TMZ Sports - Page 50

Bradley Beal is now being dragged to court over his tiff with fans following a game against the Magic last month ... TMZ Sports has learned a lawsuit was just filed against the Wizards star on Tuesday.

In the docs, Kyler Briffa alleges he was the man who Beal got physical with during a March 21 altercation inside Amway Arena in Orlando, Fla.

Briffa says he and a friend got courtside seats to the Wizards vs. Magic tilt -- and were eventually allowed to go inside a team tunnel following the contest to interact with Washington players as they made their way into the visitor's locker room.

Briffa claims things were going fine -- until his friend made a comment to Beal about losing a bet during the game.

According to the suit, Beal "stopped, turned around, walked back toward the unsuspecting [Briffa] and without a word, intentionally struck the side of [Briffa's] head knocking his hat off of his head."

Briffa claims the hat flew "5-6 feet behind him." He then says Beal started to bully, threaten, intimidate and humiliate him in front of other fans -- which included children.

He added that he believed Beal "was attempting to provoke a physical altercation."

In the suit, Briffa says it was all finally broken up by a Wizards staffer -- who escorted the shooting guard away from the area.

Briffa says he suffered emotional distress and pain and suffering from the incident. He's suing Beal for assault. He's also suing the Wizards for negligence. He's asking for more than $50K in damages.

For Beal's part, he generally acknowledged the incident during a season-ending interview with media members earlier this month ... saying he never appreciates being heckled over gambling and betting.

Police, meanwhile, said they launched an investigation into the incident ... though no charges have been filed.

Here's more proof hockey guys are the toughest people out there -- NHL center Morgan Barron took a skate to the face that resulted in 75+ stitches on Tuesday ... but somehow, he managed to return and finish the game!!

It all went down at the T-Mobile Arena ... when Barron suffered the injury in the first period in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series between the Winnipeg Jets and the Vegas Golden Knights.

A scrum for the loose puck ensued by the net ... and as players from both teams converged, Vegas goalie Laurent Brossoit's skate inadvertently cut Morgan's face, causing him to bleed.

The 24-year-old -- who got hurt with 10:43 left in the first period -- emerged from the tunnel and returned to the game with 13:24 left in the second.

After the game, Barron told reporters the injury wasn't as bad as it looked, adding the medical staff did an excellent job of fixing him up.

"I was trying to figure out if the puck went in because it was pretty close," Barron said. "I saw the skate coming. It was an unlucky play. The first thought was that I could see out of the [right] eye was the main thing."

Given the magnitude of the matchup, Barron said there was no doubt he would return ... and felt that as long as he was stitched up well enough, he could help his team's chances.

Buddy Teevens' injuries were so severe following a "serious" biking accident a few weeks back, his leg was amputated and his spinal cord injured, his wife announced this week.

"As Buddy navigates through the healing of his injuries, he is experiencing many positive improvements. Unfortunately, as a result of the accident, Buddy's right leg was amputated due to the severity of the injury," the longtime coach's wife Kirsten announced through the Ivy League university.

She added ... "He is alert and communicating with us and ready for transfer to a premier rehab facility to continue healing. Spinal cord injuries are challenging, and if anybody is up for the challenge, it is Buddy."

66-year-old Teevens was struck by a car in Florida around 8:40 PM on March 21 as he was cycling home from a restaurant. Police said Buddy was crossing a highway when the accident occurred. He was rushed to a local hospital in "critical" condition.

Teevens is a legend at Dartmouth. He played quarterback for the school from 1976 to 1978. In his last season, he was an honorable mention All-American.

After hanging up his pads, Buddy picked up the whistle ... coaching Dartmouth during two different stints, as he spent over 30 years as a Division 1 coach. The first stretch at Dartmouth was between 1987 and 1991.

Teevens then spent time at Tulane and Stanford, before returning to the Hanover, New Hampshire university in 2005. Buddy's been the coach since. He's a Dartmouth institution.

Buddy has two grown children with Kirsten ... and his family thanked everyone who's sent thoughts and prayers.

Big news for Neymar -- the soccer superstar and his girlfriend, Bruna Biancardi, just announced they're expecting their first child together!!

The 31-year-old Brazilian athlete and marketing manager/social media influencer, 28, shared the news on Tuesday ... showing off her baby bump in several Instagram pics.

"We dream about your life, plan your arrival and knowing that you are here to complete our love, makes our days much happier 🙏🏼," the couple said in the caption.

"You will arrive in a beautiful family, with your brother, grandparents, uncles and aunties who already love you very much!"

Neymar and Bruna have been dating for a few years now ... and judging by the birthday tribute the stunning lady gave the PSG striker back in February, they are madly in love.

This will be Neymar's second child -- he shares a son, Davi Lucca, with influencer Carolina Dantas.

"Come soon child, we are waiting for you!" Neymar and Bruna added.

The Warriors will be without Draymond Green for their crucial playoff game Thursday night ... the NBA announced late Tuesday the Dubs star has been suspended for Golden State's contest against the Kings for stomping on Domantas Sabonis earlier this week.

In revealing their ruling, league execs explained Green was receiving the ban "based in part on Green's history of unsportsmanlike acts."

It did not appear the 33-year-old will be allowed to appeal -- meaning the Warriors will have to try to avoid going down 0-3 in the series with Sacramento without one of their best players.

The controversial incident happened in the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Monday night ... after Sabonis and Green got tangled up while trying to fight for a rebound.

Sabonis hit the floor, and while he was down, he grabbed Green's right ankle. In response, Draymond stomped on the Sacramento center's chest.

Sabonis was given a technical -- and Green was booted from the game.

While Sabonis was not suspended for Game 3, there is a chance he might miss it after all ... he's dealing with a sternum injury due to Draymond's kick that could force him to sit out.

The Cavinder Twins are making big moves to kickstart their post-basketball careers -- the social media superstars are becoming business partners with Jake Paul and his Betr company!

The gambling and media platform announced the move on Wednesday ... saying Haley and Hanna -- who have millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok -- are its newest equity partners, content creators and creative directors. The partnership also means their podcast, "Twin Talk," will stream exclusively with Betr Media.

As part of the deal, the recently retired Miami Hurricanes stars will be at the forefront of content for the female audience ... and will appear on camera all over the platform.

The Internet sensations spoke about the decision to work with Jake and Betr co-founder Joey Levy ... saying, "Betr gives us the ability to accelerate the growth of The Cavinder Twins brand in a focused and truly authentic manner."

"We love sports, thrive on competition, and enjoy creating and bringing ideas to life. Betr truly makes The Cavinder Twins and our brand that much better and bigger."

Levy added -- "We are thrilled to partner with the Cavinder Twins, who have already accomplished so much and are just scratching the surface of their potential."

"Betr Media's objective is to attract, enhance, and amplify the next wave of generational content creators, and this partnership is a testament to that approach. Our talent flywheel is continuing to get stronger, and we are just getting started."

The car wreck that left NFL draft prospect Michael Jefferson with significant injuries earlier this month appeared to be caused by an under the influence driver ... this according to the crash report obtained by TMZ Sports.

In the docs, authorities say Charles Dunn, the 55-year-old man who died after slamming head-on into Jefferson's Chevrolet Impala on April 9 in Mobile County, AL, was suspected of having both alcohol and drugs in his system at the time of the accident.

It's unclear why officials believe that ... they said in the docs blood was taken from Dunn, but the results have not come back yet.

Jefferson, meanwhile, was not suspected of being under the influence at the time of the crash, authorities said in the docs.

According to the report, the Louisiana wide receiver -- who was projected to be taken in next week's NFL draft prior to the accident -- was going 75 MPH in the 65 MPH zone before the collision. Dunn's speed was listed as "unknown."

Officials included a diagram of the crash in the docs -- which showed Dunn's Dodge Charger (labeled Unit 1) had been traveling southbound but moved into Jefferson's northbound lane before they hit head-on. Jefferson's car (labeled Unit 2) was then hit by a third vehicle after spinning out from the initial impact, the diagram shows.

Jefferson's agent, Jon Perzley of Sportstars, said after the accident the 23-year-old sustained injuries that "required multiple surgeries." It's not yet clear how they'll impact his football future.

Jefferson was a star at Louisiana last year, and some pundits had considered him one of the 30 best available receivers in the 2023 NFL draft class.

Vanessa Bryant shared a touching tribute to her late husband, Kobe Bryant, on Tuesday ... posting a throwback picture together in honor of their 22nd wedding anniversary.

"Happy anniversary, baby. I love you @kobebryant ❤️ #22," Vanessa captioned the picture in Florence, Italy.

Of course, Bryant held Italy near and dear to his heart -- he spent his childhood there, spoke fluent Italian and would frequently visit with Vanessa.

Kobe and Vanessa got engaged when Vanessa turned 18 ... and the couple officially tied the knot on April 18, 2001.

Vanessa's close friends Ciara and Lala showed her and Kobe love by commenting on the post ... as well as New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who Kobe mentored.

Last summer, Vanessa penned a heartfelt birthday note on Kobe's 44th birthday, writing about how much she loves and misses him.

A youth wrestler in Illinois was socked in the face while trying to shake hands with his opponent following a match earlier this month ... and the blow was so violent, police are now investigating.

The altercation went down at the "Beat The Streets" tournament on April 8 at Oak Park River Forest H.S. in Oak Park, Ill., where kids from ages 8-to-18 were participating in a wrestling competition.

In video of the incident shot by The Wrestling Spot at the event, you can see an 8th grader from SPAR Academy and his opponent finishing up on the mat during a 125-128 pound freestyle third-place match -- when things suddenly took a disturbing turn.

The video shows as the SPAR wrestler -- who won the match 14-2 -- looked to shake hands with his opponent ... he was leveled by a cheap shot to the face.

The strike connected flush, and the SPAR wrestler -- wearing an orange and tan singlet -- crumpled to the floor.

TMZ Sports has learned he suffered a nose injury and has since been forced to wear a face mask at events while it heals ... but, fortunately, we're told he's somehow doing OK.

"He is making the best of the situation and is already back to training," SPAR Academy founder Justin Pearch told us Tuesday.

"As you may know, wrestling matches can get heated but nothing leading up to the punch would give cause to such bad decision-making on the opponent's part."

"It’s not tolerated in our sport and Spar Wrestling will never condone that behavior," Pearch added.

As for cops, an Oak Park Police Dept. spokesperson said Tuesday the incident is under investigation ... and the parents of both minors are cooperating.

Russia's men's basketball team will not be allowed to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the International Basketball Federation ruled Tuesday ... as the killing in Ukraine continues.

FIBA decided to not permit the Russian squad from participating in upcoming qualifying tournaments ... meaning the team will not play in the Olympics.

Bulgaria, the next highest-ranked team, will be given Russia's place.

It's not exactly a shocker ... FIBA suspended Russia from competing shortly after the attack on Ukraine in early 2022, when President Vladimir Putin's forces invaded the sovereign country. The fighting continues to this day.

So, the decision was expected, but nothing was official until today.

FYI, it's not that the Russian women have been granted permission ... they already missed out on qualifying due to their team being suspended over the war.

Despite today's ruling (and similar rulings made by other governing bodies), individual Russian athletes can still compete, but they can't rep Russia (they're essentially neutral -- countryless).

Ultimately, 12 teams will make the Olympic tourney and compete for gold ... but Russia won't be one of those teams.

Robert Kraft and Meek Mill are teaming up once again ... the rapper and the Patriots owner attended a march in Poland on Tuesday, honoring victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

Kraft and Mill participated in the 35th annual "March of the Living," a 3-Kilometer event commemorating the lives lost in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.

Kraft -- who in 2019 started his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism -- reportedly lit one of six torches commemorating the 6 million people who died during the Holocaust.

The march covered the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex, the largest Nazi concentration camp during World War II, and included students, survivors and educators.

Kraft and Mill have grown closer over the years ... the 81-year-old billionaire advocated for Meek's release from prison in 2018 after the Philly MC felt he was unfairly sentenced.

When Meek teamed up with business mogul and hip-hop icon Jay-Z on criminal justice reform in 2019, Kraft joined the alliance alongside Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin.

RK's foundation recently launched a $25 million national campaign, #StandUpToJewishHate, to stop hateful acts directed toward Jewish people.

"I love this country, and we're at a danger point, I'm sorry to say," Kraft told WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben in an interview. "I've never seen the hatred and bigotry that's going on."

Antonio Brown got into a heated spat with a security guard at a National Arena League game over the weekend ... but a spokesperson for the venue tells TMZ Sports the former NFL star was in the wrong in the situation.

The incident went down at halftime of Albany Empire's season-opening game against the Orlando Predators in New York ... when Brown -- who just became part owner of the Albany squad last month -- was down on the field trying to hype up fans.

In videos that Brown posted from the game, you can see as he was shaking hands with kids and waving to people in the stands ... an MVP Arena security guard told him he needed to get off the field ASAP.

The clips show the guard telling Brown he had to leave the area "right now" over and over again.

"I'll think about it," Brown can be heard saying in response ... before adding, "We ain't going nowhere."

Things escalated from there -- in Brown's videos, you can see he told the guard to "make me" get off the field repeatedly.

"It's my field," Brown said. "I'm the owner."

The two men then argued back and forth for several minutes.

On Monday and Tuesday, Brown blasted the guard over the situation ... saying on his social media pages the matter was "disgraceful."

But, the general manager of MVP Arena, Bob Belber, told us Tuesday morning Brown needed to exit the field simply for safety reasons.

According to Belber, halftime festivities were about to begin ... and as part of the show, the team was lowering its 2022 championship banner -- which required everyone to clear the area as it can present dangers for people below.

Belber, though, said not only was Brown not willing to leave ... he was actually trying to get kids to come onto the field, too ... putting them at risk.

"The safety of children on the field and Antonio was extremely important," Belber said.

Belber added that Brown used "pretty aggressive" language toward the security official that was not seen in the former NFL player's videos.

But, Belber said he fully anticipates all sides coming together at some point this week and coming to an understanding.

"I think we'll get through this," he said. "The parties will come together and I'm sure this won't be repeated."

Belber said Brown has not been banned from the arena "or anything" like that ... adding, "It was a simple misunderstanding on his part -- he shouldn't have been down on the field."

Jonathan Majors reportedly had the door closed behind him by his management team ... getting dropped after last month's arrest for allegedly assaulting a woman.

According to Deadline, Majors' talent management company Entertainment 360 gave him the boot -- and the PR firm The Lede Company also pulled the plug on working with the actor.

Italian luxury fashion house Valentino has also uninvited Majors as its guest at this year's Met Gala ... according to the report.

All this rejection's coming after the "Creed 3" star was arrested last month in NYC for misdemeanor assault, aggravated harassment, attempted assault, and harassment after allegedly slapping his GF in a taxi.

Majors' lawyer Priya Chaudhry told us the alleged victim texted the actor after he got arrested to say ... "she was the one who used physical force against him."

And as you know, Majors has been working in Hollywood nonstop recently ... and he's set up to be the next big villain in the MCU. Deadline reports there have been no talks within Marvel to strip him of the role at this time.

Damar Hamlin has the green light to throw on his helmet and shoulder pads once again -- the Bills safety is "fully cleared" to resume his football career just three and a half months after suffering cardiac arrest during a game, Brandon Beane announced Tuesday.

The Buffalo general manager shared the incredible update just minutes ago ... saying Hamlin's team of specialists are "in agreement" that he is able to resume his football career.

In fact, Beane says Hamlin has been working out lately -- just like any other athlete would after going down with an injury.

"He's fully cleared," Beane told reporters. "He's here, and he is of the mindset, he's in a great headspace to come back and make his return."

Hamlin hasn't played since his medical emergency during "Monday Night Football" on Jan. 2 ... and has used his near-death experience to spread awareness for CPR training and AED accessibility.

Back in February, Hamlin announced his intentions to return to the field in an interview with Michael Strahan ... saying, "That's always the goal, like I said, as a competitor, I'm trying to do things to keep advancing my situation."

"Bu, I'm allowing that to be in God's hands. I'm just thankful he gave me a second chance."

Bills coach Sean McDermott also addressed the news ... adding, "Super excited for Damar.  He's moving forward one step at a time. We'll provide all the mental health we can. Just taking it one day at a time."

A "Just Stop Oil" protester interrupted Monday's Snooker World Championship event by pouring orange dye on the billiards table and causing the match to be called off.

The wild scene unfolded at the Crucible Theatre in England ... Robert Milkins and Joe Perry were squaring off in the first round when two protesters disrupted the proceedings.

FYI, Snooker is a cue sport resembling pool played on a 6-pocket rectangular billiards table covered with a green felt-like cloth called baize.

A 30-year-old male protester wearing a "Just Stop Oil" shirt emerged from out of nowhere ... leaped onto the billiards table, and poured an orange substance all over the table.

Simultaneously, a 52-year-old woman, also a JTO protester, tried disrupting another match between Mark Allen and Fan Zhengyi, but officials quickly intervened.

The "Just Stop Oil" group took accountability for the incident, confirming two supporters were responsible for disrupting the tourney, and were ultimately arrested for the stunt.

"They are demanding that the Government immediately stop all new UK fossil fuel projects and are calling on UK sporting institutions to step into in civil resistance against the Government’s genocidal policies," the group said in a tweet.

Chris Smith -- a former NFL defensive end who was playing in the XFL this season -- has passed away, according to his agent. He was only 31.

NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed the devastating news via Twitter on Tuesday, sending condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.

"Rest in Peace Chris," Rosenhaus tweeted. "We will miss you."

Details surrounding his passing are unknown at this time.

Several tributes from fans and athletes were shared on social media after the announcement, including Buffalo Bills' Shaq Lawson who tweeted, "Man prayers up for Chris Smith family."

"This one hurts."

Cleveland Browns star David Njoku said the death of Smith is heartbreaking as he was a "hometown hero" and had "such a kind soul."

Smith was a fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft after spending four seasons with the Arkansas Razorbacks where he was named Second-team All-SEC.

The North Carolina native played for the Jaguars, Bengals, Browns, Panthers, Raiders, Ravens, and Texans during his 8-year NFL career. He had 80 total tackles, 11 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.

During the 2018-19 season with the Browns, Smith's girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Petara Cordero, was tragically killed after she was struck by a passing car after getting out of Chris's car.

Smith was starting a new career in the XFL and just signed with the Seattle Sea Dragons on March 9.

R.I.P.