TMZ Sports - Page 50

Suspended Reds announcer Thom Brennaman says he realizes the "incredible hurt" he caused when he used a homophobic slur on live TV ... and claims he has become a better person in the weeks following the incident.

Remember, the longtime play-by-play guy was calling a game against the KC Royals on August 19 when he was caught on a hot mic referring to an unnamed city as "one of the f** capitals of the world."

Brennaman later apologized mid-game ... and was quickly suspended from his Reds gig and dropped from his "NFL on FOX" role.

The 56-year-old spoke to the NY Post about the backlash he faced following the incident ... saying, "Believe me, I know there are a lot of people who are still very angry and I understand that."

Brennaman has vowed to become an ally for the LGBTQ community ... and has personally met with several groups to get a better understanding of the impact of hateful words.

"The realization of the incredible hurt that I’ve caused using that word has been breathtaking," Brennaman told the Post.

"It’s been absolutely amazing the amount of grace and forgiveness and support."

As for the reason behind using the anti-gay slur ... Brennaman says he has no idea why he said it or in what context.

"I couldn’t even tell you what happened, where it came from."

He added ... "Look, I said it is all that matters. The rest of it is irrelevant. I said it. And I own it. And I’m the one who has to live with it."

Buffalo Bills star Tre'Davious White nearly broke down in tears talking about his new $70 MILLION contract ... saying he's going to retire his parents with the new money!!

"It was a whole load that was lifted off of my shoulders," White told media members after inking the new 4-year deal.

"Because I knew that I could retire my parents and they'll never have to worry about anything."

White -- arguably the best cornerback in the NFL -- was super emotional during his entire press conference about the contract ... fighting back tears talking about his plans for the cash.

"I have a lot of people and a lot of family members that I could change their lives," White said. "And that's what I plan to do."

The 25-year-old, who was picked in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, added he's been able to take care of himself with his rookie contract ... but now, he can put the rest of his family in a good spot.

"There's a lot of people in my family that are hurt," White said. "So I plan on lightening the burden on them."

The NY Giants have officially cut ties with DeAndre Baker -- who's facing life in prison for his alleged role in an armed robbery.

The move was expected ever since Broward State Attorney Mike Satz announced prosecutors would be moving forward with 4 counts of robbery with a firearm against Baker stemming from a May 13 incident.

Baker was a star for the Georgia Bulldogs before being selected by the Giants with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was expected to compete for a starting job this season.

As we previously reported, Baker -- along with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar -- was arrested for allegedly robbing several people at gunpoint during a cookout in Miramar, FL.

Cops initially said ... witnesses told them Baker pulled out a semi-automatic firearm and directed Dunbar to start taking expensive watches and other valuables from people at the cookout.

Prosecutors later dropped ALL of the charges against Dunbar, but Baker has been formally charged with 4 counts of robbery with a firearm.

If convicted, Baker faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in state prison.

Allen Iverson is still hurting like hell over the death of Kobe Bryant ... he broke down in tears during a recent interview remembering the Mamba, and it's SUPER emotional.

Iverson was talking hoops with The Players' Tribune in a video posted Monday ... when he was asked which NBA players he enjoyed most hanging out with during All-Star weekends.

That's when AI got teary-eyed ... and said his favorite was none other than Kobe.

"It was always a battle between me and him," Iverson said. "And then, having the chance to be on the same team with him, looking back on it, like, that was it. You know what I mean?"

Iverson choked back tears explaining it all ... adding, "That was it. Just having the chance to play with my guy."

Allen has made no attempts to hide how heartbroken he's been since Kobe tragically died in a helicopter crash last January.

He's shared multiple social media posts about the former Lakers superstar ... and even wrote a lengthy piece for The Players' Tribune last month, saying Kobe's death "still doesn’t seem real."

"Nobody was tougher than you," Iverson said in the article. "Nobody got more out of me. We’re linked forever in this game -- in this life."

Kerri Walsh Jennings ain't backing down from her anti-COVID mask stance even in the wake of serious backlash ... saying she believes fighting against face coverings is equivalent to fighting for freedom.

"I truly believe we are on the slippery slope of a mask mandate evolving into a vaccine mandate," the 3-time Olympic gold medalist volleyball player said. "That scares the [fire emoji] out of me."

The 42-year-old posted a lengthy statement on social media Sunday railing against COVID restrictions ... even saying she recently went out shopping without a mask on to prove a point.

"Things won't open up and freedoms won't come back unless we are willing to push back and stand up for them," Walsh Jennings said. "I am willing to fight for the freedoms I have been guaranteed by my constitution."

While Walsh Jennings insisted she understood the severity of the coronavirus pandemic and wanted to find ways to open up while protecting the "vulnerable" ... she was still blasted for her opinion.

Fellow Olympic volleyball Jennifer Kessy called the entire post "selfish." Others said far worse in the comment section.

But, Walsh Jennings didn't exactly back down in a follow-up post Monday ... she apologized if she offended anybody, but added, "I was not looking to do anything but express my belief that FREEDOM IS RIGHT WORTH FIGHTING FOR."

She continued, "I believe we have to stay mindful of the FACT that our freedoms have slowly been taken from us with our consent."

"Using a mask to express my love of freedom perhaps seems a bit shallow and selfish (peoples health are at play, after all), but it is a real thing to point to and it is the potential starting point for so much more."

Soccer star Mason Greenwood has issued an apology for the "embarrassment" he caused after getting busted sneaking women into England's team hotel in Iceland.

18-year-old Greenwood -- along with England teammate Phil Foden -- were cut from the England national team Monday after officials say they broke COVID-19 quarantine protocol to meet up with the women at the team hotel.

At least one of the women is an Icelandic model and beauty queen, according to the Daily Mail.

The players were specifically told not to leave a certain part of the hotel that was sectioned off for the team -- but they decided to venture outside of that zone to meet up with the ladies.

Bad news for the players ... they got caught -- and were immediately dropped by the team.

Greenwood -- a striker for Manchester United -- issued an apology Tuesday morning.

"Having now had the chance to reflect on what’s happened, I can only apologise to everyone for the embarrassment I have caused," Greenwood said.

"It was irresponsible of me to break the COVID-19 protocols which are in place to protect players, staff and the public."

"Playing for England was one of the proudest moments in my life and I only have myself to blame for this huge mistake."

"I promise my family, the fans, Manchester United and England that this is a lesson I will learn from."

Foden has also apologized -- saying, "I breached COVID-19 protocols put in place to protect myself and my England colleagues. As a consequence I will now miss the opportunity to travel to Denmark with the squad, and that hurts."

For the second time in 5 years, Teyana Taylor has given birth in her home bathroom -- and once again, everyone is healthy!!!

Taylor's NBA star hubby Iman Shumpert broke the news ... saying baby Rue Rose was born on Sept. 6 at 3:28 AM.

"Now ... when we buy homes, we always find a bathroom with great energy ... but not in a million years would you be able to tell me we’d deliver both of our daughters in a bathroom without the assistance of a hospital!"

Shumpert continued, "Our newest edition entered the world in the water and came out looking around and ready to explore! A healthy child. A little sister. Another daughter."

"Black love wins....again. Welcome babygirl...we love you!"

Remember, Shumpert called 911 back in 2015 when Taylor went into labor in their home ... and ultimately gave birth at their home.

Shumpert personally delivered that child -- Iman Tayla Shumpert Jr. -- and used a pair of headphones to clamp the umbilical cord!

As for the new baby, Rue Rose already has an Instagram page ... with almost 60,000 followers!!

Vince Young won't have to spend any more time behind bars over his DWI case stemming from a 2019 arrest ... TMZ Sports has learned the case has now been dismissed after the ex-NFL QB completed a diversion program.

We broke the story ... 37-year-old Vince was arrested on Feb. 4 in Fort Bend County, Texas last year after police officers say he was drunk driving at around 4:30 AM.

Cops say Young slurred his speech, bombed field sobriety tests and emitted a strong odor of alcohol during the stop.

Young was initially hit with a DWI charge over the incident ... but prosecutors eventually reduced the charge to misdemeanor obstruction of a highway after Young and his attorney successfully fought it in court.

Still, Young was facing up to 180 days in jail over the Class B misdemeanor ... but court records show the case was dismissed on Aug. 25.

According to court docs ... Young "completed a pretrial intervention program supervised by the probation department," which led to the dismissal.

It's not Young's first drunk driving case ... remember, back in 2016, he pled no contest to a DUI charge and was sentenced to 18 months probation.

Pandemic be damned ... the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will go forward, regardless of COVID.

The Veep of the IOC, John Coates, just said the Olympics will be the "games that conquered COVID."

The games will take place next year, and it doesn't matter the state of Japan or the world with respect to coronavirus. The games were postponed in March because of the pandemic ... the first time the Olympics have been put on ice other than wartime.

It seems Coates is turning a blind eye to the virus, saying, "It will take place with or without COVID."  He vows the games will kick off July 23, 2021.

The games initially were to be themed, the Reconstruction Games ... this after the earthquake and tsunami that hit Tohoku in 2011. But, things are different, and Coates says, "Now very much these will be the games that conquered COVID."

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jacob Evans is honoring the memory of slain LSU basketball player Wayde Sims ... in the form of a custom pendant.

Evans and Sims grew up in Baton Rouge -- and Evans was devastated when he learned Sims was shot and killed at a party near the Southern University campus on Sept. 28.

Officials say Sims was trying to defend a friend in a fistfight when another 20-year-old man pulled out a gun and opened fire on the LSU hoops player.

The alleged shooter is now being prosecuted for 2nd-degree murder.

23-year-old Evans wanted to pay tribute to his friend -- so he hit up Courtney Roy of Clarity Custom Jewelry to order a custom piece featuring Sims and Ja'Cardo Hawkins, another friend who passed away in 2019.

Hawkins was also a college basketball player who was and All-CCAA Honorable Mention in 2018.

It's a beautiful tribute to two young men who died way too young.

T.J. Dillashaw was caught cheating and hasn't fought in years, but his training partner, Bellator star Juan Archuleta, says T.J.'s back, better than ever, and ready to whoop ass!!

Remember, 34-year-old Dillashaw -- the former UFC bantamweight champ -- was popped for taking PED's before fighting Henry Cejudo in 2019 ... and was suspended 2 years.

Many people in the MMA world thought Dillashaw's reign at the top was done.

But, Archuleta -- T.J.'s longtime training partner -- says that's flat out fake news.

"I honestly think he'll be a lot better, ya know? You get that time off, and you get to rest the brain, rest the body. That guy's always pedal to the metal," Archuleta tells TMZ Sports.

"He gets to recover his whole body. People don't know he was dealing with 2 shoulder surgeries going into that [Cejudo] fight."

Dillashaw is scary ... an "a lot better" Dillashaw is downright frightening ... considering the guy has beaten up beasts like Cody Garbrandt (twice) and Renan Barao.

Dillashaw -- who admitted to using the banned substance, EPO -- is eligible to return to the Octagon in January 2021 ... and Juan says he'll immediately be ready to challenge for the title.

"T.J.'s doing well, man. He's getting big, strong, recovering from his double surgery, the shoulder surgery that he had. Of course, his suspension is coming to an end, so we're getting him ready so that way when his suspension is lifted he's gonna be ready to be in the title mix."

Speaking of titles ... 32-year-old Archuleta -- who also trains with Brian Ortega and Cub Swanson -- has a HUGE fight coming up. He's taking on Patrick Mix for the 135 lb. title at Bellator 246 on September 12.

St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Lou Brock has died ... this according to the St. Louis-Post Dispatch.

Reporter Rick Hummel says Brock passed away Sunday afternoon, adding he was battling multiple medical conditions near the end of his life. The exact circumstances of his death remain unclear.

Brock was a living legend in Missouri, as he's best known as one of the greatest Cardinals players ever who helped lead the franchise to a World Series title in 1964 ... the same year he was traded to the team from the Chicago Cubs. He was a major factor to them winning the fall classic again in 1967, racking up a then-historic number of hits and stolen bases.

Speaking of the latter, Lou will perhaps be best remembered for exactly that ... the dude could steal anything out on the diamond. The guy leads the National League as the all-time greatest base stealer (ever) with a whopping 938 stolen bases through his 19-year career.

There are other milestones he hit along the way, but just to sum up his achievements ... the guy was a 6-time All-Star, 2-time World Series champ, had over 3,000 hits to his name and was a first-ballot HOF inductee. He goes down in the books as one of the greats.

He's survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and his son, Lou Jr. Brock was 81.

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic had a chance to make history at this year's U.S. Open ... but he squandered it away after hitting a judge with a ball out of frustration.

Djokovic was defaulted (disqualified) from the rest of the tournament Sunday in the middle of his fourth-round match against Pablo Carreno Busta -- who was up 6-5 in the first set and had just scored a point -- when ND angrily and haphazardly smacked a ball that hit a lineswoman.

It doesn't appear he tried to hit her, but the fact he struck her (in the neck, no less) and got her removed from the action was enough for him to get booted. You see him immediately run over to check on her, but the damage was done.

Once he was instructed he couldn't play anymore, he quickly grabbed his things and exited the court ... not before giving some handshakes to his opponent and the main judge.

Djokovic was the #1 seed heading into the tourney -- and he was in line to join some elite company if he would've advanced further and racked up more wins. He'd already hit a huge milestone prior to Sunday's match, with 600 hard-court wins ... 3rd most behind Roger Federer (775) and Guillermo Vilas (670). Unfortunately, any further accolades will have to wait.

As for the line judge ... she was escorted off the court, but seemed to be more or less okay. Before sending Djokovic on his way, she made sure to give him a knowing look of unease.

Caption ... "WHAT THE HELL, DUDE!!!"

Byron Scott thinks top NBA players should take a more active role in advocating for Black coaches ... just like Kobe Bryant did for him back in the day.

59-year-old Scott says he likes and respects Steve Nash -- but couldn't help but feel disappointed when he saw the Brooklyn Nets hired Nash as head coach over other well-qualified Black candidates.

"My first thought was why didn’t Mark Jackson or some other African-American guys who have coached in this league at least get an opportunity to coach with the Brooklyn Nets?"

Fact is, Scott says ... "We don't get jobs that are that set and that good -- where you got 2 stars like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant."

Scott believes Black coaches usually get opportunities with teams that are in pretty bad shape ... unlike Nash and the stacked Nets.

Scott says his opinion is based on his OWN experience -- he took over the Hornets when they were only an 18-win team and New Jersey coming off a 20-win season.

"We don’t get those jobs where there is built-in superstardom guys on that roster right away."

"We get the kind of jobs where you have to make something out of nothing and when you don’t or you’re not able to do it, they’ll say, 'Well, we gave him the opportunity.'"

So, what's the solution? Scott says he wants to see more powerful NBA players go to bat for Black candidates.

"Our players don’t do a good enough job for advocating for Black coaches and that's just something that we need to change as well."

You're looking at an ultra-rare autographed Colin Kaepernick rookie card featuring a piece of a game-used jersey.

It's awesome. It's valuable. And, the only reason the owner is parting ways with it is because he wants to raise money for the QB's "Know Your Rights Camp."

The story behind the card is great ... the owner tells us he started buying up CK items in 2016 when collectors thought Colin's kneeling protest would cause his collectibility value to plummet.

Among his purchases, the guy bought a 2011 Topps Platinum Rookie Patch Autograph Red Refractor card featuring Colin ... a 1 of 1 card.

He bought the card for just under $1,800 -- but experts tell us the card could sell now in the neighborhood of $25,000 ... maybe more!

The owner took the card to Goldin Auctions with the caveat that half of the winning proceeds would go toward Colin's "Know Your Rights Camp."

In case you're wondering, Colin's KYRC says it's mission is to "advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders."

We're told the Camp is thrilled about the auction and appreciates the forthcoming donation.

The auction -- which already has a $1,000 bid -- closes later this month.