TMZ Sports - Page 14

Fantasy football managers frustrated with Christian McCaffrey should feel comfortable picking him again next year ... 'cause he just promised to "come back better" in 2025 from his recent rash of injuries.

The three-time Pro Bowl running back made the vow in an emotional message on his Instagram page Wednesday ... just a few days after the 49ers placed him on injured reserve with a PCL injury.

"This wasn’t my year," he admitted in the note, "and sometimes when it rains, it pours. You can feel sorry for yourself and listen to the birds, or you can hold the line. I’m grateful for the support of everyone in my corner and promise I’ll work smarter and harder than ever to come back better from this."

Bryce Young found himself benched by the Carolina Panthers two starts into his sophomore season ... but last year's first overall pick has found success since returning to the lineup in week eight -- and Rod Wave may have something to do with the turnaround!

The backstory ... the 26-year-old rapper took to social media, asking the Panthers signal caller to hit his line after he was pulled, and many fans wondered if the call happened, and if so, what'd the fellas discuss?

On Wednesday, Young resolved the mystery ... and while he wouldn't go into specifics, he did address the convo, and it's clear he's very appreciative.

The tragic news of the passing of Kirk Herbstreit's beloved dog, Ben, made its way to the Oval Office ... with President Joe Biden sending his condolences in an emotional letter to the football announcer and his family following the loss.

"Ben brought so much comfort and unconditional love to millions of Americans across our nation," POTUS wrote in the note. "In your most joyful moments and most grief-stricken days, he was there, sensitive to every unspoken feeling and emotion."

"I know what it is like to lose a beloved pet, and I hope you can find some comfort in cherishing the beautiful memories you shared with Ben. He was a good boy."

Hercy Miller -- Master P's son -- was arrested last month, after he and a pair of his Southern Utah University men's basketball teammates allegedly stole a couple of refrigerators from outside their school's bookstore ... but their coach is adamant it's all "a huge misunderstanding."

According to court documents, obtained by KUTV, the theft occurred at the SUU campus in Cedar City, Utah back on Nov. 11.

The docs state that Hercy and two other Thunderbirds players, Brock Felder and Peter Dadson Jr., were seen on surveillance video nabbing the coolers from the SUU Bookstore, before loading them into two separate cars.

Jason Kelce seems to believe Taylor Swift is working her magic on the Kansas City Chiefs ... but Travis is having none of that talk -- calling his brother a "d***head" for entertaining a popular internet conspiracy.

The playful back and forth went down on the latest episode of the Kelce brothers' "New Heights" podcast ... when the two were having a conversation about sports movies.

Travis brought up the classic "Angels in the Outfield" film and explained he'd love to feel what it's like to have a higher being on his side during games ... and Jason hinted the tight end's girlfriend is generating a similar effect on his Chiefs.

Baseball fans can now get their hands on some John Elway Yankees cards -- Topps has just put the NFL legend in a new set ... and it announced the move with a hilarious Larry David commercial!

Elway, of course, was drafted by New York way back in 1981 -- but despite initially playing for the org.'s minor league affiliate ... he bailed on the team for a Hall of Fame NFL career.

He never quite got a baseball card to commemorate the brief time in the MLB -- but Topps is changing that now ... throwing cards of him donning Pinstripes in its new 2024 Bowman Draft set.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka went scorched earth on the referees after his team lost to the Kings on Tuesday, saying it's about time the officials "get some f***ing glasses!"

[Large fine incoming!]

Udoka's frustration began mounting long before the clock hit 00:00 ... when his team lost 120-111 at the Golden 1 Center.

Taylor Swift is set to close out her "Eras" tour shows this weekend, but is still making time for her friends ... stepping out for a girls' night with BFF Gigi Hadid in NYC.

Check it out ... the pop star hit the town Tuesday evening in an all-black ensemble, featuring a simple quarter-length sleeve top and a chic bubble skirt. She rounded out her look with some noticeable bling ... carrying a sparkling purse and wearing a diamond bracelet, necklace and earrings.

Gigi brought a bit of color to their night out, wearing a monochromatic look made of nearly all burgundy -- aside from her dark leather purse.

Kiss the days of the family-friendly Kiss Cam goodbye ... there was another NSFW moment, courtesy of two Sacramento Kings fans, who used their screen time for nefarious reasons!

The moment occurred during a break in the action during the second quarter of the Kings vs. Houston Rockets game Tuesday night in Sac Town ... with the team showing couples from around the arena on the Kiss Cam.

While most fans stayed on script ... one woman took it to a much more raunchy level, mimicking oral sex on her man.

Gleb Savchenko and Brooks Nader are setting the record straight on their relationship ... confirming they have taken their connection off the dance floor.

We caught up with the "Dancing with the Stars" partners outside South Beverly Grill in Beverly Hills Tuesday night, where the Gleb and Brooks made it clear they're so much more than a showmance.

As Gleb put it ... he and Brooks "are together" after being on and off throughout filming 'DWTS' -- declaring their connection is "real."

Luka Doncic wasn't just droppin' buckets on Tuesday ... the NBA star seemingly mouthed a soap-worthy phrase after receiving a controversial technical foul.

The apparent remark happened during the NBA Cup matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center ... when a referee whistled a foul on the 6'7" guard as he was defending Ja Morant.

Doncic disagreed with the call and waved off the ref ... and the gesture resulted in his fifth tech of the season.

Joe Burrow might've just earned himself a new nickname, 'cause the Cincinnati Bengals superstar is transforming into Batman right before our eyes ... thanks to his expensive new purchase -- a fully functional Batmobile!!

The quarterback revealed his new toy to his teammates during the premiere episode of "Hard Knocks: In Season With The AFC North" on Tuesday ... saying he's secured the new whip -- but will have to wait a year to get it in his possession.

Burrow couldn't contain his excitement to his receivers, Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase ... and they even joked about how the signal-caller needs to go one step further and get himself an accompanying Batsuit so he can really show up to games in style.

Johnny Gaudreau's family made the return to Calgary for the first time since the tragic deaths of the former Flames forward and his younger brother ... and as part of the emotional comeback, Johnny Hockey's wife got a sweet tribute tattoo.

Meredith Gaudreau unveiled the new ink just before the Flames vs. Blue Jackets tilt at Scotiabank Saddledome, showing she got Johnny's signature permanently etched onto her right wrist.

She told Sportsnet she had the work done just down the street from the stadium ... and revealed it was her first-ever tat. She also noted that covering it up in bracelets Johnny had previously bought her made it extra special.

Sly Stallone is taking responsibility for his past mistakes ... calling himself a "coward" for once mailing his longtime wife Jennifer Flavin a breakup letter via FedEx.

The legendary actor sat down for an interview Tuesday with Fox Nation's "Sean" — and expressed regret about his decision to send the note to Flavin back in 1994 when the couple had been dating for 6 years.

Sly told Hannity, “That’s the most insincere breakup you can get,” before labeling himself a “coward” and stating, “You put it down in words ‘cause you don’t have the guts to do it face to face.”

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann accuse the other of stealing and spying in new police body cam footage from their latest police interaction in Georgia ... with cops telling them they can't keep coming to keep the peace in their nasty divorce.

TMZ obtained the police footage from the November 18 incident at the estranged couple's mansion in Milton ... where they were living together before their home went up for auction.

In the video, Kim tells cops she was at the home trying to get her stuff to move out ... and she accuses Kroy of stealing her iPad and some security cameras.

Bill Romanowski says the hit Azeez Al-Shaair laid on Trevor Lawrence over the weekend was "abso-fricken-lutely" a dirty one ... but in true Romo fashion, he tells TMZ Sports he "loved" it!!!

The play unfolded in the second quarter of the Texans' tilt with the Jaguars on Sunday ... as Jacksonville's star quarterback was running for a first down.

Lawrence sprinted about 10 yards, and when he saw Al-Shaair closing in, he started to slide. But the Texans linebacker didn't hit the brakes -- and plowed right through the former Clemson signal-caller's head.