TMZ Sports - Page 6

People are trying to turn the Hollywood sign into an homage to the Rams to celebrate their Super Bowl win -- but at this rate ... it might just stay a jumbled mess come showtime.

If you look over yonder toward Griffith Park, you'll undoubtedly see what's going on there in the hills -- something looks off about the lettering on our famed sign, and that's because volunteers are out there scrambling to make it read "RAMS HOUSE" ... and in a hurry.

As you see, they're not even nearing completion ... and it's less than 24 hours before the Super Bowl parade is due to hit the streets with the team in tow. At the moment, it looks more like RALLYOUSE -- which is close, but no cigar ... and the clock is ticking.

On top of the unfinished business, there are folks in the area who are complaining about the eyesore before them ... not to mention all the racket from the bodies on the ground, which all started Monday AM.

Of course, there's also a lot of ridicule to go around here ... as many are joking that the pranksters who once turned HOLLYWOOD into HOLLYWEED did a far better job than the L.A. bureaucrats are doing now ... and way faster too, no less!

Indeed, this work is sanctioned by the City of L.A., in partnership with the Rams and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. But, considering how choppy things are moving, they might wanna bust out the spray paint and go full vandalism to meet their deadline. 😅

Tina Tintor and her dog have been memorialized with a mural in Las Vegas ... three months after they tragically died there in a car crash involving former NFL star Henry Ruggs.

The art was just painted on a wall near the wreck site -- showing a depiction of Tina and her Golden Retriever, Max, smiling in front of a blue background.

The artist painted both of their names in pink lettering above their pictures ... and added, "In loving memory."

In front of the art -- which sits on the corner of the intersection near where the two were hit by Ruggs' Corvette on Nov. 2 -- family, friends and supporters have continued to leave photographs, candles and flowers.

Tintor's uncle told KLAS in Vegas that he organized the painting of the mural following Tina's death.

As we previously reported, investigators say Tintor burned to death after officials say Ruggs was speeding with a .161 BAC before he rammed his sportscar into the back of her RAV4.

She was just 23 years old.

Machine Gun Kelly is ready to "Lace Up" for the All-Star Celebrity Game ... 'cause the Cleveland rapper/rocker just gave a glimpse of his 3-point shot during a recent shooting sesh ... and the dude's looking like a taller Darius Garland!!

The award-winning rapper is taking his spot in the All-Star festivities VERY seriously ... and has been training with NBA shooting coach Chris Matthews -- AKA the "Lethal Shooter" -- leading up to the game.

Matthews posted a video of MGK's shooting skills on Instagram ... showing the "Emo Girl" singer draining 6 straight 3-pointers while rocking a Shawn Kemp jersey.

"He's been going hard in the gym getting ready for All-Star weekend," Matthews said.

"Look forward to seeing this celebrity game on Friday. Do your thing, bro!"

FYI -- Matthews has worked with a TON of clients in the past -- from Drake to Anthony Davis to Dwight Howard.

Of course, this All-Star game hits different for MGK ... after all, it's in his hometown.

MGK won't be the only musician on the court -- Jack Harlow, Quavo, Jimmy Allen, Kane Brown, Anjali Ranadivé and Anuel AA will also be in Friday's game.

The most famous voice in college basketball will be silent for at least the next month ... Dick Vitale just announced he's been ordered to undergo "4 weeks of total voice rest" following vocal cord surgery.

Dickie V revealed the doc's orders on his Facebook page Wednesday morning ... saying the Tuesday operation on his throat went well, but he's got a long way to go before he's back talking hoops on TV again.

"[The doctor] feels optimistic that if I follow his plan (which I will)," Vitale said, "that he will get me back on courtside to do what I truly love talking college hoops during the 2022-23 season."

Vitale -- who's also currently in a battle with cancer -- was diagnosed with the vocal cord issue just a few weeks ago ... revealing the problem would force him out of calling games for the rest of the 2021-2022 season.

FYI, Vitale's doc is world-renowned ... having treated stars like Adele and Steven Tyler for vocal issues. So, Dickie's in good hands.

Vitale explained Wednesday the issues were "dysplasia" and "ulcerated lesions on my vocal cord."

Fortunately, Dickie V said the doc was "confident" he fixed everything ... putting Vitale hopefully on the path to callin' basketball games in the future.

"[The doctor] was very confident after the 3 hours of intense surgery that he was able to achieve his goal," Dickie V said.

It's been nearly 7 years since the Houston Texans' season on "Hard Knocks" ... and J.J. Watt's infamous "Remember the Name" rap montage is still getting roasted -- this time, by the NFL star himself!!

In case you missed the hilariously cringe moment, Watt was videoed getting in a tough workout while HBO cameras were rolling during training camp in 2015 ... when he decided to rap along to the Fort Minor tune.

The scene has taken new life over the years ... with fans poking fun at Watt for his rap skills and how over-the-top it was.

Now, Watt is finally addressing the scene ... saying, "You ever sing a song in the car and you think it sounds great and then you try and break it out at karaoke that night and it just doesn't quite hit the same??"

Watt then cuts to the clip ... clearly showing embarrassment over it.

"Yeah ... me too."

Ryan Garcia -- one of the best young boxing talents in the world -- is opening up on his serious mental health struggles ... admitting at one point, he felt like killing himself.

"When I was deep in it, I didn't think I was gonna live," Garcia said in an interview with Dan Canobbio on "Inside Boxing Live." "I was so depressive and I went to bad habits. I started drinking, and I never drink, ever."

He continued ... "But I was getting drunk all the time. I wanted to kill myself at one point."

Remember, the 23-year-old undefeated boxing star withdrew from his scheduled bout against Javier Fortuna last April ... expressing he needed a break to focus on his "mental health and well-being."

Ryan's last professional fight was January 2021 against Luke Campbell ... when he defeated him via knockout in the seventh round.

Garcia knew he needed a break when his thoughts were so scattered that his mind felt paralyzed at the time. The champ said he couldn't even begin to describe the torment he was experiencing.

"It was so bad, so intense, that I thought maybe I just rather not be here,'" Garcia said. "I didn’t understand what was going on. I needed professional help."

Ryan said he knows his depression stemmed from mismanaging stress -- like taking on too many things at once ... and not having the right support system in place around him.

Thankfully, RG received the help he needed ... and said he's feeling great.

Garcia returns to the ring April 9 ... where he will fight Emmanuel Tagoe.

Matthew Stafford's wife, Kelly, just went in on everyone who's giving their opinion on the quarterback's Hall of Fame status ... clapping back at the doubters and saying the signal-caller is nowhere near done yet.

Following the Rams star's big win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday -- the debate was on ... is Stafford a Hall of Famer or not?

Some said yes ... but the majority -- including future Hall of Famer Richard Sherman -- appeared to say no, and Kelly had big issues with that talk.

Stafford's wife took to Instagram late Tuesday evening to blast the discussion ... saying, "We shouldn't be talking about the HOF because he isn't done playing this game."

She added, though, if you don't currently think he belongs in the Hall -- she said he's going to prove you wrong in the upcoming seasons.

"So let's table this talk until he actually retires," she said. "Thank you."

For what it's worth, the talk of Stafford's potential Canton bust was brought up even before the win in the Big Game, with Torry Holt telling TMZ Sports he didn't believe Stafford was on his way to the Hall just yet.

Seems Kelly could truly care less -- saying in her post she's confident Matthew will change minds eventually.

The hilarious feud between Usain Bolt and Tyreek Hill is nowhere near dead yet ... the legendary sprinter clowned the NFL player on Sunday, laughing about his effort in a race at the Pro Bowl.

Bolt threw the jabs as he was leaving the Super Bowl on Sunday ... telling TMZ Sports he doesn't want to race Hill after he saw the Kansas City Chiefs star drop a sprint to Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons.

"He's not ready," Bolt said of Hill. "He got beaten by some linebacker! He ain't ready for this!"

Bolt was giggling as he tossed out the barbs -- and said after watching Tyreek in the Vegas race he's still sublimely confident he'd dust Hill on the track.

"I'm the fastest man in the world," Bolt said. "What do you mean?!"

If you missed it, Hill and Bolt have been trading words about a possible race for months -- with Hill telling us back in November he's so sure he'd beat Bolt, he's willing to put his Super Bowl ring on the line.

Bolt, though, clearly doesn't seem to think Hill is even deserving of his time ... telling us outside of SoFi Stadium the receiver -- and any other NFL player who thinks they're fast -- needs to get "serious" and then call him.

Mike Tyson celebrated his weed strain reaching Colorado by posing with -- and possibly smoking? -- insane amounts of ganja on Tuesday ... and the picture is iconic.

TMZ Sports is told ... Iron Mike hit up the Green Solution dispensary and did a private tour with a lucky fan to honor the launch of his "Tyson 2.0" strain launching in the Centennial State.

We're told Tyson's weed team and cannabis expert Jesse Channon were also along for the ride ... and ya gotta imagine they tested the product, right?!

Adrian Peterson's wife is defending the NFL star in the wake of his domestic violence arrest ... saying "at no point" did he hit her.

We broke the story, Peterson was thrown in jail on Sunday after he allegedly got physical with his wife, Ashley, during an argument on a plane at LAX.

Our sources say Peterson was taken into custody after Ashley was seen to have sustained a small mark on her following the alleged altercation.

Ashley, though, posted on her Instagram on Tuesday that Peterson never got physical with her ... saying, "At no point did Adrian hit or strike me."

"Adrian and I had a verbal argument," she added. "Unfortunately, it was on an airplane."

She continued, "This is a private matter between my husband and myself. We ask that everyone respect our privacy so we can focus on what matters most: our children."

For his part, Peterson -- who was booked on a charge of felony domestic violence -- has also denied hitting Ashley ... telling FOX 26 Sports this week that the mark on Ashley was the result of him taking a ring off her finger during their argument.

"Literally that's why I went to jail," Peterson said. "Because the ring left a scratch on her finger."

Peterson added, "We just had a disagreement."

If you think e-bikes are dangerous, check out the nightmare this cyclist somehow survived -- a big ass bull running him over right in the middle of a race.

This went down in Bakersfield, CA over the weekend during a rural off-road bike race called the Rock Cobble. The course apparently runs right through at least one bull's turf, and he wasn't having it. After letting one rider pass, the next one gets absolutely flattened!!!

The bull first slammed into his bike, then came back for seconds ... ramming and then tossing the cyclist, a guy named Tony Inderbitzin.

There were reportedly a total of 4 riders attacked during the race, though it appears Tony got the worst of it. Miraculously, he survived ... but he's in a world of pain.

He told Cowboy State Daily, "I’m sore all over, mostly the neck from the second throw, I got whiplashed. The list of what doesn’t hurt is my left arm and head.”

Prince Harry got some serious MVP treatment from the L.A. Rams following the team's Super Bowl victory ... even getting to touch the sport's most coveted prize.

The official Rams account just posted these photos of the Duke of Sussex getting an up-close-and-personal look at the Lombardi Trophy after L.A. won the game. The attached caption ... “Feelin’ like royalty.”

In the pics, you see Harry in the Rams locker room, checking out the hardware alongside team owner Stan Kroenke and others, while laughing it up ... sans any face coverings.

We should say, however, while seated in the stands with his cousin, Princess Eugenie, he was indeed wearing a mask. But it seems like when he was behind the scenes and undetected, or so he thought, he ditched the cloth as well ... like countless others were already doing.

Like we told you ... as it stands, the rule in L.A. County is that everyone is supposed to mask up indoors ... even though California at large has already lifted the mandate. Despite this, a good majority of folks at the game -- famous or not -- didn’t give a hoot ... and enjoyed themselves with their mugs set free.

The two greatest shooting guards in NBA history are featured on a super-rare, SIGNED jersey card ... and now's your chance to own it.

TMZ Sports has learned ... a basketball card featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant has hit the auction block with PWCC Marketplace ... and could come with a massive price tag.

This piece of NBA memorabilia features both superstars' John Hancocks ... as well as a piece of both Jordan and Bryant's game-worn jerseys.

PWCC describes the card as "the single most desirable" card from Upper Deck's Series 2 release in 2000 ... and the first to feature both Black Mamba and His Airness.

The card's in great shape -- it's been stamped 9/10 on the grading scale ... and has been preserved in a Beckett 8 holder to ensure it remains in mint condition.

PWCC Exec Jesse Craig tells us it's very rare that an item like this comes up to auction ... and that only 10 copies of this card were made.

"One of the things that is just so impressive about this card is that it exists at all," Craig said. "Jordan was an obvious legend by this time, but Kobe’s greatness was just getting started."

"We look back at the totality of the careers now and the connection is obvious, but at the time it still required some imagination to craft an asset such as this."

MJ and Kobe became tight over the years ... and the Chicago Bulls legend even spoke at Bryant's funeral in February 2020.

The PWCC auction is currently live ... and ends on February 19. No official word on what the card will go for, but we're told this same card recently sold for $516k!!!

MLB star Matt Harvey admitted on Tuesday that he used cocaine during his baseball career ... calling himself a "partier" and saying his former New York Mets team never "really asked" him about it.

The right-handed pitcher -- a current free agent who was one of the best in the game from 2012 through 2015 -- made the revelation during an explosive testimony during a trial related to the 2019 death of former MLB pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

On the stand, Harvey -- who was teammates with Skaggs on the Angels at the time of the pitcher's death -- told the courtroom that he used to party with cocaine.

When asked about his use of the drug and if he lied about taking it when he was with the Mets ... he said, according to ESPN reporter T.J. Quinn, "No one really asked."

Per Quinn, Harvey told the courtroom he was still using the drug after he signed with the Angels following the 2018 season.

Harvey -- who played for the Mets, Reds, Angels, Royals and, most recently, the Orioles, later said, "no one from teams ever asked if he was still using drugs," Quinn reported.

The news is a bombshell, but it was hardly the only one Harvey dropped during the testimony.

The 32-year-old, who testified under immunity, said he and Skaggs had talked about drug use when they were teammates, and added that the two had taken the substances in clubhouses.

Harvey said he'd take painkillers, and said that, according to Quinn, Skaggs told him "he crushed and snorted oxy on the toilet paper dispenser in the clubhouse bathroom."

Harvey also said, per Quinn, that he did give Skaggs Percocets. He also said he obtained pills from ex-Angels staffer Eric Kay, who's been accused of supplying Skaggs with the drugs that investigators say might have led to his death.

Ja Morant held his sister down on Valentine's Day, hooking up his younger sibling with a brand-spankin' new Jeep Wrangler ... a car she's wanted forever!

The Memphis Grizzlies star -- one of the most electric players in the league -- captured the heartwarming moment on video, posting a clip surprising his younger sister, Teniya, on his Instagram Monday.

Morant and Teniya were hanging out in a parking lot when a brand new white Jeep -- with a red bow -- pulled up, and her reaction was priceless!

Teniya immediately started crying tears of joy ... and she gave her brother a big hug before walking over to the whip in disbelief.

The 22-year-old guard was all smiles ... saying, his sister had "been asking for a Jeep for the longest."

And, with V-Day here, and her birthday just around the corner, Ja thought it was time to give the extravagant gift ... which starts at about $30K!

"Happy Valentine's Day and early birthday lil sis," Morant said.

BTW ... Ja isn't the only hooper in the fam. Teniya plays ball, too. She's a junior at Houston H.S. in Tennessee.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said goodbye to John Madden one last time on Monday night ... with an emotional speech at the NFL legend's memorial in Oakland.

Reid was one of many guest speakers who delivered final words at the Madden celebration of life event at RingCentral Coliseum ... and his speech was heartfelt.

Reid spoke about meeting John decades ago and all of the lessons he learned from the former Raiders head coach -- saying they helped shape him into the NFL headman he is today.

Reid concluded his speech by verbally painting a picture of Madden in heaven.

"We love you, Coach," he said at the end of it all.

Other notable guests who spoke at the event included Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and former San Francisco 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci.

As we reported, Madden passed away unexpectedly at the age of 85 in December.

John was a beloved figure in the NFL -- becoming a brilliant head coach, then broadcaster and then eventually the face of the most popular football video game on the planet.

A funeral and a private mass were already held for Madden several weeks ago.