TMZ Sports - Page 50

Media beef at the NFL Combine ... with a verbal altercation reportedly breaking out between two top football insiders at a Starbucks -- to the point where league security is apparently involved.

The news broke Wednesday night when Barstool Sports personality PFT Commenter claimed a "Serious big time media confrontation AT STARBUCKS between two NFL news breakers" took place.

Pro Football Talk later reported it was between NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport and fellow insider Jordan Schultz.

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were tragically found dead this week ... and their family believes carbon monoxide poisoning is to blame, TMZ has learned.

The legendary actor's daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, tells TMZ they’re not sure, but they think the cause might be from toxic fumes.

She added law enforcement found no signs of foul play, although Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza tells us his deputies haven't ruled anything out and are still investigating.

The house is fairly modern ... it was built in 2000. We do not know if there were any issues with gas leaks or if there were calls to service at the address.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff says he's not ruling anything out in the deaths of iconic actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog -- and his deputies even got a search warrant in case the investigation turns criminal, TMZ has learned.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza tells TMZ ... his deputies responded Wednesday to the compound of Hackman and Arakawa after receiving a call ... and they initially entered the house only to find the bodies of the couple and one of their 3 dogs -- 2 others survived.

Once they found the corpses, Mendoza says, the deputies backed out of the house and applied for a warrant to conduct a more thorough search.

The Lakers and Mavericks weren't the only ones battling on Tuesday -- fans outside the arena duked it out, too ... with a massive brawl breaking out and resulting in a man getting knocked out.

The chaotic scene unfolded the same night the Lakers beat the Mavs 107-99 at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles ... the first time Luka Doncic had to face his former team since the blockbuster trade.

In a clip of the madness, a man in a LeBron James Lakers jersey appears to be taking hits from a group of angry fans ... but recovers to the point where he tries to go after different enemies one at a time.

America has never had a better president occupying the White House, according to boxing legend Floyd Mayweather ... who says Donald Trump is the "best president" in U.S. history!

Mayweather appeared on FOX Business Wednesday afternoon, where he spoke glowingly about the 47th President of the United States.

"We had Trump before, we didn't appreciate him," Floyd told host Charles Payne, adding ... "but I think Trump is a great president. Actually, he's the best president in my eyes. He's the best president we ever had."

Mayweather, who attended Trump's first inauguration in 2017, acknowledged the people who dislike POTUS ... while making it clear DJT is exactly where he should be -- 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

"Trump has done an amazing job. A lot of people around America are upset, but no matter who goes in the White House, we're always upset. I think Trump is the man for the job. He's the best president in my eyes."

Mayweather, fresh off a week-long, lavish 48th birthday celebration in Miami, also spoke about his extensive real estate portfolio, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Kentucky narrowly avoided a road loss AND a flying beer can on Wednesday ... with Wildcats players getting targeted with a fan's trash following a nail-biting finish against Oklahoma.

It all went down after the No. 17 Wildcats ended the unranked Sooners' hopes at an upset by securing an 83-82 win ... with a bit of drama breaking out after the final buzzer.

Wildcats sophomore forward Brandon Garrison got in the face of Sooners freshman Jeremiah Fears ... which led to players and staffers from both sides to rush over. Luckily, the two were separated before the situation escalated further.

Justin Tucker's wife is speaking out on the disturbing allegations made against the All-Pro kicker ... saying she is standing firmly in his corner through it all.

The Baltimore Ravens star has been accused by 16 massage therapists of acting inappropriately during sessions from 2012-2016 ... which sparked an NFL investigation.

Tucker has adamantly denied any wrongdoing ... and this week, his wife, Amanda, broke her silence on the matter.

Gene Hackman once spoke about his fear of dying in a haunting interview that’s now resurfaced ... just a day after he, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead at their New Mexico home.

In a 2004 chat with Larry King, Gene admitted he didn’t fear much -- but dying definitely freaked him out ... adding it’s the kind of thing that hits you when you get up there in age.

Gene, who was 74 at the time, said his fear of dying wasn’t just about him -- he wanted to make sure his wife and family were taken care of, too.

Gene Hackman was rarely seen in public leading up to his tragic death, and the last sighting of him and his late wife shows them enjoying each other's company.

Gene and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were spotted nearly a year ago at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in New Mexico. During their outing on March 28, 2024 at the Albuquerque restaurant,  Gene is seen holding his wife's arm for support.

At the time, Gene had recently turned 94 and was holding onto a walking cane as the couple stepped out of the restaurant. Gene was keeping his look casual with a vest, cap and sunglasses, while Betsy wore a patterned shirt.

Gene Hackman is being mourned by Hollywood following the unexpected news of the deaths of the actor and his wife of 34 years, Betsy Arakawa.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the pair were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Wednesday -- reportedly after a neighbor called in for a wellness check.

It's no secret the Oscar winner had an immense impact on the film industry, having a prolific five-decade career before he retired in 2004. The stars are feeling the heartbreaking loss and taking to social media to share their sorrows and fond memories of the big-screen legend.

A former Denver Broncos special teams player has reached a settlement after filing a lawsuit over a season-ending knee injury he suffered during a game in 2022.

TMZ Sports broke the story -- Aaron Patrick tore his ACL in overtime of the Broncos and L.A. Chargers' "Monday Night Football" contest at SoFi Stadium after stepping on a mat in order to avoid colliding with an NFL official positioned on the sidelines.

The mat was placed on the turf to cover cords and cables for the league's instant replay monitors ... but Patrick claimed his foot got caught in it, causing his knee to bend awkwardly.

LAFC defender Sergi Palencia is currently under investigation ... after being accused of using a derogatory term toward a Colorado Rapids player during Tuesday night's contest.

Play was halted at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles during the 85th minute of the Concacaf Champions Cup match ... when Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem began speaking intensely with a referee over what he deemed hate speech.

The official then talked to both coaches and the respected team captains before the action was resumed ... which ended in a Rapids loss by a final score of 1-0.

Pro surfer Makai McNamara is currently in a coma after a "freak accident" in Hawaii, according to reports.

The frightening moment happened at the North Shore of Oahu ... where McNamara, 29, was surfing at his usual spot, the Banzai Pipeline -- which is known for being a dangerous location.

McNamara was struck by a large wave during his run ... which knocked him unconscious and sent him headfirst into a reef, fellow surfer Eli Olson told an outlet.

Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia’s been real open about her messy breakup with Zach Bryan -- and she’s owning it all, including $12 million he allegedly offered her to keep quiet.

We caught up with the Barstool Sports star at LAX Tuesday, and she made it clear -- she's got no regrets about passing on that multimillion-dollar NDA, calling it "devil's money" ... and telling us she doesn't need anyone else's dough.

You have to watch the full video -- Brianna was straight-up repulsed by the money talk ... saying she doesn’t need that offer because she’s more than capable of making her own bag.

Marshall pass rusher Mike Green -- a projected first-rounder in the upcoming NFL Draft -- just revealed he's been the subject of two sexual assault allegations, but the football star adamantly denies he did anything wrong.

The defensive end met with media at the NFL Combine on Wednesday ... and disclosed why he was dismissed from Virginia in September 2022, before he ultimately joined the MU football team.

Green said the reason, which was never public until today, was that he was accused of SA ... making clear he's "done nothing wrong."

MMA fighter Sean Loeffler has been charged with sexual abuse and more in Lincoln County, Oregon ... nearly a year after he pleaded guilty to domestic violence-related charges and was given a two-year prison sentence.

Documents obtained by TMZ from Lincoln County Circuit Court show Loeffler has been formally charged with sexual abuse in the first and second degrees, plus two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree.

The indictment sets a wildly uncomfortable picture, alleging the female victim "was incapable of consent by reason of mental incapacitation or physical helplessness" and was subject to the professional coach and trainer touching her vaginal area, as well as performing oral sex on her.