TMZ Sports - Page 50

Michael Blackson learned 2 very valuable life lessons ... and it all went down at a gas station.

The comedian's saga is full of twists and turns and eventual triumph, so buckle up. We got Mike at a Shell Station in L.A. after noticing he had some car trouble, and he tells us he made a boneheaded mistake as old as Karl Benz's first automobile -- he ran out of gas.

Blackson says he didn't believe it when his luxury car was telling him he needed to fill up his tank ... and his Rolls stopped rolling at a nearby intersection.

What happened next is equal parts hilarious and pathetic -- but hey, Michael admits he's not a handyman -- and he was left completely clueless as to how to remedy his dire situation.

That's when he turned to an unlikely source for some help in his time of need, especially for a Philadelphia Eagles fan ... a man wearing a Dallas Cowboys shirt.

It was a wise move though because the kind Cowboys fan turned out to be hella resourceful ... and got Blackson all gassed up and back on the road. He might have made a new friend too.

So, what are the lessons learned here for the comedian? 1) Love your enemies ... and 2) Go get gas as soon as your damn light comes on.

Ex-Astros OF/3B J.D. Davis INSISTS he NEVER saw any of his Houston teammates cheat ... despite 'Stros pitcher Mike Fiers claim the squad used high-tech gadgets to steal signs.

Davis -- now a member of the New York Mets -- was with the Astros from 2017-2018 ... smack in the middle of when the team's accused of cheating.

Remember, Fiers -- a starting pitcher -- recently told The Athletic that the 2017 Astros used a camera to steal signs from opposing catchers ... and then relayed the info (what pitch was coming) to 'Stros batters by banging on a garbage can.

The allegation sparked outrage ... and a massive MLB investigation.

But, Davis -- who was at a Mets children's holiday party in NYC Wednesday -- says despite the super-serious allegation, he simply never saw anyone cheat.

"I wasn't aware of anything and even if I was, even if there was, I wish I would've known because I batted only like .180, .200 or something like that," Davis says.

"But, I really have no idea or no clue."

Davis -- who had a monster year with the Mets in 2019 -- struggled with Houston in 2017 ... hitting .226 in his 68 plate appearances.

Davis says he was totally caught off guard by the sinister allegations.

"Sure, I was surprised about it, but I really have no idea. I was kind of like the freshman among the seniors and everything. I really had no idea what was going on or what's really happening, but that's an MLB investigation."

Here's O.J. Simpson dancing his face off at a Vegas bar with TWO blonde women ... who don't seem to care that he killed 2 people back in 1994.

The 72-year-old convicted felon hit up the Sand Dollar Lounge on Wednesday night -- sporting a dark beanie -- and hit the dance floor hard!!!

We're told people in the place LOVED him, treated him like a rock star ... and O.J. posed for pics and signed autographs for anyone who asked.

Simpson has been out of prison since Oct. 2017 -- where he served nearly 9 years for a 2007 armed robbery -- and this is typical of the treatment he gets at MOST places he goes these days.

We've done multiple stories on fans lining up to pose with The Juice at hot spots all over Sin City ... but this is the first time we've seen him up close and personal with women.

Of course, Simpson was found not guilty of murder, in the criminal case, in the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman ... but was later sued for wrongful death by Goldman's family where a jury found Simpson liable.

Simpson was ordered to pay the Goldman family $33.5 million -- but the Goldmans have said they've only received a fraction of what they're owed.

Here's sports reporter Holly Sonders hittin' the strip club with notorious high-stakes gambler Vegas Dave ... begging the question -- you guys a couple or what?!

Sonders and VD have been pretty tight recently -- she's been promoting him like crazy on social media ... the assumption is that she was doing paid promo work for the guy.

But, Wednesday night Holly and Dave were holding hands on the way into Crazy Girls in Hollywood ... and inside she was kissing the guy on the face while throwing stacks of cash.

So ... dating?

FYI, Vegas Dave -- real name David Oancea -- is currently on probation stemming from a federal criminal case where he was accused of using other people’s Social Security numbers to open player accounts at casinos.

Dave denied the allegations but ultimately cut a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to 3 years probation, community service, ordered to stay out of Vegas sportsbooks for 3 years and he also had a complete a gambling treatment program.

But, apparently, he's still cool to hit strip clubs and date celebrities!!!

For the record, we've reached out to both Dave and Holly for comment -- so far, no word back.

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Antwaun Woods was arrested in Texas for weed on Tuesday, law enforcement confirms.

The 26-year-old -- who started 8 games for the Cowboys in 2018 -- was busted in Frisco during a traffic stop where things clearly went south.

Woods is now facing multiple charges including possession of marijuana over 2 ounces but less than 4 ounces and tampering with evidence. He was also cited for possession of paraphernalia, as first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Woods was a stud defensive lineman at USC from 2012 to 2015 -- but didn't get selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Instead, he signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent -- and later signed a 2-year deal with the Cowboys in 2018.

So far, he only has 7 total tackles in 2019 with 0 sacks.

Kanye West is going from the big stage at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church to a truly massive one -- this time they'll be teaming up to fill Yankee Stadium to the brim ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Kanye tell us ... Ye and Joel will take center stage at baseball's cathedral on May 2, 2020 for a mega event that certainly plays like a tour stop. The NYC event is part of Joel's "America's Night of Hope" ... which he takes to several cities across the country.

We're told Joel will do his sermon at Yankee Stadium, and then let Kanye and his choir do their thing with the music. Call it a double play, considering the setting, similar to what they did a few weeks ago in Houston.

If Joel's past appearances at Yankee Stadium are any indication, this one's sure to sell out quickly ... especially now that Kanye's involved. The stadium has a max capacity of 54,251 ... almost 10,000 more than Lakewood.

This will be Joel's third time doing 'Night of Hope' at the Stadium, but his first with Ye.

Our sources tell us the Lakewood get-together went so well, Joel recently asked Kanye about when they will do a sequel ... and they agreed Yankee Stadium would be the perfect backdrop. They're coordinating details now.

The man accused of abducting and murdering Aniah Blanchard went off in court Wednesday -- telling the judge, "Y'all have no video, no audio of me shooting anyone!"

Ibraheem Yazeed appeared with his attorney in an Alabama courtroom Wednesday to face capital murder charges in the death of Blanchard, step-daughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris.  Prosecutors have said they're pursuing the death penalty.

Yazeed was initially charged with 1st-degree kidnapping -- and when he appeared in court for the new, more serious charge ... he was not happy.

"I got rights too," Yazeed told the judge.

"Y'all have no video, no audio of me shooting anyone, that’s why I’m trying to see how y’all going to bind me over on hearsay. But y’all aren’t presenting no evidence."

Officials have video showing Yazeed at the same gas station where Blanchard was last seen before her disappearance.

A witness also claims Yazeed forced Blanchard into her car -- which was later found covered in blood.

Cops believe Yazeed ultimately shot Blanchard to death and then hid her body in a wooded area.

Officials say there is a NEW witness who saw Yazeed with a gun tucked into his shorts while in possession of Blanchar's car.

Officials say the witness claimed Yazeed had admitted to shooting a girl and that the girl had "went for the gun" before he murdered her.

In other words, Aniah fought back.

It seems this new witness -- unnamed in the court doc to protect the person's identity -- was the key to finding Blanchard's body.

UFC star Brian Ortega says he suffered a partially torn ACL in his knee during training and has pulled out from his Dec. 21 fight against Chan Sung Jung, aka the Korean Zombie.

"I tore my ACL in training and I won't be fighting in Korea," Ortega just revealed.

"Thankfully it was only a partial tear so I'm already rehabbing it and the plan is to be back to 100% in 2-3 months."

Ortega says he strongly considered fighting through the pain because he didn't want to let anyone down -- but ultimately doctors advised him to call the whole thing off.

"I didn't want to let down the fans, the Zombie and the UFC so I strongly considered pushing through it and fighting anyways, but according to the doctors, the risk of a full rupture in the fight was high and that would put me out for up to a year."

"Sorry guys I gotta take care of this right now, but I'll make it up to all of you 2020 I promise."

Ortega hasn't fought at all in 2019 after a violent clash with Max Holloway in Dec. 2018.

The 28-year-old fan favorite is still considered one of the top contenders in the featherweight division -- currently ranked #2 behind Alexander Volkanovski and the champ, Max Holloway.

We're big fans of Ortega at TMZ Sports, where he regularly comes into our office and chokes out various staff members!

The woman who accused Luke Walton of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room in 2017 has officially dropped her lawsuit against the NBA coach, TMZ Sports has learned.

Kelli Tennant -- a former sports reporter -- had sued Walton claiming he forced himself on her in a Santa Monica hotel room while he was an asst. coach with the Golden State Warriors.

In her lawsuit, Tennant claimed Walton forced kisses on her neck, face and chest -- and despite telling to stop, he held her down, groped her breasts and groin, and rubbed his erection on her leg.

Tennant claimed she was "in shock and fear. She was afraid she was about to be raped," the suit states.

Walton, who now coaches the Sacramento Kings, had adamantly denied wrongdoing -- claiming Tennant, was the person who initiated their meet-up, insists it was "platonic" and nothing sexual ever occurred.

Now, Tennant has filed new court docs calling off the suit -- asking a judge to dismiss with prejudice, which means she can't refile it.

Unclear if Walton and Tennant struck a settlement -- but it's not uncommon in situations like this.

We reached out to Tennant's attorney for comment, so far, no word back.

The NBA also investigated the allegations -- but decided NOT to punish Walton and noted Tennant did not cooperate with their probe.

After she filed the lawsuit, Tennant held a press conference -- and said she did not go to law enforcement because she feared it would jeopardize her career.

We asked if there was any video or photo evidence to help prove Tennant's case, and her attorney essentially told us no.

Shawn Oakman is officially back on the gridiron ... and he tells TMZ Sports despite being sidelined while fighting for his freedom, he's ready to kick start a Hall of Fame career.

Oakman -- once projected as a top NFL draft pick -- had his football career derailed when a fellow Baylor student claimed the football star raped her in 2016.

The case went to trial ... and Shawn was found NOT GUILTY (the jury only needed 45 minutes to deliberate) earlier this year. Still, the allegation caused him to go undrafted ... costing him time in the NFL and millions of dollars in salary.

Now, Oakman -- who's 27 years old -- is getting a new opportunity to play big-time football with the XFL's Los Angeles Wildcats.

We talked to Oakman ... and it's clear he's not content just collecting a paycheck -- he wants to go down as literally one of the greatest players of all-time.

"It only takes one great year," Oakman says. "A year here, a year there, next thing you know, they're gonna be talking about gold jackets."

"In 5 years I'll be 32? Why not?"

If you're not familiar with the 6'9, 280 lb. Oakman -- aside from destroying dudes on the field -- he also shot to internet superstardom a few years back when a photo of Shawn in his Baylor uni went viral ... sparking endless hilarious memes.

He was a beast then ... and Oakman says he's gonna be even BETTER now.

"I'm definitely ready to show the world that I got a lot more to give to the game than I did before."

As for how it feels to finally put the pads back on ... Oakman says "It's definitely surreal. It's a surreal feeling that you really can't explain. It's like, Cinderella with her glass slipper, you just turn into a beautiful princess. Something like that."

"I'm definitely back in my environment. It feels great."

Oakman and the Wildcats take the field February 8.

Heads up, quarterbacks.

Barack and Michelle Obama are busting out the champagne, we imagine, to celebrate closing the deal for a mega-estate on Martha's Vineyard.

The Obamas got the keys Wednesday for the awesome mansion which sits on 29 acres of beachfront property. TMZ broke the story back in August when the former Prez and First Lady were in escrow on the luxurious home ... formerly owned by Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck.

As we told you, it was listed for $14,850,000 ... but our sources told us the Obamas were paying much less. Now we know how much less. According to real estate records, they're plunking down $11.75 million.

That kinda dough gets them 6,900 square feet with 7 bedrooms. The enormous pad has a pool, outdoor fireplace, and vaulted ceilings. It also has 2 guest wings off the main home.

Michelle and Barack test drove the house over the summer ... when they were renting it. Obviously, they were impressed and decided to make it permanent.

Tom LeClair and Gerret Conover of Landvest were realtors for the transaction. We reached out, but they had no comment.

Congrats to the new homeowners! Did we mention their estate comes with a private beach and a boathouse?

The San Francisco 49ers have suspended broadcaster Tim Ryan for one game ... after the ex-NFLer said Lamar Jackson was successful at faking hand-offs because of "his dark skin."

Ryan -- who played with the Chicago Bears from 1990-93 before starting his commentary career -- went on a KNBR radio show to discuss the Niners' 20-17 loss to the Ravens and why the QB is so good.

“He’s really good at that fake, Lamar Jackson," Ryan said. "But, when you consider his dark skin with a dark football with a dark uniform, you could not see that thing."

“I mean you literally could not see when he was in and out of the mesh point and if you’re a half step slow on him in terms of your vision, forget about it, he’s out of the gate.”

Ryan -- who joined the Niners' radio team in 2014 -- later addressed his comment, saying “I regret my choice of words in trying to describe the conditions of the game. Lamar Jackson is an MVP-caliber player and I respect him greatly. I want to sincerely apologize to him and anyone else I offended,"

The Niners released a statement on Wednesday ... announcing he will not be on the radio waves when S.F. takes on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

“We hold Tim to a high standard as a representative of our organization and he must be more thoughtful with his words," the team said.

Terrelle Pryor was stabbed with a kitchen knife, lost 3.5 liters of blood and was within "minutes" of dying after the scuffle with his GF ... this according to the NFL player's attorney.

In a press conference with media members Wednesday, Stephen Colafella described the state Pryor was in after a fight in his apartment with Shalaya Briston on Nov. 30 -- and he says the scene was grim.

Colafella told reporters Pryor had a "very deep" stab wound above his left pec that just missed a major artery ... but hit a big vain.

Colafella said Pryor was also stabbed in the left shoulder area ... which contributed to the guy losing a total of 3.5 liters of blood.

FYI -- an adult Pryor's size has roughly 5.5 total liters of blood in their body.

Colafella said Pryor was on the verge of death but is now expected to recover. He's unsure if the injuries will threaten his NFL career.

As for the events that led up to the stabbing ... Colafella said Pryor was nothing more than a victim in the fight -- and says the guy was essentially attacked in his own home by Briston and 2 other women.

According to Colafella, Pryor, Briston and friends had gone out to dinner ... and after a small disagreement, Pryor decided to head home while the others stayed out to party.

Colafella says Pryor went to sleep ... but was awakened by Briston and two of her friends outside of his apartment -- and when he tried to get them to leave, all hell broke loose.

Colafella says one of the women struck him in the face ... and in the ensuing tussle, Briston grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the 30-year-old twice.

Colafella says after they took him to the hospital, they "shoved" him out of the car onto the sidewalk and attempted to flee.

As for their claim that Briston was acting in self-defense... Colafella called BS on that, saying, "It wasn't self-defense, it was attempted murder."

Colafella said he's hoping Pryor will cooperate with authorities and attempt to press charges against the two other women in the altercation.

Briston -- who's been charged with two felonies for the altercation -- is still behind bars after being denied bail early Wednesday morning.

Pryor, meanwhile, was hit with a misdemeanor assault charge for his alleged role in the fight ... but Colafella says Pryor was arraigned at the hospital Wednesday and released on $25,000 bond.

Chris Webber is going to bat for Jim Harbaugh ... telling TMZ Sports Michigan should NOT fire the head coach -- this despite his FIFTH STRAIGHT loss to Ohio State on Saturday.

"To throw the baby out with the bathwater or to blow it up just because of that really doesn't make sense," Webber says.

Don't get it twisted ... the Fab Five legend is still pretty pissed over the Wolverines' L -- but he says Harbaugh should get more chances to try to turn the tide.

In fact, C-Webb even offered up a little pump-up speech for Jim ... saying, "Just keep going and figuring it out!"

The biggest reason Webber wants to see Harbaugh stick around? Chris tells us Jim's squads are actually pretty damn good -- and says it'll all come together for a championship, eventually.

As for if Webber will get his wish of Harbaugh staying ... it seems pretty likely -- 'cause despite the Ohio State losing skid, the dude is still 47-17 in five years in Ann Arbor.

It's officially Splitsville for Johnny Manziel and Bre Tiesi -- the model has filed for divorce, TMZ Sports has learned.

We knew this was coming for months ... Bre and Johnny initially broke up earlier in 2019 after only a year of marriage.

Tiesi had previously called Manziel out for allegedly cheating on her ... saying, "vows were broken."

Bre filed docs Wednesday morning in Los Angeles ... which starts the process of officially ending the marriage.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and Bre started dating in 2016 and got married shortly after.

The star quarterback previously credited Tiesi with saving his life ... while he worked to beat off the field demons.

Of course, Johnny has been fighting to get back to football after the Cleveland Browns cut him in March 2016. He had a brief stint in the Canadian Football League before getting kicked out for breaking his contract agreement.

Manziel also played 2 games in Alliance of American Football before the league suspended football operations this past April.

Tiesi kick-started the Manziel cleanse back in August when she had all her Johnny-related tattoos removed ... saying there was a ZERO percent chance for reconciliation.

Shortly after they broke up, Manziel spoke with TMZ Sports about the split, saying ... "This is all very, very personal and very sad."

"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."

"Alright, I'm about to a hit home run because I know what pitch is coming!"

Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier SAVAGELY roasted the Houston Astros on his Twitch stream Tuesday ... throwing shade at the AL champs over their alleged use of trash bins in their 2017 cheating scandal.

The clip is pretty hilarious ... Frazier -- who's in the middle of a Call of Duty stream -- hits his virtual gun on some empty cans and says, "Two bangs, slider!"

After his avatar eventually goes down, he ribs the 'Stros some more, adding, "He said two bangs was a curveball and he banged twice and it was a heater!"

Of course, Houston is accused of stealing signs with video cameras 2 years ago and using dugout trash bins to relay the message to its hitters.

While it's a joking matter for Frazier -- who didn't make the Yankees' playoff roster when they played the Astros in the 2017 ALCS -- most guys in the MLB ain't laughin'.

Houston's penalty will reportedly be STEEP if it's found guilty ... and Yankees players and fans are still (rightfully) pissed over the whole deal.

In fact, CC Sabathia just said Tuesday he still sometimes wakes up "angry" over the whole issue!!!