TMZ Sports - Page 50

Remember the high school wrestler who was forced to cut off his dreadlocks before a match back in December?

Yeah, well, Andrew Johnson just placed 3rd in his district -- qualifying for the prestigious regional championships ... which means he's one step closer to making the N.J. state tourney!!!

Johnson's story made national headlines back in December when a referee told him his hairstyle violated high school wrestling rules ... and he needed to chop his locks or forfeit the match.

The 16-year-old junior reluctantly agreed to cut his hair -- and still won the match -- but he was visibly devastated.

Footage of the incident went viral -- and Johnson sat out of the next wrestling event because he was overwhelmed by the media attention.

The good news ... he eventually got back on the mat and returned to form -- securing 3rd place at the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopaedics District 29 tournament in New Jersey over the weekend in the 120-pound division.

After the district tourney, Andrew told NJ.com, "I tried to block everything out and just wrestle."

One of the cooler parts of the story ... Johnson's little bro, Nate -- a freshman -- finished second in the tourney and will also advance to this week's regionals.

"We're both moving on, so we're ready," Andrew said.

Their mom, Rosa Johnson, also weighed in -- saying, "Our family has just rallied around them and kept them focused."

"We've tried to protect them. They've worked really hard for this and wanted to keep them focused."

As for the ref who forced Johnson to cut his hair 2 months ago ... TMZ Sports has learned Alan Maloney has not officiated since the incident, and the NJSIAA is still investigating.

Khloe Kardashian has thrown in the towel, breaking up with Tristan Thompson after she found out her baby daddy allegedly cheated on her with Kylie Jenner's best friend ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Tristan flew into Los Angeles to spend Valentine's Day Thursday with Khloe and their daughter, True. On Sunday night he was at a house party, where we're told he snuggled up with Kylie's BFF, Jordyn Woods.

Witnesses tell us Tristan and Jordyn were all over each other ... making out. We're told Khloe found out and immediately broke things off with the NBA player ... a source tells us "she has had enough."

We're told there's little chance for reconciliation ... Khloe and Tristan are done.

You'll recall back in October 2017, Tristan was at a hookah lounge in Washington D.C. where he motorboated a woman and got handsy with another. The video surfaced days before Khloe gave birth, and just before she delivered he was seen on video going into an NYC hotel with yet another woman.

Khloe hasn't been back to Cleveland much this season, though the 2 still remained together. She was on hand when Tristan's team ended an extended losing streak.

We don't know Kylie's reaction to the latest development, but she and Jordyn have been inseparable.

Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller says Anthony Joshua forced a "bitch ass rematch clause" into their fight contract ... telling TMZ Sports, he's already preparing to knock the dude out TWICE!!!

We spoke with "Big Baby" after his clash with Joshua in NYC on Tuesday -- where Miller straight SHOVED Joshua while promoting their June 1 championship fight at Madison Square Garden.

Miller knows he's the underdog in the fight ... but says the critics can "kiss my ass" -- telling us he's 100% confident he'll hand Joshua his first L when they throw down.

There's a lot of trash talk in this clip too -- Miller says a bunch of AJ's wins (from early in his career) were "given to him" by corrupt refs who would stop fights early to ensure a Joshua victory.

In other words, Miller says AJ's perfect 22-0 record is a sham -- and he's looking to expose Joshua in a big way.

Miller has an impressive resume too -- he's 23-0-1 -- and famously knocked out TWO DUDES IN 6 WEEKS in 2018.

He KO'd Tomasz Adamek in the 2nd round of their Oct. 6 fight -- and then took down Bogdan Dinu on Nov. 17.

WWE legend X-Pac understands why people are upset Chyna is going into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of D-Generation X ... and not individually ... but he insists it's still a VICTORY for her.

"I totally understand where they're coming from," Sean Waltman tells TMZ Sports ... "Of course, she deserves to go in by herself."

But, Waltman -- who was engaged to Chyna in real life in 2003 -- says the WWE only has a limited number of people they can induct each year, and he believes they're doing the best they can.

WWE announced on Monday the main members of DX (as a group) will be included in the H.O.F. class of 2019. Meaning, Chyna will be enshrined with Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and, of course, X-Pac.

But, a swell of wrestling fans feel Chyna was such an important figure in WWE -- the first and only female Intercontinental champ -- that she shouldn't have to share the honor with anyone.

X-Pac says he understands the frustration -- but says Chyna would still be thrilled with the honor.

"I hope that the people who think this about her are still grateful that she's going in, because this is a win and sometimes we should take the win."

As for himself, X-Pac says he's grateful to be included -- and can't wait to get the gang back together!!!

Dodgers legend Don Newcombe -- one of the most important black athletes in MLB history -- died Tuesday morning after battling an undisclosed "lengthy illness," the Dodgers confirmed. He was 92.

Newcombe started off as a star pitcher in the Negro Leagues -- before making his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.

Once in the Big Leagues, Don was a STUD -- racking up 17 wins while leading MLB in shutouts. He also pitched 32 consecutive scoreless innings. He also won Rookie of the Year.

Along with Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Larry Doby, Newcombe was among the first 4 black players to make the All-Star game. He was named an All Star 3 more times during his career.

"Don Newcombe's presence and life established him as a role model for major leaguers across the country," Dodgers president Stan Kasten said in a statement.

"He was a constant presence at Dodger Stadium and players always gravitated to him for his endless advice and leadership. The Dodgers mean everything to him and we are all fortunate he was part of our lives."

The Dodgers consider him one of the greatest pitchers in team history -- and for good reason.

He won the National League MVP and Cy Young in 1956 ... the same year he led the league in wins. He also led MLB in strikeouts in 1951.

Newcombe took a hiatus from pro baseball in 1952 and 1953 to serve in the Korean War.

In 2013, he talked about his service to USA Today saying, "I served my country. I was going to fight for my country and my flag if I was asked. I didn't dodge bullets, but I'm proud of my contribution."

Back in 2010, Barack Obama credited Newcombe -- along with Jackie Robinson -- with helping to change America for the better.

"I would not be here if it were not for Jackie and it were not for Don Newcombe," Obama said.

See that hand?? Yeah, that's Kyle Kuzma's hand ... and now you wish you were Kyle Kuzma.

The 23-year-old Lakers star is getting some well-deserved R&R before the All-Star break ends ... taking a boat trip in Miami with an insanely attractive model ... and cuppin' a handful of ass in the process.

Kuz -- who won the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge this past weekend -- kept the winning going on Monday with rumored girlfriend Katya Elise Henry ... a model with nearly 6 million followers on IG.

The couple(?) have yet to acknowledge any real romance on social media ... but it doesn't take a genius to put 2 and 2 together with this one, thanks to Kuz's body art.

The rumors date back to last year when KEH was spotted attending Laker games ... and this pretty much closes the case.

On top of being ridiculously hot, Henry -- a Miami native -- is also a businesswoman with her own workout plan (including an 8-week "booty program") and bikini line.

No word on whether this is love or just young kids having fun ... but it's clear there are no losers here.

Clemson superstar QB Trevor Lawrence says he's sorry for shoving a fellow student to the ground during a heated intramural hoops game ... admitting it was "probably unnecessary."

Of course, 19-year-old Lawrence -- 6'6", 215 pounds -- just wrapped an unreal season, leading Clemson football to another national title. But, he found trouble on the basketball court this week when he got into an altercation with a fellow student who was trying to set a screen.

The student set the pick on Trevor some 80 feet from the basket ... but Lawrence clearly took issue with the move and pushed the guy hard, TWICE ... sending him flying to the ground.

Lawrence was definitely the aggressor -- but in a comment on social media, the QB implied the other guy had it coming for running his mouth during the game.

"He wanted to talk the whole game lol... still probably unnecessary. Sorry folks."

Lawrence has since deleted the comment ... probably 'cause Dabo Swinney HATED every second of the incident.

LeBron James has a new teammate ... 2 CHAINZ!!! 'Cause the Lakers superstar just announced his first music project starring the "It's A Vibe" rapper.

The King is takin' his first shot at being an A&R exec ... teaming up with the Georgia rapper for, "Rap Or Go To The League," a 14-track album coming out March 1.

LBJ announced the collab with a video of the duo in the studio ... choppin' it up about things like the tracklist, features and release plans -- all the things a music exec has to deal with.

"Can’t wait for y’all to hear the continues evolution of his profound skills from his mind to the booth to the records itself," Bron says, "Proud of you homie and the people will be as well when this hits!"

2 Chainz added ... "It's gonna be shocking for people to know how much input you had on (the project.)"

No word on whether Bron actually got in the booth to spit some bars ... but we know he's fully capable of doing so.

Man, ya gotta feel bad for this dude ...

A usually solid Kansas State basketball player had a TERRIBLE second half Monday night ... blowing THREE point-blank dunks -- in just 12 game minutes!

The guy's name is Makol Mawien ... and he's actually been a pretty good player for the Wildcats -- starting all 26 games for the team this season.

But, against West Virginia ... he was pretty much the anti-Shaq --- clanking not one, but THREE dunks off iron!!!

The first came at the start of the second half ... Mawien missed a left-handed slam that ended up in the first row of the stands.

The second and third came minutes later -- and just seconds apart from each other -- when Mawien rattled TWO balls off the rim with no defenders even CLOSE to him.

You could tell Mawien was embarrassed ... dude tapped his chest and slapped hands with all his teammates.

After the third miss, KSU coach Bruce Weber didn't even get mad -- putting his arms around Makol to try and help the guy get his confidence back.

Steph Curry and Barack Obama's bromance took another step forward with a dinner date ... although Ayesha Curry and a couple o' Legends were there too.

The Currys sat down with 44 for a serious power dinner Monday night in San Francisco at Ayesha's restaurant, International Smoke. Her collaborator and chef, Michael Mina, posed with the smiling trio and shouted out Barack, saying ... "No greater privilege than to cook for this man on Presidents Day. Thank you for the highest honor @barackobama!"

The star power at the dinner table didn't stop there -- John Legend and Chrissy Teigen showed up to make it a fab fivesome. Chrissy also shared a shot of herself enjoying a drink with Chef Michael.

You'll recall, Steph set up a meeting last month in Washington, D.C. between his BFF and his Golden State Warriors teammates ... who opted out of meeting President Trump to celebrate their NBA Championship.

As for why they're all in the Bay Area ... Barack, Steph and John are all taking part in the My Brother's Keeper conference in Oakland, aimed at supporting boys and young men of color. It's being hosted by the Obama Foundation.

Good eats, good cause ... good times!

Trevor Bauer might be the MLB's best pitcher ... but he's the WORST first date ever -- 'cause he's got a set of rules for potential romantic partners, including, "No feelings" allowed!

The Cleveland Indians superstar just revealed when he goes on dates with girls ... he's blunt and to the point -- telling them straight-up he'll NEVER be their boyfriend.

"I have three rules," Bauer tells Sports Illustrated.

No. 1? "No feelings."

No. 2? "No social media posts about me while we’re together."

No. 3? "I sleep with other people. I’m going to continue to sleep with other people. If you’re not O.K. with that, we won’t sleep together, and that’s perfectly fine."

Think Bauer -- who's known as baseball's mad scientist for the painstaking way he approaches pitching -- is being selfish???

Think again ... the ace actually says he's HELPING his romantic partners -- 'cause, "I imagine if I was married at this point, I would be a very bad husband."

Bauer says he's too devoted to pitching to deal with a girlfriend right now.

Today we salute Alex Rodriguez ... for having the presence of mind to pull out his phone and start recording when Jennifer Lopez decided to go pole dancing.

It's glorious.

49-year-old J Lo is training for her role in the upcoming flick, "Hustlers" -- where she plays a stripper -- and decided to hit the pole to put in some work.

Alex clearly liked what he was seeing and posted footage to social media. Excellent job, sir.

As for the movie, it was inspired by the famous New York Magazine article, "The Hustlers at Scores" -- which chronicles a crew of dancers and their Wall Street clients in the wake of the financial crisis.

The flick also stars Constance Wu from "Crazy Rich Asians."

8:10 AM PT -- Brown's rant wasn't all talk ... he just met with team owner Art Rooney II and says they both agreed it's time to part ways.

"Had a great meeting with Mr.Rooney today we discussed a lot of things and we cleared the air on several issues!

"We both agreed that it is time to move on but I'll always have appreciation and gratitude towards the Rooney family and @steelers organization!"

"If your team got guaranteed money ... tell 'em call me" -- Antonio Brown (from his elliptical machine Monday night).

"I ain't got time to waste," AB added ... "I got FIVE KIDS. Ya heard!?"

It was all part of a 9 MINUTE rant on Instagram, which featured Brown working out like a maniac, sweating his face off ... and trying to convince NFL teams to sign his ass.

"This is not a game people. This is not for show. This is not to be cool. This is really to inspire you that no one can determine your destination but you."

"I'm bringing high heat, coach! I'm gonna be relentless this year. If your team got guaranteed money, they wanna get to know me and work with me? Tell 'em call me!"

By the way ... Brown is already in the middle of a huge, 4-year, $68 million contract with $19 million guaranteed. Unclear exactly what he's looking for in a new deal.

As we previously reported, Brown has been talking with Jerry Rice and REALLY wants to end up in San Francisco next season.

But, as NFL.com pointed out ... since Brown is still technically under contract with the Steelers, any team that contacts him directly right now would be "tampering."

Brown doesn't seem to care about that -- he wants a new deal. And, a new nickname, saying he's over being called "A.B." and wants to switch to something sassier... "Mr. Big Chest."

Kevin O'Leary does NOT agree with Colin Kaepernick's kneeling -- but he DOES respect a good financial haul ... which is why he's praising CK for settling with the NFL.

"I think the outcome was good for him," the "Shark Tank" star told us on his way out of Craig's.

"He was not the best QB in NFL history, but he monetized the situation in a good way. And, I appreciate that as an entrepreneur."

The terms of Colin's settlement are confidential -- but some NFL reporters are saying CK walked away with close to $100 MILLION for agreeing to end his collusion case.

Kevin says Colin has turned himself into a brand -- which is REALLY hard for pro athletes to do.

But, when it comes to Colin's chances of making an NFL roster, Mr. Wonderful says there's "not a chance in hell" he ever makes it back to the league.

"He will never play in the NFL ever. Not in this lifetime and not in 10 lifetimes."

As for Colin, he has yet to speak about the settlement -- but took a photo with his legal team the day after his announcement ... and judging by the smile on his face, he sure seems like a guy who thinks he won.

A former NFL player -- who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks -- was shot to death Sunday morning ... and cops say it was all over an argument over a parking spot.

46-year-old T.J. Cunningham was a wide receiver and defensive back at the University of Colorado back in the early '90s -- and was selected in the 6th round of the 1996 NFL Draft.

But, cops say he was killed near Eaglecrest High School in Colorado after fighting with a neighbor over a parking spot.

Officials say Cunningham and 31-year-old Marcus Johnson -- who lives across the street from Cunningham -- agreed to meet near the high school to settle the beef, but Johnson brought a gun. Cops say Cunningham did NOT have a firearm.

Ultimately, cops say Cunningham was shot multiple times and died from his wounds. Johnson has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree attempted murder. Cops say they also found the gun.

Cunningham is survived by his wife and 5 children. A GoFundMe page has already been set up to help out his family.

Some hooligan had some fun at Arnold Schwarzenegger's expense ... taking a shot at the former Governator's indiscretion by defacing a decades-old sign.

It all went down at Idaho's Sun Valley Resort where the Terminator had "Arnold's Run" named after him back in 2001. It used to be the "Flying Maid." You can see where this is going. Some dope riding down the slope decided to change it to "Arnold's Maid" ... a clear shot at Arnold fathering a child outta wedlock with his maid.

A spokesperson at the resort tells TMZ ... they did notice the vandalism and have addressed it. We're told the sign's been fixed and it's now back to "Arnold's Run."

Looks like they got it changed just in time, because Arnold was up in Sun Valley on Monday and said he went skiing before a bike ride.

As for why the Idaho joint chose to honor the actor ... Arnold makes regular getaways up there. He's also previously led the Christmas Eve torchlight parade down the mountain. They love him.