TMZ Sports - Page 50

Justin Bieber has some big friends ... we're talkin' 7-footers ... and they've got JB's back no matter what, so says NBA superstar (and full on Belieber) Tyson Chandler.

Earlier this week, Bieber tweeted a photo of himself (sans shirt, of course) hanging out with Chandler and Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant.

Everyone sorta wondered how they all know each other ... and what they were all doing at Bieber's mansion.

Well, last night, we found 7'1" Chandler leaving a party in Beverly Hills and he told us everything ... except why Bieber has so much trouble keeping his shirt on.

The mystery continues ...

WWE superstar Darren Young was in the grip of a force more powerful than John Cena when he decided to come out of the closet ... and that force is love.

WWE sources tell TMZ ... Young told the wrestling org. he is "deeply in love" with his boyfriend of 2 years ... a man named Nick (pictured above with Young). We're told Young -- whose real name is Fred Rosser -- has been living with Nick for some time now in Florida.

Our WWE sources say Young told them Nick was actually the driving force in his decision to come out.

As you know ... Young dropped the bombshell on a TMZ photog at LAX earlier this week. Since then ... he's received a ton of support, from wrestling superstars including John Cena himself. He also got a call of support from fellow gay professional athlete Jason Collins.

If you were considered the #1 villain in America ... a dog fighting, law breaking bad guy ... would you pay $111K for an image makeover? Michael Vick sure did ... and it was the best money he ever spent.

TMZ has obtained court documents from Vick's bankruptcy case which show the NFL star paid top dollar for an elite crisis management team in the wake of his dog fighting scandal in 2007 ... and the documents read like a playbook on how to resurrect a shattered image.

Here's how Sitrick & Company executed the greatest image makeover in NFL history:

Step 1 -- "Develop media list and identify friendly media sources."
Translation: Who can we most easily manipulate?

And the media outlets they chose to communicate with -- the "Today" show, "60 Minutes," People Magazine, Newsweek and "Larry King Live."

Step 2 -- Put Vick through intense media training "aimed at regaining initiative in PR war."

Step 3 -- "Prepare list of sympathetic parties in media and community" ... hey, ya gotta know who's on your side.

Step 4 -- Knowing when to shut up. On July 31, 2007 Sitrick advised Vick's legal team on "need to avoid further interviews ahead of planned PR offensive."

Step 5 -- Execute. Vick appeared on "60 Minutes" on August 16. He then faced the media in a news conference on August 27 ... and hit it out of the park, accepting blame, accepting punishment and vowing to learn from the experience.

He appeared on "Larry King Live" later that day.

When Vick emerged from his 19 months in prison, his image had been repaired enough that the Philadelphia Eagles gave him a shot with the team. Two years after that, Vick signed a contract worth up to $100 MILLION.

In the end, Sitrick's services ran Vick a cool $111,317.13.

Best money he ever spent.

WWE superstar Darren Young just dropped a bombshell, telling TMZ, he's gay ... and no, this isn't part of the act.

Darren was at LAX Wednesday when we asked whether a gay wrestler could succeed in WWE, and Darren laughed, saying, "Absolutely. Look at me. I'm a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I'll tell you right now, I'm gay. And I'm happy. I'm very happy."

For the record, Darren is now the first openly gay wrestler ever at WWE ... and the first headlining wrestler ever to come out while still signed to a major promotion.

Other pro wrestlers have been rumored to be gay, but that's it ... just rumors.

Of course, wrestling is a little different, particularly because of how physical it is, and how little clothing is involved -- but Darren is completely unfazed. Watch the video to hear why.

Current WWE Champ John Cena is already weighing in on Darren coming out. Check out his reaction here.

Young is also receiving full support from the WWE ... which says it's "proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality."

A rep for the organization adds, "We will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar. Today, in fact, Darren will be participating in one of our Be A Star anti-bullying rallies in Los Angeles to teach children how to create positive environments for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation."

John Cena just learned that Darren Young came out as the first openly gay WWE superstar ... and Cena tells TMZ he couldn't be happier for the guy.

"Oh wonderful," Cena said ... "I know Darren personally. Darren's a great guy. That's a very bold move for him. And congratulations for him for actually finally doing it."

Cena says he's proud of his friend ... especially because he has a brother who is gay and he knows how tough it can be to come out.

As for the WWE, Cena says he doesn't think the organization will care one way or the other -- and that's a good thing.

Sporting some traditional red & blue bowling kicks, khaki shorts and a facial expression that says, "Errr mah gerd" ... Eli Manning hit up a NY bowling alley with his teammates Tuesday night and TMZ has the pics.

Eli, along with wideout Victor Cruz and the entire NY Giants squad, snuck into Frames in midtown Tuesday night -- with a police escort -- for a top secret bowling session.

According to Frames, the event was 100% alcohol-free ... since the team is in the middle of some hardcore pre-season training. Nothing but juice and water.

Despite looking goofy on lanes, Eli actually put up some pretty decent numbers that night -- bowling a 154.

Cruz wasn't too far behind, posting a respectable 134. Coach Tom Coughlin scored a 113.

Denver Broncos star linebacker Von Miller was arrested Sunday at a gun club in Colorado ... but his arrest has NOTHING to do with firearms, TMZ has learned.

The 24-year-old All-Pro was trying to enter the Centennial Gun Store and Range just outside of Denver -- and submitted to a routine mandatory background check, as required by everyone looking to shoot at the range.

But the background check revealed a warrant out for Miller's arrest -- which was issued back in January after he failed to appear in court to face multiple traffic violations.

According to law enforcement, Miller had been charged with careless driving, driving without a license and having no proof of insurance back in October 2012.

Miller was taken into custody at the gun shop -- and was hauled to a nearby Sheriff's Dept. where he was booked ... and posed for a mug shot, obtained by TMZ.

Miller was eventually released on a $1,000 bond.

Another HUGE blow for the New England Patriots (and female football fans worldwide) -- 'cause Tom Brady suffered a brutal knee injury during a team scrimmage today ... and it looks bad. Real bad.

Brady -- who was wearing a red "keep your damn hands off me" jersey at the time -- had dropped back to pass when the pocket collapsed on him.... and it appears a lineman fell on his knee.

Brady dropped like a sack of potatoes ... clutching his left knee -- the same knee he destroyed on opening day back in 2008.

Brady was eventually helped off the field and is currently undergoing evaluation.

Paging Tim Tebow ...

3:20 PM PT An MRI on Brady's knee was negative ... according to ESPN.

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom are NOT getting a divorce and have never even discussed it ... this according to multiple TMZ sources AND Kris Jenner.

Women have come forward recently and claimed they hooked up with Lamar. Several media outlets are even saying divorce docs are being filed as early as today. But our sources say it's just not true.

Jenner tells us, "Khloe and Lamar are absolutely not getting divorced. There's been no talk of divorce." Jenner also says both Khloe and Lamar were at her house 2 days ago and everything was fine.

Other sources confirm with TMZ ... Khloe has not even spoken with a divorce lawyer.

Our sources say they will only comment on what they know ... so they're not calling the women who have come forward liars. But they are very clear -- Khloe and Lamar are very much together and there is NO divorce.

With rumors of a Michael Phelps comeback, there's one American who thinks MP should STAY OUT of the pool when the 2016 Olympics roll around -- Bruce Jenner.

Phelps announced he "retired" from swimming after dominating at the 2012 games ... but lately, there have been rumblings that he's considering re-shaving his body hair for a dramatic Olympic comeback.

But not everyone's fired up about the idea ... especially Jenner, who knows a little something about what it takes to compete at the Olympic level -- 'cause before he played second fiddle to the Kardashians, he won gold in the decathlon in 1976.

"He's done," Jenner told us in Calabasas yesterday ... "Quit while you're ahead."

For the record, Phelps is only 28 ... and still in incredible shape.

Here comes the bride ... to-be ... at least, that's the way it seemed when Hayden Panettiere arrived to LAX yesterday with a HUGE DIAMOND on her finger.

Rumors have been swirling that the "Nashville" star finally said "Yes" to her massive heavyweight boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko ... but that bling on her hand pretty much put the rumors to bed.

So ... CONGRATS!!!!

Hayden was in a great mood on her way out of the airport yesterday (as usual) -- and there was only one topic to discuss ... weddings! Though it's unclear if she was referencing her own.

Check out the clip.

Alex Rodriguez not only feels the MLB is singling him out ... he feels "persecuted" in the PED scandal -- and plans to SUE if the league doesn't COMPLETELY recant ... TMZ has learned.

Sources directly connected to A-Rod tell us he's prepared to march into Federal court next month ... unless the 211-game suspension the MLB slapped him with last week isn't entirely lifted.

The reason for A-Rod's bold demand -- A-Rod sources familiar with the investigation tell us Alex hasn't tested positive and never "knowingly" used PEDs since 2003 ... the last season he admitted using 'roids. Our sources say A-Rod has been drug tested 11 times between 2011 and the present ... and all of the results were negative.

Our sources fume it's "absurd" Ryan Braun -- who reportedly tested positive in 2011 and then lied about it -- was only benched for the duration of this season. They say it proves MLB's investigation of A-Rod and the Biogenesis Clinic has been "abusive and borderline illegal."

As for rumors A-Rod impeded baseball's PED investigation -- our sources say the league has "no proof" the Yankees slugger did any such thing, and further claim MLB is the one that has harassed and intimidated witnesses.

According to our sources, Alex will sue for various things, including a violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players' union and the league.

So, from 211 games to nothing ... or else.

Pretty big cojones for a guy accused of using steroids.

Lamar Odom has dodged a bullet ... the NBA superstar will not be prosecuted for going berserk on a paparazzi in the middle of an L.A. street last month and breaking some of the guy's gear, TMZ has learned.

The cops had originally sent the case to the L.A. County D.A. for possible felony charges ... and the D.A. referred it to the L.A. City Attorney for possible misdemeanor vandalism charge.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Odom has agreed to pay for breaking the snapper's gear in the July 10 rampage. So we're told the City Attorney will hold an office hearing -- an alternative to a prosecution -- in which Lamar and the photog will have a chit chat with the hearing officer about rights and responsibilities ... and that's about it.

As we previously reported, Lamar blew a gasket that day after the photog (not a TMZ guy) blasted him with questions about rumors he was cheating on Khloe.

So in conclusion, Lamar went from possible felony ... to possible slap on the wrist ... to actual check (that's really just a drop in the bucket for a pro athlete/reality star).

Lamar wins.

Jason Dufner knows he's scoring way over his head -- not by winning the PGA Championship, but by landing his smoking hot wife ... and he's not shy about it.

Jason's been the talk of the sports world ever since his lady, Amanda Dufner (who's kinda Evangeline Lilly-ish), joined him on the 18th green last Sunday to celebrate his first victory in a major tournament.

Duf -- who won't be confused with golf studs Adam Scott or Dustin Johnson -- was in NYC on Tuesday when we asked what everyone's been thinking: How did YOU score HER?

It was posed more delicately than that, but check out JD's answer ... you gotta love this guy!

You tag Phil Jackson in a rap song, he'll tag you right back -- just ask Kendrick Lamar ... who got a free lesson in ego management from the Zen Master after droppin' his name in a new song.

67-year-old Jackson was definitely listening when 26-year-old Lamar called him out in Big Sean's new song, "Control" -- a song that includes the lyrics:

"Who the f**k y’all thought it’s supposed to be?
If Phil Jackson came back, still no coachin’ me
I’m uncoachable, I’m unsociable."

Jackson -- who's no stranger to dealing with egomaniacs (or people named Lamar) ... shot back on Twitter moments ago ... with a message aimed right at Kendrick:

“@kendricklamar it’s okay to be cocky and sure, but we all need somebody to lean on. Let’s just call it mentoring."

12:20 PM PT -- Bobby just released a statement, saying, "I wanted to let you all know I made a terrible mistake last night drinking and driving and I am thankful nothing bad happened from my stupidity and I know It could have."

He added, "I'm sorry for letting all my fans friends and family down and I hope I can make it up to each and everyone of you and in the future be a good role model. I will continue to move forward with my racing career and I hope I continue to have your support thanks."

8:07 AM PT -- Cops tell TMZ ... "Mr. Earnhardt was pulled over for making a very wide left turn. After talking with him, our officer noticed his eyes were glassy, speech thick and slurred, smelt of alcohol."

"He was asked to get out of the vehicle where he was unsteady and when asked he said he only had 2 shots of alcohol."

"The officer performed a field sobriety test and determined he was intoxicated. He was taken into custody where he took another ERIR2 test where he blew a .193."

Dale Earnhardt's grandson -- an aspiring race car driver in his own right -- was arrested in West Virginia last night after cops say the 25-year-old was tooling around Charleston while hammered.

Bobby Dale Earnhardt -- a driver in the ARCA Truck series -- was pulled over by Charleston police just before midnight after cops say he was driving erratically.

During the stop, cops say, BDE admitted he had been boozing at a bar earlier in the evening. He also bombed a field sobriety test.

Earnhardt was eventually arrested for DUI and hauled to a nearby station -- where he was booked

Bobby Dale is scheduled to face a judge later this morning.