TMZ Sports - Page 50

Stan Van Gundy knows exactly who the Lakers should make their head coach next season .... and they won't have to look hard to find him, considering he's already the head coach of the Lakers.

TMZ Sports spoke with the longtime head coach about rumors the Lake Show could ditch Luke Walton for Jason Kidd ... and while SVG loves the Hall of Famer's coaching skills, he says L.A. got it right the first time.

"Luke's done a great job and should remain their coach," SVG tells us.

Van Gundy says he's not so sure about whether J-Kidd crossed any lines going on TV to discuss his interest in the gig while it's clearly still Luke's team ... but his leadership is NOT something to question.

"I've coached against Jason for a few years ... he is a good coach."

A former L.A. Rams ticket exec claims he was FIRED from his job for saying New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung was a "bitch" in the Super Bowl ... and now he can't get hired anywhere.

The guy behind the suit is Matthew Hogan -- who claims he was college buddies with Matthew Weymouth, who runs Patrick Chung's social media pages.

Before the Rams took on the Pats in Super Bowl LIII, Hogan claims he and Weymouth engaged in some friendly trash talk over their cell phones.

But, things took a turn when Chung injured his arm during the game -- Hogan says he sent Weymouth a joking text message saying, "Patrick Chung is a bitch."

Weymouth was FURIOUS and fired back with a barrage of threats and profanity -- saying things like, "Your [sic] a c*nt for saying that" and "If I see you I'm going to jail and I don't care."

In his lawsuit, Hogan claims Weymouth posted screenshots of their text exchange on Chung's Instagram and Facebook pages, making it appear as if Hogan was taunting the NFL player directly.

A caption on Chung's page also named Hogan and identified him as a Rams employee. The message also read, "This is disrespectful of you. I would never wish or say anything like this to anyone after they just broke their arm. You should be ashamed bro."

Hogan claims the posts constitute defamation since neither Chung nor Weymouth disclosed the messages were NEVER sent to Chung.

After the texts were posted online, Hogan says he was "forced from his job" and has been unable to get hired anywhere else. Hogan claims he's also getting harassing messages from Chung fans.

Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw is going to bat for Ben Roethlisberger ... telling TMZ Sports the QB is a "great leader" and the criticism of him from former teammates is incomprehensible.

"I don't understand it," Bradshaw says ... "He's a great leader. He is. He's solid."

Of course, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell REALLY disagree ... they've taken turns this offseason pummeling the QB for the way he's commanded the team as the face of the franchise.

In fact, AB wrote on Twitter just a couple weeks ago, "He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches."

Le'Veon added in an interview with Sports Illustrated, "Ben wants to win his way, and that’s tough to play with."

But, Bradshaw thinks the criticism is unfounded ... telling us, "I find him to be fine."

Terry's biggest problem with the whole drama now??? He says it's cost the Steelers a TON of firepower ... and he's concerned the team might miss the playoffs for the second straight year.

"I'm worried about our team."

As for Ben ... Bradshaw's got no worries that he might leave, telling us Ben will get a new, big contract from the team sooner rather than later.

Johnny Manziel says his split with his wife, Bre Tiesi, is "very sad" -- but he's trying his best to stay focused on his football career.

As we previously reported, Bre wiped Manziel from her social media pages and has publicly accused him of breaking their wedding vows ... a year after they were married.

Now, Manziel is breaking his silence on the split ... without getting into the gory details.

"This is all very, very personal and very sad," Manziel tells TMZ Sports ... "I appreciate everyone who has been so supportive of both of us and I would just ask that everyone respect our privacy at this difficult time."

"My hope is to put my head down and be allowed to focus on work and what is required of me on the football field."

Manziel is referring to his new job in the AAF ... where he's already created a few highlights as the quarterback of the Memphis Express.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom says he's got 137 MILLION reasons to thank Noah Syndergaard ... 'cause the star pitcher tells TMZ Sports his teammate helped him seal the deal on his new contract!!

Of course, deGrom had been fighting for a new deal for months after winning the Cy Young last year ... even reportedly threatening to put a cap on his innings this season if a contract didn't get done.

Enter Syndergaard ... who told Mets ownership "pay the man already" -- and when it worked to the tune of 5 years, $137.5 MILLION -- Jacob was super thankful.

"It was cool," deGrom says when we got him out in D.C. on Wednesday ... "We're out there fighting together and seeing him pulling for me, I appreciate it."

As for what deGrom did after inking that mammoth contract ... he tells us there were no steak dinners or fancy parties ...

"I had to get a physical and then I get to pitch tomorrow."

Charles Barkley says there are no winners in the Jussie Smollett saga -- only losers -- and he feels TURRIBLE for the "real" victims of hate crimes whose stories will now be called into question.

"It's a really bad situation for everybody involved," Barkley told us in NYC ... "There's no winners. We're all losers."

Barkley has been ripping Smollett's tale about being attacked by homophobic racists for weeks -- even clowning the "Empire" actor as a liar on "Inside the NBA."

So, now that the 16 felony charges Smollett was facing for allegedly lying to police have been dropped -- we wondered if Barkley would back off Jussie.

Spoiler Alert: NO.

We asked Chuck if he thinks Jussie skated -- he replied, "That's an understatement."

Should Jussie have gone to jail?

"I don't think he shoulda went to jail, but it's unfortunate."

And, that's when Barkley told us about the "real victims" in the Smollett saga.

"Anybody who's gay who gets beat up, they're the real losers ... or black [people] who get beat up, they're the real losers."

As for Jussie, he maintains his innocence.

Limas Sweed -- a former University of Texas football star -- says he's suffering from serious brain disorders as a result of hits from his college football career ... and now he's suing the NCAA.

Sweed was a STUD wide receiver for the Longhorns from 2003 to 2007 -- when he and Vince Young led the team to some epic victories, including that legendary 2005 Rose Bowl win over USC.

After his college career, Sweed was selected by the Steelers in the 2nd round of the '08 NFL Draft -- but his pro career never panned out.

Now, the 34-year-old says he's suffering from all sorts of brain-related disorders and he's pointing the finger at the NCAA for not doing enough to protect the players.

In his suit, Sweed says ... "While playing at Texas, [Sweed] suffered from numerous concussions, as well as countless sub-concussive hits as part of routine practice and gameplay."

Sweed says when he took a large blow to the head, he would be sent back into the game (or practice) after an "inadequate amount of time."

As a result of repeated damage he took, Sweed now claims he suffers from depression, headaches, memory loss, mood swings, emotional instability, motor impairment and more.

Sweed claims his pain is a "direct and proximate result of [the NCAA's] negligence."

He's suing for more than $5 MILLION ... citing fraud, negligence and breach of contract.

Sweed was a monster at UT ... he put up 1,915 receiving yards and 20 receiving TDs in his 4 years there -- all while helping Vince Young and the Longhorns win the 2005 National Championship.

Lonzo Ball is an even BIGGER baller after bailing on the Big Baller Brand ... ditching his $500 shoes for a MORE EXPENSIVE pair for the Laker game Tuesday night.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the injured Zo elected to rock a pair of white Dior "B24" kicks while cheering on his teammates from the bench during the game against the Wizards ... which come with a hefty $960 price tag.

Of course ... all eyes have been on Lonzo's feet as he figures out his shoe future following the fallout with BBB. He's even dropped hints on social media about signing with Nike.

But, there were no Swooshes on his feet Tuesday ... just Diors. Really, really, really expensive Diors.

It's the latest shot at the BBB brand ... Lonzo's already covered up his Big Baller tattoo after his manager called for a BBB boycott while throwing a pair of ZO2s in the dumpster.

In other words, the Ball family business looks about as dead as LiAngelo's college hoops career.

Still, one major mystery remains ... WHEN ARE WE GOING TO HEAR FROM LAVAR?

The biggest of the Ballers has been eerily silent since the BBB fallout went public.

There are reports Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo are not speaking with their dad -- but no one has publicly commented about the state of the family.

Monica's officially calling it quits with her ex-NBA baller husband, Shannon Brown ... she's filed for divorce.

The singer filed the paperwork earlier this month in Atlanta. Monica and Shannon have a 5-year-old daughter named Laiyah together, and she has 2 sons from a previous relationship with rapper Rocko.

So far there are no details on whether she's seeking child or spousal support ... but we've learned Monica was unsuccessful in sealing the divorce docs.

The couple wed in 2010, but there was speculation they were separated in October 2018 ... until she shared a loving photo of the 2 together on Instagram. She hasn't been wearing her ring in Instagram photos for a few weeks though.

Monica famously claimed that Shannon -- best known for his time with the Lakers -- performed better on the court after he had sex with her ... especially when he played for the Phoenix Suns.

Chris Evans is a HUGE New England Patriots fan ... but says he's seriously considering "cutting ties" with Tom Brady if the QB still supports "dumb sh*t" Donald Trump.

Evans -- who was born in Boston -- is one of the most famous Patriots celebrity fans. He's been to multiple Super Bowls and has hung out with Pats owner Robert Kraft.

But, the "Captain America" actor is also VERY anti-Donald Trump and told the Hollywood Reporter it would be very difficult to continue rooting for Tom Brady if TB12 is still supporting POTUS.

Remember, Tom publicly praised Trump back in the day -- and even rocked a "Make America Great Again" hat in his Patriots locker during Trump's presidential campaign.

But now, Evans says enough is enough ... and he doesn't think he can continue to root for Tom unless he disavows the Commander in Chief.

"I really hope he's not a Trump supporter," Evans said.

"I'm just hoping he's one of those guys that maybe supported him and now regrets it. Maybe he thought it was going to be different -- and even that bothers me -- but maybe there's a chance now he just thinks Trump's an absolute dumb sh*t, which he is."

"If he doesn't, if he's still on that Trump train, I might have to cut ties. It's really tough."

Evans continued ... "I think maybe a couple of years ago I might have tried to pull some, like, mental gymnastics to compartmentalize, but I don't know if I can anymore. So I'm just hoping he's woken up."

The good news for Chris ... Tom has pulled back his public support for Trump significantly over the past 2 years.

In fact, the QB missed a championship visit to Trump's White House in 2017 -- and still hasn't said whether he'll go if the Pats decide to make the trip for their latest S.B. win.

Tom has also said his wife, Gisele -- a big Trump critic -- has forbid him from talking about politics publicly anymore.

So, fact of the matter is no one REALLY knows how Brady feels about the President right now ... which is clearly bothering Evans.

11:59 AM PT -- We just got Congressman Joseph Kennedy III -- whose family STARTED the Special Olympics -- and he echos Big Show's feelings on DeVos' proposed budget cuts.

"It's a terrible idea. It's a horrible policy ... it's never gonna happen," Rep. Kennedy told us out in D.C.

"And, I don't know why this administration continues to try to pick the fight with some of the most vulnerable people in our country."

Kennedy adds, "In our country, everybody is supposed to count."

WWE superstar Big Show is a Special Olympics ambassador -- and to say he's pissed at Betsy DeVos for trying to cut ALL govt. funding for the games is a TREMENDOUS understatement.

"She's like Cruella De Vil," Big Show tells TMZ Sports ... "I'm appalled."

DeVos -- the U.S. Secretary of Education -- has proposed major budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year ... including axing ALL of the roughly $18 million the government has allocated for Special Olympics.

"This is like the most ridiculous budget cut, one-sided bullsh*t that could ever be done," Big Show says.

"The message she's sending is that people with special needs, children with special needs, aren't important enough to be part of society."

Big Show says he's worked with tons of special needs athletes and their families, and knows firsthand how the Special Olympics can positively affect so many lives.

"It's not about kids running and competing for medals," Big Show says ... "It's not like that."

"These kids are seen by doctors. There are so many education things, group programs, things that help them improve their quality of life ... and to take away that opportunity, it's just a horrible, callous, insensitive decision."

Purdue University is honoring one of its most amazing and inspirational fans by naming a gate to the football stadium after Tyler Trent, whose battle with bone cancer inspired millions.

Trent passed away in January after he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. He was only 20 years old.

But, his attitude during the fight was incredible. He camped out at the stadium before games to get a good seat and appeared on ESPN to root on all Boilermaker teams.

The football program loved Tyler so much, they made him an honorary team captain before he passed.

Now, in a posthumous tribute to Trent ... the school has renamed the student entry gate after him -- unveiling, "Tyler Trent Student Gate" at Ross-Ade Stadium.

There's also a tribute at the gate with a plaque that reads, "Forever Our Captain" ... along with the #TylerStrong hashtag.

After his death, the school had put out a statement summarizing their feeling for Trent:

"Rock bottom for me was laying between two and three women at a time" -- Deion Sanders.

Turns out living in mansions, buying sick cars and banging dozens of women -- sometimes 2 or 3 at a time -- ain't all it's cracked up to be ... so says Deion himself.

We know what you're thinking ... THAT SOUNDS AWESOME!!! But, Deion says he actually lived through it ... and it was miserable. The lavish party lifestyle was just a cover up for the pain he was feeling inside.

"Rock bottom for me was just being in the midst of a game when everybody's screaming when they don't know your middle name," the NFL legend said on Paula Faris' 'Journeys of Faith' podcast.

"Rock bottom for me was having hundreds of suits and not covering the pain. Rock bottom for me was having hundreds of pairs of shoes but couldn't take a step in the right direction."

"Rock bottom for me was having 10 cars and wasn't going nowhere. Rock bottom for me was having a 14,000-square-foot house but never feeling at home."

"Rock bottom for me was laying between two and three women at a time, but you get up unsatisfied. Rock bottom for me … yes, I was bleeding."

"Laying right beside the person who said they love you, but she didn't even know you was in pain. That was rock bottom for me."

Sanders said he tried to talk to friends about his situation but no one understood.

"I was crying out to people. But, they couldn't hear you because they saw Prime. They saw my character. The character I created, not the character of a man. They saw the character I created -- that was Prime."

Sanders has addressed his issues before -- describing in his autobiography, "Power, Money & Sex: How Success Almost Ruined My Life," how the stress drove him to attempt suicide in 1997.

Deion says he drove his car off of a highway and over a cliff, falling 40 feet. Miraculously, he survived.

"I opened my eyes and I was still alive," Sanders says.

Sanders says it was that moment he decided to change his life and redevote himself to Jesus.

NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has pled guilty to careless driving resulting in injury stemming from a Feb. 16 car crash ... and he'll spend the next year on probation.

As we previously reported, the 31-year-old Pro Bowler was initially arrested for vehicular assault after losing control of his car around 12:20 AM ... and flipping his ride onto a grassy median.

Thomas and his 2 passengers were injured in the wreck -- with DT suffering an eye injury and a "hellacious knot" on his head, according to a witness.

Officials say Thomas was driving at speeds exceeding 70 MPH in a 30 MPH zone -- which not only qualifies as reckless driving, but also felony vehicular assault.

Thomas was initially facing 3 years in prison for felony vehicular assault -- but struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead guilty to the lesser misdemeanor charge of careless driving resulting in injury.

Court records show Thomas was sentenced to 1 year probation and 50 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay fines and restitution.

Thomas -- who is currently an NFL free agent -- previously issued a statement on the crash saying, "It saddens me that I caused pain to those whom I love most.”

It's been a rough few months for Chad Kelly after getting arrested and losing his job ... but the troubled NFLer still has a Hall of Famer in his corner -- his Uncle Jim.

Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly joined his nephew at a workout in New York on Tuesday ... voicing support for the QB and sharing a motivational message on social media for Chad's birthday.

"Great workout Chad," JK12 says. "Looking great and your journey will continue, just stay focused and listen to Uncle JIM."

"Love your work ethic. Also a big happy birthday Bud."

Jim's brother, Dan, got in on the workout as well ... turning the session into a family affair.

It hasn't been great for Chad lately ... he was arrested for criminal trespassing after getting chased out of a stranger's house -- dressed as Woody from 'Toy Story' -- following Von Miller's Halloween party.

The Denver Broncos released Kelly shortly after ... and he's been a free agent ever since.

Jim is sticking by his fam through it all ... and he's hoping to help Chad move forward with his life.

"The best is yet to come."

You know what goes horribly with a steak burrito ... STAPLES!!!

But, that's exactly what MMA announcer Jimmy Smith claims he found in his food on Tuesday when he took a bite out of a burrito he bought at a Chipotle in Delray Beach, Florida.

"I took one bite and it was something hard in there and I pulled it out of my tooth and it was 14 staples," Smith says ... "A brick of staples!"

Smith -- who's called fights for the UFC and Bellator -- says he called the restaurant and "freaked out" on the manager ... because he realizes how DANGEROUS swallowing a staple could be.

Smith also says he's LUCKY he didn't ingest the office supplies because he eats like a wild animal -- usually tearing through his food as fast as he can.

Fortunately for Smith -- and Chipotle -- Smith says it does not appear he injured his tooth or his mouth ... or suffered any other injuries from the fully loaded burrito.

Smith says the situation was escalated to Chipotle's corporate offices -- and he has already been contacted by a rep looking to make things right.

Smith says he's not looking for free food or money and does NOT plan on filing a lawsuit -- he just wants the problem corrected so nobody else chows down on 14 STAPLES!!!

"This can't happen to someone else."