TMZ Sports - Page 50

Top NBA draft prospect Cole Anthony ain't running from the dumpster fire that is the Knicks ... in fact, the former UNC star says he'd embrace being selected by NY!!!

"I mean, look," the projected 1st-round pick tells TMZ Sports, "hey, it would be cool!"

Of course, the Knicks are kind of in Anthony's genes ... his father, Greg Anthony, was drafted by NY back in 1991 and played with the team for the first 4 seasons of his lengthy NBA career.

But, the Knicks have devolved into a complete mess since Papa Anthony roamed Madison Square Garden ... and it's gotten so bad, a ton of free agents have passed on signing there the past couple years.

Cole, though, tells us he'd be fired up if the Knicks took him in October's draft ... adding he's going to give "everything I can" to any team that's willing to take a shot on him.

It'd make sense for the Knicks ... Cole was a MONSTER at UNC despite injuries last season -- he averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 22 games for the Tar Heels.

By the way, Anthony -- who was out at Cove Lounge in NYC for an event to give back to children over the weekend -- also told us his old UNC teammates are fighting like hell to make sure there's a college basketball season this year.

Tom Seaver -- one of the greatest Mets players of all time -- died Monday after a battle with dementia and COVID-19. He was 75.

"We are heartbroken to share that our beloved husband and father has passed away," his wife Nancy and daughters Sarah and Anne told the National Baseball Hall of Fame. "We send our love out to his fans, as we mourn his loss with you."

Seaver passed away peacefully at his home in Calistoga, California surrounded by his family, according to the HOF.

The HOF says Seaver's death was more specifically caused by complications from Lewy body dementia and COVID-19.

Seaver was a part of the legendary "Miracle Mets" of 1969 ... which went on to win the World Series over the Baltimore Orioles.

Seaver played in the majors from 1968 to 1986 and was a 13-time All-Star and 3-time Cy Young winner.

He ended up becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer and was inducted into Cooperstown in 1992.

Seaver went public about his dementia diagnosis in 2019 -- and announced that he would "retire from public life."

Seaver is one of the greatest to ever wear a Mets jersey -- he had his No. 41 jersey retired in 1988 and was given the nicknames "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise" during his playing days.

Seaver also played for the Reds, White Sox and Red Sox ... raking in 311 wins.

After he retired from baseball, Seaver went into broadcasting ... and worked as a Yankees analyst on WPIX from 1989 to 1993 ... and on Mets telecasts from 1999 to 2005.

The Mets addressed the loss of a legend ... saying, "We are devastated to learn of the passing of Mets Legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Seaver."

"Beyond the multitude of awards, records, accolades, World Series Championship, All-Star appearances, and just overall brilliance, we will always remember Tom for his passion and devotion to his family, the game of baseball, and his vineyard."

MLB commish Rob Manfred released a statement on Seaver's passing, saying, "I am deeply saddened by the death of Tom Seaver, one of the greatest pitchers of all-time."

"Tom was a gentleman who represented the best of our National Pastime."

Manfred added ... "On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my condolences to Tom’s family, his admirers throughout our game, Mets fans, and the many people he touched."

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson just shared some sobering family news ... he tested positive for the coronavirus, along with everyone else in his immediate family.

The Rock just announced their positive COVID-19 diagnosis, saying the entire ordeal came as a shock and has been the most challenging thing he's ever been through.

Rock says he, Lauren and their 2 young girls, Tiana and Jasmine are on the other side of the virus and have recovered. He says his children didn't have bad symptoms and were able to bounce back to normal.

Dwayne says his fam's commitment to health and wellness boosted their immune systems, and he believes that's what helped pull them through.

He also says his ordeal is a cautionary tale, because the family contracted the virus from close family friends. He makes the point that just because you love and trust people, doesn't mean they can't unknowingly expose you to the virus.

OUUUUUUUCHHHHH!!!!

New York Mets outfielder Jake Marisnick violently crashed into a wall in an attempt to make a catch Wednesday ... and sacrificed his FACE in the process.

Check out footage of the center fielder trying to snag a fly ball in the 2nd inning of the Mets-Orioles game ... but instead, ending up with a face full of Camden Yards' wall.

The play was crazy ... Baltimore catcher Pedro Severino roped a ball into deep center -- and not noticing the wall approaching, Marisnick slammed right into it at full speed trying to make the grab.

To his credit, Marisnick still got up and attempted to make the play ... but afterward, he had to be checked out by trainers.

And, when cameras zoomed on the 29-year-old's face -- you can see the dude had some serious bruising around his nose and eyes from his sunglasses.

But, Jake stayed in the game ... and actually BALLED OUT -- going 2-for-4 with a run and RBI.

MLB says it KNOWS Aroldis Chapman was gunning for a Rays player's head with a 101-MPH fastball Tuesday ... and now, it's suspended the Yankees star 3 games over it all.

If you missed it ... the NYY closer nearly ignited a massive brawl in the 9th inning of the Yanks game against Tampa Bay -- after he JUST MISSED Michael Brosseau's head with his trademark heater.

The pitch was scary as hell ... the white sphere came hurling at Brosseau's dome -- and cleared his helmet by only a few inches.

Chapman went on to strikeout Brosseau ... but the Rays didn't leave the field without confronting the reliever over the pitch, which caused the benches to clear.

There were no punches or brawls -- just a lot of barking -- but afterward, Rays manager Kevin Cash RIPPED Chapman and the Yanks because he felt it was all intentional.

"It's absolutely ridiculous," Cash told reporters. "It was mishandled by the Yankees. Certainly the pitcher on the mound. It was mishandled by the umpires."

FYI -- the Yanks and Rays have had seriously bad blood this season ... with the two going at it in some knockdown, drag-out games over the past couple weeks.

''Somebody has to be accountable," Cash said, before issuing what appeared to be a veiled threat ... "The last thing I'll say on it is I got a whole damn stable full of guys that throw 98 mph. Period.''

For his part, Yanks manager Aaron Boone called Cash's words "pretty scary," but didn't elaborate much more on the incident after the game.

On Wednesday, MLB hit Chapman with a 3-game ban for his role in it all, saying straight up he "intentionally" threw at Brosseau.

MLB also suspended Boone and Cash 1 game for their roles.

Georgia Bulldogs QB Jamie Newman -- one of the top-ranked QBs in the country -- is opting out of the 2020 college football season ... just 3 weeks before the season opener.

6'4", 230-pound Newman -- a graduate transfer from Wake Forest -- was touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate going into the 2020 season after balling out at WF over the past 2 seasons.

In 2019, he threw for 2,868 yards, 26 TDs and 11 INTs -- while rushing for 574 yards and 6 TDs.

But, with all the drama surrounding COVID, Newman announced Wednesday on social media that he's opting out ... without ever taking a single snap for the Bulldogs.

"With much prayer and discussion with my family I would like to announce that due to the uncertainties of this year amid a global pandemic I will officially opt-out of this football season to prepare for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft."

Don't worry ... Newman will be fine and so will Georgia -- which has a pretty solid backup plan.

Ex-USC quarterback JT Daniels transferred to Georgia back in May and was granted permission to play in the 2020 season.

So, the presumed plan is plug in Daniels -- who can flat-out ball.

Minnesota Vikings star QB Kirk Cousins claims he ain't scared of coronavirus at all ... saying if it were up to him, he'd ditch masks and let nature straight-up just run its course.

"For me personally," Cousins says, "just talking no one else can get the virus, 'What is your concern if you could get it?' I would say I’m going to go about my daily life."

"You know, even if I die," the 2-time Pro Bowler added. "If I die, I die."

Cousins made his stance on the pandemic crystal clear to Kyle Brandt on the NFL Network star's "10 Questions With Kyle Brandt" podcast ... saying he wishes there was just a "survival of the fittest" approach to the whole thing.

"If I get it, I’m going to ride it out," 32-year-old Cousins says. "I’m going to let nature do its course ... And just say, if it knocks me out, it knocks me out. I’m going to be OK."

In fact, when Brandt asked Cousins, "If 1 is the person who says, ‘Masks are stupid, you’re all a bunch of lemmings’ and 10 is, ‘I’m not leaving my master bathroom for the next 10 years,’ where do you land?” ... Cousins said he'd be a ".000001."

But, don't get it twisted ... Kirk says he's still going to follow EVERY coronavirus protocol the NFL and the Vikings put in place -- simply because he respects others might have differing opinions from him on the matter.

So far, the Vikings have avoided any COVID catastrophes ... with no reported team breakouts yet.

However, several in the NFL have tested positive in recent months -- including head coaches Anthony Lynn, Sean Payton and Doug Pederson ... though all have since recovered fully.

NFL legend Jerome Bettis says Alvin Kamara should ABSOLUTELY hold out from Saints camp to get a contract extension ... saying the N.O. RB needs to get paid before it's too late.

Kamara had reportedly sat out a few days of camp already this summer over his unhappiness with his contract ... but he returned to practice this week even though he's yet to get a new deal.

Bettis, speaking on the "In My Bag" podcast Wednesday, says he believes that's a mistake ... adding Kamara should hold out to try to get the money he deserves ASAP!!!

"I think Alvin Kamara has put enough work in with that organization for them to know what he's capable of," Bettis says.

"So, I think definitely he needs to hold out because a running back only has a certain amount of carries in his body and once those carries get to that number, that's it."

25-year-old Kamara is still playing out his rookie contract ... which is scheduled to pay him just $2.1 million this season -- which is over $15 MILLION less than what top RBs like Christian McCaffrey and Ezekiel Elliott are set to make in 2020.

Kamara -- who piled up 1,330 total yards and 6 touchdowns last season despite injuries -- is reportedly seeking a new contract worth right around Zeke and McCaffrey's -- and Bettis clearly thinks the RB's worth that.

And, Bettis is advising Kamara to sit out to get it ... because he says if Kamara's not careful, the dude's big workload could begin to hurt him.

"It's not about years, it's about carries," Bettis says, "I think he has to be very conscious of that. And, yeah, if I was him, I probably would [hold out]."

Boxing superstar Ryan Garcia just caught the first L of his career ... and it wasn't at the hands of Tank Davis or Luke Campbell -- he got beat up by some TikTok stars!!!

Okay ... so, that's not true at all. BUT, the 22-year-old phenom *did* hit the gym with the uber-popular social media stars Dixie D'Amelio and Addison Rae on Wednesday ... and they all took part in the "Body Shot Challenge!!"

Of course, we've seen Garcia's viral trend in the past with guys like Logan and Jake Paul ... where they put on a body pad and take hits from the 20-0 fighter.

Only this time, Ryan put on the pads and let Dixie and Addison fire off some punches for a solid 6 seconds before begging for mercy!!

And, the Oscar goes to ...

Hey, we get it!! The video wouldn't be nearly as fun if Ryan didn't ham it up for the camera.

Fun fact: the trio has a combined 51.2 million followers on Instagram ... and 97.9 MILLION followers on TikTok.

Ya can't deny Dixie and Addison's skills, though -- both ladies can land a serious punch!!

Unprecedented Roberto Clemente honor coming up for the Pittsburgh Pirates ... team officials say they'll unretire the Hall of Famer's #21 so their players can wear it for Clemente Day next week.

The team says the tribute will go down when the Buccos take on the White Sox on Sept. 9 ... with each Pitt. player set to don Clemente's famous number for the game.

Afterward, Pirates officials say they'll auction off the unis ... with all proceeds going toward the Clemente Foundation and other Pirates charities.

Of course, it's a HUGE honor ... no one in the org. has worn the number for a Pirates game since Clemente tragically died in a plane crash back in 1972. He was only 38.

"Our staff and players are excited to wear the number 21 with pride as we constantly search for ways to not only honor Roberto's legacy but to keep his memory alive through our community actions," Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said.

"We recognize what this moment represents for all of us within the organization, the Clemente Family, our fans, and the people of Puerto Rico. We take great pride in representing such a great ambassador of the game."

The Pirates and MLB as a whole have honored Clemente every September since 2002 with Clemente Day ... with Pittsburgh doing different things every year to carry on RC's legacy.

The NBA just hit Marcus Morris with a $35,000 fine for that hard foul on Luka Doncic during Game 6 of the playoff series between the Clippers and Mavs.

Morris and Doncic had been going after each other for the entire series -- things were chippy -- but things came to a head in the 1st quarter of Game 6 when Marcus hit Luka in the face while Doncic was going up for a layup.

A scuffle ensued. The players had to be separated. Morris was ejected from the game.

Now, to make matters worse for Morris ... he's gotta come out of pocket to the tune of $35k for "recklessly striking" Doncic, according to the NBA.

"The amount of the fine was based in part on the fact that Morris has been disciplined on several prior occasions for physical altercations on the court," the NBA said.

Later in the game, a rattled Doncic lost his cool over a foul call -- and threw the ball at the feet of one of the refs.

Doncic argued that he didn't intend to hit the ref -- just bad luck.

The NBA has fined Doncic over that incident to the tune of $15,000.

The Clippers ended up winning the game and the clinching the series, sending Doncic and the Mavs out of the NBA Bubble.

Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster Bill Hillgrove has been hit with a 2-game suspension over a wild DUI incident back in June.

The 80-year-old -- who's been calling Steelers games for 27 seasons -- allegedly crashed his Honda CR-V into a grocery store in Murrysville, PA around 5 PM on June 15.

Officials say Hillgrove smashed through 2 windows in the process -- but still went inside the store, got prescription medication and then returned to the vehicle, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Officials say Hillgrove left the scene and returned to his home -- where cops say he admitted to having "a couple of beers."

Officials say Hillgrove agreed to a breathalyzer and allegedly blew a whopping .16 -- twice the legal limit.

Hillgrove later told police the car "just got away from me."

He was charged with driving under the influence and he's due in court to be arraigned in October.

The runner who smacked a TV reporter on the butt during a race in Georgia last year just plead guilty to sexual battery ... and he'll now be on probation for the next year, TMZ Sports has learned.

Thomas Callaway was facing up to 1 year behind bars after he was arrested last December for slapping WSAV-TV's Alex Bozarjian while she was reporting live from the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run.

Video of the incident was alarming ... Bozarjian was speaking to the camera when Callaway ran up from behind and hit her hard. You can see in the footage, she was visibly stunned.

Bozarjian later admonished Callaway on Twitter, saying, "You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me" ... and, eventually, she went to law enforcement to press charges.

44-year-old Callaway was ultimately hit with a charge of sexual battery ... and court records show he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor count on Tuesday.

Per the records, Callaway was sentenced to 1 year of probation and also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service. Callaway was also hit with over $1,000 of fines and fees as well.

We've reached out to Callaway's attorney for comment, but so far, no word back yet.

Callaway -- reportedly a teen church youth minister and a Boy Scout leader -- had previously apologized for the incident ... saying on national TV days after the race, "There was a misjudge in character and decision making."

It may be the offseason for Ben Simmons, but the NBA superstar is getting right back into competition mode ... taking part in a HUGE Call of Duty tournament backed by FaZe Clan.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Simmons -- who recently invested in FaZe Clan -- is part of a celeb-packed lineup for the "Twitch Rivals: FaZe Face-Off Ft. Warzone" event going down on September 17.

Simmons -- AKA "FaZe Simmo" will join big names like Marshmello, Slim Jxmmi, Carnage, Lil Durk, Bulls star Zach LaVine and USWNT Allie Long in the Call of Duty competition, which is the first event from FaZe Clan's new series with the Twitch Rivals streaming service.

The competition will also feature FaZe Clan regulars like FaZe Apex, FaZe Rug, NICKMERCS, FaZe Temperrr, and FaZe SWAGG ... as well as a bunch of other well-known streamers.

The event will consist of up to 20 teams of 4 players ... who will compete for a prize pool of $75,000!

It's been a big year for FaZe Clan ... the org. just wrapped up tournament for the game Valorant -- which was viewed online more than 5.2 MILLION times!

Oh yeah, and Bronny James just joined the squad!!!

The tributes to Chadwick Boseman keep pouring in, and the latest honor for the late "Black Panther" star is all about education.

Walter Mayfield, principal at T. L. Hanna High School in South Carolina where the actor attended, tells TMZ ... they're forming the Chadwick Boseman Memorial Scholarship for a yearly honor to a deserving student.

Mayfield says the goal is to create a sustainable scholarship for years to come, and the school is aiming to raise $100k toward that end. The principal says a bunch of people have already reached out about contributing in Chadwick's honor -- without even publicizing the idea yet -- so they're off to a good start.

We're told the school is trying to work with Boseman's family on the plan -- Mayfield feels it's essential they be involved to help formulate criteria for the award.

Chadwick's former H.S. basketball coach, Wayne Jones, is pushing for the school to retire the number he used to wear -- 32 -- in his memory.

He tells us the cinematic superhero was an all-around solid player on the court who played 4 years on the varsity squad ... and could do a little bit of everything. T. L. Hanna has never retired a number before, but Principal Mayfield says this is the time to consider it.

If the Boseman scholarship gets up and running, it will be the second one in honor of a T. L. Hanna legend ... the first is James "Radio" Kennedy. His scholarship goes to a student pursuing a career in special ed.

As we told you ... Chadwick's South Carolina hometown is also set to honor him soon.

Neymar -- one of the most famous athletes in the world -- has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 after a holiday in Ibiza.

Neymar's pro soccer club Paris Saint-Germain confirmed Wednesday that 3 members of the team tested positive -- but the organization did not release the names of the players.

However, media outlet L’Équipe and ESPN say sources have confirmed the 28-year-old Brazilian superstar is one of the players who tested positive ... along with his PSG teammates Angel Di Maria and Leo Paredes.

All 3 men were recently spotted out in Ibiza after PSG's August 23 loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League final.

PSG has issued a statement on the situation saying, "Three [PSG] players are confirmed positive after a Sars CoV2 test and have undergone the appropriate health protocols."

"All players and staff will continue to be tested over the next few days."

The team has been off since the loss in the finals -- but are scheduled to pick back up on Sept. 10.

Neymar was in hot water last month for breaking COVID protocol when he swapped jerseys with Leipzig defender Marcel Halstenberg following their August 18 game.

Players have been banned from the jersey swap -- and there were fears Neymar would be blocked from competing against Bayern Munich in the final, but he ultimately was allowed to play.