TMZ Sports - Page 29

Before it was Pope Leo, it was "Let's go White Sox" for Robert Prevost ... as an unearthed photo shows the new pope cheered on the Pale Hose in person at a 2005 World Series game.

In the picture -- which was obtained by The Chicago Sun-Times shortly after Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday -- you can see the new pontiff chatting on a phone at U.S. Cellular Field as some of his close friends posed for a picture inches away.

According to Sports Illustrated, the image was from either Game 1 or Game 2 of the Series against the Houston Astros. The Sox won both -- the first by a score of 5-3, and the next 7-6. They went on to win the whole shebang, four games to none.

L.A. Rams star Quentin Lake is passing along some advice to Shedeur Sanders ... and given how similar the guys' NFL draft experiences were -- Deion's son would be wise to listen up.

The 26-year-old defensive back delivered a pump-up speech of sorts to the Cleveland Browns rookie just ahead of his first-ever pro practice on Friday ... and Lake made it clear, Sanders can find success as a late-round pick with a famous dad, just as he once did.

Lake -- the son of former All-Pro Carnell Lake -- went in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft ... but he was able to go on to become a team captain and one of his squad's best players.

The Knicks have inspired belief and confidence in their fanbase after going up 2-0 on the Celtics ... but legendary film director and diehard backer Spike Lee believes there’s a more divine reason the New York fans can expect a title this season -- the new Pope!!

Apparently, Spike is all about Leo XIV because Robert Francis Prevost is a Villanova grad. Villanova -- the only Augustinian Catholic university in the United States -- is also the alma mater of three Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.

If you ask Spike -- a regular at Knicks games -- the 'Nova connection is a sign from God his squad is going to win it all this season.

Paul Pierce has finally clocked in for his day job at the Fox Studio Lot ... and he's adamant he walked the full 20 miles to get there.

The NBA legend told TMZ Sports as he was finishing up his trek that he paid off his bet to his "Speak" colleagues in full -- using no means of transportation other than his feet to get him from The Valley to West Los Angeles on Thursday.

He also said he doesn't regret making the wager -- which, of course, he placed on Wednesday afternoon when he believed his former Celtics team would beat the Knicks in Game 2 of their playoff series at TD Garden.

UNLV football player Ben Christman's cause of death has been revealed ... with officials stating the 21-year-old passed away naturally.

The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner shared the results with TMZ Sports on Thursday ... which determined he died from cardiac arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat -- either too fast or too slow -- and cardiomyopathy is a disease that impacts the heart muscle.

The LeBron James haters are out in full force after the Lakers were abruptly booted from the postseason ... but the King doesn't seem to be fazed one bit -- claiming he's not losing any sleep in his early offseason.

The four-time champion opened up during a chat with Steve Nash on the "Mind The Game" podcast ... when the Hall of Famer asked James about the narratives surrounding the team's early elimination.

Nash asked one of the main questions on everyone's minds -- how did the Lakers lose to the Timberwolves when they have James and Luka Doncic, one of the top players in the league, on the same roster??

Gloria Estefan says Diddy was nice to have as a neighbor ... but that doesn't mean they had any "Freak Off" parties together.

We got Gloria leaving iHeartRadio in New York City on Thursday and our photog asked her about a lawsuit she was named in last month ... where a man claimed he was sexually assaulted, raped and humiliated at a "freak off" party in Miami attended by Jay-Z, Beyoncé, LeBron James, Diddy, and Gloria.

Gloria says the guy behind the lawsuit is "not well in the head" ... and she's doubling down on her vehement denial of some serious allegations against her.

Aaron Rodgers might not be married after all -- the NFL legend was spotted out in the wild this week with no jewelry on that finger.

The 41-year-old -- who rocked what certainly looked like a wedding ring while out at Kentucky Derby festivities last weekend -- was seen leaving a Malibu, Calif. gym on Wednesday with no sign of the small black band that made headlines this week.

Of course, it's possible the signal-caller merely didn't want to pump iron with a hindrance on his left hand ... but it's also entirely possible the whole ordeal was a Rodgers ruse.

Kristin Cavallari’s no stranger to the spotlight -- but she hit pause on her main character era to shine it on someone else for a change ... her son Jaxon.

In a Wednesday IG post, Kristin was every bit the proud mama, sharing a sweet tribute to Jaxon -- her 11-year-old son with ex-husband Jay Cutler -- along with a bunch of adorable pics from the boy's birthday bash.

The pics were seriously heart-melty -- Jaxon rocked a velvet suit like a mini style icon, with the celebrations starting at home, surrounded by balloons, before Kristin whisked him off for a birthday dinner.

The New York Knicks' unexpected 2-0 lead in their playoff series against the Boston Celtics isn't sitting well with the green team's core fan base ... and veins are popping out of temples as a result!!!

On Thursday, Benzino dared all Knicks fans to bet him that his Celtics would prevail in Game 3 ... at Madison Square Garden with their backs against the wall.

Benzino noted how the Knicks haven't won a chip since 1973 and didn't foresee it happening this year ... they're running with the Mets colors, for cryin' out loud.

Rolly Romero's making it clear it's totally fine for men to cry ... and he tells TMZ Sports anyone who's making fun of Ryan Garcia for his emotional outburst after their fight last week can go pound sand.

The star boxer -- who upset Garcia in Times Square on May 2 -- passionately defended his opponent while out in L.A. on Wednesday ... explaining he, too, had a big cry following their tilt.

"It's OK for men to cry, bruh," Romero said ... adding, "It just shows we're human."

Wanna go to game 3 of Knicks vs. Celtics at Madison Square Garden?! You better have DEEEEEP pockets ... 'cause ticket prices are soaring!

Tix would've been crazy expensive even if the Knickerbockers were down 0-2, but with Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony-Towns, and the rest of the squad shocking the Celtics with two comeback wins in the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs, demand is through the roof!

TMZ Sports spoke with several ticket resellers, including Vivid Seats, who told us they've seen a 56% spike in asking price for Game 3, with sellers seeking $1,530, on average, for a single seat ... up from $982 before Game 2.

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey pulled out all the stops to celebrate their impending arrival -- hosting an extravagant baby shower over the weekend ... which also appeared to serve as a make-up session between the model and her sisters.

The married couple hosted the big bash on the grounds of the Castle Hill Inn in Rhode Island on May 4 ... which had Parisian theming present throughout -- even down to the food and beverages offered to the guests.

The color scheme for the shindig was green -- the McCaffreys purposely didn't want to pick pink or blue because they're waiting to know the child's gender until after it is born, Culpo told Vogue.

Ja Morant might've fallen short in his quest to secure an NBA Championship ring, but he's still winnin' in the jewelry game ... after the Grizzlies star copped an awesome, iced-out pendant of his logo -- and TMZ Sports has the details!

The NBA star recently took a trip to the famed Ice Box jewelry store after the Thunder swept the Grizzlies in the NBA Playoffs.

Morant -- who suffered an injury during the playoff series -- wanted to turn his frown upside down ... and he did it by gifting himself some new jewels, including an iced-out pendant of his logo.

Paul Pierce really IS the "Truth" -- 'cause the Celtics legend kept his word and started an eight-hour trek to the Fox lot after guaranteeing his old team would beat the Knicks on Wednesday ... and he's documenting the whole journey.

Pierce talked a big game prior to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals ... saying if the Cs didn't even things up at 1-1, he'd use his legs as transportation to get to work the next day.

"If the Celtics lose Game two at home, I'm walking here tomorrow," Pierce said on "Speak."

"Fifteen miles! I'm walking here! In my robe, no shoes on, barefoot, if the Celtics lose tonight."

Cleveland Browns star David Njoku is clearly ready for the NFL season ... 'cause the Pro Bowl tight end put his incredible figure on full display during a visit to the beach in Miami!!

The 28-year-old ditched his shirt and rocked a pair of short black bottoms for the occasion ... and based on footage of his visit, he was in great spirits as he had his feet in the sand.

Njoku is apparently taking in as much free time as he can before preparations for the upcoming season ramp up in a few weeks ... as OTAs kick off later this month.