TMZ Sports - Page 12

Viral Olympic breaker Rachael Gunn -- AKA "Raygun" -- is issuing a mea culpa to the entire community for all the backlash it faced following her Paris 2024 performance ... saying despite the end results, she truly tried her best.

Raygun did a sit-down interview with "The Project" on Wednesday ... where she addressed all the hoopla surrounding her infamous routine last month -- including the not-so-nice reactions.

"It is really sad to hear those criticisms, and I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced," Raygun said. "But I can't control how people react."

Aryna Sabalenka's win at the US Open in New York on Tuesday night ended up being a big victory for all in attendance ... as she promised free booze to everyone who watched her score the W.

The 26-year-old made the offer just after rolling through Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium ... when ESPN's Pam Shriver asked her how she planned on getting support in the next round against American Emma Navarro.

"Umm," the Belarusian said, "drinks on me tonight!?"

Charles Barkley believes Caitlin Clark is being grossly mistreated by her fellow WNBA players so far in her career ... and he's chalking it all up to "petty jealousness."

The Chuckster teed off on the current state of the W during an interview with Bill Simmons this week ... claiming despite all Clark has done for the organization, her peers are dropping the ball by being grade-A haters.

"These ladies, and I'm a WNBA fan, they cannot have f***ed this Caitlin Clark thing up any worse if they tried," the Hall of Famer said.

His nickname might be El Presidente, but don't expect to see Dave Portnoy on a ballot anytime soon ... 'cause the Barstool Sports founder says there's a ZERO percent chance he ever runs for political office.

Portnoy -- who is passionate about his views on social media -- was asked about the possibility of getting into government on the most recent episode of "The Resilient Life" with Ryan Manion ... and despite admitting he's entertained the idea in the past, he's adamant that's as far as he'll go.

"Never," Portnoy said. "I've thought about it. I get so mad, but I'm a firm believer you can get a lot more done not in political office."

TMZ Sports has learned Miller Moss -- the star quarterback who helped lift the Trojans to an upset win over No. 13 LSU this weekend -- was investigated by USC a little less than three years ago ... after he was involved in a feud with his roommate.

The probe occurred sometime in the spring of 2022 -- just after the signal-caller had finished his first season at Southern Cal.

The school tells us it could not get into the specifics of the matter due to legal reasons -- but in a statement released on Moss' behalf, the redshirt junior QB said he was remorseful for the behavior that apparently sparked the investigation.

A University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestler has been arrested for murder ... following the shooting death of star gymnast Kara Welsh, law enforcement tells TMZ Sports.

The Whitewater Police released a statement days after Welsh, 21 years old, was found dead at her off-campus apartment ... tragically struck down by multiple gunshots on August 30.

A 23-year-old male, Chad Richards, was present at the apartment when police arrived following the fatal shooting ... and after a thorough investigation, WPD determined the shooting was a result of an altercation between the two.

Nikki Bella is lawyering up, Brad Pitt is making a big debut and Ricky Pearsall is recovering from a gunshot wound ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Babcock explain why Nikki may be pulling the plug on her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev any day now ... because she's on the hunt for a divorce lawyer in the wake of her husband's arrest for domestic violence.

San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch says Ricky Pearsall's current health status is nothing short of a miracle ... revealing the wide receiver is "doing really well" just days after he was shot during an attempted robbery.

The Hall of Fame safety shared the incredible news with the media on Tuesday ... saying the 23-year-old rookie has already rejoined his teammates at the facility -- and the whole organization is "incredibly blessed."

Lynch confirmed Pearsall -- who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest around 4 PM in San Francisco on Saturday -- does not have nerve or organ damage as a result of the altercation.

The love story between Taylor Swift and the National Football League is back for a second season ... because the NFL is promoting the pop star more than the game's best player.

The NFL just released a promo video for the 2024 season ahead of Thursday's opening game, and Taylor has the lion's share of screen time ... making five appearances in a 28-second clip.

Taylor is shown more than any player in the league, and the NFL doesn't show Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes until the very end ... when he's seen hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The 83 hot dogs probably haven't even left Joey Chestnut's system yet, but Jaws already has his next gig approaching in a matter of days -- he's slated to compete in a bratwurst-eating contest at the Cincinnati Bengals' season opener!!

Chestnut put on a record-setting performance against Takeru Kobayashi in the 'Unfinished Beef' event on Monday ... defeating his nemesis by a whopping 17 tube steaks.

While many expected Chestnut to take some time to recover after the insane outing, the competitive-eating G.O.A.T. is proving he only needs a couple days before getting back to business ... agreeing to do a 5 vs. 1 Oktoberfest bratwurst challenge as part of the halftime entertainment when Cincy hosts the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Taylor Swift appears to really be entering into her offensive coordinator era ... Travis Kelce just confirmed she is, in fact, drawing up Chiefs plays!!

The popstar's boyfriend broke it all down on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Tuesday -- just days after his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, said Swift has been working on some X's and O's on the whiteboard.

Kelce revealed his boo takes everything she does seriously -- and that includes her football fandom -- so she is, indeed, learning how to move chess pieces around the gridiron.

Denard Robinson has struck a deal with prosecutors to close out his drinking and driving case, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court records, the former University of Michigan superstar pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating while visibly impaired last week. In exchange, records show officials agreed to drop the misdemeanor operating while intoxicated count he had been first hit with.

A rep for the Ann Arbor City Attorney's Office tells us ... Robinson is now facing a sentence of up to 93 days in jail, up to $300 in fines, and four points to his driver's license. Under the initial OWI charge, Robinson had been facing up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 -- plus six points on his license.

Nikki Bella is on the hunt for a divorce lawyer ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Nikki has been making calls since Friday, and we're told her intention is to file to end her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev.

Nikki began the search a day after Artem allegedly attacked her, resulting in some physical injury that triggered his arrest for felony domestic violence.

12:19 PM PT -- Local authorities are currently looking for more information on the fake ads ... with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office telling TMZ Sports it is investigating the matter.

Vice President Kamala Harris seemingly received a massive endorsement Monday ... with political ads dubbing her the official presidential candidate of the Philadelphia Eagles popping up around the city.

The only problem?? The team didn't approve the ad ... nor has it endorsed any presidential candidate -- and the city is now working on having all the posters removed.

The ads -- which displayed Harris in an Eagles helmet and holding a football -- were displayed at bus stops owned by Intersection Media ... leading to the company to issue a statement denying their legitimacy.

"Hawk Tuah" girl's gonna be spittin' on that ... mic, thanks to Jake Paul ... the Problem Child's Betr company inked a deal with Haliey Welch, and she's launching a brand new podcast!

Talk Tuah will be a weekly show starring the 21-year-old viral sensation ... where Welch will "bring her signature blend of southern values and comedic flair to the show and will also continue to diversify her platform and voice as a regular contributor to the company’s always-on, character-driven social content."

The Baltimore Ravens will pay tribute to their former wide receiver Jacoby Jones and offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris this season ... revealing a new decal to honor the late members of the organization.

The team made the announcement Tuesday ... just two days before they open their season against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

The sticker will be placed on the backs of every player's helmet ... and will feature both "Joe D." on the top and "Jacoby 12" on the bottom.