TMZ Sports - Page 20

PETA's imploring the Cleveland Browns to do away with their live-mascot tradition following the death of their sideline dog ... telling TMZ Sports it believes the practice is harmful to animals.

Tracy Reiman -- PETA's executive vice president -- made the urging on Tuesday afternoon ... just hours after the NFL org. revealed its bullmastiff mascot, Swagger Jr., had passed away at five years old.

Reiman said in a statement that "generations of breeding for a certain look have left bullmastiffs prone to hip dysplasia, cancer, and life-threatening heart issues, among other painful conditions." She added that she believed Swagger Jr.'s death "should be seen as a damning indictment of an industry that deliberately churns out these doomed breathing-impaired breeds."

A high-ranking BBC presenter wants to see political violence in the United States, Ray J wants back in the BET Awards and Ed Sheeran wants England's soccer team to play well to his music ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles react to BBC presenter David Aaronovitch calling for President Biden to have Donald Trump murdered.

Miami Dolphins receiver Braxton Berrios is having an all-time offseason ... living it up in Italy with his stunning girlfriend, Alix Earle!!

The TikTok superstar shared some shots from their getaway ... showing the two enjoying some drinks as they soaked up the sun on the beach.

Earle wasn't just lounging around in a bikini, though -- as she also shared footage jumping off the side of a rock and into the water.

Prince Harry's a humble, stand-up guy who blends in as just another fellow veteran, making him deserving of the Pat Tillman Award for Service ... a former recipient tells us amid the outrage over ESPN's decision to honor the royal.

U.S. Marine Jake Wood, who won the award in 2018, tells TMZ veterans who've interacted with Prince Harry through his Invictus Games efforts say he's as real as it gets. There's no air of superiority ... he just wants to sit, swap war stories, and ensure everyone's taken care of, he says.

No doubt in Jake's eyes, Harry's down-to-earth nature, on top of him devoting a large chunk of his post-military life to veterans, solidifies his worthiness for the award.

Bronny James is opening up on his decision to rock No. 9 in the NBA ... confirming he chose it to honor late musician Juice WRLD.

LeBron's eldest son faced the media for the first time as a Los Angeles Laker on Tuesday ... and after fielding several questions about his relationship with his four-time champion pops, who was in attendance for the presser, he explained how the digit he'll sport during games was far from random.

"Juice has just been a big part of me, keeping calm in some situations that I've been through," 19-year-old Bronny said minutes ago. "So yeah, just paying homage to him especially because he passed. It's a really important thing for me."

Deshaun Watson is having some fun in the sun with his model girlfriend Jilly Anais at one of the most picturesque places in the world ... before the star quarterback heads to training camp later this month!

The singer/model -- who's been with the NFL quarterback for five years -- shared video from their vacay in Ibiza, Spain ... ahead of Watson's third season in Cleveland.

It's obvious they're both having a GREAT time ... doing everything from jet skiing in the blue ocean to eating delicious food and sippin' champagne.

Dick Vitale just underwent surgery to remove a cancerous lymph node ... but in true Dickie V fashion, he's remaining positive about everything.

The famous college basketball announcer revealed last week that he was diagnosed with the disease after tests showed a mass in his neck was malignant.

On Tuesday, docs cut it out of him with the hopes of stopping its spread ... and in a post on his X page, he told his followers he's optimistic about his prognosis.

The Cleveland Browns are dealing with a heartbreaking loss on Tuesday -- the team's live mascot, Swagger Jr., has passed away.

He was just five years old.

The team posted a touching message in the Bullmastiff's honor minutes ago ... saying, "We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved mascot, SJ. We are so grateful for his many years of loyal support and cherish all of the wonderful memories he helped create for fans young and old."

Oklahoma State star running back Ollie Gordon II, who scored 21 rushing touchdowns last season, was arrested over the weekend ... after authorities said they believed he was driving drunk.

In court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper wrote they pulled over Gordon's black 2024 Cadillac at around 2:30 AM on Sunday ... after they say they saw it swerving and speeding on a local interstate.

During the ensuing stop, the trooper said in the docs "an odor associated with an alcoholic beverage" emanated from Gordon's ride ... so they conducted an interview with the 20-year-old football player.

Devastating news in the sports world ... rising Badminton star Zhang Zhijie died after collapsing during a match on Sunday. He was only 17.

The tragic incident occurred during the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia ... as China's Zhijie faced Japan's Kazuma Kawano.

Footage of the incident, which we will not share, shows Zhijie collapsing, sending him crashing to the floor, where he appeared to convulse ... as his opponent and other officials stood watching.

Ed Sheeran is pulling out all the stops to help his home team get ready for its Euro 2024 quarterfinal ... performing a private gig for the England soccer squad!!

The four-time Grammy Award winner -- a fellow Englishman -- swung by the Three Lions' training session on Monday ... and lent his vocals to help the team unwind following its hard-fought 2-1 win against Slovakia on Sunday.

Sheeran brought his guitar along for the performance ... and footage shows him strumming along and singing his hit, "The A Team."

NBA veteran Cameron Payne was placed in handcuffs and thrown behind bars last month because he repeatedly refused to give officers his real name during a police investigation after he dialed 911 ... at least, that's what cops are saying.

According to a Scottsdale Police Department incident report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Payne called cops at around 2:44 AM on June 14 after getting into an argument with his girlfriend in Arizona.

But, cops say when officers arrived on the scene, he and his GF told them police services were no longer desired ... as their quarrel was merely a verbal one, and they had calmed down since.

Cops know Kroy Biermann and Kim Zolciak's Georgia address by heart now -- they've been there enough -- but their latest visit wasn't for the couple fighting ... cops say the problem is their massive dog.

TMZ obtained a Milton PD report in which officers say they slapped Kroy with a citation Saturday due to a neighbor's complaint about his dog, Stone, getting loose and allegedly terrorizing a neighbor.

According to the docs, the neighbor called police after spotting the dog running free in the neighborhood, and claimed Stone had been "aggressive" toward her.

Prince Harry has key figures in his corner amid the outrage over ESPN's decision to honor him with the Pat Tillman Award for Service -- at least 2 former winners say Harry is definitely deserving.

Jake Wood, a U.S. Marine and former college football player who won the award in 2018, tells TMZ … the Duke of Sussex is a natural fit for the Tillman honor because of Harry's military service and his dedication to veterans.

Jake feels Prince Harry is a good choice because he's dedicated his life to serving and supporting the military and veterans -- Harry served 2 tours in Afghanistan -- and that should be commended because there are hundreds of different ways a British royal could live his life.

Dan Ige was planning on watching UFC 303 like the rest of us ... on the couch. But before the main card kicked off ... he found himself walking into the arena to take a fight against Diego Lopes on four hours notice -- and he tells TMZ Sports he would do it all over again!

We spoke with the 32-year-old fighter days after he saved the day for the UFC on its marquee card for International Fight Week. Ige said he is still riding the high of the entire saga.

"The last 24 hours have been an emotional roller coaster," he said. "I was preparing for a night in three weeks. Then, just getting the call on four hours notice and making that walk on such a huge event, saving the card, UFC 303 as the co-main event. 19,000 fans in the arena, getting a standing ovation. What a moment, what an opportunity."

Kanye West is facing some serious allegations, O.J. Simpson has the BET Awards in hot water and Brandon Aiyuk has a desired NFL landing spot ... all this on TMZ TV Hot Takes.

On "TMZ Live" Harvey and Charles break down a new lawsuit against Kanye, including allegations he mocked his employees as "new slaves."