TMZ Sports - Page 50

It's Trevor Lawrence's world and we're all just living in it ... so says ex-Clemson star Charlie Whitehurst, who tells TMZ Sports he's completely blown away by the young QB.

Lawrence's skills (and hair) have been the talk of college football this season ... and now that he helped the Tigers take down Alabama for the title, Charlie says the dude's turning into a superstar.

"Obviously, he could brand himself right now and who knows what kind of money he could make if that was within the rules," Whitehurst says.

"The way he looks and the way he played, I mean ... 19 years old and he's got the world by the balls, to be honest with you. I think we're all envious of that a little bit."

The times they are a-changin' ... which is why a legendary NFL wide receiver thinks Julio Jones and Antonio Brown should team up to win it all.

TMZ Sports got Cowboys HOF'er Michael Irvin outside of Catch in Weho Friday night, and he tells us he'd like to see the Falcons WR and the Pittsburgh WR -- who's on the outs with the Steelers -- get together to win a Super Bowl ... because neither one of 'em has won anything yet.

We broke the story ... Jones rejected the notion of A.B. coming to Atlanta, saying his team was good as is. But, Irvin thinks if LeBron can hook up with D. Wade, and Durant can hook up with Steph to get a ring ... Julio should be a little more open to the idea.

UFC superstar Holly Holm has filed for divorce from her husband, TMZ Sports has learned.

Holm filed court docs in Albuquerque seeking to end her marriage to Jeff Kirkpatrick ... her college sweetheart at the University of New Mexico.

The two were married in Cancun back in 2012 after dating for years. But ultimately, Holm decided it wasn't working and filed for divorce, citing "incompatibility because of discord and conflict of personalities."

According to the court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Holm says the two separated in March 2018 and no longer live as husband and wife.

The signs were on social media -- she hadn't posted a photo of Jeff since Feb. 2018.

Holly -- whose legal name is Holly Holm-Kirkpatrick -- has asked the judge to restore her maiden name, "Holly Holm."

The two have no children together -- so child support won't be an issue. In her docs, Holly also says both of them are self-supporting and neither party should get spousal support.

Jeff could feel differently considering Holm has reportedly made more than $1.6 million in her MMA career with huge fights against stars like Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate and Cris Cyborg.

In fact, Holm has a big fight on the horizon -- she takes on Aspen Ladd at UFC 235 in March.

Think Nick Saban would leave his college football dynasty to take another swing at success in the NFL??

Here's Julio Jones to knock some damn sense into you ... cause the ex-Bama superstar tells TMZ Sports there's NO WAY his old coach should leave Tuscaloosa for the pros.

We spoke with the Falcons receiver about Bama losing to Clemson in the title game earlier this week ... and he says there's no need to jump ship over one loss.

"Dabo (Swinney) was just the better coach and they were the better team."

Jones says Saban has built something special with the Crimson Tide ... and says the dude should ride that wave for as long as he can.

Byron Scott knows what it's like to go through a nasty public divorce ... so here's the ex-NBA coach giving some very valuable advice to Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos!!

The ex-Lakers star was leaving Craig's in WeHo when we broke the news to him that Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, are calling it quits after 25 years.

Scott can relate -- he called things off with his wife Anita after 29 years of marriage back in 2014. The divorce wasn't exactly the friendliest split ... they went to war over everything from mansions to clothing and even hair care.

Byron's divorce became official in 2015 after a yearlong battle -- so we had to ask if he had any pointers for Bezos.

"Tell him I said, 'good luck' ... AND GET A GOOD LAWYER!!"

Drew Brees' dream of his first NFL MVP is DEAD ... that's according to Tony Gonzalez, who says Patrick Mahomes is the league's most valuable, and it ain't even close.

Mahomes is having a RIDICULOUS season ... 50 TDs and 5,000 yards (yikes), but some thought Brees would get the nod because of the Saints team's success and his INSANE efficiency.

Tony ain't one of them, and when we got him out in Beverly Hills, he shot Drew's dreams down.

"I thought Drew Brees would've had a chance, but 50 touchdowns, 5,000 yards, it's no contest."

According to Gonzalez, the Chiefs game this Sunday will also be no contest, because he's got the Arrowhead gang stomping all over the Colts.

"Obviously, I'm picking the Chiefs, not 'cause I have to either."

You've never seen a 1-2 combo like this -- here's MMA fighter Anastasia Yankova ... who's killin' it in the cage AND in the model game!!

The 27-year-old Russian fighter is heating up in both worlds. She's got a 5-1 pro record and she's currently fighting in Bellator. Also, she's really, really, really good looking.

But, Yankova ain't relying on her looks to get by -- she's putting in that work at the American Kickboxing Academy in Thailand ... where stars like Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov have trained in the past.

The modeling career is taking off too ... for obvious reasons.

And, sorry to break it to ya -- Yankova's taken by UFC fighter Mike Swick.

No word on when she's fighting next -- but you watch her slay the camera in this gallery.

Kyler Murray won't succeed if he tries to play both football AND baseball at the same time ... so says Drew Henson, who tells TMZ Sports the two tasks are just too tough.

Don't get it twisted ... Drew clearly thinks Kyler's got the talent -- he just knows, as a guy who played both on the diamond and under center, that it just wouldn't work.

"The position of quarterback, it's a year-round job," Henson says ... "Any team that's going to invest that type of money in you isn't going to want you to be away in the offseason."

"As far as baseball, developing as a hitter is a constant thing. Getting in at-bats year after year ... so to be the best baseball player you can be, you really need that time and those reps."

So, how would Drew handle it if he were in Kyler's shoes now??

Henson picked the Yankees over an NFL career after his days at Michigan were done ... but bounced back to the NFL just a couple years later.

Drew says if he could do it all over again, he woulda stuck with baseball longer ... and advises Kyler to pick the one sport he ENJOYS more -- not just the one he's got more potential at.

"If there's a sport you like better, that'd be my first choice."

We also talked to Brian Jordan -- who was an NFL player and an MLB All-Star -- and he says he thinks Murray CAN do both ... under 1 condition.

Kyler's got to make a final decision on the NFL draft by Sunday.

President Trump is congratulating the Clemson Tigers for winning the national championship ... because he's just announced that Dabo Swinney's football team will visit the White House next week, and it's a big win for the Prez.

POTUS announced Friday he's hosting the Tigers in our nation's capital Monday, the second time in three years Clemson will visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Dabo's squad also shook hands with Trump in June 2017 after winning it all.

Getting Clemson to the White House is huge for Trump. It's no longer an automatic for major sports champions to visit the President.

Remember, team visits to the White House became routine in the 1980s ... until the NBA champion Golden State Warriors started a trend last summer by making clear they wouldn't visit Trump.

The Philadelphia Eagles threatened to boycott the White House after winning last year's Super Bowl, and they never showed.

The Villanova Wildcats didn't visit the White House after winning last year's NCAA men's basketball tournament. Ditto for the NHL's Washington Capitals.

Like Clemson, the World Series champion Boston Red Sox accepted Trump's invitation, and pitcher Heath Hembree famously told us he f*cks with Trump. The Sox will visit sometime during the upcoming MLB season.

3:29 PM PT -- The Rock just set the record straight by categorically denying the so-called interview with the Daily Star EVER HAPPENED. He's adamant -- the article was "100 percent fabricated." He goes on to say trashing a group, community or generation is not his style. He says, "I always encourage empathy, I encourage growth, but most importantly I encourage everybody to be exactly who they want to be."

Watch ... he also encourages everyone to get on board with "the Tequila Generation."

Excuse us while we hop on board.

Originally Published -- 7:50 AM PST

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's got a big problem with people who have problems with everything, because he thinks they're crapping on the freedom of speech.

The Rock says there are way too many people in this generation who are looking for reasons to be offended, and they can't handle simple disagreements. According to England's Daily Star, he says, "I don’t have to agree with what somebody thinks, who they vote for, what they voted for, what they think, but I will back their right to say or believe it."

Johnson believes that's the beauty of democracy, adding ... "So many good people fought for freedom and equality - but this generation are looking for a reason to be offended."

The Rock concedes it's a good thing today's society is much more tolerant, accepting and progressive, but believes the whining ways of "generation snowflake or, whatever you want to call them, are actually putting us backwards.”

It's interesting, because the mega movie star doesn't mention any specific examples, but you have to wonder if the recent Oscars fiasco with his buddy, Kevin Hart, fueled his rant.

And, we gotta ask ...

Antonio Brown clearly ain't sweatin' his Pittsburgh issues one bit ... 'cause dude was smokin' stogies with Chad Ochocinco on Friday and saying he's, "still excited to play the game."

A.B.'s been surrounded in Steelers drama the last few weeks ... fighting with teammates and coaches and looking like he's on the verge of being traded very soon.

But, if you think Brown's sweatin' all that beef ... you're wrong -- 'cause dude was chillin' with Ochocinco for happy hour Friday and sayin' he's fired up for his 2019 season already.

"Yes, I'm 31 and I'm still excited to play the game. I'm motivated, inspired, encouraged."

As for where that season will be played ... Steelers owner Art Rooney said Thursday it'd be "hard to envision" seeing it in Pittsburgh.

Does that mean San Francisco, Oakland or even Miami are all possibilities? Perhaps ... all A.B.'s sayin', for now, is he's willing to listen to anybody that wants him.

"Stay by the phone. My phone line's open."

Need that extra push headin' into the weekend?? Here's the Auburn women's basketball team to get you hyped ... with one of the best locker room dance-offs you'll ever see!!

The Tigers turned their locker room into to a dance party with an incredible choreographed dance to Lil Wayne's "Uproar" ... and they went OFF!! ... with a mashup of all the best moves.

Dougie, shoot, Harlem Shake ... you name it, they killed it.

The girls clearly took their time to plan it all out ... and the results are incredible.

Usain Bolt and his GF are still going strong ... the two hit up Cabo this week -- and the bikini she was rockin' and the mojitos they were drinkin' say they're doing just fine.

Of course ... Bolt and Kasi Bennett have had a very unique relationship over the years -- 'memba the EPIC hall pass she allegedly gave him during the 2016 Rio Olympics??

But, doesn't seem all that other tail has put a strain on their relationship ... 'cause the two soaked in the Mexico rays just fine on Thursday.

There was rum ... white sand ... and Bennett even flaunted all her assets in a tiny bikini for the ex-track star.

Yeah, Bolt likey.

It all begs the question ... could Usain finally be ready to trade in Olympic rings for wedding ones???

Shaquille O'Neal is calling for people to back off Kevin Hart ... saying he shouldn't have to keep apologizing for his old homophobic jokes and wants everyone to "just move on."

"Some people feel he made a mistake," Shaq said ... "He apologized for his mistake. I always thought comedians were allowed to crack jokes."

"Anyone that knows Kevin Hart should know that anything he said was never malicious."

Of course, Shaq is referring to some of Hart's tweets and stand-up bits from 2009 to 2011 -- when the comic described how he'd react if he found out his son was gay.

"Yo if my son comes home & try's 2 play with my daughters doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ‘stop that's gay,'" Hart tweeted in 2009.

The material resurfaced after Hart was named the host of the 2019 Academy Awards -- and after a backlash online and a demand for renewed apologies, Hart pulled out of the show and only apologized after stepping down.

"He shouldn't have to keep apologizing," Shaq said ... "He apologized twice."

"People should just move on. Everyone makes mistakes."

Of course, Shaq and Kev go way back -- Hart was a headliner Shaq's All-Star Comedy Jam back in 2009 and they've been friends ever since.

Shaq's not the only big star who's come to Hart's defense -- Ellen DeGeneres also went to bat for the comic ... backing Kev's stance that he's evolved and said it's his right to host the Oscars.

High school basketball superstar Maori Davenport will be ALLOWED to play in her game Friday night after a judge called off her suspension.

Davenport's story became national news when athletic officials in Alabama ruled her ineligible after learning she received an $857 check from Team USA basketball for playing in a tourney back in August. The check covered lost wages and expenses.

The check was sent to Davenport as the result of a clerical error -- she never sought out the payment.

Davenport initially cashed the check under the assumption it was a standard operating procedure for people playing for Team USA. When the organization realized the error, they asked for the money back and she returned it the next day.

Still, officials in Alabama believed cashing the check violated the rules -- and deemed her ineligible for her senior year.

It's a big deal considering 6'4" Davenport is one of the best players in the country -- and committed to attend Rutgers next year.

Huge stars like Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Billie Jean King and more spoke out in Davenport's defense -- calling the suspension ridiculous and insisting she did nothing wrong.

An emergency motion was filed in Pike County Circuit Court and on Friday the judge decided to repeal the suspension -- pending the outcome of a hearing on the matter.

Translation, Davenport can play with her high school team for now.

Enes Kanter says he won't be bullied into silence by the President of Turkey -- saying jail threats against him and his family are only inspiring him to be MORE critical of Recep Erdogan.

The NY Knicks star is doubling down on his decision to remove himself from a team trip to the U.K. -- claiming he's more susceptible to Erdogan's hit squad overseas.

"If I'm in America, I'm safe. I feel very safe," Kanter told CBS News. "But, if I step outside of America, it will be a very dangerous situation."

Kanter says he's been under fire from Turkish officials for years for insulting Erdogan publicly -- even calling the guy the "Hitler of our generation."

Other U.S. officials, including Rep. Peter King, have told TMZ Sports ... Kanter's fears are warranted because Erdogan is a bad dude and runs Turkey like a police state.

Kanter has been labeled a terrorist for his comments -- and says officials have even locked his father as retribution.

"If you speak out against Erdoğan, that means you're a terrorist. If he cannot put you in jail, then he will take your family away and put them in jail and say, 'if you don't stop running against me, then I'm gonna keep your family in jail.'"

"That's what he's trying to do, did that to me, that he tried to put my dad in jail, so he thought that I was gonna stop talking, that made me even talk about this more so the world can see it."

As we previously reported, ex-NBA player Hedo Turkoglu -- who's also from Turkey -- ripped Kanter on social media ... saying his claims against the President are baseless and reckless.