TMZ Sports - Page 50

Los Angeles Lakers star Steve Nash tells TMZ ... his back is pretty messed up, but he's putting serious pressure on himself to come back and play this season.

Nash was walking (gingerly) to his car at Gjelina restaurant in Venice, CA last night when we asked him about the injury that's been plaguing the 39-year-old.

"It's rough," Nash said ... "but I'm gonna keep pushing and try to get better."

FSU's star QB Jameis Winston ... under investigation for sexual assault. TMZ Sports broke the story, and we know what allegedly went down a year ago, and why the Heisman Trophy front-runner's name hasn't been cleared yet.

Plus, Trent Richardson's having a sub-par season on the field -- but off the field the Indianapolis Colts running back is starring in a sex tape that's being shopped. Question is: will it go public?

And NFL, MLB, and Tecmo legend Bo Jackson joined us to talk about the sudden death of Todd Christensen. Bo knows some awesome stories about their Raiders days ... and shared 'em with us.

Todd Christensen wasn't your stereotypical football meathead -- he was a gentle soul who loved poetry ... this according to his former Raiders teammate Bo Jackson.

Bo just called TMZ Sports and told us all of Raider Nation is mourning the loss of the legendary tight end, who passed away this morning while undergoing liver surgery.

Jackson played with Christensen for four years and said the guy ALWAYS had a smile on his face.

So, what kind of poetry was Todd into? Check out the clip and find out.

Todd was 57.

NFL legend Jim Plunkett also called in to TMZ Sports to give us his thoughts on Todd Christensen. Check out the audio.

4:11 PM PT -- A rep for Florida State University has issued a statement saying, "We are aware of a matter that was investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department almost a year ago.

Because the investigation has not been closed by TPD, we cannot comment further at this time.

We look forward to a speedy resolution of the issue. There is no change in Jameis Winston's status."

Florida State QB Jameis Winston -- frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy -- is being investigated for felony sexual assault, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement and other sources tell TMZ ... a woman filed a sexual assault complaint with the Tallahassee PD on December 7, 2012. She claims the alleged sexual assault was committed with the use of "physical force."

According to the police report, the motive for the alleged crime was "sexual gratification." The alleged victim says drinking was involved before the incident.

The police report says on the day in question, someone called the cops at 4:01 AM. When police arrived, we're told there were photos taken of the alleged victim's injuries as well as physical evidence collected.

According to the police report, the incident occurred in an apartment.

Winston is described in the police report as "muscular" and his demeanor as "polite."

Our sources say cops have already interviewed Winston.

As for the alleged offense, it requires proof that the perpetrator penetrated the victim orally, anally, or vaginally.

The investigation is "ongoing" with the police and the Florida State Attorney.

BTW ... the initial police reports lists the suspect's height at 5'11'' max ... Winston is 6'4.' That report also says the suspect has straight hair. Discrepancies aside, we have confirmed with law enforcement sources Winston is indeed the suspect.

M.I.A. doesn't give two craps about the NFL's $1.5 million lawsuit against her for flashing a middle finger during last year's Super Bowl halftime show -- in fact, she tells TMZ, she's going back to the Super Bowl ... to support Bruno Mars.

M.I.A. was leaving an L.A. sushi joint when we asked about the lawsuit, and the singer laughed it all off like it was a joke -- but said she would attend the 2014 Super Bowl to support Bruno's halftime show.

Pretty safe bet she won't actually be on stage, but check the clip.

NFL star Rob Gronkowski is goin' Hollywood ... TMZ has learned Gronk is about to become a real-life movie star ... 'cause dude just signed on to a monster Hollywood film.

We got word from Gronkowski's theatrical manager Henry Penzi ... the NE Patriots' stud is going to be hugging it out with Jeremy Piven, Adrian Grenier and the rest of the boys from "Entourage" in their upcoming feature film.

The movie starts shooting in January ... we're told Gronkowski won't have to stretch his acting abilities too far ... 'cause he's going to play himself (spoiler?)

So far ... no word on what kind of scene he'll shoot ... but given his history ... we wouldn't be surprised to see Gronk partying it up with a bunch of hot babes.

This has to be the greatest wedding day story ever -- some lucky groom in Miami played beer pong against Michael Jordan just hours before tying the knot ... and he didn't just WIN ... he got to rap those "Game 6" Jay-Z lyrics right in Jordan's face.

We got a clip of the epic showdown -- shot at the Ritz-Carlton Friday afternoon before MJ was supposed to go to another wedding -- and we're told it was a real close match ... Jordan vs. The Groom ... coming down to one cup on each side.

According to our extremely drunk eye witnesses, Jordan narrowly missed his last shot, bouncing it off the rim, and the groom responded with a devastating sinker.

The video is incredible -- they're listening to "N***** in Paris" while they play, and everyone starts rapping when the lyrics come up ... "Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6."

Oakland Raiders tight end Todd Christensen -- a 5-time Pro Bowler who went on to host "American Gladiators" -- died this morning during a surgical procedure in Utah. He was 57.

It's unclear what Todd was being treated for ... but he had battled liver disease and other illnesses in recent years.

Todd had a stellar 10-year career in the NFL -- and went on to co-host the 1st season of "American Gladiators" in 1989.

After that, Todd became an NFL broadcaster -- and worked with the "NFL on NBC" from 1990 to 1994.

Story developing ...

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins swears his Instagram was HACKED this morning -- and he wasn't the person who posted selfie-footage of a guy spankin' his own monkey.

The video first appeared on DeAndre's page about an hour ago ... it's shot in the first person and ESPN is on a TV in the background. Great cinematography.

But a short time later, the footage was yanked down ... and his GF posted the following explanation:

"Instagram was hacked , this is his girlfriend he's in meetings with no phone , have some respect ppl."

Maria Sharapova is heading to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia ... but she ain't going to compete ... she'll be a special correspondent for NBC ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sharapova just inked a deal to work for the peacock from Sochi -- where Maria grew up and blossomed into a tennis phenom.

Maria competed at the Summer Olympics back in 2012 and locked up the silver medal after a showdown with Serena Williams in London.

It's unclear which sports Maria will be covering in Sochi -- but since Maria knows the city so well, it's obvious NBC is hoping her hometown connections will give them an advantage over the competition.

Kevin Durant might NEVER have to pay for undies again ... 'cause the OKC Thunder star tells TMZ Sports he's expecting the hook up now that his teammate Russell Westbrook's an underwear model.

Durant -- along with Serge Ibaka, Hasheem Thabeet and the rest of the team -- hit up Boa Steakhouse in Hollywood last night to celebrate Westbrook's 25th birthday.

And since we broke the story about Russell's huge contract with the Kings and Jaxs underwear line, we had to ask the guys about free samples for the team.

Kev was all about it ... and so was Westbrook.

'Cause what's the fun of an underwear deal if you can't share with your co-workers??

Tim Tebow has NOT YET abandoned his dream of becoming a starting NFL quarterback -- and spent his Tuesday running through grueling QB drills at a private field in L.A. ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Despite reports that Tim has hired an agent specializing in on-air talent, Tim appeared pretty focused on PLAYING the game during a training session at USC.

Sources at the field tell us ... Tim spent 4 hours on the field -- spending a good chunk of the time working on throwing mechanics.

We know ... Tim has been a regular at the school for the past couple of weeks -- training almost every day with a personal trainer who seems to be focused on Tim's throwing motion.

It's interesting ... considering most "experts" believe Tim's pro career died when he was cut by the New England Patriots before the season began. Clearly, Tim's not giving up hope.

TMZ Sports reached out to Tim's camp for comment -- so far, no word back.

Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson has something in common with Kim Kardashian -- 'cause someone's trying to cash in on a sex tape featuring the NFL star ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We know ... someone is shopping explicit footage showing the former 1st round NFL Draft pick engaged in an orgy with at least 3 women.

The person who has the footage has already contacted various media outlets, including TMZ Sports ... but so far, no takers. We've seen the footage -- let's just say Trent's got a lot in common with the Colts mascot, if you catch our drift.

Orlando Magic star Glen "Big Baby" Davis went off on a motel night manager, destroying the poor guy's computer ... and we got the surveillance video. If there's a good reason for the 6'9" nearly 300-pound giant to go off like this at 4 AM ... we can't see it. You?

Plus, L.A. Laker Nick Young takes rapper Iggy Azalea out to the carnival! If you've seen her videos ... you know why Nick's into her -- only problem is he blew his chance to impress her with his hoop skills. Damn carnival games!

And when Richie Incognito caught a ride to LAX ... naturally, his driver was Black. Super awkward situation, or great chance for Richie to rehab his image?

Doc Rivers is finally weighing in on the REAL beef between Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen -- and it's clear, he doesn't think the situation is as serious as some people are making it out to be.

Rivers -- who coached Kevin and Ray to a championship in Boston -- was leaving dinner last night with his son Austin Rivers (he plays for the Pelicans, they're in town to play the Lakers) ... when we talked about the heated rift between the NBA superstars.

The whole thing recently blew up after Allen gave an interview saying Kevin and Paul Pierce have refused to speak with him ever since he left Boston for the Miami Heat a few years ago. In fact, they won't even shake Ray's hand before a game.

Charlie Sheen's getting his mind off his custody war with Brooke Mueller the only way he knows how -- baseball -- and yesterday, he had the help of the coolest little leaguers ever.

The photo was taken at Oaks Christian High School yesterday in L.A.. Sources tell us, Charlie was out hitting some balls with his friend (and ex-Major Leaguer) Todd Zeile when the little leaguers came over to say hi.

We're told they all played some baseball for a while -- and the kids got autographs from Sheen and Zeile. It was pretty great, and everyone went home a little happier.