TMZ Sports - Page 50

The internet is abuzz at the fact that there's actually a high school team called the "Cotton Pickers" -- something a local reporter made public, and which he now regrets.

KIII 3 Sports' Chris Thomasson tweeted a video Friday of the Robstown High School football team taking the field for their season opener against the London High School Pirates near Corpus Christi, TX ... but he also dropped Robstown's team name, the Cotton Pickers.

The guy's tweet got picked up and spread like wildfire, with many people aghast and outraged there could actually be a team with such racist connotations -- especially in Texas, no less. Their mascot isn't very subtle either -- it depicts a cotton plant, straight up. And yes, there are Black players on the football and other sports team ... so, what gives?

That same reporter followed up and said he didn't mean to stir the pot by dropping the full name -- he says he never says the full thing on air and usually just refers to the team as the "Pickers." He also provided context ... saying "Cotton Pickers" is something the school board there recently voted to stick to after consulting the community, which is apparently predominantly Latino. Many of those folks do, in fact, pick cotton and don't view it as a slur.

There are some local reports of residents there even being proud of the name -- as they view it as honest work steeped in local tradition and heritage ... from their POVs anyway.

That said, Thomasson acknowledges it's probably time to change the name, adding he's advocated for that for years. Fact is, the history of cotton picking in this country usually conjures up just one thing for most -- AKA, slavery -- and that alone should be reason enough to pivot.

Johnny Manziel LOVES the fact The Rock just bought the XFL -- but don't expect to see the QB sign a contract anytime soon.

"I'm retired, dude," Manziel told TMZ Sports outside of Saddle Ranch in L.A. on Friday.

Manziel's only 27 years old -- and brought solid TV ratings to the CFL during his 2018/2019 comeback ... begging the question, would The Rock's XFL make a run at Johnny to try and boost interest?

"Listen, anything The Rock touches is gonna be gold as always," Manziel says ... "But, I think football is a little bit behind me."

"I'm just trying do to other things in life that make me happy. That's it."

To prove his point, Manziel fired up a cigarette -- and told us straight up, "There's more to life than just ball."

The former Heisman Trophy winner and 2015 1st-round NFL Draft pick is not completely closing the door on a comeback ... saying he still trains and works out -- but it's highly unlikely.

"You never say never, I'm still an athletic guy ... but at the end of the day, let's see where the rest of life takes me and we’ll go from there."

"Football for me is not at the forefront of my mind. It's just chillin’ and being one of the bros."

Manziel also talked about his beef with sports business reporter Darren Rovell ... and explained why it's a long-running issue "that'll get settled up one day."

Oh, and as for why Manziel is out in L.A. during a global pandemic without a mask?

"COVID doesn’t wanna see me at the end of the day," Manziel joked ... "dude, I do worse things on the weekend."

Charles Oakley is straight-up confused about why the Brooklyn Nets hired Steve Nash as their new head coach ... when there are so many other qualified coaches with actual coaching experience!

The NY Knicks legend didn't beat around the bush when we asked him about the Nash hiring ... telling us straight up, "We need more Black coaches in the NBA."

Oakleys says like everyone else in the NBA world, he had no idea Nash was even interested in a coaching gig ... "but that's how the world is."

"People hire their friends, people that they believe in. Somebody must believe in Steve Nash, a great player."

But, Oakley says there are plenty of Black coaches -- like Mark Jackson, Pete Myers and Jason Kidd -- who have been waiting for jobs ... and got beat out because "this guy comes out of the blue."

"That goes to show you we're still behind the 8 ball," Oak says ... "That's what we're trying to fight for, equal opportunity."

"Hopefully, We can get more Black coaches in the NBA because it's a Black league. We should have more Black coaches. More Black owners and GMs."

In case you're wondering, in the 2018-19 season, roughly 82% of NBA players were people of color, according to an ESPN report.

Sweatin' a fantasy football draft?? Kay Adams has you covered ... the NFL Network star tells TMZ Sports her guide to winning SERIOUS cash this season is simple!!!

First, Adams says WAIT on QBs ... a tough thing to do with Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes in the NFL -- but Adams says you can always find high-scoring guys later.

"You can get a guy like Drew Brees or even Tom Brady," the host of "Good Morning Football" says. "Aaron Rodgers is going in like the 7th round. Wait on quarterbacks!"

Next, Adams says focus in on running backs ... and if you get the chance to take Philadelphia Eagles star tailback Miles Sanders -- GRAB HIM!!!

"I wouldn't be surprised if Miles Sanders actually does out-perform Saquon Barkley," Adams says.

When it comes to who you should avoid ... Adams tells us she isn't exactly sold on Dallas Cowboys star WR Amari Cooper -- saying she's worried about injuries and potential targets in a crowded offense.

As for late in the draft -- Kay says Tom Brady's teammate, slot receiver Scott Miller, could sneakily help win leagues in 2020!!

"I heard today that Brady is calling him Scooter," Adams says. "And I'm like, that is some Edelman, Amendola stuff right there. He's going to be the kid moving the chains on the field."

Kendall Jenner traveled northeast with boyfriend Devin Booker -- double dating with pals Justin and Hailey Bieber -- during a trek to ID.

Kendall and her Phoenix Suns BF have been making the rounds over the last few months. They've been camping, dining, and just hanging out ... and they've amped it up since the Devin left the NBA bubble.

They also did some ordinary stuff, like taking Devin's dog to the vet.

Justin and Hailey have been making the rounds these days as well. They rented an RV and have been tooling around the country, recently making a stop in Cody, Wyoming to visit Kanye.

First Steve Nash sighting after the big news!!!

The newest Brooklyn Nets head coach celebrated his new gig with an Italian dinner at one of NYC's most popular restaurants on Thursday ... and you better believe TMZ Sports was there.

The interaction outside Carbone was super quick -- only 12 seconds long -- but Nash tells us he's already touched base with his teams 2 biggest stars, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant ... and they're excited to work together!!!

Nash was wearing a mask on his way out of the restaurant due to the whole COVID-19 sitch ... but we're guessing he had a huge grin underneath it, considering he just landed what many consider the best available coaching job in the NBA right now.

Of course, we had a LOT more we wanted to ask Nash ... but there's only so much you can do with 12 seconds. Hey, we'll take it.

As we previously reported, the NBA Hall of Famer signed a 4-year deal to take over as head coach of the Nets ... which came as a surprise as nobody knew that he had thrown his hat in the ring.

Ex-New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas is fighting back in his hit-and-run case ... pleading NOT GUILTY to all charges, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 25-year-old is accused of slamming his black Chevrolet SUV into a pickup truck after exceeding speeds of 100 MPH in Chico, Calif. on June 15.

Cops say multiple witnesses saw the former Pro Bowler wreck the car and then flee the scene on foot.

Officers add, when they were finally able to detain Aldrick hours later, they say his hands, legs and bare feet were bloody.

Aldrick was eventually hit with three misdemeanors over the incident -- including reckless driving on a highway and hit-and-run -- but court records show he pleaded not guilty to all charges last week.

The case is obviously a big deal for Rosas ... he was cut by the Giants shortly after the arrest -- and has yet to land with another team despite being one of the league's better kickers.

We've reached out to Rosas' attorney for comment ... but so far, no word back yet.

Recently fired Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden wasted NO time getting the hell outta town ... listing his D.C. mansion for $2.25 million.

Of course, Reirden was the Caps' head coach from 2018 to 2020 ... and was canned after Washington lost in the first round of the playoffs for 2 consecutive seasons.

Now that Reirden has a new gig as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the coach is parting ways with his 6-bed, 8-bath, 6,352-square-foot Virginia pad.

The crib comes with an industrial chef kitchen, rec room, home theater, exercise/game room, and a walk-in wine cellar.

The owner's suite comes with all the bells and whistles ... including walk-in closets, gas fireplace and surround sound speaker system.

The outdoor area is decked out with a heated pool, kitchen and bar, cabana house and a playground that looks like any kid's dream come true.

The house was listed by Jordan Stuart of Keller Williams Capital Properties for $2.25 million just days ago.

And, if ya can't make it in person ... check out the virtual tour.

Alistair Overeem -- the last man to beat Brock Lesnar -- says the WWE superstar will NOT return to the UFC 'cause he's old, washed up ... and no one gives a crap about him!!

TMZ Sports asked the 40-year old UFC star -- who defeated Lesnar at UFC 141 in December 2011 -- if he believes Brock will step back into the Octagon now that his WWE contract expired.

Remember, earlier this week, Dana White told us he was open to making a Jon Jones vs. Lesnar fight ... IF both fighters were down.

But, Overeem tells us, he doesn't believe there's a chance in hell Lesnar comes back to fight.

"He's not coming back. He's 43-years-old. He's flunked tests. It's over with. He's not coming back."

Overeem admits he didn't think Brock was going to return to fight Mark Hunt in July 2016 ... but he did.

So, does Alistair -- who's fighting #9 ranked heavyweight Augusto Sakai at UFC Fight Night 176 -- want to run it back with Brock if the 6'3", 265 lb fighter does opt to return?

"I have beat him up. So, if someone wants a rematch, it would've been him, right? I already did it."

Overeem wasn't done throwing shade ... he took one last parting shot at Lesnar.

Former MLB great David Cone says losing Tom Seaver on Wednesday hurt like hell ... telling TMZ Sports he thought the former NY Met was "one of a kind."

"He was the franchise," the former Cy Young winner said. "He was a Hall of Famer's Hall of Famer. All of the pitchers in the Hall of Fame looked to him as kind of like a leader."

As we previously reported, Seaver tragically passed away at 75 years old after a battle with dementia and COVID-19.

Baseball Hall of Fame officials say the 12-time All-Star died peacefully in California surrounded by his family ... and when we got Cone out at Yankee Stadium shortly after the news broke, the former Met was obviously devastated.

"One of the greatest of all-time," Cone said of Seaver. "Not only for the Mets, but for all of baseball."

Cone says he's sure the Mets will do something special as a tribute for the 3-time Cy Young winner ... adding he and every other NYM pitcher had always looked up to Seaver.

As for Cone's favorite memory of the pitching legend? David says he'll never forget meeting Tom for the 1st time, calling it "such a thrill."

It looks like these sporty babes have been heading down to the courts, and serving up some seriously hot shots while they're at it ... and all this time inside, it's no wonder these ladies want to get out and about!

Stars such as Josephine Skriver, Kylie Jenner, and Olivia Culpo are managing to keep their distance, while still making time to have some sweet summer fun ... And they aren't the only ones sharing their swinging snaps!

Get ready for the US Open by taking a look through our gallery of tennis babes making a racket to see all the other famous faces that are hitting us with these hot shots!

UFC boss Dana White personally called President Trump to ask for help in saving an Iranian wrestling champ who is set to be executed ... and POTUS has already taken action.

As we previously reported, 27-year-old Navid Afkari received TWO death sentences for allegedly participating in a peaceful protest against the government back in 2018.

Afkari is a decorated wrestler in Iran who has medaled in multiple national tournaments, according to several reports.

When White learned about the situation, the UFC honcho says he felt compelled to do something because "he's one of us, could be any one of my fighters."

"The only thing I thought to do was to call the President and see if he could help this man," White says.

"[Trump] said, 'Let us look into it, let me talk to my administration and see if there's something we can do to save his life.'"

President Trump went to Twitter to address Iran's leadership.

"Hearing that Iran is looking to execute a great and popular wrestling star, 27-year-old Navid Afkarai, whose sole act was an anti-government demonstration on the streets. They were protesting the 'country’s worsening economic situation and inflation.'"

He continued, "To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if you would spare this young man’s life, and not execute him."

Soccer superstar Jerome Boateng has a LOT to celebrate -- he just won the Champions League AND turned 32 ... so naturally, some diamonds are in order!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Bayern Munich defender wanted to commemorate his recent accomplishments with some one-of-a-kind ice, so he hit up his go-to-guy, Gabriel The Jeweler to make him a personal gift.

The finished product is incredible -- a massive link chain made of 110-carat VVS diamonds and white gold ... and we're told it's valued at a solid $200k (though unclear exactly how much Boateng paid for it).

The chain has smaller diamonds on the outside and larger stones in the middle to really make the thing pop.

Boateng celebrated his special day on Thursday ... just a little over a week after beating Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League Final.

Of course, Boateng came to Gabriel for a $350k jewelry spree of watches and chains last year ... and we're sure this won't be the last, either.

Surprising move out of Dallas Cowboys camp ... the team just cut safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix -- and it's got everybody wondering, is an Earl Thomas signing next?!?!

Clinton-Dix inked a pretty big 1-year deal with the Cowboys this offseason, getting $2.25 MIL guaranteed ... with the expectation the former first-round pick would be a key player for the defense.

But, after just a month of practices ... the Cowboys decided to part ways with the guy on Thursday -- and it's left a GLARING hole on their roster that some believe Thomas could easily fill.

Remember, the Baltimore Ravens just fired Thomas a week ago after a training camp fight with a teammate ... and the Cowboys have been linked to him HEAVILY in the past.

But, Dallas has been coy about its interest in Thomas over the past few days ... with neither Jerry Jones nor head coach Mike McCarthy explicitly expressing a desire to sign the guy.

But, with the team down to just 3 somewhat proven commodities at the safety position ... Earl HAS to look appealing right about now to Dallas brass.

So, could Earl have a star on his helmet by the NFL's opening weekend next week???