TMZ Sports - Page 50

The guys from O.C. Choppers are in the process of making one of their biggest bikes ever for Shaq ... and TMZ has learned it was customized for the big man with his NBA injuries in mind.

Shaq -- a huge bike fan -- asked for his ride to be taller and longer than normal to accommodate his arthritic hips ... and, of course, the shop obliged. We're told the completed bike will measure roughly 14 feet long (most are 10 ft.).

We're told ... since it's such a big project (due to the size of the bike) ... the guys are putting in a ton of extra work -- and it's all being caputured on tape for their new CMT show "Orange County Choppers."

Seattle Seahawks defensive stud Michael Bennett not only abandoned his dog -- he caused the puppy to have an emotional breakdown that destroyed his health, this according to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... Bennett was in deep dog crap with a pet boarding facility in Tampa, FL, where he allegedly LEFT his 4-month-old boxer Koa back in March after he signed with the Seahawks.

The facility claims it made multiple efforts to contact Bennett, but he blew 'em off -- so now, it's taking his ass to court.

In the lawsuit, filed in Florida, the Lucky Dog Daycare & Resort (ironic name for Koa) claims the puppy was so distraught after being abandoned, he "eventually began refusing to eat, losing his hair and clearly failing to thrive."

There's more ... Lucky Dog not only claims Bennett screwed them out of daycare bills for Koa, but says it also had to pay for "costs of arranging a foster home" for the dog.

Lucky Dog is seeking more than $5,000 to make things right. We reached out to Bennett for comment -- but he abandoned our phone call.

Who Dat with a stomach full of chicken? Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints ... cause we broke the story -- Popeyes is loading 'em up with buckets and buckets of their good luck charm before the Seahawks game. You biting on this superstition?

Plus, Blake Griffin did the impossible -- he actually made people feel sorry for Kris Humphries ... after dropping a monster dunk on his head. It was so nasty, even Blake's own brother has pity for Kris. How 'bout you?

Not every female athlete needs to prove they can hang with the boys ... so says LPGA star Lexi Thompson who tells TMZ Sports she's actually TURNED DOWN a chance to take on the men.

The 3-time LPGA tour winner was in Midtown, NYC today ... and we asked her if she's ever felt compelled to test her skills in the PGA.

Lexi says she not only DECLINED the opportunity, she doesn't WANT to play with men ... telling us, "The women's tour is good enough for me."

She continued, "It's hard enough out in the LPGA."

Paulina Gretzky's pro-golfer fiance is really rubbing off on her ... 'cause the model's swing is looking as tight as her ass in those yoga pants.

The Great One's biggest accomplishment posted the video to Instagram today ... and credits Dustin Johnson (her golfer husband-to-be) for improving her stroke.

"Getting a little better thanks to my coach @djohnsonpga."

Of course, Paulina probably inherited some of her dad's hand-eye coordination ... and luckily, all of her mother's good looks.

50 Cent has SERIOUSLY upgraded his personal security team ... 'cause one of the guys watching his back is UFC Hall of Famer (and ex-WWE superstar) Ken Shamrock!!!!

49-year-old Shamrock was spotted on the rapper's personal protection detail at the CES convection in Las Vegas yesterday ... and afterward, Ken confirmed he's now working for a company that does private security for several "high-end clients," including Fiddy.

After the convention, Ken tweeted that it was a "pleasure" working for 50 ... and said the rapper is, "By far one of the classiest gents I have ever worked with."

As for Ken's fighting career -- he may not have given up on the ring entirely ... just last month, he appeared in a wrestling event in Costa Rica.

But for now, don't screw with Mr. Cent ... or you might end up in a nasty ankle lock.

Ric Flair -- who lives in North Carolina -- says he's received DEATH THREATS from insane Carolina Panthers fans who are furious he gave a pep talk to the 49ers last week.

As we previously reported, Flair visited the 49ers the night before their playoff battle with the Green Bay Packers ... and since the 49ers won, they're playing Carolina this weekend.

But Flair's rep says ... some Panthers fans are PIIIIIISED ... claiming Ric betrayed the state he calls home -- and some people have been making threats to kill the 64-year-old.

The rep explains, "We know fans are passionate about their teams, but some of the choice language we have been receiving is scaring off our interns."

Longtime Chris Christie supporter Shaquille O'Neal is refusing to turn his back on the New Jersey Governor in the wake of Bridgegate -- telling TMZ, he still believes in Christie despite everything.

O'Neal -- who shot a campaign commercial for Christie last year -- called in to "TMZ Live" moments ago, explaining he believed Christie when Christie said he had NO involvement in the infamous George Washington Bridge closure that crippled Fort Lee in September.

As far as Shaq's concerned, Christie has lots of employees ... and it's very possible the Bridgegate emails -- which suggest the GWB closure was ordered as political retribution against Fort Lee's mayor -- were sent without Christie's knowledge.

As for Christie's shot at the Presidency, Shaq is urging voters to "get all the facts" before deciding to support another candidate.

Blake Griffin's MONSTER DUNK over Kris Humphries last night was so nasty ... even Blake's brother admits, you can't help but feel terrible for Kris.

Taylor Griffin -- Blake's big bro -- tells TMZ Sports he was at the Staples Center to watch the Clippers take on the Boston Celtics and watched firsthand as Blake posterized KH with a FEROCIOUS crotch-to-face throwdown.

"I just feel sorry for the guy," Taylor says ... noting that Blake's dunk was definitely one of the Top 3 slams of the year.

Brian Banks -- who spent 5 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit -- has inked a deal for a movie about his life ... which will tell how he overcame false rape allegations and worked his way on to an NFL team.

His story is incredible ... Banks was one of the top high school football prospects in the country when he was accused of raping a student back in 2002. He was convicted and sentenced to prison.

Banks later proved his accuser had made the whole thing up ... and after spending more than 5 years behind bars, he worked hard to get back in shape and got a shot with several NFL teams.

In fact, the Atlanta Falcons signed Banks in 2013 ... and he actually played in a pre-season game, making a couple of tackles. He was ultimately cut before the regular season started.

Now, we've learned Banks has inked a deal with Gidden Media, which will produce a full length feature film based on Brian's story.

We're told the movie will be produced by Amy Baer, who produced "Last Vegas" which starred Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman.

It might be a blessing that the Dallas Cowboys didn't make the NFL playoffs ... 'cause the team cheerleaders used their free time to go hula hooping ... IN THEIR BIKINIS.

The Cowboys released a brand new, smokin' hot video of the cheer team entertaining themselves with a hula hoop (equipped with a GoPro camera) during their recent swimsuit calendar photo shoot in Cozumel, Mexico.

Warning -- the footage is a little dizzying to watch ... but it's worth it.

WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Mae Young is gravely ill ... BUT NOT DEAD ... this according to local reports.

Young -- the only wrestler to compete in NINE DIFFERENT DECADES (her first match in 1939; her last in 2010) -- was hospitalized and placed on life support in South Carolina last month.

The Post and Courier initially reported 90-year-old Young passed away, but later updated the story ... saying the wrestling legend is alive but very sick.

Mae and fellow pioneer female wrestler The Fabulous Moolah returned to the WWE back in 1999 -- when they were both in their 70s -- and were involved in numerous iconic moments like being powerbombed through a table by the Dudley Boyz ... and the birth of "hand."

He's set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame ... but MLB pitching great Tom Glavine tells TMZ Sports ... he can still bring the heat when it comes to rocketing a baseball.

The 47-year-old was at LaGuardia on Wednesday when we asked him if he's still maintaining his arm -- 5 years after he retired from the game.

Dennis Rodman is blaming the a-a-a-alcohol for his wild screaming North Korea-defending outburst on CNN this week ... saying he was drinking before he went on live TV.

During the maniacal rant, Rodman -- who's in N. Korea -- defended dictator/tiny person Kim Jong-Un's decision to imprison American Kenneth Bae, even though N. Korea won't say why Bae is being punished.

Now, Rodman is backpedaling HARD ... saying, "I embarrassed a lot of people. I'm very sorry. At this point I should know better than to make political statements. I'm truly sorry."

He continued, "I had been drinking ... It's not an excuse but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed."

Rodman also issued an apology to Kenneth Bae's family, his teammates and CNN host Chris Cuomo ... the target of Rodman's outburst.

Former NFL star Carl Pickens was HIDING IN HIS ATTIC when cops arrived at his home to arrest the 43-year-old for beating up his wife ... but he blew his cover when he CRASHED THROUGH THE ROOF.

As we previously reported, cops in Georgia were on the hunt for the ex-Pro Bowl wide receiver after his wife told authorities Carl threw her on the couch and pinned her down by the neck during an argument on Dec. 7th.

When deputies arrived to Carl's home to arrest him for domestic battery, his wife lied and told the deputies he wasn't there ... but then cops heard a "loud crashing sound" coming from the ceiling.

Cops proceeded to inspect the house and saw "a fresh hole in the ceiling from the attic where Mr. Pickens had partially fallen."

Dumbass.

According to the report, cops shouted at Pickens to surrender ... and moments later, he obliged ... having blown his best hiding spot.