Michelle Wie West Stepping Back From Golf Full Time ... At 32 Years Old

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Michelle Wie West is taking a step away from golf -- the 32-year-old superstar just announced she will no longer compete full time.

Wie West made the announcement on social media minutes ago ... saying she's stoked to put her focus on ventures away from the links.

"Excited to announce the next phase of my career as I'll be stepping back from playing on the @lpga_tour full time," Wie West said Thursday.

"I'm so grateful for the past 14 years I spent on tour, traveling the world and competing against the best in the game. Excited to spend more time now on projects that I always wanted to do but never had time for and to continually work to help golf become a more diverse and inclusive space."

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Wie West was a phenom since going pro at just 16 years old ... becoming the youngest to qualify for an LPGA event, make a cut at a major and win a USGA adult championship.

Wie West will compete in the U.S. Women’s Open next week ... which she says will be her last full-time appearance on the tour.

The golf star says she's now joining Nike as an Athlete Collaborator to help design new products.

"Thank you guys for your support throughout every phase of my life/career, it means so much to me. ❤️❤️❤️"

Yankees' Josh Donaldson Apologizes To Jackie Robinson Family ... For 'Jackie' Remark

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Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson is issuing yet another mea culpa ... this time, apologizing to Jackie Robinson's family for any issues he may have caused them following his controversy with Tim Anderson.

As we previously reported, Donaldson was suspended 1 game by the MLB for calling Anderson "Jackie" multiple times during a Yanks' tilt with the White Sox this past weekend.

Donaldson said he intended the remark to be in jest -- saying he thought it was an inside joke he had with Anderson stemming from comments that the Chicago shortstop made in a 2019 interview.

Anderson, though, said he found it very offensive, and Donaldson later said he was sorry for it all.

On Thursday, the New York slugger issued another apology, this time to Robinson's wife and family.

"I would also like to apologize to Mrs. Rachel Robinson and the Jackie Robinson family for any distress this incident may have caused," Donaldson said in a statement. "Jackie was a true American hero and I hold his name in the highest regard."

In his statement, the 36-year-old reiterated he meant no disrespect to Anderson by the comments.

"I stated over the weekend that I apologized for offending Tim and it was a misunderstanding based on multiple exchanges between us over the years," he said.

Donaldson -- who is currently on the Yankees' COVID-19 IL -- is still appealing the MLB's 1-game ban.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Jordyn Woods Visit With Biden At White House ... To Support Police Reform Bill

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Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods were present as President Joe Biden signed a monumental Police Reform Bill on Wednesday ... visiting the White House on the second anniversary of George Floyd's death.

26-year-old Towns made the trip to 1600 Penn with Woods to watch #46 sign the executive order into law ... which was inspired in part by Floyd's tragic passing in 2020.

KAT -- who plays for the Timberwolves in Minnesota, where Floyd died -- joined members of George's family for the signing of the bill ... including Gianna Floyd, his young daughter.

TMZ Sports spoke with Towns while he was out in D.C. ... asking the three-time All-Star if he thought the bill was a good sign for the country.

"It's a step in the right direction," Towns told us.

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers was also in attendance for the historic moment ... as the President and his administration continued to push their agenda for police reform.

Throughout the day, Vice President Kamala Harris was photographed going over what appears to be the bill with Gianna at a podium.

Towns and Woods have been outspoken about social justice in the past ... and it's clear they remain just as passionate to this day.

Tampa Bay Rays' Brooks Raley Attended Robb Elementary 'I Can't Imagine What They Experienced'

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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Brooks Raley says the shooting in Texas on Tuesday hit very close to home for him ... revealing Wednesday he actually attended Robb Elementary School as a kid growing up in Uvalde.

"I walked those halls," the 33-year-old reliever told media members at his locker. "I can't imagine what they experienced yesterday."

Raley said he learned that a gunman had killed 19 students and two teachers at the school from family and friends who still live in the city ... and called it all an absolute tragedy.

"Obviously growing up there, going to that school, it kind of hits home," said Raley, whose parents and brother still live in Uvalde. "Having young children myself, you just feel for those families."

"And you pray for them, and your thoughts are with them."

Raley -- who moved out of Uvalde as a teenager to go to college at Texas A&M -- called the community surrounding Robb Elementary "small" and "close-knit" ... and added that he's really feeling for them.

"It hits close to home," he said.

Zlatan Ibrahimović I 'Never Suffered So Much' ... Before ACL Surgery

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Soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimović says he went through hell the past six months while playing with "no ACL" in his left knee ... revealing Thursday he had "20 injections" in the leg and "never suffered so much."

The AC Milan superstar added the knee that he injured roughly one year ago required weekly drainage ... and he had to take painkillers daily in order to compete on the field with his squad this past season.

"I was only able to train with the team 10 times in the last six months," Zlatan said in a social media post Thursday morning.

"Barely slept for six months because of the pain. Never suffered so much on and off the pitch."

Zlatan, though, had the ligament repaired on Wednesday -- and despite his team saying he'd be out for roughly the next eight months -- he seemed to be in good spirits while reflecting on everything he did in 2022 to help his squad win the Serie A title.

"I made something impossible to something possible," said Zlatan, who was somehow able to score eight goals in 27 appearances this season despite the injury.

"In my mind I had only one objective, to make my teammates and coach champions of Italy because I made them a promise."

"Today I have a new ACL and another trophy."

Amazing display of toughness ... see ya back on the pitch in eight months, Z!

Tennis' Irina-Camelia Begu Kid Cries After Her Outburst ... Nearly Hit By Racquet

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A little kid was reduced to tears while watching pro tennis on Thursday ... and it's all because one of the competitors on the court nearly hit him with her racquet during an outburst.

The scene played out during Irina-Camelia Begu's match against Ekaterina Alexandrova at the French Open ... when Begu was so pissed over her performance in the third set, she tossed her racquet into the ground in frustration.

The star's piece of equipment, though, bounced off the clay surprisingly, and made a beeline toward a child who was sitting in the first few rows of the stands.

Somehow, the racquet just missed the boy -- according to spectators -- but the close-call scared the kid, who began crying so loudly, the match was actually put on pause.

Pictures from the event show the kid was terrified ... needing to be consoled by his parents and other fans.

But, to her credit, Begu -- who was given a code violation for the outburst -- went on to win the match and then did all she could to cheer the kid up.

She hugged him, and posed for a picture with him -- and it seems everyone was happy again after that.

Begu plays next in the third round of the event ... here's to hoping everyone on the court keeps their cool there.

NIck Diaz Plotting Octagon Return In 2022 Wants Title Fight vs. Usman

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COMING FOR USMAN

Nick Diaz ain't done yet ... the UFC legend tells TMZ Sports he's gunning to return to the Octagon this year, and he's looking to challenge the very best in the world, Kamaru Usman.

We recently talked to 38-year-old Nick at Represent HQ in SoCal ... and asked the older Diaz bro -- who has fought once since the beginning of 2015 -- if, and when, he wanted to fight.

"We're working on the end of the year," Diaz says.

Nick told us he's "focused on my training right now" ... but made it clear he isn't interested in fighting his way up the rankings against fighters looking to make a name for themselves.

"I don't need to go in there and get my ass whooped by one of them young guys anyway, and it's not that I won't win," Nick says, admitting, "It's just I'm not motivated."

It makes sense ... Nick's been in the sport for over two decades, and has shared the Octagon with everyone from Georges St. Pierre, Anderson Silva, BJ Penn, Diego Sanchez, and Robbie Lawler.

FYI, Ruthless' was Nick's last fight ... a loss by TKO at UFC 266 in September 2021. Before and after the bout, Diaz talked about being unhappy with how the fight was scheduled. However, Nick made no excuses for the actual outcome.

As for who he does want to fight, Nick has someone in mind.

"I wanna fight for the title. I don't wanna do all this -- I'm 38 years old."

Of course, the titleholder is also the top pound-for-pound fighter in the MMA world ... Kamaru Usman. The Nigerian Nightmare hasn't lost since May 2013.

How would Nick fare against the world's top pound-for-pound fighter?

"I think I'll beat him."

Young Caddy in 'Happy Gilmore' 'Memba Him?!

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Canadian actor Jared Van Snellenberg was just 15-years-old when he was cast as the goofy local golf caddy -- before Happy took on the parking lot's homeless man as his tour caddy-- in the 1996 sports film "Happy Gilmore."

Snellenberg shared the big screen with the legend himself Adam Sandler as the loud, obnoxious and immature hockey player turned golfer trying to impress his crush and take care of his grandmother, Happy Gilmore, Christopher McDonald as the golf pro playing against Happy, Shooter McGavin and a young Julie Bowen as Happy's love interest and golf pro public relations director, Virginia Venit.

Guess what he looks like now!

Deontay Wilder Gets 'Bronze Bomber' Statue ... In Tuscaloosa Hometown

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The love for Deontay Wilder in his Tuscaloosa hometown will last forever ... 'cause the city just immortalized the heavyweight boxer with a life-size statue!!

The 42-2 fighter was surrounded by his family and fans on Wednesday when he removed the sheets off the new "Bronze Bomber" figure that's located in front of Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports offices on Jack Warner Parkway.

"It's me!" Wilder said while hugging the sculpture.

The statue -- designed by Caleb O'Connor -- looks exactly like the heavyweight boxer ... from his braided hair and mean grin all the way down to his shorts and shoes.

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BRONZE MEETING BRONZE

The 36-year-old knew the honor was coming ... and said in the days leading up to the event this week that it would be "a monumental moment" for him.

"For the first time in my life, I'm at a loss for words," Wilder said. "This is generational wealth. This is black excellence. This is greatness."

Wilder's boxing career started in Tuscaloosa when he turned 20 ... and he later went on to become the WBC heavyweight champ from 2015 to 2020.

Besides the statue tribute, his hometown also honored him by giving him the key to the city in 2007. He also previously opened up his own gym there.

Deshaun Watson Gifts Anthony Walker New Rolex ... For No. 4 Jersey!!!

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SHOWIN' APPRECIATION

Browns linebacker Anthony Walker's presser was interrupted in a very good AND expensive way -- Deshaun Watson came up and gifted him a brand new Rolex as a "thank you" for giving up his jersey number!!

#4 has belonged to Walker since he signed with the Browns in 2021 ... which is the same number Watson's been rockin' since his Clemson and Texans days.

When the quarterback was shipped to Cleveland in March, Walker gave up his jersey on the spot ... and Watson rewarded him by handing over a Rolex box during his press conference after OTAs on Wednesday.

"Appreciate you, man," Walker said to Watson during his presser.

The two hugged it out and media members were left curious ... with one reporter asking, "You're not gonna open that here?"

Walker laughed it off ... saying, "Nah, I'm not. That's a good guy," ... but the media were determined to get to the bottom of things and asked if it was for about the number change.

"We'll keep that on the hush, but yeah."

Watson has been showing major love -- not to just Walker -- but to the whole team ... just last week, he took the Browns' offense on a trip to the Bahamas for some team bonding.

New beginnings ... and a new Rolex for Walker!!

Colin Kaepernick Set To Work Out For Raiders

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Colin Kaepernick could be back in the NFL as early as next month ... 'cause the quarterback has scheduled a workout with the Raiders -- and if it goes well, the team could sign him to a contract.

ESPN's Adam Schefter just broke the news ... reporting the tryout will go down in just a few days.

Kaepernick has been preparing like a madman for this for years -- but has recently ramped up his workouts in the last few months for this specific moment.

As we reported, the 34-year-old has toured the country since the end of winter a few months ago, throwing to wide receivers in various cities weekly.

And, at one of his most recent stops in Washington, he pleaded with NFL GMs to just give him a tryout ... explaining, "I think my talent, my skill set will speak for itself."

The Raiders' owner, Mark Davis, has always been open to giving Kaepernick that chance -- saying back in April he believed the guy could still play.

"If our coaches and general manager want to bring him in or want him to be the quarterback on this team," Davis said, "I would welcome him with open arms."

The Raiders currently have several quarterbacks on the roster ... though none outside of Derek Carr has the experience Kaepernick -- who has not played since the 2016 season -- has in the league.

NHL Legend Jaromir Jagr Car Collides With Tram At 'High Speed' ... Somehow Uninjured

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Jaromir Jagr -- one of the best NHL players ever -- says he's fortunate to be alive today ... after his car collided with a tram at a high rate of speed.

The Pittsburgh Penguins legend explained the terrifying accident in a post on his social media page Wednesday ... saying it was all his fault.

In his post, which was written in Czech, Jagr said he was trying to cross the road, and ultimately didn't see a tram that was coming at him at "high speed."

"I thought it was my end," the 50-year-old said.

In a photo of his car following the accident, you can see the tram hit Jagr's driver's side door -- leaving a huge dent. The hockey player, though, said he somehow escaped just fine.

"I climbed out without injury," he said.

According to Czech news website iSport.cz, authorities said Jagr's alcohol tests were negative.

"I thank everyone for their understanding," Jagr said, "and also for the help to those who intervened on the spot."

Jagr was an 8-time NHL All-Star who piled up 766 goals in his 24-year career. He stopped playing in the NHL following the 2017-18 season.

Snoop Dogg MJ Offered Me $2 Million to DJ ... And I Said NO!!!

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Snoop Dogg's done it all -- from Super Bowl performances to being Martha Stewart's BFF -- but there's another wild moment we're just hearing about, involving Michael Jordan and a pretty sweet offer.

Snoop says he once turned down a whopping $2 million dollars to DJ a Michael Jordan party. Apparently, money can't buy everything, as the Doggfather revealed on Jake Paul's "Impaulsive" Podcast ... and apparently, that includes scheduling conflicts. Even for his Airness.

He also ranked Magic Johnson as his favorite "MJ," so his Lakers fandom probably influenced his decision NOT to move things around to accommodate Michael.

Snoop occasionally moonlights as DJ Snoopadelic and has become nifty with the turntables over the years, but he's also far from hurting for bread.

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Interestingly, he recently told the Nelk Boys he gets $250,000 per feature on other artists' songs.

The interview is full of Snoop Dogg life highlights, including his last 2Pac memory and seeing Katy Perry naked (and her d**k shrine!).

Kawhi Leonard Girlfriend Rocks Massive Ring ... Engaged?!?

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Kawhi Leonard isn't getting a ring this season, but his girlfriend certainly did -- the NBA superstar's lady was spotted wearing a massive rock on THAT finger at the airport on Tuesday.

Which begs the question -- did the longtime couple get engaged?!?

TMZ Sports has obtained pictures of the Klaw and Kishele Shipley arriving at LAX ... and the mother of two had a shiny, new accessory on her left ring finger.

Leonard and Shipley have been dating forever -- they first met at San Diego State and have been inseparable ever since. They have two children together, born in 2016 and 2019.

In other words, if wedding bells are ringing ... it shouldn't come as a surprise.

What's interesting -- we caught up with Kawhi and Kishele shortly after the pics were taken ... and it appears she removed the ring from her hand.

Kawhi missed the whole 2021-22 season with an injury ... so if they are, in fact, engaged, it's nice to see he made the most of his time off the court.

We reached out to Kawhi's people for more information ... so far, no word back.

Clippers' Norman Powell Harassed At Boxing Gym ... Cops Cite Woman At Scene

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UPDATE

11:07 AM PT -- 5/25 -- A spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports ... the woman was issued a misdemeanor citation at the scene for obstructing an officer.

UPDATE

The spokesperson added the woman was then taken to a local hospital on a psychiatric hold.

Norman Powell was harassed by a white woman behaving erratically who berated the Clippers star and told him he was "not American" ... all while NP streamed the encounter on social media.

It got so serious, police were called ... and the woman was handcuffed and taken away by Las Vegas cops.

It's unclear if she was arrested ... and if so, on what charge.

The 28-year-old former 2nd-round draft pick out of UCLA was in Sin City working out at a local gym ... when Norman says the stranger stormed through the door, saying she'd gotten into a fight and needed help.

"She came here the first time and was saying she got in a fight," Powell said during the live stream. "We told her to leave out the back. She left, she was gone for about 15, 20 minutes, came back, staying in the gym calling us un-American, saying we need to go back, calling us p***y, a whole bunch of s**t."

Norman and his group warned the woman that police were on the way, but she called their bluff -- a mistake.

Multiple cops eventually arrived and the woman -- her identity is currently unknown -- was placed in cuffs.

In fact, Norman says the woman yelled "I can't breathe" while police had her pressed against the squad car.

"That is crazy to me, man. That s**t is not funny, man," Powell said, exasperated.

Powell told officers the woman was acting incredibly strange.

"We was trying to get her to leave," he added, "and then she was trying to take her pants off and take a s**t or piss on the floor. And that's when we pulled her out like, we can't have that."

Norman is a solid player in the NBA -- he averaged 21 points a game in 2022.

Story developing ...

Originally Published -- 5/24 4:53 PM PT

Ex-NFL Star Ricky Williams Changes Name To Errick Miron ... To Fix 'Imbalance' In Marriage

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CALL ME ERRICK

Call Ricky Williams Errick Miron now ... the former Miami Dolphins star announced he's legally changed his name -- saying he made the move, in part, to try to fix an "imbalance" in his marriage with his wife.

Williams -- whose birth name is Errick -- joined “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” last week ... where he confirmed that he's assumed the last name of his wife, Linnea Miron, following their marriage.

The 45-year-old told the show he made the name change official about a year-and-a-half ago ... saying it was something he had been strongly considering once he and Linnea tied the knot.

"Something I've been thinking about and talking about, and I finally went through the steps and I went to the social security office with my marriage certificate and I went through the process," the aforementioned Williams said.

"It was quick and easy and it felt meaningful," he added. "It felt really meaningful."

Errick -- who spent 11 seasons in the NFL, rushing for over 10,000 yards -- said the motive for him making the drastic change was after he felt his wife was being overshadowed by him.

Errick said his wife -- who's an attorney -- can hold her own in social circles, but he acknowledged that when she's around him, she found herself neglected due to his fame.

As a result, Errick said he started brainstorming ways he could address it all ... and came up with the idea to take her last name.

"I've found that that's been really powerful in creating ease, intimacy, and trust in my relationship," he said.

Errick added that Williams “is not even really” his last name.

"My grandma, obviously, back then you don't say anything," Errick explained. "And so, Williams was her husband's name, but wasn't my dad's father. So, Williams is not even really my last name."

"And, if you go back far enough, its idea of it is a slave name, so I think of what is even the purpose of a last name. And, I find more meaning in this last name than Williams."