TMZ Sports - Page 25

Eight months ago TMZ Sports asked Eli Manning who his "dream guest" was for the MNF's Manningcast ... and the 2x Super Bowl-winning quarterback told us it was Barack Obama.

Tonight, 44 joined Easy E and Peyton Manning during the 1st quarter of Monday Night Football ... proving, dreams do come true!

"Mr. President, Eli was approached by TMZ last year. They asked him "who is your dream guest on the show, and he said it was you. I assume you were watching TMZ and felt pressure to come on the show, right?" Peyton joked with B.O.

"I have to confess, TMZ is not on my remote really," President Obama responded, fibbing (we kid) ... “but, I was flattered when I heard about this, Eli."

"Thank you very much. But the main reason I’m on, I think is actually Cooper, he called me up, and after seeing him on those Caesar's ads I thought, how could I turn him down?”

And, it only took the Manning's about 250 days to lock down one of the most famous people in the world.

We talked to Eli in mid-February at a Super Bowl party in Los Angeles, when we asked about his pick for top guests.

“Maybe a President. Barack Obama would be pretty good," Manning told us, saying, "I think we can get him.”

Roy Jones Jr. has fought some big dudes ... but never anyone this big!

TMZ Sports has learned 53-year-old Jones Jr. will fight Robert Wilmote, AKA NDO Champ, a social media star and IFBB bodybuilding professional on January 28 in Miami.

We're told there will be five one-minute rounds.

NDO Champ (it stands for "No Days Off") is 38-years-old ... and stands 5'8". He reportedly weighs around 230 pounds.

Wilmote, who was born in Liberia and came to the U.S. as a kid to avoid civil war, is absolutely massive ... and has competed in many big bodybuilding competitions over the years, including 2nd in the Super Heavyweight division at the Arnold Classic in 2019.

Robert hasn't competed in several years but said just yesterday he planned to return to the stage soon.

He also has some fighting experience ... and has even sparred with Andre Berto.

Obviously, when it comes to the boxing experience ... he's brand new to the sport compared to RJJ -- one of the most talented pugilists to step foot in a ring.

Roy last fought in November 2020 ... in an eight-round exhibition fight against Mike Tyson. The fight was ruled a draw.

Rainer Schaller -- who owns Gold's Gym, among other brands -- is still missing after his plane disappeared off the coast of Costa Rica, and his gym's parent company says the plane crashed.

The RSG Group issued a statement Monday confirming Rainer, his family and two others were on board the plane when it crashed.

There is still no official word if Rainer died ... though there are reports two bodies were found, plus luggage and pieces of the twin-engine plane.

The airplane wreckage was found at sea, so the situation does not sound good.

As we reported ... Rainer's flight disappeared overnight Friday, with the plane vanishing off the coast of Costa Rica on a flight path from Mexico.

Jaylen Brown says he's sticking with Donda Sports, despite repeated antisemitic remarks made by founder Kanye West ... comments the Celtics star says he adamantly condemns.

On Monday, Jaylen was asked about his business relationship with Ye's company, telling the Boston Globe he won't be jumping ship.

"First, I don’t condone any hurt, harm, or danger toward any group of people or individuals whatsoever," said Brown, who joined Donda Sports in May shortly after Rams star Aaron Donald.

Brown said despite the criticism embroiling West, he's more focused on the agency's mission and positive impact.

"The reason why I signed with Donda Sports, it represented education, it represented activism, disruption, it represented single-parent households, and a lot more people are involved in something like that."

Of course, Kanye has repeatedly made antisemitic comments ... 'cause lucrative business partners like Balenciaga dropped him. Adidas, his biggest partner, has faced tremendous pressure to part ways with Ye.

Brown defined his current relationship with West as a "sensitive subject," adding that it's hard to comment on it because it's being "evaluated."

"He’s someone who's obviously dealing with a lot of adversity that’s in front of him right now, and everybody can see it, and it’s public," 26-year-old Brown said.

Mitch Kupchak's wife is calling quits on the couple's 30-year marriage ... the Charlotte Hornets exec's wife has filed for divorce.

Claire Kupchak filed the docs in Los Angeles on Monday, TMZ Sports has learned.

In the documents, Claire cited "irreconcilable differences" as the grounds for the split. She marked Oct. 21 as the date of separation. She's asking for spousal support.

Mitch and Claire initially got hitched way back in August 1992 ... and had two children together. Tragically, their daughter, Alina, died in 2015 after battling an illness.

Their adult son, Maxwell, currently works with Mitch in the Hornets' front office.

Mitch took over the Hornets' GM job in 2018 and was responsible for picking superstar LaMelo Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Before his time in Charlotte, Mitch won multiple NBA titles as a player and as the famed GM of some of the best Kobe Bryant-led Lakers teams.

Former NFL tight end Lance Kendricks was busted for DUI in Santa Monica over the weekend ... after cops say they found him knocked out in the driver's seat with the engine running.

TMZ Sports has learned ... SMPD officers were dispatched around 2:15 AM on Sunday regarding a newer model Ford Bronco that was swerving.

Cops say they located the whip on Ocean Avenue and made contact with 34-year-old Kendricks, who they say was passed out.

Law enforcement sources tell us Kendricks eventually awoke and appeared drunk ... and after conducting field sobriety tests, it was determined he had driven while intoxicated.

We're told Kendricks took a breathalyzer ... and blew over double the .08 legal limit.

Kendricks, who last played in the NFL in 2019, was booked on a DUI charge.

TMZ Sports has obtained Kendricks' mug shot ... which shows the former tight end looking annoyed.

Kendricks played nine seasons in the NFL with St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, Packers, and Chargers.

He made $5,000 bail and was released later Sunday morning.

Iggy Azalea experienced her first in-person NFL action Sunday ... soaking up the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans game, and it was everything the Aussie rapper hoped for ... and then some!

The home team Raiders won and Iggy was paid to be there ... performing her No. 1 hit song "Fancy" during halftime, while wearing the hell out of a custom cheerleader 'fit.

During the 1st half, Raiders reporter Tashan Reed said he was dreading the performance and Allegiant Stadium's efforts to make proper BBQ.

His Iggy shade eventually came up on her radar, and she proceeded to make Tashan green with envy ... from all the green the Raiders paid her to perform!!!

Iggy didn't disclose her payout, but it was enough to prompt thousands of retweets ... and memes from Tashan that waved the white flag.

The NFL has been getting a healthy dose of hip hop and R&B this season -- Moneybagg Yo recently became the first rapper to introduce an NFL team, walking out his hometown Tennessee Titans at their home opener ... and Nelly performed during the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals Week 5 matchup.

And, of course, the biggest of them all ... Rihanna's confirmed to perform at Apple Music's Super Bowl LVII halftime show in February.

New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger will be out indefinitely ... after he suffered a broken eye socket against the Jaguars in a terrifying play on Sunday.

The scary incident happened with 56 seconds left in the first half of NY's game against Jacksonville in Florida ... when Bellinger caught a 13-yard pass and was inadvertently poked in the left eye by a Jags defender.

The 6-foot-5, 253-pound rookie crumpled to the ground in serious pain ... and images from the scene showed he was bleeding profusely from his eye while he was being carted off the field.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced Monday that the 22-year-old's left eye socket was fractured in the play, and will require surgery. It's unknown when he'll be able to return to the field.

"Any time one of your better players gets injured, you'll always miss him, but that's why you have players on your roster," Daboll said.

"People are here for a reason. We've said this before. We have to find a way to use our pieces the best way we can. So we have two tight ends, we have a practice squad and we'll try to do the best job we can of utilizing their strengths."

Bellinger -- a 4th-round pick in this year's draft -- has been one of the Giants' best offensive weapons this season, logging 16 receptions for 152 yards and three total touchdowns.

Serena Williams is flirting with a tennis return once again -- the superstar says she is NOT retired ... and the chances of her playing are "very high."

The 23-time Grand Slam winner made the comment at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco just days ago ... and it definitely sounds like she's got the itch to pick up the racket again.

"I'm not retired," Williams said.

In fact, Serena goes on to say there's a good chance fans will be able to watch her compete again ... but followed up with a joke.

"The chances are very high," Willaims said. "You can come to my house, I got a court. I got you."

Remember ... Williams said back in August she was "evolving away" from the game of tennis after 27 years, and her last match would be at the U.S. Open.

Of course, we saw that end on an emotional note as Williams lost in the third round to Ajla Tomljanović ... and since then, Serena says it's been challenging to adjust to her new life.

"I did wake up the other day and I went on the court and I was like, 'Oh, for the first time in my life, I'm not playing for a competition and it felt really weird,'" she said.

"It was like the first day of the rest of my life, and so far, I am enjoying it. But, I’m still trying to find that balance."

Williams has hinted at making a return in the past -- back in September, she name-dropped Tom Brady when talking about possibly coming back.

The man who caught Aaron Judge's 62nd home run ball is continuing to live the dream ... he's now on vacation in Italy -- riding around on yachts and in classic convertibles.

Cory Youmans showed what life is like on his social media page after nabbing one of the most prized possessions in baseball history ... and, yeah, it's good.

Youmans and his wife, former "The Bachelor" contestant Bri Amaranthus, made their way to the Amalfi Coast ... less than three weeks after the dude caught the Judge ball at a Yankees vs. Rangers game in Texas on Oct. 4.

The couple revealed they're seemingly sparing no expense while on the vacay ... cruising around in style both in the water and on the land.

Youmans could be seen on the trip enjoying a beer ... as well as a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.

It's unclear if the Judge ball is playing any role in the bill for the European getaway -- at the time of his big catch, Youmans only told reporters he wasn't sure if he was going to sell it.

Since then, he's been radio silent.

Of course, if he did part ways with it ... we know he got at least $2 MILLION for it -- because one auction house said earlier this month it had already made the 7-figure offer.

Eric Ortiz -- a former Louisville Cardinals cheerleader and 10-time national champ -- died unexpectedly over the weekend. He was only 30 years old.

GymTyme All-Stars in Louisville announced the sad news ... saying their former cheerleader passed away on Saturday, remembering Ortiz as a "sweet, amazing, and genuine person."

"This Homecoming weekend turned out to be one none of us expected. One of our own beloved athletes, alumnae, and friends was called home," the cheerleading gym announced Monday.

"Eric Ortiz was a force when he joined our program. He could stunt, tumble, jump, dance, and perform with some of the greatest athletes that have ever stepped a shoe onto a cheer floor."

"He was captivating as an athlete. He could do it all and that he did. He was a leader at practice and on the competition floor."

The New York native was part of the University of Louisville cheerleading squad and the GymTyme All-Stars. During his cheering career, Ortiz won two world championships and 10 national championships.

Several cheerleaders paid tribute to Ortiz on social media, including Gabi Butler who shared photos of her and Eric together on her Instagram.

"You were the most beautiful soul I’ve ever met 🤍," the star from Netflix's "Cheer" said.

"The memories that we have shared are ones that a lot of people don’t get to share because they were so special."

"I love you with all my heart and soul Eric… rest easy my angel, you will always be missed and in my heart."

Michael Phelps just shared some heartbreaking news ... announcing his father, Fred, has passed away.

The Olympics superstar provided the update via Instagram on Monday ... saying, "You’ll always be my dad ... And I’ll always be your son ... Love you dad and I will miss you❤️❤️ rip dad."

37-year-old Phelps also posted several throwback pictures of his father ... including several snaps with his grandchildren.

Just like his son, Fred was an athlete -- he played college football and once tried out for the Washington Commanders in the 1970s.

Phelps previously spoke about the trauma he suffered after his parents got divorced in 1994 ... which temporarily affected his relationship with his father. Fred remarried in 2000.

Two referees appeared to ask for Mike Evans' autograph following the Buccaneers game on Sunday ... and the optics of it were so bad, the NFL is now investigating it all.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday that the league launched its review into the incident shortly after the two men were seen on camera asking the Tampa Bay star for his signature.

Footage shot from inside a tunnel at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte shows the two refs -- ID'ed as side judge Jeff Lamberth and line judge Tripp Sutter -- running up to Evans with a piece of paper and a pen.

They both had the receiver sign the paper -- before the trio hastily headed deeper into the stadium.

According to Pelissero, the NFL-NFLRA CBA says officials are prohibited from asking "players, coaches or any other team personnel for autographs or memorabilia."

It's unclear what punishment -- if any -- the duo is facing over it all.

LeBron James turned to raw fish and sexy mood lighting to get over yet another miserable Lakers loss on Sunday night ... hitting Nobu just minutes after his squad fell to the Blazers.

LBJ hit up the popular sushi restaurant in Malibu ... right after his team suffered a gut-wrenching 106-104 defeat to Portland.

James' dinner outfit -- a green Nike sweatsuit -- suggests he went straight from Crypto.com Arena to the restaurant ... 'cause it was the same getup he wore during his postgame press conference.

James didn't seem to be all that heartbroken over the L at dinner -- cameras caught him smiling as he opened the car door for his wife, Savannah.

Of course, he was anything but smiles earlier in the evening -- when the Lakers fell to 0-3 on the season despite leading the game with less than a minute remaining.

In fact, at one point during the end of the 4th quarter, he appeared to be upset with Russell Westbrook ... after the star point guard missed a pull-up jumper with 18 seconds left on the shot clock and 30 seconds left in the game.

Video shows James threw up his hands in confusion -- before he ran back on defense.

WWE legend Kevin Nash is opening up about his son's tragic death ... saying 26-year-old Tristen suffered a seizure in his bedroom and went into cardiac arrest before passing away.

Nash detailed Tristen's final moments on his "Kliq This" podcast on Monday ... revealing they both decided to give up drinking alcohol cold turkey just days earlier.

63-year-old Nash says EMTs were able to revive Tristen as they transported him to the hospital ... where he was hooked up to a breathing tube.

Despite the efforts of the doctors and nurses, Nash later received the news that Tristen was in a coma and would not survive.

Nash says he and his wife were present as Tristen took his last breath ... adding he "looked so gorgeous."

Nash is deeply emotional throughout the podcast ... but hopes sharing his story will help others going through similar situations.

Nash says Ric Flair -- who also lost his son, Reid -- reached out to give advice after Tristen passed ... which he believes was far more beneficial than any sort of professional help.

As we previously reported, Tristen passed away on Wednesday. He was 26 years old.

Phillies fans were phull of beer phollowing their big win over the Padres on Sunday ... with one of them enjoying the suds straight from near the top of a light pole!!!

The wild chugging celebration went down in the streets of Philadelphia ... after the home team punched its ticket to the World Series with a 4-3 victory over San Diego.

You can see in video from the roadways that the crowd was going crazy enjoying its first trip to the big games since 2009 ... especially after one fan climbed a light pole to shotgun a beer.

The dude held on for his life with one arm ... while suckin' down the booze with the other.

The famous Philly Elmo also popped up on Broad Street with the drumline ... getting the crowd even more fired up.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata -- who was enjoying a bye this week -- stopped by to join in on the fun too!