TMZ Sports - Page 50

Desmond Howard learned a new rule in 2019 -- you can't quote Dave Chappelle as much as we used to ... especially on a Disney-owned network, at a Disney-owned park.

The former Heisman winner and NFL kick returner -- who's since become a TV analyst -- was on ESPN Saturday talkin' college football with Rece Davis and other broadcasters ... when he invoked a line from an old "Chappelle's Show" skit that caught immediate backlash.

The line -- in response to Rece asking if his alma mater, University of Michigan, could beat Ohio State -- went like this ... "Is Desmond Howard gonna have to choke a bitch?"

Funny, right? WRONG!!! At least that's what a ton of people watching had to say about it soon after. And, apparently, the ESPN honchos thought so too ... 'cause Des apologized.

He came back on the air later and flat-out said sorry if he offended anybody.

Des also tweeted about the incident, saying he didn't realize the joke was so obscure. Of course, he's referring to the line Wayne Brady dropped on a classic 'CS' episode, when he poses the same question to a prostitute during a 'Training Day'-esqe sketch.

Des later posted a clip that aired on ESPN in 2014, in which a commentator also made reference to the famous line. Problem is ... it's 2019, not 2014 -- and definitely not 2004. Also, Des works for ESPN (which Disney owns) and he said this at Disney World. Bad mix!!!

To make matters even more murky, Wayne Brady himself responded to the incident, showing support to Des and thanking him for the fandom. But, Wayne also said, "Choke who you wanna choke, have fun, and I'm a big fan of yours too." That raised eyebrows as well.

When ya mess with bull, ya get the horns ... right in the balls.

That's the lesson decorated matador Paco Urena learned when he stepped into the Vista Alegre bullfighting arena this week at the Semana Grande Fair in Bilbao, Spain ... where he ended up with a crotch full of horn.

OLE!!!!!!

Unclear how badly Urena was injured in the incident -- but it seems like his man-junk survived because there are photos showing Paco proudly showing off the bull's ears as trophies.

As you probably know ... the bulls are mercilessly tortured and killed during the fights. As you can see, Urena was wielding a sword during the fight, with the intention of stabbing the bull through the heart so it can die fast. But, that rarely happens because the bull doesn't want to die!

So, what ends up happening is a bloody, painful, torturous exhibition in front of thousands of screaming blood-thirsty fans ... but hey, TRADITION RIGHT?!?

Justin Gaethje says he wants to beat the dog snot out of Conor McGregor for sucker punching the guy in the bar, telling TMZ Sports he wants the fight, and it's personal.

On Thursday, Conor told ESPN's Ariel Helwani that he and Gaethje were lined up to fight in July ... before he broke his hand, torpedoing the match.

But, it ain't curtains on the fight just yet ... 'cause Gaethje joined the fellas on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weeknights on FS1) and says he badly wants to meet Conor in the Octagon ... and it ain't just for his sake.

"Of course I want to f**k him up. I see him punch an old man, do I want to punch him for that? F**k yeah, I want to f**k that dude up for s**t like that. He looks like a crackhead on your video."

We asked Gaethje if he's lost respect for Conor after seeing video of the bar attack.

"Absolutely. Who didn't? If you don't, then you're a piece of s**t yourself. C'mon. The lack of respect, lack of morals, whatever you wanna call it."

But, before any Conor superfight, Gaethje's gotta take care of business with Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 158 on September 14.

"Hey I got f**king business in front of me, I got 'Cowboy.' And then I'm your huckleberry," Gaethje says ... "I'm right here, this s**t has to go forward, has to move on. He's either in or out."

DeMarcus Cousins is gonna wanna watch this ...

Ex-NBA superstar Steve Nash STRONGLY believes Boogie can recover from his ACL injury and dominate in the NBA again ... and he's got the pump-up speech to help him bounce back!!!

"He shouldn't retire," Nash told us after leaving a pickup soccer game in L.A. ... "He's still a young guy."

Nash acknowledges DC's had a "horrible run" when it comes to injuries, but says the 29-year-old Lakers star has a "fighting spirit"

"He's a competitor. He's gone through a lot already. He can do it."

Cousins suffered his latest injury during a training session in Las Vegas earlier this month ... and footage obtained by TMZ Sports shows it was non-contact situation.

DC has dealt with injuries before ... he had a quad injury during the playoffs and dealt with an Achilles injury before that.

Nash says Cousins has proved he has what it takes to battle back -- and he hopes the guy will do it again.

Sergey Kovalev's big-money fight with Canelo Alvarez is about to get the royal hater treatment ... because Anthony Yarde says he's gonna c-block the fight ... by knocking Kovalev the hell out.

Here's how this goes ... Kovalev is hoping to get a huge payday for fighting Canelo (boxing's biggest draw) but has to keep winning to make that a reality.

Sergey fights the undefeated Yarde on Saturday in Russia on ESPN+ at 12:30 PM ET and Yarde says it's HIS MISSION IN LIFE to stop Sergey's cash flow.

"There's a big thing about him fighting Canelo next. I want to c**k block."

Yarde has knocked out 17 of 18 opponents, so he can DEFINITELY do it ... plus, if he gets the win, it could end up being him who gets the life-changing money of a Canelo fight.

As for Sergey ... we talked to him too and he says Yarde ain't even ready and experienced enough to block his ... well, you know.

Lance Stephenson is clearly emotional about his old pal Sebastian Telfair getting sentenced to 3.5 years in prison ... telling TMZ Sports, "That's like family right there."

Telfair -- a 1st round pick in the 2004 NBA Draft -- was found guilty of felony weapons possession stemming from a crazy 2017 arrest where cops say they found an arsenal of weapons, ammo, bulletproof vest and weed. He's currently serving out his sentence in a NY State Prison.

28-year-old Stephenson tells us he grew up playing ball and training with 34-year-old Telfair ... and still strongly believes his old friend is a good person who can get his life back on track.

"I know he's a good kid," Lance says ... "He's got great spirit. I know it's very tough on him and his family."

Lance added, "I'm trying to support as much as I can but it's very hard. That situation's very tough."

"I'm praying for him too. I think he'll be alright."

Telfair was facing up to 15 years behind bars, so he got off relatively easy -- but during the sentencing hearing, he begged the judge for even more leniency.

"Please don’t take me from the society right now," Telfair told the judge ... "I’m 34. I can go play in China for another six years, take care of my family."

Ryan Garcia says if Gervonta Davis were ever to step in the ring with him it'd be the biggest fight in the history of boxing ... and he thinks he'd kick Tank's ass.

Garcia is an undefeated rising star in the sport ... and has called out Tank before, claiming he's ready to challenge Davis and take his strap (boxing term for belt, keep up people).

Last time we spoke to Davis, he said he had his sights on Vasyl Lomachenko in what would certainly be one of the biggest fights in the world.

Well, Garcia says him and Tank would be THE biggest fight in the world ... maybe ever.

"I feel like if we keep doing what we're doing, our fight would be the biggest fight in boxing history."

Garcia's star is on the rise for sure ... he has over 3 million Instagram followers, and his spectacular knockouts (and let's face it, the looks) have made him one of the biggest stars in the sport.

But, is he ready for a killer like Tank yet at 21 years old? Prolly not, but it's coming.

Sorry, Cowboys and Eagles ... those Super Bowl dreams you have AIN'T HAPPENING this year -- so says Joe Theismann, who tells TMZ Sports the Redskins are taking the NFC East!!!

"I just like the Redskins," the legendary QB says ... "Nobody's giving us any credit. Nobody's giving us any props whatsoever."

Of course, Joe is biased ... the guy spent the entirety of his great 12-year NFL career playing in D.C. -- but he says there's a method to his wild prediction.

Theismann tells us he thinks every team in the division has holes ... and the door is open for the 'Skins to grab the crown, partly because everyone is picking them to finish last.

"They have them winning three games, they have them finishing last in the division. And, it's fine to be under the radar."

Joe also opened up to us about his thoughts on 'Skins rookie QB Dwayne Haskins, who's struggled so far to begin the preseason.

Theismann tells us Dwayne has some issues with his footwork ... and thinks the 22-year-old will benefit from spending the year behind Case Keenum and learning the system.

But, Joe says next season ... watch out for the guy then!!!

Could Carli Lloyd become the NFL's first female player?!

The soccer star says she's been getting "inquiries" from NFL teams after hitting a 55 yard field goal last week ... and she definitely sounds interested.

The Team USA stud went on "Planet Futbol TV" with Grant Wahl where she was asked straight-up if her phone has been ringing ever since she hit the kick.

"I definitely got some inquiries," Lloyd said without specifying a particular team ... "I've definitely got some people talking."

So, would Lloyd consider making a serious run at an NFL career? She ain't ruling it out.

"I think anything is possible. It's been really interesting because for me I'm just an athlete, I'm a competitor. But, for so many other people they're starting to think, will there ever be a female in the NFL at some point? And, I think we're kind of at that crossroads as far as equality and women empowerment."

"But, right now I'm definitely a soccer player and we'll see what he future holds."

In other words ... maybe!?

As we previously reported, ex-NFL kicker Martin Grammatica says he sees real NFL potential in Lloyd and has offered to coach her up if she wants the help!!!

Nick Saban is calling on Ray Rice to teach his Alabama players an important lesson ... saying he had the ex-NFL star give a speech to the Tide "about how to treat the opposite sex."

Rice has been preaching to players and schools all over the country since he was booted from the NFL after TMZ Sports posted video of him punching his then-fiance in the face in a hotel elevator in 2014.

Saban clearly thinks the former running back has a valuable message he can relay to his team ... 'cause the Bama head coach invited the 32-year-old out to practice this week.

"He’s going to be here as a Title IX speaker to the team [Thursday night], which I think is a good thing for our players," Saban said.

"He’s obviously going to talk about how to treat the opposite sex and having the proper respect for other people."

Saban added, "I think that’s important to relationships. It’s important as a person to be able to do those things in a very respectful manner."

Rice has made countless attempts to try to make up for his massive misstep 5 years ago ... even offering to help Browns running back Kareem Hunt after he was caught on camera kicking a woman last year.

Seems Rice is finding success on his redemption tour ... coaches continue to bring him on to speak ... and in his return to Baltimore last year, he was wildly cheered.

Officials are crediting the heroic actions of the pilots on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s private jet for evacuating the NASCAR legend and his family from his burning plane during the crash, this according to new documents.

After the plane crash landed in Elizabethton, Tennessee on August 15 ... it caught fire and began to burn.

But, while the flames raged, "the flight crew [which only consisted of the pilot and co-pilot] secured the engines and assisted the passengers with the evacuation," according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The NTSB has been investigating the crash and while they have not specifically released the cause ... they do note that the landing gear on the plane collapsed at some point during the crash landing.

Officials say everything about the flight appeared to be routine until the landing ... when, for some reason, the plane bounced twice on the runway ... before crashing with only 1,000 feet of runway left.

The plane ultimately settled on the edge of a nearby highway where the flight crew evacuated Dale Jr., his wife, their 1-year-old daughter and the family dog.

Dale says he suffered back injuries in the wreck but expects to be fine. The rest of the family and the two pilots are all reportedly doing fine.

MLB superstar Mookie Betts is paying homage to his old teammate when he hits the diamond for Players Weekend ... rockin' Big Papi cleats that have their own gold chains!!

The Red Sox MVP decided to do a sick tribute to David Ortiz on his cleats for the special weekend (when players can wear custom kicks and fun nicknames on their jerseys).

The finished personalized Jordan 13s are DOPE -- with images of Papi, his signature, the classic Fenway Park Green Monster and his trademark gold chains!!

Mookie designed the cleats himself ... and it's obviously a sick tribute to the Red Sox legend who was nearly killed in a shooting the Dominican Republic back in June.

David has been recovering in Boston ever since ... and is doing well, recently saying, "Big Papi will be back soon."

Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton will NOT be punished by the NBA ... after the league investigated claims he sexually assaulted a female reporter.

Walton was accused of forcing himself on former L.A. Lakers reporter Kelli Tennant in a Santa Monica hotel room back in 2014.

5 years later, Tennant filed a lawsuit against the head coach ... which sparked an NBA and Kings investigation.

The Kings and the NBA released a joint statement on Friday, announcing there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations.

"On April 22, 2019, Ms. Tennant filed a civil lawsuit against Coach Walton and, on April 23, held a press conference in which she described claims of sexual assault, verbal and physical harassment, and unwanted physical contact over a three-year period. Two days later, the Kings and the NBA commenced an investigation."

"The investigatory team was led by Sue Ann Van Dermyden, from the Sacramento law firm Van Dermyden Maddux, and Elizabeth Maringer, Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of the NBA."

The statement continues ..."During the investigation, more than twenty individuals were interviewed, including Coach Walton, and numerous documents and other relevant materials were reviewed."

"The investigators made repeated attempts to interview Ms. Tennant, but, through her counsel, she declined the opportunity to participate. The investigation is considered closed unless new evidence becomes available."

The civil suit is still active ... and is set to go to trial late next year.

Luke Walton -- who was never arrested or charged with a crime -- has adamantly denied any wrongdoing.

Ex-Patriots TE Jermaine Wiggins says it's PAINFULLY OBVIOUS Eric Reid's late hit on Ben Watson on Thursday was dirty as hell ... and warns Reid that payback's a bitch!

Reid blasted Watson in the head during the 1st quarter of the Carolina vs. New England preseason game on Thursday after Watson was already down by contact.

The hit came days after Watson had criticized Reid on Twitter for ripping the NFL's Players Coalition over the NFL's deal with Jay-Z ... and some people think Reid was gunning to hurt the guy.

After the game, Reid DENIED intentionally targeting Watson and claimed he didn't even know about Watson's tweets ... insisting the hit was the result of an overzealous play.

When we spoke with Wiggins -- who won a Super Bowl with New England in 2001 -- he told us the play was obviously dirty.

"There was definitely a little extra BBQ sauce on that rib that he was trying to go after!"

Wiggins says he can't be sure Reid was looking to hurt Watson, but tells us the defensive back is LUCKY the teams don't play during the regular season.

"Carolina, luckily for them they don't have New England on their schedule because there might be a little bit of payback coming his way."

Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, move over ... Rafael Nadal says he's down for an even more epic battle of the sexes match -- telling TMZ Sports he'd take on Naomi Osaka!!!

"Why not?!" Rafa says.

Of course, 33-year-old Nadal is one of the best men's tennis players ever ... and 21-year-old Naomi is currently the women's No. 1 ranked player -- so when we got Nadal leaving Milos in NYC on Thursday, we had to ask if they'd ever battle on the court.

Ya gotta see Nadal's answer ... the guy seems all kinds of down for it!!!

If the two somehow make it happen ... it'd be the second time tennis titans of the opposite sex go at it this year -- remember, Roger Federer beat Serena Williams in a doubles match in January.

As for why Nadal thinks he, Roger and Novak Djokovic have been dominating the sport for so long, he tells us, "We love what we do, my friend!"

One of the biggest power couples in sports is taking things to the next level ... Lindsey Vonn is engaged to NHL star P.K. Subban.

The two went public with their relationship back in June 2018 -- when they hit the CMT Music Awards in Nashville together. They've been practically inseparable ever since.

34-year-old Vonn is widely considered one of the greatest U.S. skiers of all time. 30-year-old Subban is one of the Top 10 defensive players in the NHL. He's currently in a 8-year, $72 MILLION contract!

This will be Lindsey's 2nd marriage -- she was previously married to U.S. Ski teammate Thomas Vonn, but they divorced in 2013.

After the split, Lindsey dated Tiger Woods and then moved on to NFL wide receivers coach Kenan Smith. When that ended, she moved on to Subban and it's been a fairy tale ever since!

Congrats!!!