TMZ Sports - Page 50

There was nothing random about the burglaries at the homes of Yasiel Puig and Robert Woods -- cops believe they were most likely targeted because they're pro athletes who were PLAYING when the crooks struck.

TMZ Sports broke the stories ... Puig was at Dodger Stadium and Woods helping the L.A. Rams crush the Vikings when intruders broke into their homes, both located in the San Fernando Valley.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... they don't believe the burglaries are connected -- but cops do think the bad guys in both cases were using social media and team schedules to plot their crimes.

Cops are also investigating to see if the crimes were inside jobs -- orchestrated by people connected to the athletes.

We're told cops are meeting with both Puig and Woods to help strengthen their home security -- including more surveillance cameras, alarms, lights and guards to stand watch while they're working.

Seems obvious ... but a lot of people feel "it could never happen to me" -- until it does.

Peyton Manning's single-season passing TD record is TOAST ... 'cause Patrick Mahomes is driving his Chiefs bus straight through it -- so says K.C. legend Tony Gonzalez.

Mahomes has lit up the league so far ... chucking 13 TDs in 3 games -- and Gonzalez tells TMZ Sports he thinks Pat will catch Manning's all-time mark of 55 in a single season.

"Right now, I'm looking at it, yeah," Tony tells us. "He's on his way!"

In fact ... the legendary tight end's been so impressed with Mahomes -- he's got him as MVP of the league for now ... with two other hot QBs right in the hunt.

By the way ... Tony also shared his thoughts on another Tony -- saying there's no way in hell Romo should make a comeback to the league.

Former Clemson All-American Tajh Boyd says Trevor Lawrence could be the greatest QB in the history of the ACC ... but he still feels horrible for that Kelly Bryant lost his starting job.

It's an age-old football tale ... Lawrence -- the hot shot former #1 recruit freshman -- usurped the starting spot from Bryant, the steady senior leader who played great and waited his turn.

The change set the college football world on fire, with Bryant immediately announcing his transfer. Some critics said head coach Dabo Swinney had done KB dirty. Others said it's just the way football goes.

We talked to Boyd -- a Clemson legend -- who told us it could be BOTH.

"In his eyes, he felt like he earned the right to be the guy and felt like he didn't do anything to deserve to lose the spot and maybe he has some merit to that."

As far as Lawrence goes ... Boyd says Bryant was up against a transcendent talent ... because he believes Trevor could be the best signal caller the conference has ever seen.

"When it's all said and done, I think he's gonna be the best quarterback to play in the history of the conference."

There's at least one marriage in Hollywood that's gonna go smoothly ... LeBron James & Luke Walton -- so says ex-NBA coach Mark Jackson who thinks Walton is an "outstanding coach" who will mesh with James.

Some Lakers fans are concerned that LeBron -- the league's biggest star -- would be too much for the relatively young Walton, leading to tumult in the locker room.

Not Jackson ... the former NBA head coach and current analyst had all the confidence in the world in Walton when we got him in L.A. -- reassuring our guy Luke has it under wraps.

"Great guy and outstanding coach, he'll be fine."

Troubled NFL QB Trevone Boykin has been charged with felony aggravated assault for allegedly punching his GF and cracking her jaw back in March ... and now he's facing 20 YEARS in prison.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Boykin was indicted for 2nd degree felony aggravated assault-serious bodily injury by a grand jury in Tarrant County, TX on Friday.

At the time of the incident, Boykin's longtime GF, Shabrika Bailey, claims he choked her and broke her jaw during a physical fight before finally taking her to the hospital for treatment.

As for Boykin, he's vehemently denied any physical altercation took place.

Boykin was a stud at TCU but had issues off the field -- including a fist fight with cops days before the Alamo Bowl.

He was undrafted -- but later signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks and seemed to be doing well until the domestic violence arrest.

Huge victory for Dustin Johnson at the Ryder Cup in France -- Paulina Gretzky's letting him KISS HER again!!!

Seemed like it'd never happen again after she scrubbed him from her Instagram in the wake of cheating rumors ... but Dustin's put in the work and now he's back!!!

The couple arrived to Paris for the Ryder Cup recently and Paulina immediately put him to work -- making him shoot video of her for her IG page ... even though the page is still void of any DJ pics.

Dustin and his partner, Rickie Fowler, lost their matchup with Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose on Friday and the USA is currently losing to Europe -- but who cares, DJ's got his baby mama back!

As for the cheating rumors, the alleged "other woman" has denied hooking up with DJ.

Only one hurdle left for Dustin ... he's gotta get Paulina to put his pic back on her IG page.

A jersey Joe DiMaggio once wore when he beat Jackie Robinson's Dodgers in the World Series is hitting the auction block ... and it's expected to fetch A FORTUNE!!!

DiMaggio's one of the greatest hitters of all-time -- dude had a CAREER .325 batting average AND he won NINE World Series rings for the Yanks.

Well ... the jersey he rocked (and later signed) in Game 5 of the 1947 W.S. just hit Heritage Auctions -- and they tell TMZ Sports they expect it to sell for around $400,000!!

Why such a high price tag?? 'Cause Joe, sportin' his No. 5 jersey, blasted a two-run shot that ended up plating the winning runs in the pivotal game in that series.

The diamond Joltin' Joe was on that day was filled with legends too -- Jackie Robinson, Phil Rizzuto, Duke Snider and Pee Wee Reese.

You've seen Tom Brady's dad bod ... but have you seen his dad dance moves?!?!

Well -- here they are ... straight from the stretch line at New England Patriots practice Friday.

There's some wrist rolls, a little body wiggle, some ass droppin' ... and then it's all capped with a pose-off with backup QB Brian Hoyer.

The song?? Migos' "Handsome and Wealthy" ... the perfect TB12 tune.

Not too sure what the occasion for the turn up is ... Tom's squad is off to a 1-2 start and has a HUGE game with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Yasiel Puig doesn't seem too fazed about all the burglaries at his L.A. home -- he just went out and bought a bunch of expensive replacement stuff!

Puig and the Dodgers are in San Francisco to play the Giants in a hugely important 3-game series beginning Friday night ... but before Yasiel took the field, he hit Gucci and Louis Vuitton with some of his teammates, including Pedro Baez!

Of course, Puig could use some new stuff -- his home was hit 4 times in the past 2 years. In the most recent invasion, crooks raided his bedroom earlier this month while he was playing at Dodger Stadium.

The good news for Puig ... he's rich. Dude's in the middle of a $42 million contract.

In fact, back in November Puig told us he has "too much f**king money" to worry about burglaries.

So, Friday morning he proved it -- hitting some of the fanciest stores in San Fran and leaving with a ton of bags.

Daniel Cormier just went OFF on Jon Jones -- the latest in their nasty rivalry -- this time, DC's labeling Jones a cheating, coke-abusing "snitch" who rolled on one of his teammates.

Jon started the latest round this week ... taunting Cormier on social media for failing to accept the "truth" that PEDs had nothing to do with JJ's two UFC victories over him.

Jones says the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has backed his claims that he didn't intentionally ingest any prohibited substances ... and insists Cormier simply can't come to grips with the fact he's the superior fighter.

Enter Cormier ... who fired back on social media Friday morning.

"So here we go again Jonny boy. First off, if you did nothing wrong and were 'innocent' then you’d have never been suspended," Cormier said.

"And on top of all the cheating you’ve done around UFC 182, UFC 200 and UFC 214 that’s not even the straw that broke the camel’s back. You are actually a SNITCH!"

Cormier is referring to reports that Jones cut a deal with USADA for reduced 15-month suspension after his positive PED test -- and in exchange, Jones provided "substantial assistance" to the agency.

Many believe (including Cormier) the aforementioned "assistance" was info about other fighters -- aka "snitching."

Back to Cormier's attack ...

"You think you’re the only one that’s been offered this deal? No, you’re just the only scumbag low enough to take it!"

"Which one of your teammates did you tell on to get this joke of a punishment from USADA! I thought there was nothing lower than a cheater but it’s not surprising that you show me a whole new level."

"You’re a cheater and a SNITCH! Get off my page and go do some coke, or steroids or whatever you losers do in your spare time. #doublechamp"

The war at the Coliseum wasn't just on the field Thursday night -- a bunch of fans got into a brawl in the stands ... with one guy getting tossed over several rows of bleachers!!

The standoff began just before the end of the 1st half ... a Rams fan got into it with several Vikings fans.

You can see the Rams fan smack a female Vikings fan in the face ... and then it gets crazy.

Punches are thrown, a beer gets tossed, a woman gets her hair pulled (hard!) and then the Rams fan grabs a dude ... and FLINGS HIM OVER 4 ROWS OF BLEACHERS!

The video is nuts -- and the guy who was tossed is lucky he wasn't seriously injured. In fact, he got up and continued to scream at the dude who chucked him.

We're told security responded and removed several of the combatants from the stadium. Unclear if any arrests were made.

JOE BUCK SAYS THE RAMS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!

Nah, just kidding ... but he really likes 'em.

The "NFL on FOX" play-by-play guy called the Rams game on Thursday night at the Coliseum in L.A. -- and was clearly impressed when he hit up Craig's for dinner after the game.

When we asked if Rams fans should have Super Bowl expectations after their 4th straight win, Buck answered, "They should."

DAMN RIGHT THEY SHOULD!!!

"I think they're good," Buck added ... "They're REALLY good."

Buck also showed love to Jared Goff -- who gunned his way through the Vikings like he was a blonde Deadpool mixed with John Wick multiplied by Schwarzenegger in "Commando" (throwback).

Oh, and did you hear what Todd Gurley said about the Rams after the game?

"Nah, we can't be beat right now. No ifs, ands or buts about it."

UCLA basketball star Shareef O'Neal -- Shaq's son -- says he'll be forced to sit out next season due to a heart issue that will require major surgery ... but vows to return ASAP.

TMZ Sports spoke with the 18-year-old superstar who said he was having a routine checkup recently when the docs "found a medical issue dealing with my heart."

Shareef didn't specify the exact problem -- but said the issue is severe enough that he'll be having heart surgery in the near future.

"Thank God the UCLA medical staff caught it early," O'Neal tells us.

Shareef says he's been talking with his dad and mom Shaunie O'Neal about how best to handle the situation -- and will NOT withdraw from school while recovering.

"During rehab, I'll be attending my classes and being a normal student."

Shareef says he vows to return to the court in 2019 after redshirting this upcoming season -- and describes the ordeal as "just a bump in the road."

"I'll be back in no time."

Shareef was one of the top high school players in the country in 2018 and was expected to have a real impact with UCLA this upcoming season.

LSU basketball player Wayde Sims was shot and killed near Southern University's campus early Friday morning, Baton Rouge PD confirms. He was just 20 years old.

Cops say the junior forward was shot at a Subway restaurant across the street from the SU's football stadium around 12:30 in the morning.

Sims was transported to a local hospital where he later died from the gunshot wound.

FYI, Southern University is also located in Baton Rouge ... about a 15-minute drive from LSU's main campus.

Baton Rouge PD released video of a violent altercation leading up to the fatal shooting ... and are trying to identify the person wearing a gray t-shirt and red pants seen toward the end of the clip.

“We are all devastated," LSU coach Will Wade said Friday morning. “We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken.”

“Wayde Sims’ loss is simply unbelievable to us right now,” Joe Alleva, LSU's athletics director, added. “There are no words that can express our sorrow for his parents and family."

"He was such a lovable young man who was full of joy. We are circling around his teammates and friends who need all the love and support we can give them. We are praying for his family, for his parents. God bless Wayde Sims.”

"This is your worst nightmare as a coach," Wade said in a news conference Friday morning.

"Everybody liked him. Anybody he came in contact with you automatically just loved him and loved his personality. He was just a blast to be around at all times."

"Obviously, we're all still devastated and in shock about everything. But we're going to support Wayde's family and support our guys and slowly move forward from this."

LSU alum and former NFL star Marcus Spears shared his condolences, saying "Sick about the news of #WaydeSims of @LSUBasketball woke up to this, this morning and it’s heartbreaking for these young men to lose their lives at the hands of someone that shouldn’t make that choice for them! #RIP young Brah #Senseless"

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari released a statement Friday morning -- "Saying a prayer this morning for Wayde and the @LSUBasketball family. Very tough news to hear we've lost a young man just getting started. My condolences to his family, friends and teammates."

Philadelphia Sixers superstar Ben Simmons dedicated an Instagram post to Sims, saying "Gone too soon. Sending my prayers to the Sims family and everyone back home at @lsubasketball Nothing but positive things to say about you brother #lsuforever"

Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl added, "Devasted to hear of the passing of Wayde Sims. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire LSU community during this difficult time. Father God please take care of him!"

Sims -- whose dad Wayne also played for the Tigers from 1987-1991 -- averaged 5.6 points and 3 rebounds a game last season. He was a high school prodigy and was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015.

Tiffany Haddish couldn't keep her eyes off Lil Wayne ... call it the 'Carter V' afterglow.

The comedian hit up Weezy's star-studded birthday shindig Thursday night at Hubble Studios in L.A. The rapper turned 36 but the bigger celebration was for the long-delayed release of 'Carter V' ... which FIIIIINALLY dropped after a musical eternity.

Check out the pics ... Wayne's birthday cake is INSANE. There was also a goat at the party 'cause ... Weezy's the GOAT. Wiz Khalifa, Trey Songz and Chris Brown made appearances. Ashanti was also at the bash and happily mugged for the cameras. Safe to say Ashanti's wide grin speaks for everyone -- happy as hell 'TC5' dropped.

As we reported ... Weezy enlisted the help of his celeb friends to drop hints on the release date for "Tha Carter V" but fans had trouble dissecting them.

Lil Wayne enlisted the help of Kobe Bryant, Floyd Mayweather, James Harden and others to drop hints on the release date for "Tha Carter V" ... and his fans didn't even have a clue.

It was exactly 21 days ago when Floyd Mayweather posted the album's artwork with the goat emoji and "#21." Fans thought Floyd's post meant the album would be dropped on September 21 ... but that clearly wasn't the case. In fact, Floyd actually started a countdown to the album's release date.

James Harden followed suit the next week, posting the album artwork and "#13" -- many didn't pay attention to the hashtag ... because it's also his jersey number. What they didn't realize ... it was the continuation of the countdown for the 'TC5' release.

Kobe dropped a hint 8 days ago with a post of the album artwork and "#8" ... considering Bryant's jersey number for a long time was 8, again, most people didn't pay attention to the number.

Odell Beckham Jr., Michael Vick and Wayne's daughter, Reginae, had similar posts with numbers in their captions that corresponded with the album's release.

So, we gotta ask ...