TMZ Sports - Page 50

Elton John is HUGE in Russia ... so gay people should feel totally welcome at the Olympics -- this according to President Vladimir Putin, who's trying like Hell to prove his country doesn't hate homosexuals.

Putin reiterated Russia would not discriminate against gay and lesbian athletes or visitors during the upcoming Sochi Olympics while speaking with the foreign press Sunday morning.

Putin used Elton as an example, calling him an "outstanding person (and) musician" -- and adding, "Millions of our people sincerely love him despite his orientation."

For what it's worth ... Elton spoke out against the country's "gay propaganda law" last month during a concert in Moscow saying, "In my opinion, it is inhumane and isolating."

Can you feel the love tonight?

Dennis Rodman is in rehab to treat his never-ending addiction to booze ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to Rodman tell us the 52-year old basketball Hall of Famer checked into a treatment center a few days ago in New Jersey ... on the heels of his disastrous trip to North Korea.

We're told Rodman is "beyond exhausted and overwhelmed" ... and he will be in treatment for 30 days.

The Worm has had multiple stints in rehab. Dennis checked into a Florida treatment facility in 2008 ... and in 2009 he appeared on the third season of "Celebrity Rehab." He relapsed shortly after the show premiered.

Rodman blamed booze for his explosion during a recent CNN interview from N. Korea.

The New England Patriots don't give a crap about Aaron Hernandez -- at least not enough to visit the guy in jail ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned, not a single one of his former teammates has come to see him in the slammer.

It's been 8 months since the former star TE got locked up ... and sources at the Bristol County jail tell us, exactly ZERO of his "friends" on the team have stopped by to cheer him up.

Aaron gets a whopping 1-HOUR a week to see visitors ... and he can divide that time amongst up to 5 people -- one at a time -- however he pleases.

But here's the thing ... all visitors need to be approved by Aaron in advance. So if Tom Brady wanted to drop by, he'd have to get in touch with Hernandez first ... which isn't so easy 'cause he can only use the phone during visitation time.

TMZ Sports has learned ... former NFL superstar Darren Sharper is being investigated for allegedly raping TWO different women on two different nights.

We broke the story ... Sharper -- a 5-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champ -- was arrested on Friday in Los Angeles after cops say he's been linked to two sexual assaults.

Now, we've learned ... the case involves TWO accusers -- each of whom claim Sharper raped them in L.A. hotel rooms .. one in October 2013 and the other in January 2014.

Former NFL superstar Darren Sharper -- a 5-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champ -- has been arrested in L.A. on suspicion of rape ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the 38-year-old was arrested on Friday -- and he's been linked to 2 sexual assaults ... one that occurred in Oct. 2013 and the other in January 2014.

The identity of the alleged victim or victims has not been released.

Sharper was booked at an L.A. jail -- and was released on $200k bail.

Sharper -- a hard-hitting safety who played for the Packers, Vikings and Saints -- is currently an analyst for the NFL Network.

Arian Foster's brother insists he NEVER tried to strong-arm Brittany Norwood into getting an abortion -- and now TMZ Sports has obtained text messages that show she actually PRAISED him as a "good person."

We broke the story ... Brittany -- who's 17 weeks pregnant -- is suing both Arian and his brother Abdul, claiming they "constantly harassed" her about aborting the NFL star's love child.

Now, Abdul is breaking his silence ... telling us, "At no time did I ever try to threaten, harass or pressure Ms. Norwood. The only contacts I had with her were on November 12, 2013 when we exchanged text messages and met for dinner."

TMZ Sports has seen the text message exchange, in which Abdul apologized for the "passionate" dinner conversation ... but said he understands her decision to keep the baby and added, "I hope things continue to work out."

Brittany responded to the text with a series of compliments ... saying, "Abdul, honestly I respect your opinion and I know how good of a person you are and all the people you're trying to protect and that's so genuine and admirable."

She continued, "I'm really trying to think about everything, it's just a horrible situation and it's very hard. But I do love your brother so much I can't express to anyone how I feel about him and how happy he makes me."

Cleveland Browns WR Davone Bess was a "model citizen" before he allegedly attacked a cop at a Florida airport ... so says one of his old coaches who tells TMZ Sports he wants Davone to get help before it's too late.

We spoke to Richard Miano, who was the associate head coach at the University of Hawaii when Davone played for the Warriors.

Miano says he knows Bess has gone through some "very difficult times" off the field recently ... and acknowledges that with his recent arrest, it seems like Davone's life is "spiraling out of control."

But deep down, Miano says Bess is a good person -- "He'd come back to Hawaii every year and seemed like he was doing the right things, community service, things with children, it really seemed like he had transformed his life."

Bess had missed the last two games of the regular season citing personal issues ... and is currently under investigation by the Browns for tweeting pictures of a blunt and sack of weed.

But Miano says ... "Davone was somewhat of a model citizen at UH. There weren't any signs that he was a time bomb waiting to happen."

"He's just gotta get help."

6:50 PM PT -- Sources connected to Geno tell us he was sitting on a Virgin America flight listening to music on his headphones when they announced it was time to shut off electronics.

Geno claims he didn't hear the announcement, and the flight attendant came over and physically unplugged his headphones. We're told Geno got upset, screamed at the flight attendant, who screamed back -- then Geno stood up ... refused to sit down, and claims he called cops.

But Virgin also called the police, who escorted Geno off the flight. Alec Baldwin would be proud.

5:45 PM PT -- Looks like Geno might be lying ... 'cause the LAX Airport Police tell TMZ Sports ... Geno WAS asked to deplane his flight because of a "verbal dispute."

We're told Geno complied ... and was questioned and released by officers without further incident.

NY Jets quarterback Geno Smith tells TMZ Sports ... he was NOT escorted off a plane by police at LAX ... despite multiple witnesses and photos that seem to tell a different story.

Multiple people at LAX began posting on social networks that Geno was involved in a verbal confrontation near a Virgin America gate at LAX on Friday ... and it got so intense, cops were called to the scene.

In fact, a photo has surfaced showing Geno speaking with cops at the terminal.

But we found Geno INSIDE the terminal, and he told us the allegations are total BS ... saying, "Don't believe that man."

Geno says he doesn't know how the rumors started ... saying he just wants to go home.

Geno Smith allegedly escorted off plane by LAX cops: https://t.co/0qJNTlfafh

Not everyone's thrilled with Kobe Bryant's impromptu college visit in Boston last night ... in fact, Sinbad's downright upset -- telling TMZ Sports it's a huge INSULT to the schools in L.A.

Sinbad -- who lives in Los Angeles for decades -- pointed out that Kobe could've sat in on classes at UCLA or USC during his 18-year stint with the Lakers ... and didn't have to fly all the way across the country to learn about marketing.

Gilbert Arenas has been ordered by a judge to go BACK TO 5TH GRADE ... and it's all because the former NBA star struck a plea deal stemming from an illegal fireworks arrest, TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Arenas was busted in L.A. on June 27th when officials say he was transporting more than 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks in a speeding vehicle.

Now, we've learned the 32-year-old struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead no contest to misdemeanor possession of dangerous fireworks without a permit ... and in exchange he was sentenced to 24 months probation, a $10,000 fine and 10 hours of community service.

But the 10 hours have to be spent teaching 5th graders about fireworks safety ... so they don't wind up in jail for pulling a Gilbert when they grow up.

Kobe Bryant surprised a classroom full of students at Boston College last night when he walked into a marketing class and sat in for the full 2-hour course ... but the professor tells us he had NO IDEA the NBA star was planning on stopping by.

Kobe -- who's in Boston to watch his Lakers take on the Celtics -- walked into Professor Nick Nugent's international marketing class at 6:30pm ... and stayed the entire time.

"Kobe stayed for the whole 2 hours and never once did I see him check his phone," Prof. Nugent said ... "He even asked a question in class! It was about cross-border trade."

Prof. Nugent says ... after the class ended, he checked his email and found two unread messages from Kobe's assistant saying the NBA star was interested in attending.

Nugent says even though he never gave Kobe official permission, he wasn't the least bit upset with Bryant.

Danica Patrick's been an Indy star, and now NASCAR ... yet somehow she doesn't know how to change a tire?? That's what she told us -- shocking for someone deep in auto sports ... or just a chick thing?

Plus, Aaron Hernandez fans are mailing stacks of nude selfies to him -- but we found out jailers are confiscating the sexy pics. Fair to cell-block the ex-NFL star ... who's innocent till proven guilty, mind you?

It's Dwyane Wade's 32nd birthday ... and a full-blown battle for the NBA star's affection has broken out on social media between the two most special people in his life -- Gabrielle Union and LeBron James.

Gabrielle expressed her love for Wade by posting a couple of artsy photos of the couple together -- one where she's draped all over the guy -- along with the caption, "Happy Birthday @dwyanewade ... #lovelightpeace."

It's sweet ... but she might've been OUTDONE by LeBron ... who posted a 9 PHOTO COLLAGE along with a 131 WORD essay about his love for his teammate.

The statement reads ...

"Happy Bday to my running mate, homie, brother, and most of all straight up friend! The friendship we've created our rookie year at pre draft camp was pure and that's why we stuck together from that point on!

Obviously didn't know we would eventually become teammates and do the things we've done so far. I came to Miami for 2 reasons. To play with U and to win championships and I can't thank u enough for the sacrifice you've made since I arrived homie!

8:41 AM PT -- Kellen's rep issued a statement saying the whole thing was a misunderstanding because Kellen was NOT throwing a J.

"Kellen pulled over to a parking lot to smoke what he thought at the time was a legal substance. He changed his clothes in his vehicle as to not smell like smoke when he returned home."

The rep continued, "There was absolutely nothing inappropriate that took place and if there was police would have investigated further and charged Kellen which they did not. This will be the only time we will comment on this unfounded and ridiculous claim."

New York Jets tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was masturbating in a Target parking lot ... with TWO jars of vaseline in his car ... this according to a police report obtained by TMZ Sports.

The 30-year-old former Pro Bowler was arrested on November 19th ... after cops in New Jersey received a tip about a man in a Target parking lot "pleasuring himself" in his vehicle.

According to the report, a 58-year-old white lady had pulled up next to Kellen's Cadillac Escalade around 5:30pm and noticed Kellen sitting in the driver's seat with the window open.

The woman says she tried to make small talk about the weather (it was really cold) and that's when she saw his erect penis ... and called the cops.

When cops arrived to the scene, they reportedly found two open containers of vaseline in the car ... along with synthetic marijuana labelled "Mr. Happy" -- and Kellen admitted he smokes the stuff to help him relax.

Cops asked Kellen what he was doing in the parking lot and he said he was looking for a Boston Market but got lost. Cops note that K's penis was not exposed when they arrived.

Kellen was eventually arrested and hauled to a nearby station.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Davone Bess was arrested at an airport in Florida this morning after allegedly going after a cop with hot coffee ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to the incident report obtained by TMZ Sports, the Broward County Sheriff's Dept. responded to passenger complaints about a black man at a TSA checkpoint "acting irrationally, dancing, singing with his pants repeatedly falling down."

When cops arrived to the scene, Bess continued to act in a bizarre manner and grabbed a cup of coffee -- that didn't belong to him -- from a nearby counter and squeezed it so hard, it splashed all over the cop.

According to the report, Bess then took a "fighting stance" ... so the cop took out his baton and struck Bess in the leg.

But the cop says the baton strike had "no effect" -- and Bess proceeded to take off his shirt and once again got into a fighting stance.

The cop called for backup ... and when help arrived, Bess complied and was taken into custody. He was arrested for simple assault on an officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

The cop says Bess "appeared to be under the influence of unknown narcotic" and "appeared to be looking through me when I was talking to him."

Team USA figure skating champ Evan Lysacek tells TMZ Sports ... he's suffered AT LEAST 15 concussions in his career and says the sport should consider making helmets mandatory on ice before something terrible happens.

The Olympic gold medal winner was in L.A. on Thursday and was brutally honest about the dangers of figure skating.

"I've seen some gnarly falls like where a girl gets dropped out of mid-air and just like their teeth pop out ... and split chins, split cheek ... crazy stuff."

The 28-year-old says he believes he's suffered somewhere between 15 and 20 concussions ... explaining, "You know sometimes we fall at 20 miles an hour. Your neck just kinda snaps back."

According to the U.S. Department of Health, people who suffer repeated concussions "may have serious long-term problems, including chronic difficulty with concentration, memory, headache, and occasionally, physical skills, such as keeping one’s balance."