... and after the game, he was questioned about his job security.

"I've got nothing to say about that now, just here to talk about the game today," Rhule said. "Would never want to make this about me."

Rhule had four years left on his $62 million deal ... but it was clear the organization felt it was time to make a change ASAP.

Prior to the Panthers, Rhule was the head coach Baylor University, where he turned the program around. In his first year the team went 1-11. In 2018, his second year, they went 7-6. Then, in 2019, the team, ranked as high as 7th in the nation, went 11-3, and played in the Big 12 Championship.

He won the Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year Award in 2019, which is voted on by fellow coaches.

Before Baylor, Rhule coached at Temple ... going 28-23 and bringing success back to the program.

Steve Wilks will serve as interim head coach.

If anyone knows about surviving a shooting, it's 50 Cent ... that's why the rap legend shouted out Commanders RB Brian Robinson on social media,  celebrating the 3rd round draft pick for playing just six weeks after he was shot twice.

"That s**t ain’t stop nothing, 👀when God has bigger plans it’s just a bump in the road. @b.robinson_4 right back in action 💪🏽," 50 wrote on Instagram Monday morning.

50, of course, was famously shot 9 times in 2000 ... and miraculously survived.

23-year-old Robinson returned to the field on Sunday ... after being shot in his butt and leg on August 28th. The Commanders lost to the Titans, 21-17, but Robinson ran the ball 9 times for 22 yards.

Robinson -- who had surgery after the shooting -- was medically cleared to play last week ... but the team wanted to give the rookie ball carrier a little extra time to heal.

It was well worth the wait for fans ... who were clearly pumped to see Robinson. When he ran onto the field before kickoff, he received one of the loudest ovations.

After the game, someone on the internet put Fif's song "Many Men" -- largely about his shooting -- to video of Robinson running onto the field for the first time ... and it's pretty damn cool.

Bronny James is following in his father's footsteps and joining the Nike family -- the high school hoops star just inked an NIL deal with the shoe giant.

Nike made the announcement just minutes ago ... saying the 18-year-old Sierra Canyon baller is one of five high school prospects who recently signed Name, Image and Likeness endorsements with the Swoosh.

It was a no-brainer to get Bronny on board -- especially considering Nike and LeBron James have been attached at the hip since he was drafted in 2003 ... and collaborated on 20 signature shoes together.

The other student-athletes getting NIL deals include Caitlin Clark, Haley Jones, Juju Watkins, and DJ Wagner, son of ex-NBAer Dajuan Wagner.

Wagner is considered one of the best hoopers in the class of 2023 -- and is listed #1 on ESPN's Top 100 players.

There's a good chance Bronny takes his talents to Columbus to play at Ohio State next season ... which just so happens to be a Nike school.

The Texans are giving their fans a chance to sever ties with Deshaun Watson once and for all -- announcing a jersey exchange program that will allow people to ditch their old #4 unis for other players.

Houston CEO Cal McNair announced the event Monday morning ... explaining that for just this week, Texans supporters can swap their Watson jerseys at the NRG Stadium team store for a new set of threads at a steep discount.

McNair and the Texans never mention Watson by name in promoting the swap -- but they made it very apparent the whole thing stems from fans clamoring for a way to dispose of the #4 attire.

The photo the team used for the flier contains a #4 jersey. The discount on the new jersey is 44%. And, in the caption on McNair's video, one fan points out it's looking to get rid of the jersey of "one particular player."

Technically, the Texans say any player the team acquired from 2017 to 2021 is eligible for the promotion ... but check out the list of names -- it's clear Watson is the only jersey people are jumping through these hoops for.

Of course, Watson and the Texans unceremoniously parted ways earlier this year -- following allegations that the star quarterback had been sexually inappropriate with multiple female massage therapists.

LeBron James went full Sicko Mode for Bronny's big 18th birthday party ... losing his mind and dancing during Travis Scott's surprise performance -- and it was LIT!!

The James Gang pulled out all the stops for the Sierra Canyon hooper's celebration ... renting out Harriet's Rooftop bar in West Hollywood for all his friends.

The highlight of the night came when La Flame grabbed the mic and performed for the crowd  ... doing his biggest hits like "Butterfly Effect," "goosebumps" and "Sicko Mode."

King James and Bronny were clearly feeling the show ... rapping along and jumping up and down.

It's another step forward for Scott ... who has slowly made his return to performing after the Astroworld Festival tragedy in November 2021.

While most ragers tend to include alcohol, word is all drinks were kid-friendly (maybe in 3 years, Bronny) ... and there was plenty of pizza and ice cream to go around, according to Daily Mail.

Rapper SoFaygo also took the mic at the party ... with Bronny standing on stage with him throughout his set.

LeBron gave a special tribute to Bronny on Thursday ... saying, "I'm so proud of the young man you've become kid!" he said.

"Continue to be YOU throughout your journey because it's simply better that way! And I'll be right beside you whenever/however needed! Love you Young 🤴🏾"

The Tampa Bay Lightning have suspended Ian Cole ... after the defenseman was accused of grooming and sexually abusing a woman when she was a minor, the team announced Sunday.

"Our organization takes these allegations very seriously," Lightning officials said in a statement. "While we continue to gather more details, we have decided to suspend Ian Cole pending the results of an investigation."

"No members of the organization, including players, will comment further at this time."

On Friday, an anonymous Twitter user posted a lengthy statement alleging that Cole had emotionally and sexually abused her when she was in high school.

The accuser claimed Cole "was very well aware of my age and that I was a teen in high school," and said the hockey player had pressured her to have sex with him and to "do things without my consent, that I had made clear to him I was not ok with."

Cole -- who's played in the NHL for 15 seasons -- adamantly denied the allegations in a statement released Sunday night.

"I take the allegations made against me today in an anonymous tweet very seriously," he said.

"I completely deny these allegations and will fully cooperate with the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning, their offices, and legal departments in the forthcoming investigation."

According to ESPN, the suspension is considered paid leave.

A little boy who ran onto the field during an NFL game Sunday was grabbed by a security guard and slammed to the turf ... all while Tom Brady looked on from just feet away.

The incident happened early in the Buccaneers' game against the Falcons in Tampa Bay ... when a 10-year-old hopped the stadium railing and sprinted onto the playing surface.

The kid -- wearing a Brady shirt -- made it several yards down the sideline ... juking stadium workers who were trying to stop him.

Eventually, however, one staffer grabbed a hold of him and tackled him to the ground. Video shot by a fan in the stands shows the kid being taken down with force.

Authorities then slapped cuffs on the child, before hauling him into a holding area inside the stadium.

A spokesperson for the Tampa Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports the boy was issued a civil citation, given notice to appear in court ... and then released.

This is the second time in less than a week that a field invader has caused a scene at an NFL game ... last Monday, a smoke-bomb-toting protester was slammed by Rams star Bobby Wagner in the middle of "Monday Night Football" against the 49ers. He filed a police report over the incident. The case is ongoing.