TMZ Sports - Page 50

Great news for Sacramento Kings star Rudy Gay -- his recovery from a torn Achilles injury is going GREAT ... with Gay telling us he's 1 MONTH ahead of schedule!

As we previously reported, Rudy ruptured his tendon in a game against the Pacers on January 18 and underwent surgery a few days later.

Obviously, the Kings' season is over and Gay won't be in the NBA playoffs -- HOWEVER, he could choose to become a free agent on July 1st and sign a fat new longterm contract with another team.

So, when Gay says he's feeling great and should start running soon -- he's really probably talking to other teams ... letting everyone know he'll be healthy and worth every penny!!!

Ex-NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich says his naked drug arrest was a rude awakening about how out of control his substance abuse issues had gotten ... and now he's fighting to live for his kids.

The 47-year-old opened up to TMZ Sports about his life since his arrest back in August -- when cops found him naked in a stranger's backyard -- and how it was the rock bottom he needed to change his life.

"I've been running [from my addiction] for years and it definitely came a time, especially after the arrest, the humiliation that that brought, the self-loathing that I was feeling, where I was finally willing to do the things necessary to get better."

Todd says he's stopped counting the days he's been sober -- instead, he takes a day-by-day approach -- but says he's been getting treatment and he's in a MUCH better place.

"I have never been better," Todd says ... "I think it's a long time and a long journey getting to this point."

Todd's substance abuse issues are well-documented. He's struggled with addiction since he was a star QB at USC in the late '80s, early '90s and has been to rehab several times before.

So, what's different this time around? Todd says he's got two little kids who are motivating him to stay clean.

Suprise! The WWE is definitely interested in Rob Gronkowski -- AFTER he wraps up his career in the NFL ... this according to WWE superstar Mojo Rawley.

Mojo appeared on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Wednesday night on FS1) and told us how awesome it would be crushing inside the squared circle with Gronk ... his longtime best buddy.

And with Gronk being such a natural during his 2 recent WWE cameos, we had to ask if Vince McMahon's company has taken steps toward locking him up full-time.

Mojo fills us in and talks about A LOT more in the full interview tonight on FS1.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Senquez Golson was stopped by TSA agents at an airport in Alabama after they found a handgun and bullets in his carry-on bag ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Maybe he was flying United???

Here's what we know ... the 2015 2nd round draft pick was going through security at Mobile Regional Airport around noon Wednesday when they found a Glock .45 caliber pistol along with 23 rounds of ammunition in the magazine.

There's a discrepancy over whether the gun can be considered "loaded" or "unloaded" since there was technically not a round in the chamber.

TSA alerted police and officers took the bag and escorted Golson out of the area.

Golson was NOT arrested. Instead, cops offered to hold the gun for him until he returned from his travels ... at which time he could pick it up.

How's that for southern hospitality?

Tim Tebow has already become the LEADER of his minor league baseball team ... so says the manager of the Columbia Fireflies, Jose Leger.

We spoke to the skipper of the NY Mets Class A affiliate and he was raving about Tebow -- even though Tim's only played 5 games with the team.

"He's the leader on the team already," Leger says ... telling TMZ Sports the guy's work ethic has blown everyone away.

"He outworks anybody that we have out here."

Tebow already has 2 home runs and 5 RBIs in 20 at-bats with the team ... and Leger says he's got the power to make it in the pros.

Stay tuned ...

Jackie Robinson's wife and children are among the special guests committed to attend the statue ceremony at Dodger Stadium this weekend honoring the MLB legend ... the team says.

Rachel Robinson, along with Jackie's daughter, Sharon, and son, David, will be front and center on Saturday ... the 70th anniversary of Robinson breaking MLB’s color barrier on April 15, 1947.

The 10 foot tall bronze statue will be the very first one installed at Dodger Stadium. The first 40,000 fans will receive a smaller replica.

Several Dodgers legends will also be in attendance including Vin Scully, Tommy Lasorda, Sandy Koufax, Don Newcombe and Dodgers owner Magic Johnson.

Seems Elisa Johnson is BACK ON with her quasi-boyfriend, Anthony Alcaraz -- 'cause they were all over each other on the beach in Miami!

Last we saw Magic Johnson's daughter, she claimed she wasn't really in a committed relationship, despite the on-again, off-again thing with the male model.

But here they are in Miami ... letting it all hang out.

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker JUST returned from a trip with the U.S. military -- and says he realized he played college football against one of the soldiers!

Walker was part of a USO tour to various U.S. military bases in the Middle East, Asia and North America -- where he learned how to fire weapons, ride camels and even threw around the pigskin!

In fact, Walker and Cam Jordan even hit some trick shots -- involving a basketball hoop!

In the end, Walker said he LOVED the trip and has even more respect for our troops.

Good news for A-Rod, Fat Joe isn't pissed he put the moves on Joe's "little sister," Jennifer Lopez ... telling TMZ Sports he's "all for" the brand new celebrity relationship.

Kane says he's able ... to be the mayor of Knox County!

Gone is the mask and the fire and the long hair and demonic music ... now, the ex-WWE superstar is just Glenn Jacobs -- mayoral candidate.

The 49-year-old released his very first campaign video complete with cheesy politician music and a reference to Ronald Reagan.

Vote for Kane?

IT'S TRUE ... apparently!

WWE superstars Dean Ambrose and Renee Young tied the knot in real life ... so says Renee!

Rumors had been swirling ever since fans noticed the wrestlers were each sporting rings on their wedding fingers ... even though they never referenced the jewelry on TV.

But Wednesday morning, Young seemingly put the whole thing to bed saying, "Marriage is nice. Thanks for all the love."

The two have been dating in real life for roughly 3 years.

So ... MAZEL!!

Floyd Mayweather called out Adrien Broner right to his face Tuesday night about that crazy diss video he made about the champ ... and in a shocking twist, he totally let Broner off the hook!!!

As we previously reported, Broner called Mayweather a "bitch" (and other offensive names) for backing rising boxing superstar Gervonta "Tank" Davis in his beef with Broner.

FYI, Davis (who's undefeated) is part of The Money Team and says Broner is jealous of his success.

Well, Mayweather went right to Broner last night and told him straight-up -- YOU'RE TRIPPIN'.

Broner backed down in a big way -- and admitted he only made the video in the first place because he thought Floyd was secretly pitting Davis and Broner against each other.

So, Floyd and Broner are friends again ... but Davis still wants to beat AB's ass and told "TMZ Sports" he wants to get a fight on the books for 2018.

LeBron James is continuing to give back to his hometown in a HUGE way ... this time, he's opening his own public school for at-risk kids in Akron.

LBJ and his Family Foundation announced the plans to open the I Promise School ... with the goal to open its doors to 3rd and 4th graders in the Fall of 2018, and expand to 1st - 8th graders by 2022.

The project will focus on youth in similar situations the Cavs superstar experienced growing up.

"This school is so important to me because our vision is to create a place for the kids in Akron who need it most -- those that could fall through the cracks if we don't do something," LeBron says.

Rob Gronkowski got some pretty sweet BEER REVENGE on WWE superstar Jinder Mahal Tuesday night ... throwing some sudsy goodness right in Jinder's face during "SmackDown Live."

Boxing superstar Keith "One Time" Thurman says Manny Pacquiao needs to COME GET SOME ... claiming the fact PacMan is ranked above him is a big mistake.

The undefeated welterweight champ was out at Madeo when he responded to some trash talk from Manny's camp ... telling TMZ Sports plain and simple, "I'm ready to put hands on him!"

There's been talk of a potential matchup between the two -- Thurman clearly wants it.

Keith also says he's down for a rematch with Danny Garcia after their very successful prime time fight last month ... saying, "I did it one time. We can do it two times!"

Daniel Cormier says he was SUPER BUMMED when he heard Snoop trashing him on social media ... but says he'll win the Dogfather over after he beats Jon Jones' ass!