TMZ Sports - Page 50

Dak Prescott's dog has gone from the dog house to the penthouse ... starring in a new TV commercial -- almost four years after he was nearly put down by authorities for attacking a neighbor.

The Dallas Cowboy's pup, Icon, was busted way back in Feb. 2019 -- after cops said he broke free from the quarterback's Frisco, Texas home, chewed through a nearby woman's fence, and then bit off part of her finger.

The pit bull was caught and quarantined ... and, days later, officials set up a hearing for the animal to determine if it should be classified as a "dangerous dog."

If it was found to be dangerous, euthanasia was on the table. But, fortunately for Prescott, authorities ultimately released the dog back to the NFL player under the condition he was removed from Frisco.

The dog has apparently stayed out of trouble since ... 'cause AT&T just tapped him to be in a new ad for the co. this week.

In the spot, Icon can be seen adorably roamin' around a house -- missing his owner while the quarterback was shining for the Cowboys on gameday.

In one scene, Icon can be seen lovingly licking Prescott's face.

Dak shared the advert on his social media page on Thursday, calling the dog his "best friend."

Best teammate ever?!?

Isaiah McKenzie just threw his hat into the ring for that title in the NFL ... 'cause the Bills wideout gifted his fellow receivers custom arcade game machines for the holidays -- and they're awesome!!

McKenzie shared the presents with his guys on Thursday ... and you can see in video of the goodies, they're decked out in Bills colors -- with the players' pictures and jersey numbers on them too.

Isaiah got a machine for Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Tanner Gentry, Jameson Crowder, and Khalil Shakir, plus one for himself. He also made sure to grab one for the team's WR coach, Chad Hall.

Each one had a bow on it -- and when the guys saw them, they went crazy.

"My boy got us right!!" Davis said. "Appreciate u my boy!!"

Added Shakir, "Real one big bro!! Appreciate you."

The arcade game machines come equipped with the popular NFL Blitz series already on it -- something the players made sure to ask about -- and over 9,600 other games.

It's been a generous week for many around The Shield ... both Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen helped hook up some of their teammates with scooters -- while Patrick Mahomes gifted several Chiefs with golf clubs.

Not bad presents at all ... but even those guys gotta admit it's no match for a classic arcade game machine.

It clearly pays to be a good person ... 'cause the New England Patriots fan who kept his cool as a Las Vegas Raiders supporter tormented him during Sunday's game is getting the hookup -- with free tickets from Robert Kraft!!

Video of the incident went viral this week ... showing a woman in a Derek Carr jersey berating a man in Tom Brady threads in the Allegiant Stadium stands right after the Pats lost in heartbreaking fashion.

The guy -- Jerry Edmond -- was praised on social media for not stooping to the woman's level ... and Kraft was so moved by his handling of the situation, he decided to give the fan a VIP experience at this weekend's game against the Bengals.

As it turns out, the Pats vs. Raiders contest was Edmond's first NFL experience ... and he said he didn't want to ruin his experience by retaliating toward the heckler.

Not only is Edmond getting free tix to the game, the team says he's going to get a customized jersey and pregame field passes to watch the players warm up.

Move over, Santa Claus ... Aaron Rodgers, Jaire Alexander and Adrian Amos just won Christmas in Green Bay -- gifting some of their Packers teammates with souped-up scooters!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the trio of GB stars came together this month to collectively purchase 22 of the electric rides for some of their fellow locker mates.

The PHAT Rides scooters were all given to the Packers players this week -- and they're awesome ... featuring the ability to zoom around at speeds of up to 20 MPH.

The scooters have been popular gifts around the NFL this year ... Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen also copped 11 of the rides for his offensive line this week.

We're told PHAT Rides painted the floorboards of Allen's presents in Bills colors ... and added each player's jersey number.

PHAT Rides says each scooter can hold up to about 400 pounds, by the way ... so, yeah, even the big boys can get around on them just fine.

As for the price tags on the units ... no word on what the football players formally dropped, but each scooter will cost the public around $3,500 apiece.

Of course, that ain't much to dudes like Allen and Rodgers -- who own two of the biggest NFL contracts in history.

A reporter is issuing a public apology for ambushing Giovani Bernard after Sunday's loss to the Bengals ... saying the awkward interaction came off as "cruel and insensitive."

Jenna Laine, a Bucs beat reporter for ESPN, released a lengthy statement on the matter Tuesday night ... explaining why she feels remorseful for the testy locker room exchange.

Laine says she was wrong to post video of the incident on Twitter ... which showed her peppering Bernard with questions about a failed fake punt as he tried to leave the locker room to be with his family.

"The first misstep was posting a video of 'our' interaction with Giovani," Laine wrote in the statement. "My intention wasn't to make it some 'gotcha' moment but to illustrate how tense things can get in the locker room when a team isn't meeting expectations."

Laine also addressed her comments in the video ... saying she was trying to point out the accountability athletes deal with on a daily basis.

"In full transparency, I now see that there was no benefit to doing it. I realize that it came across as cruel and insensitive."

"In no way was I trying to weaponize his injury against him either by pointing it out."

Bernard took issue with Laine at the time ... saying the reporter did not prioritize interviewing him throughout the season. He eventually answered their questions and took responsibility for the costly turnover against Cincinnati.

Franco Harris sat down for what was likely his last interview on Tuesday -- just hours before his untimely death -- where the Steelers legend talked about how happy he was to make it to the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception."

"50 years. C'mon, that's a long time, but I'm still around to enjoy it, so that's good," 72-year-old Harris said with a big smile.

We're told the interview was done around 2:30 PM Eastern on December 20, 2022 ... for "Not Just Football With Cam Heyward," the Steelers star's Omaha Productions produced show.

Of course, Harris' death was announced on Wednesday ... and it shocked the country.

During the chat, Harris and Heyward reminisced about one of the greatest plays in sports history. Franco talked about what he was supposed to do during the play, what he remembers after catching the ball (nothing!), and what transpired after the incredible catch (including when he wound up alone in a restaurant with the entire Raiders team.)

Outwardly, absolutely nothing seemed off about Franco ... and like usual, he appeared to be in a great mood.

Franco was set to be honored this weekend across the NFL ... as the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception is on December 23. Harris' #32 was also set to be retired ... and he was expected to be at Acrisure Stadium.

Boosie Badazz had an absolute ball watching the Atlanta Hawks lose a nail-biter to the visiting Chicago Bulls last night ... and couldn't contain his excitement after DeMar DeRozan gave him his winning game jersey!!!

Boosie posted a video of himself getting down to Bruno Mars' "24K Magic" in the VIP hallways of State Farm Arena -- and also got the chance to meet Hawks' legend Dominique Wilkins ... who allegedly was very familiar with the Louisiana rapper's antics already!!!

The Lousiana rapper was sitting courtside with comedian Desi Banks -- giving him a front-row view of the wild finish where DeRozan's hail Mary airball landed right in the hands of his teammate Ayo Dosunmu to sink the game-winning layup as time ran out.

DeRozan walked away with 28 points and 6 boards -- and Boosie got the NBA experience of a lifetime.

Hope ya got some Kleenex nearby ... because the Commanders captured Jeremy Reaves' reaction to earning his first-ever Pro Bowl selection on video on Wednesday -- and it was emotional as hell.

The NFL announced its All-Star rosters on hump day ... and while the Commanders got four total nods, none was more meaningful than Reaves'.

The 26-year-old has been in the league for five years, but up until this season, he had played sparingly. In fact, he had struggled to actually even make Washington's gameday rosters in his first four seasons in the league.

But, Reaves made the opening day lineup this year ... and has balled out on special teams since -- and when he was rewarded for his play with the honor on Wednesday, he broke down in tears.

Check out the video the Commanders posted ... after head coach Ron Rivera told him he was in -- Reaves lost it.

Reaves, whose mother tragically died last year, cried for several seconds -- as Rivera told him over and over again that he had absolutely earned it all.

"I know your mom would be proud," Rivera said.

Reaves' teammate and fellow 2022 Pro Bowler Tress Way was so fired up over the news ... he busted into the meeting to give JR a big hug.

"I love you big guy," Reaves said to Way as they embraced.

"Love you too dude," Way responded.

Todd Chrisley is soaking up every last bit of life on the outside before he goes away for a long time -- breaking bread with an unofficial family member ahead of guaranteed slop.

The reality TV star was spotted Wednesday grabbing lunch in Nashville with his daughter Savannah's ex-fiancé, Nic Kerdiles ... in what appeared to be just a two-man outing between them ... no other Chrisleys in sight. They dined at a place called Green Hills Grille.

Eyewitnesses tell us they were talking a lot, leaning in close as they chatted in deep, serious conversation.

Makes sense ... there's a lot of heaviness hovering over the family right now -- especially with Todd and his wife, Julie. He's staring at a 12-year sentence ... Julie's facing 7 years.

So, yeah ... nothing to really be cheerful about in the Chrisley household -- but at least Todd seems to be trying to get out and enjoy what's left of his fleeting freedom.

As for the grub ... Todd and Nic ordered a spinach and artichoke dip appetizer -- and each got rib rolls for their main course. Even more evidence TC is counting his days ... Lord knows he won't be eating that well in the joint.

NFL Sunday Ticket has a new home -- the league's game broadcast package is moving to YouTube TV starting next season ... and the deal is reportedly worth a whopping $2.5 BILLION a year.

There was an intense bidding war to secure the rights to the popular subscription-based product ... with ESPN, Apple and Amazon pursuing an agreement.

The NFL made the move official on Thursday ... with commissioner Roger Goodell releasing a statement on the decision to go with Google, which owns YouTube TV.

"We're excited to bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels and usher in a new era of how fans across the United States watch and follow the NFL," the commish said.

"For a number of years we have been focused on increased digital distribution of our games and this partnership is yet another example of us looking towards the future and building the next generation of NFL fans."

Sunday Ticket will now be available as an add-on package with YouTube TV ... as well as standalone à la carte on the streaming platform's Primetime channels.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft -- the chairman of the league's media committee -- also spoke about the deal ... saying, "As the ways fans enjoy NFL football evolve in a changing media landscape, partnerships with innovators like YouTube will ensure that more games are available to more fan."

Kyrie Irving could be close to finding a new sneaker partner ... so says Musiq Soulchild, who tells TMZ Sports he's heard the Nets superstar is talking to a new shoe company about a potential deal in the aftermath of his split with Nike.

We spoke to the "B.U.D.D.Y." artist at DASH radio in L.A. this week ... and he revealed to us that he got the shoe scoop after securing a pair of dope kicks from Devlin Carter at SIA Collective.

Musiq -- real name Taalib Hassan Johnson -- said he was told that Irving and Carter, who runs the "Somewhere In America" brand that's based out of Oakland, Calif., have been speaking in earnest about a future collab.

"I think that will be an awesome decision," said Musiq, who also raved about the SIA shoes he was wearing.

Of course, Kyrie is looking for a new shoe sponsor after he and Nike parted ways earlier this month ... following his suspension for tweeting a link to a film containing controversial and antisemitic content.

Irving has made it known he wants a new partner ... covering up his shoes' swooshes during a Dec. 7 game with the messages "I AM FREE" and "Logo Here."

Apparently nothing is off limits when it comes to Shannon Sharpe's trash talking -- not even Deion Sanders' horrifying foot ailments -- 'cause the Broncos legend roasted the hell out of Prime's amputated toes this week.

Shannon took his "Club Shay Shay" podcast on the road to Boulder, Colorado, to visit the new Buffs head coach ... and the jokes started flying almost immediately after he saw that Deion's foot was missing two of its toes.

"Man, where the big toe!?" Shannon asked Prime as the NFL legend was getting his surgically-repaired foot massaged. "I thought you was magic or something! I thought you was just hiding it!"

Sanders, who lost the toes back in the spring following complications from foot surgery, took the jabs in stride ... laughing as Sharpe continuously threw barb after barb after barb.

"So no more sandals -- no flip-flops for you, huh?!?" Sharpe said ... before adding later, "One thing about my homeboy, he's going to be eight toes down for you!"

The two though, did share some serious moments about the injury ... with Deion explaining it all actually really sucks. The former Dallas Cowboys star said he needs to get the foot massaged two or three times a day, and he's still taking multiple pills to manage the pain.

"I think it's my new normal," Sanders said.

Soccer legend Pele's health has taken a turn for the worse ... with local doctors announcing his cancer has advanced, and he is currently receiving "elevated care" for kidney and heart issues, according to the AP.

The 82-year-old's daughter shared an update on Tuesday ... saying the family will remain with Pele at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo over the Christmas holiday "for various reasons."

"We, as always, thank you for all the love you show us here in Brazil as well as around the world!" Kely Nascimento said on Instagram.

"Your love for him and your stories and prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone."

Kely says the family will make the holiday extra special ... and have plans to celebrate at the hospital.

"We are going to turn this room into a Sambódromo (just kidding), we will even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!)."

"We wish everyone who celebrates a Christmas that filled with family, full of children, some fighting 🤷🏽 ♀️ and TONS of Love and Health !!"

Pele is considered to be the greatest soccer player of all time -- having won World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

There have been conflicting reports regarding his health recently ... with Kely denying last month the Brazilian hero was experiencing complications during his chemotherapy treatment.

Two of the most powerful men in United States history are heartbroken over the death of Franco Harris ... with both Joe Biden and Barack Obama saying Wednesday they're devastated by the Steelers legend's passing.

The current POTUS and the ex-POTUS both took to their social media pages to remember the Pro Football Hall of Famer ... with Biden explaining he'd actually been a friend of Harris' for years.

"I knew him for his character and compassion," Biden said, "someone who spent time with my boys after we lost my first wife and infant daughter."

Obama meanwhile, said he too knew Harris off the field -- and loved the guy.

"He was an extraordinary man," #44 said ... before writing that Harris "will be missed."

The former running back passed away overnight on Tuesday, his family announced on Wednesday. A cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Harris seemed to be in great spirits just hours before his death -- posing for photos with fans in front of his statue at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

"Our thoughts go out to his family and all of Steeler Nation," Obama said.

The New York Knicks no longer have one of their 2025 second-round picks -- the NBA has concluded its investigation into premature free agency discussions with Jalen Brunson ... and determined the team did, in fact, tamper with the guard.

The league announced the punishment on Wednesday ... saying the Knicks kickstarted their recruitment of the former Dallas Mavericks player prior to the start of free agency this past offseason.

Of course, there was always suspicion surrounding the acquisition ... especially considering Jalen's dad, Rick, became an assistant with the Knicks just one month before Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million deal with New York in July.

On top of that, the Brunson family is very close to Leon Rose, the current president of the Knicks.

The news of Jalen's intentions to sign with the Knicks broke even before the free agency period started ... so it became obvious a probe was on the horizon.

On the bright side, the Knicks could still have two second-round picks in 2025 ... courtesy of trades with the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets.

Brittney Griner is asking everyone who supported her while in Russian custody to do the same for Paul Whelan ... by sending encouraging letters to the former U.S. Marine.

BG emphasized how much messages helped her throughout the past 10 months she was behind bars in Russia ... saying in an Instagram post it was one of the few gestures that kept her hope alive.

"Your letters were also bigger than uplifting me," the WNBA champ said. "They showed me the power of collective hands. Together, we can do hard things. I'm living proof of that."

"My family is whole and now, thanks to you, we are fortunate to get to spend the holidays together. However, there remain too many families with loved ones wrongfully detained."

The 32-year-old specifically brings up the former Marine, who's serving a 16-year prison sentence in Russia for an espionage charge in 2018, saying she wants people to show the same amount of love for Whelan as he remains behind bars.

"I hope you'll join me in writing to Paul Whelan and continuing to advocate for other Americans to be rescued and returned to their families," Griner said.

Of course, Whelan -- as well as many Americans -- is displeased with President Joe Biden and the administration for not including him in the prisoner swap for Griner earlier this month .... especially since he claims he "was arrested for a crime that never occurred."

"I'm ready to go home," Whelan said to CNN hours after the U.S. exchanged arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner.

"I just need an airplane to come and get me."

The U.S. government says Russia was not willing to make a deal including Whelan ... claiming several attempts were made.