TMZ Sports - Page 50

He was one of the most compelling storylines on "Hard Knocks" ... but after Kourtnei Brown was cut by the Houston Texans this week, the linebacker tells us he's confident he'll back in the NFL.

Brown -- whose pre-season pick 6 interception was featured on the show -- was released yesterday after putting up a helluva fight for a spot on the roster. The move came as a shock to scores of fans of the HBO show, who reached out to Brown.

"I didn't know anyone cared," Brown tells TMZ Sports ... "My Twitter's been going off. People complimenting me, showing me support. It makes me feel a lot better during a very tough day."

Brown says he was so focused on trying to earn a spot in training camp, he didn't realize he was becoming one of the stars of the show ... "The magnitude of it is crazy. I didn't realize I was having an impact on people."

12:15 PM PT -- A spokesman for the Bengals tells us per league rules, the NFL will provide health insurance for Devon Still and his family over the next 5 years -- even if he isn't signed by another team.

Now, this is legitimately sad ... the Cincinnati Bengals have cut Devon Still -- who they signed to a contract last year so his daughter Leah would continue to get health insurance to cover her cancer treatment.

Still's story became national news -- the defensive lineman was featured on "Ellen" and was honored at the ESPYs this year.

Unclear where Still will go next ... but if there's any team out there desperate for some good P.R., it wouldn't be a bad move.

Lookin' at you Washington ...

Devon issued a statement ... saying, "Have nothing but love for the Bengals organization and the city of Cincinnati. Both helped me through one of the darkest times of my life and I am forever grateful."

He continued, "It's time to move forward and see what's next #iKnowThereIsAPlanForMe"

Former NFL star LaDainian Tomlinson says RG3 is totally done in Washington ... but not in the NFL ... telling TMZ Sports the Redskins need to cut bait with the embattled QB ... so he can rise again with a different squad.

LT was at LAX when we asked the future Hall of Famer about a plethora of NFL topics ... including RG3's dismal situation in D.C. -- where the former golden boy has been demoted to clipboard holder.

Check out the clip -- LT gives RG3 the classic good news bad news situation ... saying that he's totally finished as a D.C. signal caller but he's got a destination in mind where Robert might be able to make a phoenix of himself.

AWESOME VIDEO ALERT ...

TMZ Sports is about to show you NFL legend -- and MMA fighter -- Herschel Walker dressed as Lady Gaga and dancing to "Luck Be A Lady Tonight" in front of a packed house in Las Vegas.

It happened Thursday night in Sin City when master ventriloquist Terry Fator called Herschel up on stage during his show at the Mirage ... and what came next was so epic, you just need to watch.

Tim Tebow has some MAJOR support from a big huge Philadelphia mega-icon -- Sylvester Stallone -- who tells TMZ Sports Tim shouldn't just make the Eagles roster ... HE SHOULD START!!!!

Fact: Common used to be the ball boy for the Chicago Bulls

Fact: Common used to challenge Michael Jordan to 1-on-1

Fact: Common says he turned into a pretty solid athlete ... who can actually HANG with Jordan when they get on the court together.

Not that we're calling BS, but Common is also the same guy who got crossed up by Justin Bieber at a celebrity All Star game back in 2011.

Just sayin' ...

Tim Tebow's NFL career is up in the air -- maybe literally -- because he was reportedly spotted at the airport in Philly moments ago ... and now everyone's wondering, DID HE GET CUT???

Our friends at CrossingBroad.com posted the photo (sent by @CrimJimmegan) -- which appears to show Tebow walking through the airport with his bags. It doesn't necessarily mean he's been cut, but it's got everyone buzzing.

After the way he balled out last night, most people thought he'd make the squad -- but you never know with the NFL.

We called the Philadelphia Eagles and spoke with multiple people -- but Eagles staffers kicked us around and no one would tell us Tim's current status with the team.

It's a good thing Eric Decker signed that $36 million contract last year, 'cause he's got a brand new mouth to feed.

The New York Jets WR's famous country singer wife Jessie James Decker has given birth to their son -- their 2nd child.

Decker tweeted about the situation saying, "Thanks for all well wishes! Mama and baby boy are doing great!! Vivi is the sweetest big sister!"

It appears Decker was at the hospital for the birth -- which is pretty amazing considering the Jets are finishing up training camp and gearing up for the season.

Tom Brady has some big support coming his way after beating Roger Goodell and the NFL in court on Thursday ... but David Ortiz may be the biggest supporter of them all.

As our friends at BSO pointed out ... Papi posted a tweet after hearing the news of Brady's 4-game suspension being lifted ... showing some Boston love after the New England QB was set free.

Shouldn't be surprised by the support ... both Beantown sports legends are no strangers to championships and controversy ... so they definitely have stuff to bond over.

What better way to celebrate kicking the NFL's ass ... than by celebrating with your smokin' hot supermodel wife?!?

Bad news for one of Floyd Mayweather's BFFs ... boxer J'Leon Love and Blac Chyna are officially dunzo ... and the worst part of all -- they never got to consummate the relationship.

Evander Holyfield's son Elijah Holyfield -- one of the top high school running backs in the country -- just announced he'll be playing his college ball at the University of Georgia!!!!

Elijah just made the announcement during a news conference at Woodward Academy in Georgia, where he plays his high school ball.

To hammer home the point, he brought two bulldog puppies up on stage ... it was adorable.

FYI -- Elijah is 5'10", 204 pounds and scored 24 touchdowns during his junior year while racking up 1,735 yards on the ground.

We spoke with Evander about Elijah's success on the gridiron earlier this year, and he told us he's very proud of his son's accomplishments.

L.A. Kings star Slava Voynov could be shipped back to Russia -- after immigration officials took him into custody ... following his release from jail stemming from a domestic violence conviction.

Terrell Owens' estranged wife Rachel Snider tells TMZ Sports she desperately wants to close the chapter on her marriage to the ex-NFL star ... but there's one BIG thing that's stopping them.

As we previously reported, Snider unloaded on Owens this week for appearing on "Celebrity Wife Swap" with a woman who's NOT his wife ... and was pissed that it all went down in the house they still own together.

Snider joined the gang on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" to explain why it's taken so long to complete the divorce -- despite the fact T.O. filed back in February 2014.

He murders people in the octagon, but now UFC badass Conor McGregor says he's getting a bunch of "f**ked up" movie offers to slaughter the undead in African jungles.

Seriously.

Conor's doing some training out in L.A. (check out video below) -- and clearly, Hollywood's aware of his presence ... 'cause CG says he's been getting hit with a ton of offers to star on the big screen ... a la Ronda Rousey.

Conor says he's still in talks ... but says if it doesn't work out, "I don't give a f**k."

Gotta love this guy.

UFC superstar Anthony "Rumble" Johnson is adamant he's NO DOG ABUSER ... despite allegations he's "mutilating puppies" by hacking off their ears at his kennel.

A petition sprung up online this year -- calling for the UFC to fire Johnson over the way the animals are treated at the kennel he owns and operates, Rumbletime Kennels.

The petition alleges, "Anthony Johnson owns a dog kennel where he participated in hacking ears off puppies. It appears the procedure is done in house by unqualified persons as the wounds are not bandaged."

Johnson finally responded to the allegations at UFC 191 media day ... saying, "My dogs are well liked and well loved. I take my dogs everywhere. Somebody put I'm manipulating my dogs. Dude, I cropped his ears. I'm not beating the dog, I'm not starving the dog to death. Nothing like that."

FYI -- cropping -- the removal of skin from the ears -- is legal in the United States, with some people arguing it helps prevent ear infections in dogs. Others say it is cruel and unnecessary.

Johnson claims he doesn't see the practice as a negative thing.

"If you see my Instagram or my kennel Instagram -- Facebook and all that stuff with my dogs -- you can clearly tell my dogs are loved. They eat steaks every day. I eat freakin' French fries. They eat steaks."