TMZ Sports - Page 14

Avalanche stars Cale Makar and Devon Toews weren't only losing their minds at the Stanley Cup title parade on Thursday ... they also lost their shirts -- after they stripped during the ceremony!

The hilarious moment was captured on live TV ... when Makar and Toews were celebrating Colorado's huge win on the upper deck of one of the fire trucks in the parade, which was held in downtown Denver.

You can see Toews and Makar were lit (and hot since it's 80 degrees there Thursday) -- and they both took off their championship T-shirts right near Makar's MVP trophy.

The broadcasters thought it was hilarious ... with one saying, "Probably fueled by liquid courage this morning."

They weren't the only ones takin' it off ... winger Mikko Rantanen pulled his shirt over his head so he could chug a can of beer in style.

Meanwhile, Avs center J.T. Compher made his way to the streets, meeting with fans and even taking a ride on a cop's bicycle.

Max Verstappen is breaking his silence on Nelson Piquet's controversial comments about Lewis Hamilton ... saying the 3-time champion was wrong to use the language he did, but insisting his girlfriend's father is not a racist.

"Everyone is against racism, I think it's very straight," Max told reporters ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix.

"I think the wording that was used, even though, of course, we have different kind of cultures and things that were said when they were younger, is not correct."

As we previously reported, Piquet was discussing an accident between Hamilton and Verstappen at the 2021 British Grand Prix in an interview with Motorsports Talk ... when, according to a translation by CNN Brazil, he referred to Hamilton as a "little n*****."

Piquet has since apologized ... but adamantly denied any racial intent behind his comment, saying it was a term used in Brazilian Portuguese to mean "guy" or "person."

Max backs the man up ... saying he's known Nelson to be a good man.

"I've spent a bit of time with Nelson," said Max -- who's dating Piquet's daughter, Kelly. "And, he's definitely not a racist and he's actually a really nice and relaxed guy."

Verstappen says the backlash can be a lesson for all people to keep from using the word in question ... calling it "very offensive."

As for Nelson's ban from the F1 paddock ... Max is against the punishment.

"When you ban people, you are actually not helping the situation," Verstappen said.

A serious head injury caused by a freak baseball accident changed Jeremy Giambi's demeanor in the six months leading up to his death, a new medical examiner's report reveals.

According to the documents, obtained by TMZ Sports on Thursday, the ex-MLB player was struck in the head by a baseball while working as a pitching coach in August 2021.

The accident caused a serious injury -- investigators say he suffered a fractured zygomatic bone, and required surgery to fix the issue.

But, according to the report, witnesses told them that in his recovery from the injury, Giambi became "very emotional, very negative and would let the smallest things ruin his day."

Another witness, according to the docs, had described Giambi as "very emotional, depressed, and paranoid" in the months following the surgery. It was noted Giambi "had scans done and saw a neurologist but was not diagnosed with anything."

Giambi -- the brother of ex-MLB star Jason Giambi -- killed himself roughly six months after the injury on Feb. 9 at his parents' home in Claremont, Calif. Officials said he left a suicide note at the scene.

Investigators wrote in the docs that Jeremy had a past history of drug use, but he was not believed to be abusing any drugs in the months prior to his death. Lab results show he had no alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of his passing.

Jeremy -- who played six years in the MLB and gained national fame for his time as an Oakland A -- was just 47 years old.

Anthony Edwards might have a future in the NFL -- the Minnesota Timberwolves star showed off his rocket arm in a highlight video ... and it was so impressive, even the G.O.A.T. himself, Tom Brady, had to show respect.

The 20-year-old hooper posted a clip of his football workout with some of his friends recently ... with the guys engaging in 1-on-1 battles.

In the video, Ant -- who was playing QB -- airs it out with a beauty of a throw ... putting the football where only the receiver could catch it.

But, Edwards didn't stop there ... he successfully completed a back-shoulder pass as well, easily one of the toughest throws for any QB in the NFL to make.

"Don't I look like something?" Edwards asked after delivering back-to-back bombs. "What y'all think? I got a profession in this s*** or what? Pay me!"

Ant's incredible display of marksmanship was so good that it caught the eye of TB12, who tried to convince the NBA baller to suit up in the NFL.

"Ant, I know the money is good but you're playing the wrong sport bro @NFL," Brady tweeted ... with Edwards replying, "Gronk gone, so what's up?"

Of course, replacing Rob Gronkowski won't be easy for Brady and the Tampa Bay Bucs, but at 6'4", and with the ability to spell for the 44-year-old Brady at QB, Edwards may not be a bad idea.

If the Timberwolves aren't worried about losing their superstar to the NFL, they should definitely be concerned about him bolting for Hollywood ... 'cause the guy is a hell of an actor as well.

Logan Paul is officially becoming a WWE Superstar -- the Maverick just signed a contract with the wrestling giant.

The 27-year-old shared the news on Thursday ... posting pics of his contract signing alongside Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at WWE headquarters.

Of course, Paul wowed the wrestling world with his tag team performance with The Miz at WrestleMania 38 in Dallas in April ... so it was certainly a natural move for the promotion.

As we previously reported, Miz was blown away with Logan's athletic ability and hard work leading up to the match ... and now that he's signed on the dotted line, the Maverick will be showing off his skills in the squared circle a bit longer.

Sources tell us the contract will keep Logan involved in multiple events through next year ... and it's not just for show -- he will be a Superstar.

An impressive wrestler in high school, Logan has made a name for himself in fighting -- he has fought YouTuber KSI twice ... and most recently, went up against Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition.

Logan wasted no time getting into his new role -- saying he's already focused on getting revenge on Miz for crossing him after their WrestleMania victory.

When it comes to celebrations, Josh Naylor is unmatched ... 'cause for the second time this season, he lost his mind after a walk-off HR -- this time headbutting his own manager!!!

Naylor -- who previously went bananas after hitting a game-winning dinger back in May -- stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning with the Guardians trailing 6-5 on Wednesday night ... and then went oppo off Twins pitcher Jharel Cotton to win the game for Cleveland.

As he was rounding the bases, he got rid of his helmet -- which his manager, Terry Francona, appeared to pick up and put on -- and then he went crazy with his teammates.

But after Josh was mobbed by his team at home plate, he found the helmeted Francona -- and then slammed his forehead right into Tito's!

The clip is hilarious ... at one point following the blow, Naylor can be heard shouting, "Give me that sh*t."

Of course, back in May against the White Sox, the 25-year-old slugger made history when he drove in 8 runs in his final 3 at-bats -- and then became unhinged.

Josh proclaimed he wanted "all the smoke" repeatedly, and went insane in the dugout.

Former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone just gave an eyebrow-raising endorsement of Vladimir Putin ... calling the Russian president a "first-class person" and claiming he'd "take a bullet" for him.

The controversial comments came during Ecclestone's appearance on Good Morning Britain ... when the billionaire was asked if he still supports his friend amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I'd still take a bullet for him," 91-year-old Ecclestone said Thursday. "I'd rather it didn’t hurt, but if it does I'd still take a bullet, because he’s a first-class person. What he’s doing is something that he believed was the right thing he was doing for Russia."

Pretty interesting take, considering many want to see Putin dead.

Ecclestone also went after Volodymyr Zelensky ... claiming the Ukrainian president should have done more on his end to prevent the war.

"The other person in Ukraine," Ecclestone added. "His profession, I understand, he used to be a comedian. And I think he seems as if he wants to continue that profession."

"I think if he'd have thought about things, he would have definitely made the big enough effort to speak to Mr. Putin, who is a sensible person and would have listened to him and could have probably done something about it."

F1 distanced itself from his comments shortly after the interview ... saying, "The comments made by Bernie Ecclestone are his personal views and are in very stark contrast to the position of the modern values of our sport."

It ain't all just ice cream and lovey-dovey dates with Gisele for Tom Brady while on vacation in Italy ... he's clearly prepping for his NFL season as well -- hitting workouts on a yacht with no shirt on!

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers star was seen this week on a boat in Portofino getting in a serious sweat sesh ... sparring topless and also riding a stationary bike.

Tom threw the gloves on for several minutes -- working up a lather in the 85-degree Italian sun -- before finishing it all off with a ride.

TB12 was later spotted swimming in the ocean water ... nailing some sweet pencil dives off the ship to get his 44-year-old body some more movement.

Of course, we know Brady's mixed in at least a little pleasure on the trip ... cameras caught him sharing a sweet treat with Gisele while in town off the boat earlier this week.

Draymond Green is sharing his regret over calling Kendrick Perkins a "c**n" ... admitting he should have used a different word to get his point across while beefing with the ex-NBA player/current analyst.

The 4-time champ and Perk had been chirping at each other for a while, but things took a serious turn earlier this week when Green referred to the ESPN talent as the racial term ... which prompted Perk to respond with a fiery video on Instagram that's since been deleted.

The Warriors star says he spoke with NBA commish Adam Silver and lifelong friend/Pistons legend Joe Dumars over his comments ... and he now has a better understanding of why he was in the wrong, even though he didn't have any racial intent behind it.

"I'm no idiot, I do understand the word c**n is used in a racial way," Green said on his podcast. "However, I also think growing up, culturally, things are different. We all grow up in different places, we all use words different, and so for me, when I use the word – like I said, I could have very well replaced it with clown – growing up where I grew up, you may say to one of your boys 'Yo, stop acting like a c**n.'"

"And for me, it's like, 'stop acting corny, you're on some weird-type stuff," he added. "'That's wack, you don't have to do that, that's wack.' So for me, in using the word, that's what I was implying."

Green says using the word is "a huge moment for growth and learning for me" as a member of the "new" media ... and understands he represents the league as a whole when he takes the mic.

"And, as someone who stands against racism, who you know has stood against it for years and is not afraid to get out in front of it, I can admit right here that I was wrong. And, regardless of how I may use the word with my friends or how that word may be perceived anywhere else in the world, it was wrong here."

AEW star Eddie Kingston gave new meaning to the word extreme during a wrestling match Wednesday ... 'cause he threw Sammy Guevara off the top of a cage -- sending him crashing through a timekeeper's table about a dozen feet below!!

It all went down last night at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit ... during the main event of AEW's "Blood & Guts" show -- which featured a six-on-six, cage match between Jericho Appreciation Society vs. Blackpool Combat, Kingston, Santana, & Ortiz.

The match featured two rings, one cage, a bunch of weapons, and a ton of blood ... and the only way to win the contest was by submission or to get your opponent to surrender.

During the match, as expected, the combatants made their way to the top of the unforgiving steel structure ... where Kingston threw Guevara off as Jericho watched nearby.

Guevera crashed landed through the structure ... all while Kingston looked on with a deranged expression.

The spot in the match was insane ... and the raucous crowd, who could barely stay in their seats for the duration of the show, became unglued.

Of course, WWE fans have seen similar moments before ... back at "Hell In A Cell" in June 1998, The Undertaker threw known dare-devil Mankind off the top of a cage in one of the most iconic moments in wrestling history.

Ironically enough, Kingston and Guevara's viral moment came almost 24 years to the date Undertaker tossed Mankind ... and it makes you wonder if they were paying homage to the legends.

The days of MLB players and managers arguing ball and strikes calls with behind-the-plate umps appear to be numbered ... 'cause the league's commish, Rob Manfred, says he's expecting a transition to robot umps to take place in just a few years.

Manfred made the proclamation as part of a lengthy interview with ESPN this week ... saying a move to replace umps with an automated strike zone is likely to happen by 2024.

The idea, according to Manfred, is that taking arguments over subjective calls out of the game would speed up the duration of contests fairly significantly, and perhaps attract more fans.

Of course, the system is currently being tested out in the minor leagues ... and Manfred said this week he and other MLB officials are pleased with how that's gone.

"We have an automated strike zone system that works," Manfred said.

No word yet on how the robot umps would look -- Manfred said balls and strikes could be called down to a human working behind home plate, or managers could have the ability to check umps' calls with the system.

Gennady "GGG" Golovkin has no plans to hang up his boxing gloves after his trilogy fight with Canelo Alvarez ... telling TMZ Sports he's "not ready" to retire yet.

In fact, the star pugilist said he'd straight up be down to fight Alvarez for a fourth time!

The news is somewhat surprising -- most thought the 40-year-old would call it a career after he takes on Canelo in September for the third time since 2017.

And, watch the clip, you can tell Golovkin has certainly considered it. But, he says he's still got more gas left in the tank despite having fought in 44 pro fights in his career.

"Not yet," GGG tells us about retirement. "I'm not ready yet."

As for why he'd come back to the ring to take on Canelo for a fourth time as opposed to callin' it a career ... he said that choice is very simple.

"The business side," he said, "it's very interesting."

For now, the 42-1-1 boxer says he's happy his fans want to see him in the ring with the Mexican boxer again -- and he tells us he's going for a KO in the match.

Brittney Griner is not doing so well in Russia ... according to her wife, Cherelle, who says the WNBA star is "struggling" and "terrified" as she awaits her trial in the foreign country.

Cherelle made the comments about Brittney -- who's been detained in Russia on drug charges for over 4 months now -- on Wednesday while speaking to Rev. Al Sharpton on his "Keepin' It Real" radio show on SiriusXM.

"She is a human," Cherelle said. "She's struggling. She's there, terrified. She's there alone. I mean, even in America, if she was going through a legal proceeding, she wouldn't be doing it alone."

"Everything about this is just your biggest nightmare," she added. "On top of the fact that BG is in a situation where this isn't even a trial. Considering an execution, Russia has a 99% conviction rate. Nothing about this is justice."

Griner -- who's facing up to 10 years if ultimately convicted -- appeared in Russian court on Monday ... where the Phoenix Mercury center was handcuffed and surrounded by authorities.

Cherelle said while the hooper has tried to remain positive in notes, she can tell, the 31-year-old is scared as she's now just two days away from trial.

Cherelle also once again pleaded with the U.S. government to get more involved in Griner's case and bring her home quickly.

51 students from Kevin Durant's educational program are heading off to college ... and the NBA superstar was so excited for the kids, he showed up in person to celebrate with them!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Brooklyn Nets star and his mother, Wanda, showed up to the "Launch to College" event featuring the inaugural College Track class of the Durant Center program on Monday ... which went down at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The stars of the day were the Prince George’s County high school seniors that took part in Durant's educational center that opened up in 2018 ... which focuses on helping students become the first in their families to get a college education.

Durant spoke about their achievement ... saying, "Meaningful accomplishments take time."

"I’m proud of our scholars who dug deep over the past four years, through some really challenging times, to graduate from high school and now to pursue their college dreams."

Some of the colleges the scholars will be attending this fall include Howard University, Northwestern, University of Maryland, and Tulane University.

"I can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish next," Durant said. "We’ll be at their side as they work towards their next goals."

The Durant Center was an idea KD got when he visited College Track Oakland in 2017. He was inspired by the nonprofit organization's mission to "equip students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor’s degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, choice, and power."

So, he partnered up with the org. for a 10-year plan (worth $10 million) and launched his own branch in D.C -- the first center on the east coast -- which currently helps 230 students.

Scary moment during the Mets vs. Astros game Wednesday ... Houston star Yordan Alvarez collided with his teammate in the outfield, and the crash was so violent -- the slugger had to be carted off the field.

The collision between Alvarez and shortstop Jeremy Pena happened in the bottom of the 8th inning ... when Pena was trying to snag a pop-up in shallow left field.

He, though, didn't see Alvarez -- who was also charging in to catch the ball -- and the two huge athletes slammed into each other.

Pena's arm hit Alvarez square in the face ... while Alvarez's elbow appeared to run right into Pena's head.

The two crumpled to the ground and stayed down on the field for several minutes ... before they each got medical attention from the Astros' trainers.

Eventually, Yordan was carted off the field, while Jeremy tried to give it a go but was ultimately forced to leave the game.

Valerie Loureda is walking away from the cage and into the squared circle -- the former MMA fighter tells TMZ Sports after months of training and mutual interest, she's signing on with the promotion to compete as a wrestler.

The 23-year-old made the news official on Wednesday ... saying it's a dream come true.

"I've been waiting for this moment for so long," said Loureda, the first Cuban-American woman ever to sign with WWE. "You have no idea. I'm excited it's finally here."

And she's got BIG goals with the promotion -- the taekwondo expert said her dream is to headline WrestleMania one day ... but more importantly, she wants to represent Latina women across the world.

"I'm the first Cuban-American woman to sign with the WWE," Loureda said, "and for me alone that is a dream come true."

"The moment I found out I had the opportunity, I knew I could make history and represent my culture in a way no one has before. And that's what I was born to do."

Loureda tells us that her first official day with WWE is July 18 -- one day before her 24th birthday -- and that the timing of it all couldn't have been better.

Of course, we got a glimpse of Valerie in the ring already ... when she hit up WWE tryouts earlier this year.

"Turning 24 and becoming a WWE Superstar, like, that's my dream," Loureda said. "I'm going to train there very hard. My goal personally is to be on live TV by the end of the year."

"Obviously, I trust the WWE and what they've done with all their athletes, and I'm going to follow their path. But, I set big bars and expectations for myself, and I'm going to work very hard to make life to be ready by the end of this year.