TMZ Sports - Page 50

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture and his GF, Mindy Robinson, were both injured in an ATV accident in Arizona on Monday ... and Randy will undergo surgery, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 57-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion was driving around on a private road on his ranch in Flagstaff, AZ with Mindy as a passenger when the accident occurred.

We're told Randy was banged up pretty badly while Mindy escaped mostly unscathed. She sustained minor injuries.

The couple eventually made it back home before determining Randy needed medical assistance ... so they went to a nearby hospital, where Randy was treated for a shoulder and rib injury.

Couture is set to undergo surgery Tuesday afternoon ... but is expected to make a full recovery.

It's been a rough 12 months for Randy who suffered a heart attack in October 2019, which also required surgery.

Couture says he made a full recovery from that issue -- and has been back in the gym working out like a maniac ever since he walked himself home from the hospital.

Randy is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters in the sport's history defeating legends like Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Vitor Belfort during his historic career.

He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006.

"I DID NOT MURDER THAT MAN!!!"

That's pro wrestling legend Marty Jannetty outright denying he murdered a man when the was 13-years-old ... insisting he made up the tale as part of a "damn wrestling storyline."

Remember, 60-year-old Jannetty -- one half of the WWF tag team, The Rockers -- had initially claimed he used a brick to fend off an attempted rapist behind a bowling alley 47 years ago ... killing the man in the process.

Jannetty even went on the Boston Wrestling Sports Show and suggested he dumped the body in the Chattahoochee River sometime around 1973.

In fact, the Columbus Police Dept. in Georgia even opened a probe into the apparent killing.

But now, Jannetty says the whole story was just a goof -- a made-up plot for pro wrestling -- and he spelled it out Tuesday in a new Facebook post.

"It was just the beginning of a damn wrestling storyline ... but OH MY GOD, OMG. Didn't the WORLD buy it??!!"

"It got so hot I had to drop it ... when my Columbus, Ga. Police Department got involved, I knew I had to drop it."

Jannetty says once cops got involved, he was "red-flagged"
by TSA -- and was recently pulled out of line at an airport in Atlanta while traveling to Boston.

"I wanted to call the good people at the Columbus Police Department and tell them, 'nah nah, don't waste tax payers money nor your valuable time..it was just a wrestling storyline.'"

Jannetty says looking back, he should have looped in the police about the murder story line before going public ... "but that ain't how I do it."

As for the story line ... Jannetty says it was all supposed to culminate in a wresting match with a former corrections officer -- "If he wins, he takes me in, in peace. If I win, he leave me alone, in peace ... but sadly now, we'll not get to do that storyline."

Leonard Fournette just threw some MAJOR shade at Blake Bortles, Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles ... saying he loves being in Tampa Bay, 'cause he FINALLY gets to play with a quarterback!!!

The new Buccaneers running back spoke to reporters on Tuesday about becoming Tom Brady's newest teammate ... and straight-up dogged his former Jacksonville Jaguars QBs in the process.

"For the first time in my life, I really have a quarterback."

Of course, Fournette's time in Duval was filled with ups and downs -- including a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2018 -- and ended when he was abruptly cut last week.

And, it's no secret ... the Jags weren't the strongest at QB during Fournette's 3 years with the team

Now that LF has found a new home in Tampa ... he couldn't hide his excitement about playing with the 6-time Super Bowl champ.

"I'm happy to be back there with one of the greatest, or the greatest that played this game," he said.

There's a huge buzz surrounding the Bucs offense now ... with TB12, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski and more expected to make noise in the NFC.

Colin Kaepernick is back in the NFL -- in the Madden '21 video game ... where he's now a playable QB with a higher rating than Cam Newton and Baker Mayfield.

"Colin Kaepernick is one of the top free agents in football and a starting caliber quarterback," EA Sports said in a statement.

"Our team at EA Sports along with millions of Madden NFL fans wanted to see him back in the game."

EA Sports says fans can use Colin as a QB in Franchise Mode -- and play with him starting Tuesday, Sept. 8.

We look forward to seeing Colin on Madden NFL teams.

We're told Colin's overall raying is an 81 -- a number EA says is based on Kap's "prior on the field performance, combined with our data-driven EA Sports rating simulations."

The company says the rating takes into account "he has not taken the field since 2016."

"When Kaepernick was a healthy starting quarterback he was rated 89, 89, 81 overall and known for his strong touchdown-to-interception ratio, mobility, and playoff performances."

There's more ... Kap also has a signature TD celebration -- a raised fist, which players can activate after a score.

EA also notes that Colin is the top-rated free agent QB in their game.

And, with his 81 rating, Kap ranks higher than Derek Carr,  Ryan Tannehill, Josh Allen and even Kyler Murray.

Tragic news in the motorcycle racing world ... veteran rider Ralph Hudson died Sunday from injuries he suffered after crashing his bike at 252 MPH.

The 69-year-old was hurt on Aug. 14 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah ... where he was attempting to break a speed record.

Officials said at the time he wiped out and was rushed to the hospital in serious condition ... but stabilized to the point where his family was hopeful he could pull through.

Sadly, Hudson's family and friends said in a statement this week the racer succumbed to injuries ... announcing he passed away Sunday night surrounded by his son and best friends.

"We sincerely thank everyone for their kind words, prayers and support during this very difficult time," the statement read. "Ralph would want everyone to stay strong and keep going fast."

Hudson was known as one of the best in the motorcycle racing community ... he reportedly held multiple speed records and even once topped 300 MPH on his bike.

In fact, the vice president of the Southern California Timing Association, Pat McDowell, called Hudson "one of the legends of our sport" to the Deseret News.

Suspended Reds announcer Thom Brennaman says he realizes the "incredible hurt" he caused when he used a homophobic slur on live TV ... and claims he has become a better person in the weeks following the incident.

Remember, the longtime play-by-play guy was calling a game against the KC Royals on August 19 when he was caught on a hot mic referring to an unnamed city as "one of the f** capitals of the world."

Brennaman later apologized mid-game ... and was quickly suspended from his Reds gig and dropped from his "NFL on FOX" role.

The 56-year-old spoke to the NY Post about the backlash he faced following the incident ... saying, "Believe me, I know there are a lot of people who are still very angry and I understand that."

Brennaman has vowed to become an ally for the LGBTQ community ... and has personally met with several groups to get a better understanding of the impact of hateful words.

"The realization of the incredible hurt that I’ve caused using that word has been breathtaking," Brennaman told the Post.

"It’s been absolutely amazing the amount of grace and forgiveness and support."

As for the reason behind using the anti-gay slur ... Brennaman says he has no idea why he said it or in what context.

"I couldn’t even tell you what happened, where it came from."

He added ... "Look, I said it is all that matters. The rest of it is irrelevant. I said it. And I own it. And I’m the one who has to live with it."

Buffalo Bills star Tre'Davious White nearly broke down in tears talking about his new $70 MILLION contract ... saying he's going to retire his parents with the new money!!

"It was a whole load that was lifted off of my shoulders," White told media members after inking the new 4-year deal.

"Because I knew that I could retire my parents and they'll never have to worry about anything."

White -- arguably the best cornerback in the NFL -- was super emotional during his entire press conference about the contract ... fighting back tears talking about his plans for the cash.

"I have a lot of people and a lot of family members that I could change their lives," White said. "And that's what I plan to do."

The 25-year-old, who was picked in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, added he's been able to take care of himself with his rookie contract ... but now, he can put the rest of his family in a good spot.

"There's a lot of people in my family that are hurt," White said. "So I plan on lightening the burden on them."

The NY Giants have officially cut ties with DeAndre Baker -- who's facing life in prison for his alleged role in an armed robbery.

The move was expected ever since Broward State Attorney Mike Satz announced prosecutors would be moving forward with 4 counts of robbery with a firearm against Baker stemming from a May 13 incident.

Baker was a star for the Georgia Bulldogs before being selected by the Giants with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was expected to compete for a starting job this season.

As we previously reported, Baker -- along with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar -- was arrested for allegedly robbing several people at gunpoint during a cookout 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.

Prosecutors later dropped ALL of the charges against Dunbar, but Baker has been formally charged with 4 counts of robbery with a firearm.

If convicted, Baker faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in state prison.

Allen Iverson is still hurting like hell over the death of Kobe Bryant ... he broke down in tears during a recent interview remembering the Mamba, and it's SUPER emotional.

Iverson was talking hoops with The Players' Tribune in a video posted Monday ... when he was asked which NBA players he enjoyed most hanging out with during All-Star weekends.

That's when AI got teary-eyed ... and said his favorite was none other than Kobe.

"It was always a battle between me and him," Iverson said. "And then, having the chance to be on the same team with him, looking back on it, like, that was it. You know what I mean?"

Iverson choked back tears explaining it all ... adding, "That was it. Just having the chance to play with my guy."

Allen has made no attempts to hide how heartbroken he's been since Kobe tragically died in a helicopter crash last January.

He's shared multiple social media posts about the former Lakers superstar ... and even wrote a lengthy piece for The Players' Tribune last month, saying Kobe's death "still doesn’t seem real."

"Nobody was tougher than you," Iverson said in the article. "Nobody got more out of me. We’re linked forever in this game -- in this life."

Kerri Walsh Jennings ain't backing down from her anti-COVID mask stance even in the wake of serious backlash ... saying she believes fighting against face coverings is equivalent to fighting for freedom.

"I truly believe we are on the slippery slope of a mask mandate evolving into a vaccine mandate," the 3-time Olympic gold medalist volleyball player said. "That scares the [fire emoji] out of me."

The 42-year-old posted a lengthy statement on social media Sunday railing against COVID restrictions ... even saying she recently went out shopping without a mask on to prove a point.

"Things won't open up and freedoms won't come back unless we are willing to push back and stand up for them," Walsh Jennings said. "I am willing to fight for the freedoms I have been guaranteed by my constitution."

While Walsh Jennings insisted she understood the severity of the coronavirus pandemic and wanted to find ways to open up while protecting the "vulnerable" ... she was still blasted for her opinion.

Fellow Olympic volleyball Jennifer Kessy called the entire post "selfish." Others said far worse in the comment section.

But, Walsh Jennings didn't exactly back down in a follow-up post Monday ... she apologized if she offended anybody, but added, "I was not looking to do anything but express my belief that FREEDOM IS RIGHT WORTH FIGHTING FOR."

She continued, "I believe we have to stay mindful of the FACT that our freedoms have slowly been taken from us with our consent."

"Using a mask to express my love of freedom perhaps seems a bit shallow and selfish (peoples health are at play, after all), but it is a real thing to point to and it is the potential starting point for so much more."

Soccer star Mason Greenwood has issued an apology for the "embarrassment" he caused after getting busted sneaking women into England's team hotel in Iceland.

18-year-old Greenwood -- along with England teammate Phil Foden -- were cut from the England national team Monday after officials say they broke COVID-19 quarantine protocol to meet up with the women at the team hotel.

At least one of the women is an Icelandic model and beauty queen, according to the Daily Mail.

The players were specifically told not to leave a certain part of the hotel that was sectioned off for the team -- but they decided to venture outside of that zone to meet up with the ladies.

Bad news for the players ... they got caught -- and were immediately dropped by the team.

Greenwood -- a striker for Manchester United -- issued an apology Tuesday morning.

"Having now had the chance to reflect on what’s happened, I can only apologise to everyone for the embarrassment I have caused," Greenwood said.

"It was irresponsible of me to break the COVID-19 protocols which are in place to protect players, staff and the public."

"Playing for England was one of the proudest moments in my life and I only have myself to blame for this huge mistake."

"I promise my family, the fans, Manchester United and England that this is a lesson I will learn from."

Foden has also apologized -- saying, "I breached COVID-19 protocols put in place to protect myself and my England colleagues. As a consequence I will now miss the opportunity to travel to Denmark with the squad, and that hurts."

For the second time in 5 years, Teyana Taylor has given birth in her home bathroom -- and once again, everyone is healthy!!!

Taylor's NBA star hubby Iman Shumpert broke the news ... saying baby Rue Rose was born on Sept. 6 at 3:28 AM.

"Now ... when we buy homes, we always find a bathroom with great energy ... but not in a million years would you be able to tell me we’d deliver both of our daughters in a bathroom without the assistance of a hospital!"

Shumpert continued, "Our newest edition entered the world in the water and came out looking around and ready to explore! A healthy child. A little sister. Another daughter."

"Black love wins....again. Welcome babygirl...we love you!"

Remember, Shumpert called 911 back in 2015 when Taylor went into labor in their home ... and ultimately gave birth at their home.

Shumpert personally delivered that child -- Iman Tayla Shumpert Jr. -- and used a pair of headphones to clamp the umbilical cord!

As for the new baby, Rue Rose already has an Instagram page ... with almost 60,000 followers!!

Vince Young won't have to spend any more time behind bars over his DWI case stemming from a 2019 arrest ... TMZ Sports has learned the case has now been dismissed after the ex-NFL QB completed a diversion program.

We broke the story ... 37-year-old Vince was arrested on Feb. 4 in Fort Bend County, Texas last year after police officers say he was drunk driving at around 4:30 AM.

Cops say Young slurred his speech, bombed field sobriety tests and emitted a strong odor of alcohol during the stop.

Young was initially hit with a DWI charge over the incident ... but prosecutors eventually reduced the charge to misdemeanor obstruction of a highway after Young and his attorney successfully fought it in court.

Still, Young was facing up to 180 days in jail over the Class B misdemeanor ... but court records show the case was dismissed on Aug. 25.

According to court docs ... Young "completed a pretrial intervention program supervised by the probation department," which led to the dismissal.

It's not Young's first drunk driving case ... remember, back in 2016, he pled no contest to a DUI charge and was sentenced to 18 months probation.

Pandemic be damned ... the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will go forward, regardless of COVID.

The Veep of the IOC, John Coates, just said the Olympics will be the "games that conquered COVID."

The games will take place next year, and it doesn't matter the state of Japan or the world with respect to coronavirus. The games were postponed in March because of the pandemic ... the first time the Olympics have been put on ice other than wartime.

It seems Coates is turning a blind eye to the virus, saying, "It will take place with or without COVID."  He vows the games will kick off July 23, 2021.

The games initially were to be themed, the Reconstruction Games ... this after the earthquake and tsunami that hit Tohoku in 2011. But, things are different, and Coates says, "Now very much these will be the games that conquered COVID."

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jacob Evans is honoring the memory of slain LSU basketball player Wayde Sims ... in the form of a custom pendant.

Evans and Sims grew up in Baton Rouge -- and Evans was devastated when he learned Sims was shot and killed at a party near the Southern University campus on Sept. 28.

Officials say Sims was trying to defend a friend in a fistfight when another 20-year-old man pulled out a gun and opened fire on the LSU hoops player.

The alleged shooter is now being prosecuted for 2nd-degree murder.

23-year-old Evans wanted to pay tribute to his friend -- so he hit up Courtney Roy of Clarity Custom Jewelry to order a custom piece featuring Sims and Ja'Cardo Hawkins, another friend who passed away in 2019.

Hawkins was also a college basketball player who was and All-CCAA Honorable Mention in 2018.

It's a beautiful tribute to two young men who died way too young.