Washington Redskins Maybe It's Time to Change Our Name

It's finally happening ... it looks like one of the big holdouts in the movement to 86 offensive names and imagery from our lexicon is about to go down, because it looks like the Washington Redskins may be FINALLY changing their name.

The team's owner, Dan Snyder, said his org will “undergo a thorough review of the team’s name” ... this as the Redskins have encountered a tidal wave of criticism.

Snyder said, “This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community it is proud to represent on and off the field."

And there's more ... Ron Rivera, the head coach, added this ... “This issue is of personal importance to me and I look forward to working closely with Dan Snyder to make sure we continue the mission of honoring and supporting Native Americans and our Military.”

This all feels like things are now teed up for a name change, and not a minute too soon. FedEx -- whose name is on the stadium -- asked the team to change the name. Ditto Nike, that removed all Redskins merch.

The times, they are a changin'.

Mystic Inn Brutal Racial Attack

Hotel Knockout 6/26/20
DESPICABLE ATTACK

The Mystic Quality Inn in Stonington, Connecticut was the site of a brutal attack against a black woman, and she's lawyered up for justice.

Chrystal Caldwell was working the front desk when a guest reportedly called, complaining there was no hot water in his room. He also allegedly threatened Chrystal, warning her his girlfriend would "kick her ass." She says she offered to send someone to fix the problem or alternatively, to switch their room, but they were outraged ... calling her names, including "monkey."

The man and his girlfriend reportedly barreled down to the lobby area and attacked her with multiple punches to the head and kicks to the back. She says he used racial slurs as he pummeled her.

Chrystal, who has worked at the hotel for 7 years, says her injuries include a concussion.

The couple who attacked Chrystal left the hotel and no arrests were made.

Black Lives Matter 6-Year-Old Kicked Out of School ... Over BLM Shirt

A child was booted from her daycare because she wore a shirt promoting the Black Lives Matter movement.

6-year-old Journei Brockman had been enrolled in daycare at Arkansas' His Kids Preschool for 6 months. The little girl wore a shirt to the school with the words, "Black Lives Matter" emblazoned on it.

Her mom, Deval Brockman, told Fox16 she was contacted by an employee from the school who had issues with the shirt, saying she didn't like it. Brockman says she was told her daughter should not wear the shirt to school again.

Journei came to school a week ago, wearing a shirt with an image of a raised fist. Brockman says when she returned to pick up her daughter, she was told, Journei could not come back. Brockman says someone from the staff told her the shirt encouraged racism.

She also says the school's director schooled her, by saying, "I am not going to tell you how to raise your child, but you need to reevaluate how you're parenting her."

Brockman has filed a complaint with the state. As for the school Director, Patricia Brown told Fox16 ... "We feel a childcare environment is not a place for a parent's political views to be addressed or played out, regardless of race."

Brockman fires back ... “If I’m supporting something, I’m going to wear it, my child is going to wear it, to help say that our voice needs to be heard."

Massachusetts City First to Recognize Polyamorous Relationships

A city near Boston is the first in the country to recognize polyamorous relationships ... i.e., more than 2 people.

Somerville, Massachusetts passed an ordinance changing the definition of relationships that are recognized by the government. Domestic partnerships have been defined as an "entity formed by 2 persons," but the new definition reads a relationship "formed by people."

The ordinance also replaces pronouns -- no longer "he" or "she" ... it's now "they."

Short story ... the ordinance allows for more than 2 people in a domestic partnership.

The new ordinance was actually inspired by the coronavirus pandemic. There were residents of Somerville who were not married, and as a result, they could not visit their partners in the hospital because of restrictions on visitors.

The mayor signed the ordinance a few days ago ... it should be just a matter of days until polyamorous partners can file for domestic partnership.

BTW ... Massachusetts was the first state to recognize same-sex marriage back in 2004.

NY Giants Hire 1st Female Scout In Team's 95-Year History!!!

The NY Giants hired a new full-time scout -- which usually isn't newsworthy ... unless that person is the FIRST FEMALE SCOUT in the team's 95-year history!

The team announced 25-year-old Hannah Burnett has joined the organization as their Midlands scout, a full-time position.

Burnett started as an intern for the Buffalo Bills in 2017 and later jumped to the Atlanta Falcons, where she spent the previous 19 months working with their scouting department.

She recently interviewed with the Giants and crushed it -- and now, she's on the staff.

"The only thing I care about is for us to win the Super Bowl," Burnett said in an official team statement.

"Our main goal as a team is to win a Super Bowl. That's my goal, that's everybody's goal."

Burnett is also humble on breaking gender barriers in the NFL.

"I try not to think about that. I completely understand and am aware that this is an awesome opportunity, and it's important for females in the league. But I've said this from the get-go, I just want to be the best area scout that I can."

"I want to go in there like everyone else goes in there and go about my business like a pro. Everything else will work itself out if I go about my business the right way. For me, that's my mindset. It's always been my mindset. I'm just continuing to stay on that course."

By the way, Burnett was a star lacrosse player at the University of Massachusetts back in the day. Not only was she a team captain, she was a 2-time all-region and all-conference player and 3-time conference champion.

She also holds the UMass record for points in a game with 10.

Congrats!!

Steve Rogers in 1990 'Captain America' 'Memba Him?!

East Coast actor Matt Salinger is best known for playing the top-secret genetically modified superhuman, Steve Rogers -- who is thawed out decades later and saves the White House from destruction as the shield-wielding Captain America -- in the classic 1990 Marvel movie "Captain America."

Salinger was cast alongside Scott Paulin as the freaky-looking fascist, Red Skull ... who is covered in red scars and tries to trigger nuclear explosions but ultimately falls off a cliff instead.

Fun Fact: Matt Salinger is the son of the famed "The Catcher in the Rye" writer, J.D. Salinger.

Guess what Matt looks like now!

Mount Rushmore Trump's Fireworks Show Costs $600k ... But Could Cost WAY More

President Trump's highly touted Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza at Mount Rushmore isn't coming cheap -- it will cost the country well over half a million bucks ... and could cause a spike in coronavirus cases to boot.

The July 3 celebration with be the first at the South Dakota landmark since 2009 due to environmental issues, and Trump's really hyping it up ... while ignoring the COVID-19 related risks of gathering thousands for a fireworks display.

Nevertheless, POTUS and the First Lady Melania will travel to Rushmore Friday to take in the celebration ... which TMZ's learned has a price tag of nearly $600k, if not more.

According to federal procurement docs ... an environmental consulting service called Ero Resources Corporation was paid $138,800 to work on the event. Another consulting company got over $30k for permit review and display inspection, while a protective services business landed nearly $33k to provide security and screening.

But, that's not all ... the docs show nearly $30k spent on National Fire Protection Association code consultation ... and about $3,500 on portable toilets.

Add it all up and that's $234,247, and THEN tack on the $350k paid to a California company called Pyro Spectaculars for the actual fireworks show ... and the total is $584,247.

And, keep in mind ... this doesn't even factor in the scheduled flyover!!!

Also, if you aren't aware ... social distancing won't be enforced at the large gathering -- according to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who worked with Trump to make it happen -- despite the fact COVID cases are on the rise across the U.S.

Gov. Noem says free face masks will be given out to those who want them, but "we won't be social distancing. We're asking them to come, be ready to celebrate, to enjoy the freedoms and the liberties that we have in this country."

God bless America?

Mike Tyson Steel Cage Showdown On L.A. Beach ... Still Ripped

Mike Tyson
BEAST MODE
BACKGRID

Here's "Iron" Mike Tyson tossing a steel cage around an L.A. beach this week like it's a toy ... and it's pretty fun to watch!!

Unclear why Mike hit the sand ... but it's all obviously part of a larger production -- hence the video cameras and crew members (all of whom were wearing masks btw, so props on that!).

In addition to the cage flip, Tyson was also spotted carrying buckets of bloody fish, tossing life rafts and wearing snorkeling equipment.

It almost seems like a promo for Shark Week.

Tyson just turned 54 years old this week ... and has said he wants to get back in the ring for some exhibition boxing matches -- but so far, nothing's a done deal.

The boxing legend told us he'd even be down to take on his old rival Evander Holyfield (who's also training for a comeback) but only if they could raise a bunch of money for charity.

"That would be awesome for charity," Tyson told us back in May ... "Can you imagine me and him going in the ring together?"

Tyson is also the focus of an upcoming movie -- with Jamie Foxx playing the boxer ... and he's already transforming his body into fighting shape.

Mark Birnbaum, Jamie Foxx
IRON FOXX
@markbirnbaum / Instagram

Psychiatrist Charles Sophy Yeah, Things are Bad Now ... And They Could Get Worse

Dr. Charles Sophy -- one of the leading psychiatrists in the country - has a scary outlook on the direction America's heading -- downright terrifying -- but on the bright side ... he thinks we can turn it around.
IT'S ALL ABOUT CONTROL
TMZ.com

Dr. Charles Sophy -- one of the leading psychiatrists in the country - has a scary outlook on the direction America's heading -- downright terrifying -- but on the bright side ... he thinks we can turn it around.

The famous shrink joined "TMZ Live" Friday, and we wanted to know ... why all the craziness right now?! It seems even the smallest thing sends people into a rage.

Unfortunately, Dr. Sophy thinks it's gonna get worse ... because we're in a perfect storm of chaos.

The way the doc describes it, people are lashing out because they feel contained, caged, and they don't have control of their lives ... due largely in part to COVID-19, but also because of the ever-pronounced divisions in this country.

The question no one can answer -- what will the next 6 months hold? Scary to even ponder.

'Black Ink Crew' Liliana Barrios Busted for Assault Allegedly Scratched, Bit GF

Liliana Barrios -- who starred in a couple of seasons of "Black Ink Crew: Chicago" -- allegedly went on a violent rage after catching her GF in bed with another woman ... this according to cops who arrested her for assault.

The incident went down June 3 in San Antonio where cops say Barrios and her GF got into a verbal altercation at their apartment before it turned violent ... this according to a police report obtained by TMZ.

Cops say during the argument, Barrios decided to take off for the night. When she returned the next day to pick up clothes, cops say Barrios got heated after catching her 22-year-old GF in bed with another woman ... triggering another argument.

Cops allege Barrios pushed her GF onto the couch and a struggle ensued ... with Barrios allegedly scratching her GF's neck, arm and biting her right leg. The officer claims they observed scratches and abrasions on the GF's right knee. Cops say Barrios was the aggressor and “intentionally and knowingly caused bodily injury."

Barrios -- the ex-GF of a recurring cast member on 'Black Ink' from seasons 2 to 5 -- was arrested for assault/bodily injury on a cohabitant.

We've reached out to Barrios for comment, so far no word back.

LeBron James Rookie Card Auction Cracks $1 Million ... Could Break $2 Mil

An ultra-rare signed LeBron James rookie card -- featuring a piece of his game-worn jersey -- just passed the $1 MILLION mark at auction ... and experts say the number could DOUBLE before it's over.

That's $2 MILLION. For a basketball card. For real.

The card is from the 2003-2004 Upper Deck Exquisite collection --  it's one of only 23 ever produced.

The quality of the card was graded "9.5" by Beckett (considered Gem Mint) and the autograph was a perfect "10."

The rarity of the card combined with the near-perfect grading makes the item a collector's dream -- and rich enthusiasts have already proven they're willing to spend big money to own it.

So far, the card has received 22 bids on the Goldin Auctions website -- with the current price at $1,020,000.

The bidding started at $150k -- but it racked up in days and with more than 2 weeks left in the auction, we're told a $2 million bid isn't out the question.

Even if it doesn't get another bid -- the $1 mil price would make the Bron card the most expensive modern-era card of all-time (surpassing a Mike Trout card that sold for $900K).

We're talking NBA, MLB, NFL, and any other sport out there.

And, get this ... Goldin Auctions also tells us a $1 mil gavel price would make the card the highest-selling LBJ piece ever.

But surely, there must be more expensive Michael Jordan items, right?

Nope ... Goldin says there ain't a card, shoe, or MJ jersey out there that's cracked the $1 mil barrier.

If you want in, there's time left ... the auction doesn't close till July 18.

You just need a laptop and deep, deep pockets.

Buoyant Babes To Float Your Boat!

Tanning on dry land is for suckers when you've got these fancy floats to soak in the sun on!

These lounging ladies have been coastin' through this quarantine and we can see why ... These hot poolside pics have made it very clear these sexy stars have been proudly making room for some much needed me-time, and are enjoying every bit of sunshine!

From stars such as Bella Hadid and Saweetie to Sofia Vergara and Cara Santana there are plenty of hot shots to go around!

Take a look at all the ladies that have been sunbathing in style by scrolling through our gallery of buoyant summer babes!

They're really makin' waves!