TMZ Sports - Page 50

Antonio Brown ain't playing in the NFL ... but he's trash-talking like he still is -- the WR is going after Eric Weddle on Twitter, calling the L.A. Ram a "dummy" and a "jabroni."

Brown's been active on social media Thursday ... and one of his tweets, in particular, sparked a feud that involved Weddle AND New York Giants receiver Golden Tate.

Here's the deal ... AB tweeted "The game need me I'm like test answers." Tate responded, "What???"

Weddle jumped into the conversation, writing, "Def dont." Weddle also wrote to a fan who said he couldn't guard AB, "Dont need to. Isnt on a team."

AB saw the shade ... and immediately clapped back, writing, "U need some attention lil man glad I put that stuff arm in your neck in pittsburgh u deserved it Lil Weedle."

Weddle fired back ... saying, "When are u gonna learn that it isnt about you. Never was and never will be. Got a game to get ready for. Good luck my guy!"

Of course, Brown didn't let it stop there ... 'cause he told the safety, "Bro I don’t even know you don’t call me AB that’s my NFL name dummy ! I’m not on your team never been shut your mouth Jabroni."

Former #1 overall pick Markelle Fultz is desperately trying to salvage his NBA career ... and he turned to Kobe Bryant for help, spending the summer at Mamba's training facility.

Fultz -- who was drafted before NBA stars like Jayson Tatum, De'Aaron Fox and Donovan Mitchell -- has seen his career get off to a super shaky start.

Over 2 seasons, Fultz -- who's now on the Orlando Magic -- has only played in 33 games (he started 15) ... averaging only 7.7 points per game, 3.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds.

But, Markelle -- who's still a ridiculously young 21-year-old with supreme talent -- is trying to turn the bust ship around ... and he's looking to Kobe for help.

Fultz spent a good chunk of the summer at MAMBA Sports Academy in Southern California ... working daily with the academy's trainers.

We're told Markelle even had a sit-down with Kobe ... where Bryant schooled Fultz on the "Mamba Mentality" -- which in KB's words means to "constantly try to be the best version of yourself."

Will Kobe's greatness rub off on Fultz? Stay tuned. NBA season kicks off next month.

Terrell Owens is suing the hell out of an Atlanta storage company, claiming in a new lawsuit they stole $1 MILLION worth of his stuff ... and sold it without him even knowing!!!

TMZ Sports broke the story ... back in April, one of Owens' old storage units was auctioned off after the company that housed it claimed the Hall of Fame WR stopped making payments to them.

The unit was full of amazing items ... there was a custom bust of TO, old playbooks, autographed helmets and sweet Nike cleats.

But, TO says he was NEVER made aware that the storage company still had his stuff ... and in a federal lawsuit filed this summer in Georgia -- he's claiming Atlanta Peach Movers straight-up stole it.

In the lawsuit, Owens says on July 14, 2014 ... he and the storage company had talks over his unit that left him under the impression all of his stuff had been returned to him.

He alleges he has written proof from the company that says his debt was all paid off and his items were out of the unit and back in his possession.

But, he's claiming the company lied to him on purpose in order to steal his stuff and eventually sell it at auction this past spring.

In fact, Owens claims the first time he had heard the company still had his gear was when we reached out to him for our story back in April.

Owens is now suing the company for fraud and breach of contract -- among other things -- claiming he had over $1 MILLION worth of items in that storage unit.

Owens wants to be compensated for the loss of his stuff ... which he claims is "unique, irreplaceable, and priceless."

The man who bought the unit at auction, James Rice of Jan's Used Furniture in Griffin, GA, told us back in April he was willing to give the stuff back to Owens -- but, clearly, that hasn't happened.

Here's Keenan Allen losing his mind over seeing Melvin Gordon return to the Chargers' locker room ... screaming his face off while filming the star running back!!!

Gordon's been holding out from the Chargers for the last 2 months ... wanting a new deal that pays him significantly more than the $5.6 million he was set to make this year.

But, Melvin decided to end his holdout Thursday despite not having a new deal ... and clearly his teammates are fired up to see his comeback.

Allen filmed Gordon walking into the locker room ... and the receiver couldn't have been happier -- even joking about the RB bringing in his own pads!!

Gordon seemed happy as hell to be back too ... the guy had a HUGE smile on his face.

Melvin reportedly won't play this weekend ... but all signs are pointing toward him getting back on the field next week when the Chargers play the Broncos.

We can think of at least one Bolts legend who's loving that news ...

Antonio Brown DEFINITELY ain't retiring from the NFL ... the troubled wide receiver says he still wants in the league, saying Thursday, "I'm still the best why stop now."

The wide receiver's future has been in doubt for the past week ... 'cause after the Patriots cut him Friday -- he tweeted, "Will not be playing in the @NFL anymore."

But, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Wednesday AB still wants to play ... and on Thursday, Brown echoed those comments.

"The game need me I'm like test answers," Brown said.

Of course, now the question is, does anyone in the NFL want HIM?

1 legendary Met is out, another is in ... 'cause Dwight "Doc" Gooden will referee the Bagel Guy vs. Dustin Diamond celebrity boxing match this weekend.

Promoter Damon Feldman tells TMZ Sports he struck a deal with Gooden ... who will be inside the ring reffing Saturday night at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City.

Remember, the fight was originally supposed to be Bagel Guy Chris Morgan against NYM great Lenny Dykstra ... but Nails pulled out last minute.

We broke the story, Dykstra was replaced by "Saved By The Bell" star Dustin Diamond ... aka "Screech."

John Smoltz says a Zagnut bar cost him a no-hitter nearly three decades ago ... and the Hall of Fame pitcher says he straight-up hasn't eaten the candy since!!!

The story is hilarious ... Smoltz -- who was talking about Zack Greinke's possible no-hit bid on MLB Network Wednesday night -- says back in 1990, he had some magic stuff going on as well.

He was carrying a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a Braves game against the Phillies ... but he ran into a problem -- he was STARVING.

The former ace says he hadn't eaten anything all day ... and claims he was going to pass out before he took the mound in the 9th if he didn't chow down on something.

So, Smoltz says he reached for a Zagnut candy bar ... and claims that doomed him.

"I go up in the clubhouse and the first thing I saw was a Zagnut, so I crush it real quick," Smoltz says. "And, one out in the ninth, I give up a 2-0 base hit to Lenny Dykstra."

So, how did Smoltz react to the candy? "I haven’t had a Zagnut since."

That's right, no delicious peanut brittle/coconut delight for Smoltz in 29 YEARS!!!

Bryce Harper's wife says Nationals fans went WAY TOO FAR with their heckling Wednesday ... claiming they chirped him about his newborn son -- and called it all "classless."

Harper is Public Enemy No. 1 in Washington after he left the team last season to get a huge payday (13 years, $330 MILLION) with one of the Nats' biggest rivals, the Phillies.

He's heard constant heckling every time he's returned to Washington to play his ex-team ... but in their game Wednesday, he says fans just crossed the line with their smack talk.

"I mean, I get it everywhere I go," Harper told reporters. "It’s nothing new, but the last inning -- it’s just not right. It’s just not right."

Bryce's wife, Kayla Harper, took to Twitter to clarify what the fans said ... claiming Bryce was forced to hear trash talk about his son -- who was just born last month.

"When you bring his son or family into it, yes you’re crossing a line," Kayla wrote. "Stick to your overused overrated and Harper sucks chants if you’re really that loser that goes to a game to heckle someone."

"Phillies fans might boo him but they don’t bring his 4 week old son into it. Classless."

Harper truly does get chirped everywhere he goes ... remember, even in his own home ballpark in Philadelphia, he had to tell a heckler to "shut the f**k up" before hitting a giant home run.

Harper says it's all getting a little out of control ... saying it doesn't feel a whole lot different from NBA and NFL players who have also grown tired of hearing the fans trash talk.

"It's just not good and just not right," Bryce said. "Everybody has a platform now whether it's Twitter, Instagram or in the stands. They kind of say whatever they want and that’s just how it is."

Ex-Bellator fighter Katy Collins is dead at the age 32 ... after suffering a brain aneurysm last week, her coach announced.

Collins fought for Bellator, LFA, RFA and several other promotions over her 3-year career ... racking up a 7-5 professional record. She last fought in June 2018.

Collins also had 7 amateur fights ... going 3-4.

Katy's coach, JT Tilley, broke the news of Collins' death on social media.

A Ninja lost his mask on last night's episode of "The Masked Singer" ... and it was all after an Ice Cream-headed rendition of the biggest song of all-time.

Of course, the Ninja we're talking about is the ultra-famous professional gamer ... and he tried his hand last night at being the new Lil Nas X, performing "Old Town Road," and we're not professional judges, but the whole thing looked pretty awesome to us.

Good news for Ninja is that judges Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong were rocking out to the over-the-top elaborate performance, and freaked out when he was unmasked (they're fans).

How did the Minnesota Twins celebrate their first AL Central title in nearly a decade on Wednesday night??

HIP GYRATING AND SHIRTLESS RUNNING, BABY!!!

The Twins beat the Tigers, 5-1, in Detroit ... and after the Indians fell to the White Sox -- Minnesota officially earned its first divisional championship since 2010.

Of course, the guys celebrated in the usual fashion ... Budweiser showers and booze -- but then things got a little freaky in the clubhouse.

First, 5'9", 225-pound utility man Willians Astudillo thrusted his hips in a fashion we NEVER knew he could.

Then, newly acquired reliever Sergio Romo decided to ditch his shirt and take a few laps around Comerica Park's field!!

Amazing.

The Twins have crushed it all year long and are a legitimate threat to take down the Yankees and the Astros in the American League's postseason next month.

Eli Manning ain't the Giants starting QB anymore ... but he's still one of the team's leaders, so says NYG WR Darius Slayton, who tells TMZ Sports the future HOFer is a critical member of the squad.

Slayton -- a rookie out of Auburn who was taken in the 5th round of this years NFL Draft -- played in his 1st NFL game Sunday ... catching 3 balls for 82 yards (he also made a critical block on Evan Engrams 75 yard TD reception).

We talked to Darius earlier this week ... and he told us even though it's Daniel Jones receiving the adulation, Eli's been a great teammate and a big presence in the locker room.

"I think he's been a real pro. Honestly, from the day they announced it until now, he's been the same guy. He's came in, I think he's really tried to help [Daniel Jones] get ready week in, week out because obviously you can't replace 16 years of experience," Slayton told us.

"There's no way we can learn everything he knows in a matter of months. He still plays a pivotal role in this team and it's a blessing to have a guy like that around."

Darius -- who's only been around the Giants organization for a few months -- says Eli might not be under center anymore on Sundays, but he's still a valuable piece of the NYG ... and someone whose contributions to New York will be remembered long after Manning hangs up his cleats.

"He's still a big leader around here. He's still Eli Manning now. He's got rings, he's all over the facility. It's really important for a guy like that to be involved and be part of the team. I don't think he'll be forgotten around here anytime soon."

Mario Williams' baby mama is going to bat for the ex-NFL star ... she says she wants his charges dropped -- this despite him allegedly breaking into her home and wildly yelling at her last month.

Mario -- the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft -- was arrested back on Aug. 20 after cops say he made a copy of a garage door remote and illegally entered his baby mama Torie Porter's Texas home.

TMZ Sports obtained video of the standoff that happened when Porter confronted the 6-foot-7, 290-pound former pass rusher at her garage door ... and it's intense.

Williams accuses her of using their child's iPad to gain access to the contents of his iCloud ... and she fires back by constantly saying, "How did you get in here?"

Cops were at the scene and eventually calmed Williams down and arrested him without incident. He was later hit with a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass.

As part of the conditions of his arrest ... Williams was forced to wear an ankle monitor and ordered to have absolutely no contact with Torie.

Melvin Gordon is BACK ... well, almost.

The L.A. Chargers superstar running back will end his holdout and return to the team on Thursday ... but will NOT play this weekend against the Dolphins.

Gordon has been holding out since July while he demanded the team either give him a new contract or to trade him to another team.

The holdout is officially coming to end 3 weeks into the season ... with Ian Rapoport reporting Gordon is rejoining his team.

We spoke with Chargers legend Antonio Gates on Tuesday about Gordon's status with the team ... and he said his old teammate deserves to be paid like Ezekiel Elliott, who just agreed to a $90 million extension with the Cowboys.

No word on whether that'll happen -- Gordon's in the final year of his rookie deal, making $5,605,000.

The woman accusing Auston Matthews of dropping his pants in front of her was LIVID over the whole situation ... saying of the NHL star, "What the f**k were you thinking?!"

It's all in new police video obtained by TMZ Sports ... in which the female security guard tells an officer all about a May 26 incident where she says Matthews and his friends played a VERY unfunny joke on her.

She claims she was working a night shift at Matthews' residence in Scottsdale, AZ, when the hockey player and 2 of his friends tried to open her locked car door at around 2 AM.

As a military veteran ... she says she was legitimately frightened by the actions -- and then outraged when 22-year-old Matthews and his friends told her it was all just a joke.

"The minute you try to invade my space, what the f**k were you thinking saying, 'We wanted to see how you'd react if we got into the back of your car'?" the woman says.

"Are you serious right now?!? And then, they thought, 'Oh, you're a veteran so you're packing?' None of this s**t is funny!"

The woman also told the officer all about the scene where Matthews pulled down his pants ... saying one of Auston's friends tried to make her laugh over the whole thing.

"He turns around and he's like, 'You see that s**t he's doing? He's been doing that up and down Scottsdale Road. I keep telling him that he can get arrested by cops. And, he's like he doesn't give a s**t.'"

The woman adds, "And, he's laughing because he thinks I would laugh at the fact that his pants are down."

The woman also says Matthews' father tried to accuse her of lying about the whole situation when the condo's manager brought it up with him ... but said they were able to show him video of it all.

Eventually, the woman tells the cop she wants to press charges against Matthews.

In more police footage obtained by TMZ Sports ... you can see an officer try to interview the Maple Leafs star at his condo -- but he doesn't respond to the knocks.

Matthews is now fighting a disorderly conduct charge in Scottsdale ... and he said of the whole incident to reporters on Wednesday, "I regret any of my actions that would ever put a distraction on the team or distress any individual."

He added, "I take a lot of pride in preparing myself for the season and representing the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as I can. Unfortunately, due to the situation, I’m afraid I can’t really make any other comments."

Troubled NFL player Aldon Smith says he's clean and thankful to have made it to 30 ... reflecting on his troubled past in a post on his birthday.

Smith -- who has been in and out of the league and struggled with drug and legal problems -- provided a rare update for his fans on Wednesday ... saying, "I’m thankful to have made it another year."

He added ... "Grateful to be Happy, Loved, Sober and Supported. #godisgood"

It's a big deal for Aldon if he's sober -- he's had several DUI arrests and has been suspended multiple times by the league.

Aldon checked himself into alcohol rehab in March 2018 -- after his former fiancee told us she feared for his life -- but was arrested for DUI this past June.