TMZ Sports - Page 50

Paralympic star Olivia Breen is firing back at a female official for calling her sprint shorts "inappropriate" ... saying women should not have to feel self-conscious about what they wear during competition.

The 24-year-old 2-time world champion claims the comment came after the long jump events at the English Championships in Bedford on Sunday ... an interaction that left a bad taste in her mouth.

"I am always very grateful to the incredible volunteers who officiate at athletics events," Breen said on Twitter. "They do an amazing job and make it possible for us to compete."

"However, tonight I feel quite disappointed because just as I finished my long jump competition at the English Championships, one of the female officials felt it necessary to inform me that my sprint briefs were too short and inappropriate."

"I was left speechless."

Breen explained her shorts are made by Adidas and specifically designed for competition ... which she has worn for many years.

In fact, Breen -- who has cerebral palsy -- says she intends to wear the same shorts when competing for Britain at the Tokyo Paralympics in August.

"It made me question whether a male competitor would be similarly criticized," she added. "I hope no other female athletes had similar issues."

Breen notes she's all on board with having rules and regulations for what people wear during events, but says "women should not be made to feel self-conscious about what they are wearing when competing but should feel comfortable and at ease."

Breen told CNN that England Athletics has been supportive and in communication with her following the incident ... and she plans to file a complaint.

Well, Jalen Hurts is clearly ready for the 2021 season to begin ...

The Philadelphia Eagles QB was spotted in the gym this month putting on a serious display of strength ... deadlifting 620 pounds!!!

It's unclear exactly where Jalen was throwing around the iron ... but the lift is impressive as hell nonetheless -- considering the 22-year-old tips the scales at just 6'1", 223 lbs.

Check out the clip of the rep ... Hurts is able to get the weight up with a perfect form and not a whole lot of energy spent.

Seriously ... the guy made it look easy!!

Of course, it's a great sign for the Eagles ... because after the team traded Carson Wentz this offseason -- its '21 success is basically riding on whether or not Hurts can officially handle QB1 duties.

You'll recall ... the dude stepped in for Wentz at the end of last year and played pretty well -- finishing the season with 1,061 passing yards, 6 passing TDs and 3 rushing TDs in 4 starts.

TMZ Sports has obtained the crash report from Richard Sherman's car accident last week ... and it looks like the NFL star just barely avoided a head-on collision with a barrier.

In the docs, police produced a diagram of how they say Sherman wrecked his 2014 Mercedes on a highway in Washington at around 1:24 AM on July 14 ... and it appears to be more evidence the 33-year-old is fortunate to be alive today.

According to cops, it appears Sherman didn't see a right turn coming, and instead of navigating around the bend -- he crashed the left side of his car into a barrier.

The picture shows just how close Sherman was to a head-on collision ... which could have been potentially life-threatening, given that officials have accused Sherman of driving drunk at the time of the wreck.

In the docs, cops say Sherman -- despite the collision -- continued to drive into a parking lot before he ditched the ride due to the severe damage to the car.

As we previously reported, law enforcement says Sherman then eventually made his way to his in-laws' home in Redmond, Wash. ... where they say he attempted to break in his wife's parents' front door.

Cops say when they arrived on the scene ... Sherman fought them, and claim the football player was so aggressive, they needed K9 help to take him down.

Sherman was arrested and eventually charged with five misdemeanors over the incident -- including driving while under the influence and reckless endangerment of roadway workers.

Congrats are in order for MLB ace Shane Bieber -- the Cy Young winner got on one knee and popped the question to his longtime GF over the weekend ... and she said "YES!!!"

The 26-year-old Cleveland superstar and Kara Maxine Kavajecz made their engagement public on Monday ... sharing pics of the couple's big moment in San Francisco.

The setup looked truly special ... with Bieber setting up a romantic area overlooking the city and decked out with pillows, candles, wine and more.

"Forever my girl," Bieber captioned his post with shots from iQphoto, which showed him on one knee and embracing his new fiancee.

"I always knew," Kara added.

Bieber and Kavajecz first met years ago at the University of California, Santa Barbara ... and have been inseparable ever since.

Of course, Biebs is one of the best in the sport -- he's 41-18 in his career with a 3.31 ERA.

The pitcher has been sidelined with an injury since mid-June with a shoulder strain ... but it's safe to say he's been making great use of his time off the diamond.

Michael Irvin says he's straight-up upset the Dallas Cowboys have low COVID vaccine rates ... explaining he believes it's a sign his former team doesn't really care about winning.

The Hall of Famer broke it all down at a recent charity event this month ... ripping the 'Boys for being below the NFL's 85% vaccine threshold.

"If you're not one of them teams [at the threshold]," Irvin said, "are you really thinking about winning a championship?"

As you may know, 85% is the number the league has set in order for teams to be able to ease COVID rules and regulations for the 2021 season ... and the Dallas legend is clearly pissed the Cowboys have yet to make it there.

Irvin went on to say Cowboys players should also be pissed that they're still below the 85% mark ... explaining the team should be doing everything in its power to get others to take the shots.

"Not being one of the [85% threshold teams] says there's other things to a great number of people on this team that are more important than winning championships," Irvin said.

"And that makes me worried."

According to multiple reports, only 13 of the 32 NFL squads have hit the league's required mark.

Of course, it really is a big advantage in the NFL this season to make it to that milestone ... teams who are above the threshold will be able to work out and practice way more freely than teams who are below it.

Irvin clearly understands this ... and is imploring the Cowboys to get above the mark ASAP.

"It should upset them," Irvin said. "Dude, you're not thinking right. You're not thinking right. Whatever you got, I don't give a damn."

Ex-NBA star Ray Allen suffered gnarly injuries in a bicycle crash over the weekend ... and he says the accident was so bad, he could've been SERIOUSLY injured if he weren't wearing his helmet.

The 2-time NBA champ spelled out the scary details of the incident on his social media page Sunday ... saying he was riding his bike in his neighborhood when a car pulled up behind him.

"As I looked back behind me," Allen said, "the car was gone, but, the minute I turned my head back to what was in front of me, it was too late."

Allen says he crashed into a tree branch and was violently thrown from his ride.

"I landed on my face, shoulder and hip," Allen said.

The 45-year-old says he was able to get up after the crash and walk to his house ... but he claims that's when he lost his breath and nearly passed out.

"My wife immediately took me to the hospital to make sure that I didn’t have any internal bleeding," Allen said. "Had my vitals checked and a few X-rays taken and all was ok."

But, Ray did have some gnarly injuries ... Allen showed photos of bloody road rash on his leg as well as a big scrape on his shoulder.

Allen also showed a pic of his helmet, which clearly took a large brunt of the blow in the crash.

"Thank God for my helmet because as you can see in the picture my head hit the ground and I didn’t even realize it," Allen said.

"My helmet saved me from a far worse fate."

Allen says he was hesitant to share the incident but wanted it to be a reminder to everyone to wear helmets while riding.

Several NBA stars reached out to the 10-time All-Star expressing gratitude for his health ... with LeBron James writing on his social media, "Glad you’re good my brother!!!"

Just when you thought things couldn't get much worse for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Keigo Oyamada -- one of the composers for the opening ceremony -- has pulled out ... following claims he bullied a disabled classmate.

Even worse -- he made the claims himself ... in interviews back in the 1990s.

It's truly disturbing, but Oyamada -- now 52 years old -- once bragged to local news media that he forced a disabled boy to masturbate in front of others and eat his own feces.

The interviews were conducted when he was not yet famous, but they resurfaced recently when it was announced he would be involved in the opening ceremony.

Oyamada -- who writes under the name "Cornelius" and is popular in Japan for creating the Shibuya-kei beat -- has apologized for his "very immature" behavior ... and is backing out of the gig.

As you know ... the Summer Games have faced many challenges -- mostly related to the COVID-19 pandemic -- including star athletes being forced to miss them for one reason or another, ongoing protests, and even scrutiny about its beds.

Naomi Osaka is now in the company of Tyra Banks, Beyoncé and Kate Upton -- the tennis superstar is the newest S.I. Swimsuit cover model!!

The publication made the huge announcement Monday morning ... revealing the 23-year-old would be joining rap star Megan Thee Stallion and transgender actress/model/activist Leyna Bloom as a cover model for the 2021 issue.

The decision was easy for S.I. -- Osaka is no stranger to the suit game (she has her own collection with Frankies Bikinis) ... and is one of the biggest names in sports.

Osaka also made headlines this year by advocating for mental health awareness for athletes ... famously pulling out of the French Open and Wimbledon after revealing her struggles with depression.

The current #2-ranked female player in the world is now set to compete in front of her hometown fans at the Tokyo Olympics this month ... where she's a favorite to take home the gold medal.

S.I. Swim editor MJ Day spoke about the magazine's cover models ... saying, "If there's one thing that our cover models have in common, it's that they don't have one thing in common."

"They look different, have different upbringings, have different passions and inspirations. But each is a reminder that beauty comes in many forms."

"We celebrate Naomi for her passion, strength and power geared toward consistently breaking barriers when it comes to equality, social justice and mental health."

The other two models are also making history -- Meg is the first rapper to be featured on the cover, while Bloom is the first transgender model to get the honors.

The issue also includes several sports WAGs like Olivia Culpo, Camille Kostek, Kate Bock, Kristen Louelle and Christen Harper ... as well as other S.I. vets like Brooks Nader, Jasmine Sanders, Danielle Herrington and Josephine Skriver!!

Oh, and if that's not enough ... singer Tinashe is also in the mag!!

Luke Prokop -- a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft -- just announced he's gay ... saying in a statement Monday, "I am no longer scared to hide who I am."

The 19-year-old Nashville Predators prospect continued, "It has been quite the journey to get to this point in my life, but I could not be happier with my decision to come out."

Prokop -- a 6-foot-4, 217-pound defenseman who currently plays in the Western Hockey League for the Calgary Hitmen -- said he's hopeful coming forward with his truth will help him ultimately reach his goal of making an NHL roster.

"From a young age I have dreamed of being an NHL player," Prokop said, "and I believe that living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink and improve my chances of fulfilling my dreams."

If Prokop does make it to the NHL show ... he would become the first-ever openly gay player in the league.

"I hope that in sharing who I am I can help other people see that gay people are welcome in the hockey community, as we work to make sure that hockey truly is for everyone," Prokop said.

Both the Predators and the NHL have already released statements in support of Prokop ... with commissioner Gary Bettman saying Monday, "We pledged to do everything possible to ensure that Luke's experience is a welcoming and affirmative one and continue to work to ensure that any current or future NHL player contemplating following in his trailblazing footsteps knows our League is ready to provide full support."

The hockey player's announcement comes less than a month after Las Vegas Raiders star Carl Nassib became the first-ever openly gay player in the NFL.

A New York Yankees fan who drilled Red Sox star Alex Verdugo in the back with a baseball this weekend is now banned from attending MLB games FOREVER.

Yanks and MLB officials confirmed the decision Sunday ... after the fan hurled a ball at Verdugo from his seat in left field during the Boston vs. NY game Saturday night.

The scene was wild ... Verdugo tossed a baseball into the crowd to give a souvenir to a young fan, but seconds later, a man in a Yankees shirt heaved it back at him while he wasn't looking.

The ball plunked the Sox outfielder ... and he was FURIOUS over it, pointing up at the fan and yelling with rage.

Ultimately, the fan was booted from the game ... and then hit with a perma-ban from ALL MLB ballparks by officials less than 24 hours later.

"While the Yankees appreciate the spirit and passion of our fans in our various rivalries -- especially with the Red Sox -- reckless, disorderly and dangerous behavior that puts the safety of players, field staff or fellow fans in jeopardy will not be tolerated," Yankees officials said in a statement.

"There is absolutely no place for it at Yankee Stadium. The safety of everyone at Yankee Stadium, including guests in the stands and players on the field, will always be the top priority for the Yankees organization every time we open our doors."

Both the Red Sox and Yankees managers, Alex Cora and Aaron Boone, denounced the fan's actions ... with Boone calling it all, "awful, embarrassing" and "unacceptable."

The fan was somehow not arrested, NJ.com reported over the weekend ... though it's unclear if criminal charges are being pursued.

"Cars, clothing, shoes" -- that's the type of sponsorships UCLA hoops star Johnny Juzang wants after the new NCAA rule change ... telling TMZ Sports, he's excited to make some deals!

The NCAA announced earlier this summer that athletes can now make money off their name, image and likeness ... and when we got Juzang out at Ocean Prime in Beverly Hills this week, he told us he's ready to start negotiating.

Juzang told us he wants to rep things that he aligns with ... which, of course, includes vehicles and swag!!

"I love cars, clothing, shoes -- all that type of stuff," the 20-year-old said. "Should be some cool opportunities."

The 6-foot-6 guard tells us he's also interested in food brands -- specifically healthy ones.

"I eat healthy," Juzang said. "So, different brands that’ll align with that -- it’ll be interesting, man."

He added, "It’ll be a cool way to share a little bit about myself. It’s going to be exciting, man."

Juzang -- who averaged 16 points per game last season -- became a star after leading the Bruins to the 2021 Final Four -- their first appearance there in 13 years.

JJ declared for the 2021 NBA Draft shortly after, but he withdrew before the deadline and is now back in Westwood for his junior season.

And, he says he's hoping the Bruins can make another strong run for the title in 2022!

The sleeping arrangements for the Olympics have surfaced -- athletes will crash on boxes, limit 1 per customer ... something honchos apparently don't want tested with bedroom shenanigans.

Check out the beds that have been set up all throughout the Olympic village in Tokyo, where world-class athletes will arrive by the end of next week for the start of the games. As you can clearly see, these babies are made out of good old-fashioned cardboard ... seriously.

The beds' frames and modest mattresses are designed by a company called Airweave -- and they've cranked out upwards of 18,000 for the Olympics. Yes, they're somewhat intricate in their structure and configuring ... able to be adjusted to an individual's liking/contortion.

However, a running theory is that the beds are made this way for a reason -- namely, the International Olympic Committee and other organizers supposedly want to discourage sex among athletes ... a pastime at the games that's getting pooh-pooh'd this year due to COVID.

A handful of Olympic athletes -- some who've already touched down in Tokyo, and others who haven't -- are testing positive for the virus ... including U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff.

Still, U.S. track and field star Paul Chelimo got in on the joke, explaining that it was clear to him the Olympic powers that be don't want any banging going on ... because these beds, theoretically, only support the weight of one person. NBD for runners, though!!!

He writes, "I see no problem for distance runners,even 4 of us can do😂." The implication being ... runners are light, so a couple of them probably wouldn't break the bed.

There's also the tradition of handing out condoms, which got a 2021 asterisk. The Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee reportedly told a Japanese outlet the condoms aren't supposed to be used, but brought back to an athlete's home country for safe sex education.

In other words ... keep it in your pants this time around. That, or risk hitting the floor.

Adele is reportedly back on the dating scene, but it's not with one of her music contemporaries ... supposedly, it's someone in the sports world -- LeBron James' sports world, to be exact.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst dropped the bombshell on his 'Lowe Post' podcast Saturday night ... shortly after the Bucks beat the Suns for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. It was a star-studded game in the stands -- and featured none other than Adele, sitting next to LeBron's agent, Rich Paul ... a dude who's usually behind the scenes, but is a major NBA power broker.

Windhorst was describing the atmosphere and the famous faces in the crowd -- and when he got to LeBron and Rich, he didn't even pretend to play coy with who he says Adele is as it relates to Rich. By that, we mean he straight-up referred to her as his full-blown girlfriend.

Adele was photographed getting cozy next to Rich during the game -- but there were no obvious signs of PDA to indicate a relationship. In fact, before Windhorst said this ... we'd argue no one even thought anything of the seating arrangement. But, this is ... WOW!

Neither party has confirmed the relationship -- we got calls into both of their camps, no word back yet -- but knowing how plugged in Brian is with all things NBA ... something tells us there may be some truth to this. The pro he is, he wouldn't just drop this without some insight ... which he, perhaps, assumed was safe to talk about since they went "public," as he puts it. Sounds like this is something that's been known in NBA circles for a minute.

IF true, it might be one of the more surprising pairings we've seen in a while. Adele's been rumored to have dated Drake, Skepta and even Harry Styles at one point last year. Remember, she is newly single following the finalization of her divorce from ex, Simon.

Padres superstars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado are being hailed for their heroics after gunshots forced Nationals Stadium into lockdown, and left some fans searching for a safe place to hide.

Video inside the game shows Tatis and Machado springing out of the 3rd base dugout and running to open a fence to the stands. As we reported, someone fired at least 7 shots Saturday night just outside the stadium, during the 6th inning.

The shots could be heard on the broadcast as the teams were walking to their dugouts, and fans were immediately told to shelter in place. Some fans at field level were exposed and scrambling for somewhere to take cover, and that's where the sluggers stepped in to help.

Both players ran from the cover of their dugout, and unlocked the gates from stands onto the field -- allowing terrified fans to flee. A stream of spectators sprinted, some carrying children, from the field into the protected dugout.

Cops say a total of 3 people were injured in the shooting ... including one woman who was attending the game. Although the shots were fired outside the stadium, cops say at least one bullet ricocheted and hit the spectator.

LeBron James isn't playing in the NBA Finals, but he's definitely playing AT them ... as he was spotted chilling courtside in Phoenix ... with a full bottle of Tequila!!! Hardcore playing.

King James was quite the sight Saturday night during Game 5 -- he had the bottle of booze between his legs, sitting on the court. Fans know LeBron typically gets his way on the court, but this seemed ridiculous. Ever try bringing your own liquor into a game? Don't.

Of course, if you're LeBron it's a different story, and the bottle of Lobos 1707 was more for business than drunken fun, we're guessing.

As we've reported ... LBJ and several other NBA players are investors in the brand. There's a reason the Lakers star had the label out toward cameras. Smart business, man.

His teammate Anthony Davis and Warriors star Draymond Green are also investors in the booze.

LeBron's pal, Chris Paul, and the Phoenix Suns lost the game and now trail 3-2 in the series -- but LeBron came out the winner off the court.

And yeah, he probably enjoyed a shot or 2 himself to celebrate "Space Jam: A New Legacy" hitting theaters.

Daymond John is offering up financial advice to new UFC star Kris Moutinho ... after the crazy tough fighter admitted to TMZ Sports he has no clue what to do with his $75K bonus check.

The Shark Tank star and business mogul joined "TMZ Live" for his weekly "Follow The Money" segment ... and laid out exactly how Moutinho should allot the cash.

Pay your manager, start a corporation, write-off expenses, and open an account to save money are just a few of the tips John recommended Kris follow.

Remember, "Suga" Sean O'Malley peppered Kris with 230 significant strikes during their UFC 264 matchup ... but WOULD NOT QUIT. Moutinho ultimately lost, but Dana White gave him the $75K Fight of the Night bonus ... money KM admitted he had no idea to manage.

And, get this, Daymond -- who's an extremely busy guy -- actually offered to work with Kris one-on-one ... and help Moutinho get his finances together.

"This young man is gonna be getting a lot of checks. He's my new favorite, and if he wants to call me, I'm gonna help him put that money in the right place, stay protected, and grow that money," Daymond says.

"And, I have a lot of good friends who would love to help him financially and show him what to do, cause he was smart enough to know he did not know what to do with that type of money, and many of us need to act like that when we get money."