TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jonathan Vilma ain't mincing words when it comes to the Patriots' James Harrison pickup ... saying Steelers intel is "definitely" the only reason Deebo's in New England.

"(Bill) Belichick doesn't need their playbook -- he's like 5-0 against them," Vilma told TMZ Sports at LAX. "What he needs is just the little things."

Jonathan gave us some examples of what those things might be ... and we gotta say, the Saints legend sounds like he knows what he's talking about.

Colin Kaepernick's done so much good this past year ... the NFL should lose its 'Man of the Year' award and give the man a damn centennial trophy -- so says rock legend Tom Morello.

We got the Rage/Audioslave guitarist out in West Hollywood ... and he told us Kaepernick's work off the field makes the QB an all-time great in philanthropy and community impact.

"He's clearly NFL Man of the Year, no doubt. NFL Man of the Century!" Tom told TMZ Sports.

One problem -- Kaep ain't even NOMINATED for the Walter Payton award since he's not signed to an NFL team.

Get your tissues ready ...

Tyron Woodley's mother surprised the UFC champ on the "TMZ Sports" show to thank him for the incredible Xmas gift ... a brand new home in Missouri!!!!

And what ensues is beautiful.

Tyron broke the news about the house on social media over the weekend -- but we hadn't heard from his mom ... until today.

"I'm grateful to god for you," Tyron's mom said ... "You have been an amazing son. You're an awesome man and a great dad."

There's more ... it's emotional.

UCLA QB Josh Rosen could mean to the Browns what LeBron James means to the Cavs ... if he's willing to give it 100% -- so says former UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel.

Rick -- Bruins HC from 2008-2011 -- told us it's only a matter of time before the Browns find their Bron ... so why not Rosen??

"Someone's gonna be the hero of Cleveland -- look what LeBron James did for the Cavaliers. It's all possible. It's just going in there with the right attitude," Neuheisel told TMZ Sports.

Josh is reportedly thinking about going back to UCLA if Cleveland gets the #1 pick in the draft ... but Rick says that's not the right move for Rosen's future.

Here's Charles Oakley dishing out some tough love to Eli Apple ... telling the NY Giants cornerback 3 things he's gotta do after acting a damn fool (again).

1) "Man up."

2) "Play ball."

3) "Shut up."

The Knicks legend wasn't going easy on the young fella when we got him outside Michael's in NYC ... saying ballin' in the Big Apple ain't an excuse for his antics, and it's on Eli to clean up his own mess.

FYI, Apple got suspended after blowing up on his coaches at Giants practice on Wednesday ... and that's after his own teammate, Landon Collins, called him "a cancer."

Dana White's meeting with Floyd Mayweather's team is NOT about getting the boxer into the octagon -- it's about getting Dana White into the boxing biz ... so says Dana himself.

White tells us ... he's gunning to promote boxing in 2018 -- but he's not targeting a Floyd vs. Conor McGregor rematch. He thinks Conor needs to focus on defending his UFC lightweight belt.

Instead, White says he's looking to put together boxing superfights (in addition to his UFC duties) involving some of the best pugilists in the world ... starting with heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua.

"I think he's the most marketable fighter in boxing right now," White says.

We asked White if he's the guy who can get an Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder fight done -- he didn't say no.

Fingers crossed ...

Minnesota Twins star Miguel Sano is adamantly denying he ever assaulted a female photographer 2 years ago ... telling TMZ Sports "it never happened."

Betsy Bissen posted a statement on social media Thursday accusing Sano of attempting to drag her into a bathroom to hook up against her will while at an autograph signing in 2015.

She claims Sano tried kissing her several times and grabbed her wrist for 10 minutes before giving up.

In a statement obtained by TMZ Sports, Sano says the story is completely false ... saying, "I unequivocally deny the allegation made against me today — it never happened.

"I have the utmost respect for women, especially those working in professional sports, and I deeply sympathize with anyone who has experienced sexual harassment. There is no place for it in our society."

The Twins have released a statement, saying they're aware of the allegations and taking them "very seriously."

A female photographer who covers the Minnesota Twins claims she was assaulted by All-Star Miguel Sano after an autograph signing in 2015 ... when he allegedly tried to drag her into a bathroom to hook up against her will.

Important to note ... the woman behind the allegations has spoken out on social media -- but she has not said if she ever filed a police report.

Here's the story ... Betsy Bissen just posted a detailed statement saying Sano had been flirting with her during the event at a store in Minnesota, but she was very clearly rejecting his advances.

Things came to a head after the session had ended when Bissen showed Sano where the restrooms were located -- and he allegedly tried to grab her and drag her inside.

"I pulled back as he held onto my wrist. It hurt, how badly he was grasping at my wrist but he wouldn't let go. I wasn't going to give up the fight though. He then leaned down and tried to kiss me, more than once."

Bissen says she fought Sano off for a solid 10 minutes before he finally backed off.

"No, he didn't rape me, but he sure did assault me."

Former Auburn football star Brad Lester has been arrested on a felony child pornography charge in Gwinnett County, Georgia ... after allegedly using his cellphone to record a boy in the bathroom stall of a restaurant.

Lester was booked last Thursday ... and is still sitting in jail without bond, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Brad's lawyer filed a motion for him to be released on Tuesday.

Specifics surrounding the incident -- including the restaurant's name and boy's age -- are still unknown ... as there's a Georgia law that prevents the release of records involving alleged child victims.

Lester, 32, was a stud RB for AU from 2004-2008 -- scoring 19 TDs and rushing for 1689 yards. He briefly played for the CFL after going undrafted ... and later founded a sports training company for youth athletes.

He's also a former substitute teacher with the Gwinnett County public schools system.

Dana White says there's still a very real chance Floyd Mayweather gets in the octagon for a UFC fight -- and he's meeting with the boxer's camp later today.

The UFC honcho appeared on "Undisputed" on FS1 and told Skip and Shannon not to rule out a Mayweather fight in 2018.

White says he initially didn't think the Mayweather vs. McGregor boxing match would happen either -- but that came to fruition ... so anything's possible.

White says he's not sure if Floyd will personally attend the meeting today -- but his crew will be there.

How would Floyd do in MMA? White says he thinks Floyd would lose QUICKLY.

White also says Conor McGregor wants a boxing rematch with Mayweather "really bad" because he wasn't happy with his performance.

White also dropped this -- "I'm interested in getting into boxing in 2018."

Stay tuned ...

Ricky Williams just handed out the most factual football analysis ever spoken -- accidentally calling himself "the high guy" during a hilarious moment on a live TV broadcast!!

Williams -- who LOOOOVES pot -- was giving his prediction for Missouri quarterback Drew Lock in the Texas Bowl for the Longhorn Network on Wednesday ... saying he'd throw for 320 yards.

That's when Ricky fumbled his words and accidentally referred to himself as the "high guy."

Everybody laughed. One of his co-hosts dropped another pot joke. Good times.

Kim Kardashian and krew proved they'll party it up on a Wednesday for tacos and good company -- provided their hosts are Jennifer Lopez and A-Rod.

Kim, Kris Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian were 3 of the celeb guests hangin' at J-Rod's house in Bel-Air for a "Taco Wednesday" shindig this week.

Kim was bustin' out of her black halter top and pink coat, while J Lo shimmered in a glitter dress. It's a tough call, but we'll say the host mighta outshined everyone. Among some of her other guests -- Leah Remini and Carole Bayer Sager, at least from what we could see.

Here's women's MMA giant Gabi Garcia giving new meaning to "missing weight" -- tipping the scales at around 27 POUNDS (~12 kgs) over her target.

Earlier today in Japan, Gabi weighed in at 237 pounds for a Rizin Fighting Federation event in Japan ... making her a full 75 pounds heavier than her opponent, Shinobu Kandori.

Kandori, who's also 21 years older than Garcia, was PISSED -- yelling at her on stage and reportedly calling her a "disgrace" in Japanese. (Fun fact: the UFC record for missing weight is 11 pounds.)

Josie Canseco was TURNED UP on Wednesday ... with the model showing off her butt and talking about getting hammered on the way into a nightclub ... and it's all on video.

Jose's daughter (who's dating rap star Mike Stud) was with some friends outside of Delilah in West Hollywood where Drake was hanging out and they planned on joining the fun.

One problem ... the side door was locked.

Don't worry, the boozy bunch eventually figured out a Plan B and got into the party -- after telling TMZ Sports their NYE resolution is to get "f*cked up!"

Hey, she's 21. Like you were any better?

Scottie Pippen has President Obama's back when it comes to basketball -- saying #44 is absolutely RIGHT picking Michael Jordan over LeBron James.

Remember, Obama went with MJ over LBJ during a rapid fire question session with Prince Harry -- saying he "loves" LeBron ... but ultimately he's gotta go with His Airness.

Pippen agrees ... and referred us back to a recent interview where he told us HE'S better than LeBron too!

"LeBron ain't better than me until he gets 6 titles."

Eric Dickerson says if Jeff Fisher thinks he left the Rams in good shape when he was fired he's DEAD WRONG ... telling TMZ Sports the team was in shambles when Fisher exited Hollywood.

Fisher has recently done a little self-back-patting over the Rams' current success, saying in a recent interview he feels at least partly responsible for the team's unbelievable turnaround.

ED thinks this is total BS -- and told us as much during the So. Cal Rams Booster Club event at Rocco's Tavern in Studio City ... essentially explaining why Fisher needs a reality check.

"Do I think he left the team in a good spot,? No I do not. Personally I don't. I don't think he helped Jared Goff at all, I don't think he helped Todd Gurley at all. I don't think he helped the offense at all."

Instead, Dickerson says the credit should go to new head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead.

Full disclosure here, Dickerson and Fisher weren't exactly buddies. As a matter of fact, Eric accused Fisher of banning him from the sidelines last year.