TMZ Sports - Page 50

There's no debate -- the football coach who died protecting students in the Parkland, Florida shooting is 2018's Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner ... so says Lil Yachty.

"Honestly, bro, if the 'ESPYs' didn't do it -- that’s a problem," Yachy told TMZ Sports.

Yachty calls himself "the face of the youth" ... so the rap star gave us his thoughts on Aaron Feis -- the coach who gave his life shielding kids from bullets at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School -- when we got him at LAX.

"He was obviously more than just a coach. In my eyes, you do something like that, you a superhero."

FYI, one source connected to the ESPYS told TMZ Feis is a "no-brainer" for the award ... but the show's in July, so the committee won't discuss nominees until April.

Isaiah Thomas and Lonzo Ball miiight be able to mesh ... but the Lakers are probably better off letting I.T. walk this summer -- so says former longtime Laker Devean George.

We got Devean at LAX on Monday ... and the 3-time NBA champ wasn't ready to close the book on the Zo-I.T. era just yet.

"They're the same position, but they do different things. I.T. comin' in tryna score that thang, and you got somebody tryna dish it, so it might be able to work," George told TMZ Sports.

That said, D.G. told us the Lakers should look at other free agents before paying Isaiah a dime.

"I'd wait and see who else is on the market first."

Here's who else -- Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George ... oh, and LEBRON -- who LaVar Ball told us is a lock to join Lonzo in L.A.

The LAPD does not believe ex-NFL player Jonathan Martin's gun photo on Instagram was a harmless social media prank -- they're treating it as a "serious threat" ... this according to sources directly involved in the investigation.

Multiple sources tell TMZ Sports ... Martin recently purchased 2 firearms -- and the gun pictured appears to match up with one of the guns he recently bought.

We're told police are working with all 4 individuals tagged in Martin's post to make sure they're safe.

As we previously reported ... Martin was detained by police Friday after word spread of his threatening post. Harvard-Westlake School in L.A. -- which Martin also mentioned in his IG pic -- cancelled classes Friday out of an abundance of caution.

If Tekashi69 wants more static in the streets, dude's gotta learn how to REALLY fight -- because UFC champ Tyron Woodley says the brawl at LAX was straight-up "embarrassing."

Woodley broke down the fight on "The Hollywood Beatdown" -- with special guest Raquel ... a self-described "International Hood Captain" ... and they're telling everyone why Tekashi should quit brawling while he's ahead.

There's more ... Tyron -- a proud gun owner -- also gets into it with Evan about why the government better not come for his AR-15. Does he have a point?

Also, Tyron reveals the CRAZY monster truck stunt he pulled at the Daytona 500 -- and why he almost got arrested after the race!

Ex-NFL player Jonathan Martin -- who was at the center of the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal -- has been detained by police ... after he allegedly posted a disturbing photo of a gun, ammo and the names of ex-NFL teammates.

The post first appeared on Martin's Instagram account -- showing an image of a shotgun surrounded by ammunition with the caption, "When you're a bully victim & a coward your options are suicide, or revenge."

He also listed social media handles for ex-Dolphins teammates Richie Incognito and Mike Pouncey.

Martin also posted the name of his former high school -- Harvard Westlake -- one of the most exclusive private schools in the country.

Harvard Westlake closed the school in the wake of the threats -- telling students to stay off-campus in an abundance of caution.

Law enforcement tells TMZ Sports ... "The individual we believe to be responsible for the social media post has been detained and the investigation is ongoing."

Martin famously accused Incognito and Pouncey of physically and emotionally abusing him during his stint on the Miami Dolphins in 2013.

The players claimed they were just harmlessly hazing Martin.

Dick Vitale says he's heartbroken by the bombshell report uncovering alleged corruption in the NCAA ... but tells TMZ Sports he knows what the org. can do to fix the huge problem.

PAY THE PLAYERS, ALREADY!

We spoke with the college basketball legend about the FBI documents obtained by Yahoo! Sports which appear to show a high-powered sports agency illegally paying high profile players like Markelle Fultz and Miles Bridges while they were in high school and college in hopes of signing them later on.

"It broke my heart," Vitale says about the report ... "It's a blow."

Vitale is concerned the corruption runs much deeper -- pointing out these names were only found after feds raiding ONE agency.

Don't worry ... Dickie V has a solution -- he's calling for the NCAA to let players get paid for appearances, autographs and other profitable ventures while playing in college.

Dickie V says it's not gonna solve the issue 100% ... but it would definitely "minimize" the amount of sleazy money being made under the table.

"(The NCAA) is making zillions of dollars ... why not allow it," Vitale says.

Esteban Loaiza's girlfriend is sick of the blowback from the ex-MLB star's bombshell cocaine arrest ... so she's taken to social media to clap back at the haters.

"It's not fair that some people are just looking to tarnish his career and ruin his reputation with made-up nonsense when they know that's not the case," Esteban's GF, Ross Labra, said in a post.

"So please, whoever does not have anything good to say should limit their comments because no one is perfect, only God, and nobody is exempt from finding themselves in a situation like this."

Ross also passed along a message from Esteban ... who pled not guilty to his 3 felony drug charges in a San Diego courtroom earlier this month.

"Esteban asked me to thank all the people who have remembered him and are supporting him with their messages and prayers."

FYI, the former All-Star pitcher was arrested earlier this month after cops found him in possession of over 40 POUNDS of blow ... labeling him a "sophisticated" cocaine smuggler.

If convicted, Loaiza faces over 20 years in prison.

The Harlem Globetrotters have recruited a new superstar hooper to their roster -- and she's still in high school!!

Globies star Zeus McClurkin surprised Kate Spadaro -- a senior basketball player with Down Syndrome -- at Camden Catholic H.S. in N.J. on Thursday ... calling for her assistance on some awesome highlight plays!!

FYI -- Kate is already used to scoring buckets -- she scored 2 points in her varsity debut last week!!

But the fun didn't stop there ... she got hooked up with a custom jersey and tickets to a Globies game in March ... and learned some of the Globetrotters' signature trick moves.

Matt Barnes asked his ex-wife last night if they could finally make peace -- instead, a war ensued -- with the two sides trashing the hell out of each other online.

It started when Matt posted a message to Gloria Govan on social media saying, "Wanna wish the mother of my children a very Happy Birthday! Hope this day is everything you hoped for and more."

"Although things have been rocky to say the least the last 4yrs I hope that for the sake of our two beautiful baby boys we can come together & co parent them to the best of our abilities! No more games or bullshit.. They need both of our love & support equally!"

"We lead different lives now but we still on the same team."

Seems harmless and well-intentioned, right? Gloria didn't take it that way and fired back ...

"Thank you, I think? And yes One can only continue to pray that you take your own advice and learn to peacefully co parent! But until then I'll see you in court next week because you love a frivolous lawsuit. But hey let's keep co-parenting."

Yeah ... Olive Branch attempt REJECTED.

Of course, Matt responded with some thoughts (and allegations) of his own ...

"Well ... stealing money my social security # & forging my signature to buy your parents night club & house is pretty serious but hey .. I tried! See you in court! Oh & happy bday."

Things are heating up FAST for Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick -- the couple just shot down to Mexico for a romantic beach vacation ... just days after the Daytona 500.

The two were spotted cozying up together at a fancy resort in a Mexican beach town -- cuddling, kissing ... you know, doing all the things couples do on beach vacations.

Aaron and Danica have only been dating for about 2 months -- but things seem pretty serious. They've been spotted around Arizona together and he flew out to Florida this past weekend to watch Danica's final NASCAR race.

Floyd Mayweather rolled out $2 MILLION in cars, jewelry and cash to dominate the Rodeo Drive shopping scene in Bev Hills ... and gave TMZ Sports a private tour of his new toys.

First off, our guy tried like hell to press Floyd on the possible Conor McGregor rematch -- but the dude bobbed and weaved like ... well, like he's Floyd Mayweather.

Instead, Floyd bragged about his upcoming 41st birthday celebration -- and showed us the new $600,000 Rolls-Royce and $1.3 MILLION Bugatti he's using to drive him around L.A.

Oh, he also bought a new $100,000 Rolex and showed off about $100,000 (maybe more?) in cash he had on him the entire time.

The video is an embarrassment of riches -- so, naturally, we had to ask what's next for the boxer?

What he says actually makes a lot of sense ...

A German figure skater twirling to the score from "Schindler's List" -- how could she Nazi see the backlash coming?

Yup, Nicole Schott performed her long program Thursday in Pyeongchang to the song that instantly reminds people of the Holocaust ... the disdain from Winter Olympics viewers was immediate.

As one person so eloquently put it ... "ABORT ABORT ABORT!"

Schott did not. She also did not earn a medal ... though we're pretty sure that was purely based on her skating, and not her music choice.

It's worth noting ... several other skaters have used the 'Schindler's' score since the movie came out in 1993. Even Johnny Weir's done it -- but it wasn't in the Olympics, and he's not German.

Skating great Katarina Witt -- a 2 time gold medalist and German -- showed support for Schott. Witt says she too skated to the music, and adds ... 'Schindler's' director Steven Spielberg approved.

Still, if a South African skated to the "Cry Freedom" score -- or Team USA's Bradie Tennell used the "Mississippi Burning" theme ... it would feel beyond awkward.

Ever seen a fat guy in a tutu try to streak the Olympics with his wiener tucked firmly in a monkey penis holder? Well, good news ...

That's how it went down at the Men's 1,000m Speed Skating event in Pyeongchang early Friday morning -- and it was glorious.

The dude tried to put on a show at the Gangneung Oval with the words "Peace and Love" written on his chest ... but slipped, fell and BUSTED HIS ASS HARD!

The best part ... it was all captured on video!

The streaker was reportedly on the ice for several minutes -- so far, it's unclear if he just gave up and left or if he was removed by security.

It's just the latest in a string of naked people invading high-profile sporting events -- just a few weeks ago, a dude busted out breakdancing moves during the Phoenix Open golf tourney in Arizona

Markelle Fultz -- along with a slew of huge names and top college basketball programs -- have been named in a bombshell report into NCAA hoops corruption involving illegal payouts to players.

The report centers around ex-NBA agent Andy Miller and his ASM Sports agency. Yahoo! Sports obtained hundreds of pages from an FBI probe which appear to show ASM Sports employees working with programs and players to ultimately get them to sign with the agency.

Fultz -- the #1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft -- allegedly took $10,000 from the agency while in high school. He did not end up signing with ASM.

Other names ...

Dennis Smith Jr. (North Carolina State) allegedly took $73,500.

Isaiah Whitehead (Seton Hall) allegedly took $37,657. He signed with ASM, but later left for Roc Nation Sports.

Kyle Kuzma (Utah) allegedly took $9,500.

Bennie Boatwright (University of Southern California) and/or his father allegedly took $2,000.

A bunch of guys who currently play in the NBA are on payout sheets obtained by federal investigators including -- Kyle Lowry, Nerlens Noel, Fred Van Vleet and Kyle O'Quinn.

The docs also show ASM met with Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, "Villanova coaches," and the family of former top high school prospect Mitchell Robinson.

Aaron Feis, the assistant football coach who was shot and killed while protecting students in Parkland, FL, is being nominated for an award for courage ... by thousands of people.

There's an online campaign aimed for ESPN to posthumously award Aaron the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year's 'ESPYs.' As we reported, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School coach and security guard shielded students during the rampage.

Sources connected to the ESPYs tell TMZ ... the key award recipients are chosen by an ESPN committee and reps at Maggie Vision -- the production company for the ESPYs.

One source described Aaron as a "no-brainer" for the honor -- however, the award show is not until July, and we're told meetings about nominees won't start until April.

Previous Arthur Ashe recipients include Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Caitlyn Jenner, Robin Roberts and Michael Sam.

Dana White says he and Jon Jones are finally back on speaking terms after Jones' failed steroid tests ... and he's revealing what Jon told him, including his thoughts on a comeback.

Remember ... Jones failed two separate drug tests administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency -- one before he was supposed to fight Daniel Cormier at UFC 200, and one after he fought Cormier at UFC 214.

Naturally, Dana was pissed ... telling the guys on "TMZ Sports" they still hadn't spoken since the first time Jon popped -- way back in July, 2016.

But now, it seems the UFC honcho and former pound-for-pound king are turning over a new leaf ... 'cause they caught up, and Jon told Dana he "absolutely wants to come back."

As for the when ... White says that's up to USADA, who still hasn't made a decision on how long Jones will be banned (he's facing up to 4 years).

In the meantime, Dana says Jon's "just focusing on training" and "looking to positive things" in his life.

The UFC prez also weighed in on Anderson Silva telling us "contaminated supplements" are to blame for his most recent drug-test failure ... and he didn't exactly sound convinced.