TMZ Sports - Page 50

Soccer star Joe Thompson has passed away after a long battle with cancer, his wife confirmed this week. He was only 36.

Chantelle Thompson shared the devastating news on Instagram ... saying her "brave and courageous" husband died at home surrounded by his family.

"It’s been a long battle, and one that he fought with all his might and he did things HIS way!!" Chantelle said.

Pete Carroll assembled an Avengers-esque lineup of guests for his USC course this week ... with none other than Tom Brady and JuJu Watkins joining the class!!

The Las Vegas Raiders coach/professor welcomed the seven-time Super Bowl champion -- and as he noted, his new boss -- to Thursday's session via Zoom ... and students in attendance understandably lost it when TB12 popped up on the big screen.

The class, called "The Game is Life," is being taught by Carroll, USC Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni, and adjunct professor of entrepreneurship David Belasco.

Wrestling legend Kevin Von Erich is opening up about a major tragedy -- recalling the gut-wrenching call he got from his brother Kerry shortly before he took his own life.

In a teaser for the new doc "The Real Iron Claw" -- Kevin recalls the devastating 1993 phone call when he begged Kerry not to shoot himself, pleading with him not to leave him completely alone after the deaths of their other brothers.

It’s heart-wrenching stuff -- Kevin said Kerry eventually reassured him he’d be fine during the call, but deep down he knew something was wrong, so he called their dad, Fritz Von Erich, to warn him.

The woman who designed Kiki Iriafen's stunning WNBA draft night dress has seen her pockets grow a little fatter since the ex-USC star rocked the look ... with TMZ Sports learning her business is now surging!

The mind behind the amazing 'fit is Nneka C. Alexander ... and when we spoke with her in the days after Iriafen's gold-and-bronze get-up went viral, she said her DMs have been going crazy.

She told us people have been hitting her up seeking some custom pieces -- similar to the one Iriafen rocked on Monday.

Ivanka Trump is having some fun in the sun in Costa Rica, enjoying some quality time with her kids at the beach and surfing her butt off in the ocean.

Speaking of Ivanka's rear end, President Donald Trump's daughter gave everyone a good look at it in her one-piece bathing suit -- and, trust us, you won't be disappointed when you catch a glimpse in our exclusive footage.

That's right ... TMZ obtained photos/videos of Ivanka and her children chilling on the sand and splashing around in the waters off Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

Congratulations are in order for college basketball star Haley Cavinder and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson -- the couple just got engaged!!

The social media sensation shared the big surprise on her Instagram Story on Thursday ... proudly showing off an enormous diamond on her ring finger -- with a bunch of white flowers set up behind her.

The proposal took place on the beach ... with sand and a big body of water visible in the background.

Billy Horschel left a fan with a Hor-rible wound while out on the golf course Thursday -- after he accidentally smacked her right in the leg with an errant tee shot!!

It all went down at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina ... as the PGA Tour star was trying to pump one of his drives deep down the fairway on the par 4, 10th hole.

Horschel gave his ball a ride ... but, unfortunately for him, it leaked right -- and came crashing down right on a woman's shin.

Khloé Kardashian says her kids aren't bringing their PJs and sleeping bags to friends' houses, ever ... 'cause she says she's not comfortable with them attending sleepovers -- and true crime is the reason why.

The reality star admitted her strict rules about her children sleeping away from home on her "Khloé in Wonder Land" podcast ... telling her guest, UFC President Dana White, she's strict on the rule -- and arguing times are different from when she and Dana were kids.

Kardashian says, "They’re not allowed to have sleepovers, just because I’m one of those types of, I just, I think too much. I’ve watched too much ‘Dateline.'”

The Florida State Seminoles have canceled all home sporting events through Sunday ... following a shooting that took place on the school's campus earlier Thursday.

A gunman -- who's now reportedly in custody -- opened fire on students just after noon ... and, according to WCTV, six people were hospitalized as a result.

Many are still sheltering in place at the university -- while others have evacuated entirely.

Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned a month into NFL free agency ... and the four-time MVP's finally breaking his prolonged silence since his departure from the Jets -- saying retirement is still very much on the table.

Rodgers hopped on the "Pat McAfee Show" to talk about his current status after his two-year stint in New York and meetings with several organizations ... and he debunked some of the rumors flying around, including his contract demands.

"I told every single one of the teams I talked to it ain't about the money, I'll play for 10 [million]," he said. "I never once said I need a multi-year deal. Thirty, 40 million dollars. It's absolute bulls***."

10:38 AM PT -- Next Generation Action Network president Dominique Alexander began the press conference several minutes after police sorted out the issue ... and he kicked things by ripping Jeff Metcalf for appearing uninvited. He called the man's behavior "inappropriate," and "a disrespect to the dignity of his son."

Alexander then went on to blast media members for spreading falsehoods about the Anthonys in wake of their son's arrest -- appearing to take the biggest issue with the family's GiveSendGo funds, which he was adamant nobody had access to until Wednesday.

Karmelo's mom, Kayla Hayes, then addressed reporters ... and emotionally pleaded for the threats and harassment she and her family have received to stop.

Alexander ultimately wrapped up the event by insisting this will be their last press conference until a trial for Karmelo begins.

Karmelo Anthony's family was slated to address the teen's murder charge at a news conference roughly an hour ago -- but they put a pause on the proceedings ... as the father of the boy who Anthony allegedly killed unexpectedly showed up to the event.

9:54 AM PT -- A spokesperson for Universal Music Group tells TMZ ... "Drake, unquestionably one of the world's most accomplished artists and with whom we’ve enjoyed at 16-year successful relationship, is being misled by his legal representatives into taking one absurd legal step after another. In Texas last November, his counsel instituted a legal proceeding with much fanfare and bluster. On Monday, they quietly dropped the case."

They continued ... "In New York in January, Drake's counsel filed a defamation lawsuit. Fearful of being sanctioned by the court for asserting false allegations, tonight they amended the complaint to withdraw them only to add more baseless allegations. Two weeks ago, his representatives celebrated a 'win': the granting of a routine discovery motion. That 'win' will become a loss if this frivolous and reckless lawsuit is not dropped in its entirety because Drake will personally be subject to discovery as well. As the old saying goes, ‘be careful what you wish for.’

They concluded ... "Both the Texas and New York proceedings are an affront to all artists and creative expression. Should his legal representatives senselessly keep the New York lawsuit alive, we will demonstrate that all remaining claims are without merit. It is shameful that these foolish and frivolous legal theatrics continue. They are reputationally and financially costly to Drake and have no chance of success."

Drake says he has new ammo in his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group ... and it's all because of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime show.

Champagne Papi just filed an amended complaint where he specifically mentions Kendrick's performance of "Not Like Us" at Super Bowl LIX.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Drake claims the show "assassinated" his character ... and he says Kendrick excluding the word "pedophile" from the lyrics backs up his claim that the song's content is defamatory.

Roman Reigns is letting wrestling fans know to enjoy him in the ring while they can ... 'cause the WWE Superstar just hinted his time in the ring will soon come to an end, saying he's much closer to the end than he is the beginning!

The Tribal Chief, 39, sat down with Vanity Fair back in January as he made his way to Indianapolis for the Royal Rumble, when he was asked how much longer he plans to continue wrestling.

"After I finish the contract that I'm in, we probably have another year or two max," Roman said. "Then it's time to take on a less physical form of entertainment."

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm's new glove is quite the "National Treasure" ... 'cause the reliever leaned all the way into his Nicolas Cage comparisons by getting a custom Declaration of Independence mitt!!

Folks online have considered Strahmy to be Cage's doppelgänger over the years ... and the 33-year-old certainly doesn't seem to mind it one bit with his latest personalized accessory.

Of course, Cage's Ben Gates famously steals the important piece of paper in an elaborate heist in the classic Disney movie ... and his line, "I'm gonna steal the Declaration of Independence" has become quite the meme with internet users.

For Olympic gold medal sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, it doesn't matter if she's running against Sha'Carri Richardson in Paris, or little Tommy's mom at field day -- 'cause she's goin' all out!!!!

The legendary 38-year-old Jamaican runner showed out at her son's sports day on Wednesday, absolutely dusting a group of fellow parents in what looks like a 100m sprint.

From the pre-sprint stretching, it's clear everyone took the race very seriously ... but anyone with illusions of hanging with the 8x Olympic medalist (3 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) quickly -- literally -- learned that was nothing more than a pipe dream.

It's the end of an era ... Lee Corso just revealed he's retiring from "College GameDay."

The former head coach -- who joined ESPN's legendary pregame show nearly four decades ago -- announced Thursday his last appearance on the iconic program will take place on Aug. 30, during college football's Week 1.

The 89-year-old, who will be 90 when he sits down for his finale, released a statement on his impending retirement through ESPN ... thanking all of his colleagues and fans for all of the years of support they gave him while he was on- and off-air.