TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jake Paul is already getting interest from the MMA community ... 'cause Wiz Khalifa -- who is part-owner of the Professional Fighters League -- tells TMZ Sports he'd love to sign the YouTuber-turned-fighter to the promotion!!

25-year-old Paul has flirted with making the switch from the ring to the cage recently ... in hopes of landing a fight with Jorge Masvidal -- or pretty much any other fighter in the MMA community at this point.

He seems to be serious about the switch ... and has even been spotted working on his kicks at Jay Glazer's Unbreakable gym recently, a place that Wiz has frequented over the years.

So, when we met up with Wiz during Super Bowl week, we had to ask if he thinks Jake is PFL material.

"It would be tight if he fought for PFL," Wiz said. "He's a cool guy. So, wherever he is, he's going to bring a lot of excitement."

Of course, PFL is one of the top MMA promotions in the sport ... so Wiz's co-sign is nothing to scoff at.

When we asked straight-up if he would want PFL to sign Jake, Wiz didn't mince his words.

High praise from Doug Flutie ... the ex-Bills QB says he loves Josh Allen so much, he could see the signal-caller one day taking the title of best-ever Buffalo quarterback from Jim Kelly.

Flutie dropped the compliments after dining with Joe Montana in Los Angeles earlier this month ... saying he's just that big of a fan of Allen's.

The 59-year-old, though, said the current Bills QB has a bit of a ways to go to catch the former one.

"I love Josh Allen, love everything he did -- he had a tremendous year," Flutie said ... "I'm not going to say he's going to [overtake Kelly], but the potential to do so is there."

Allen just wrapped up his fourth season as the Bills' starter -- going 39-21 in 60 games with 14,114 passing yards. Kelly, meanwhile, went 101-59 in his 160 career games, throwing for 35,467 yards.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle tells TMZ Sports that backup quarterback Trey Lance is absolutely ready to start in the NFL next season if given the opportunity.

Relax Niner fans -- he didn't tell us Trey should be starting over Jimmy Garoppolo. In fact, he showed Jimmy props saying, "Love Jimmy G. Fantastic quarterback. Took us to two NFC championships."

But, he did make it seem that even if a change at the QB position were to happen ... it wouldn't affect his game because he's just out there "to catch balls."

"I play tight end and whoever's throwing me the football, I can't wait to catch footballs from them baby," Kittle said.

GK says ultimately head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will be responsible for doing what's best for the football team.

Former NFL legend Joe Montana, however, doesn't believe Lance is "ready" to start for the 49ers ... and furthermore, disagrees with trading Jimmy G away in favor of keeping Trey.

"I think they should keep Jimmy until they find somebody that helps," Montana said on Radio Row during Super Bowl week. "I don't think Trey is ready to play yet."

Dalvin Cook did his best Nostradamus impression earlier this month ... guaranteeing to TMZ Sports that he will win the Vikings a Super Bowl.

The Minnesota star running back promised to bring home the ring when we spoke with him at a Super Bowl party last weekend ... saying he and Justin Jefferson will get the job done.

"We gon' win us one," he said. "We gon' win us one. Yeah."

As for when ... Cook couldn't pinpoint an exact date -- but reiterated, "We gon' win us one. We working, though!"

It's a bold prediction ... considering the Vikings have only won two playoff games since 2017 and just fired their head coach this offseason. But, watch the clip, Dalvin seems as confident as ever.

If the team does win next season, Cook will be sporting a different number for the celebration -- he tells us he's officially switching digits to #4 in 2022 because it's the number his late father would've wanted him to wear.

As for the #33 chain Dalvin customarily rocks ... he told us that's not going anywhere -- but he will be adding another pendant to it next season.

Gold medal-winning figure skater Tara Lipinski's good looks have been on ice for over two decades!

Here's a 15-year-old version of the Team USA ice skater smiling to the cheering fans in Nagano, Japan moments after scoring the gold medal in the women's long program beating out her teammate Michelle Kwan at the 1998 Winter Olympics XVIII. (left).

TP ... now 39 years old ... shared this selfie on her social media page while covering this year's Winter Olympics alongside her friend, co-anchor and figure skater Johnny Weir (right).

Her beauty is frozen.

The question is ...

Brian Flores is suing the NFL, but he'll still be getting paychecks from the org. in 2022 ... 'cause the ex-Miami Dolphins head coach has been hired to join the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff.

As we previously reported, Flores is in the middle of a messy legal battle with the NFL ... claiming its hiring process is rooted in racism -- even using texts from Bill Belichick to make his point.

While the 40-year-old's priority is facing off against the league in court in hopes of bringing change, he'll also be setting his focus on the AFC North ... as Flores will be the senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the Stellers next season.

Mike Tomlin spoke about the hire ... saying, "I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL."

"Brian's resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team."

Flores was 24-25 in his 3 seasons with the Dolphins ... but many were puzzled with his firing in 2021, as it appeared he was finally hitting his stride in Miami.

Bill Maher delivered a devastating blow to celebrities, companies and woke American culture for turning a blind eye to the horrendous abuses in China ... mostly to make a buck.

Maher lasered in on freestyle skier Eileen Gu, an American who chose to join Team China for the Beijing games. As he puts it, "She chose to represent a totalitarian police state over America." He also notes she's made $23 million from a ton of endorsements in China.

Bill ticked off some of the horrendous human rights abuses in China, including genocide. He then wondered out loud why Americans -- in particular celebs -- who show outrage for abuses at home are either silent about the abuses in China or say something critical and then apologize.

He recalls NBA GM Daryl Morey who tweeted a few years ago he stands with Hong Kong -- a country whose freedom is being crushed by China. LeBron James fired back that Morey had to be "educated." And, what does Maher think is behind LeBron's jab -- $$$. Maher notes the NBA has a $1.5 billion deal for TV rights in China, then saying of LeBron ... "I got some shoes to sell."

And, then Maher led in hard on John Cena, who once called Taiwan a separate country from China. Point of fact, it is, although it's pretty clear China wants to change that. So, Maher noted 34% of global box office is generated from China, and Cena's a big movie star ... so then Maher played Cena's video, apologizing to the Chinese for saying what he said. BTW, Cena apologized in Chinese. Wait till you hear Bill's joke about small balls.

He goes on and on ... the remake of "Top Gun" has scrubbed the Taiwanese flag from the bomber jackets.

The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game had challenges Friday night ... because there was a major distraction in the crowd -- and her name is Megan Fox.

It must've been super hard for some players to concentrate as Megan cheered on her fiance Machine Gun Kelly, who played on Team Walton in the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game during NBA All-Star Weekend.

MGK was festooned in bling as he showed off his skills ... btw, he has mad skills on the hardwood.

Team Walton also included Quavo ... himself a pretty awesome player. He was more than happy to mug for a selfie with former WNBA great Lisa Leslie.

The opposing team -- Team Nique -- included the likes of Tiffany Haddish, singer Kane Brown and Jack Harlow!

Good sportsmanship clearly abounded at the event, as Jack Harlow of Team Nique was seen sharing a heartwarming embrace with Quavo of the opposite side.

Matt James of 'Bachelor' fame and a member of Team Walton had a misstep when he was shooting from the foul line and hit teammate Brittney Elena in the chest by mistake. People started trolling Matt on social media, and Brittney then jumped in ... "🤣🤣🤦🏽‍♀️🤣🤣 He said sorry y'all! It was a simple mistake lol."

Warriors forward Draymond Green's L.A. house was ransacked during Super Bowl weekend ... and over $1,000,000 worth of stuff -- watches, jewelry, and other property -- was stolen, TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us 31-year-old Green -- who attended Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles -- came home later that night and discovered someone had busted their way into his home.

Our sources tell us the alleged perps entered Green's residence through his window ... and made off with watches, jewelry, and other personal property.

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time something like this has happened to an athlete in Los Angeles. During Game 7 of the World Series in 2017, Dodgers star Yasiel Puig's home was burglarized.

In 2019, the NFL warned the Rams of the potential for burglaries ... and advised the players to beef up security.

The last Yankees jersey that Mickey Mantle ever wore during his playing career is up for auction again -- and this time around, TMZ Sports has learned it could sell for a whopping 7 figures!!!

Mantle donned the threads in 1968 -- the final year of his historic career -- and experts at Heritage Auctions, which is brokering the sale, tell us they're expecting it to fetch over $1 million.

The jersey has "Mantle" inscribed on the inside of the collar, and a Wilson tag on the left front tail with the size label "42" and "1968 Set 2" imprinted on it.

The ultra-rare piece also comes with an inscription from Mantle in blue ink that reads "To Tom, A Great Friend Always, 'The Mick'."

FYI, "Tom" is Tom Catal, the president of the "Mickey Mantle Museum".

Besides it being his last-ever game-worn gear, it's also the jersey he wore when he hit his 534th home run against the Minnesota Twins and his 535th against the Detroit Tigers.

Mickey also wore this same jersey during the 1968 All-Star Game, which was his last before retiring after the '68 season.

As for its sale history, Heritage Auctions says the jersey first sold for $486,000 in Feb. 2017, and then for $850,000 in Aug. 2020

Of course, the price tag is steep -- but it makes sense, considering the dude is a three-time MVP and seven-time World Series champion.

Johnny Walker is opening up about his personal struggles in the wake of several losses that temporarily derailed his ascenscion to the top of the UFC ... telling TMZ Sports he was "down" after losing 3 of his last 4 fights, but is now ready to mount a comeback!

29-year-old Walker -- the #10 ranked light heavyweight -- is taking on #12 ranked light Jamahal Hill at UFC Fight Night on Saturday ... a matchup Walker believes will catapult him back into title contention.

"Bro, if at any point that somebody said I don't wanna be champion, I'd quit. I'd get out. I'd stop. Because I believe 100% I'm a champion,"

Walked continued ... "I'm not doing this just to fight, just to have fun. I'm here for the money, I'm here for the success, for my career, for my family, for my future. I'm gonna be the champion. I believe that and nobody can tell me opposite."

Walker was once ranked near the very top of the division ... and it felt like a forgone conclusion he'd fight for the title. In fact, we had several conversations with Johnny about his future battle with Jon Jones -- a fight that never materialized.

Aside from Jon leaving the division, Walker hit a rough patch, losing to Corey Anderson in November 2019, before sustaining another L to Nikita Krylov in March 2020. JW then beat Ryan Spann in September 2020 ... before again losing, this time to Thiago Santos in October 2021.

Even before the mini skid ... Walker dealt with adversity, even in victory.

After his electric win over Misha Cirkunov at UFC 235 in March 2019, Walker dislocated his shoulder doing the worm on the Octagon canvas.

"I'm very excited with my career and everything then boom, I was down. I don't know what depression is actually, but I was a little bit down."

Johnny continued ... "I was no patience, I was a little bit sad, I almost lost myself a little bit, you know, and I was against my brother in Thailand, I shouldn't do that."

Despite the struggles, Walker says he's back, and ready to rock.

Former Raiders legend Charles Woodson is on board with the hiring of Josh McDaniels as the team's next coach ... telling TMZ Sports the "second time's a charm."

We spoke with Charles -- who spent 8 seasons with the then-Oakland Raiders -- and the ex-cornerback told us he has no worries about McDaniels his second time around.

"He’s been a head coach," Woodson said. "He’s been through it one time before. So, he’s gained the experience."

"I think he’ll be good the second time around," he added.

Las Vegas hired Josh to be signal-caller after Rich Bisaccia stepped in amid the Jon Gruden scandal ... and a lot of people were hoping RB would get the gig.

But, CW tells us the experience McDaniels gained when he was the Broncos' head coach ... will prove to be valuable during his stint with the Raiders.

As for whether Josh will be able to turn Derek Carr into the G.O.A.T. as he helped do with TB12 ... Woodson says don't count on it.

If anyone is going through it right now ... watch this clip.

Jay Glazer has an invaluable reminder for those battling mental health struggles ... telling TMZ Sports it's important for everyone to remember "we deserve to stay alive."

The Fox Sports insider let his emotions pour out last week ... saying his own personal bout with mental health is what sparked his desire to be so vocal about the topic.

"I've been on the drive for mental health because ... look at just this last week and a half," Glazer said. "Miss USA was the most beautiful woman in the world, felt lonely. Jeremy Giambi we just saw in sports. I actually just had somebody in my crew commit suicide yesterday."

"It's an epidemic because ... that's why I'm talking out so much about it. I ain't trying to villainize it, but we deserve to stay alive."

Glazer -- who's established a reputation for breaking some of the NFL's biggest stories -- details his mental health journey in his book "Unbreakable" ... and the importance of fighting through those tough times.

"I cannot say it enough -- don't just tell your friends or your family or your therapist that you need help," Glazer said. "Tell them the depth of the help that you need. We all deserve to be teammates out there, and get each other backs."

Glazer -- who also helps out via his Merging Vets and Players foundation -- says he doesn't have all the answers ... but knows he can still make a difference for those going through similar situations.

"I'm a work in progress, and I am hoping to use my own darkness and gray to lead people out of theirs."

The action from the 2022 Winter Olympics XXIV in Beijing, China hasn't been all gold medals and stacked podiums ... athletes traveled the globe to leave it all out on the frozen grounds of competition ... which of course includes some pretty crazy crashes.

Put your day on ice while you check out all the biggest slips, spills and all-out blunders to put the impressive drive and courage from the world-class athletes into perspective.

Four stranded Rams players who badly needed a ride to LAX following the Super Bowl parade on Wednesday caught a lift from a generous fan ... and they rewarded the guy for the gesture with nearly $1,000!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... just after the Rams' parade settled down at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, Joe Noteboom, Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott and Jake Gervase somehow found themselves without a ride.

That was quite the problem -- 'cause they had to be at the airport ASAP to catch a plane that was set to take them to Las Vegas to continue their championship celly.

Blest with the ClockedIn Worldwide Team tells us he saw the players trying to flag down fans to give them a lift ... so he pulled up in his BMW -- and the dudes jumped in!!

Blest says the guys were super cool throughout the ride ... even when he had to make a pitstop for gas on the way. Check out the video, they all seemed to be in a great mood!

In all, the ride ended up being about half an hour -- and Blest got them to their terminal with enough time for the guys to catch their flight.

We're told each player handed Blest about $200 apiece for his time ... and thanked him as they took off for Sin City.

Did you know -- Barack Obama had some of the greatest NBA players EVER over at the White House for an insane game of basketball for his 49th birthday??

It's true -- Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Carmelo Anthony hit up 1600 Penn for a pickup game with POTUS in 2010 ... and now, a signed ball from the iconic day is hitting the auction block!!

Of course, Barry O is an avid hoops fan ... and was known to host some huge names for basketball during his time as Commander in Chief.

One of the game balls from Obama's birthday game with Magic, Kobe, LBJ and Melo is now up for grabs with Heritage Auctions ... featuring signatures from all all the guys.

Every hooper left their Hancocks on the ball ... but as an added bonus, the prez also jotted down his signature, which got a grade of 9/10.

We're told that this ball -- featuring all these history-making men -- is expected to sell for around $12,000!!!