TMZ Sports - Page 50

Back before his kneeling comments set the world on fire, Drew Brees donated $5 MIL to help with COVID relief efforts ... and now he's opening a new food bank with that cash.

The New Orleans Saints QB and his wife, Brittany, are opening a new Second Harvest Food Bank in Lafayette ... which is expected to make a huge impact in the area.

"With many of our donations through the COVID crisis we have been able to establish facilities and programs that will last far beyond the existing need," Brees said.

"We are excited to announce a new Second Harvest Food Bank kitchen in partnership with Catholic Charities of Acadiana in Lafayette, LA that will allow us to produce 15,800 meals per week for children, families, and seniors in need, as well as the homeless throughout southwest Louisiana!"

Drew and Brittany made their $5 million pledge to the State of Louisiana back in March.

At the time, Brees promised to work with organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank, Ochsner Health Systems, Walk-Ons, Jimmy Johns, Smalls Sliders and Waitr "to prepare and deliver over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana for as long as it takes to children on meal programs, seniors, and families in need."

Donald Trump has put the NFL in his crosshairs once again ... blasting Roger Goodell for his now-famous apology to players -- and slamming the commish for insinuating he'd allow kneeling protests back in the league.

"I was surprised at Roger, Roger Goodell," POTUS said Wednesday, "that he would have done what he did and made this statement that he made. Nobody was even asking for it.”

The President made the comments on Fox News' "Hannity" ... saying he believes if Goodell does re-allow kneeling during national anthems, it'll cost him fans.

"That already happened before," Trump said. "I thought they learned their lesson. But, I think it's going to happen again."

Trump reiterated he believes everybody should stand for anthems ... and even fired away at Drew Brees for backtracking on his initial beliefs on that topic.

"I saw him make this beautiful statement," Trump said of the Saints QB. "And, then the next day he retracted the statement. He talked about his father and his grandfather fighting in the war for our country, our flag, and then the next day he retracted it. I just don't get that."

But, Trump did say, once again, he believes Colin Kaepernick DOES deserve another shot in the NFL ... if he can still play at a high level.

As we previously reported ... Goodell and the NFL issued an apology video earlier this month, saying sorry for the way they bungled Kaepernick's and other players' kneeling protests in the past.

Colin Kaepernick has a new job -- not the in the NFL (yet) -- he just joined the Board of Directors on a major online publishing platform.

Kap -- along with Kaepernick Publishing (which he created 2019) -- has teamed up with Medium, which hosts "social journalism" articles on everything from politics to health from a number of authors. Medium claims to have 120 million readers.

Now, Medium's founder Evan Williams has announced Colin Kaepernick is on board, starting Thursday.

"Today, we announce that civil rights activist and athlete Colin Kaepernick will be joining our Board of Directors," Williams said,.

"In addition to the board seat, Medium will partner with Colin and Kaepernick Publishing to create and feature stories focused on race and civil rights in America, and to elevate emerging voices from communities of color."

Williams continued, "I know he will bring valuable insights and leadership to Medium, especially in this moment when the world is finally catching up to his vision on racial justice."

According to Medium, Colin "will be sharing his thoughts on anti-Black racism in our society, and Medium and Kaepernick Publishing will co-publish thought-provoking feature stories from diverse writers of color."

Kaepernick has also commented -- saying, "I am excited for Kaepernick Publishing to partner with Medium to continue to elevate Black voices in the news and publishing industry."

Isaiah "J.R." Rider says UNLV's 'Hey Reb!' statue -- with ties to the Confederacy -- had to be removed ... telling TMZ Sports he's proud his alma mater "did the right thing."

Rider was an absolute beast at University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the early '90s... and was named an All-American in 1993. J.R. was the 5th overall pick in the NBA Draft.

We asked the former superstar hooper how he felt about UNLV yanking the popular giant bronze statue from the place it sat for years on campus.

"I'm proud. I think it's the right thing to do personally," Rider tells us, continuing ... "I think it was well done, on time, no need to delay, no need to think about it."

The former UNLV star kept it real when asked how he felt about the statue (and Runnin' Rebel mascot) when he was playing ball for the university ... saying he didn't know about all the baggage associated with the Rebel.

"Honestly, in school, I wasn't aware. I wasn't as conscious as I am now, as woke as I am now, as well-read as I am now."

But, Rider says after school he became educated on the issue ... and realized the name and statue were offensive.

"At the time at UNLV, no it didn't bother me at all. I was a 'Runnin' Rebel.' It didn't bother me at all but later in life, as I learned certain things, like the Redskins mascot, I started to have a problem with that for sure."

FYI, the "Rebel" was originally named after a Confederate general named Beauregard ... who ordered the Civil War's first gunshots, according to a Change.org petition demanding UNLV change the current mascot.

We also asked Rider what he'd say to UNLV fans who have lived-and-died with the "Runnin' Rebels" teams for years ... and are kinda bummed to see the school lose that identity.

"I would say to my people, my 'Runnin' Rebels' out there, that look, we're UNLV for life. When we talk, I always say UNLV. I never say 'Runnin' Rebel.' Not only because I don't really like it but I'm UNLV and we are UNLV for life and that doesn't change."

"We're UNLV Runnin', we're gonna drop the last part!"

Yankees legend Mickey Mantle once penned a handwritten letter pleading with kids not to abuse alcohol -- saying it wrecked his career -- and now the incredible note is for sale.

Mantle is one of the greatest baseball players of all-time ... he was a 20x All-Star, 3x AL MVP, and 7x World Series champion.

However, he also had a dark side ... battling alcoholism for decades. In 1995, Mantle received a liver transplant ... but only lived several months longer.

Now, an incredible note written by the Yankees slugger just hit the auction block at Lelands ... and what Mick wrote is pretty powerful.

"I want to dedicate this book to all my friends. Old, new & especially young friends. Please don’t do alcohol & drugs. I never did drugs but alcohol hurt my career terribly," Mantle wrote.

Lelands says it's unclear exactly who or what the letter was for ... but they've authenticated the piece, and it's legit.

Mickey also seems to answer an age-old debate -- who was a better ballplayer -- Willie Mays, Duke Snider or MM.

"People used to ask who was better? Willie, Mickey or Duke. I think you have to look at final statistics and Willie was far ahead at the end."

Mickey continued ... "Guys who took good care of themselves like Willie, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Joe [DiMaggio], etc., were the ones at the top of the final stats."

Mantle -- one of the best 15 baseball players ever -- says he could've actually been even more lethal at the plate and in the field if he'd laid off the booze.

"I had taken better care of myself I could have done a lot better. I didn’t even take care or do my rehab on my legs like I was supposed to. I drank too much when I was playing from 1952, after my dad died till 1969. After I retired in '69, I drank more and more (I’ll always be ashamed of)."

FYI -- Mantle badly tore up his knee when his cleat got stuck on a drain in the outfield while pursuing a fly ball hit by Mays in October, 1951.

"So to everyone out there especially young people, little leaguers etc. 'Don’t end up over the hill before you even start to climb it.' Makes us all proud of you. Don’t do drugs & alcohol.”

Kobe Bryant's helicopter pilot was most likely severely disoriented by fog seconds before slamming into a hillside in January -- that's what federal investigators are now saying.

In new documents released Wednesday ... NTSB officials say they have evidence showing Ara Zobayan thought he was ascending when the chopper was actually going downward.

In the docs, investigators claim moments before the crash ... Zobayan told air traffic control he was "climbing to four thousand," and air traffic control asked him what he intended to do once he got to that altitude.

The NTSB says Zobayan never responded -- he had crashed by that point. Interestingly, according to the docs, the helicopter was actually descending rapidly at the time Zobayan said he was climbing.

Investigators add they believe "the pilot could have misperceived both pitch and roll angles" due to the dense fog in the area.

As we previously reported, Zobayan, Bryant and seven others on board hit the the ground at 184 MPH ... instantly killing everybody.

Autopsy results showed Zobayan was NOT high on alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash ... and in the new docs, investigators say Zobayan's girlfriend told them he was in great shape before the accident.

Vanessa Bryant and surviving family members of other passengers have sued the Zobayan and Island Express, which chartered the helicopter.

Various pilots have said Zobayan should not have been flying at such a high rate of speed in blinding fog.

It should be noted, investigators did NOT reveal an official conclusion on the cause of the crash. A final NTSB report with that information is expected to be released later.

Warning -- this post ain't for the young Patrick Mahomes fans ... 'cause the Super Bowl-winning QB is packin' on the PDA with his girlfriend in some steamy "PG-13" pics!!

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar and his high school sweetheart, Brittany Matthews -- sporting a hot pink bikini -- were having some fun in the sun at the Lake of the Ozarks on Wednesday ... and decided to turn things up a notch.

The couple look closer than ever on the boat trip ... including some very nice hand placement and some smooches.

"PG-13❕ #oops😘," Brittany captioned their impromptu photo sesh.

Of course, Matthews is easily Mahomes' most vocal supporter ... screaming her head off for her man's team every game en route to winning the Lombardi trophy.

Mahomes and Matthews have been even more inseparable during quarantine ... spending the offseason training together and other cute couples things.

Further proof that it's good to be the champs!!

PS -- amazing choice of shades, Patrick.

Another big break for Miami Dolphins star cornerback Xavien Howard ... the NFL will NOT suspend him over his domestic violence case -- TMZ Sports has learned.

26-year-old Howard was accused of roughing up his fiancee during an argument at a Davie, Fla. residence back on Dec. 29.

According to the police report ... Howard allegedly grabbed the woman and pushed her against a wall. Officers in the report stated they noticed scratches, redness and an abrasion on the alleged victim after they responded to the scene -- and arrested Howard shortly after.

In the 911 call from the incident ... Howard's fiancee seemed to insinuate the alleged attack was NOT an isolated incident.

But, prosecutors dropped the criminal case against Xavien back in February, saying, "The victim said she did not want to proceed with prosecution."

They added, "She also stated that it was a 'situation that got out of hand' and she has no fear of the defendant and no fear for her safety."

We're now told the NFL has concluded its independent investigation into the matter ... and has decided it will NOT force Howard to miss any games over the arrest.

President Donald Trump -- who previously said to fire any "son of a bitch" who knelt for the national anthem -- says Colin Kaepernick should get another shot at an NFL career ... if he deserves it.

POTUS has been adamantly against the national anthem protests since 2016 ... and most recently said he'd stop watching soccer and football if the demonstrations continued.

Trump seems to be softening his stance on Kap -- at least as a quarterback -- saying he should have a second chance in the league if he's talented enough to compete.

"If he deserves it, he should," Trump told ABC7's Scott Thuman. "If he has the playing ability. He started off great and then he didn't end up very great in terms as a player."

"He was terrific in his rookie year, I think he was very good in his second year and then something happened."

Trump continued ... "So, his playing wasn't up to snuff. The answer is absolutely I would, as far as kneeling, I would love to see him get another shot. But obviously, he has to be able to play well. If he can't play well, I think it would be very unfair."

What's unclear is if Trump means Kap should stand if he gets "another shot"... but we know for sure he believes a team shouldn't hesitate to sign him if he's good enough.

The comments come on the heels of Ben Carson -- the Housing and Urban Development Secretary -- saying he was going to "work with" POTUS to help him understand the meaning behind kneeling ... so it's a possibility it helped.

NFL commish Roger Goodell also recently said he'd encourage any team to sign the QB.

Tyrell Robinson -- a former winger for legendary soccer club Arsenal -- is now facing prison time after pleading guilty to allegations he performed sexual acts with a 14-year-old.

22-year-old Robinson, according to multiple reports, showed up to Bradford Crown Court in England on Tuesday to fess up to the charges.

The ex-Bradford City player reportedly admitted to engaging in sexual activities back in August 2018 with a 14-year-old ... while also admitting he made and distributed an indecent picture of a child as well.

It should be noted Robinson did DENY a charge in court that he distributed an indecent photo of a child back in 2017 ... and prosecutors are not moving forward with that charge.

But, a judge told him he now faces time behind bars over his guilty pleas ... saying incarceration will be on the table at a sentencing hearing at a later date.

Details surrounding the alleged 2018 incident with the 14-year-old are unclear ... but authorities said early in the case they were hitting Robinson with an "engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child" charge.

Robinson, who will reportedly be on a sex offenders' registry after his guilty pleas, was seen leaving court in a black mask and red, puffy jacket.

A statue of African-American icon Arthur Ashe has been vandalized with "White Lives Matter" and "WLM" in Virginia ... and now police are investigating.

The monument was tagged in white spray paint early Wednesday morning ... and law enforcement says they have info on potential suspects.

The original vandalism was later written over with "BLM" in red spray paint ... and local reports say community members were already trying to remove the graffiti by the time cops arrived to the scene.

Ashe -- who broke barriers in the sport of tennis in becoming the first black man to win the Wimbledon, Australian Open and U.S. Open -- was honored with a statue in his hometown of Richmond in 1996.

It's worth noting ... the Ashe tribute is part of Richmond's Memorial Avenue, which is filled with statues to Confederate leaders that have been attacked by protesters following George Floyd's death.

The Premier League is finally back after 100 days off due to COVID-19 ... and the players made a profound statement at kick-off by taking a knee to honor George Floyd.

All players for Aston Villa and Sheffield United -- as well as the referees -- participated in the demonstration on Wednesday ... showing solidarity with the fight against police brutality and social injustice.

Along with taking a knee, all players are wearing "Black Lives Matter" on the back of their jerseys.

The EPL acknowledged the gesture on Twitter ... saying, "There is #NoRoomForRacism, anywhere."

The players made their intentions clear in a joint statement last week ... saying, "We, the Players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for All, regardless of their colour or creed."

Could Colin Kaepernick's return to the NFL start in Los Angeles?

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn told reporters Wednesday it's certainly a possibility ... saying, "Colin definitely fits the style of quarterback for the system that we’re going to be running,"

Of course, Lynn -- who has yet to speak with Colin about a potential tryout -- says the Bolts have a pretty full QB room already ... so a signing seems unlikely at the moment.

But, Lynn insinuated if something should happen to one of their top quarterbacks ... Colin would be one of the first guys they call for a workout.

"It would be crazy to not have him on your workout list," Lynn said ... before adding, "I’m very confident and happy with the three quarterbacks that I have but you can never have too many people waiting on the runway."

Colin -- who's been out of the league since 2016 -- has yet to have any truly serious offers since he last played ... even despite a workout in front of several NFL scouts in 2019.

Kap's made it clear he feels he's been blackballed because of his kneeling protests ... but in an interview with ESPN this week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he's now encouraging teams to sign the QB.

Kids -- do NOT try this at home!!!

Lil Jon just took CRUNK to a whole 'nother level ... with the rap legend joining a pro Trophy Truck driver for the most INSANE joyride you'll ever see!!!

But, don't worry, everyone was wearing a helmet.

The "Turn Down For What" hype man joined 2020 Baja 1000 winner Alan Ampudia for a drive through the streets of Ensenada in Mexico ... and it's equally awesome and terrifying.

The duo -- with Jon in the passenger seat, obvi -- zoomed through the streets of the city, twisting and turning at every curve ... and even coming within inches of the edge of cliffs.

Ampudia even makes his own path and does some WILD jumps ... all while Lil Jon is trying to keep his cool (spoiler alert: he doesn't).

FYI -- Ampudia is one of the best drivers in the extremely dangerous industry ... he's a 2-time world champ, so Jon was in great company.

Once the boys made it to their destination safely, Lil Jon gave his Uber review -- saying, "That s**t was crazy. I got a different respect for y'all motherf***ers being in the car now. Y'all do this for a whole day!?"

Ever seen a dude squat 585 pounds and get clowned over it?!?!

Welcome to the NFL ... where Washington Redskins star Jonathan Allen just threw around an inhuman amount of poundage -- only to get ripped by a former teammate hilariously.

Here's the deal ... Allen -- a former first-round pick -- loaded up his bar with nearly 600 pounds during a workout Tuesday and squatted it five times.

The feat was pretty unreal ... but the fact that he didn't break parallel clearly caught ex-Redskins DL Ziggy Hood's eyes -- 'cause the dude comically went off on Allen for the lift!!!

"Jon what are we doing here." Hood asked. "We quarter squat with a spotter holding on like a prom date photo."

Man, tough crowd.

To his credit, Allen took the jokes in stride ... and fired back, "Do you play football with your ass below your knees.... nope."

Hood wasn't done, though, adding, "I bet my 33 yr old ass got a better get off."

We love the banter ... and if we gotta input our two cents -- the squat was probably a little too high if we're scoring at home.

"If you take Kyrie Irving's brain and put it in a bird right now ... it's going to fly backwards."

Kendrick Perkins just EVISCERATED Kyrie Irving on national television ... ripping the Brooklyn Nets star for urging NBA players to back out of finishing the season in Orlando.

If you missed it, Kyrie said he wanted his league to be done with the 2020 season already so its players could keep the spotlight on the Black Lives Matter movement.

But, Perkins called BS on that on ESPN's "Get Up" Tuesday ... saying he believes Irving took the stance because the NBA wouldn't allow him to be a bystander in the Florida bubble as an injured player.

Although, Perkins said he'd give Kyrie the benefit of the doubt ... but still blasted him for putting the idea out there without thinking two steps ahead.

"What is the plan after that? He didn't have one!" Perkins said. "So once again, that showed his lack of leadership."

Kendrick says he believes Kyrie has taken away from the BLM movement with his statements ... going scorched-earth on the former champ in a nearly three-minute rant.

"Kyrie Irving, right now, you are the distraction!" Perkins said. "You're distracting the whole situation. It's crazy to me."

Kendrick says if Kyrie really felt passionate about all of this, he should have contacted the proper NBPA reps and developed a thoughtful plan instead.

"It makes zero sense," Perkins said. "And I totally disagree with Kyrie Irving."