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Ex-NFL star Arian Foster says Beto O'Rourke isn't some flash in the pan viral video star -- he's WAY more impressive than that NFL kneeling video shows ... and that's saying A LOT.

O'Rourke is running for senator in Texas against Ted Cruz -- and his popularity exploded last week after footage surfaced showing him explaining why he supports the NFL kneelers.

Foster -- who played for the Houston Texans and still lives there -- went out and met with O'Rourke last week because they had a mutual friend and he wanted to see what Beto was all about.

Important to note that Foster doesn't identify himself with ANY political party -- but says he's decided to throw his support behind Beto after hearing his policy ideas ... ideas that are specifically beneficial to the black community.

"He's for criminal justice reform. He's for accountability for police officers ... even deeper than that, some of the things he wants to do with education, he wants to fund inner city schools."

Foster noted, "He's extremely to the point. He answers your questions and it's substantive."

Arian also says he's 100% in agreement with Beto when it comes to his stance on the NFL kneelers -- agreeing that players trying to shine a spotlight on injustice are acting in a patriotic fashion.

As Beto said in his viral speech -- "I can think of nothing more American than to peacefully stand up, or take a knee, for your rights, anytime, anywhere, any place."

Tons of athletes besides Arian are also supporting Beto after seeing that video -- including LeBron James and Reggie Bush.

Meanwhile, Ted Cruz has attacked Beto over the speech -- saying Beto's views are disrespectful to U.S. military personnel and are not in sync with the majority of Texans.

Arian acknowledges that is was risky for Beto to take such a strong stand on the anthem issue -- but says he respects O'Rourke even more for doing so.

"Really it's like a make or break for him honestly. Because this is a red state, Texas, and you have some people who love that, and some people who hate that."

Louis C.K. has every right to return to stand-up comedy, with one major caveat ... something that was missing from his surprise set in NYC ... according to a fellow comedian.

Melinda Hill's response to Louis' Sunday night appearance included #MeTooSoon ... and the hashtag has caught fire during the debate about the disgraced comedian. Still, Melinda tells us she's actually not against C.K. getting back onstage.

She even understands his desire to perform again, but believes he needs to do more penance before peers and fans fully accept him back into the fold.

Melinda says Louis' statement -- admitting the sexual misconduct allegations were true -- was missing a simple, "I'm sorry." He reportedly did not say those words Sunday night at the Comedy Cellar, either -- and she says she wants to hear that first.

Shonda Rhimes' daughter knows the value of a dollar -- 'cause she earned every penny during a single appearance on mom's hit show, "Scandal," this year.

TMZ has obtained 16-year-old Harper Rhimes' contract for her cameo role in the series finale back in Spring, and she raked in $1,089 for the one day of work.

By the way, she had about 30 seconds of screen time in the episode ... that's a pretty sweet rate. By the way, Harper's contract has to be filed in court because she's under 18.

Harper's role as Girl #1 came in the closing moments of the big finale. She's one of the kids walking through a museum, and looking at an oil painting of Olivia Pope.

This scene -- which, according to the contract, was shot on March 16 -- appears to be an homage to the viral photo from 2 weeks earlier of a young girl looking at Michelle Obama's portrait in the National Portrait gallery.

Considering it was a non-speaking role ... Harper's cool grand is a pretty sweet allowance.

Donald Trump learned what a red card was for on Tuesday ... and POTUS waited about 2 seconds to use it on the White House reporters!

The playful ejections all went down in the Oval Office, where D.T. played host to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for a celebration of North America landing the 2026 World Cup.

Gianni gifted #45 with his own personalized futbol jersey ... and then brought out the referee cards -- and the exchange that ensued between the two was as hilarious as it was predictable.

"In soccer, we have referees. And they have cards," Infantino explained.

"Yellow cards and red cards. Yellow card is a warning, and when you want to kick out someone, this one right here."

Trump couldn't grab the red card fast enough ... nearly chucking it at the media assembled in the Oval Office!!

Maura Tierney appeared feeble and frail a day after her scary cycling accident where a car hit her on the road ... but the good news is that she's on her feet and walking.

"The Affair" star was spotted Tuesday walking gingerly with assistance as she headed down some steps. Maura's left arm was wrapped almost entirely with a protective bandage, presumably covering up an injury suffered Monday in Marina del Rey.

She was seen later walking around the block under her own power.

TMZ broke the story ... the former "ER" star's back wheel was clipped by a car while riding near the ocean. She was sent flying to the ground and was eventually transported to the hospital. She was released with no major injuries, but you can tell she's still feeling it.

Cops say they don't believe alcohol or drugs were a factor. The driver even stayed on the scene while Maura was being treated.

Cardi B meant no offense to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when she played his wife in a comedy skit ... according to comedian Rip Micheals, who wrote and produced it.

Rip tells us he's seen the backlash against Cardi for the 'Real Housewives of the Civil Rights Movement' bit -- and he feels it's unfair for a couple reasons.

First, he says he and his team of writers -- not Cardi -- came up with the material, which includes several jokes about MLK's infidelity. He also thinks it's wrong for critics to go after Cardi because she's not black. Rip points out King wanted equal rights for ALL people.

As for his MLK's family being offended, in particular his daughter, Bernice King, Rip's apologizing and says that simply wasn't his intent.

2:19 PM PT -- The report also contains text messages from Shelley to Urban Meyer on the night he fired Zach Smith (7/23) ... in which Shelley says she's worried about Zach's "response."

"He drinks a lot and I am just not sure how stable he will be. Afraid he will do something dangerous. It's obvious he has anger/rage issues already."

It begs the question ... if Shelley and Urban truly believed Zach was such a dangerous person, why was he allowed to stay on the OSU coaching staff for so long??

Urban Meyer's wife, Shelley, texted Courtney Smith -- expressing serious concerns about her husband, Zach Smith ... saying point blank, "He scares me."

The text exchange between Shelley and Courtney are included in the Ohio State investigation report into the football coach's mishandling of Zach, who was a WR coach for the Buckeyes.

The exact date of the text message exchange that was handed over to investigators is unclear -- but it was AFTER she filed for divorce from Zach and BEFORE it was finalized.

Zach was clearly still a member of the OSU coaching staff at the time.

Shelley initiated the conversation saying, "Hi courtney- I think about you very often- how are you and the kids? I am so sick that you have to suffer with this crap- so young. I am so so sorry."

Remember, Courtney has said she told Shelley Meyer about the alleged physical abuse she had suffered at the hands of Zach over the years ... and was upset neither Urban nor OSU took any action against him.

Courtney texted back to Shelley that she was "hanging in there" and added, "It's not your fault. I should have left a long time ago. Leaving was the best thing for me and the kids ya know? Just want the divorce final so I'm not walking on egg shells anymore."

Shelley replied, "I am with you! A lot of women stay hoping it will get better. I don't blame you! But just want U to be safe. Do you have restraining order? He scares me."

The text message exchange was first reported by Brett McMurphy, who broke open the entire Zach Smith scandal.

Also in Tuesday's document dump … an anonymous rehab facility worker claims Smith was ordered to participate in a 10-day treatment for multiple substance abuse addictions in 2015 – as well as receive a sex addiction evaluation – but he left after just 4 days.

1:33 PM PT -- Martin Luther King III, Dr. King's eldest son, tells us he's upset about the timing of the skit's release -- on the "I Have a Dream" anniversary -- and because it distracts from several more important issues. He also says Cardi missed the mark on his mother.

11:08 AM PT -- It seems Cardi B was quick on the uptake, because Bernice King just tweeted that Cardi B has already reached out to her.

9:30 AM PT -- Dr. Bernice King -- the youngest child of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King -- has responded to Cardi's portrayal of her mother, calling it "repulsive" and "false" ... and very, very badly timed. Tuesday is the 55th anniversary of MLK's March on Washington where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Bernice says Cardi is using a platform that her parents made possible in an atrocious way. She wants to talk to Cardi face-to-face.

Cardi B playing Coretta Scott King will be the most unforgettable and hilarious thing you see today -- it will also be the most inappropriate. Guaranteed.

Cardi stepped into the role of Martin Luther King Jr.'s late wife for a skit called "Real Housewives of the Civil Rights Movement." Yes, she went there ... spilling tea with Rosa Parks and the wives of Malcolm X and Jesse Jackson. There's also a jaw-dropping "Iggy Azalea" sighting.

You gotta watch, but fair warning ... there are multiple references to MLK's infamous infidelities, and even the trip to Memphis, where he was assassinated.

The sketch is part of "Wild 'N Out" star Rip Michaels' new show, "Off the Rip." As we told you, it also features Cardi delivering "Ho Etiquette" jokes that some call racist.

Look, it ain't gonna win an NAACP Image Award, but where else ya gonna see Cardi/Coretta drop the line ... "All these hussies wanna sleep with my huuusband!"?

Alexis Bellino is officially back on the market ... 'cause the former 'Real Housewives of OC' star just finalized her divorce with now ex-husband Jim.

Alexis and her former fling, Jim, filed docs in California Monday officially signifying their marriage is a wrap.

TMZ broke the story ... Jim filed for divorce in June, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple married on April 16, 2005.

It's the second divorce for Alexis, who joined 'Real Housewives' in season 5 before leaving the show in 2013. She married her college sweetheart in 2002, and they split in 2004.

Jim is also going after 'RHOC' stars Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador ... filing a lawsuit against the women last month and suing for more than $1 million in damages for allegedly lying about his trampoline business and calling his divorce fake.

Ex-MLB star Luis Gonzalez says the moment he was asked to be a pallbearer for John McCain was one of the highest honors of his life ... but admits it was weird, since McCain was still alive at the time.

Gonzalez will be one of the 6 men selected to carry McCain's casket at his funeral on Thursday -- and tells TMZ Sports the late Arizona senator had been planning out the event for months.

"I've known for a while," Gonzales tells us ... "[McCain's team] had contacted me a while back, a few months back to ask if I'd be willing to be a pallbearer."

"First of all, it's an honor. And secondly, he was still living at the time so it was a strange request."

Gonzo and McCain have been friends since the days Luis played for the Arizona Diamondbacks -- they would text, talk on the phone and attend events together.

Luis says he was always impressed with McCain's knowledge and enthusiasm for sports -- noting he never wanted to sit in VIP suites in stadiums, he always loved hanging with the people in the bleachers.

"He was a great person who cared about other people."

Aretha Franklin's casket just arrived for a public viewing in Detroit -- where the Queen of Soul will lie in state for a couple of days -- and massive lines are already starting to form.

Crowds swarmed and lines stretched around the block of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Tuesday morning to catch a glimpse of Aretha and pay last respects to the legendary singer. Her body was on display in an open casket ... surrounded by a beautiful floral arrangement.

We broke the story ... there is going to be a plethora of big music acts performing at Aretha's memorial Thursday, including names like the Four Tops, Ron Isley and many, many others.

This is a copy of the program for her funeral service Friday at Greater Grace Temple ... where Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson, among many others, will perform.

Serena Williams has an unlikely ally in her catsuit controversy -- the former president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

French Open officials recently told Williams she could not wear a custom-made Nike catsuit during the tournament -- despite the fact it was designed to increase blood circulation in the wake of her health issues surrounding blood clots.

Well, the issue isn't sitting well with the Ahmadinejad -- who took a page from Donald Trump's playbook and lashed out at the French Open on his official Twitter account.

"Why is the #FrenchOpen disrespecting @serenawilliams? Unfortunately some people in all Countries including my Country, haven't realized the true meaning of freedom."

Safaree's putting his third leg to work ... and it's paying off BIG time.

The anaconda Nicki Minaj was allegedly obsessed with -- on and off for 12 years landed Safaree a 7-figure deal with one of the top sex toy makers, Doc Johnson ... which proudly boasts of its 40 years in the quality, hand-crafted sex toy game.

The deal calls for Doc Johnson to create a life-sized mold of Safaree's manhood. DJ will soon begin mass production, but don't whip out your credit card just yet ...ya gotta wait a tad longer. Pre-orders begin in December, and the toys will ship just in time for Valentine's Day.

We're told the deal was finalized with the help of KD McNair and Britmo Inc.

Who says romance is dead?

Harvey Weinstein says Ashley Judd's playing a guessing game when it comes to why her career was derailed, and he insists she can't prove he blackballed her out of a huge role.

Weinstein filed docs asking the court to throw out the lawsuit Ashley filed against him earlier this year. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, he says her suit is based on a 2017 article where director Peter Jackson speculated Ashley wasn't hired for a 'Lord of the Rings' role due to Weinstein blackballing her.

In her suit, Ashley said the blackballing was the direct result of her rejecting Weinstein's sexually aggressive moves in a hotel room.

In his motion to dismiss, Weinstein says her whole case is based on speculation -- Jackson's and hers -- and she has no evidence the alleged blackballing is why she even lost the role. In fact, he says Ashley made no effort, at the time, to find out why she didn't get the part.