TMZ Sports - Page 7

One of Emmitt Smith's former business associates is asking the court for the right to countersue the NFL legend ... claiming the ex-running back defrauded him.

Smith initially sued Johnny Wimbrey back in Dec. 2024 -- alleging he gave Wimbrey and several other defendants hundreds of thousands of dollars to invest ... but claims the funds were "misappropriated for other purposes."

This week, though, Wimbrey filed to amend a previously dismissed lawsuit against Smith -- alleging the Dallas Cowboys great was actually the one who caused the financial losses.

Florida Gators defensive lineman Brendan Bett is sharing his regret over hocking a loogie at South Florida football player Cole Skinner on Saturday ... issuing an apology for his actions.

The redshirt sophomore took to his Instagram Monday to address what happened during the Gators' 18-16 loss to the Bulls ... directing his message to everyone ranging from "Gator nation" and Skinner himself.

"There is no excuse for my actions. I'm truly sorry to both you and your family."

Wrestling legend Rob Van Dam's blowing the minds of wrestling fans, telling the guys at TMZ's "Inside the Ring" that he was actually in talks with WWE about a potential match against John Cena as part of his farewell tour!

RVD was the most recent guest on TMZ's wrestling podcast ... where he revealed news about the discussions, saying he was in talks about a possible match before suffering a double heel fracture during a recent match.

That's shocking 'cause there are only 7 days left on Cena’s year-long farewell tour ... where he's been wrestling foes from past and present, including CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and an upcoming match with Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza.

Conor McGregor has a new cornerman in one of his business pursuits ... it's none other than Donald Trump Jr.!!

Mixed Martial Arts Group (MMA.Inc) -- a company backed by the UFC superstar -- announced POTUS' son as its newest strategic advisor on Tuesday ... a move that has Notorious stoked.

"Don is a globally recognized business leader with a deep passion for martial arts and for the coaches and small business owners who are the backbone of this sport," McGregor -- the company's key investor -- said.

Peyton Manning was more like Prayin' Manning on Monday night ... as he revealed he's desperately trying to get Pope Leo XIV to be a guest on his "ManningCast" show.

During the third quarter of the Vikings vs. Bears game at Soldier Field, Manning informed his massive audience that he went to great lengths to try to get His Holiness to come talk ball with him and his brother, Eli, during a "Monday Night Football" matchup.

Peyton said he penned two handwritten letters -- one for the pope and another for his executive assistant -- and while they went unanswered for Monday's contest ... he threw up a Hail Mary that one day the pope might join him and his little bro on their ESPN2 broadcast.

Master P wants the smoke with Shaquille O'Neal ... telling TMZ Sports he's hoping to set up a college basketball matchup between their two schools -- University of New Orleans and Sacramento State!!

We spoke with Miller while he was busy hosting the "TMZ After Dark" tour over the weekend ... and during a brief pause in all the fun, the rap legend -- and new president of basketball operations at UNO -- explained how he's trying to set up a competition with the Hornets, as the Big Aristotle is their GM and his son Shaqir is on the roster.

"If y'all want to see that, y'all need to call the NCAA and say, 'Look, man, at least let us scrimmage each other this year,'" P said. "I think that'll be big for the culture in New Orleans. Shaq and Master P at the University of New Orleans and University of Sacramento."

Aaron Nola never faced adversity pitching against the NY Mets Monday night in Philadelphia ... that was until he entered his own locker room after the game, where a teammate ripped ass in the middle of his postgame presser, and it was hilarious!

Nola was speaking with the media after The Fightin' Phils defeated their NL East rivals 1-0 -- where he struck out seven, only allowing three hits -- when the fart heard around the locker room was captured on camera.

It was loud and caught everyone off guard ... both players and the media. Cue the laughter.

Ray Lewis had no problem playfully running his mouth at Andre Reed before their teams faced off on "Sunday Night Football" ... but after the Buffalo Bills pulled off an incredible comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens -- guess who's talking now??

TMZ Sports spoke with the Pro Football Hall of Famer fresh off his Bills' Week 1 victory ... and he had a fun response to the legendary linebacker, who warned him prior to kickoff of a "storm" making its way to Upstate New York.

"Ray knew what was up," Andre said Monday. "He's coming to Buffalo, he's coming to the best fans in the NFL. The storm was coming, you're right -- it's not December. These two teams were a storm and it was here, but we had 70,000 plows ready for that storm and we cleared 'em out in the end."

One of the NFL's fresh faces in the 2025 season is J.J. McCarthy, the Minnesota Vikings' starting quarterback, who's on a comeback mission!

The thing is, McCarthy actually joined the league in 2024, but ended up sitting out his first season after suffering a serious injury.

We're going to see how the athlete moved past his setback in pursuit of his pro football goals ... and how he's preparing for some pretty big changes in his personal life.

J.J.'s football career kicked off back when he was attending high school at Nazareth Academy, located outside of Chicago.

He played several seasons for the school before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season.

McCarthy went on to join the University of Michigan's football squad, and he made his debut with the Wolverines in 2021.

He remained with the team for a total of three seasons, and helped lead the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023.

McCarthy's time in the NFL started in 2024, when the Vikings drafted him in the first round, making him the tenth overall pick.

He wasn't a starting player right away, as he spent his rookie season on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his meniscus.

J.J.'s set to make his debut as the Vikings' QB1 on September 8th, when the team opens the season against NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears.

Fun fact: He'll become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to make his pro debut during a week one Monday Night Football game, according to ESPN.

McCarthy's start in the NFL isn't the only big thing happening for him in September ... because he's expecting to become a father, too!

The pro baller will share the soon-to-arrive child with his longtime partner, Katya Kuropas, who he met in high school.

The pair dated for five years before they announced their engagement with a January 2024 joint Instagram post.

5:31 PM PT -- Tyreek Hill's attorney is adamant Keeta Vaccaro's claims are false, saying in a statement to TMZ Sports the allegations "are nothing more than an attempt by Ms. Vacarro, her mother and/or her counsel to shake Mr. Hill down."

"These new allegations are further proof that Ms. Vacarro and/or her counsel are set on
partaking in a smear campaign in hopes that Mr. Hill will settle and give she and her counsel an unreasonable and unwarranted amount of money," Julius B. Collins said. "Mr. Hill will not be moved by this and awaits his day in Court to present his evidence."

Keeta Vaccaro -- Tyreek Hill's estranged wife -- is now alleging the NFL superstar roughed her up on multiple occasions during their 17-month marriage.

Valter de Vargas Aita -- a bodybuilding champion -- was allegedly stabbed to death during a violent fight with his girlfriend, according to local authorities. He was 41 years old.

The fatal incident reportedly happened Sunday in Chapeco, a city in the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil.

The Civil Police of Chapeco said Aita and a woman he lived with got into a physical fight inside their apartment on Sete de Setembro Street ... and during the altercation, Valter was stabbed with a sharp weapon in the abdomen, back, face and neck.

Jordon Hudson appears to have sent her haters a message on Saturday ... with one of her accessories.

Check out the purse Bill Belichick's girlfriend wore as she attended her man's Univ. of North Carolina football game against Charlotte in Chapel Hill -- it seems to be full of Easter eggs aimed at her critics.

In the bag -- which is clear due to stadium safety policies -- there are literal receipts that sure seem like a metaphor for figurative ones.

Laken Snelling — the University of Kentucky cheerleader charged in the grisly death of her newborn — was captured on camera pulling a stunt — but it's not what you might think.

Here's the scoop ... in April 2025, Snelling was filmed doing a routine with her fellow cheerleaders during the University of Kentucky's match-up against California Baptist University ... it was for the National Championship sport of STUNT, a cheerleading competition held in Nashville, Tennessee.

Check out the video, which just started making the rounds online ... it features Snelling in her form-fitting leotard as she stands on her teammate's shoulders and catches another teammate doing a backflip. Interestingly, Laken's tummy seems to be protruding during the performance — and when you think about what happened months later, the bump sort of gives you the creeps.

Vanessa Bryant is nipping yet another baseless rumor in the bud -- denying she's pregnant by downing a few drinks at the US Open.

Kobe's widow made the statement on Instagram ... showing a photo of her sipping the tournament's signature honey deuce cocktail while enjoying the weekend's action with her daughters, Capri and Bianka.

"Enjoying my honey deuce," Bryant said.

Two months after launching their relationship, Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson are once again stepping out in public ... this time at a star-studded Jay-Z event!

TMZ Sports has learned Klay, 35, and Meg, 30, plan to hit up Hov and billionaire Michael Rubin's REFORM Alliance Casino Gala at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City on Saturday, one of their few public cameos together.

Of course, the future Hall of Famer first got people talking about him and Meg on July 12 ... when he posted a pic kissing a woman whose back was to the camera. Fans speculated it was the rapper.

Travis Hunter's new hairdo may have surprised fans on Sunday, but his wife, Leanna, was turning heads, too -- thanks to her sexy gameday outfit and custom Jaguars boots for her husband's NFL debut.

The star rookie caused quite the stir when he took the field for his first official game ... sporting a buzzed haircut as the Jags faced the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

Leanna was front and center to see Hunter’s milestone moment ... and she made sure her outfit matched the occasion.