TMZ Sports - Page 50

Finally ... a story about people in this country coming together, despite their differences, to achieve a common goal AND give the economy a boost.

GOD BLESS ATLANTA STRIP CLUBS!!!

Here's the deal -- adult entertainment venues in the ATL aren't allowed to be open on Sundays unless they also serve as restaurants. This is obviously bad news for food-free joints hoping to take advantage of thousands of extra folks in town for Super Bowl 53 ... but they weren't going to let the business opp pass without a fight.

So, several of the city's popular strip clubs -- including Blue Flame Lounge, The Cheetah and Magic City -- banded together and went to City Council to ask for an exception for Super Bowl Sunday ... and they got it! Somehow no one found out about the meeting and reported it.

Those in charge also agreed to let the clubs stay open an extra hour the entire week of the big game ... so the lights won't come on until 4 AM from January 28 through February 4.

As for the entertainment, Jackie -- the owner of Blue Flame -- says it has girls coming from Miami, L.A., NYC, Houston, Virginia and North Carolina who meet all of its requirements for the special weekend -- bomb body, pretty face, smell good ... and no bullet wounds.

Mr. Magic from Magic City tells us he'll have professional pole experts in the house -- the same ones who danced with Cardi B at Coachella -- putting on a nude Cirque du Soleil-esque show.

BTW ... all the dancers are required to have permits in Atlanta -- which cost $350 -- so the strip club exception means cha-ching for the city too.

USA! USA! USA!

Tisha Campbell-Martin's done being a doormat -- she's heading into 2019 with some badass moves, so any haters or dark clouds, in general, better steer clear!!!

We got video of the "Martin" star putting in some serious work during mitt drills with her trainer, Jason Ross, from X2U Fitness. An easy way to tell Tisha's serious about her workouts ... check out her breathing and how she seamlessly ducks and pivots after mixing jabs and combinations.

Tisha's been boxing since she was 18 but we're told she recently rebooted her training sessions.

She could use the stress-relief after a tumultuous 2018. As we reported, Tisha pulled the plug on her marriage with Duane Martin almost exactly a year ago.

It's been a rough go since then, but just know Tisha's ready to kick ass going forward.

Michael Strahan wasn't impressed with President Trump's fast food spread for the Clemson football team -- so he's offered to reach into his own pockets to pay for a LOBSTER DINNER for the champs.

"I personally ... I would like to invite the Clemson football team here for a great meal," the ex-NFL superstar said on "Good Morning America."

"Whoever can make it, we'll hook you up with lobster ... whatever you want we'll take care of you."

"We gonna give you the proper meal that you deserve because that was one great game, a great accomplishment."

When asked who was gonna pay for it, Strahan replied -- "It's out of my pocket guys. I'll pay for it. No problem."

Strahan can certainly afford it ... besides making more than $75 mil during his NFL career, he signed a massive deal with ABC back in 2016 worth well into the 8-figures.

As for Trump, seems his fast food party was a hit -- with Clemson's star QB Trevor Lawrence telling TMZ Sports the spread was "awesome" and that he had a great time.

Trump says he personally sprung for the meal -- which included grub from McDonald's, Burger King, Domino's and Wendy's.

The food was served on silver platters in between gold candelabras.

MTV star Julia Rose has got you covered for all your Super Bowl cravings ahead of the big game -- 'cause she's serving up all the good stuff on one irresistible platter ... herself.

The model turned reality TV star -- who appeared on MTV's "Are You the One?" -- did a smokin' hot shoot with Chris Applebaum ... where she's half covered in L.A. Rams gear, and half covered in an ice cream sundae. Weird pairing ... but we ain't complaining!

Julia's been featured on Sports Illustrated before, so it looks like she's getting back to her OG pastime in the modeling department. She's also making a bold prediction here about who'll be in the big game.

The Rams are playing the Saints Sunday, and if they advance ... they'll play either the Chiefs or the Pats. But, in the meantime ... just enjoy this awesome pre-game show.

Nick Chubb's got a message for Colin Cowherd and every other Browns doubter ... WE ARE MAKING THE PLAYOFFS NEXT SEASON!!!

Of course, Cowherd -- who's had a consistent (and quasi-friendly) beef with star QB Baker Mayfield -- strongly disagrees ... tellin' us just a couple days ago the Browns ain't getting into the 2019 dance.

But, Chubb thinks the FS1 star is wrong ... and tells TMZ Sports straight-up, "Yeah, we will [make the playoffs]. We will."

Chubb's got a good case ... he turned into a star running back ... Baker's an elite QB talent -- AND new head coach Freddie Kitchens seems poised to turn the whole thing around.

We also talked to Chubb about who will win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors next month ... Chubb says it won't be him -- and ya gotta hear why he thinks Baker will be the pick over Saquon Barkley.

Federal agencies and Atlanta authorities are on high alert to crack down on human trafficking in the days leading up to the Super Bowl ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the FBI, ICE, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Fulton County Sheriff and other local authorities will be out in force in the 10 days leading up to the big game ... on the hunt for human traffickers and their victims.

The mission, we're told, is two-fold -- looking for traffickers who are bringing sex workers into ATL and traffickers who are preying on ATL residents. We're told law enforcement believes the majority of the victims who can be recruited are minors, both girls and boys.

We're told law enforcement will be coordinating raids and undercover stings -- along with normal patrols of areas known for sex trafficking -- in order to take down pimps and johns engaging in illegal activity.

Law enforcement will also enlist local media, businesses and schools to put the word out and report any suspicious activity online ... part of the "See Something, Send Something" initiative. We're told authorities will post

5:44 PM PT -- Falcons head coach Dan Quinn released a statement to TMZ saying, "We were recently made aware of the situation involving Takk in Los Angeles earlier today. Any time a situation occurs that is or could be related to mental health issues we take it very seriously. We will do everything we possibly can to support and assist Takk as our players' mental and physical well-being are always our top priority."

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley was detained by police in L.A. on Tuesday and is undergoing a mental evaluation following an incident at a hotel ... TMZ Sports has learned.

McKinley was with a friend at a high-end hotel around noon when something happened and the friend became concerned about McKinley's well-being. We're told the friend called police for help.

We're told cops spoke with McKinley who agreed it was in his best interest to get help -- and he cooperated and left with police. We're told McKinley was NOT arrested or booked for any crime.

The 23-year-old was selected in the 1st round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of UCLA and had a solid rookie season for the Falcons -- posting 20 tackles and 6 sacks.

McKinley famously brought a framed picture of his late grandmother to the stage at the NFL Draft and explained that he had made a promise to her on her deathbed that he would make it to the NFL.

Story developing ...

1:33 PM PT -- TMZ Sports obtained court docs explaining the allegations ... and they're graphic and disturbing.

The accuser is a male family member who claims Wetteland engaged in oral sex with him on 3 separate occasions between 2004 and 2006 ... while he was a young child.

Wetteland has been booked for 1st degree felony continuous sex abuse of a child -- and if convicted, he faces up to LIFE in prison.

John Wetteland -- the former closer for the New York Yankees -- was arrested in Denton County, Texas on Monday on suspicion of child sex abuse ... official records show.

Details surrounding the alleged incident are unclear -- but the charge specifies that the alleged victim is under the age of 14.

The 52-year-old right-hander was booked and posed for a mug shot. He was later released on $25,000 bond.

We're reaching out to law enforcement to find out more.

Wetteland was a star back in the day -- he was the MVP of the 1996 World Series, helping his Yankee squad defeat the Atlanta Braves. He posted all 4 saves for the Yanks during that series.

He was also a 3-time All Star during his 12-year MLB career ... during which he played for the Dodgers, Rangers and Expos.

During his Yankees career, Mariano Rivera was his set-up guy.

He later went on to serve as a bullpen coach for the Washington Nationals.

Story developing ...

One of the greatest hitters in MLB history says Kyler Murray can play BOTH football and baseball ... with Adrian Beltre saying he actually WANTS to see it happen!!!

Of course, tons of ex-athletes say there's just no way in hell Kyler can suit up as a QB for an NFL team and then manage to successfully hit the MLB diamond in the offseason.

But, Beltre ain't buyin' all that talk ... telling TMZ Sports, "He can do both. Why not??"

If there's anybody that knows the rigors of baseball ... it's Beltre -- dude played 21 years in the league and logged over 11,000 at bats.

And, in his opinion, it's clearly possible Kyler can do all of that and also help a team on the gridiron on Sundays.

"If he's comfortable with it, he can do whatever he wants."

Kyler's put his name in for the NFL Draft ... but still has time to decide if he wants to spurn the Oakland A's for whatever team picks him in April.

NFL fans planning on going to the Super Bowl in Atlanta have no reason to fear -- the security there's going to be as strong as ever ... government shutdown be damned.

According to law enforcement sources ... the FBI had a meeting with city and state officials Tuesday to lock down the final details of the overall security plan for SB 53 -- which will be held February 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

We're told the Atlanta PD is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for safety at the event, but -- like at prior Super Bowls -- it will team up with FBI agents and the Department of Homeland Security to make it happen.

FBI Specialist Kevin Rowson tells us the agency's role is twofold -- it coordinates the collection and dissemination of all operational intelligence ... but it also steps up to take over in the case of an act of terrorism or if any crime rises to a federal level.

In the past, the FBI's role in security has included conducting the background checks for ALL of the event day staff who will be credentialed ... including security guards, food vendors, media and volunteers. That can mean as many as 30,000 individuals.

Rowson says ... "Our plans for the Super Bowl security have not changed despite the shutdown."

DHS Press Secretary Tyler Q. Houlton adds, "The Department takes the security of high risk events like the Super Bowl extremely seriously ... the current lapse in government funding will have no effect on our commitment to assuring a safe and secure event."

ATL PD's Public Affairs Director agrees, telling us ... "We’re confident our federal law enforcement partners will continue to assist us every step of the way and anticipate no impact from the shutdown."

As you'll recall ... security for last year's SB in Minneapolis resembled a militarized zone, with armed police officers and Humvees on the scene.

You've seen "champ champs" in the UFC -- but never a "champ champ champ" ... which is why T.J. Dillashaw wants to be the very first fighter to hold THREE belts at the same time!!!

The UFC's reigning bantamweight champ is gearing up to fight Henry Cejudo on Jan. 19 at UFC Fight Night on ESPN+ for the flyweight title ... and if he wins that bout, T.J. says he's got eyes on Max Holloway.

Of course, Holloway is the reigning featherweight champ -- so, if T.J. can get through Henry and Max he would be the first triple title holder in the history of the UFC.

Despite his big career goals, Dillashaw says he's laser-focused on beating Henry first -- and says he knows Cejudo is scared.

"He's just praying that I don't make weight," T.J. told the guys at TMZ Sports ... "He's praying that I'm weak."

Dillashaw says he believes he can be the greatest UFC fighter of all time -- and can't wait to prove it on the big stage.

Terrell Owens is TEEING OFF on Hall of Fame voters for keeping him out of Canton for 2 years ... calling it "ridiculous" and a "travesty" he didn't get his gold jacket in his 1st year of eligibility.

T.O. was finally voted into the HoF in 2018 -- but the dude is clearly pissed it didn't happen sooner ... sounding off on Kevin Hart's "Cold as Balls" series on Laugh Out Loud about why he got snubbed.

"That c-word ... character, which a lot of the voters kinda added to the mix of the criteria of inducting guys," Owens said.

"It should be about your body of work and your accomplishments," Owens said ... adding he got different treatment than other players because he was outspoken throughout his career.

Of course ... T.O. famously snubbed the Hall of Fame right back ... turning down his invite to the enshrinement ceremony in Canton for a more personal setting at U. of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

NY Giants backup QB Kyle Lauletta just pled guilty to obstruction of justice stemming from his wild October arrest where he allegedly almost ran over a cop.

Remember, officials in Weehawken, New Jersey say the 23-year-old was driving his 2017 Jaguar in a "dangerous manner" on the way to Giants practice when cops attempted to pull him over.

When an officer tried to stop him, the QB continued to drive like a maniac and almost hit the cop.

He was initially booked on several charges -- including 3rd degree eluding police, obstruction of justice, reckless driving and other lesser crimes.

But now, officials say Lauletta cut a deal with prosecutors in which he pled guilty to a disorderly persons offense of obstructing the administration of law at a motor vehicle stop ... and in exchange, the more serious charges will be dropped as part of a conditional dismissal.

In other words, if Lauletta stays out of trouble for 12 months, all of his legal problems go away.

If he screws up, the judge can reinstate all of the initial charges -- in which case he could face up to 6 months in jail.

In addition, Lauletta pled guilty to a few minor traffic violations.

As for the Giants, the team previously hit Lauletta with a fine.

Planning on going to Atlanta for the Super Bowl?!

Great -- because here's Kim Zolciak and her family telling TMZ Sports the "can't-miss" and MUST-MISS strip clubs in the ATL!!!

Kim -- along with husband Kroy Biermann and daughter Brielle -- know every square inch of the strip club layout in Atlanta and walked us through the best and worst spots in the city.

In case you didn't know, the former "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star used to wait tables at the Cheetah ... so she knows her stuff.

To be honest, seems Kroy needs to brush up on his booty club knowledge -- but the real star of this clip is Brielle ... who keeps it ALL THE WAY REAL when discussing the most famous jiggle joints in her city.

Does one of the greatest Kansas City Chiefs ever regret retiring just months before the team's best run in recent franchise history???

Tamba Hali tells TMZ Sports not one bit ...

"I think there were measures -- I could've did more about being on the team this year, but I'm happy for those guys."

Hali is a legend in K.C. ... having played the last 12 seasons there and racking up 89.5 sacks -- but he retired after last season having never gotten further than the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

That's why we at TMZ Sports wondered if there was at least SOME regret that he decided to call it a career just before Patrick Mahomes got the Chiefs on an epic run this season.

But, 35-year-old Tamba says while it is "bittersweet," he's at peace with the decision.

"I think the way coach [Andy] Reid treated me was great. He kind of saved me, because I played the game wreckless. I probably would've been on the other side -- would've wrecked my body."

"So, I'm happy, yet it is bittersweet."

As for the Chiefs' AFC Championship Game against the Pats this weekend ... Hali says he's giving the edge to Mahomes over Tom Brady in the big matchup, and ya gotta hear why.

Master P is challenging YG to an NFL version of big bank take lil bank ... telling TMZ Sports he's so confident his New Orleans Saints will beat YG's Rams this weekend, he wants to put $40K on it.

We got P out in L.A. on Monday ... and he was still on a high from the Saints beating the Eagles and punching their ticket back to the NFC title game for the first time in nearly a decade.

Of course, YG is a massive L.A. Rams fan -- and when P heard the rapper won $20k in an NFL playoff bet with Dallas Cowboys superfan Post Malone, the No Limit boss had to up the ante.

"Okay, DOUBLE THAT," P told us ... "We good."

"YG, I know you beat Post Malone. But, that's not happening in the dome."

Master P says he's cool with YG -- and it's all in good fun -- and with the money both of these guys have made, it's not a life-changing wager. It's more about bragging rights.

"The Saints are my team so we're going to the Super Bowl this year."

There's more ... P says when the Saints win the title, he's gonna put some of the players in "I Got the Hook Up 3" as a reward!

His son, Romeo Miller, also has special plans to hook up Drew Brees with a special pair of his new MoneYatti kicks.

Remember, the Saints won the Super Bowl back in 2010 -- defeating Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts in one of the most exciting games in SB history.