TMZ Sports - Page 50

ESPN's Brent Musburger didn't seem to understand why people would criticize him for wishing Joe Mixon well in the NFL ... and lashed out at his critics LIVE during the Sugar Bowl.

It all started in the 2nd quarter, when Musburger -- who was announcing the game -- said he hopes Mixon makes the most of his 2nd chance and goes on to have a career in the NFL.

Social media went crazy asking how Brent can support a guy who brutalized a woman ... which led to Brent's very agitated response live in the 3rd quarter.

As for Mixon, he led Oklahoma to a victory over Auburn ... despite chants from the crowd of, "He Hits Women."

We reached out to ESPN for comment and got this statement:

"We have covered this sensitive and important topic aggressively across our entities and will continue to do so. The initial discussion during the game telecast was an attempt to put everything into context and should have also included the impact on the young woman."

"Brent followed up in the second half because he wanted to reiterate and clarify how strongly he felt about the horrific actions captured on the recently released video."

7:10 AM PT -- The Bengals released a statement, saying "We are aware and working to gather full information, but policy is that it's inappropriate for the Club to comment on unresolved legal matters."

Another off-season ... another Pacman Jones run-in with police.

This time, the Cincinnati Bengals star was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly getting violent at a Hyatt hotel ... and then spitting on a jail staffer.

Jones allegedly went ballistic at around midnight -- banging on a door and screaming and at one point, cops say he pushed and poked someone ... according to WLWT.

When cops arrived, he allegedly resisted arrest and then spit on a jail staffer while he was being booked.

The 33-year-old was eventually booked on misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing official business charges.

He's also facing felony harassment with a bodily substance for the alleged spit attack.

Jones just appeared in court, wearing a red vest and appearing frustrated. The judge set his bond at $37,500 and said he must stay away from the alleged victim.

Jones is no stranger to legal trouble ... back in 2015, he was kicked out of a casino for disorderly conduct.

In 2013, he struck a woman in a nightclub incident (he was found not guilty).

In 2011, he was arrested for disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest.

He was also arrested in 2005 ... and 2006.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was off the mark in his scathing critique of "The Bachelor," because love blossoms the same way on TV as it does in real life ... so says a contestant.

We got "Bachelor in Paradise" star Jared Haibon -- who's been on 2 seasons of "BIP" and 1 season of "The Bachelorette" -- and he says the idea that people aren't their true selves on the reality shows mirrors what happens with everyone on a date ... they put on a good but sometimes false face.

Jared's got a point ... but it seems like Kareem was getting at something a lot deeper than being phony for the cameras. Kareem rails on the shows, saying it portrays "cartoonish physical and mental restrictions" on relationships. He also comes close to calling the shows racist, saying, "If you're black ... you're usually kept around as a courtesy for a few weeks before being ejected."

Peyton won't be the only Manning in Canton ... so says Joe Buck who strongly believes Eli Manning has also earned his bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The NFL on FOX announcer has covered a TON of Eli's games over the years and says it's crystal clear to him that the NY Giants QB gets in the Hall.

It's definitely not a lock ... but Eli has a pretty strong resume -- 2 Super Bowl wins (he was the MVP of both games) and he's in the Top 10 all-time in TD passes and passing yards.

Joe Mixon's parking ticket drama is officially CASE CLOSED ... with officials telling TMZ Sports the disgraced Oklahoma running back will NOT be charged for allegedly using the ticket as a weapon during an incident last month.

More bad news for "Dancing with the Stars" alum Victor Ortiz -- the boxer was charged with 2 misdemeanor counts of DUI stemming from his Sept. arrest ... and officials say the guy was super drunk.

The USC Trojans are paying tribute to Joe McKnight today in their Rose Bowl matchup vs. Penn State ... with a "JM 4" decal on the back of their helmets.

McKnight was a stud running back for the Trojans from 2007 - 2009 ... rushing for over 1,000 yards his junior season before going to the NFL and playing for the Jets and Chiefs.

Joe was tragically shot and killed in a road rage incident on December 1 in Louisiana ... and the team is dedicating today's game to him.

#FightOn

6:00 PM PST -- Manziel posted part of the restraining order against him on Snapchat and wrote ... "She knows LIV on Sunday is church! Pfff surprised she was even able to get in without me." There was nothing on the order he posted that said he has to stay away from Crowley ... just that he can't talk to her.

Johnny Manziel's trek to a club last night could create big legal problems for him ... he may have violated the terms of the deal in his domestic violence case.

Johnny and ex-GF Colleen Crowley each posted on social media they were at LIV night club in Miami Sunday night, but thing is ... she's got a restraining order against him.

As we previously reported ... Manziel struck a deal last month in which he agreed to complete anger management courses, keep his nose clean and not have any contact with Crowley for a year ... in return, his criminal case would be dismissed.

It's unclear if they actually had any contact in the club, but this is the first time they've been publicly seen at the same place since the Jan. 2016 incident.

Interesting note -- Manziel has since deleted the social media posts in question.

We reached to Manziel's camp for comment ... so far, no word back.

The Indiana Pacers got their crowd to feel some hilarious "Emotions" by making fun of Mariah Carey's disastrous NYE performance.

Lucky fans at Bankers Life Fieldhouse were given a chance to show off their best Mariah impressions ... and many of them nailed it.

Mariah's fail is so far the gift that keeps on giving in 2017.

Not everyone believes Ronda Rousey's fighting career is over -- in fact, UFC bad ass Neil Magny thinks she still has a real shot for a comeback ... if she comes and trains with his team in Colorado.

Magny fought before Ronda on the UFC 207 card -- beating Johny Hendricks -- and looked pretty solid. He's been training with the Elevation Fight Team out of Denver.

When we asked about Ronda, Magny stopped short of trashing her coach Edmond Tarverdyan -- but said the results of the fight speaks for itself ... and she might wanna think about switching up her team.

"Don't be the definition of insanity. If you're doing the same thing over and over and trying to expect a different result, then you're doing something wrong."

It didn't take long for a legendary bash to break out in 2017 ... as countless rappers and sports stars turned up at LIV nightclub Sunday night.

Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Jamie Foxx, Johnny Manziel and Odell Beckham Jr. were just SOME of the celebs who partied together at the Miami club for Headliner Market Group Night.

Weezy, Trey Songz, 2 Chainz and Fabolous performed for the crowd -- that also included Khloe Kardashian, Tristan Thompson, Adrien Brody and Victor Cruz.

Bieber and OBJ continued the festivities at E11EVEN club 'til 5 a.m. We're told their group drank Don Julio 1942 Magnums.

It may only be January 2nd ... but this could be the party of the year.

There's no hope left for Ronda Rousey ... her fighting career is over ... so says legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach.

Actually, Roach didn't believe in Ronda going into the fight either -- and actually bet AGAINST her at UFC 207. Turns out it was a smart bet.

Listen to Roach ... he basically says Ronda was never able to come back mentally from the Holly Holm thrashing ... plus, everyone now knows her flaws as a fighter.

Bottom line ... it's over for Ronda.

Conor McGregor got all cleaned up this weekend for for his sister wedding.

"The Notorious" was all smiles as he assumed the role of groomsman on Aoife's big day. She tied the knot at St. Mary's Church in Enniskerry, Ireland on New Year's Eve.

Conor's pregnant baby mama was a bridesmaid.

Knowing how Conor likes to celebrate ... it musta been one hella reception.

Curt Schilling says his outspoken political views are keeping him OUT of the Baseball Hall of Fame ... telling TMZ Sports, "If I had said 'Lynch Trump,' I'd be getting in with about 90% of the vote."

Schilling says he's well aware he's rubbed most of the H.O.F. voters the wrong way with his anti-Obama political views ... and the inflammatory social media posts haven't helped his cause.

FYI, Schilling was a stud for 20 YEARS -- winning 3 World Series titles with an 11-2 postseason record and a 2.23 ERA. Plus, more than 3,000 career strikeouts.

WWE legend Chyna is getting hassled by the state of California from beyond the grave ... they say she owes tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes.

The California Franchise Tax Board just filed a claim against Chyna's estate, saying the late wrestler still owes the tax man nearly $19,000.

The Board claims Chyna owes money from 2010, '11, '12 and '14. It's unclear how much dough remains in the estate.

Here's proof that all the good genes in the Mathieu family didn't go to Tyrann's freakish athleticism ... his little sister Toya has got mini-Beyonce level hotness.

While her big brother's been slaying the NFL ... Toya's been slaying the 'Gram ... uploading countless hot shots for the world to see.

Enjoy the pics ... but remember, Tyrann sees all, covers all, and makes those who come into his zone pay for their mistakes.