TMZ Sports - Page 50

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is VERY concerned people think Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump means the fight for social justice is over ... and he's begging people to "keep the same energy."

"I don't want to be pessimistic, but I think now having a new face [in the White House], people are taking their foot off the gas, thinking that everything is okay now," Brown said Thursday.

"I would like to challenge that. We still have a lot of work to do, regardless if Biden is in office or not."

Brown added, "Just because we have a new President doesn’t mean the system doesn’t need to be changed."

The 24-year-old star -- 3rd overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft -- has been one of the more outspoken NBA players when it comes to the fight for social justice ... famously peacefully protesting the death of George Floyd and then speaking out against the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Now that Donald Trump is out of office, Brown is concerned people are feeling a false sense of victory when it comes to racial issues in the U.S. ... and he's begging the community to step up.

"My dilemma was never with any presidencies or selections of different faces. It’s more about the system, I think, that needs to be changed."

He continued, "I know there was a lot of stress attached to our former president, potentially. But, I definitely want to keep the same energy up in terms of having the awareness and pushing forward for change."

"We gotta keep the same energy up. People still gotta care. People still need to make phone calls, you know, etc. So, I’m looking forward to continuing to fight for change."

The only ring in Floyd Mayweather's life is of the boxing kind -- not the engagement kind.

The 43-year-old superstar is NOT engaged to Anna Monroe, despite reports to the contrary -- with an extremely well-placed Mayweather source telling us straight up it's just not true.

You may have noticed a bunch of media reports lately about Floyd's relationship with Anna -- describing them as a pretty serious couple -- but again, our source is saying it's BS.

Monroe recently posted on IG, showing off a pretty massive diamond on her ring finger ... which may have fueled the engagement rumors.

Unclear if the ring was a gift from Floyd, but we know Mayweather has a history of showering women in expensive gifts ... just ask ex-GF Doralie Medina, who got a $300,000 Rolls Royce back in 2014.

As for Anna, when we asked our Floyd source if they're even in an official dating situation, we were told, "Not even that."

Monroe has been described as the "lead dancer" at Floyd's Las Vegas strip club Girl Collection. She was featured on the Girl Collection IG page back in 2017.

Mayweather has been in several high-profile, serious relationships over the years -- and has children with multiple women including Josie Harris, who passed away in March 2020.

The Big Aristotle is now The Big Community Relations Director ... Shaquille O'Neal has been hired for the role by a sheriff's office in Georgia!!

A rep for the Henry County Sheriff's Office confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday that the NBA legend will be starting the job ASAP.

Goal #1 for the former L.A. Lakers superstar, according to Sheriff’s spokesperson Eric Jackson? Have Shaq help bring the community closer.

"As a part of Sheriff [Reginald] Scandrett’s strategic plan, bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement is paramount,” Jackson told the AJC.

“Coupled with Dr. O’Neal’s philanthropy, Scandrett and Shaq have a specific plan to begin uniting the Henry County community.”

Cool gig for Shaq ... but of course, it shouldn't surprise anybody at all that he landed the role.

You'll recall, The Big Diesel has always had an affinity for law enforcement ... and has even been sworn in as a deputy or officer at several police agencies across the country through the years.

In fact, Shaq had once said it was his goal to ultimately be the Henry County Sheriff himself!!

Conor McGregor has big plans after UFC 257 -- most notably, he badly wants a rematch with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

So, what happens if he loses to Dustin Poirier on Fight Island this weekend? That's the question we posed to Dana White.

"Nothing happens," Dana said ... "People lose man. It happens. It’s part of the sport."

"If he loses, he goes back to the drawing board and comes back and fights another day."

Sure, but who gets the next title shot?

Dana says it's pretty obvious Poirier will gun for a rematch with Khabib if he wins -- but nothing's guaranteed, considering all of the monsters fighting for control of the UFC's stacked lightweight division.

"Charles Olivera (ranked #3) just came off an incredible win over Tony Ferguson (#5). You got Poirier (#2) and McGregor (#4) fighting on Saturday and the co-main event is #6 ranked Dan Hooker vs Michael Chandler, who is making his debut in the UFC. This guy has been fighting everywhere outside of the UFC and is one of the all-time greats in the division. He wants to prove himself now in the UFC."

"So, any one of these guys could end up fighting Khabib."

New year, new team, new number ... new Dwayne Haskins??

The former first-round pick just inked a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers ... in hopes of resurrecting his NFL career.

Remember, the Washington Football Team cut Haskins after several team-related issues during the season ... including COVID-19 protocol violations and attending a stripper-filled party, which he later apologized for.

The 23-year-old is getting a fresh start in the Steel City ... with the former Ohio State star officially signing on the dotted line to presumably serve as Ben Roethlisberger's backup.

Haskins addressed the move on Thursday ... sharing several edited photos of the signal-caller in his new Black and Gold threads with a #3 jersey.

Haskins -- who wore #7 with the WFT -- explained the new digit, saying, "3 in the Bible stands for restoration and eternal life. Let’s work 🙏"

Haskins has played in just 16 games since entering the league in 2019 ... throwing for a little over 2,800 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

There's a new lady in NBA center Enes Kanter's life ... and it's none other than Ariana Rockefeller, the great-great-granddaughter of oil mogul John D. Rockefeller!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the 28-year-old Portland Trail Blazers player and 38-year-old fashion designer/equestrian have been seeing each other for several months now ... after initially meeting over social media.

Our sources tell us the two quickly bonded over animal rights advocacy ... something that both are very passionate about (Kanter recently opened up about switching to a vegan diet).

In fact, Susan Rockefeller, Ariana's aunt, recently commented on Kanter's pro-vegan Instagram post, saying "Keep inspiring 👍plants and food as medicine"

"thank you @arianarockefeller for sharing this❤️❤️❤️"

We're told Kanter spent much of the past NBA off-season in New York with Ariana ... and the couple have also spent time together in Portland during the season.

The new development has been unfolding for months in the IG comments ... but this is the first time they have gone "official" on the 'gram.

However, we're told the two are not *officially* official just yet ... in other words, no labels.

Rockefeller was previously married to entrepreneur Matthew Bucklin -- the couple divorced in 2019.

Ex-Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson -- who made some of the most important moves in franchise history -- has died.

He was only 68.

Thompson (a former linebacker) spent 10 years in the NFL as a player -- signing with the Houston Oilers as an undrafted free agent in 1975 --  before getting into the operational side of the business.

He started with the Packers in 1992 as a scout -- and worked his way up to GM in 2005 ... and that's when he really got cookin'.

Ted's first draft pick as GM? Aaron Rodgers. Yeah. Not bad.

Followed by ... future Pro Bowlers like Nick Collins, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Clay Matthews, Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb, Mason Crosby, David Bakhtiari, Davante Adams and many, many, many more.

In 2008, Thompson also famously traded away the team's most famous and beloved player of all time -- Brett Favre, which ended up working out great for GB.

There's so much more ... he also landed top free agents over the years including Charles Woodson in 2006 and Julius Peppers in 2016.

Thompson was a low-level staffer when the Packers won Super Bowl 31 in 1997 -- but was the acting GM when the Pack won Super Bowl 45 in 2011.

He stepped down as GM in early 2018 after he was diagnosed with an autonomic disorder. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2019.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur just spoke about Thompson's death Thursday -- saying, "Our condolences go out to his family. He's a guy that's held in the highest regard in this building and around the league."

"His impact is still felt to this day when you look at our roster."

Current Packers GM Brian Gutekunst also released a statement ... saying, "Ted was a man of great character and integrity who cared deeply for his family and friends."

"He was honest and hard-working. He valued his scouts and always did what he felt was right for the Packers organization."

Mark Murphy, Packers CEO, added ... "What really stands out to me is the consistency."

"Everything is designed to make it difficult to win that way, but you look at what Ted accomplished, it's remarkable."

Dan Campbell just had the best introductory news conference EVER ... the new Detroit Lions head coach delivered an epic speech -- promising his team will bite off knee caps!!

Campbell met with the media Thursday for the first time since Detroit hired him to be its new leader ... and the fiery former NFL tight end provided no shortage of sound bites.

Campbell cussed, dropping an S-bomb -- and then he guaranteed his Lions players will be some of the toughest on the planet!!

"Here's what I do know," a fired-up Campbell said. "This team is going to take on the identity of this city. All right? And this city's been down and found a way to get up, all right?"

"It's found a way to overcome adversity. And so this team's going to be built on, we're going to kick you in the teeth. All right? And when you punch us back, we're going to smile at you."

Campbell didn't stop there ...

"And when you knock us down, we're going to get up. And on the way up, we're going to bite a knee cap off. All right? And we're going to stand up and it's going to take two more shots to knock us down. All right?"

"And on the way up, we're going to take your other knee cap. And we're going to get up and it's going to take three shots to get us down. And when we do, we're going to take another hunk out of you. Before long, we're going to be the last one's standing."

WHO'S PUMPED UP IN DETROIT NOW?!?!

All insane promises and guarantees aside ... Campbell has a daunting task ahead of him to get his team to practice what he's preaching -- the Lions haven't won a playoff game since 1991.

Jake Paul says he moved to Miami to focus on boxing ... but he's already got some distractions.

The 24-year-old hit the beach with his pals this week -- and yeah, turns out he's got some attractive lady friends who rocked some very teeny bikinis.

Despite being surrounded by butt, Paul had bigger things on his mind -- trying to lock down a fight with Conor McGregor.

Check out the banner that just happened to fly over the area where Paul and his pals were hangin' out ... saying, "Conor McGregor is scared of Jake Paul."

"Aw yeah, he's a bitch," Jake noted about Conor as the sign flew by.

In the meantime, Jake is getting himself ready for his return to the ring on April 17 to fight a mystery opponent who's not a UFC star from Ireland.

Despite not having an opponent yet, the Internet star is already putting his pre-fight plans into place -- Paul was hanging out with Tory Lanez Wednesday night, who offered to walk him out to the ring for the big event!!

Paul says he'll reveal his opponent's identity in the coming days.

How'd Steph Curry show love to Joe Biden on inauguration day??

ULTRA-RARE KICKS, BABY!!!

The Golden State Warriors superstar busted out his 2-of-a-kind, famous Under Armour Curry 3 shoes for warmups before the Dubs took on the Spurs on Wednesday ... and the sneaks are clearly still as dope as ever.

FYI -- Curry teamed up with UA back in 2017 to make the special shoes -- creating them as a way to honor the end of Barack Obama's 2-term presidency.

Reportedly, only 2 pairs were ever made -- one for Steph and one for Obama -- and they were awesome ... featuring the presidential seal on the tongue as well as other nods to the former president all over them.

Curry hadn't been seen in the shoes since '17 ... but he apparently kept good care of them -- 'cause after Biden had been sworn in Wednesday morning, Steph took the court in the feet heat!

Curry -- who's big-time pals with Obama and a huge supporter of Biden -- laced them up pregame ... before transitioning into another pair of his signature shoes for game time.

Seems the POTUS kicks were good luck ... Curry balled out against San Antonio, scoring 26 points and adding 7 assists in the win.

BEAST MODE IS BACK ... on ice?!

Ex-NFL star Marshawn Lynch took his talents to the ice rink this week ... showing off his skating skills in a hilarious video!!

The 34-year-old running back teamed up with hockey player Akim Aliu, who posted a series of videos showing the two getting in some action on the ice ... and just like everything else Lynch does, it was pretty memorable.

"What’s his name? Wayne Gretzky?" Lynch says while suiting up in a Colorado Avalanche jersey. "Y'all heard of that n**** before? Well, I’m Shawn Gretzky. You know what I’m talking about.”

Aliu -- co-founder of the Hockey Diversity Alliance -- can be heard cheering his buddy on as he tries to skate ... while simultaneously looking for his first hockey fight.

“This a whole different animal, bro," Lynch says.

No word on why the hockey sesh took place ... but Aliu and Lynch have been hanging out in recent days. Maybe hockey guy hits the gridiron next?!

By the way -- can you imagine Marshawn in the NHL? The dude could be a hit as an enforcer!!

His marketing agency even tweeted out a message to the San Jose Shark and Seattle Kraken if they were interested … Lynch chimed in.

“Y’all can’t see me on this frozen wata either. You already know I’m from that IceCity.” Lynch later tweeted.

Bill Belichick's girlfriend, Linda Holliday, has taken her Instagram account private after being ripped by "trolls" over her recent comments about Tom Brady.

Seriously.

Here's the deal ... Linda took on a critic on social media following Tom's playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints over the weekend -- minimizing TB12's role in the win.

"Tom didn’t score last night … not once! Defense won that game," Linda said to an IG commenter ... "Were you even watching?"

She added, "[On the other hand] - I’m happy for Tom’s career. Why cant you be?"

Sure, the Tampa Bay defense was solid during the Bucs' 30 to 20 win over the Saints -- but Tom threw for 2 TDs and rushed for 1 ... so yeah, she was a little off there when it came to the stats.

Linda tried to explain herself further ... "I simply meant he scored with the help of his defense. Why all the fuss people?!? Stop the nonsense! Can we all just stop and be happy for Tom for a minute instead of beating me up?!?"

Linda's plea evidently fell on deaf ears ... because she eventually decided too shut down her page after the online hate continued.

"My account will be going private in the next few hours," Linda announced ... I am exhausted by the number of trolls and cruel people who have hammered my social media accounts recently."

"I'm not 'embarrassed' by anything that I've said. In fact, several news outlets understood what I meant about defensive TD's and validated it. BUT, I am tired of trolls!! I'm not sure when it became ok to verbally abuse and harass people on social media. I look forward to staying connected with my personal friends."

Sarah Fuller's used to performing under pressure, but doing it barefoot and in freezing temps was something new as she played a key role in President Biden's Inauguration celebration.

The Vanderbilt University football/soccer player was in Nashville for the "Celebrating America" special and introduced the nation's first female VP, Kamala Harris.

Vanderbilt's associate athletic director tweeted photos of Sarah at a freezing cold stadium recording her intro ... and she showed up in heels.

The AD says Sarah started out shifting side to side in the turf, probably to shake off the nerves -- but then she lost the heels, and once barefoot ... nailed it.

Sarah's intro for VP Harris referenced her own challenges on soccer and football fields. She said, "I faced a lot of challenges as a goalkeeper on the Vanderbilt University women’s soccer team and as a kicker on the football team. But seeing other women break barriers and being first at what they do inspired me and gave me the strength to succeed."

She continued, "and that’s why it is such an honor to introduce a true groundbreaker. And after 232 years of waiting, being able to say these words — our nation’s first woman vice president, vice president Kamala Harris."

Sarah, of course, became the first woman to play in a Power Five football conference when she filled in as an emergency kicker last fall ... and she was also the first woman ever to score in a Power Five game against Tennessee.

Justin Thomas -- one of the biggest stars in golf -- says he intends to enroll in a "training program" to help him be a better person after he used an anti-gay slur on a course earlier this month.

Thomas was on the 4th green during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Jan. 9 ... when he missed a 5-foot par putt and muttered, "f*****."

Thomas immediately apologized after the round ... saying in a post-play interview, "There’s just no excuse. I’m an adult, I’m a grown man. There’s absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that."

Thomas, though, has faced huge backlash despite the mea culpa ... and on Wednesday, he said he intends to enter a training program to help him learn from it all.

"It’s not a word I use,” Thomas said, “but for some reason it was in there and that’s what I’m trying to figure out -- why it was in there."

“And like I said, it’s going to be part of this process and training program, whatever I need to do, not only to prove to myself but to prove to my sponsors and prove to the people who don’t know who I am that that is indeed not the person I am.”

The 27-year-old golfer declined to elaborate on what the program will entail ... saying only, "Obviously people are going to be a part of that process."

"But what I’m doing I’d like to keep internally and just go through the appropriate steps to get where I need to be and want to be, so people understand that’s not the person I am, the character I like to portray."

Thomas has lost sponsors over the incident ... with Ralph Lauren dropping the golfer last week after having a longstanding relationship with him.

Thomas said he was "upset" over losing the clothing company ... saying he wished they had stuck with him while he worked to fix his issues.

"I spoke with them, along with all my sponsors, and although I apologized, just like it was then it’s an opportunity for me to grow and I felt like it was something we could have done together and gone through that process," Thomas said.

"They just felt like they needed to move on so that’s exactly what I’m doing as well."

Conor McGregor has broken his silence about the multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against him by a woman in Ireland ... claiming he's already been "cleared of all wrongdoing."

The UFC fighter is being sued over an alleged incident that took place on Dec. 9, 2018. The New York Times reports the woman is the same person who accused McGregor of rape.

In fact, the NYT says the woman's allegations involve claims she was roughed up and raped by the UFC star at a hotel penthouse in Dublin.

According to the NYT, the woman claims she rejected McGregor's sexual advances -- but he continued to kiss her and remove her clothes. The woman claims she bit and hit Conor in an attempt to fight him off -- but he grabbed her around the neck and lifted her up 3 times until she stopped resisting.

The next morning, McGregor's friend told her the UFC star had sex with her, the accuser claims. She was later examined in a sexual assault treatment at a hospital and went to the police the following month.

News of the suit being filed broke just days before McGregor's January 23 return to the Octagon to take on Dustin Poirier on Fight Island at UFC 257.

McGregor was asked about the allegations during the UFC pre-fight press conference on Thursday morning --  and defended himself vigorously.

"It's old news," McGregor said of the allegations ... "It was investigated thoroughly over the course of 2 long years and I was cleared of all wrongdoing."

McGregor then changed the subject and focused on his fight against Poirier.

As we previously reported, Conor's rep issued a statement denying the allegations ... explaining, "After an exhaustive investigation conducted by the Garda which, in addition to interviews of the plaintiff, included: interviewing numerous sources, obtaining witnesses' statements, examining closed-circuit footage and the cooperation of Conor McGregor, these allegations were categorically rejected."

"The plaintiff knows the facts contradict the assertions in this lawsuit. Mr. McGregor will dispute any claims and is confident that justice will prevail."

As for the rest of the UFC 257 presser, Conor and Dustin were respectful -- and praised each other a lot. The fought back in 2014 and Conor won in just under 2 minutes into the 1st round.

Justin Fields might not have played for Urban Meyer at Ohio State ... but the ex-Buckeyes star says he doesn't doubt the coach will have success in Jacksonville.

The quarterback just touched down in L.A. at LAX this week ... and when we asked him about the Jags' newest headman -- the 21-year-old had nothing but praise for the coach.

"Coach [Ryan] Day recruited me [to Ohio State] but I mean I've heard great things about coach Meyer and the way he coaches," Field says.

"So, I wouldn't be surprised if he had great success down in Jacksonville."

Of course, there is a chance Fields could end up playing for Urban next season ... Justin just declared for the draft and Meyer has the top overall pick.

Most believe Urban will take Clemson star, Trevor Lawrence, over Fields ... but when we asked Justin if he believed he was the better prospect, he sure seemed to think so.

"I'm not going to put out there what I think makes me better because I don't want to cause any controversy," Fields says. "But, of course, you have self-confidence that you're the best player in the nation."