TMZ Sports - Page 25

Shaquille O'Neal didn't mince his words when calling out Joel Embiid ... straight-up labeling the Philadelphia 76ers superstar "soft" for not wanting to play in back-to-back games.

Embiid didn't suit up for the Sixers' season opener against the Bucks on Thursday ... and was ruled out the team's next two games -- this after missing the preseason for what Philly called left knee injury management.

The 2023 NBA MVP told a reporter before the season he'd likely not play in back-to-back games for the rest of his career ... and Shaq -- one of the best centers in NBA history -- was pissed off at the notion.

Rudy May, a former New York Yankees pitcher who once led the American League in ERA, has died at the age of 80, the club announced on Friday.

While the cause of May's death isn't known, a report on social media indicates he was "suffering from diabetes for a long time."

May's passing comes just before the start of the most anticipated World Series in decades ... featuring baseball's two biggest stars, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, from arguably the two most popular teams.

Baby Mahomes number three is on the way ... but momma's still gotta get her workouts in!

Brittany Mahomes -- who this summer announced she was expecting her third child with Patrick Mahomes -- posted several shots on social media ... rockin' a cute bright orange two-piece exercise fit.

Britt, glowing, with an ever growing belly, looks great!

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the hunt for one of his biggest fans ... hoping to save the day after the guy was seen crying at his team's game in Saudi Arabia earlier on Friday.

The man was captured on a bystander's camera while he was out Al Nassr's tilt against Al Kholood at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium ... and he seemed to be in tears over the fact that Ronaldo did not suit up for the contest.

In the clip, the guy -- wearing a yellow Ronaldo jersey -- looked like he was crying ... as he chanted the soccer superstar's name while he filmed the pitch below.

Khamzat Chimaev has his hands full with Robert Whittaker -- the former UFC middleweight champion -- but, he doesn't believe it'll be the toughest test of his career ... 'cause that honor belongs to Kamaru Usman.

TMZ Sports talked to 30-year-old Chimaev from Abu Dhabi just a few days before his UFC 308 co-main event against Whittaker ... when we asked him if he believed Robert was the most dangerous fighter he's faced.

"I think Kamaru is a better fighter than this guy, but we will see in the cage. I can't answer for that right now, so we'll see," the 13-0 fighter told us.

Of course, Usman and Chimaev fought at UFC 294 ... and it was epic. Khamzat won the three-round scrap by decision, but it was a war ... and many people believed if the fight had been 5 rounds (like a championship bout), Usman would've won the fight -- which he took on short notice (under 2 weeks).

But, Whittaker's no slouch. He's 26-7 ... and has beaten some of the most dangerous men in the world, including Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero (twice), Kelvin Gastelum, Derek Brunson, and Darren Till.

Despite being ranked 13th, Khamzat, who has dealt with long layoffs over health issues, believes he can, with a win over #3 ranked Whittaker, show UFC matchmakers he's "the best guy in the world."

As for who he'd then like to face ... he wants the champion, Dricus Du Plessis.

"I want to fight Dricus because that guy a lot of good fighters he's beat. So I want to meet him. And everyone says he's got a strong wrestling background. I want to see who's best," Chimaev said.

But, first things first.

Logan Paul, KSI and MrBeast's moldy Lunchly fiasco is on the FDA's radar ... with the agency telling TMZ Sports it has received numerous complaints surrounding the internet superstars' most recent business venture.

The Food and Drug Administration says as of Friday, more than 10 consumers have reported issues with the product ... including one that cited an illness that might be linked to the Lunchables alternative.

The FDA said it is currently reviewing all submissions ... and will provide updates as it determines whether issuing an advisory is necessary to protect public health.

Pete Davidson just made his first public appearance in months -- spotted for the first time since seeking mental health treatment back in July, and he's sporting a big change to his look.

The comedian and 'SNL' alum hit up the L.A. Clippers' opening game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Wednesday night, hanging with his buddy MGK -- and it looks like most of his sleeve tattoos are gone!

As we know, Pete's famous for his love of tattoos and is heavily inked ... but it looks like he’s turning over a new leaf and trying to ditch some of that ink -- particularly on his arms, where only faded remnants seem to remain.

Ex-NBA star Shareef Abdur-Rahim is opening up on his brother Amir's tragic death ... saying his loved ones are thankful for everyone who has shared their support following the news.

"On behalf of my family, I want to express our gratitude to all who have reached out regarding Amir's passing," the former Atlanta Hawks forward and current G League president  said in a brief statement on his X account.

"Please remember our family in your prayers. As @sunsetAMIR would say, to God be the Glory."

If Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty need some last-minute advice ahead of the start of Friday's World Series ... John Smoltz has them covered!!

The Hall of Fame pitcher told TMZ Sports out at LAX on Thursday -- some 24 hours before he steps into the booth to broadcast Game 1 of Fall Classic in Los Angeles -- that if he were in Cole and Flaherty's shoes ... it'd be all gas and no brakes.

"The only advice I have," said Smoltz, who's won a World Series before, "is pitch every inning like it's the ninth inning."

The Denver Nuggets paid tribute to Dikembe Mutombo during their season opener on Thursday ... honoring the NBA legend with a video tribute and 55-second standing ovation following his death.

It all went down during the first quarter of the Nuggets' matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder ... with the scoreboard sharing the big man's greatest accomplishments -- the day he was drafted, career highlights, Hall of Fame induction and all the humanitarian work he did off the floor.

After the video rolled ... the fans in attendance shared their respect for Mutombo -- giving the 55-second applause, a nod to his jersey number.

Rather than sitting around at home during the Bears bye week, Jonathan Owens decided to join his superstar wife, Simone Biles, on tour ... as she flips her way across the country, entertaining fans!

The safety -- who signed a two-year deal with Da Bears in March -- last played on Oct. 13 ... before hopping on a plane to spend some quality time with the seven-time Olympic gold medalist on the Gold Over America Tour.

The two lovebirds appeared to have a great time as Biles shared photos with her 12+ million Instagram followers, showing the couple hangin' out, exploring places like Missouri and Texas.

Logan Paul and KSI don't seem too worried about the alleged mold issue with their new Lunchly meal products ... brushing off the outrage and chalking it up to people using them for clout.

The foes-turned-business partners -- as well as YouTube juggernaut MrBeast -- came under fire this week ... after a number of consumers claimed they found spoiled mozzarella when trying out the pizza option of the trio's new venture.

Influencer Rosanna Pansino was at the forefront of the backlash ... after she set out to compare Lunchly and the already-popular Lunchables in a video review -- but shifted gears when she discovered fungus growing in the shredded cheese.

Move over, Jimmy Kimmel ... Jason Kelce might be about to take up residence in the late-night space -- he's reportedly in talks with ESPN about hosting his own show.

John Ourand of Puck reported Thursday that ESPN honcho Jimmy Pitaro is looking to widen the network's reach -- and part of the plan to accomplish that feat could include an after-hours program starring Kelce.

Unclear if it'd be in the traditional style -- one where a host (like Kimmel) brings in various celebs and athletes to talk about life and upcoming projects in a fun Q-and-A fashion -- although Ourand stated at the very least it "wouldn't be a highlight or recap show."

Jerry Hairston Jr. is one of many in the baseball world mourning the passing of Fernando Valenzuela this week ... telling TMZ Sports his admiration for the Dodgers legend was endless.

Hairston Jr. actually had the chance to work with the former pitcher over the last few years of his life ... as the two both had gigs broadcasting L.A. games -- and he had nothing but great experiences with the guy.

He told us he actually went golfing a few times with Valenzuela ... and the two shared many laughs while out on the course as well as at Dodger Stadium.

It ain't the Vikings, Packers or Bears ... no, according to Kerby Joseph, the real kings of the NFC North are the Lions!

The defensive back made it clear to TMZ Sports following Detroit's huge Week 7 win over Minnesota that he truly believes his squad is the top dog in the NFL's best division.

In fact, he told us he thinks the Lions should be considered the favorite from here.

University of South Florida men's basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim died on Thursday, according to the school ... after a medical procedure went horribly wrong.

Coach Abdur-Rahim was only 43 years old.

"All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim," USF official Michael Kelly said in a statement.