TMZ Sports - Page 50

Ever wanted to ride a skateboard with Tony Hawk's blood INSIDE of it?!

You're in luck ... 'cause the skate legend has just released a line of boards that have a vial of his blood infused into the decks' paint jobs!!!

The 53-year-old skater teamed up with Liquid Death, a canned water company, to make the rides ... and they're gnarly.

Liquid Death documented how they were made in a video released Tuesday ... showing how Hawk's blood was drawn from his arm and eventually poured into the red paint that was used for the skateboards' graphics scheme.

Liquid Death says the boards -- which feature the company's "It's the Thirst Executioner" character holding a hawk skull and a bloody ax -- are limited to a quantity of just 100 ... and are currently selling for $500 apiece.

The water co. adds that each ride will come with a certificate of authenticity ... and Hawk says he's in love with it all.

"I am deeply thankful to have a connection with my fans, and I appreciate how Liquid Death connects with theirs," said Hawk, who added that he just recently became an ambassador for the water company.

"This collaboration is taking those connections to a new level, as I have literally put my blood (and soul?) into these decks."

Hawk continued, "And I take pride in knowing that organizations fighting plastic pollution and creating skate parks worldwide will be supported through our efforts."

Hawk says a percentage of the proceeds from the rides will go to Hawk's The Skatepark Project as well as 5 Gyres, an environmental nonprofit organization.

Shaquille O'Neal just came through in the clutch for one of his biggest fans ... making a special shoutout vid for his bar mitzvah -- and TMZ Sports has the vid!!!

We're told 13-year-old Adam Huczneker had a Lakers-themed celebration over the weekend ... and the kid's uncle wanted to make it extra memorable, so he DM'd the NBA legend asking for a quick message.

Not only did Shaq agree, he sent a video going all-out with every Jewish phrase he could think of -- even wishing the kid a Happy New Year.

(Shaq may not have known, but he isn't too far off on his well wishes -- the Jewish New Year is September 6, so it actually works!)

Look, he may not have said all the right things, but Shaq certainly gave it his all ... and we're told everyone in attendance absolutely loved it!

The L.A. Lakers honored Kobe Bryant's birthday Monday by passing on the gift of Lakeshow fandom to newborn babies ... and the gesture was AWESOME.

Lakers officials teamed up with UCLA Health to hook up some lucky parents and their newborns with Mamba gifts -- and they added a sweet "Welcome to the World!" letter with the swag bag.

In the note, the Lakers explained in order to pay homage to Kobe's birthday, they were passing along shirts and other KB gear.

"On this special day, we want to honor Kobe Bryant and celebrate you," Lakers officials wrote in the letter.

"Kobe loved his family, and so this Kobe Day, we're giving you and your family three shirts: two for your loved ones and one for you to grow into someday."

They concluded the letter, "Lakers family is for life."

The gift bundle not only included classic #24 Lakers shirts, it also came with a #8 baby cap and even a little baby Lakers blanket!

L.A. shared video of the happy families holding up their shirts with their newborns ... and it was all adorable.

Bryant -- who was killed in a helicopter crash in January 2020 -- would have turned 43 this week.

Kyle Anderson -- one of the best dart throwers in the world -- has died at just 33 years old ... the Professional Darts Corporation confirmed Monday.

"We send our condolences and best wishes to Kyle's family and friends at this terribly sad time, particularly his wife and children," PDC president Barry Hearn said in a statement.

"He was a popular player on the tour and his talent and dedication made him an inspiration to other players around the world."

No cause of death has been released.

Anderson has been throwing darts competitively for decades ... and competed in SEVEN total World Championships -- and famously won the Auckland Darts Masters in 2017.

Darts players from around the globe expressed sadness over his death Monday ... with legend Phil Taylor writing on social media, "What terrible news to wake up to what a nice friendly man."

"@KyleDarts RIP pal. Thoughts go to all your family."

Added fellow PDC star Simon Whitlock, "Totally gutted to wake to the terrible news about Kyle. Not only a brilliant player but a very nice man."

"Many times I played against him and loved playing with him. You will be missed Kyle but never forgotten -- tragic."

It's not Deion Sanders, Tyreek Hill or Bo Jackson ... no, the fastest NFL player ever is Chris Johnson -- so says CJ2K himself.

The legendary Tennessee Titans running back made the claim to TMZ Sports ... saying if he lined up for a race against every fast NFL legend ever -- and everyone was still in their prime -- he would've dusted them all.

"No question," Johnson says.

The statement is a bold one -- after all, Sanders alone is rumored to have once run a 4.1 40-yard dash -- but Chris says he believes in his speed THAT much.

"You look at my tape, I've never been caught," Johnson says. "I made people pull hamstrings!"

Johnson's obviously not lying ... the guy ran a 4.24 40-yard dash at the 2008 NFL Combine -- and his speed was consistently on display throughout his 10-year NFL career.

As for if CJ2K could still get it done on the track ... he told us that just ain't happenin' now -- admitting Hill would beat him in a sprint today.

Patrick Reed -- one of the best golfers on the planet -- has been hospitalized ... after the PGA Tour star says he's been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.

The 31-year-old former Masters champ announced the scary news in a statement to Golf Channel's Todd Lewis ... saying, fortunately, all signs are pointing toward him getting back to 100 percent health soon.

"I'm on the road to recovery," said Reed, who had been battling an ankle injury before his bout with the serious lung infection. "Once I'm cleared from the doctors -- I look forward to returning [to golf]."

Reed added, "I wish you all the best and I can't wait to get back out there!"

Reed -- who's been in a Houston-area hospital since Friday -- has pulled out of this weekend's BMW Championship while he continues to fight off the pneumonia.

It's unclear if Reed's diagnosis was in any way related to COVID-19.

Reed has been one of the most consistent golfers on the PGA Tour the past few years ... famously winning the Masters in 2018 and the Farmers Insurance Open last January.

A volleyball coach is calling out Denver's Valor Christian High School -- claiming the administrators "grilled" and belittled him after they found out he was gay ... and forced him to resign.

Inoke Tonga shared the details on Sunday ... saying he had a meeting with the campus pastor and athletic director last week about a Facebook post he made suggesting he's gay.

"I was asked if I had any changes in lifestyle that were life changing," Tonga said on Instagram.

"As I was asked repeatedly that question, they finally asked if I had posted something inappropriate on my social media that would go against Valor's culture and beliefs."

"Eventually they asked if I did an interview, or posted anything about being gay. My answer was yes."

Tonga -- who started coaching the boy's team in 2020 -- says he was then "grilled about how being gay is a danger to the school and to the kids."

"They proceeded by telling me that they weren't trying to convert me into being a straight man and that ultimately I had two choices."

Tonga says those two choices were to denounce that he was gay or accept his sexuality but know that they "can't have you in front of the kids if you identify that way".

Tonga refused to denounce being gay and was released ... but when the school made the announcement, they said he resigned -- not that they forced him out.

"They told my girls, and the volleyball community that I was my choice to leave, which is a sense, yes, I chose to not denounce my sexuality but they left out the part where they pushed me out."

The school told the Denver Post that their faculty has to agree with the Christian beliefs and after talking with Tonga -- who is Christian -- they realized he did not support that and he decided to leave.

Steph Curry's parents are going their separate ways ... TMZ Sports has learned Sonya Curry has filed for divorce from Dell Curry.

55-year-old Sonya put in the paperwork back on June 14 in North Carolina ... according to court records. A court official tells us the divorce is still ongoing.

Details surrounding the reason for the split are unclear -- we're working on it.

The couple -- whose other son, Seth, plays for the Philadelphia 76ers -- had been dating for decades and were officially married way back in 1988.

The two have been spotted cheering on Steph and Seth from the stands at NBA games for years ... famously wearing gear featuring both the Warriors and Trail Blazers logos when their two sons faced off against each other in the 2019 NBA playoffs.

57-year-old Dell and Sonya had first met when they were student-athletes at Virginia Tech ... and gave birth to Steph years later in 1988.

The couple then had Seth in 1990, and daughter Sydel in 1994.

Brandon Hanks is the most famous Syracuse PD officer -- having gone viral for playing hoops with kids years ago -- but shockingly, he's still on the force after superiors accused him of being a gang member ... prompting him to file a massive lawsuit.

Brandon joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday to discuss his $33 million suit against Syracuse PD ... a legal move he made after the brass denied him a promotion to a gang violence task force.

He says the only reason he was given was an allegation, from at least one superior, that he's a gang member who's selling drugs.

He denies the claims, saying there's no evidence, and also finds it bizarre he's still working his beat. Brandon pointed out the obvious ... if his bosses really thought he was up to no good, he'd be indicted.

He thinks the real issue is racism, and in his lawsuit, he accuses Syracuse PD of having a "Jim Crow culture."

Brandon told us Syracuse PD loved him when he was getting them national attention for challenging kids to basketball games as part of a community outreach program -- but, for some reason, that all changed when he tried to advance his career.

Vanessa Bryant is honoring Kobe Bryant on his 43rd birthday by posting a heartfelt message to her late husband ... saying she will love him forever.

The tributes have been pouring in for the NBA legend on Monday ... with the Lakers, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Wilson and more sharing messages of love.

Vanessa shared a picture of the couple kissing and posing with the Larry O'Brien trophy after winning one of his 5 championships on Instagram just minutes ago ... saying, "Happy birthday, Papi. Te Amo por siempre. Amor Eterno. ❤️💔 43."

Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, passed away in a tragic helicopter crash in January 2020 ... and Vanessa has previously opened up on the "unimaginable" pain she's gone through since the accident.

"Lying in bed crying isn't going to change the fact that my family will never be the same again," Vanessa told People.com back in March ... "But getting out of bed and pushing forward is going to make the day better for my girls and for me. So that's what I do."

Former NHL winger Jimmy Hayes -- who played for several teams including the Chicago Blackhawks -- has died ... his alma mater, Boston College, announced on Monday.

He was just 31 years old.

No other details surrounding the former NHL player's death were given.

"Boston College Hockey is heartbroken over the passing of Jimmy Hayes," B.C. officials said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Hayes family."

Hayes -- who was picked in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft -- made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in 2011.

He went on to play 7 seasons in the league ... logging ice time for the 'Hawks, Panthers, Bruins and Devils. He finished his career with 54 total goals scored.

Hayes' younger brother, Kevin Hayes, is currently a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

#RIP

Jake Paul is sending a warning to Myles Garrett ... saying the Cleveland Browns star better not get in the ring with his older bro, Logan -- 'cause he'll get KNOCKED OUT!!!

The 24-year-old YouTube superstar is responding to Garrett's recent comments to Complex ... in which he claimed he would "beat the brakes off of Logan Paul" if he were to ever take a celebrity fight.

Jake -- who is a Browns fan -- gave his two cents on the matchup ... saying there's no doubt in his mind Logan would whoop the defensive end's ass.

"Stick to football, my friend," Paul told the "3 Things to Know" podcast.

"I like Myles. I have nothing against him, he’s an amazing player. But you saw what happened when Nate Robinson from the NBA tried to step into the ring. People don’t realize it’s a whole different sport."

Of course, 6'4", 272-lb. Garrett is no stranger to fighting -- remember, he was suspended in 2019 for ripping Mason Rudolph's helmet off and swinging it at him.

He's also spent time with ex-UFC champ Stipe Miocic ... who said the guy is insane in the gym.

With that being said, Jake isn't convinced Garrett would stand a chance against 6'2". 180-lb. Logan.

"My brother sparred against all of the Gronkowski brothers, who are 6’5", 6’6", 6’7" and he took them all down in the same sparring session."

"People don’t realize this is a sport where time and experience is really the only thing that gets you better. So long story short, my brother would knock him out, no question. But nothing against Myles."

The Great Bambino has NOTHING on Shohei Ohtani ... so says ex-MLB star David Justice, who tells TMZ Sports the Angels star is flat-out better than Babe Ruth!

The former Atlanta Braves slugger made the eyebrow-raising claim out at a charity softball game in L.A. on Sunday ... explaining he thinks Shohei is just that "special."

Justice also said Babe's insane performances as a two-way player were cheapened a bit 'cause he didn't have to face the same level of talent that Shohei does night in and night out.

"Babe Ruth played against farmers," Justice said ... adding, "Oh, and by the way, [Ruth] only played against one race."

"You didn't play against none of the Negro League players. You didn't play against none of the Asian players. You didn't play none of the Latin players. So, you only played against this population of players."

Don't get it twisted, Justice says he's not hating on Babe ... he just thinks what Shohei is doing now is more impressive.

"I don't want it to sound like I'm hating on Babe," Justice tells us. "It's just that I'm giving extra love to Ohtani."

Shohei is the favorite to win AL MVP this season after he's balled out at both the plate and on the mound ... leading baseball with 40 home runs while also compiling a 2.79 ERA.

Carson Wentz is stepping in to help Haiti following a deadly earthquake that killed over 2,100 people ... by donating $250,000 to help those affected by the tragedy.

The Indianapolis Colts QB announced the amazing gesture via video message Sunday, saying his wife, Madison, his AO1 Foundation and Haiti's Mission Of Hope are teaming up to help the victims of the August 14 earthquake.

"Currently there's great need for medical supplies, medications, food, clean water and shelter," Wentz said.

"To meet this need, my wife and I, as well as the AO1 Foundation, are proud to announce that we'll once again be partnering with Mission of Hope by donating 250,000 towards the relief efforts in Haiti."

The 7.2 earthquake reportedly killed over 2,100 people and left thousands injured -- this is 11 years after another devastating earthquake that killed between 220,000 to 300,000 people.

"Our family has been impacted tremendously by the country of Haiti and its people," Wentz said on Twitter.

"Please consider joining us prayerfully and financially as Haiti continues to rebuild and restore hope in their country. God bless!"

Wentz has been deeply involved with Haiti since 2017 ... the 28-year-old helped build their sports complex and even had teammates go out there with him for charitable work.

John Cena is speaking out after his crushing defeat at the hands of Roman Reigns at SummerSlam ... saying his time in the squared circle is up for now, but promising he will be back again.

The WWE legend duked it out with the Universal Champ on Saturday ... in an epic back-and-forth match at Allegiant Stadium.

But, the 16-time world champ came up short in the main event brawl, with Reigns taking the dub ... and then being confronted by Brock Lesnar right after.

Now, Cena is saying his goodbyes to Vince McMahon's organization ... at least, for the time being.

"Words cannot describe how appreciative I am that the @WWEUniverse allowed me the opportunity to return and perform," Cena tweeted Monday.

"Thank you staff, superstars, and most of all FANS for giving me an unforgettable summer at 'home' with my 'family.'"

"The journey takes me away now but I’ll C U soon."

Of course, Cena is a big-time movie star now ... but was able to make time to appear at WWE events throughout the summer. It certainly doesn't sound like a permanent farewell ... which is good for fans who want to see him go out on top.

It should be Justin Fields -- NOT Andy Dalton -- under center for the Bears in Week 1 ... so says Willie Gault, who tells TMZ Sports there's no point in delaying the rookie's debut.

Despite taking Fields with the #11 pick in the spring's NFL draft ... Chicago has seemed set on starting Dalton.

But, after two strong performances in Fields' first two preseason games with the team ... Gault is now calling for the former Ohio State star to just start right away.

"The coach is going to make that decision, but for me, let's go!" the former Bears wideout told us at a charity softball game in Los Angeles on Sunday.

"Why not?! Off the bat, absolutely."

Fields has dazzled at times during his limited preseason snaps so far ... piling up 222 passing yards on 23 completions while adding 79 rushing yards on just nine carries.

The dude has even showed some legit toughness ... taking a massive shot in Chicago's game against the Bills on Saturday and getting right back up afterward.

All of it has Gault clamoring for the Bears to make him QB1 ... saying, "Only way to learn is you got to do it!"