TMZ Sports - Page 50

Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton is taking his talents to the NFL -- the 7-time world champion is joining the Denver Broncos ownership group!!

The Walton-Penner family -- which bought the team for a record $4.65 billion back in June -- announced the big news on Tuesday ... saying they're "delighted" to bring Hamilton on board.

"He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team and a fierce advocate for global equality, including in his own sport," Rob Walton said in a statement.

"With over 100 race wins, Lewis is considered the most successful F1 driver of all time. His resilient spirit and standard of excellence will be an asset to the ownership group and the Broncos organization."

Broncos star quarterback Russell Wilson certainly seems thrilled with the addition ... tweeting out, "Congrats @LewisHamilton. Winning is a Habit! #LetsRide."

Lewis also addressed the news ... saying, "Excited to join an incredible group of owners and become a part of the @broncos story."

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to impact the sport and work with a world class team. I'm ready to get started and serve as an example of the value of more diverse leadership across all sports."

Hamilton is tied with Michael Schumacher for most world championships in F1 ... and is currently 6th in the 2022 standings.

Antonio Brown almost certainly won't be on an NFL field this year -- but his dance moves just might be ... 'cause the former Bucs wideout has created a new trend, and it's catching on!!!

Brown came up with a finger-pointing vibe for his song, "Put That S*** On" -- and as he's been performing it at music events across the country, fans have been eating it up.

In fact, the dance has grown so popular in the last few weeks, LeBron James and Draymond Green were just spotted in Canada hitting it. New Orleans Saints tailback Mark Ingram also did it during a training camp practice last week as well. Quavo was even seen hitting it this week, too.

Baltimore Ravens star QB Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, said on social media earlier this week he "can't wait" to do it during a game this season.

Brown -- who's at least temporarily ditched his NFL career to pursue a spot in the music and entertainment world -- has been soaking it all up, reposting vids of the dance all over his Twitter and Instagram pages.

As for how to do it, Brown says it's fairly simple -- "When they say 'Do Yo Dance', you say: 👈👈🕺🏿👉👉."

Jarvis Landry may have grown up close to downtown New Orleans, but the NFL star is still getting used to practicing in the Louisiana heat -- needing a wild, full-body cupping session after his first day in full pads.

Landry -- who spent 3 seasons playing for the LSU Tigers -- posted a shot of his cupping sesh after Monday's practice ... and it looks pretty intense.

In the pic, Landry is laying flat on his stomach, and you can see dozens of cups all over his body -- from his back down to his ankles.

"My First Full Padded Practice Back In This Louisiana Heat," Landry wrote on Instagram. "Nola:1 Juice:0."

FYI, cupping is an ancient practice that is still widely used today ... where a therapist applies special cups to someone's body to create a suction effect.

Cupping can be used for various reasons ... but it's known to help with pain, inflammation, and blood flow.

Juice's full body cupping sesh garnered reactions from some of the guys he used to share a huddle with ... like NFL tight end David Njoku, who wrote, "MY GOD😭😭 MEDIC!!!!!" in the comment section.

Another one of Landry's former teammates, wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, also hit up the comment section, writing, "Ayoooo😂😂😂."

Blueface got into a knockdown, drag-out fight with gf Chrisean Rock on the streets of Hollywood early Tuesday morning ... and it's all caught on video.

It appears Chrisean is the initial aggressor, following the rapper as he walks down the street and grabbing at his shirt, yanking him backward.

She pushes Blueface while still clutching his shirt, and then smacks him across the face.

Blueface then slugs Rock in the head, knocking her to the ground and ripping off the chain around her neck.

She then drags him by his shirt around the corner, where Blueface throws her against the wall and strikes her several times in the head and body.

It's a bizarre encounter ... at times seemingly in slow motion. Eventually, the fight just peters out, and they go their separate ways.

Cops were called but by the time they arrived both Blueface and Chrisean were nowhere in sight.

We've reached out to Blueface ... so far no word back.

Tiger Woods could have been nearly $1 BILLION richer if he had joined LIV Golf this year ... so says Greg Norman, who confirmed the new, Saudi-backed league offered the legend around $700-$800 million to defect from the PGA Tour.

Norman, who's LIV Golf's CEO, revealed the details of the staggering offer during an interview with Tucker Carlson that aired on Monday night -- saying the huge proposal came from the league even before he had officially taken the executive role with the org.

"That number was out there before I became CEO," Norman said. "So, that number's been out there, yes. And, look, Tiger's a needle mover, right?"

"So," he added, "yes, that number is somewhere in that neighborhood."

Tiger, of course, did not accept the offer ... and when he spoke about the new golf org. while at The Open in Scotland last month -- he ripped some of golf's biggest stars for taking the money and bolting from the PGA Tour.

"I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position," Woods said of the LIV golfers -- which includes huge names like Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.

Woods also called out Norman for his role with LIV at the July event -- saying he didn't believe the former golf star was doing things that were "in the best interest of our game."

"What these players are doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practice?" Woods added. "What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt? You’re just getting paid a lot of money upfront and playing a few events and playing 54 holes. They’re playing blaring music and have all these atmospheres that are different."

Hasim Rahman Jr. out -- Bola Osundairo in ... vs. Jake Paul?!

If one of the brothers who assisted Jussie Smollett in his hate crime hoax gets his way, that's exactly what'll happen ... 'cause Bola tells TMZ Sports he's ready to fight Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, as was originally scheduled.

“Do not cancel that fight Jake Paul. Fight me instead. I am ready to fight this Saturday," 28-year-old Bola said Monday afternoon.

The 2-0 pro fighter (who also had several amateur fights) tells us he's a superior fighter to both boxers Jake was set to scrap with August 6.

"I’m ready to fight. I’m better than Hasim Rahman Jr., or Tommy Fury. I’m actually ranked higher than Tommy Fury and he has 8 pro fights, and I have 2 pro fights. He’s ranked 340, I’m ranked 193."

23-year-old Fury -- Jake's original opponent -- dropped out of their fight after having Visa issues, leaving him unable to reach the U.S.

Of course, Bola was one of the two brothers who assisted Jussie in his hoax attack ... before cooperating with authorities. Smollett was ultimately convicted of 5 felonies.

In ways, the fight makes more sense than Rahman Jr., who's significantly bigger than Jake (Hasim previously fought weighing over 260 pounds). The fight fell apart over weight issues ... the 12-1 boxer wasn't going to be able to make 200 pounds, as was contractually obligated.

Bola is 6'1", 188 pounds ... virtually identical to the 6'1", 190 pounds that Paul weighs.

And, Osundairo says he's more well-known than Rahman Jr. ... so it'd be an even bigger draw.

"People know me. People know of me. I’m one of the Nigerian brothers involved in the Jussie case, the Jussie Smollett case. So it will sell, this fight will sell. People know me more than Hasim Rahman Jr. Nobody knows him outside of boxing."

Bola ended with a shot at Jake (and Jussie).

"It is unacceptable, insulting, and dangerous!"

That's the National Organization of Women (NOW) responding to Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension for sexual misconduct ... telling TMZ Sports it clearly shows "money talks, and women are unheard."

Watson's six-game suspension was announced Monday after disciplinary officer, former U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson ruled the Browns QB violated the NFL's personal conduct policy, sidelining Watson for roughly a third of the season.

NOW -- the nation's leading organization for women's rights -- says the ruling is "unacceptable, insulting, and dangerous" ... but not surprising, 'cause the league and its players have been in similar situations before.

"The NFL has had a violence against women problem for years -- and everyone knows it," NOW said.

It's worth noting the NFL didn't hand down the suspension ... that was the former judge's call. In fact, the NFL reportedly wanted Watson to receive a significantly stronger suspension.

The league can appeal the decision, if they choose.

National Organization of Women also called out the Browns organization for giving Watson a $230M contract despite the accusations, 20+ lawsuits, and a pending suspension.

"They re-structured his contract to make the majority of his $46 million first-year payout a “signing bonus,” not tied to him playing actual games," NOW said.

"Shame on the Cleveland Browns for rewarding Deshaun Watson and shame on the NFL for perpetuating a system where money talks, and women aren’t heard."

In fact, NOW believes the 26-year-old shouldn't see a dime from the contract, on top of demanding the NFL change its policies.

"Deshaun Watson must not be allowed to profit from his horrific behavior," NOW said, "and the NFL must change its business model that allows, enables, and hides sexual misconduct into one that respects women and holds abusers accountable."

More legal trouble for former Dallas Cowboys player Rolando McClain -- the ex-linebacker has been arrested again in Alabama, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The 33-year-old, who last suited up in the NFL for the Cowboys in the 2015 season, was pulled over in a white 2022 Mercedes around 9:30 PM on Saturday, according to the Moulton Police Dept.

Cops say McClain was going 70 MPH in a 55 MPH zone ... and during the ensuing stop, police say they smelled an odor of marijuana emanating from his car.

According to cops, when they got McClain out of the ride, he told them there was a pistol inside of the vehicle that did not belong to him. Cops say they later determined McClain did not have a license to carry a concealed weapon.

Officers also say that during the search of McClain's car, they found a pouch of chewing tobacco that they say also had a separate bag of marijuana in it.

McClain and the passenger in his car, Detrick Mostello, were then arrested, cops say.

McClain was booked on charges of speeding, possession of a concealed weapon without a permit, and misdemeanor unlawful possession of marijuana. Mostello, meanwhile, was booked on the same charge of misdemeanor unlawful possession of marijuana.

Both men bonded out shortly after they were booked.

Of course, this is not McClain's first run-in with the law in Alabama -- you'll recall, he was also arrested in 2017 and booked then for possession of marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon.

NFL superstar Joe Burrow isn't going to let an appendix -- or lack, thereof -- keep him from hanging out with his team ... he joined his fellow Bengals on the sidelines during training camp just days after having his pouch removed.

The AFC champ, unfortunately, had to undergo an appendectomy recently ... and will be out several weeks as he recovers from the procedure.

But, #9 made the ultimate effort to be with his teammates on Monday ... pulling up to camp on a scooter to make sure his presence was known.

The signal-caller arrived on the scene in style -- rocking a motored vehicle in slow-mo as he checked out his team getting in a solid workout.

Of course, as we reported last week ... Burrow will be out some time after having his appendix removed, but is expected to be good to go in time for the season.

Nice to see the dude still showing love for his Bengals teammates.

Donald Trump's going in on Brittney Griner, accusing the "potentially spoiled" WNBA star of traveling to Moscow "loaded up with drugs," and burying the idea of trading BG for a Russian arms dealer ... all in a new interview.

76-year-old Trump recently appeared on the "Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show" where he was asked about 31-year-old Griner's detainment in Russia.

"She went in there loaded up with drugs into a hostile territory where they’re very vigilant about drugs. They don’t like drugs, and she got caught," Trump said.

"And, now we’re supposed to get her out, and she makes, you know, a lot of money, I guess. We’re supposed to get her out for an absolute killer and one of the biggest arms dealers in the world. Killed many Americans. Killed many people.”

"Loaded up with drugs" isn't exactly consistent with the known information. Griner, in court, admitted to accidentally bringing marijuana that she says was prescribed by a doctor in the States to help deal with the pain from old hoops injuries, instead of taking powerful pain pills.

"It certainly doesn't seem like a very good trade, does it? He's absolutely one of the worst in the world and he's gonna be given his freedom because a potentially spoiled person goes into Russia loaded up with drugs," Trump told Travis and Sexton.

Trump's referring to convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout -- known as the "Merchant of Death" -- who the U.S. has reportedly talked about swapping for Griner.

Not everyone's against the trade.

Last week, we spoke to U.S. Congressman Colin Allred -- who, like Griner, was an athlete at Baylor U. -- and he told us it's up to the Russians to accept the deal.

"The ball is entirely in the Russian's court. I think we've made a very good offer to them based off what we know what they want," Allred said.

The Congressman did not get into specifics of the deal ... nor did he mention Bout's name.

Griner has been detained near Moscow since late February ... when Russian officials found hashish oil in her bag. She pled guilty, and is awaiting her sentence. Brittney faces up to 10 years in prison ... unless there's a prisoner swap.

Peyton Manning is taking his talents to the stage yet again -- the NFL legend has been tapped to host another awards show ... it was just revealed he and Luke Bryan will lead the 2022 CMAs in November!!!

The Country Music Association and ABC confirmed the news on Monday morning -- saying Manning and Bryan will be hosting the 56th annual awards ceremony on Nov. 9.

"When I was asked if Peyton Manning was someone I would consider co-hosting with I didn’t hesitate," said Bryan, who hosted the show alone in 2021.

"We have become great friends through the years and what he brings to the table is gonna make it even more of a blast."

The former NFL quarterback joked he got the co-host spot because of his vocals ... sharing a video on his social media page of him singing along on a stage recently with Bryan.

"My @cma Awards audition tape must have been a hit!" Manning said.

This will be Manning's first time ever hosting the Country Music Awards show -- though it certainly ain't his first on-stage rodeo. You'll recall, Manning also hosted the ESPYs in 2017.

The show will go down in Nashville -- a familiar area for the former Volunteers QB -- and he said he's pumped for it all.

Jake Paul purposely ran away from his fight against Hasim Rahman Jr. ... so says the former boxing champ's son, who claims he easily could have made weight for their August 6 bout -- but the YouTube superstar got scared.

HRJ faced the music hours after Paul's Most Valuable Promotions announced the bout at Madison Square Garden was scrapped ... and he claims it's a sketchy situation.

Rahman claims he could've easily made weight for the fight ... but the Problem Child simply didn't want to risk losing.

HRJ says he "absolutely" could have made it to 205 pounds in order to make the fight happen ... but claims Jake's camp wouldn't let it happen.

Rahman has some words for Paul ... basically calling him a fraud and vowing to keep the YouTuber from ever claiming a real belt.

WARNING -- if ya haven't finished your morning Cheerios yet, you might want to do so before clicking here!!!

MMA fighter Blake Perry horrifyingly broke his nose during a match on Sunday -- after taking a brutal knee to the face.

The gruesome injury happened in the first round of Perry's tilt with Marcel McCain at Urijah Faber's A1 Combat event in Stockton, Calif.

As the two were dukin' it out in the opening moments of their fight -- McCain grabbed the back of Perry's head with his arms ... and then drove his knee right into Perry's grill. Video of the strike shows McCain's knee landed flush, and caved in Perry's nose.

Somehow, though, Perry kept fighting despite his face's disfigurement.

But, during the break following the first round ... it became clear Perry shouldn't continue, and doctors ultimately stopped the contest.

No word yet on how Perry is doing today -- but something tells us breathing ain't exactly easy work.

Deshaun Watson has just been suspended for six games ... after more than 20 women accused the Cleveland Browns quarterback of being sexually inappropriate with them.

Disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson made the ruling early Monday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, finding the 26-year-old did violate the league's personal conduct policy.

Both the NFL and the NFL Players Association will have the opportunity to appeal the suspension -- though the NFLPA said in a statement on Sunday night it would accept Robinson's decision and urged "the NFL to do the same."

Former New England Patriot Jacoby Brissett, who Cleveland signed this offseason, is expected to be the starter for the Browns while Watson is out.

Monday's ruling comes over one year after Watson was initially accused of sexual misconduct in a civil lawsuit. The woman, Ashley Solis, alleged in court documents Watson had been inappropriate with her during a massage therapy session.

Shortly after, several more female masseuses filed lawsuits with similar accusations against the QB. In total, 25 were ultimately filed, though one was dropped in April 2021.

Twenty-three of the 24 cases have since been settled as of Sunday night, according to the attorney for the women, Tony Buzbee.

Watson -- who will be allowed to participate in the Browns' training camp and their preseason games -- has continually denied all wrongdoing. He was never arrested or criminally charged over the accusations.

Former Univ. of Washington football star Ben Burr-Kirven appears to believe the Pac-12 is toast ... and he tells TMZ Sports he's hoping his alma mater bolts to the Big Ten or Big 12 before it officially collapses.

The ex-Huskie linebacker, who won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year back in 2018, broke down his thoughts on conference realignment with us out at LAX this week ... and he made it clear, he wouldn't mind seeing UDub leave its current home after USC and UCLA jumped to the Big Ten earlier this year.

"I don't know what they're going to do," Burr-Kirven said of the Pac-12. "It's going to be interesting. I'd imagine -- if I was betting -- more and more teams are probably going to leave because it will be hard to get into big bowl games without competitive games to be playing in."

"So, we will see what happens."

Burr-Kirven isn't sure what Washington's next move will be, but he tells us if he were running the show in Seattle, he'd jump to the Big Ten or Big 12.

Sylvester Stallone isn't pulling any punches over his dissatisfaction with where the 'Rocky' franchise is heading -- once again publicly lashing out at one of the OG producers.

Sly went on the attack for a second time this weekend, posting a very scathing message aimed at Irwin Winkler ... who helped get 'Rocky' off the ground way back in the day, and who apparently has an ownership stake in the IP -- while SS has none himself.

That's where Sylvester's beef lies, and he made it clear in yet another critique on Instagram ... throwing up art renderings that depict Irwin and others as animals and evil villains, who are stabbing Sly in the back, etc.

Sylvester writes, "After IRWIN WINKLER And FAMILY SUCK ROCKY DRY ! Presumed to be the most hated , untalented , decrepited , Producer in Hollywood and his cowardly children have found their next meal… Drago , RETURN MY RIGHTS BLOODSUCKERS!"

He's talking about the fact that Dolph Lundgren is reported to be starring in a spin-off film that'll see him reprise his character from 'Rocky IV' -- something Sylvester says he wasn't made aware of, and which he strongly disapproves of ... saying he never meant these precious characters of his to be milked to this degree in future projects.

Sylvester says he sees this as nothing but a greedy money-grab, and even calls out his old costar by name -- asking why he didn't reach out to talk about this before the word was out.

BTW, a couple weeks ago ... Sylvester was also venting frustrations about not owning any of 'Rocky' for himself ... and he pleaded with Irwin to do the right thing and hand over some of the rights, which he feels -- at least in part -- belong to him since he's the creator of 'Rocky.'

Sylvester has been speaking out about this more and more lately -- and it's starting to turn ugly. Some fans side with Sly ... while others are calling him out for acting unprofessionally.

As for Dolph, he's addressed Sly's concerns, writing ... "Just to set the record straight regarding a possible Drago spinoff. There’s no approved script, no deals in place, no director and I was personally under the impression that my friend Sly Stallone was involved as a producer or even as an actor. There was a press leak last week which was unfortunate. In touch with Mr Balboa - just so all the fans can relax…There ya go."