TMZ Sports - Page 50

Nigerian NBA player Festus Ezeli says it's about damn time the REAL Africa was depicted on a movie screen, and tells TMZ Sports he's excited that Marvel's "Black Panther" will do just that.

We got Festus at LAX and asked him just how jammed up he was about a superhero movie set completely on his home continent, and that's when he told us how important the film is to him.

"It's great to have a movie that depicts the REAL Africa."

Ezeli goes on to tell us he's sick of the perception that Africa is a poor, backwards continent, and he thinks BP, and it's portrayal of the resource-rich, fictional nation of Wakanda, can change that perception.

"Africa is a very rich continent, and people don't know that. I think it's great we having a movie like that coming out."

Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone says he's slammin' beers and puffin' pot with Yancy Medeiros after they get done scrappin' at UFC Fight Night: Austin ... and he's 100% serious.

You see, unlike some brutes in the fight game, Cowboy tells TMZ Sports he doesn't hold grudges against the guys he goes to war with.

In fact, he does the opposite -- he bros out with 'em!

So after they throw down in Sunday's main event ... Donald says he's trippin' out to Yancy's home state of Hawaii to try some of that sweet, sweet island ganj.

Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga cannot use their son's child therapist to make their custody case ... at least that's what the lawyer for the 8-year-old is demanding ... TMZ has learned.

The lawyer the judge appointed to represent David Jr. has filed legal docs asking the judge to prohibit Jennifer or David from calling the therapist to the stand to testify about the boy's state of mind and how the custody war has affected him.

We're told the reason the lawyer wants the protective order is so David Jr. can feel comfortable opening up with his therapist about both parents, without fear they will learn what he said.

Both sides, we're told, have been put on notice that David Jr.'s lawyer is asking the judge for the order.

No decision has been made, but it's a good bet the judge will sign on.

A Miami Dolphins player is devastated by the mass school shooting that happened in his own backyard ... and he's calling for change.

Andre Branch gave TMZ Sports his take on the tragedy the morning after 17 high school students and teachers were gunned down in Parkland, Florida -- less than 30 miles from his home in Ft. Lauderdale -- and he essentially echoed Warriors coach Steve Kerr in calling for stricter gun laws.

"We live in a sick world," Branch said. "There's no reason that an individual, a child, should walk into a high school and be able to shoot up his peers and teachers."

FYI, Kerr went off after the shooting on Wednesday, saying -- "It doesn’t seem to matter to our government that children are being shot to death, day after day in schools ... it's disgusting."

LeBron James is letting the world know the disgusting, racist words spray painted on his home in 2017 were no fluke ... 'cause despite all his money and fame, he's still a target for racists.

We broke the story ... LeBron's old Brentwood home (he's since bought a new place in the neighborhood) was defaced back in 2017, with someone tagging the home with the n-word while the family was away.

LBJ took a ride with Kevin Durant & Cari Champion for Champion's show, "Rolling With The Champion," and talked about the incident, saying it was a reminder his status doesn't insulate him from racists.

"I'm a black man with a bunch of money, and having a crib in Brentwood and having the word n***** spray painted over my gate, that lets you know I ain't too far removed."

You can hear the sincerity in LeBron's voice, and he spoke at length about the fact that he still feels like bigoted scumbags don't care about what you have, just what color you are.

"They will always try to figure out a way to let you know you're still beneath them."

Brace yourselves for some SERIOUS cuteness overload.

Ciara and Russell Wilson posted these pics Thursday of 9-month-old bundle of joy, Sienna Princess. The pics were taken by the star Seahawks QB (he's got great hands, ya know) and posted on their fan app, TraceMe.

Sienna looks like, well, a princess ... complete with Russell's trademark curly locks. She definitely steals the show, but ya gotta hand it to Ciara -- she's looking mighty flawless.

Her son, Future Zahir, looks dapper and seems to be enjoying the photo sesh.

Wladimir Klitschko showed off his softer side on a Valentine's Day beach date with Hayden Panettiere in Barbados ... going full Dad-mode so Mom could catch some rays.

The former heavyweight champ spent the day pallin' around with his 3-year-old daughter, Kaya, at Sandy Lane Resort's private beach -- gently, of course.

But, don't get it twisted -- Wlad's still putting dad bods to shame at age 41. The recently retired boxer looked like Michael frickin' Phelps when he hit the water for some snorkeling.

Meanwhile, the "Nashville" star got to lounge on the shore and catch up on some reading ... but never broke out the bikini (sorry, guys).

Of course, the happy couple had to sneak in a makeout sesh to celebrate the holiday.

Get it, Wlad!!

Jaguars player Marqise Lee is in a legal battle with an L.A. cemetery that's refusing to allow the WR to dig up and move his brother's body ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Here's the deal ... Lee's brother Terreal Reid was shot and killed in 2006. He was buried in a "multiple plot" grave with 5 other bodies at Angeles Abbey Memorial Park in Compton.

Lee -- a 2nd round pick of the Jags in 2014 who caught 56 balls for 702 yards last season -- has petitioned L.A. Superior Court for the right to "disinter the remains of his brother" and move him to a single plot grave.

According to the docs, Lee says the cemetery has refused to exhume and relocate the body without a court order.

As for why Terreal was ever buried in a grave with other people ... Lee says his family only chose the grave site back in '06 'cause of the high cost of a single plot.

We spoke to Oscar Olivos, the owner of Angeles Abbey cemetery, who told us before burying a body, families sign contracts that prevent disinterment.

Tupac had "Dear Mama." Kanye had "Hey Mama."

Lonzo Ball has "LaVar."

The Lakers rookie (and part-time rapper) just dropped his new mixtape, "Born 2 Ball" -- and it ends with a brand new heartfelt song called, "LaVar" ... a lyrical tribute to his father.

During the 3 minutes and 15 second track, Lonzo calls out the haters and professes his love for his dad.

Lonzo says his dad is one of the hardest working people he knows who's always had his back since day 1. He also shouts out the Big Baller Brand and mentions that LaVar has been busting his ass to make the brand blow up.

He also says he doesn't get why so many people hate on BBB.

Ball also shouts out his brothers -- saying they're all three "killers" on the court.

To be honest, the track is pretty touching.

SLAY BITCHES ... SLAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

Prepare yourselves ... 'cause you are about to see the greatest all-male, big-belly-havin' dance troupe in all of professional sports BREAK IT THE HELL DOWN -- at the pick-up curb at LAX.

Meet the Mavs ManiAACs ... the hip-hop dynamos who have been killing it at the Dallas Mavericks home games since 2002!!!

The guys -- Big Rob, Big B, Black Rhino, Juice and the rest of the gang -- are so excited to be in L.A. for All-Star Weekend, they broke us off with a little sample right on the sidewalk!

They busted out the beatbox. They slapped a little ass. They got downright funky. The whole thing is pretty awesome!!!!

Watch, enjoy, and remember ... YOU'VE BEEN SERVED!!!!

If Chuck Liddell wants an opponent, it looks like he's got one -- 'cause Tito Ortiz says the Iceman's claim that he's ducking him is pure crap.

"Funny thing is, I told UFC to put the fight together and they said you were incapable to fight again," Ortiz tweeted. "Maybe you can twist Dana White's arm."

Remember -- TMZ Sports spoke with Chuck about his MMA comeback a few days ago ... and he told us his old rival was running scared.

"Tito would be great if he'd even consider fighting me. I hear he doesn't wanna fight me at all," Liddell said.

Now, Tito's calling Iceman's bluff -- asking Chuck to hit up his old buddy, Dana, so they can complete their trilogy.

The problem -- Dana pushed Chuck into retirement back in 2010, saying he'd never let him fight in the UFC again 'cause he cared too much about his friend's health. FYI, Liddell had lost by KO in 3-straight fights.

Here's NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo proving "Greek Freak" ain't just a nickname ... showing off his Valentine's Day present from his GF -- an on-demand oral sex bell!

And boy, is he happy about it.

"The Freak, he can be a freak on the court and on the sheets, you know what I'm saying?! WOO!!!" Antetokounmpo said.

Yeah, it's a gag gift (no pun intended) -- but we've never seen Giannis so pumped up about anything before!

His GF, Mariah, wasn't a big fan of him showing off their new toy to all his fans -- especially the kids and her fam -- but we're pretty sure she'll get over it.

After all, no doubt Giannis used some of his $100 MILLION contract to hook her up, too.

Charles Barkley says there's one game in his NBA career he doesn't remember -- because he was SO drunk, it's a miracle he even got on the court.

It all went down in the late '80s after Barkley had been told he was being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Chuck told "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" he was so happy to be getting out of Philly, he got "blasted" drunk around 11:30 AM that day ... shots, chugging, the whole deal.

Problem is ... about 3 hours into the booze sesh, Chuck's agent called back and said the deal was off and he needed to be ready to play for Philly THAT NIGHT.

What ensued, according to Barkley, was a mess.

Barkley says it's the only time he ever played drunk -- but he played HUNGOVER a bunch of times.

Warren Sapp says he's INNOCENT -- claiming the woman accusing him of drunkenly running her over at a 2015 Super Bowl party was so wasted that night, she's clearly misremembering the facts.

We broke the story ... Sapp is being sued by Paula Trickey -- who claims she was hanging at an ESPN party in Arizona on Jan. 30, 2015 when a sloshed Sapp came out of nowhere and bowled her over, causing serious injury.

Sapp was served with his summons earlier this week in L.A. when a process server posed as a fan and blindsided him by slapping him with his court summons.

Now, Sapp's rep, Brandon V. Chretien, is firing back ... telling TMZ Sports simply, "Mr. Sapp was never at the ESPN party where Ms. Trickey is claiming she had a run in with him and no one will be able to produce pictures that suggest otherwise."

"It's on record that Mr. Sapp was hosting an 'NFL Alumni Association' party where Pitbull was performing that evening of January 30th, 2015 and this was a completely separate event from the ESPN party that Ms. Trickey is alluding to."

Sapp's rep also points to the fact Trickey was arrested for DUI after the party -- "Ms. Trickey was heavily intoxicated that evening as she was arrested for DUI at 3:40 am in the morning with BAC of .119, double the legal limit."

"We are consulting with our legal team and we look forward to getting to the bottom of this issue."

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit models came out in droves for the issue's launch party in NYC Wednesday night, and although most were covered up more than usual, they all looked smokin' hot.

Kate Upton, Ashley Graham, Olivia Culpo, Barbara Palvin, Hailey Clauson, Danielle Herrington and Alexis Ren all posed for pics outside the Big Apple's Moxy Hotel where the event was held. Not exactly the beach, but who cares!

Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and Christie Brinkley's daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook were there, too. The two are part of the issue's "In Her Words" spread where they posed nude with inspiring words tatted all over them.

One of the victims in the Florida school shooting was the high school's assistant football coach -- who was killed while shielding students from the shooter, the school says.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Varsity and JV football program confirmed one of the 17 people killed in Wednesday's attack is Aaron Feis -- "He was our assistant football coach and security guard."

"He selflessly shielded students from the shooter when he was shot. He died a hero and he will forever be in our hearts and memories."

The school's head football coach, Willis May, told the Sun-Sentinel that he spoke with a student who told him Feis shoved her out of the line of fire while jumping between her and the shooter.

May says Feis was a "Big ol' teddy bear," and a great coach who worked primarily with the offensive line.

"He took pride with working with those guys. Loyalty -- I trusted him. He had my back. He worked hard. Just a good man. Loved his family. Loved his brother. Just an excellent family man."