TMZ Sports - Page 14

Nebraska football player Arik Gilbert was arrested early Tuesday morning after cops say he forced his way into a liquor store and burglarized the place for over $1,600 worth of merchandise, before being caught red-handed ... and the entire crime appears to have been captured on video.

21-year-old Gilbert, a former 5-star recruit who previously played for LSU and Georgia, was arrested outside SJ’s Liquor & Vape in Lincoln, NE around 2 AM this morning ... before being booked into the county jail on a burglary charge.

Gilbert was allegedly carrying various vape materials, lighters, and other stolen merch totaling $1,672, according to law enforcement.

TMZ Sports has obtained a photo of the alleged stolen items … showing an array of vapes and other materials.

Surveillance video captured the crime ... and a man said to be the 6'5", 275 lb. football star was seen throwing a chunk of cement through a door to gain access to the building. Once inside, he kicked a second door down, gaining access to SJ's shop.

The shirtless man, who covered his face, was then seen rummaging through the shop for several minutes.

While inside, police received a call for a possible break-in, and they rushed to the scene.

To his surprise, at least 8 police officers were waiting outside when he began exiting the shop. Gilbert threw down his bags, and jumped back with his hands up, startled, before being arrested without incident.

We spoke to the people at SJ's who tell us they've reopened the shop and are operating business as usual.

A youth soccer coach in Virginia claims he was savagely beaten by an out-of-control parent who attacked him with a metal water bottle ... causing serious damage, including a broken eye socket.

The shocking incident happened Saturday afternoon about an hour west of Washington D.C. in Manassas, VA, where a boys' team scrimmage was going down. Coach Vince Villanueva was manning the sideline ... and told FOX 5 D.C. he attempted to make a substitution in the game.

"The father went over to talk to the son and then when I went to get him and put him back in the game, I said 'Are you okay?' And he said, 'No he’s not,' and he said, 'Coach can I talk to you?'" Villanueva explained.

"Then everything went downhill from there."

Villanueva -- who was filling in for his friend at the Northern VA soccer club -- said the father started hitting him with a metal water bottle multiple times, leaving him with injuries on his face, including two swollen, black eyes and a fractured orbital.

Prince William County Police say they actually located the aggressor after he fled the scene ... and arrested a 45-year-old man, identified as Bletand Hoxha. He was charged with malicious wounding and is being held without bond.

Coach Villanueva was treated at the scene for his injuries ... and has a message for parents who lose their cool on coaches at kids' sporting events.

"Allow them to do their job and just, you know, just make a fun environment," Villanueva said.

"Kids have enough stress in life with everything else in the world. Allow them to have that moment, someplace to escape from it."

UFC fighter Natan Levy is hoping bullies everywhere take serious note of his recent beatdown of an internet troll ... saying on Tuesday he wants anyone who's even thinking of spewing hate speech going forward to know "words have consequences."

Levy absolutely mauled a smack-talking social media user named Ben recently ... after the guy had defended noted antisemite Nick Fuentes in an exchange on X.

Levy, who's Jewish, met the dude at his gym and pounded on him for several minutes -- forcing the guy to tap out.

Eventually, he got Ben to say on camera following the sparring sesh that six million people were murdered in the Holocaust -- an atrocity Ben didn't previously acknowledge.

When Levy joined Harvey and Charles on Tuesday's "TMZ Live" to talk about it all ... he said he was pleased with how it turned out with Ben -- and now, he wants others to keep the incident in mind before they hit their keyboards with similar nonsense.

"The big lesson I wanted to teach this guy -- and hopefully everybody who is watching -- is words have consequences," he said. "Actions have consequences."

"If you say something, you better stand behind it," he added, "'cause this hate turns into hate in the real world. So we need to cut it off."

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was accosted out of nowhere by a couple of fans ... getting knocked to the ground during his team's Monday night game against the Colorado Rockies.

The bizarre incident went down in the 7th inning at Denver's Coors Field when one fan dashed into the outfield and gave Acuña a huge hug.

Check out the video ... the hugger won't let go of Acuña as security guards run up to them and try to break it up.

Eventually, the guards pull the dude off Acuña ... but Acuña isn't out of the woods just yet.

Another fan sprints up to Acuña and bumps into him, causing him to fall on his butt. More guards respond and haul away the two rowdy men.

As for Acuña ... he told reporters after the game he was okay, but felt a bit scared by the fans, who wanted to take photos with him.

We've reached out to Denver PD to see if they got involved ... so far no word back.

By the way, the Braves trounced the Rockies 14-4 ... and Acuña had one of his biggest games of the year despite the incident, logging 5 RBIs.

Bronny James is already back in the USC classroom just a month after going into cardiac arrest, according to head hoops coach Andy Enfield ... who's hoping his star freshman makes a return to the hardwood very soon!

Enfield met with reporters on Monday and provided an update on the star 18-year-old freshman hooper ... and it's positive news!

"The good thing is [Bronny's] doing extremely well and he's in class right now. And we all love him," Enfield said.

"I think everybody is hopeful that Bronny will return to the court. We just have to be patient and take it step by step."

Whether he returns to the court or not, Enfield made it clear James' well-being is most important, and they plan to take things slowly.

"Our goal is to support Bronny in any way we can academically, athletically, and be patient with how things develop in his return."

Of course, the James family made a major revelation on Friday, announcing Bronny's cardiac arrest resulted from an "anatomically and functionally significant Congenital Heart Defect."

It sounds scary ... but it's actually good news, according to doctors, who say the birth defect can be treated.

"We are confident in Bronny's full recovery and return to basketball in the near future," the James statement read.

Despite not playing basketball, we've seen Bronny out, living his life. In fact, he recently hit up a Dodgers game and Drake concert with LeBron.

James was a 4-star recruit coming out of Sierra Canyon in L.A. ... where he was regarded as one of the top 50 high school basketball players in the country.

Conor McGregor went balls-out during his most recent training session ... putting his bulge on display as he sweated it out in a pair of Versace undies -- and it looks like a scene straight out of "American Psycho."

The Notorious posted the odd video on Tuesday ... showing him crushing it on a stationary bike as he jammed to Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible."

If the clip makes you think of Christian Bale's Patrick Bateman character from the 2000 flick, it's by design -- Conor captioned the social media post, "American Psycho II."

Of course, McGregor is getting ready for a fight against Michael Chandler ... and while he claims the bout is slated for UFC 296 in December, Dana White's organization has yet to confirm the info.

Either way, Conor clearly wants everyone to see he's busting his ass as he prepares for a return ... winking at the camera and smiling as he pedaled away on his yacht.

Conor's followers loved it ... with UFC great Urijah Faber saying, "F***ing classic," and announcer Jon Anik adding, "Let’s f***in’ go, champ."

Better call him Jimmy 9 Gs now!!!

Jimmy Garoppolo took flight in a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon recently to prep for his first season as a Raider ... and his run in the jet was so intense -- he got up to speeds of 1,500 MPH!!

The new Las Vegas quarterback hit up Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada for the jaunt through the skies with the Thunderbirds ... and the ultra-experienced pilots wasted no time making sure he was ready to be put through the ringer.

The 31-year-old signal-caller -- whose grandfather is a Marine Corps veteran -- got prepped on how he should breathe while in the back seat of the cockpit ... before he then strapped in with Maj. Taylor "Flash" Wight in the "Viper" for a wild ride.

At first, Wight toured Vegas somewhat slowly with a few tricks ... but then he hit the gas -- and put Jimmy into Mach 2, where 2,000 pounds of pressure were lurched onto the QB's frame.

Somehow, though, Garoppolo held his own.

"Let's go!" he yelled in the jet once they slowed back down. "That's nuts!"

Eventually, the guys made it safely to the ground ... where Garoppolo lauded the experience.

Sister Jean is proof age ain't nothin' but a number!

The famous chaplain for the Loyola men's basketball team threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Brewers-Cubs game ... at an astounding 104 YEARS OLD!!

Jean Dolores Schmidt -- Sister Jean's government name -- showed off her fastball Monday night at Wrigley Field before the Chicago Cub's played the Milwaukee Brewers.

Sister Jean rocked her custom Cubs 'fit ... and tossed a better ball than 50 Cent and Conor McGregor.

No shade!

Of course, this wasn't Sister Jean's first time on the mound ... she's a pro! Last year she tossed the first pitch to celebrate her 103rd birthday!

This year's celebration isn't over just yet ... Loyola is hosting a block party on Thursday in her honor.

Sister Jean is known to be the life of the party ... first rising to fame nationally as the Loyola Ramblers went on an NCAA tourney run, making it to the Final Four, and Jean was their good luck charm.

In fact, Sister Jean was so popular, her bobblehead sold for over $300 on eBay.

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann might be in the middle of yet ANOTHER divorce, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her hand and listening to what she's got to say.

The ex-'RHOA' star and her daughter, Brielle Biermann landed at LAX Monday and were asked all about Kim's pending case -- after Kroy recently re-filed divorce docs.

Check this out, 'cause it's interesting -- when KZ is asked if she and Kroy are truly dunzo -- she makes sure to flash her wedding band, which Brielle explicitly points out as still "on."

Kim says she already knew Kroy was going to file again, but indicates she's not really worried about it ... and that, perhaps, he'll pull the docs.

The photog presses Kim on some underlying issues that seem to be affecting her marriage -- like finances, for instance -- and the matriarch says those sorts of weigh on all matrimonies.

Brielle's also got some financial issues of her own -- TMZ was first to report she's on the wrong end of a lawsuit from a credit card company -- but she says that's been handled.

One last thing that stands out in the chat ... Brielle pitches a potential new Bravo show that she thinks could benefit all the 'Real Housewives' kids -- and if Andy Cohen was receptive to it in a recent meeting Kim says they had ... she could be back on reality TV one day.

Lots to digest with this one -- we'll see how it all shakes out, but Kim sounds optimistic.

Max Verstappen's Hungarian Grand Prix trophy has been made whole again -- the F1 superstar was gifted a fixed award after it was destroyed during a post-race champagne celebration last month ... and he's not letting his buddy Lando Norris come near it!!

The 25-year-old Red Bull driver showed off his repaired keepsake in a selfie with the culprit on Tuesday ... and both guys joked about the mishap after Max was reunited with his prize.

""Fantastic, it's in one piece!!" Max said.

"Don't let me touch it," the McLaren star joked ... to which Max responded, "Yeah, Lando's not allowed to touch it."

Of course, Lando knocked Max's trophy off a ledge as the podium finishers celebrated with bottles of bubbly after the July 23 race ... and after he initially joked it off, he later apologized for the accident.

"I obviously had no intention in ever doing such a thing," Lando said days after the race. "I know how much it means to the Hungarians and part of their culture and so forth ... and I did apologize to Max."

Barack and Michelle Obama cheered on Novak Djokovic from the front row of the tennis superstar's US Open match Monday night ... an interesting sight -- considering the trio couldn't have been more in disagreement over the COVID vaccine for the past few years.

No. 44 and his wife were spotted clapping after most of the Joker's points in his dominant win over Alexandre Muller at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

The match marked the first time Djokovic was able to participate in the famous tournament since 2021 -- as he wasn't allowed to travel to the U.S. last year due to his unwillingness to get the COVID vax.

Of course, the Obamas have staunchly urged people to get the jab since it became available years ago -- even sharing videos of them receiving it back in 2021.

Seems all three were able to put their differences aside Monday night, however ... 'cause it was all smiles from each party throughout the evening.

Hours before Djokovic's big win, the Obamas took in Coco Gauff's match against Laura Siegemund ... and the U.S. star couldn't have been more thrilled about it.

Despite a frustrating match where she argued with officials over the way Siegemund was taking extended breaks between points ... Gauff said her whole mood changed when she got to meet with the Obamas afterward.

"I was like, 'Oh, my God,'" Gauff said, starstruck after their meetup. "I haven't soaked it in because I literally just walked in here. I think I'm going to never forget that moment for the rest of my life. I went from being really upset after a win to, like, being really happy."

Jessie James Decker will have a lot of milk on deck pretty soon as she navigates her fourth pregnancy -- something that's definitely on her mind ... especially after getting implants.

The singer was answering questions from fans on social media, and when one person asked if she was nervous about breastfeeding now that she's cupped up -- which happened 2 years back -- JJD answered honestly ... explaining a bit of buyer's remorse.

While Jessie says she'll be able to feed her forthcoming baby just fine ... she does wish she wouldn't have gotten them so big to begin with if she knew kid no. 4 was in the stars.

She writes, "When I'm pregnant they get massive like quadruple in size 😅😅😅 Def will need a reduction in the future & will downsize. It was fun while it lasted. But phew dey bigz already and I'm over it. Give me some shmediumz😂"

Jessie's been upfront about her personal health and medical decisions -- including the fact that she wanted her hubby, Eric, to get a vasectomy after they had their 3rd child.

UFC star Kamaru Usman says you'd be making a mistake to flatly count out his close friend Francis Ngannou in his fight against the world's best heavyweight boxer, Tyson Fury ... 'cause "The Predator" has that one equalizer.

His knock-your-ass unconscious power!

During a recent conversation with Usman, we asked him about the October 28th fight between Francis and Tyson ... an event many people have said Ngannou cannot win.

That's not the way the former welterweight champion and future UFC Hall of Famer sees it.

"Obviously, Francis is not a full-time boxer, so it's not going to be different. The mechanics are going to be a little bit different, but the one thing Francis has, God has blessed him with power. If he touches your head anywhere in this radius right here," Usman said, pointing all around his head.

"It does not matter. If [Francis] touches you, you might not wake up. And so I give him that chance for sure. But when you're talking about a drawn-out 12-round boxing match on paper, I don't think Francis is as skilled or experienced to win that fight, but Francis has a great equalizer, and that is God-given power. If he touches you, you will go to sleep."

It's reminiscent of what Ngannou himself recently told us when we spoke with him at LAX ... when he promised Fury would touch the canvas.

Win or lose, Kamaru believes the fight has all the markings of an absolutely massive event, and he's pumped!

"If you haven't noticed it by now, Francis is blessed with all the trials and tribulations that he's gone through in his life, he is blessed to still be here standing right now, and to have a fight like this, of this magnitude, the biggest fight in the world."

A suspect is behind bars after attempting to knock down the door of Dana White's home in Maine ... and now, the UFC honcho is thanking fans for helping track down the guy.

White, 54, posted the footage of the incident to Instagram on Monday ... showing a man violently kicking his front door repeatedly.

In the clip, you can see the guy almost fall on his ass after losing his balance during the kicks (let's say he's no Israel Adesanya) ... and he ran off once he realized there was a security camera right in front of his face.

"This f***face just tried to kick my front door in Levant, Maine," White said in a photo of the alleged suspect.

"I will [give] 2500 dollars to the first person to let the police know who he is."

It must've worked ... 'cause the Penobscot Sheriff's Office told us a suspect is in custody and that "everybody is safe."

White -- who bought the UFC in 2001 -- thanked law enforcement for their fast response after the arrest was made.

Someone's trophy case just got a whole lot cooler -- Roberto Clemente's Silver Bat award from 1964 just sold at auction ... and it came with a hefty price tag!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the awesome trophy given to the Pirates legend for having the highest batting average in the National League during his tenth season has a new owner after being made available at SCP Auctions this month.

Bidding closed over the weekend ... and the final number came out to be $307,500.

It was quite the popular item, as the bids skyrocketed over the final days of the auction.

As we previously reported, the Silver Bat -- inscribed with "BATTING CHAMPION 1964 NATIONAL LEAGUE B.A. .339" -- was modeled after Clemente's 34-inch Louisville Slugger bat ... and is made of 55.6 Troy ounces of silver.

Even though the award is more than half a century old, it's in great condition and only has a few blemishes.

WWE superstar Bray Wyatt experienced a series of heart complications in the months leading up to his death, and a doctor-recommended heart defibrillator was not with him when they found his body ... TMZ has learned.

According to law enforcement records, obtained by TMZ, Wyatt -- real name Windham Rotunda -- told his girlfriend he was going to take a nap Thursday, and she became concerned when she heard his alarm going off about an hour later without stopping.

The report says Windham was discovered in his bed, not breathing, and was turning blue. Windham's girlfriend called 911, as her mother attempted CPR ... but he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Cops spoke with Windham's immediate family members who said he had COVID in March 2023 and developed heart complications -- causing him to have a "weak lower part of his heart."

In fact, just a week before he died, Windham was hospitalized for a heart issue. He had a follow-up appointment with doctors the morning he died and was advised to continue to wear an external heart defibrillator -- a device designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Though it's not known if the device would have saved his life, investigators determined Windham was not wearing the defib at the time of his death ... they later located it inside his vehicle parked in the driveway.