TMZ Sports - Page 50

NBA star Larry Sanders is claiming his blackness was somehow a major factor in the insane bottle-throwing fight at a Milwaukee nightclub earlier this year.

Just one day after footage emerged showing the 6'11" Bucks star firing glass bottles at nightclub patrons during a Nov. 3 melee, Sanders posted a statement on Instagram ... saying, "I blame no one for my mistakes ... I take full responsibility for my actions."

But then he proceeds to play the race card ... saying, "This is something I've dealt with my whole life .. from being the black male being followed around the store to being the black male helped around the store."

"I've seen the American society from both ends..ppl are hypnotized by the media to feel and base certain judgement toward groups of ppl and they don't even know it..born into a system put in place before our existence."

"Good thing I didn't get jumped by a bunch of black guys that night or it would've been gang related ...lol sheeeeeeesh!!"

Blackness aside, Sanders was acting like a maniac in the nightclub -- and allegedly slashed someone's face open with one of the glass bottles he was wielding around that night.

Officials have said Sanders will not be prosecuted for the incident -- but we wouldn't be surprised if someone files a lawsuit against him in the near future.

The woman who claims she was raped by Florida State QB Jameis Winston says they were boozing at a local bar before the incident ... and she had 5 or 6 shots, this according to police documents.

According to a search warrant affidavit, the woman told cops she "began to feel the effects of the drinks" and was then whisked to a nearby apartment, where she was raped.

According to the affidavit, “[the accuser] then remembers entering an apartment on the ground floor. She remembers the male taking off her clothes then engaging in penile/vaginal sex with her as she told him to stop and tried to fight him off.”

Cops said in the affidavit ... at some point during the incident, another black male with dreadlocks came into the room and told the man to stop ... at which point he took the accuser into a nearby bathroom where he "completed the act."

Cops say the woman contacted police within an hour of the alleged rape -- but claim the accuser was so drunk at the time, she was "unable to tell a detective where the incident occurred."

She had only "hazy recollections of details after that," the cops said.

It wasn't until roughly 5 weeks after the incident that the woman first identified Winston as her attacker.

Ex-NFL star Kordell Stewart says he's THRILLED his reality star ex-wife is dropping his last name -- claiming she's an awful person who nearly destroyed his family's reputation.

We broke the story ... Kordell and "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Porsha Williams are officially divorced.

Porsha had changed her name to Stewart when they tied the knot back in 2011 -- and according to Kordell's lawyer, she threatened to KEEP his name after they split.

"Kordell was very concerned about the damage it could cause," his lawyer tells TMZ Sports ... "however, she reconsidered and decided to restore her maiden name, Williams."

"Kordell now believes he can restore the Stewart name and brand, for which it has been known through many generations, one of character, integrity, honesty and truthfulness."

Translation -- she was a no good liar ... and I'm glad to have her out of my life.

Jameis Winston is just hours away from finding out if the State Attorney will hit him with criminal charges for allegedly raping an FSU student back in Dec. 2012 ... and TMZ Sports will be reporting the news AS IT HAPPENS.

State Attorney Willie Meggs will make the announcement at 2PM ET from his office in Tallahassee, FL.

Winston's lawyer issued a strong statement saying he believes the Florida State QB will NOT be charged with a crime -- "If he looked at evidence we did, we feel confident he will find that Mr. Winston did nothing wrong."

And while Winston insists the sexual encounter was consensual, the accuser is still adamant she was raped.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the case was essentially buried by the Tallahassee PD for almost a year ... and didn't get kicked up to the State Attorney until WE started poking around a few weeks ago.

Mike Tomlin just got put on notice by Miami Dolphins players, who tell TMZ Sports ... if the Steeler's coach so much as steps foot on the field this Sunday ... he's gonna need to call 911.

In case you missed it -- Tomlin was fined $100,000 for stepping onto the field last week and interfering with a kick-off return by the Ravens' Jacoby Jones.

TMZ Sports spoke with one of the Dolphins -- who play the Steelers in Pittsburgh this weekend -- and he says ... "I hope he learns his lesson that he needs to get his ass off the field or he might be in a hospital if it occurs again."

Tomlin has apologized and insists the whole thing was an accident. Sounds like he better not make the same mistake twice.

Ray Lewis is still a BEAST in the NFL ... at least when it comes to jersey sales, 'cause despite the fact he's retired, his uni is still selling better than Eli Manning and a bunch of other active studs, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to the NFL Team Shop, Ray's Baltimore Ravens jersey was the 11th best-selling jersey from April 1st to September 30th ... beating out the 2x Super Bowl MVP, who clocked in at number 12.

Ray's #52 is also selling better than Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (18th) and Eagles stud LeSean McCoy (25th).

In fact, Ray's just BAAARELY getting beat out by Saints QB Drew Brees ... who wears the 10th best selling jersey in the league.

Video footage of Milwaukee Bucks star Larry Sanders TRYING TO ATTACK PEOPLE WITH A GLASS BOTTLE inside a nightclub has just been released ... and it's insane.

The incident went down inside Apartment 720 nightclub in Milwaukee on Nov. 3 -- and you can clearly see the 6'11" NBA star (wearing some bright pants) violently swinging a bottle at several patrons.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sanders was PISSED that someone splashed champagne on him that night and he flipped out.

In the footage, it appears Sanders throws at least 3 glass bottles into the crowd ... as he clumsily slips and slides all over the dance floor. In fact, someone in the club claimed they were gashed open by a flying bottle in the madness and needed stitches to close the wound.

At one point, someone tackles Sanders HARD in an effort to stop the violence.

Sanders dodged serious criminal charges, but he is expected to be cited for assault and battery as well as disorderly conduct.

Jason Kidd already got fined $50k, now the Lakers Shawne Williams is laying major smack talk on the Nets coach for the spilled drink stunt. We don't usually see players go after coaches like this, but did JK have it coming?

Plus, Mr. Boston ... Mark Wahlberg gives Jacoby Ellsbury the big kiss off -- telling TMZ Sports the hated Yankees can have him! Where's the love for a guy who helped the Red Sox win it all?

And Auburn alum Charles Barkley says something in support of Alabama? Yeah, kinda ... you gotta see what he's saying about the death threats against the Tide's kicker. Really brave, or really dumb on Chuck's part?

Charles Barkley -- one of Auburn's most famous alums -- is DEFENDING the Alabama kicker ... telling TMZ Sports the kid may have choked, but he doesn't deserve DEATH THREATS.

The kicker -- Cade Foster -- has been the target of all sorts of hateful tweets and threats from insane 'Bama fans who are blaming him for the loss to Auburn, simply because he missed a couple of FGs in the Iron Bowl.

But Sir Charles, who's no stranger to threats on his life, tells us, "Those people are idiots. I mean, he missed them field goals ... he didn't TRY to miss 'em."

The investigation into Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is OVER -- and the Heisman candidate will know TOMORROW if he'll be prosecuted for allegedly raping a female college student last December.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... cops sat on the case for MONTHS​ in what appears to be a coverup -- but the Florida State Attorney jumpstarted an investigation last month once TMZ Sports started poking around.

Winston has acknowledged having a sexual encounter with his accuser in December 2012 -- but says it was consensual.

The accuser is adamant ... she was raped by Winston.

The old man who booted an Arizona State fan in the face at Sun Devil Stadium last weekend "GOT DESTROYED" after the camera turned off ... sources involved in the situation tell TMZ Sports.

The video of the initial incident has already gone viral -- showing an old man delivering a BOOT to the face of a young ASU fan during the ASU vs. U of A game in Tempe this past weekend.

Moments after the blow, you can see ASU fans swarm the old man ... and then the camera shuts off.

Now, sources directly involved in the incident tell TMZ Sports ... the old man "got what he deserved" when several ASU fans pummeled him right in the stands.

As for how the whole thing started ... we're told, "The old man was yelling at some undergrads and some girls. He was told to 'shut his mouth.'"

"The old man took offense. He kicked. He then got what he deserved. He was destroyed."

We're also told security rushed to the scene and "[the old man] and his redneck family were kicked out." The ASU fans were allowed to stay in the stadium.

Dikembe Mutombo dominated a bunch of NBA studs in his career -- but DM tells TMZ Sports there were TWO guys he knew he just couldn't stop.

Mount Mutombo was leaving LaGuardia yesterday ... when the 7 ft. 2 in. big man revealed his toughest opponents ... two guys who Dikembe knew would drop 30 on him every time they faced off.

It's interesting stuff -- but the best part of the clip had to be when the legend SCHOOLED our photog on the art of the finger wag. Check it out.

Mark Wahlberg couldn't care less that former Red Sox super star Jacoby Ellsbury jumped ship for the arch rival Yankees ... 'cause the Sox already got their championship rings and they don't need him anymore.

Wahlberg -- aka Mr. Boston -- was on his way out of the 'Today' show this morning ... and we got a chance to ask him about the latest Sox All-Star to ditch Fenway for pinstripes for a huge contract (7 years, $153 million)

Wahlberg tells us his feelings aren't too hurt about it, saying "we got the ring already, let him get his money" ... adding "Johnny Damon did it, it is what it is."

It's a good point about Damon ... 'cause when he headed to the Bronx ... Bostonians lit their pitch forks and called him Judas.

But when you listen to Mark ... sounds like winning cures all.

Drake has a new business partner -- MICHAEL JORDAN -- 'cause the rapper just announced he signed a new shoe deal with Nike and MJ ... and he's fired up about it.

Drake made the announcement during a concert last night in Portland -- which also happens to be where Nike's headquarters are located.

During the show, Drake said, "Today I came to Portland, and I officially became inducted into the Team Jordan family." Drake said it was one of the best days of his life.

The rapper then posted a shot of his special OVO Air Jordans to his Instagram page -- it's unclear when they'll hit the market.

The move comes in the wake of Kanye West revealing that he recently pulled out of a deal with Nike because they wouldn't give him royalties on his shoes.

There was Neil Armstrong ... John Glenn ... and now figure skating legend Johnny Weir says he hopes to join these iconic space pioneers ... by participating in the very first SPACE BJ!!!!

A fabulously dressed Weir had just finished skating to a Lady Gaga song at a holiday show at Bryant Park in NYC yesterday when we brought up Gaga's plans to be the first person to sing in space ... and that's when things got dirty.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Shawne Williams didn't mince words when we asked him about the Jason Kidd soda-spilling saga ... telling TMZ Sports, "F**k Jason Kidd."

Of course, it's a helluva statement considering Kidd's Brooklyn Nets were playing the Lake Show on the night Kidd intentionally spilled a soda on the court in an effort to stop the game clock.

But on the way out of the Writer's Room (it's a bar) in Hollywood last night, Williams told us, "[Kidd] do his thing ... we still won."