TMZ Sports - Page 50

Here's UGA alum Todd Gurley talking some smack about LSU -- claiming when it comes to producing running backs, Georgia leaves the Tigers in the dust.

We were talking to Gurley about Evander Holyfield's son Elijah -- an incoming freshman who's been hailed as the next great Georgia running back -- when he put the crosshairs on his SEC rival.

"That's what we do at Georgia, we breed running backs. We're 'Running Back U,'" Gurley declared.

"LSU might think they're 'Running Back U' ... y'all after us ... and then maybe Bama."

FYI, UGA has kicked out a bunch of NFL backs, from Herschel Walker to Garrison Hearst and current RB Nick Chubb is a 2016 Heisman contender.

LSU, on the other hand ... Leonard Fournette is the Heisman FAVORITE in 2016 -- plus, they've kicked out NFL guys like Jeremy Hill, Alfred Blue and Kevin Faulk.

He hasn't even begun the job yet, but Lynn Swann -- the man who will take over the USC Athletic Director job -- is already getting hit with the tough questions.

Swann tried to artfully sidestep when he was asked if college athletes should get paid -- but we're guessing it won't be the last time he'll have to face the topic.

We also asked questions about the football program, but Swann wanted to make it clear, Clay Helton is still in charge. Sure he is.

DeMar DeRozan's days in the six might be numbered ... that's according to his best friend and former teammate, Romeo Miller, who says he knows where DeRozan is headed ... and he strongly suggests it's L.A.

We got Romeo out at The Grove and asked him about DeMar ... who will be one of the most coveted free agents of the NBA off-season.

Romeo would be the guy to ask ... he and DeRozan have been best friends for years, growing up together and playing college ball at USC.

Check out the clip ... it's been reported DeMar wants to bolt the north for L.A. and Romeo adds to that fire ... hinting STRONGLY that he knows the Lakers are the right spot for his best pal.

Cris 'Cyborg' Justino is usually the one drawing blood ... but the UFC star made an exception last week ... hitting up a Brazilian hospital to donate some of her own.

TMZ Sports has learned Cyborg visited Our Lady Of Grace Hospital in Curitiba (her hometown) ... and spent time hanging out with pediatric cancer patients and children with autism.

A spokesperson for the hospital says Justino "chatted and took pictures with our patients." She also "donated a pair of autographed gloves" ... and gave a pint of blood at the blood bank.

"The visit went great and our patients were really happy with the surprise."

Ex-NBA All-Star Kermit Washington faces 45 YEARS in prison for allegedly running a scheme where he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars that were SUPPOSED to help needy people in Africa ... officials say.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the 64-year-old was arrested at an L.A. supermarket on Tuesday for running a scheme to steal from an African charity he started to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Long story short ... officials say Washington would induce people, including several former pro athletes, to donate to Project Contact Africa, telling them 100% of the money would benefit a clinic in Africa for needy families.

Instead, the Dept. of Justice says he stole "hundreds of thousands of dollars" to pay for everything from rent to vacations, jewelry and entertainment.

Translation -- what a scumbag (allegedly).

He's been charged with several crimes including corrupt interference with tax laws, conspiring to commit wire fraud, obstruction and aggravated ID theft.

If convicted on all charges, Washington is looking at 45 years in prison -- though it's more likely he'd strike a plea deal and serve significantly less time (if any at all).

T-Pain's a serious gamer, but totally bows down to Lil Wayne and Birdman, who used to turn gaming into hardcore gambling ... according to the singer.

T-Pain was live streaming his own game of 'Doom' on Twitch ... when he spilled some tea about Weezy and Birdman's days playing 'Madden' when they were all in the studio.

He claims they'd wager $10,000 per game -- and that wasn't even the bizarre part. Check out his description of HOW they played the games. It's good to be rich.

Ironic that they used to throw around that kinda cash -- on a video game -- considering the current state of their financial relationship.

Jose Canseco's biggest contribution to humanity continues to astonish us ... his daughter, Josie, who's turning up the hotness once again ... this time with a semi-nude Playboy photo spread.

MVP meets CMT.

J.J. Watt has officially been tapped to co-host the CMT Music Awards next month -- after impressing producers as a presenter during last year's show.

CMT announced Watt will join Erin Andrews -- who hosted the show last year along with Brittany Snow. But Snow's out -- and Watt's in.

"I am very excited to be involved in a much larger capacity this year as co-host,” Watt said.

"I can’t wait to host the awards with Erin and be part of such a great night, honoring the biggest stars in country music.”

Mike Tyson just locked up another movie role -- signing on for the new 'Kickboxer' movie ... where he'll be playing a violent convict.

Tyson will join UFC superstar Paige VanZant and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson -- the guy who plays The Mountain on “Game of Thrones.”

As for his role, Tyson will portray a tough convict forced into a world of fighting behind bars ... according to Variety, which broke the story.

Eddie Lacy went all Rocky Balboa (from "Rocky IV") in his off-season workout -- training in the snow TWICE A DAY with his P90X trainer Tony Horton.

Horton -- who created P90X -- spent months helping the Green Bay Packers running back trim down for the season ... and judging by the last video we shot of Lacy, it worked. Dude's pretty ripped now.

So, we asked Horton how he got Lacy back to form -- and the training regimen he revealed is pretty hardcore ... including some snow shoveling sessions in Jackson Hole.

Horton says Lacy was a natural when it came to working out -- but there was ONE exercise the guy couldn't stand.

Nate Diaz got an official award from the People of California Tuesday night ... recognizing his bad assness for his "upset" victory over Conor McGregor back in March.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper signed a resolution ... declaring "the exploits of Nathan Diaz, a successful American mixed martial artist from Stockton, have been a source of great joy and pride to the people of the State of California."

The award also describes Nate's victory over Conor as "one of the biggest upsets in UFC history."

Diaz is also hailed for his work with children, teens and adults at the jiu-jitsu center he runs in Lodi, CA -- saying he instills the values of respect, sportsmanship and responsibility to his students.

So, the question ... if he fights McGregor again -- and wins again -- does he get another award?

Van Damme approves VanZant ... at least when it comes to starring in the new 'Kickboxer' movie.

In case you haven't heard, Paige VanZant has already signed on to star in "Kickboxer Retaliation" -- the 3rd installment of the franchise JCVD made famous back in the day.

In fact, producers say they wrote Paige's role especially for her after they saw the UFC superstar on "Dancing with the Stars."

Derek Fisher and his ex-wife, Candace, have decided to destroy the embryos they had frozen during their marriage as part of their divorce settlement ... this according to court documents obtained by TMZ Sports.

BMX legend Dave Mirra suffered from brain disease before dying of a self inflicted gunshot wound ... according to reports.

Mirra's family donated his brain to a neuropathologist shortly after his death in February. Reports say a doctor determined Mirra's brain showed signs of CTE -- a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries.

CTE has been linked to dementia, depression and aggression to name a few.

Scores of pro football players have suffered from CTE -- Mirra is the first extreme sports athlete to be diagnosed with the disease.

A former Super Bowl champ says his face was busted open BAD during an NFL game -- opening a gash that needed 17 stitches to close ... and he blames the whole thing on a shoddy helmet.

The guy behind the lawsuit is ex-Chicago Bears safety Ryan Mundy -- who says he was involved in a hit during a 2014 pre-season game against the Seahawks.

Mundy says as a result of the collision, the sharp plastic edge on the padding, lining the inside of his Schutt helmet, sliced into his forehead and opened up a 5 AND A HALF INCH GASH.

Mundy -- who was part of the Steelers' Super Bowl 43 squad -- says he got the wound stitched up ... but he now has permanent skin discoloration at the scar site.

To make matters worse, Mundy claims Schutt KNEW its helmets were ripping open other players before the incident -- but did nothing to remedy the problem.

Now, Mundy is suing Schutt -- and in the lawsuit, filed by attorney Richard Gordon, the 31-year-old claims he's suffered permanent pain, mental anguish, and lost capacity for the enjoyment of life.

Uh oh.

Dikembe Mutombo says reports that he personally gave Bismack Biyombo his blessing to use the signature finger wag is COMPLETELY FALSE ... telling TMZ Sports, "Him and I need to talk."

Biyombo has used the finger wag a couple times during the NBA playoffs -- most recently busting it out Monday night after a block during the Raptors victory over the Cleveland Cavs.

Mutombo says he's seen reports that he had a conversation with Bismack in which he formally bestowed his finger-wagging blessing ... but insists the reports are simply not true.

"I don’t know when did that conversation took place," Mutombo said ... "Him and I need to talk this summer.”

"He claim in the newspaper and everywhere he said I gave it to him. I said, Did I gave him? Was it family? Cosign? But you know what, he’s a young man, man, I let him enjoy the fame. He’s making me famous!”

“I will see him in the Congo this summer so him and I will talk back home with nobody around us.”