TMZ Sports - Page 50

Colin Kaepernick won't be seen OR heard on the new Madden NFL 19 ... 'cause the free agent QB's name was pulled from a Big Sean verse on the game's soundtrack.

The game doesn't officially drop until next week, but people who have gotten their hands on an early copy have noticed Kaep's name was scrubbed from Sean's verse on YG's song "Big Bank" featuring 2 Chainz and Nicki Minaj.

What you're supposed to hear is "Feed me to the wolves now I lead the pack and sh*t. You boys all cap, I'm more Colin Kaepernick" ... but aside from the obvious edits to keep the lyrics rated PG, the game also took the Kaep shout-out off the track.

A video has been going viral on social media ... and most people are assuming it has to do with Kaep's involvement in kick-starting the National Anthem controversy.

As for Kaep appearing in the game as a player ... that won't happen until he's signed to a team. So, don't hold your breath.

Colby Covington promised he'd make it out to see Donald Trump "unlike the Filth-a-delphia Eagles" after winning his championship fight last month ... and he finally made good on that on Wednesday.

"Like Donald Trump always says: Promises made. Promises kept," Covington said of the visit.

"Pleasure to finally meet you Mr. President. Thank you for always putting America first!"

Remember ... the UFC superstar beat up on Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 -- and took a shot at the NFL's Super Bowl champs while promising a White House visit afterward.

"I told everybody I was going to make the welterweight division great again, and now I’m going to celebrate how a real American should celebrate winning a world a title," Covington said.

"And that’s going to the White House to see Mr. Donald Trump and put this on his desk, unlike the Filth-a-delphia Eagles disrespecting our flag and kneeling for the national anthem.”

Pacman Jones' airport attacker has already lost his job, his pride and hurt his leg ... and now he could be facing a SERIOUS LAWSUIT ... so says Pacman himself.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the NFL star was attacked by Frank Ragin in Atlanta International Airport on July 10 -- and Pacman responded by BEATING THE GUY'S ASS.

Now ... Jones says he's considering suing Ragin -- telling Chris Simms and Adam Lefkoe on their podcast that being known as a fighter is NOT something he wants these days.

"For me, like, it don't look good for me and my kids," Jones says.

"I'm saying, yeah, I used to be fighting everywhere, but like, that's not what I'm about right now. I got kids."

Pacman's trying to work his way back into the NFL after being let go by the Bengals this offseason ... and he seems to say Ragin's assault is hurting his chances of doing that.

"People know my reputation. People know I'm not with the bullsh*t, like, I don't have to promote that," Jones says.

"I'm promoting being a father every day, enjoying my kids, being the best dad I can be and loving playing football."

Giannis Antetokounmpo is reminding us all why his nickname is the "Greek Freak" ... 'cause the NBA superstar took his first boxing lesson Thursday -- and it was pretty freakin' scary.

The 6-foot-11 Bucks forward -- lookin' as jacked as ever -- learned how to throw some jabs and hooks ... and the video is wild.

His trainer looks tiny ... and when G throws the haymakers -- there's some hold-your-breath moments.

FYI -- Antetokounmpo ain't the first gigantic NBA player to lace up the boxing gloves ... Shaq actually fought Oscar De La Hoya back in 2009.

Funniest part ... Giannis captioned the vid with "StayFreaky"

If Conor McGregor ever wants to make the jump to the squared circle, he'll have Ronda Rousey to thank ... so says Sheamus, who tells us Rowdy paved the way for MMA stars in WWE.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Irish superstar about Ronda's transition into pro wrestling ... and Sheamus says he wouldn't be surprised if more UFC fighters follow her lead.

"I think anything is possible now with Ronda in the WWE ... Ronda's killing it, so the door's open for anybody."

BTW -- Conor and Sheamus had a huge Twitter feud back in 2014 after the Notorious claimed he would "whoop his ass" in a fight.

If Phil Mickelson ever gets tired of hittin' golf balls, he's got no shot at a career as a dancer -- 'cause Lefty put all of his moves on display for a new commercial ... and they ain't all that great.

The PGA Tour superstar is hockin' dress shirts these days in addition to sinking putts on weekends ... and for his first-ever ad with the shirt company -- he threw down a cascade of dad dance moves.

There was the worm ... a little John Travolta action ... and a bunch of other unrecognizable moves.

The label's called Mizzen+Main ... and Phil's got stake in it -- which explains why he's been rockin' the brand.

Mickelson's donned the shirts during golf tourneys ... and Tiger Woods burned him for it back in April ... telling reporters, "The only thing that was missing was a tie."

Guess ya can say Lefty has 2 left feet.

LeBron James' and Luke Walton's former teammate, Richard Jefferson, isn't worried about how the two guys will get along in L.A., telling TMZ Sports he thinks they will "do great" together.

Things got off to a weird start between the 'Bron and Luke ... with reports saying the two men didn't speak for some time after James made his decision to join the Lakers.

That made some people wonder if LeBron was planning to David Blatt Walton ... but, when we got Jefferson out in L.A., he said he expects everything to be just fine.

Remember, Jefferson is great friends with Walton having played college ball with Luke at Arizona ... and he's also one of LeBron's guys, having played his last few seasons in Cleveland.

Earl Thomas ain't playing around with the Seahawks anymore ... issuing an epic ultimatum, saying, "Offer me an extension. Or trade me to a team that wants me to be part of their future."

The All-Pro safety wrote a 1,500-word letter to his fans and Seattle's front office titled, "Here's What's Actually Going On" ... and in it, he explains all his reasons for holding out of 'Hawks camp.

"I’m standing strong on this -- because I’ve got to," Thomas says. "I’m standing strong when it comes to getting what I deserve."

"I’ve been one of the best defensive players in this league for the better part of a decade, and the numbers show that this team plays much better with me than without me."

Earl has made it no secret in the past that he wants to be a part of the Dallas Cowboys if Seattle won't pay him ... though he didn't make reference to that in his letter Thursday.

Instead -- the defensive back was adamant he's too good to let the Seahawks play him like they did with stars Lofa Tatupu and Richard Sherman before him.

Logan Paul ain't the only Paul whoopin' ass in the ring ...

Here's little bro Jake Paul beating the snot out of one his sparring partners ahead of his huge fight with KSI's little bro, Deji, on August 25.

Paul hits him with a few body shots, then a few head shots, and finishes him in a tangled mess in the ropes.

You can see Jake's big bro, Logan, watching the session from outside the ring -- and loving it.

A couple of guys who were at the house rushed over to help the sparring partner. If they REALLY wanted to help, they woulda taught him how to counterpunch.

By the way ... the ring is in Jake's living room -- 'cause he's THAT serious about winning in the YouTube stars' tilt later this month.

Remember ... TMZ Sports also got video of Logan putting a beating on his sparring partner during a training sesh back in June when he put the guy on his ass with a solid left hook.

Terrance Williams just caught a massive break ... 'cause the Cowboys receiver ain't gonna spend a single minute in jail after allegedly ramming his $200K Lambo into a lamp pole.

The story's crazy ... back in May, officials in Texas observed T.W. wipe out on his bike ... and he appeared wasted.

Cops searched Williams and found a Lambo Huracan key in his pocket ... interesting, 'cause they'd just found a crashed Lambo abandoned nearby.

Williams denied being behind the wheel at the time of the crash ... and actually pointed the finger at his "idiot" friend and fellow NFL player Kendall Wright.

Williams was arrested ... but ONLY charged with misdemeanor public intoxication.

Now, Williams' attorney Chip Lewis (who also reps Robert Durst) ... says prosecutors dismissed the public intox. charge today ... leaving Terrance in the clear legally.

Lewis tells us Williams paid for the damaged pole ... and completed an online alcohol awareness class -- which was good enough for prosecutors.

Multiple witnesses tell TMZ Sports ... Draymond Green and Tristan Thompson cooled off and actually dapped each other up after a heated altercation at an ESPYs after-party.

We spoke with multiple people who were inside Delilah nightclub on July 18 when Draymond and Tristan came face to face.

Everyone we spoke to says it did not appear Tristan actually punched Draymond -- but he did make an aggressive gesture toward him.

LeBron and Kevin Durant did intervene and diffused the situation.

We're told when things cooled off ... Draymond and Tristan talked things out and actually made peace. At one point, our sources say they shook hands and the night went on without any more drama.

Ohio State has placed head football coach Urban Meyer on administrative leave in the wake of reports that he lied about having knowledge of a 2015 domestic violence allegation surrounding an OSU assistant coach.

OSU issued a statement saying, "The University is conducting an investigation into these allegations. During the inquiry, Urban Meyer will be on paid administrative leave."

"Ryan Day will serve as acting head football coach during the investigation. We are focused on supporting our players and on getting the truth as expeditiously as possible."

Meyer -- one of the highest paid coaches in college football -- also issued a statement saying, " [Athletic Director Gene Smith] and I agree that being on leave during this inquiry will facilitate its completion."

"This allows the team to conduct training camp with minimal distraction. I eagerly look forward to the resolution of this matter."

The man at the center of the domestic violence allegations is Zach Smith -- who was a wide receivers coach for the Buckeyes for years.

Smith was fired on July 23 after he was charged with criminal trespassing after dropping their children off at his ex-wife Courtney's home during a May 12 incident. The court granted a domestic violence protective order against him.

Smith's ex-wife -- the alleged victim -- claims she told Urban's wife about the alleged abuse, but Urban took no action and then lied about having knowledge of the situation when asked at Big Ten media day.

Courtney has alleged Zach had repeatedly abused her physically since 2009. She also produced text messages to college football reporter Brett McMurphy which show a conversation between Courtney and the wife of another OSU coach in which Courtney was assured Urban was addressing the issue with Zach.

All the [coaches'] wives knew," Smith told McMurphy. "They all did. Every single one."

"I do believe he knew and instead he chose to help the abuser and enable the abuser and believe whatever story Zach was telling everybody," Smith said.

Courtney also told laid out the allegations in an interview with media outlet Stadium.

Shaq is WRONG -- Kobe Bryant is NOT coming back to the NBA ... so says Mrs. Mamba herself, Vanessa Bryant.

There have been rumblings that 39-year-old Kobe is considering a return to the Lakers to join LeBron James for one last shot at a ring before he rides off into the sunset.

And, the rumors got even stronger when Shaquille O'Neal told TMZ Sports over the weekend, "Kobe coming back. You heard it here first."

Now, Vanessa is finally weighing in -- and assuring Laker Nation, Kobe ain't pulling a Michael Jordan.

"Kobe will not be coming out of retirement to play again," Vanessa wrote on Instagram.

"He doesn’t want to play again and frankly we really enjoy spending time together as a family without the crazy game schedule interfering with birthdays, holidays and special events."

Mamba out.

David Otunga says he flew into "flight or fight mode" when he encountered the dude who broke into his car Monday night -- telling TMZ Sports, "I'm ready to tear this guy's head off."

Little backstory ... Otunga had finished a shoulder workout at his gym in Chicago when he saw a man inside of his car trying to steal his stuff, including Apple AirPods.

The WWE star says he freaked out at first, wondering if the guy had a gun -- but quickly realized the burglar was a coward who immediately began to beg Otunga to let him go.

"I go yoke him up and dude just starts pleading with me, 'No! I'm sorry! Please, don't hit me. Don't hit me, don't hurt me. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!'"

Otunga says the man claimed he was desperately in need of money and wanted to steal D.O.'s stuff, so he could sell it.

"I almost feel bad for him," David tells us ... "Like, I'm so pissed off, I'm ready to tear this guy's head off and then he's pleading with me."

Otunga says he ultimately shoved the guy and he ran off.

But, the scariest moment -- David says he later found the burglar's KNIFE in the car ... and quickly realized things could have been a lot worse.

Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golvkin had real beef when they came together to shoot a promo for their upcoming fight ... sources tell TMZ Sports there was "real hatred" and real trash talk on the set.

The two had to be in the same room at the same time for the promo shoot in mid-July -- and even had to throw fake punches at each other. You can see in the video ... the mood on set was tense.

Remember, getting the deal done for this fight was not easy -- the sides went to war over how to split the profits ... with Canelo and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, threatening to walk several times.

Before Draymond Green's alleged violent confrontation with Tristan Thompson ... the NBA star was partying with LeBron James and Kevin Durant and witnesses say he was in a great mood.

There are reports Draymond and his crew went from LeBron's Uninterrupted party at The Highlight Room to Delilah nightclub ... where Green approached Thompson and was struck in the face by the NBA star.

Some reports say Draymond was trying to apologize to Tristan for disrespecting him after the NBA Finals -- but TT was having nothing of it and had to be restrained.

Witnesses who saw Draymond and LeBron at The Highlight Room say the guys were hanging out and enjoying the evening ... no static, no tension.

We got video of Draymond and LeBron having a conversation before leaving for the next spot with KD -- but unclear what they were talking about.