TMZ Sports - Page 50

Shannon Sharpe says he's stepping away from his ESPN gig ... four days after a woman claimed in a lawsuit he raped her.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer announced the decision on his X page on Thursday afternoon ... stating he's "temporarily" leaving his seat at the "First Take" desk in order to handle "false and disruptive allegations set against me."

Sharpe added, as of now, he's planning to return to his spot next to Stephen A. Smith later this summer -- right around the start of the NFL's preseason.

Those close to Shannon Sharpe are adamant his relationship with his rape accuser was "purely" a BDSM one -- where the two would meet up for rough sex about once a week ... and nothing more.

Sources close to the Pro Football Hall of Famer told TMZ Sports on Thursday the ex-NFL star engaged in kinky, consensual sexual activity with Jane Doe "about 100 times" in both Los Angeles and Nevada -- from late 2022 to January 2025.

They insist that while the intimate encounters featured choking and role playing -- none of it was ever nonconsensual, forcible sex.

The Washington Commanders are getting a taste of playoff hockey in the nation's capital -- and beer -- 'cause backup quarterback Sam Hartman drained a cold one in the middle of the Capitals' matchup against the Montreal Canadians ... while Jayden Daniels played cheerleader!!

Washington's quarterback room of Daniels, Hartman and Marcus Mariota -- as well as some members of the offensive line -- were on glass to watch Washington take a 2-0 lead in the series on Wednesday ... and while there was plenty of action on the ice, they also provided some entertainment.

The group was a hit among the fans ... especially after Hartman crushed a beer to rile up the crowd. Hartman joked in an Instagram Story that six years of college had helped prepare him for the moment.

Kristaps Porzingis is embracing the bloody injury he sustained in Game 2 of the Celtics vs. Magic NBA Playoffs series ... saying despite needing five stitches as a result of the shot to his head, he loves his "WWE moments!"

The 7'2" center spoke to the media about the gruesome gash he sustained late in the third quarter of Wednesday night's matchup at TD Garden in Beantown.

In case you missed it, Porzingis -- who was traded to Boston in 2023 -- took an elbow to the forehead when Magic big man Goga Bitadze went for a rebound off a missed Paolo Banchero shot.

Some New York Giants fans are clamoring for general manager Joe Schoen to take a quarterback in the first round of the NFL draft ... and it sure looks like his son knows the right guy for the job -- Jaxson Dart.

On Wednesday night, Carson -- who very well could be quite a quarterback guru -- appeared to repost a highlight reel from Dart’s Instagram account on his own Story ... and fans wondered if he might know something they don’t.

To make things even more suspicious, Carson set his account to private later in the night -- which seems awfully suspicious. Regardless of whether he knows anything about the Giants' plans, his pops probably isn't happy about the internet attention.

Tommy Pham grew so frustrated with a fan during the Pirates' tilt vs. the Angels Wednesday, he busted out an obscene gesture toward the person ... and it's all probably going to result in a stiff fine.

The Pittsburgh left fielder's spat with a Halos supporter began during the fifth inning of the Buccos' matchup with L.A. at Angel Stadium ... when a man clad in red leaned over some railing and touched Pham while he was digging for a ball in the dirt.

The Pittsburgh star clearly didn't appreciate the physical interaction ... and after throwing the baseball to the infield, he and the guy seemed to quarrel for a few more minutes.

If the Titans are looking for some last-minute draft advice, they can get plenty from a familiar face -- Jeff Fisher!!

The former Tennessee head coach sat down with TMZ Sports as the Titans prepare to make the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday's annual NFL selection party ... and he issued a few warnings to his old team.

First and foremost, Fisher said if Brian Callahan and Co. have a quarterback they love ... he said they shouldn't overthink it -- and race to the podium to select the signal-caller.

Chicago Bears legend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael is dead after a long battle with ALS.

The death comes just hours after McMichael's wife, Misty, said her husband would be moved to hospice, as his health declined while battling ALS.

He was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease in 2021 and became paralyzed from the shoulders down.

McMichael's friend, Jarrett Payton, made the sad announcement, saying ... "With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones. I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family your prayers."

Tetairoa McMillan is firing back at Todd McShay after the NFL draft pundit trashed his game this month ... telling TMZ Sports the analyst -- and anyone else who doubts him -- will have their minds changed if they just simply watch his film.

McShay went in on the former Univ. of Arizona star multiple times in the past few days -- saying he doesn't "trust" the wideout ... while revealing he has him all the way down at No. 50 on his big board of prospects.

"Tet didn't like to work out," McShay said when giving his opinion of the 22-year-old, "or practice hard unless a scout was in attendance."

5:19 PM PT -- Steve 'Mongo' McMichael has died after moving to hospice car. He was 67.

Chicago Bears legend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael -- who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 -- has been moved to hospice after his condition took a turn for the worst, according to his wife.

Misty -- who married McMichael in 2001 -- told FOX 32 Chicago on Wednesday that her husband's health has declined over the last couple of weeks, revealing he's currently in the ICU at Silver Cross.

"He’s been unresponsive for last two weeks and in and out of the hospital," Misty said.

"As of today, Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox has recommended to the family to transfer Steve into a Joliet hospice facility this afternoon."

Jake Paul is making a major move -- El Gallo is in line to be the new owner of a $42 MILLION estate in Georgia!!!

TMZ Sports has learned the internet superstar and boxer is in contract to land the 5,700-acre property in Decatur County ... as part of one of his growing business ventures.

The estate has a $42 million price tag ... although it's unclear what Jake offered for it.

Sources tell us Jake's unlikely to move into the place ... but regardless, it has everything one could ever ask for -- including a lodge, horse barn, manager's house, guest house, duck pond, lake and a 200-foot bluff overlooking Lake Seminole.

Shaquille O'Neal doesn't have to worry about running off set for a bathroom break anymore ... 'cause adult diaper brands are lining up to give him free product!!

O'Neal, 53, hilariously waddled to the restroom in the middle of an "Inside the NBA" segment on Monday ... and fans, as well as his cohosts Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny "The Jet" Smith, had a field day with the blooper.

NorthShore Care -- known for its "maximum absorbency products" -- tells TMZ Sports it wants to throw up a lob to the Lakers great following the viral moment ... by shipping him some items that could keep him at the desk for a loooong time.

Stephen A. Smith says his bosses at ESPN are currently mulling Shannon Sharpe's "First Take" future ... in the wake of the explosive rape lawsuit that was levied against the ex-NFL star earlier this month.

On his "The Stephen A Smith Show" Tuesday, Smith stated he recently had a talk with ESPN honcho Jimmy Pitaro, who told told him, "We are taking this matter very seriously."

Smith said Pitaro added, "We are looking into this very, very closely. And once we gather as many facts as we possibly can, we will go from there."

Shannon Sharpe's accuser's lawyer has released new audio in which you can hear the ESPN commentator threatening to choke the woman in public -- but the Pro Football Hall of Famer's team is adamant it's not what it sounds like.

Attorney Tony Buzbee dropped the file Wednesday morning and issued a statement, saying Sharpe’s attacks on him and his "Jane Doe" client were a "big, stupid mistake."

Buzbee goes on to say the audio "provides a fair picture of the relationship shortly before the alleged assault in this case," although he has not said when it was recorded.

Two-time state diving champion Maisey O'Donnell was one of the three high school seniors killed in a car crash this week ... a tragedy that took place during their spring break vacation in Florida.

The incident happened on Monday night on Highway 98 near Panama City ... when an SUV carrying O'Donnell and three others crashed with a tractor-trailer that was making a U-turn in the median.

The force of the crash sent the SUV over the median ... and it finally came to a stop in the woods nearby.

Shaquille O'Neal's bathroom emergency wasn't about to come and go without some chain yanking from his "Inside the NBA" cohosts ... with the NBA legend getting trolled with a portable toilet right next to his spot on the desk!!

Fresh off O'Neal's abrupt exit from Monday night's show to drain the snake, his coworkers decided to help him out a bit with some hijinks.

The hilarious prank was documented during Tuesday night's TNT coverage of the NBA playoffs ... something Charles Barkley didn't even notice when he arrived to the studio.