TMZ Sports - Page 50

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH TODD GURLEY!??!

It's the question everyone wants to know after he essentially disappeared from relevance in the NFC title game and the Super Bowl ... and even NFL insider James Brown says something's not right.

The L.A. Rams running back was basically unstoppable during the regular season -- and made a legit case to be the league MVP.

But, he faded quickly during the NFC title game and barely played in the Super Bowl ... despite the fact both he and coach Sean McVay insisted he was NOT restricted by any sort of injury.

So, what's REALLY going on with Gurley?

"I don't think we know the full story as far as Todd Gurley is concerned," the "Inside the NFL" host told us ... "There's a lot more to that."

Brown continued ... "Sean McVay and the coaching staff understand everything that he can do and to the degree that he was an MVP candidate throughout most of the season, and he didn't get played that much during this stretch here. There's more to the story."

After the Super Bowl, some people expected Gurley to drop the bombshell that he was suffering from an injury that he was trying to play through ... but that wasn't the case.

Gurley told the media, "I felt good ... whenever my name is called to get in, I'm ready."

McVay also reiterated he was healthy enough to go.

Tom Brady says being called the "Greatest of All Time" is a title that makes him cringe -- because he handles criticism WAY BETTER than he deals with compliments.

Goatie McGoatface was on "Good Morning America" with Michael Strahan -- who told TB12 he considers him the best QB who ever played the game.

Brady replied, "I don't even like that. It makes me cringe ... it makes me cringe."

Instead, Brady explained ... "I wish you would say, 'you're trash, you're too old, you're too slow, you can't get it done no more' ... and I would say, 'Thank you very much,' and I would go prove you wrong."

Strahan asked if he was driven by criticism more than success -- Brady replied, "Yeah, absolutely."

So, what's the lesson here? If you root for a rival team, stop the trash talk ... and start trying to kill Brady with KINDNESS already!!!

Of course, Tom just won his 6th Super Bowl in his 17 seasons as a starter. He also has 9 AFC championships under his belt, 4 Super Bowl MVPs and 14 Pro Bowl selections.

Black Eyed Peas rapper, Taboo, says Adam Levine & Co. aren't special because everyone who does the Super Bowl halftime show gets destroyed ... so there's no need to hang their heads.

We got Taboo at LAX Monday -- as he returned from ATL -- and he dropped some knowledge about playing at the big game. He calls it an unwinnable situation for ANY artist. Remember, BEP performed 8 years ago at Super Bowl XLV ... so, he speaks from experience.

Taboo says he and his bandmates got eviscerated for, what some critics called, an uninspired performance with a lot of shouting into mics and not enough dancing. TBH, it was a lot of the same criticisms Maroon 5 is now getting.

On top of their music getting picked apart ... Maroon 5, Travis Scott and Big Boi had all the added flak from Colin Kaepernick supporters -- not to mention the memes about Adam's tattoos and wardrobe.

So, where IS the love? Not at LAX! Watch the clip to the end to see some edgy travelers giving Taboo the business.

Alexis Skyy had to be carried out of a Super Bowl party after what many believed were gunshots ringing out in the club ... TMZ has learned.

The 'Love & Hip Hop' star was partying late Sunday near 617 Social Lounge in Atlanta, where she and a bunch of people were celebrating SB LIII ... and then everyone heard two very loud noises coming from inside the club.

You see in the video, chaos ensued and Alexis injured her leg as people scrambled to get the hell out. What happened next was insane.

We're told Alexis couldn't walk herself out, and that somebody -- presumably a man in her crew -- literally lifted her up and carried her out. You see the guy walking with Alexis as spectators view the crazy scene from above.

Turns out, fortunately, it was a false alarm ... no shots were fired.

Alexis went to the ER and doctors assured her nothing was broken and there was no serious sprain.

Aaron Judge says he'd consider switching positions if the Yankees signed Bryce Harper -- telling TMZ Sports, he'll do whatever it takes to help his squad land the biggest fish in free agency.

Of course, Harper is currently shopping for the right fit -- and with the Yankees willing to write huge checks, they're still in the running.

Judge is excited about the possibility -- explaining, "Anytime you can add an MVP to a team, it's going to make them better."

There could be one slight issue ... both Judge and Harper play right field -- so, we asked Aaron who would have to switch positions if Harper signed with NY.

Short answer -- Judge is willing to do whatever it takes to get Bryce in pinstripes.

"Wherever he wants to play, wherever he wants to play -- we'll make it work."

The Yanks have a pretty stacked outfield already -- Judge in RF, Aaron Hicks in CF, Giancarlo Stanton in LF and Brett Gardner backing 'em all up -- but, Aaron says there's definitely room for Harper.

Judge also wouldn't mind being future teammates with another mega-free agent, Manny Machado ... and tells us, he hopes both guys "make the right choice."

There's more ... Aaron also has predictions for the Knicks -- saying, now that Kristaps Porzingis is gone -- he's expecting at least TWO superstars to head to the Big Apple next summer!!!

CeeLo Green says he should have chosen his words A LOT more carefully when he threw major shade at NFL boycotters ... in defense of his friend Big Boi.

CeeLo was on "TMZ Live" Monday, explaining a since-deleted tweet he fired off after Big Boi and Travis Scott performed in the Super Bowl Halftime show. He'd said, "@BigBoi yo big we riding wit you fam DO THAT SHIT! F**k these so called protesters you just got 100m worth of press. I'll kill for you."

Despite those extremely harsh words, CeeLo told us he meant no harm and was more trying to support his friend, than take a shot at Colin Kaepernick's supporters.

As you know, Adam Levine and Maroon 5, along with their guest stars, took a lot of flak from people boycotting the NFL. CeeLo says he was watching the Halftime Show when his emotions got the best of him.

Still, he faced huge blowback from people who were offended at the "so called protesters" remark. There were other artists -- most notably Jay-Z and Rihanna -- who turned down the SB gig to stand with Kap.

The count is up to two Patriots players who say they will NOT visit the White House to meet Donald Trump -- with a third leaning heavily toward no.

Star safety Devin McCourty told the Associated Press while returning to New England on Monday with the Lombardi Trophy that he will not visit No. 45 if the Pats elect to go.

His twin brother, star corner Jason McCourty, was a little less committal ... but still seems like he'll follow his bro's lead and avoid 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. as well.

"I haven’t thought about it, but I highly doubt it," Jason said.

Of course, New England safety Duron Harmon has already pulled out of the possible event ... telling TMZ Sports after the Super Bowl, "They don't want me in the White House."

"Who's Antonio Brown?"

That's the latest shade from Emmanuel Sanders to AB ... and yeah, their beef clearly ain't dead yet.

ICYMI -- Sanders and the Steelers superstar have gone back-and-forth over the last month ... all stemming from Brown's issues in Pittsburgh.

Sanders ripped AB's season-ending antics on an appearance on NFL Network in mid-January ... saying Brown's actions were disrespectful to his teammates AND to Steelers ownership.

Brown fired back on Twitter ... Sanders responded -- and the full-blown beef was on.

The barbs had quieted down over the last couple weeks -- so, we had to ask Sanders when we got him out at the Super Bowl if the rift with AB was dead.

"Who's Antonio Brown?" the Broncos WR replied.

Not a great look for UFC superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov ... who posed for a picture with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov just weeks after reports of another "gay purge" in Chechnya.

Khabib posted a caption along with the friendly photo which says, "Thank you for the hospitality of [Ramzan Kadyrov]. May the Almighty protect you and the entire Chechen people."

The issue ... just last month, multiple media outlets, including the BBC, reported that Chechen officials rounded up gay people and tortured them. At least 2 people died, according to the reports.

For his part, Kadyrov has denied the "gay purge" as "complete lies" -- mostly because he does not believe there are any gay people in Chechnya.

Seriously. He has said it multiple times on the record.

In fact, when asked specifically about the "gay purge," Kadyrov told a reporter -- "all those who defend human rights groups and the gays we supposedly have in the Chechen Republic are foreign agents. They've sold out their country, their people, their religion, everything."

Khabib isn't the first huge star to pose with Ramzan, who happens to be a huge combat sports fan -- he's also hung out with Floyd Mayweather.

Sixers fans lookin' to use Kendall Jenner as a scapegoat better check the facts -- Ben Simmons' boo is actually GOOD LUCK for Philly ... so says team co-owner Michael Rubin!!

KJ and the NBA stud have been an on-and-off item for about a year ... but things appear to be heating up, with Jenner showing face at A LOT of Sixers games these past few weeks.

TMZ Sports spoke with the billionaire at his Fanatics Super Bowl event in Atlanta about whether he's worried of the popular "Kardashian Curse" ... and it's safe to say dude thinks it's a bunch of BS.

"13-2 since they've been dating," Rubin tells us ... which doesn't make sense if you're looking at Philly's schedule, the team's actually 11-4 in their last 15 games ... but we get what he's saying.

Larry Fitzgerald is throwing in the towel on the G.O.A.T. debate ... telling TMZ Sports there's "no question" Tom Brady is football's best ever.

We got the future Hall of Fame receiver leaving the Super Bowl on Sunday ... and he says, after Brady beat the Rams for his record SIXTH ring -- there's no more debate.

"He's the G.O.A.T. There's no question about that."

Some have argued it's Jim Brown ... others say it's Jerry Rice, Joe Montana or Lawrence Taylor.

But, Larry says SIX championships in 19 years pushes TB12 straight to the top of the list.

The happiest people on Earth are now at the Happiest Place on Earth ... 'cause Tom Brady and Julian Edelman have made it to Disney World after winning the Super Bowl!!!

It's an annual tradition ... the big game's top players try like hell to fight off their hangovers and sleep depravity to make their way to Mickey's theme park to celebrate winning the Lombardi Trophy.

This time ... the Pats' MVP (Edelman) decided to bring his QB along -- and they're clearly having a freakin' blast!!!

The two have already hit up the Toy Story ride -- and had a great debate over who's Woody and who's Buzz Lightyear.

They also got a little lightsaber-training in ... and you'll never guess which guy chose the dark side's red saber!!!

Edelman and Brady will almost certainly be grand marshals in Mickey's parade through the Magic Kingdom later today as well.

How'd Kevin Hart get by Super Bowl security to party with the Patriots on Sunday??

Robert Kraft's son had to personally vouch for him!!!!

It all went down on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium turf after New England beat the Rams ... when the comedy icon was held up on his way to the confetti party.

The video is great ... Hart thinks security is just jokin' around not letting him through the gates -- when he suddenly realizes they ain't!!!

Kevin tries to crack a couple jokes to get through ... but still no dice!!!

Enter Patriots president Jonathan Kraft ... who rolls up to security to save the day -- telling everyone, "He's good! He's good! And, his wife!"

If this all feels familiar ... it's 'cause it is -- remember last year Hart was denied the chance to head up to the stage to celebrate the Eagles' Super Bowl championship???

For his part ... Kevin was able to joke about the whole thing afterward -- penning a social media post with a bunch of laughing emojis.

The 14k gold and diamond Lakers championship rings Kobe Bryant purchased for his parents could now be YOURS -- because the jewelry is hitting the auction block ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to Goldin Auctions, Kobe bought two identical, blinged out rings for his parents to commemorate his first NBA championship with the Lakers following the 1999, 2000 season.

The rings -- which contain 40 diamonds each -- are the same rings the players got after beating the Indiana Pacers. They're legit and they're awesome.

The rings have an interesting backstory ... Kobe's mom, Pamela Bryant, famously tried to sell the rings, along with a bunch of other Kobe memorabilia back in the day ... and Kobe sued to try and stop the sale.

Kobe ultimately agreed to allow his parents to sell 6 items -- including the rings -- and, in 2013, they sold to a private collector (a big Lakers fan) for a total of $280,000.

Now, that collector is ready to part ways ... and went back to Goldin Auctions to make the sale.

The auction is officially underway -- and starting bids are $35,000 for Joe "Jellybean" Bryant's ring and $20,000 for Pamela Bryant's ring. They're expected to fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Kobe and the Lakers won the series 4 games to 2. Shaquille O'Neal was named Finals MVP.

Newsflash to anyone who watched the Super Bowl -- you're officially beefing with Rihanna ... who not only didn't watch the snoozefest in Atlanta but mocked a dude on her flight who did.

RiRi was headed somewhere on a plane Sunday night (prolly somewhere awesome) when she apparently heard a 1st-class cabinmate ask for the Super Bowl to be put on.

She called the dude out on her Instagram Story ... putting a sign that said "weirdo" over his head, then posting a picture of Colin Kaepernick with a diss to anyone who watched the game.

Rihanna has been team Kap all the way in his battle with the NFL ... reportedly turning down an offer to perform in the Super Bowl because of the way she believes the league has treated Colin.

Kraft had the bling, Gronk had the booze ... and EVERYONE was having a great time at the New England Patriots victory party after the Super Bowl.

TMZ Sports has footage from inside the event -- where you can see billionaire Pats owner Robert Kraft turnin' up with a giant diamond chain around his neck that says, "Champions."

Rob Gronkowski was living his best life too -- sippin' on a bottle of booze somebody passed off to him ... and telling people, "I am big pimpin'."

Snoop was the main performer at the shindig at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta -- along with The Chainsmokers and Meek Mill.

After the show, Snoop told us Tom Brady personally asked him to perform -- and he obliged ... because you can't say no to the G.O.A.T.

The food at the party was also lit -- we're talking chicken and waffles, mahi mahi tacos and an OPEN BAR!