TMZ Sports - Page 50

Just because he's a Nike star now doesn't mean Colin Kaepernick is giving up on his NFL comeback ... he's still working out like a maniac in the hopes of landing a QB job.

That's according to one of Colin's close friends, Brandon Marshall -- who tells TMZ Sports he just spoke with CK and his sites are definitely still set on the NFL.

"I talked to him today and yesterday," the Denver Broncos linebacker told us Wednesday night ... "He's in high spirits. He's excited."

We also know Kaep's been working with a personal trainer for months. Remember, he was out throwing passes back in March and we're told that's still part of his training regimen.

Marshall and Kaepernick were teammates and fraternity brothers at the University of Nevada Reno -- and Marshall participated in Kaep's kneeling demonstration.

"It's like really historic what he's doing," Marshall said about his friend ... referencing Kaep's collusion lawsuit against the NFL and the impact he's having on social justice issues.

Marshall says he's spoken with other NFL players about Kaep -- and they're overwhelmingly supportive of the QB in his fight against inequality AND in his lawsuit.

Marshall also gave a special message for his friend -- "Keep fighting for what you believe in man. Keep going. You're doing everything you believe is right."

Nike didn't just embrace Colin Kaepernick because of his views ... its market research was clear -- the race, age and political views of most Nike customers are in sync with the new ad campaign.

Sources with direct knowledge of Nike's demographics have given TMZ an inside look into the company, and it paints a clear picture of consumers who generally support Kaepernick's protest.

African American, Hispanics and Asians are more strongly represented in Nike's consumer base than they are in the U.S. population.

For example, the company's market research shows 13% of Americans identify as African American, yet 18% of Nike buyers are black. Hispanics account for 16% of the population, but represent 19% of Nike buyers. And, Asians account for 3% of the population, but 5% of Nike customers.

Caucasians are under-represented in the Nike world. The white population in the U.S. is 75% -- but they comprise only 67% of Nike's customers. And, of those, Nike believes a very large percentage, especially young whites, support Colin.

BTW ... the percentages don't add up to 100, because some people in the company's marketing research identify as more than one race.

As for age ... according to Nike's stats, 18 to 34-year-olds comprise 30% of the U.S. population, but they represent a whopping 43% of Nike buyers. On the other hand, people 65 and older account for 19% of the population, but represent only 6% of Nike customers.

Now politics ... Nike consumers are 7% less likely to be Republicans than the general population, and 3% more likely to be Democrats.

Short story ... Nike made a big statement by its new Kaepernick ad campaign, but the people most likely to protest are outside the company's sweet spot.

That said, there was a bonus for Nike ... numbers aside, we're told they wanted a campaign promoting social change that current and future athletes would embrace.

Lil Rel Howery has a question for all the people boycotting Nike over the Colin Kaepernick ad -- where were you during the Nike sweatshop scandals?!?!

The funnyman -- and star of "Rel" -- tells TMZ Sports he thinks it's "crazy" that people are wasting their money by burning Nike products ... and finds it interesting that CK was the issue to set them off.

"They didn't burn they stuff when they said Nike was using sweatshops," Rel said.

Background ... Nike has been accused of using sweatshops since the '90s -- but began auditing its factories in 2002.

But, Rel says he's a BIG fan of Nike's new ad campaign with Kaep -- "I think it's a dope promotion man. Nike's doing a good job of not just dealing with athletes, just dope people."

There's no doubt in Metta World Peace's mind that LeBron will bring a title to the Lakers ... 'cause he's telling TMZ Sports it's already been pre-written by the basketball gods!!

"He's destined," Metta says. "You can tell when somebody is chosen basketball-wise. You can tell."

Of course ... Metta's crystal ball is a little cloudy when it comes to the date LBJ will win one -- 'cause the ex-NBA superstar says he sees the Warriors taking home a few more 'ships first.

"I think Kevin Durant will three-peat," World Peace says. "I think Kevin Durant might four-peat, quite honestly."

As for if K.D. will ever team up with 'Bron in L.A. -- World Peace runs out of predictions there.

Donald Trump's incessant golf outings are costing taxpayers a FORTUNE.

Taxpayers footed bills totaling $300,675 for golf cart rentals alone, so the Secret Service could follow Trump on the links ... this according to federal documents obtained by TMZ.

Many of the expenses emanate from Trump's Mar-a-Lago excursions. And, get this ... since taking office Trump has reportedly spent 153 days at golf properties, which explains why the golf cart rental is sky high.

Since Trump took office, the total expense of his golf outings cost taxpayers an estimated $77 MILLION.

Former San Francisco 49er Jason Hairston -- who, after pro football, founded an ultra successful hunting gear company popular with celebs -- is dead at the age of 47.

KUIU -- Hairston's company -- confirmed his passing, saying they were "shocked and saddened" by his death. Details surrounding his passing are unclear.

Hairston grew up in Orange County, CA and was a stud linebacker at UC Davis -- a division II school at the time -- but went undrafted out of college.

J.H. signed with the 49ers as a free agent -- and played 1 season under defensive coordinator Pete Carroll -- before retiring in '96 after a short stint with the Broncos.

For all the accolades he got playing football (he won a bunch at UC Davis) ... Hairston is known for his success as a businessman -- after launching his hunting gear company, KUIU, a few years back.

Big time athletes like Carson Palmer, San Francisco Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland, and Brent Burns from the San Jose Sharks were all reportedly fans of KUIU.

Hairston was also friends with Donald Trump Jr. -- an avid hunter -- and even visited the Trumps at the White House in 2017.

Hairston was 47.

David Beckham crushed this poolside pose and burger ... after revealing the name of his brand spankin' new MLS team.

Becks ditched the shirt, grabbed some shades and headed to the pool Wednesday in Miami. A perfect way to celebrate the announcement of the name and new crest for his pro football club, Inter Miami CF.

The team's official title is Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami ... a name chosen to help reflect the 305's Spanish-speaking community. Beck's team will launch in 2020, six years after the plan to bring a team to Miami was hatched.

You'll remember -- Beckham joined the L.A. Galaxy back in 2007 -- and, when signing his deal, negotiated a way to one day own a future expansion team.

Legendary jockey Victor Espinoza is out of his neck brace, and well on the road to recovery after nearly dying in a gruesome fall off a horse during training this summer ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... the Hall of Famer was severely injured after a horse he was riding went into cardiac arrest on the track on July 22 in Del Mar, California.

The horse's owner -- Brian Trump -- tells us Victor nearly lost his life in the fall when a bone chipped off his neck and just missed cutting an artery.

Espinoza had been in a big neck brace, recovering since the accident ... but he got it removed Wednesday -- and Trump tells us the jockey is "thrilled" with the progress.

We're told Victor will remain in San Diego to keep up with his physical therapy for the next 3 or 4 weeks ... but if the jockey gets clearance, he plans on riding again in the future.

"Lose 120 pounds and become an Ironman ... after beating a brain tumor."

Damn impressive, right?

Colin Kaepernick thought so ... and that's why Charlie Jabaley was picked to be featured in Kaep's new Nike commercial.

Charlie used to be 300 pounds. He also used to manage rap stars like 2 Chainz and Travis Porter -- but quit his job to focus on health when doctors told him a brain tumor from his youth had come back.

Charlie tells TMZ Sports ... he had always wanted to be a pro athlete -- and after his health scare, he kicked his workout regimen into high gear.

He started biking. Running. Swimming ... and documented the whole thing in a fan-made Nike commercial.

The spot went viral and caught the attention of Nike execs who were so impressed, they selected Charlie for a feature spot in the new Kaep ad ... alongside LeBron James and Odell Beckham.

"They put me in what I believe is the most culturally shifting ad campaign of all-time," Charlie tells TMZ Sports.

"It's just an honor to be in it. I love it. It's so inspirational. It's talking about the crazy dreamers of the world, and that's all I am. I'm one of the crazy dreamers. So thank you, Nike."

TMZ Sports has obtained police video showing a drunk Richard Panik getting arrested at an Arizona bar back in April ... and name dropping his NHL team to try to get out of trouble.

The Arizona Coyotes winger was busted for trespassing outside of Bevvy on April 8. Bar staffers told cops the 27-year-old was so intoxicated when he arrived around 8:50 PM, they wouldn't even let him inside.

Panik allegedly tried to shove his way past security -- so bar staffers called the cops. That's when the video starts.

Once the Scottsdale P.D. arrived, the video shows Panik being standoffish and refusing to leave. He also appears to be pretty hammered.

Panik tries to sass the officers saying, "I know my law" -- to which the cop responds, "You might know your law, but I'm a law enforcement officer so I think I know what I'm talking about."

The officer finally decides he's had enough and orders Panik into custody warning, "Don't fight with me me or you'll go on the ground real hard."

Panik mentions playing for the Coyotes multiple times -- but the cops don't really give a crap.

He was eventually arrested for trespassing and hauled to a nearby jail.

Panik appeared in court on Wednesday and pled guilty to criminal trespass. He's been ordered to complete a diversion program (most likely an alcohol education course).

It's a good deal for Panik considering he was facing up to 30 days in jail. He's due back in court on Sept. 5.

Matt Barnes has just obtained a temporary restraining order against his baby mama, Gloria Govan, in the wake of her arrest at their kids' school, TMZ Sports has learned.

As part of the court order, Govan must stay at least 100 yards away from the kids. She can see the kids once per week for 4 hours but a professional monitor has to be present -- and Gloria must foot the bill for the monitor.

Gloria is allowed to be near Matt to get the kids, but she must be peaceful.

Gloria is also not allowed to take the kids outside of L.A. County during her visitation unless she gets written permission from Matt.

Matt's attorney, Samantha Spector, tells TMZ Sports, "Today wasn't about Matt or Gloria. It was about the children and their safety. This was a good day for those kids, and that's all that matters."

The next hearing is scheduled for the end of Sept. -- where Gloria can argue to change the arrangement.

As we previously reported, cops arrested Govan on August 31 after she allegedly blocked Matt from picking up their 9-year-old twin boys on Matt's scheduled custodial day.

Matt claims Govan used her car as a weapon against him -- and claims he feared for his life (and the lives of his kids) and Gloria punched the gas in her Escalade and "[barreled] toward me."

"I am ever thankful that no child or parent was hit by Gloria and her 17-foot-long Escalade as she endangered every child's and adult's safety when she plowed through the parking lot."

In court docs, Matt claims Gloria put their children and other kids at the school in physical danger -- and Matt claims the twins have been traumatized by Gloria's actions and subsequent arrest.

Matt and Gloria got married back in 2012 but split almost 2 years later. Their divorce wasn't finalized until 2016.

Mike Singletary says the Bears just got a monster in Khalil Mack ... but they didn't get the league's best defensive player -- 'cause Mike tells TMZ Sports Aaron Donald holds that honor!!

Don't get it twisted ... Singletary says his old squad ain't gonna regret giving up two first-round picks and a dumptruck full of cash for Mack, telling us he's about to wreak havoc on the NFC North.

"I know Aaron Rodgers and every quarterback in that league went, 'Wow, what the heck just happened?!'" Singletary says.

But ... Mike tells us if he had to choose one guy to build a defense around -- it'd be A.D.

"When I saw Aaron Donald, I thought, 'Wow. This guy is amazing. He is just a one man wrecking crew,'" Singletary says.

"So I think it would be hard for me to put [Khalil] ahead of Aaron Donald."

Nike isn't backing down from its Colin Kaepernick ad campaign -- they just released a brand new 2-minute commercial featuring the QB -- and it's slated to air during the NFL season opener.

The spot features Colin narrating inspiring messages about overcoming the odds while real video of really inspirational athletes plays on the screen.

Colin references Serena Williams and praises her as "the greatest athlete ever" -- while throwing similar compliments at stars like Odell Beckham, Shaquem Griffin and the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team.

Regarding Odell, Colin says ...

"Don't picture yourself wearing OBJ's jersey. Picture OBJ wearing yours."

Regarding Shaquem, Colin says ...

"If you have only one hand, don’t just watch football, play it at the highest level."

Regarding LeBron James, Colin says ...

"Don’t become the best basketball player on the planet. Be bigger than basketball." (while video runs showing LeBron opening his new school in Ohio)

Regarding Serena, Colin says ...

"And, if you’re a girl from Compton, don’t just become a tennis player. Become the greatest athlete ever. Yeah, that’s more like it."

It's the second phase of Nike's "Just Do It" ad campaign featuring Kaep -- a deal that we're told was put together in the last several weeks.

We're told the deal put together by Mark Geragos and Ben Meiselas also includes a new custom Kaepernick shoe and apparel line.

No word on when that's supposed to drop.

As for the commercial, a source with knowledge of the situation tells us the plan is to air the commericial at some point during the Falcons vs. Eagles broadcast on NBC.

The National Black Police Association is applauding Nike for their new ad with Colin Kaepernick -- saying the QB's stance is "is in direct alignment with what law enforcement stands for."

In fact, the NBPA is ripping another major police association -- saying anyone calling for a Nike boycott is just plain wrong.

As we previously reported, the National Association of Police Organizations fired off a letter to Nike saying the Kaep ad "grossly insults the men and women who really do make sacrifices for the sake of our nation."

NAPO added, "We are calling on all our member officers, their families and friends to join in boycotting all Nike products."

Well, the National Black Police Association could not DISAGREE more -- sending their own letter to Nike praising the company and slamming the other police org.

"The National Black Police Association is not in agreement with NAPO on this matter, and we strongly condemn their call for police officers and their families to boycott Nike and its products," the letter says.

"Your inclusion of Mr. Kaepernick in your ads seems appropriate to us. We live in a country where the 1st Amendment is a right of the people."

"The NBPA believes that Mr. Kaepernick's stance is in direct alignment with what law enforcement stands for -- the protection of a people, their human rights, their dignity, their safety, and their rights as American citizens."

"NAPO has shown an adeptness at maintaining the police status quo and the tone in their letter further validates Mr. Kaepernick's concerns, as it undermines the trust that is needed by law enforcement in order for the profession to maintain its legitimacy."

The NBPA believes NAPO's stance "only perpetuates the narrative that police are racist, with no regard, acknowledgment, respect or understanding of the issues and concerns of the African American community."

"For NAPO to presuppose that Mr. Kaepernick has not made sacrifices because he did not die on a battlefield, shows you just how out of touch NAP is with the African American community."

The Game says Colin Kaepernick's new Nike ad is "one for the history books" -- and tells TMZ Sports he hopes it's just the beginning of Nike becoming a driving force for social justice.

"Everything that Nike's doing with Kaepernick is incredible," The Game told us in L.A.

"It's incredible to see a corporation as big as Nike put all that faith and trust in one of our new heroes. I think it's dope ... So, kudos to Nike."

Of course, Game has been big in the charity game for years -- and famously launched the Robin Hood Project to help families in need a few years back.

Our guy asked Game if he thinks Nike will get involved in other social causes.

Wanna know the least shocked person ever to see Nike backing Colin Kaepernick in their new ad campaign?

You're looking at him ... 'cause Todd Gurley tells TMZ Sports he's not shocked at all that the Swoosh just threw itself behind the embattled ex-NFL QB.

"Nike has always been doing stuff like that," the Rams superstar says.

"That's what Nike's based off of. Always doing the right thing, following the underdog."

Of course ... Gurley is a Nike-backed athlete himself -- but still, he's joined sports stars like LeBron, Tom Brady and more in supporting Colin on social media since the ad debuted.