TMZ Sports - Page 50

Is Jay-Z's battle with the NFL over?

Hova -- one of the biggest critics of the league's treatment of Colin Kaepernick -- took in the Rams vs. Seahawks game from the sidelines over the weekend, which has some fans confused.

If you remember, Jay famously turned down performing at the Super Bowl halftime show on behalf of Kaep, then boasted about dissing the league on his song, "Apes**t."

The video featured people kneeling during Jay's verse, so it's obvious his stance was about Kaepernick, who still doesn't have an NFL job. So, why the sudden change of heart?

We should say ... Mr. Carter has never ACTUALLY said he's boycotting watching games, or attending them, but he definitely wanted the entire world to know he was anti-NFL, and it seems at least for now that's in the past.

One possible explanation is that he was there to personally support a Roc Nation Sports client, Rams RB Todd Gurley, who's playing so well right now (he rushed for 120 yards and a TD) maybe Jay just HAD to see him in person.

Really though, the guy has been that good ...

Paul Pierce tells TMZ Sports he had to pack his things and leave his Calabasas home behind ... saying the California wildfires were getting too close for comfort.

The retired NBA superstar was leaving Mastro's in Beverly Hills on Saturday night ... when he told us he had spent the day evacuating due to the massive wildfires that have forced more than 250,000 people to leave their homes behind.

At least 177 homes have been destroyed in SoCal by the fires ... and a ton of celebs and athletes have been affected -- including Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth and Gerard Butler, who all lost their Malibu homes.

Pierce shared a video from his multi-million dollar Calabasas home on Friday ... showing the fires moving toward his area.

The wife of L.A. Dodgers star Justin Turner claims her beloved miniature pinscher was savagely murdered by a neighbor's German shepherd ... and now she's suing the guy for letting it happen.

Kourtney Turner -- aka Kourtney Pogue -- claims her pet, Dior, was chillin' at her L.A. home on Nov. 7, 2016, when a "vicious and aggressive" dog named Sonny got onto the property and attacked.

Kourtney claims the dog's owner knew Sonny got violent with other dogs -- and when he went after Dior, the man did nothing to stop it.

In the lawsuit, Kourtney claims she was too paralyzed by fear to jump in and save her 11-year-old pet ... and by the time the mauling was over, Dior had suffered fatal injuries.

Kourtney is not only suing for vet bills and other costs associated with Dior's death -- she also wants damages for pain and suffering, claiming she "relied upon the emotional support of Dior for her well-being."

After Dior passed away, Kourtney posted an emotional tribute to her friend ... saying, "Eleven years wasn't long enough, and to be honest, forever wouldn't have been either."

She added, "You taught me unconditional love & we will never ever forget you."

Kourtney now has a new dog, Moonshine -- who was born 1 month after Dior's passing.

Farrah Abraham traded a boardwalk brouhaha for a mellow day in the Maldives -- and it looks like she's enjoying her decision to hang up her boxing gloves ... kinda.

The ex-'Teen Mom' had herself a nice little beach day Saturday at the Ayada Resort on Maguhdhuvaa, one of the islands that make up the Maldives. Interestingly enough, these photos came out the same day of her would-be boxing event in Atlantic City ... where she was supposed to fight Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander in a reality TV showdown.

The fight went on without Farrah, who ended up getting replaced with "Mob Wives" star Natalie DiDonato. The boxing promoter ended up sending Farrah a cease and desist letter to keep her yap shut after she dropped out, and continued to trash it.

Farrah doesn't appear to have uttered a peep in public about the boxing match since, but that doesn't mean she's done trolling the good folks at Boom Cups, who put on the event.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is calling for another fight with Canelo Alvarez -- telling TMZ Sports he would knock his ass out ... if they fought at 168 pounds this time!

Remember, Julio and Canelo faced off in May 2017 at 164 pounds -- and Canelo dominated -- ultimately winning by unanimous decision after tuning up Julio for 12 straight rounds.

But, Julio says the weight was a huge factor -- and says if Canelo has the cajones to move up in weight, it won't end well for him.

"Canelo rematch at 168 ... I want to knock him out at my weight."

Julio is also calling out Floyd Mayweather -- saying he's 100% confident he can beat T.B.E. too!

One last thing ... when we asked if he considered Floyd the greatest boxer of all time, he shot that down -- saying Muhammad Ali and his father, Julio Cesar Chavez, get the #1 and #2 spots.

Wanna live like the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft?? Got about $1.7 mil laying around?

Great, then you can pick up the baller pad Mario Williams owned during his stint with the Miami Dolphins!

Williams -- who made more than $120 MILLION during his NFL career -- has moved on from MIA and put his 6,969 square foot waterfront pad on the market.

The place is pretty sweet ... 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and a pool with a sick view of the water, according to No Limit Real Estate's Jordan Fischer.

AND, it's around 20 miles away from Hard Rock Stadium.

Williams had a pretty solid NFL career -- he was a 4-time Pro Bowler, 1st team All pro in 2014, and finished his career with 399 tackles and 97.5 sacks!!!

The Dolphins fan who had his big toe crushed like a grape in a freak accident at the team's stadium is now suing the Fins ... saying his foot is jacked up forever!!

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Jean Michaud was at a bar area inside Hard Rock Stadium during a Dolphins game in September, when he says a giant piece of marble slab fell off the bar and smashed his foot.

Michaud says, when he took off his shoe ... he was missing part of his big toe!!

Now, 6 weeks removed from surgery to fix it all ... Jean tells us he's still sufferin' from the accident -- and has filed a lawsuit against the team AND the stadium for his troubles.

Jean tells us he still can't run ... has trouble walking ... and will have issues with his right foot for the rest of his life.

"There's things that I have to deal with for the rest of my life due to their negligence. That's pretty much what [this lawsuit] came down to."

For their part ... the Dolphins DID send Jean a get well soon fruit basket ... but Michaud says for as much as he appreciated the gesture -- that ain't enough.

For most pro wrestlers, getting to the WWE is the ultimate career goal -- but David Arquette says that's NOT what's motivating his comeback at 47-years-old.

"WWE's not the goal. I mean, I love WWE. I would love to do anything with them ever, but my main goal is getting some respect. That really was what it's about."

Remember, back in 2000, Arquette won the WCW World Heavyweight title as part of a stunt to promote a movie ... and it's widely regarded as one of the worst moments in pro wrestling.

So, Arquette -- a huge pro wrestling fan -- has been on a mission to earn back respect from the community ... and that's why he's been working his ass off at small wrestling shows around the country.

And, how would Arquette earn back that respect? He's got a plan ...

"I called out Cody Rhodes ... 'cause me and his dad wore the same [WCW championship] belt and if I can get him to respect me, then I think I can get other people to respect me."

Cody Rhodes is the son of pro wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, aka "The American Dream."

"I mean [Cody] is one of the best in the world ... so, if I could go toe-to-toe with him, that would be a good show."

This ain't a game to Arquette, he's suffered a couple real injuries since his return to the ring -- including broken ribs and a jacked up elbow.

Kate Upton and Justin Verlander are the proud new parents of a baby girl ... and like her parents, she's already dominating the spotlight.

Kate announced Saturday on Instagram she gave birth to Genevieve Upton Verlander. She finished the caption with what appears to be Genevieve's birthday -- 11.7.18, which, of course, was Wednesday.

As we reported ... the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model announced back in July she was expecting her first kid. But, getting knocked up wasn't pulling her away from her S.I. duties. At the time she announced -- which BTW would have put her at around 5 months pregnant -- Kate was in Miami helping S.I. find its next roster of models. Gotta pay the bills.

LaMelo Ball's stint in Lithuania has made him INELIGIBLE for one of the biggest honors at the high school level -- the McDonald's All-American Game ... officials tell TMZ Sports.

The All-American game features the top 24 players from around the country selected by a voting committee based on their athletic and academic success.

Superstars from Magic Johnson to LeBron James to Kevin Durant to Melo's older brother, Lonzo, have participated in the game -- being selected to the team is one of the highest honors a high school player can have.

Of course, Melo announced his return to prep hoops earlier this week by enrolling in elite Spire Academy private school in Geneva, Ohio ... bringing him back to amateur status.

But, a rep for the organization's selection committee tells TMZ Sports LaMelo will NOT be in consideration to play in the game at the end of the season ... citing his past professional status as a means for disqualification.

"LaMelo Ball is a Professional Basketball player and has played professionally in Lithuania resulting in him being ineligible for the McDonald’s All-American Game," the rep tells us.

There are reports Melo didn't receive a cent of his salary while playing for BC Vytautas, making him clear to regain his amateur status.

But, reps for the All-American Game say they're not convinced -- yet -- however, they're willing to reconsider Melo's status if he can prove without a doubt he wasn't paid.

We also reached out to the organization behind the Naismith Prep Player of the Year award -- another huge honor for high school athletes -- and they told us Melo is NOT disqualified from consideration.

"As long as he maintains his amateur status, plays a full high school season and is in good standing with his team all season long, he’ll be considered just like any other HS candidate."

But, Melo and the rest of the Ball family aren't about accolades anyway -- for them, the only thing that matters is getting PAID in the NBA.

Billy Corben -- the acclaimed director behind "Cocaine Cowboys" and "The U" -- is about to debut his new film about Alex Rodriguez ... and warns the MLB star he ain't gonna like it.

The movie is called "Screwball" -- a no-holds-barred look at Alex's role in the Biogenesis scandal, when several players were accused of using performance-enhancing drugs.

A-Rod was banned for the entire 2014 season after an MLB investigation.

Corben tells TMZ Sports he's spent years working on the documentary -- and was actually contacted by Alex at one point in the process.

But, A-Rod allegedly wanted Corben to only tell his side of the story and things just didn't work out.

"He pitched us the idea," Corben said ... "But, then kind of ghosted us over the course of 2014, and then he realized he didn't have to tell anybody anything."

The movie is loaded with shocking claims and stories that Corben insists are 100% true.

Gotta think A-Rod will have a bone to pick with some of it -- but we'll see how this whole thing plays out.

What do you do if Bill Belichick tells you you're not allowed to leave the Patriots at any point of the season -- but you're scheduled to have a child support hearing in Ohio???

If you're Josh Gordon, you beg the judge to push the date back until after the Super Bowl -- and that's exactly what the WR did.

Here's the deal ... Gordon's been at war with his baby mama Christina Lockhart for years. She claims he owes her thousands of dollars in unpaid child support for their 3-year-old daughter.

The judge previously told Gordon he could go to jail if he doesn't pay.

Gordon's next court date was set in Ohio for Dec. 12 -- right before the Pats play the Steelers -- so JG had a big problem.

Here's what he did ... Gordon filed docs with the court begging the judge to delay the hearing until after the Super Bowl so he can keep his job.

As you probably know, Gordon is BALLIN' right now ... and, if he keeps it up, he could get a HUGE contract before next season -- more money for everyone.

Here's what Josh wrote to the judge ...

"[Gordon] is unable to appear in court on said date as he is prohibited from leaving the team (in Massachusetts), per instruction from his employer."

"Defendant/Father will not be available for hearing in Cleveland until mid-February, at the earliest, when the football season will be completed (including any possible post-season games)."

Riff Raff says he's already so impressed with the way his "cousin," Mac McClung, is ballin' out at Georgetown, he's droppin' a brand new track about the kid!

Mac has been making headlines for his insane dunks since he was in high school -- and he already posted a highlight reel jam in his 1st college game this week.

So, when we got Raff out in NYC he was all kinds of fired up about Mac -- tellin' us he's almost ready with a new song about the phenom!

"I already got one in the making for one of my albums," Raff says ... "Mac Attack! When he come through with that Mac Attack, shoot."

BTW ... Riff Raff has some hoop talents himself -- and tells us he'd love the chance to join a league like the BIG3 one day.

Then, he showed off his killer handles -- and issued a warning to Harvey ... WATCH YOUR ANKLES!!!

Tyron Woodley says he believes Floyd Mayweather's explanation for backing out of his New Year's Eve fight in Japan -- and explains why small exhibition fights are a SMART move for TBE.

In fact, the UFC champ says he'd be down to take an exhibition fight anywhere -- including someone's living room -- as long as the price is right!!

Woodley also talks about Mike Tyson's new plans to become a marijuana baron -- and if it's a smart move for guys like Conor McGregor to embrace weed so publicly.

Also, can CBD help fighters in the ring? Tyron has the breakdown.

Plus, Woodley dishes out his weekly punch in the face and pat on the back.

2:04 PM PT -- Dez just tweeted ... "Things was just starting to heat up for me... I won’t question the man upstairs... this is the ultimate test.. thank you everyone for the prayers."

Dez Bryant suffered an injury while practicing with the New Orleans Saints on Friday -- and people are worried it could be a torn Achilles tendon which would end his season.

The WR -- who just signed with the Saints earlier this week -- was running a route when he collapsed. He was carted off the practice field and taken to get an MRI.

The team is already looking at replacement wideouts -- including Brandon Marshall -- according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Dez just signed a $600k deal with the Saints to play in the team's remaining 8 games of the season earlier this week ... and may have even seen game action as early as next week against the Eagles.

But, all that's on hold for now while the 30-year-old star awaits the results of the MRI.

Bryant was selected in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and was selected to go to the Pro Bowl 3 different times. He led the league in receiving TDs in 2014.

Bryant suffered a foot injury during the 2015 season and his production never really recovered.

Eric Wynalda -- the former soccer star who was once the all-time leading scorer for the USMNT -- says his home just burned down in the California wildfires ... and he had to watch it on live TV.

Flames have ravaged Southern California since Thursday afternoon ... and Wynalda says his house was one of the casualties of the destruction.

In fact ... the former MLS star tells the San Diego Union-Tribune he had to watch it burn down on a local news station after he evacuated early Friday morning.

"We lost our home but we are safe," Wynalda confirmed on his Twitter page ... "You can rebuild homes, replace belongings, you can’t replace life. We cannot forget that now more than ever."

"Please support the ones who need it the most and continue to honor those who serve to keep us safe. Count your blessings folks- I am."

Wynalda retired from the USMNT as the all-time leading scorer (34 goals in 106 appearances) ... and held the record until Landon Donovan caught it back in 2007.