TMZ Sports - Page 50

Henri Richard -- one of the greatest hockey players of all time -- has died at the age of 84, the Montreal Canadiens announced Friday.

Richard holds the record for most Stanley Cup victories by an individual player (11) ... and played his entire 20-year career with the Canadiens.

"The Montreal Canadiens are saddened to learn of the passing of one of the organization's greatest legends and ambassadors, Henri Richard, this morning," the Canadiens said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the Richard family."

Richard -- nicknamed the Pocket Rocket -- holds the record for most games played in franchise history (1,258). He was also named in the NHL's 100 Greatest Players of All Time list, released in 2017.

Henri is the younger brother of Maurice "Rocket" Richard, whom the NHL named the goal-scoring leader trophy after.

"The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at CHSLD Résidence Riviera for their wonderful care," the team said.

"They demonstrated incredible professionalism and humanity. The family would also like to thank the public for their heartfelt condolences and kindly requests that its privacy be respected during this difficult time."

Julian Edelman says he's been speaking with a Rabbi every week -- but he's not just praying for Tom Brady to stay in New England, he's about to get Bar Mitzvah'd!

The Patriots WR has previously described himself as "kind of Jewish" -- his father is Jewish but religion wasn't a big part of his upbringing.

But, the 33-year-old has started going to temple and leaning into his Jewish roots -- even telling L.A. Magazine's Allen Salkin, "I speak with a Rabbi every Friday."

“I converted pretty much. I’m going to have a Bar Mitzvah here soon," Edelman said.

FYI, a Bar Mitzvah is an important Jewish ceremony where a child formally becomes an adult in the eyes of the religion and is allowed to participate in Jewish rituals like reading from the Torah.

Most people have a Bar Mitzvah around the age of 13 -- but hey, better late than never right?!

Can you imagine the Bar Mitzvah party Edelman will throw? And what's he gonna do with the Bar Mitzvah money? Here's an idea ... give it to Tom in hopes he'll stay!

Mazel tov!

How did the New York Rangers celebrate Mika Zibanejad's INSANE 5-goal game Thursday??

LOCKER ROOM SURPRISE PARTY, BABY!!!

Zibanejad could not miss in NY's game against the Washington Capitals ... netting 5 goals, including the OT winner -- and afterward, his teammates celebrated in pretty cool fashion.

They all hid in the locker room at Madison Square Garden ... and once Zibanejad walked in -- they surprised the hell out of him with a moshpit!!

Watch the clip ... the guys go pretty wild -- even dumping a whole water bottle on the star center's head!!

Zibanejad has been red hot for the Rangers this season ... scoring 38 goals and tallying 33 assists in 54 games -- but his night against the Caps was ALL-TIME great.

Five-or-more goals in one game has only been done 62 times in the sport's history ... and only 46 players have EVER done it.

By the way, if you're wondering, Wayne Gretzky scored 5 or more goals FOUR TIMES in his career!!!

PGA golfer Scott Piercy says he'll "do better" after posting a homophobic meme about Pete Buttigieg on his IG page ... insisting he wasn't trying to offend anyone.

Dude, are you a moron?

41-year-old Piercy doesn't seem to get why posting a photo of the openly gay politician with the caption, "Peter Pulls Out Early From Behind" could be deemed offensive.

Oh, and the post also referenced QAnon -- the far-right conspiracy theory. Supporters of it have been condemned by the FBI.

The PGA Tour was super upset with Piercy -- a rep said, "We were made aware of Scott’s post and are disappointed in the lack of judgment used."

The 11-year PGA Tour vet -- who's made more than $20 mil in his pro career -- spoke out on Tuesday saying, "Whenever i post my intent is NEVER to offend. I want to apologize if any of my recent story posts have been offensive. I will do better!"

If?! IF?!?! Okay ...

Beast Mode goes Hollywood!!

Marshawn Lynch was front and center at the L.A. premiere of "Westworld" on Thursday night ... leaving many asking the question -- why??

Turns out, HE'S ON THE SHOW!!

The Seattle Seahawks legend plays a tough guy (shocker) on Season 3 of the HBO sci-fi series ... you can even see him in the trailer, standing next to Aaron Paul and Lena Waithe.

The crew had a blast at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the big premiere while hanging out with the star of the show, Thandie Newton.

Lynch has certainly been staying busy this offseason -- besides the acting gig, the 33-year-old is also scheduled to speak at Princeton's upcoming Class Day event.

What's the best part of becoming an overnight superstar thanks to a viral 3-point basketball shot!?

Jackson State team manager Thomas "Snacks" Lee says he got a personal message from his hoops hero Kevin Durant ... and he's STOKED!!!

"Kevin Durant has been my favorite player since he played at Texas," Snacks told TMZ Sports ... "I've got an enormous collection of KD jerseys!"

Well, Durant became a fan of "Snacks" this week after he saw that amazing footage of Lee achieving his dream and checking into a Division 1 basketball game ... hitting a DEEP 3 in the process.

"I see you snipe," Durant said to Snacks on social media.

Snacks says he was PUMPED to get love from KD -- telling us he's been calling himself "Fat Durant" for years ... and was honored to hear from the man himself!

And it's not just KD, Snacks has become a star on campus at Jackson State -- telling us, "After the game, fans showed mad love. My phone from 10 PM last night 'til now, I had to keep my charger on me because it's just constantly going off."

Jackson State takes on Alabama State on Thursday -- hopefully, we get more Snacks!!!!

New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams was arrested at LaGuardia on Thursday ... cops tell TMZ Sports the former 1st-round pick brought a gun to the airport.

Law enforcement sources tell us Williams was going through a security checkpoint at around 9:15 PM ET when TSA agents scanned his luggage and found a Glock 19.

The way it was put to us ... Quinnen told officials he believed he could carry the gun into New York legally ... since the 22-year-old does have an Alabama permit for the firearm.

But, after authorities explained to the 6'3", 303-pound NFL player he had to have an NY permit to carry there ... they arrested him on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon.

We're told Williams was issued a summons ... and will be forced to appear in court later this month.

Quinnen was a MASSIVE star coming out of the Univ. of Alabama ... he was the No. 3 pick by the Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Williams played in 13 games for NY this past season -- starting nine of them -- and he recorded 2.5 sacks with 28 combined tackles.

Great news!!!

UFC's most dominant couple -- Amanda Nunes and Nina Ansaroff -- have announced Nina's pregnant and due in Sept.!!!!

"I wanna tell every single person on this planet that Raegan Ann Nunes will be here mid September," Amanda said on IG ... "I cannot wait to see her."

Nina -- the UFC's #5 ranked strawweight fighter -- added, "I am carrying and still plan on fighter after she is born."

The two have been together for years -- and when they came to the TMZ office back in December, they already had big baby plans!

"I’m taking a year off," Ansaroff told us ... but when she returns, Nina says she plans on moving up a weight class and competing in the 125-lb flyweight division.

"I’m gonna be training throughout my pregnancy. I’m gonna stay in shape. I’m not gonna, ya know, just like not do anything and jump in."

One of the people who reached out to congratulate the couple is Mackenzie Dern, the UFC fighter who returned to action just 4 months after having a baby.

Nunes and Andaroff told us they love the fact Dern got right back to work, but they feel no pressure to get back so quickly.

Ex-Knicks stud Chris Childs is going off on James Dolan ... telling TMZ Sports the New York owner mishandled the Spike Lee situation and is turning the team into a JOKE!!!

"This has to stop because it's starting to be the laughingstock of the league," Childs says. "And, I hate to see that."

If you missed it, Lee and the Knicks spent all of Tuesday fighting over the entrance the movie mogul used at Monday night's game. In fact, the beef got so bad, Spike vowed to not return to MSG again this season.

We spoke with Childs -- who played with the Knicks from 1996-2001 -- and he's laying the blame for all of the drama squarely at Dolan's feet.

"Spike Lee has been coming to these game forever," Childs says. "If he wants to land a helicopter through the roof, let him!"

Childs added, "He hasn't done anything, but support that franchise when they're at their lowest. So, how do you embarrass that man like that with your flashlight cops? Tell him he can't use that entrance? And, that only comes from the top."

Childs says Dolan is allowing his personal feelings to get in the way of properly running the team ... and tells us the guy's issues with Lee, Charles Oakley and combative fans at MSG prove that.

"So, let's stop playing games," Childs says. "Keep it a buck. Dolan, you're in your feelings right now and you're just picking on everybody."

"It seems that he's so sensitive. He has rabbit ears. He hears everything and it gets to him."

Of course, Childs has had his own battle with Dolan in the past ... remember, back in 2017, he was famously not invited to the reunion of the 1998-99 Knicks squad.

NBA player Allen Crabbe just struck a plea deal in his drunk driving case ... and won't spend any time behind bars.

27-year-old Crabbe -- who most recently played for the Minnesota Timberwolves -- was pulled over on June 26 in West Hollywood after officers said he showed "signs of driving under the influence."

A TMZ Sports cameraman was nearby when Crabbe was pulled over ... and captured the field sobriety test on video.

It didn't outwardly appear AC bombed the test ... but he was still arrested and charged with DUI.

However, on Thursday, Crabbe pled no contest to a lesser charge ... 1 misdemeanor count of "engaging in a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway."

The 6'6" hooper was sentenced to 3 years probation ... as well as being ordered to complete 2 DUI education courses.

FRESH CUT!!!

Drew Brees is showing off his brand new look -- a buzz cut -- and it's for a great reason!!

The New Orleans Saints QB took some clippers to the dome on Tuesday for the Saving By Shaving charity event for the Boston Children's Hospital ... and helped raise a TON of money.

For a guy who's pretty calm under pressure, Brees looked a bit nervous to try out the new 'do (or lack, thereof) ... but cracked a few jokes in the process!!

"It's gonna be a lot easier to wash my hair now!!," the 41-year-old said.

The best part?? Brees says Granite CEO Rob Hale made an incredible $7 MILLION donation during the event.

Pro-wrestling star Robert Stone -- f.k.a. as Robbie E -- has a message for Conor McGregor ... LET ME MANAGE YOUR WRESTLING CAREER!!

Stone -- currently signed to WWE -- has been in the wrestling game for 20 years ... but recently retired from bustin' asses in the ring, so he could make bank outside it.

Rob's now a talent manager who represents NXT star Chelsea Green ... but he's looking to expand his roster in a very big (and Irish) way.

"Conor McGregor was meant to be part of sports entertainment. I think everyone kinda already knows that. It's just a waiting game."

"His entrance, the way he talks, the way he walks, the way he fights. This guy would be perfect for the Robert Strauss brand. there's a lot of money for him to make in this."

McGregor ain't the only star athlete who has expressed interest in wrestling. Tyson Fury made a cameo in the squared circle a few months ago ... taking out Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

"When you think of those guys, you think of money and that's why I'm doing this. I wanna make money. And, of course, they wanna be part of WWE."

Rob says he's heard from a lot of stars who want to get into the industry ... but they don't know how where to start.

"I've talked to so many people, heard so many things over the years. Big names like that want to get into sports entertainment, they just don't know how to."

But, with the right guidance ... Stone says he can produce mega-stars that transcend the wrestling ring.

"If you really think about it, there's John Cena, there's [Dave] Bautista, there's The Rock. These guys are so big right now in movies and commercials and talk shows," Stone says.

"I think more sports entertainers can be doing those things they just don't know that they could be and I'm going to help them get those opportunities."

Billy Joe Saunders has called his shot ... he wanted Canelo -- and now he's getting Canelo!

Sources tell TMZ Sports the undefeated 30-year-old British champion is all set to do battle with Canelo Alvarez on May 2nd at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas (as first reported by ESPN's Salvador Rodriguez) ... and it's a fight Billy Joe has wanted for months!!

In fact, the reigning WBO super middleweight champion came into the TMZ office back in November to shoot an episode of "TMZ Sports: Roundtable" ... and told us why he's supremely confident he can beat the Mexican superstar.

"He's a real good fighter, he's done brilliant things for boxing," Saunders told us ... "I just think I've got the keys to his locker."

"If he beats me, I'll shake his hand and say you're the better man, but I know I'll beat him."

At the time, Saunders -- who was sitting with his promoter, Eddie Hearn -- said he doesn't care about the money, he's a competitor who wants to prove he's the best in the world.

"Let me win and keep the money," Saunders said ... "You let me win and keep the money. That's how much I want to beat him."

Canelo is one of the top fighters in all of combat sports and arguably the biggest draw -- coming off a spectacular violent KO of Russian stud Sergey Kovalev back in Nov.

The Kentucky Wildcats fan who spewed the N-word at a Tennessee Volunteers fan during a college basketball game Tuesday night is now apologizing ... acknowledging her words were "hurtful" and "hateful."

Yeah, she's just embarrassed she got caught.

The disgusting scene went down as the Vols were in the process of upsetting the Wildcats on their home court at Rupp Arena in Kentucky.

As UK fans were leaving early, Vols fans were talkin' some harmless smack -- when a woman named Ashley Lyles turned to a heckler and shouted, "N****r ass."

Yeah, she used the hard R ... and it was all captured on video.

The footage went viral and the University of Kentucky called her behavior "unacceptable" ... vowing to take some sort of disciplinary action against the fan.

After she was shamed across the Internet, Lyles issued an apology ...

"My reaction after the game was unacceptable, period," Lyles said.

"It was against all values of the University and state of Kentucky. I humbly apologize to the individuals at which my words were directed. My words were hurtful and hateful and have no place in this world."

"I apologize to the University and state of Kentucky for the embarrassment I have caused. I want my apology not just to be in words, but in actions moving forward."

The Univ. of Kentucky has reached out to the man who was the target of Lyles' verbal attack and the athletic director says he has personally apologized on behalf of the school.

The NY Knicks are working with the OKC Thunder to honor several first responders who aided in rescue efforts during the '95 Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 terror attacks, the teams announced.

The Thunder are in town to take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Friday -- but before tip-off and during the game the teams will pay tribute to emergency personnel.

In fact, certain heroes who responded to BOTH tragedies will have the honor of holding the American flag during the national anthem.

FYI, April 19, 2020, will mark the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. 168 people died in the domestic attack carried out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.

In the wake of the attack, emergency personnel based in NYC were sent to OKC to help in the rescue and recovery efforts. So, there's a connection between the two cities.

The teams say they will also host the families of OKC responders who later perished in the line of duty while responding in the 9/11 terror attacks in NYC.

"The bravery of the first responders who are being honored was a beacon of light during unspeakable tragedies in Oklahoma City and New York. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to honor them,"  Thunder GM Sam Presti says.

"I'm getting a little bit of the meat sweats."

That's Joey Chestnut in the middle of pounding 32 Big Macs on Thursday ... and, yeah, it's the most disgusting/awesome thing you'll see all day.

The competitive eating legend posted the video on his social media ... saying he was having a cheat day and wanted to accomplish something he -- nor any other person -- had ever done.

So, the dude set out to grab a McDonald's world record ... and fired up his phone to get 15.36 POUNDS of Big Macs delivered to his crib.

What happened next is pretty graphic ... he slammed all 32 burgers -- pickles, lettuce, special sauce and all -- and sweated ruthlessly throughout the meal!!

But, in true Chestnut fashion ... he dominated the challenge -- setting the world record (it had previously been 30) -- and afterward, he looked pretty damn good for a guy that consumed 18,016 calories in less than an hour!!

Of course, Joey's used to these kinds of feats ... he owns the annual Nathan's Hot Dog-Eating Contest, eating a record 74 wieners back in 2018.