TMZ Sports - Page 50

Urban Meyer allegedly did not know who Aaron Donald -- arguably the best player in the NFL -- was while he was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

According to The Athletic, multiple sources who worked with Meyer during the 2021 season claimed the head coach was unfamiliar with Donald and other NFL stars like Deebo Samuel and Jamal Adams.

In fact, one source, the outlet reported, said Meyer actually asked one staffer at some point during the year, "Who's this 99 guy on the Rams?"

"I'm hearing he might be a problem for us."

Of course, Donald is a future Hall of Famer, a 7-time All-Pro and a 3-time Defensive Player of the Year. He's played on the league's biggest stage -- the Super Bowl -- 2 times in his 8-year career.

Donald and the Rams ended up playing the Jaguars just days before Meyer was fired in December -- and AD recorded a sack and a forced fumble in the contest.

Meyer's attorney, according to The Athletic, declined to comment on the allegations in the story.

As we previously reported, Meyer was officially canned by the Jags on Dec. 15, after former Jaguar Josh Lambo accused the coach of kicking and bullying him at practices and meetings before the season.

Patrick Mahomes and his new wife, Brittany Matthews, got real adventurous during their "perfect" honeymoon ... exploring the Caribbean together -- and it looks awesome!!

Mrs. Mahomes says the newlyweds went to St. Barts after tying the knot earlier this month ... and broke down the details with photos and video of their trip.

"Took a tour around the whole island," Brittany said on Sunday. "Hiked up a mountain down to this natural pool. It was quite beautiful."

"Everywhere ya went on the island the views were amazing."

The Kansas City Chiefs QB and his wife were all about the marine life -- from watching a sail boat competition to jumping into the Atlantic Ocean.

They also kayaked and enjoyed a boat ride viewing the sunset ... and even spotted a few sharks and turtles!!

In addition to the ocean wildlife, Matthews says the couple enjoyed  delicious food and their luxurious honeymoon suite.

"Went and are at some pretty yummy places and some pretty cool places," Matthews said, "Our view from our villa was just pure perfection."

Mahomes and Matthews got engaged in Sept. 2020 before saying "I do" on March 12 in Hawaii ... where their 1-year-old daughter, Sterling, was the flower girl.

Jusuf Nurkić didn't play a single minute Sunday night, but the Blazers big man got some action after the game ... walking over to a heckling Pacers fan and tossing his phone.

The incident went down following the Blazers' 129-98 blowout loss to Indiana ... when Nurkić apparently heard a fan say something he didn't like, confronted him with an intimidating stare-down, and chucked his cell.

The fan was completely shocked ... saying, "Why'd you throw my phone?"

Security staff intervened by stepping in between Jusuf and the fan ... and the Portland center ended up walking away before things escalated further.

It's unclear what exactly was said that led up to the altercation ... but it's clear whatever words were exchanged didn't sit well with the Bosnian hooper.

Nurkić -- who's sidelined at the moment due to plantar fasciitis -- wasn't required to talk to the media after the game ... so details surrounding what happened are minimal.

Nurkic's showdown with the fan is an ongoing theme this season -- NBA players have been clearly fed up with the hecklers "taking it too far" ... prompting the ballers to take matters into their own hands.

Guys like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony have had fans tossed from the arena ... and most recently, their teammate Russell Westbrook confronted a fan before a game for calling him "Westbrick."

Several items that belonged to Demaryius Thomas -- including a jersey signed by Tom Brady -- were allegedly stolen after a break-in at the late football player's home earlier this month.

According to police documents, obtained by 95.5 WSB, several people broke into Thomas' Georgia home on March 13 -- just 3 months after the former NFL star died there.

In the docs, cops say Thomas' mother told them an ESPY award, a Brady autographed jersey, football memorabilia, a hyperbaric chamber, guns, cash and more were all taken in the incident.

A spokesperson for the Roswell Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports officers responded to Thomas' home after a family member had told them there were "several unauthorized individuals inside."

Cops say after questioning people at the home, three men -- 29-year-old Vashone Jones, 27-year-old Perfect Robinson and 30-year-old Malcom Daniels -- were arrested, and all later charged with criminal trespass.

In police documents, according to 95.5 WSB, cops say Jones told them that "he used to live at the home and helped Thomas with his medical issues" prior to his death. Jones allegedly told cops he still visited the place on weekends to check on it.

The outlet reported Thomas' mother, though, told police the home should have been empty and that they had changed the locks following Thomas' passing.

Police tell us Thomas' family members and reps met with them last week regarding items missing from the home following the arrests, adding "that theft investigation is still active and ongoing."

Breathe easy, Rams fans ... Aaron Donald isn't retiring, so says his former L.A. teammate Andrew Whitworth, who tells TMZ Sports A.D. ain't going anywhere but the gym this offseason.

The ex-Rams left tackle, who just walked away from the game this month, said out at Wally's in Beverly Hills this week that he is 100 percent sure Donald won't hang up the cleats this year.

"He'll be back on that field dominating again," Whitworth said, confidently.

Of course, according to NBC's Rodney Harrison, Donald was considering retirement just before the Super Bowl -- with the former Patriots star explaining A.D. had told him he'd strongly think about giving up the game if the Rams won it all.

Donald hasn't given a solid indication that he's leaning one way or the other following the big championship win -- but according to Whitworth, that chatter can be put to bed now.

"Dominate on the football field again," Whitworth said when asked what he expected to see from Donald in 2022. "That's what I know he knows how to do well and I'm sure he's going to be doing it again."

Aaron Rodgers' off-season is off to a sunny start -- the guy is back in California with his girlfriend, sippin' a little vino and cashing in chips ... riding out the high of his fat payday.

The Packers QB -- who just got a huge deal from his longtime team in the form of a 3-year, $150-million contract -- was spotted out in Los Olivos this weekend with Shailene Woodley by his side ... with the two of them tagging along for a little wine tasting with friends.

We're told this photo, obtained by TMZ, was shot Saturday at the Demetria Winery -- and as you can see ... Aaron's chillin' with his shades on, and his glass tilted back. SW is right by his side ... but eyewitnesses tell us they were getting quite cozy, with lap-sitting, etc.

The boozy outing here follows what sounds like a little high-rolling in a nearby casino the day prior -- some folks saw Aaron and Shailene on Friday trying their luck at the Chumash Casino Resort in neighboring Santa Ynez, which is a stone's throw away from this winery.

Of course, Shailene was there too at what appears to be a cashier window ... standing right next to Aaron and sporting her signature curly 'do. Seems like a nice, long romantic getaway for the pair.

As if the recent runway plane photos didn't spell it out clearly enough, here's just more evidence that they're definitely back together and an item again. On top of this, they also recently went to a wedding together -- for a fellow Packer, no less -- so it's confirmed.

Olympic legend Florence Griffith Joyner -- AKA Flo-Jo -- had her priceless memorabilia returned to Olympic gold medalist and husband Al Joyner ... and it's all thanks to "Storage Wars" Star Rene Nezhoda!

Rene tells TMZ ... after our story broke about his acquired collection, family members and friends of Flo-Jo started reaching out to him, including Al, hoping to buy it back.

Rene and Al met up in San Diego to strike a deal, with Rene making a profit much smaller than he could've snagged on the open market. Rene says the important thing was restoring the gold to the fam.

The item that held the most value to Al was her weight belt, something they'd use together working out. The belt was going in the trash after the locker -- originally owned by Al -- was picked through. Luckily, the piece was saved and it's back in Al's hands.

As we reported, Rene bought a ton of Flo-Jo's belongings and collectibles off of his pal George, who purchased Al's lockers at auction. Inside were Olympic jackets, autographed Flo-Jo Barbie dolls, and signed track shoes -- the same ones worn while breaking the world record!

It was in 1998 when Flo-Jo unexpectedly died of suffocation in her sleep after suffering an epileptic fit.

Jake Paul says his $60 million offer to get Kanye West and Pete Davidson to take their beef to the boxing ring is NOT a publicity stunt ... telling TMZ Sports he wants the two to stop fighting for the sake of Ye and Kim's kids.

We spoke to the "Problem Child" about his decision to get in the middle of the biggest feud of the year ... and he says he's worried about how Ye and Kim's kids will handle watching the two grown men bicker online.

"I'm kinda sick of them going back and forth on social media and I think its affecting the kids' lives, like Kanye and Kim's kids," Jake tells us. "They're gonna be the ones that take the most trauma from this."

Of course, Kanye's antics recently got him temporarily banned from Instagram ... and he's openly argued with Kim, Pete, Trevor Noah and more over the past few weeks.

Paul -- who's been outspoken about the positive benefits of boxing -- isn't making light of the situation ... he seriously thinks this could help end the beef for good and both sides can move on.

Jake says his Most Valuable Promotions will handle everything -- as long as they show up and do their thing in the ring, they'll get their $30 mill AND some pay-per-view bucks, too.

As for the money ... Jake says that's no problem, and he's already got financial backers involved ... even though he didn't need them.

"Everyone knows I was the highest-paid boxer last year," Jake says. "I can guarantee the money myself, but we have partners and stuff. The money's good."

Breaking up is hard to do -- just ask Seahawks super fan Joel McHale ... who's not doing so well after finding out his favorite team shipped away star quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos.

TMZ Sports spoke with McHale out at LAX on Friday afternoon -- just a couple days after his Seattle squad parted ways with Russ -- and the comedian told us he's been pretty down in the dumps over the trade.

"I'm just as surprised as you are," McHale said. "I thought he was staying. Clearly, I was wrong. That was shocking news."

Joel had previously told us he thought there was no way in hell the 'Hawks would deal Russ -- but now that they have, he said he's downright sad.

"He's one of the best ever," Joel said. "He's a unicorn."

But, Joel said he'd always remember the good memories Russ gave him ... and said he's still sure Seattle will erect a statue honoring the QB eventually.

Antonio Gates LOVES the Khalil Mack trade for his old Chargers squad ... telling TMZ Sports he believes the move could win the Chargers the Super Bowl next season.

We spoke with Gates out at LAX this week -- just a few days after L.A. acquired Mack from the Chicago Bears -- and he said the transaction is huge for his former team.

Gates said with Mack and Joey Bosa, the team now has the "best pass-rushing ends in the game."

Gates added that the other moves the Chargers made so far this offseason have him fired up for the Bolts in 2022.

"You add in Derwin [James], you add in J.C. Jackson now," Gates said, "I'm excited to see what they're going to do, bro."

Gates also spoke with us about Tom Brady coming back for yet another season -- and the future Hall of Famer didn't seem surprised to learn the QB was unretiring.

In fact, he said he wouldn't be shocked if TB12 went FIVE more years!!!

Drake had some divided loyalties Friday night ... he's a die-hard Raptors fan but he's also buds with one LeBron James.

Drake was front and center in Toronto ... cheering on his home team with a trusty bottle of Lobos 1707 Extra Añejo by his side -- FYI ... it's LeBron's tequila company. So, in a way, he supported both his team and his pal.

Hope the booze was good, because his support for the Raptors fell on deaf ears ... they lost to the Lakers 128-123.

Drake was stunned when Russell Westbrook -- who's gotten more than his share of hate lately -- delivered big time ... with only 10 seconds left in regulation and the Lakers down by 3, Westbrook raced down the floor and scored a 3 pointer, forcing the game into OT.

NFL reporter John Clayton, who covered the league for decades and was one of the most recognizable reporters on television, has died at the age of 67 years old.

The detail surrounding Clayton's death are not publicly known ... but John's friend and former colleague Chris Mortensen provided some information on social media.

"John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness," Chris wrote.

"We loved John. We are mourning his loss. Pat has asked the @Seahawks to release further information."

Clayton began covering professional football in the early 1970s in Pittsburgh ... and ended up rising all the way to ESPN, where he wrote for the website, and appeared on TV and radio.

He first joined the network in 1995.

Aside from all his great on-camera work in Bristol, John also starred in one of the funniest ESPN commercials ever ... dropping the line, "Hey Ma, I'm done with my segment!!"

Clayton, a member of the writer's wing in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2007), was incredibly respected by both colleagues and fans.

JC was also inducted into the HOF at his Alma Mater, Duquesne University, in 2001.

John is survived by his wife Patricia.

Despite Colin Kaepernick's recent workouts, the chances of the QB getting signed are slim to none ... so says Warren Moon, who tells TMZ Sports he doubts NFL owners will give the ex-49ers star another shot.

"I just don't know if he's going to get that opportunity," the Hall of Famer said earlier this week. "I just don't think the NFL wants that subject back into the league."

Kaepernick hasn't played a down in the NFL since the 2016 season ... but he's been itching to get back ever since. And, he's amped up workouts recently with the hopes of finally getting a call this offseason.

Kaep's been spotted at high schools all across the country the past few days throwing footballs -- and has looked good.

Moon, though, says he's just not sure teams will ever give him a fair shake at this point -- given how polarizing his national anthem demonstrations became.

"Just thinking off the top of my head," Moon said, "those owners, they have a very close-knit unit and once they make their minds up that they don't want to do something, it doesn't happen."

Moon tells us he's hoping 34-year-old Kaepernick gets another chance -- saying he believes the guy is "still a great athlete."

Davante Adams out ... DK Metcalf in?

Packers legend LeRoy Butler says if he were running the show in Green Bay, that's exactly the next move he'd make ... telling TMZ Sports he'd give up a first-rounder for DK after the team traded away Adams.

We spoke with Butler just hours after Davante was officially shipped from Wisconsin to the Raiders -- and he told us while he understood the move, he thinks a corresponding one now needs to be made.

Specifically, he said the Packers should be on the phone with the Seahawks about DK.

"They're just giving everything away," Butler said of Seattle. "Give them a first-round pick."

Unclear if the Seahawks are willing to move Metcalf -- though after they just traded away Russell Wilson to Denver, Butler seems to think it'd be possible.

As for life without Adams in Green Bay, Butler didn't seem too stressed about losing the perennial All-Pro ... telling us he believes it'll force Aaron Rodgers to distribute the ball more evenly on the field.

Paige VanZant -- one of the toughest women on the planet -- is putting everyone in the MMA community on notice ... saying she's not done with fighting, despite signing a wrestling contract with AEW.

TMZ Sports spoke with the 27-year-old former UFC star/host of "TMZ Fight School" on Snapchat ... and she says any talk of her leaving combat sports full-time for wrestling isn't the case.

In fact, she says she has a Bare Knuckle FC bout coming up later this year ... and has other promotions lining up to sign her when her current contract is up.

Paige says she is in awe at some of the offers she received ... calling them "life-changing."

As we previously reported, the Bare Knuckle fighter officially became a professional wrestler this month ... when she inked a deal the same night she surprised AEW fans by appearing at Dynamite.

The world of professional wrestling is a different kind of combat ... and Paige admits the jump from one sport to the other is a lot.

"It's a big difference, but I got plenty of time on my hands," VanZant said. "I like to stay busy. I have pro wrestling training, and then I have training for Bare Knuckle boxing as well."

Carli Lloyd might be retired from football, but she could find another career in American football -- 'cause the U.S. soccer superstar tells TMZ Sports she's open to the idea of playing in the NFL!!

Of course, the 39-year-old World Cup champ and Olympic gold medalist went viral in 2019 ... when she was spotted nailing 55-yard field goals while hanging out with the Philadelphia Eagles.

We spoke with the soccer legend -- just a few months after she decided to hang up her cleats -- and she told us thanks to the free time she has now, an NFL push could be in her future.

Lloyd believes one position women can play in the NFL is kicker, and her confidence in that belief was reinforced after her experience with the Eagles.

"Yeah that was wild how that all unfolded," Lloyd said. "Something I never would've predicted would have happened. It was a cool day to go out there and just hit some field goals."

Lloyd said had it not been for her Olympic journey, she would have seriously entertained the idea of being an NFL kicker.

We also spoke with Lloyd about being the first female ambassador for USA Teqball (think Ping-Pong for soccer) ... and she attributes the pandemic -- as well as seeing guys like Beckham, Messi, and Ronaldinho playing the game for sparking her interest.

"I'm thrilled because it keeps me somewhat around the game in a little bit of a different fashion, but its a really, pretty amazing sport," Lloyd said.