TMZ Sports - Page 27

Kenley Jansen isn't ruling out the possibility of a reunion with the Dodgers despite having a great time in Atlanta this past season ... telling TMZ Sports if L.A. made him the right offer, he'd rejoin the storied franchise.

We spoke with Jansen out at LAX -- just a few weeks before he'll hit the open market in free agency -- and the star closer told us that although he still sees himself as a Brave at the moment, he will explore the best options for him and his family this offseason.

And, yes, that does mean a possibility of a re-signing with the Dodgers.

"Hey, we'll see," he said with a smile. "We'll see what's out there."

Jansen, who spent the first 12 years of his career with L.A., spoke highly of his first season as a Brave ... and it's easy to see why -- the team won 101 games, and he had an All-Star caliber year, logging 41 saves.

"I can tell you all great things about Atlanta," Jansen said. "Atlanta is awesome. The fans, the people, the organization. I had a great time there, and we had a great season."

But, Jansen told us he still lives in L.A. -- and it's clear the City of Angels still feels like home to him despite the past year in Georgia.

Matthew Stafford would welcome Odell Beckham Jr. back to the Rams with open arms ... telling TMZ Sports he absolutely loved his time with the wideout last season.

"That's my guy!" the L.A. quarterback said this week.

Odell has yet to find a football home since he tore his ACL in the Rams' Super Bowl win last February ... but he's reportedly getting close to signing on with a new team after rehabbing the last few months.

Most have expected the Rams to eventually be his landing spot -- and Stafford made it clear while shopping with his wife, Kelly, that he'd be overjoyed if that happened.

Seems Matt might even be doing a little recruiting for L.A. ... explaining to us that he still keeps in contact with the receiver.

"We'll see what happens," the signal-caller said.

Team USA legend Alexi Lalas says Christian Pulisic shouldn't fight the "Captain America" nickname ... telling TMZ Sports it's only going to make people call him it even more!!

CP has publicly stated in the past he's not a fan of the superhero-esque moniker ... saying he's "not too fond" of it -- especially when his own teammates use it.

We spoke with Lalas about the whole ordeal ... and he says Christian is only making matters worse by making the gripe.

"Christian Pulisic not liking Captain America is gonna make a lot of people call him Captain America more," Lalas joked.

"He needs to read the room. You don't get to pick your nickname. People get to pick your nickname. It's a really good nickname."

Lalas says the nickname is a good thing ... and thinks there are MUCH worse things Pulisic could be called -- so he should feel lucky.

Lalas also thinks it is a money-making opportunity for Pulisic ... saying he could cash in by marketing and branding the nickname.

We also spoke with Lalas about Team USA heading into the World Cup ... and he gives us some guys who could become household names throughout the tournament.

Rainer Schaller -- who owns Gold's Gym, among other brands -- is missing alongside his family after their plane disappeared overnight ... with officials all but confirming they're dead.

A private plane carrying Schaller, his partner Christiane Schikorsky, their children and a reported fitness trainer are listed as the five passengers who have gone unaccounted for since their aircraft vanished off the Costa Rican coast while traveling from Mexico Friday.

Reports say the plane lost all communication with a control tower while it was flying near Barra del Parismina in the Caribbean Sea -- and now, the Costa Rican Coast Guard is saying they've found several pieces from what they believe is the wreckage, including at least 2 bodies.

The identities of the two corpses have not officially been announced just yet, but some reports say Costa Rican officials are declaring Schaller among 6 people (pilot included) that are presumed dead at this point. A search is still underway to find the others ... some personal belongings, like luggage, have been retrieved in the open sea though.

Schaller is the founder and CEO of the RSG Group -- which runs and operates a string of gym chains across the world, including McFit, John Reed and of course ... Gold's, which he acquired a couple years ago after it filed for bankruptcy in the pandemic.

While all are notable names in the fitness world, Gold's in particular is incredibly popular here in the States -- with some famous clients utilizing its services over the years, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, Muhammad Ali, Hillary Swank and so, so many more.

Kanye West's Yeezy shoes have always been just as popular on the resale market as they've been in stores -- but there's a clear shift happening, with many resellers hesitant to make any moves until Adidas announces its position on Ye.

We spoke with several experts involved in the resale market who tell us there are three major factors that will impact how the shoes will move in the immediate future.

1. Will Adidas continue its relationship with Kanye?
2. Will the public forgive Kanye for his comments?
3. If Kanye releases music/merch, how will it be received?

Sneaker expert Remo of Walk Like Us tells us if Adidas ends the partnership, the market will explode, because the shoes will not be produced in mass quantities anymore. This waiting period for Adidas has caused many resellers to hold onto stock in hopes of cashing in if Adidas cuts ties.

Worst case scenario for resellers, we're told, is if Adidas stays on with Ye -- but the public refuses to forgive him -- because then shoe values will plummet.

"Suga" Sean O'Malley is already a UFC star, but Dana White says he could reach Conor McGregor-like levels of fame ... as long as he keeps winning in the Octagon!

TMZ Sports talked to the UFC honcho just days before he headed back to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi ... where UFC 280 is going down Saturday afternoon (in the USA). O'Malley isn't shy about his desire to be a global star, so we asked Dana if Suga had what it took.

"100% and it's all about winning those key fights. He needs to win this fight this weekend against Petr Yan. He beats Petr Yan, watch what happens on Sunday," Dana said.

"It will be crazy, but yeah, Conor, on his way up, won all of the key fights he needed to win. It's not for a title or anything but Petr Yan is the number-one-ranked guy in the world."

Dana says, keeping with the McGregor theme, a win vs. Petr would be equivalent to Conor's epic KO of Jose Aldo in 2015.

O'Malley is 15-1, with his sole loss coming against Chito Vera in August 2020 (depending on who you ask, the loss was controversial). He's the #11 ranked bantamweight.

As for Yan, he's the #1 ranked 135-pounder ... and while he's coming off a loss to Aljamain Sterling, it was a very close fight.

Speaking of the champ, Aljo is also on the stacked 280 card. Sterling is fighting #2 ranked T.J. Dillashaw.

The guys aren't exactly friends. In fact, we spoke to Aljamain earlier this month, and he called T.J. "Pill.J DillaRoid."

We asked Dana if he felt confident Dillashaw wasn't taking any banned substances.

"T.J. is absolutely positively clean. These guys are all being tested by USADA and when you're coming off what T.J. is coming off of, I'm sure he's getting hard by USADA."

Of course, Dillashaw was popped for a banned substance, EPO, in early 2019. He received a 2-year ban from the sport.

There's more. We also talked to White about the main event, Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev.

There's a dream scenario amongst many fans. Oliveira beats Makhachev, and then Khabib Nurmagomedov comes out of retirement to avenge his brother's loss.

Possible?! We asked Dana.

"That's hilarious. I love it. Believe me, that would be everybody's dream scenario, including mine if he beats Islam," White said.

Dana also provided some caution to people who think Islam's going to roll right through Charles.

"[Oliveira's] one of the guys that's sort of slips under the radar and people don't realize it. He's on an 11-fight win streak. He's got the record for the most finishes in UFC history, he's got the most submissions in UFC history, tied for overall UFC post-fight bonuses. He has most Performance Of The Night awards in UFC history, most submissions in both UFC lightweight and featherweight history!"

"I mean the guy has records on top of records on top of records! It's incredible."

We also spoke to Makhachev earlier in the week ... and talked about all things Charles Oliveira, backup fighter Alex Volkanovski, and UFC 280.

Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton -- who lost her left arm in a horrifying shark attack in 2003 -- has found yet another way to be an inspiration to the world ... she's authored a new children's book aimed to help kids get past their fears!

The athlete's new work, fittingly called "Surfing Past Fear," dropped earlier this month -- and it's all about an otter named Olivia who faces her fears after she breaks her arm while surfing.

Olivia gets help from her friends Mobi -- a one-armed bear -- and a flamingo named Abby -- and Hamilton says the whole point of the book is to teach kids how to overcome adversity.

Of course, she would know how to do that as well as anybody ... following her terrifying encounter with a tiger shark when she was just 13 years old, she went on to become one of the best surfers in the country.

Now, she says she's hoping her new book can not only help kids learn from her -- but also aid parents who are trying to get her message across to their children.

"I feel like I'm kind of a mix of the two characters," Hamilton said. "I'm Olivia, in like I had the accident and also how she has her comeback."

"I'm also kind of like Mobi, the bear who's born without an arm and he encourages Olivia to overcome her fear and seek a more positive truth-filled thought process."

Hamilton, a mother of three, says she's not planning on stopping with this one book either ... telling us she'd love to pen more similar works in the future.

But, right now, she's enjoying time with her family and surfing ... and has even helped her son step into the boarding world.

Vernon Davis already has a Super Bowl ring ... but might an Oscar be next?! Don't put it passed the retired NFL star, who -- fresh off working with Morgan Freeman -- tells TMZ Sports he's been offered a role on a John Travolta and Martin Lawrence film!

38-year-old Davis joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weeknights on FS1) and says he still has to pinch himself.

"Every time I think about it, I be like, 'wow.' I wake up some mornings, I'm like 'How did I get in a film with Morgan Freeman?'"

The movie is called "Muti" ... and in addition to Freeman, stars Cole Hauser, Peter Stormare, and others, in addition to Vernon, who plays a character named "Randoku."

And, the Pro Bowler must've been impressive on set ... 'cause director George Gallo, who also wrote Bad Boys, offered him another role before a single ticket was sold for Muti.

"It's pretty cool because George Gallo was the director," Vernon says, adding, "It's pretty cool to be on set with him. After the movie was over, he actually offered me another role with John Travolta and Martin Lawrence."

What'd Vernon say??

"I said yeah as if somebody was proposing to me. 'Yes! Yes! Yes, I will!'"

Details about the Travolta project aren't yet known. (Wild Hog 2??)

There's much more. We talked to the 14-season NFL vet about what he learned from Morgan (he tells a story about being on set with the 85-year-old), as well as his foray into music and stand-up comedy.

Vernon also talked about his recent enshrinement into the Terrapins Hall of Fame ... an honor that means a tremendous amount to him.

"It's amazing to be recognized for the things that you've been able to do, to accomplish and I wanna thank the University of Maryland for allowing me the opportunity to be able to go into the Hall of Fame."

"It's just great to be able to be recognized and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Very grateful. My family's excited, my friends, my coaches, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without my teammates, my grandparents, and everyone who supported me along the way."

As for Muti ... it's about a grieving detective who hunts down a serial killer accused of carrying out tribal rituals called "Muti."

Brad Pitt's got a need for speed lately ... only this time he's trading in his bullet train for a super fast race car.

The "Bullet Train" star was in Austin, TX on Friday for the start of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

Brad is set to star in a new movie about F1, which is skyrocketing in popularity across the country ... with legendary driver Lewis Hamilton among the producers.

The upcoming film is said to have Brad playing a former racer turned team owner who comes out of retirement to coach up the next generation of drivers.

Brad's already looking the part ... slipping on a pair of bright orange ear muffs to protect from the sound of those powerful F1 engines.

Shawn Michaels got a chance to train Logan Paul one-on-one... and the WWE legend was so impressed with the YouTuber's talent and commitment to wrestling, he tells us he's down to train Logan anytime!

Michaels joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... and the Hall of Famer says he was shocked with 27-year-old Paul's performance at WrestleMania 38.

"I saw him at WrestleMania and just thought he did a fantastic job," Michaels said. "I was honestly like everybody else at 'Mania, a fan, and I thought he did a heckuva job."

Logan, a big fan of the Heartbreak Kid, expressed interest in training with the legendary wrestler ... and on Thursday the men finally got together at the WWE Performance Center in Florida.

"Just getting a chance to speak with him, clearly, he's a bright young man," Shawn says, adding, "He's fully committed to what he does, and certainly fully committed to this, and I appreciate that."

Physically, Michaels was also impressed ... "[Logan's] clearly athletic as heck. So he's naturally gifted in a lot of areas."

And, because Logan was such a good student, Shawn had a blast.

"It was a heckuva lot of fun. I thought it was incredibly productive. I will say I'm someone who knows of him, but didn't know too much about him, but I've come to appreciate and like him quite a bit cause again he's very passionate about this and committed, and again, when you got that kind of moldable clay to work with, it's really fun."

As far as working together in the future, Shawn says he's open and willing to train Logan again.

"Our performance center down here will be open to him anytime, and if there's anything I can do to help him," Michaels says.

Some encouraging news from Alonzo Mourning ... the NBA legend says his friend and former teammate Dikembe Mutombo is in "good spirits" after receiving treatment for a brain tumor.

The NBA announced last week that the Hall of Famer was diagnosed with a brain tumor .. and was set to receive treatment in ATL.

On Friday, Mourning provided an update on Dikembe's condition.

"Thanking God this morning!" the former Miami Heat player said in the IG caption, "My brotha is on the mend and in good spirits!!!"

And, you can see it on Mutombo's face ... he's all smiles with his longtime friend.

Remember, Mourning and Mutombo go way back -- before playing together on the New Jersey Nets (2003), the two were teammates under John Thompson on the Georgetown Hoyas from 1988 to 1991.

When Mourning and Mutombo entered the league, they immediately became a problem. Both players won Defensive Player Of The Year multiple times, and led the league in blocks.

They've also both been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball of Fame.

"Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers," Mourning said, "Prayer is truly uplifting."

San Jose State football player Camdan McWright, a freshman running back, was killed on Friday morning ... in a horrifying scooter accident just feet from the SJSU campus.

He was 18 years old.

According to law enforcement, McWright was riding on an electric scooter at around 6:53 AM when he steered into an intersection and was struck by a school bus that was carrying 14 local high school students.

Authorities say McWright suffered significant injuries in the collision ... and died at the scene.

Cops said they do not believe alcohol or drugs factored into the crash. They added that an investigation is ongoing.

SJSU officials said Friday following the accident that they were devastated over it all.

"We lost an amazing young man tragically this morning," football head coach Brent Brennan said. "Camdan had a bright future ahead of him and everyone in this community that had the opportunity to spend time with him knew that."

"We are still trying to deal with the news of this tragedy, and appreciate everyone's support during these difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McWright family and I want them to know we are all here for them. Camdan will always be in our hearts and he will be profoundly missed."

McWright just joined the SJSU roster this season after starring at St. Genevieve H.S. in Los Angeles. He had played in one game for the Spartans this season, rushing for six yards on three carries against UNLV on Oct. 7.

He would have turned 19 years old in December.

Don't expect an NFL comeback from Todd Gurley ... 'cause the running back says he's done playing football, he just hasn't officially retired yet.

Speculation about the former star RB retiring started after TG posted several tweets this week, thanking current and former NFL stars like Barry Sanders and Tiki Barber for what they brought to the game of football.

The 28-year-old told NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano there's no subliminal message behind his tweets -- he just wanted to give the players their flowers.

"I just wanted to let those guys know that I appreciate them for everything that they’ve done for me from like an inspirational level," Gurley said on Thursday, "just from watching those guys since I was 4, 5 years old."

Gurley says as "alpha males", men don't express themselves on an emotional level like they should and he was in the spirit to buck the trend.

"We don't big each other up, we don't congratulate each other. We see each other post-game and that's pretty much it," Gurley said.

"Just wanted to let everybody know that I really appreciate their game, appreciate everything that they've done for me."

Does this mean Gurley will be getting back on the field? Nope ... the 3-time Pro Bowler said he's "most definitely" done with football but hasn't filed for retirement yet.

"I don't think there's any question about that one," Gurley said.

Of course, Gurley's career, though plagued by injuries, was pretty great. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015, and the Offensive Player of the Year in 2017. He made three All pro teams, too.

The former Georgia Bulldog, and 10th overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft, spent his best years with the Rams, where he led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2017 and 2018.

Gurley hasn't played a down since he suited up for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020.

No, Subway did not pull Russell Wilson's signature sub from its menu over hate from online trolls ... the sandwich giant tells TMZ Sports it simply needed some space for newer dishes.

The Russ hoagie -- dubbed the "The Dangerwich" -- debuted on Subway's exclusive "The Vault" menu back in February ... and it seemed to initially be a hit.

There didn't appear to be any problems with the sammy -- which featured pepperoni, salami, ham, cheese, bacon and veggies -- but when the org. began releasing some ads with the Broncos QB in them, that's when the backlash began.

Russ looked super cringeworthy in the spots -- including one where he, decked out in sunglasses and a leather jacket, suggested a way to eat the meal with a fork and a knife.

The vids quickly became a meme on social media ... and after Wilson's awful start to the NFL season in Denver, the Internet hate grew exponentially.

This week, fans began to notice the sandwich had been removed from Subway's menu ... and many believed it was due to all of the trolling.

But, a spokesperson for Subway told us on Friday that was not the case -- and that the sandwich had actually been pulled in August, before the season began.

"Subway works with a variety of athlete partners, and The Vault is the perfect place to showcase their favorite sandwiches," the spokesperson said. "While The Dangerwich sub left The Vault in August to make room for some new, craveable options, don't worry, The Dangerwich will be back soon!"

Bronny James put on a show for a star-studded crowd at Overtime Elite's opening night on Thursday ... hitting four 3-pointers on a 16-point night in front of Quavo and Swae Lee!!

"OTE" -- a pro basketball league for 16-19-year-olds -- held an exhibition in Atlanta ... with Bronny's California Basketball Club going up against City Reapers.

The celebs picked a good game to get a glimpse of Bronny -- because the Sierra Canyon point guard made it rain from behind the arc several times.

Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Druski, K Camp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and Mike WiLL Made-It were also in the building to witness Bronny's outing.

Bronny was one of the main offensive options for CBC throughout the night -- finishing the game with 16 points in 35 minutes of action, which was good for the second-leading scorer on his squad.

Puma star Mikey Willams and former NBA star Carlos Boozer's sons, Cayden and Cameron, hit up the game as well to check out King James' son.

17-year-old Bronny has been on cloud nine lately ... he recently inked an NIL deal with Beats by Dre, following in LeBron's footsteps after signing with Nike.

The Bay Area just became Bae Area thanks to the Christian McCaffrey trade ... 'cause not only are the San Francisco 49ers a better team -- they got even hotter, too.

The Niners roster features plenty of hunky jocks on their 53-man roster ... and it's no secret sexy 30-year-old quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is a fan favorite for more than his football skills.

But Jimmy G might have some competition for the "hottest guy on the team" crown now that McCaffrey, 26, is headin' to town ... so naturally, we have to do a sophisticated study to find out who's REALLY worthy of the title.

While they're certainly both perfect 10s (or should we say 49s), don't start hitting Christian's DMs just yet -- the All-Pro has been with model girlfriend, Olivia Culpo for years ... so he's not on the market.

There might be hope with Jimmy G, though ... 'cause he currently doesn't appear to be boo'd up at the moment.