TMZ Sports - Page 50

Gigantic college basketball star Tacko Fall just got a huge mentor (literally) ... because ex-NBA great Shawn Bradley says he wants to talk to the 7'6" youngster to help him get ready for the league.

Bradley knows what it's like to be the big man on campus ... he's 7'6" himself and was a superstar in college at BYU before going on to have a 12-year NBA career.

Fall's UCF squad ALMOST beat Duke in the tourney this past weekend, and in doing so the enormous senior made a lot of people believe he has a real shot at being a 1st-round draft pick.

We got Bradley out at LAX and he told our guy that while he hasn't been able to see too much of Fall's game, he'd love to help him fill in any gaps.

"Tell him to call me if you see him. I'll give him some advice."

Might wanna call him, Tacko ... Bradley made close to $50 million during his NBA career, and that was 20 years ago, before the contracts got as stupid silly as they are now.

Shawn did share with us one piece of advice he'd share with Fall.

"Don't try to become something that they're trying to make you."

Ex-NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho says he's got VIDEO of the scumbags who broke into his Texas home and jacked everything from cash to jewelry ... and now he's working with cops to catch 'em.

Cops DID confirm they're investigating the burglary at Acho's Austin home -- but would not confirm the people in his video have been labeled suspects (hence, the blurs on their faces).

But, here's the story ... Acho -- now an analyst for ESPN -- says a crew of thieves "broke into my closet and safe and robbed me of my cash, my Rolexes and other personal memorabilia."

Acho believes the crooks were out-of-towners who were in Austin for the South By Southwest Festival earlier this month. He believes they're from L.A. and Miami.

When contacted by TMZ Sports, cops would not confirm Acho's suspicions -- only telling us they're investigating the matter.

28-year-old Acho was a stud linebacker at the University of Texas back in the day ... earning first-team All-Big 12 honors during his senior season in 2011.

He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round, but his NFL career lasted just 3 seasons.

Forget the trilogy with Conor McGregor ... Nate Diaz wants a crack at Khabib.

Just days after TMZ Sports posted footage of Conor saying he "owes" Nate a 3rd fight out of respect -- Nate seems to be poopooing the idea ... and is now setting his sights on The Eagle.

"Kabibs hiding scared cause I slapped the sh*t out of him," Nate posted ... "Conor already got his ass beat twice."

"Where the f*ck you at kabib?"

Nate and Conor fought TWICE back in 2016. Nate won the first fight, choking McGregor out in the 2nd round.

When they ran it back a few months later, Conor won a majority decision after 5 bloody rounds. Some people, including Nate, believe the judges blew the decision.

The fans have been calling for a rubbermatch ever since -- and Conor finally addressed the issue in Chicago ... while standing on top of a bar.

"He fought me, he beat me. He gave me a rematch at the exact same weight, there was no hesitation, that's a true fighter right there," McGregor said.

"I have nothing but respect ... I owe him the trilogy now and the trilogy will happen."

Diaz made $10 MILLION for the 2nd fight -- so you 'd think he'd be motivated for a 3rd scrap.

But, he feels the Khabib fight is a higher priority.

Diaz has talked about slapping Khabib and embarrassing Conor before -- telling TMZ Sports in August 2018, "I whipped one's ass and I slapped the f*ck out of the other one so they're both my little bitches."

Diaz then told us about an incident in which he smacked Khabib in the face in front of "all his Russian friends" and they "didn't do sh*t."

Of course, Nate was supposed to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 230 back in November -- but Poirier pulled out after suffering an injury.

Diaz just issued a statement to him as well -- "Ps porier is a pussy."

Forget Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga ... here are two WWE superstars performing the smash hit "Shallow" IN THE WRESTLING RING -- and it's pretty amazing!!

The guy with the guitar is Elias -- who's a pretty talented musician when he's not bodyslamming people.

Dude teamed up with Finn Balor at a WWE live event over the weekend where they put on a musical show for the crowd ... and they loved it!!

Elias took the Bradley Cooper part of the song from "A Star Is Born." He sounded great.

Finn, on the other hand, is no Lady Gaga. Good effort though!

Of course, Bradley and Gaga's version of "Shallow" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2019 Oscars ... where the movie stars performed the song live.

It's been covered by a TON of people since the movie came out ... from Alicia Keys to Kelly Clarkson.

**WARNING -- THIS CONTAINS PRETTY GRAPHIC VIDEO OF STRIPPER BUTTS**

How do you get over Johnny Manziel? Strippers. Lots of strippers.

That's how Johnny's wife Bre Tiesi distracted herself from the split over the weekend -- throwing money at some very talented twerkers ... all while Johnny was making his debut in the AAF.

Ya probably know the backstory by now ... Bre went OFF on Johnny on social media over the weekend, essentially accusing the QB of cheating on her. She had already scrubbed him from her Instagram page.

So, while Johnny hit the field with the Memphis Express on Sunday -- a HUGE step in his goal to make it back to the NFL -- Bre wasn't in the stadium or even watching on TV.

Instead, she was making it rain and slapping butts in a strip club while celebrating a friend's birthday.

As for Johnny, the 26-year-old looked pretty solid in his AAF debut -- talking trash to opponents while completing 3 of 5 passes, rushing for 20 yards ... and creating a few highlights in the process.

Seems he's poised for a comeback on the field -- as for his marriage? Unlikely at this point.

1:31 PM PT -- Cameras finally spotted Kraft at the meetings, though he was clearly in no mood to stop to chat ...

The most powerful people in the NFL touched down in AZ over the weekend for the Annual League Meeting ... and while most of the owners and GMs strutted around Phoenix, Robert Kraft was unusually low key.

Everyone from Jaguars owner Shad Khan to Denver Broncos general manager John Elway was spotted in Phoenix -- where the league's top guys meet every year to discuss rule changes and other NFL issues.

Elway looked pretty jacked, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was scooting around after his foot surgery and Raiders owner Mark Davis was rockin' his usual white blazer with his patented hairdo.

While Kraft was seen walking with his son, Jonathan, and NFL commish Roger Goodell, he didn't speak with the media and seemed to make an effort to lay low.

Obviously, Kraft has a LOT going on right now -- he's due in court in Florida later this week to deal with his prostitution case where he's facing two counts of solicitation.

Kraft broke his silence on the legal issue this weekend -- essentially admitting wrongdoing and apologizing for his actions.

"I am truly sorry. I know I have hurt and disappointed my family, my close friends, my co-workers, our fans and many others who rightfully hold me to a higher standard."

He's facing up to 1 year in jail if convicted -- but it's VERY unlikely he'll serve one minute behind bars.

WHOAAA!!!!!

Two pro motorcycle racers just got hit with 2-year suspensions over one of the CRAZIEST fights we've ever seen on a race track!!

It all went down at the National Motorbike Championship in February in Costa Rica -- where racer Marion Calvo got pissed after Jorge Martinez bumped him during the race and caused him to lose control of his bike.

Somehow, Martinez clung to Calvo's bike and forced Calvo to pull over, while Martinez was hanging off the back of his opponent's bike.

When the bike finally came to a stop, Martinez reached back and threw a HAYMAKER shot right at Calvo's face -- knocking the racer on his ass!!

But, kudos to Calvo ... who got up ... and ran back after Martinez, trying to continue the fight ON THE TRACK while other racers zoomed by.

Eventually, things broke up ... but wow. Insane.

Both racers were disqualified on the spot -- but now the Latin American Motorcycle Association has doled out the bigger punishment -- and it's 2-year suspensions for both fighters.

It's a wrap for Nikki Bella in the WWE ... the former champ says she's closing the book on her wrestling career -- claiming her body just can't handle the punishment anymore.

Bella said she realized she needed to retire after returning from a recent tour of Europe -- saying, "[The tour] was good but I just feel like I'm too old for that travel."

"The travel was really, really rough," Bella said on her reality show, "Total Bellas" ... "So, I realized, I was like, why am I doing this? I don't feel good."

Nikki said she feels the women at WWE are doing amazing things and she doesn't feel she needs to keep wrestling ... explaining, "I really am ready to hang up the jersey, like I can say it fully."

Nikki's sister, Brie -- who announced her retirement on a "Total Bellas" episode earlier this month -- gave her full support to Nikki, saying she can hang her WWE jersey "right next to mine."

35-year-old Nikki explained her body just doesn't feel great anymore -- and she wants to turn her focus on other business endeavors ... including her fashion brand.

"Here's to closing one chapter and the next one opening."

Bella is a sure-fire WWE Hall of Famer -- she is a 2-time WWE Divas champion and one of the most popular women in the history of the company.

TMZ Sports has obtained a 911 call made by Tony Ferguson's wife during an incident in February -- and the way she handled the call may have saved Tony's life ... and the lives of several cops.

As we've previously reported, Tony's wife, Cristina, called police to their Santa Ana, California home several times over the past couple months when the UFC star was having manic episodes and acting erratically.

Cristina has made it clear she loves Tony and wants him to get treatment -- but during a Feb. 16 incident, things got to a point where she was scared and needed police to intervene.

During the call, Cristina says she needs help -- but warns police that Tony is a professional fighter. She notes, "I don't want no cops to get injured."

The operator responds, "We don't want anyone to get hurt."

Of course, Tony is not just a pro UFC fighter, he's one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the world ... currently, the #1 ranked contender in the UFC's lightweight division.

When cops arrived to Ferguson's home, officers used the information from the call to help diffuse the situation ... and according to the police report, Tony told officers he would seek help.

Unfortunately, cops were called back to the house a few days later -- but the good news, Tony has since agreed to get serious about treatment and appears to be doing better.

In fact, just last week, Tony posted on social media that he's seen a psychologist and that it "went well."

4:14 PM PT -- Tom Brady has responded to Gronk's announcement with a heartfelt message. He posted a photo of the two of them on the field, and added a caption that read ... "What an honor and privilege to play with you these past nine years @gronk! You accomplished so much and our team was almost unbeatable when you were on the field! Your fun-loving, inspiring, and positive energy made an impact on everybody you came into contact with! Not just that, but for as great as a player you are, you are a better teammate and person. The NFL was a better place with you in it! But I have no doubt you will be a success in anything you do!!! Love you pal!"

New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski says he's finally hanging it up and retiring from football at age 29 ... this after months of speculation.

The longtime tight end broke the news on Instagram Sunday with a lengthy caption attached to a shot of him holding the Lombardi Trophy. He wrote, "It all started at 20 years old on stage at the NFL draft when my dream came true, and now here I am about to turn 30 in a few months with a decision I feel is the biggest of my life so far. I will be retiring from the game of football today."

He goes on to thank Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his head coach, Bill Belichick, for the chance they gave him when "drafting my silliness in 2010." Gronk continued to reflect on his time with the Pats' organization, saying ... "My life experiences over the last 9 years have been amazing both on and off the field. The people I have meet, the relationships I have built, the championships I have been apart of, I just want to thank the whole New England Patriots organization for every opportunity I have been giving and learning the great values of life that I can apply to mine."

Gronk then went on to thank Pats fans for accepting him for who he is, while adding that it's time to move on knowing Patriot Nation is a huge part of his makeup. He ended with one last thank-you to his teammates -- past and present -- by saying, "To all my current and past teammates, thank you for making each team every year special to be apart of. I will truly miss you guys. Cheers to all who have been part of this journey, cheers to the past for the incredible memories, and a HUGE cheers to the uncertain of whats next."

Rob is a 3-time Super Bowl champ with the Pats, a 5-time Pro Bowler and has made First-Team All-Pro 4 times. He's widely seen as a shoo-in to get into the NFL Hall of Fame one day as well.

Johnny Manziel's wife, Bre Tiesi, appears to have broken her silence on why she stopped following him on social media ... and all signs point to a looming divorce.

Bre responded to a number of comments on one of her more recent IG posts, which slapped down any notion that she was after money in the wake of their presumed split. As we reported ... Bre scrubbed her social media of all traces of Johnny Football.

There seems to be a more clear reason as to why now. She responded to one IG user, saying ... "maybe u should wonder why I would leave him instead of worrying about ‘money’ lucky for him I don’t air out personals and lucky for u you are behind a screen u low life."

In another comment, Bre made it crystal clear that there was alleged wrongdoing on Johnny's part ... saying in response to another IG user ... "u been married? U been betrayed? I don’t do betrayal for a person I was devoted to period. Vows were broken f*** money and f*** u and every other loser on here."

Bre makes no bones about it ... she believes Johnny betrayed her trust, and strongly suggests he cheated on her. She also bats off the idea that she's after any of his fortune by referring to a prenup they might've signed. No one has filed for divorce yet, but by the way she's talking here ... it looks like that may be in the cards for Manziel.

Adrien Broner got in trouble with the law again .... and he ended up in cuffs.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ the former boxing champ was in South Beach at around 9 PM Saturday, walking with fellow boxer Gervonta Davis, when he jaywalked on busy Collins Avenue and a driver honked at him. We're told Adrien got angry and smacked the hood of the car and began yelling at the driver.

Cops were already out in force because it's Spring Break, they heard the commotion and warned him to calm down or else he'd be arrested. We're told Broner then started yelling at the police so they cuffed him for a time but did not arrest him.

Broner didn't let the incident dampen his night. He went to Exchange Miami nightclub where he did the Bust Down dance and even jumped onstage.

Earlier this week Broner threatened to attack and even shoot gay people in a vile video posted to his social media account. He said, "If I got my gun on me, I'm shooting you in the f***ing face, and that's on God and them ... I don't like gay sh*t." The comments were directed at social media star Andrew C. Caldwell, the famous "I'm Delivert" guy. Caldwell had said Broner was flirting with him. Broner's response was to "punch the testosterone out you GAY ASS."

Brandon Adams -- one of Georgia Tech's rising football stars -- has died suddenly, according to his own football team.

Georgia Tech's Sports Department announced the sad news Sunday, saying their hearts were broken over the sudden passing of their defensive lineman. The school sent their condolences to his friends and family. No cause of death has been revealed yet.

Adams appeared in 33 games over the course of his GT career between 2016 and 2018. He was having a tremendous year in terms of stats too this past season ... 24 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles in the 13 games played.

Tons of tributes were pouring in Sunday, with many people describing Adams as a "gentle giant" off the field.

Colby Covington better watch his mouth around Todd Gurley ... 'cause Kamaru Usman tells TMZ Sports the NFL superstar would whoop his ass if they ever scrapped!!!

"Todd Gurley would maul him," Usman says ... "He would maul him. He'd maul him."

Of course, Kamaru's talking about this 'cause he says he saw the Rams RB get into a spat with Covington seconds before his championship fight with Tyron Woodley at UFC 235.

So, we had to ask ... who'd win if Gurley and Covington were NOT separated that night?!

His answer -- Gurley ... and he ain't just sayin' that 'cause he HATES Covington ...

"These running backs, they have low centers of gravity, big butts, strong legs. All they have to do is -- it's not going to take them long, once they learn the technique, they're throwing hammers."

"So, yeah, I think he could take him."

The tale of the tape IS interesting ... Gurley outweighs Covington by over 60 pounds and is two inches taller -- so, is Kamaru right??

The wrestling ref who's threatening a lawsuit over the viral dreadlock-cutting incident is "blatantly racist" and has NO CASE ... so says Lil Jon ... who tells TMZ Sports the guy's claims are ridiculous.

High schooler Andrew Johnson -- who is black -- was forced to either cut his dreadlocks or forfeit during a December 2018 match. The story made international news .... and the ref was accused of being racist.

As we previously reported ... the ref, Alan Maloney, is claiming he's been defamed in the coverage following this ... and he's demanding $100,000 in damages.

Enter Lil Jon -- who has famously shown off his dreads throughout his career -- and he explains why Maloney's actions were inexcusable.

"Dreads are considered to be like a man's crown, that's a lion's mane ... it's sacred," Jon says.

"For this guy to be blatantly racist as he was on that one and to claim he can't get work or whatever, well ... too bad, you shouldn't have been an a**hole."

Maloney says he was strictly following the rules that prohibited wrestlers from having long hair ... but many people have called it a bogus excuse to cover up racism.

Lil Jon agrees with them.

As if 6 Super Bowl rings ain't enough ... Tom Brady has what it takes to compete for ANOTHER set of rings if he wants ... 'cause Mohamed Hadid says he's got Olympic skiing talent!!

TB12 has been hittin' the slopes all week ... freaking Pats Nation out while he posts videos shreddin' through the snow (Hadid thinks he was going around 70 miles per hour).

Naturally, we had to find out how Brady's ski skills compare to the pros ... so we asked Bella and Gigi's dad -- an Olympian for Jordan in 1992 -- if he thought the QB could have been good enough to rep the USA in the Games.

"Oh, for sure ... he has amazing form," Hadid says ... adding Brady should KEEP skiing, despite how scared fans get watching their superstar fly down the slopes.