TMZ Sports - Page 50

John Salley says he STRONGLY believes marijuana can extend the careers of pro athletes -- claiming if he smoked weed while he was playing in the NBA, "I'd probably still be playing."

The 52-year-old was out in L.A. over the weekend -- and explained why it's time for the NBA, NFL and even the NCAA to drop the antiquated anti-weed policies and let the athletes get high already.

After Desiigner enjoyed his first VMA there was one thing on his mind, like all of us -- Teyana Taylor's ridiculously hot body in Kanye's "Fade" music vid, but his problem is ... he can't talk about it.

We got the Best New Artist nominee leaving the after-party at Up & Down in NYC, and he told us -- as only Desiigner could -- why he's worried about discussing Iman Shumpert's girl.

This clip is hysterical because, of course, he still couldn't resist rating TT's body at work. He's only human.

The Diaz brothers were playing with fire Sunday night -- hanging backstage at a Snoop concert ... with Nate holding (what appears to be) one of the BIGGEST JOINTS EVER!

Terrell Owens says he's behind Colin Kaepernick's protest -- sorta -- saying the QB's refusal to stand for the National Anthem is forcing America to pay attention to the plight of black people ... and that's a good thing.

Peyton Manning took aim at Ann Coulter at the Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe this weekend -- comparing her to a horse ... right to her face.

The NFL legend was a roaster at the event -- which taped over the weekend -- and joined just about every other celebrity in taking shots at the political commentator.

"I’m not the only athlete up here," Manning said ... "As you know, earlier this year, Ann Coulter won the Kentucky Derby."

Don't worry, Peyton took some shots as well -- in fact, Rob Lowe targeted his massive forehead.

"Peyton Manning is a two-time Super Bowl champion and a Hall of Famer but it didn't give him a big head," Lowe said ... "That came from years of inbreeding."

LeBron James is the newest resident of Warner Bros. Studios ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the King now has his own house and parking space on the legendary studio lot.

Get ready for a snowball in hell ... 'cause sources tell TMZ Sports pro wrestling legend Bill Goldberg is in talks with WWE honchos about a possible return to the squared circle.

Meet Destanie Yarbrough ... the pro football player turned MMA BADASS who's stepping up to fight the most intimidating woman in all of combat sports, Gabi Garcia.

You already know Gabi ... she's Anderson Silva's protege -- and she's so terrifying she's considered fighting men because the top female fighters are just too scared to take their chances in the ring.

Except one.

Yarbrough is destruction in motion on the football field as a running back in the Women's Football Alliance ... and has a reputation as one of the toughest athletes in the league.

She made the jump to MMA earlier this year and beat the living crap out of her first opponent.

We spoke with Destanie about her Sept. 25th fight against Gabi in Japan -- and one thing's clear ... SHE AIN'T SCARED!!!

Colin Kaepernick is getting some big time support over his national anthem controversy ... because Tim Commerford thinks the QB is a straight "badass."

The bassist for "Rage Against the Machine" was leaving the London in NYC Sunday when he applauded Kaepernick for standing up for his beliefs, knowing there may be repercussions.

He even says the San Fran QB has an open invitation to join his new group, "Prophets of Rage."

Commerford is no stranger to public protests -- he famously climbed a wall during the 2000 VMA's to protest Limp Bizkit beating them out for Best Rock Video.

BTW ... he's still not over the loss.

Colin Kaepernick has enraged fans who have now taken over social media to skewer the San Fran QB for refusing to stand for the national anthem.

The 49ers quarterback said after Friday night's game against Green Bay, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."

WWE legend, Mr. Fuji, died Sunday morning ... the WWE announced.

Mr. Fuji -- real name Harry Fujiwara -- became a superstar not only as a wrestler, but also as a manager for stars like, George "The Animal" Steele and Yokozuna.

Best known for throwing salt into the eyes of his opponents ... Fuji was a 5-time WWE Tag Team champ.

Later in life ... he moved to Tennessee and opened a training dojo.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

#RIP

Rio's the least of Ryan Lochte's legal issues because he says he's also fallen victim to a bunch of crooks right here in the U.S.A. -- chronically, in fact, and it's cost him more than $100k.

TMZ has learned Lochte told cops his car was broken into in a Charlotte parking lot back in January. Law enforcement tells us Ryan said the thieves jacked his iPod, swimsuit, swimcap, goggles and a Team USA backpack. Total loss ... $1,000. Ryan also admitted he left his car unlocked.

Lochte's luck was even worse when he lived in Gainesville, FL -- check out all the police reports for alleged stolen goods:

- May 2009: Ryan's Suzuki GSX-R750 motorcycle. $8k lost.

- Dec 2009: Home burglary of Louis Vuitton bags, watches (Rolex, Jacob & Co., Breitling), jewelry, TVs and other electronics. Cops say the house was unlocked. $123k lost.

- July 2010: ANOTHER motorcycle lifted from his house. $14k lost.

- March 2011: Cops bust 2 guys attempting to steal wheels off his Chevy Tahoe.

According to law enforcement -- except for the tires -- none of the items were ever recovered.

Kobe Bryant’s good looks are clearly not retiring!

Here’s a 19-year-old baby Black Mamba on the court back in 1997 (left) and 19 years later ... the recently retired Lakers legend -- who turned 38 earlier this week -- at an awards show last month (right).

“Mamba out.”

The question is ...

What happens when a future NFL star meets a future WWE star on a high school football field?

According to WWE star Enzo, an NFL player took a ring-style body slam ... and he claims he delivered one of those to none other than NY Giants WR Victor Cruz.

We got Enzo -- and his tag team partner, Cass -- out in NYC and asked him to tell us about one of the proudest moments in his athletic career ... the time he claims he took it to VC.

Check out the clip -- Enzo is an absolute character ... and gives the most hilariously disrespectful play-by-play we've ever heard.

BTW -- the tackle in question is ON VIDEO ... watch below and see if it lives up to the hype.

Sorry, Spike ... hip-hop star Fat Joe is officially the biggest freakin' Knicks fan in the world ... 'cause he says he'd give up FIVE MILLION DOLLARS if it meant his squad could take home the Larry O'Brien.

We got Joe out in NYC and posed a very simple, very easy question of choice to the rap legend ... would he rather have the Knicks win a championship ... or be handed $5 million in cold hard cash?

Colin Kaepernick is defending his action to stay seated during the national anthem Friday night, saying he's got no desire to support a country that oppresses minorities.

Kaepernick has taken a TON of heat since the pregame ceremony against Green Bay in which he stayed seated on the bench during the anthem's entirety.

The 49ers QB has allegedly since come out and told reporters, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."

He continued ... "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."