TMZ Sports - Page 50

"Breaking Bad" is over, so Lavell Crawford has moved onto breaking blocks ... he's taken up jiujitsu.

Crawford has been training at the Gracie Barra gym in Burbank, CA where the guy best known for playing Huell recently earned a stripe for his white belt. Hey, gotta start somewhere!

The gym's owner -- Alberto Crane (standing next to Crawford in the photo above) -- tells TMZ Sports he's been impressed with Crawford so far ... saying most guys Crawford's size can't do what he does.

Crane says Crawford, who is also a standup comedian, has been keeping things light at the gym, telling us, "He is so much fun to work with. He cracks a ton of jokes, he's a real funny guy and a pleasure to have around."

As for getting his first stripe, Crane says Crawford could not have been more excited: "He was pumped up. He said he couldn't wait to brag to his son about his first stripe."

Oprah Winfrey is about to get all up inside Michael Sam's head ... telling TMZ Sports her upcoming interview with Sam will answer the one burning question she HAS to know from him.

Winfrey was out in New York when we asked her if working with Sam has lost any of its luster ... since the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year failed to catch on in the NFL.

Oprah -- who once had an entire reality show in the works for Sam -- says that the fact that he's NOT in the NFL actually makes the interview more intriguing ... and ties into her biggest question.

Adrian Peterson might have the smoking gun he needs to get his indefinite suspension overturned -- audio of NFL exec Troy Vincent seemingly promising the Vikings star he'd only sit for 2 games.

Peterson had previously claimed Vincent made the promise, but now -- 2 days after an arbitrator denied AP's appeal to overturn the suspension -- ABC News played audio of the Nov. 12 convo between Vincent and Peterson.

On the tape, Vincent never uses the p-word, but does say ... "I gave you my word." He also hints Peterson needs to "go through the process" quietly. Translation: keep your mouth shut, don't blast the league ... and you'll be back on the field in no time.

The NFL Players Association filed a lawsuit Monday on AP's behalf, challenging the decision on Friday to uphold his indefinite suspension.

Earlier this month we talked to Vincent about the alleged "promise." Interestingly, he didn't say AP was wrong for calling him out -- and only said he was "praying" for him.

Serena Williams' #1 tennis ranking means ZILCH when it comes to getting on the mic -- 'cause she got blown away by her sisters, including Venus Williams, at karaoke last night.

Serena and Venus belted out the disco classic "We Are Family" at the end of the first Serena Williams Ultimate Run in Miami beach.

Looks like at least one of the non-tennis playing sisters was on stage too -- and it's obvious Serena knows her place in the family. Even though Serena (on the right) is the most famous ... she barely sings.

Matt Barnes' kids are getting socks and underwear for Christmas this year ... and the Los Angeles Clippers baller says they can blame the NBA for it.

Barnes was still fuming Sunday night over his fine from the league this week ... $25,000 for kicking a water bottle (the league says it's also for cursing at a fan).

The swingman explained why he thinks the league came down so hard on him -- and told us how he was planning to spend that dough.

They have two of the most GIGANTIC asses on earth ... but former WWE star Rikishi says he wants to end the speculation and finally challenge Kim Kardashian to an official BOOTY CONTEST!

The 49-year-old was at the Miracle on 1st Street toy giveaway at the Hollenbeck Youth Center in L.A. this weekend -- when he brought up his most famous feature ... dat butt.

Of course, Rikishi's gargantuan ass was so famous back the day, he used it in his finishing move -- The Stinkface -- where he would run his whole 'donk in his opponents face.

But Rikishi says it's finally time to crown a big ass champ ... and it sounds like he's ready to break out the measuring tape!!

Kerry Collins couldn't just sling a football ... the former NFL quarterback had a GUN as a pitcher too ... so says Mike Piazza.

Mike was out in NYC when we asked if there were any athletes who impressed him with during the ceremonial first pitch over the years.

That's when Mike brought up the ex-Carolina Panthers QB -- who said he fired the ball so hard back in the day, it actually scared him when he was behind the plate.

Like you need ANOTHER reason to like Odell Beckham Jr.????

Well, here we go -- 'cause the NY Giants receiver says he turned down an amazing opportunity to join the U.S. National soccer program when he ws a kid ... because he'd miss his family too much.

Beckham Jr. -- who's also a hardcore sneakerhead -- was at the opening of the OG Sole sneaker shop in Jersey this weekend when he explained why he chose football ... instead of leaving his family and pursuing a career in soccer at 14-years-old.

In fact, OBJ also picked his college to stay close to his fam -- choosing LSU instead of any other program in the country ... just so he could stay local.

Things worked out.

Fun Fact -- Odell says he has more than ONE HUNDRED pairs of sneakers ... including a pair of the most sought after kicks in the shoe game.

Cleveland Browns linebacker Zac Diles is officially in the fashion game -- and his company is selling an Italian cashmere baseball cap ... FOR $1,200 EACH!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... Diles is a part owner of Melin ... a company that specializes in high-end designer headwear.

The company uses everything from antique metals to genuine pony hair to pimp out their products -- with the top item, the $1,200 hat, boasting real ostrich leather.

We spoke with Diles who tells us ... his teammates have been incredibly supportive -- with guys like Johnny Manziel, Joe Haden and Donte Whitner rockin' various items.

"It's always great to see guys in the locker room supporting."

He's the frontrunner to win the Heisman tonight, but Oregon QB Marcus Mariota tells TMZ Sports he's not worried that college football's biggest prize could CURSE his NFL career.

Sure, players like Barry Sanders, Charles Woodson and Eddie George have been able to overcome the legendary jinx ... but there are plenty who couldn't seem to conquer it.

Right, Tim Tebow? Or Jason White? Or RG3? Or Sam Bradford? Or Chris Weinke? Or Rashaan Salaam? Or Troy Smith? Or Gino Torretta?

Brittney Palmer's fascination with James Dean just paid off -- the UFC ring girl just sold a painting she made of the Hollywood icon for $3,000 ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported -- Palmer's career outside the ring began to take off ... with powerful people like Dana White and computer mogul Michael Dell owning some of her work.

Now, we've learned Palmer's latest creation was also snatched up rather quickly -- with an art enthusiast dropping $3k on the piece after seeing it on Instagram.

No word on the identity of the buyer ... but a source close to the situation tell us, "the person is a big fan of Brittney."

Clippers' skipper Doc Rivers would prefer a NBA Championship but he'll settle for a boatload of cash ... he just scored an easy million after unloading his L.A. condo a year after buying.

Rivers picked up the swanky Beverly West pad for just over $5.5M last year and 15 months later ... he passed it off for $6.5M.

He could go coast to coast in these sprawling digs -- it's 3,813 sq ft. with access to a salt water pool, and fitness center, and throw in 2 parking spots ... for the 3-point play!

Rivers opted out for an upgrade ... he put the cash toward his new $8.2M perch, up in the bird streets of the Hollywood Hills.

Two female college basketball players have sued Pepperdine -- claiming the University is running them off the basketball team because they are involved in a lesbian relationship ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The women behind the suit are Haley Videckis and Layana White -- who each transferred to Pepperdine from other school because they believed they would have a better shot at the WNBA.

But according to the suit, several officials at Pepperdine -- a Christian-based university in Malibu -- began to suspect the players were in a lesbian relationship earlier this year ... and started looking for an excuse to boot them off the team.

According to the suit, the women claim the basketball coach, Ryan Weisenberg, gave a speech on the topic of "lesbianism" in April ... in which he said, "Lesbianism is not tolerated on this team. It is the reason why teams lose."

Long story short, Layana claims she has eligibility issues with the NCAA and Pepperdine won't help because of her sexual orientation. Haley claims she has recovered from a minor tailbone injury, but the school won't clear her to play even though her doctor has signed off.

The women are suing for discrimination, harassment, retaliation and more -- and are seeking unspecified damages.

6:00 PM PT -- A rep for Pepperdine issued a statement to TMZ Sports saying, "We take allegations of this kind very seriously. We conducted an immediate and thorough investigation and found no evidence to support these claims."

Adrian Peterson has almost ZERO chance of getting back on the field this season -- the NFL star's appeal of his suspension was denied Friday.

Peterson was immediately placed on leave after his arrest for abusing his 4-year-old son. The case wrapped up on Nov. 4 .. when he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault. He had hoped the NFL would reinstate him shortly after that.

No dice. Instead the Vikings running back was suspended without pay. He appealed the NFL ruling, but an independent arbitrator ruled today the punishment was fair and consistent ... and refused to lift the suspension.

Peterson plans to appeal the ruling in federal court, but with only 3 Sundays left in the regular season ... it's highly unlikely he'll be back in 2014.

Ray Rice got his suspension overturned back on Nov. 28 -- but still hasn't been signed by an NFL team.

Laveranues Coles' ex-fiancee is BLASTING the former NFL star -- claiming he's an "a**hole" who's lying about their engagement to make HER look like the bad guy in their war over a $240k engagement ring.

TMZ Sports spoke with Kenda Fairchild ... who says Coles originally popped the question back in 2008 ... 5 YEARS after they first started dating.

Fairchild says she's pissed because she believes Coles is trying to convince the court they were only together for a couple of months before she broke it off ... and it makes her look like she was just in it for a payday.

"It's such a lie," Fairchild says ... "He's being such an a**hole right now."

"We've been engaged since 2008. We've been together since 2003. I dealt with enough of his bulls**t and that's why I left him. I got tired of it."

Former NFL star Laveranues Coles has declared WAR on his ex-fiancee ... demanding she return the $240,000 engagement he got her ... because they broke up!!!!

Coles -- who played for the Jets, Redskins and Bengals -- was engaged to Kenda Fairchild ... and proposed by back in February with a 5.6 karat diamond ring valued at $240k.

But according to the Washington Post, the couple split just a few months later when she ditched Coles for another dude.

But apparently, Fairchild kept the ring after the break up ... and now Coles is SUING in Virginia to get it back. Coles argues that the ring is a "conditional" gift which only becomes hers if she walks down the aisle.

Fairchild believes the ring became her property the minute he handed it over -- and says the conditional argument is B.S.

Here's the rub ... there have been conflicting rulings on similar cases in Virginia courts in the past --and Coles' case could become the one that sets the precedent for all engagement ring disputes moving forward.

The case is moving forward to trial. Stay tuned.

We reached out to Coles to comment -- so far, no word back.