TMZ Sports - Page 50

Hollywood sets are about to get a lot scarier ... because the most intimidating man in the history of the NFL is taking his terror to Tinseltown ... James Harrison says he wants to ACT.

We talked to the 2x Super Bowl champ, and he told us the plan has always been to get in front of the screen when football was over, and he knows the type of actor he wants to be.

"I kinda see myself as an action type of actor more along the lines of, you might have heard of him, some dude named Dwayne Johnson."

If you think it's ALL about the action, you're wrong. Harrison says he's got tons of range ... kinda like another dude you might be familiar with.

"I feel like I got the range of someone else you might have heard of ... Denzel."

Before you think he's just goofing, Harrison -- who's in L.A. filming an episode of CBS's hit show S.W.A.T. -- says he's been taking acting classes for a while, and is taking meetings with directors, writers, and a huge company by the name of Marvel.

He wouldn't be the first guy to make the switch ... former NFL running back Thomas Jones is making a REAL splash now, having been in big movies and the "Luke Cage" TV show, so James can do it too.

Plus, do you REALLY think any casting directors would have the balls to tell James no? We thought not.

The famous Chelsea soccer team has issued a harsh statement ripping fans who used an anti-Semitic chant during a game in Budapest on Thursday ... calling it "abhorrent."

Chelsea was playing Tottenham in a Europa League game -- but minutes into the game, several fans were heard singing a chant that used anti-Jewish slurs.

"Barcelona, Real Madrid, Tottenham are a bunch of Yids ... Yiddos."

FYI, Yid is a derogatory term for a Jewish person.

A rep for Chelsea issued a statement blasting the bigots -- saying, "Anti-Semitism and any other kind of race-related or religious hatred is abhorrent to this club and the overwhelming majority of our fans."

"It has no place at Chelsea or in any of our communities."

"Any individuals that can't summon the brain-power to comprehend this simple message and are found to have shamed the club by using anti-semitism or racist words or actions will face the strongest possible action from the club."

MMA fighters are terrified of Khabib ... that is, except UFC star Kevin Lee who says he's dyin' to square up with the undefeated champ ... and he's confident he'll kick his ass.

Lee -- the #4 ranked lightweight -- tells TMZ Sports he knows exactly who he wants next after beating up Al Iaquinta at UFC on FOX 31 Saturday night.

Khabib "The Eagle" Nurmagomedov.

Why does Kevin think he'd fare any different than the 27 fighters who were all handed an L from Khabib?

"Everybody's afraid to wrestle with the man and that's what kinda lets him shine through. All of the sudden he thinks he's a good boxer cause he kinda clipped Conor a little bit, but it was really the wrestling threat. Conor was so afraid to wrestle with him."

"I'm bigger, stronger and I ain't afraid to wrestle with no man."

Them fightin' words.

Some good news, bad news for Serena Williams ...

The Good News -- The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has announced massive rule changes allowing athletes like Serena to wear full catsuit outfits during 2019 matches.

The Bad News -- The French Open -- where the whole catsuit drama went down -- could still ban it because the rule change doesn't apply to Grand Slams.

Remember, French Open officials created a huge controversy after they told Serena she couldn't wear her custom-made Nike compression suit ... despite the fact that it was designed to increase blood circulation in the wake of her health issues surrounding blood clots.

The ensuing outcry was LOUD -- with everyone from ex-pro tennis player Anne White to ex-Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad racing to defend Williams.

In an effort to prevent similar drama from happening ... the WTA announced in rule changes this week, "Leggings and mid-thigh-length compression shorts may be worn with or without a skirt, shorts or dress."

Translation ... catsuit's back!!!

The problem -- the rule changes only apply to WTA Tournaments ... NOT Grand Slams.

Jermall and Jermell Charlo are already seein' Money before their huge title fights next weekend ... 'cause Floyd Mayweather was a special guest at their open workouts in Houston!!

The undefeated Charlo twins hosted the training sesh/toy drive in their hometown leading up to their big event in Brooklyn ... and anyone who brought a gift got to check out their workout for free.

But, the guests weren't the only people in the giving spirit ... celeb jeweler Johnny Dang dropped by to hand-deliver a custom diamond grill for Jermall!!

Both Charlos are fighting at Barclays Center next Saturday -- both attempting to keep their undefeated streaks alive.

Jermall is 27-0 and Jermell is 31-0.

And, since they're both fighting on the same card -- how did they determine which fight would be the main event? Coin flip.

Jermall won -- so his fight will get top billing when he defends his interim middleweight title against Willie Monroe Jr.

Jermell is defending his junior middleweight title against Tony Harrison.

Floyd's got his own fight comin' up ... with his New Year's Eve exhibition in Tokyo with Tenshin Nasukawa right around the corner.

LeSean McCoy has scrubbed down the home he owns in Georgia with BLEACH in an effort to conceal evidence in the home invasion case ... this according to one of the victims.

Elizabeth Donald -- who was attacked during the July 10 home invasion -- has filed new court docs claiming the NFL star is going to great lengths to cover up any potential involvement he may have had in the robbery.

As we previously reported, both Donald and LeSean's ex-girlfriend, Delicia Cordon, have publicly accused McCoy of sending a gun-wielding goon to the home to retrieve jewelry and other items.

Donald and Cordon both claim they were pistol whipped by the gunman and sustained injuries.

And, while no arrests have been made in the case, both women have filed lawsuits against the Buffalo Bills running back ... claiming he orchestrated the whole thing.

Now, in new legal docs filed on Dec. 11 in Fulton County ... Donald claims McCoy is acting like a man with something to hide.

"McCoy has now caused the residence to be scrubbed down with bleach and other cleaning agents in an egregious attempt to spoil any remaining evidence in the residence," she states in court docs.

It's only been 13 games ... but Giants star rookie Saquon Barkley is ALREADY the best running back in the NFL -- so says Victor Cruz.

Of course, the ex-NY star is super biased ... dude still bleeds Giants blue -- but he tells us there's no doubt in his mind Saquon tops Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley in the RB ranks.

"He's No. 1 in my opinion. He's done the most with less this year. So, he's a phenomenal player."

Cruz didn't stop there ... he says the Giants RB is HANDS DOWN the Rookie of the Year AND deserves a spot in the Pro Bowl.

Mike Tyson says he had smoked marijuana in the hours before his famous 2000 fight against Andrew Golota ... but claims it was the ONLY time he was ever high on weed during a bout.

The boxing legend appeared on "The Dan Patrick Show" to talk about his new pot business when Dan asked him how long he'd been using cannabis.

"All my life basically," Tyson said ... before admitting he got high before the "Showdown in Motown."

Tyson said he had smoked before he got in the locker room and when Patrick asked how it affected him during the fight, Mike had a pretty classic answer ...

"It didn't affect me. It affected Golota."

Remember, Tyson famously dominated that fight -- with Golota refusing to get off his stool and continue the match after taking a beating in the first 3 rounds.

After the match, Tyson tested positive for marijuana and was fined $200,000.

He later blamed the failed test on the fact he couldn't find his "whizzer" -- a fake penis loaded with clean urine that helps people beat drug tests.

Tyson was eventually stripped of the victory because of the dirty test -- and it was officially put on his boxing record as a "no contest."

Shareef O'Neal is currently undergoing heart surgery to correct an irregularity that forced the UCLA basketball star to miss the 2018 season ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Shaq's 18-year-old son -- one of the top college freshmen in the country -- learned about his medical condition during a routine checkup with team doctors earlier this year.

At the time, Reef told us, "Thank God the UCLA medical staff caught it early."

On Thursday morning, Shareef went under the knife -- and his mother, Shaunie, was there to see him off.

"This morning was by far my toughest moment being a Mom," she said in a statement.

"If only I could take his place today. Could I at least go with him in that operating room and hold his hand. Separating from him as he was wheeled off to surgery was heartbreaking. THATS MY BABY!"

"I don’t care how old, how big, how grown my kids get I still want to protect them. I had no control over any of this. But there is a God, I trust and believe He is in there with my baby right now and has complete control."

Shaunie is asking for prayers for Shareef.

9:39 AM PT -- Michael Jordan now says the slap was not malicious -- but rather, a "tap of endearment."

"It was like a big brother and little brother tap," Jordan told the Associated Press ... "No negative intent. Only love!"

Michael Jordan SLAPPED Malik Monk on Wednesday night!!!!

Here's the deal ... MJ is the principal owner of the Charlotte Hornets and Monk got a really stupid technical foul that coulda cost the team the game.

So, MJ reached back like a dad upset with his kid and whacked the 20-year-old in the back of the head ... in front of everyone!!!!

Backstory ... the Hornets were tied with the Pistons in the final seconds of Wednesday night's contest ... when Charlotte's Jeremy Lamb knocked down a deep 2-pointer to go up 108-106. The Hornets bench went wild ... and Monk ran on the court to celebrate.

Only one issue -- THE GAME WASN'T OVER YET.

Refs checked out the replay, and the Pistons were awarded a 1-shot technical.

Jordan got SO pissed at Monk that he let his left hand fly. Had to be embarrassing for the kid.

The Hornets ended up holding on for the win ... so MJ was able to laugh it off.

But, imagine if the Hornets lost ... dude woulda been on the next flight outta Charlotte.

The Dana White vs. Oscar De La Hoya feud is exploding -- but how would things go down if they settled their differences in the ring?

Oscar has some thoughts ... "I would beat his ass."'

The two have been at each other's throats ever since White announced the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight back in June 2017.

Oscar put out a statement calling it a "circus" and said it would hurt the sport of boxing. Dana didn't appreciate that and blasted him as a lying, stupid "cokehead."

In fact, White went on ESPN's "First Take" on Thursday and went scorched Earth on the boxing legend -- even challenging him to a face-to-face showdown.

Cris Cyborg says she and Halle Berry have become so close, the Hollywood star will be her guest of honor at her big fight with Amanda Nunes in two weeks at UFC 232.

Halle's directing and starring in the upcoming MMA movie "Bruised" -- and she's been training for the role at Cyborg's Fitness MMA Gym in Huntington Beach, CA.

In fact, Cyborg says she's super confident Halle's movie will inspire more women to get involved in Mixed Martial Arts.

Now, with Cyborg getting ready for her megafight with Nunes on Dec. 29, the UFC champ says she'd like Halle to walk her into the Octagon if the UFC approves.

Guessing Dana White will greenlight that in a SECOND!

Cyborg is the reigning UFC women's featherweight champion -- and Nunes is the bantamweight champ.

This fight will be for the featherweight belt -- and it's being hailed as one of the biggest fights in the history of the women's division.

Cyborg gave us a little preview of her fight skills at her gym on Wednesday -- and yeah, she looks dangerous.

What does tennis superstar Andy Murray have in common with Alvin and the Chipmunks?

They just want a Hula Hoop for Christmas!!!

Check out Andy gettin' his hips going with a special hula hoop workout on Wednesday at the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Florida.

31-year-old Murray has raved about the hula workout in the past -- telling Men's Journal back in August he'd been experimenting with different types of workouts after suffering a hip injury in 2017.

"I’ve been doing coordination stuff, gymnastics-type moves and actually some moves with hula hoops," the 2-time Wimbledon champ told the mag.

"I hadn’t done it since I was a kid, but those moves have helped keep me loose and healthy without putting too much strain on my body. It’s been new and challenging, but I’ve enjoyed it."

See that?! Hula hooping might actually make you a better athlete!!

And, if not, at least it's fun ... right, Alvin?!

Jennifer Lopez was front and center for the world premiere of her new movie ... and, eventually, the rest of her dress caught up with her.

J Lo showed out in an extravagant pink tulle high-low gown Wednesday night in NYC for the debut of her flick, "Second Act." As you can tell, the outfit was over-the-top -- with a loooong trail of fabric she had to be mindful of as she posed for pics.

That said, would you expect anything less from Jenny? She's kinda famous for moments like this ... just sayin'. And hey, the fashion choice paid off ... folks were wowed.

As much room as Jen had out on the red carpet of the Regal Union Square Theatre to strut her stuff, she looked a bit cramped in the car with A-Rod on the way over ... where the ruffles from the dress looked like a whole other person occupying the seat next to her.

Here's some real talk from Eric Dickerson ...

With Saquon Barkley getting super close to breaking some of his cherished NFL rookie rushing records, we asked E.D. if he's rooting for the NY Giants stud to take his #1 spot.

The answer was about as honest as it gets ...

"HELL NO!!!"

Don't get it twisted, Dickerson tells TMZ Sports he loves Barkley and thinks he's a great player -- but "You wanna keep them records!"

Saquon has already racked up 1,753 total yards from scrimmage -- creeping on E.D.'s rookie record, 2,212.

Barkley also has 12 games with 100 yards from scrimmage -- 1 game shy of tying Eric's rookie record (13).

But, what about the old saying, "Records are made to be broken?"

"People who don't have records say that," Dickerson replied.

"When you have records, you don't want 'em broken. When you get to my age, you want to hold on to them as long as you can!"

One record Barkley probably won't touch is his rookie rushing record -- 1,808. Saquon only has 1,124 at the moment with only 3 games left in the regular season.

Christian Yelich REALLY hated Manny Machado when the two played in the NLCS this fall ... but the MVP says he's willing to squash the beef under one condition.

IF MANNY SIGNS WITH THE BREWERS!!!

You'll remember ... Christian went off on Manny after the Dodgers star banged into Yelich's teammate at first base while running out a grounder in the October series ... callin' Manny "a dirty player."

"It's a dirty play by a dirty player," Yelich said at the time ... "That's what it is."

Fast forward to this week -- with the sweepstakes to land Manny in free agency at an all-time high -- and Christian was singin' a little bit of a different tune to TMZ Sports.

"Listen, emotions run high in those series, things happen," Yelich said at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year ceremony at The Beverly Hilton in L.A.

"If we ended up crossing paths -- being on the same team again -- I'm sure we'd be able to work that out no problem."

Bad news for Yelich, Milwaukee and fans of beef-squashers?? Machado reportedly ain't interested in playin' for the Brew Crew.