TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jerry Sandusky just executed a legal maneuver that will keep 8 of his accusers from telling tales of horrific sexual abuse ... but only temporarily.

The former Penn State assistant coach waived his right to a preliminary hearing this AM in his child molestation case. The judge was supposed to hear testimony from Sandusky's accusers and then decide if there was enough evidence to justify a trial. By waiving his right to a prelim, the case will automatically be set for a full trial.

On his way into court, Sandusky said, "We fully intend to put together the best possible defense that we can do, to stay the course, to fight for 4 quarters. We want the opportunity to present our side."

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich has finally found success off the field ... as an artist ... and dude tells TMZ he's been blowin' up ever since his work was featured on an ESPN documentary this weekend.

Todd -- who battled serious drug addiction during and after he fizzled out of the NFL back in 1993 -- has been painting and sculpting non-stop ... telling us, "I've been sober for over three years ... the art is my main therapy."

Some of Todd's work was featured in the new ESPN documentary, "The Marinovich Project" ... and T.M. says the exposure is having an insane impact on his business, "Orders are pouring in for the prints."

Todd tells us the main piece of art featured in the doc is called, "The Alchemist" ... which is based on himself. "It's the most sought after print," Todd explains ... "I'm only making 100 of them and I'm almost sold out."

Tim Tebow's ridiculous success has everyone wondering ... is he guilty of using a P.E.D. -- performance enhancing deity?? Hey-oh! (The preceding attempt at humor was not ordained by the Father, Son or Holy Ghost)

God is not helping Tim Tebow ... this according to a rep for The Church of Satan.

But there is a devilish twist ... the rep tells us Tim's faith COULD actually play a significant role in his success on the field.

TMZ spoke with Magus Peter H. Gilmore -- a high priest in the Church -- who tells us it doesn't make sense to say God is helping Tim win games ... because that would mean God's actively making other teams lose ... and why would God do that?

But what does make sense is Tebow's mental state -- Gilmore tells us, "Those who have a winning attitude tend to do better, and whatever fuels such team spirit, be it religious fervor or simply an overwhelming desire to succeed, is the real source for success."

Gilmore adds, "Satanists are atheists, and we would consider any triumph to rely on a combination of skill and luck – most certainly not in any form of supernatural intervention from either Heaven or Hell."

You'd think Baylor king Robert Griffin III would go wild after winning the Heisman Trophy this weekend in NYC -- but TMZ has learned, the star QB went straight to Ground Zero instead ... to pay his respects.

Griffin family sources tell TMZ, RG3 and several close family members made a beeline from the Best Buy Theater to the 9/11 memorial on Saturday. According to sources, the Griffins are a military family -- and Robert felt it was important to visit Ground Zero for some somber reflection.

We're told the Griffins spent a couple of hours at the memorial ... before heading downtown for a quick shopping excursion.

After the emotional tribute and the intimate family bonding time ... RG3 finally took off in his limo to party with fellow Heisman candidates Trent Richardson, Andrew Luck, Montee Ball, and Tyrann Mathieu.

Broncos QB Tim Tebow is winning games because of God, pure and simple ... this according to a pastor at a Colorado church with ties to the Tebow family.

Pastor Wayne Hanson -- who runs Summit Church in Castle Rock, CO where Tim's dad often speaks -- tells TMZ God is actively intervening in Denver Broncos football games ... and aiding Tim on the field because of his strong faith.

Hanson tells us, "It's not luck. Luck isn't winning 6 games in a row. It's favor. God's favor."

Pastor Hanson adds, "God has blessed his hard work."

We asked Hanson if Tebow would be winning games if he wasn't such a strong believer -- and the pastor replied, "No, of course not."

So far, it's the only plausible explanation for this insane Broncos winning streak.

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian aren't going to Dallas alone ... camera crews from their E! reality shows will be going with 'em ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to "Khloe and Lamar" and "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" tell TMZ ... cameras will definitely follow Lamar's journey to the Dallas Mavericks ... and the move and their life in the Big D will be a plot line in both of the shows.

One well-connected source tells us, "Cameras will follow it all."

Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake is adamant he never had a gay relationship with Hulk Hogan ... despite allegations made by Hulk's ex-wife ... and now Brutus tells TMZ he's prepared to SUE.

Mr. Beefcake -- real name Ed Leslie -- tells TMZ ... Linda Hogan was flat out lying when she went on the radio back in June and said the former WWE stars engaged in homoerotic behavior outside the wrestling ring.

Hulk has already filed a defamation lawsuit against Linda -- claiming she also made up allegations that he physically abused her during their marriage.

Beefcake tells us he plans to follow Hulk's lead ... and has already instructed his attorney to draft up the lawsuit, which he claims he will file in the very near future.

Brutus tells TMZ, "I've known [Linda] for almost 40 years ... but when she starts trying to ruin our careers, it just aint fair."

He adds, "Hulk is a tremendous person ... a great man who deserves to be happy."

Kobe Bryant is blasting rumors that Lamar Odom was traded away from the Lakers because he got involved with the Kardashian reality show empire ... saying, "[Odom] had his best season last season ... clearly it wasn't a distraction."

Kobe spoke with reporters yesterday ... and ripped the organization for dealing Lamar to the Dallas Mavericks ... saying, "I don't like it ... to be honest with you, I don't like it."

Bryant was then asked if the Lakers had become fed up with Lamar's extracurricular camera whoring -- to which Kobe shot back, "You're talking about the Sixth Man of the Year last year ... he played lights out. I don't understand the criticism of reality shows and this, that and the other."

After signing a massive $250 million contract , Albert Pujols will be joining the Los Angeles Angels next season -- and a local sports bar is commemorating his arrival with an equally massive burger.

The OC Sports Grill, located a stone's throw away from Angels Stadium, is introducing the new Machine Burger ... to celebrate his signing. Here's the lineup for the burger, which has a Dominican flair in Albert's honor:

1/4 lb. chimichurri seasoned burger, queso frito, pulled pork & cabbage tossed in “savon” sauce, tomatoes, avocado, and crispy onion straws.

Joe Paterno fell and fractured his pelvis yesterday -- this according to a source close to his family.

The 84-year-old former Penn State football coach -- who's currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer -- was admitted to a local hospital after taking the tumble at his home, but will not need surgery.

It's official ... the Lakers are dumping Lamar Odom ... hard -- and now, the left-handed forward is packing his bags for Dallas.

The Lakers traded Lamar yesterday to the Mavericks -- last year's champs -- and abandoned their bid for Hornets star Chris Paul in the process.

The Lakers had previously sought Chris Paul as well as Dwight Howard to create their own Big Three with Kobe Bryant -- but now, the team is just focusing on acquiring Howard ... a big relief to the rest of the Western Conference.

Newly-voted National League MVP Ryan Braun from the Milwaukee Brewers has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs -- but the baseball star is challenging the accusations.

According to multiple reports, Braun was tested during the playoffs this year -- and the test showed his system contained elevated levels of testosterone.

28-year-old Braun is fighting the results, telling the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, he's the victim of "highly unusual circumstances" -- adding, "This is all B.S. I am completely innocent."

Another real estate debacle for Terrell Owens -- who just struck a deal to sell his pimped out Dallas condo for $350,000 LESS than he bought it for ... TMZ has learned.

Here's the deal -- Owens paid $1.95 for his 3,559-square foot Dallas condo back in 2008, when he was still with the 'Boys ... and pumped an additional $100k into the place for various upgrades.

But that was back when Owens had money ...

Now, in the wake of his financial issues, Owens was forced to sell the place ... but thanks to that pesky real estate bubble, it's worth SIGNIFICANTLY less now.

So, Owens got his bank to accept a short sale on the pad ... in which the bank agreed to take less money than what's owed on the loan ... and thereby avoided the pain in the ass foreclosure process.

TMZ has learned ... some wealthy opportunist bought the place last month for $1.6 mil.

Hulk Hogan has had it with his ex-wife, Linda Bollea, and her "non-stop lying" ... and that's why he's finally decided to sue her.

We spotted Hulk and his new wife at LAX yesterday, the day after he filed a defamation lawsuit against Linda. In her book, she claims Hulk abused her for years and had a homosexual affair with legendary wrestler Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.

Allen Iverson's divorce has taken a nasty turn -- according to his estranged wife, the former NBA star went on a massive spending spree after she filed for divorce, leaving her completely penniless.

Tawanna just filed new docs in their bitter divorce battle -- claiming ever since she filed for divorce in June, Allen stopped depositing money in their joint bank account ... and then made several large cash withdrawals, including one for $20,000 ... which he spent on diamond jewelry.

Tawanna claims the account was $23,000 in the red at the time she filed the court docs -- and she's been unable to pay the bills ... or provide for their 5 kids.

According to Tawanna -- who says she gave up her career to be a stay-at-home mom -- Allen is worth over $20 million ... and refuses to help her out simply out of spite.