Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NFL: Texans at Patriots, 8:30 p.m. (WCVB, ESPN; WEEI-FM)
NBA: Pistons at 76ers, 7 p.m. (NBA TV)

AROUND THE WEB:

The Jovan Belcher tragedy in Kansas City apparently was a wakeup call for at least a few NFL players, leading to them turning in their guns to team security.

♦ At least seven NFL players have surrendered their guns to team personnel in the wake of last week’s murder-suicide in Kansas City, according to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King.

King, who revealed the information on NBC’s “Football Night in America” pregame show Sunday night, reported that one player turned in multiple weapons, saying that he didn’t trust himself with the guns.

Following last week’s incident involving Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, it’s been speculated that about 70 percent of NFL players own at least one gun, with many owning more than one.

♦ The Cowboys managed to win Sunday, posting a 20-19 road victory over the Bengals one day after the death of linebacker Jerry Brown and the arrest of defensive lineman Josh Brent on charges of intoxication manslaughter (Brent was released on bond Sunday afternoon).

“It’s a hard, hard situation we’re in,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “There’s no playbook for this sort of thing in life.”

Added defensive end Marcus Spears: “This was a step in the healing process for us. But we haven’t dealt with a lot yet — remembering Jerry and keeping his memory alive, dealing with Josh and supporting him in whatever way we can. That’s still to come.”

Meanwhile, according to a report from Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan, injured Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff had a “volcanic” argument with team owner Jerry Jones last week.

Ratliff, who signed a five-year, $40 million extension last year, had just 25 tackles and 10 quarterback pressures this season before sitting out the last three games. He’s missed seven games in all this year with join, ankle and foot problems.

Jones, a familiar figure in the locker room after games, reportedly approached Ratliff after last Sunday’s victory over the Eagles and said, “We need you.” Ratliff’s response was an angry one.

“They’re both passionate men and great men and they want to win, that’s all it is,” a source told the station. “But they were in each other’s faces. People had to intervene.”

♦ Spurs guard Stephen Jackson was fined $25,000 by the NBA and apologized for his threatening tweet toward Thunder center Serge Ibaka. Jackson sent his message after Ibaka tangled with Jackson’s friend and former teammate, Lakers forward Metta World Peace, on Friday night.

Wrote Jackson: Somebody tell serb Abaka. He aint bout dis life. Next time he run up on me im goin in his mouth. That’s a promise. He doin 2 much.

After the NBA and the Spurs condemned Jackson’s comments, Jackson sent out a much more well-written apology:

Tweeted Jackson: I apologize to Serge Ibaka, the NBA, and to all my fans for the comments I made. It was unprofessional and childish. I’m not a thug just a man who speaks his mind. It was not appropriate. I do apologize. Only a man can admit when he’s wrong.

Jackson and the former Ron Artest were teammates with the Pacers in 2004, when they both took part in the infamous brawl in the stands in Detroit that led to long suspensions.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Dec. 10, 1980, the Red Sox sent the left side of their infield — shortstop Rick Burleson and third baseman Butch Hobson — to the Angels for which three players?

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