TMZ Sports - Page 50

He might have a Heisman Trophy on his mantle, but Johnny Manziel is going to make a TERRIBLE pro quarterback ... a la Tim Tebow ... so says ex-NFL stud Jamal Lewis.

Lewis is in a position to judge, he was a beast during his NFL career -- helping the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl his rookie year, rushing for 2,066 yards in 2003 (3rd-most of all-time), and breaking the single game rushing record that season with 295 yards.

J.L. couldn't have been more clear -- Manziel will be a disaster in the pros.

The Houston Texans are taking steps to stop more fans from lighting their Matt Schaub jerseys on fire outside of their stadium -- but it ain't to protect the QB's feelings.

TMZ spoke with a member of the Texans organization who tells us ... the team decided it needed to take action after watching a viral YouTube video which featured a bunch of fans flaming up a #8 jersey in the stadium parking lot after the team lost to the Seahawks last weekend.

We're told the team is making a concerted effort to "do a better job monitoring the people who tailgate" because jersey fires are a direct violation of the stadium's open flame policy.

Detroit Lions star Nate Burleson tells TMZ ... the 911 caller was mistaken -- he wasn't woozy, or off-balanced or DRUNK in the moments following his car crash last week ... but he did fumble his pizza.

Nate says he was in shock in the moments following the wreck, in which he suffered a broken arm and cuts on his face after a night at Happy's Pizza and Pub in Detroit -- but the 32-year-old explains, "I was completely coherent. I was trying to grasp what was going on at the moment."

As we previously reported, one of the people who called 911 following the crash last Monday night told the operator Nate "was losing his balance" and "appeared to be intoxicated."

But Nate tells TMZ, "My arm was broken so that may cause you to stumble, but it was not alcohol-related at all."

In fact, Nate says the cops complimented him on how composed he was following the crash -- considering his injuries.

As for the pizza, Nate admits he tried to save the pie as it slid around on the front seat of his GMC Yukon ... but the food slipped through his fingers ... and that's when he lost control of the ride and crashed.

We obtained photos of the pizza carnage following the wreck ... showing the deep dish pepperoni (with mushrooms) all over Nate's whip.

"I get the jokes, 'cause reaching for a pizza isn't the way you wanna crash your car," Nate says ... "But I'm lucky to have walked away."

Michael Jordan says there's only one guy who would beat him in a game of 1-on-1 ... and it ain't LeBron James -- it's Kobe Bryant.

MJ made the statement in a video promoting the NBA 2K14 -- while talking about a bunch of NBA legends he would've liked to ball against in their prime, including Jerry West, D-Wade, Carmelo, Kobe, LeBron and more.

"I don't think I would lose," Jordan says ... adding, "other than to Kobe Bryant because he steals all of my moves."

MJ was later asked who was the better player -- Kobe or LBJ -- and explained, "In terms of dominance in the game of basketball at this stage, it's LeBron."

Moments after Nate Burleson smashed his SUV into a median -- a witness called 911 and said, "He was losing his balance" ... and that he believed the Detroit Lions star appeared to be intoxicated.

Burleson wrecked last Monday night, and police have said they do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor -- but on this 911 tape you clearly hear the caller say, "He looks a little messed up. He's walking around, but if I had my guess I'd say he's drunk."

Nate told police he lost control while reaching for a pizza box that was falling off his front seat.

TMZ spoke to a witness at the pub and pizza spot where Burleson had been hanging out that night who told us he had a couple of beers.

USC didn't just take Lane Kiffin's dignity, the university might also be in a position to take his house ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... after Lane accepted the head coaching job at the University of Southern California in 2010, the school agreed to loan him $500k to use toward the purchase of a $5.5 million mansion in Manhattan Beach, CA.

But there was a catch ... under the terms of the deal, if Lane got fired or quit during the life of the loan, USC could demand the $500k back, plus interest STAT ... and if he didn't pay up, SC could foreclose.

SC didn't disclose the length of the $500k note in official records ... and it's unclear if it's been forgiven.

However, these types of deals are usually made by an employer to keep an employee from bolting for greener pastures (like Lane's been known to do) ... and it's common for the term of the loan to be AT LEAST as long as the employment contract.

So, the question ... did Kiffin outlive the term of his $500k loan from SC, or is he still on the hook for the money?

Good News -- Adam "Pacman" Jones dished out a bunch of $100 bills to homeless people yesterday.

Bad News -- He still owes more than $11 million to the victims of a 2007 strip club shooting that left 2 men wounded, 1 of whom was paralyzed from the waist down.

The Cincinnati Bengals defensive back tweeted about his good deeds ... writing, "I just give 15 homeless people a 100 next I'm pay for 15 mothers bills that's in need."

He added, "That's what I'm doing for birthday. CauseI'mblessed."

It's a great gesture ... we support helping the homeless ... but there's a reason the Nevada court ordered Jones to fork over millions to the shooting victims -- they need $$$ too.

In fact, just last year, a lawyer for one of the victims told a media outlet he was happy about the ruling because the victim could use the money to buy better medical equipment.

Of course, the strip club incident is infamous -- a scuffle broke out after Pacman "made it rain" and someone in his entourage fired gunshots that struck two bouncers.

Lamar Odom's ex college roommate, and former NBA player Cuttino Mobley believes L.O. can shake off his drug problems in time to make it back to the NBA ... THIS SEASON!

Mobley, who's 38 and attempting his own comeback, was cruising through the Grove Monday when he said, "Hopefully Lamar will be back before mid (season)."

Lamar is 5 years younger than Mobley, but as TMZ first reported ... he's also battling crack addiction -- so pretty shocking to hear Mobley say Lamar will comeback before he does.

Thing is ... Cuttino looks to be in really good shape.

NBA player Ryan Anderson fought through tears today as he spoke publicly about his gf Gia Allemand's suicide ... saying her death has given him new purpose in his life.

Anderson -- who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans -- opened up during the team's media day, telling reporters he hadn't planned to talk about it, but then tearfully said ... "we have a huge plan to do something great in her name that's going to help a lot of people."

As we reported ... Gia, who was once on "The Bachelor" ... committed suicide in August -- just a few hours after she had a bitter fight with Anderson.

Anderson didn't spell it out, but it sounded like he was talking about Gia's rumored battle with depression. He got really choked up as he said ... "This is a topic that is not talked about enough."

Former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar is fighting his drunk driving arrest -- pleading not guilty to DUI after he was popped in Ohio Sunday morning.

As we previously reported, the ex-Cleveland Browns QB was initially pulled over at 2:52 AM for speeding ... but cops say they detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his car.

Kosar's attorney entered the not guilty plea on Bernie's behalf during the hearing in Bedford Municipal Court on Monday. He's due back in court on Dec. 9.

We've reached out to Bernie for comment -- so far, no word back.

This video of Dodgers superstar Matt Kemp -- limping around on crutches -- is gonna make you really sad ... or really pumped up for the baseball playoffs.

Talk about bittersweet ... the Dodgers are heading into the playoffs, but Kemp will be benched due to a swollen bone in his foot.

So, last night when we caught Matt gingerly making his way into a movie theater he confessed ... "I'm sad" -- but then added a prediction about the Dodgers' NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

In Kemp's words ... "We gonna win."

Hit the road Joe ... and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more -- cause your son just stopped paying the rent.

Lamar Odom has had it with his dad and will no longer pay his rent ... and the clock is ticking before Joe is thrown out on the street.

Joe Odom tells TMZ ... Lamar called him earlier this week and went BALLISTIC over the comments Joe made about him and the Kardashians.

Joe claims Lamar has been paying his rent for 4 years -- a hefty tag of $2,900 per month -- but Lamar made it clear to Joe ... he's on his own now.

Joe tells us he can't afford the rent ... so he'll be out at the end of next month -- barring a reconciliation.

Don't hold your breath.

Former Cleveland Browns QB Bernie Kosar was arrested for drunk driving in Ohio this morning, and his mug shot reveals ... a lot of scalp.

A rep for the Solon PD says ... officers pulled Bernie over at 2:52 this morning and detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his car when they approached it.

After a series of field sobriety tests -- police hauled Kosar off to a nearby station for operating a vehicle impaired ... where he was booked and released on a $500 bond.

Burned by "The Drive" again ... allegedly.

Worst coach ever -- arguably -- Lane Kiffin just got the boot from USC ... hours after their crushing 62-41 loss to Arizona State.

Kiffin got the heave-ho after the team got home Sunday morning from Tempe -- the official announcement is slated for later today.

Lane never had it easy while coaching the Trojans -- In 2012 he took the team from number one in the country ... to UNRANKED -- the first time any team had achieved such a dubious goal in nearly a half-century.

Tom Brady's gonna have to earn his millions in week 4 of NFL action as the New England Patriots face a tough road opponent in the Atlanta Falcons.

The Pats won 2 games by the skin of their teeth this season. Harv can relate ... he's 2-1. So, let's find out who our pigskin soothsayer is riding this week ...

Charles: New England at Atlanta, who ya got?
Harvey: I'm going with New England ... because the one thing Tom Brady, and especially Gisele, don't like is ugly. And Brady has had ugly wins pretty much all season.

Charles: Except for that Bucs game, but that's the Bucs. Why not pick Atlanta at home?
Harvey: I like the Falcons good enough. In fact, one of their star players used to live with this news chick I know in L.A. -- but it just comes back to Brady being a winner.

Charles: I hate to say it, but Tom Brady is getting kinda old, and Matt Ryan's the young gun.
Harvey: In a weird way, Brady has to be especially charged because Ryan is gunning to be the next Tom -- maybe a little too much.

Charles: You keep saying you think Brady's got retirement on his mind, but --
Harvey: Look, everybody thinks I'm crazy to say it, but if you saw Brady's house in L.A. ... let's just say it beats a brownstone. So, I think he wants to go out with a bang, and we're not just talking Gisele.