TMZ Sports - Page 50

Ex-MLB star Aubrey Huff just went BALLISTIC on CA officials for their decision to lock down the state amid a new surge in COVID-19 cases ... saying he's "f**king pissed" and wonders why more people aren't outraged.

"I would rather take my chances with the coronavirus," the former World Series champ said, "and, may I remind you, it has a 99.8% survival rate -- than to end up on the f**king street no longer able to provide for my family."

COUNTERPOINT -- USA Today reports testing findings are too volatile to call the 99% survival rate statement accurate.

The ex-SF Giants infielder -- who has a home in Southern California -- ranted for over 2 minutes in a video posted to his Twitter page Tuesday ... calling people who continue to obey the orders "sheep."

"This is nothing but a system of control in order to crash the economy to get Donald Trump out of office," Huff said. "And, for those of you that can't see this, it drives me f**king batsh*t crazy."

"You know, I don't call them masks anymore. I call them mind-control devices and you're all falling for it. You're sheep."

Aubrey claims suicide rates are "through the roof" due to the closures ... and he added, "I'm f**king pissed. I cannot believe you guys aren't."

We haven't found any reports showing a clear link between COVID and a rise in national suicide numbers so far, though ABC News reports there COULD be un uptick in firearm suicide numbers over the closures.

For California lawmakers' part, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday shutting down bars, restaurants, gyms, salons and more were necessary ... as positive coronavirus cases have exploded throughout the Golden State over the past month.

Drake is drawing more fans to a basketball court these days than his beloved Toronto Raptors, and he's just playing a pickup game ... in Barbados!!!

Drizzy got his entourage together and flew his private jumbo jet down to his ex, Rihanna's home turf -- and decided to get in a little outdoor hoops. No small feat on a July day in the tropics!

Champagne Papi slipped on some Nike gear -- sneakers, socks, shorts, jersey, headband -- and showed off his sweet jump shot ... but as the crowd continued growing, Drake paused the game and donned a face mask while snapping pics with locals.

He's easily the biggest draw on Barbados -- far as we know Rihanna's not down there -- and unlike the NBA's restart in its Disney bubble in Florida, Drake put some butts in the seats!!!

Dude's got game too ... looks like Drake's been practicing on his insane home indoor basketball court.

Check ball!!!

Ex-NFL superstar Chad Ochocinco says the doesn't give a DAMN if he ever gets into the Hall of Fame ... but he clearly thinks he should.

"My numbers and [Michael Irvin's] numbers are exactly the same," Chad told the "I Am Athlete" podcast.

Irvin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 -- after posing 750 catches, 11,904 receiving yards and 65 TDs in 12 seasons.

OchoCinco -- who only played 11 seasons -- posted 766 catches, 11,059 yards and 67 TDs.

But, Michael Irvin has 3 Super Bowl rings -- a fact that was brought up to Chad during the podcast.

"Oh, so we letting people in the Hall of Fame for rings? The goal post moves depending on who the individual is," Chad says.

"The goal post moves on what the accolades and what it means to get in there. Ain't got time to play that game, man."

Chad says he's perfectly fine if he never makes it to Canton -- because "I made my own jacket. I made my own bust."

We knew about the jacket -- he famously wore it on the sidelines during his playing days. The bust sounds new!

"I got a bust when you walk into my place, it's a bust right there when you walk in. Face, boom! 14 karat gold! I don't even like bronze."

Chad says he won't beg anyone to get into the HOF -- saying, "I don't care nothing about that."

Put this down as the first loss of the season for Florida State ...

Deion Sanders' top QB recruit son, Shedeur Sanders, announced Monday he's committing to play football at FAU in 2021 ... spurning his dad's Seminoles in the process.

It's pretty big news ... Shedeur is considered one of the best high school QB prospects in the nation -- and most had him pinned to follow in his dad's footsteps in Tallahassee.

But, the 6'1", 198-pound rising senior told ESPN this week he wanted to blaze his own trail in Florida ... opting to play for Willie Taggart and the Owls instead.

"I wanted to write my own legacy, FAU gave me a opportunity to do that!" Shedeur said. "I trust the staff ... Willie Taggart was the first coach to offer me a opportunity to play at the next level."

Shedeur is a monster on the football field ... in his junior season last year at Trinity Christian School in Texas, he threw for 3,477 yards and 47 TDs to just 4 INTs. He also rushed for 225 yards.

Of course, Shedeur has also gotten some tips from the greatest quarterback of all-time ... he famously worked out with Tom Brady last month and said he "soaked" in all the GOAT knowledge.

Four-time MLB All-Star Charlie Blackmon says he didn't have many issues in his fight with COVID-19 at all ... telling reporters Monday the flu he had a few years ago was worse.

"My symptoms were what I would consider mild flu symptoms," the Colorado Rockies OF said. "I had a headache, I had a bit of a cough and then I had some body aches. I just felt sick."

But, Blackmon -- who returned to Colorado camp for the first time since contracting coronavirus last month -- says his symptoms went away after only about a day and a half.

"It only lasted for about 36 hours," Blackmon said, "and I would consider it mild compared to the flu. I had the flu proper a couple years ago and I thought that thing was going to wipe me out."

Don't get it twisted ... Blackmon says he knows he's lucky his experience with the virus wasn't much worse -- but he emphasized, "I would consider the symptoms that I felt to be minor."

It's great news for the Rockies and the MLB as a whole ... when Blackmon was diagnosed last month -- there was obviously some concern for the 34-year-old.

But, Charlie told media members he's all good ... and could even be ready for the team's season opener later this month.

"I thought about not playing no more. Like, this is not really it for me."

Odell Beckham says he bottomed out so hard after breaking his ankle with the NY Giants in 2017 ... he damn-near retired, saying the game just wasn't fun for him anymore.

"I said this in college, I said, 'I fear the day that they make this game a business and not what I love,'" Beckham said in an enlightening round-table interview with Victor Cruz, Cam Newton and Todd Gurley this week.

"And when I seen that for the first time ... after breaking my ankle, like, I thought about not playing no more ... they've ruined the game of football for me a little bit."

Fortunately for NFL fans, Beckham didn't call it quits after he snapped his lower leg against the Chargers in Oct. 2017 ... and he says he backed out of retirement because of his supporters.

"When I be on the sideline, and that little kid is, 'Do the whip! Dance!'" Beckham said, "like, that sh*t is what fueled me. That's what fueled me."

Beckham told Newton, Cruz and Gurley even after that recovery ... he still struggled to keep everyone happy when it came to his boisterous personality and his on-field action.

Odell said his critics bothered him deeply ... and he even told Newton, Gurley and Cruz in the talk, "I ran into bigger problems with the f**king world than myself."

"And, then I struggled to deal with that. Depression, mental health issues, being in New York, not really liking it."

But, Beckham says he feels he's got it figured out heading into his second season with the Cleveland Browns this year ... and he's hopeful he gets the opportunity to show he's still one of the game's elite.

"I understand the game now," Beckham says. "That's why you see the [bleached-blonde haircut] is back. There's nothing you could tell me."

Powerful moment on the field at the Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders FC game in Orlando where ALL of the players took a knee in a powerful moment of silence right before kickoff.

Even the ref got down on a knee.

Some players raised a clenched fist -- including Chicago Fire striker C.J. Sapong.

As the camera panned around the field, we didn't see one person -- players, coaches, linesmen, etc -- who didn't participate in the tribute.

After roughly 30 seconds, the ref blew the whistle, people stood and clapped -- and play began.

Obviously, the kneeling is to put a spotlight on police brutality and racial injustice ... clearly inspired by Colin Kaepernick.

Interesting to note, the national anthem was NOT playing during the kneeling demonstration.

The game is part of the MLS is Back tournament -- currently taking place inside of a bubble environment in Orlando, Florida.

The President of the largest Native American government in the country says they've been trying to get the NFL's Washington team to change its name for DECADES ... but the team wouldn't budge -- until now.

We spoke with Fawn Sharp -- leader of the National Congress of American Indians, which represents 5 MILLION people across 574 tribal nations.

Sharp says the NCAI is super happy Washington is finally dropping the "Redskins" nickname -- a name considered extremely offensive ... but questions why it took SO long.

"We've passed resolutions at the National Congress that go back to 1968. Before I was even born there was a resolution calling for the mascot issue ... and every generation of tribal leader since," Sharp says.

As you may know ... Washington had long argued that they had data showing most Native Americans were not offended by the name.

Sharp tells us the overwhelming majority of her constituents ARE (and have been) offended by the name and have made their position clear for years.

The good news ... Sharp is excited for change.

We also asked Sharp about the Atlanta Braves considering ending its "Tomahawk Chop" tradition ... she told us why the gesture is also so offensive and hurtful.

"Yes we have discussed it and this is another issue where we really pay attention to our young people," Sharp said.

"We have a generation that's being born into a society that's learning our languages. For centuries we were punished for speaking our language. they're learning our song, our dance, our ceremonies."

NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith -- who played 4 seasons in Washington -- says a name change is "long overdue" ... and feels the team is finally on the right side of history.

OH, AND WE ALSO ASKED BRUCE ABOUT THAT "PENIS" INCIDENT ON "FAMILY FEUD"!

But first, the serious topic ... Smith wrapped up his legendary NFL career in Washington and understands the issues surrounding the team name ... but clearly felt the time is right for change.

"It's the right thing to do for many reasons," Smith tells TMZ Sports ... acknowledging the pressure from business partners like FedEx and Nike obviously played a key role.

"Money motivates all of us to be quite honest with you, but socially and being on the right side of history is another motivating factor. I think both of those are present in this decision today."

NOW THE "FAMILY FEUD" QUESTION!

As we previously reported, Smith gave the best wrong answer EVER on 'FF' this week ... when he was asked the following question:

"If Captain Hook was moonlighting as a handyman, he might replace his hook with what tool?"

Smith said, "PENIS" and Steve Harvey lost his damn mind! The clip went viral almost immediately.

So, how does Bruce feel about his moment of social media fame?!

"You can't take life so seriously! You have to have some type of humor and you have to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes!"

"We need to laugh more than EVER right now. Laughter is good for the soul and I'm happy to of been able to entertain so many people."

And, get this ... Bruce says his phone has been blowing up since the incident -- with famous friends like Jim Kelly and MICHAEL JORDAN calling to roast him a little bit over his unbelievable answer!

HE DID WHAT?!?!

A high schooler made one of the most insane catches over NFL superstar Tyreek Hill at a football camp this past weekend ... and the video of the play is ABSURD!!!

Here's the deal ... Hill was holding a youth football workout on Saturday in Round Rock, Texas -- when he decided to have a little fun with the youngsters.

He played receiver and caught some passes ... but when he flipped around to defensive back -- he got put on a poster that would have made Randy Moss proud!!

Tyreeq-Styles Obichere -- a Texas high school football player who's going into the 10th grade -- routed up Tyreek, and when the ball arrived -- he snatched it from the Chiefs star with one hand. ONE HAND!!

Ya gotta watch the clip ... the catch is Odell Beckham-esque!!!

Hill gave the kid props on Twitter on Monday ... writing, "Now I see what it feels like to get snagged on, serious note though amazing grab keep that same energy future phenom cause next time I’m bring breeland to hold you."

Moss -- the king of highlight catches -- even chimed in on the play, writing on his social media, "Ohhh no he didnt....ohhh yes he did!MOSSED em!could this be week 1 edition? MOSSED"

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez didn't just walk away after their first attempt to buy the NY Mets fell flat -- they came back with a squad of rich NFL and NBA players ... and now they're back in the game!

The power couple recruited a dream team of current and former NFL ballers to join their investment group to make a 2nd run at the MLB franchise ... with names like Travis Kelce, Brian Urlacher, Joe Thomas, and DeMarco Murray.

There are two NBA stars in the group as well -- Washington Wizards beast Bradley Beal and Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee.

Remember, J Lo and A-Rod had previously tried to buy the Mets for around $1.5 billion -- but it didn't exactly work out since the Wilpon family (which owns the team) was hoping to get around $2.5 billion.

Now, J-Rod's group is back with a larger bid -- $1.7 billion, according to ESPN ... and they're reportedly in the mix.

Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen is the front-runner to buy the team -- he's loaded and has already made a $2 billion bid, according to the NY Post.

But, there's still time for J-Rod's group to come back with a larger bid -- and ESPN says the Wilpons would prefer to sell to Lopez and Rodriguez if they can come closer to the top bid.

NFL Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher is stoked about the possibility of becoming an owner -- telling ESPN, "It's pretty cool."

"It's especially cool to be involved with Alex. Alex is the man. You've got Kelce, Joe Thomas, DeMarco Murray. It's great to be in a group with them."

Kelce -- K.C. Chiefs superstar tight end -- also weighed in ... saying it's a "crazy opportunity."

"I had a chance to meet Alex Rodriguez a couple years ago and just told him how much of a fan I was as a kid of him. I'm very thankful for the success that I've had in the NFL, to have an opportunity like this come across the table. I couldn't think of a more unique set of people to be in charge of this."

As we previously reported Alex and Jennifer see tremendous potential for the Mets -- with sources telling us he feels the organization has been "so mismanaged" over the years, there is nothing but upside if he can right the ship.

The big question ... can the dream team of investors ultimately compete with a single motivated billionaire?

The University of Texas says it's making major changes across its campus to "promote diversity, inclusion and equity" -- including renaming its football field after two of its greatest athletes, who are black.

Joe Jamail Field -- at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium -- will be renamed Earl Campbell-Ricky Williams Field, after the two Heisman Trophy winners.

According to the school, the name change came at the request of the Jamail family.

Nothing controversial about Jamail that we're aware of -- he was a wealthy UT alum who donated a ton of money to the University and they honored him by naming the field after him in 1997. He passed away in 2015 at age 90.

Ricky issued a statement on the honor ... saying, "Earl and myself are honored to be part of the momentum of change sweeping our alma mater, the University of Texas, the nation, and the world."

He added, "We recognize the naming of Campbell/Williams Field is a historic moment and we urge our nation's univiersities to continue to reflect and review the history, symbolism, and dentities that we place on monuments, public institutions, and sports organizations."

Campbell also spoke out -- saying, "The symbolism of this honor transcends the recognition of the Heisman Trophies we received."

"It extends to all students, but specifically black athletes, who continue to work to define our collective motto 'Winning with Integrity.' Ricky and I are humbled by this honor."

Of course, Ricky Williams was a MONSTER during his time at Texas -- winning the Heisman in 1998 after one of the greatest seasons ever -- rushing for more than 2,300 yards and 29 TDs.

Campbell was also a beast -- winning the Heisman in 1977 when he sued for 1,744 and 18 TDs.

There's more ... UT says it will also be erecting a statue at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium of Julius Whittier, the Longhorns’ first Black football letterman.

The school also announced several changes to "promote diversity, inclusion and equity" at the university ... which are things Longhorns football players have been asking for for months.

Remember, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown began a boycott of football workouts just a few days ago because he believed the school was dragging its feet on implementing changes.