TMZ Sports - Page 50

Vanessa Bryant was able to open one last letter from Kobe on her birthday ... revealing she waited until her special day to read an unopened envelope from her late husband.

"Yesterday I found an envelope labeled To: The Love of my Life. From, Tu Papi," Vanessa said. I waited to open one more letter on my birthday."

"It gave me something to look forward to today.❤️"

It's Vanessa's first birthday without the Lakers legend and their daughter, Gigi ... whose 14th birthday would have been May 1.

Vanessa's friends were quick to comment messages of support, including Lala Anthony who said:

"That's beautiful V. Today is your day. We celebrate you. We love you. We got your back forever. Happy happy birthday."

Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child added, "Sending you love today!! Happy birthday Vanessa."

Just a few days ago, Bryant asked friends, family and fans to show support for her daughter's birthday last week by wearing Gigi's favorite color, red.

Kobe and Gigi -- along with John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah and Payton Chester, Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan -- were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26.

In her IG caption, Vanessa added, "Missing the Love of my Life and my sweet little Mamacita- my fellow Taurus. Grateful to wake up to my 3 sweet girls today. Wish we were all together."

Metta World Peace is no more ... the former NBA superstar says he's changed his name again -- this time to Metta Sandiford-Artest.

The ex-Lakers forward, formerly known as Ron Artest, revealed the latest moniker swap on "Inside the Green Room with Danny Green" this week ... saying the newest change was to honor his wife, Maya Sandiford.

"I actually took my wife's last name and ended it in my last name," Metta said.

Of course, Metta gained GLOBAL fame back in 2011 when he changed his name to Metta World Peace ... explaining at the time he wanted "to inspire and bring youth together all around the world."

But, Metta revealed to Danny Green on the show that he actually was initially embarrassed by it ... saying he thought to himself early on at NBA games, "This is the dumbest thing ever."

In fact, Metta even said there was a time when he was debating changing it all to "Queensbridge" or "So Hood."

But, Metta told Green he eventually got used to "World Peace" ... and didn't feel the need to change it again until this year.

"What's funny is I got married," Metta said, "and my name now is Metta Sandiford-Artest."

By the way ... when it comes to those reports that Metta had changed his name to "Panda Friend" when he moved to play ball in China in '14 -- he said those were just not true.

"People said, 'Metta's changing his name to 'Panda Friend!'" Metta explained. "So I just rode with it!"

If Mike Tyson is serious about a comeback -- and wants an exhibition fight -- HOW ABOUT A REMATCH WITH EVANDER HOLYFIELD!!

That's what boxing star Shawn Porter wants to see ... telling TMZ Sports, "To see him in the ring in an exhibition against Holyfield would be amazing."

53-year-old Iron Mike set the boxing world on fire this week after posting new training footage ... and even though the clip is short, he looks as explosive as ever.

"Just to see that small combination that he threw with the velocity he was throwing it at, and again the integrity that came along with it was very special for me," Porter explained.

"His technique looked phenomenal."

Of course, Tyson fought Holyfield twice -- losing by TKO in '96 and losing by DQ for biting off Evander's ear in '97.

But, Tyson says he's a changed man now -- and he's actually become friendly with Holyfield over the years, even joking about the ear.

So, with Evander now doing exhibition fights all over the world ... it's possible they could strike a deal for a 3rd fight -- and Porter says he'd absolutely be down to watch!

There's more ...

32-year-old Porter -- a 2-time welterweight champ -- also tells us how he's staying in shape during the COVID-19 pandemic and why he's still hoping to fight before the end of the year.

"As far as I know, boxing will hopefully be back before the end of the year and I think I want to be one of the first guys to get back in there and do it."

Ketchup on tacos ... psycho move or delicious topping?!?!

Former MLB star Adam Jones is clearly all for it ... 'cause the dude loaded up his Cinco De Mayo tacos with the red stuff -- and had no shame about it!!!

Jones posted the pic Tuesday ... showing off some soft shell delight smothered in Heinz magic.

The problem??? Some people think that's a borderline criminal offense ... and the 34-year-old even got hate in the comments over it!!

"I know that’s not ketchup on your taco...." one fan wrote. "Your SD card’s gonna get pulled if so...."

But Jones, a San Diego native, was having none of the ketchup slanders ... firing back at the haters, saying, "you can’t ever pull my SD card. It’s my plate. I eat them how I want to. Ain’t a specific way. So gracias."

It all begs the question ... is ketchup on a taco fair or foul!?

The facts: There's ground beef, lettuce and cheese on a taco -- coincidentally, all the same ingredients on a burger that no one would have an issue putting ketchup on!!

"I would honestly say this is probably going to be one of my best seasons. Bigger, stronger, faster ... this is my time."

The Dawg Pound's gotta be salivating after hearing Odell Beckham's prediction for the upcoming season ... with the Cleveland Browns superstar WR saying he'll be more than ready to bounce back after a disappointing 2019.

Remember, OBJ says he played all of last season with a sports hernia injury he suffered during training camp ... which ultimately led to a lackluster start to his career in Orange and Brown.

The injury ultimately required surgery ... which Beckham had after the season.

"So pretty much, I was just f***ed up the whole year," Odell says. "I really didn't try and say anything about it. Probably one of the worst surgeries I've ever had."

Beckham gave an update on his status in a vlog posted on Monday ... saying he's putting in the work during rehab to get back to 100% during quarantine.

"Recovery's going well. Guess I'm really just trying to put my body back together. I've been playing for 23 years, so for me, I'm trying to put it all back together in seven months."

Beckham had just 4 TDs in 2019 as the Browns went 6-10 ... but this talk has to get fans fired up for 2020.

Larry Csonka and his Miami Dolphins teammate Manny Fernandez once caught a live alligator and hid it in Don Shula's shower ... and the story is nuts!!

The Dolphins legendary running back was remembering Shula on a Zoom call with reporters when he explained how he pulled off one of the most DANGEROUS pranks ever!!

It all started during a fishing trip in Florida with Manny -- a stud defensive end -- the day after an exhibition game.

Csonka says they saw alligators on the beach and Manny said he could catch one.

That's when Manny -- a MANIAC -- jumped out of the boat and caught a 3-foot gator with his bare hands!!

"It was like something in a movie. There was tumbling and screaming and growling and pretty soon Manny Fernandez came walking out of the bushes with a baby alligator!"

"Walked over and threw it in the boat. I jumped out of the boat!"

Larry says the guys threw the gator into his car and brought it back to the team practice facility the next day ... "and then we had the great idea of putting it in his shower."

Larry says the players took a vote on whether to tape the gator's mouth shut -- and it passed by ONE VOTE!

How'd it go over with the Coach???

BEAST MODE MIGHT NOT BE DONE YET!!!

Marshawn Lynch just said he's "in talks" with the Seattle Seahawks about yet another NFL comeback ... this time telling ESPN's Scott Van Pelt to "expect the unexpected" from him in 2020.

"Just as far as right now," Lynch said Monday, "what I do know is, imma keep it solid. My agent has been in talks with Seattle, so like I said, we'll see what happens."

Lynch has retired and unretired multiple times in his NFL career ... but after his short stint with the 'Hawks at the end of last season, most thought the 34-year-old was officially done.

But, Lynch sure seems like a guy who wouldn't mind making a run at Year No. 13 in the NFL.

"If it works out and I get back up there, it is what it is," Lynch said. "And, if not, sh*t, I'm looking good. So I ain't really trippin' too much."

Marshawn -- who's had a Hall of Fame-caliber career -- famously quit the NFL after the 2015 season ... but came back to the Oakland Raiders in 2017 after sitting out all of '16.

After playing 21 games for Oakland in two seasons, it appeared Lynch was finally done with football ... but then he surprisingly returned to Seattle to help with their playoff run last year.

AND, HE LOOKED GOOD!!

So, could he come back for a full season this time with the 'Hawks???

"Ask a silly question" ... is what Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler are clearly thinking in this video, which proves the writing was on the wall a couple months before they announced their divorce.

TMZ obtained this clip of the now-estranged couple at an event back in February, where they were doing a meet and greet with fans in Chicago at Kristin's Uncommon James store.

At one point, a woman who said she was newly engaged asked for advice about being newlyweds and marriage. Kristin quickly blurted out a very telling answer ... "Don't do it."

Everyone had a laugh about it -- including Jay who seems very uncomfortable sitting right next to Kristin -- but it sure seems like she was being honest, based on what we now know.

Not too long after this she and Jay officially called it quits, with him filing for divorce -- but Kristin's since said in her divorce papers ... they were close to pulling the plug late last year. They made one last-ditch effort that went south in March. The split has been anything but civil.

As we reported ... Kristin accused Jay of "marital misconduct," which we found out pertained to them not agreeing on child custody. They're also at odds about a living situation right now, as Kristin wants money freed up to buy a new place of her own.

Her fans can't say she's not honest.

Everything's bigger in Texas ... including the mansions -- just check out the place Jason Witten is trying to sell!!

Now that the former Dallas Cowboys tight end is playing for the Las Vegas Raiders, he's parting ways with his 8,800-square-foot estate ... and this place is SICK!!!

We're talkin' 17 ROOMS -- including 6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, wine cellar, movie theater, game room and wet bar!

OH, AND THE POOL AREA LOOKS LIKE A RESORT!

Waterslide? Yep. Diving board? OF COURSE!

It's all located in a very exclusive guard-gated community on a golf course in Westlake, Texas ... about a 30-minute drive from Dallas.

The neighborhood is also packed with other NFL and MLB players. Glenn Beck is also a neighbor.

Got guests? There's an 828-square-foot guesthouse too!

The property, listed by Engel & Volkers, sits on 1.2 acres of land. Asking price -- a cool $4.6 MILLION!

37-year-old Witten just wrapped up a 15-season run with the Cowboys -- he made over $70 million in contract money alone.

Now that he's playing in Vegas, seems he's ready to part ways with his longtime pad.

Tom Brady doesn't need access to Tampa Bay parks to keep his G.O.A.T. bod in shape ... the dude's taking his workouts to his backyard now -- IN FULL PADS!!!

TB12 was forced to move makeshift gym locations after local authorities gave him the boot from closed Tampa-area parks last month ... and the QB has clearly learned Derek Jeter's mansion can work just fine.

Brady posted video of his workout from the pad he's renting from the Yankees' legend on Monday ... and it doesn't seem the 42-year-old is missing anything.

Tom showed off some solid footwork and lateral movement ... all while he donned a helmet, shoulder pads, cleats and a knee brace.

Seems his Buccaneers gear still hasn't made its way to his doorstep, though -- 'cause his helmet still looks a hell of a lot like Patriots colors to us.

Then again, it's probably best Tom waits for the pirate swag to arrive at his place rather than going to get it himself ... remember the last time he ventured out in Tampa to get new Bucs stuff??

By the way, Brady's still mixing in some pleasure with work ... getting in a little family jetskiing after his morning sweat.

Like father, like son!!

NFL legend Jim Brown's son, Aris, is following in his dad's footsteps ... by committing to play lacrosse at the collegiate level.

Of course, the Cleveland Browns Hall of Famer was an All-American LAX player at Syracuse ... and even admitted it may have been his best sport over football.

The dude wasn't joking ... he's in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and was one of the first African-American superstars in the sport.

18-year-old Aris, a 4-year starter at Sierra Canyon H.S. -- who plays midfield, just like pops did -- announced the next step in his LAX career this week ... saying he's "very proud" to commit to playing at Hampton University.

"I’d like to thank God, my family, friends, and coaches for helping me through the way," the Sierra Canyon HS star said on IG.

Brown also shared a pic of his unique signing day moment -- wearing a mask while inking his name on his papers.

It's a move that's gotta be dad-approved -- Jim was elated when Hampton became the first HBCU school to have a Division 1 lacrosse team back in 2016.

Henry Cejudo wants to fight Jose Aldo so badly -- he just offered to marry the guy to help him get into the country ... just so he can beat his ass!

"I will literally marry the dude to take the dude out," Triple C tells TMZ Sports.

Here's the backstory ... Cejudo was initially supposed to fight Aldo at UFC 250 in Brazil, but COVID-19 screwed up those plans.

Now, with the UFC is rebooking some of the fights in the U.S. -- Aldo is in trouble because he can't get into the country due to govt. travel restrictions.

Cejudo is now set to fight Dominick Cruz on May 9 instead -- but after that fight, Henry says he still wants a crack at Aldo ... and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

"I told Dana White, I said, ya know, I'll take this fight with Dominick Cruz ... but I still don't wanna leave Jose Aldo off the hook."

"I said if I have to marry him to fight him then I will do that. I will literally marry the dude to take the dude out."

"I will get on one knee to beat his ass."

In the meantime, Cejudo isn't taking Cruz lightly -- preparing for Dominick as if it's the biggest fight of his career.

"I got a kingdom to reign -- the Olympic champ, the flyweight champ and the bantamweight champion of the world."

How does he see the fight going?

"Knockout! Me on top of him, the ref pulling me off of Dominick Cruz. I want somebody else to save him from his own beating."