TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jahlil Okafor is NOT out of the woods for his violent Thanksgiving Eve street fights -- with the NBA telling TMZ Sports they're still investigating the situation and have not decided if he'll face additional punishment from the league.

As we previously reported, the Philadelphia 76ers suspended Okafor for 2 games -- after the rookie got in TWO FIGHTS that night ... allegedly knocking out two different men.

At least one of the alleged victims has already lawyered up and is threatening a massive lawsuit.

But the NBA tells TMZ Sports the investigation into Okafor is STILL going on -- two weeks after the incident.

"Based on what we currently know, we support the 76ers' approach in this matter," an NBA rep tells us ... "The league office is continuing to investigate the events of that night."

As for Okafor, he says he's "not proud" of his recent actions -- vows to hold himself to a higher standard moving forward.

Multiple players on the USC football team tell TMZ Sports they feel "betrayed" and "let down" by Steve Sarkisian -- claiming they're extremely disappointed in his decision to sue the school.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sark wants more than $30 MILLION from USC, claiming the school wrongfully fired him because of his alcoholism, which is recognized as a disability in California.

But the football players we spoke with are not sympathetic to Sark's plight -- telling us Sark is not practicing what he preached.

"I felt betrayed," one key player told us ... "He always talked about accountability and now he's not taking accountability for his actions."

We're told the team was relieved when Sark was cut from the program -- but many people feel like the ongoing legal war will only be a distraction that could hurt the program down the road.

The guy who played Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in "The Sandlot" is now facing serious prison time ... after getting charged in a Halloween night beatdown.

According to docs, Michael Vitar and 2 friends got into a fight with a 22-year-old man who was walking abound their neighborhood and handing out candy to children. The L.A. County D.A.'s Office says the men chased the victim, jumped him and threw him to the ground.

All 3 men were charged with felony assault. LAPD arrested Vitar last week and he was released on $30,000 bail.

After his acting career, Vitar went on to become an L.A. firefighter. The LAFD says Vitar and one of his friends, also a firefighter, have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the case proceeds.

Vitar faces up to 4 years in prison if convicted.

Victoria's Secret Angels have no problem rolling around in mud ... and we have no problem watching them do it.

Lamar Odom is apparently feeling good enough to play music reviewer for Kanye West ... according to Kim Kardashian, who bragged about their hospital listening sesh on video.

Khloe posted an update of Lamar's condition which included a video from Thanksgiving where Kim and Kanye chatted about "Swish" ... Ye's soon to be released (fan's hope) album. Remember, we got a photo of them arriving at Cedars-Sinai back in November.

Check out the clip for Odom's "Swish" review, but also for ... 13 full seconds of Kanye smiling!

Mike Vick is crusading to protect animals in Pennsylvania -- campaigning to pass a bill that would allow cops to rescue pets from hot cars -- and saying, "I know I'm an unlikely advocate."

AJ McCarron finally got some action this season -- well, enough to impregnate his wife at least ... 'cause Katherine Webb is pregnant!!

The model and the Cincinnati Bengals backup QB just announced they're expecting -- and she's 4 months along the way.

"AJ and I feel beyond blessed and grateful to FINALLY announce after 4 months we have been keeping a secret! We are having a BOY!"

These photos of Aroldis Chapman's GF are now at the center of a domestic violence investigation -- showing her neck and chest after the MLB star allegedly choked her.

Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha will remain husband and wife ... despite a bunch of stories to the contrary.

Multiple sources connected with the couple -- 3 of whom have no agenda -- tell TMZ the divorce stories are not true. As one source put it, "They live like a normal couple, and when you're around them or on the phone with them they're clearly into each other."

Washington and the ex-NFL star married 2 years ago and have a 1-year-old daughter.

Our source points out they were together on Saturday at the Kennedy Center Honors banquet.

Adding, "If they divorce it'd be the most shocking split in a long time. It's just not happening."

The Lakers may have lost to the Raptors Monday night -- but Metta World Peace didn't seem too bothered ... 'cause he got to party with Justin Bieber after the game!

Metta and the Lake Show were in Toronto for the game -- and lost 102-93 -- but afterward, Peace found time to kick it with the Biebs ... though it's unclear where they were.

Kobe didn't appear to join along -- but he got love in Canada too ... getting custom Black Mamba shoes and a hat from the Raptors as a token of the their appreciation.

JBJ's not buying the Titans ... these 5 words he swears to you.

Reports surfaced this week that Bon Jovi would have "considerable interest" in buying the Tennessee Titans -- if they are put up for sale.

FYI -- Bon Jovi was part of group that tried to buy the Buffalo Bills last year and he owned an Arena Football League team back in the day. Plus, there are rumors the current owners of the Titans could be shopping the team around in the very near future.

But Bon Jovi tells TMZ Sports ... for now, he's not trying to take over the Titans.

"Rumors of my interest in the Tennessee Titans are nothing more than that. I am not part of any group perusing a team that is not for sale."

This is insane ... a couple of Harlem Globetrotters hitting CRAZY LONG TRICK SHOTS ... from on top of Madison Square Garden in NYC Monday -- and TMZ Sports has the video!!!

There's not much else to say -- these guys are unbelievable.

The right Christmas gift can CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY ... just ask Shaquille O'Neal who says there was one present that turned him into the MEGASTAR he is today.

So, what was it? Something VERY COOL from the person Shaq has often described as his favorite basketball player of all time! Actually, this gift might be one of the reasons why he feels that way.

There's more ... what does Shaq get his kids for Xmas??

His answer is very interesting ... and might even make you tear up.

MLB officials have opened an investigation into Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman -- after reports surfaced he was involved in a domestic violence incident ... with a gun,.

According to a police report, Chapman's girlfriend told cops the fireballer choked her at their Florida home on October 30th ... and fired 8 GUNSHOTS in the garage.

Cops say Chapman admitted to firing the gun -- but denied the choking allegations.

At the time, Chapman's GF said the incident began after she questioned him over something she found on his cell phone.

Chapman was not charged with a crime over the incident -- with prosecutors saying there was insufficient evidence.

The Reds had been working on trading Chapman to the Dodgers -- but that deal seems to be on hold.

TMZ Sports asked Mercury Morris -- the mouthpiece of the '72 Miami Dolphins -- how he felt about the Carolina Panthers making a run at an undefeated season. His response:

"Go ask the Patriots how difficult it is to do it and how they feel about some little kid in Guatemala wearing those perfect 19-0 Super Bowl tees."

The 68-year-old running back says he's impressed with Cam Newton and company, but says at the end of the day -- it only gets harder from here.

"I have to take my hat off to them. It's not easy to get 12 wins," Morris says.

However, Mercury warns that a "ton of teams" have made it to 12 only to lose at game 13. "The Broncos did it, Colts and the Saints a few years back."

"Let [the Panthers] get past that jinx of the 13th game and then come ask me again if I think they will have a perfect season."

Still, Morris says even if they run the table, they'll always play second fiddle to the '72 Fins.

"Do you know the second biggest canyon in the U.S.? No, because everyone only knows about the Grand Canyon. No one cares about the second to do anything."

USC is firing back at Steve Sarkisian -- claiming the ex-football coach repeatedly DENIED he was an alcoholic and resisted the school's effort to get him proper help.

USC's general counsel, Carol Mauch Amir, issued a statement in response to Sark's $30 MILLION wrongful termination and discrimination lawsuit -- calling allegations "patently untrue."

Amir says the school usually doesn't comment on pending litigation, but felt compelled to answer Sark publicly -- ripping him as a liar who has mischaracterized the facts.

"Mr. Sarkisian repeatedly denied to university officials that he had a problem with alcohol, never asked for time off to get help, and resisted university efforts to provide him with help."

"The university made clear in writing that further incidents would result in termination, as it did. We are profoundly disappointed in how Mr. Sarkisian has mischaracterized the facts and we intend to defend these claims vigorously."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sark claims SC knew he suffered from alcohol issues back in August when he was reprimanded for an incident at the Salute to Troy event.