TMZ Sports - Page 50

Freddie Gibbs' love for Tupac quickly turned into jokes during a recent visit to the popular basketball podcast "All The Smoke" ... after Matt Barnes outed a crew member whose mother once dated the late rap icon.

The crew member gave himself away off-screen by putting his head down when Matt dropped the bombshell ... derailing the convo with merciless jokes.

Freddie and Matt immediately launched on the guy ... with Freddie quipping the opening lyrics to Pac's classic sex romp "How Do U Want It" which was dedicated to the guy's mother.

Despite being in awe of Tupac and even owning up to emulating his shaved head, Freddie admitted his fandom for Pac would've shrunk if he was a teenager during such a relationship.

Stephen Jackson tried to keep the peace but Matt laid the jokes on even thicker ... claiming the poor guy had to suffer when Mr. "I Get Around" paid his house a visit. 🙈

Congrats are in order for Becky G and Sebastian Lletget -- the soccer star got on one knee and proposed to the singer on Thursday ... and she said, "YES!!!"

The couple shared the exciting news on Friday ... showing a picture of the FC Dallas midfielder getting on one knee and whipping out a massive diamond ring.

The Manhattan Beach location appears to have a significant meaning for the global pop star and athlete ... as she captioned the pic, "Our spot forever."

The duo started dating in 2016 ... after Becky's "Power Rangers" costar Naomi Scott, who is married to Lletget's old teammate, Jordan Spence, set them up on a date.

They've been inseparable ever since ... and Becky recently referred to Sebastian as her "best friend" in an interview with People.

"We've been together for over six years now and it's brand new in many ways because we're really embracing the shifts and changes that are happening in our lives, within ourselves and supporting each other in that," she said in October. "And you can't really force things. But recently things have really been aligning."

Floyd Mayweather pulled off the ultimate feint ... the boxing legend took friend, businessman Robert Smith to look at property -- at least, that's where the billionaire investor thought they were going -- but in reality, the 50-0 legend delivered Smith to his surprise 60th birthday party!

"When Robert walked into his house he was shocked to see us all there. He was really surprised and had no clue that his family threw him a surprise party," Mayweather tells TMZ Sports.

And, the Palm Beach, FL party was awesome ... the theme was James Bond: 0060, to commemorate Smith -- who Forbes estimates is worth around $8 billion -- for turning 60 years old earlier this month.

Everything from the decorations to the cake was Bond-themed!

Robert is a big collector of Bond writer Ian Fleming first editions ... hence the theme.

We're told only 60 of Robert's closing family and friends were in attendance ... and cell phones were taken at the door.

It's been nearly two weeks since Odell Beckham Jr.'s airplane incident ... and the superstar wide receiver is still scratching his head over the whole thing -- saying he has no clue why the situation escalated to the point he was escorted out by police.

OBJ spoke about the American Airlines fiasco during his appearance on Prime Video's "TNF In The Shop" on Thursday ... and he says he didn't do anything he hasn't done on every flight for his entire life.

Odell explained he purposely booked the flight because it was a 787 with bed seating for first-class passengers ... and he had every intention of catching some Zs as he headed to L.A to see his son before kickstarting his tour to meet with NFL teams.

Beckham admits he was knocked out with his seatbelt off during a 40-minute delay ... and only woke up when a flight attendant approached him.

"They woke me up to tell me that they couldn't wake me up," OBJ says.

Of course, the airline crew told police Odell was going in and out of consciousness as they tried to get him to buckle his seatbelt ... and they feared for his health.

Beckham says the staffers' side of the story doesn't make sense ... especially if he was really experiencing a medical scare.

"They said I was unconscious and unruly or whatever words that they used. And I'm like, 'If that's the case, why is there six police officers surrounding me and not six paramedics or EMTs?'"

Ultimately, Beckham says there's a silver lining ... because he will be sure to prevent any incidents moving forward, which he proved when he took a private jet last week.

A pair of NBA legends showed big love for Brittney Griner after her release from Russia on Thursday -- Dwyane Wade opted to use fashion to make his statement, while Steph Curry made his in an emotional speech.

Wade showed up the Rams vs. Raiders game at SoFi Stadium in L.A. rockin' a Griner tee ... and he displayed it proudly throughout the contest.

The shirt featured Griner in her Phoenix Mercury #42 jersey ... with the words, "We Are BG" printed on it as well.

The 3-time champ made sure his social media followers knew he had the WNBA star's back ... sharing a bathroom selfie with the Griner gear on full display.

Curry, meanwhile, glowed about Griner's return while delivering a speech at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards in San Francisco.

"We are glad she's home, we're glad she's reunited with her family," Curry said. "It's a constant reminder for everybody continuing to use their platforms to speak on issues that are meaningful and can move the needle."

The Warriors guard also expressed gratitude to President Joe Biden for his part in getting Griner home ... but urged people to not forget about the others who have been wrongfully detained overseas as well.

"Thank you to President Biden's administration for being a part of that fight," Curry said. "But, it's also a reminder that we all need to stay engaged in the fight to protect American citizens at home and abroad who are wrongfully detained, and we can continue to be engaged in that fight."

"BG, we love you," Curry added. "We are always with you, BG.”

Brittney Griner's signature locs are no more ... and, according to her attorney, it's all 'cause Russian prison temperatures were causing brutal hair freezing.

Maria Blagovolina, who repped the WNBA star in her trial in Russia, told ESPN on Thursday the 32-year-old got the haircut two Sundays ago ... after her 'do kept freezing following prison showers.

Blagovolina said rather than deal with the issue for an entire Russian winter, Griner elected to chop it all off.

"It's very cold in there and every time she washed her hair she got cold and would get a chill," Blagovolina said. "She should have waited until New Year's Day."

Griner had donned long hair for YEARS ... rarely ever letting the flow get shorter than shoulder-length.

The basketball player looked ecstatic nonetheless while leaving Russia on Thursday -- smiling with the new haircut while telling at least one person on her plane that she was "happy."

U.S. official John Kirby said Friday after Griner touched down in San Antonio that she's in "very, very good spirits" and "appeared to be, obviously, in good health."

Griner is now expected to be checked out by medical personnel in Texas ... before returning home to Phoenix.

Baker Mayfield's Rams debut had a Hollywood ending -- he led L.A. to a come-from-behind victory in improbable fashion over the Raiders on "Thursday Night Football."

Mayfield and the Rams were down early and went into the half trailing Las Vegas, 13-3.

But, with a few minutes left in the 4th quarter, Mayfield, down 16-3, took a page out of Tom Brady's book, erasing a 13-point deficit ... just as TB12 did against the Saints on "Monday Night Football."

With 15 seconds left in the game, Baker connected with wide receiver Van Jefferson for the game-winning touchdown, capping off an eight-play, 98-yard drive.

Naturally, Mayfield was pumped over the W ... and cameras captured him headbutting his teammate, defensive back Robert Rochell on the sideline out of excitement.

After the game, head coach Sean McVay gave Baker a game ball for his performance ... before turning over the floor to the 27-year-old for a victory speech.

"Good f***ing job, man, that's the way to fight to the f***ing end," Mayfield said after his teammates mobbed him in the middle of the locker room. "I'm happy to be home, man."

Brittney Griner is finally home ... the WNBA star touched down on U.S. soil early Friday morning -- after officials successfully negotiated her release from Russian custody on Thursday.

The 32-year-old was spotted getting off a private jet in San Antonio ... at around 5:40 AM ET.

She appeared to be wearing the same outfit -- a red jacket and dark-colored pants -- that she wore when she crossed paths with Viktor Bout in the UAE after the U.S. agreed to trade the arms dealer to Russia in exchange for the basketball player.

White House National Security Council Communications Coordinator John Kirby told TODAY after Griner's arrival that those who traveled with her said she was in "very, very good spirits."

"[She] appeared to be, obviously, in good health," Kirby added.

Griner is now expected to undergo a myriad of testing at a local medical facility in Texas to make sure she's OK ... before she eventually returns to her home in Phoenix.

Griner had been detained in Russia since February -- after she was accused of bringing hashish oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport. In August, she was sentenced to nine years in Russian prison.

Following her release on Thursday, Griner was seen smiling on a plane as she made her way back to the States.

Her wife, Cherelle Griner, said at the White House hours after her release that she felt like her family was "whole" again.

"Today is just a happy day for me and my family," she said. "So, I'm going to smile right now."

WNBA superstar Angel McCoughtry, who spent three seasons in Russia playing basketball, says she will NOT hoop in Russia anymore ... after Brittney Griner was held captive in a cell for nearly 10 months, and was only freed after a high-profile prisoner swap.

McCoughtry joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... and reflected on the release of 32-year-old Griner, Angel's friend and former Team USA Olympic teammate in 2016 (they won gold).

"Oh my gosh, today is a celebration. Brittney is back, she's on solid ground," Angel told us, elated ... adding, "Knowing Brittney, she's a big teddy bear. Her personality is so bubbly. I couldn't imagine the conditions she's gone through."

Of course, in August, Brittney was sentenced to 9 years in a prison labor camp after a Russian court convicted her of bringing hash oil into the country. That was until Thursday, when she was released in a prisoner swap for notorious arms dealer, Viktor Bout, also known as the "Merchant of Death."

Speaking about the conditions in Russia, Angel described her experience ... and she obviously wasn't under arrest or in a cell, and it was still difficult.

"I couldn't imagine the conditions she's gone through. I played in Russia for three years, and that was probably one of the hardest places I had to play."

"It was hard to make friends. People are introverted because of the weather. The sun doesn't come out. So, it's already kind of depressing being there, playing there. But, to be in that kind of environment, I'm so glad she's back. What an amazing feeling to wake up to that."

McCoughtry, the former #1 overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft, 2x WNBA scoring champ, and 5x All-Star, just to name a few accolades, spent two stints with Dynamo Kursk of the Russian Premiere League.

Many players travel overseas during the WNBA off-season because they can earn significantly more money than they do in America ... though the future is now uncertain.

"I mean, it's tough on us cause Russia was one of the places where we made the most money. I was making my WNBA salary in one month in Russia. My whole salary. I think girls are gonna go elsewhere and play, probably."

"We still have Spain and Istanbul, Turkey, different places, but, it definitely takes a toll on our game cause Russia, that was a place that had a lot of money for women to play, so it definitely hurts our game."

As for whether Angel would ever go back to Russia ... we asked the question with an obvious answer.

"No, I would not go back. I would not go back."

McCoughtry also talks about Griner's prospective return to professional basketball in the States, when she plans to reach out to BG, and much more.

All the Internet superstars who think they got hands need to get in line ... 'cause ex-NFL star Adam "Pacman" Jones says he's down to fight "any YouTuber" after his Rough N' Rowdy match on Friday!!

The former All-Pro has taken his talents to the boxing ring after 12 seasons in the league ... and he tells TMZ Sports he's looking to stick with the sport for years to come.

Of course, he's got a big rematch with the undefeated Bobby Laing at Barstool Sports' amateur event in Providence ... and Pacman says if he comes away with the win, he'll give "Lights Out" a trilogy fight out of respect for the guy.

But, don't get it twisted -- Jones won't let the admiration get in the way once the bell rings ... as he plans to make up for his split decision loss back in August 2021 by correcting his mistakes this time around.

"My message to Bobby, you've been ducking me like a motherf***er," Jones said. "I'm coming to turn the lights out."

But, after Pacman's done with Laing, he says he wants to get into more fights ... and he's looking to take on anyone who wants the smoke.

"I love this celebrity boxing," Jones tells us. "It's a lot of celebrities that think they can box -- I'm one of them. I would like someone to call me out. I ain't hard to find. I think I'm pretty good."

Jones has called out ex-NFL guys like Steve Smith and Chad Ochocinco in the past ... but as of right now, it doesn't sound like either guy is willing to enter the ring with him.

When we brought up the surge in influencers getting into boxers, Jones made it clear he's down for any challenge.

"Any YouTuber you name, I'll take him."

Barstool personality Grace "The Mick" O'Malley is also on Friday's RNR card ... and she talked to us about giving up drinking alcohol for five weeks leading up to her bout with the "Cajun Punisher," as well as the grueling training she went through to prepare for her debut.

As for her prediction for Friday ... O'Malley is expecting her hand raised at the end of the bout.

"It's a definite dub. It's gonna be a dub, it's going to be a good fight, though," O'Malley said.

Vince Staples is boosting his acting resume with a cameo on the award-winning sitcom, "Abbott Elementary," and fans are demanding an encore!!!

The Long Beach-bred rapper guest starred as Maurice ... a potential love interest for show creator Quinta Brunson's character, Janine.

The Wednesday night episode also featured NBA champ Andre Iguodala, and it had fans doing double takes all night ... with some even getting all googly-eyed over Vince.

'Abbott' is one of the hottest tickets on TV, winning 3 Primetime Emmys after its first season on the air.

Soulja Boy is getting a kick outta being proved wrong, for a change -- after Shaquille O'Neal stepped up to make it clear HE is the first "rapper" to possess a one million dollar bill.

Shaq reacted to SB's Instagram video of himself flexing the fake currency ... and essentially said ... sorry, Soulja, I did that way back in '92 when you were just 2.

That would explain why the "Crank Dat" rapper has no recollection of Shaq's feat, but Soulja's taking it well.

SB conceded to Shaq, but added ... he forgot The Big Aristotle rapped back in the day, as the NBA HOF'er has been moonlighting as a DJ for years now. Shaq actually dropped 4 rap albums, the last one coming in 1998.

He didn't post hard evidence of his $1M bill, but there's no doubt he has experience spending big.

Two Kansas high schools say they've launched an investigation after several students at a recent basketball game allegedly yelled the n-word -- while waving around a Black doll.

The incident went down Saturday -- when the Topeka H.S. boys basketball team took on Valley Center H.S. in Valley Center, KS.

During the contest, according to Topeka players, several VC students hurled racial slurs and offensive language at them. They also say some of the spectators taunted them with a Black baby figurine.

One video shot by a Topeka student shows the doll being held up by some fans in the stands as the action was unfolding on the court. Another clip appears to show students calling one of the players a "p***y."

Topeka head coach Geo Lyons said in a change.org petition that despite the "racial slurs, threats and disgusting taunts" -- Valley Center officials "did not address any of these actions while play was taking place although they were very aware."

On Tuesday, Valley Center officials said they hadn't found any evidence of racist language being used at the game ... but on Wednesday, they, along with Topeka admins, released a joint statement explaining they've launched a probe into it all -- and investigations are ongoing.

"As both districts work in a unified manner to investigate matters related to the athletic events on Saturday, we as superintendents are both committed to ensuring a safe and respectful climate at school events," the statement read.

"Incidents that occurred when individuals did not conduct themselves in ways that reflect our commitment to supporting students have been handled, and there are investigations that are ongoing. We will work together to ensure the appropriate individuals are held accountable and work together to prevent such incidents in the future."

Plies is ecstatic about Brittney Griner's release from a Russian prison ... and says there's no reason for Paul Whelan's plight to overshadow the WNBA star's homecoming.

The Florida rapper went on a rant about people, like his cousin, who are focusing on the sad and disappointing fact Whelan -- a retired Marine -- is still in a Russian prison, as he has been for almost 4 years.

Plies acknowledges Whelan's sentence is BS ... but says no one gave a damn about Whelan before BG got detained and turned into a political pawn. He suspects Paul's newfound supporters are really just Brittney haters.

That particular shoe might fit Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons, who has since apologized for initially reacting to the news with an outcry for Paul. For what it's worth, Whelan himself told CNN Thursday he's disappointed in Biden for not making a deal for his release.

The embattled WNBA star was released Thursday in exchange for "Merchant of Death" arms dealer Viktor Bout ... after nearly 10 months of diplomatic negotiations.

Plies says he has a new nickname for President Joe Biden: "Big State Biden"

Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout crossed paths on a UAE airport tarmac in the hours after the United States and Russia agreed to a prisoner swap ... and the moment was all captured on video.

The footage, shot by Russian state media outlet TASS, was released on Thursday afternoon.

In the clip, you can see Griner, wearing a red jacket, walking along with officials outside of private planes ... before coming into contact with Bout.

The men in the video all shook hands once they got within feet of each other. It's unclear if Griner and Bout did the same -- the video cut out as the WNBA star appeared to step toward the arms dealer.

In the footage, you can clearly see Griner's signature dreadlocks have been cut off. The last time we saw her at a court hearing in late October, her hair had still been long.

Further video released on Thursday shows Griner was in great spirits after the trade between the two countries was made ... telling someone on a plane that she was "good" -- and "happy."

Griner had been detained in Russia since February -- following allegations she brought hashish oil in her luggage to a Moscow airport. In August, she was sentenced to nine years behind bars in the case.

Her wife, Cherelle Griner, said Thursday morning at the White House she was ecstatic her wife was on the way home ... explaining she felt her family was "whole" again.

The Washington Commanders were allegedly behind the release of troubling old emails that resulted in Jon Gruden's firing as Las Vegas Raiders head coach, a new House Oversight and Reform Committee report claims.

The 79-page report -- titled "How the NFL and the Washington Commanders Covered Up Decades of Sexual Misconduct" -- was released on Thursday, more than a year after launching the investigation -- and it's ugly for Dan Snyder, with the committee concluding he "permitted and participated in" the horrific workplace culture.

In fact, the committee says Snyder attempted to shift blame onto others and away from himself, and even provided a host of damaging emails sent and/or received by former team president Bruce Allen to the House Oversight Committee ... the day before Allen was set to testify.

Those emails contained the profane and arguably racist messages sent by Jon Gruden years earlier ... which were published in the Wall Street Journal. Gruden, the Raiders head coach at the time, was forced to step down from his job as a result of the scandal.

The report says Allen asked a member of the NFL's legal team why they'd released the emails to the paper, to which the attorney responded ... "We didn’t do it at the league office. It came out of their side."

Of course, the emails from about a decade ago, which contained homophobic language and racial tropes, were made public by The Journal in October 2021 ... and the Super Bowl-winning coach stepped down shortly after. He has not worked as a coach since.

In addition to the revelation about the emails, the Committee report paints a damning picture of an organization rife with workplace misconduct, much of it originating from the very top of the Commanders.

Last month, Snyder announced he'd hired a bank to investigate potential interest in a sale for the Commanders.

As we reported, Jeff Bezos and Jay-Z, both interested in acquiring the team, recently had a secret dinner meeting in Los Angeles to discuss a potential partnership.