TMZ Sports - Page 8

Taylor Swift is striking fear in the hearts of NFL teams everywhere -- most recently, the alarm sounded for Philadelphia Eagles star cornerback Darius Slay ... who's publicly pleading with her to sit out their matchup later this season.

The 5-time Pro Bowler spoke out about Swift's recent attendance at Chiefs games to support Travis Kelce during his Big Play Slay podcast this week ... and he had a personal message for the "Anti-Hero" singer.

"Taylor, do not come to the game, 'cause it seems like you bring the energy of winning," Slay quipped on The Volume.

Slay has a good reason to be worried -- the Chiefs are 2-0 with Swift in the crowd, dominating the Bears in her first game in the stands ... and squeezing out a road win over the Jets this past weekend.

The Eagles will have a Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs in Philadelphia on Nov. 20 in front of the Monday Night Football cameras ... and chances are Swift will be there, especially considering she grew up rooting for the Birds.

Taylor’s presence at games has been a blessing for TV ratings -- last Sunday, the Chiefs vs. Jets contest peaked at 29 million viewers and averaged 27 million throughout the contest.

The game was NBC Sports' biggest-ever streaming audience for a regular season Sunday Night Football contest.

This is amazing -- AT&T is partnering up with Gallaudet University to introduce a game changer for deaf football players ... by designing a 5G-connected helmet that shows play calls on the visor!!

The company broke the news on Thursday ... stating the football team at Gallaudet -- a private university in Washington, D.C. for deaf and hard-of-hearing students -- will wear the gear for the first time ever on Oct. 7.

The helmets will allow coaches to communicate with their team from the sideline by selecting a play from a tablet ... which will then show up on the players' visors.

The athletes were stoked after trying on the new equipment ... with one saying, "It felt like the world just instantly lifted off of my shoulders."

Gallaudet football head coach Chuck Goldstein is also excited for his team ... thanking AT&T for the incredible gift.

"We work out the same way as every other college football program, we practice the same way, we compete the same way," Goldstein said.

"The difference between coaching a hearing team compared to a deaf team is first the communication. The AT&T 5G-connected helmet will change football."

If that wasn't enough, AT&T is also donating a massive $500k to Gallaudet's football program.

"Our expertise in connectivity combined with Gallaudet's legacy of breaking down barriers has created a helmet that not only transforms the way deaf and hard of hearing athletes engage in sports but opened up endless possibilities for innovation," AT&T Senior VP Corey Anthony said.

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann continue to live under the same roof -- which is starting to sound like hell on Earth -- especially given Kim's latest claim and call to 911.

Zolciak called cops in Georgia last Thursday around 11 PM to report Kroy had taken her 2 cellphones. In the 911 call, obtained by TMZ, Kim says she's on the home phone because Kroy's been holding her cells hostage for the last several hours.

You can't hear Kroy at all in the background, but Kim states she doesn't feel safe and needs to leave the home. She says Kroy locked himself in the master bedroom.

Per usual, the couple's 4 kids, who have continued to seemingly suffer through Kim and Kroy's back and forth, are home at the time of the incident -- but Kim says they're all asleep.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, officers came to the home and sorted things out ... eventually getting Kim's phones back. The former "RHOA" star agreed to sleep in a separate bedroom with the door locked in order to keep the peace.

Cops have frequented the estranged couple's home as of late ... we were first to publish body cam footage of an incident from back in August when Kim claimed Kroy locked her out of their bedroom with her belongings inside.

A day after blasting NY Giants fans, Evan Neal is walking back the harsh comments ... admitting he was out of line when he attacked the loyal fanbase.

“I am wrong for lashing out at the fans who are just as passionate and frustrated as I am,” 23-year-old Neal wrote on X Wednesday night.

“I let my frustrations in my play + desire to win get the best of me. I had no right to make light of anyone's job and I deeply regret the things I said."

"We are working day in and day out to grow as a team and this was an unnecessary distraction. I apologize.”

Of course, Neal had a rough day at the office on Monday. His poor play was one of the reasons QB Daniel Jones was sacked one short of a dozen times against the Seahawks.

Throughout the game, fans booed the last-place team ... and Evan encouraged them to "boo louder."

Neal's tone clearly changed from earlier in the week when he made the inflammatory comments.

“Most critics really don’t understand the game of football to the level that we understand it in this building. So why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep? I’m just going to focus on Evan — and getting better. I honestly do not care what anybody has to say about Evan Neal, because they’re going to talk anyway," Neal told NJ Advance Media.

Evan didn't stop there, saying, "I genuinely don’t care. Why should I? I’m in the National Football League. The person that’s commenting on my performance, what does he do? Flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere?”

The comments irked many Giants fans -- one of the most loyal fanbases in the league -- who have been living and dying with the organization for decades. Meanwhile, Neal arrived less than 2 years ago.

But, give Evan credit for apologizing. Whether fans accept it remains to be seen.

David Beckham is dragging his wife, Victoria, for claiming she was raised in a "working-class" household ... demanding she show some honesty in a new docuseries.

The couple got into it while filming the Netflix series, "Beckham," which debuted on Wednesday -- during an interview with the Spice Girls member, Victoria talked about her hard-working family ... alleging she fell into the "working class" category.

David then stuck his head into his wife's interview, scolding her for being dishonest to the producers ... and as she tried to defend herself, DB stuck his ground, making her say what kind of ride she took to school as a kid.

It seems Victoria tried to dodge the Q, but David kept pushing -- and she eventually admits her dad drove her in a Rolls-Royce. Folks online have been applauding David for keeping Victoria's claims in check, too.

Fans of David know his 4-part miniseries follows his rise to the top of his international soccer fame ... as well as their relationship in the late '90s and even David's alleged affair in 2003.

Khloé Kardashian has made clear to Tristan Thompson 2 things ... she wants him out of her house, but still in her life. Let us explain.

Khloe and Tristan are featured on Thursday's episode of "The Kardashians," and this scene does not seem staged at all, at least when it comes to feelings. Tristan's been repairing his home since the SoCal floods hit way back in January, and Khloe's let him stay with her until it's all fixed up, but it's clear her patience is running thin.

Khloe is prodding Tristan for a timeline on when the repairs will be completed, and he responds by saying he can't wait for her to see it when it's completed. Khloe then plays her hand, saying she as well can't wait. TRANSLATION: She wants him out.

KK is not harsh at all. In fact, she's the opposite, acknowledging she and Tristan will be joined at the hip for the rest of their lives because they share 2 kids together.

She makes it clear ... there's a bright line between having a romantic relationship with him again and keeping him in her life as a strong presence for their kids.

It's really a moving convo ... Khloe acknowledges the hurt Tristan has caused but is burying that for the sake of their kids.

Super mature, and exemplary parenting, for sure.

Floyd Mayweather was in a giving mood, a veryyyy giving mood, this week ... the legendary boxer hooked his buddy up with an iced-out watch worth a quarter of a million dollars!

TMZ Sports is told Mayweather gifted the $250k, custom timepiece to the famed Shuki Diamonds ... and the cool moment was captured on video.

"The Money Man is back. I'm right here with my main man, Shuki. We in L.A., ballin' out," 50-0 Mayweather said to the camera while standing next to the jeweler.

He continued ... "This watch right here is going to Shuki. One of my custom pieces. Money Man, y'all know the rest."

Of course, Floyd, owner of a nearly unmatched jewelry collection, is one of the highest-earning athletes of all time. He made around $300 million for the Conor McGregor fight alone.

In retirement, Mayweather has continued to rake in millions, taking exhibition bouts around the world, fighting everyone from Logan Paul to John Gotti's grandson.

As for Shuki (who already owns some awesome watches), he's now got a condo on his wrist.

Damian Lillard's new team isn't the only major change in his life -- the Milwaukee Bucks superstar just filed for divorce from his longtime partner, Kay'La.

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... the 7-time All-Star officially filed docs in Oregon earlier this week.

Dame and Kay'La go way back -- they first started dating as students at Weber State and were together ever since. They officially got married back in September 2021 and have three children.

According to Willamette Week, Dame's filing cited irreconcilable differences that "caused the irremediable breakdown of their marriage."

The report also points out the two appear to have been living separately for the past 10 months ... with Kay'La moving into a $2.7 million home in West Linn, while Dame remained at their $7.7 million pad in the same city.

There has been speculation for weeks ... with some internet sleuths noticing Kay'La had been absent from Damian's social media posts.

Tom Brady's jersey from his final NFL game is about to hit the auction block ... and it's about to be in the hands of someone VERY rich -- 'cause it could sell for up to $2.5 MILLION!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the iconic piece of Buccaneers gear will be available next month as part of RM Sotheby's and Wynn's Official Auction of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The white No. 12 threads are from Brady's last game on January 16, 2023 ... when the Bucs faced the Dallas Cowboys in a Wild Card playoff matchup on Monday Night Football.

Brady had 351 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the contest ... falling to Dallas, 31-14 and ending his stellar career.

Officials say the item could potentially become the most valuable game-worn jersey EVER ... passing Joe Montana’s San Francisco 49ers uni he wore in Super Bowl XIX and Super Bowl XXIII, which came with a $1.2 million price tag earlier this year.

Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear & Modern Collectables Brahm Wachter spoke about the rare piece of memorabilia ... saying, "There are only a few athletes who are universally accepted as the greatest in their sport -- Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Muhammed Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Babe Ruth."

"For the National Football League, it’s Tom Brady. Worn at the very last game of his tenured career, this historic shirt is a tangible reminder of Brady’s unparalleled legacy, and as such, is arguably the most coveted NFL jersey to ever come to auction."

It's a tough time to be a Blazers fan, but NBA champ Byron Scott thinks Portland should be HAPPY after Damian Lillard got traded to the Bucks ... 'cause he's finally got a chance to win!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the former Laker out at KiKi Shepard's "Celebrity Golf Classic" this week ... and chopped it up about the blockbuster deal that sent Dame Time over to Giannis Antetokounmpo's squad.

Of course, it's a huge bummer for Portland fans to see their franchise player leave after 11 seasons ... but instead of taking the torches to their No. 0 jerseys, Byron believes it would be best to look at the silver lining by rooting for Lillard to get a championship with his new team.

"I think, obviously, Damian joining the Bucks -- a team that won a championship a couple years ago, and they got one of the best players, if not the best player in the league, in the Greek Freak, as I call him ... and adding Damian, who is motivated, who wants to win a championship, who has given his heart and soul to the Portland area -- I think they should be not so much upset that he's left, but they should be happy for him to get a chance to win."

Scott points out a major loss for the Bucks in the trade -- elite perimeter defender Jrue Holiday -- but he's predicting Milwaukee still makes it out of the East in his absence.

Evan Neal is one of the worst-ranked tackles in the National Football League (per PFF), but the former 7th overall pick apparently thought it was a good idea to blast the Giants faithful as clueless, fair-weather fans just days after the O-line gave up 11 sacks on MNF.

23-year-old Neal -- the G-Men's first-round pick in 2022 -- was asked on Wednesday by reporter Darryl Slater about Giants fans who booed the team following Monday's loss ... a 24-3 defeat to the Seahawks, dropping the NYG to 1-3, and firmly in the NFC East basement.

“They were booing us, so I said, ‘Boo louder,’” Neal told Slater from the Giants locker room earlier today.

Slater followed up, asking the 6'7" tackle why he said that, to which Evan answered ... “because that just further shows that people are fair-weather.”

Probably not a great idea to go to war with the Giants' longtime, loyal fan base ... especially when you're graded as the 68th-ranked tackle (out of 71), and one of the worst performers on a line that gave up double-digit sacks two days ago.

But, Neal was just getting started.

“Most critics really don’t understand the game of football to the level that we understand it in this building. So why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep? I’m just going to focus on Evan — and getting better. I honestly do not care what anybody has to say about Evan Neal, because they’re going to talk anyway," Neal said.

Don't worry, there's more.

Evan went on to say ... "I genuinely don’t care. Why should I? I’m in the National Football League. The person that’s commenting on my performance, what does he do? Flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere?”

The last-placed Giants are on the road the next two weeks ... and despite what Neal said about liking the boos, it's probably a blessing in disguise the Giants won't be back at MetLife until later this month.

6:36 AM PT -- The Morgan State athletics department just announced they're canceling the homecoming game against Stony Brook this Saturday.

The Bears' next game will be on October 19 against North Carolina Central.

Morgan State University is postponing its highly anticipated homecoming football game this weekend after five people were injured in an on-campus shooting.

Officials at the HBCU made the announcement on Wednesday ... less than a day after at least two gunmen opened fire on the Baltimore campus, hitting four men and a woman who were between the ages 18 and 22.

"Regrettably," university president David Wilson said in a statement, "for the very first time in Morgan's history, all activities planned around Homecoming will be either canceled or postponed until the perpetrator(s) of this atrocity have been found and brought to justice."

The home game against Stony Brook had been slated to go down at 10 AM on Saturday.

Other canceled events included the Lady Bears' volleyball match, the school's "Homecoming Concert," the homecoming pep rally, the homecoming parade and a silent headphones party.

The school also announced that classes will be canceled for the rest of the week as security measures increase on campus.

"We strongly believe that this moment calls for reflection, thus allowing our students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to focus on their mental health," MSU said.

"We greatly appreciate the support of our later community who have expressed their concern and support during this most trying time."

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Baltimore police at 410-396-2444 or leave an anonymous tip at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

The 11-year-old youth football player accused of shooting two of his teammates earlier this week has been ordered by a judge to stay in custody for at least the next 21 days.

The boy, who cops say opened fire on two 13-year-olds following a dispute at a practice at the Northwest Recreation Complex football field in Apopka, Fla. on Monday, had hoped for home detainment ... but he will now be forced to stay in juvenile detention for at least the next 3 weeks.

Reporters at the hearing in Orange County on Wednesday morning said the child began crying when the ruling was announced.

He's now expected to be on suicide watch at the detention center ... according to WFTV 9.

At the hearing, an aunt for one of the alleged shooting victims took the stand and said the teen's family had hoped the 11-year-old would remain in detention.

A police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, stated a witness to the shooting said the initial dispute happened due to a quarrel "over a bag of chips."

Greg Brooks Jr. has a rare form of brain cancer, according to LSU ... who provided an update on the Tigers CB, just weeks after he had surgery to remove a tumor.

As we previously reported, Brooks underwent (successful) surgery on September 20 ... and doctors removed a large tumor from his brain. Despite the procedure, the diagnosis wasn't clear until this week ... when doctors announced Brooks has medulloblastoma.

“For the last three weeks, Greg has been recovering from an extensive surgery to remove a brain tumor that was located between his cerebellum and brainstem,” Dr. Catherine O’Neal, Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Health, told reporters.

“Greg’s speech and ability to communicate has been impacted, and although he is responsive and working daily with physical therapy, he will face months of intensive rehabilitation."

The good news is there's no evidence that the cancer has spread ... and Dr. O'Neal says he'll get a treatment plan from "nationally recognized specialists in this specific form of brain cancer."

The university has also launched a fundraiser for the former 4-star recruit to help raise money to cover the medical expenses including travel, treatment, and therapy.

"He has a long journey ahead," Dr. O'Neal said, "and will need the full support of our community behind him as he faces this battle."

Takeo Spikes says he was legitimately hurt by how the Buffalo Bills treated him at a game earlier this season ... claiming his visit with his former team had him feeling "worthless."

The ex-NFL linebacker went viral after sharing a pic of his setup for the Bills' matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sep. 17 -- a suite seat that was completely obstructed by the upper deck of the stadium.

As it turns out, the view wasn't the only issue -- Spikes said the organization didn't fulfill his request for a first-class seat for his flight to upstate New York ... and overall, the staffers did a bad job at communicating leading up to the game.

Spikes -- who was the Bills' "Legend of the Game" for the day -- admitted he considered not making the trip due to the accommodations ... but decided to go through with it anyway.

While Spikes said the pregame celebration was "great," things quickly went south -- 'cause once he got to his section for the game, he was shocked to find out it was not up to his standard.

"If I'm going to take time out of my day to come up, at least just show me the respect that I deserve," Spikes said on his "Behind the Mask" podcast. "Sometimes you have to remind people of how they need to be treated, and this was a case right here which hurt me. I felt hurt."

"For a second, it made you feel like you was worthless."

Spikes feels like the team should have offered him a spot in the owner's suite with Terry Pegula ... but that was never suggested as a possibility.

Ultimately, Spikes left the game unhappy ... but revealed Bills GM Brandon Beane texted him and offered to make up for the blunder.

MLB playoff teams are making sure their fans are well fed as they watch their favorite squads push for a World Series title this month ... putting out some new food items that include glazed donuts and a whole lotta meat!

The Braves, Orioles, Astros, Dodgers, Brewers, Twins, Phillies and Rangers all each announced they'll have some zany concoctions at their concession stands throughout their postseason runs this fall.

Perhaps the most notable of the bunch is Atlanta's "Chicken ain't nothing but a bird Blue" sandwich -- which includes three glazed donuts, pickled green tomatoes and two fried chicken breasts ... all topped off with some powdered sugar.

Not to be outdone ... Philadelphia also revealed its "SchwarBurger" -- a gargantuan burger they put out to honor designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

The sandwich contains beef, smoked brisket, cheese, bacon, onion rings and a whole lot more. And, according to the Phils, it'll be sold for a good cause ... with some of the proceeds benefitting Schwarber's Neighborhood Heroes.

Some of the other cool dishes include fried Walleye sliders in Minnesota, a fried chicken sausage in Milwaukee and some loaded mini corn dogs in Houston.