TMZ Sports - Page 50

Not everyone was thrilled with the ending of that wild Cardinals vs. Seahawks game ... because the final seconds of regulation cost 3 "Fox Bet Super 6" users the chance to split $1 MILLION!!

Three women -- Gloria, Kim and Sherry -- had gone 5-for-5 in the Fox Bet "Super 6" pick'em challenge (you may have seen promos for "Win Terry Bradshaw's Money" campaign).

Users have a chance to win the grand prize if they can correctly pick the winners of 6 NFL games, as well as the margin of victory for each game. This week, there were 1.1 MILLION entries!

"Fox Bet Super 6" had upped the grand prize to $1 MILLION for Week 7 -- and going into Sunday Night Football, the 3 remaining players all picked the Seattle Seahawks to win by 1 to 3 points.

Gloria -- a retired grandmother who lives in the Atlanta area.

Kim -- a nurse from Ohio.

And, Sherry -- also a retired grandma who lives in Nevada!

All 3 women were first-time players!

The Seahawks were leading for the entirety of the game -- and late in the 4th quarter, they were up 34 to 31 ... and just had to close out the end of the game for the bettors to win.

But, with time expiring, the Cards kicked a field goal to tie the game -- sending it into overtime ... where Arizona eventually won the game!

Sucks for the women ... but the folks at "Fox Bet Super 6" say they were so impressed and heartbroken for the women, they offered up a $10,000 consolation prize for each player for making it as far as they did!

After the game, Kim said she would have LOVED to take Terry Bradshaw's money because "He’s a Pittsburgh Steelers legend but I’m a Cleveland Browns fan."

Rivalries never die!

Boxing star Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. claims burglars ransacked his L.A. home -- taking roughly $750k in jewelry and other valuables, TMZ Sports has learned.

34-year-old Chavez -- son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. -- believes the burglary took place last week while the family was out of town. We're told it appears the intruders got into the home through a bathroom window.

Our law enforcement sources tell us ... Chavez and his wife, Frida, believe the crooks snatched up several items, including a small safe that contained roughly $600,000 in jewelry and designer purses.

They also got around $150k in other belongings from around the home ... totaling $750k.

We're told cops are investigating but so far, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been named.

Chavez Jr. -- the former WBC middleweight champ -- is married to Frida Chavez, who recently gave birth to their 2nd child.

Frida was previously married to Edgar Guzman Lopez -- the son of Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin Guzman, AKA El Chapo.

Edgar was killed in 2008 when he was ambushed in a supermarket parking lot by a gang of rival cartel members.

Surreal moment for Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Nolan ... the dude had to pause his news conference Monday 'cause he said he rubbed hot sauce in his eye.

... for real.

The much-maligned coach was fielding questions on a call with reporters ... when suddenly, he abruptly announced he had to take a few minutes off.

And, the reason why? He said he had Tabasco on his finger and accidentally touched his eyeball with it!!!

Nolan left the call for several minutes to handle the issue ... but, thankfully, the 61-year-old was able to get everything cleared up and jump back on the phoner.

"My eye feels a lot better," Nolan said of the drama afterward. "But it was burning.”

Of course, Nolan is commanding a historically awful defense in Dallas this season ... so there's plenty of fire/heat/burning/stinging jokes to be made here.

If Justin Gaethje is serious about fighting again in 6 weeks, Michael Chandler tells TMZ Sports he's all the way down to make that happen!!

Chandler -- who just signed with UFC after dominating Bellator for the past decade -- was the official "alternate" for the Gaethje vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov fight on Fight Island this past weekend ... and says he's already in shape for a 5-round main event.

So, when Justin took the mic after his loss to Khabib on Saturday and said he's ready to go again in the next 2 months ... Chandler says his ears perked up.

"That's a fight that I'd love for myself and for the fans," Chandler told us from the airport shortly after touching back down in the US.

"It's a fight that scares me, it's a fight that gets me excited. It's a fight that -- it gets your juices flowing. If you're a mixed martial arts fan, a UFC fan, you wanna see us step into the cage together.

Chandler believes his role as the alternate for the lightweight championship fight at UFC 254 should make him the number 1 contender to fight for the vacant lightweight belt ... now that Khabib has retired.

Here's reason #1,000,001 why The Rock is tougher than you ...

Dwayne Johnson suffered a pretty gnarly gym injury Monday requiring stitches to close a wound on his face.

But, instead of cryin' about it -- he tasted his own blood and went right back to work!!!

The former WWE superstar said he suffered the wound throwing around some heavy weights -- and in a video, he revealed his eye was swollen and bloody.

But, in true tough guy fashion ... The Rock licked the blood off his face and said, "That's good. That's real good. Back to work."

!!!!!!

Johnson later explained he got nicked up tossing 50-pound chains ... and said the wound was so bad, he needed stitches.

Though the 48-year-old said he didn't go under the needle and thread until AFTER the workout was done ... 'cause, duh.

"We ain't playing tiddlywinks and we ain't reciting nursery rhymes," Dwayne said ... before later writing, "Taste your own blood, keep working out and stitch up later - rules of the house."

Who's ready for leg day now?!

Cops in Atlanta say NFL star Hayden Hurst had his Falcons iPad jacked out of his car just a couple hours after ATL lost to Detroit on Sunday.

According to police docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Hurst called officers at around 6 PM ET -- shortly after the Falcons took a heartbreaking 23-22 L to the Lions -- to report a theft.

In the docs, the 27-year-old tight end said he went out to his car and noticed his front passenger side window had been busted out and his black Nike book bag had been taken.

Hurst told cops the bag had some seriously valuable stuff in it ... including a Falcons iPad (listed as a "new model"), red BEATS headphones and a notebook.

Hurst -- who had parked his 2020 Chevrolet SUV at his sister's house -- said they had security cam footage of the incident ... and cops say the video captured everything.

According to the docs, cops say the footage showed a man walking up and down the street before approaching Hurst's vehicle and smashing out the window and taking the bag.

Cops added they retrieved fingerprints from the car ... and have launched an investigation.

Hurst, meanwhile, tweeted about the whole incident Sunday night ... showing a photo of his damaged car and writing, "Welcome to Atlanta! Sick thanks!!!"

The New England Patriots look like crap and Dave Portnoy couldn't care less ... with the Barstool Sports founder telling TMZ Sports there are much bigger issues to worry about -- like COVID-19.

It's been a different experience for Pats Nation in 2020 -- the team is 2-4 for the first time since 2000(!!!) and players like Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore have dealt with coronavirus.

We spoke with El Presidente out in NYC fresh off the Pats' 33-6 loss to the 49ers ... and he says it's pointless to care about the season when there's a pandemic going on.

"Cam Newton had COVID, he probably still has COVID, a lot of people have died from COVID, so we should be focusing probably on bigger things," Pres told us Monday.

Of course, Portnoy was singing a different tune after Week 1 ... saying it was "business as usual" after Cam's Pats beat the Miami Dolphins in the season opener.

Now, he's questioning everything.

"Does this season even count? Those are the bigger questions that I feel like, right now, we as a people should be discussing. Not wins and losses in a season that'll go down as not counting."

He added, "We're in a major pandemic here. Lives are being lost. That's the bigger issue. That's what I'm focusing on."

Wow! Jeff Garcia really hates Cam Newton's style these days -- saying the QB should only dress swaggy when he's winning!!!

The ex-49ers quarterback unloaded on Cam during an appearance on "NBC Sports Bay Area" following the 49ers shellacking of Cam's New England Patriots.

Cam played so poorly in the 33-6 loss (3 INTs, 0 TDs), he was yanked in the 3rd quarter for Jarrett Stidham. It's the Pats 3rd loss in a row. They're 2-6 in the season.

Despite the issues on the field, Cam still dresses ... like Cam! With wild looks, crazy hats -- you know the style!

But, Garcia ain't cool with it -- essentially saying Cam's fashion choices prove he only cares about himself.

"You go into this game with 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, you threw what, 3 more interceptions? You get yanked in the 2nd half, there’s nothing good going your way. Why are you dressing like that to bring more attention to yourself?"

Garcia continued ... "I’d be trying to ask the equipment managers 'Put me in your jock sock cart and sneak me in the back door and I’ll show up on the field and do the best that I can.'"

When asked if he was speaking from experience, Garcia expanded ...

"This just goes back to a couple years of just watching this guy and seeing him at the podium, but yet what he’s doing on the field does not translate to being that guy."

One of the panelists brought up Joe Namath -- who would rock fur coats and other swaggy items. Garcia responded to that too.

"When you predict you’re going to win a Super Bowl and you go out and do it, wear whatever the hell you want."

Garcia has been taking some heat on social media for the comments -- our favorite clap back is this one ...

Conor McGregor has returned the gym ... seemingly preparing to return to the Octagon in January to take on Dustin Poirier.

The 32-year-old UFC superstar was doing some boxing drills (he appears to be at Straight Blast Gym in Ireland) ... trying to get himself ready to fight for the first time since January, when he destroyed Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

As we previously reported, both Conor and Dustin have publicly agreed to fight on January 23rd -- but Dana White recently told us the contracts have not been officially signed.

That said, White says he's confident the McGregor vs. Poirier will happen because "In the history of dealing with Conor McGregor, Conor McGregor has never come out publicly and said, 'I accept this fight' and then not fought and turned down a fight. So, I expect the fight to go on."

The only wrinkle ... Justin Gaethje called out Conor after losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov this past weekend -- suggesting the Irishman should bail on the Poirier fight and fight him instead.

So, what will Conor do? For now, just train.

There's been a ton of drama in Conor's life since his last fight -- including criminal allegations in Corsica, where he's accused of attempted sexual assault.

Before that, he announced his retirement from the sport of MMA -- claiming he didn't have the fire anymore ... but no one believed him.

Now, McGregor has seemingly changed his tune -- even posting on IG that he's "still committed" despite being worth "half a billi."

Genie Bouchard and Mason Rudolph could be getting serious ... the tennis star showed up to the Steelers game Sunday with friends to cheer on her new beau!!!

We broke the story ... Genie and the Steelers backup QB kicked off a romantic fling recently -- and clearly, the fire is still burning hot.

'Cause just weeks after 26-year-old Genie was spotted out and about near Rudolph's Pittsburgh-area home ... she headed to 25-year-old Mason's game against the Titans in Tennessee.

And, while Mason didn't play in the win (he's backing up a healthy Ben Roethlisberger this season) ... didn't seem Genie minded too much -- check out her smile!!!

Yeah, looks smitten to us!!

Neither Genie nor Mason has gone public with the relationship yet ... but posting pics from games means we could be getting close to IG offish any day now.

Cleveland's worst fears are now a reality ... Odell Beckham has confirmed he did, in fact, tear his ACL on Sunday and will miss the rest of the 2020 NFL season.

"Odell Beckham Jr just text me that his ACL is torn and that his season is over," NFL reporter Josina Anderson said Monday morning.

27-year-old Beckham suffered the injury during the 2nd offensive play of the Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals game.

Baker Mayfield had fired a pass Odell's way -- but missed his target and the ball was intercepted. Odell tried to make a play and tackle the ball-carrier but ran into one of his own teammates and apparently messed up his left knee in the process.

It's devastating news for Cleveland -- Odell was having a pretty solid season with 23 catches for 319 yards ands 3 TDs.

The Browns are 5-2 and starting to play like contenders -- losing their #1 receiver is definitely going to hurt their chances.

As for Beckham, he played all 16 games in 2019 while suffering from a groin injury -- and underwent surgery during the offseason.

Now with the ACL tear, that will almost certainly require surgery -- and usually takes about 6 to 9 months to fully recover.

Sucks.

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera just finished his last round of cancer treatments ... and the mini-party hospital staffers threw for him to celebrate was AWESOME.

The 58-year-old was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer back in August ... and he's been receiving chemotherapy and other forms of treatment ever since.

But, Rivera completed his last round of treatments Monday ... and the scene afterward at the hospital was pretty emotional.

Check out the footage WFT posted ... Rivera was cheered on by a bunch of medical personnel -- with some even throwing confetti over his head!

Others, wearing "Rivera Strong" shirts, waved pom poms ... and eventually, they all gifted him with a signed card.

The best part of the footage, though? Rivera was able to ring a bell on the wall signifying the end of treatments -- and you can tell, he was happy as hell to do it.

Rivera has said the cancer drugs have taken a massive toll on him over the past couple months ... explaining the fatigue he's experienced has felt like a "300-pound gorilla on your back."

Still, Ron only missed a handful of WFT practices and never missed a game ... despite at times appearing to be in rough shape.

Rivera has said repeatedly his long-term prognosis is good ... adding his doctors are optimistic about a full recovery.

Andy Dalton was knocked out cold by an absolutely BRUTAL hit in the Dallas Cowboys' game Sunday ... but, thankfully, the team says he's now feeling better and "in good spirits."

Dalton lay motionless for several seconds after taking a violent shot to the head in the third quarter of Big D's blowout loss to Washington ... and the scene was SCARY.

WFT linebacker Jon Bostic hit the 32-year-old QB with a shoulder to the forehead while Dalton was sliding ... and the shot was so vicious, it caused Andy's helmet to fly off.

The quarterback needed help from trainers to get off the field and back into the locker room ... where he was diagnosed almost immediately with a concussion.

But, despite the frightening scene, a Cowboys spokesperson told the team's official website Sunday that Dalton was "alert, in good spirits and feeling much better."

Dalton is now in the concussion protocol ... and he'll need to clear tons of different tests to continue to move forward as the Cowboys' starter this season.

As for the hit itself, Bostic was ejected over the play ... and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he was pissed none of Dalton's teammates went after the guy for the hit.

"It definitely was not the response you would expect," McCarthy said.

Dalton's replacement in the game, rookie Ben DiNucci, is expected to be Dallas' starter on Sunday night if AD is not ready to go.

"I think he's matured, and I believe in second chances,"

That's Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians explaining why he approved of the team signing Antonio Brown ... despite his problematic history.

As we previously reported, the Bucs locked up AB in a 1-year contract -- reportedly worth up to $2.5 million if he hits all of his incentives.

Brown is suspended through Week 8 for a variety of reasons -- including an off-season arrest for attacking a moving truck driver, allegations of rape and sending menacing text messages to a woman who accused him of sexual misconduct.

Arians had previously said the Bucs were not interested in Brown -- but clearly had a change of heart. Many people speculated Tom Brady played a role since they appeared to get along during AB's short stint in New England last season.

But, on Sunday, Arians said that just isn't true.

"Everybody wants to say that Tom picked him. Tom didn't have anything to do with it," Arians told the media.

"This was something [general manager Jason Licht] and I had been talking [about] for a couple weeks, ever since the injuries to our other guys."

"When the time was right, would we see if we could pull the trigger and fit him in to what we want to get done? And we'll see. If Antonio does what I think he's gonna do, I think he's gonna be fine."

Arians was also asked what he would say to female fans about the move to sign Brown.

"I think you just let the court system do its job. Allegations -- I've been around a lot of players that have had allegations that weren't true, some were -- so let the court system handle it. If it's found out to be true, he won't be with us."

Tom Brady also weighed in on the signing ...

"He's a tremendous football player ... I played with him for a brief period of time. Looking forward to working with him again, to see what role he can come in [and play]. He's a very hardworking guy."

Dana Stubblefield's wife says her husband is an innocent man, telling TMZ Sports she's convinced the accuser is lying ... saying she's worried about what could happen to him in prison.

We spoke with Terri Stubblefield ... who's been married to the ex-NFL star for 11 years. They have 2 young children together.

Terri had filed for divorce back in 2016 after she learned about the allegations against Dana ... but they have since reconciled.

Terri admits that Dana screwed up by having sex with another woman ... but she believes it was consensual -- and says allegations he used a gun to rape the accuser are just plain wrong.

"There's no denying they had sex, but he didn't rape her. He didn't have a gun. Dana is 300-something pounds. I don't think he needs a gun to hold down somebody at all."

Terri also says Dana is "not that kind of person. He's a very sweet person."

Terri says she needs Dana to help raise their children and she's terrified at the idea he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

As we previously reported, Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life for raping a woman at his Santa Clara, CA home back in 2015.

Prosecutors say the woman has mental and physical disabilities. Terri says she's spent years combing over the allegations, and simply doesn't believe the accuser's story -- any of it.

Terri says over the past few years, Dana's friends and former teammates have turned their backs on him -- with a few exceptions -- praising Randy Kirk and Ron Stone for sticking by Dana.

"I believe that some of his other teammates that I thought he was closer to would step forward and they haven’t."

Mrs. Stubblefield -- who is now focused on appealing the conviction -- has a message for everybody who thinks her husband is a terrible person.

"Please don't think that Dana is a monster because he's not. He is a great person and you all know better. Don't let the media fool you! He's a really good person, a great father, caring with a big heart. He just made a mistake."

Joe Biden got an assist from a huge movie star during the World Series game ... none other than Brad Pitt.

Pitt voiced a pricey, 60-second campaign ad during the game, with the central theme Biden's been pushing ... that he'll be a President for all Americans and not just those who support him.

You hear Pitt say ... "America is a place for everyone," Pitt says as pre-pandemic footage plays of Biden hugging, high-fiving and shaking hands with voters. "Those who chose this country, those who fought for it, some Republicans, some Democrats, and most just somewhere in between."

Pitt never ID's himself, but the voice is unmistakable.