TMZ Sports - Page 50

Scary moment for NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace -- who PASSED OUT during a post-race interview Sunday ... and the whole thing went down on live TV.

... but good news, he's OKAY!!

Wallace had just completed the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway -- where the temperature was above 85 all day long with high humidity.

When reporter Jamie Little began asking Bubba about the race -- he finished 21st -- Wallace began to nod off in a scary way. It was obvious something was wrong.

A crew member immediately called for the medical crew -- and Little says, "He's not okay" ... before the broadcast cut away from the shot.

Wallace was taken to the infield care center for treatment -- and at one point, he was seen laying down on a stretcher.

The good news ... Wallace has recovered and late Sunday night, he issued a statement on Twitter.

"Got sent to the Gulag ... Won that ... Where we dropping. Aka I’m good."

So, what happened?

Earlier in the broadcast ... Wallace had said he felt "lightheaded" -- insisting he had "sat down and got up too fast."

Wallace -- the only black driver who competes in the NASCAR Cup Series -- made headlines before the race by wearing an "I Can't Breathe" shirt, a show of support to George Floyd.

NASCAR President Steve Phelps also spoke about racial issues -- after all 40 drivers had pulled over and turned off their engines during warm-up laps, Phelps delivering a message over their radio sets.

"Our country is in pain and people are justifiably angry, demanding to be heard," Phelps said.

Reebok is officially DONE with CrossFit ... the apparel giant announced it's cutting ties with the workout company after the org.'s CEO posted an incredibly insensitive tweet in the wake of George Floyd's death.

Here's the deal ... Gregg Glassman -- the man credited with creating the super popular CrossFit weight-lifting program -- responded to a tweet from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation on Saturday.

IHME wrote, "Racism and discrimination are critical public health issues that demand an urgent response. #BlackLivesMatter"

Glassman commented on the tweet just a few minutes later ... posting, "It's FLOYD-19." He later tried to explain the comment, saying, "Your failed model quarantined us and now you're going to model a solution to racism?"

The tweets were hit swiftly with backlash from just about EVERYONE in the CrossFit community -- huge stars ripped the CEO, and multiple gyms pledged to sever affiliations with the brand.

In fact, one of CrossFit's top athletes, Noah Ohlsen, even pulled out of the company's Super Bowl, the "CrossFit Games," over it all, saying, "I'm out."

And, it didn't take long for Reebok to follow suit ... the apparel company announced in a statement over the weekend it would not go forward as a CrossFit sponsor, despite being the main one for the last 10 YEARS.

"Our partnership with CrossFit HQ comes to an end later this year," the company said. "Recently, we have been in discussions regarding a new agreement, however, in light of recent events, we have made the decision to end our partnership with CrossFit HQ."

"We will fulfill our remaining contractual obligations in 2020. We owe this to the CrossFit Games competitors, fans and the community."

For his part, Glassman did end up apologizing over the tweets late Sunday evening ... writing, "I, CrossFit HQ, and the CrossFit community will not stand for racism. I made a mistake by the words I chose yesterday."

"My heart is deeply saddened by the pain it has caused. It was a mistake, not racist but a mistake."

Glassman continued, "Floyd is a hero in the black community and not just a victim. I should have been sensitive to that and wasn't. I apologize for that. I was trying to stick it to the @IHME_UW for their invalidated models resulting in needless, economy-wrecking, life-wrecking lockdown, and when I saw they were announcing modeling a solution to our racial crisis, I was incredulous, angry, and overly emotional. Involving George Floyd's name in that effort was wrong."

"Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Donald Trump has got to go!"

Steph Curry joined in that chant during a protest in Palo Alto, Calif. this weekend ... making it crystal clear he believes the President is part of the problem in America.

The NBA superstar and his family have peacefully marched along Northern California streets several times in the last few days to protest against social injustices and police brutality.

The Currys made signs, walked miles and even participated in kneeling with the masses to show their unity in the fight against racism.

But, perhaps Steph's loudest message came during a march Saturday ... when he appeared to not only scream an anti-Trump chant but possibly even lead it for the crowds around him as well.

Check out the video, the Golden State Warriors point guard knows he's on-camera ... but you can see, even with a mask on, Curry makes the chant loud and proud.

Of course, Curry's feelings on Trump were never exactly a secret ... he and his Warriors teammates (and head coach Steve Kerr) have continually expressed their negatives opinions of Donald, famously blowing off an invite to the White House for an NBA championship celebration in 2017.

As for the protests as a whole, Curry's wife, Ayesha, posted about the family's experiences on social media over the weekend, writing, "The kids are watching, listening and learning."

"What will you have them retain? Let’s get it right for them so they don’t have to for their children."

Floyd Mayweather isn't gonna let Conor McGregor "retire" without taking a few shots at the guy on the way out.

... especially with all the crap Conor has been talking about Floyd lately!

Remember, it was just back in May that Conor told Mike Tyson, "I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it."

Tyson had been praising McGregor as a "bad motherf**ker" for going 10 rounds with Floyd in their 2017 fight -- and McGregor responded on social media.

"Thank you Mike, and just know that for the inevitable rematch, with the knowledge I now hold of Floyd’s style, plus under the tutelage of my old school boxing coach, I will crack the puzzle, and I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it."

So, when Conor unexpectedly announced his retirement from combat sports on Saturday evening ... Floyd was stunned and ready to talk some trash of his own,

“If I’m not mistaken, didn’t you tell Mike Tyson you could beat me if we fought a second time?" Floyd said.

"Now you're quitting! I thought you wanted to beat the best? Well, if you decide to come back, I will be waiting to punish you again."

Just a few months ago, Mayweather told us he was game for a rematch with Conor ... if the price is right.

No one really believes Conor is done fighting -- despite claims that he's bored with the fight game.

Most experts and insiders believe it's just another negotiating tactic to try and get a better deal with the UFC.

Will Conor reconsider for another 9-figure payday with Floyd? They ain't getting any younger!!!

Stay tuned ...

President Trump vs. Roger Goodell??!

It's not a full-blown war (yet) -- but POTUS is clearly not happy with the NFL Commish for admitting the league was "wrong" in how it handled kneelers in the past.

Remember, Goodell issued a video statement on Friday saying ... "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."

Fast-forward to Sunday night ... when Trump weighed in on Twitter.

"Could it be even remotely possible that in Roger Goodell’s rather interesting statement of peace and reconciliation, he was intimating that it would now be O.K. for the players to KNEEL, or not to stand, for the National Anthem, thereby disrespecting our Country & our Flag?"

The President has been highly critical of Colin Kaepernick -- and other kneelers -- over the years.

Back in 2017, he called for NFL owners to fire any player who didn't stand for the National Anthem.

"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'get that son of a bitch off the field now. Out. Out. He's fired!'"

So, how will Goodell react to Trump's new statement? The world is watching ...

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."