TMZ Sports - Page 50

Bryan Marchment -- a former NHL defenseman and the father of current Florida Panthers forward Mason Marchment -- has passed away, the league announced on Wednesday.

He was 53 years old.

No cause of death has been revealed at this time.

"The National Hockey League mourns the passing of San Jose Sharks scout and former NHL player Bryan Marchment," the league said in a statement.

"Our deepest condolences go out to his family, the Sharks organization, and Bryan's many friends, former teammates, and fans."

Selected 16th overall in the 1987 draft, Bryan made his NHL debut at 19 for the Winnipeg Jets.

The defenseman played 17 total seasons in the NHL ... including stops with the Oilers, Sharks, Whalers, Blackhawks, Lightning, Avalanche, Maple Leafs and Flames.

Aaron Rodgers' body is no longer tattoo-free ... the quarterback just revealed he got ink put on him for the first time in his life.

The Green Bay Packers star shared photos of the new tat on Wednesday afternoon ... revealing his left forearm now features an eyeball, astrology signs, lions and much more.

Rodgers declined to get into the specifics of what the ink meant to him ... but he did say the artwork was both "deep and meaningful."

Famous artist Balazs Bercsenyi did the piece on Rodgers ... and Aaron made sure to shout him out while revealing the body art.

"Grateful for his mastery and friendship," Aaron said of Bercsenyi. "There's a deep and meaningful story and connection to absolutely each element of this art piece, and I'll share a little more about that one day."

"For now, just thankful for @balazsbercsenyi and his patience and artistry. #tattoo #astrology #theelements"

Several of Rodgers' Packers teammates are already weighing in on the new ink ... with his good buddy David Bakhtiari writing in a comment on the pics, "I hope this is a henna tattoo."

How adorable is this ... to celebrate Pau Gasol's 42nd birthday, Vanessa Bryant shared video of the former NBA star trying to do ballet -- with her and Kobe's 5-year-daughter.

It's unclear when the footage was taken ... but Bryant posted the clip Wednesday morning on social media, showing the 7-foot-1 power forward, rocking a 'Kobe 24' T-shirt, trying his hardest to mimic Bianka's dance moves.

It's hilarious! You can even hear Gasol's wife Catherine McDonnell -- who captured the Kodak moment -- laugh at her hubby while giving him some ballet advice.

"Point your toes, pal," McDonnell said.

Despite not having the best technique, Gasol was having a blast with Bianka as they showcased all the moves ... Plié, twirls, and bows.

"Feliz Cumpleaños Hermano!" Bryant said in the caption.

"We love you uncle"

Bryant's oldest daughter, Natalia, also showed Uncle Pau some love on his bday -- sharing IG photos of them at Disneyland and a golf course.

"Happy birthday Uncle Paul," Natalia said, "Best golf buddy by 'par'."

Gasol, who was close friends with Kobe, spent a ton of time with the late legends' three daughters since the helicopter crash in January 2020, from celebrating the holidays together to shooting hoops at the Lakers facility.

Baker Mayfield's time in Cleveland is officially over -- the former first overall pick is heading to the Carolina Panthers, according to reports.

27-year-old Mayfield is being shipped to Charlotte in exchange for a 2024 conditional 5th-round pick, per Ian Rapoport.

The trade -- which is pending a physical -- comes after months of speculation ... with Mayfield penning a heartfelt goodbye to Browns fans amid Cleveland's pursuit of quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The Browns will pay $10.5 million of Mayfield's salary this season ... with the Panthers shelling out $5 million.

Mayfield joins a familiar face in the QB room -- fellow 2018 top pick Sam Darnold -- as well as rookie Matt Corral and P.J. Walker.

Mayfield played in 60 games over 4 years for the Browns ... leading the franchise to a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.

His most recent season was riddled with injuries ... going 6-8 with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Despite being undoubtedly the best Browns QB since the franchise's return in 1999, Mayfield previously said he felt disrespected by the organization as they traded for Watson, whose NFL future remains uncertain amid claims of sexual misconduct by multiple massage therapists.

The best part about the trade -- Baker's Panthers will face off against the Browns in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.

Ciara has Russell Wilson's back -- and also, clearly, his face -- 'cause while the two were on vacation in Italy this week ... she popped some of the pimples on the NFL star's cheeks!

The "Level Up" singer went to town on her hubby's mug on a boat in Lake Como on Tuesday -- after the Denver Broncos quarterback was seen complaining of some pimple pain.

Initially, Russ looked to try to handle the situation himself ... but seconds later, Ciara was spotted jumpin' into the mix for him.

No word if she got the goods out of the pores -- but it's clear even with the possibility of a few blemishes on his face, Russ still looks good as hell heading into his 11th NFL season.

The 33-year-old, rockin' a pair of red swim trunks and sunglasses, looked jacked ... with his pecs, biceps and abs on full display while he was topless near the water.

Ciara, meanwhile, also stunned in a pair of bathing suits.

Joe Biden has finally gotten into contact with the wife of Brittney Griner ... and, according to the White House, POTUS assured her they're doing everything they can to bring the WNBA star home.

The White House said in a statement that both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Cherelle Griner on Wednesday ... this after Cherelle had pled with U.S. officials to have Biden call her for the last several weeks.

"The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible," the White House said ... adding that Biden also read her a draft of a letter he was planning to send to Brittney later Wednesday.

In their statement, White House officials added that Biden told Cherelle they are currently pursuing "every avenue to bring Brittney home."

As you know, Brittney has been in a Russian jail since mid-February ... after she was accused of having drugs in her luggage at an airport in Moscow.

Cherelle has been very vocal about speaking with Biden in the leadup to Brittney's trial -- which began last Friday -- saying last Thursday that she "would love" for the President "to tell me he cares."

White House officials said Wednesday in addition to the phone call, Biden also "directed his national security team to remain in regular contact with Cherelle and Brittney’s family, and with other families of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, to keep them updated on efforts to secure the release of their loved ones as quickly as possible."

A Rob Gronkowski return to the Buccaneers later this season ain't happening ... at least, that's according to Mike Evans -- who says he believes the tight end is 100 percent retired.

"I feel like he's done," Gronk's former teammate told KPRC 2 Houston this week.

Don't get it twisted -- the Tampa Bay wideout said he'd love to see the future Hall of Famer return ... but he explained he just thinks there's too much wear and tear on the 33-year-old's body for a comeback to be a real possibility.

"I hope he comes back," Evans said. "I mean, with Tom [Brady] and Gronk you never know. I wouldn't be mad if he came back. I'd actually be really excited if he came back, but I feel like he's done."

"He takes a pretty big beating," Evans added. "I've seen his body after some of them games and I understand why [he would retire]."

There has been speculation that Gronkowski could rejoin Tom Brady and the Bucs midseason -- his own agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on the day Gronk retired last month that "I wouldn't be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season."

But, Evans clearly believes otherwise ... and said he expects Gronk's absence to be a big one in 2022-23.

"It hurts to lose Gronk, the best tight end ever," Evans said. "But, we gone have to make up for that in other areas. I have to play better. The running backs have to play better. Collectively we have to play better."

The days of Dodger fans getting nuts thrown in their faces are long gone -- famous vendor Roger Owens has been banned from his traditional peanut bag-tossing routine ... with officials deeming the practice too dangerous.

79-year-old Owens -- who's famous for his theatrics when delivering a bag of nuts to fans at Dodger Stadium for decades -- claims he's been told by his bosses to refrain from his signature delivery while walking the aisles of the park.

The reason?? Levy Restaurants -- which is in charge of concessions at the stadium -- believes Owens' peanut pitching is a safety concern for spectators.

"I'm so heartbroken about this," Owens told the Los Angeles Times.

The vendor -- who was featured on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, as well as several movies and TV shows -- isn't going to fight the decision ... but says he's always been responsible with his craft ... and his goal has always been for the fans to be able to catch their purchases.

"They have time to see it coming," Owens told the outlet. "It’s not some bullet that goes straight through. I’m always wanting to make sure that whoever I am throwing to will catch the bag of peanuts."

The decision is most likely to prevent a lawsuit in case an unsuspecting fan gets hit with an errant toss ... but the Dodgers' 2022 ticket agreement seems to cover the team's ass in that event.

✅ First step
✅ First basket

Good luck trying to slow down Aaliyah Gayles ... the top USC hoops recruit just knocked down her first basket since being shot 10 times at a Las Vegas house party in April.

Gayles' progress over the last two months has been amazing ... and on Monday, the 18-year-old guard shared video via Instagram of another milestone reached -- first made shot.

"Who said I couldn't get back into it?" Gayles said in the caption.

"First Shot in months feel like I'm proving."

The 5-star recruit hasn't played a game since the Jordan Brand Classic on April 15, the night before she was shot 10 times, in both arms and legs, at a house party in North Las Vegas.

Since the shooting, Gayles -- who's still committed to playing for the USC Trojans -- graduated from Spring Valley High School and took her first steps out of her wheelchair following grueling rehab.

And, as you can see, the #8 ranked player in the 2022 class is ready to ball again!

Here's something we're sure Jerry Jones isn't exactly thrilled to see ...

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch straight up fed a fish to a wild bear on a vacation this weekend ... and video of the feeding is intense!!

LVE -- the Cowboys' first-round pick back in 2018 -- was on a fishing trip with his family and friends for the Fourth of July holiday ... when a wild bear showed up, and Vander Esch apparently decided it'd be a good idea to throw a fish its way.

Video shows the 26-year-old football star holding up the snack -- as the bear edged closer and closer to him.

Suddenly, the bear raised up -- 'causing a tense few moments -- but, fortunately for Vander Esch and all of Cowboys nation, it took the fish politely without incident.

Vander Esch's teammate, Dalton Schultz, couldn't believe the vid ... writing on the LB's social media page, "DUDE 🤯."

But, Vander Esch clearly believed it was no big deal ... confirming he kept all his fingers and limbs -- and had a hell of a weekend trip.

"Not often you get to feed a wild bear and get a picture with two sturgeon in the same frame," Vander Esch said as a caption on the vid. "Amazing weekend with family making memories that will last a lifetime!"

The Jake Paul and Tommy Fury fight has been shelved once again -- the Problem Child says he's officially moving on to a new opponent for his Aug. 6 event ... accusing TNT of going into hiding.

"Fury's received a termination notice," Paul said on Wednesday. "(Most Valuable Promotions) did everything it could 2 help him & team. He wasn't interested & he literally went into hiding."

"2nd time in a row he has pulled out. 2nd time in a row '’m going to step up & take on a new opponent on short notice."

As we previously reported, Fury was denied access to the U.S. for the fight press conference in New York City last week due to his family's ties to alleged crime boss Daniel Kinahan.

We're told boxers, managers or anyone connected to Kinahan or his MTK Global boxing company has been rejected from entering the States as officials try to get any possible information on his whereabouts.

Jake, however, doesn't believe the excuse ... saying all Tommy had to do was go to the embassy to get a visa, but was dragging his feet to get it done.

Now, there are rumblings Paul will face off against 12-1 Hasim Rahman Jr. -- the son of former boxing champ Hasim Rahman.

HRJ hasn't fought any big names, and most recently lost to James McKenzie Morrison via knockout in April.

There's history between Paul and Rahman Jr. -- the two have sparred together several times in the past ... with "Gold Blooded" praising the YouTube superstar for his improvement over the years.

Rahman Jr. may not have as much clout as Fury ... but the matchup will certainly quiet the haters who have called out Paul for never facing a "legit" boxer.

From gunslinging in a helmet to ... word-spewing in a headset???

Brett Favre says that is now a real possibility ... telling TMZ Sports he's starting to open up to the idea of joining a big network to broadcast and analyze NFL games.

"I would consider it," the 52-year-old Green Bay Packers legend said.

Of course, the offer would have to be right -- Favre said he's looking for a "great deal" and perhaps a Monday night or Thursday night broadcasting gig -- but he, nonetheless, said he'd seriously ponder it all.

Favre joked though, the nation would have to get used to his "country accent" and "aw-shucks mentality."

As for another quarterback legend who's already committed to broadcasting games in the future -- Tom Brady -- Favre said he's not surprised at all the guy received a $375 MILLION deal to talk ball on TV.

"If anybody's worth it," he said, "it's Tom Brady."

Booker T tells TMZ Sports his wrestling days are long behind him ... however, he respects a guy like Ric Flair, who, at age 73, will be lacing up his boots and stepping in the ring to fight one final match later this summer.

"I have no itch to scratch," Booker T said when asked about possibly coming out of retirement. "I've scratched every itch that I want to scratch as for as getting back inside the squared circle."

"What Ric Flair is doing, he's doing that because he loves this business, man. Ric Flair told me a long time ago that he would never retire. That's that guy, man."

As we reported, Ric is slated to wrestle one final time on July 31 against an undisclosed opponent, despite admitting he has some concerns that prior health issues might crop up in the ring.

57-year-old Booker T is clearly impressed by Flair's tenacity ... telling us, "He's gonna come in and go out in a blaze of glory. You can only respect that."

Booker also reflected on the first time he ever wrestled the Nature Boy -- it was a WCW Saturday night taping that he got thrown into at the last minute.

"Half of the time, I didn't know if I was coming or going just because he was telling me one thing, and he was doing another," Booker said.

The former heavyweight champ said he learned so much from sharing the ring with Naitch that night ... recalling he was like a "sponge" just trying to soak up all the knowledge Flair was imparting.

Booker may no longer be an in-ring performer ... but he remains an integral part of WWE's storytelling as a commentator, which is why the King of the Spinarooni has been tapped to host a new series called "WWE Rivals."

Brittney Griner is speaking for herself for the first time in a long time as she's been detained in Russia pending a trial -- and her words are an emotional plea to President Biden.

Excerpts of a letter sent to the White House this week on behalf of Griner were published Sunday, through reps for Griner, and it consists of bullet point thoughts she's expressing as she faces years behind bars for allegedly bringing hash cartridges into the country.

Griner writes to Joe, in part ... "… as I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever."

The WNBA star goes on to say that on the 4th of July, she has a tradition of honoring service members -- including within her own family -- but that this year ... freedom means something completely different to her amid her circumstance.

The final excerpt reads, "I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you."

Griner ends with this final thought for POTUS ... "I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home."

BG's wife recently said while she felt the administration was acting in good faith to bring her back -- she still felt they weren't doing enough, and Griner's own words reflect that.

Tristan Thompson is living the single life, partying it up in Vegas ... with at least one lovely lady hanging off his arm.

The NBA star was seen hanging out at the Marquee Nightclub in Sin City early Sunday morning (around 1:30 AM), where we're told he was with a posse of 3 ... one dude, who seemed to be his wingman for the night, and a couple of girls. One for each guy.

Eyewitnesses tell us the group was definitely together the whole time and seemed to be having a good time -- dancing with each other and chatting up with drinks in tow.

At one point, we're told the woman that Tristan appeared to be in lockstep with actually danced up on him ... and that they were very touchy-feely. As you can see in this video, obtained by TMZ, Tristan looked to be holding on to her tight, and whispering in her ear.

Eventually, we're told the crew left around 3 AM. Unclear who any of these people with Tristan might've been -- they're certainly not anyone we recognize in his immediate circle.

Now, we know what everyone must be thinking ... what about Khloe?!? Fact is, this isn't nearly as scandalous as it might appear ... as people well know, Khloe and Tristan are not romantically involved at the moment and they simply co-parent, which we've seen.

Michael Rubin is one of the few people on earth who can get Hollywood's richest and most famous in one place at one time -- and this year was no exception in his patriotic blowout.

The Fanatics CEO hosted his annual 4th of July White Party in the Hamptons this weekend, where all sorts of talent (musically and sports-wise) flocked to rage and share in a good time ahead of the big holiday.

Per usual, it was a who's-who of fame -- the performers were top-notch ... including appearances from Drake, Travis Scott, Meek Mill, 21 Savage, Lil Durk, Lil Baby and others.

Speaking of Champagne Papi, he actually carried a toast of sorts to honor the get-together ... shouting out Mike for pulling it off once again. It sure looks like everyone was having a good time ... especially the Philly boys themselves, aka Joel Embiid, James Harden and P.J. Tucker.

Indeed ... tons of basketball stars were in attendance. Not just these guys above, but Devin Booker was there, as was Draymond Green, Immanuel Quickley, Carmelo Anthony, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, CJ McCollum and more. Just about everybody in the league!

BTW ... that was just the tip of the iceberg as far as celebs. Others in attendance ... Jay-Z and Beyonce, Kendall Jenner, Charlie D'Amelio, Robert Kraft, Fat Joe, Yo Gotti, Emily Ratajkowski, Kaia Gerber and Ryan Seacrest, no less. Like we said ... hella star-studded.