TMZ Sports - Page 50

COVID-19 is officially in the house ... or at least the place Olympians will call home when the Olympic Games begin next week.

Organizers say an Olympic Village staffer tested positive Friday for the coronavirus. They added the person is not a resident of Japan, and their job was only described as "games-concerned personnel."

As it is, the International Olympic Committee is under intense pressure. As we reported, Tokyo is under a state of emergency due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. That news prompted the IOC to make the last minute decision to pull the plug on having spectators at the games.

Still, protesters have been rallying outside the Olympic Village, demanding the games not go on as planned ... and polls show less than half the Japanese population support the games being held at this time.

While the IOC says about 80 percent of Olympic athletes are vaccinated, the concern is less than 30 percent of Japan's population is vaccinated.

The person who tested positive has has been placed on a 14-day quarantine. The games open Friday, July 23 ... and about 11,000 athletes from around the world are expected to live in the Olympic Village during the 2 weeks of competition.

IOC President Thomas Bach oddly insisted earlier this week there was “zero” risk athletes could pass the virus to others in or out of the village. Makes ya wonder if the IOC is oblivious to what the world's been through for the last 18 months.

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker had the Internet buzzing with engagement rumors after their recent weekend together in Las Vegas ... but it just ain't so.

The couple took in Conor McGregor's gnarly loss to Dustin Poirier last weekend, where they made out ringside, but it's what happened back at their hotel that had people talking. Travis' daughter, Alabama, posted a "So happy for you guys" photo of Trav and Kourt smiling -- and fans assumed the best, the couple was engaged to be married.

However, we've spoken to multiple sources close to the couple who all tell us the same thing -- Travis and Kourtney are a happy couple, but he didn't put a ring on it. Yet.

As for why Alabama posted the pic? She's happy to see her dad happy.

Kourtney helped to add to the engagement buzz when she posted a photo Thursday of herself with a ring on ... though it was on her right hand, it certainly looked like the engagement type.

Travis and Kourtney's relationship has really taken off in the last few months ... we've seen them at Disneyland, in the studio and road tripping through CA and beyond.

Deontay Wilder's fiancée, Telli Swift, is calling Tyson Fury's COVID diagnosis straight up BS ... telling TMZ Sports the boxer's tryna buy time -- 'cause he ain't ready to go toe-to-toe with her man, the Bronze Bomber!

The Fury-Wilder trilogy fight was set for July 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas -- after Wilder actually went to court to compel Fury to take the 3rd fight.

But, the bout was postponed ... due to Fury recently testing positive for COVID-19.

We spoke with Swift at an event for her non-profit, Boxing WAGS Association, in El Segundo ... and we asked for her and Deontay's take on Fury's illness -- and Telli didn't hold back."

"You've trained so hard, blood, sweat, and tears and then for someone to have COVID and Deontay’s fight with torn biceps, broken fingers, burns on his arms, and he still fought," Swift says.

"So, I just feel like with COVID and you have sixteen days until the fight, he should still be able to fight and make it happen."

In fact, Swift thinks the 32-year-old heavyweight champ is tryna use COVID as a way to dodge Wilder ... saying it's just an excuse to give him some time.

"I don’t think that he’s ready. I think he’s buying time, and I just feel like he feels Deontay is at the best looking-wise."

Of course, Wilder and Fury fought to a draw in 2018 ... and Deontay lost the 2nd fight in 2020 via TKO.

Swift added, "Personally, I don’t believe anything that he says. So, I don’t believe anything that he says, and that’s that."

And, you can forget about Wilder boxing anyone else during the wait, Swift -- who got engaged to Wilder in 2018 -- tells us he's only focused on Fury.

"Deontay’s mind ... he eats, sleeps, lives Tyson Fury. So, he’s ready for Tyson!"

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Jaydon Mickens has been hit with 2 criminal charges stemming from his March arrest ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court docs, prosecutors have levied 2 misdemeanors against the 27-year-old Super Bowl champ after they say he was illegally carrying a loaded firearm in his car in L.A. on March 5.

As we previously reported, cops initially pulled over Mickens after they said the tint on his ride was too dark.

During the stop, though, they said they found a gun inside his car -- NOT on his person -- and arrested him over it.

Prosecutors clearly felt there was enough to move forward with the case ... and it could spell bad news for Mickens, 'cause the two gun charges he's facing each carry a maximum of one year in jail if convicted.

The Bucs said in a statement shortly after the arrest they were monitoring the situation ... but Mickens has not been cut over it all and he's still set to be with the team when it opens up training camp later this month.

Mickens has been mostly a special teams player for the Bucs ... and returned kicks for the team in their Super Bowl win over the K.C. Chiefs last February.

Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis is at least somewhat confident Aaron Rodgers will show up for training camp later this month ... telling TMZ Sports he "thinks" the QB will be there.

Rodgers -- who's been feuding with Green Bay brass for MONTHS now -- still has not committed to playing for the Packers this season ... and it's unclear if he has any plans at all to join the club for training camp when it kicks off on July 26.

But, Lewis says he's predicting his quarterback will show up to the mandatory workouts in two weeks ... telling us out at LAX, "I think so."

"I hope so," the 37-year-old added. "I hope to see my guy there."

Lewis, though, made it clear he doesn't have too much inside information on the situation ... explaining, "We'll see what happens."

Rodgers has reportedly been upset over his contract situation, as well as some of the personnel moves the team has made ... and, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, it's unlikely he comes to camp without some sort of guarantee that he'll be traded after the season.

As for how the quarterback has handled this offseason amid all the drama -- staying away from the Packers and instead jettisoning around the globe with his fiancee, Shailene Woodley -- Lewis tells us he's all for it.

"It's probably good for him to just give him some time to himself -- some family time," Lewis said. "Hopefully I see him on the 26th."

Miesha Tate says her UFC return isn't about money or fame ... it's about regaining her championship belt, and showing her kids women can be good moms and kick ass!!

TMZ Sports talked to 34-year-old Tate -- who hasn't been in the Octagon under the bright lights of the UFC since November 2016 ... when she lost to Raquel Pennington.

FYI, that happened to be UFC 205 -- the Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez card -- one of the fights that made The Notorious a global superstar.

1,708 days later, Tate is taking on 44-year-old Marion Reneau as the co-main event at UFC Fight Night ... and we asked the UFC star what she wanted to accomplish this 2nd time around.

"This is not just a cash grab, it’s not just a fight. I want to be a champion again."

In fact, Tate -- who beat Holly Holm for the bantamweight title in 2016 -- tells us the layoff actually made her a BETTER fighter.

"Much better. I’m not gonna lie, much better. But, I have to prove that, so just let me glow up and then I can prove it to you guys."

And, Miesha says the comeback isn't only about her ... it's also about showing her kids that women can be great moms AND also have a badass and super-successful career.

"I love my kids more than anything, but at the same time, I want to show them that just because you become a mother, you know mothers get lost a lot of times in our world. It’s ok for the dad to do and be, but the mom just kinda just be the mom," Tate says.

Prosecutors have just hit Richard Sherman with five charges -- including DUI and criminal trespass -- after he allegedly melted down at his in-laws' home on Wednesday morning.

Officials just made the announcement, explaining all five charges are misdemeanors.

They also said they expect Sherman to appear in court for an arraignment hearing later Friday and plead not guilty to the charges.

The five counts levied against Sherman are as follows, according to prosecutors:

-Driving While Under the Influence

-Reckless Endangerment of Roadway Workers

-Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree – domestic violence

-Resisting Arrest

-Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree - domestic violence

As we previously reported, Sherman is accused of driving drunk, crashing his car, and then exploding at his in-laws' home in Redmond, Wash. just after 12 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police say Sherman tried to violently break into his wife's parents' house ... and after cops confronted him at the scene -- they say he became non-cooperative and began fighting them.

Cops say they were eventually able to take him down with the help of a police K9 ... and put him in jail, where Sherman ultimately spent close to 2 days.

The 33-year-old NFL star was eventually released without bail late Thursday afternoon.

Story developing ...

A South African man suffered horrific injuries after being viciously attacked by a shark while surfing along the country's coastline this week ... and the photos of his wounds are gruesome.

It happened on Wednesday in Jeffreys Bay ... when 40-year-old Jason Lammers had a terrifying encounter in the water with a shark.

Lammers' surfing buddy, Mark Krieger, tells TMZ Sports the scene was very scary ... saying when he pulled up to the surf spot, Lammers was out of the water and bleeding profusely in a nearby parking lot after being bit.

According to the National Sea & Rescue Institute, Lammers suffered wounds to his right leg and torso -- and in photos that Krieger took of the injuries, you can see it all looked pretty dire.

The pictures show Lammers had deep bite marks in his body -- and in one of the photos, you can see the shark even took a chunk out of Lammers' surfboard while trying to chomp on him.

There's good news, though ... Krieger says after Lammers was treated by the NSRI and transported to a nearby hospital -- he's somehow doing well!

In fact, Krieger tells us his pal is in such good spirits -- they made him a shark attack cake to celebrate the recovery!!!

Check your mailbox, Dustin Poirier ... it's about to be filled with a pricey Conor McGregor chain -- 'cause Jake Paul says he sent out the trolling diamonds on Thursday evening!!!

Paul copped the piece ahead of last Saturday's McGregor vs. Poirier tilt ... and it was pretty funny -- making fun of Conor for being dazed after getting rocked by Dustin in their second fight back in Jan. 2021.

And, when Poirier beat McGregor again over the weekend, Paul offered DP the $100k bling as a congratulations gift -- and Diamond accepted!

So, Paul finally mailed the thing out Thursday ... and wrote a personalized letter with it too!

"Dear Dustin, congrats on your much earned victory," Paul said. "I love what you're doing with your Good Fight Foundation. You deserve this chain more than me!"

He added, "Good always beats evil! Keep winning!"

As good as Poirier would look in the chain, Paul said Dustin has agreed to sell it for charity, which means we're assuming the proceeds will go to Poirier's famous foundation that helps underprivileged communities.

Light-hearted smack talk AND a helping hand? We're here for all of that!

Golf star Tyrrell Hatton melted down on the course at The Open on Friday ... snapping his club in half in a wild temper tantrum that was all caught on broadcast cameras.

The 29-year-old -- who's currently the #10-ranked golfer in the world -- completely lost his cool on the 18th hole at Royal St. George's Golf Course at the end of his second round.

Hatton hit his approach shot into the green about a dozen yards off target ... and after the poor shot -- he took his anger out on his iron.

Cameras captured the dude going BALLISTIC ... stomping on his club twice, before breaking it in half with his hands.

Somehow, despite the outburst, Hatton was able to get up-and-down for par ... but it likely won't matter, 'cause the dude is probably still going to miss the cut with a +2 score.

It seemed Hatton figured that was likely going to be a reality throughout his round on Friday ... 'cause the club snap was just one of THREE incidents he had on the course.

In a prior hole, cameras caught him flipping off somebody near the green.

And, at another point in the round, hot mics also captured the England native dropping an F-bomb.

A pro baseball game turned ugly Thursday night ... when players charged at fans in the stands after some spectators allegedly threw beer at them.

The wild scene all went down in a Frontier League game at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls, NJ ... when the New Jersey Jackals vs. Sussex County Miners tilt had to be paused due to a near-brawl in the stands.

The incident was all captured on video ... and it's crazy -- 'cause players from both teams bum-rushed at spectators, nearly igniting a huge fight in the seats.

You can see in the clip, players were all the way up in the 2nd and 3rd rows, getting in the faces of fans ... and it appeared the guys were just moments away from letting fists fly.

Fortunately, other players were able to hold aggressors back ... and play resumed without any real, major tiffs blowing up.

As for why it all happened ... it was $1 beer night at the stadium -- and one witness said a fan had no problem throwing some suds at players during a break in the action -- 'causing the athletes to explode.

Serena Williams is eyeing a return to the tennis court in just a couple weeks ... so says her agent, Jill Smoller, who tells TMZ Sports the star is hoping to shake off her leg injury in time for the U.S. Open.

You'll recall ... Serena crumpled in pain at Wimbledon during her first-round match on June 29, and things did NOT look good for the 39-year-old.

She yelped as she hit the grass ... and broke down in tears as she left the court -- leaving many to wonder if she could possibly be done for the rest of the year.

But, when we got Smoller out in Los Angeles this week ... she told us Williams' recovery process is going well.

"She's doing great," Smoller said.

In fact, Smoller told us the hope is for Serena to be ready to go when the U.S. Open kicks off in New York on Aug. 30.

Richard Sherman repeatedly and violently threw his body into his father-in-law's door while making menacing comments toward the man ... and the alarming scene was all captured on video.

The footage appears to show the 33-year-old NFL star walking up to Raymond Moss' porch in Redmond, Wash. on Wednesday morning ... before becoming absolutely unglued.

You can see in the clip -- first posted by KIMA -- when Sherman could not get into Moss' home ... he shoved the door with his hands, and then crashed into it with every fiber of his 6-foot-3, 194-pound frame.

When that didn't work ... Sherman stood in front of the door -- and appeared to challenge Moss to come outside and confront him.

"Come through, bitch!" Sherman said, before repeating "Come through!" over and over and over again.

Moss appeared to try to talk to Sherman from behind the locked door ... but Richard responded, "I don't give a f*** about what you're saying! Open the door!"

"That s*** cute from behind the door," Sherman continued. "Come through! That s*** real cute!"

It looks like Sherman then attempted once more to get into the home ... and when the door still wouldn't open, he shoved it violently several more times, before walking away.

As we previously reported, cops ended up arresting Sherman and booking him on a domestic violence burglary charge.

He went on to spend all day Wednesday and most of the day Thursday behind bars ... before a judge released him without bail late Thursday afternoon.

Richard Sherman has finally been released from jail ... a judge just let him out without bail while his criminal case plays out -- calling the NFL star a "pillar in this community."

The King County court judge, however, did put some conditions on the release ... including ordering Sherman to stay away from his father-in-law, as well as not possess any firearms.

The judge also made it clear Sherman is to not consume any alcohol ... and ordered the former Seattle Seahawks cornerback to appear in person for all future court dates.

It's a pretty big win for Sherman -- who did not appear in the Washington court and was instead represented by his attorney -- considering prosecutors were asking the judge to set the NFL star's bail at $10,000.

As part of his ruling, the judge said of Sherman, "I see Mr. Sherman is a pillar in this community. He's a business owner. He's a husband. He's a father."

"I'm going to release Mr. Sherman on his own promise to return to court."

As we previously reported, the 33-year-old was arrested on Wednesday ... after cops say he physically tried to force his way into his in-laws' home.