TMZ Sports - Page 50

QUADRUPLE C?!!

Maybe ... because Henry Cejudo says he's already considering coming out of retirement from MMA for one last fight ... and he's got his sites set on Alexander Volkanovski.

FYI, Volkanovski is the current UFC Featherweight champ -- so, Triple C is essentially saying he wants to upgrade to Quadruple C!!

Cejudo already has 2 UFC championship belts and an Olympic gold medal on his resume ... but says the opportunity to add a 3rd UFC title is something he couldn't pass up.

"I've done everything in MMA. I'm satisfied with my career. There would only be one fight that would really bring me back, that would really wake me up in the morning ... it would be Alexander Volkanovski."

"I want a 3rd title because I want to be different," Cejudo tells TMZ Sports ... "To go into the history books as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time."

FYI, Volkanovski is a stud -- he's got a pro record of 21-1 and hasn't lost since 2013 ... nearly 7 years ago.

Cejudo says he has other options too -- including a possible boxing match with 21-year-old sensation Ryan Garcia.

As we previously reported, Cejudo says he's already had talks about fighting Ryan in Saudi Arabia.

Remember, Cejudo unexpectedly announced his retirement from MMA back on May 9 after defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.

Reche Caldwell -- a former NFL wide receiver who played with Tom Brady -- was shot and killed in Tampa on Saturday, his mother confirms to TMZ Sports.

He was only 41.

Caldwell's mother tells us ... Reche -- real name Donald Caldwell -- was getting ready to take his girlfriend out on a date when he went back inside his home to grab a jacket.

Reche's GF says the former player was "ambushed" by a "couple of people" who jumped out of bushes trying to rob him.

We're told Reche was shot in the leg and chest -- and someone called 911.

Unfortunately, the injuries were so severe, Caldwell's mother tells us Reche died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

"He was a good person who smiled all of the time," Deborah Caldwell tells us.

"He tried to help everyone he could. He was the type of guy who would take his shirt off his back and give it to you."

Caldwell was a 2nd round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft after a stellar career at the University of Florida.

He played 6 years in the NFL for the Chargers, Patriots and Redskins -- and was a part of the New England team that lost to the Colts in the 2006 AFC Championship.

We've reached out to authorities to find out of any arrests have been made. So far, no word back.

The New England Patriots have issued a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Patriot Reche Caldwell."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

If Conor McGregor were a rapper this would be his biggest hit song, "I'm retired" -- a track he's already dropped twice, but is now releasing for a 3rd time.

Conor tweeted his alleged retirement late Saturday, saying ... “Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting,” and added, "Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!”

This retirement announcement -- his 3rd in just 4 years -- came with a pic of Conor and his mom, and a note about buying her a house ... despite the fact he already pimped out his mother's crib in 2017.

Nice emotional touches that make ya think, maybe he means it this time???

Well, consider the fact he tweeted right after UFC 250 had wrapped Saturday night in Vegas -- a time when Conor, no doubt, knew people were talking about when he'd get back in the Octagon. UFC Prez Dana White had already said Conor would get the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje's summer fight.

Remember, Conor previously retired in 2016 and 2019, but always came back for bigger and bigger paydays -- but this time he told ESPN he really REALLY means it because, "The game just does not excite me."

No one actually believes Conor. Especially with the maniacal way he's talked about a rematch with Khabib ever since he lost back in 2018. He also recently threatened to kill Justin Gaethje when they finally clash.

Still, Dana's heard the retirement talk all before and totally took it in stride after UFC 250, saying ... “If Conor McGregor feels he wants to retire, you know my feelings about retirement. You should absolutely do it. And I love Conor. There’s a handful of people that have made this really fun for me, and he’s one of them.”

Soooo ... see ya in September, Conor?

J.R. Smith will likely NOT be hit with criminal charges for beating the hell out of an alleged vandal in an incident caught on video, multiple sources involved with the situation tell TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... the NBA player went ballistic on a man he claimed vandalized his truck during a wild looting spree in Los Angeles on May 30.

Smith later called the incident a "random act of stupidness" and said he regretted his actions.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the victim has not gone to police -- no report has been filed -- and, at this point, we're told it seems highly unlikely that will happen.

Our sources tell us without a victim coming forward, there's no way for prosecutors to even attempt to levy charges against the 34-year-old.

As we previously reported, Smith essentially described the incident as Street Justice shortly after the attack ... saying he whooped the man's ass for smashing a window on his truck.

Colin Kaepernick to the Seahawks could end up being a match made in heaven ... so says Hall of Famer Warren Moon, who tells TMZ Sports the QB could be a good fit in Seattle if he gets another shot.

Earlier this week, Pete Carroll praised Kap for kick-starting the national anthem protest ... saying the QB sent a "beautiful" message about racial issues in America.

However, just 2 years ago, the 'Hawks had the chance to sign Kaepernick ... but his workout was canceled because Kap wouldn't commit to standing during the national anthem.

Now that more people are starting to understand the movement, Moon says Kap -- who hasn't played in the NFL since 2016 -- deserves another opportunity if he is willing to put his full focus on football.

"I know he's really involved in this crusade of his with social injustice and that," Moon tells us ... "It takes a lot of focus so you're gonna have to pick one."

"If he's willing to play football and put the time in that's its gonna take to be a quarterback in the NFL, he definitely deserves an opportunity to get that because he was definitely misinterpreted 4 years ago with his stand."

As for getting another shot with Seattle, Moon -- who's kept close with the 'Hawks since playing for them in '97 and '98 -- says Kap could thrive with the team ... saying "I think it could be a good fit."

"They know what he can do as a player cause they've been against him many times in the division when he was the starting QB in San Francisco."

New Orleans icon Master P says he was disappointed to hear Drew Brees denounce kneeling for the national anthem ... but now that he's apologized, the rap legend wants the QB to step up hit the streets to lead protests.

Of course, the Saints superstar twice admitted he was wrong after initially saying he'd NEVER accept kneeling for the anthem ... a comment that truly puzzled P.

"When I heard the whole Drew Brees thing, I'm just like, 'man, what is he doing? Why is he even entertaining this?'" P tells TMZ Sports. "It's too much going on in the world."

Despite the comments striking a nerve, Master P says he accepts Brees' apology because it's the right thing to do ... but admits the Super Bowl champ may never be viewed the same in NOLA again.

"Everybody makes mistakes. But, I don't think it's gonna be the same. I don't think it's ever gonna be the same, how people just loved him genuinely."

P is calling for Brees to be someone the citizens of New Orleans can lean on ... and it starts with taking action.

"Be there for the people in the community, in the culture. Don't just talk it, do it. Stand up. Show up. You should be leading these protests because a lot of injustice going on."

There's more -- P says he's extremely passionate about the movement against police brutality because he was once beaten by a black officer, who was stopped by a white cop.

"I could have been George Floyd a long time ago if that white cop didn't say, 'Man, what are you doing to this guy?'

"I wouldn't be here for my kids, I'd probably be dead."

Terrell Owens was at the front of a Black Lives Matter march in West Hollywood on Saturday leading the crowd in chants ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

"What do we want? JUSTICE! When? NOW!!"

"Say her name. BREONNA TAYLOR!"

"Say his name. GEORGE FLOYD!"

Those were just some of the chants T.O. led as the group marched through WeHo. Some protesters held up black power fists, others carried signs.

The march started at Pan Pacific Park and went through Beverly Blvd. all the way to La Cienega Blvd.

There is a heavy police presence but so far, everything is peaceful, sources at the protests tell TMZ Sports.

No looting, no violence ... just passionate people making their voices heard with the help of an NFL Hall of Famer.

Owens has been very outspoken on social media -- encouraging NFL stars to speak out in support of Colin Kaepernick and others who took a knee.

Of course, earlier this week several NFL players demanded the league admit they bungled the handling of the kneeling protests -- and Friday afternoon Roger Goodell did just that saying, "We were wrong."

Drew Brees WILL come back from the firestorm he's currently in ... so says Nate Boyer, who tells TMZ Sports, "There's people that have done way, way worse things."

"And, it's not even like he really did anything bad," Boyer says. "He just misspoke, I think."

You'll recall ... Boyer, a retired Green Beret and former NFL player, was the one who helped convince Colin Kaepernick to kneel -- rather than sit -- for protests during national anthems.

He tells us he's disappointed Brees still doesn't understand the message of the kneeling protests ... but he's confident the QB will eventually figure it out and right his wrong.

"He'll probably do some great stuff because of it and he'll probably do even more than he would have done," Boyer said. "That's how I choose to look at it."

"I think that it will eventually bring us more together just like this very difficult time will eventually bring us more together as a country."

So far, Boyer seems to be right ... two of Brees' best teammates -- Michael Thomas and Demario Davis -- have already forgiven him, with Thomas saying Thursday, "One of my brothers made a public statement yesterday that I disagreed with."

Amanda Nunes wants Nina Ansaroff to sit out an entire year before returning to the Octagon after giving birth ... but Nina says she's coming back a lot sooner!!

Nina and Amanda are expecting a baby in September ... and Ansaroff -- the 5th ranked strawweight -- is adamant she will return to the Octagon.

But, how soon? We asked.

"In 3 months, [our baby girl's] gonna be here and I plan on fighting 6 months after that. Amanda says a year, but I'm giving 6 months," Ansaroff tells us.

Amanda?

"It's too soon, ya know?"

Nina's badass mindset should come as no surprise ... she says she's still training super hard.

"Unfortunately, the gym closed down because of the virus and all of that. I put the pads at home on the wall, I run every single day, I lift."

There's more ... we talk epidurals (yes -- and Nina ain't getting one), and Nunes' main event fight against Felicia Spencer at UFC 250 Saturday night.

"I'm ready to do this. I've been waiting for this moment for so long in my career. To defend the 2 belts, and hold both of them. Nobody ever did it before. And, I'm gonna be the first one to make history," Nunes says.

FYI -- Amanda is gunning to become the 1st 2-division UFC champion to successfully defend both titles.

Will Drew Brees join the movement he recently denounced and take a knee during the National Anthem??

The right answer to that question can result in some serious cash ... as the New Orleans Saints QB has become the center of a new prop bet.

Of course, Brees started a crap storm when he said he'd NEVER accept kneeling for the anthem ... and later apologized after teammates and the industry's biggest athletes spoke out against his comments.

TMZ Sports has learned ... MyBookie -- one of the biggest sportsbooks on the internet -- has released the odds on Brees' stance when Week 1 comes around.

So ... will he kneel?? Here's the breakdown.

Yes +300

No -700

Translation -- Brees standing for the anthem is the HEAVY favorite. BUT, if he were to kneel, it could have a MAJOR payout.

Donald Trump says Drew Brees made a mistake by apologizing for his anti-kneeling comments -- saying, "He should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag."

"OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown high..." POTUS said Friday. "We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart."

Of course, Brees said Wednesday he believed when players took knees for the national anthem during NFL games ... they were disrespecting the flag and the military.

Colin Kaepernick and other NFL kneelers have said the demonstration was NOT about disrespecting the military -- and instead, was to shine a spotlight on police brutality and racial injustice in America.

Brees issued not one -- but TWO -- apologies ... after his comments were met with strong criticism from just about every athlete in the country, including his teammates and even LeBron James.

But, Trump says Drew had nothing to be sorry about ... writing, "There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING!"

In his written apology ... Drew claimed his comments were "insensitive" and "missed the mark" -- and the New Orleans Saints QB vowed to support the Black Lives Matter movement going forward.

"I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening..." Brees said, "and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen. For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness."

"We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest."

Those words just came out of Roger Goodell's mouth -- and it seems obvious he's finally acknowledging the horrible way the NFL handled Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest.

The NFL commish just released a video statement after several top NFL stars -- including Saquon Barkley, OBJ, and Patrick Mahomes -- demanded the league admit they were wrong in silencing peaceful protesters like Kap.

And, it seems the players got what they asked for.

Goodell never mentions Kaepernick by name -- but there's no doubt what he meant.

"It has been a difficult time for our country, in particular black people in our country," Goodell said.

He offered condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and "all the families who have endured police brutality."

"We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black People," Goodell continued.

"We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest."

Then this ...

"We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter."

"I personally protest with you and want to be a part of the much needed change in this country."

"Without black players there would be no National Football League. And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality, and oppression of black players, coaches, fans, and staff."

"We are listening and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices, and others on how we can move forward together for a better and more united NFL family."

Kaepernick began his kneeling demonstration during the national anthem in 2016 to put a spotlight on police brutality and racial injustice in America.

He parted ways with the SF 49ers after that season -- but hasn't had a legit opportunity with another NFL team since then.

Kap believes there was a concentrated effort to blackball him from the NFL because of his demonstration -- and has said for YEARS that he wants to get back in the league and play.

BTW, he's still only 32 years old.

Goodell's announcement signals an epic sea change for the league -- but the NFL started working toward this day more than year ago when it launched its Inspire Change initiative.

The program's poured considerable resources into improving community-police relations, criminal justice reform and advancing education for youth since January 2019.

During this year's Super Bowl, the league aired a social justice themed PSA about ex-WR star Anquan Boldin's murdered cousin ... which was part of the Inspire Change program.

Adrian Peterson says he's "without a doubt" taking a knee during NFL national anthems this season ... and he claims the entire league is considering doing it with him.

"We're all getting ready to take a knee together," the future Hall of Famer said.

Peterson told a pack of reporters out at a charity event in Texas on Friday he isn't worried about a possible punishment for the protest from league owners or the NFL commish either.

"Are they going to try to punish us all?" the Redskins star running back said. "If not playing football is going to help us save lives and change things, then that's just what it has to be."

Of course, the league's biggest stars appear ready to back Peterson in the kneeling in 2020 ... because, in a video released Thursday night, more than 15 of the NFL's top players demanded the NFL allow them to peacefully protest.

Everyone from Patrick Mahomes to Ezekiel Elliott to Michael Thomas took part in the vid ... strongly urging the NFL to genuinely support the Black Lives Matter movement.

But, the reaction to another round of kneeling protests will not be without controversy ... President Donald Trump just reiterated AGAIN on Friday he does not want to see the protests during anthems.

"There are other things you can protest," POTUS said, "but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING!"

Stephen Jackson is FURIOUS at Donald Trump for mentioning George Floyd's name at the White House on Friday ... and he's now warning POTUS not to let it happen again!

"Hey, this message is for Donald Trump," Jackson said in a heated video statement ... "Do not speak on my brother's name."

"I'm making you a promise, you will not be in the White House come November. You will not be reelected, I'm telling you now."

Earlier in the day, Trump spoke with the media from the Rose Garden and said he hoped George is looking down right now -- "This is a great thing that's happening for our country. It's a great day for him. It's a great day for everybody ... in terms of equality."

Enter Jackson ... who knew Floyd for years -- and he's pissed.

"You see how the whole world stood together? Arm to arm, race to race, everybody standing for love? 50 states, 18 countries. That's what me and my brother Floyd did. So we coming to get you out the White House."

Clearly, Jackson feels the next course of action is to mobilize the protesters into voters come November.

Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand have pledged to donate an incredible $100 MILLION over the next decade to fight racial inequality ... saying straight-up -- "Black lives matter."

"The Jordan Brand is us, the Black Community," Jordan and his company said in a joint statement. "Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family."

"We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice."

"The will, the work, the excellence the world has come to know is the result of one generation after another, pouring their dreams into the next. "

The statement continues ... "It's 2020, and our family now includes anyone who aspires to our way of life. Yet as much as things have changed, the worst remains the same."

"Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement. until the ingrained racism that allows our country's institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people."

"Today, we are announcing that Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand will be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education."

Jordan recently spoke out over George Floyd's death ... saying, "I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration."

"I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country."

"We have had enough."

MLS winger Aleksandar Katai's wife's disgusting comments about protesters just cost him his job with the LA Galaxy ... with the team deciding to part ways with the player due to her "racist and violent" words.

The 29-year-old Serbian met with the team earlier this week after Tea Katai called for people to kill protesters -- which she referred to as "disgusting cattle" -- on Instagram.

The Galaxy released a statement condemning Tea's since-deleted comments on Wednesday ... saying "Earlier today, the LA Galaxy were made aware of a series of racist and violent social media posts by Tea Katai, the wife of LA Galaxy midfielder Aleksandar Katai."

"The LA Galaxy stands firmly against racism of any kind, including that which suggests violence or seeks to demean the efforts of those in pursuit of racial equality."

The team decided the next step was to wash its hands of the Katais on Friday ... calling the move a mutual decision.

Aleksandar -- who joined the squad in December -- released a statement against his wife's comments earlier this week, saying "These views are not ones that I share and are not tolerated in my family."

"I strongly condemn white supremacy, racism and violence towards people of color. Black lives matter. This is a mistake from my family and I take full responsibility."