TMZ Sports - Page 50

Stuck at home and itching for some more sports action?? The NFL and NBA just came through in the clutch for fans in desperate need of entertainment ... offering FREE access to Game Pass and League Pass!!

The sports gods heard everyone's prayers and provided the hookup -- access to the NFL's library of regular season and playoff games since 2009, as well as documentaries like "Hard Knocks" and other programs.

As for League Pass, users will be able to watch a bunch of classic games and replays (may we suggest Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals?) ... as well as other specials and content to keep you from losing your mind while sitting at home.

It's gotta be helpful for a bunch of sports fans across America currently deprived of competition ... considering all the pro leagues are on hold during the coronavirus pandemic.

It also gives New England Patriots fans a chance to watch Tom Brady's classic games ... considering that'll never happen again now that he's gonna be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer (too soon?).

The NBA's offer runs through April 22, while the NFL's will continue through May 31 ... but hopefully we're all back to work by then?

L.A. Dodgers minor leaguer Connor Joe -- a former MLB 1st-round pick -- underwent surgery for testicular cancer Tuesday ... but the utility player says he's very optimistic about his recovery.

"The good news is that we caught it early, and cases like mine are very curable," Joe said. "I have started treatment, underwent surgery yesterday and am in my recovery process now."

Joe -- who was picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2014 MLB draft -- left Dodgers' spring camp a couple weeks ago with the ailment.

Connor revealed doctors discovered the cancer after a battery of tests ... but the 27-year-old is hopeful for a "quick and full recovery" after his operation earlier this week.

"I recognize the road ahead may be challenging and uncomfortable at times, but God is good and I am staying positive," Joe said.

Connor -- who's had a successful minor league career the past few years -- had a cup of coffee in The Show with the SF Giants last season, recording 1 hit in 8 games.

He was attempting to compete for a roster spot with the Dodgers at spring training this year before his cancer diagnosis.

The Chicago Bears are trading for Nick Foles ... and it all begs the question -- is Mitch Trubisky officially done in The Windy City?!?!

Multiple NFL reporters say Da Bears are sending a 4th-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the former Super Bowl MVP ... and it's gotta hurt Trubisky's feelings a bit.

A lot of the Bears' current staff have old ties to Foles ... head coach Matt Nagy worked with him in Kansas City, while new QB coach John DeFilippo coached him in Philly.

But, the message from Chicago all off-season was that they still loved Trubisky as their QB ... in fact, remember when Prince Amukamara told us at the Super Bowl the Bears were Mitch believers?!

Seems that might not be the case anymore ... because not only is a 4th-rounder a pretty pricey fee -- the Bears are likely going to have to eat a whole lot of the 4-year, $88 MILLION deal Foles signed with the Jags last off-season.

Of course, Foles was expendable in Jacksonville because of the unexpected play of rookie Gardner Minshew -- who crushed it filling in for Nick all last year.

Now, does this trade make Trubisky -- the former 1st-round pick who was selected AHEAD OF Patrick Mahomes -- expendable in Chicago as well???

"It was so exciting, almost as much as when I kissed my wife for the very first time 49 years ago!"

That's Dick Vitale SO pumped about Tom Brady joining up with his favorite Tampa Bay Buccaneers team ... he could hardly contain his excitement on a phone call Wednesday with TMZ Sports!!

"I was really ecstatic," Vitale says ... "I mean, Tom Brady coming here is the best medicine!"

If you weren't aware ... Dickie V is one of the Bucs' biggest fans -- he's had season tickets for years -- and he believes TB12 heading south is going to do big things for Tampa Bay.

"They got the weapons," the legendary college basketball analyst says. "They just need leadership, and he'll provide that. He's the greatest of all-time, I don't think there's any doubt whatsoever!"

Vitale says ticket demands for the Bucs have gone up so much since the news of Brady's decision broke this week ... he's been offered free meals in exchange for some seats!

TB to TB.

Tom Brady is going to the Tampa Bay Bucs -- with a deal that will pay him $30 MILLION per season, so says NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

It still sounds like Tom has some I's to dot and T's to cross, but it's essentially a done deal at this point. Unclear how long the contract is for. Guessing it's on the shorter side considering Tom is 42 years old.

BEST DAY EVER FOR MIKE EVANS THO, HUH?!

There is one little issue ... the #12 currently belongs to Bucs star WR Chris Godwin. Will he give it up for free or will Tom have to pay up?!

Of course, the 6-time Super Bowl champ announced he was leaving the New England Patriots on Tuesday morning -- and things developed rapidly after that.

There was reported interest from the Chargers, Dolphins, Raiders and others -- but in the end, the Bucs won out. The Chargers were the last team in the mix before the Bucs came out on top.

Of course, it's a sad day for Pats Nation ... and as owner Robert Kraft put it, "I had hoped he would choose to stay, as a fan and an owner. But, out of respect for the relationship we’ve built, I gave him his freedom."

Brady played 285 games for NE in 20 seasons with the team ... throwing for more than 74,000 yards, 541 TDs ... and oh yeah, winning 6 Super Bowls.

It's the first time Brady was a free agent in his career ... and a new era in the NFL is here.

DeAndre Hopkins claims Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien scolded him for having multiple baby mamas ... and even compared him to Aaron Hernandez.

... this is all according to Michael Irvin, who says he spoke with the superstar WR after he was traded out of Houston -- and man, the allegations are SHOCKING.

Irvin said on ESPN's "Get Up" on Wednesday that O'Brien had called Hopkins into a meeting recently over the wideout being "too influential" in the Texans' locker-room.

Irvin claims the whole confrontation started out with O'Brien saying, "Hey, uh, the last time I had to have a meeting like this it was with Aaron Hernandez."

FYI, O'Brien was the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in 2011, when Hernandez was a star tight end for the team. Hernandez was later accused of killing multiple people before taking his own life in prison. So, yeah, it's not a name to be thrown around lightly.

The Playmaker says Hopkins was blown away by the comment -- saying, "I've never been in any trouble" -- but Irvin says things got even worse later in the meeting.

Irvin claims O'Brien was upset that Hopkins brought the mothers of his children around the team, saying, "He told De'Andre he doesn't like that he has his baby mamas around sometimes."

"And, from that, I think the relationship just went bad," Irvin added.

Hopkins and a 4th-rounder were ultimately traded Monday for running back David Johnson, a 2nd-round pick and a future 4th-rounder ... a shocking move considering the Vikings received a 1st-round pick AND MORE for Stefon Diggs later in the day.

Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, says the UFC is considering moving the Khabib vs. Tony Ferguson fight to another country ... and if that happens, Khabib is IN!!

As we previously reported, Dana White is adamant UFC 249 will take place come hell or high water on April 18 ... and they're currently on the hunt for a venue.

Ali tells us Khabib is currently training at AKA in San Jose, CA  along with other fighters on that UFC 249 card -- and he's down to travel to any location to brawl with Tony.

"I talked to Dana White white last night. He said there's a possibility the fight is gonna be out of the country. We discussed about going to Zaire or Manila or some distant places. I said hey, Muhammad Ali did it, I'm sure Dana White can do it."

Ali says Khabib isn't worried about coronavirus -- but he IS worried that "this dumb motherf**ker" Tony Ferguson could hurt himself before the fight and ruin the whole thing.

Tony has an unusual training style -- and recently posted video throwing heavy bags around a gym while wearing denim jeans. Khabib and Ali think it's not just weird, it's dangerous.

'Bachelor' star Peter Weber already proved he's got moves in the fantasy suites ... but did you know he can ball out on the football field too?!?

TMZ Sports has obtained video of PW hitting up a flag football game in California over the weekend ... and we gotta admit -- Pilot Pete's got skillz!!

Of course, it's been a crazy time for Peter -- he cut things off with Madison, got engaged to Hannah Ann, broke up with Hannah Ann, got back together with Madison, pissed off his mom, and broke up with Madison again.

Pretty easy to follow, right??

Anyway ... it looks like everyone is getting over the breakups in their own ways, 'cause Madi has been spotted hanging out with Selena Gomez ... while Peter balls with his bros at the Flag Football California league.

Weber looks like a rec league superstar in the video ... snagging a good interception with a solid return ... and throwing a dart on offense.

The coronavirus has just hit the Brooklyn Nets ... HARD.

The team announced FOUR players have tested positive for COVID-19 -- which is essentially a THIRD of the roster!

No, the team is not naming names -- at least not yet. Before today, no one on the team had been diagnosed with coronavirus.

In fact, before today only 3 NBA players had tested positive -- Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz and Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons.

Of the four, one player is exhibiting symptoms while three are asymptomatic," the team said in a statement.

"All four players are presently isolated and under the care of team physicians."

"The organization is currently notifying anyone who has had known contact with the players, including recent opponents, and is working closely with state and local health authorities on reporting."

"All players and members of the Nets travel party are being asked to remain isolated, closely monitor their health and maintain constant communication with team medical staff. The health of our players and staff is of the highest priority to the organization and the team is doing everything within its power to ensure that those affected receive the best care possible."