TMZ Sports - Page 50

Tyreek Hill's very fast ... for a football player, according to U.S. track star Christian Coleman who tells us Cheetah's 60-meter run was "impressive," but not world-class.

27-year-old Coleman -- the fastest man to ever run the 60m (6.34 seconds) -- joined Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... and was asked for a scouting report on 29-year-old Hill's performance at the USA Track Masters Indoor Championship event in Louisville, KY on Saturday.

"In my opinion it was impressive. Major respect for getting out there and actually running," Coleman said, adding ... "I would say for a season opener, 6.70, I don't know when's the last time he actually ran. So, it's pretty impressive to me."

As you can see, Hill easily won the race, though Tyreek wasn't running against elite racers, and that was clear. Ty DUSTED them.

"He knew what he was doing going to a masters event," Coleman said. "Not going up against real pros who might have a chance to beat him."

Tyreek's not exactly a fish out of water on the track. He was a real deal track star in high school, winning 2 state titles as a sprinter. He was even named an All-American. Hill also competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, finishing 6th in the 200-meter (20.14) at trials. But, that was 10+ years ago.

It's also worth noting, while only 5'10", Hill's very stocky. Obviously, muscle is heavy, and carrying around weight makes running fast difficult.

We asked Coleman, who set the 60m world record in 2018, what the Dolphin's wide receiver's ceiling would be if he were to concentrate solely on track.

"I think if he kept training and I think if he actually dedicated himself to lifting for track and set himself up to actually peak, I think he can go down to the 6.5 low range for sure."

A respectable time ... but Christian makes it clear, "I don't think he'd ever be able to beat me."

And, Coleman's willing to prove it on the track. The former 2x world champion and former 100-meter king says he's down to run against Cheetah, with proceeds going to charity.

"I would be up for the race. If I was him I wouldn't take the race. I would love to maybe set something up, if we could do something for charity. I would be down for the race," Christian said.

As for the distance ... CC, who once ran a 4.12 40-yard dash -- says Hill can pick.

Ja Morant is making one thing clear -- the gun he flashed in a Colorado strip club was NOT his -- but as far as whose weapon it was, the NBA star is remaining tight-lipped.

The Grizzlies guard sat down for a one-on-one interview with ESPN's Jalen Rose on Wednesday -- shortly after his 8-game suspension was announced -- and he was asked straight-up who owned the gun he showed off on Instagram Live on March 4.

"The gun wasn't mine," Morant said. "It's not who I am. I don't condone any type of violence, but I take full responsibility for my actions."

"I made a bad mistake and I can see the image I painted over myself with my recent mistakes," he added. "But, in the future, I will show everybody who Ja really is, what I'm about and change this narrative."

Morant -- who hasn't played for the Grizzlies since March 3 -- said he's been in a good mental place following the incident ... and he spent his time away from the game speaking with therapists, getting reiki treatment and working on anxiety breathing to help deal with stress.

Morant added he realized he needed help when he made the video ... and his daughter inspired him to open up about his issues with professionals.

The All-Star also discussed his meeting with Adam Silver ... and he said it was a productive conversation, as the commish voiced support for him.

Morant says he still takes pride in being a role model ... saying, "I realize I have a lot of kids who look up to me. Even probably some adults, a lot of fans."

Need help filling out your bracket? Well, you can now get a Presidential assist from Barack Obama -- 'cause he just unveiled his 2023 picks ... and he thinks Duke will win it all!!

No. 44 -- who's been fillin' out brackets for years, even when he was in office -- posted his prediction on his Twitter page Wednesday afternoon, showing he's got a Final Four of Baylor, Duke, Houston and UCLA.

"It’s the best time of year!" he said while announcing his picks. "My #MarchMadness brackets will get busted soon enough, but here are my picks. Who do you have winning it all?"

Barry O didn't have too many upset selections -- although he's clearly a believer in the Iona Cinderella story, taking the No. 13 seed to not only beat UConn in the first round ... but to also advance to the Sweet 16.

Obama also filled out a women's tournament bracket -- believing South Carolina, Stanford, Virginia Tech and Indiana will advance to the Final Four there. His champion was S.C.

Le'Veon Bell is channeling his inner Rocky in preparation for his next fight ... getting in an insane ab workout this week that looked more like torture than a typical sweat sesh.

The former NFL superstar is boxing YouTuber JMX in April ... and he's clearly taking it seriously, 'cause check out footage of the work he got in at the gym on Wednesday -- it's intense.

The ex-running back -- who quit football in 2022 to focus on his boxing career -- laid on the ground shirtless ... while one of his training partners heaved a weighted ball right at his stomach.

Bell took shot after shot after shot, obviously in pain each time -- but he kept coming back for more.

Eventually, after at least six body blows -- he tapped out ... but he made sure to show afterward how strong his abs were.

The training should come in handy for Bell next month -- as his upcoming opponent doesn't appear to be any sort of tomato can. If you're unfamiliar, JMX is 4-0 in his celeb fights -- and is coming off an impressive knockout win over TikToker Ginty.

Then again, Bell KO'ed Adrian Peterson last year and also gave MMA star Uriah Hall a run in the ring a few weeks later.

Kobe Bryant's hand and footprints were forever enshrined at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, and the Bryant family was on hand for the moving ceremony ... with Natalia Bryant delivering an emotional speech about her dad.

Mamba's prints were originally cast in February 2011 -- the day before KB was named All-Star Game MVP -- but were permanently displayed on Wednesday in front of the iconic theatre.

Until today, the one-of-a-kind concrete was displayed inside the theatre and was only visible to fans seeing a show.

"I'm honored to be here today to recognize the man we all knew and love, my dad, Kobe Bryant," Natalia Bryant told fans at the ceremony, also attended by Lakers owner Jeannie Buss and Byron Scott.

"When most people knew him as a basketball player or storyteller, I got to know him and love him as my dad and let me tell you, he's the MVP of girl dads, to say the least."

"As you visit here for years to come, I encourage you to place your hands in his and take a moment to stand in his shoes."

Natalia, who is studying film in college, was clearly touched her pops was honored at such an historic location.

"Dad, you are an icon, a legend, a storyteller," Natalia said ... "And, most important, the best girl dad any young woman can dream of."

Kobe was the first athlete to have his hands and feet stamped in concrete.

Bones Hyland has only been a Clipper for a minute, but the former Nuggets star can already bond with his new teammates over a horrific incident they experienced last month ... admitting "we thought it was over wit" after their plane was struck by lightning.

It all went down on Feb. 25 -- the Clippers were flying to Denver for a contest against Hyland's former team the following day ... when disaster suddenly struck.

The Clippers' team plane began to shake and rattle moments after departing from LAX ... and several players reported hearing a loud bang before the plane's engine went silent momentarily.

"Us players, we're trying to nap away," Eric Gordon told ESPN, calling it the second-worst flight he has experienced in his 15 NBA seasons. "Oh, everybody was up after that for sure."

The engine eventually came back on ... but multiple staffers aboard the aircraft echoed Gordon's sentiments -- saying it was one of the worst moments they've experienced on a flight, according to the outlet.

The Delta Air Lines plane transporting the Clippers landed safely in Colorado ... but the team noticed visible damage on the tail of the aircraft, indicating it had, indeed, been struck by lightning.

As if the lightning-strike scare wasn't horrifying enough ... just four days later, the team was walking the tarmac at LAX to board their charter flight to San Francisco when it started hailing.

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue quipped, "Our luck was so bad, we even got struck by lightning."

It's the end of an era in Dallas ... the Cowboys are cutting Ezekiel Elliott.

The team made the move on Wednesday afternoon, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, to rid themselves of the 27-year-old's massive contract -- severing ties with the running back who had arguably been the Cowboys' most popular player since 2016.

Elliott was a monster for Dallas after it drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick seven years ago ... piling up huge numbers -- even in some of his worst years.

In his Cowboys career, he logged 8,262 rushing yards, 2,336 receiving yards and 80 total touchdowns.

But, Elliott's play declined shortly after he inked a six-year, $90 million contract with the team in 2019 ... and with his deal set to put a huge strain on the Cowboys' salary cap this season, they decided to part ways with him.

Elliott finishes his career as one of Dallas' best tailbacks of all time -- ranking third behind Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett for most Cowboys rushing yards ever.

It's unclear where the three-time Pro Bowler will head next ... after battling a myriad of injuries and only running for 3.8 yards per carry in 2022, a market for his services might not be robust.

Either way, we're sure Dak Prescott -- Elliott's best bud for nearly the past decade -- is pretty sad about it all.

Jalen Carter's March didn't get any better on Wednesday ... the top NFL draft prospect struggled in front of scouts at his Pro Day at the Univ. of Georgia.

Just two weeks after he was hit with criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in a fatal January car crash, Carter took the field at UGA in an attempt to prove he still belonged as a top-five pick ... and by all accounts, he had a rough day.

Reporters on the scene said he showed up at 323 pounds -- nine lbs heavier than what he weighed at the NFL's scouting combine some 14-or-so days ago.

Carter opted out of most physical testing -- including the 40-yard dash. He did, however, compete in on-field drills, but according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach, he was winded and cramping throughout the workout -- and ended things early.

Reps from all 32 teams -- including NFL head coaches Arthur Smith, Matt Eberflus and Mike Tomlin -- watched it all go down.

Carter did not speak to media members at the event.

It's unclear where Carter's status as a draft pick now currently stands. At one point this offseason, he was considered to be a frontrunner for the No. 1 overall spot. Now, however, it's all up in the air.

Carter is facing two misdemeanor charges after he was accused of racing UGA staffer Chandler LeCroy on Jan. 15 in Athens, Ga. before she crashed, killing her and Bulldogs football player Devin Willock.

Carter said after the allegations were made public on March 1, "There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing" -- but the case remains ongoing.

Damar Hamlin's appearance on "The Masked Singer" was a powerful moment for those in attendance ... with judge Ken Jeong freaking out at the sight of the Bills safety!!

TMZ Sports broke the story -- Damar and his little brother, Damir, were guests at "The Masked Singer" last month ... the NFLer's first public outing after he suffered cardiac arrest on the field during Monday Night Football on Jan. 2.

The full clip of Hamlin's cameo during the show's "Sesame Street Night" episode has now been released via People ... showing Damir -- a big fan of Big Bird and Co. -- talking with Elmo before introducing Damar, who walked onstage and waved to the crowd.

The video shows just how incredible the segment was for everyone involved -- especially Jeong, who could not contain his excitement.

"I'm just so glad you're here, but more importantly, I'm just so glad you're healthy," Jeong said in the video. "The whole world loves you."

Damar explained to host Nick Cannon why he decided to attend the taping ... saying, "Mainly because my brother. That's my world. I put family first and he loves Sesame Street more than most things. So we had to make it tonight."

Ja Morant was just hit with an 8-game suspension without pay for flashing a gun at a strip club earlier this month ... with NBA commissioner Adam Silver calling his conduct "irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous."

Ja -- who met with Silver and other NBA execs in NYC on Wednesday -- will be eligible to return to the Memphis Grizzlies on March 20 against the Dallas Mavericks.

The league conducted an investigation into the incident ... and determined Ja was "in an intoxicated state" when he showed the firearm on his Instagram Live.

The league says the investigation could not determine Ja owned the gun, brought it to the club, or even had it "beyond a brief period."

The league also says its investigation did not find that Morant had the gun while traveling with the Grizzlies or at any NBA facility.

Morant apologized shortly after the video surfaced ... and sought treatment at a counseling program in Florida.

Silver didn't hold back when addressing Morant's actions ... saying, "Ja's conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous."

"It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior."

Silver says Morant has "made it clear" he used the incident as a learning experience ... and he now understands his role as one of the faces of the NBA.

The son of Philadelphia Flyers interim GM Daniel Briere -- Mercyhurst Univ. ice hockey player Carson Briere -- has been accused of shoving a woman's wheelchair down a flight of stairs over the weekend ... and now, cops say they're investigating the matter.

The incident was captured on a bar's security camera at around midnight on Saturday.

In the footage, you can see two men walk up a staircase and notice a wheelchair sitting at the top of it. One of the men, identified online as Briere, wearing a backward white hat and a dark-colored sweatshirt, then sits in it, before attempting to wheel around in it.

Eventually, Briere gets out of the chair -- before pushing it down the stairs. He then walks away from the scene.

Twitter user @juliazukowski -- who first posted the video -- claims the chair had been left at the top of the stairs because its owner "physically had to be carried down to use the restrooms." She created a GoFundMe page on Wednesday, to raise money for a new chair.

Mercyhurst University said in a statement after the video began circulating on social media that it -- and police -- have launched an investigation into it all.

"Late this afternoon, Mercyhurst University became aware of the disturbing video in which one of our student-athletes is seen pushing an unoccupied wheelchair down a flight of stairs at a local establishment," school officials said in a statement Tuesday. "Our Office of Student Conduct and Department of Police and Safety are investigating."

The school would not confirm Carson Briere was at the center of the probe ... telling TMZ Sports on Wednesday morning, "We are just beginning our investigation and cannot comment on the process."

Carson Briere joined the Mercyhurst hockey team back in 2020. He had previously played for Arizona State's ice hockey team, but was dismissed from the team after the program said he violated rules.

In his three seasons with the Lakers, he's tallied 59 points.

His father, 45-year-old Daniel Briere, played in the NHL for 17 seasons, and was just named the Flyers' interim GM on Friday. We reached out to the NHL team for comment, but so far, no word back yet.

Georgina Rodriguez is opening up on the death of her and Cristiano Ronaldo's twin baby boy ... breaking down in tears as she relived the tragedy.

"This year I had the best and the worst moment of my life in an instant," the 29-year-old said in a trailer for her Netflix show released on Wednesday.

Rodriguez was overcome with emotion as she discussed the aftermath of the devastating experience that impacted their family last April ... saying, "Life is hard. Life goes on."

"I have reasons to move on and be strong."

The clip shows the soccer superstar with their newborn baby, Bella Esmeralda ... and Rodriguez said he was a rock for her as they did their best to return to normalcy.

"Cris really encouraged me to continue with my agenda," Rodriguez added. "He said, 'Gio, get on with life. It'll do you good.'"

"My priority right now is my family and my children," she said. "I'm so happy and thankful."

Aaron Rodgers just admitted he wants to be a New York Jet in 2023 ... saying it's clear to him the Green Bay Packers no longer want him.

The star quarterback broke everything down about his current situation on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday afternoon -- saying as of last Friday, he had decided to not retire ... and his intention is to now "play for the New York Jets."

He added that following conversations with Green Bay execs, he believed the Packers "would like to move on" as well.

Rodgers said he's not the one holding up an official Green Bay to NY trade from going through -- saying it's the Packers who are the ones preventing a deal. He explained ... his former team is still trying to work out compensation for the QB.

The 39-year-old said he harbors no ill will toward his former team for the way it's all going down now ... but he did say he wished the Packers had been more honest with him following the season.

He told McAfee that, initially, Green Bay brass had said "take as long as you want" ... and "if you want to come back and play, the door is wide open."

But, Rodgers -- who admitted he had seriously considered retiring ("90 percent," he called it) prior to his darkness retreat in late February -- said things changed when he returned from isolation.

"Multiple people that I trust around the league said that there was some shopping going on," Rodgers said. "[The Packers] were interested in moving me."

He added, "They're ready to move on with Jordan [Love]. That's awesome. Jordan is going to be a great player, he's a great kid."

No word yet on when a trade will happen -- but one thing is clear, it appears to be truly a matter of "when" now ... no longer "if."

Mark Wahlberg is a damn prophet -- the actor's long-standing prediction that Baker Mayfield would be Tom Brady's successor actually came true on Wednesday ... with the quarterback signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency.

Wahlberg spoke highly of the former first-overall pick with TMZ Sports on three separate occasions dating back to June 2018 ... saying Bake was the guy to take over for TB12 when the 7-time Super Bowl champion decided to retire.

Of course, Mark's initial prophecy wasn't completely accurate -- he was hoping Mayfield would take the reins in a New England Patriots uniform ... but that was before Brady moved to the Buccaneers.

We're not gonna focus on that minor detail -- after all, who could have imagined back in 2018 Brady would ever wear another uniform?!

Mayfield -- who's become buddies with Wahlberg over the years -- is joining the Bucs on a 1-year deal worth up to $8.5 million ... and has a good shot at lining up under center for Tampa Bay when the season rolls around.

Ja Morant is a product of the gangsta rap he hears every day -- so says his elder NBA statesman Patrick Beverly, who also thinks the embattled All-Star can make a proper comeback.

Pat Bev recently weighed in on the Ja situation on his Barstool Sports podcast, and pinpointed today's rap music as the catalyst for the 22-year-old's shocking downward spiral.

PB said, "I think music has a lot to do with this now. Especially with this culture, everybody holding a gun in the video is okay, bling on your teeth that's okay, pants halfway down your ass, that's okay."

The current Chicago Bull also valued music from "back in the day" over today's tunes ... "The culture now is ‘shoot 'em up, bang, bang, shoot 'em up, bend you over, I got this amount of money, I’m on private jets, that that that.’ That’s what the younger generation is."

Bev also speculated had Eminem rapped about totin' guns, his rabid fan base would've followed suit, but instead, they opted to copy Slim Shady's baggy hoodies and jeans from the "8 Mile" era.

On Monday, Ja entered a counseling program and is rumored to miss the remainder of the Memphis Grizzlies' season. He's been vocal about the hardcore hip hop he consumes before games -- citing Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, NBA YoungBoy and the incarcerated Pooh Shiesty as his go-to rappers.

Pat Bev's commentary may mirror old-school ethos -- repeated by OGs like Melle Mel -- but younger crops of rappers have been voicing similar opinions regarding the state of hip hop.

Was Darren Waller traded because his head coach Josh McDaniels wasn't invited to his wedding?!

Well, maybe. At the very least, McDaniels is anti-love.

Of course, 30-year-old Waller was traded to the New York Giants Tuesday, prompting Robert Griffin III to fire off a tweet.

"Darren Waller JUST GOT MARRIED to Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces and Josh McDaniels’ wedding present was to trade him to the New York Giants. McDaniels is NOT a romantic."

Plum saw RG3's tweet and responded ... "Prolly cause he wasn’t invited to the wedding lol"

FYI, Waller and Plum married just 11 days ago, and officially became Mr. and Mrs. following a beautiful ceremony on March 4.

Now, it's entirely possible Kelsey and Darren had a small/intimate wedding, and no one from the Raiders attended.

However, there are reports there was tension between Waller and McDaniels.

In fact, Waller -- who played four seasons with the Raiders -- was upset with McDaniels, according to Vic Tafur from The Athletic ... after the new coach leaked news of their private wedding to reporters at the NFL Combine.

Whatever the reason for trading an elite player, Plum says they're stoked to be coming to the Big Apple!

"Actually couldn't be better, we're so excited," Plum said on Instagram after the trade. "NY let's get it 💙."