TMZ Sports - Page 50

7:21 AM PT -- The Patriots just issued a statement saying, "We support Josh Gordon in his continued efforts to focus on his health."

They added, "His attempt to do so is a private and personal matter, which we intend to respect."

6:43 AM PT -- More sad news regarding Gordon ... NFL.com's Tom Pelissero is reporting Gordon violated the league's substance abuse policy and now faces a suspension.

Unclear of how Gordon failed a test -- or failed to show up to take a test. Either way, it's bad.

And, with Gordon's history of failed drug tests during his NFL career, this won't be a slap on the wrist punishment.

He's already missed the entire 2015 and 2016 NFL seasons for substance abuse issues. Unclear what he's facing this time around.

Josh Gordon is leaving the New England Patriots -- at least, for now -- with the star wide receiver saying he needs to focus on his mental health.

"I take my mental health very seriously at this point to ensure I remain able to perform at the highest level," Gordon said in a statement.

"I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally."

"With that said, I will be stepping away from the football field for a bit to focus on my mental health."

"I would like to thank Coach Belichick, Mr. Kraft, as well as countless others within the Patriots organization for their continued support."

"I want to thank my fans for their support as well as I continue down the path getting back to 100%."

This is not the first time Gordon has taken a break from football -- the 27-year-old has battled substance abuse issues and has pressed pause on his career to get treatment.

In fact, before the 2018 season -- when Gordon was still a member of the Cleveland Browns -- he trained privately away from the team so he could focus on his well-being.

When he rejoined the Browns, the reunion didn't last long -- he suffered an injury in September during a promotional video shoot -- and the team quickly traded him to New England.

When healthy, Gordon has proven to be a force in the NFL -- and made some key plays for the Patriots throughout the 2018 season. He's already caught 40 balls and 3 TDs for the Pats in 11 games.

Now, with 2 games left -- and playoff seeding on the line -- the Pats will be without Gordon. And, that's a big deal.

Story developing ...

7:55 AM PT -- Cops tell TMZ Sports ... they were called to a residence around 8:30 PM and when they arrived, Green-Beckham was attempting to flee through a window.

Cops eventually captured him and found 1 pound of weed in his backpack along with several vials of THC oil, officials say.

When cops searched the residence, they found 7 more pounds of marijuana -- but believe that belonged to another man.

Ex-NFL wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham was arrested on a felony drug possession charge in Missouri on Wednesday, TMZ Sports has learned.

Details surrounding the arrest are unclear (we're working on it) but we know the 25-year-old was also hit with a resisting arrest charge.

Green-Beckham was hauled to a police station in Springfield where he was booked and locked up. As of this post, he's still behind bars.

It's just the latest legal issue for a guy who had potential to be a huge NFL star. As we previously reported, Dorial was arrested for DWI last year while picking up a friend who had just been busted for drunk driving.

Green-Beckham was one of the top high school WRs ever -- but never reached his potential in college or the NFL due to off-the-field issues.

He was drafted by the Titans in the 2nd round of the 2015 Draft but didn't last there long. The Eagles picked him up in 2016 and he played 1 season -- racking up 36 catches for 392 yards and 2 TDs.

The Eagles released him before the 2017 season.

Ex-NFL receiver Titus Young has been released from prison after serving nearly 2 years of his sentence in his violent assault case ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

As we previously reported ... Young -- a former 2nd-round pick of the Detroit Lions -- was arrested back in 2016 after he allegedly beat the hell out of a guy in a street fight.

Young pled no contest to 1 count of felony battery causing serious bodily injury later in 2017 ... and was sentenced to four years in state prison.

But, the ex-Boise State superstar was paroled and released from prison at 2:13 AM Saturday morning.

The 29-year-old has a long, troubled history with the law -- having been arrested several times since being cut from the Lions back in 2012.

He was also put on probation back in 2015 after attacking several people during his stint at a mental health facility.

The child Dikembe Mutombo flew to the U.S. to remove a massive tumor from his face required CPR after he went into cardiac arrest during surgery ... TMZ has learned.

According to dispatch audio -- obtained by TMZ -- 8-year-old Matadi was administered CPR Sunday at around 6 PM PT as an ambulance arrived to take him from one section of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center campus -- where he was undergoing surgery -- to an Intensive Care Unit in a nearby building.

At one point, a dispatch operator calls off one ambulance and sends another that's closer.

The surgery was scheduled to last 6 hours and Matadi went into cardiac arrest around the 6-hour mark. We don't know if the operation was completed. We've been trying to get an update for days, to no avail -- no one's talking. We were told, as of Monday night, Matadi was in stable condition and was able to move his hands and feet. Otherwise, everyone's radio silent.

Jon Jones REALLY wants a 3rd crack at Daniel Cormier -- and he's willing to write a fat ass check to get DC back in the Octagon.

"Fight me one more time and prove you’re actually the champ champ. I’ll donate $100,000 to a charity in San Diego if you accept," Jones wrote to Cormier on Twitter.

Of course, the two have fought twice -- with Jones winning both fights ... only to have the 2nd victory overturned in the wake of a positive PED test.

Jones is finally cleared to return to the UFC after serving his suspension -- he'll fight Alexander Gustafsson for the light heavyweight title at UFC 232 on Dec. 29.

But, Jones is already thinking past Gustafsson, trying to bail Cormier.

"Conor McGregor was an actual double Champ, the whole world knows your claim is a freaking joke. You’re more than welcome to be my first title defense."

Jones also took umbrage with comments Cormier recently made to Jim Rome -- when he questioned JJ's explanation that he only had a "pinch of salt" worth of steroids in his system during their 2nd fight.

"Daddys baby still out there whining," Jones said ... "What proud 'double Champion' just vacates his belt because someone else returns to the sport?"

Cormier says he's retiring from MMA in March -- on his 40th birthday -- so if Jones wants the fight, they gotta make this thing come together fast.

UFC superstar Amanda Nunes says her upcoming fight against Cris Cyborg is the biggest fight of her career -- even bigger than her destruction of Ronda Rousey.

Amanda and Cyborg are set to clash at UFC 232 on Dec. 29 in Las Vegas in a championship bout for the women's featherweight title.

Nunes has won 7 fights in a row, Cyborg's on a 20-fight win streak -- they're widely considered two of the greatest fighters in women's MMA history.

And, when we saw Nunes out in NYC, she was downright giddy -- telling us how excited she is to get into the Octagon and square up against Cyborg.

Of course, Nunes famously destroyed Ronda Rousey in Dec. 2016 in Ronda's last ever UFC fight. Since then, she's defeated Valentina Shevchenko and Raquel Pennington.

Amanda has big plans after the Cyborg fight -- she's engaged to fellow UFC fighter Nina Ansaroff -- who's on a 4-win streak of her own after a victory over Claudia Gadelha earlier this month.

The two are so stoked to the knot, they're even extending an invitation to Cyborg to attend the wedding!

"Anyone can come! It's a happy day."

Congrats!

Marshawn Lynch threw on his best hoodie and sandals and hit up the Oakland City Council meeting on Wednesday ... and made the following statement to city officials:

"We're losing the Warriors. We're losing the Raiders. Best not lose the A's. Appreciate it."

Marshawn is an Oakland guy, born and raised -- and is clearly upset with the mass exodus of the major sports teams in the area.

The Raiders are moving to Las Vegas and the Golden State Warriors -- who play in Oracle Arena in Oakland -- are moving to the Chase Center in San Francisco next season.

The Oakland A's currently play at the Oakland Coliseum but are hoping to build a new 34,000 seat waterfront stadium in the area where they could play in 2023.

Enter Marshawn who didn't have much to say -- but made his point crystal clear.

Oakland A's president Dave Kaval was grateful for Beast Mode's support -- tweeting out, "Thank you Marshawn! Let's do this!!"

Kaval has previously commented on the stadium situation -- saying, "We've been there 50 years ... We have a great sense of the importance of that development on the future of East Oakland."

Ex-Little League baseball phenom Mo'Ne Davis is all grown up -- and she's signed a letter of intent to play college softball at Hampton University in Virginia.

Remember, Davis SMOKED EVERYBODY with her insane 70 mph fastball during the 2014 Little League World Series -- becoming the first girl to toss a shutout in post-season play. She was only 13 at the time.

Now, she's a senior at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia -- where she's still murdering the competition on the softball field, the soccer pitch and the basketball court.

Davis has been recruited by a ton of major college programs -- but ultimately decided on Hampton because of the prestigious communications department, according to her parents.

Davis will reportedly be a middle infielder at Hampton. Unclear if she'll play basketball too, but we know she's a BALLER on the court.

Back in 2015, Mo'ne was drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters after COOKIN' Kevin Hart in a celebrity basketball game.

Nick Foles is clearly FEEEELIINNN' himself after lifting the Eagles from the dead right back into the playoff picture -- 'cause dude wore a pair of webbed-toe shoes to work Wednesday!!!

The Vibram EL-X's ain't exactly known as Jordans in the football world ... but Nick still rocked 'em with pride at Philly's presser Wednesday -- showin' he doesn't need anyone's approval to swag out.

"I was wearing them around the house and figured I'd wear them to the facility and try it out. My wife thought I was a little crazy, but I said I'm not really worried about how I look. They're comfy."

SWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGG!!!!!

Foles has done things unconventionally throughout his career ... but it's paid off for the dude -- he's got a Super Bowl MVP and has Philly right back in the mix again this season.

A buncha kids got a SWEET pre-Christmas surprise Wednesday -- 'cause Kobe Bryant brought the gift of Mamba -- and a bunch of books -- to a school in Southern California!!

The Lakers legend dropped by Oxford Prep Academy in Mission Viejo and hung out with a bunch of kids for a great cause.

Kobe's got a new podcast called "The Punies," -- a pod about kids who learn lessons through sports -- which Mamba hopes real-life children can draw from.

Turns out ... one of the teachers at the school is turning those podcasts into an actual curriculum -- so Kobe had to swing by to see it all in person.

We're told Bryant brought the kids books, played games ... and actually watched the kids present projects they'd been workin' on.

Best signing day announcement ever!!!

High school football star Cooper Dawson -- a top defensive end at Hanahan High in South Carolina -- didn't feel right holding a press conference by himself on Wednesday to announce his college plans.

So, he brought a friend with him ... a guy who's been his inspiration while he recovers from an ACL tear -- Kingsley Feinman.

Kingsley has cerebral palsy -- and Dawson explained that he's learned a major life lesson from his friend, "The only disability is a bad attitude."

And, when the big moment came, Cooper whispered his college destination into Kinglsey's ear so he could make the announcement to the media.

What ensued is just awesome ... and props to WCIV's Scott Eisberg for capturing the whole thing on video.

The only sad part ... is Cooper didn't pick the school Kinglsey had hoped he would attend.

Still, guessing KF will learn to root for a new team.

Congrats!!

2:10 PM PT -- The Redskins announced they placed Montae on the Reserve/NFI list.

10:48 AM PT -- Redskins coach Jay Gruden says Nicholson will NOT play this weekend in their critical game against the Tennessee Titans.

Gruden says he's aware of the TMZ Sports video and says he'll take a look at it.

When asked if Nicholson would be benched for the rest of the season, Gruden said he hasn't made up his mind yet.

He still has to speak with Montae personally.

TMZ Sports has obtained footage of Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson pummeling a man in the middle of a Virginia street around 2 AM Tuesday morning ... and it's violent.

Nicholson -- wearing a red hoodie -- is going after another man in a jean jacket while other people in the melee desperately try to restrain him.

But, Nicholson is too strong and too angry -- and refused to back out ... instead, he throws several punches at his target ... including a knockout blow.

You can see in the video, the man in the jean jacket appears to go limp as Nicholson hits him clean in the face.

One witness tells us the other man in the red sweatshirt was trying to break up the fight -- but Montae was in such a rage, he slammed that guy to the ground and continued the beating.

Loudoun County Sheriffs eventually responded to the scene and arrested both Montae and a female companion. Montae was booked for assault and battery, and drunk in public. He was hauled to a nearby jail and released on a $2,500 bond a short time later.

23-year-old Montae -- 6'2", 215 lbs -- is a solid player for the Redskins who's played in every game this season.

There are reports the fight began after a road rage incident where the victims pulled up in a vehicle and honked at Montae.

But, a witness tells us ... the beef started BEFORE the car incident.

Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital where they were treated for serious injuries.

We've reached out to Montae's camp for comment. So far, no word back.

A rep for the Redskins tells us they are aware of the arrest and still gathering information.

Missy Franklin -- the Olympic prodigy who won 4 gold medals as a 17-year-old in the London Games -- has announced she's putting an end to her swimming career at just 23 years old.

The first American woman ever to earn 4 golds in one Olympics in any sport announced in a statement on ESPN on Wednesday that shoulder injuries are putting an end to her career.

"It took me a long time to say the words, 'I am retiring,'" Franklin wrote ... "A long, long time. But now I'm ready. I'm ready to not be in pain every day."

"I'm ready to become a wife, one day a mother. I'm ready to continue growing each and every day to be the best person and role model I can be. I'm ready for the rest of my life."

Franklin was an absolute monster in the 2012 Olympics ... smashing world records and boat racing the competition.

But, Missy is perhaps MOST famous for turning down all the cash that coulda come from her success in those Games ... 'cause she opted to not go pro and instead swim at Cal Berkeley.

Franklin disappointed years later in the 2016 Olympics in Rio ... failing to earn medals in her individual's events -- and later revealing she battled injuries, depression, insomnia and anxiety during those Games.

"This is by no means the end," Franklin wrote of her retirement.

Fat Joe loves Lil Wayne ... but he doesn't love Wayne's sports takes, because he says Weezy is 100% wrong for saying Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan.

Tunechi made the statement earlier this week, shooting content for Bumbu Rum's interview series, igniting barber shops all over the world ... and making people wonder if Wayne has lost it.

Fat Joe might be one of those people, because when we got him leaving Poppy with hip-hop super producers Cool & Dre (new music coming soon?) he said Wayne was definitely on one.

"He's a Laker fan. I love Kobe, it ain't no Kobe over Jordan. Ain't nobody better than Jordan."

Fun Fact ... Fat Joe and Lil Wayne made "Make It Rain" together thus popularizing the phrase (even though Jeezy may have invented it), and Wayne singlehandedly invented the phrase "Bling Bling."

So, while the GOAT of basketball is in question, the GOAT of inventing phrases about wasting money is NOT. Long live Lil Tunechi.

LeBron James ain't the GM of the Lakers ... but it sure seems like he sent a message to the guy who is Tuesday night, saying, "I've always wanted to play along Melo."

Of course ... rumors of Carmelo Anthony teaming up with LBJ in Los Angeles have been smoldering ever since John Salley told TMZ Sports it could happen.

Those rumors weren't quieted when Bron and Melo were spotted on a double date with their wives at an NYC steakhouse Monday night.

And, on Tuesday, Bron seemed to send a clear message to Magic Johnson after L.A.'s loss to the Nets that if he can make the Carmelo move happen, LBJ would be a happy man.

"I don't run the team. And, obviously there's some things that would need to be worked on both sides," LeBron told reporters in the postgame locker room.

"But, I've always wanted to play along Melo and if the opportunity presents itself, it'd be great. So, we'll see what happens."

Amy Schumer says her call for performers to boycott the Super Bowl LIII halftime show over the mistreatment of players like Colin Kaepernick is working ... saying, "No one is stepping up to perform."

Back in October, Amy declared she wouldn't do any Super Bowl commercials this year and strongly suggested it was all because she feels black players like Colin are being punished for trying to stand up against inequality.

Amy had called for Maroon 5 to back out of the halftime show -- and while that hasn't happened, she clearly believes reports that the band is having a hard time finding a special guest to join them during the show because of the controversy surrounding the NFL.

Schumer took to social media Wednesday to speak out against sports reporters who have thrown shade her way over the calls for a boycott ... and also to pat herself on the back.

"The snooty lil digs about me in stories about the Super Bowl halftime talent is such a yawn," Schumer said.

"All out of touch white guys annoyed by me standing up for what I believe is right."

"I have done 2 Super Bowl commercials in the last couple years and I'm so stupid thinking my opinion would matter right? Well guess what? I may have made a difference. No one is stepping up to perform."

"Maybe they wouldn't have anyway. But at least I tried to help out and do what other people are too greedy or afraid to. Would you do that to stand up for people of color?"

"I may have made an impact. You can write about sports and even be the best at it but what have you done to help the marginalized or under represented?"

"I will continue to do everything I can. Even with all the snide little white sports writer making cutting remarks."