TMZ Sports - Page 50

The Shepard family is gonna have some more presents under their Christmas tree this year ... 'cause the NY Giants star and his model wife, Chanel Iman, have welcomed their new daughter!!!

The beautiful couple shared the news from their hospital bed on Tuesday ... saying "Our Christmas gift came early" ... officially announcing Cassie Clay Shepard to the world.

It's baby #2 for the Shepards ... they welcomed their first daughter, Cali, in August 2018.

29-year-old Chanel and 26-year-old Sterling met at Victor Cruz's 30th birthday party in 2016. They have been inseparable ever since ... and got married in March 2018.

Of course, the Shepards enjoy their free time away from the kids as well ... remember their epic Turks and Caicos couples vacation with Baker Mayfield, Saquon Barkley and their ladies earlier this year?

Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson was just slapped with a 2-game suspension -- ending his 2019 season -- after cops busted him for DUI back in September.

Jackson -- a 31-year-old stud defender -- was arrested on September 19 in Denver after officials say he was speeding and driving under the influence.

KJ -- a former 1st round pick who was a star at Alabama -- immediately reported the arrest to Broncos officials ... who passed the news on to the NFL.

The league investigated ... and on Tuesday they handed Jackson a 2-game suspension.

The Broncos are 5-9 and have no shot to make the playoffs ... so it's not that big of a blow for the squad.

Jackson owned up to his screw up ... and posted a heartfelt apology on Twitter.

"I would like to apologize to the Broncos organization, my teammates & fans. I understand the severity in my lapse of judgement and I will certainly not make this mistake again. I know I am fortunate to play in the NFL and am held to a high standard of professionalism and conduct."

The Broncos also released a statement addressing Jackson's arrest.

"Kareem Jackson was arrested for driving under the influence on Thursday, Sept. 19. He immediately informed our team of the incident, which we promptly reported to the NFL and thoroughly reviewed as an organization."

“There are high standards for the personal conduct of all members of our organization, and we have expressed our extreme disappointment to Kareem for his poor judgment. Under the NFL Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse, he has been suspended for the Broncos’ final two games of the 2019 season.”

As far as his legal issues ... Jackson appeared before a judge in Colorado earlier this week and plead guilty to a reduced charge -- driving while ability impaired.

Joe Burrow's emotional tribute to his hometown during his Heisman acceptance speech has kick-started a national campaign to help out ... with over $115k raised for the local food pantry.

The LSU superstar brought awareness to the financial challenges surrounding Athens County, OH while tearing up on Saturday ... saying, “Coming from southeast Ohio it’s a very impoverished area and the poverty rate is almost two times the national average."

"There’s so many people there that don’t have a lot and I’m up here for all those kids in Athens and Athens County that go home to not a lot of food on the table, hungry after school. You guys can be up here too."

One Athens man was so moved by Burrow's message, he started a fundraiser to help put food on the tables for people in Athens.

"Let's answer Joey's call to action by supporting a local nonprofit that serves food to more than 5,000 households in Athens County each year," Will Drabold said in the post.

Of course, Burrow is beloved in his hometown ... and was an absolute beast for the Athens Bulldogs before becoming the best college player in the country.

The campaign started on Sunday ... and it's already raised a whopping $116,000 for the Athens County Food Pantry.

Props to all involved.

Also -- if you haven't watched all of Burrow's acceptance speech, the whole thing is amazing. Check it out.

The Ontario Hockey League goalie who nearly bled out on the ice after being severely cut by a skate was just released from the hospital, his team announced Tuesday.

17-year-old Tucker Tynan was in bad shape last Thursday night ... when his leg was slashed after an opponent crashed into him in the Niagara IceDogs' game against the London Knights.

The collision crumpled Tucker to the ice ... and emergency personnel quickly rushed him into surgery after they noticed blood profusely pouring out of his leg.

The good news? Tucker pulled through just fine ... and his IceDogs squad just announced he's left the hospital and is headed home for some R&R.

"Tucker Tynan has been discharged from hospital in St. Catharines," team officials said. "He is en route home to Chicago for some rest and recovery."

For his part, Tynan sent a message from the hospital bed over the weekend saying he was grateful for all the support during the scary time.

"Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the kind words, truly they mean more than anyone can ever know," Tucker said.

"An unfortunate situation, looking forward to recovering and coming back even stronger and healthier than before."

Kumail Nanjiani walked into his workout regimen for "Eternals" as one big softy and emerged totally yolked thanks to high-intensity training, and a major focus on 2 key body parts.

Check out these workout videos of Kumail pumping iron with Grant Roberts ... the celeb trainer tells TMZ Kumail's transformation from scrawny to sculpted was all about intensity, and they trained for a little over an hour a day, 5 times a week for 10 months.

Kumail hit every body part training with Grant, but we're told the actor needed the most work on his shoulder and biceps, which were physically lacking when he started hitting the gym back in January -- Grant's words, not ours.

As you know, Kumail's super proud of his new look for the upcoming Marvel movie. He just pulled the curtain back on his transformation, showing off his guns and ripped torso.

Kumail's trainer tells us they did all the muscle sculpting with dumbbells -- raising sets and overhead pressings in every angle imaginable -- and that's where most of his energy went.

Here's UFC star Mackenzie Dern showing her holiday spirit ... rocking a tiny bikini in Brazil, where it's 80 degrees and sunny in the middle of December!

The 26-year-old jiu-jitsu champion is coming off an impressive fight against Amanda Ribas -- who she fought in October, just 4 months after Dern gave birth to her daughter, Moa.

Dern lost the scrap, but the fact she was able to get back into fighting shape in just 124 days -- and fought Ribas all the way to a decision after three 5-minute rounds is pretty damn amazing!

Now, Dern is back home in Brazil where she's getting in some quality beach time with her family -- including longtime boyfriend Wesley Santos, a pro surfer.

No word on when Dern will return to the Octagon and fight again -- but she's been back in the gym and we're told she's planning on taking a fight in early 2020.

Welcome to the league, rooks!

The Seattle Seahawks' defensive back core held its annual rookie dinner Monday night ... and a pair of first-year NFLers were hung with a $17,500 check!!!

The booze-and-steak-filled night all went down at Daniel's Broiler in Bellevue, Wash. ... and according to some of the vets, it was the most expensive rookie dinner in a while.

The receipt is absolutely nuts ... the guys bought a TON of expensive food and alcohol, piling up $11,000 worth of Louis XIII alone.

There was also Wagyu steaks, lobsters, calamari and all the fixin's ... and in total, the bill came out to $17,579.10!!!

As for the guys who whipped out the credit cards for the check ... Ugo Amadi and Marquise Blair were saddled with that task -- but neither seemed to be too pissed (at least judging by the videos we've seen).

Of course, perhaps they should've been ... neither is signed to that big of a contract -- Amadi is on a 4-year, $3,165,196 deal, while Blair inked a 4-year, $6,236,648 one.

But, hey, at least the vets seemed to appreciate the gesture ... with second-year corner Tre Flowers saying, "I been waiting on this day for a year lol."

The rookie dinner is nothing new in the NFL -- it's been going on for decades ... with Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson previously telling TMZ Sports he had to pony up some major dough when he was a rookie in 2001.

"The late Junior Seau and the veterans hazed me by taking me to dinner and spending $18,000 of my money!" LT said.

Offset is calling for Fortnite to lift the ban on his teammate FaZe Jarvis -- telling TMZ Sports a lifetime punishment sends the WRONG message to the kids.

As we previously reported, 16-year-old Jarvis -- one of the top Fortnite players in the world -- was banned for life from all Fortnite events after admitting to using illegal software to get an advantage during non-tournament play.

Jarvis claims he was just using the software to goof around while streaming -- and would never do anything to break the rules during competitive play.

Epic Games -- the company behind Fortnite -- has refused to budge ... but now Offset, who recently joined the FaZe Clan is speaking out in hopes of getting Jarvis back in the game.

"Fortnite says the game is for the youth. The youth makes mistakes a lot of times. Let the kids play, that what they love to do," the Migos rapper told us.

"Give him a ban. Like, ban him for 30 days. Give him probation terms or something like that and then if he keeps doing the same violations then you do that [suspend him for life]."

"But, a couple times messing up?! They kids ... know what I mean?"

By the way, Offset's not just involved in the gaming side of FaZe Clan -- he just dropped a new fashion collab and debuted the merch Monday night at the FaZe Arcade on Melrose.

Horrible setback for ex-NBA commissioner David Stern -- who is now in critical condition after undergoing emergency brain surgery.

77-year-old Stern has been hospitalized since Thursday when he suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage at a Manhattan restaurant.

It seems things had stabilized ... but now, The Athletic's Shams Charania says Stern suffered ANOTHER brain hemorrhage, requiring emergency surgery.

The NBA has issued a statement on Stern ... saying, "He is receiving great care and surrounded by his loved ones."

"The Stern family and everyone at the NBA appreciate the incredible outpouring of support.  Our thoughts and prayers remain with David and his family."

Stern served as NBA commish from 1984 to 2014. He famously shook LeBron James' hand when he was selected with the #1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Russell Westbrook isn't fazed by the $100 MILLION lawsuit filed against him over an incident with a heckler ... we're told his camp strongly feels the suit is "meritless."

Westbrook is being sued by Shane Keisel -- a U.S. Army vet who got into it with the Houston Rockets player during a March 11 game in Utah against the Jazz.

In his suit, Keisel admits he tried to heckle Westbrook by telling the NBA star "that he should just sit down and ice his knees."

But, Keisel claims Westbrook misheard him believing he shouted a homophobic insult -- "get down on your knees like you used to."

Westbrook went nuclear on Keisel and his girlfriend, Jennifer Huff -- yelling, "I'll f*ck you up. You and your wife. I'll f*ck you up." Video of Westbrook's comments went viral.

In fact, Keisel says he was banned from the Vivint Smart Home Arena and all Utah Jazz games for life. Plus, Keisel says he was fired from his job, kicked out of a pilot training program and has received numerous death threats.

The Jazz claims they conducted an investigation before issuing the ban -- but Keisel says the probe is massively flawed ... with no video evidence showing him making any sexual or racial slurs. And, Keisel says witnesses who were sitting in the area are siding with him, not Westbrook.

He and Huff are now suing both Westbrook and the Jazz for $100 million for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false light and more.

A source close to Westbrook slammed the claims telling us, "The lawsuit is meritless. The Jazz conducted their own investigation of the guy's conduct at that game and based on their investigation, they decided to ban him from attending any future Jazz games."

Steven Adams kept it about as real as possible after sinking a game-winning free throw for the Thunder on Monday ... saying the moment caused him to "absolutely s**t" his pants!!

The Thunder were tied 106-106 with the Chicago Bulls with just a few seconds remaining in the game ... when Adams was fouled near the basket and sent to the free-throw line.

The situation was pretty simple for the 26-year-old 7-footer ... make a free throw and win the game, or miss it and give the Bulls a shot at their own game-winner.

Adams sank the first one, and while he missed the second one ... he secured the rebound, sealing the win for OKC.

After the game, Adams said the moment really got to him ... straight-up telling the team's sideline reporter, "I absolutely s**t my pants."

"It's a lot! It's pretty tough!" Adams said. "I didn't realize how much pressure it is."

Meanwhile, during the whole interview, teammate Dennis Schroder was hilariously making fun of Adams for needing to bank in the free throw to win the game!!

Great news for Hope Solo ... the soccer superstar announced she's pregnant with twins --more than a year after she almost died during a tragic miscarriage.

"Miniature soccer team on the way," Solo announced while cohosting "BeIN Sports USA" with George D. Metellus ... "One boy and one girl."

Solo is married to ex-NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens.

Earlier this year, Solo revealed her struggled with fertility to Elle Magazine -- explaining how she had become pregnant in early 2018 ... but things did not go as planned.

A week after learning she had miscarried twins, Solo felt sick and in pain -- and was told one was ectopic (which means the pregnancy happens outside the uterus).

Solo says she needed surgery to remove her fallopian tube and was told she was "hours from dying."

38-year-old Hope told Elle she began IVF treatment soon after -- and now she's preggo again!

No word on when the babies are due -- but Solo joked that when they're born, they could be the next big U.S. soccer stars.

Solo is the greatest female goalkeeper in Team USA soccer history -- and famously won the Golden Glove (given to the best goalkeeper) for the 2011 and 2015 World Cup.

DUBBBB CLUBBBB!!!!!

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton turned his team's locker room into a nightclub after beating the hell out of the Colts on Monday night ... and the guys LOVED IT!!!

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (per usual) and linebacker Craig Robertson were front and center on the dance the floor ... cutting a rug like they just won the Super Bowl.

Other squad mates eventually joined in on the party too ... with guys going crazy to flashing lights and loud music!!!

Seriously, it was pretty awesome.

Of course, the Saints had a lot of reasons to celebrate ... they destroyed Indianapolis, 34-7 -- while Drew Brees passed Peyton Manning on the all-time touchdown passes list.

The Saints still have some work to do to lock up a high postseason seed ... they need a few things to break their way in order to get a first-round bye.

Meet the newest Splash Bro ... Trey Lyles!!!

Check out the San Antonio Spurs player accidentally dumping a fan's pricey beer at the Toyota Center in Houston on Monday ... and her reaction is priceless!!

It all started when Rockets star Russell Westbrook fired a pass that went into the stands -- directly crushing a woman's beer.

That's when Lyles went over to retrieve the ball -- which was under a seat -- and as he flipped it up to himself, he knocked ANOTHER woman's beer right out of her hand ... sending beer suds everywhere!

You can see the woman's face ... she ain't happy (Hey, beer at NBA games ain't cheap!!!)

Hopefully, SOMEONE (hint, hint Spurs) hooked up a replacement brew for the fan -- and maybe some towels for everyone in the area who got soaked in the process!

As for the action ON the court -- the Rockets eventually won the game 109 to 107.

Floyd Mayweather is mocking Manny Pacquiao -- and he wants the world to see it -- more proof he's trying to bait the fighter into a rematch in 2020.

The undefeated 42-year-old was signing autographs at the Art of Music shop inside the MGM Grand in Vegas over the weekend ... when a fan asked Floyd to sign a ticket from the 2015 Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight.

Get this ... fans were NOT allowed to carry cell phones while interacting with Floyd, but when Mayweather saw the item, he told the fan to go out and grab his phone so he could record "something special."

When the guy returned, Floyd put on a show -- saying, "So, what I'm about to do right now is sign 'Victim 48,'" Floyd said ... a reference to Manny being the 48th fighter Floyd defeated.

"So, what I'm gonna go for you ... I gotta cross him out!"

That's when Floyd grabbed a pen and scratched a big ol' "X" over Manny's face!

As we previously reported, Floyd is dead serious about a boxing comeback in 2020 -- he wants two more fights -- and one of his main targets is Manny.

Floyd is a master of promotion and knows better than anyone how to drum up interest in a major pop culture event ... just ask Conor McGregor!

Of course, Floyd handily defeated Pacquiao when they first clashed back in 2015 -- but Manny was nursing an injured shoulder at the time.

Since then, Manny's been VERY impressive in the ring ... defeating top fighters like Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman.

Floyd knows a rematch with Pacquiao could generate another 9-figure paycheck ... and this seems like a very calculated first step to get the ball rolling.

BTW, the fan with the 1-of-a-kind signed ticket is trying to cash in ... 'cause he's put it up for auction with eBay.

Stay tuned ...

Gerrit Cole has arrived in NYC -- and here's the first video of the superstar pitcher talking about his new team, his new $324 million deal ... and the Yanks famous NO-BEARD policy!

The 29-year-old was swarmed by fans on the way into the Mandarin Hotel in New York where he signed baseballs, posed for selfies and was super nice to the media.

The questions were rapid-fire ... but here's the gist of it.

-- Cole says signing with the Yanks was a hard decision, which is shocking considered he had 324 MILLION reasons to put pen to paper.

-- Cole explained why he's excited to be a part of one of the most storied franchises in all of pro sports ... "The history. The fans. Competitiveness."

-- And, the beard ... that famous, beautiful beard? He seems to be coming to terms with the fact it's a goner.

We asked Gerrit if he would try and keep his scruff or if he would embrace the Yanks decades-long, clean-cut tradition.

"That's nuts," Cole said ... before saying he would "unfortunately" part ways with his face-warmer. (At least that's what it sounded like he told us. It was super loud.)

The Yankees' courtship of Cole has been one of the biggest stories in baseball ... the guy had a ton of suitors in free agency these past few weeks -- from the Yanks to the Dodgers to the Angels. Everyone was willing to throw insane amounts of cash at him.

Of course, Cole ultimately landed with NY ... and despite him saying it wasn't the easiest choice ever -- he added he's sure as hell happy he made it.