TMZ Sports - Page 47

4:16 PM PT -- Colorado State Police tell TMZ Sports that "excessive speed" is being investigated for the fatal crash of the three UW swim team members.

"The vehicle was southbound on Highway 287 and swerved to miss a vehicle in front of them stopped to make a left turn on to Larimer CR 37," CSP said.

"No alcohol or drugs suspected as casual factors."

Three members of the University of Wyoming swim team were tragically killed on Thursday after a horrific, single-car crash in northern Colorado.

According to the Colorado State Police, five passengers were traveling in a Toyota RAV4 around 2:44 PM when the vehicle swerved off the road, and rolled over, ejecting two people, and leaving the SUV mangled.

Sadly, three victims, ages ranging from 18 to 21, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Denver Post ... and they were members of the UW swim and diving team.

The two surviving victims are also members of the swim team.

"My thoughts and prayers are with our swimming and diving student-athletes, coaches, families and friends," UW Director of Athletics Tom Burman said in a statement.

"It is difficult to lose members of our University of Wyoming family, and we mourn the loss of these student-athletes."

The crash is under investigation ... and it is not yet known if speed, or any other factors played a role in the crash.

This isn't the first time UW Athletics has seen such devastation ... in 2001, eight runners from the track team were killed when a drunk driver crashed into their Jeep on the same highway.

R.I.P.

Katy Perry's old feud with Taylor Swift is dunzo -- something we already knew, but which was double confirmed by the fact KP crashed her Aussie show ... and sang a certain song.

The pop star was one of a handful of famous people on hand Friday for T-Swift's first Sydney concert -- where she was hanging in the VIP tent with Rita Ora and, of course, Travis Kelce ... who flew on down to be with his girlfriend.

Katy's presence was interesting though ... on account that she and Tay Tay used to beef.

That's why her singing "Bad Blood" -- which has always been rumored to be about Katy -- was fascinating to see ... as Taylor belted out the tune onstage, she was being recorded singing along down in the crowd. It's the ultimate irony ... and proof they're all good now.

Katy even posted a picture with Taylor after the show ... and they look very chummy.

If you're unfamiliar ... the whole saga dates back to 2014 or so, when Taylor was first releasing "Bad Blood" -- during which she alluded to a rift in a friendship ... and most everyone assumed she was referring to Katy, explaining it was a personnel issue.

Taylor talked about it at the time without naming KP ... "She did something so horrible. I was like, ‘Oh, we’re just straight-up enemies.’ And it wasn’t even about a guy! It had to do with business. She basically tried to sabotage an entire arena tour."

TS added ... "She tried to hire a bunch of people out from under me. And I’m surprisingly non-confrontational – you would not believe how much I hate conflict. So now I have to avoid her. It’s awkward, and I don’t like it."

Katy ended up responding with her own diss track, of sorts, and went on to say that their feud was all about backup dancers -- namely, Katy hiring some of Taylor's own staffers.

In the end ... they ended up making up by the time Taylor dropped her song/video for 'You Need to Calm Down' -- in which Katy made a cameo ... and was clearly cool with her again.

Now, they're buddies, it seems, and all that bad blood has turned into water under a bridge.

Speaking of water ... there was a lot of it at Taylor's Sydney show -- albeit, well before curtain call. Some fans got caught in a brief downpour as they were filing into the stadium

Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant had a pregame exchange with two fans ahead of Thursday night's game ... confronting the Mavericks supporters after being called a "bitch."

The whole exchange was captured on video ... showing KD running out of the tunnel for warmups -- but coming to a screeching halt after hearing the word hurled his way.

Durant quickly approached the two fans -- who appeared to have great seats for the game -- and they went back and forth for a good 30 seconds before the two-time NBA champ waved his hand in disgust and rejoined his teammates.

Of course, the NBA has a history of kicking heckling fans out of games at a player's request ... and it appeared the pair of Dallas backers were about to be escorted out of American Airlines Center before Durant returned to the scene and intervened.

It's unclear what was said between Durant and the fans ... but according to reporter Jonah Javad, the hooper saved them from getting the boot.

As for the game, Durant finished with 23 points and six rebounds ... but the Suns fell to the Mavs, 123-113.

MLB fans freaking out over their teams' new jerseys can take a chill pill ... 'cause Eric Hosmer tells TMZ Sports that even though they don't look so hot right now, he's sure the league will get it fixed by Opening Day.

The uniforms have been widely criticized by seamheads and even players all over the country after they were debuted earlier this month out at spring training.

Many have noted the new Nike designs have some serious flaws -- namely, the lettering on the back is too small and the positioning of some of the logos just doesn't feel right.

Plus, diehards have hated the way the pants have appeared to be see-through.

When we spoke with Hosmer about the hot-button topic this week ... he said he understood fans' concerns, admitting the jerseys do look "a little bit" like knockoffs. But, he added that he's almost positive changes will occur before Week 1.

"There's no doubt in my mind that they'll get it right before Opening Day," he said. "And those guys will be looking like Big Leaguers come April 1 -- whenever the first game is."

The former World Series champ also spoke with us about Shohei Ohtani's new, massive Dodgers contract -- and he gave us his prediction for who he thinks will be the toughest team to beat in 2024.

As for what he's up to now after officially retiring earlier this week ... he's started his own sports media company with his former teammate, Anthony Seratelli, called "MoonBall Media."

We're finally at the finish line in the week at TMZ -- but our TV topics are only ramping up.

BANNER

Starting on 'TMZ Live,' Harvey and Michael talked about a tough subject in the tragic diagnosis of Wendy Williams -- namely, the fact she now has aphasia and dementia.

Amid a lot of rumors and speculation -- not to mention a new documentary from Lifetime chronicling Wendy's recent struggles -- her team came out this week with the heavy news ... and safe to say, Wendy fans everywhere are expressing their well-wishes at this time.

On 'TMZ on TV,' the gang talked about Taylor Swift's latest trip to the Sydney Zoo -- only this time she had Travis Kelce with her ... this after a long flight all the way across the world.

She'd scoped the place out just the day prior ... so yeah, she was playing tour guide here.

Finally on 'TMZ Sports,' Babcock and Mojo talked Adrian Peterson's claims about his trophies.

Check your local listings for when TMZ is on in your area or catch up on past episodes!

Jalen Brunson's dad, a Knicks coach, doesn't let up -- not even on All-Star weekend -- 'cause the Knicks star revealed his own flesh and blood called him an "f'ing bum" while he was competing in the 3-point challenge!

ICYMI, the Knicks star participated in this year's 3-point shooting contest, going up against sharpshooters like Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young.

While Jalen was throwin' up shots, Brunson told Josh Hart and Matt Hillman on the Roommates Show podcast, that he heard a dude behind the bench trash talkin'.

"Some bald guy behind the bench ... I heard 'ayo you f'n bum!'" Brunson said. "I said, 'who just said that? My dad."

Brunson's dad, Rick -- who became a Knicks assistant in 2022 -- didn't stop there ... he also trolled him for missing shots.

"He was like, 'Yeah with that bonus, we could have finished my basement,'" Brunson said.

Hart -- one of Brunson's best friends and now a teammate again after being traded to NY last season -- thought it was HILARIOUS ... and had to side with his assistant coach.

"Valid point," Hart joked. "That's a very valid point."

Of course, it's all good-natured fun with Brunson's dad (a former NBA player himself, though not a star like his son) ... 'cause dad is actually super proud.

"There were times when you wanted to be like me.  And now, I wish I could be like you when I was your age," Rick said.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Sydney Zoo date was cute and all ... but PETA says they should've been mindful of how the animals are treated/handled in this type of environment.

Debbie Metzler --  PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Welfare -- uses Taylor's own song against her to make her point ... telling TMZ, "While we understand all too well the appeal of seeing Australia's wildlife, PETA hopes that next time Taylor and Travis want to see wild animals, they'll spend their time and money at a true sanctuary."

They add that a sanctuary is a better choice 'cause visitors aren't allowed to feed/touch the animals there ... in fact, they're required to keep a respectful distance from them altogether. The zoo there, on the other hand, apparently lets you get hands-on with the wildlife.

Of course, Traylor was doing one of the things PETA advised not to do ... namely, feeding a kangaroo at Sydney Zoo while also checking out a bunch of other animal exhibitions.

The lovebirds were like two kids in a candy store ... enjoying their time at the attraction during their first Sydney reunion date. However, Taylor seems to have known they'd have a blast there -- as she'd already scoped out the place earlier the previous day.

Of course, the pair are just trying to pack in as much time together as possible before Tay Tay gets busy with her final 4 Sydney concerts -- but on this animal adventure specifically, PETA clearly disapproves.

For next time, Taylor and Travis might want to take PETA's advice and head to a local animal sanctuary on their next date ... that is, if they actually care what the org thinks about it.

As you're probably well aware -- PETA tends to sound off on any and all celebs who they feel are acting inappropriately as it pertains to animals/animal rights -- and here ... they're saying Taylor and Travis should've considered a better option for sightseeing.

Can't please everyone. 🤷🏽‍♂️

The assault charge Isaiah Stewart had been facing for allegedly socking Drew Eubanks in the face was dismissed on Thursday ... after prosecutors said the Phoenix Suns player didn't want to move forward with the case against the Detroit Pistons center.

According to court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, officials filed a motion in Arizona to dismiss the case this week ... explaining Eubanks "no longer desires prosecution in this matter."

A judge signed off on the motion a short time later -- putting Stewart in the clear.

The 22-year-old was slated to have a hearing in the case on Friday -- less than two weeks after cops say witnesses told them he had punched Eubanks in the parking tunnel of the Footprint Center following an argument just before they were slated to compete in a game against each other.

But, a court official tells us the hearing has now been scrapped following the dismissal of the case.

Stewart, however, was still punished by the NBA for his involvement in the altercation ... the league said Thursday it was hitting him with a three-game ban without pay.

The Detroit Pistons will be without Isaiah Stewart for three games ... 'cause the NBA just suspended the forward for punching Suns player Drew Eubanks in an arena hallway on Valentine's Day.

The NBA announced the news on Thursday, just over a week after Stewart allegedly hit Eubanks during a heated argument in the bowels of Footprint Arena hours before the Pistons-Suns game in Arizona.

In a statement, the league said ... "Detroit Pistons forward-center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended three games without pay for initiating a physical altercation with Phoenix Suns forward-center Drew Eubanks," adding, "Stewart punched and pushed Eubanks during the altercation."

In fact, the situation was serious enough that Phoenix PD were called to the scene to investigate, and Stewart was ultimately arrested for assault.

Simultaneously, the NBA launched its own inquiry ... and announced its findings today.

Despite being charged with a crime, Stewart -- who's averaging 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season -- clearly wasn't concerned about the assault rap ... his attorney Alex Spiro told us he expected the "case to be dismissed."

Sure enough, officials in AZ tell us the case has been dropped.

Matt Araiza -- the former Bills punter who was cut by Buffalo in the 2022 preseason after a woman alleged he sexually assaulted her -- is now signing with the Chiefs ... roughly two months after his accuser dropped her lawsuit against him.

The 23-year-old football player's agents announced the move on social media Thursday afternoon ... praising the kicker for how he's handled everything since the allegations were first brought against him nearly two years ago.

"We are grateful to Brett Veach, coach [Andy] Reid and the @Chiefs organization for giving Matt this opportunity," JL Sports officials wrote on X. "Matt has been to hell and back in the last 18 months. He has handled himself with grace and humility that is truly inspiring."

They added, "Matt can now move forward knowing that this ordeal is behind him. He is thrilled to move forward as a part of the #ChiefsKingdom."

As we previously reported, Araiza's accuser claimed in a suit filed back in August '22 that when she was 17 years old, Araiza and two of his college football teammates raped her while she was attending a 2021 Halloween party at the punter's San Diego-area home.

Araiza was adamant at the time the claims were false ... and in December 2022, some four months after she filed the suit, prosecutors announced they would not be pressing charges against the NFLer.

"There is no path to a potential criminal conviction," they said in revealing their decision.

A year later, in December 2023, Araiza's attorneys announced the woman had dropped her suit after the parties reached an agreement.

"Matt is not paying the plaintiff any money," Araiza's lawyers said in a statement, "and he is reserving his right to pursue the plaintiff’s attorney, Dan Gilleon, and his law office for the harm that they have caused him."

Randy Moss didn't learn of his trade to the Patriots on a football field, weight room or at an NFL facility ... no, he says it all actually went down at a nightclub!!

The Hall of Famer made the revelation on the newest episode of "The Dynasty: New England Patriots" -- explaining that he was outside of a hot spot getting ready to party when Bill Belichick hit his line about acquiring him from Oakland.

Moss said initially, he thought it was a prankster, so he hung up.

"I was like, 'Well, maybe he doesn't want to come to New England,'" Belichick said of the 2007 call. "So, then I called him again."

Moss said he again thought it was someone yanking his chain ... but then The Hoodie got serious.

"He cut straight to the chase," Moss said of Belichick. "He said, 'Look, man, if you're not up here by 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, no trade.'"

Moss then went inside and celebrated his face off ... with none other than a grip of beer!!!

"I held one of my Coronas," he said. "And said, 'I'm going to be a Patriot!'"

Of course, Moss went on to make history in Foxborough ... in the three seasons after Belichick traded for a 4th-round pick for him, he logged 3,904 receiving yards and a staggering 50 TDs -- including a record 23 in 2007. He also helped lead the Pats to an undefeated regular season that year -- although they ultimately lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.

Sean Strickland is apparently taking on all challengers both inside and outside the Octagon these days ... getting into a scrap on Thursday with a man right on top of a mountain!!!

The impromptu wrestling match happened on a ski slope that appears to be somewhere in North America ... after a dude who Strickland may or may not have known asked him for a wrestling match amid a flurry of snow.

Of course, as one of the baddest men in the UFC -- the former middleweight champ accepted ... and seconds later, the two were locking horns.

Initially, Strickland's opponent seemed to hold his own as a group of snowboarders gathered around and cheered on the action ... but it didn't take long for the MMA star to get control.

And, after a few moments, Strickland made the guy tap. Later, he celebrated the unique win on Instagram.

"Always a good time on the mountain!!!!" the 32-year-old said. "Yall need to stop challenging me lmao!!!!!"

Strickland has made a bit of a habit of beating up non-pros lately ... he took on social media star Sneako in a sparring sesh a few days ago, and after toying with him for a few minutes -- he made the influencer bleed.

Johnny Manziel says he withered from 210 pounds all the way down to 170 just months after his NFL career ended ... explaining his body morphed due to "a strict diet of blow."

The former Heisman Trophy winner opened up about his struggles following his Cleveland playing days during a recent, two-hour interview with Shannon Sharpe.

In the chat on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast ... Manziel admitted he was at nearly rock bottom once he had failed the Browns in 2015 at 23 years old -- so he turned to the Las Vegas party scene to pick him up.

Apparently, his trip to Sin City included a lot of cocaine ... something he says changed his figure into an unrecognizable one.

"At that point in time, man," Manziel said, "I would look in a mirror and I didn't see myself any different than when I was in Cleveland. Until I stepped on a scale at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, I didn't realize I had lost 40 pounds at all."

"I remember these pictures came out," he continued. "I was like, 'Damn. What am I doing? Ah, whatever, we'll figure that out later. Let's go again.'"

Manziel said in addition to coke, he was also using OxyContin and Percocets.

Johnny Football went on to lament other parts of his life in his talk with Sharpe -- including his strained relationship with LeBron James.

After Cleveland had drafted the Texas A&M QB, LeBron signed him to his agency ... and throughout his time with the Browns, Manziel said the NBA superstar tried to take him under his wing. But, while battling poor play and subsequent depression, he said he pushed the hooper away.

"LeBron would text me every week to come over to the house and watch a game or play poker with the boys and just tried to be there," Manziel said. "And I was so depressed for the first time in my life that even my biggest role model and inspiration in my life couldn't get me out of bed to come and hang out with him."

Manziel added that he still feels to this day he let the future basketball Hall of Famer down.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reunited down under -- and their first order of business as a couple was to go back to the zoo she was just at the day prior ... talk about déjà vu.

The lovebirds were seen hand in hand Thursday walking through the Sydney Zoo -- taking in the sights and peeping all the animal exhibitions. Tay Tay seemed to take the lead in showing him around ... which makes sense since she was literally there 24 hours before his arrival.

The attraction must've left a good impression on her, 'cause she clearly thought it'd be worth taking TK for round 2. Indeed ... she was playing the tour guide, as seen in these sky pics obtained by Australia's Channel 9 News. Heck, Traylor even fed a kangaroo at one point!

Now, they came off like they usually do as they moseyed around ... namely, super in love and tied at the hip. Not only were they holding hands, but they were locked in a hug a few different times as well. So, yeah ... they're still going strong and very into each other.

As we reported ... Travis was en route to Sydney Wednesday after hopping on a private jet Tuesday night from L.A. and making a pit stop in Hawaii.

Now, in terms of privacy ... it doesn't appear Taylor and Travis had the place shut down for themselves -- there were other zoo sightseers walking around, but they did seem to have their own little bubble without being bombarded by fans and gawkers. Thank you, security!

They got a few days together through the weekend -- however, Taylor will be busy ... as she's got 4 shows to do. Safe to say, Trav will be in attendance.

Ya gotta wonder what else they'll get into ... Sydney's a cool town, and there's lots to see/do. We'll be on the lookout for some bridge shots -- everybody heads there down under.

Have fun, you two!

The apple ain't fall too far from the tree with Cristiano Ronaldo and his 13-year-old son, CR Jr. ... 'cause the two look just alike -- even down to their shredded abs!

The proof's in the photos that 39-year-old Ronaldo dropped Thursday on Instagram featuring Cristiano Jr. ... giving his 622+ million followers a view of their physique during their workout sesh.

"Today with my partner ❤️," Ronaldo said in the caption.

The father-and-son snap got over 9 million likes within five hours ... and more than 76K comments, with one writing, "The king and heir to the throne🔥"

Of course, this father-and-son training session comes just a day after Ronaldo scored his 876th career goal in the AFC Champions League, helping lead Al-Nassr to the quarter-finals with a win over Al Feiha in the round of 16.

Like pops, Cristiano Jr. also plays soccer. He spent two seasons with the Juventus youth team before signing with Al-Nassr U13 last October.

And, as an ode to his superstar dad ... he also wears No. 7.

Motocross star Jayden "Jayo" Archer -- a two-time X Games medalist and the first person to land a triple backflip in competition -- died this week after crashing during trick practice in Australia.

He was just 27 years old.

Archer -- a member of the renowned action sports group Nitro Circus -- was reportedly attempting to recreate his famed upside-down move during drills in Melbourne on Wednesday ... when he tragically lost control of his bike.

Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus' co-founder, said in a statement to ESPN he was devastated to learn of the news.

"This really hit home," the motocross legend said. "Jayo grew up in a time when action sports was at its biggest, and he always wanted to do the big stuff like the double and the triple, even though there weren't a lot of places to showcase those bigger tricks."

"He was a great human first," Pastrana added, "a hard worker second and a bad motherf***er third."

Archer first began racing for Nitro Circus when he was a teenager ... but gained national notoriety in 2022 -- when he became the first rider ever to hit a triple backflip at the Nitro World Games in Australia.

After the stunt, he proposed to his girlfriend, and she said yes. The two were reportedly set to get married this year.

"Jayo was the epitome of passion, hard work & determination," Nitro Circus said in a post on its Instagram page. "He pushed what was possible on a dirt bike to heights never seen before. A positive influence to those around him. And above all else a great human being and friend to us all."

"Sending our thoughts and love to Jayo’s family and friends. We love you mate."