TMZ Sports - Page 50

The Ultimate Warrior was the most mulleted, most face-painted wrestler to ever step in the squared circle -- so, we're honoring him with a TMZ tribute.

Warning: If you're Arsenio Hall ... don't watch this. Might trigger flashbacks.

Larry Bird's 22-year-old son has plead guilty to criminal recklessness -- stemming from a 2013 incident in which he allegedly tried to run over his GF with his car ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Connor Bird was busted on the campus of Indiana University last February after cops say he threw a cell phone at his GF and then tried to run her down in a campus parking lot.

Bird was initially facing several charges, including battery and possession of marijuana -- but we've learned he struck a deal with prosecutors in which they agreed to toss 2 of the charges if he plead guilty to criminal recklessness.

As part of the deal, Bird has agreed to participate in a sober-living program -- where he will be monitored by a sober mentor -- and must stay out of trouble for 12 months.

The death of the Ultimate Warrior wasn't shocking or unexpected ... it's par for the course with wrestler who abuse their bodies ... so says ESPN host Colin Cowherd.

Cowherd went on his radio show this morning and said pro wrestlers are dying at an alarming rate -- and at a very young age ... and blames it on a culture of drugs and painkillers.

"The story behind the story is ... drugs, painkiller, HGH ... it's the roll of the dice that pro wrestling dudes with limited options not good enough to play pro sports [take]."

Cowherd didn't specifically accuse Warrior of drug abuse -- but said it's something that nearly all wrestlers acknowledge.

Colin went on to compare wrestling to pro baseball -- saying, "You think baseball season is long? There's is double and they don't get 4 at-bats. They're getting batted on all night."

"SNL" paid off big time for Drake ... because his hosting work on the show earlier this season helped him lock up the job to host the ESPYS this year ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Long before Drake cozied up to Kentucky, there was another major hip hop star who aligned herself with a popular Final 4 team ... QUEEN LATIFAH ... so says former UCLA superstar Tyus Edney.

Tyus was out in Santa Monica last night and told us Queen was such a big fan of the Bruins back in the day, she sent the players a BOTTLE OF EXPENSIVE CHAMPAGNE when they won the championship in '95.

"I think I still have the bottle," Edney said ... "I didn't even drink it!"

Bonus -- Tyus was out with Andre Johnson (Magic's son) ... and told us they just started a company together called "Where Were You When ...?" which is all about famous moments in sports history.

In what can only be described as a total lack of gender equality, the students at UConn failed to riot after the women's basketball team won the NCAA title last night ... with ZERO student arrests.

Of course, the insanity in Storrs, CT became a national story after the men's team won the championship on Monday -- with 15,000 people flooding the streets and 35 arrests in the riots that followed (20 of those people were students).

But law enforcement tells TMZ Sports ... when the Lady Huskies clinched the title the following night, only an estimated 3,500 people took to the streets ... and only 2 arrests were made (neither person was a student).

A rep for the school tells us, "All in all, people had a good time, but they did so responsibly and respectfully. A great night in a great week for the Huskies.”

The Ultimate Warrior "clutched his chest" moments before he collapsed at an Arizona hotel Tuesday afternoon ... this according to law enforcement sources who spoke with witnesses.

TMZ has learned ... Warrior was walking down a hallway at the Gainey Suites Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ and headed toward his car with his wife -- when he stopped, clutched his chest and went down.

We're told Warrior never recovered.

Sources connected to the situation tell us officials believe Warrior suffered a "catastrophic medical event" and so far, we're told there is no evidence to show drugs or alcohol were a factor in his death. All signs point to massive heart attack.

We're told an investigation is underway. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner tells us the autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

Michael Sam -- the first openly gay NFL prospect -- is pumped another Division 1 athlete has come out of the closet ... and he will be reaching out to Derrick Gordon to offer support, TMZ Sports has learned.

We spoke to Sam's rep who tells us ... "We're so happy for him. This is going to happen more and more because it's now accepted by society."

The rep says Sam is looking forward to the opportunity to speak to Gordon so he can offer "words of encouragement."

UMass basketball player Derrick Gordon has announced he's gay -- making him the first openly gay basketball player in Division 1 men's college basketball.

While her man's away, Aaron Hernandez's fiancee will play ... in fact, she got herself a good ol' fashioned lap dance from a male stripper in Rhode Island this week ... and TMZ Sports has the pic.

The man accused of stalking Selena Gomez has a connection to Carlos Boozer and TWO other NBA stars ... his shirt, TMZ Sports has learned.

When Che Cruz was arrested last week in Calabasas for allegedly jumping the fence at Selena's home, he was wearing a shirt with a logo for "Cliq App" -- a small startup company with 3 NBA investors ... Boozer, Dorell Wright and Ty Lawson.

We're told ... when the guys saw Cruz wearing the shirt they scrambled to figure out how he got one -- and then, it clicked.

Turns out, one of the founders of the company saw Cruz in L.A. a few weeks earlier and gave him the shirt because he thought he was down on his luck and could use it.

Now, Boozer, Wright, Lawson and the rest of Cliq App are distancing themselves from Cruz -- saying, "We are deeply Saddened that Selena Gomez was violated and had to endure such a frightening incident. The Cliq App is in no way associated with the suspect involved and we are completely against all of his alleged criminal actions."

The Ultimate Warrior is dead ... he died suddenly and horrifically, right in front of his wife.

We've learned Warrior collapsed without warning outside an Arizona hotel at 5:50 PM Tuesday ... while walking to his car with his wife.

He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Warrior -- real name James Hellwig -- was a true WWE legend ... and was one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time. He was 54-years-old.

Warrior was just inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before Wrestlemania XXX this weekend ... and this week he made his first appearance on "Monday Night Raw" in years.

Triple H just tweeted, "Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters."

Stephanie McMahon also tweeted, "#RIPUltimateWarrior Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family."

Hulk Hogan -- Warrior's greatest rival -- has also tweeted, "RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH"

Kevin Nash wrote, "So happy I embraced Warrior with a hug when we saw each other backstage Saturday night.My heart goes out to his family.Always Believe."

Warrior posed for some pics at the airport in New Orleans around 6am Tuesday morning. We're told he was in great spirits and offered to take photos with any fan who approached him.

WWE posted a message on the official website saying, "WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior. "

"Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter. We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans."

"WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans. Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters."

Story developing ...

Cris Carter's wife says she was HEADBUTTED by another woman at a tennis match in Boca Raton that got super-violent ... and it's all over a dispute over a line call.

The NFL Hall of Famer's wife, Melanie Carter, was playing in a doubles match at the Seasons of Boca Raton community center on Monday when she got into it with a line judge over a call.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Carter says the judge began to cuss her out ... so she told the woman to mind her own business.

Eventually, the ladies got in each other's faces -- and that's when Carter says the judge said something like "ht me." All of the sudden, Carter claims, the judge headbutted Carter ... so she punched her back.

Melanie claims they fell to the ground fighting and several people had to pull them apart.

As for the other woman, she DENIES the headbutt and says Carter threw the first punch.

When cops arrived, the officer spoke with witnesses -- but couldn't determine who was the aggressor -- so no arrests were made.

Orlando Scandrick went to Mexico ... and all he got was TWO HANDFULLS OF ASS!

The Dallas Cowboys cornerback took a trip to Cancun with his "Basketball Wives" girlfriend Draya Michele ... and judging by the pics, they couldn't keep their hands off each other.

Our sources tell us the two were on a couple's getaway with some friends -- so Orlando could relax and chill out before he starts training for the 2014 season.

The Iron Sheik has joined the grassy knoll lunch club ... claiming The Undertaker's loss at WrestleMania 30 was an off-the-cuff conspiracy triggered by an injury during the match.

It was a shocking loss ... breaking a record 21 wins in a row.

Undertaker suffered a serious concussion during his match against Brock Lesnar. A fringe cell -- including Iron Sheik -- believes Undertaker was supposed to win but after the injury there was a mad scramble to change the plan because Undertaker wasn't physically able to seal the deal.