TMZ Sports - Page 50

Lamar Odom was able to breathe on his own, with the help of a mask rather than a ventilator ... TMZ has learned.

Our sources say doctors are trying to get Lamar functioning on his own, so a few minutes before this story was posted, they took him off the ventilator and put a breathing mask on Odom.

We're told doctors are putting him back on the ventilator and used the mask as a test, and they plan on going back and forth to see if Lamar would be able to breath without heavy life support.

It's another hopeful sign. As we reported, tests Friday morning revealed Lamar's heart has shown some improvement. That said, our sources were quick to add Lamar is not out of the woods by any means, and it's unclear if he'll be able to sustain breathing on his own.

10:57 AM PT -- Reports are being posted that Lamar is now communicating in some fashion, but our sources say he is not. There are some body movements, including eye opening, but doctors have made it clear the movements are all involuntary.

Lamar Odom's condition has improved in a hugely important way ... his heart is on the mend ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us, tests on Lamar's heart Friday morning revealed his heart function is "much better." Doctors have told Lamar's friends and family this is a good sign of improvement, that a critical organ is responding.

Doctors have asked for "calm" in Lamar's room because they do not want him stimulated .... because non-stimulation promotes healing.

Toward that end, doctors have ordered that virtually no one have access to Lamar's room. We're told Khloe is still by Lamar's bedside.

Seattle Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman made a video just 3 hours after his frightening 2 car crash Wednesday to prove he was NOT drunk or high ... and it involved reciting his ABC's.

Coleman -- who is legally deaf -- was arrested for vehicular assault and hit and run in Bellevue, Washington after allegedly leaving the scene of a crash in which the other driver sustained serious injuries.

Coleman's lawyer Stephen Hayne flipped on a camera and began his own unofficial field sobriety test -- which included asking Coleman to recite the alphabet WITHOUT singing.

We're told Coleman is being released from jail sometime today. He's been suspended from the Seahawks, but hopes this video will help in his effort to get back on the team.

As for what caused the crash or why he left the scene -- so far, Coleman and his lawyer have not said, though his agent has suggested Coleman may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

DeAndre Jordan isn't buying what Master P's selling -- saying he thinks Kobe Bryant's a good dude -- who genuinely cares for Lamar Odom because of their bond as Lakers teammates.

The L.A. Clippers star was leaving Craig's in L.A. when he told us he doesn't know Master P -- but seemed to disagree with the whole "phony" argument.

Nick Carter says he wants to be Jameis Winston's booty mentor -- and rule #1 is STAY OUT OF THE STRIP CLUBS IF YOU DON'T WANNA SCREW UP YOUR LIFE!

The Tampa native was on "The Miguel Show" on WPOI in T.B. when he said he knows firsthand about the dangers of being young, rich and famous in one of the best strip club cities in the world ... and doesn't want Winston to make the same mistakes he did.

So, the Backstreet Boy decided to dish out some advice for the Bucs QB:

-- Stay out of the strip clubs
-- Ditch all of your "dummy friends"
-- Get a girlfriend, get married, settle down
-- Keep your nose in the books

Here's boxing champ Adrien Broner taking a break from spending money on cars and jewelry to donate it to a group that really needs it ... strippers.

Adrien -- who just won the WBA light welterweight title on October 3rd -- is obviously still in celebration mode 'cause he and his manager invaded Stadium strip club in D.C. and spent over $40k!!!

If the name Stadium rings a bell it's probably because it's the same place where Drake famously spilled a bunch of cash while darting into an altercation involving one of his boys last year.

We're told Broner dropped his cash squarely on the ladies ... so much so that at one point he ran out of dollar bills and began to make it rain HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS.

The beloved mascot for the University of Texas is hookin' em from cow heaven now -- 'cause the school has announced BEVO XIV has passed away.

The famous longhorn had been retired last week after he was diagnosed with the Bovine Leukemia Virus.

Unfortunately, the illness proved too much for BEVO XIV -- and according to school officials, he died in his sleep early this morning.

BEVO had been running on the field with the football team since 2004 -- when he was 2 years old -- and was famously in attendance in George W. Bush's 2nd inauguration.

As for BEVO's replacement, the school has announced the search for BEVO XV is officially in full swing.

Former MMA star Jason "Mayhem" Miller turned a ceramic tile into a weapon during a crazy fight with cops Friday ... but ultimately lost the battle when cops broke out the taser.

Officials tell TMZ Sports ... the Orange County Sheriff's Dept. was called to the Southern California home early Friday morning to respond to a disturbance between the ex-UFC star and 2 women.

When cops arrived, Miller was "aggressive and uncooperative" -- and unleashed a crazy attack at the officers ... throwing a ceramic tile and threatening to attack with a fire extinguisher and a metal pole.

After ignoring numerous orders to settle down -- cops hit Miller with the taser ... and then an 8 MINUTE struggle ensued.

Eventually, cops won ... and Miller was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.

Miller -- who once hosted a show on MTV -- was booked and is being held on $50,000 bail.

The women at the home were interviewed -- but were uncooperative with the investigation.

The entire incident sounds eerily similar to another incident back in March -- when Miller grappled with FOUR COPS who tried to arrest him at a restaurant.

The situation with Lamar Odom is forcing people to come to grips with a harsh reality -- addiction is a deadly serious problem that can't be ignored ... so says D.L. Hughley.

The actor/comedian was leaving Barney's in Bev Hills when we asked for his thoughts on the situation -- and he gave us the brutal truth.

"Anybody who's dealt with somebody with addiction knows that generally that's how it ends up ... and it's always sad when it does."

He added, "It's hard for him and his family."

USC athletic director Pat Haden can sleep A LOT more soundly after seeing this video -- with one of the most powerful people at USC stating his unwavering support for Haden, despite calls for his job.

The man vouching for Pat is billionaire developer Rick Caruso -- a huge SC supporter who's also on the Board of Trustees ... the group that calls the shots at Southern California.

Caruso was leaving Craig's in L.A. on Thursday when he told us straight up -- Haden has nothing to worry about.

Lamar Odom has not gotten any better, and sources familiar with his treatment say even if he survives he has virtually no chance of ever leading a normal life.

Our sources say doctors continue to put Lamar's chances of survival at 50/50. We're told he showed "absolutely no improvement" Thursday from the condition he was in when he was admitted to the hospital Tuesday. As one person put it, "He's in dire straits."

One of the big issues is Lamar's apparent consumption of cocaine and an herbal substitute for Viagra, which is a potentially deadly combination.

We're told he was "entirely unresponsive" all day Thursday and 4 vital organs are still failing, with no signs of improvement. Lamar is not breathing on his own and his doctors believe his brain function is significantly reduced.

We're told the Kardashian family has flown in several specialists from L.A. to consult with Vegas doctors.

One source said there are comparisons to the plight of Bobbi Kristina, with one big difference. We're told Lamar did not lose oxygen to the brain for nearly as long as Bobbi Kristina, which offers some sliver of hope.

Doctors have told the family for each day that passes without improvement, the prognosis gets bleaker.

Master P says he's willing to have a face-to-face with Kobe Bryant -- and his message would be simple ... "It's just sad that last month no one had anything positive to say about Lamar."

You can't turn the Steelers logo into a bunch of marijuana leaves ... or else you'll face the wrath of the NFL ... so says a pot group in Pittsburgh that just got lit up with a nasty legal threat.

The bud beef is all over the logo for the Pittsburgh chapter of NORML -- a massive nonprofit group dedicated to legalizing weed.

They've been using a logo similar to the famous Steelers design for years -- with the asteroids swapped out with red, yellow and blue ganja leaves.

Problem is ... some square at the NFL caught wind of the logo and fired off a cease and desist -- warning the group to 86 the design .. or else! (Guess that paranoia was justified this time).

Turns out ... the people at NORML are more smokers than fighters and told us they're backing down and plan to change the logo ASAP because they don't want a war with the NFL.

Two NORML honchos, Patrick Nightingale and Jason Cole, tell TMZ Sports they're already coming up with a Pittsburgh-themed replacement logo -- "Maybe Andrew Carnegie holding some weed."

Adrian Peterson's back on his feet when it comes to endorsements -- claiming he's got a brand new deal with Adidas ... after Nike kicked him to the curb last year.

The Swoosh terminated it's contract with the NFL star when he struck a plea deal in his child abuse case back in November ... one of several sponsors that didn't want anything to do with Peterson at the time.

But now that Peterson is dominating again, the sponsors are coming back -- with Peterson saying he's officially in a deal with Adidas ... and says there are more opportunities on the table with other companies as well.

Erin Andrews is still seeking justice for the peeping tom who secretly videotaped her in her hotel room back in 2008 ... $75 million worth of justice!

The "Dancing with the Stars" host and FOX Sports reporter just filed an amendment to her 2011 lawsuit against Marriott for the infamous incident. You'll recall, Michael Barrett put a camera in the peephole of her hotel room door and recorded video of her in the nude as she got dressed.

Andrews sued Marriott ... claiming its employees were negligent because they gave Barrett the room next to hers, at his request. The case is set to go to trial next year, and defense attorneys wanted her to be specific about what she's seeking.

Kobe Bryant isn't taking Master P's insults kindly -- claiming the rapper's decision to question his support of Lamar Odom was downright "insensitive."

It's clear Kobe caught wind of what Master P told TMZ Sports yesterday ... that he thinks Bryant is a "phony" friend to Odom who failed to help the ex-NBA star when he needed it the most.

Now, Kobe has issued a statement on Twitter -- and though he doesn't mention P directly, there's no doubt who the message is for.

"When WE feel the need to question the support of others in moments as critical as a life hanging in the balance, then we must question the kind of culture we have created that has led US to such insensitive suspicion."

Uhhhh.