TMZ Sports - Page 50

Adrian Peterson says he still disciplines his children using a switch ... despite nearly going to jail for striking his infant son with one 4 years ago.

You'll remember ... the NFL superstar beat his then-4-year-old child with a switch so badly in 2014 -- the boy had bruises and lacerations on his lower back, buttocks and scrotum.

A.P. was charged with felony child abuse ... but was able to get that charge reduced to misdemeanor domestic violence after striking a plea deal in exchange for a no contest plea.

Peterson -- in addition to serving out a lengthy NFL suspension -- was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $4,000 fine.

Adrian said afterward he would find different ways to punish his kids, saying, "I won't ever use a switch again."

But ... fast forward to now -- and Peterson is singing a different tune, telling Bleacher Report he not only still uses a switch to discipline his kids sometimes ... he also recently used a belt too.

"I had to discipline my son and spank him the other day with a belt," Peterson said.

For his part ... A.P. says he doesn't take the punishments as far as he did back in 2014 -- claiming he uses the physical discipline only far enough to teach his children lessons he feels they need to learn.

Tito Ortiz is clapping back at the haters killin' him for steppin' back in the cage against Chuck Liddell ... issuing an invitation -- come to my gym and get your ass busted in real life.

TMZ Sports talked to "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" on Tuesday -- days before battling "The Iceman" for the 3rd time -- and asked him if he had a response to people saying he's too old and washed up to fight.

That's when 43-year-old Ortiz went off ...

"Those people are the guys who sit on the couch and they really don't do nothing," Ortiz told us ... "We call it computer tough guy stuff. Get in the gym and do something and see how hard it is to train."

Matter of fact ... Tito wants to bring in a crap-talkin' fan and see if he can hang in the gym.

"Come join me for a full day of training in my 3 sessions, and try to get through it, and see how slow I am. Or how easy I go. Man, I go and I battle like a beast when I train. I'm vicious."

Aaron Rodgers' bro says the QB is a fraud who ignored his own mother during the California fires -- while she was getting ready to evacuate.

Yeah, it's getting nasty again.

Aaron's bro is Jordan Rodgers -- you know him from "The Bachelorette."

After Aaron went public with his $1 million donation to wildfire victims near his hometown in Northern California on Wednesday, Jordan called the NFL star out on social media ... saying the whole thing "feels like an act."

"PLEASE DONATE, SPREAD AWARENESS & SEND LOVE," Jordan wrote ... but then it got nasty.

"But when your own Mom is home alone during the fires, car packed ready to evacuate, & you miss the fundamental first step of compassion; calling your parents to make sure they are safe...."

"Everything else just feels like an act."

Ouch.

The beef between Aaron and his family is well known -- they even played it up during Jordan's season on "The Bachelorette" -- and Aaron's ex, Olivia Munn, previously said there were jealousy issues with Aaron's father and brothers.

But, Munn also noted, "I don't think either side of the road is clean."

LeBron James is making his much-anticipated return to Cleveland on Wednesday ... and Lakers super fan Nipsey Hussle has a very important warning for Cavs fans:

DON'T YOU DARE BOO THE KING!!!

The atmosphere in Quicken Loans Arena was insane the first time LBJ returned to the Land in a Heat uniform back in 2010 ... with fans incessantly screaming ... and some even reportedly throwing batteries at the superstar.

Things should be completely different this time around ... considering the dude got the Cavs a ring and ended the painful 52-year championship drought.

The rap star says the King deserves to get treated like royalty ... but if some fans end up sending out the boo birds?? He says it won't faze LBJ.

"It's donuts to a fat b*tch ... Bron ain't trippin' on that s**t."

The Lakers are 9-7 and finally starting to gel. The Cavs are a dumpster fire (only 2 wins) and J.R. Smith just accused the team of tanking this week.

Okay, so full disclosure here -- we don't get it. We're not really sure why a French Soccer star just made love to a chicken on his Instagram, but he did ... and we're about to show it to you.

The guy's name is Patrice Evra, and he's an international soccer superstar, who used to play with Manchester United, and now plays with West Ham United F.C.

Not long ago Evra took to his IG and, in full view of his over 5 million followers, made love to raw turkey. He kissed the turkey, he sucked the turkey, he even got a little rough with the turkey, smacking it.

Patrice is pretty infamous for posting bizarre stuff, but none have inspired anything close to the collective WTF that the entire internet is experiencing right now.

BTW -- Evra came back and admitted he's not aware of things like oh, SALMONELLA which, if he isn't lucky, he'll be intimately acquainted with soon.

DeSean Jackson will wear Rodney King-themed cleats for the Bucs game Sunday ... featuring the words "Black Lives Matter" and a depiction of a police officer raising a baton.

For the next few weeks, the NFL is allowing players to raise awareness for causes they support using custom kicks as part of the league's "My Cause, My Cleats" program.

DeSean chose black-and-blue colored spikes for his cause ... a clear message he's trying to help end police brutality in America.

The cleats feature King's face ... the "Black Lives Matter" slogan ... Florence and Normandie street signs (a major point of the riots and where Reginald Denny was attacked) ... and a shadowy drawing of an officer raising his baton at 5 open hands.

What's interesting ... DeSean's set to debut the kicks against the 49ers -- the team Colin Kaepernick famously started his kneeling protests with to help raise awareness for social injustice in America.

This is amazing video ... Kevin Durant was on-camera the moment he was fined $25,000 for cussing out a heckler at an NBA game over the weekend -- and the reaction is incredible.

Durant was doing Chris Haynes' podcast for Yahoo Sports when the NBA reporter broke the news to him live on camera about the punishment for telling a Dallas Mavs fan to "shut the f**k up and watch the f**king game."

"I knew I was gonna get fined. How much they gonna fine me?" Durant asked.

Once he learned the number, Durant went off ...

"More fans should understand what that means ... Grown men can't come to a game and heckle grown men. That's corny and that's weak."

KD continued to mock the fan ... "You coming to a game to heckle another grown man, 'You soft. You weak. Draymond this, Draymond that. You a bitch.'"

"You going to sleep as a grown man doing that to another person."

As we previously reported, Durant approached the fan who sitting courtside at the Mavs vs. Golden State Warriors game on Saturday.

Witnesses told us the fan had been going off on KD for a while calling him names like "Cupcake."

The Warriors lost the game -- and now KD lost $25k -- which is really no big deal to him considering he's in the middle of a 2-year, $61 MILLION contract.

If Christian Pulisic ends up with Chelsea ... it'll be a monumental moment for U.S. Soccer ... so says Alexi Lalas, who tells TMZ Sports whoever lands the superstar will have to whip out the checkbook.

Depending on who you ask, 20-year-old Pulisic could land with big-time Premier League giants like Chelsea or Liverpool ... but Pulisic himself has been mum on his future come January.

Of course, other stars like Landon Donovan have played for teams like Bayern Munich and Clint Dempsey suited up for Tottenham ... so it's not uncharted territory for a Team USA player.

But, the big difference here is with the transfer fee involved ... as reports are saying it could cost clubs up to $80 MILLION to land C.P., who was just named the youngest captain in USMNT history.

D.L. Hughley is a HUGE boxing fan -- so, when he saw the clip where Michael B. Jordan said he could hold his own in the ring with Roy Jones Jr., D.L. had some thoughts ...

"Roy Jones Jr. ain't what he was, but he'd still beat the sh*t outta Michael B. Jordan."

There's more ...

"Even though Roy Jones Jr. won't remember his name, he'll beat the hell out of Michael B. Jordan."

Michael B.'s been training like crazy for years ever since he took the role of Adonis Creed -- and clearly believes he's built up the skills to compete with real world class boxers.

In fact, multiple pro boxers -- including his "Creed II" co-star Florian Munteanu -- have vouched for Michael's hands ... which might be why MBJ was so confident when we spoke with him last week.

As for Roy, he's not interested in talking, he wants to FIGHT -- challenging Michael B to call his camp and set up a real bout ... where the actor can test his skills once and for all.

Patrick Mahomes has the perfect remedy for getting over the biggest loss of his career -- some quality time with his smokin' hot GF!!!

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar took a huge L on Monday night, droppin' an all-time classic, 54-51, to the Rams in what some are callin' a Super Bowl preview.

It didn't take long for Mahomes to turn to his longtime GF, Brittany Matthews, to tend to his wounds ... 'cause the two had an awesome date night Tuesday!!

Pat and Britt first hit the Texas Tech hoops game -- where Mahomes' alma mater smoked Nebraska -- and then went back to their Texas crib for some cuddles.

There was an adorable puppy ... and Britt even made him some eggs with his favorite topping -- KETCHUP (Gross)!

The two have been dating since high school ... and Britt's been supporting the guy despite her own booming career as a fitness model and pro soccer player.

Seems unlikely these pick-me-up date nights will need to happen often -- remember, Pat's got G.O.A.T. potential -- but nice for the QB to know he has this to turn to when they do!!

UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich's MMA fighter husband has been arrested for ATTEMPTED MURDER days after allegedly breaking his wife's face ... and he's still behind bars in a Honolulu jail.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Ostovich -- who had to pull out of her scheduled January fight with Paige VanZant -- was hospitalized this weekend with serious injuries -- including a broken orbital bone -- after her husband allegedly assaulted her during an argument at their home.

Cops in Honolulu opened a domestic violence investigation earlier this week ... and now police officials tell us 27-year-old Arnold Berdon -- Ostovich's husband and father of her child -- was arrested Tuesday evening on suspicion of 2nd degree attempted murder.

Berdon -- a fighter himself who holds a 7-2 record -- is still in custody at the Honolulu PD main station.

He has not yet appeared before a judge ... where bail could be set.

If he is released ... Rachael's husband won't be allowed to contact Ostovich -- 'cause she got a restraining order ... barring contact.

For his part ... a family member of Arnold told us he intends to vigorously dispute in court any allegations he assaulted his wife.

Colin Kaepernick and his girlfriend, Nessa, arrived to Los Angeles late Tuesday night -- which begs the question ... are ya here for business or turkey?

Kap didn't have much to say -- BUT -- you gotta see his reaction when we asked if he's NFL-ready ... one of the big topics that's been debated on social media this week. Colin's smirk says a lot.

Kaepernick and Nessa were cool with fans at LAX -- and even thanked a female fan who told the QB, "I love you so much!"

So, what's next for Colin's football career? Unclear at this point, but Nessa and Carolina Panthers star Eric Reid have insisted Kap is in shape and ready to play if he gets the call.

As we previously reported, Kaepernick is still working out every single day -- lifting, throwing and running.

With quarterbacks like Nathan Peterman -- who's horrible -- getting calls from NFL teams ... many people believe it's proof of NFL collusion.

We spoke with NFL legend Charles Woodson earlier this week who told us he doesn't think CK will get back in the league due to politics ... but thinks he still has the talent to compete at the highest level.

Khabib Nurmagomedov only has 1 fight left on his UFC contract -- and if that final UFC fight is not a bout with Floyd Mayweather -- he'll schedule it himself when he becomes a free agent.

This is the plan according to Khabib's manager Ali Abdelaziz who says Khabib is still deadly serious about taking on Floyd in the BOXING ring.

Remember, Dana White slammed the door on Khabib boxing Floyd, while he's still under contract with the UFC ... claiming if Floyd wants a piece of the Eagle, it'll be in the Octagon.

Ali tells TMZ Sports ... Khabib will respect Dana's wishes while he's under contract, but, once his deal is up, they're willing to contact Floyd directly and hash out a deal for a 2019 fight date.

If Floyd does agree to an MMA fight, Ali warns the guy to save up for life insurance -- "because he’s not going to be walking anymore. He’s going to be drinking water [through a] straw."

Ali claims he isn't trying to go around Dana -- he wants to work with the UFC -- but clearly feels there's too much money at stake to blow off a potential Mayweather fight.

Floyd previously told us a fight with Khabib would "definitely" score him a 9-figure paycheck -- and Khabib's side would be significant too.

Ever wonder what $9 MILLION in cash looks like? Well, here ya go ...

Here's the cash prize that's being offered to the winner of the Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson 1-on-1 golf tournament on Friday.

While the guys were getting ready for Tuesday's big media event at Shadow Creek in Nevada to promote "The Match" ... our friends at "The Vegas Take with Sharp and Shapiro" snapped a pic of the cash prize on the table in the clubhouse locker room.

Each yellow band of $100 bills contains $10,000 in cash -- and, if you need some help with the math, it takes 900 of those stacks to make $9 mil.

Phil previously told TMZ Sports ... some of the money will go to the Children of the 58 fund -- which will provide scholarships to the children of the 58 people killed in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.

Another portion will go to Birdies for the Brave -- a foundation started by Phil and his wife -- dedicated to supporting wounded military vets.

The golf legends are already making personal bets with each other -- including a $200,000 wager on the 1st hole!

Venus Williams has reached a settlement with the family of the man who died in the Florida car accident she had last year ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court docs filed in Palm Beach County, Jerome Barson's estate and the tennis star reached an agreement last week. It's unclear how much money changed hands, but according to the docs there was a financial settlement that will cover certain expenses.

Both sides are paying their own attorneys' fees in the wrongful death suit. TMZ Sports obtained surveillance video showing the brutal accident.

Jerome's wife was driving and he was the passenger in the sedan that T-boned Venus as she drove through a busy Palm Beach Gardens intersection in 2017.

Venus was cleared of criminal charges after cops determined she was "caught in the middle" of the intersection when her light turned red.

They don't call him the G.O.A.T. for nothin' ... Michael Jordan is delivering a huge assist to Hurricane Florence victims ... handing out Thanksgiving meals to those affected by the storm on Tuesday.

TMZ Sports has learned ... His Airness was dishin' out the meals in front of a Lowe's in Wilmington, North Carolina ... personally greeting and helping out the people in attendance.

It's a tragedy that hit close to home for M.J. ... he grew up in Wilmington and later went on to ball out at University of North Carolina.

ICYMI -- Jordan already donated $2 MILLION to hurricane relief and boxed meals with his Charlotte Hornets back in September.

Jordan also raised more money by selling Hornets merch with proceeds going to hurricane relief.

Not only did Jordan do the Thanksgiving giveaway ... M.J's rep, Estee Portnoy, tells us he surprised kids at the Boys & Girls Club and hooked them up with food and Jordans as well.