Plaxico Burress -- Flavorless in 2011
Former New York Giant and current inmate Plaxico Burress rang in the New Year at the Oneida Correctional Facility in Rome, NY with the most bland slate of culinary options as possible.
TMZ has obtained the menu from Plax's current home ... and man, it makes airplane food sound good. The New Year's Day meals were highlighted with things like "unbreaded fish fillet," "roll/margarine," "white bread/mustard," and everyone's favorite "sliced chicken salami."
might be the best deterrent to crime we've ever seen.
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New Vikings QB -- Most Wanted Man In Minnesota
Ever since new Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Webb laid a beat down on the Philadelphia Eagles this week, fans have been scrambling for official Webb gear -- there's just one problem ... there is none.
We spoke to multiple Vikings' merchandise shops in Minnesota who tell us they've been bombarded this week by fans who want Webb jerseys -- but because he was a 3rd string QB up until a few days ago ... no Webb gear was ever mass produced for retail.
We're told the only way to get your hands on a Joe Webb jersey this season is to order a "personalized" one ... and even then, it may not arrive until after the season ends.
On the other side of the spectrum -- we're told sales of Favre merchandise have gone colder than the field he was concussed on.
The times they are a-changin'.
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Former NFL QB Arrested for DUI
Shaun King -- who played six seasons in the NFL from 1990-2004 -- was arrested this morning in Florida on a charge of driving under the influence.
King was busted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at around 2:12 AM ET and refused to take a blood alcohol test. He was released at 10:17 AM after posting $500 bail.
King played the bulk of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, starting all 16 games in 2000.
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Justin Tuck -- Don't Worry Giants Fans, He'll Play
The New York Giants season is on the line tomorrow ... and TMZ has learned they will have their defensive star Justin Tuck when they take on the Washington Redskins.
As TMZ first reported, Tuck was in a minor accident last night in Teaneck, NJ. Tuck's SUV was smacked up a little bit, but he was fine.
Today, a rep for the Giants told us Tuck is back at practice and "Yes, he'll play."
That sound you just heard was the greater metropolitan New York area sighing in relief.
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NY Giants Star Involved in SUV Accident
New York Giants football star Justin Tuck was involved in a minor SUV accident in Teaneck, NJ Friday night ... TMZ has learned.
We're told the accident occurred around 8:30 PM ET on Route 4. Sources tell TMZ Tuck was driving a brand new Cadillac Escalade (the tags were still on it) and the other driver was in a Nissan Maxima.
According to a witness on scene, the other driver was walking around afterward, muttering something to the extent of, "I can't believe I hit Justin Tuck."
Bergen County PD described the accident as minor (see Tuck's SUV below) and said there were no injuries -- except for a damaged street sign.
TMZ spoke with Tuck and his wife after they returned home. Justin's wife told us, "We're fine."
Just this week, Tuck was selected to the Pro Bowl -- and the Giants have a big game Sunday at Washington.
Rose Bowl Prediction -- Look to the Wiener!
Gamblers will be using all sorts of complex calculations to decide where to place their money on today's Rose Bowl between the Wisconsin Badgers and the TCU Horned Frogs -- but TMZ has the secret formula for victory ... and it involves hot dogs.
Seems one tradition leading up to the big game is for each team to eat hot dogs served by Pink's -- the most famous hot dog spot in Los Angeles. According to them, more often than not the team that eats the most hot dogs is the team that loses. Makes sense ...
This year, Wisconsin walloped TCU 485-270 ... which means TCU should kick butt later today.
You're welcome.
UPDATE: We told you so. TCU, 21-19.
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'Blind Date' Host Accused of Relationship Sabotage
Roger Lodge -- the guy who hosted "Blind Date" -- has some relationship drama of his own ... after a former business associate claims Roger stabbed him in the back over a sports radio deal.
According to a lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court, producer Steven Latham claims he approached Roger back in 2009 with the idea of moving Lodge's sports radio talk show -- The Sports Lodge -- over to AOL.
Latham claims Lodge liked the idea -- and along with a third man -- entered into an agreement to share equally in whatever deal they made with AOL.
But Latham claims sometime after the group met with AOL execs and began negotiations -- Lodge cut him out ... and sealed a secret deal with AOL behind his back. Latham claims he called Lodge on the alleged misdeeds -- and Roger even copped to acting "improperly."
Now, Latham is suing for an undisclosed piece of the action. Calls to Roger's peeps have not been returned.
Son of Former NBA Star Charged with Murder
The son of former NBA player Nickey Maxwell Van Exel was arrested and charged with murder in the shooting of a friend -- in an incident his lawyer calls "horseplay" gone wrong.
Nickey Maxwell Van Exel is being held on $1 million bond in the death of Bradley Bassey Eyo. According to police, Eyo's body was found on Sunday near Lake Ray Hubbard (located just outside Dallas) ... but police later determined Eyo was shot at a home in nearby Garland and the body was then dumped near the lake.
Paul Johnson, a lawyer for the 20-year-old Van Exel, told the AP his client shot Eyo when the two were horsing around with a shotgun that belonged to Van Exel's stepfather. Johnson claims Van Exel didn't know the gun was loaded.
Johnson said Van Exel "panicked" and moved the body, dumping the gun in a creek. The weapon has yet to be recovered. Van Exel has yet to appear in court or enter a plea.
The father, Nick Van Exel, played 13 season in the NBA -- most notably for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1993-1998. He currently works as a player development instructor for the Atlanta Hawks.
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New Foot Photos Reportedly Rex Ryan's Wife
The infamous video that made the rounds of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and his wife Michelle is reportedly just the tip of the foot iceberg.
Photos posted to Mediatakeout.com purport to show Michelle posing for graphic pics, including ones where her feet are being admired by a man that clearly isn't Rex (first hint: different skin color).
Rex has only commented thus far by saying it's a "personal matter" -- and it's getting more and more personal by the day.
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NFL Superstar in $400,000 War with Babyface's Ex
Indianapolis Colts superstar Dwight Freeney -- one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL -- has been hit with a $400,000 lawsuit for allegedly flaking on the rent for his recording studio.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Freeney -- who runs a record label -- agreed to pay $37,500 per month to rent out two floors in the famous Edmonds Tower building in Hollywood ... where Britney Spears has been known to cavort.
The tower is owned by Tracey Edmonds -- who was formally married to legendary music producer Babyface.
Freeney allegedly signed a one-year lease back in July and paid the first month's rent -- but hasn't paid a dime since.
The landlord is pissed -- claiming it could have leased the place out to other tenants -- but they were "induced" into sticking with Freeney because of his "financial stability through his career as a star NFL player."
The landlord wants $422,150 to make things right.
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David Beckham: I Didn't Have Sex With That Prostitute
David Beckham swears under oath, he never had sex with the prostitute who claims she had a threesome with him in 2007.
Beckham filed a declaration in his $25 million lawsuit against Irma Nici and the publishers of "In Touch Weekly," which ran the story.
Beckham says in his declaration, "...Nici has fabricated the following facts about me:
- that in August 2007, I committed adultery with Nici and another prostitute by paying for sex with the two of them ...
-- that about a month later, I again committed adultery with Nici at the Claridges Hotel in London
-- that in October 2007, I contacted Nici while I was in New York seeking to again commit adultery ...
-- that Nici has had sex with me five times in total."
Beckham calls Nici's allegations "unequivocally false," adding, "I have never met Nici, let alone committed adultery or paid her for sex."
Artest Gives Away Championship Ring -- Keeps Box
The man who won Ron Artest's 2009-2010 NBA championship ring in a charity auction last weekend claims Ron-Ron only had one stipulation before he handed over the hardware ... he wanted to keep the box.
Raymond Mikkael took his brand-new, GIGANTIC diamond-encrusted ring out for pizza in L.A. last night -- where the father of four told us he only spent around $100 on raffle tickets ... and was shocked when he heard his name announced.
Artest's auction raised more than $500,000 to boost mental health awareness -- and the NBA star says he'll do it again if the Lakers can repeat.
For the record -- Mikkael now has one more championship ring than LeBron James.
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Brett Favre Accuser -- The NFL Is a Sexist League
The woman who was allegedly on the receiving end of the Brett Favre weiner photos claims she's "extremely disappointed, but not surprised" with the NFL's ruling ... because the the NFL is a sexist organization.
Jenn Sterger's lawyer just released a statement saying, "While I am not privy to how Mr. Goodell reached such a finding, we strongly disagree with his conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to support a violation of the policy."
Jenn's lawyer continues, "Our evidence and the personal testimony of Ms. Sterger clearly showed a pattern of lewd and offensive behavior by Mr. Favre that lasted all of the 2008 season."
He adds, "Our evidence clearly showed that the photos were sent by Favre."
Sterger's lawyer concludes, "Today’s decision is an affront to all females and shows once again that, despite tough talk, the NFL remains the good old boys’ league."
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NFL Fines Brett Favre $50,000 in Sexting Scandal
The NFL has fined Brett Favre $50,000 for "failing to cooperate" with the league's investigation into his sexting scandal involving former NY Jets employee Jenn Sterger.
The league noted Commish Roger Goodell "could not conclude" if Favre violated the league's personal conduct policy based on the evidence he had seen.
The NFL released a statement saying, "The forensic analysis could not establish that Favre sent the objectionable photographs to Sterger."
The league continued, "The review found no evidence to contradict the statements of both Favre and Sterger that they never met in person, nor was there anything to suggest that Sterger engaged in any inappropriate conduct."
The NFL claims it also looked into reports that Favre put the moves on two massage therapists who worked at the Jets' facility in 2008 -- but the investigation hit a dead end because people with "potentially relevant information" refused to cooperate with investigators.
Report: NFL to Punish Brett Favre Over Sexting
Brett Favre will finally have to pay for allegedly texting photos of his dong knob to former NY Jets employee Jen Sterger -- the NFL has reportedly decided to fine the legendary QB over the scandal.
There was speculation Favre could face a suspension -- but early this morning, FOX Sports reporter Jay Glazer twittered, "Commish is expected to fine Brett Favre today, tomorrow the latest, but NOT suspend Favre."
As we previously reported, the NFL had launched an investigation to see if Favre had violated the league's personal conduct policy during his correspondence with Sterger.
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WWE Stars Reunite to Honor Fallen Wrestler Umaga
It's been one year since former WWE star Umaga shockingly passed away at the age of 36 -- and to honor his memory ... several of the wrestler's former ring-mates and family members got together to celebrate his life earlier this month.
Among the star-studded crew who gathered in Texas -- wrestlers MVP, Shad, Carlito, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas.
We're told the gang shared their favorite stories about their friend -- and even honored Umaga's eating habits with a buffet of his favorite foods.