TMZ Sports - Page 50

Dallas Cowboys safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix lost his mind when he scootered up onto 2 bears in his driveway this week ... and the hilarious encounter was all caught on surveillance video!!!

The footage -- captured Monday night around 8:45 PM -- shows the 27-year-old joy riding when a couple of beasts strolled by.

Seems a mama bear and her cub were sniffing around ... and when an oblivious Clinton-Dix cruised near them on his scooter -- hilarity ensued.

The 6'1", 211-pound defensive back (who used to play for the Chicago Bears, funny enough!) threw his ride, stopped on a dime and turned and bolted off!!!

"I play D # gotta be ready to go," Clinton-Dix said of the incident. "A lil high on my flip turn but the drive was there. I ain’t know how many was over there."

Of course, several NFL studs clowned Ha Ha over the interaction ... including Stefon Diggs who wrote, "Boy tried to ghost ride the scooter into him."

Fortunately for Ha Ha ... the Bears were so frightened by him, they took off as well -- and no animals or NFL players were hurt.

The FBI says the noose found in Bubba Wallace's garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama had been there since 2019 -- and they've determined "no crime was committed."

In fact, NASCAR says the item in question is a "garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose" that had been positioned in the garage since last Fall.

NASCAR adds, "Bubba Wallace was not the target of a hate crime."

The FBI -- along with U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town -- just explained the situation.

"On Monday, fifteen FBI special agents conducted numerous interviews regarding the situation at Talladega Superspeedway. After a thorough review of the facts and evidence surrounding this event, we have concluded that no federal crime was committed."

According to the FBI, Garage #4 -- where the noose was found -- was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week.

"Although the noose is now known to have been in Garage #4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to Garage #4 last week."

The FBI and the U.S. prosecutors say the decision not to pursue federal charges is proper "after reviewing all available facts and all applicable federal laws."

"We offer our thanks to NASCAR, Mr. Wallace, and everyone who cooperated with this investigation."

As we previously reported, Bubba didn't find the rope himself -- it was a member of his crew who discovered it on Sunday and immediately reported to NASCAR.

NASCAR launched an investigation and looped in law enforcement, including the FBI.

In the previous days, Bubba -- the only Black driver in NASCAR's top series -- had been very outspoken about removing the Confederate flag from all NASCAR events.

Jimmy Kimmel's issued a delayed apology for his infamous Karl Malone impression -- along with others -- in which he used blackface and insensitive racial language ... calling them "embarrassing" and "thoughtless moments."

The late-night talk show host has come under fire recently for his past sketches -- specifically, one in which he wore blackface and a bald cap to portray the former NBA star.

Kimmel says ... "I have long been reluctant to address this, as I knew doing so would be celebrated as a victory by those who equate apologies with weakness and cheer for leaders who use prejudice to divide us. That delay was a mistake."

He's now apologizing to those he hurt or offended by "the makeup I wore or the words I spoke."

Kimmel goes on to explain he began doing his Malone impression for LA's KROQ radio in the mid-90s, and it continued on TV on "The Man Show." He says ... "I never considered that this might be seen as anything other than an imitation of a fellow human being," and that he's done impressions of several celebs, including Snoop Dogg and Oprah.

He says ... "In each case, I thought of them as impersonations of celebrities and nothing more. Looking back, many of these sketches are embarrassing, and it is frustrating that these thoughtless moments have become a weapon used by some to diminish my criticisms of social and other injustices."

Kimmel says he believes he's evolved and matured over the past 20-plus years and he's going to continue speaking out, adding ... "I won’t be bullied into silence by those who feign outrage to advance their oppressive and genuinely racist agendas."

He concludes by saying his current summer vacation has been planned for more than a year and is not related to his current racism controversy.

As we reported ... Kimmel's backlash comes shortly after another late-night host, Jimmy Fallon, faced his own backlash for a blackface sketch he did in 2000, in which he played Chris Rock.

Good news for NY Giants cornerback Deandre Baker -- TWO witnesses are now on the record saying they never saw Baker pull a gun during an alleged armed robbery at a cookout back in May.

As we previously reported, Baker -- along with Seattle Seahawks corner Quinton Dunbar -- was arrested for allegedly robbing several people at gunpoint during a May 13 incident in Miramar, FL.

Cops initially said ... witnesses told them Baker pulled out a semi-automatic firearm and directed Dunbar to start taking expensive watches and other valuables from people at the cookout.

At one point, cops say Baker directed a 3rd man -- who was wearing a red mask -- to shoot someone who had just walked into the party ... but fortunately, no one was actually shot.

Baker was charged with 4 counts of armed robbery and 4 counts of aggravated assault with a firearm -- though he has adamantly denied the allegations.

Now, two witnesses who were at the cookout have given sworn affidavits -- which have been submitted to prosecutors -- in which they state Baker never pulled out a gun or robbed anyone.

"Deandre Baker was near me, and he never pulled out and/or pointed a firearm at anyone at the party."

Both men claim they were 10 to 12 feet from Baker during the "commotion."

Both men -- who claim they only know Baker from playing the Madden NFL video game online -- also say they never saw Baker "take anything from anyone at the party."

Both men also say they provided the affidavit on their own accord -- no one has threatened them or influenced them in any way.

We spoke with Baker's attorney, Bradford Cohen, who tells TMZ Sports, "We believe that there is significant evidence to rebut any allegation made in the case."

A Cornell University freshman football recruit has reportedly been dropped from the team after using the n-word in a Snapchat video over the weekend.

Nate Panza -- a running back from Morristown, New Jersey -- was shown in a video with high school classmates ... when he is heard offscreen saying, "f**k that n***a."

Panza immediately told the man capturing the convo to not make the video public ... saying, "Oh wait, you can’t put that one up. You can’t post that."

The friend behind the camera then references George Floyd, who was killed at the hands of cops in May ... and Panza criticizes him for the comment.

"Now that’s f**ked up. Okay, you can't say that."

The video spread like wildfire on social media ... and several black student organizations at Cornell called for the school to take action.

Panza -- who signed his national letter of intent in February -- is no longer a part of the Big Red's football program as a result of the video, the Cornell Daily Sun reports.

"I am heartbroken I have hurt people; those I know and those I do not. I take full responsibility for my actions," Panza told the Sun.

"I do not believe that my language that night aligns with who I have tried to be as a person, the values I live by or the manner in which I have conducted myself as an athlete."

Panza continued ... "I plan to better educate myself on the issues of racism and injustice in America, as I want to be part of the solution and not the problem."

"The label 'racist' is not something I can live with and I will work to prove that every day for the rest of my life. It is my humble hope that I will come out of this incident as a better ally, better friend and better person."

Panza says he hopes to get a second chance with Cornell ... but the school has yet to publicly address the video.

We've reached out to Cornell for comment -- so far, no word back.

Michigan State legend Tom Izzo is admitting he was WRONG to be mad about Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest ... saying George Floyd's death helped him understand what the movement was all about.

"Listen, I learn lessons too. And, I’m still learning at this age," 65-year-old Izzo said on 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday.

"I talked to all those people to try to get a good feel. And, what I realized is, I wasn’t real happy with the Colin Kaepernick thing when it happened."

Izzo says he initially thought kneeling for the anthem was disrespectful to the flag ... but years later, he now knows what Kap was doing.

"And, yet, as I look back on it, how ignorant am I? Because that was a peaceful protest."

Izzo added he was "sickened" by Floyd's death last month ... saying, "It was real and it was disappointing, but it was disgusting."

"None of us know all the things that happen, but a human life is a human life and we’re treating it like it’s nothing."

THE RED SKINS ARE CHANGING THEIR NAME!!!

No, sadly, not Washington's NFL team -- but rather the lesser-known candy ... which Nestle now says is getting a makeover due to the racist implications of the moniker.

In a statement released Tuesday ... the candy company said it'll do away with the "Red Skins" name because it's straight up "out of step with Nestle’s values."

"This decision acknowledges the need to ensure that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues," Nestle officials said.

In addition to "Red Skins", the company also says it's canning the "Chicos" name for its jelly candy ... citing the racial undertones there too.

Props to the org. for realizing the ignorance and vowing to swiftly right the wrong ... but it all begs the question -- what is going on in the NFL?!

The Redskins -- who last week cut ties with their racist ex-owner George Preston Marshall by helping facilitate the removal of a stadium monument and FedExField lower bowl naming -- STILL refuse to acknowledge the need to reconsider their team name.

Despite many Native Americans finding it offensive -- and D.C.'s mayor calling for change -- owner Dan Snyder has repeatedly been reluctant to move on from the mascot.

So, could a candy company giving in finally be the catalyst that gets the NFL's gears turning on the issue???

The Cincinnati Bearcats are scrubbing outspoken racist Marge Schott's name from their baseball stadium ... with the school announcing the change effective immediately.

Of course, Schott -- who owned the Cincinnati Reds from 1988-99 -- is infamously known for praising Adolf Hitler ... saying he was "good at the beginning, but he just went too far."

On top of that, Schott was banned TWICE from the MLB for racist comments ... and had been accused of using racial slurs when referencing her players.

UC -- which named the baseball stadium after Schott in 2006 following a posthumous $2 million donation -- voted unanimously to remove the name after a petition reached more than 10,000 signatures to take action.

"Marge Schott's record of racism and bigotry stands at stark odds with our University's core commitment to dignity, equity and inclusion," UC prez Neville Pinto said in a statement.

"My recommendation to the board to remove her name is grounded in the firm belief that speaking out against exclusion is as essential as speaking up for inclusion."

"I hope this action serves as an enduring reminder that we cannot remain silent or indifferent when it comes to prejudice, hate or inequity. More than ever, our world needs us to convert our values into real and lasting action."

Bubba Wallace confirms he has already been interviewed by the FBI as part of its investigation into the noose incident ... and he's blasting people who think it was all a hoax.

The NASCAR driver appeared on "The View" on Tuesday -- one day after an inspiring performance at Talladega -- and was asked how he felt about theories the noose was "staged" by NASCAR to garner more support for the Confederate flag ban.

"It offends me that people would go to those measures but again, I'm not shocked," Wallace said.

"People are entitled to their own opinions to make them feel good and help them sleep at night."

Bubba says law enforcement is all over the case -- "I can now say I've talked to the FBI ... never thought that would happen!"

As we previously reported, Al Sharpton is concerned investigators are dragging their feet ... and he's demanding answers ASAP.

As for the emotional displays of solidarity at Talladega on Monday -- when all of the competing drivers rallied behind Bubba's car -- Wallace says he was truly moved by the support.

"Every time I watch that video I get emotional and get chills," Wallace said.

Detroit Lions owner Martha Ford -- who has been in charge since 2014 -- has stepped down from her role with the team ... and her daughter, Sheila Hamp, will take over.

94-year-old Ford took over the team after her husband, William Ford Sr. -- the last surviving grandchild of Henry Ford -- passed away.

"It has been a great honor for our family to be associated with the Lions and with the National Football League," Martha said in a statement Tuesday.

"I am gratified that this family tradition, which my husband and I began almost six decades ago, will continue under Sheila's guiding hand."

"It is clear to me that Sheila will provide superb leadership and is fully committed to competitive excellence and community involvement."

Sheila addressed her new role, saying, "My mother has inspired all of us since taking on leadership of the Lions over six years ago."

"She has been a tireless leader to our family, our team and our community. Her smart decisions have given me a solid foundation to take the team forward."

"On behalf of the family and the team, I want to thank her for her countless contributions. I look forward to leading the Lions to excellence on and off the field."

The Fords have owned the Lions since 1963 ... when William bought the team for $4.5 million.

The franchise is now worth around $1.95 BILLION, according to Forbes.

NFL commish Roger Goodell released a statement on the transition, saying, "We are pleased that the Ford family will continue to own and operate this historic franchise."

Did you know Cam Newton has 7 kids? Neither did we!

The 31-year-old -- who's usually pretty private when it comes to his personal life -- opened up about his offspring in an emotional Father's Day post on IG.

"I’m a proud father of seven," the ex-Carolina Panthers star said.

"A daddy isn’t defined as the man who makes the child (not an all instances) but rather a MAN who extends his hands and time to help with the child’s raising and his heart to LOVE the child through anything!"

He continued, "Blood doesn’t always make you DADDY being a dad comes from the heart."

"Anybody can make a baby but it takes a real man to raise a child! Kudos to all the real men worldwide happy Father’s Day to us."

He also named all 7 of his kids -- Jaden, Shakira, Chosen, Sovereign-Dior, Camidas, Caesar, Cashmere.

We know what you're thinking ... doesn't Philip Rivers have a bunch of kids, too?

Yep -- Rivers has 9 KIDS!!

Michael Jordan's autograph is crazy valuable -- even with thousands of signatures floating around -- but imagine owning the very 1st ball MJ EVER SIGNED!!

Well, if ya got the dough, you can buy what's (likely) Jordan's first autograph ... signed when Michael was a 13-year-old youth baseball player.

Here's the deal ... in 1976, Jordan played on Parkers Food Stores (a local grocery store & team sponsor) Babe Ruth League youth baseball team in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Jordan, who wore #10 -- along with his teammates -- signed a ball to commemorate their 11-3 season ... which ended in a championship.

The team's manager, Dick Neher -- who was a co-worker of MJ's dad, James Jordan -- held on to the ball for over 25 years before selling it in 2002.

Now, Goldin Auctions has acquired the 1-of-a-kind piece ... where it's available for auction online.

FYI -- GA recently sold a similar Derek Jeter piece (Jeetz signed when he was only 8) for $36k.

So, what's Jordan's sig gonna sell for? Well, Jeter's a LEGEND -- but he's not MJ -- so Goldin expects the ball to go for around $50k.

Awesome, right?!

Al Sharpton wants SWIFT justice in the NASCAR noose investigation -- and if they don't produce answers quickly, he's ready to take action.

"If we don't hear something soon, NASCAR can expect a visit from me -- and I won't be coming to drive a car," Sharpton tells TMZ Sports.

Al is really upset ... he's pissed that somebody put a noose in Bubba Wallace's garage at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on Sunday -- and he's also pissed cops haven't identified the culprit publicly yet.

Long story short, Sharpton believes the investigation needs to be a top priority with NASCAR and law enforcement because "people need to know they will be held accountable."

As we previously reported, NASCAR says it's working with authorities -- and the FBI is now involved.

The big question ... shouldn't there be surveillance video of a suspect?? Why hasn't video been released yet?

Al wants answers. Now.

Sharpton also says the noose isn't just a symbol of hate -- it's a threat of violence and should be treated as such.

"A rope represents a threat to human life and that person ought to be found out and dealt with by the authorities," Sharpton says.

"To hang a noose, which is a symbol of lynching and killing somebody because of the color their skin, shows real hatred and real bigotry."

"And by doing it they confirmed the very reason why we're marching all over the country. Rather than a condemnation, it's a confirmation of why we need to keep marching."