TMZ Sports - Page 14

Caitlyn Jenner is following in Arnold Schwarzenegger's footsteps in her bid for Governor of California -- and wouldn't you know it ... the man himself has some sage advice!!!

The former Governator did Jimmy Kimmel's show Monday night and was asked what he made of the former Olympian taking a crack at politics, like Arnold did almost two decades ago. Long story short ... Arnold says she could win.

Now, Arnold stopped short of endorsing Caitlyn ... but did note that, just like in his 2003 race, anybody could take the prize based on how dissatisfied Californians seem to be with Gavin Newsom. And yes, that includes Ms. Jenner herself.

Ahnald says it'll be far from a cakewalk for Caitlyn, though, despite her fame. He tells Jimmy there will probably be upwards of 100 Republican candidates vying for the job -- about the same number in his race.

So, how should Caitlyn stand out in the crowd? Arnold dished some advice, saying gubernatorial candidates need to have a sharp vision that they can easily communicate to the masses. Not just that, but he says they gotta be able to convince folks why they're qualified.

It also sounds like the ex-Gov might've actually spoken with Caitlyn already about her bid ... but he didn't go into deets of what they might've discussed. What's also obvious here is that the guy's trying to be diplomatic ... he notes he's buds with Newsom AND Caitlyn, and doesn't wanna show his support one way or another at this point.

Still, ya gotta wonder who he'll vote for come election day. Based on what he's saying here ... we'd say it's a toss-up.

"Your wings were ready but my heart wasn't."

That's Karen Pippen paying tribute to her son Antron after he was laid to rest at a funeral ceremony in Georgia over the weekend ... noting, "I will miss you tremendously."

As we previously reported, Antron Pippen -- son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen -- died on April 18, 2021. He was only 33.

In the hours after his passing, Scottie revealed Antron suffered from chronic asthma -- but it's not known if the condition contributed to his death.

Antron was born in 1987 to Karen McCollum -- who married Scottie in 1988 (they split in 1990).

The family held a ceremony for Antron on April 24th -- and afterward, Karen posted a note to her baby boy.

"Son, it has been such a pleasure and honor to be your mother. You've left me with so many wonderful memories that I will treasure daily."

"Your transition has left a huge gap in my heart and the pain is quite unbearable."

"I will miss you tremendously and my love for you is for ever. Rest well, my baby boy, until we meet again."

Scottie was very proud of his firstborn son, who played college basketball at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and South Georgia Technical College.

"Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn’t had it, I truly believe he would've made it to the NBA. He never let that get him down, though -- Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man that he became."

LeBron James is starting to stack up children's books like championship rings ... 'cause the NBA superstar just announced his second piece of work will hit bookshelves later this year!!

36-year-old James has been writing up a storm after he inked a deal with HarperCollins Children's Books in 2020 ... co-authoring a 40-page picture book called "I Promise" last August, which became an NYT bestseller.

Now, Bron is back with a middle-grade level chapter book called "We Are Family" ... which follows 5 friends with completely different backgrounds and ambitions who team up to "save their basketball season and prove that sometimes getting a chance is all it takes to succeed," according to the release.

The story -- co-written by journalist and writer Andrea Williams -- is based in Ohio, which shouldn't come as a surprise. James has always kept his roots in mind when creating new stories for the youth.

LeBron spoke about the project ... saying, "Everyone has a story and unique set of challenges they’re going through that we don’t hear about."

The 4-time NBA champ added, "'We Are Family' shows how an unlikely group of kids comes together to chase their dreams, despite having the odds stacked against them."

"It’s an important story of family, purpose and perseverance in the face of adversity that I hope inspires everyone who reads it to never stop dreaming and believing in what they’re capable of."

The Kendall Jenner-Devin Booker relationship is still clearly going strong ... the "KUWTK" star hit up MSG to watch her man vs. the Knicks on Monday -- and the dude BALLED OUT for her!!

Kendall and some friends got box seats for the Suns game in New York ... and D Book certainly put on a show for them.

The 24-year-old NBA star scored 33 points in 41 minutes ... and led Phoenix to a 118-110 come-from-behind victory.

And, Kendall was clearly impressed ... cameras caught her smiling and giggling throughout the evening!!

The two began to get cozy about a year ago, when they were spotted on a road trip to Sedona ... and they've seemed to grow into quite the couple over the past 12 months.

They've been seen out on dates plenty of times ... with Kendall even posting a sappy pic of the duo for Valentine's Day last February.

As for any sort of "Kardashian Curse," there clearly ain't one here ... Devin is having a hell of a season with Kendall by his side, averaging 25.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game!!

This is equal parts sad and wild -- a dog trainer in New Zealand has been disqualified from racing ... after one of her winning greyhounds tested positive for METH.

It's crazy ... but unfortunately, it's true.

Here's what happened ... trainer Angela Helen Turnwald and her dog, Zipping Sarah, secured first place at the Addington Raceway in Christchurch last November ... earning a $4,000 prize, according to the New Zealand Herald.

But, the money never made it to Turnwald's pockets ... after her winning doggo's post-race urine test was flagged for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

The Judicial Control Authority for Racing investigated ... and while it was unable to determine "a deliberate wrongdoing," an example had to be made for the rest of the sport ... and Turnwald was hit with a 4-month ban from competition.

JCA chairman Warwick Gendall QC spoke about the probe ... saying, "Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant which poses significant animal welfare issues and the level of Amphetamine (as it metabolized from Methamphetamine) in the sample was particularly large."

Gendall added Turnwald -- who previously had a spotless record -- had several people vouch for her character ... but it was important to show there was a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to illegal performance-enhancing substances.

Turnwald's suspension starts April 30 ... and she will also have to pay $3,500 in fines.

A young Aussie Rules football fan's face met an unfortunate fate at a game over the weekend ... the poor kid got drilled by a ball from dozens of yards away, and multiple cameras shot the whole thing!

The incident all went down Sunday in Australia ... when Port Adelaide star Connor Rozee kicked a bullet through the uprights against St. Kilda.

A 5-year-old in the stands was hoisted up by his brother in an attempt to catch the ball as it came crashing down ... but the ball ended up clanking off the little guy's face!!

Check out the footage from several different angles ... the ball sadly smashed the hell out of Sonny Ah-Matt's dome -- and everyone watching was stunned!!

Fortunately, the little kid was a trooper ... and shook off the stinger no problem!!

"He was fine," Ah-Matt's mother told 9News Australia. "And then, at the end of the game, he's standing up, cheering and singing the song."

As for why the little guy tried to make the catch ... his brother explained he offered up $100 to Sonny if he could haul in the ball on the fly.

Not the best decision, considering the ball's basically half Ah-Matt's size -- but, hey, good job, good effort!

Ah-Matt's brother said he'd probably end up giving the little guy $50 for his troubles ... and Port Adelaide ended up getting the win -- so, good times all around for Sonny, we're sure.

Kim Mulkey kicked off her LSU coaching career by ripping off her COVID mask -- in yet another public statement against COVID regulations.

Mulkey recently left her gig as the head women's basketball coach at Baylor -- where she took the Lady Bears to THREE national championships since taking over the program in 2000.

But, before she left Baylor to take the LSU job, the 58-year-old made headlines for demanding the NCAA should STOP coronavirus testing at both the men's and women's Final 4s in the spirit of ensuring players' availability.

"They need to dump the COVID testing," Mulkey said back in March ... "Wouldn't it be a shame to keep COVID testing and then you got kids that test positive or something and they don't get to play in the Final Four?"

The NCAA strongly disagreed with Mulkey -- saying it was important to continue testing all the way through the end of the tournament in hopes of preventing an outbreak.

So, when Mulkey took the podium on Monday to be introduced as LSU's new women's hoops coach ... the first thing she did was rip off her mask in what seems to be another shot at what she considers overbearing COVID protocol.

"Well, I'mma take this damn mask off ... 'cause I have a lot to say."

She then flung the mask off the stage in dramatic fashion.

After that, Mulkey focused on basketball ... saying she came to Baton Rouge to win titles.

Here's a video that'll hit ya right in the feels on a Tuesday morning ...

Pro golfer Michael Visacki reached his lifelong goal of making a PGA Tour event this week ... and his emotional reaction to it all was absolutely priceless.

Visacki turned pro SEVEN YEARS ago ... but hadn't once qualified for a Tour event -- until he finally did it on Monday in dramatic fashion.

The 27-year-old needed to sink a 20-footer at a qualifying event to get into this weekend's Valspar Championship in Florida ... and when he did just that, the tears started flowing.

The video is SUPER emotional, Visacki threw his arms in the air ... grabbed his pal, gave him a bear hug and sobbed uncontrollably.

Minutes later, Visacki got on the phone with his dad ... and broke the great news to him through mounds of tears!!

"I made it," Michael told his pops.

"You did it!" Visacki's dad said. "Oh my goodness. I'm crying. Congratulations!"

Looks like a pile of snapped twigs, right?!

Except that's the x-ray of Chris Weidman's mangled leg bones ... and good lord, that must've hurt!!

"Before and after X-rays of this nightmare," Weidman said Tuesday morning ... 3 days after snapping his tibia and fibula at UFC 261.

Weidman spelled out the main concern is his recovery -- and it's jaw-dropping.

"The primary concern is the bone punctured through my calf and skin when I put my weight on it, making sure the laceration doesn't get infected."

Yeah, whoa.

Weidman says despite the severity of the injury, doctors told him he'll be leaving the hospital TODAY -- and he's "excited to get back home."

36-year-old Weidman suffered the injury to his right leg while throwing a kick against Uriah Hall in the opening seconds of their UFC 261 fight in Jacksonville.

He was rushed to the hospital where doctors performed surgery to treat the injury -- which included using a metal rod to stabilize his tibia.

Ex-NFL linebacker Geno Hayes died Monday night while in hospice at his parents' home in Georgia. He was only 33.

Hayes -- was drafted in 2008 and played 7 seasons in the NFL -- had been diagnosed with chronic liver disease in 2019.

The former Florida State linebacker believed the condition was brought on by a combination of nonprescription pain medications and a family history of liver disease.

Hayes' health had been declining in recent weeks so he was moved to hospice care -- where he spent his final days being visited by family members and close friends.

After his passing, Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell issued a statement saying, "Thoughts and prayer for the family and friends of Geno Hayes."

"He lived his life as a tremendous Seminole who impacted so many throughout his journey on and off the field. His legacy will live on. #RIP #NoleFamily."

Hayes was a football star since his high school days -- when he was personally recruited by Florida State legend Bobby Bowden.

Geno lived up to his potential at FSU -- earning 1st Team All-ACC honors in 2007.

He went on to have a 7-year run in the NFL -- which started when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Bucs in the 6th-round of the 2008 Draft.

Hayes went on to play with the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars before his pro career came to an end following the 2014 season.

Some of the fastest legs in sports are now also officially the coolest looking ... 'cause Robert Griffin III just completed a tattoo sleeve on his leg with pics of the Ninja Turtles -- and they're AWESOME!!

RGIII's leg art has been in the works for months -- he famously got Hulk and Goku inked on his left limb back in September -- but he was finally able to finish off the piece this past weekend.

We're told Griffin turned to Nic Westfall, the same guy who did the original artwork, to add on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a Black Panther piece ... and you can see in the pics and vids, it all came out great.

Westfall tells us RGIII came out to Sacramento to get the work done ... and sat like a rock for HOURS to get the ink all packed in.

Westfall says he needled RGIII's leg for the Ninja Turtles portion from around 10:30 a.m. to around 10 p.m. on Saturday -- only taking breaks to watch the UFC fights.

On Sunday, Westfall says RGIII returned from about 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to put on the Black Panther tattoo.

As for why all the superhero characters, RGIII is a notorious cartoon and comic book nerd ... even rocking a "TMNT" shirt and socks to the tattoo sesh!!

Conor McGregor is putting $500k to a good cause after all ... with the UFC superstar making a surprise donation to help kids in south Louisiana this week.

Remember, Dustin Poirier blasted McGregor earlier this month ... saying Conor never made a sizeable donation to Dustin's "The Good Fight Foundation" as promised back in October 2020.

The 2 stars publicly railed each other ... with Conor accusing Poirier of running a shady operation ... and Dustin claiming McGregor's camp was ducking his calls about the matter. Poirier later apologized for making the situation public.

Now, it appears McGregor is still looking to help out ... by shelling out half a million dollars to the Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana, which is located in Poirier's hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana.

It's worth noting -- Dustin's foundation has worked with this B&GC location in the past. We're told that despite all the drama, Conor still wanted to help out ... resulting in the $500k donation.

The B&GC is ecstatic to receive the help ... saying, "This investment is a gamechanger! Thank you, Conor, for helping to ensure that our kids have what they need to grow and thrive this summer!"

The club says the donation will help fund the 2021 summer camp and other recreational activities throughout the area.

Forget Rolexes, presents and cash ... Patrick Peterson just paid his new teammate for jersey #7 in a WAY cooler fashion -- making a sweet donation to the guy's former high school!

The new Minnesota Vikings corner -- who rocked #7 during his college days at LSU -- wanted to sport the digit in his first year away from the Arizona Cardinals this season.

The problem? Quarterback Nate Stanley already had the number ... and Peterson didn't want to just railroad the 2nd-year man for the uniform.

So, Peterson made a trade ... in exchange for paying for new shoulder pads for Stanley's alma mater, Menomonie High School in Wisconsin, Nate gave up the jersey!

And, Patrick was stoked about the transaction ... joining Bryant McFadden on their "All Things Covered" podcast and explaining why he has so much love for the number.

"Once [the NFL] passed that new rule where skill positions were able to wear any number between 1 and 49, it was only right," said Peterson, who wore #21 with the Cardinals.

"I always wore it in high school, I wore it in college. I always felt comfortable with it. And that's what I felt started me. So it was only right to go back to my roots and rock that seven."

The move could be a huge one for Peterson and the Vikes ... when Patrick donned that number back at LSU -- he became one of the greatest defensive backs in college football history.

"I'm going to rip his face apart. I'm going to hurt the kid. I will teach these kids not to continue to do this with people like me."

Daniel Cormier just UNLOADED on Jake Paul ... saying if the YouTuber-turned-boxer wants a piece of him, they can meet in the Octagon for an MMA fight -- and he's promising a bloodbath.

Of course, DC and Paul have been going at it ever since the 24-year-old wrecked Ben Askren at Triller Fight Club earlier this month ... with things getting heated when both guys crossed paths at UFC 261 this past weekend.

The 42-year-old UFC legend expanded on his hate for Jake on ESPN's "DC and Ariel" earlier today ... saying he will NOT step in the boxing ring with Paul.

"Floyd Mayweather is the greatest boxer of all time. So you go and play on his playing field. Why would I go and box Jake Paul?" DC said Monday.

"Who I am doesn't make me chase anything. I made my money as the heavyweight champion of the world. I don't have to chase a payday."

BUT -- if Jake REALLY wants to test his luck, DC says he's down to teach him a lesson in the Octagon ... and it ain't gonna be pretty.

"If he wants to actually fight with me, fight me in mixed-martial arts," Cormier said ... adding he'll even cut all the way down to 205 pounds for the bout.

"This is not going to be fun. I'm telling you right now, at 42 years old -- bad back and everything -- I'm going to torture him. I'm going to hurt him. I don't want to box him. I don't want to fight in a limited skill set of rules."

"If you really want to fight me, fight me in a mixed martial arts competition."

DC went on ... "I'm going to smash him and I'm going to hurt him and then he can go back to fighting these YouTube kids."

Devastating moment for Orlando Magic guard Devin Cannady ... who was stretchered off the court after suffering an open fracture to his ankle early in Sunday night's game.

But, the good news?? The 24-year-old baller spoke with his teammates and is in "good spirits" after the gruesome incident.

It all went down with 3 minutes left in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers ... when Cannady hustled down the court to defend a fastbreak layup, but fell awkwardly on his right leg.

Cannady immediately screamed in pain as blood gushed from his ankle ... and teammate Mo Bamba rushed to his side and ripped the jersey off his own back to cover the injured area.

Cannady was taken off the court on a stretcher ... but was able to give a thumbs up to the fans, players and coaches while the entire arena gave him a standing ovation.

The Magic later revealed the seriousness of the injury -- an open fracture to his ankle, which will require surgery.

Despite the heartbreaking incident, Cannady appeared to be as positive as he could be Sunday night ... FaceTiming his teammates from the hospital.

Cannady also tweeted an update Monday morning ... saying, "In God’s Hands, He’s Never Failed Me!"

Bamba spoke after the game about his decision to use his own jersey to help during the incident ... saying, "I just saw my teammate was down, and I just did what he would probably do for me."

He added ... "I just thought quick and I didn't want him to see it. I just took my shirt off my back and gave it to him."

Cannady appeared in 8 games for the Magic this season ... averaging 4 points. His 2021 campaign is over, but here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

Get well soon, Devin!!

The FaZe Clan empire is expanding ... this time, the world-famous Esports organization has added NFL star Kyler Murray as an official member!!!

FaZe made the announcement official on Monday ... saying the 23-year-old Arizona Cardinals QB has joined the family as "FaZe K1."

Murray says he's been playing video games since he was 5 years old ... and his love for Madden and Call of Duty made the move a natural fit.

"I’ve played video games my whole life," Murray said. "To be drafted by FaZe and welcomed into the family is a blessing and an honor, and honestly one of the most exciting moments of my life and career so far."

FYI, Murray spends a lot of time on Twitch when he's not busy with his day job -- he's gained nearly 63,000 followers on his channel.

"I am looking forward to this next chapter and representing FaZe at the highest level.”

On top of becoming an official member, Murry is currently working on becoming an investor for the org.

Murray joins a growing list of massive sports names joining the FaZe Clan recently ... including NBA star Ben Simmons and LeBron James' son, Bronny.

Co-founder FaZe Banks shared his excitement on the big get ... saying, "We’re so stoked to officially welcome Kyler to the FaZe family."

"Aside from being one of the best QBs out there, he is embedded in the gaming community racking up hours upon hours playing and streaming. The friendship with Kyler, myself and all the FaZe members is natural and organic."

"He’s a perfect fit for FaZe as we continue to lead the cultural collision of traditional sports and gaming."