TMZ Sports - Page 9

Bengals legend Willie Anderson is racing to Joe Burrow's defense ... telling TMZ Sports anyone who's blaming Cincinnati's early season woes on the quarterback is flat-out wrong.

The former offensive lineman snapped on the JB haters during an interview with us on Tuesday -- some 24 hours after the Bengals fell to 0-3 with a "Monday Night Football" loss to the Commanders.

"That's ridiculous, bro," Anderson told us of the Burrow criticism. "Like, they're in these games because of him. It's just totally ridiculous."

11:40 AM PT -- Teresa's attorney, Michael Garfinkel, tells TMZ, "Teresa's petition speaks for itself. Teresa is seeking to carry out Richard's wishes."

Richard Simmons' longtime housekeeper is petitioning to become co-trustee of his estate ... claiming Richard's brother pressured her to turn down the role while she was still grieving the fitness icon's death.

Teresa Reveles Muro -- who says she worked for Richard for nearly 40 years and was the one who found his body back in July -- filed a petition Wednesday ... claiming just days after Richard died, she, Richard's brother Leonard, and Leonard's wife Cathy went to view his body.

Right after this -- when Teresa says she was at her most vulnerable -- she says Leonard and Cathy took her to the office of the lawyers handling the trust, where she signed a document turning down the co-trustee role.

Barack Obama is lacking competent security, Chappell Roan is clarifying her comments on Kamala Harris and Robert Kraft is spending big on Tom Brady memorabilia ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles explain how Obama's Secret Service security detail got penetrated in Los Angeles, to the point where an armed man was standing right outside his SUV.

Wrestling star Alan Vera -- who just narrowly missed qualifying for Team USA's Olympic roster earlier this year -- has sadly died at 33 years old ... after he suffered a medical emergency while playing soccer earlier this summer.

USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender announced the tragic news on Wednesday ... revealing Vera had been in the hospital fighting to recover from a July 29 cardiac arrest when he passed away.

"The wrestling community mourns the loss of a great champion, whose incredible life impacted so many within USA Wrestling and around the world," Bender said.

Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns recently dunked on the housing market ... moving into a $14 million L.A.-area mansion -- right down the street from Woods' pal Kylie Jenner.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Jordyn and KAT moved into the 7-bedroom, 17-bathroom home back in May -- snapping up the 11,000+-square-foot home that sits on more than 2 acres of land.

The property also comes with a 2-bedroom guest house, a 7,200-square-foot spa/sports/gym/entertainment pavilion, a large barn with space for 7 horses, and garages to accommodate 6 cars.

The baseball that officially gave Shohei Ohtani an unprecedented 50/50 season has just hit the auction block ... but if you don't have deep pockets, you won't have a shot at getting it -- because its starting bid is $500,000!!

Goldin revealed on Wednesday afternoon it'll oversee the sale ... after the man who caught it earlier this month at the Dodgers vs. Marlins tilt in Miami reached out to the auction experts directly.

The company said in a statement that while the get-in price for the ball is half a mil ... fans can purchase it outright for a staggering $4.5 million.

Darby Allin is hoping the second time is a charm ... as the AEW superstar tells TMZ Sports he's planning to climb Mt. Everest in April -- this after his first attempt was called off due to a broken foot!

Allin made the revelation this week while chopping it up with Mojo Muhtadi on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1) ahead of Wednesday's match at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam against Jon Moxley in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday.

We broke the story -- Darby broke his foot earlier this year during a match, and some people took the injury as a sign DA shouldn't attempt to ascend the world's tallest mountain (29,031 ft. peak). But, he ain't buying that line of thinking.

Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko will have a hard time dancing around their latest display of affection ... the "Dancing with the Stars" partners were spotted smooching backstage.

Check it out ... the model plants a kiss on her dance partner's lips, and again on his cheek, while waiting backstage at the dancing competition. Gleb appears unfazed by Brooks' affection, holding her hands and rubbing the small of her back ... all while crew members look on.

The footage was clearly taken from Tuesday night's episode of the competition series ... Brooks and Gleb are wearing the same outfits they donned for their quickstep routine for Oscars Night.

Whoopi Goldberg says haters blaming Taylor Swift for Travis Kelce's early season struggles need to pipe down ASAP ... bluntly telling them all this week to "shut up!"

The 68-year-old TV personality sent the message loud and clear while talking about the Chiefs star's woes on "The View."

She said it's outrageous fans think Swift's played any role in Kelce having just eight catches for 69 yards through three games ... and she wants the chatter to halt right now.

Ja Rule provided the halftime entertainment at the New York Liberty's series-clinching win over the Atlanta Dream last night -- and can take credit for being the team's good luck charm ... home team was down by 5 at the break!!!

The platinum-selling Queens native ripped through his hits such as "Put It On Me" and local anthem "New York" (minus Fat Joe and Jadakiss).

Ja won over the Barclays Center with an energetic performance backed by electric dancing from team mascot Ellie the Elephant and The Timeless Torches dance squad!!!

Bam Margera has officially been released from jail ... and is heading straight into treatment to get his life back on track, TMZ has learned.

The "Jackass" star's lawyer, Michael T. van der Veen, tells TMZ it was a court victory for Bam Wednesday ... adding he's on the right track to reclaiming his successful career and his wonderful life with his wife, Dannii Marie, once he wraps up his short-term treatment.

Sources tell us Bam's going directly to Recovery Centers of America for Inpatient Treatment, and his case can officially be closed once his treatment is over -- but a bench warrant will be issued if any noncompliance with his treatment is reported.

PSA: Proceed with caution -- this is gnarly!

Strongman athlete Dan Jones suffered a gruesome injury during a recent competition ... when BOTH of his knees snapped during a race, and it was caught on video!

The freak accident happened during a farmer's carry-type race at a competition in Southport (UK) earlier this month when Jones, a senior IT analyst by day, was approaching the finish line.

Jones was carrying 80kg (176 lbs.) when he suddenly collapsed ... and the way he fell will make your stomach turn.

Brett Favre tells TMZ Sports he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in early January ... after he began experiencing trouble using his right arm and hand.

The Hall of Fame quarterback made the revelations to us in late August while discussing various football topics. At the time, he requested we don't report it, but, after he went public with his diagnosis during a hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday -- he gave us permission to run it.

Favre explained he first had suspicions something was up when his dominant arm -- which he used to throw 508 touchdown passes in his 20-year NFL career -- would get "stuck."

Travis Kelce's making it crystal clear -- he is not dejected over his slow start to the 2024 season ... saying as long as the Chiefs are winning, he's a happy camper.

The three-time Super Bowl champ only has eight catches for 69 yards this year ... and after cameras caught him looking sad as hell on the sidelines of Kansas City's game against Atlanta on Sunday night -- many have wondered if it's all starting to wear on him.

But the future Hall of Famer downplayed his lack of production during a conversation with his brother, Jason Kelce, on Wednesday's episode of "New Heights" ... explaining he only cares about victories.

Tom Brady's autographed rookie card sold for a jaw-dropping six figures at Sotheby's x Fanatics Live Auction on Tuesday night ... and the lucky buyer was no other than Robert Kraft!

The 'Holy Grails' auction featured several near-priceless items, including Brady's 2000 Playoff rookie card, signed by TB12.

The card was graded mint condition -- receiving a 9.5 grade from Beckett Grading Services and a perfect 10 for the autograph -- and we're told only a few cards were printed back in the day due to Brady's draft position (199th pick in the 6th round).

Travis Kelce only has eight catches through three games this season -- and he's yet to top 100 total yards -- but one of his star teammates, George Karlaftis, is adamant the future Hall of Famer has not lost a step.

The Kansas City pass rusher spoke with TMZ Sports this week about his team's hot 3-0 start ... and while he told us he's much better equipped to talk about the defensive side of the ball -- he knows for a fact Kelce ain't washed.

Karlaftis said straight up the tight end "hasn't skipped a beat" -- and even though critics have suggested TK's highly publicized offseason with Taylor Swift has caused his slow start ... Kelce's teammate's seen no change in the 34-year-old's preparation process.