TMZ Sports - Page 50

"I mean, he's my quarterback. He's my guy! He stuck by us, I'mma stick by him."

That's Myles Garrett -- one of the biggest stars on the Cleveland Browns -- when asked if he's ready to abandon ship and get rid of Baker Mayfield as the Browns' QB.

The defensive end told TMZ Sports he's not giving up on Baker, and he still believes in what the former Heisman winner can do under center.

Of course, Baker's been under a ton of scrutiny this past season from his critics ... with many speculating that the former No.1 overall draft pick in 2018 might not be the best long-term solution at the quarterback position for the Browns.

Garrett -- who's spent five seasons with the Browns -- has been teammates with Mayfield for four of those years, so the two have established a connection over time.

After a disappointing 2021 campaign, both Baker's play and durability were questioned ... as he seemingly regressed after leading Cleveland to the playoffs a year ago.

Mayfield played in just 14 games for Cleveland last year -- the NFL switched to a 17-game schedule before the season started -- as he dealt with a lingering shoulder injury which sidelined him for 3 contests.

Phil Mickelson just lost a major sponsor in the wake of his controversial comments on Saudi Arabia ... and it's one of his oldest partners.

Callaway Golf is pausing their business relationship with the pro golfer and will stop sending him payments.

The golf company says they will reevaluate the partnership at some point in the future ... but for now, they are distancing themselves from Phil.

As you know ... Mickelson is catching a ton of heat for his comments on Saudi Arabia ahead of playing in a new golf league in the country.

Phil played in the league despite saying the country had a "horrible record of human rights."

Phil said ... "We know they killed (Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal) Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape how the PGA Tour operates."

Mickelson apologized for his comments after playing a round in the Saudi league, saying he was taken out of context and his statements were supposed to be off the record ... though he admitted his words were regrettable and offensive.

In his mea culpa, Phil said ... "It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words," Mickelson said in his statement. "I'm beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this."

He continued, "My intent was never to hurt anyone and I’m so sorry to the people I have negatively impacted. This has always been about supporting the players and the game and I appreciate all the people who have given me the benefit of the doubt."

Phil also hinted he could take a step away from the game for a while following the firestorm ... including the fact he "desperately" needs "some time away."

Fantastic news -- New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson's dad, Mitchell Jr., has been found safe ... after going missing for 2 weeks.

As we previously reported, the hooper pled for the public's help in searching for his dad, who was last seen on Feb. 11. in Pensacola, Florida.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Mitchell Jr. was found after he was pulled over for a traffic violation in Clayton, Missouri early Tuesday morning.

Clayton PD tell us the officers discovered Mitchell was listed as missing by Escambia County police after they ran his name through the system. CPD informed ECSO Mitchell was found safe and wasn’t a danger to himself ... and Mitchell was let go with a verbal warning.

It's a major sigh of relief -- the 2018 2nd-round pick had been posting on social media about the situation ... saying, "Don't know a place the devil will hide you ... Come home pops."

Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev had a simple, yet powerful message as his country and Ukraine collide on the world stage ... writing "no war please" on a camera following his match in Dubai.

Andrey -- the world's No.7 ranked tennis player -- knocked off his opponent, Hubert Hurkacz, on Friday ... and then made his mark for all to see.

Rublev spoke more in-depth about the conflict after the match ... saying, "You realize how important it is to have peace in the world and to respect each other no matter what, to be united."

"We should take care of our earth and of each other. This is the most important thing."

Rublev -- who's from Russia's capital city, Moscow -- says he's been receiving negative comments online because of the invasion in Ukraine.

Fellow tennis great Daniil Medvedev -- who's also from Russia -- spoke about the importance of using his platform to promote peace.

"By being a tennis player, I want to promote peace all over the world," Medvedev said. "It's just not easy to hear all this news. I'm all for peace."

But, despite the major accomplishment, Rublev expressed certain issues transcend the realm of sports -- and the situation in Ukraine is one of them.

"In these moments, you realize that my match is not important," Andrey said. "It's not about my match, how it affects me. What's happening is much more terrible."

A Los Angeles woman says she was unable to see her Rams hoist the Lombardi Trophy after spending nearly $9,000 on tickets to the Super Bowl ... claiming she suffered "life-altering injuries" during the big game -- and now she's suing SoFi Stadium.

Rams fan Lita Abella made the allegations in a lawsuit -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- claiming she missed the rest of the game due to an incident in the third quarter.

In the docs, Abella claims she was sitting in her seat when she "suddenly, and without warning," felt a forcible blow to the back of her head.

Abella says the impact was so strong, it forced her out of her assigned seat and sent her flying into the back of another seat rows ahead.

In the suit, the woman alleges that a man lost his balance and fell after "high fiving" another man ... causing him to fall into where Abella had been sitting, which resulted in her face and head colliding with another seat.

The woman says she suffered gnarly injuries -- including a concussion, orbital fracture, fractured nose, and fractured shoulder -- and ended up missing the trophy ceremony because she was in the hospital.

Abella is accusing SoFi Stadium of negligence and premises liability -- saying the stadium was ultimately responsible for what she describes as the "dangerous and defectively planned" seating which led to her injuries.

She's suing for unspecified damages.

The Kid from Akron is getting his own museum in his hometown ... with the massive tribute coming to Ohio in 2023.

The LeBron James Family Foundation made the announcement on Friday via Instagram -- showing flicks of the 37-year-old standing in the soon-to-be exhibit.

"The story of King James will live on in Akron forever inside the one-and-only LeBron James Museum by Upper Deck Sports at House Three Thirty 👑."

The museum will be in the basement of the HFF -- a multi-use facility launched by the LBFF that offers financial health training, a sports complex, full-service dining and more for the community.

The exhibit will feature the journey of King James ... starting from the Springhill Apartments to becoming a 4-time NBA champion.

It will display his basketball awards at St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S., his "Decision" to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat, his return to Ohio and more recently, his time with his current team, the L.A. Lakers.

His many off-court ventures will be focused on as well -- including the I Promise School, involvement in growing the Blaze Pizza franchise and his acting career.

"We can’t wait to bring the story of the kid from Akron to life for all to see in 2023. 🤴🏾"

Hopefully, they left some space for his retirement and his Hall of Fame induction ... and maybe a few more trophies?!

X-Pac is back!!

The 2x WWE Hall of Famer, who's been out of the squared circle for years, tells TMZ Sports he will wrestle Friday night under the independent promotion, Game Changer Wrestling.

"I'm returning to the ring for the first time in about 3 years," X-Pac told Babcock and Mojo on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weeknights on FS1).

Then the wrestling legend dropped this bomb ... "I had ACL surgery last year. I had a torn ACL for about 14 years."

X-Pac, government name Sean Waltman, has been living life with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Now that the injury was repaired, Waltman says he expects to put on a helluva show in the ring.

"This is my first match back where I can actually do some good, really good stuff in there."

And, X-Pac believes he's still got it ... but when he no longer does, that's when he'll walk away for good.

"I expect it to go well," he says, adding ... "and if it does, I'm going to have matches until I can't have good matches anymore."

X-Pac's been in the biz for over 30 years ... wrestling for everyone from WWF, WCW, WWE, and TNA, just to name a few.

He was inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame twice -- once in 2013 and again in 2020 -- the second time around as a member of the wildly popular "NWO" faction.

The NWO AKA "New World Order" was a group that featured some of the industry's biggest stars -- Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall, also known as Razor Ramon.

Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley were spotted out together in Los Angeles earlier this week ... despite reports the world-famous couple broke off their engagement and called it quits on the relationship.

38-year-old Rodgers and 30-year-old Woodley were seen by a fan -- who posted about the encounter on Twitter -- at Erewhon market on Tuesday.

The couple/former couple sat down for breakfast, sitting outside at a table together, according to E! News. They didn't stay very long.

Seeing Aaron and Shailene together is surprising ... because they reportedly recently broke up after nearly 2 years of dating.

The couple announced they were engaged in February 2021.

At the time of the reported break up, People reported both were busy people and wanted to focus on their careers.

But, then Rodgers posted a mushy Instagram message about Woodley, writing ... "Thanks for always having my back, for the incredible kindness you show me and everyone you meet, and for showing me what unconditional love looks like, I love you and am grateful for you."

Doesn't sound like a couple who's broken up.

The NFL MVP also went on Pat McAfee's show and continued to gush over Shailene ... while never directly saying whether they were still together.

So, they may be engaged ... or they may be broken up.

Kobe and Gigi Bryant's legacy continues to live on -- the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation released a hoodie celebrating the two this week ... and it sold it out in less than 24 minutes.

Thursday -- 02/24 -- was a symbolic day for the Bryant family because it features the jersey numbers Gigi and Kobe wore during their basketball career.

Vanessa Bryant says Champion donated the hoodies to support the Mamba & Mambacita Sports store launch ... and judging from how quickly they went, supporters couldn't wait to get their hands on them.

Vanessa says the hoodie is for a good cause ... with 100% of the proceeds going to support the Foundation's mission of creating equal opportunity for underserved boys and girls in athletics.

The MMSF Reverse Weave Pullover hoodie is all black ... and features the Mamba & Mambacita logo on the front in white.

The hood and sleeve feature the numbers 2, 8, and 24 ... commemorating each jersey number Kobe and Gigi wore when they hit the hardwood.

"Special thanks to Champion for donating this merchandise to our foundation," Vanessa wrote in a post on Instagram.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years. We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Our hoodie sold out in less than 24 minutes 🖤🤍."

The NBA continues to pay tribute to the late Terrence Clarke ... by gifting his mother an honorary Rising Star jersey from the 2022 All-Star Weekend.

Clarke's mom, Osmine, shared the news on Instagram ... saying she received her son's All-Star gear from Klutch Sports -- the agency TC signed with before his tragic death last April.

"Thanks 🙏🏾 to Klutch team for sending me T's jerseys," Osmine said, "I'm so sorry 😢 he wasn't able to showcase his talent before leaving us."

"Thanks again for all who made this possible a through STAR 🌟 looking over us love ❤️ you 5"

Clarke -- who played for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2020 -- passed away after a horrific car accident in Los Angeles on April 22 ... months before the 2021 NBA Draft.

The NBA has preserved the 6'8" guard's legacy ever since ... making him an honorary pick at the draft and bringing his family on stage to accept his draft hat.

The league also teamed up with the Celtics to renovate the Boston Centers for Youth & Families Vine St.'s basketball court ... where Clarke grew up playing hoops.

The court features his initials, Wildcats jersey #5 and his famous quote -- "I want to be that guy for everyone in the city."

Patrick Mahomes pulled out all the stops for his big bachelor party dinner -- eating massive, high-quality steaks and drinking 100-year-old booze in Vegas with his closest friends!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Super Bowl champ and his buds -- including some of his NFL teammates -- hit up Carversteak at Resorts World on Thursday ... and feasted a wagyu tomahawk rib chop with his name and Chiefs logo branded on the bone!!

We're told the guys downed Louis XIII cognac to kick off the bash ... which comes with AT LEAST a 4-figure price tag. Sheesh.

Along with the tomahawk, Mahomes and the gang chowed down on wagyu cheesesteak bites, ribeye, seared crab cakes, striploin, mac and cheese and more throughout the night ... before taking things to the Rose Rooftop for some shots of Michael Jordan's Cincoro tequila.

What's really cool?? Resorts World projected a MASSIVE picture of Pat and Brittany Matthews on its 100k-square-foot screen ... congratulating the couple on their upcoming marriage.

We're told Mahomes' Chiefs teammates Travis Kelce, Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Orlando Brown Jr. are in town for the fun ... so it's bound to be a great time.

As for Brittany, she's enjoying her last few days of freedom with her gal pals ... posting up with them before heading out on the town as well.

Powerful moment before the Nuggets and Kings game Thursday -- the teams, including Ukrainian-born Sacramento center, Alex Len, locked arms in a show of solidarity as war rages on in Ukraine.

Len is 1 of 2 NBA players from Ukraine. Svi Mykhailiuk, a forward from the Toronto Raptors, is the other player.

The show of unity between the teams comes in the wake of Russia launching a violent military attack in Ukraine ... sparking international condemnation and concern over the situation on the ground in eastern Europe.

It's obviously been a very difficult time for Len ... and he clearly appreciated his teammates and the opposing players on the Nuggets for the gesture.

"Thank you to my Kings family and the Denver Nuggets for your solidarity and support of Ukraine tonight," Alex wrote on Instagram.

Len also shared a joint statement on social media with Mykhailiuk condemning the awful attacks perpetrated by the Russian military.

"Ukraine is a peaceful, sovereign state inhabited by people who want to decide their own destiny. We pray for our families, friends, relatives, and all the people who are in the territory of Ukraine."

"We hope for an end to this terrible war as soon as possible. "Dear fellow Ukrainians, Hold on! Our strength is in unity! We are with you!"

Alvin Gentry -- head coach of the Kings -- spoke with reporters before the game ... telling the media he had a team meeting with Len, and the coach asked for prayers for his loved ones.

"I just like for you guys to kinda keep him in your prayers and hopefully his family is going to remain safe."

Hall of Fame boxers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko are preparing for the biggest fight of their lives -- the Ukrainian brothers are vowing to defend their country from the Russian attacks.

Wladimir spoke out about the invasion of his country on Thursday ... condemning Putin's actions and pledging to join in the fight with the Ukrainian people against the Russian regime.

"I am writing to you from Kyiv, the capital of a country at war, a country being attacked and invaded from all sides," the former heavyweight champ said. "It is not 'the war of Ukraine,' it is Putin's war."

"Putin wants to call into question the geopolitical balance across the whole of Europe, he dreams of being the defender of the Slavic peoples wherever they live, and he wants to restore a fallen empire whose demise he has never accepted."

Wladimir went on to say the Ukrainian people have chosen democracy, but he knows democracy is a fragile regime and him and his brother, Vitali, are ready to fight for it.

Vitali -- the mayor of Kyiv -- told "Good Morning Britain" in an interview he was "prepared to take up arms" if need be to halt the Russian invasion.

The Klitschko brothers also released a passionate video ... calling on all countries to observe what's happening and unite against Russia.

Arnold Schwarzenegger -- a longtime friend of the Klitschko bros. -- sent a message of gratitude to the boxing legends ... lauding them for their courage in the midst of this difficult time.

Formula 1 will NOT return to Russia in September ... with organizers saying it is "impossible" to hold the event in Sochi following the attack on Ukraine.

"We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation," the org. said in a statement Friday.

"On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances."

As we previously reported, superstars like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen voiced their opposition to holding the race in Sochi after Russia attacked Ukraine ... with the 4-time champ saying, "I think it’s wrong to race in that country."

The Russian G.P. has been on the F1 schedule since 2014 ... and Vladimir Putin has attended the event in the past -- even handing out the trophy to winners on the podium, including Lewis Hamilton and Valtterri Bottas.

8 years removed from official in-ring action, WWE star Corey Graves tells TMZ Sports he has officially been cleared by doctors, and is now permitted to continue kicking asses in the squared circle -- but will he do it?!

We talked to Corey and WWE Superstar fiancée Carmella about everything from great news from the docs to their upcoming reality show (more on that later!).

"I went and spent some time with doctors middle of last year. I kinda got the itch. This is one of the first times I'm saying this publicly. I have been medically cleared to compete," Corey tells us.

"It's not an immediate goal of mine, it was just something I needed to know for my own sanity. My journey in the ring got cut short and it's kinda eaten at me for years, always wondering what if, what if there's a chance, what if there's an opportunity ... so I went and did the necessary steps and it turns out I'm more okay than I thought I was."

Graves last wrestled in March 2014. Months after his final match, WWE announced the Superstar was retiring from in-ring action and moving over to the broadcast booth ... after reportedly sustaining several concussions.

At the time, Corey said he was just content with working again, telling WWE.com ... "These last eight months have been up and down, emotionally, but I’m really looking forward to being part of the show again."

Speaking of shows ... Corey and Carmella are starring in their very own digital reality show, and it looks awesome.

And, they say it all came to be organically ... starting with a spontaneous Instagram Live sesh. Fans were into it ... so they launched a podcast, "Bare With Us." Then came the partnership with WWE ... and a real deal show.

"The podcast allowed fans to see us in a different light. We wanted to shed light on normal things that couples argue over, fight over, whether it's issues in the bedroom, chores at the house, and who's responsible for what chores at the house. For us, we just wanted to maintain that authenticity from our podcast onto the show, and that's what we're doing."

"We're really excited for the fans to get to know us in real life, and not just these larger-than-life personalities they see on TV."

Jaxson Hayes faced a judge in L.A. stemming from his July arrest on Thursday ... and the Pelicans center entered a no contest plea for a resisting arrest and false imprisonment charge, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 21-year-old former Texas star was facing 10 other charges ... but the judge dismissed them.

Hayes was arrested on July 28 after LAPD responded to a reported domestic incident at a home where Hayes was staying. When officers arrived, cops say Hayes refused to allow them inside ... and a scuffle ensued.

At least one police officer sustained an injury during the struggle.

While cops were fighting with the 6'10" player -- who was tased during the scuffle -- Hayes was heard telling officers he couldn't breathe (LAPD is currently conducting a "use of force" investigation to determine if appropriate force was used).

Although Hayes did not plead guilty, a no contest plea would still end up with a conviction on his record.

Each of the two charges carries up to 364 days in jail, a fine or both.