TMZ Sports - Page 50

Well, more bad news for the Kansas City Chiefs -- Patrick Mahomes was just revealed as the new Madden 20 cover guy ... which means:

CURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C'mon, you know this post was coming.

Mahomes was the NFL MVP in 2018 -- posting better numbers than every other QB in the league ... from Tom Brady to Aaron Rodgers. The guy deserves it.

But, you all know what comes with the Madden cover ... The Madden Curse!

The dreaded Madden Curse has seemingly taken out a ton of Pro Bowlers over the years ... from Vince Young to Mike Vick to Rob Gronkowski, Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson and more.

Just ask Garrison Hearst, Daunte Culpepper, Dorsey Levens, Marshall Faulk, Shaun Alexander and Peyton Hillis.

Look, it's possible to escape the wrath ... Tom Brady, Odell Beckham and Ray Lewis didn't suffer anything bad the years they were on the cover.

It's time for the NFL Draft ... and you know what that means -- FASHION, BABAYYYYY!!!!

Kyler Murray, Nick Bosa and the rest of the 2019 draft class have left their hotel in Nashville and arrived to Downtown Nashville for the main event!!!

TMZ Sports shot footage of all the big stars swaggin' out in some pretty amazing suits -- great stuff!!

Kyler rocked a dope pink suit, Nick Bosa had some Ohio State swag. Quinnen Williams looked stylin, Greedy Williams went all red everything ... it's awesome!!!

The 1st Round of the 2019 NFL Draft kicks off at 5 PM PT. The 2nd and 3rd round continue on Friday ... followed by Rounds 4 through 7 going down over the weekend.

A ton of prospects are there right now ... along with a bunch of NFL legends on hand for the big night. Of course, the big moment ... when the crowd rallies together to boo Roger Goodell, it's an annual tradition.

We've seen classic looks in the past -- remember Ezekiel Elliott's crop-top dress shirt??

Josh Rosen, listen up ... if the Cardinals DO draft Kyler Murray tonight, Kurt Warner is handing out some sage advice -- JUST PROVE YOU'RE BETTER!!!

"Bottom line is it's just part of it," Warner tells TMZ Sports out in Nashville ... "You gotta go and just prove you're the best guy for the job."

Of course, Arizona drafted Rosen last season thinking he'd be the guy for the franchise's future ... but now, with Kliff Kingsbury at the helm, they're expected to take Murray tonight.

Many have wondered if JR should be upset if the draft pick does go down ... but Warner says Rosen should actually see it as a chance to prove he's the right guy for the job!!!

"I don't think you can ever be offended by a team trying to figure out the best thing for their organization to get better. And your job is to compete."

Josh should take the advice ... Warner bounced around the league for several years -- even after MVP seasons with the Rams -- proving he was a Hall of Fame caliber guy at nearly every stop.

For the first time ever, the official Philadelphia Warriors scoring sheet from Wilt Chamberlain's legendary 100-point game is up for sale ... and it's expected to rake in more than $100,000!!!

The game was March 2, 1952 -- Wilt's Philadelphia Warriors took on the New York Knicks in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Wilt racked up 100 POINTS that night -- the ONLY time a player has hit triple digits -- and Chamberlain famously posed for a photo with a sign that read "100."

We're told the Warriors' official team scorer's sheet -- which was signed by Wilt that night -- was taken home by the official team scorer. When he passed away, his widow gifted the item to a close family friend.

Now, that friend has decided to offer it up to a worthy collector via SCP Auctions -- the starting bid was $15,000 ... and there's already been a ton of action. The auction closes Saturday night.

Experts predict the sheet will ultimately skyrocket past the $100k mark -- since the official Knicks scoring sheet from that game sold for $100k back in 2012.

James Holzhauer -- the "Jeopardy!" contestant winning prize money at a torrid pace -- has a history of breaking the bank ... 'cause he set records on another show called, "The Chase."

TMZ got details about the current "Jeopardy!" phenom's 2014 domination of 'Chase' ... a Game Show Network hit. As is his style, Holzhauer started out hot in the opening "cash builder" round, answering 12 questions correctly -- often before host Brooke Burns even finished asking them.

The 12 right answers for $60k broke the previous record and was never topped in 51 episodes of "The Chase" -- and, get this ... it could have been 13 answers if he was a Jason Mraz fan. You gotta see it.

There's more -- James also set the high mark in "The Final Chase" round by answering 19 questions correctly for his team. This record also still stands.

When it was all said and done, Holzhauer's team of 3 won $175k and split it evenly.

What's interesting ... at one point, Holzhauer was offered a chance by the show's titular "chaser," Mark "The Beast" Labbett, to win more money, and he declined ... opting to take the conservative route.

If you've been watching him on "Jeopardy!" ... you know he likes to bet BIG. James later revealed he crunched the numbers and determined the larger payoff on 'Chase' wasn't worth the gamble.

Holzhauer became the second person in "Jeopardy!" history to surpass $1 million in winnings in non-tournament play Wednesday, and owns the single-show record of $131,127. He also now holds the top 7 daily totals, and is well on his way to catching Ken Jennings, who won a total of $2.5 million over 74 games.

James has done all his damage in just 15 games.

Antonio Brown is threatening Ryan Clark with violence if his former teammate doesn't stop talking about him ... telling the ex-Steelers DB, "next time we meet it’s on site ain’t gone spare u."

Remember, Clark and AB have been going at it for months ... 'cause Ryan -- who's now an ESPN analyst -- was critical of the WR while his drama in Pittsburgh was all unfolding in the winter.

At the time, Ryan said Brown and the Steelers needed to part ways because of AB's antics ... and Antonio famously fired back, calling Clark an "Uncle Tom."

Now, the beef has escalated ... because after Ryan brought up Antonio's name again on Twitter on Wednesday -- Brown straight-up threatened him with violence.

"Bro stop mentioning my name I know it get u clout keep that same analysis energy next time we meet it’s on site ain’t gone spare u."

Damian Lillard's college coach could see the Trail Blazers star's game-winning shot coming from a mile away ... 'cause Randy Rahe tells TMZ Sports he predicted it would happen!!!

"As he's coming down and sizing up George, my wife says, 'He needs to drive it!'" the Weber State head man says ... "And, I said, 'Nope. He ain't doing that. He's going to let one go.'"

Of course ... Lillard did just that -- burying a 30-footer in Paul George's eye to send Portland into the second round of the NBA playoffs in insane fashion Tuesday night.

"When it went in," Rahe says ... "it was absolutely the most fitting ending for a performance like that that you could possibly have."

Rahe has seen Lillard do similar things before ... after all, the guy coached Damian at Weber State for 4 years from 2008 to 2012.

But, even Randy admits Dame's 50-point night had him shocked, telling us, "I was in awe."

Wanna get outta the country and live like an MLB slugger at the same time??? Jason Giambi's awesome Cabo villa is hitting the auction block -- hope ya got a few MILLION laying around!!!

The crib (nicknamed Casa Cielo) is sick -- featuring 9 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, an infinity pool with a hot tub, insane ocean views, home gym, game room, bar ... and a cool tiki hut thing.

Oh, he also has parking for 13 cars ... just in case.

Look at the pics ... it's the ultimate vacation pad. It makes you want to pound a Corona RIGHT NOW!!!

The 48-year-old previously listed his 12,079-square-foot Mexican villa for $10.7 million ... but now he's decided to expedite the process by listing the place with Concierge Auctions.

The auction starts on May 21 and runs to the 24 -- and there's no reserve ... meaning highest bid wins!!!

Hope you saved up ...

So, why is Giambi selling the place? Simple ... he wants to free up some cash.

"The auction of Casa Cielo marks an exciting new chapter for me as I move on to other ventures," Giambi said.

Giambi made a TON of cash during his nearly 20 years in the Bigs ... raking in a reported $133 MILLION!!!

He was a 5-time All-Star and won the American League MVP in 2000.

The Sacramento Kings have teamed up with NBA officials to launch a joint investigation into the Luke Walton sexual assault allegations.

Both the Kings and the NBA have hired their own teams of investigators -- which are already working together to look into the accusations made by sports reporter Kelli Tennant.

Tennant claims Walton -- now the head coach of the Kings -- sexually assaulted her in a hotel room back in 2014, when Walton was an asst. coach with the Golden State Warriors.

The two women leading the Kings investigation are Sue Ann Van Dermyden and Jennifer Doughty -- who both have extensive experience conducting investigations.

As for the NBA side, they've tapped NBA Senior VP Elizabeth Maringer -- who previously served 12 years as Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

The Kings and the NBA issued a statement saying they "take these allegations very seriously and will collaborate to conduct a complete and thorough investigation."

As we previously reported ... Walton adamantly DENIES assaulting Tennant and claims she's an "opportunist" looking for a quick buck.

Tennant held a press conference earlier this week emotionally recounting her version of the incident -- saying she thought Walton was going to rape her that day.

Tyreek Hill has finally broken his silence on the child abuse investigation involving his son -- saying, "My son’s health and happiness is my #1 priority."

Hills' statement comes one day after prosecutors in Johnson County, Kansas announced they would NOT be pressing charges against the NFL star.

Officials said they DO believe someone hurt the kid -- but prosecutors said they were unable to "conclusively establish who committed the crime against [the] child."

Translation -- there isn't enough evidence to prove Hill injured his son.

Now, the Kansas City Chiefs star WR issued a statement ... saying, "I love and support my family above anything. My son’s health and happiness is my #1 priority."

"I want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs, my attorneys, my agent and my union for supporting me through this."

"My focus remains on working hard to be the best person for my family and our community I can be, and the best player to help our team win.”

The child had reportedly been temporarily removed from Hill's custody.

LenDale White says he's sick and tired of Reggie Bush being banned from USC -- and he's calling for the school and the NCAA to reverse the punishment and allow the RB back on campus!!!

LenDale and Reggie were arguably the greatest running back tandem in USC history -- absolutely dominating as "Thunder and Lightning" during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

But back in 2010, the NCAA ordered USC to completely disassociate with Bush over Reggie's improper benefits scandal.

During Bush's college career, Reggie's family received improper benefits from 2 sports marketers who were hoping to sign him. As a result, the NCAA stripped USC of 14 wins, including the 2004 national championship. Bush was also stripped of his 2005 Heisman Trophy.

USC has said they want Reggie back on campus -- but they can't disobey the NCAA.

Enter LenDale who tells TMZ Sports enough is enough -- telling the NCAA, "Stop screwing people and do the right thing."

White says he feels Bush had paid for his crimes and should be allowed back to the school where he created so many amazing memories on the football field.

"I just know Reggie needs to be back there," White says ... adding, "F*ck the NCAA!"

White's not the first USC great to call for an end to the Bush ban -- back in 2016, Willie McGinest told us there was a group of ex-players working to get Bush back on campus.

Matt Leinart also told the L.A. Times a few days ago, "What's happening with Reggie is a travesty."

As if you needed any more proof John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh are "official" -- here's Cena DROPPING HER OFF AT THE AIRPORT ... and even giving her a kiss goodbye!

An eagle-eyed traveler spotted the WWE superstar at the San Diego Airport on Wednesday -- sharing a kiss and loving embrace with his rumored girlfriend before she caught a flight back home to Canada.

But, c'mon -- look at these two!!! They're definitely serious now!!!

We spotted the two out on a date last month -- and clearly, things have escalated, because what grown person takes someone to the airport these days if you're not romantically involved?!

It's John's first serious relationship since things ended with ex-fiancee Nikki Bella back in July 2018.

We're told John and Nikki are still on good terms -- and still talk every now and then, but nothing will ever go back to how it was.

Ex-Dallas Cowboys WR Terrance Williams NEVER fixed up the expensive Lamborghini that he wrecked in Texas last year ... and now the smashed up supercar is up for auction at a HUGE discount!!!

Remember, back in May 2018 ... cops found TW's 2017 Lambo Huracan wrapped around a light pole in Frisco, Texas with no driver in sight.

Cops later found a drunk Williams trying to bike to the crash scene (he fell down) with the Lambo key still in his pocket. Despite the evidence, he denied being the driver who crashed the car. Suuuuuuure.

Instead of taking the car in for repairs, which could cost a FORTUNE -- the car was eventually handed over to the insurance company ... which ultimately decided to auction the wreckage.

Now, the car is up for sale through Crashed Toys Dallas -- which specializes in selling used and damaged exotic cars.

Starting bid ... $75,000!!!

Seems to be a bargain because the estimated retail value is $218,460, according to the site.

But, buyer beware -- Crashed Toys says, "Unit is sold as is and without guarantee."

The problem, of course ... there's tremendous damage to the front driver's side, including tire damage.

If you can fix this baby, it's worth it -- the car goes 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds!!!

Bidding ends May 1 ... hope you know a good mechanic!!!

Bill Laimbeer wants to hand Michael Jordan one more "L" ... 'cause the NBA legend says LeBron James is the greatest of all time "every day of the week!!!"

Bill knows what it's like to beat MJ -- the "Bad Boys" Detroit Pistons defeated the Chicago Bulls on their way to back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990 ... and he had his fair share of tense moments with Jordan.

But, Laimbeer ain't saying this because he's still got a grudge against MJ ... telling Fox Sports Radio's "The Odd Couple" his reasoning behind his choice.

"[LeBron] came into the league involving his teammates from the start, at 18 years old," Laimbeer says.

"He understood how to play team basketball, both offensively and defensively, from day one. Jordan had to learn that."

"No one has single-handedly done what LeBron's done," he added ... noting LBJ has taken some awful teams to the NBA Finals (we're looking at you, 2007 Cavs).

As for how LBJ would fare in Laimbeer's era ... the dude is not backing down, saying straight-up, "If he was in our generation, he would've been by far the greatest that you've saw in your entire, whole world."

Ex-NBA star Sebastian Telfair has been convicted of possessing a firearm ... and could be sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Telfair -- a 33-year-old former high school phenom who spent 12 seasons in the NBA -- was busted back in June 2017 in Brooklyn .... after cops found several weapons during a traffic stop.

Officials say Telfair -- who played with the Trail Blazers, Celtics, Clippers and Timberwolves, to name a few -- had 3 pistols and what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle.

Cops say he was also carrying a ton of ammo and a bulletproof vest ... as well as some weed.

Telfair pled not guilty and fought the charges ... but was found guilty by a jury in NYC on Wednesday of felony criminal possession of a weapon, according to our law enforcement sources.

Aaron Nola -- one of the MLB's best pitchers -- says baseball should NOT move on from umpires in favor of automatic strike zones, telling TMZ Sports, "I don't think it should happen."

Of course, balls, strikes and umps have been a huge topic in the sport recently ... especially after Nola's famous teammate, Bryce Harper, got ejected for arguing a strike earlier this week.

It's led to all kinds of baseball players and pundits wondering if the game should ditch the guys behind the plate in favor of some sort of laser-like strike zone.

But, when we got Nola out in NYC before the Phils took on the Mets on Wednesday ... he told us, "No, I don't think it should happen."

It's interesting, 'cause Nola would be one of the biggest beneficiaries of an automatic strike zone -- dude is one of the league's most precise pitchers ... he had 224 strikeouts last season!!!