TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jamain Stephens -- a 20-year-old defensive lineman for California University of Pennsylvania -- died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19, according to his high school.

Stephens -- listed at 6'3", 255 pounds -- played the past 3 seasons for the Cal Vulcans. Additionally, he made the University's AD Honor Roll in Fall 2019.

Cal had canceled its 2020 football season because of the COVID pandemic, but apparently, Stephens contracted the virus anyway.

The University confirmed his passing but didn't mention a cause of death. Jamain's high school, Central Catholic, issued a statement saying "Jamain went to his eternal reward after suffering from complications of COVID-19."

Here's more from Central Catholic ...

"Known more commonly by his nickname, 'Juice,' Jamain was a defensive lineman for the Vikings, winning two WPIAL championships and a state championship in 2015. Jamain went on to continue his football career at California University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Business Administration."

Cal U athletic director Karen Hjerpe also issued a statement on Jamain's death -- calling him a "wonderful student with a smile on his face every time you saw him."

"His personality was contagious and he made such a positive impact on everyone he met."

Jamain's father -- Jamain Stephens -- was an offensive lineman in the NFL from 1997 to 2001 ... playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.

RIP

Bronny James could be the LeBron James of gaming ... so says FaZe Clan superstar FaZe Banks -- who tells TMZ Sports the King's son is straight-up born for Esports stardom!!!

"Listen," Banks said, "look at him. He was built for this sh*t! Look at him and his dad. He's a competitor, you know?!"

Of course, Bronny just agreed last week to join up with FaZe Clan -- the most famous Esports team on the planet -- and when we got Banks outside of BOA in L.A., he told us he couldn't be happier to have LeBron's kid on the squad.

In fact, Banks is adamant Bronny's addition ain't a publicity stunt ... telling us the 15-year-old can seriously ball on the sticks!!

"He's really good at Fortnite," Banks said. "He plays [Call of Duty] too!"

Banks tells us he sees MASSIVE potential for Bronny in the video game world ... saying Esports are "the f**king future!"

But, don't worry NBA fans ... Banks is still advising Bronny to put most of his focus on the hardwood for now.

NBA baller DeMarcus Cousins is parting ways with his Las Vegas mansion -- complete with home theater, indoor hoops court and ELEVATOR -- and it can be yours for $8 MILLION!!!

The place is more like a hotel resort than a house ... with 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and a massive outdoor pool with waterfalls and a water slide.

The inside has everything you could ask for -- a master suite with a spa-like bathroom, gourmet kitchen, billiards room, wet bar, sports media room and plenty of offices.

Oh yeah, and did we mention the freakin' elevator?!

And, naturally, the lucky buyer can follow Boogie's footsteps and work towards becoming a 4-time NBA All-Star by using the indoor court to work on their jumper!!

And, if that ain't enough, there's a state-of-the-art gym to also get your swole sesh on.

Or, if working out isn't your thing ... the crib is a short drive from the Las Vegas strip!!

Cousins was known to spend a bunch of time in Vegas during the NBA offseasons, where he would do most of his training.

The pad -- listed with Bob & Jill Barnhart of Luxurious Real Estate -- just hit the market ... so if ya got $8 milli lying around, you know what to do.

Boxing prodigy Danny Gonzalez -- who signed with Floyd Mayweather's The Money Team in 2016 -- was shot and killed on Labor Day, officials confirm.

The 22-year-old was hanging out in Moreno Valley, CA on Sept. 7 around 9 PM when someone approached the fighter and opened fire.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. says deputies and paramedics responded to the scene where Gonzalez was pronounced dead.

Two other people who were with Danny (both teenagers) were transported to a nearby hospital where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, officials say.

An investigation is underway ... so far, no suspects have been identified and cops say they have not determined a motive.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the tragic news Tuesday ... saying, "We are very sad to report the tragic death of boxer and top prospect, Danny González."

"We send our deepest condolences and prayers to the Gonzalez family at this hard time. May Danny rest in eternal peace."

Gonzalez signed with Floyd Mayweather's TMT Promotions when he was only 18 years old ... and at the time, Floyd raved about the kid.

"There are certain times when you know you've just struck gold and this is one of them," Floyd said in 2016.

Floyd praised Danny's "incredible amateur record" of 96-13 ... and called him a "force to be reckoned with!"

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALLLL?!?!?! will NOT be asked before "Monday Night Football" games in 2020 ... 'cause ESPN is ditching Hank Williams Jr.'s classic intro for a more COVID-friendly track.

Of course, the singer's '"All My Rowdy Friends Are Here On Monday Night" has been part of MNF's presentation dating back to 1989 ... but execs reportedly wanted to call an audible during the pandemic, given most stadiums will be empty.

In other words ... folks are supposed to be social distancing -- NOT getting rowdy together.

ESPN will replace Williams, Jr.'s song with a remix of the late Little Richard's "Rip It Up" ... featuring music by a band called Butcher Brown, according to Sports Business Daily.

No word on what the plan will be once the coronavirus sitch is over ... but ESPN has dropped Williams' track in 2011 over negative comments he made against Barack Obama and Joe Biden on Fox News. He was later brought back in 2017.

Either way ... we're one more day closer to actually kicking this season off.

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."