TMZ Sports - Page 50

Bud Holmes, longtime agent of NFL legend Walter Payton, says his comments in the new book about Payton were taken out of context ... and that the man known as Sweetness was not a drug addict.

In a soon-to-be published book entitled "Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton," author Jeff Pearlman claims sources told him Payton took a cocktail of Tylenol and Vicodin and kept tanks of nitrous oxide in his garage. He also alleged Payton was suicidal.

In excerpts that were released this week, Holmes is quoted as saying, "Walter was pounding his body with medication."

But Holmes tells TMZ, “[Payton] was not hooked on drugs. He wasn’t an addict. He didn’t abuse drugs or use illegal drugs."

Holmes insists he never meant to imply that Payton abused pain medication and was simply talking about pills that "were only used to alleviate the aches and pains he got from playing the game we watch on Sundays."

Holmes says he never knew Payton to use nitrous oxide, Vicodin or Ritalin, as the book claims.

NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders wants to put the kibosh on rumors he filed for divorce from Pilar Sanders ... telling TMZ while they've talked about splitting up, he's NEVER filed legal papers.

Prime Time says that he and Pilar are currently still together -- but in the process of figuring out "what's best for our future, our lives, and our kids."

Reports are circulating the two split after allegations Deion was unfaithful -- but Sanders tells us the infidelity rumors were nothing more than a failed extortion attempt.

Manny Ramirez -- former star of the L.A. Dodgers and Boston Red Sox -- has been formally charged by the Broward State Attorney's Office with misdemeanor domestic violence and battery.

Phil Jackson has one word for concerned Laker fans ... chill -- because the former coach says there's no way Kobe Bryant will miss a single NBA game if he plays overseas.

Phil was flying out of LAX when he talked about the possibility of the Black Mamba hooping in Italy during the cursed lockout -- and in his classic, laid back style ... said, "He won't miss any games."

The Red Sox missing the playoffs by THIS much ... the Patriots losing to the Bills -- how much can Boston sports fans take in a week? Oops ... we found one more major league bummer.

WWE star Jimmy Uso -- son of the great Stinkface-inflicting Rikishi -- was arrested in Florida early this morning on suspicion of DUI ... TMZ has learned.

Tampa Police tell TMZ, an officer observed Uso at approximately 3 a.m. driving the wrong way down a one-way street in a silver Mustang ... and pulled him over.

According to the arrest report, Uso took a breathalyzer test after showing "multiple signs of impairment" -- including slurred speech and glassy eyes. The breathalyzer registered a blood alcohol level of .180 ... over twice the legal limit in Florida.

Uso was arrested on the scene and is currently being held on $500 bond.

Jamie McCourt has successfully unloaded one of the Holmby Hills cribs she used to own with estranged hubby Frank McCourt -- selling the 8 bedroom, 10 bath mansion for a cool $6.525 million.

The McCourts bought the 8,400 square foot home back in 2004 -- in hopes of making it the "guest house" for the $25 million villa they purchased next door.

The problem is -- Frank and Jamie divorced before they got around to creating the massive 5 acre compound -- and the guest house was put up for sale.

Ex-Dodger Milton Bradley was busted for felony assault -- after allegedly swinging a baseball bat at his wife yesterday.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ -- Bradley's wife called 911 yesterday around 2pm from their home in Los Angeles -- and told police Milton was chasing her and swinging at her ... batting cage style.

We're told police showed up and took Milton into custody -- and booked him for assault with a deadly weapon. His wife was not injured.

The former outfielder was released from jail last night on $30,000 bail.

The real estate market has Hulk Hogan in a serious chokehold -- because the Florida mansion he once listed for $25 MILLION ... has now been reduced all the way to $8.87 million.

Hulk has been trying to unload the mansion -- famously featured in "Hogan Knows Best" -- since 2006. He's dropped the asking price twice before ... but now, he's finally UNDER double digits.

As for the 17,145 square foot estate -- it boasts 5 bedrooms, 9.5 baths, a boathouse, a pool with a two-tier waterfall, and a four car garage.

David Beckham was worth every cent of the $250 MILLION contract he signed to be a part of the L.A. Galaxy back in 2007 ... so says the ex-General Manager who helped bring him to the squad.

TMZ spoke with U.S. soccer legend Alexi Lalas -- who was instrumental in bringing Beckham to the M.L.S. -- and despite the fact that Beckham's U.S. soccer career has been less than stellar, Lalas has no regrets about the move.

Artie Lange's return to radio is paying off for him and partner Nick DiPaolo ... BIG time -- because TMZ has learned the comedy duo will rake in a total of about 3 MILLION bucks!

We're told Artie and Nick just inked 3-year deals for a nationally syndicated radio show premiering Monday, October 3. Sources involved in the deal say each of them will make more than 500K per year of the deal -- and it's going to be called "The Nick and Artie Show."

As TMZ first reported ... DirecTV put together the deal to get Nick and the former "Howard Stern Show" star. We're told there are already plans to simulcast Nick and Artie on The Audience Network next Spring.

The show will focus on sports and entertainment -- and we're told Artie's already describing it like this: "Imagine two hosts from SportsCenter ... if they were under indictment."

Los Angeles Dodgers season ticket holders want to make sure Frank McCourt isn't screwing them over in the team's bankruptcy proceedings -- and they've filed a motion to make sure they're protected.

Attorneys representing a handful of season ticket holders filed docs with the bankruptcy court in Delaware ...seeking to establish a formal committee of more than 17,000 season ticket holders.

According to the docs, the committee's goal is to make sure Dodger funds are going to what they consider the most important part of the "fan experience" -- such as acquiring new players, meeting payroll, renovating the stadium, and operating concessions.

The motion also specifically mentions the need for "security" at the stadium -- which has been a hot button issue since the Opening Day beating of Giants fan Bryan Stow.

According to the docs, the season ticket holders have collectively poured "hundreds of millions of dollars" into the storied franchise -- and some individuals pay up to $150,000 per season.

The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy back in June. If the fans' motion is approved they could have a voice in future decisions about the team -- such as whether it's sold and to whom.

Veteran spelling bee reporter Erin Andrews tells TMZ, stringing letters together is no easy business -- in fact, it's so nerve-wracking, some young contestants break a sweat ... and even lose consciousness.

One of the stars of the smash hit "Moneyball" says he owes his ENTIRE career to Brad Pitt ... because without St. Brad throwing his weight around, the movie would NEVER have been made.

Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey has filed to divorce his wife, Krista ... who is in the middle of battling breast cancer.

Lackey filed on August 30, according to court docs in Texas, claiming "the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities." Krista and John got married in November, 2008.

Sources close to the family tell TMZ ... Krista underwent a double mastectomy back in March and underwent chemo as recently as June.

The divorce petition says John and Krista had a prenup. It also says Lackey has "separate property" he wants to keep for himself.

Lackey filed the divorce papers using only his and Krista's initials -- a tactic Tony Parker and Eva Longoria ... and Sandra Bullock and Jesse James also used in their Texas divorces.

It's unclear why Lackey -- who's struggled on the field all season long -- didn't wait til the off-season, about a month from now, to start divorce proceedings.

4:33 PM: The Red Sox just released a statement on Lackey's behalf -- telling us, "John Lackey is dealing with a deeply personal family issue, and it is one the Red Sox do not feel is appropriate for public debate. The Red Sox request that John and Krista’s privacy be respected."

Victor Ortiz and Ray J have more in common than the fact they both took part in fights last weekend in Las Vegas -- they're teaming up to do a song together.

TMZ has obtained a track from DJ Ian Carey, which features Ray J singing ... and a short rap verse from Ortiz.

The song is called "Baddest Girl" and Ortiz comes in around the 2:02 mark. Listen and judge for yourself ...