TMZ Sports - Page 50

UFC superstar Conor McGregor just went off ... blasting people who claimed he was insulting his Irish heritage by wearing a poppy on his shirt -- telling his critics, "F**k you and the Queen."

FYI -- the poppy is traditionally worn in British Commonwealth nations around Remembrance Day (November 11th) to honor soldiers who died in combat.

But in Ireland, wearing the poppy is controversial ... with some saying it represents the oppression by the British Army after World War One, the Black and Tans and the occupation of Northern Ireland.

Recently, an image of McGregor wearing a poppy began to circulate on social media ... with critics ripping him as a "sellout" and disrespectful.

So, moments ago ... Conor finally responded in a passionate Facebook entry:

"I know where my allegiance lies and what I do for my country. I don't need a stupid little flower with a 100 different meanings to tell me if I do or do not represent my country."

"Check the facts of its original meaning. ALL soldiers. ALL wars. I have the blood of many nations on my gloves. Fought and beat on the world stage. You have a pint in your hand and a Celtic jersey on in your local. F*ck you and the Queen."

Colin Kaepernick's headphones were a heated topic with the 49ers players -- and played a key role in the blowout between teammates at a players meeting earlier this month ... multiple team sources tell TMZ Sports.

Our 49ers sources tell us ... there definitely was a heated exchange between Vernon Davis and Joe Staley at a team meeting -- where they verbally clashed over Kaepernick.

We're told one of the issues that was raised in the meeting was ... a bunch of players felt like Colin had been acting like a "loner" -- constantly walking around the team facility with his headphones on, tuning out the rest of the team.

Our sources tell us players are frustrated because it makes Colin seem unapproachable -- and some of the vets, including Davis, felt he NEEDS to be more inclusive if he wants to be an effective leader.

We're told it's not just the headphones ... it's more complicated ... but it was raised in the meeting as one of the issues.

By the way, we're told not everyone on the team feels this way -- including Joe Staley.

"Joe let Vernon know his opinion might be a little off," one source tells us.

As BayAreaSportsGuy.com reported, the exchange got heated -- but we're told things did NOT turn physical. Vernon and Staley went outside and spoke minutes after the meeting and worked out their issues.

Mark Cuban tells TMZ Sports ... he will DEFINITELY be in the Staples Center Thursday night when his Mavs take on the Clippers ... more than 3 months after the infamous DeAndre Jordan flip flop incident.

You know the backstory ... Jordan made a handshake deal with the Mavs over the summer (4 years, $80 mil) only to back out and re-sign with the Clippers.

Cuban was clearly pissed about the situation -- but says he got over it -- and DeAndre eventually issued a public apology to Mark.

Still, you KNOW how bad Cuban wants to win this game tonight.

We also asked Cuban if he had any plans to speak with DeAndre -- his response? Nope.

You can punch, kick, choke and slam ... but you CAN'T SPIT ON YOUR OPPONENT during a UFC fight ... something Caio Magalhaes learned the hard way.

The UFC middleweight fighter was just hit with a 6 month suspension for spitting a mouthful of blood at Josh Samman at the end of their fight at "The Ultimate Fighter 21" back in July.

Caio had just been choked out, ending the match -- but when Samman came over to shake hands, Caio brushed him off with a mouthful of bloody spit.

Caio later apologized -- but the Nevada State Athletic Commission decided his contrition wasn't enough and slapped him with a 6 month suspension and ordered him to do 40 hours of community service.

**WARNING -- VIDEO CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE**

Mike Tyson says Khloe Kardashian's genitals have Jesus-like qualities ... claiming her vagina brought Lamar back to life just like Lazarus.

Tyson was on Hot 97 explaining why he's so impressed with the way Khloe stuck by Lamar after his apparent drug overdose in Nevada ... saying he has nothing but respect for her.

Then things got biblical ...

"He was dead. That's the Lazarus p**sy," Tyson said ... "Brought him back from the dead!"

"He woke up, BABY I LOVE YOU!"

Tyson then got serious and said he truly believes Khloe's love saved Lamar.

Jay Williams might be in some trouble ... cause "Guy Code" star Andrew Schulz says he's got a secret weapon to defeat the ex-NBA player in their 1-on-1 game ... a CURRENT NBA player.

Andrew and his "Brilliant Idiots" co-host Charlamagne Tha God were out in NYC when we had to ask about the big game he has coming up with the former NBA stud on Sunday.

Schulz only has to score once to beat Jay -- which Charlamagne thinks won't happen -- but Andrew says he's supremely confident 'cause of a little advice from one of Jay's old college rivals ... Pistons guard Steve Blake.

Andrew says Blake can give him the blueprint to stopping Williams ... from the days when Steve's Maryland team used to battle it out with Williams' Duke squad in college.

Check out the clip -- Andrew is the very definition of doubling down ... once again reiterating that Williams is too old, too hurt, and too mentally fragile to keep him from scoring.

The man who claimed he had a sexual relationship with ex-NFL star Kordell Stewart is admitting he made the whole thing up -- but says he isn't worried about Kordell's lawsuit.

As we previously reported, Stewart filed a lawsuit against viral video star Andrew Caldwell -- saying Caldwell lied and damaged his reputation when he went on a radio show and said they hooked up.

TMZ Sports spoke with Caldwell who says ... "It's true, I never dated Kordell. But I'm not worried about the lawsuit. If Kordell wants money, he has money. I don't owe him a dime."

What's weird is despite the "I'm not worried" demeanor -- Caldwell seems to admit he hurt Stewart's reputation.

"[What I said] did damage Kordell. He has a son. For his son to think, 'Is my dad gay?' That is damaging."

And it gets even weirder ... Caldwell says Kordell has since trashed HIM while denying the gay rumors -- and he's considering filing a lawsuit of his own.

Seriously.

"I may go after Kordell. Yes, I hurt his name, but he also hurt mine."

Lamar Odom is doing well enough that he's making his own decisions at the hospital, including who gets in to visit him -- so Khloe Kardashian had nothing to do with his dad getting turned away.

Our sources tell us Lamar's recovery has progressed to the point that he is communicating with doctors and fully participating in decisions about his treatment. We're told that's why Khloe finally decided to leave the hospital a few days ago.

As for what went down when Joe Odom went to the hospital -- we're told Khloe was not even there at the time ... so, if anyone blocked Lamar's dad, it was most likely Lamar himself.

Here's Jay Z checking on one of his biggest investments -- boxer Miguel Cotto -- making sure he's ready to rumble when he steps into the ring with Canelo Alvarez next month.

Jay stopped by Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles -- where trainer Freddy Roach also trains Manny Pacquiao -- and watched as the Roc Nation Sports boxer prepped for his Nov. 21 title fight.

As our friends at BSO pointed out, it's a huge fight for Jay Z -- who reportedly inked Cotto to a $55 MILLION contract back in March.

"If Cotto wins, it is on to bigger and better things (more money for Hov)," BSO says ... "If he loses, then back to the drawing board."

Lamar Odom's dad went to see his son last night but he was shut down, and he blames Khloe Kardashian.

An angry and frustrated Joe Odom went to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. Wednesday night, but he was told he wasn't on the visitors list.

Joe is sure Lamar wants to see him ... he says they hung out in Vegas almost daily before his son's medical emergency.

David Beckham isn't just a beautiful man, he's a beautiful canvas for kids ... whose doodles just became his latest tattoos.

Becks showed off his fresh ink -- a drawing on his hand by daughter Harper and a "We love you Daddy" scribbled by his boys on his ribs. DB already has a ton of tatts, but bragged about these ... "Apparently Harper is allowed to scribble on daddy" and "The boys expressing how they feel about daddy."

Go ahead and pickup "Celebrity Father of the Year" award now, while we admire your body of work.

One season after he joked about getting rid of his seats, Jack Nicholson returned to Staples Center Wednesday night ... supporting the Lakers at their home opener.

Don't forget, both Nicholson and his famous friend Lou Adler expressed some serious frustrations with the team last year ... and it seemed like the Purple & Gold were in danger of losing their biggest fans.

But last night, there they were ... Lou and Jack back in their regular seats -- hoping this would be the year the Lake Show gets their groove back.

They lost.

Wonder if we'll see 'em again at the next home game on Sunday?

Ex-NFL star Kordell Stewart is suing the male viral video star who claimed they had a sexual relationship -- claiming he's never EVER been gay ... not one moment in his life.

The man being sued is Andrew Caldwell -- who became famous for screaming in church, "I'm not gay no more!!!"

Caldwell went on a radio show on October 1st and claimed he had hooked up with Stewart in the past -- and that KS bought him everything from purses to expensive cars.

Stewart denied the allegations -- and in his suit states, "At all times during [Kordell's] life, Mr. Stewart has been, and is, a heterosexual male."

In his suit, filed in Georgia and first reported by AJC, Stewart calls the allegations, "false and defamatory."

Stewart claims Caldwell has since apologized and retracted his statements ... but Stewart isn't ready to let bygones be bygones.

Kordell says he's been subject to public embarrassment and ridicule -- and claims the statements damaged his career, reputation and hurt his family.

He's suing for loss of earnings, emotional distress and impairment to his reputation.

Pretty cool moment from Floyd Mayweather ... when he hooked up Leah Still with an autographed pair of boxing gloves to help her KNOCK OUT cancer!!

The backstory is interesting ... Leah's dad Devon Still says he's been advising his daughter to approach the cancer fight like Mayweather approaches his opponents in the ring.

"When she was diagnosed with cancer I told her she had to win every round (like boxers- mayweather to be exact) of chemo/treatment and she would win the fight against cancer."'

When Mayweather's camp got word -- he wanted to help ... and according to Devon, "He surprised Leah with an autographed glove for winning her fight and he threw in another glove for me to auction off at my first annual Still Strong Foundation Gala!"

Nice work, Floyd

Swipe left on the dating app Bumble and a half-naked photo of Johnny Weir wearing nothing more than a banana leaf just might pop up.

The Olympic skater was in Chicago this weekend when his Bumble profile popped up for locals. For those outta the loop, Bumble's a dating app that's pretty much the same as Tinder.

It's clear he's ready to date again following his nasty, public divorce from Victor Voronov.

Weir's Bumble profile is stark, only mentioning he's a sports commentator at NBC who loves his dog and can speak 2 languages. But when you swipe through his images, a clearer pic emerges.

He should have no problem finding a date.

Dear Blake Griffin ... PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS VIDEO!!!!!

S.I. swimsuit model Samantha Hoopes just called you out by name -- she thinks you're cute, she likes your freckles ... and she totally wants to hook up.

In fact, she thinks you two were meant to be -- "My last name is Hoopes and he plays basketball!"

Adorable, right?? It also helps that she has a body that looks like this:

Also, possible Russell Wilson diss!!!

When asked what kind of athletes she likes, Hoopes says she'd rather date basketball players over football stars ... which is interesting since she was spotted around town with the Seahawks QB earlier this year.

But that clearly fizzled ... leaving the door wide open for Mr. Griffin.

Don't let us down, Blake.