TMZ Sports - Page 50

"Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro is getting back to work just over a month after impaling his hand in a gnarly freak accident ... but he won't be getting his hands dirty.

So here's the deal, Buddy's very first event since the horrific bowling injury is scheduled to go down Friday with Goldbelly CEO Joe Ariel. They're teaming up for an event dubbed Halloween Goldbelly Live! ... where they'll teach, via Zoom, how to make "Frankencakes."

But, sources connected to the event tell TMZ ... the "Cake Boss" will ONLY be instructing and not actually doing any of the decorating or whatever else goes with making the Frankenstein cake kits. We're told someone from Buddy's team will be doing the actual decorating while Buddy mostly oversees the production.

BTW, Buddy's still got a long recovery process. Buddy's returning to the air on November 22 when the Food network airs "Buddy vs. Christmas." If you're wondering ... this special was filmed before his accident. And, speaking of the accident ... TLC will air a 2-hour special on December 23 about the accident with footage captured immediately after the accident.

Just days after the accident, Buddy gave his account of the freak bowling accident. He said his long road to recovery's largely because of severe tendon, nerve and muscle damage to his right hand, which just recently had its third surgery.

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence -- the biggest star in college football -- has tested positive for COVID-19, according to NFL Network.

21-year-old Lawrence is now required to isolate for 10 days ... which means he will NOT play against Boston College on Saturday, so says Ian Rapoport.

It's unclear if Lawrence is symptomatic.

Lawrence is by far the most high-profile college football star to test positive for COVID-19.

Earlier this season, high-profile coaches like Nick Saban tested positive -- but he ultimately didn't miss a game.

The Arizona Coyotes have severed ties with their 4th-round draft pick ... punting Mitchell Miller out of their organization over his bullying past.

The 'Yotes' selection in the 2020 NHL Draft has been accused of making one of his classmates' lives a living hell back when the two were in junior high in Ohio.

Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, a Black man who has developmental disabilities, told the Arizona Republic earlier this month that Miller beat him up and picked on him constantly.

"Everyone thinks he's so cool that he gets to go to the NHL," Meyers-Crothers said, "but I don't see how someone can be cool when you pick on someone and bully someone your entire life."

The harassment got so bad ... a police report was eventually filed, and in it, cops reportedly said Miller did some heinous things to Meyer-Crothers.

Officers in the report, per the Arizona Republic, said Miller called Meyer-Crothers racial slurs and made him lick a piece of candy that had been rubbed on a bathroom urinal.

18-year-old Miller reportedly admitted to the bullying in a juvenile court back in 2016 ... but the Coyotes still took him with the 111th overall pick in the NHL Draft earlier this month nonetheless.

And, initially, the team had stood by the pick, even in the wake of Meyer-Crothers coming forward with his displeasure over the selection. But, on Thursday, the team announced it's now officially moving on.

"Prior to selecting Mitchell in the NHL Draft, we were aware that a bullying incident took place in 2016," Coyotes' President & CEO Xavier Gutierrez said. "We do not condone this type of behavior but embraced this as a teachable moment to work with Mitchell to make him accountable for his actions and provide him with an opportunity to be a leader on anti-bullying and anti-racism efforts."

"We have learned more about the entire matter, and more importantly, the impact it has had on Isaiah and the Meyer-Crothers family. What we learned does not align with the core values and vision for our organization and leads to our decision to renounce our draft rights."

For his part, Miller apologized in a statement earlier this month for his disturbing past, writing, in part, "I am extremely sorry about the bullying incident that occurred in 2016 while I was in 8th grade. I was young, immature, and feel terrible about my actions."

It hasn't even been a week ... and Khabib Nurmagomedov may already be coming out of retirement!!

HUGE NEWS!!!

Long story short, UFC boss Dana White told CBS Sports' Zach Gelb that he's been in touch with Khabib recently and he believes there's a good chance the Dagestani superstar will return to the Octagon sometime soon.

"Khabib and I have been talking," Dana said ... "He was completely emotional [at UFC 254] when he got through that fight. I have a feeling that he might go for 30-0."

When asked directly if he thinks Khabib will come back and fight again, White said -- "I do. His dad wanted him to get to 30-0, and I think he wants to honor his dads wish."

As we previously reported, Khabib defeated Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 this past weekend -- boosting his record to 29-0 -- and after the fight, Khabib announced his retirement from MMA.

Khabib's father passed away earlier this year from COVID complications -- and Khabib said he has no desire to continue fighting without his dad by his side.

They were super close. Khabib's dad had trained him since he was a child.

But, White says he may very well reconsider the retirement -- question is ... who is the opponent?

Khabib has recently said Georges St-Pierre is the only fighter that gets him excited for a fight ... and GSP seemed interested too.

"No, I did not expect this at this point in my life but everything happens for a reason!"

That's Brittany Matthews -- Patrick Mahomes' fiancee -- getting pretty candid about her pregnancy ... revealing the two weren't planning on having kids before their wedding, but they consider it “the biggest blessing [they’ll] ever have!”

Matthews -- a fitness pro who's been dating the KC Chiefs QB since high school -- says she was on vacation when she found out she was preggers ... and almost didn't realize it at first!

"It's funny because I read the pregnancy test wrong at the beginning and I thought I was all good to go -- ready to party, vacation ya know let's do this! Then, I had a weird feeling and I went back and checked just to make sure and it said positive."

Brit admits she "freaked out" -- but notes Patrick was "just so sweet and supportive" and "things have just been great ever since."

No, they weren't "trying" to get pregnant -- but Brit says they weren't exactly "being careful either."

Britney and Patrick got engaged earlier this year -- and she was asked on IG Live if they'll try to speed up the wedding to tie then knot before the baby is born.

"Actually, had a meeting about this yesterday with our wedding planner," Brittney said.

"We have a few dates nailed down but we'll be having baby in 2021 and we plan to do a wedding and all wedding things in 2022."

In other words, SHE'S FREE TO BOOZE AT THE WEDDING Y'ALL!!

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. say they're both on the same page about their upcoming "exhibition" fight -- it's not a game, they're going for blood.

The two boxing legends just addressed the media for their big Nov. 28 fight at Staples Center in L.A. (available through PPV on Triller) and clapped back hard at the suggestion it will be a friendly show.

"We got Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. -- and I'm coming to fight," Tyson said Thursday ... "I hope [Roy is] coming to fight and that's all you need to know."

The issue is, the head of the California State Athletic Commission has said the guys will be going EASY on each other and WON'T be headhunting.

Here's what CSAC executive director Andy Foster told Yahoo Sports -- "This isn’t a situation where they’re going out there to try to take each other’s heads off. They’re just going to be in there moving around the ring and letting fans see these legends."

On Thursday, Roy assured the media that's just not the case.

"The last guy who did an exhibition with Mike got dropped in the 1st round. And if you don’t know that, there’s something wrong with you," Roy said.

Roy was referencing Mike's 2006 exhibition with former heavyweight boxer Corey "T-Rex" Sanders. Tyson was clearly goofing around and not trying to kill the guy.

This time, Roy says the fight will be competitive.

"Who goes in the ring with the great, legendary Mike Tyson and thinks, 'Oh, this is an exhibition?! 12-ounce gloves, no headgear? Really? This is an exhibition? Come on, bruh. Be for real."

Mike says he's been training like a maniac -- yeah, we've seen the videos -- and he's getting his killer mentality back.

In fact, Mike says he's not staying with his family at the moment because "there's no way to live with me. They'd kick me out of the house."

Get the Kleenex ready, this will hit ya right in the feels ...

Pittsburgh Steelers rising star Chase Claypool sent an autographed jersey to a 76-year-old fan after learning of the man's recent dementia diagnosis ... and it's emotional.

Claypool -- a rookie WR who's BALLED OUT in recent weeks -- saw a TikTok video that explained the fan's battle ... and Chase was clearly moved by the whole thing.

In the clip, the fan's son explained his dad is "the biggest Steeler fan in the world" ... but is now having trouble remembering players' names on a weekly basis.

So, Claypool decided to send him some BIG love ... writing a personalized autograph on one of his #11 jerseys!!!

"Jimmy!" Chase wrote, "Thank you for being a lifelong Steelers fan!! From Chase."

In the clip, you can see Claypool drove the jersey to the post office himself to make sure the precious cargo arrived on time and safe.

"I hope this jersey can create a long-lasting memory for you and your father," Chase added in the video. "God bless you and your family and go Steelers!"

#Awesome

"Every night I go to sleep I'm like, 'Lord, please, let me like wake up in the morning feeling good.'"

That's Saints star Emmanuel Sanders admitting he's scared to death of his COVID-19 diagnosis ... saying he's extremely worried his condition could deteriorate at any moment.

"Like, I don't want to wake up in the middle of the night and like, can’t breathe," Sanders said on the "17 Weeks" podcast this week. "And like, sh*t just goes south, right?"

"That’s like my biggest fear in watching that sh*t, it intensifies my fears, right?"

Sanders tested positive for coronavirus last Thursday ... and says he's been experiencing some pretty bad symptoms ever since, including fever, body aches and "loopy feelings."

The 33-year-old says his wife also came down with the illness ... explaining she, too, is feeling the effects.

"Like, it feels like we’re glitchy," the NFL receiver said. "Like when I’m walking it feels like if my wife was to talk to me, it feels like I’m skipping a beat every now and then."

"It's like the weirdest sh*t ever."

The Saints placed Sanders on the reserve/COVID-19 list and he missed last week's win over the Panthers. He's already been ruled out of this week's game against the Bears.

Forget the "Drake Curse," Nick Jonas says athletes should be lining up for the "Jonas Blessing" -- a PROVEN theory that the JoBros can help win championships!!!

Patrick Mahomes. Cody Bellinger. Lewis Hamilton.

They all attended Jonas Brothers concerts just MONTHS before they dominated their respective sports.

Coincidence? NICK THINKS NOT!!

"To fully understand this conspiracy, we have to back things up to Sept. 22nd, 2019," Nick says ... "That is the day of the Jonas Brothers show in Kansas City Missouri. You know who was at that show? Patrick Mahomes. Cut to a few months later, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl 54."

That checks out.

"Next up, Dec 10, Arizona. Who was there you might ask? Oh, Cody Bellinger. Cut to October 27th, the Dodgers win the World Series."

Also, accurate.

"Lewis Hamilton attended the Jonas Brothers concert in Paris on Feb. 22nd. Just last week, he won his 92nd Grand Prix, the most of all time."

SOUNDS SCIENTIFIC TO US!

"The key to success is to come to a Jonas Brother show," Nick explains ... "Basically the reverse of the Drake Curse. Let's call it the Jonas Blessing."

Nick says talent and work ethic are fine and all ... but if you REALLY wanna win, it's about Jonas bangers like "Year 3000" and "Sucker."

"Congrats to all you Jonas-loving athletes who were smart enough to come to a show. You deserve those championships!"

Patriots star James White says his mom is "doing better" weeks after she was involved in a horrific car crash ... but the running back explained it's still "a tough situation."

White's dad was killed and his mom was seriously injured in a horrible wreck in Florida back on Sept. 20 ... and there was some very real concern White's mother wouldn't recover.

But, James told reporters Wednesday she's doing well ... though wrapping her head around her injuries and the loss of her husband has been far from easy.

"She’s progressing physically," White said. "Obviously, a lot going on in her mind and things of that nature, but she’s continued to progress. I’m just trying to be there for her.”

White says even though he can't physically be close to her because of the Patriots' season ... he says he keeps in touch with her often and makes sure he's FaceTiming her as much as possible.

As we previously reported, White missed New England's Week 2 and Week 3 games this season grieving over the car crash ... but he's since returned to be a key player for the Pats.

Melvin Gordon issued an apology to his Broncos teammates and the entire city of Denver for his DUI arrest earlier this month ... saying straight-up, "I am sorry."

The running back was accused of drinking and driving back on Oct. 13 ... after cops say they pulled him over for doing 71 MPH in a 35.

In the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, the arresting officer claimed Gordon had slurred speech, watery eyes and reeked of booze.

Gordon was eventually hit with 2 DUI charges and a speeding violation over it all ... and, when he spoke with reporters Wednesday for the first time since the incident, he apologized vehemently for the arrest.

"Because of legal things, I haven't been able to publicly go out and say what I needed to say just from me to you guys to put it out," Gordon said, "I am sorry that I was even in the situation."

"I don't want people to feel like, 'Oh, because Melvin didn't say anything or he didn't speak on it, he just don't care. He's not apologetic about the situation.' That's not the case at all."

Gordon continued, "To the people of Denver and everyone I just don't want anyone to feel like I just don't care and, you know, 'Oh, he got his money, he don't care.' I do and not happy that I was in the situation."

"But, it's something I just wanted to let you guys know that you could put out to the people for me."

Gordon -- who signed a 2-year, $16 million contract with the Broncos in March -- is now facing league discipline and could be hit with a suspension this season over the arrest.

The Dodgers are "working closely" with the L.A. County Health Department after Justin Turner tested positive for COVID … and officials are advising an immediate team-wide quarantine.

TMZ Sports spoke with Health Department officials who tell us they've already been in contact with the champs and have issued recommendations on the next steps "to prevent additional exposures."

The Dept. is wishing Turner a speedy recovery ... but reminded the slugger that he -- like anyone who is COVID positive -- MUST quarantine until they beat the virus.

But, they're not just singling out Turner ... the LACDPH says any Dodgers player or staff member "who has been a close contact of a person who has tested positive for the virus for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period must quarantine for 14 days."

Since Turner got up close and personal with most of the team during the World Series celebration -- even packing in close for a team photo -- the suggestion is everyone needs to isolate, ASAP.

As we previously reported, the Dodgers boarded a plane and flew back to L.A. on Wednesday.

First the Lakers ... then the Dodgers ... now the Rams?!

Jared Goff is gunning to make it a Los Angeles "three-peat" this season ... telling reporters Wednesday he's eyeing a Super Bowl after L.A.'s basketball and baseball teams won titles.

"These two teams have done it and now it's our turn," the Rams quarterback said. "It's something that we'd like to do."

In fact, Goff says he's already feeling the heat from his Dodgers buds to get it done!!

Goff explained he received a text from Cody Bellinger after the World Series urging him to get the Lombardi Trophy ... "He said, 'It's your turn now.' And I said, 'Absolutely!'"

Lakers star Kyle Kuzma, meanwhile, added in a tweet after the Dodgers championship, "@RamsNFL ....... you know what to do!"

So, could it happen? The Rams were just in the Super Bowl two years ago ... and they're off to a 5-2 start this season -- so maybe!!!

But, don't get it twisted ... Goff ain't getting too far ahead of himself in the hunt for another L.A. ring -- telling reporters it's still WAY TOO EARLY for title talk.

"Asking me about the Super Bowl in Week 8, it's a little early," Goff said with a smile. "We got some games to win and we're very focused on Miami right now."

A Lakers fan blew off his hand during a fireworks accident while celebrating the team's NBA championship -- and dramatic video shows an LAPD officer with medical training rushed to his aid.

It all went down in Los Angeles on October 11, when thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate the Lakers' victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

One man apparently suffered a Jason Pierre-Paul-style injury -- with a firework blowing up in his left hand.

LAPD Officer Christopher Gonzalez -- a former Army Ranger -- was on shift that night ... and immediately jumped into action.

"In the blink of an eye, the combat veteran becomes the guardian we train our officers to be," the LAPD says in a dramatic video of the incident.

Body cam video shows Officer Gonzalez remains cool, calm and collected throughout the ordeal -- placing a tourniquet on the man's arm to help slow the bleeding. He also locates other wounds and informs paramedics about the situation when help arrives.

"Left hand is like, gone," the officer says ... "[He's also] bleeding from the right. I couldn’t find a source and .. and he has a 1-inch wound on his left groin that he’s holding gauze over."

Ultimately, the man was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

No word on his current condition but it's clear he was lucky Officer Gonzalez was on duty that night.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus is officially endorsing Donald Trump -- saying he's "learned to look past" the President's flaws ... including bad tweets.

"I have had the privilege over the last 3-and-a-half years to get to know our current President a little more as his term progressed," the 80-year-old said in a statement Wednesday.

"I have been very disappointed at what he's had to put up with from many directions, but with that, I have seen a resolve and a determination to do the right thing for our country."

Nicklaus says Trump has "delivered on his promises. He's worked for the average person."

Then, Nicklaus addressed some of the controversial and offensive things Trump has said/tweeted over the years -- chalking it up as no big deal.

"You might not like the way our President says or tweets some things – and trust me, I have told him that! But, I have learned to look past that and focus on what he's tried to accomplish."

Jack says he's convinced Trump "has been more diverse than any President I have seen and has tried to help people from all walks of life -- equally."

"This is not a personality contest; it's about patriotism, policies and the people they impact," Nicklaus continued.

"His love for America and its citizens, and putting his country first, has come through loud and clear. How he has said it has not been important to me. What has been important are his actions. Now you have the opportunity to take action."

He concluded, "I strongly recommend you consider Donald J. Trump for another 4 years. I certainly have and have already cast my vote for him."

For his part, Trump liked the endorsement -- saying, "Jack, this is a great honor. Thank you!"

The World Series Champs are headin' to the City of Angels ... with the Dodgers currently on a flight back to Los Angeles.

And, oh yeah, they got the Commissioner's Trophy with 'em!

The travel plans back home were up in the air after star Justin Turner tested positive for COVID-19 during the game ... but most players and family members were able to catch the flight back on Wednesday.

Unclear who all is on the plane -- we're assuming Turner isn't on board -- but players like Alex Wood and Austin Barnes have been documenting some of the trip.

As we previously reported, the league said both the Dodgers' and Rays' travel parties would receive nasal swabs multiple times prior to heading home as a safety precaution.

BTW -- Dodgers co-owner Magic Johnson has already touched down in L.A. on a separate plane.

As for the team plane ... it is decked out in Dodger Blue, newspaper clippings from articles covering the huge win ... and all the Chick-fil-A they can eat!!!