TMZ Sports - Page 50

WARNING: THIS VIDEO WILL MAKE YOU WINCE!!!

NBA star Jamal Murray was so pissed during a play Monday night ... he straight-up uppercut his opponent right in the groin -- and then he was promptly kicked from the contest.

The wild incident all went down in the 3rd quarter of the Nuggets vs. Mavericks game in Dallas -- when Murray appeared to be enraged after getting bumped by Tim Hardaway Jr.

With no foul called after the two had collided ... Murray got up and appeared to take a swing at Hardaway Jr.'s family jewels like he was a young Johnny Cage (memba that?!)

The inner part of Jamal's elbow looked like it caught flush ... and immediately, the ref blew his whistle to signal for a foul.

After an ensuing video investigation by the zebras ... Murray was deemed to have done it intentionally -- and he was ejected.

Hardaway Jr., meanwhile, was in quite a bit of pain -- you can see in the TV replay, he grabbed his junk and screamed.

But ... the Dallas star ended up shaking it off -- scoring the game's next few baskets. Tough guy!!!

For Murray's part, his coach, Michael Malone, was hopeful after the game the nut shot wouldn't lead to more league discipline by the NBA.

"Hopefully, it's nothing more than Jamal being ejected tonight and we can use it as a learning experience," Malone said.

As for Hardaway Jr., he didn't appear to be all that mad at Murray after the matchup ... 'cause he was still getting over the fact that his team ended up losing, 117-113.

"Just playing the game and I guess he was just frustrated that they didn't call a foul," Hardaway Jr. said of Murray. "I was trying to do the best I can to deny the ball."

"The rest speaks for itself. It happens in the game. It sucks, but it doesn't even matter at this point. We lost."

Can you imagine if TB12 became TB7?!?!?

Tom Brady was VERY close to making that huge change -- with the QB considering swapping his number after joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So why #7?? 'Cause Brady's going after that 7th ring, baby!!!

Bucs GM Jason Licht made the major revelation in an interview on the Peter King Podcast this week ... saying Brady was totally fine with letting star receiver Chris Godwin keep #12 'cause he had a new number in mind.

Licht breaks down the convo after the move to TB was a done deal ... and it's the most Brady story ever.

"After we had talked and we knew that this was gonna happen, I said, 'Hey, there's one other thing. It's a small thing but maybe a big thing," Licht says."

"We have a #12 on our team and he's pretty good, Chris Godwin. What are you thinking about that?'

Brady's response?? ... "'Oh, he's a great player, I'm not going to take his number. Know what number I'm thinking of? I'm thinking of taking maybe #7. Is that available?'"

"I said, 'Yeah, I think it is, why #7?' He goes, 'Going after that 7th Super Bowl.'"

It's crazy to hear Brady was prepared to ditch #12 so easily ... after all, the dude has an entire TB12 brand tied to his beloved digits.

Of course, Godwin ended up switching to #14 to let Brady take #12 ... and TB12 is one win away from that 7th ring.

Shaun Weiss -- famous for playing Goldberg in "The Mighty Ducks" -- is damn near unrecognizable again, but in a great way ... and that's because he's now 1-year sober.

His friend, Drew Gallagher, tells TMZ ... Shaun officially hit the milestone yesterday. He says Shaun chose to delay his Christmas as part of the celebration ... waiting to open presents on the day he celebrated his sobriety.

There's more good news ... remember the full dental sponsorship he got back in September to address his need for new teeth? Well, his permanent pearly whites -- top and bottom -- are almost done. He's wearing temporary dentures for now.

Shaun, who is still at a sober living house in Tarzana, CA, is getting ready for his next steps in life. We're told he's working on his comedy chops and doing some scriptwriting.

The Bernie Sanders bobblehead is ON FIRE -- with roughly 20,000 people snatching up the special Inauguration Day figure ... leading to a massive $10,000 charity donation!

Just moments after images of a bundled up Bernie went viral on social media -- the folks at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame Museum got to work designing a special googly-headed Bernie piece.

And man, did the people LOVE IT! We're told the demand has been crazy -- and the Bernie figure is already the 2nd best-selling bobblehead they've ever produced ... behind Dr. Fauci, which is approaching 50,000 units sold.

In fact, sales have been so spectacular, the NBHOF&M says it's donating $10,000 to Meals on Wheels Vermont, Bernie's charity of choice for sweatshirts his campaign is selling that featured the same viral Inauguration Day image.

So, who's buying the Bernie bobbleheads?

We're told at least one figure has been sold in all 50 states, nearly a dozen different countries and 5 continents. Bernie-mania is global.

The Scooter is faster than The Cheetah!?

Buccaneers wideout Scott "Scooter" Miller certainly thinks so ... 'cause he just revealed he believes he'd DUST Tyreek Hill in a 1-on-1 sprint!!!

"I'm taking me every day of the week," the 23-year-old Tom Brady target said on the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday. "I'll take me over anybody."

Of course, there's a hell of a lot of people who would disagree ... Tyreek is considered the fastest player in the NFL -- and Scott is considered, well, not that.

But, Miller does have some wheels ... you'll recall, the dude ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at his Pro Day at Bowling Green back in 2019 -- and he did look awfully quick on that huge TD against the Packers last week!

"Tyreek is unbelievable, super quick, unbelievable talent," Miller said. "But, if we're talking about a race, I've got all of the confidence in myself going up against anybody."

A race between the two almost certainly will never go down ... remember, Hill told TMZ Sports just a few weeks ago he "retired" from racing people.

But, Hill will play Miller next Sunday for the Super Bowl title when the Chiefs meet the Bucs again.

Russell Westbrook and John Wall went IN on each other in their first matchup since their blockbuster trade this offseason ... with the two stars getting T'ed up after a fuming trash talk sesh Tuesday night.

Emotions were certainly running high at the Toyota Center in Houston ... with Wall and Russ getting into a heated exchange after the Rockets guard fouled the former MVP late in the 4th quarter.

Both guys started jawing at each other -- and the refs were having none if it ... choosing to hit both superstars with technical fouls.

Brodie addressed the trash talk with reporters after the 107-88 loss to the Rockets ... saying, "Listen, I don't start talking s***. I defend myself 'cause I don't allow people to just say anything."

Unclear exactly what was said, but Westbrook felt Wall went after him because the Rockets have been in a groove -- "I think they're just talking s*** 'cause they just started winning. We will play them again."

As for Wall, he chalked it up to just being competitive and wanting to prove he can still play to the organization that traded him.

"That's what two competitive guys do." the former Wizard said. "Russ been kicking my ass for years. This is only my 3rd win against Russ, I think, since I've been in the league. So, that means that he's a hell of a talent."

He added ... "I just feel like the organization thought I was done, no matter how much hard work I put in over the summer. They came and watched me. I thought they thought I was done. That's why I came out here and did what I did."

Rockets big man DeMarcus Cousins -- who’s very familiar with on-court exchanges -- felt it wasn't a big deal at all.

"That’s nothing. Just two competitors. Trash talking is a part of the game, as much as they don’t want it to be. Two alphas."

WNBA star Asia Durr says COVID has wreaked havoc on her body -- and the damage is so severe, the 23-year-old isn't sure if she'll ever play basketball again.

"My life has completely changed since June 8," Durr said on HBO's "Real Sports" ... noting the day she was diagnosed with coronavirus.

Since then, Durr -- the 2nd overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft -- says she's lost 32 pounds after suffering some horrific symptoms. Her usual playing weight is 151 lbs.

"I couldn't breathe. I was spitting up blood. It was just lung pain that was just so severe. It felt like somebody took a long knife and was just stabbing you in your lungs each second."

She continued, "I woke up 2 o'clock in the morning, vomiting, going back and forth to the bathroom. I couldn't keep anything down."

Durr was a superstar at Louisville before being drafted by the NY Liberty -- but she had to miss the entire 2020 season due to her illness.

In fact,. Asia says she hasn't been able to pick up a basketball since her diagnosis because her doctors fear her health is still too fragile.

"I've talked to doctors and they told me I'm not cleared yet. I'm not cleared to do anything physically which could cause flare ups."

"That's what's really hard for me because in life whenever something was like hard, I would go and play. I cant even do that now. I cant even shoot a free throw."

Durr issued a statement after the segment aired Tuesday night -- saying, "I’m grateful that I get to tell my story to the world. It’s definitely been a challenge, but gotta keep fighting. Only choice."

Amanda Gorman -- the famous poet who delivered a powerful speech at Joe Biden's inauguration earlier this month -- has been tapped by the NFL to read another beautiful message at next week's Super Bowl.

League officials made the announcement Wednesday ... saying the 22-year-old has agreed to write and recite a poem honoring three pandemic heroes just before kickoff on Feb. 7.

"The recitation of the poem will air nationally on CBS," NFL officials said, "and be featured in-stadium.​"

The 3 honorees the NFL has selected for the big moment are all very special Americans ... Trimaine Davis, a teacher; Suzie Dorner, a nurse; and James Martin, a Marine Corps veteran; have all been widely heralded for their roles in helping others during the height of COVID-19.

Davis, the NFL says, helped less fortunate families with technology so they could learn his teaching lessons properly over the Internet while in quarantine.

NFL officials say Dorner logged countless hours in the hospital helping sick patients -- this all while losing two grandparents to the coronavirus.

The NFL says Martin, meanwhile, helped veterans and other members of his community get through tough times during the pandemic.

The NFL recently surprised all three with trips to the Super Bowl ... having NFL legends Doug Baldwin, Derrick Brooks and Jerome Bettis break the news in an awesome fashion to the trio.

The league says all three heroes will be honorary captains at the pre-game coin toss.

"We are honored to recognize these three individuals who represent the best in all of us,” NFL commish Roger Goodell said. “During this incredibly challenging time in our lives, Trimaine, Suzie, and James have exemplified the essence of leadership, each in their own way."

Curt Schilling says he's so "mentally done" after being snubbed by Baseball's Hall of Fame again this year ... he's now asking to be removed from next year's voting process altogether.

The legendary MLB pitcher has been HOF-eligible since 2012 ... but all nine times his name has appeared on the ballot -- baseball's most prestigious writers have shunned him.

The reason? He's made several controversial comments since his retirement ... including a 2016, since-deleted tweet in which he appeared to advocate for the killing of journalists.

Schilling was also suspended from his role as an ESPN analyst for posting an anti-Muslim photo in 2015. He was eventually fired from the gig after sharing imagery that was very offensive to the transgender community.

Writers have been reluctant to put him on their ballot because of it all ... snubbing him for the 9th-straight year on Tuesday.

But, Schilling did see his odds of getting in climb in 2021 ... the number of votes he got this year was only 16 shy of hitting the required amount -- and many believe he'd likely get in next year in his final year of eligibility.

Schilling, though, is asking the Hall to remove him from the process ... saying he'd rather take his chances with the veteran's committee than go through another round of writers' voting.

"Nothing, zero, none of the claims being made by any of the writers hold merit," Schilling wrote in a lengthy letter to Hall of Fame officials that he shared on his Facebook page.

"In my 22 years playing professional baseball in the most culturally diverse locker rooms in sports, I’ve never said or acted in any capacity other than being a good teammate."

Schilling continued, "I am requesting to be removed from the ballot. I’ll defer to the veterans committee and men whose opinions actually matter and who are in a position to actually judge a player."

Schilling added he was sick over being lumped in with guys like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who writers snubbed again this year because of their alleged ties to steroids.

"I’m now somehow in a conversation with two men who cheated," Schilling said, "and instead of being accountable they chose to destroy others lives to protect their lie."

Schilling likely did enough to eventually earn a bust in Cooperstown someday -- he was a 6-time All-Star with 3,116 strikeouts and 216 career wins.

Mitch Trubisky is already off to a pretty great offseason -- he just got engaged to his smokin' hot girlfriend, Hillary Gallagher ... and take a look at that ring!!!

The Chicago Bears QB popped the question at The Breakers luxury beachfront resort in Palm Beach, Florida ... where he got down on his knee and whipped out a diamond ring the size of a knuckle!

... and she said, "Yes!"

The two have been dating for years -- they were first spotted together in 2019. She's a private pilates instructor. He was the 2nd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Hillary posted about the engagement on social media -- writing, "Can’t wait to spend forever with my soulmate."

The other question in Mitch's life ... where's he gonna play next season?

MT will be a free agent in March and it's unclear if the Bears will try to sign him to a near deal or move on.

But, don't feel too bad for the guy, he's already banked $29 million in contract money over his 4 seasons in the NFL and should sign a hefty new deal no matter where he goes next.

"After I knock out Ben Askren and add him to the meme collection, what could someone say after that? What excuse will they make?"

Jake Paul is wildly confident he's going to DESTROY Ben Askren -- telling TMZ Sports the UFC fighter is just a stepping stone in his rising boxing career.

The 24-year-old says he's hungry to be taken seriously as a pro fighter -- which is why he wants to box an accomplished opponent like Askren, who's won multiple MMA championships during his fighting career.

Jake's last opponent, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, didn't have any boxing experience ... and we all know how that went.

The issue ... Paul says Askren is underestimating his fighting abilities, and it's going to end VERY badly for the 36-year-old when they face off on April 17 at the "Triller Fight Club" main event.

"At the end of the day, this is why I took the fight because he's a legitimate pro and again, I'm a Disney channel actor YouTuber-kid."

"My ultimate goal is to fight the Nate Diazs, the Conor McGregors ... those are all MMA guys. I think people will have to take me seriously after this fight and since I do want Diaz, since I do want McGregor, since I do want these people in the UFC, this is the first step to get there."

"You can't just come into the NBA and be LeBron so I have to earn my stripes."

While Paul respects Askren's accomplishments ... he's already trying to get in his opponent's head -- telling TMZ Sports he's been DM'ing with Ben's wife and she thinks he's "handsome."

FIGHTING WORDS!!!!

As for Ben, he doesn't seem concerned ... telling TMZ Sports he plans on beating some humility into the kid when the bell rings.

Longtime NBA reporter Sekou Smith -- a staple on NBA TV -- has died after battling COVID. He was only 48.

"The NBA mourns the passing of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of the NBA family," the NBA said in a statement.

"Sekou was one of the most affable and dedicated reporters in the NBA and a terrific friend to so many across the league."

Smith covered basketball for more than 20 years -- and spent the last 11 years with Turner Sports where he excelled as a TV analyst, podcaster and writer.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Heather and their children Gabriel, Rielly, and Cameron."

Fellow NBA writer Marc J. Spears paid tribute to Sekou -- saying, "Thank you for your brotherly friendship, humor, honesty and compassion. Glad we had a chance to tell each other we loved each other three weeks ago."

"You were a gift to this Earth as a friend, father and a man Sekou Smith. Rest In Peace to my brother. Prayers to your wife & family."

Caris LeVert underwent surgery to remove a cancerous mass on his kidney Monday ... and the Pacers star guard is now expected to make a full recovery with no other procedures needed.

Indiana team officials made the announcement Tuesday ... saying LeVert is in good shape after docs diagnosed the 26-year-old with renal cell carcinoma of his left kidney earlier this month.

"The surgery was performed by Dr. Jason Sprunger at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind." the Pacers said in a statement.

"No further treatment is needed. Caris is expected to make a full recovery."

The team added LeVert will be out of Pacers games indefinitely while he recovers.

LeVert was sent to Indiana as part of the trade that put James Harden on the Brooklyn Nets ... and LeVert has credited the swap for possibly saving his life.

"I didn't have any symptoms," LeVert said after doctors discovered the growth on his kidney following a post-trade physical. "I was playing in games. I hadn't missed any games this season yet. I was feeling 100 percent healthy."

"So, in a way, this trade definitely showed and revealed what was going on in my body, so I'm definitely looking at it from that side and definitely humbled to know that this trade could've possibly saved me in the long run."

Hank Aaron's closest friends and teammates joined to pay their respects to the late baseball legend on Tuesday ... with the Atlanta Braves hosting an emotional memorial service.

Hammerin' Hank -- who famously finished his career with 755 home runs -- died last Friday of natural causes.

Names like Chipper Jones, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and Marquis Grissom spoke at the ceremony in person.

Chipper told the story about how Hank told the Braves to draft him back in the day.

"Y'all better draft that Jones boy. I'll never forget that," Jones regaled ... "That comment must carry some weight."

Jones added, "I respected the man so much. I wouldn't want to disappoint him or his family."

Rob Manfred explained why it was destiny for Hank to break Babe Ruth's career home run record.

"Just like Jackie Robinson was the perfect person to change our game forever, Hank Aaron was the perfect person to see the historic moment he created in 1974."

Other stars like John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Dusty Baker, Dale Murphy, Freddie Freeman and more paid tribute via pre-recorded videos.

Glavine said, "We've all seen the movie 'Field of Dreams' ... if there is a baseball team in heaven, they just picked up one heck of a clean-up hitter."

Breathe easy, Green Bay ... Aaron Rodgers has clarified his comments -- and the superstar QB is now saying he believes he'll still be a Packer next year.

"I don't think that there's any reason why I wouldn't be back," Rodgers said Tuesday.

Aaron made the statement on "The Pat McAfee Show" ... explaining he was surprised by the way his postgame comments Sunday made so many people believe he wanted out of Wisconsin.

If you missed it, Rodgers -- just minutes after losing in the NFC title game to Tom Brady in heartbreaking fashion -- told reporters he was "uncertain" of his future in Green Bay.

Because of the way the team had just lost, and given how it had drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the 1st round in the offseason ... a lot of folks took that as a goodbye from Rodgers.

But, Aaron told McAfee and A.J. Hawk on Tuesday that he wasn't implying anything with his comments ... and an uncertain future is just part of the game in the NFL.

"There's not many absolutes -- as you guys know -- in this business," Rodgers said. "So, to make an absolute statement about something that is not an absolute, I didn't do it. I guess that's why it kind of, went kind of nuts."

Rodgers explained he's always wanted to remain a Packer for life -- similar to Kobe Bryant with the Lakers and Derek Jeter with the Yankees.

"Naturally, you dream about that," Rodgers said.

FYI -- Packers brass is clearly on the same page as Rodgers ... team president Mark Murphy said Tuesday, "We're not idiots. Aaron Rodgers will be back, he's our leader."

Seattle Seahawks OL Chad Wheeler was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly got in a "physical fight" with his girlfriend ... and the allegations against the NFL player are disturbing.

Wheeler -- a 27-year-old who was a star at USC before his pro career began in 2017 -- was involved in an altercation with his GF in Kent, Wash. late Friday night, according to a police report obtained by The Seattle Times.

In the report, officers say they responded to a call that a woman had locked herself in a bathroom and called 911 claiming she was being "killed" following a fight with her BF.

The woman reportedly told cops that she was bleeding and had suffered a dislocated arm.

When cops arrived, they said in the report they heard screaming coming from the residence. When they entered the home, they said they continued to hear screaming coming from the bathroom -- where they say they found Wheeler standing next to the woman.

Cops in the report say they were told the altercation began after the woman refused to bow to the NFL player. Cops say that's when Wheeler allegedly grabbed the woman, threw her on the bed, and choked her until she was unconscious.

According to the report, when the woman regained consciousness, Wheeler said, "Wow you're alive?"

Cops say that's when the woman locked herself into the bathroom to call for help.

FYI -- in the report, officers say Wheeler is 6'7", 310 pounds. They say the woman is 5'9", 145 pounds.

Wheeler -- who was described in the report as uncooperative with officers -- was arrested and eventually booked on a domestic violence charge.

Jail records show Wheeler was booked at 1:19 A.M. on Saturday ... and released at 9:18 A.M. on Tuesday.

The Seahawks released a statement on the incident on Monday night, saying, "We are aware of the situation and still gathering information."

Wheeler went undrafted in 2017 but was signed by the NY Giants after the draft ... and went on to start 19 games for the team in '17 and '18.