TMZ Sports - Page 50

Damar Hamlin has the green light to throw on his helmet and shoulder pads once again -- the Bills safety is "fully cleared" to resume his football career just three and a half months after suffering cardiac arrest during a game, Brandon Beane announced Tuesday.

The Buffalo general manager shared the incredible update just minutes ago ... saying Hamlin's team of specialists are "in agreement" that he is able to resume his football career.

In fact, Beane says Hamlin has been working out lately -- just like any other athlete would after going down with an injury.

"He's fully cleared," Beane told reporters. "He's here, and he is of the mindset, he's in a great headspace to come back and make his return."

Hamlin hasn't played since his medical emergency during "Monday Night Football" on Jan. 2 ... and has used his near-death experience to spread awareness for CPR training and AED accessibility.

Back in February, Hamlin announced his intentions to return to the field in an interview with Michael Strahan ... saying, "That's always the goal, like I said, as a competitor, I'm trying to do things to keep advancing my situation."

"Bu, I'm allowing that to be in God's hands. I'm just thankful he gave me a second chance."

Bills coach Sean McDermott also addressed the news ... adding, "Super excited for Damar.  He's moving forward one step at a time. We'll provide all the mental health we can. Just taking it one day at a time."

A "Just Stop Oil" protester interrupted Monday's Snooker World Championship event by pouring orange dye on the billiards table and causing the match to be called off.

The wild scene unfolded at the Crucible Theatre in England ... Robert Milkins and Joe Perry were squaring off in the first round when two protesters disrupted the proceedings.

FYI, Snooker is a cue sport resembling pool played on a 6-pocket rectangular billiards table covered with a green felt-like cloth called baize.

A 30-year-old male protester wearing a "Just Stop Oil" shirt emerged from out of nowhere ... leaped onto the billiards table, and poured an orange substance all over the table.

Simultaneously, a 52-year-old woman, also a JTO protester, tried disrupting another match between Mark Allen and Fan Zhengyi, but officials quickly intervened.

The "Just Stop Oil" group took accountability for the incident, confirming two supporters were responsible for disrupting the tourney, and were ultimately arrested for the stunt.

"They are demanding that the Government immediately stop all new UK fossil fuel projects and are calling on UK sporting institutions to step into in civil resistance against the Government’s genocidal policies," the group said in a tweet.

Chris Smith -- a former NFL defensive end who was playing in the XFL this season -- has passed away, according to his agent. He was only 31.

NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed the devastating news via Twitter on Tuesday, sending condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.

"Rest in Peace Chris," Rosenhaus tweeted. "We will miss you."

Details surrounding his passing are unknown at this time.

Several tributes from fans and athletes were shared on social media after the announcement, including Buffalo Bills' Shaq Lawson who tweeted, "Man prayers up for Chris Smith family."

"This one hurts."

Cleveland Browns star David Njoku said the death of Smith is heartbreaking as he was a "hometown hero" and had "such a kind soul."

Smith was a fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft after spending four seasons with the Arkansas Razorbacks where he was named Second-team All-SEC.

The North Carolina native played for the Jaguars, Bengals, Browns, Panthers, Raiders, Ravens, and Texans during his 8-year NFL career. He had 80 total tackles, 11 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.

During the 2018-19 season with the Browns, Smith's girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Petara Cordero, was tragically killed after she was struck by a passing car after getting out of Chris's car.

Smith was starting a new career in the XFL and just signed with the Seattle Sea Dragons on March 9.

R.I.P.

Country star Jessie James Decker is calling out United Airlines for its alleged treatment of her pregnant sister ... who, according to Jessie, was forced to get on her hands and knees to pick up some popcorn.

Even before Jessie sounded off, the incident went viral because her sister Sydney is married to Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass -- and he was first to rip into United, claiming flight attendants made his wife get on the floor to pick up the kernels their daughter dropped.

With the online backlash in full swing, Jessie's adding to it by revealing on IG that Sydney's "five months pregnant, high risk, and also traveling alone with her two small children."

Jessie continued ... "The flight attendant came up to Sydney with a trash bag, and a wet wipe, telling her the captain wants Syd to clean up every drop" -- adding they called the scattered food a safety hazard.

She says Sydney was left in tears after her clean-up duty ... and now there's a push on Twitter for United to apologize.

Many chalked it up to laziness on the attendant's part, but there are some people backing United -- one user tweeted, "Commercial airlines are not your children’s playground. Pick it up and take responsibility for your kids."

We covered it all in the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms!

Draymond Green has found himself in hot water once again ... this time, the Warriors star was ejected from a playoff game Monday night -- after he stomped on an opponent's chest.

The wild incident happened in the fourth quarter of Golden State's Game 2 matchup with the Kings in Sacramento ... when Green got tangled up with Domantas Sabonis following a missed basket.

You can see in video of the play ... Sabonis crashed to the ground while trying to position himself for a rebound -- and he landed near Green's legs.

Sabonis then made a clear attempt to hold Green's right ankle -- and in response, Draymond kicked down right on the Kings star's sternum.

Sabonis screamed out in obvious pain -- and refs stopped the game immediately. They would go on to review the play.

But, as they checked out replays of the incident ... Green got into it with fans, who trash-talked him and flipped him off.

Eventually, refs hit Sabonis with a technical foul for grabbing Green ... but tossed the Warriors forward from the game, determining his stomp was worthy of a flagrant 2.

The Warriors went on to lose without Green -- who appeared pissed over the call afterward.

"My leg got grabbed," the 33-year-old said. "Second time in two nights. Referees just watched it. I gotta land my foot somewhere. And I'm not the most flexible person. So that's not stretching that far."

For Sabonis' part, he ripped Green for the play, telling reporters, "There is no room for that in our game today." He required X-rays ... but, reportedly, he avoided injury.

Green is no stranger to controversy -- especially this season ... you'll recall, he stepped away from the Warriors for several days in October after socking his teammate, Jordan Poole, during a practice.

"The Mighty Ducks" star Shaun Weiss is taking his past addiction problems and arrests, and turning it all into comedic gold -- using it as brand new material for his stand-up career ... and it's pretty freakin' hysterical.

Shaun got candid about his addiction at the Mic Drop Comedy Club in San Diego this month, taking incredibly serious source material and turning it into stand-up ammo.

He got the crowd laughing pretty hard by poking fun at his own mugshot from his 2020 arrest. He dives deep into his struggles with substance abuse -- with some wit of course -- and gets a roar of applause when he announces he's now 3 years sober.

Check out his last bit about what his "triggers" are for wanting to use drugs. Again, he's probably not joking ... yet he finds a way to crack up the crowd.

Shaun, who played Goldberg in 'Ducks,' has been working on his stand-up act for a little over a year. He's currently on the road and says, "100% of the proceeds go toward helping a child actor stay off drugs."

As we reported, the former child star opened for fellow comedian Russell Peters at a show last year ... following his time living on the streets and having several run-ins with the law.

BTW, Shaun tells us he was recently hired by the treatment center where he used to be a patient to be a sober coach and interventionalist.

He's looking to jump-start a program that helps people turn their personal trauma into comedic material, just like he's doing.

Aliyah Boston -- the top pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft -- believes NIL deals for college hoops stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark could change the league ... and by that, she means bigger paychecks for the players!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the former South Carolina forward/center recently in New York City ... just as the "NIL deals vs. WNBA salaries" conversation started to trend over Reese's reported income from brand deals

According to On3, the LSU star's projected earnings grew to $876k after her Final Four performance ... which is more than any WNBA player's 2023 salary, including Diana Taurasi, who'll make $234,936 this year.

This revelation was met with a lot of criticism, considering pros like Taurasi and A'ja Wilson make less than college student-athletes. But, Boston -- who will play for the Indiana Fever this upcoming season -- believes it could actually force the league to increase their salaries.

"Everything that's happening is to grow the game," the 21-year-old said. "I just think no matter how it goes, I just think it's all just to grow the game."

The 2022 Naismith Women's College Player of the Year also believes it's a personal decision whether a college athlete wants to stay in school or not ... saying they must do "what's best for them."

Michael Thomas has dealt with injuries the last few seasons, but the NFL star's still strong as an ox ... and the proof's on video!

30-year-old Thomas -- 6'3", 212 lbs. -- flexed (literally) on Instagram on Monday, deadlifting 530 lbs. for one rep using a trap bar ... and doing it with what looked like relative ease.

It probably shouldn't come as a shock ... Thomas is one of the world's most elite athletes. Prior to being drafted in 2016, Michael put up 18 reps of 225 lbs. ... better than three-fourths of the other athletes at the wide receiver position.

Thomas played in only three games in the 2022 season ... after missing all of the 2021 campaign. In 2020, MT played in 7 games. But, prior to 2020, Thomas was arguably the best wideout in the game. He caught 149 passes in 2019, scoring 9 touchdowns.

FYI, the deadlift world record is held by Hafthor Björnsson -- aka "The Mountain" -- who pulled an absurd 1,105 lbs. in May 2020. But, Thor weighed around 450 lbs. ... so, Thomas' lift is damn impressive!

Hip-hop legend E-40 will not be attending Game 2 between the Warriors and the Kings Monday night ... after he was kicked out of Game 1 for what he claims was "racial bias."

Shams Charania just tweeted the news ... saying a rep for the Bay Area rapper said 40 wouldn't be at the Golden 1 Center to see his Warriors play following Game 1's incident. TMZ Sports also confirmed the news.

ICYMI ... E-40 was escorted out of the Kings arena Saturday night after a heated confrontation with Kings fans and security.

40, a big Warriors fan, sitting courtside for Game 1, was accused of standing up and blocking the view of the fans sitting behind him during the game, causing them to complain to arena personnel.

After an alleged back-and-forth, 40 was ultimately booted from the game, missing the end of the Kings' 126-123 win over his Dubs.

The rapper sees the situation differently, releasing a lengthy statement explaining he was "subjected to disrespectful heckling" throughout the game, admitting he "turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner."

40 said the ordeal was another reminder that "racial bias remains prevalent," explaining "security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault."

The Warriors will look to tie up the series against Sacramento ... but they'll have to do it without their number one celebrity fan in the building.

As for 40, he'll be back in the building in San Fran this Thursday for game 3!

NHL legend Zdeno Chára just added another accomplishment to his resume ... the former Bruins star completed the famed Boston Marathon in just over 3 1/2 hours!!

Zdeno finished the course -- 26.2 miles long -- on Monday in the 127th installment of the event, with a time of 03:38:23 ... good for an 8:20 min/mile pace.

FYI, the Boston Marathon features 30,000 athletes from more than 100 countries.

Chára -- who spent 24 years in the NHL -- got off to a good start ... running his first 3 miles in under 26 mins (25:32), and seemed to maintain that momentum the whole way through.

Check out the video ... Chára -- a 7x All Star and 2011 Stanley Cup winner with the Bruins -- crossed the finish line with his arms raised in the air and a smile on his face.

The 46-year-old -- who stands 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs around 250 pounds -- looked relieved after he completed the nearly four-hour journey with his fellow runners.

The Boston Marathon is a huge deal ... and regularly brings out many celebrities and athletes! Doug Flutie, Brock Holt and Ryan Dempster ran this year.

Brian Hartline, OSU OC and former NFL player, was allegedly drinking prior to riding an all-terrain vehicle with a buddy early Sunday morning that crashed and flipped, injuring the Buckeyes coach, according to BH's sister, who frantically called 911 trying to get help.

"My friend's husband called us and said 'call 911 right now.' So my brother is out with them and his wife just took a 4-wheeler out to them and I heard a really loud scream," Brian's 33-year-old sister Jamie told the 911 operator in a call obtained by TMZ Sports.

The operator then asked ... "Have they been drinking?"

Jaimie responded ... "Yes, they have!"

We also obtained a short clip from a police-worn body camera ... and it shows what appears to be an injured Brian on the ground while he receives help.

In the background is the flipped ATV.

As we previously reported, 36-year-old Hartline was on his estate in Liberty Township, OH around 1 AM Sunday, riding on the ATV with his friend, when something went wrong.

It's unclear who was driving at the time of the accident.

Hartline was named the Buckeyes WR coach in 2018 ... and worked his way up to OC.

Before he was a coach, Hartline played for the Buckeyes from 2005 to 2008. He was a 4th-round pick who suited up for the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns during his 7-year NFL career.

Braxton Berrios is taking post-breakup hotness to new heights (not that he didn't look amazing before) -- the newly signed Miami Dolphins receiver posted several shirtless pics in the gym, and ................ damn!

As we previously reported, the 27-year-old pro out of the University of Miami recently split from his girlfriend, Sophia Culpo, sister of Olivia. It's unclear who initiated the breakup but it'd probably not be too wild an assumption to think the model and social media star is missing those chiseled abs just a little.

A lot of Braxton's followers -- including some of his famous friends -- had fun with him in the comments. Golf star Justin Thomas comments, "Have a carb man"

Berrios responded... "Haven’t had one since 04’" 😂

New Fins teammate, QB Mike White also chimed in ... "Photoshopped"

Now, BB will be back in beautiful Miami, the city where he played his college ball ... and something tells us he won't have any trouble finding a new lady in his life.

Jalen Hurts just GOT PAID ... the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback just became the highest-paid NFL player ever (yearly) after signing a 5-year extension worth over a quarter of a billion dollars!

The blockbuster deal was announced Monday morning, per Adam Schefter ... which will pay Hurts $255M through the 2028 season, with $179.3 million guaranteed.

That means Hurts gets $51 million average annually, making him the highest-paid player ever!

That's more than Patrick Mahomes, who averages $45M annually.

Of course, none of these figures factor in endorsements, etc.

Hurts also has a no-trade clause in the deal, the first in Eagles' history ... and the organization confirmed the deal by tweeting, "QB1 is here to stay."

Hurts had an interesting journey to the NFL. He had an amazing career at Alabama before he was benched for Tua Tagovailoa in the 2018 CFP National Championship game.

Jalen ultimately transferred to Oklahoma for his senior year and was selected by the Eagles in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

From them, he's earned the fat contract.

He almost instantly became a star upon being named the starter ... logging 6,845 passing yards, and 38 passing touchdowns the last two seasons. But, he's not just a threat to throw the ball ... he also ran for 1,544 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

Hurts led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl since 2018 -- and became the youngest QB to ever make it to the big game.

He also made history with the most rushing yards and rushing TDs by a QB in the SB.

Congrats!! 💰💰💰

Brittany Matthews doesn't play when it comes to Jackson Mahomes ... and just told his "ignorant" detractors to "shut up" when it comes to attacking her brother-in-law on social media.

The wife of Super Bowl champ Patrick Mahomes went off during a Q&A sesh with fans via Instagram on Sunday ... with one person asking "how do you feel about the comments about your [Brother-In-Law]?"

The fan didn't single out any specific comments ... but Jackson's become a star in his own right, and has made headlines for everything from his TikTok dances to throwing water on Ravens fans to an alleged assault. And, for it all, Jackson's been on the receiving end of A LOT of criticism online.

Matthews responded to the question ... "They are ignorant."

"He is a human just trying to live his life and find his way and until you walk a day in his shoes (which no one ever will) you have no right to say s--- about him."

"So it's best to just shut up 👍."

Britt also took a shot at groupies when she was asked how she deals with women going after her NFL superstar husband.

"Lol it's actually really sad how disrespectful some women are," Matthews said. "But they are a waste of my time and not going to disturb my peace."

"But I did use to have a very hard time and get extremely annoyed. But I am now to a point where I could care less."

Patrick and Brittany have been together for 11 years and just celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary on March 12.

Brazilian soccer star Dani Alves -- who's been detained in Spain since January when a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in a club -- testified Monday he didn't assault anyone, but rather had consensual sex with the alleged victim.

According to the Associated Press, Alves testified there was a mutual attraction between him and the woman he's accused of sexually assaulting at a Barcelona nightclub on Dec. 30.

Alves initially denied any wrongdoing when the allegation was first made ... saying he didn't have sex with the woman, apparently fearing the admission would jeopardize his marriage.

"I would like to deny everything first," Alves said at the time. "I was there, in that location, with more people, having a good time. Everybody knows that I love to dance. Having a good time, but without invading the space of others."

"I'm very sorry, but I don't know who that young lady is. I don't know who she is. I've never seen her in my life," he said at the time.

But, Alves has since changed his story ... and now claims he did have sex, but it was consensual.

During a pretrial hearing, a judge denied his request to be released on bail, believing Alves to be a flight risk.

Brian Hartline -- offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team -- was hospitalized over the weekend after an early morning ATV crash ... but thankfully, coach says he's "doing well."

The accident happened at Hartline's estate in Liberty Township Ohio on Sunday, the day after Buckeyes' spring game, when his ATV crashed.

The 36-year-old, and a second male passenger, were transported to Riverside Hospital after suffering injuries ... but the good news is he's doing okay. Hartline even gave fans an encouraging update via Twitter after the incident.

"I appreciate everyones support," Hartline tweeted. "I crashed my side by side on my property and have been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. I am doing well."

Hartline was promoted from passing game coordinator to OC in January ... head coach Ryan Day said Brian had been "successful in every football capacity for which he has been engaged."

Hartline, who became OSU's wide receiver coach in 2018, has helped several Buckeye alumni become NFL stars including Garrett Wilson, Paris Campbell, and Terry McLaurin.

"He has progressed incredibly well from college to NFL receiver, and then from quality control coach to wide receivers coach to passing game coordinator. He figures things out quickly and he is more than ready to now transition to offensive coordinator."

Hartline also played for the Buckeyes from 2005 to 2008 and the 4th-round pick suited up for the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns during his 7-year NFL career.