TMZ Sports - Page 50

The mystery into the death of Doink the Clown could be SOLVED in the next week ... 'cause officials have completed the autopsy on the ex-WWE star and are expecting results in a matter of days.

After Doink passed away Friday in Plano, Texas ... officials launched a homicide investigation into his death.

One law enforcement source tells us it appears Doink's death was "accidental" ... but the source wouldn't say if investigators believe drugs were involved.

The Plano Police Department tells TMZ ... its lips are sealed on the case until the investigation is complete ... which could happen as early as next week.

Tragedy struck at the famous Cowtown Rodeo in New Jersey this weekend when one of the horses died during a live performance ... and animal rights activists say there's evidence the horse was electrocuted.

The rodeo -- which has been running since 1929 -- came to a screeching halt when a 9-year-old horse named Duke came bucking out of the gate Saturday ... only to collapse after experiencing what appeared to be a seizure.

After the horse went down, staffers raced to its side as Duke died in front of the live crowd. Duke was eventually carted away.

After the incident, the animal rights group SHARK -- SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness -- says one of its members was in attendance and witnessed Duke being secretly shocked by an electric device right before he was released from the gate in order to get Duke to buck more wildly.

The SHARK member shot footage of the incident -- which shows someone holding a "Hot shot" electric prod in Duke's holding gate.

Cowtown insists Duke's death was as natural as it gets due to an "aneurysm of his aorta blood vessel."

The rodeo explains, "Our vet has assured us that this had nothing to do with the rodeo event and it is a natural (although rare) occurance to have a horse pass from this reason."

However, when we called Cowtown owner Grant Harris -- who also owned Duke -- he told us the device in Duke's pen DID appear to be a "hot shot" ... but says everyone at the rodeo is under strict orders to NEVER use the prod on a horse.

Harris notes that in the video ... the device does not appear to ever touch Duke.

For its part, SHARK says it will be contacting the SPCA to demand animal cruelty charges be brought up against Cowtown.

Aaron Hernandez is NOT in the general population of jail ... because jail officials are concerned for his safety ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Hernandez -- who has been charged with first degree murder -- has been in the medical ward since his arrival last week. We're told authorities are concerned because of the former Patriots star's celebrity status ... other inmates might try to harm him.

Sources say at the time of this post, jail officials were meeting to decide what to do with Hernandez -- whether to put him in the general population or a more segregated environment.

For now ... Hernandez is in the medical wing ... allowed out of his cell for 1 hour a day.

San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews was NOT arrested for a bar brawl ... TMZ has learned.

There are multiple reports on the Internet that Matthews knocked out a guy Sunday during a bar brawl in San Diego's Gaslamp district -- but San Diego PD spokesman Edward Zwibel tells us Ryan was not taken into custody, and is not a suspect in the fight.

Zwibel confirms officers did respond for the fight ... and they did make one arrest, but Mathews had nothing to do with it.

In fact, he says officers never even saw Mathews ... though he was aware of rumors that he was in the bar.

So ... star athlete NOT busted. It does happen.

Terrell Owens can't find a football team ... or do the weather ... but he CAN open his wallet -- the former NFL'er just paid off a tax debt to the tune of $430,000.

TMZ broke the story ... Uncle Sam filed a federal tax lien against T.O. back in February for the years 2005 ($294,661.71), 2007 ($46,504.00), and 2009 ($97,747.81). Total debt -- $438,913.52.

A man of honor ... T.O. kicked the crap out of the lien and paid it all off ... every last cent. It was officially released on June 27th.

Now T.O. can get back to trying out new careers -- like his failed attempt at weatherman.

Jeremy Shockey is playing dumb with his finances according to his soon-to-be ex wife ... and now she wants the unemployed NFLer tossed in jail.

TMZ broke the story ... Daniela Cortazar-Shockey -- who was only married to Jeremy for 8 months before he filed for divorce -- has been fighting the NFLer for alimony, despite Jeremy claiming to have an iron clad prenup.

Now Daniela says Jeremy isn't playing by the rules -- claiming in legal docs that he's purposely pretending to know nothing about his finances (or even who pays his bills) and refuses to hand over info to prove his net worth.

She's asking a judge to punish Jeremy for his behavior by slapping him with fines or locking him up.

Police have a theory as to why they think former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez killed Odin Lloyd -- he knew secrets that could have destroyed Aaron's relationship with his fiancée and the team.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... there are several operating theories, but a prevailing one based on evidence they have already unearthed is that Lloyd "mouthed off" to Hernandez about "secrets" Hernandez had told him in the past.

As for what the nature of the secrets -- we're told they involve 2 issues: Aaron's involvement in drugs and Aaron's involvement in several violent incidents.

Our law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... they do not believe Lloyd tried to extort Hernandez -- in other words, ask for money in return for secrecy. The theory is that Hernandez went ballistic after Lloyd started throwing damaging information in Hernandez's face -- information Hernandez thought would end his relationship with his fiancée and his football career.

Short story -- Odin's crime may have been that he was a blabbermouth.

Ex-NFL star Kordell Stewart scored a legal touchdown ... when a judge sided with him and ordered his estranged wife Porsha Williams get the hell out of their marital casa.

TMZ broke the story ... Kordell and the "Real Housewives" star are in a nasty divorce battle. Recently, Porsha asked the court allow her to keep using the couple's GA mansion, after Kordell changed the locks, arguing she had no place to go.

Kordell fought back. He denied the lock-out and asked the judge to shoot down her request.

Then on June 18th the Fulton County Court judge sided with Kordell, temporarily granting him the exclusive right to use the crib ... and ordered Porsha to move out.

It's not all bad news for Porsha ... the judge also ordered Kordell to cough up $5,000 / month in alimony for the next 3 months, hand over all of Porsha's belongings and pay for moving costs and a storage unit while she transitions.

And not everything is set in stone, the court will issue a final decision at a later date.

The staff at the Bristol County House of Corrections has been warned -- if you treat Aaron Hernandez like a celebrity, you're in serious trouble.

TMZ has learned ... the Bristol County Sheriff issued a warning to all jail staff members about taking photos or seeking autographs from the county's most famous alleged murderer.

And there's more ... jail staffers have been instructed to give Hernandez NO SPECIAL TREATMENT. Same food, same privileges, same everything.

We're told any staffer who violates the rule is subject to discipline ranging from an admonition to outright termination.

The semi-pro football player that Aaron Hernandez allegedly shot and killed was laid to rest Saturday.

Odin Lloyd's funeral took place at the Church of Holy Spirit in Boston. Friends, relatives, and well-wishers all showed up to pay their respects.

As TMZ previously reported ... Hernandez has been charged with Odin's murder, after his body was found not far from the ex-NFL star's home. Prosecutors claim the killing stemmed from an incident that occurred between the two men at a nightclub.

Former MLB Pitcher Justin Miller has been found dead ... and cause of death is a mystery.

The 35-year-old's body was discovered Wednesday night in Palm Harbor, FL -- where he was living -- but authorities have not said exactly where.

Miller played in the Major Leagues for 15 seasons -- most recently for the L.A. Dodgers back in 2010. He also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins and SF Giants.

He was best known for the large number of tattoos on his arms, which inspired the "Justin Miller Rule" in 2004 -- forcing him to wear long sleeves when he pitched, since players found his ink too distracting.

He's survived by his wife Jessica Miller and two sons. Jessica isn't giving any indication as to how he died, but does say it was sudden.

3:15 PM PT TMZ has learned police in Plano, Texas ... where Doink's body was found ... have launched a homicide investigation.

However, sources tell us, the investigation is really just a matter of following S.O.P. -- and that all early indications are his death was accidental.

No weapons were found on the scene. An autopsy is pending.

Ex-WWE star Doink the Clown -- a hugely popular wrestler in the '90s -- was found dead today in Texas.

Doink, real name Matt Osborne, was known for pulling pranks on the other wrestlers ... all while decked out in full greasepaint and a green wig.

Details about Doink's death are unclear at this point -- but his girlfriend reportedly found him dead in her home ... where he'd been staying lately.

After leaving the WWE, he continued wrestling for ECW and independent leagues ... still sporting the clown costume.

More recently, he's been attending wrestling conventions and doing autograph sessions with fans.

Officials believe they have now apprehended ALL THREE men involved in the murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd on June 17th, including Aaron Hernandez.

The Bristol County D.A. in Massachusetts tells TMZ, law enforcement apprehended suspect #3 Ernest Wallace this morning in Miramar, Florida ... more than a thousand miles away from the scene of the crime.

As we reported, the other two suspects -- Aaron Hernandez and Carlos Ortiz -- were both arrested earlier this week.

Aaron Hernandez has been named a person of interest in a 2012 double murder investigation, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... investigators now believe Hernandez had "some involvement" in the shooting incident from July 2012, when two men were killed in a late night drive-by in Boston.

Despite the connection, we're told officials don't have enough on Hernandez yet to elevate him from "person of interest" to "suspect." The investigation is ongoing.