Joe McKnight Shooter Guilty of Manslaughter ... Faces 40 Years
The man who shot and killed ex-NFL RB Joe McKnight has been found guilty of manslaughter and now faces up to 40 years in prison.
Ronald Gasser, 56, learned his fate today in a Louisiana courtroom ... not far from where he gunned down McKnight during a road-rage incident on December 1, 2016.
Gasser's attorneys filed motions that McKnight was the aggressor, and their client was acting in self defense when he fired off 3 shots.
The jury took just over 7 hours to deliberate the verdict.
McKnight was only 28.
Joe was working on an NFL comeback before he was killed. He was a 4th round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and and spent a few seasons with the Jets. He later played in the CFL.
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UFC's Tyron Woodley 'Lots' of Big Celebs Are on Steroids ... But Not Mark Wahlberg!
Mark Wahlberg might not be on 'roids, but there are a TON of Hollywood movie stars who are ... some of the biggest names in town, this according to Tyron Woodley.
The UFC champ -- who's also appeared in a bunch of big movies -- opened up about Hollywood's steroid habit on "The Hollywood Beatdown" after Wahlberg was called out by a PED kingpin ... revealing that he's met "lots of big-name, A-list actors that are openly on steroids."
But Tyron says he does NOT think Marky Mark is one of Tinseltown's PED pumpers ... and even if he is, explains why he shouldn't be shamed like all the juiceheads in pro sports.
Woodley also slams UFC star Nate Diaz, "nasty ass" Larry Nassar and the MULTIPLE Eagles fans who thought it was cool to punch a horse (it's not).
Make sure to subscribe to the TMZ Sports YouTube page to catch the Beatdown every week.
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Justin Timberlake Stretchin' It Out For Super Bowl Show
Justin Timberlake is making sure he's lean and limber for next weekend's Super Bowl Halftime Show.
JT just posted a vid of himself doing some deep leg stretches during rehearsals for his highly anticipated gig during the big game next Sunday. While he doesn't provide much of anything as far as details for the show go ... you gotta imagine the singer plans on doing plenty of dancing.
Stretching video aside ... still no hints that Janet will be joining him onstage.
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Ex Auburn RB Brad Lester Strikes Plea Deal in Child Porn Case ... Avoids Jail
Former Auburn star Brad Lester just caught a break in his child porn case ... copping a plea deal to avoid spending any time behind bars.
Lester -- a stud RB for AU from 2004-2008 -- was arrested on a felony child porn charge in Gwinnett County, GA back in December after allegedly using his phone to record a boy in the bathroom stall of a restaurant in November.
Earlier this week, the 32-year-old pled guilty to unlawful eavesdropping, theft by receiving stolen property, and 2 counts of peeping toms, all misdemeanors.
In return, the district attorney's office tells TMZ Sports Lester got probation -- but the D.A. wouldn't tell us how long he's on probation for. We're still working on that part.
It's a big deal for Lester ... 'cause he was facing up to 20 years in prison.
Story developing ...
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NBA's Sterling Brown Tasered By Cops ... During Parking Arrest
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Bucks rookie Sterling Brown was tasered by cops in a Walgreens parking lot early Friday morning in Milwaukee ... and arrested on a misdemeanor charge of resisting or obstructing an officer.
Brown, 22, was double-parked in two handicap spaces around 2 AM ... and reportedly became combative with police when he saw them writing a ticket, according to News/Talk 1130 in Wisconsin.
In a statement, Milwaukee Police Sgt. Timothy Gauerke confirmed the use of a taser -- "During the incident an electronic control device was deployed and the man was arrested."
Gauerke added -- "The circumstances of the incident and the use of force are currently being reviewed by the Department."
Story developing ...
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Lonzo Ball Announces First Rap Concert ... In Lithuania!
Lonzo Ball wants to put the "lit" in Lithuania ... announcing he's coming to the Eastern European country to perform his very first rap concert!
Lonzo's dad, LaVar Ball, was reportedly presenting the Hip-Hop Act of the Year trophy at the M.A.M.A. Awards (like the Lithuanian Grammys) ... when he introduced Lonzo via a prerecorded video.
Lonzo says the plan is to fly in over the summer and perform a show for the locals -- obviously capitalizing on the publicity splash his brothers are making as pro baller on Vytautus.
Lonzo raps under the name Zo -- and has already dropped a couple of singles, including "BBB" and "Super Saiyan."
Most rappers don't go to Europe to catapult their careers ... but Lonzo ain't most rappers.
Good luck!
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Dominique Moceanu Heard About Nassar Years Ago ... Confirmed Her Worst Fears
Dominique Moceanu is celebrating the bravery of her fellow Team USA gymnasts who helped bring Larry Nassar to justice ... years after she started sounding the alarm about abuse in the sport.
The 1996 gold medalist told us she first heard about Nassar 2 years ago, when Jamie Dantzscher confided in her. Several years earlier, Dominique had accused multiple people -- including coach Bela Karolyi -- of emotional and physical abuse, but says the convo with Jamie was the first time she'd heard of sexual abuse.
She adds ... she lost a lot after going public with her abuse claims, and she's glad the women who spoke out against Nassar were able to take down "the most prolific pedophile, arguably, in history."
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Dana White Strongly Hints at Stipe vs. Cormier ... for Heavyweight Belt
It's pretty obvious Dana White is "working on" Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier ... even though he won't come out and say it.
The UFC honcho did everything short of confirm negotiations on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weeknights on FS1) ... telling the guys he LOVES the idea of a champ vs. champ superfight for the heavyweight title.
"We’re working on something fun right now ... could be Cormier," Dana said with a smile when we asked him about Stipe's future.
Of course, Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones are potential wild cards ... but both are still suspended for doping.
So, with no other crazy options on the table ... all signs point to Cormier (the light heavyweight champ) being offered the next shot.
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J.J. Watt Moves Hurricane Victims Back Home ... Emotional Video
Remember when J.J. Watt raised $37 MILLION for Hurricane Harvey relief?? Grab your tissues, 'cause families impacted by the disaster are moving back home ... and the video will hit you right in the feels.
The Texans superstar shared the update on Friday ... revealing after a 6-month renovation, one Houston family is finally able to move back into the home where they had lived for 45 years.
FYI -- the Leonards were the first family Watt visited following his season-ending leg injury. They had to be rescued TWICE during the disaster, and their house was destroyed.
But the Leonards are finally able to move back in today ... and Mr. Leonard joked that the home is in even better shape now than when they bought the house 46 years ago!!
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that helping me and my wife get back in our sanctuary," Leonard says.
"Because after 6 months, I've learned a lot. By not being in the house ... I've lived here, I've lived there, and it's nothing like home."
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Rob Gronkowski's Big Bro XFL Should Sign My Little Bro! (No, Not Rob)
If Vince McMahon wants a big name in the XFL -- Chris Gronkowski says his little brother is down to lend his family crest to the league!
No, he ain't talking about Rob ... dude's kinda busy.
But Chris tells TMZ Sports his OTHER lil bro, Glenn, is totally game after getting waived by the Patriots during the regular season.
"He just got a Super Bowl ring last year, so sign him up!"
It's true ... Glenn (fullback) was a member of the New England Patriots practice squad last season.
Of course, we had to get Chris to update us on Rob's status for the upcoming Super Bowl ... and he had a similar take as Rob's BFF, Mojo Rawley.
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Markelle Fultz I CAN FIX HIS JUMPER ... Says Celeb Shooting Coach
76er and Lakers fans REJOICE ... the broke ass jump shots of Markelle Fultz & Lonzo Ball can be fixed ... according to a pro shooting coach who says he knows the antidote to their bricks.
Fultz is befuddling the basketball world with his sudden inability to find the hoop, with videos of 76ers practice showing the #1 pick can't even draw iron anymore.
Brett Brown talked about Markelle Fultz being able to pass an 👀 test. He made a few shots when practiced opened to us. Here's a compilation of the 1-on-1 drills he was doing after practice with Brown's explanation. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/Rp0WuNSKUD
@mharrisNBCS
We spoke to Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews, an ex-pro hooper, who's worked with huge NBA stars on their form, and drawn millions of views on social media for his shooting exhibitions.
He says he can help Fultz, and Lonzo, another young player who can't seem to hit the broad side of a barn.
"I really truly believe I can help take those guys to the next level when it comes to the art of shooting."
Matthews goes on to tell us -- with all due respect -- exactly what he thinks the 76ers are doing wrong with Fultz ... and how he'd change things up.
Watch Chris in action below, the teams might wanna take the help.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
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Von Miller Wrastlin' Gators!!
Here's Denver Broncos MVP Von Miller scaring the hell outta John Elway ... sitting on top of a living, breathing ALLIGATOR!
Miller is in Orlando, Florida for the Pro Bowl and decided to use some of his free time to visit Gatorland --the self-proclaimed, "Alligator Capital of the World."
The 28-year-old got the VIP gator treatment -- with park officials allowing him to "wrestle" a gator ... which means he got to climb on top of the animal while its jaws were taped shut.
Gator Fun Fact -- alligators can bite down with an insane amount of force (300 pounds per square inch) ... but barely have any muscle power to OPEN their mouths. Crazy, right?!
Still, Von is in the middle of a $114 MILLION contract ... would you let him get this close to an alligator?!
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NFL's Marcedes Lewis XFL's Anthem Rule Is Gonna Cost 'Em ... Criminal Rule Sucks, Too
The XFL is making a big mistake when it comes to requiring its players to stand for "The Star Spangled Banner" -- so says Jaguars star Marcedes Lewis.
We got Marcedes right after Vince McMahon announced he was resurrecting the league ... and the stud TE told us certain players (see: Colin Kaepernick) won't have anything to do with the XFL if that's their stance on free speech.
JANUARY 2018
"They may not play ball ... that might affect who you're able to get in that league," Lewis told TMZ Sports.
Marcedes also had a good laugh at the rule barring anyone with a criminal record from competing ... arguing that NFL players get 2nd chances, and rap sheets are "open to interpretation" anyway.
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Shareef O'Neal Hits Game-Winning Buzzer Beater ... w/ Shaq Courtside!
Cool moment for Shaquille O'Neal -- he got to watch his kid, Shareef, hit the game-winning shot in a big high school hoops tournament ... and Papa Diesel couldn't have been prouder!
Shaq and the entire "Inside the NBA" team were broadcasting live from the CBS Studio Center in L.A. -- where Shareef's Crossroads high school team was participating in the Future of Flight showcase tourney.
The big matchup was Crossroads vs. Beverly Hills High School ... which was tied up at 61 to 61 with seconds left in the game.
Shareef got the last shot -- and made it count ... locking up the victory while Shaq, Barkley and Ernie Johnson went wild!
Of course, Shaq took full credit -- explaining he's been teaching Shareef how to shoot since he came out of the womb!
By the way, after the game Shareef went to the Travis Scott concert, where stars like Terrell Owens were hanging out. Good night for that guy!
.@SHAQ got to watch his son, Shareef, hit the game-winner at #FutureofFlight! 🔥
@NBAonTNT
Don't miss the rest of #InsideTheNBA presented by @Kia! pic.twitter.com/zduk9ZPPaN
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Yasiel Puig Gets Head Shaved By Kids Fighting Cancer
Yasiel Puig had 11 of the strongest barbers on the planet give him a brand new look Thursday night ... getting a fresh bald haircut from kids battling cancer!!
The Dodgers superstar rolled into Cedars-Sinai hospital in L.A. where he decided to get his head shaved as a show of solidarity with all the tough kids in the hospital going through chemotherapy.
The kids loved it -- and so did Puig, who addressed every kid as his "new barber."
Puig your friend.
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Greg Hardy I Can Fight & Play Football ... Signs w/ Jim Jones' Arena Team
Greg Hardy will take a pro MMA fight in February and take the field for Jim Jones' arena league football team in March.
And that's why Jim says Greg could be the modern-day Bo Jackson -- a "beast" in TWO pro sports.
As we previously reported, Greg is pursuing a career as a pro MMA fighter -- he beat the hell out of his first 2 opponents.
But he also wants to play pro football again -- and with Jim owning the Richmond Roughriders in the American Arena League, the rap star saw a great opportunity to get the ex-NFL star back in the field.
"That man is a BEAST," Jones said on the "TMZ Sports" TV show ... "He's not one of the regular players. He's one of the best in his craft."
Hardy is set to take the field for the Roughriders on March 17 ... one month after his next MMA fight -- and he says he's ready to "handle business" in both sports.