TMZ Sports - Page 50

A group of 850 former Kentucky Wildcats cheerleaders are rallying behind the coaches fired over wild hazing allegations ... demanding they get their jobs back!

As we previously reported, UK axed the cheer team's advisor, head coach and 3 assistants after investigation into a crazy team lake retreat back in February.

The school claims the retreat was debaucherous -- with allegations of team members being forced to booze and perform topless and bottomless cheerleading stunts.

Several active members of the team have disputed the allegations -- but the school fired the staff anyway ... citing results of a 3-month investigation.

Now, the UK Cheerleading Alumni Association is going to bat for the staff in a strongly worded letter to school honchos.

"To say the UK cheerleading advisor and coaches lack integrity is insulting," the alumni statement says.

"To suggest that the advisor and coaches didn’t provide proper oversight is absurd. To so harshly penalize a program -- especially one that has led such an exemplary existence for four-plus decades -- is unfair!"

"Although what is alleged to have happened with the current squads is regrettable, we support them too, because we believe no person should be defined by their mistakes."

The group added this message for the fired coaches -- "You were always there for us. We're proud to return the favor."

"Shad was one of those guys that everybody loved."

That's Triple H telling TMZ Sports why the death of former WWE superstar Shad Gaspard is such a huge loss ... explaining, "He was just a great human being."

Of course, Shad began his relationship with WWE in 2002 when he tried out for the "Tough Enough 2" reality show.

He busted his ass and earned a WWE contract in 2005 -- eventually making the big stage in early 2006.

He ultimately parted ways with WWE in 2010 but Triple H says they had a good relationship ... and even chatted just a few months ago.

"Just the greatest guy," Triple H said ... "So nice."

The WWE exec also said the fact he died while trying to save his 10-year-old son "tells you everything you need to know about the guy."

Gaspard was declared missing on May 17 after he was caught in a riptide during a swim with his son in Marina del Rey.

Rescuers were able to pull his son out of the water, but they were unable to save Shad. His body was found on May 20.

Triple H says WWE honored Shad on Wednesday's 'NXT' show -- but he believes there will be another tribute on "Friday Night Smackdown."

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are firing back at a report claiming the QB turned down a 5-year, $175 MILLION contract extension ... saying that offer simply never hit the table.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says he spoke with Prescott's agent and reps from the team ... and they confirmed contract discussions between the two sides have only consisted so far of the length of the deal -- not money numbers.

Of course, ex-NFL QB and current league analyst Chris Simms reported this week that he's heard otherwise.

Simms -- speaking on 105.3 The Fan -- claimed he was told by "some people who are in the know" that Dak was poo-pooing a 5-year deal that would pay him roughly $35 mil per year.

"He wants a four-year deal," Simms says. "If they do agree to a five-year deal, they would like a really big number at the end of that fifth year to cover their butts for what the market might be at the position five years from now."

"And, I’ve heard he’s asking for somewhere like north of $45 million in that fifth year."

But, Rapoport reported Thursday, "The two sides have never discussed such scenarios or anything like it. Dak wants a shorter deal, the Cowboys want a longer one. July 15 is the deadline."

Mike Tyson says he's seriously considering a rematch with Evander Holyfield -- but only because it would raise MILLIONS for people in need.

"That would be awesome for charity," Tyson said on "TMZ Live" ... "Can you imagine me and him going in the ring together?"

Of course, 53-year-old Tyson has been training like a maniac recently and looks absolutely terrifying -- something he credits to the stem cell treatments he's been receiving.

"I'm in good shape, I feel really good!"

Now, with 57-year-old Holyfield also training for a comeback -- we asked if there's truth to the rumors they're planning on running it back for a 3rd time.

"Anything is possible," Tyson said ... noting that he's "having fun, looking good, showing off my new bod and stuff."

Tyson says he's committed to living a life of charity and gratitude -- but he knows a fight with The Real Deal could make a serious difference in a lot of people's lives.

"Hey, listen, there are a lot of people out there that need help and something like that could help a lot of people, that's in need for help."

Tyson also revealed he's focusing on meditation -- and feels he's on the path to enlightenment.

In fact, Tyson will be participating in a massive World Meditation Day event Thursday at 11 AM PT ... along with Deepak Chopra and Tony Robinson.

Tyson says the goal of the event -- which will be streamed live on Facebook -- is to get 1 BILLION people from all over the world to unite for synchronized meditation and prayer.

Ex-Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says giving owners a draft incentive to hire minorities is "like having Jim Crow laws" ... ripping the proposal as straight-up "offensive."

Remember, the NFL owners reportedly planned to vote on a proposal that would reward teams with a better 3rd round draft pick if they had hired a minority GM or coach.

While the proposal was tabled during the owners meetings on Tuesday, Lewis went off on the idea of giving teams an incentive to hire minorities in an interview with The Baltimore Sun.

"It was offensive, definitely offensive," Lewis said. "It was like having Jim Crow laws."

As for compensating teams with draft picks? Lewis isn't happy with that, either.

"Draft picks are like gold. That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. As a head coach, no one wants to be hired or put in that position."

Owners DID vote to expand the Rooney Rule to require teams to interview at least 2 minority candidates when hiring new coaches ... which Lewis says is a good thing.

"This will be a plus requiring more than one minority to be interviewed because it will cause them to take a deeper dive."

FYI -- there are currently 4 minority coaches and 2 minority GMs in the NFL, which is comprised of 32 total teams.

The L.A. County Coroner has identified the body found on L.A.'s Venice Beach as ex-WWE superstar Shad Gaspard ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The body was first seen on the beach by a citizen who called cops around 1:30 AM Wednesday ... according to our law enforcement sources. We're told officers responded and recovered the body right near Venice Pier.

A short time later, several people (we're told family members and close friends) gathered at the beach.

They were hugging, talking and crying. At one point, some of the people waded into the water.

The L.A. Fire Department held a news conference Wednesday morning, saying the body matches the description of Shad ... a 6'6" black male over 240 lbs.

As we first reported, he went missing on Sunday afternoon when a group of swimmers, including Shad and his son, Aryeh, got caught in a rip current south of the Pier.

Shad heroically told lifeguards to focus on getting his 10-year-old son to shore safely, but when they returned he'd gone under.

Police and Coast Guard boats and divers searched the rough water for nearly 2 days before suspending their efforts.

Shad loved hanging out at the beach, and less than 2 weeks ago he'd posted a heartwarming vid walking through the sand and surf with Aryeh. Shad wrote, "Love the life I built for my self and my family."

He was one-half of the popular WWE tag team, Cryme Time, along with his partner, JTG.

He was also a regular at the legendary Gold's Gym in Venice, and as we learned firsthand ... a truly great guy.

Shad is survived by his wife Siliana and their son.

He was 39.

RIP

Skinny Gronk is no more ...

The future Hall of Fame tight end says he's gained back the 20-or-so pounds he lost after his Patriots retirement ... joking he's "four more protein shakes away from being at my playing weight."

Rob quit the game back in March 2019 ... and almost immediately dropped down to around 240 pounds, causing everyone to wonder if he was really done with the game for good.

"It felt good just to drop that weight," Gronk told CBS Sports HQ on Wednesday. "You know, ease up my joints, let my body free. I kind of felt like that weight was bloated weight, too. So, it felt good to get rid of it."

But, after agreeing to reunite with Tom Brady last month ... he's already bulked back up, saying he only needs a couple more lbs to be NFL-ready.

"I'm about 257 pounds right now," Rob says ... "I'm excited about that. I'll definitely be at my weight when it's time to go. I'll be at 260 to 265 when it's time to roll."

As for how the weight changes will affect Rob -- who says he hadn't previously been under 260 since his senior of HS -- he's confident the cutting and bulking won't spell disaster in a return to the gridiron.

"It's time to build back upon it," Gronk said. "Put lean muscle on my body and get ready for the NFL season like I never have before."

Music to TB12's ears!!!

Auburn legend Pat Dye -- one of the greatest college football coaches ever -- is hospitalized in Georgia after testing positive for coronavirus.

80-year-old Dye is a College Football Hall of Famer who's credited with making Auburn a powerhouse in the '80s ... winning 4 SEC titles and racking up a 99-39-4 record from '81 to '92.

Dye famously coached Bo Jackson during his Heisman Trophy season in 1985.

But now, he's battling serious health issues -- including kidney problems -- according to an email sent to members of his sister's church.

"Please join us in praying for and lifting up Jayne Snell's brother, Pat Dye," the email said.

"Jayne says he is very weak, and is experiencing loss of appetite and some confusion."

"Please help us lift Pat up in prayer so that God may help him. Pat is loved by many people far and wide and there is no better reminder of this love than constant prayer for him and his family."

Aldon Smith says he's not worried about rust in his NFL comeback -- telling TMZ Sports he feels young, healthy and "blessed by God."

The 30-year-old pass-rusher was reinstated by the NFL after 5 years out of pro football due to several off-the-field issues including arrests stemming from substance abuse.

But, Smith -- a former 1st All-Pro -- says he's now clean and sober and focused on football. In fact, he's been busting his ass in L.A. with Jay Glazer and recently signed a 1-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

Some people would be concerned about readjusting to the speed of the NFL after 5 years off ... but Aldon says he's not sweating it at all.

"God has blessed me with talent," Smith tells us ... " And, one of the talents is my natural gift to play ball, to be an athlete."

"So, I still feel young. I don’t have the mileage on my body. I still feel great when I go to the gym. I still feel young and fresh. So, if anything, I’m looking forward to what I’m going to be able to do out there."

When asked if he thinks he has another 19.5 sack season in him -- the same numbers he posted back in 2012 -- Smith was confident about that, too!

"I’m an overall better person [than I was back then]," Smith says.

"I got 20 sacks ... 19.5 ... I say 20 because it was 20. But, I was able to play at a high level with a lot of other things going on in my life.  With how life is for me now, I’m just looking forward to seeing what I can do."

Luke Hill -- one of the top recruits in Oregon's 2020 football class -- was arrested this week ... after he allegedly attempted to murder his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend.

FYI, 18-year-old Hill is of the one best high school cornerbacks in the country. He signed his National Letter of Intent with Oregon months ago ... but the school says they parted ways in the spring. They have not explained why they parted ways, but they're probably glad they did now, based on the allegations.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, cops say they responded to a call of a shooting in Prince George's County, Md. -- near where Hill played his high school ball -- at around 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

While on the scene ... cops say the victim told them he was playing basketball when a white car with window tint pulled up and fired on him.

Fortunately, cops say the victim told them nobody was injured by the gunshots ... and went on to say his girlfriend had received menacing messages from Hill -- whom she had had a prior relationship with -- just an hour or so before the incident.

According to the docs, the victim explained Hill had messaged his GF about their relationship and had stated he was "trying to find out where the victim lives."

Cops say when they went to Hill's home after they wrapped up investigating at the victim's ... they saw Hill pull up in a white vehicle that matched the victim's description -- and after they detained him, they obtained a warrant to search the house.

That's when officers say they recovered three firearms from Hill's residence ... including a Glock 22 handgun that was located in a hidden compartment in Hill's bedroom, behind Univ. of Oregon football recruiting letters.

Officers say the caliber of fired shell casings they recovered at the victim's residence matched the gun in Hill's room ... and they arrested the football player shortly after.

In Hill's mug shot, obtained by TMZ Sports, you can see the guy wasn't exactly a happy camper.

Prosecutors have since hit the 5'11", 175-pound defensive back with EIGHT charges ... including felony first-degree attempted murder and felony assault.

The Univ. of Oregon has told multiple media outlets Wednesday it had parted ways with the football player earlier this spring prior to the arrest... despite receiving his National Letter of Intent earlier in the recruiting cycle.

Dallas Cowboys player Aldon Smith -- who hasn't stepped foot on an NFL field since 2015 -- has been officially reinstated in the NFL, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The 30-year-old former All-Pro defensive end -- who battled substance and legal issues throughout his career -- is finally getting another chance at a comeback.

Smith met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last Thursday ... with the decision becoming official on Wednesday.

As we previously reported ... Smtih has been sober and training non-stop at Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer's Unbreakable gym in West Hollywood in hopes of a return.

Smith signed a 1-year deal worth up to $4 million with the Cowboys in April ... but was still waiting to get an update on his status with the league.

California beach junkies are PISSED volleyball nets still haven't been returned to beaches ... and now, they're begging Gov. Gavin Newsom to put the sport back on the sand ASAP.

An online petition is making its way through CA social media communities this week ... with more than 3,000 people already on board to try to get government officials to put back the nets.

As we previously reported, most Calif. counties -- including Los Angeles -- took down the courts back in March to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

But, just a few days ago, Newsom and California mayors announced some sports activities could resume ... putting golf and tennis back on the acceptable list.

In the petition, Californians argue volleyball should be included as well ... saying, "Similar to tennis, outdoor volleyball is a non-contact sport and can be played with doubles teams."

The petition continued, "This means there are only two people on each side of the net with plenty of space to spread out. The only shared equipment between players is the ball."

It's unclear if and when Newsom will relent to putting the nets back ... but the governor did say on Monday he's targeting a June 1 return for pro sports in the state.

So, if it's safe enough for LeBron at Staples ... is it safe enough for the beach bums in Santa Monica?!?!

Paul Pierce says there's NO WAY LeBron James deserves to be considered one of the 5 best players in NBA history ... and he's got a pretty ironic reason for the snub.

The Boston Celtics legend dropped the scorching hot take on ESPN Monday, saying the King never established a winning culture on his own ... and therefore, shouldn't be mentioned among the best in the game.

"I go back and I ask myself, 'What has LeBron did to build up any organization from the ground-up?'"

"Look at the names I said -- Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar), Magic (Johnson), (Michael) Jordan, Tim Duncan, Kobe (Bryant), (Larry) Bird ... these guys are all top 10 players who either helped build up their organizations or continued the tradition."

Pierce explained his case against LBJ ... saying, "He went and put together a team in Miami. He came back to Cleveland to put that team together. Then he went to the Lakers, where a tradition has already been made and that's still to be continued ... so, that's my argument."

Jay Williams tried to talk some sense into Pierce ... saying, "You don't need to make an organization great in order to be one of the greatest of all time."

But, The Truth wasn't hearing any of it ... saying his Top 5 is MJ, Kareem, Russell, Magic and Kobe.

Of course, Pierce's take is a bit hypocritical ... considering his only championship came when he teamed up with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to form the first "super team" in 2007 -- but then again, no one's putting Pierce in their top lists.

On top of the take, Pierce has thrown some major shade at Bron's Lakers back in 2019 ... telling TMZ Sports "LeBron is doing very well out here -- with his production company."

So ... is Pierce just bitter ... or is he really speaking his Truth??