TMZ Sports - Page 50

"I don't know if I've ever seen any college player better than he played last year."

That's Brett Favre heaping a TON of praise on Joe Burrow ... telling TMZ Sports he thinks the LSU QB's 2019 season was the greatest of all time!!!

Of course, Burrow's stats back up the claim ... the 23-year-old completed 76.3 percent of his passes for 5,671 yards and scored 65 total (rushing and passing) TDs -- but it's still shocking to hear the Packers legend make the claim nonetheless.

Remember, there are some straight-up ICONIC seasons from college football players over the years from dudes like Cam Newton, Barry Sanders, Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow, Vince Young and Reggie Bush.

But, Favre tells us Burrow's year just tops them all.

"In fact, [Burrow's] team was incredible," Favre says. "Best college team I've ever seen. And, the best play by a college quarterback in history."

So, just how do Burrow's numbers compare with guys like Newton, Tebow, Young and Manziel?

Newton in 2010: 2,854 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, 1,473 rushing yards, 20 rushing TDs

Manziel in 2012: 3,706 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, 1,410 rushing yards, 21 rushing TDs

Tebow in 2007: 3,286 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 895 rushing yards, 23 rushing TDs

Young in 2005: 3,036 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, 1050 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs

Yeah, Favre might have a point here!!

As for Burrow's future in the NFL -- ya gotta hear which legendary QB Brett thinks Joe most plays like.

By the way, the Packers legend also reminisced with us about his draft day experience in 1991 ... and he even opened up about that epic draft night photo!!

The lack of baseball has hit the most famous bat manufacturer HARD ... with the makers of the Louisville Slugger shutting down its factory and museum.

Hillerich & Bradsby Co. discussed the decision to furlough 90% of its staff and halt production at its Kentucky facility on Monday ... saying the coronavirus and its impact has forced the changes.

"We’re not doing any advertising. We’ve cut all our expenses we can. We’re just hoping we get back to normal before we run out of cash," CEO John Hillerich told The Courier Journal.

Of course, there is no MLB right now ... as the start of the season has been delayed with no return date in sight.

According to the Journal, Hillerich & Bradsby sends about 50,000 sticks to the MLB each year ... and there's serious concern the logs used to make the bats could "spoil" before they're used.

As for the employees ... those remaining on staff have taken a 25% pay cut ... but everyone -- including the furloughed workers -- are keeping their health benefits.

Hillerich says the company is concerned about the museum's future ... saying, "We’re afraid that even if we open up, people aren’t going to want to be in crowded museums."

Derek Jeter is taking an indefinite pay cut as Marlins owner -- a move that could cost him MILLIONS -- this as the MLB community continues to struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeter, a part-owner of Miami's team since 2017, told his staff Monday he's giving up his paychecks while the league continues to postpone play over coronavirus, ESPN reports.

Derek's salary is reportedly around $5 MILLION per year ... so the move is a pretty big one for the former Yankees captain.

Of course, his actions will help others in need in the Marlins' franchise ... reportedly, the team will now continue to pay its employees until at least May 31 -- right around the time baseball hopes to resume.

Jeter's pay cut comes just a week after MLB commish Rob Manfred also agreed to slash his salary in a move that could cost him around $4 MIL.

The good news ... baseball still appears to be committed toward paying its other employees in the meantime.

The MLB season was set to tip off on March 26 ... but was postponed indefinitely after coronavirus fears in early March.

Ex-UFC fighter Phillipe Nover is now a registered nurse helping patients during the COVID-19 pandemic -- and he just got a video message from Dana White praising him for his efforts!

"Hearing all the incredible things you're doing on the frontlines of New York City," White said ... "You're awesome, kid!"

Some backstory ... 36-year-old Nover first began fighting in the UFC in 2008 and took fights in the Octagon all the way up to 2017. He's 11-8-1 as a pro.

But, he's now a registered nurse working at a hospital in Brooklyn -- where he's part of a rapid response team treating coronavirus patients.

When Dana found out about Nover's story ... he sent a video to us that we could play for him -- and it's pretty great.

"I have so much respect for, not just you, but for everybody who is part of the first responders and the medical staff that are taking care of everybody and putting yourself in harm's way to help others."

"You were a stud on ["The Ultimate Fighter"] and apparently you're still kicking ass, my friend. Congratulations! Thank you so much for all you're doing for everybody."

Nover was blown away by the message -- telling us, "That's awesome! Thanks, Dana!"

Nover also explained why it's so important to him to pitch in during the pandemic -- explaining, "I'm glad I can actually help out."

There's more ... Nover tells us why he got into nursing -- and why he feels his experience as a fighter helps him in his new career.

As for whether he would take another MMA if he gets the chance, Nover says it's highly unlikely.

"At this point, I think my fight is in the hospital."

Think Roger Goodell is going to finally make it through a draft without hearing boos????

THINK AGAIN ... 'cause the commish is actually ENCOURAGING the jeers -- and it's all for COVID-19 charity!!

Here's the deal ... Goodell has been booed at EVERY draft for the last decade or so -- mostly because NFL fans hate the way he runs the league.

But, with the coronavirus pandemic ... it seemed the commish was finally going to get a reprieve from it all as the league's draft Thursday has gone completely virtual.

The NFL, though, partnered with its beer sponsor Monday to make sure the tradition stays alive ... with Bud Light announcing it will donate $1 every time the #BooTheCommish hashtag is used on social media this week!

In fact, the booze company says it'll contribute up to $500,000 total to COVID-19 relief efforts to hear you boo the league's head man.

Tim Hardaway says he's FED up with Bill Laimbeer's disrespect for Michael Jordan ... saying the Pistons legend KNOWS MJ's the G.O.A.T. ... but is too jealous to admit it!!

Of course, Laimbeer spoke his mind on the debate last week ... saying he believed LeBron James deserved the title, and not his archnemesis.

The comments set the NBA community on fire ... so when TMZ Sports spoke with Hardaway recently, we had to ask the guy for his take -- and he didn't hold back.

"Stop being jealous," the 5-time All-Star told us. "He took it to you, Bill. I know you all didn't like it. You probably got dunked on 5, 6, 7, 8 times."

Hardaway even points out Laimbeer's Bad Boy Pistons had to have played a HUGE role in making MJ the killer he is today -- remember the "Jordan Rules" ...?

"That's y'all fault. Don't be mad, don't be upset and don't be jealous."

There's more ... we also spoke with Hardaway about the tough financial times NBA players may face during the coronavirus pandemic ... and he's got solid advice.

It's 4/20 ... and you've NEVER seen Mike Tyson this happy!!

The boxing legend is now a full marijuana advocate and entrepreneur -- and to celebrate the biggest weed holiday of the year, he fired up a joint and explained to TMZ Sports why the day is so important to him.

Of course, 53-year-old Mike launched his "Tyson Ranch" weed biz a while back -- and now swears by THC ... saying he views it as "medicine" and raves that it's changed his life for the better.

Now, he views 4/20 as an important day -- because it symbolizes the beginning of the "revolution" to de-criminalize weed all over the world.

In between tokes, Tyson also revealed his dream celebrity smoking buddy -- explaining why he would have LOVED to spark up with Bob Marley.

"He is such an amazing man, I wish I had the opportunity to meet him."

Obviously, Bob passed away a long time ago -- but Mike says he's friendly with Marley's kids ... and even visited Bob's home in Jamaica!

There's more ... Mike is also honoring the "holiday" by posting some celeb interviews on his YouTube page including Action Bronson, Kenan Thompson and Jadakiss.

Look, some people go all out for Christmas ... other people, 4/20.

How's MLB stud Jedd Gyorko passing the time during quarantine??

INSANE CORNHOLE TRICK SHOTS, BABY!!!

The Milwaukee Brewers infielder has been crushing it with the bags while staying safe at home ... and we gotta say, these are some of the most impressive trick shots we've ever seen.

Check out some of the clips of Gyorko's bag game so far ... there's a double cornhole, a behind-the-backer and even a celebratory beer chug as well!!

But, the best shot Jedd's hit during the MLB's postponed play? That came just a few days ago when the 31-year-old holed a ridiculous shot in his West Virginia living room.

Gyorko, standing by the front door, tossed a bag some 20 feet OVER the mezzanine ... and landed it without even hitting the rim.

Yeah, INSANE, RIGHT?!?!

Of course, some called him out for the clips -- wondering how long it took him to actually hit the shots -- but Jedd proved he was the real deal in a Zoom match with ex-Cardinals teammate Kolten Wong last week.

Gyorko crushed the dude in three games ... hitting insane shots there as well -- and then he bodied his good buddy on social media for good measure afterward.

"Thanks @thewongone808 for the entertainment and competition tonight," Gyorko wrote underneath a picture of Wong faceplanting. "I appreciate ya!! Who’s next?"

L.A. Lakers guard Dion Waiters is coming clean about his infamous weed edible panic attack on the Heat team plane in 2019 ... admitting it really happened, but adamantly denying he had a seizure.

Remember, Waiters reportedly took a THC-infused edible and fell asleep on the team's flight from Phoenix to L.A. back in November ... and freaked out when he woke up.

Waiters required medical attention at a hospital once the plane landed in L.A. ... and had to miss the Heat's game against the Lakers later that night.

The 28-year-old expanded on what really went down on that flight in The Players' Tribune Monday ... saying, "It's on me."

"I own that. It was idiotic on my behalf — point-blank, period," Waiters says. "What’s crazy is, my whole life I been a leader. I’m not a follower. Pat (Riley) knows me. He knows I don’t do drugs."

Waiters points out his struggles with depression and anxiety ... and says he wasn't in a good place when the incident went down.

"But sometimes when you’re going through dark times, you can fall trap to things you’d never do in your right mind."

Waiters says the reports got blown way out of proportion ... and is denying he ever had a seizure.

"Ask the doctors. Ask my Heat teammates. They can speak on it. For that b.s. to come out, it ain’t right."

Waiters was suspended 10 games due to the incident ... and was later traded to the Grizzlies. He was released 3 days later and signed with the L.A. Lakers.

Larsa Pippen wants to make it crystal clear -- Scottie Pippen is NOT strapped for cash ... despite that god-awful deal he signed back in the day, which was a major story pointing the new MJ doc.

One of the biggest takeaways from episode 2 of "The Last Dance" was Pippen's incredibly bad 7-year, $18 million deal ... which made him one of the most undervalued players in the league.

Despite being Michael Jordan's wingman, Scottie was widely considered one of the best players in the Association during the '90s ... but couldn't crack the top 100 in earnings while in Chicago.

And, on top of that, there were rumors for YEARS that Scottie was broke as a joke even after his NBA career.

But, Scottie's estranged wife, Larsa, is stepping up to defend the Bulls legend ... clapping back at the haters by pointing to his 17-year career earnings -- $109 MILLION!

"Thx for your concerns Scottie did ok," Larsa wrote.

BTW -- Larsa filed for divorce back in November 2018, but they don't seem to be in a rush to officially cut ties. Court records show the divorce case is still technically active, but no one is really pushing to get it done.

So, could the doc actually bring Scottie and Larsa closer together and SAVE their marriage???

Stranger things have happened ...

As for the deal, Scottie explained he signed it because his family needed the money at the time ... and he was afraid of suffering a career-ending injury that would kill the gravy train altogether.

Bad decision? Of course, but after banking $109 MIL ... seems he's doing okay.

The new Michael Jordan documentary has a funny way of describing kiiinda important people in U.S. history -- like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton -- but hey ... they aren't wrong.

On Sunday, ESPN aired the first two episodes of "The Last Dance" -- and while they were talking about MJ's early years at UNC and eventually with the Bulls ... they brought in former Presidents Obama and Clinton.

Funny enough, the producers didn't seem interested in highlighting either guy's political career ... referring to Bubba as "Bill Clinton, Former Arkansas Governor" and Barry as "Former Chicago Resident." Disrespectful? Eh, maybe. Hilarious??? Abso-freakin'-lutely!

Here's the thing ... the odd title choices aren't incorrect. Yes, Bill was the governor of AR once upon a time before he made a run at the White House in the early '90s -- and he WAS discussing Scottie Pippen's days at the University of Central Arkansas.

And sure, Barack, the former U.S. Senator and Prez WAS talking about what Chi-Town was like when MJ first arrived.

It's been 3 years since convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez killed himself in his prison cell -- but his fiancee is still showing love.

Shayanna Jenkins posted a throwback photo on April 19 -- showing the ex-NFL star holding their then-newborn daughter roughly 8 years ago.

"The love between father and daughter knows no distance," Jenkins wrote ... "We think of you today. May you Rest in Peace and continue to watch over us!"

Of course, not everyone remembers Aaron as a loving family man -- in fact, many know him as a bloodthirsty, unstable maniac.

Remember, Hernandez was convicted in the 2013 shooting death of Odin Lloyd -- and Aaron was also accused of murdering two other people in Boston in 2012.

In fact, it was April 19, 2017 -- only 5 days after he had been acquitted in the double-murder case -- that he hanged himself in his prison cell at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Mass. Hernandez was 27-years-old.

Some people think Hernandez took his own life to exploit a loophole in the legal system which would require officials to throw out the Odin Lloyd murder conviction, forcing the Patriots to pay out the remaining cash on his contract to Jenkins.

In fact, Hernandez left a suicide note for Jenkins saying, "You're rich!"

OKC Thunder player Terrance Ferguson will NOT face rape charges after prosecutors say they simply can't prove the 21-year-old committed a crime.

Ferguson was investigated by the Oklahoma City Police Dept. after a woman reportedly claimed he raped her at a house party in 2018.

Officials say the woman didn't file a police report until Feb. 2020.

Details surrounding the case have been thin, to say the least -- but the Oklahoman reports the accuser acknowledged she knew Ferguson before the alleged rape.

Now, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater says the probe is complete ... and his office will NOT be charging Ferguson with any crimes.

"Evidence to support the reporting person's allegations that the sexual conduct was not consensual was absent,” Prater told The Oklahoman over the weekend.

In other words, cops seem to be acknowledging that a sexual incident took place -- but can't seem to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that was rape.

Ferguson's attorney, Billy Bock, issued a statement saying -- "Terrance Ferguson is a very respectful young man who has recently had to defend himself regarding some false allegations."

"He cooperated fully with the investigation and appreciates the professionalism of the investigators with the Oklahoma City Police Department and Mr. Prater's office, which has declined to file charges."

"He continues to deny any wrongdoing and is looking forward to having this experience behind him."

Ferguson has started 123 games for the Thunder since it picked him with the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He's logged 4.9 points per game for the team in his 3-year career.

Were Michael Jordan's rookie teammates part of a "Traveling Cocaine Circus"???

The NBA's G.O.A.T. didn't exactly deny that ... confirming during his 1984-85 rookie year -- he caught his Chicago teammates having a party with blow, weed and women out in Peoria, Ill.

"I walk in, and practically the whole team is in there," Jordan said as part of one of his sit-down interviews for ESPN's "The Last Dance" documentary.

"It was things I had never seen in my life as a young kid. You got your lines over here, you got your weed smokers over here, you got your women over here.”

Jordan -- who had spent the previous three years at the University of North Carolina -- says the incident caused him to be an immediate loner on his new team.

"The first thing I said is, 'I'm out,'" Jordan said. "Because all I can think about is if they come raid this place right now, I am just as guilty as everyone else in this room. From that point on, I was more or less on my own."

Jordan's teammate at the time, Rod Higgins, confirmed MJ never partook in the partying that year ... saying the guy didn't even drink with his new NBA squadmates.

"Whatever somebody else might have been doing off the court, if it was partying or whatever, that wasn’t part of what he wanted to do,” Higgins said. "Orange juice and 7-Up was his go-to."

Turned out to be a pretty good move for Jordan ... he went on to change the culture of the Bulls and win SIX championships.

See, kids? Don't do drugs.

Yo, THIS IS INSANE!!!

Team Russia swimmer Yuliya Efimova can't get to a pool due to COVID-19 -- so she went "swimming" on her kitchen counter.

DO YOUR ABS HURT FROM WATCHING THIS YET?!

The 28-year-old used a mat to cushion her thighs -- and then engaged her core in a big way to bust out an imaginary swim workout while her quarantine partner held her feet.

That's super impressive!

There is some controversy here -- Yuliya (who also goes by Julia Evimova) -- has a history of testing positive for banned substances.

In fact, she was banned from competing at the 2016 Olympic Games due to the Russian doping scandal -- but the ban was overturned.