TMZ Sports - Page 50

Big news from Tom Brady ... the G.O.A.T. has finally joined the Twittersphere!!!

Oh yeah, and he's retiring from the NFL ... using his first tweet to declare "I'm retiring. In my spare time, I'll be tweeting #LFG."

WOW ... the 6-time Super Bowl champ just ended his incredible career with a tweet. No emotional press conference. No goodbye party. Nothing. Not even a Crying Brady meme for crying out loud.

(You looked at the calendar this morning, right?)

HA HA HA ... GET IT?!?!?!? APRIL FOOLS, EVERYONE!!! Oh man, Tom, you sure did fool all of us.

Anyway ... what ISN'T a joke is that Brady is now on Twitter, and that is actually something to be excited about, if avocado recipes and workout plans are your things.

Johnny Manziel's had a rough few weeks -- he's single and he's injured -- so the star QB hit up an L.A. hot spot for some dance club therapy.

TMZ Sports got video of Manziel, solo, walking into Nightingale Plaza -- a West Hollywood club -- a little after 1 AM early Monday morning.

It's unclear what he did inside ... or how long he stayed at the spot.

Things haven't exactly been goin' Manziel's way lately ... Bre Tiesi wiped Johnny from her Instagram page and publicly accused him of breaking their wedding vows -- a year after they were married.

To make things worse ... Saturday afternoon -- in only his 2nd game QBing for the AAF's Memphis Express -- Manziel sustained a head injury while tackling former NY Giants player Will Hill ... after he picked off a Johnny pass.

Manziel laid injured on the field ... and had to be helped off. He didn't return to the game.

The team hasn't said if Manziel's head injury will force him to miss any time (they have a game this Saturday in San Antonio) ... but the fact that he went to a nightclub probably indicates the injury ain't too serious.

That would be some good news ... 'cause sources close to Johnny tell us he's immersed himself in his football career following his breakup -- with the end goal being a return to the NFL.

Fun fact, the jacket Johnny's rockin' -- the Lovers baseball jacket by AMIRI -- retails at around $2,500 and has an image of a crumbling heart on the back.

Coincidence? Probably not.

"N****s killed my motherf**kin' uncle, n****. F**k that. Why we doin' this s**t? Why we doing it? Why we killing each other? Why we killing black people, n****?"

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson is completely fed up after Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed on Sunday ... grabbing the mic at a Scottsdale nightclub to give a heartfelt speech about gun and gang violence.

"Why the f**k we doing that s**t? Why we hating on all the black people that's successful? F**k that s**t. That's my motherf**kin' uncle," Clarkson yells to the crowd.

Clarkson and the Cavs are in town for their game against the Suns on Monday ... and the 26-year-old hit up International Boutique Nightclub on Sunday night, just hours after the rapper was killed.

Of course, the NBAer played for the Lakers from 2014-2018 -- and says he was close to the L.A. rapper. The 2 have exchanged props on social media in the past as well.

Clarkson added ..."I bang with all the sets. you got me f**ked up n****. Real talk, n****, that's on gang. Dont f**k with that s**t, bro, real talk."

TMZ broke the story ... the rapper was shot to death Sunday afternoon in front of his store, The Marathon Clothing, in L.A.'s Hyde Park neighborhood. Paramedics tried to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was just 33.

Think Robert Griffin III is fine with the Ravens being Lamar Jackson's team?? Think again, so says RGIII himself ... who tells TMZ Sports, "By no means am I content with where I'm at."

Of course, the former Heisman Trophy winner signed on to be a backup QB in Baltimore last season ... and he just re-signed to presumably do the same thing this season.

But, RGIII tells us he's got MUCH bigger plans than just holding a clipboard for Lamar in 2019 ... he says he's straight-up coming for LJ's starting job!!!

"Anybody that signs in the league is never content being a backup, so this is just part of the rebuilding process for me," Griffin tells us.

"It started last year, I moved from QB3 to QB2 ... but by no means am I content with where I'm at. I still want to keep going."

RGIII only played in 3 games for the Ravens last season ... completing just 2 passes for 21 yards -- but he clearly showed the team enough, 'cause they were fine with shippin' Joe Flacco off to Denver this offseason.

So, could RGIII really take over Lamar this year??? Stay tuned ...

Michael Irvin's clearly SUPER relieved to find out he's cancer-free ... 'cause the Dallas Cowboys legend was still smiling from ear to ear hours after receiving the great news!!

"I appreciate the prayers!" Irv told TMZ Sports out in D.C. on Sunday night.

As we previously reported, the Hall of Fame receiver announced last week he was "TERRIFIED" he might have throat cancer after losing his voice for several months during the NFL season.

"Saying I am afraid this time is a big big understatement," Irvin wrote on his social media page.

But, Michael announced early Sunday morning he received good news ... there's no cancer in his 53-year-old body!!!

"Thank you God for continuing to answer Prayers and Thank you ALL for Praying," Michael said. "I spoke with Dr St John at UCLA Medical and she has informed me that all test have come back 100!% clean. NO CANCER!!!!!!"

"It is impossible to express my family and my appreciation for the overwhelming out pour of love, support and prayers."

He added, "I was on my threshing floor dealing with the stronghold of fear. You all covered and encourage me."

Irvin's old teammates couldn't have been happier to hear the news -- his quarterback, Troy Aikman, wrote, "Great news Irv!!"

As for his buddy, Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys legend posted a pic of the 2 together, saying, "God is good!!! So thankful for the good news. @michaelirvin88 is cancer free!!"

4/1 6:30 AM PT -- A memorial has been set up right next to the place Nipsey was murdered, with fans coming out in droves to mourn and pay their respects.

7:15 PM PT -- John Legend also just sent his condolences to Nipsey's family, but also revealed that he'd just finished filming a music video with the rapper a few short days ago -- Thursday to be exact. John says it's a song they collab'd with DJ Khaled for, and they filmed in Inglewood ... near Nipsey's stomping grounds.

The tributes have not slowed down at all either. Folks like J. Cole, Meek Mill, Pusha T, Issa Rae, Vince Staples, Jalen Ramsey, Marcus Stroman, Michael B. Jordan and more have commented on his death with remorse and shock.

Nipsey Hussle's murder has Hollywood in utter shock ... and tributes are pouring in from all over the hip-hop world and beyond.

TMZ broke the story ... Nipsey was gunned down Sunday outside of his Marathon clothing store near the Crenshaw area of LA. We're told a lone gunman walked up on Nipsey and his crew and fired multiple rounds before fleeing in what appeared to be a waiting vehicle.

Nipsey was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after.

Drake was one of the first major artists to respond to the news that Nipsey was shot and killed Sunday outside of his clothing store in L.A. The Toronto rapper posted a photo of Nipsey on Instagram and added the caption, "F*ck. My whole energy is just at a low right now hearing this. We just linked for the first time in years and said we were gonna do a new song this summer cause it had been too long."

Drizzy added, "You were having the best run and I was so happy watching from distance fam nobody ever talks down on your name you were a real one to your people and to the rest of us. I’m only doing this here cause I want the world to know I saw you as a man of respect and a don. Rest easy my g."

Offset also posted his own IG tribute, saying ... "BLACK MAN ON A JOURNEY OF POSITIVITY KILLED THIS A SHAME TO OUR CULTURE REST UP HOMIE."

Chance the Rapper tweeted his condolences as well, saying, "RIP Nipsey man. This is tragic."

The tributes are still rolling in, but among the most notable so far is LeBron James, who was apparently a big Nipsey Hussle fan.

Bron wrote on Twitter, "So so SAD man!! DAMN man this hurt."

Snoop Dogg also paid tribute to Nipsey, posting a video an old video of the two of them rapping together. Snoop added a caption, saying ... "Gone 2 soon @nipseyhussle I’m so sad right now I’ll just reflect on the good times we had."

Rihanna responded as well, writing ... "This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! Dear God may His spirit Rest In Peace and May You grant divine comfort to all his loved ones! I’m so sorry this happened to you @nipseyhussle."

Nipsey was 33. RIP

Stephen Curry was devastated to hear the news of Nipsey Hussle's death ... expressing his frustrations with "senseless crimes" after the Warriors game on Sunday.

TMZ broke the story ... the rapper and community leader was gunned down Sunday outside of his own clothing store near the Crenshaw area of L.A. He died at the hospital shortly after.

Steph -- who has worked with Nipsey on projects over the past year -- took time to reflect on his experiences with Nipsey after the game.... praising his charitable work in his city.

"That was tough. Obviously surprised a lot of people," Curry says.

"I got to know him last year and had a great conversation about who he was as a person, what he stood for, what his message was, how he tried to inspire people considering where he grew up and how he turned that into something extremely powerful, represented an entire city."

"Definitely a sad, sad, tragic event. Send prayers to his family, his community, to Lauren London, hopefully, they stay strong through this, it's tough. You know, senseless crimes that don't need to happen, especially with a guy who was doing what he was doing."

There's reportedly video of the moment Steph heard the news from Kevin Durant.

Some of the biggest names in sports -- from LeBron James to Odell Beckham -- expressed their sadness over the news.

"Just spoke with you the other day on text bro!" LeBron said. "Telling you how proud I was of you and how I was gone get you to more Laker games next season. Been A Stand Up dude from Day 1.

"May you rest in PARADISE Young King 👑‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ This One Hurts Big Time!"

Odell added ... "This world ain’t right .... I swear. Im hurrt... this ain’t sitttttin right wit me ! HOW! I’m so mad , I’m so fxxkin HURT!"

"Our culture keeps getting taken from us!! RIP" Jarvis Landry tweeted.

"Nipsey tho?!?! Come on people we gotta put these f**king guns up", Eric Ebron said Sunday.

Colin Kaepernick ... "This is so painful! @nipseyhussle was doing great work for the people. Keep his legacy alive by carrying on his work! Sending love to his family. Rest in Power King."

Nipsey was 33 years old. RIP.

Here's video of Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers being put in cuffs and getting hauled off to jail for quietly enjoying an evening blunt with his friend in a park.

For real.

TMZ Sports has obtained the body-cam footage of Gathers' August arrest in Frisco, Texas ... and the clip shows the pretty unbelievable circumstances that led to Rico spending a night behind bars.

Gathers and his lady friend are in a public park, sitting on a bench having just enjoyed some weed ... when cops on bicycles cruise up to interrogate them.

They tell the tight end they could smell the marijuana ... and when Rico reveals he has one more fully unused blunt in his possession, the investigation escalates.

One cop pats the two down ... and ultimately decides to slap the cuffs on Gathers -- who says the weed is his -- telling him, "There's like no tolerance for that stuff here, okay?"

You can see the moment where it hits Gathers that he's truly about to be punished for such a minor offense ... 'cause he PLED with the cops to let him off with a warning.

"It's literally too close to game time," Gathers says ... "I play for the Cowboys ... I really don't need this right now."

"I know y'all don't want to see a grown man cry, but like, literally, this is too much. The media -- this is a lesson for me in general."

The cops take him to jail anyway ... and the TE was eventually charged with possession of marijuana -- a Class B misdemeanor.

Gathers had to fight the charge in court throughout the Cowboys' 2018 season ... and eventually struck a deal with prosecutors last week, agreeing to keep his nose clean for 90 days in order to have the charge dropped.

He also had to pay fines and fees.

Gathers -- who nearly lost his job because of the arrest -- finished with 4 starts at TE last season.

Quavo brought out a lot of fire power for his second annual Huncho Day game ... including one Colin Kaepernick, who played QB for the Migos MC.

Kaep was one of many celebs who showed out for Quavo's star-studded flag football exhibition Sunday, which he started last year. CK, of course, drew a huge crowd when he and Eric Reid made their way to the field. Literally ... a flock of people were following them.

And when it was officially game time, Kaep showed he's still got a strong arm. He even threw to Quavo -- who used to play football in high school -- in the course of the game ... and scored.

Other NFL stars who played as well ... Cam Newton, Von Miller, Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara, Josh Norman and others.

This is one of the few times we've seen Colin in action on a football field since he left the NFL after the 2016 season in the wake of his National Anthem controversy. We've seen him in a practice setting a few times since then, and we know he's been staying in shape too.

If you were worried that Justin Bieber taking a break from music would affect his singing abilities -- don't worry, he's definitely still got it ... as you can see here.

The Biebs made a cameo Sunday during Hailey's Instagram Live session -- in which she was trying to link up with pro surfer Kelia Moniz to plug the Roxy sportswear company. The two of them are ambassadors for the brand, and Roxy even teased their joint chat.

While Hailey was waiting for Kelia to come online, her hubby popped up behind her and started singing a made-up tune dedicated to his former lead guitaritst, Dan Kanter. Apparently, Dan was one of the many people who tuned in and commented on Hailey's vid.

Hailey pointed it out to JB ... and he took it from there with an impromptu jam. Considering we haven't heard much of Bieber's pipes on display lately, we gotta say ... he sounds great.

More importantly, Justin seems to be in great spirits. This comes on the heels of his recent announcement that he's stepping away from music for a while to address some "deep rooted issues" ... as well as reports that he's seeking treatment for depression.

Tristan Thompson suffered the consequences of hooking up with Jordyn Woods, and this time it was on the hardwood of L.A.

Tristan was at Staples Center Saturday night, where the Cleveland Cavaliers got creamed by the Clippers.

The video is amazing ... as Tristan stands at the free throw line during the 4th quarter, the crowd loudly chants, "Khloe, Khloe, Khloe!!!" They clearly got in his head, because he missed both shots.

The crowd booed him the entire game, and it worked. The Clippers trounced the Cavaliers 108 to 132.

No one seems to know the location of Zion Williamson's infamous blown-out Nike sneaker -- not Zion, not Duke, not even Nike ... and it's a huge problem considering it's worth around $250,000!!!

Of course, Zion exploded his left PG 2.5 PE sneaker during the Feb. 20 game against North Carolina -- injuring his knee in the process. Thankfully, he's better now.

But, what happened next? Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has said Nike reps came out to Durham and inspected the shoe in hopes of identifying the problem. But, it's unclear who has the shoe now.

So, when we spotted Zion and his Duke teammates in Washington, D.C. the other day, we asked the 18-year-old straight up ... who's got the shoe?

Zion smiled and told us, "Uh, ask coach about 'em."

So, we did! We hit up the Duke athletic dept., and a rep told us they have no idea where the shoes ended up.

Next call was to Nike -- maybe they have the shoe, right?

A Nike spokesperson told us ... “We’re thrilled to see Zion returning to the court. After working closely with the Duke Basketball team to examine the issue, we are confident this was an isolated incident. We continue to work with Duke, and all of our partner programs, to ensure we are providing the best product for their athletes.”

When we again asked who currently possessed the busted sneaker, Nike told us ... "I don't have any more information [on the location of the shoe]."

WHY HAS THIS BECOME SUCH A MYSTERY?!!

Our next call was to Ken Goldin from Goldin Auctions -- one of the leading sellers of sports memorabilia in the world. He just sold some of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's prized mementos for almost $3 MILLION!

Ken told us the shoes are INSANELY collectible -- and could fetch more than $250,000 on the open market!!

In fact, Ken believes the blown out shoe plus the matching intact sneaker are "the most famous pair of sneakers in the world, period. End of story."

Jay Glazer gets hit a lot at his MMA gym -- whether it's UFC stars or big name actors, dude gets beat up all the freakin' time ... but who hits the HARDEST??

Star-Lord!!!!

That's right ... Chris Pratt's got the power that'll knock anybody out, so says the Unbreakable Gym owner ... who tells TMZ Sports Pratt straight-up hits harder than the Natural.

"It sucks getting hit by Chris Pratt more than it sucks getting hit by Randy Couture."

UMMM ... HAVE YOU SEEN RANDY COUTURE FIGHT?!?

FYI -- Couture is one bad dude ... he's got a 19-11 record and has 7 knockouts under his belt. Oh, and was a 3-time UFC heavyweight champion!!!

So ... does this mean CP will ditch Hollywood for the Octagon?? Not so fast ...

"He's too busy being happily engaged and pretty."

BONUS -- we also got an update on that tooth Demi Lovato knocked out of Glazer's grill a couple weeks ago ... and super glue really does fix everything!! (We sure hope he's kidding).

Boxing great Bernard Hopkins is a full-fledged vegan now and has a message for any current and competing fighter who wants to try the lifestyle ... DON'T DO IT FAM!!!

Don't get him wrong ... B-Hop told us he feels GREAT when we got him looking slim and trim at LAX, saying he's been a vegan for around 15 months and he's digging it.

"I feel more energy now, working as I am now with TV and Golden Boy Promotions and what I'm out here now for, so yeah, I feel great."

Sounds good ... but when we asked if going meatless is something Hop wishes he would've done while he was still IN THE RING, he kept it a buck as only a Philly Bul could.

"HELL NO. NO. Not while you're fighting, not while you're active, putting a strain on your body because it's really too much."

We should say, there are tons of fighters like Nate Diaz (is weed vegan?) who are on the diet, and they seem to do just fine, but when you hear Hopkins talk about it, he seems pretty freakin' sure.

Georgia stud WR Mecole Hardman can be Antonio Brown's replacement in Pittsburgh, so says the NFL draft prospect himself ... who tells TMZ Sports, "I can be that guy!"

Of course, the Steelers just lost A.B. after an offseason full of drama ... and now they've got a glaring hole at wideout heading into next month's NFL draft.

Enter Hardman -- a superstar with the Bulldogs -- who says he'd have no problem if Pittsburgh picked him to be A.B.'s replacement!

And, why?? Well, outside of realizing his NFL dreams ... he tells us he grew up a HUGE Steelers fan!!!

"My daddy was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so he had put me on them when Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu and all them were there. Big Ben was just getting there, so like, I've been rocking with the Steelers for a minute."

Mecole's expected to go anywhere from the second round to the fifth round in April's draft ... but he fits the profile of a guy Pittsburgh could seriously consider.

The 21-year-old ran a 4.33 at the combine ... and crushed it with 7 TDs for the Bulldogs last season.

5:55 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the alleged victim told cops Porzingis pinned her down on a bed in his guest room, penetrated her vagina with his penis and then got violent.

The woman told cops he hit her in the face several times, spit on her, called her "my bitch" and "my slave" and said he owned her. We're told the accuser claims he stopped assaulting her as she was putting up a fight.

Former New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis is the target of an NYPD investigation after a woman came forward and accused him of rape ... TMZ has learned.

The woman claims Porzingis invited her to his Manhattan penthouse on February 7, 2018 -- just hours after he tore his ACL in a game at the Garden against the Bucks -- and held her down and raped her.

According to the New York Post ... the woman -- who's in her 20s and lived in the same building as Porzingis -- reported the rape to police Thursday ... and The Post claims investigators consider her story to be credible.

The accuser reportedly told cops Porzingis promised to give her $68,000 in hush money to pay for her brother’s college tuition, but then reneged ... which is why she waited to report the alleged sexual assault.

Porzingis was traded by the Knicks to the Dallas Mavericks in February. Mavs owner Mark Cuban says the team has been instructed by federal authorities not to comment on the rape allegation.

The NYPD’s Special Victims Division has reportedly taken over the case and is investigating.

We've reached out to Porzingis and his current and former teams ... no word back so far.

However, the player's attorney Roland G. Riopelle says they are aware of the woman's complaint and "unequivocally deny the allegations."