TMZ Sports - Page 50

Echoing their brand new President Rodney Erickson, hundreds of Penn State fans pumped themselves up in the stands today ... chanting, "WE ARE .. PENN STATE!"

As we previously reported, Erickson released a video statement yesterday, claiming the University "must move forward" despite the child abuse scandal.

Penn State and Nebraska's football teams came together at midfield for a pre-game prayer ... led by a Nebraska assistant coach!

A touching moment this morning before the big game between Penn State and Nebraska -- PSU fans arm-in-arm while they sang the University's Alma Mater ... and before long, the tears started flowing.

In case you're not familiar ... here's the last verse:

Penn State fans supporting Joe Paterno, and Penn State fans against child abuse -- the two camps embraced each other during today's football tailgate.

In a group photo, a PSU fan wearing a "Joe Knows Football" sweatshirt posed with one wearing a "Stop Child Abuse" t-shirt (below).

Tailgating is underway outside Beaver Stadium, and the Penn State fans are showing the love for their legendary ex-coach, Joe Paterno.

According to an onlooker, several fans are sporting t-shirts, decorating cardboard cutouts (see below) and carrying signs in support of JoePa . So far, we're told the crowd is well-behaved.

As we previously reported, FBI and police responded to a bomb threat made last night -- but nothing was found.

A plane just flew overhead (see below) with a sign that, according to multiple witnesses, reads: "Joe is so dirty he needs a shower."

Trust us, that's what it says.

Sometimes it's not about football, it's not about a massive child abuse scandal -- it's just about drinking your sworn enemy under the table.

Police and FBI investigated a bomb threat received last night on Beaver Stadium, where Penn State is set to play Nebraska today -- but searches last night and this morning produced nothing.

According to Lisa Powers, director of public information at PSU, the call came in last night around 6:30 PM to the main number on campus. The caller mentioned a bomb at Beaver Stadium and police were immediately notified.

Police went through the stadium with bomb-sniffing dogs and made two run-throughs ... but found nothing. Powers said the FBI and police are working on tracing who the caller is, but so far have found nothing.

Powers said they never took the call as a credible threat because the stadium has been on lockdown since Tuesday.

Once things were all clear, the university sent out a mass text message at 9:08 AM this morning, informing students of the situation (see below).

Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was reunited with his family today in Venezuela after he was rescued following his kidnapping earlier this week.

Five men were arrested in the kidnapping, but authorities did not release if anyone was wounded in the rescue.

Ramos told a local television station, "They simply told me to cooperate, that they were going to ask for a ton of cash for me."

Mike McQueary has reportedly informed the Penn State football players that he's currently in protective custody and "double fisting" alcohol.

According to PennLive.com, one of the PSU coaches gathered several players in a room on campus and allowed McQueary to speak to the team via speaker phone.

McQueary reportedly told the team, "I wanted to let you guys know I'm not your coach anymore. I'm done.”

McQueary also told the team he's not at the University, but in protective custody after receiving several threats ... and "double fisting" booze.

McQueary was placed on administrative leave earlier today.

No smack talk this year ... instead, the University of Nebraska Alumni Association tells TMZ it is organizing a pre-game campaign of support for those affected by the Penn State sex scandal.

A rep for the association tells TMZ, members plan to distribute hundreds of blue ribbons on Saturday before, during, and after the game in solidarity with Penn State and others affected by child abuse.

If students don't have access to a blue ribbon, Nebraska alums are asking all Huskers to wear any kind of blue whatsoever as a sign of support for their Penn State brethren.

Mike McQueary -- the Penn State receivers coach who witnessed Jerry Sandusky allegedly raping a 10-year-old boy in 2002 -- has been placed on administrative leave indefinitely.

PSU President Rodney Erickson made the announcement moments ago, claiming the decision was made by the Penn State athletic department.

Penn State's new President Rodney Erickson claims he's appointing an "Ethics Officer" to oversee campus officials in a renewed effort to make sure his people don't pull a Paterno.

It's unclear exactly what the new Ethics Officer's duties entail -- but Erickson just sent an email to the entire PSU community, claiming he plans to "revisit all standards, policies and programs to ensure they meet not only the law, but Penn State's standard."

Erickson says the E.O. will oversee this effort and report directly to him.

In his statement, Erickson says, "Never again should anyone at Penn State feel scared to do the right thing" -- a thinly veiled shot at Mike McQueary, whose cowardly inaction seems not to have been "the right thing."

Penn State's brand new President Rodney Erickson just released a video statement, claiming the University "must move forward" despite the school's recent devastating child abuse scandal.

In the video -- posted moments ago on Penn State's YouTube channel -- Erickson says, "This has been one of the saddest weeks in the history of Penn State, and my heart goes out to those who have been victimized. I share your anger and sorrow."

Erickson -- who replaced former Prez Graham Spanier this week following the scandal -- continues, "Although we cannot go back to business as usual, our University must move forward. We are a community. Our work is as vital as ever."

Kris Humphries has lawyered up for his divorce ... TMZ has learned.

Kris is using his Minnesota attorney -- Lee Hutton -- to end his marriage to Kim Kardashian. Hutton reps a lot of sports stars and doesn't do much in the way of divorce. But that's OK, because this divorce will be easy as pie.

Sources connected with Kris and Kim tell us ... there are NO conflicts over who gets what, largely because of the prenup. BTW, Hutton repped Kris when the prenup was negotiated.

We're told -- barring something unforeseen -- the divorce will become final 6 months from the date Kim filed. That's the minimum time required by law.

The parents of Penn State Football players were on a teleconference last night with the new coach, who advised them to help their kids out by getting some counseling ... TMZ has learned.

Two of the parents who were on the call tell us ...Tom Bradley advised the group that the school had counselors available to help the players cope.

The parents were most concerned about the safety of their kids. Bradley said security would be beefed up, with both Penn State police and outside law enforcement present at the game.

And, Bradley said, there would be both "coaching and staff changes," although he was not specific.