TMZ Sports - Page 50

Colin Kaepernick's old 49ers teammate, Vernon Davis, is going to bat for the QB -- saying the guy isn't just a great player, but he's "one of those guys that you want on your team."

Vernon told TMZ Sports ... one of the things that impressed him on the 49ers was Kaep's work ethic -- saying the QB is an "extremely hard worker" who's a true pro.

Long story short ... Davis is vouching for Kaep in the strongest way possible and it's clear he thinks the guy belongs in the NFL this season.

LeBron James told Ric Flair his jet-flying, Rolex-wearing lifestyle inspired him as a kid to stay off the streets and become a world famous superstar.

WOOOOO!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with The Nature Boy about his relationship with James -- he says he's LeBron's biggest fan and they've had several conversations over the years.

But the thing that stuck with Flair is when LeBron told the WWE legend about the real impact Ric had on his life.

There's more ... Flair also explains why LeBron could be the most dominant tight end in the NFL. He kinda takes a shot at Josh Norman in the process.

Plus, he reveals just how many Rolexes he has in his private collection.

Frankie Edgar ain't considering retirement after smashing Yair Rodriguez ... in fact, he says he hasn't even peaked yet, and predicts he'll be champ before the calendar reads 2018.

TMZ Sports asked the UFC legend and former lightweight champion (from '10 to '12) if he still has visions of wearing the strap around his waist ... or if at 35, he's ready to walk away from the Octagon.

"I think I'm the best fighter I've been. I think I'm still getting better."

Edgar -- ranked the #2 featherweight -- says he deserves a shot at the title against the winner of the UFC 212 match between Jose Aldo and Max Holloway.

So, is Frankie Edgar champ by the end of this year?

1:42 PM PT -- The MLB and Blue Jays have suspended Pillar for two games.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar is apologizing for using the homophobic f-word in a verbal attack on a Braves pitcher during Wednesday's game ... saying, "This is not who I am."

Pillar mouthed the word to Jason Motte after he struck out during the 7th inning. Both teams stormed the field but miraculously, it didn't get violent.

Now, Pillar is owning up to hurling the horrible slur -- "[By using that word], I had just helped extend the use of a word that has no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today."

"I'm completely and utterly embarrassed and feel horrible to have put the fans, my teammates and the Blue Jays organization in this position."

Pillar says he personally apologized to Motte -- but wants to reach out to the LBGTQ community and express his regrets for the "lack of respect" he displayed during the game.

"This is not who I am and will use this as an opportunity to better myself."

The MLB is investigating the incident to determine any possible punishment.

Ex-Cleveland Cavs star Daniel "Boobie" Gibson says he was in a suicidal place after a series of personal issues around 2014 ... but writing music saved his life.

His ankle was messed up. His marriage was falling apart. And his grandmother died ... and Gibson said he got to a place where "being alive wasn't something I wanted anymore."

"I was just hit with a flurry of events," Gibson told Dime Magazine ... "Mentally, It just took away my ability to work out. I was suffering from depression and anxiety."

"Honestly, basketball was my sanctuary, but I couldn’t even do that ... I really got to the point where being alive wasn’t something I wanted anymore."

Gibson says he just "started writing" music ... "about how I felt, what I wanted to feel like, what I wanted to accomplish, and it all just kept me going."

"It -- along with my son -- basically saved my life."

Gibson says he's in a MUCH better place now and is even considering an NBA comeback. At the same time, his music career is blowing up ... he's working with big stars like Chris Brown & Wiz Khalifa.

With Bob Marley's grandson, Nico, signing with the Washington Redskins ... we got to wondering, will marijuana be an issue??

For the answer, we went right to Bob's son, Rohan Marley, and asked if Nico will be able to pass on the family's favorite pastime ... since weed is outlawed in the NFL.

The good news for the Redskins ... Rohan says weed isn't really Nico's thing -- plus, he can always wait until AFTER his NFL career to partake in the herbals.

Rohan -- who was a stud football player back in the day -- is clearly proud of his kid ... but you gotta see his reaction when we ask if Nico is better than he was. Classic.

CM Punk’s about that MMA life these days, but there’s a cool $1 mil on the table if he’s willing to return to the wrestling ring.

It's not Vince McMahon offering the dough -- "The Best in the World" is being targeted by an organization in the UK.

"We want to offer CM Punk $1 million dollars to come and join the 5 Star Wrestling tour," founder Daniel Hinkles told The Sun. "It’s a genuine offer ... we want to do this with him."

Hinkles says the tour is a 128-man tournament. No word on how many days Punk would have to work to collect the million dollar check.

And get this, Hinkles says the deal would allow Punk to continue to pursue his MMA career.

"This wouldn’t have to end that, but wrestling is in his blood and $1 million has to be worth thinking about."

Another amazing moment from Tim Tebow -- this time, he surprised an "inspirational" special needs fan by asking her to slow dance on "The Tonight Show."

The whole thing is great ... Tebow was talking to Jimmy Fallon about his annual "Night to Shine" event (a prom-style event for special needs kids all over the world) when he pulled a fan out of the crowd!

Turns out the fan is Judy Adams -- who had invited Tim to be her date to the event, but a travel conflict kept Tebow from accepting her offer.

The security guard who busted out the ol' 5 knuckle shuffle on the sidelines of a San Diego Chargers game last year -- while fans recorded him on cell phones -- has pled guilty to committing a lewd act.

The video went crazy viral ... showing the man in an Elite Security uniform pleasuring himself while the Chargers took on the Raiders directly behind him.

Investigators in San Diego were able to identify the dude and charged him with 1 count of committing a lewd act in public. He later faced the judge and was sentenced to 3 years probation and counseling, according to KGTV.

He will NOT have to register as a sex offender.

Joe Mixon has touched down in L.A. -- and just got his first taste of paparazzi and autograph hounds.

The Cincinnati Bengals rookie is in town for the NFLPA Rookie Premiere event -- designed to help 1st year players learn the business of pro football.

Mixon told us his teammates and Cinci fans have been cool with him since he was drafted -- but didn't say much else.

Then he busted out a little Milly Rock in front of the Lehigh softball team ... which happened to be at the same baggage claim.

Amanda Nunes says there's no doubt she's the best female fighter in the world -- not Joanna Jedrzejczyk -- and she's 100% confident her girlfriend can beat the strawweight champ.

Amanda and Joanna are dominating the women's division in the UFC -- but likely won't fight each other because they're in different weight classes.

But, Amanda's GF, Nina Ansaroff, is right in Joanna's wheelhouse -- in fact, they both train at the American Top Team gym.

Nina says she's not intimidated by Joanna's impressive undefeated MMA record -- and tells TMZ Sports straight-up, "I can beat her."

McKayla Maroney already has a celebrity fan after posting that booty video last week -- Rich Homie Quan ... who's so impressed, he's down to put her in one of his music videos.

The "Type of Way" rapper was at LAX when he checked out the Olympic gymnast's racy butt video -- the one some people thought was so racy, it must have been hacked (don't worry, it wasn't).

"I don't think it's a bad thing," Quan says ... "I respect her for doing it."

McKayla has said she wants to be a pop star.

So ... collaboration???

Ben Simmons may be a quiet guy ... but his SISTER is firing shots at Lonzo and LaVar Ball.

Olivia Simmons is clearly fed up with the media circus surrounding the Big Baller Brand family ... and called upon her Philadelphia 76ers star brother to personally shut them up.

"I hope my brother dunks on Lonzo Ball so hard next year that his daddy runs on the court to help him up."

Yikes.

Guess this means Ben won't be wearing the ZO2s next season?

Conor McGregor's deal is in place to fight Floyd Mayweather -- now, it's up to Dana White and the Mayweather camp to nail down the other side.

The UFC superstar made the announcement late Wednesday night -- saying he reached an agreement with his UFC bosses that shores up how he will get paid if he steps into the ring with Floyd.

Conor has said the deal he was eyeing will pay him around $100 million.

Floyd has said he wants double or triple what Conor gets. It's up to Dana White to now hammer out a deal with Mayweather and his manager, AL Haymon.

McGregor issued a statement on TheMacLife.com saying, "It is an honour to sign this record breaking deal alongside my partners Zuffa LLC, The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Paradigm Sports Management."

"The first, and most important part of this historic contract has now officially been signed off on. Congratulations to all parties involved. We now await Al Haymon and his boxer’s signature in the coming days."

Conor is clearly confident the two sides will reach a deal soon -- because he was shopping for yachts last night ... and he posted a pic with Conor Jr. saying, "let's go get some boxing ones now son."

Daniel Cormier is finally revealing what he meant when he accused Jon Jones of "sandblasting prostitutes" ... and shocker, it involves a whole lotta cocaine!

Remember, DC fired the insult at Jones during their nasty exchange at the UFC media event in Dallas last week ... though everyone, including Jones, seemed baffled by what he meant.

So, we went right to the champ to get an explanation and he spilled the beans ... even telling us which UFC superstar first introduced him to the term.

We also asked Cormier if he thinks Jones will stay clean long enough to make it to their showdown at UFC 214 on July 29th.

UFC badass Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone says he doesn't give a DAMN if Jon Jones blows an entire Swiss Alps ski slope of cocaine ... as long he beats the hell outta people in the Octagon.

Cowboy and Jones train together -- so, we asked how the ex-champ is lookin' as he prepares for his upcoming showdown with Daniel Cormier.

The good news -- Jones looks awesome.

Then Cowboy dropped this gem: "If Jon wants to do drugs and still kick ass, you go ahead baby! You do your thing."

Hopefully drugs won't be his thing ... no one wants to see Jones catch another suspension before the DC fight!

As for Cowboy, he's fighting Robbie Lawler at UFC 213 in July -- and says it's gonna be one of the most violent brawls in the history of the sport.