TMZ Sports - Page 50

If 50 Cent and Rampage Jackson actually throw down ... it's not gonna end well for the professional MMA fighter, so says "Power" star Joseph Sikora.

It's a beef that really came to a head this week when 50 posted a trash-talking post on Instagram essentially saying he'd wreck Rampage if they ever really fought.

Rampage responded with some trash talk of his own ... and now there are rumblings the two could actually be setting up a real bout.

Enter Sikora ... who's been working with 50 Cent on "Power" for years -- so, we had to ask if he REALLY thinks his boss can do what Chuck Liddell couldn't get done ... knocking out Rampage.

"I think he's serious," Sikora says ... "I got my money on Fif."

So, why the confidence?

Sikora says 50's in incredible shape and has some real accomplishments as an amateur boxer.

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia says he was falsely accused of raping a woman in Texas back in 1996 ... and says it's "unfair" the allegations have resurfaced in the media.

Patricia is responding to a report by the Detroit News, which found court records showing Patricia was indicted by a grand jury on one count of aggravated sexual assault in 1996.

According to the report, Patricia -- then 21 years old -- was with another Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute football player during a South Padre Island spring break trip ... when they burst into a hotel room and sexually assualted a 21-year-old woman.

Despite the criminal charge, the case never went to trial and it was eventually dismissed. Patricia went on to become one of Bill Belichick's most trusted assistant coaches with the New England Patriots.

Now, Patricia -- along with the top Detroit Lions execs -- issued a statement saying the allegations were BS in the first place.

"As someone who was falsely accused of this very serious charge over 22 years ago, and never given the opportunity to defend myself and clear my name, I find it incredibly unfair, disappointing, and frustrating that this story would resurface now with the only purpose being to damage my character and reputation."

"I firmly maintain my innocence, as I have always done. I would never condone any of the behavior that was alleged and will always respect and protect the rights of anyone who has been harassed or is the victim of violence."

They haven't always had the best relationship, but Doc Rivers says there's no hard feelings when it comes to Chris Paul ... and he's rooting for him in the NBA playoffs.

Remember, when Paul left the Clippers last year ... he did an interview with Jay-Z and took a shot at the "culture" of the team, saying they weren't really trying to contend with the Warriors.

Doc took exception and fired back, "Listen, when you leave, you should just leave, honestly."

"I don’t think you have to try to burn the house down or justify why you left. That’s what I would say to it. I like our culture."

Now that some time has passed, we had to ask Doc how he felt about CP3 making his first conference finals -- and Rivers was nothing but supportive.

We also spoke about LeBron's historic playoff run -- and Rivers told us there is ANOTHER superstar who still may have the top spot when it comes to all-time great performances.

Antonio Gates is getting some career advice from his friend and former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson -- hang it up.

After 15 seasons with the Chargers, the team has cut ties with the 37-year-old tight end -- and he still hasn't been picked up by another squad.

So, when we saw LT -- who played 7 seasons with Gates in San Diego -- we asked if he thinks it's time for #85 to ride off into the sunset.

"I think he should retire a Charger," Tomlinson said ... "I definitely think he still can play, though."

"[Gates] became known as one of the greatest Chargers ever. I would hate to see him put on another uniform. It just doesn't seem right."

Interesting advice coming from Tomlinson, who played his final 2 seasons with the NY Jets after a legendary 9-year run with the Bolts.

Maybe he's speaking from experience ...

Jeremy Roenick says he's sick and tired of Brad Marchand's face-licking antics on the ice ... and says the guy needs to save his tongue for the bedroom.

Marchand went on a mouthy tear during the NHL playoffs -- licking opponents faces at close range to try and piss them off. Shocker, it worked.

"It was disgusting," Roenick tells TMZ Sports.

"I love Brad Marchand. Love the way he plays, but he's a superstar. Superstars don't need to lick other people's faces."

Roenick says he's no stranger to the oral attack on the ice -- noting that Matthew Barnaby once kissed him during a game to try and get in his head.

Turns out, they actually became close friends afterward!

John McEnroe says Donald Trump offered him $1,000,000 to play a tennis match against Serena or Venus Williams ... but he shot it down.

"I was calling a match and suddenly I get this envelope and it's from Donald Trump," McEnroe said on "In Depth with Graham Bensinger."

McEnroe didn't specify WHEN Trump sent the envelope -- only noting it was before he became President.

So, why'd John turn it down?

"It's never been something where I was like ... I wanna go play a woman in a match."

You gotta watch the clip ... John is pretty confident he'd win -- reminding everyone he was once the #1 player in the world.

A lot of people are excited about the rumors surrounding Wayne Rooney possibly signing with D.C. United and playing in the MLS.

Alexi Lalas is not one of those people.

Lalas is usually stoked about bringing European soccer legends to the states -- just like David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But when it comes to Wayne ... Alexi ain't feelin' it.

"For me, Wayne Rooney doesn't move the needle," Lalas said.

"It might fill some seats, but not that many seats."

Lalas says Rooney was a baller in his prime ... but his prime is in the past -- even though Rooney's only 32 years old.

Cristiano Ronaldo ... to the rescue?!

The soccer superstar just announced he's launching animated series called, "Striker Force 7" ... starring himself.

"In the same way football connects cultures and people around the world, I believe great animated characters and heroes can do the same," Ronaldo said in a statement.

"That’s why I am excited to bring together these passions of football and superheroes through this project and share it with my fans."

Cartoon Ronaldo will be rolled out in comics, publishing, gaming and digital content, according to Deadline.com.

Conor McGregor has returned to his MMA gym ... and took out some aggression on his sparring partner.

It all went down at the Straight Blast Gym in Ireland, Conor's home base. The gym is run by his trainer, John Kavanagh.

Unclear who's on the receiving end of Conor's attack -- but the good news ... Conor didn't actually connect with any of his kill shots.

It's the first time we've seen Conor fighting since that bus attack in Brooklyn back in April. As for that incident, Conor is due back in court on June 14 to face several criminal charges, including misdemeanor assault and felony criminal mischief.

Oakland Raiders star lineman Donald Penn will NOT be charged with a crime stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Penn was named a suspect in an April 29 incident when cops were called to his L.A. home to respond to a call about an altercation with his wife.

Cops were told Penn got handsy and, at one point, he allegedly poured a drink on her head.

Later, both Penn and his wife denied the altercation ever turned physical.

The case was kicked over to the L.A. City Attorney's Office which ultimately decided to NOT move forward with charges against Penn.

"The office rejected this case because of lack of corroboration and on the ground that there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction on the domestic violence matter," a spokesperson says.

"Bottom line, lack of sufficient evidence."

LeBron James got Michael Rapaport to cut the trash talking and shut his mouth ... and even Rapaport says he's pretty damn impressed.

Look, Rap has said a lot of crap about Bron over the years -- he famously called him a "motherf*cker" for dissing his kids back in the day.

But now, Rapaport says LeBron is playing on such another level ... he's been rendered speechless.

"I've never seen anybody do what he's done this playoffs," Rapaport says ... "The biggest sh*t-talker, myself. I've got nothing to say. He's been unbelievable."

There is one guy who's still getting the wrath of Rap -- Drake -- who didn't show up to Game 4 of the Cavs vs. Raptors series to watch his team get swept out of the playoffs.

Wiz Khalifa can hang up his mic anytime he wants, because Jay Glazer says another career is on the table for the platinum-selling rapper ... kicking ass as a pro MMA fighter.

Wiz has been training at Glazer's Unbreakable Performance gym for a while now, and when we got Glazer out we wanted to know the $1 million question ... how good is Wiz?

Really good, according to Jay, who told our guy Wiz is the only guy to EVER hurt Glazer with a body shot (over guys like Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture) and if he wanted to, could definitely go pro.

"Yeah, oh yeah. 'Cause he's in it and his work ethic is ridiculous."

But will it actually happen ... don't hold your breath, according to Glazer.

"I hope he continues to make his money without getting punched in the face."

Check the video below, the guy would kick your ass.

He's 3 years older than the AARP minimum age, but 53-year-old Rafael Palmeiro is still playing pro baseball -- signing a new deal with an independent league team in Texas!

The 4-time MLB All-Star has agreed to play for the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.

What's really cool ... he'll be teammates with his 28-year-old son, Patrick!

Palmeiro REALLY wanted to get a shot with an MLB team, but since that didn't happen ... he signed with the Railroaders.

"Nobody gave me a chance to go to spring training," Palmiero said in a text message to the Dallas Morning News ... "so I will just take this path."

Listen up, Dez Bryant ... Nuggets guard Devin Harris is about to give you pro athlete to pro athlete advice on where you should end up, now that your time with the Cowboys is over.

Harris played in Dallas for YEARS and knows what it's like to leave big D behind, so when we got him in Beverly Hills we wanted to know if he had any potential landing spots in mind for Dez.

Devin says he has the perfect team ... and while you're gonna have to watch to see what he says, we'll be kind enough to give you some hints.

Hall of Fame QB (1st ballot lock) ... Bryant already has history there (infamous moment) ... he'll need some heavier coats if it happens ... and lastly, it's a spot close to Harris' heart.

It's been more than a year since Charles Oakley was arrested at the Knicks game ... but he's still pissed at owner James Dolan and SCOFFED at the idea of making peace with the guy.

We spotted Oak leaving the BTIG Charity Day in NYC and asked how he felt about David Fizdale taking over as head coach for his former team.,

"I hope he do a great job," Oakley said ... "[that's] all I can say!"

But when we turned the conversation to Dolan -- you can tell right away, Oak is still furious over the Feb. 2017 arrest.

"Why would you bury the hatchet with someone who dragged you out of the place?"

Of course, Oakley was arrested for getting physical with security who tried to remove him from MSG after a heated exchange with Dolan. It took an army of security to subdue Oakley.

The ex-Knicks star was charged with assault, harassment and criminal trespass, but later cut a deal with prosecutors and the case has been thrown out.

Eric Dickerson ain't worried EVEN A LITTLE BIT about Saquon Barkley breaking his NFL rookie rushing record -- telling TMZ Sports straight-up, "[the Giants] got no offensive line!"

The Hall of Famer was speaking with kids at Van Nuys Elementary School when he educated us about why he's confident the #1 pick in the draft won't come close to the 1,808 yards he put up in 1983.

"You gotta have a line," Dickerson said ... "Nothing against their line, but you gotta have a line!"