TMZ Sports - Page 9

Dana White says he fought like hell to get Tom Brady to play one more year -- and to do it for the Raiders -- telling TMZ Sports, "I was hammering him to come to Vegas."

Dana -- a huge Patriots fan who calls Sin City home -- says the conversations all went down shortly after Brady and the Buccaneers were booted from the playoffs ... and the TB12 retirement talk started to circulate.

The UFC honcho tells us he tried hard to get inside information from Tom about what he was going to do ... and the entire time, he said he was urging the guy to force a trade from Tampa to Nevada.

"I was firing texts to him and he sent very cryptic text messages," White says. "He had me thinking he wasn't going to retire. So, you know what I was doing? I was hammering him to come to Vegas and play for the Raiders."

Tom's initial response was not a "no," Dana said ... but, ultimately, Brady announced Tuesday he wouldn't be a Raider or a Buc or even a football player anymore -- retiring after 22 seasons in the NFL.

A Honus Wagner T206 card -- known as the "Holy Grail" of cards to collectors -- is on the auction block and is expected to bring in over $500K ... and did we mention THE CARD IS RIPPED IN HALF!!

Yes, undeniable proof the memorabilia market is on freakin' fire.

The 1909-1911 T206 card -- arguably the most coveted -- is on the block at SCP Auctions ... and this version of the card (only about 60 are estimated to be in existence) is torn, right through the Hall of Famers face.

The T206 card, produced by the American Tobacco Company, has an interesting backstory. It was only produced for a few years ... but was halted because legend has it Wagner -- an 8x NL batting champ -- did not want his face connected to cigarettes.

The auction -- which closes Saturday night -- already has 18 bids, with the top one coming in at just under 400K. But, auction president David Kohler believes the final price could go well above half a million bucks.

If half a card brings in half a million ... what's a full card go for??

Last summer a T206 sold for over $6.5 million at auction ... the most expensive card ever sold.

The torch is lit and the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing have begun!

While most events require braving the cold on the ice and in the snow, these elite athletes are bringing the heat and proving they have a lot more to show than just their determination for the gold medal.

It doesn't matter if they are an expert in Luge or skating in unison with their doubles partner in the rink, these Olympians all have one thing in common ... and that's their fit physiques!

Odell Beckham came through with an amazing gesture for a man fighting cancer ... by sending a personal message of encouragement during his challenging time.

TMZ Sports is told ... 43-year-old Dominic Tafuri is a former MMA fighter and current officer with the Essex County Department of Corrections in NJ.

Dominic also worked for Odell's go-to guy for bling, Gabriel the Jeweler ... delivering pieces to some of the biggest athletes around the world -- from Aaron Donald to Prince Boateng to Ederson.

Tafuri recently found out he had Stage 4 lymphoma after undergoing a routine ACL surgery ... and is now battling the disease head-on.

We're told Tafuri is like a brother to Gabriel, so the jeweler hit up OBJ and asked him to improve Dominic's spirits ... and the Rams star delivered!!

"Dominic, what's going on, man? OBJ here, bro," Odell said in the video. "Just wanted to reach out to you, send some love your way."

"Just stay encouraged, man," he added. "Stay prayed up, man. Just know I'm praying for you, and just wanted to send some love, bro. Stay up."

FYI -- there's a GoFundMe set up to help Dominic and his family during this time ... with a goal of raising $100k.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is 29-0. BJ Penn is 16-14.

But, it's NOT the undefeated fighter from Dagestan who is the greatest MMA fighter to ever step in a cage, according to 38-year-old former UFC champ Benson Henderson, who tells TMZ Sports Penn is the G.O.A.T.!

"That's easy, hands down BJ. Not even close. You don't even gotta say his full name, just one word. BJ, and you know who it is. The greatest lightweight all-time, without a doubt, hands down BJ Penn."

Of course, BJ and Khabib -- both now retired -- had very different careers.

Penn started his pro career at the highest level ... in the UFC. He fought everyone from Matt Serra (win, 2002), Matt Hughes (win, 2004), Renzo Gracie (win, 2004), Georges St. Pierre (loss, 2006), Diego Sanchez (win, 2009) and Nick Diaz (loss, 2011). BJ had a rough end to his career ... losing his last 7 fights.

As for Nurmagomedov ... he never lost a single fight. But, Khabib didn't come to the UFC until 2012. However, when he got there ... he literally and figurately kicked everyone's ass.

The Eagle's last 6 fights, all dubs, came against Michael Johnson (2016), Edson Barboza (2017), Al Iaquinta (2018), Conor McGregor (2018), Dustin Poirier (2019) and Justin Gaethje (2020). After the scrap with Justin, Nurmagomdeov walked away from the sport.

We said ... a lot of people believe the Eagle is the GOAT.

Benson's response?

"Out of those 29 and 0 Khabib fought, go look up the records of the 29 people he beat and then go look at the records of guys BJ beat. Go look at the records the guys BJ lost to. Go look at where they fought."

No hesitation there ... for his money, Penn is the best.

And, speaking of money ... we also asked Benson -- a Bellator free agent -- about his future career plans. Does he plan to retire? Fight for another organization like Khabib's Eagle FC?

Friday is Oscar De La Hoya's 49th birthday, but the Golden Boy did more giving than receiving on his special day ... by preparing and handing out meals to the critically ill.

TMZ Sports has learned ... ODHL and his GF, Holly Sonders, hit up Project Angel Food in L.A. to give back to the community as part of his bday celebration.

The boxing legend and his lady helped by preparing food and packaging them for those who have a high risk of COVID infection or living with COVID.

Check out the footage -- Oscar's meals even have a personalized label featuring his picture and a special message of encouragement for the recipient.

Of course, COVID-19 hit close to home for Oscar and Holly -- in fact, De La Hoya was hospitalized for 3 days with the virus ... and was forced to back out of his fight against Vitor Belfort.

Because of his experience, Oscar says he knew he wanted to help out in any way he could.

But, don't worry -- there was also some celebrating going on ... with Oscar cutting up an incredible customized cake to share with everyone.

A Boston Bruins fan says he was beat up and called homophobic slurs at an Avalanche game in Denver last week ... and cops have confirmed to TMZ Sports they're now investigating it all.

Cadien Shaw told ABC 7 the interaction with Colorado fans at Ball Arena following the Bruins' loss to the Avs on Jan. 26 began innocently ... but then he claims it soon got heated.

Shaw said 3 men approached him ... and after some words, they began to make inappropriate comments about his sexuality.

"It turned to aggressive homophobic slurs," Shaw said.

Soon after, Shaw said the men tackled him, kicked him, and repeatedly called him anti-gay slurs. Shaw said he suffered knee, elbow, and head injuries in the altercation.

Cops tell us they are investigating the alleged incident, saying its Bias Motivated Crime Unit is handling the probe. Police added they're urging any witnesses to contact them.

A man has been tracked down and arrested in connection to the SoFi Stadium parking lot fight that left a man hospitalized in a medically induced coma, officials say.

Inglewood mayor James Butts Jr. announced the new development on Thursday ... saying a Montebello man was traced to his home using surveillance footage that started in the SoFi lot.

Butts claims the footage shows 40-year-old Daniel Luna allegedly pushing a man in a Rams jersey from behind. The man who was pushed then retaliated, the mayor says -- shoving Luna and punching him in the face.

Butts says Luna fell to the ground ... and that's where he remained until he was found by a stadium employee.

As we previously reported, officials were criticized for seemingly dragging their feet in sharing the news about the attack ... with some believing it was to prevent a PR nightmare prior to the Super Bowl.

SoFi Stadium released a statement on the beatdown ... saying, "We are aware and saddened by the incident. Our thoughts are with Mr. Luna's friends and family during this difficult time."

"We are working with law enforcement officials in their investigation.''

The 49ers also released a statement ... saying, "What happened to Daniel Luna is reprehensible and we strongly condemn all violence."

"We know local authorities are conducting a full investigation and we're here to support them however we can."

"Our thoughts and prayers go to Mr. Luna, his family, friends, and the medical team providing him care.''

The identity of the person -- and the charges they were booked on -- are not yet clear.

No dancing, or even sleeping, around it -- Lamar Odom took a dump in his bed, and he's not ashamed to let his housemates ... and the world know it!!!

The bed pooping incident was caught on the live feeds inside the "Celebrity Big Brother" house early Friday morning, but it's comforting to know Lamar headed straight for the showers to wash his behind after, quite literally, s***ing the bed.

As you can see, Lamar is cleaning up in the shower, and even from the other side of the partition Olympic figure skater Mirai Nagasu notices something is up, and asks if he's really scrubbing as vigorously as it sounds.

Lamar cops to the cleanup on aisle 2, and moments later spells it out for Mirai, in no uncertain terms, saying ... "I just took a s*** in my bed."

Naturally, Lamar is already the butt of jokes online... and it sounds like certain phrases are off-limits in the house moving forward.

It's pretty gross ... but at least Lamar cleaned up the bed too. He's definitely owning his 💩.

The Joe Burrow and Kid Cudi bromance keeps growing stronger ... 'cause the Bengals QB just gifted his childhood idol with the jersey he wore in Sunday's AFC Championship Game!!

Cudi revealed that after Cincy's huge victory on Sunday ... he hit up Joey B and asked if he could have the game-worn threads.

"Ok. So after the Bengals win against the Chiefs, I hit Joe and congratulated him and asked if I could have his jersey," Cudi wrote on social media.

And, Burrow wasted no time holding up on his promise -- shipping it right to the Cleveland native just 5 days after the Bengals secured their spot in the Super Bowl.

"Rockin' this bitch to the game and then framing it," Cudi said Friday. "I am so geeked right now."

Of course, Joe Cool is known for his on-field connection with his teammate Ja'Marr Chase ... but as of late, it's Cudi that Burrow has had all the chemistry with.

Joe got a shoutout from Cudi -- who was celebrating his 38th birthday the night of the game -- after the Bengals big win.

The two have a budding relationship that started when Burrow was drafted with the #1 overall draft pick out of LSU ... and this latest gesture from Joey Franchise is proof of that.

The Mayor of Los Angeles is ripping a page out of Bill Clinton's playbook ... insisting he was holding his breath while posing for pics without a face mask -- and claiming it was totally COVID-safe as a result.

Mayor Eric Garcetti is catching flak for a pic he took at SoFi Stadium on Sunday during the NFC Championship game -- he was smiling big in the shot with Magic Johnson, but not wearing a mask.

He responded to the criticism by telling KCBS, "People want a picture, I hold my breath. Zero risk." Yes, he said that with a straight face.

In other words, "I didn't inhale" ... much like President Clinton famously claimed back in 1992 about smoking marijuana while he was going to college in England.

If Clinton's claim made you chuckle, Garcetti's has to be a full LOL. The reality is, hizzoner the Mayor's hardly the only person who went maskless at the game -- we all know people who've done it.

But, it's yet another example of the apparent hypocrisy from politicians who encourage their citizens to wear masks, while not following the mandates in public.

Speaking of which, Cali's Gov. Gavin Newsom -- ripped for his infamous indoor dining at French Laundry in 2020 -- also took a maskless photo with Magic during the Rams-49ers matchup. No word if he too employed the breathless method.

Former NFL DB Captain Munnerlyn -- who started 85 games in his 10-year career -- was arrested last month ... after he was accused of getting violent with a woman.

According to court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, Munnerlyn allegedly roughed up a woman in North Carolina back on Jan. 3.

In the docs, officials say Munnerlyn struck a female in the face with his foot. They also say the ex-Carolina Panthers cornerback strangled her, resulting in bruises and scratches.

Further details surrounding the alleged incident were not made immediately available ... but the docs show Munnerlyn was arrested and bonded out of jail just days after the allegations were made.

The documents show Munnerlyn was hit with two charges, assault on a female and assault by strangulation. He's due in court for a hearing on the matter on March 1, the docs show.

We reached out to Munnerlyn for comment, but so far, no word back yet.

33-year-old Munnerlyn had an excellent career in the NFL after being picked in the 7th round of the 2009 draft. He played in 154 career games for the Panthers and Minnesota Vikings, logging 12 total interceptions, before he left the league following the 2018 season.

The Atlanta Braves won the World Series last season -- in big part thanks to a few massive home runs in Game 6 -- courtesy of Freddie Freeman, Jorge Soler and Dansby Swanson ... and now all three balls are on the auction block.

The Braves were up 3 games to 2 heading into a potential series-clinching Game 6 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX on November 2, 2021.

In the 3rd inning, with the score tied at zero, 29-year-old Soler -- the eventual World Series MVP -- stepped to the plate with a man on first and second, 2 outs. The count was full at 3-2 ... and that's when Jorge hit a 446-foot BOMB that literally went out of the stadium.

The ball landed on an awning outside Minute Maid ... near where the baseball fans Ramos brothers were having a World Series watch party at their home. They knew where the ball landed thanks to the TV broadcast ... so they decided to go retrieve it.

Now, that ball is on the auction block at SCP Auctions ... and already has 6 bids with a top price over $44k.

But, Jorge's home run wasn't the only long ball Atlanta launched. In the 5th, shortstop Dansby Swanson pulled a ball to right field, and padded the Braves lead, putting them ahead 5-0.

That ball ... up for auction.

Last but not least, Braves star 1st baseman Freddie Freeman delivered the final nail in the coffin ... hitting a king home run to almost dead center, putting Atlanta ahead 7-0.

You guessed it ... that ball's ALSO on the block.

The 'chip was the Braves first since 1995 ... when Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Chipper Jones led the team to a WS victory over the Cleveland Indians.

The Beijing Olympic Winter Games are officially underway ... kicking off with an elaborate opening ceremony at Beijing National Stadium.

Chinese President Xi Jinping officially declared the games open ... marking the start of the historic sporting event.

The Olympics are being held in China -- across three different time zones -- as various athletes from all over the world compete for medals in 15 different sports.

These games mark the second time China is hosting the Olympics -- they previously held the Summer Games back in 2008 -- and won the bid for the 2022 Winter Games in 2015.

Beijing -- where the games are being played -- is the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Of course, Team USA will be there ... and is expected to perform well. But, they'll have to do it without the support of their govt. officials -- at least, in person, that is.

President Biden and his administration are imposing a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games ... due to China's "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity."

The move from #46 is a deviation from the norm -- it's tradition for the U.S. to send high-profile delegates to represent the country and support America's athletes.

The boycott, however, does not stop the athletes from competing ... and the White House still supports Team USA in their endeavors. In fact, a "record number" of 177 US athletes walked during the opening ceremony, according to CNN.

Nothing gets in the way of Anthony Edwards and his McChickens -- not even work -- 'cause the NBA star paused his postgame presser Thursday night so he could place a McDonald's order!

It all happened after the Timberwolves knocked off the Pistons in Michigan -- when Edwards told media members to hold their questions while he pounded away on his phone.

"Hold on y'all," the 20-year-old Minnesota guard said. "Don't ask no questions yet. I'm trying to put an order in."

The scene was hilarious ... Edwards sifted through the menu on his phone -- suggesting he was getting McChickens and a drink with no ice -- and the reporters were all good sports about it.

In fact, one reporter joked with Edwards asking if his $44.27 million, 4-year rookie contract is forcing him to eat off the fast-food chain's Value Menu -- and he played along.

"Yeah, yeah, cheap dude," Edwards replied. "I ain't gon' say cheap dude 'cause I like cars and jewelry but, yeah. Cheap dude, man. I'ma wait until my other contract hit. For sure."

McDonald's isn't the only food spot Edwards has brought up in his pressers -- last season, he literally brought Popeyes chicken to one of his postgame interviews.

Gotta hand it to Lindsay Lohan ... she's killed it in a Super Bowl commercial!!!

It's an ad for Planet Fitness, and the theme is that the gym has turned Lindsay's life around from train wreck to the picture of mental and physical health.

The voiceover is hilarious ... Lindsay has gone from DUI to DIY. She's so mentally acute she destroyed on "Jeopardy!" And the turnaround has left the paparazzi in tears!!!

There's a pretty amazing supporting cast in the 30-second ad -- William Shatner, Dennis Rodman, Buzzy Cohen and Danny Trejo ... all touting the virtues of exercise and fitness.

BTW ... NBC said Thursday all the Super Bowl ad slots have been filled, and it ran companies that advertised between $5.8 million and $7 million for 30 seconds of airtime.

Lindsay's been under the radar for a few years now, so the ad is actually more effective because of it. It's kind of like a reveal on "Extreme Makeover" ... except a lot more cerebral. It's actually a great P.R. move for her, because it's believable ... somewhat.