TMZ Sports - Page 19

Travis Kelce's acting career has taken off this past year, but it's NOT the direct result of his relationship with Taylor Swift ... so says "Friday Night Lights" actor Sinqua Walls, who tells TMZ Sports he's gettin' gigs because he's a natural talent -- but being a 3-time NFL Super Bowl champ doesn't hurt, either!!

The 39-year-old actor -- also known for his leading role in the "White Men Can't Jump" remake -- broke it down for us this week ... shortly after he drove by a billboard for "Grotesquerie," a new horror TV series featuring Kelce.

"I think that what we've seen over the last few years of Travis is that he has a natural, innate charisma and personality," Walls said.

Willie Anderson is convinced there's a "bias" against right tackles going on at the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- but he tells TMZ Sports he's hopeful that all ends this season.

The former Bengals star made headlines earlier this summer when he said he believes "The Blind Side" movie has warped people's perceptions of offensive linemen ... and when we spoke with him on the matter this week, he said his stance hasn't really changed.

He told us the famous sports movie based on Michael Oher's life -- as well as the way the NFL game used to be played back in the day -- have pushed voters to favor left tackles instead of those who played the right when it comes time to dole out bronze busts in Canton.

Trojan fans might be irked with him, but defensive lineman Bear Alexander says he's got nothing but love for USC after electing to redshirt this season ... telling TMZ Sports he'll still be pulling for his teammates on gamedays.

After making headlines this week over his decision to sit out the remainder of the 2024 schedule to save a year of eligibility, we caught up with Alexander to ask him all about the move.

While the news comes after the Trojans' loss to the University of Michigan ... Alexander said it was the "overall picture" of how things played out in the first three games at Southern Cal.

Shelby Daniele -- a college track star who broke records at California Polytechnic State University -- has passed away according to a statement from the university.

The university's athletic department released a statement via Instagram Friday ... saying they were profoundly sad to hear about the former athlete's passing who they say had a remarkable heart. Cal Poly did not reveal a cause of death.

Daniele -- who received both a bachelor's and a master's degree at the school -- served as Cal Poly's team captain and was a six-time All-Big West honoree and a two-time Big West champion.

David Tepper's using his sports teams to help people rebuild their lives ... committing $3 million alongside his wife Nicole, the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC to Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

The investment adviser and his better half made the donation through the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation ... saying they were partnering with the two fanchises to support relief efforts across the Carolinas.

The funds will go to both short-term and long-term goals, according to a press release ... essential since the region remains in a State of Emergency. Some of the money will go to food banks and pantries, local community foundations and other service providing agencies.

Ailin Pérez may not have gotten her opponent in a rear naked choke during her UFC fight Saturday ... but, she certainly got her own rear working -- twerking in her opponent's face after winning by submission.

The bantamweight fighter hopped in the Octagon at UFC Paris against Daria Zhelezniakova ... and, she quickly dominated her opponent -- getting DZ to tap out in the first round.

Perez jumped to her feet ... and, ya gotta watch as she swished her booty back and forth right in front of her red-faced opponent, still gasping for breath.

A field hockey match in Philadelphia quickly turned into chaos after gunfire erupted, sending everyone scrambling ... and it was all caught on video.

Here's the deal ... shots rang out in the middle of a recent live-streamed match between St. Louis University and La Salle at Howarth Field ... and everyone ran for their life.

Not long after the scary moment ... St. Louis University Field Hockey gave an update via social media ... "Today's match at La Salle has been called due to a shooting in the vicinity of the field. Everyone is safe."

Scottie Pippen is jumping into the documentary game -- the NBA legend tells us he's linking up with a top filmmaker, and they're creating a series chronicling the 1990-1991 Chicago Bulls, focusing on the actual game ball from the title-clinching game!

"We're looking to do a documentary on this basketball because we think that there's a lot of stories to be told," Pippen told Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1).

"I think that ball really was a start of a dynasty and almost, I want to say, the end of a great dynasty in the Los Angeles Lakers, who we've known for many years in the '80s as 'Showtime,'" Scottie said, explaining the significance of the basketball.

Dave Stewart grew up in Oakland and is one of the greatest players to ever put on an Athletics uniform ... and now the World Series MVP is opening on his organization bolting the bay for Las Vegas.

"I've kind of had time to prepare myself for [the last game in Oakland], but it doesn't really hit you until the actual moment," Stewart told TMZ Sports.

"At the ballpark, I was fine. Before I went to the ballpark, I was quite frankly a mess. I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on with me. At the time, the emotion, I mean, there were some tears."

Diddy is facing a new lawsuit for sexual assault, Kim Richards is beefing with Kyle Richards over a psych hold, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback controversy brewing ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles break down the new lawsuit against Diddy, in which he's accused of impregnating a woman who says he sexually assaulted her multiple times.

Meanwhile, over on "TMZ on TV," our crew reacts to Kim being put on a psych hold and getting into a heated exchange with Kyle.

And on "TMZ Sports," Michael and Mojo think the Steelers need to formally name Justin Fields the starting QB following a 3-0 start without Russell Wilson.

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

Even though Arch Manning's only thrown 52 passes in his collegiate career, Jamaal Charles has already seen enough -- telling TMZ Sports he knows for a fact the young signal-caller is "the future of the Texas Longhorns."

Peyton and Eli's nephew has been filling in for Quinn Ewers the last two weeks while the QB1 has been out with injury ... and it's safe to say he's impressed the hell out of Charles, who praised him during an interview with us this week.

The UT legend said the 19-year-old has flashed so much against UTSA and ULM this month -- he's already reminding him of his famous uncles.

Renato Moicano is not overlooking the skills of his UFC Paris opponent Benoit Saint-Denis ... saying he may one day sit atop the division -- but it ain't happening on his watch!

TMZ Sports caught up with the 11th-ranked lightweight contender ... days before he's set to take on 12th-ranked Saint-Denis in his home country of France, and while Moicano sees a bright future for the 28-year-old Frenchman, he's looking to derail his rise to the top.

"I'm here to stop him," Moicano said. "I'm here to get the W in Paris and to keep climbing the rankings."

Even Big Freedia admitted their bounce lost some of its spring when Lil Wayne was snubbed and denied the headline halftime spot in his hometown New Orleans Super Bowl ... and turns out the entire city is feeling the burn!!!

We interviewed Big Freedia on 'The TMZ Podcast' and word in the 504 streets is that everyone in New Orleans is sad for Wayne -- especially since he attempted to put things into existence months ago ... but ended up gutted when Kendrick Lamar got the nod.

Big Freedia told hosts Charlie Neff and Wyld Young there's still hope ... Kendrick could easily share stage time with Wayne in February and all would be right in the world ... and wards.

A promotional flyer for the Colorado Buffaloes' matchup against the UCF Knights was met with a ton of backlash on Friday ... with football fans wondering why the social media post wasn't kept in drafts in light of Hurricane Helene -- as it featured a star player knee-deep in water.

The Deion Sanders-led program's official X account shared the imagery at 12:30 PM PT ... in an attempt to signify 24 hours 'til kickoff from FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando.

The flyer was intended to be a play on star defensive back Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig's "Shark" nickname ... but considering what surrounding Southeast regions experienced over the past day, many users felt the theming of the promo was insensitive.

Joe Rogan thinks a Kamala Harris presidency would spell doom for free speech in America ... he says Harris and Tim Walz would have the feds increasing censorship online.

Joe warned a possible Harris administration would "clamp down more" on online speech, making the bold prediction Thursday on his popular podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience" during a conversation about censorship on social media.

The way Joe sees it ... Harris and Walz have said "many wild things" about censorship, free speech and the First Amendment ... especially when it comes to platforms like Facebook and X.

Caitlin Clark just added an exclamation point to her stellar first WNBA season ... the league is naming her its Rookie of the Year!!

According to Shams Charania ... the W will announce the 22-year-old beat out Angel Reese for the honors at some point this postseason.

It, of course, shouldn't come as a huge surprise, as she tore up the league night in and night out -- all while helping guide the Indiana Fever to its first playoff berth since 2016.