TMZ Sports - Page 50

Johnny Manziel says Jimmy Garoppolo's date with a porn star is no big deal ... and hooking up with Kiara Mia could actually make the Niners superstar a BETTER quarterback!!

The new Montreal Alouettes QB addressed the hot topic on his "Comeback SZN" podcast with Barstool Sports on Thursday ... saying people shouldn't worry about his dating life as long as he's winning games.

"What's wrong with it?," Johnny says. "Dude, let the guy live his life! So what, what she does for a living?"

"If anything, that's going to make him play better on a Sunday or a Monday."

Johnny even sends a personal message to J.G. about the date ... saying, "Jimmy G, live your life! Do whatever you want."

"He's backing it up on the field, he hasn't lost a game. Nothing. Guy's doing everything... and he's enjoying life. So be it.

As for Jimmy ... he finally addressed our story at training camp on Wednesday, calling the date "a good learning experience."

Chandler Parsons says there's no doubt in his mind Dwight Howard's a Hall of Famer -- telling TMZ Sports, "He was the best center in the NBA for like 10 years!"

It's been a huge debate in the NBA community ... and fuel was added to the fire when D12 told us earlier this week his HOF resume "speaks for itself."

Chandler couldn't agree more with Dwight when we got him leaving Craig's -- telling us Howard "100 percent" belongs in the Hall.

Nancy Grace ain't shedding any tears for convicted sexual predator Larry Nassar -- essentially saying the fact he was attacked in prison is nothing short of karma.

"Oh, boo hoo!! Nassar is having to be bullied and attacked by people bigger than him? I wonder how that feels ... maybe he should ask some of his victims!"

Grace says she's NOT happy to hear about the prison attack on Nassar -- but she doesn't feel bad about it either.

"I absolutely believe we should do more to stop assaults behind bars," Grace told us at LAX on Wednesday ... "I'm not happy about it."

As we previously reported, Nassar's attorney filed court docs saying he was assaulted in the general population section of a federal prison in Tucson back in May.

Nassar blames the judge from his criminal case -- claiming she encouraged other inmates to target him.

Isaiah Thomas tells TMZ Sports ... he's fired up to show the NBA he's healed up and back to the superstar he was -- and wants to prove in 2018 that he's worthy of a max contract.

Remember, the 2-time All-Star just signed a veteran's minimum, 1-year, $2 million contract with the Denver Nuggets ... and when we saw him at LAX, he explained why he took the deal.

"The goal is just to show that I'm healthy and I'm the same player I was before," Thomas said ... "I just need one year."

The 29-year-old has been battling hip problems since the 2017 playoffs -- but underwent surgery back in March and recently said he's feeling better than ever.

But, this 2018-19 season isn't all about him ... IT says he's ready to take his squad to new heights.

"We'll make the playoffs ... and then we'll go from there."

Thomas also had some comments about his old team, the Boston Celtics -- which traded him after a remarkable playoff run in 2017.

Sorry, Iman, Bron and Lonzo ... Damian Lillard says he's better than ALL OF YOU when it comes to best ballin' rappers in the NBA!!

The Blazers superstar -- aka Dame D.O.L.L.A. behind the mic -- didn't mince words when we asked him at LAX ... telling TMZ Sports there's nobody with better bars in the Association.

But, does this mean he would stiff Andre Drummond on the epic NBA collab the Detroit Piston wants to do??

Lillard didn't throw shade at the other spitters, telling us, "I don't [rap] to compete with other basketball players. It's just like an artist. I'm an artist."

Either way, don't worry too much, Portland ... even if Dame D.O.L.L.A.'s rap career blows up -- he tells us hoops will always be his priority.

Common is strongly siding with his ex-GF, Serena Williams -- telling TMZ Sports someone is trying to "take her down" by drug testing her more than usual ... and it's all because she's a black woman.

Hours before we spoke with Common, Serena went off about being drug tested more than any other female tennis player ... and accused officials of "discrimination."

Common clearly agrees -- saying, "As a black woman, do you think she's getting discriminated against? YES."

"If they're testing her more than anyone else, it's a reason for that. And there's conscious and subconscious and I would say conscious is the fact that she's a black woman and they're looking for some reason to be able to take her down and discredit her ... but she's the queen!"

Is Dwight Howard a Hall of Famer?

It's the question experts and fans have been asking for years -- so, we took it to the man himself.

Look, Dwight's numbers over the course of his 14-year career are pretty insane ...

8-time NBA All-Star, 5-time NBA 1st Team, 3-time Defensive Player of the Year and he's averaged a double-double (17 pts, 13 rebounds) over the course of his career.

But, the knock on Dwight is that he's become a journeyman who's jumped to 6 different teams -- and has a reputation for not exactly being the most beloved guy in the league.

One guy who DOES love Dwight is Lou Williams -- who invited D12 to his basketball camp in Atlanta this week and Howard accepted. He spent a bunch of time playing with the kids.

So, we asked Dwight for his take -- and he didn't mince words ... "I think my resume speaks for itself."

San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo sounds like he regrets his very public date with porn star Kiara Mia ... implying that he's going to be much more careful when he's out in public.

It was just last week that Jimmy G and Kiara hit up Avra restaurant in Beverly Hills arm in arm -- and toasted wine together for everyone in the place to see.

Jimmy finally faced the media at a 49ers event moments ago and was asked about the date. He did not wear it like a badge of honor.

"Life is different now," Jimmy said ... "My life, off the field -- I've never really been big on being very public with things even on social media. I'm not on there a ton. But my life's looked at differently."

"I'm under a microscope. It's like [49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan] said, it is a good learning experience. Just have to take it in stride. It is what it is."

Remember, Kiara told us the date went VERY well and she sounded optimistic about seeing Jimmy again.

Don't hold your breath ...

Genie Bouchard injured her groin last weekend ... but she clearly didn't hurt her butt -- 'cause the tennis star was shakin' it all over the place in Morocco on Wednesday!!

The 24-year-old cruised over to Africa after an injury cut her run in the Swiss Open short ... and she looked no worse for wear gettin' some rehab work in by her luxury hotel's pool.

In a barely-there neon green and hot pink bikini ... Genie made sure to get a couple sets of champagne sippin' and booty poppin' to get right.

Yeah ... we think she'll make a full recovery.

BTW -- Genie's getting pretty good at this whole bikini thing ... she slayed the SI Swimsuit shoot this year.

Eat your heart out, Super Bowl bet guy.

Convicted child molester Larry Nassar was attacked in prison by another inmate and injured ... this according to his attorney.

Nassar is currently serving 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting more than 150 women and girls while serving as a doctor for Michigan State University and Team USA gymnastics.

According to court docs filed by his public defender, Jacqueline McCann, Nassar was assaulted within hours of being released into the general population back in May at the United States Penitentiary in Tucson, AZ.

Nassar apparently suffered injuries in the attack -- but the details surrounding the incident are unclear at this point.

Interestingly, Nassar's attorney is accusing the judge in his criminal case of essentially inciting the violence -- claiming the way she oversaw the proceedings empowered inmates to attack him.

McCann references specific quotes from the hearing in which Judge Rosemarie Aquilina "proclaimed, with apparent relish, that she was signing his 'death warrant.'"

In court docs, McCann says, "Unfortunately, Judge Aquilina's comments and conducting of the sentencing proceeding appeared to encourage this type of behavior."

Now, it seems Nassar could be moved to another prison.

Conor McGregor is firing back at the security guard who claims the UFC star injured him during that crazy 2016 bottle-throwing incident at the Nate Diaz fight presser ... saying his accuser sucks at his job.

The man who filed the lawsuit is William Pegg -- who was working for MGM security on Aug. 17, 2016 ... when Nate and Conor threw bottles and cans at each other during a heated exchange before UFC 202.

Pegg says McGregor chucked a can that struck him in the left shoulder and injured him.

But now, McGregor is telling his side of the story ... saying Pegg failed in his duty to provide security at the event and "did nothing" while Nate and his crew initiated the incident by throwing bottles at Conor first.

"Had [Pegg] met his obligations not only as a security guard on duty during the press conference, but moreover, the person purportedly in charge of security, and protected [Conor] and his friends and family, than this entire incident would have been avoided."

Conor also admits to throwing objects that day (obviously, it was captured on video) ... but says there's NO PROOF the projectile that struck Pegg was thrown by him.

Jacksonville Jaguars training camp opens up on Thursday -- but Jalen Ramsey won't be there ... because he'll be taking care of his newborn baby!!!

The 23-year-old star cornerback just broke the news ... essentially telling his squad he won't report to camp until he feels mom and baby are healthy enough to be on their own.

"For me, family is among the most important things in my life, along with my faith and football. Today starts a new chapter in my life, as Bre and I are blessed to welcome our baby into this world."

FYI, Bre is Breanna Tate -- sister of Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate.

"I want to let everyone know that I'll be in Tennessee with my family," Ramsey said ... "and as soon as I'm comfortable knowing my family is healthy and happy, I'll return to Jacksonville to rejoin my teammates on our quest to handle some unfinished business."

Mazel tov!

DeMar DeRozan took Drake's "In My Feelings" challenge to a whole 'nother level last week ... going to the song's creator himself to figure out his feelings after the Raptors stunningly traded him.

The ex-Toronto superstar revealed one of the first people he confided in after the Raptors sent him packing to San Antonio was none other than the 6 God.

"The day it came out, I went to Drake's house," DeRozan told ESPN.

"Sat and talked for a couple hours, man. Not even on the hoops stuff, just my partner. Just to hear the words that come from him being the person that he is in this world, especially in Toronto. What I meant to the city -- it was what I needed."

Drake's one of the Raptors' biggest fans ... and he took the DeRozan news tough too -- writing on Instagram, "Thank you for being an incredible captain and an even better friend."

Of course ... Toronto did get Kawhi Leonard in the deal -- and he IS one of the best players in the NBA.

Sooo ... feelings might be down now, but something tells us Drake will come out of it fine.

They found love in an NBA place!!

OKC Thunder star Andre Roberson made his long-rumored relationship with the face of NBA 2K, Rachel DeMita, social media OFFISH this week ... and the two are adorable.

DeMita's been a meteor in the sports world, rising to national fame with her appearances on the Association's top video game and at Celebrity All-Star Games (she's a hooper too!).

She's picked up over a million followers on social media ... and Dre was clearly one of the biggest fans.

The two got all kinds of cozy over the last few months, including at a wedding overseas last week ... which appears to have prompted the long-awaited Insta move.

Rachel clearly appreciated it, dropping a "My whole heart" line in Andre's comment section.

NBA superstars seem happy about it too ... Russell Westbrook posted some praising hands emojis -- and Kevin Durant even liked the post!

Only one thing left for the couple to divulge ... this had to be how the meeting between the two ballers went down, right???

Randy Couture and his wife have a message for their friend, Demi Lovato -- "We love Demi and we're going to do whatever we can to help."

Couture has been helping Lovato train at Jay Glazer's Unbreakable gym in West Hollywood for years -- she's even credited him with helping her achieve her blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Randy says everyone in the gym has been well aware of her struggles with addiction -- and he was crushed to hear about her overdose on Tuesday.

But, Couture says the singer can count on his support and love as she begins to bounce back.

"Sometimes there are setbacks. We're here to help her get through them and keep moving forward."

Just because the NFL cut ties with Papa John's doesn't mean DeMarcus Ware will follow suit -- in fact, the ex-Broncos star is BRAGGING about ordering a PJ's pizza ... despite the n-word controversy.

Ware -- who's now a consultant with the Broncos -- had a hankering for some pizza Tuesday night and let everyone know the only shop that could satisfy his craving was Papa.

Interesting considering the NFL and several major sports teams (including the Yankees, Rangers and ATL Falcons) suspended their relationships with the company after it came out that founder John Schnatter used the n-word on a company conference call.

But, D-Ware clearly don't care ... ordering up a big ole pie at around 11 PM CT Tuesday night and captioning the act with, "It's about to go down!!!"

The order? Some sort of ham and ground beef mix ... with THREE garlic dipping sauces. Even D-Ware's dog wants in on the action.