TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jay Cutler's cryptic photo with his ex, Kristin Cavallari, appears to have been a red herring after all ... because the dude was getting his flirt on with another hot blonde just a few days prior, and definitely looked single.

The former QB was spotted chatting up a mystery woman last Wednesday at the 1 Hotel in South Beach, where he was sitting poolside and talking to her for hours. BTW, this wasn't Kristin ... who posted that weird pic of the two of them just three days later.

Eyewitnesses tell us Jay was with his buddies up at the rooftop pool for a bit, only to go back inside ... and he emerged with this woman. They pulled up a couple of chairs and ordered more drinks -- clearly enjoying each other's company.

No signs of PDA ... but we're told Jay and the woman looked very friendly, in more than a "we're just pals" kind of way.

As for the hot blonde, she could be Madison LeCroy, with whom Jay recently had a fling.

Now, as for where this leaves things on the Cavallari front ... it's still a little unclear, but the photo this weekend at least proved the two are still close.

Kristin's caption read, "The world is full of users. 10 years. Can't break that" -- which is about as confusing a statement one could make on where things stand ... especially since they've already filed for divorce.

Hannah Viverette -- the woman whose TikTok recording captured the moment a man busted into her home -- can sleep like a baby now that she's moved into a new apartment ... with help from a former MLB pitcher and his wife.

Hannah has moved into a new, upscale apartment complex that offers, among other things, round-the-clock security. The building has lots of amenities ... but the most important feature's definitely security.

Former MLB pitcher LaTroy Hawkins and his wife, Anita Hawkins, have fronted Hannah's rent for the next 6 months to help her get back on her feet following her terrifying confrontation with a home intruder last month.

As for how the Hawkins got involved ... Anita had a personal connection, having been a single, teen mom and homeless herself, she was moved by Hannah's story when it made national headlines.

Hannah showed the Hawkins tons of love for the assist. She tells TMZ ... "I am so excited to settle into my new place! Thank you so much Mrs. Hawkins, you have given me and my son so many reasons to smile!"

Symone Redwine, the attorney who helped Hannah get out of her lease, tells TMZ ... "We are truly grateful to Mrs. Hawkins and the Find One Reason to Smile foundation for their generosity. They have turned this nightmare into a dream come true for Hannah and her son.”

It's been 365 days since Kobe Bryant tragically passed away ... but Byron Scott's still nowhere close to moving on -- telling TMZ Sports, "I still think about him every day."

The former NBA star was very tight with the Mamba -- Byron played with Kobe AND coached him -- and he says getting through the tragedy has been hard as hell.

"There's two people that passed away in my life," Byron said. "My mom, who I think about all the time, and 'Showboat.' I think about him every day."

Scott explained, "It's something about him that, in my life, every day something brings me back to a memory of KB."

Byron says from when he met Kobe as a 17-year-old, to coaching him with the Lakers in his late 30s -- Bryant inspired him in nearly every way.

"I was just blessed to be able to be around him," said Byron, who added Kobe was "an unbelievable person."

As we reported, 41-year-old Bryant died along with his daughter, Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash one year ago today.

The NBA world has paid homage to the legend in nearly every way since the wreck -- with stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis getting Kobe tribute tattoos, and others, like Charles Barkley and J.R. Smith, remembering him publicly in recent days.

Byron says the legacy Kobe left behind is unquestioned ... telling us he believes the former Lakers superstar is firmly in the conversation for greatest basketball player of all time.

Kyrie Irving is honoring the late Kobe Bryant before taking the court Monday night ... wearing the Lakers legend's iconic #8 jersey ahead of the 1-year anniversary of his death.

KAI and the Black Mamba built a strong relationship over the years ... with the 5-time champ serving as a mentor for the young superstar.

With Tuesday marking one year since the Bryant's tragic death, the Brooklyn Nets guard wanted to make sure he did something Kobe-related with his wardrobe choice.

"You know who I was rockin’ tonight," Irving said as he entered Barclays Center to face off against the Miami Heat ... showing off the Purple & Gold threads.

The players may decide to pay homage to Kobe, but teams and the NBA reportedly will not officially address the anniversary per the family's request, according to reporter Jason Dumas.

Lakers star Anthony Davis spoke about how emotional the next few days will be ... saying, "As we approach his 1-year anniversary, it saddens our hearts to actually come to the realization that he's gone."

"I know I still have trouble with it, you still just can't believe it."

LeBron James added ... "There's a lot of things that die in this world, but legends never die." James said "And he's exactly that."

RIP

UFC legend B.J. Penn was arrested for drunk driving in Hawaii over the weekend, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

A spokesperson for the Hawaii Police Dept. says the 42-year-old MMA fighter was taken into custody on January 23 in Honokaa, which is on the Big Island.

Cops have not released the details surrounding Penn's arrest -- however, there is a video circulating on social media that appears to show Penn ranting at cops while being taken into custody.

The Hawaii PD is aware of the video -- but would not clarify if it was related to the Jan. 23 incident.

Penn's personal life has been a mess over the past few years -- he's been in multiple street fights ... and was even knocked out during an incident at a Hawaii bar in 2019.

In February 2020, Penn crashed his truck and was subsequently investigated by the police for DUI -- but that case is still pending.

We've reached out to Penn's camp for comment but so far, no word back.

Penn is one of the original UFC superstars -- beating legends like Matt Serra, Kenny Florian, Diego Sanchez and Matt Hughes before going on a 7-fight losing skid to cap off his career.

Trey Songz got arrested at the Chiefs game after cops say he refused to wear a mask, but photos show him wearing one in the crowd and posing with security.

Trey just posted a bunch of pics from the AFC Championship, and one shows him wearing a black face covering at Arrowhead Stadium, standing next to a masked up security guard.

As we first told you ... cops busted Trey at Sunday night's game following a physical altercation with a police officer in the stands. Kansas City PD told us the dust-up started because TS allegedly refused to wear a mask.

KCPD claims fans complained Trey wasn't following the stadium's coronavirus safety protocols, and after security couldn't get him to comply, police were called.

Officials DO NOT believe the COVID-19 vaccination played any role in Hank Aaron's death based on a preliminary investigation -- this according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office.

The 86-year-old MLB legend and his wife received the first of 2 vaccine doses at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta on Jan. 4. Hank died just a few weeks later on Jan. 22.

Some had concerns the vaccine may have been a factor in the slugger's death -- but a rep for the FCME tells TMZ Sports it appears Hank died of natural causes unrelated to the COVID shot.

As we previously reported, Hank -- along with other prominent Black leaders -- decided to get the shot in front of the media in hopes of showing others in the community that the vaccine is safe.

One of the people who got vaccinated with Aaron is Ambassador Andrew Young -- who told KSDK in Atlanta the MLB legend "never had any reaction" to the shot before his death.

"I talked to the fella who was his driver," Young told KSDK ... "And I said, 'Was Hank feeling any discomfort or any problem over the last few days?' And he said, 'No.'"

We're told Aaron's primary doctor will ultimately sign off on cause of the death on Hank's death certificate -- but so far, there does not appear to any evidence showing a link to the COVID vaccine.

Aaron -- one of the greatest baseball players of all time -- raved about the vaccine in the days after the shot ... telling AP, "[It] makes me feel wonderful. I don’t have any qualms about it at all."

"I feel quite proud of myself for doing something like this. ... It’s just a small thing that can help zillions of people in this country."

Hank Aaron's life has been celebrated by some of the most famous and powerful people on Earth -- including President Biden, President Barack Obama, Magic Johnson, Mike Trout, Barry Bonds and more.

UFC's newest, violent superstar Michael Chandler says he's convinced he'll fight Dustin Poirier in the near future ... whether Dustin wants it or not!!

Chandler made his spectacular UFC debut at UFC 257 on Saturday night -- obliterating the #6 ranked lightweight Dan Hooker in an explosive 1st round knockout.

After the fight, Dustin Poirier -- who beat Conor McGregor that night -- shot down a possible scrap with Chandler.

"I can guarantee I won’t be fighting Michael Chandler,” Poirier said after the fight ... suggesting Chandler simply hasn't earned the right to share the octagon with him.

No disrespect to [Chandler]. He seems like a good husband, a good father, he speaks well, has a lot of respect, carries himself very well. It’s not a knock against him. It’s just my feelings toward the division and the sport."

FYI, Chandler has only fought 1 time in the UFC -- but he's had 26 pro fights in other MMA promotions including Bellator where he won 18 of 23 fights and became the Bellator lightweight champ.

So, how does Chandler feel about the situation? Confident.

Chandler says it's Dana White who ultimately calls the shots -- not Poirier -- and he knows Dana respects his resume.

In fact, Chandler says he believes UFC will make the fight -- and he can't wait.

"Chances are we're gonna throw down and chances are I'm gonna have the gold around my waist by the end of the year," Chandler tells TMZ Sports.

"He's gonna be very very surprised by my power and I think I'll finish him in the first 2 rounds."

There's more ... we also spoke with Chandler about luring Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement for a 30th fight -- and yeah, he wants a piece of the Eagle!

"If you ever do wanna come back ... try to beat me, but you're gonna end up 29 and Chandler!"

He also ripped Khabib for tweeting about Conor McGregor after Conor's loss -- saying, "It is disheartening, a little bit immature for [Khabib] to be chirping from the sidelines."

Detroit Lions fans are bidding farewell to Matthew Stafford by opening their wallets ... thanking the QB for his contributions to the city with donations to a charity in his honor.

32-year-old Stafford and the Lions reportedly agreed to part ways this weekend ... officially ending his career in Detroit after 12 years.

But, instead of taking their #9 jerseys to an open flame after the news broke, some fans decided to honor the signal-caller with $9 dollar donations to a cause that hits home for the Staffords -- the Acoustic Neuroma Association.

Of course, Stafford has repped the Acoustic Neuroma Association during the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign as a tribute to his wife, Kelly ... who in 2019 was diagnosed with a serious brain tumor.

The donations have reportedly been piling in since Saturday ... with more than $11,000 being raised in Matthew's name, according to reporter Chris Burke.

Stafford has been one of the most successful players in team history -- he is the franchise leader in passing touchdowns (282) and yards (45,109) -- but was also active in helping the community over the years.

Trey Songz found himself in the middle of a physical altercation with a police officer during the KC Chiefs' game, and fans who witnessed it say the cop was way out of line.

We've obtained this video from Arrowhead Stadium Sunday, which -- at first -- shows Trey and the officer in a struggle. Trey connects a punch with the officer's head, and gets him in a headlock, but then the officer pins Trey to a seat.

A witness tells us the whole thing started when Trey was being heckled by some fans a few rows behind him and he asked them to chill out. We're told the officer approached Trey, and without warning, went after him. The witness says Trey was totally caught off guard when the officer got physical, and started to defend himself.

You can hear fans throughout the video shout at the officer, telling him to get off Songz until additional officers arrived. Fans were yelling for the officer to be arrested.

Once backup got there, they were able to separate Trey and the cop ... and they put Trey in handcuffs.

We're told Trey is currently in custody, but it's unclear if he's being booked for anything ... or simply detained.

We've reached out to his reps ... so far, no word back.

Tom Brady's father says both he and his wife battled COVID at the beginning of this NFL season -- with Tom Brady Sr. needing to be hospitalized for 3 weeks.

"I was in the hospital with COVID for almost 3 weeks and my wife was sick with COVID at the same time," Tom Sr. said Monday morning on ESPN's 'Greeny' radio show.

"We didn't even see the first 2 games of the year. First 2 games I've ever missed in his career because I was sick as a dog and my wife was sick as a dog."

"It was a matter of life and death just like anybody [who] goes into the hospital ... serious stuff."

Seems Tom Sr. had a much tougher time with COVID than his wife, Galynn -- who is a breast cancer survivor.

Fortunately, both Tom Sr. and Galynn are doing much better now -- but Tom says the whole thing was scary.

"We’ve never missed a game [when Tom was playing] at Michigan or New England or wherever. [But] for the first 2 games [of the 2020 NFL season] when I was in the hospital, I didn’t even care if [The Bucs] were playing much less missing the game."

Tom Sr. says his son "fought through it" and continued to play -- but the news definitely explains Tom's unusually bad play in the Week 1 opener against the Saints, when the Bucs lost 34 to 23 and Tom threw 2 interceptions.

"Now it’s in the rearview mirror," Tom Sr. said ... "We’re healthy, we’re happy and everything is good."

Still, Tom says his son tries to FaceTime him every single day on his way to and from practice.

It was 3 AM and a freezing 15 DEGREES -- but Bills Mafia came out in force at the airport in Buffalo Monday morning to welcome the team home after a crushing loss in the AFC Championship.

... and the video is pretty awesome!

They held signs, rocked Bills flags and chanted "Let's Go Buffalo" to cheer on their squad as Josh Allen and the boys returned from Arrowhead.

It's just another amazing show of support from a fan base that's not only lifted Buffalo -- but rallied to support opposing teams and players ... just ask Lamar Jackson and Andy Dalton.

Of course, the Bills fell short to Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion K.C. Chiefs on Sunday night in a 38-24 loss in the AFC championship game -- but the team had one helluva 2020 season.

Buffalo finished the season with an impressive 13-3 record, winning the AFC East in the process over the surging Miami Dolphins.

Plus, they lost to the Chiefs one game shy of the Super Bowl -- nothing to be sad about!!!

A bat Lou Gehrig used more than 80 years ago is hitting the auction block ... and the insane piece of history can be all yours -- if you've got a fortune laying around!!

Officials at SCP Auctions tell TMZ Sports ... the bat is seriously one of a kind -- they believe Gehrig used it during his final days as a New York Yankee, possibly even in the 1938 World Series.

According to the SCP reps, authenticators believe Gehrig ordered the bat in Sept. 1938 and possibly used it into the 1939 season -- just before his ALS diagnosis and subsequent retirement.

We’re told the bat was graded a perfect 10 by PSA/DNA.

Reps for the bat say Gehrig gifted the piece to former Yankees teammate and coach Earle Combs, who kept it as one of his prized possessions for YEARS.

Just recently, though, Combs' family decided to put it up for auction -- and now, SCP tells us it could sell for as much as $1 MILLION.

Of course, Gehrig is one of the greatest baseball players that have ever lived -- so the potential price tag ain't too surprising.

Gehrig -- who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939 under a special circumstance due to his illness -- was a two-time MVP, 7-time All-Star, and had a career batting average of .340.

Troubling allegations from the wife of Buffalo Bills star Jordan Poyer ... Rachel Bush says she was harassed by Chiefs fans at the AFC Championship Game in Kansas City on Sunday.

The model took to social media during the Bills' loss to the Chiefs to explain the situation ... saying while her hubby was playing against K.C. on the field at Arrowhead Stadium, fans spewed "disrespectful" vitriol her way in the stands.

"These drunk chiefs fans behind me knowing damn well I'm a wife saying s*** directly to me smh yuck," Bush wrote on Twitter.

"I've NEVER gotten into it with fans but holy cow ... disrespectful ... embarrassing ..."

Bush continued, "Most classless s*** I've ever seen ... even the fans around them are embarrassed."

Rachel -- who deleted the tweets shortly after making the claims -- went on to clarify, "not all chiefs fans are awful lol."

"Some were so nice!..just the ones behind me directly harassing us were [thumbs down]," Bush explained. "the rest of their own surrounding fan base was even embarrassed so that’s that lol"

It's unclear if Bush went to stadium security over the incident ... but she did later write on Twitter she was proud as hell of Jordan for the way he capped off an awesome season.

"One proud wifey tonight," she wrote. "Told me he was gonna give it his all and he sure did."

The 2 best QBs in the NFL also have some Tier 1 support systems ... 'cause after Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes moved on to the Super Bowl on Sunday, their sig figs showed crazy love!!

Gisele gushed over TB12 after the Bucs finished off the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game ... with the model writing, "We love and are so proud of you, Papai!!!'

Gisele also posted a pic of her and Brady's children in Tampa Bay gear, captioning the adorable shot, "We are already cheering here papai! We love you!"

Of course, Tom was able to show some love right back to his fam after beating Aaron Rodgers ... cameras caught the future Hall of Famer seeking out his son, Jack, after the game and giving the boy a big hug!

"He’s a special kid," Tom told reporters after the game ... "I love my family. Obviously, I love my team, and there’s just no greater feeling than to spend those moments with all of us together after a great win."

As for Mahomes ... his fiancee, Brittany Matthews -- who's several months pregnant with the couple's baby daughter -- completely lost her mind watching Patrick destroy the Bills.

Britt documented her day start to finish on her social media page ... and she screamed for Mahomes from kickoff to trophy presentation!!

Seriously ... watch the clip -- Matthews LOVES her future hubby!!!

Cameras also caught Mahomes returning the support ... with the 24-year-old blowing kisses to Britt shortly after capping off the victory.

It's not an official "goodbye" ... yet ... but it's close.

Matthew Stafford's wife Kelly penned a "Thank You" note to the city of Detroit amid reports the Lions QB has mutually agreed with the franchise to continue his career elsewhere.

Matt has played every down of his pro career with Detroit since he was drafted out of Georgia with the 1st overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Now, ESPN says Detroit -- and Stafford -- have agreed to a conscious uncoupling ... so Detroit can draft new franchise QB and 32-year-old Matt can try his luck in another city.

Enter Kelly ... who is bracing for the move.

"Thank you," Kelly said in a note to the people of Detroit ... "This place, our home, the people ... it’s hard to find the words to explain what this place means to me."

"Random tears come very often when I think about not being here."

"This place supported me during the toughest time of my life and during the happiest times and I want to thank y’all in the right way."

Kelly and Matt have 4 kids together -- all born during Matt's time with the Lions. Also, Kelly underwent brain surgery for a tumor in 2019.

So, what's next for the Stafford's?

"Whenever I figure out what the future holds, you’ll be hearing from me again with a thank you that hopefully shows how much gratitude and love I have for this place," Kelly said.

"But until then we are going to enjoy our time left in Michigan to the fullest because there really is no other place like it."

There are rumblings Matt could end up in San Francisco to play for the 49ers -- but it's all talk at this point.