TMZ Sports - Page 50

Tebowmania has officially arrived in Jacksonville!!!

Tim Tebow practiced for the first time in front of Jaguars fans Thursday -- and it's clear as day, he's already a crowd favorite!!!

Check out how the new tight end was received as he walked onto the field -- fans cheered, hooted, hollered and even yelled out his name!!

And then, Tebow went out and kind of put on a show for them!!

The former NFL quarterback -- who looks JACKED -- caught several passes during Thursday's workout ... and got in some special teams and blocking work too.

Of course, Tebow's been considered a longshot to make Jacksonville's opening day roster ... given that he's never played the tight end position professionally, and has been out of football for years.

But, if Thursday's practice is any indication, Tebow certainly looks like he belongs ... showing off a huge frame and obvious athleticism.

Plus, it ain't like the Jags tight end room is completely loaded with talent this season.

Jaxson Hayes pushed a cop into a wall and resisted arrest for over 2 minutes before police were finally able to slap handcuffs on the Pelicans center, this according to LAPD.

Police tell us they received a call for a "domestic dispute" around 2:50 AM Wednesday morning ... and when they responded to the location of the alleged incident, officers say they made contact with Hayes in the front yard.

Cops say while talking to Jaxson, the 6'11" hooper attempted to go inside. They ordered him to stop, but he didn't listen ... and then things turned physical. Police claim Hayes pushed an officer into a wall.

LAPD says the 2 officers were able to get Jaxson to the ground, but he continued to resist -- and attempted to get up.

Police say a taser was deployed twice during the fight -- which they say lasted "approximately 2 and a half minutes" before they were able to cuff Hayes.

Jaxson was arrested for resisting arrest ... and taken to a local hospital for treatment for "injuries sustained during the altercation."

A police officer was also treated for injuries.

LAPD says the incident -- which was captured by police body camera -- will be investigated because cops used force to detain Hayes. Police say this is standard in all cases involving force.

Hayes is facing time behind bars, if convicted.

Nobody from Team USA is leaving the Tokyo Games empty-handed ... 'cause athletes are getting hooked up with a TON of free stuff -- from kicks to threads to phones!!

USA weightlifter Mattie Rogers gave fans a sneak peak of the team's awesome swag bags all the way from Japan ... showing off all the fun new gifts everyone got for making it to the big stage.

Naturally, there are a bunch of bags filled in her room ... so Rogers starts things off with some bright pink Nikes all the way down to USA-themed kicks.

And, they made sure they had clothes to go with 'em ... Rogers showed off a huge Nike duffle bag full of their garments and a box from Kim Kardashian's SKIMS line.

The 25-year-old even gave us a fashion show with the luxury Olympic robe!!

"I thought these were only for like famous people!" Rogers joked.

And, no worries if athletes lose their phones at the Village ... Samsung hooked 'em up with brand new ones with the Olympic rings engraved on the back.

There's even more ... but Rogers says "I was going to go through everything but then it was just ... so much!"

"Thank you to team USA for all of this!"

A one-of-one Mike Trout rookie card just sold for OVER $1 MILLION in a private sale to one of the industries top DJ's ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The 2011 "Platinum" Mike Trout Topps Update card is one of the most coveted modern-day baseball cards in existence.

We're told that DJ Skee -- who's worked with top artists like Kendrick Lamar and Post Malone -- along with Mint 10 business partners Courtney and Carter Reum (Paris Hilton's fiancé) ... dropped nearly $1.1 milli on the cardboard.

Collectible marketplace, PWCC brokered the sale, according to the company.

The front of the card features a photo of a then 19-year-old Trout at the plate in his Angels uni. The back is stamped 1/1 ... and says "The New Jersey born speedster debuted on July 8 vs. Seattle, then showed his wares the next night with his first hit and two runs."

The card -- rated a Mint 9 by the card graders at Beckett -- will be on display this week at the Topps booth at the National Sports Card Convention in Chicago.

And, if you don't have 7 figures to spend on a card, Skee teamed up with Topps ... and is releasing a wayyyy more affordable, $20 card that resembles the ultra-rare Platinum card.

Of course, the high-end card market has EXPLODED over the last few years ... a 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractor sold for $3.9 million in August 2020.

Simone Biles says she's grateful for all of the love fans have shown her since withdrawing from Olympic events ... explaining it's made her realize she's so much more than gymnastics.

Everyone from Michael Phelps to Ronda Rousey to even Justin Bieber has praised the gymnast for pulling out of Games events in order to focus on her mental health.

And, Biles said Wednesday the support has meant everything to her ... writing on her social media pages it's "made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before."

As we previously reported, Biles withdrew from the gymnastics team finals in Tokyo on Tuesday after she said mental health issues wouldn't allow her to perform at her best.

Biles went on to pull out of Thursday's all-around final as well, saying she's still working on getting her head right.

USA Gymnastics praised her for the moves ... explaining, "Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many."

It's unclear if the issues will end Biles' run in Tokyo ... there are still some individual events next week the 24-year-old could return for if she feels right.

Gymnastics legend McKayla Maroney, however, said earlier this week she wouldn't be surprised if the issues sideline Biles for a long time -- perhaps even forever.

"I've had a lot of experience with these mental blocks," Maroney said. "They are miserable. They are a gymnast's worst nightmare and they can end your career."

Tennis legend Billie Jean King is singing Naomi Osaka's praises ... telling TMZ Sports she absolutely adores the 23-year-old superstar for her impact on and off the court.

Osaka has quickly become one of the most influential voices in all of sports -- using her platform to speak out on important topics like mental health awareness and social justice.

While she's continued to make an impact outside of competition, the #2-ranked pro shocked fans after getting booted from the Olympics in the first round earlier this week ... leaving folks wondering if she's lost a step on the court.

But, BJK is having NONE of that talk ... saying, "She’s taking a break. She still has it. Are you kidding? She’s just getting started. She’s so young."

"No, she hasn’t lost a step. Not at all, no, no, no, no."

King can't say enough good things about Osaka ... adding, "I love her because she speaks out on social justice and things that matter like mental health and black lives matter and everything. I love her."

Remember, Osaka withdrew from the French Open and skipped Wimbledon earlier this year ... calling out the media for neglecting the mental well-being of athletes and opening up on her struggles with depression.

King applauds Osaka for speaking out ... but also said it's something her era also battled.

"But we actually did worry about it, we just didn’t talk about it. The WTA, the Women’s Tennis Association does worry about it."

USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!

Team USA's Suni Lee just brought home the gold in the women's gymnastics all-around event at the Tokyo Games ... with teammate Simone Biles showing support from the stands!!

The 18-year-old star crushed her routines en route to the top Olympic honors Thursday night ... becoming the 5th-consecutive American to win the event with a score of 57.433.

Of course, Biles was the heavy favorite to win the event ... but the 4-time gold medalist backed out earlier this week to focus on her mental health.

Biles' absence cleared the way for Lee -- she edged out Brazil's Rebeca Andrade, who took silver with a 57.298 score.

It was quite the nail-biter leading up to the final round -- Lee actually trailed Andrade before the floor routine ... but once it was all over, it was the Red, White, and Blue at the top of the podium.

Biles and the rest of the USA gymnasts cheered on their teammate from the crowd ... and Lee's parents and family went completely BONKERS after Lee won it all!!!

USA's Jade Carey also competed in the event ... finishing 8th.

Congrats to Lee ... now time to celebrate!!!

New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes -- the #8 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft -- was arrested after an alleged violent altercation with police, TMZ Sports has learned ... and it apparently got so extreme, the hooper and a cop were taken to a hospital.

We're told law enforcement were called to an LA area home for a domestic disturbance early Wednesday morning ... and when cops attempted to check on the parties involved, 21-year-old Hayes tried like hell to keep them from entering the premises.

Sources tell us 6'11", 220-lb. Hayes got combative with cops and a fight broke out ... with the ex-Texas Longhorns star getting tased in the middle of the scuffle.

The brawl was allegedly so intense, police put out an "officer needs help" radio call.

Hayes was taken to a nearby hospital to get treatment for minor injuries ... and an officer involved in the fight also sought treatment, although their condition is unknown.

Hayes is expected to be booked for felony battery on a police officer. Cops are still investigating the initial alleged domestic incident, but both parties have been uncooperative.

We've reached out to Hayes' rep. So far, no word back.

Team USA skateboarding bronze medalist Jagger Eaton is spilling the beans on the infamous cardboard beds at the Tokyo Games ... telling TMZ Sports they really did SUCK!!!

The beds in the Olympic Village went viral leading up to the Games ... with many believing airweave's design was meant to prevent athletes from getting freaky.

But, the big question -- how on earth the things could actually supply enough comfort for world-class athletes??

So, when Eaton returned from Tokyo on Tuesday, we had to ask about 'em ... and he played it straight!!

"Ugh, those cardboard beds were tough!!" Eaton told us at LAX.

"The funny thing, want to know something funny, I didn’t complain about it once because I knew if I complained about it, I would not get sleep."

But, Eaton came up with a solution -- he tells us he would purposely tire himself out all day ... so when it was time for bed, he'd be out like a light!!

"I ended up just taking my days really long and making them exhausting so I could just sleep."

It definitely worked out for the 20-year-old pro skater -- he ended up winning the bronze medal, the first Olympic skateboard medal for the US!!!

Eaton told us all about his Olympic experience ... saying it was a "friendly battle."

"I feel like I thrive on skating with my friends, that’s what I was doing," Eaton said.

"I was skating with my buddies and I know we’re all going head-to-head, but that’s also why I love these boys and they’re my friends because they want to win too."

Eaton also gave us a glimpse of his shiny Olympic medal and told us he doesn't have his own place yet, "so it’s gonna go to my mom."

Positive update from Tiger Woods ... the golf star is now putting significant weight on his surgically repaired leg -- just five months after the limb was nearly lost in a car crash.

El Tigre was seen in Los Angeles this week with his girlfriend, Erica Herman, and while he's still crutching around and wearing a protective sleeve ... the 45-year-old showed he's clearly able to put most -- if not all of -- his body weight on the leg.

Woods was spotted outside of his Beverly Hills-area hotel standing on the leg, and even appearing to walk a bit on it as well.

Of course, it's great news for Tiger ... 'cause after his rollover crash in L.A. on Feb. 23 -- many wondered if he'd ever be able to use his right leg properly again.

Woods suffered comminuted open fractures during the accident, and needed a rod, screws and pins to repair the damage.

Woods has spent most of his time recovering in Florida ... though he has now made at least two return trips to L.A. since the accident.

Simone Biles pulling out of the Olympics for her own well-being is totally understandable, that is -- if you take into account the pressure around her, and what she's survived ... so says Dominique Dawes.

The legendary gymnast -- who hit the mat as part of Team USA's gold medal-winning 'Magnificent Seven' in '96 -- came on "TMZ Live" Wednesday to talk about Simone's stunning decision to forgo competing in the all-around competition later this week ... and give up defending her gold.

It may have come as a shocker to many, but Dominique tells us she gets it ... and that her heart goes out to Simone for toughing it out as long as she has.

Check out what Dominique says Simone has been dealing with, expectation-wise, for quite some time now. As she goes down the list, ya realize ... SB truly had the weight of the world on her shoulders -- as she alluded to on IG -- especially ahead of the women's gymnastics events in Tokyo, which is off to a shaky start for the Americans.

There's one other major factor that some perhaps forgot about, which Dominique thinks may have played a role here -- namely, the fact Simone is the last Larry Nassar survivor still out there competing, and all the pressure, direct or indirect, stemming from that alone.

Of course, there's also the social media aspect that athletes today have to face ... something she says she didn't have to process when she was in her heyday, but which can get ugly fast if one focuses on the negativity online.

Awful news for Reggie Bush -- the ex-USC superstar will NOT be getting his 2005 Heisman trophy back ... despite the NCAA's new rules allowing athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness.

Remember, the NCAA made a monumental policy change last month ... finally giving players the opportunity to rake in dough via endorsement deals and sponsorships.

Bush -- who gave up his 2005 Heisman in 2010 after receiving improper benefits -- called out the NCAA and Heisman Trust after the new rules were announced ... saying both organizations were ignoring his pleas to have his Heisman returned.

The NCAA finally addressed the situation on Wednesday ... saying Bush's case is not covered by their new order -- therefore, he will not get his trophy back.

"Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements," an NCAA spokesperson said.

"The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools."

Bush is considered one of the best college football players ever -- from 2003 to 2005, he logged 3,169 rushing yards, 1,301 receiving yards, and 38 overall touchdowns.

He also won the 2004 BCS Championship ... a victory that was vacated as a result of Bush's punishment.

Aaron Rodgers is FINALLY opening up about his issues with the Packers ... saying all of the drama this offseason was simply because he wanted more power in the org.

Rodgers broke it all down Wednesday in a lengthy meeting with reporters ... explaining he felt he earned the right to have more say with team decisions, but claimed Packers execs saw it differently.

The 37-year-old says back in February, he approached management about having more input in personnel decisions, free agency recruiting and even picking players in the draft.

Rodgers says he also sought more security with his contract ... hoping to avoid becoming a "lame-duck quarterback" in 2021.

The league's MVP, though, told media members the Packers just didn't give him what he wanted ... and that's when all the drama started.

Rodgers said at one point during his time away from the team as the beef stewed ... he actually contemplated retirement.

Aaron and the Packers clearly reached some sort of agreement over the last few weeks, however, and the QB told reporters Wednesday he was happy to be back playing for Green Bay this season.

But, Rodgers made it clear there's no guarantee he'll be under center for the Pack in 2022 ... saying it's all a wait-and-see game.

Check out Rodgers' full interview with media members below ... it sure sounds like this will be the last ride for the QB in Green Bay.

As for Wednesday's workout, Rodgers looked great in his first practice back with the team ... heaving passes and running drills without issue.

Kyrie Irving is absolutely eviscerating his newest Nike signature sneaker ... calling the kicks "trash" and claiming he has nothing to do with the upcoming release.

The Brooklyn Nets superstar -- who signed with Nike in 2011 -- reportedly makes over $10 million a year as a Swoosh athlete ... and has dropped seven super-popular Kyrie shoes since 2014.

But, Irving is distancing himself from the latest shoe after pics of his "Kyrie 8" leaked on Instagram ... saying, "I have nothing to do with the design or marketing of the upcoming #Kyrie8, IMO these are trash!"

"I have Absolutely nothing to do with them!"

Kyrie says there's no hope of working with Nike to make any last-minute changes before the shoe drops later this year ... apologizing to all his fans who love his brand.

We can't think of any other time an athlete has completely bashed their own shoe -- even Kobe Bryant didn't go this hard on his abomination of the Adidas Kobe 2.

Look, the Kyrie 8 shoes aren't completely hideous, but they definitely give off "dad at the local YMCA" vibes more than an "I'm an NBA superstar" kinda feel. So, we get what Irving's beef is.

A sexual misconduct investigation is NOT keeping Deshaun Watson away from the Texans practice field ... the star QB worked out with his Houston team Wednesday, seemingly unbothered by it all.

Cameras captured the 25-year-old hitting Texans practice in full workout gear ... throwing passes, participating in drills and running around without any issues whatsoever.

It's unclear, though, what the Texans' plan for Watson is going forward ... the team's general manager, Nick Caserio, dodged questions about the QB's status before he hit the field Wednesday.

Caserio declined to say how much Watson would do, if he was the team's starter, if he'd be traded, or how a criminal investigation into Watson plays into all of the above.

"From our perspective," the Houston exec said, "it's a day-to-day endeavor."

The NFL said Tuesday it's placing "no restrictions" on Watson yet ... even though more than 20 female massage therapists have accused him of crossing the line during what were supposed to be routine rubdown sessions.

Twenty-two women have sued the quarterback ... and Watson's attorney says 10 women have filed criminal complaints against Deshaun as well.

Both police and the NFL say they're investigating it all.

Watson has denied the allegations ... and his reps have said any sexual encounters he had with female masseuses were entirely consensual.

Simone Biles will not be defending her gold medal in the all-around final at the Tokyo Games -- the Olympics superstar has backed out of the competition to continue to focus on her mental health.

24-year-old Biles -- who withdrew from the team finals on Tuesday -- underwent further medical evaluation following the event ... and it was determined it was best she sat out Thursday's finals, USA Gymnastics said in a statement.

Biles was the heavy favorite to win the event ... which would have secured the 5th gold medal of her career.

It may not be the end of Biles' Olympic run, however -- there's still a chance she returns to compete in the individual events next week ... but the team says it all depends on the results of her daily evaluations.

"We wholeheartedly support Simone's decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being," USAG said. "Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many."

Biles absolutely crushed the competition at the 2016 Rio Games ... posting a 62.366 score, with teammate Aly Raisman taking silver with a 60.607.