TMZ Sports - Page 27

Some folks are outraged over a live tiger's presence at LSU's game against Alabama ... and that includes Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin -- who tells TMZ Sports the stunt was "blatant disregard for the tiger's well-being."

Saturday marked the first time since 2015 a Panthera Tigris was on the field for an LSU football game ... at state governor Jeff Landry's request. He initially wanted the host school to roll out its current tiger mascot, Mike, to the field for pregame festivities ... but the university declined.

Landry then resorted to bringing a tiger from Florida ... which irked Baskin for several reasons.

Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston is adamant he didn't go No. 2 on himself while on the field Sunday ... saying the stain on the back of his pants was actually nothing more than some spilled sports drink.

Houston -- the 217th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft -- put all the speculation to bed in a late-night X post following Detroit's come-from-behind win over the Texans ... explaining the poop-colored marking on his white trousers was simply Gatorade.

"Ay yall," he wrote, "I had sat on some Gatorade."

Toronto forward RJ Barrett was so starstruck by a "Game Of Thrones" actor who was sitting courtside at his game in L.A. on Sunday -- he actually briefly paused his play to recognize the guy ... and the scene was hilarious.

It all went down during the Raptors' tilt against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena ... just after Barrett had been fouled while scoring a basket in the first quarter.

Video from the game's broadcast shows the 24-year-old walk toward some fans in the stands to celebrate his potential 3-point play ... he did a double take as he noticed Nikolaj Coster-Waldau -- the man who played Jaime Lannister in 'GOT.'

Minnesota Vikings safety Cam Bynum dedicated his third interception of the season to infamous break-dancer Raygun ... and his celebration after the highlight made it all the way to the Australian Olympian -- who gave it a perfect 10!!

The 26-year-old safety mimicked Raygun's viral moves after he picked off Mac Jones' pass late in the fourth quarter of the Vikes' 12-7 win at EverBank Stadium ... and naturally, the footage quickly made rounds on social media.

Bynum clearly did his homework ... perfectly executing the moves that made Raygun a household name for all the wrong reasons at the Paris 2024 Games.

Sofia Jamora is opening up on the abuse she says she suffered at the hands of Jaxson Hayes ... just over a week after TMZ Sports published video showing the Lakers center pushing and spitting on the popular model.

"I want to thank everyone for all of your love, support, and kind messages. I am so touched, moved, and motivated by all of you. Your words have warmed my heart and made me feel seen in a way I never imagined. As a survivor of domestic violence, I wanted to share that you are not alone," 27-year-old Jamora wrote on Instagram Monday morning.

"I loved someone I trusted with my safety and well-being. Going through that experience was difficult, but every day now, I feel grateful simply to be here, healing and reclaiming my life. If you are struggling with abuse, please know that you don't have to go through it by yourself -- find someone you trust, a loved one, a counselor, or even your local authorities. There is help out there, and there is hope."

11:11 AM PT -- Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell just announced Jack Del Rio has resigned from his position on the Badgers' staff following his arrest.

"It's a tough situation," Fickell said, "decisions that all of us have to be able to take full responsibility for. So that's what Jack will do and we'll continue to move forward."

Ex-NFL head coach and current Wisconsin football adviser Jack Del Rio was busted for driving while intoxicated in Madison ... after cops say his car drove into a street sign and fence.

61-year-old Del Rio -- who joined the Badgers' staff under Luke Fickell in August -- was arrested after officers were called to the scene around 12:35 AM on Friday.

Madison PD tells TMZ Sports -- a vehicle hit a street marker, broke a fence and came to rest in a yard ... and witnesses directed cops to a man who was walking away from the area.

Michael Strahan has found himself in the crosshairs of a bunch pissed off people who say his stance during a national anthem on Sunday was "disrespectful."

Strahan's controversial posture happened as the Hall of Famer and his "NFL on Fox" crew were at Naval Base San Diego for a special Veterans Day broadcast.

As part of their hours-long salute to service ahead of a full slate of NFL games -- he, Howie Long, Jay Glazer, Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Jimmie Johnson and Rob Gronkowski stood side by side for a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.

LeBron James has recorded 144 triple-doubles in his 22-year career ... but his most recent one came with a massive assist from a fan in the stands -- 'cause the G.O.A.T. admitted the spectator played a role in securing the stacked stat line.

With under two minutes remaining in Sunday's contest against the Toronto Raptors, James picked up rebound No. 10 on the night -- which officially put him at the triple-double mark. After he grabbed the board, the King pointed into the crowd before taking the ball up the court.

In his postgame interview, a reporter asked him about the moment ... and he explained somebody was shouting for him to grab one more rebound -- which caught his attention.

Action star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is coming clean about some recent reports of his behavior on set ... admitting to his method of taking care of emergency business when nature calls -- but denying he's costing production millions of dollars in downtime.

In a new interview with GQ, DJ responds to a rumor going around Hollywood prompted by an article earlier this year, alleging he was so late so often on the set of an upcoming movie that he cost the production exorbitant sums of money -- and also, that he urinates in bottles on set.

The Wrap reported in April Johnson was so regularly tardy during production of "Red One" -- an upcoming Christmas flick in which he plays Santa Claus' bodyguard -- sometimes by as much as 8 hours, that it added to a $250 million production cost and irritated his castmates. The report also alleges he pees in bottles to save time.

Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco has found himself in even more trouble -- the shortstop was reportedly arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday ... after an altercation in an apartment complex parking lot.

The alleged incident took place in San Juan de la Maguana on Sunday ... and according to ESPN, guns were drawn during the dispute.

Purported footage of the altercation is circulating on social media showing a woman screaming, people running and an unidentified man holding a gun ... although it is unconfirmed if it is in relation to the Franco incident.

Jordan Chiles' fight to keep her Olympic bronze is far from over ... with the Team USA star breaking down in tears over the controversy -- saying the medal is rightfully hers.

The 23-year-old was deeply emotional in an interview with Hoda Kotb on "Today" ... revisiting how officials claimed her coach's appeal was submitted four seconds late, despite footage appearing to show otherwise.

Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu was reinstated to third place and awarded the bronze medal ... and even though four months have passed, the matter is clearly still affecting Chiles.

Jason Kelce's trip to Los Angeles is going a helluva lot better than his most recent one to Happy Valley ... he was spotted out in the City of Angels on Sunday celebrating the Eagles' win -- and didn't appear to have one single issue with fans.

The former Philadelphia offensive lineman was seen at a couple watering holes on the westside of L.A. ... helping bartenders pass out drinks while also cheering on his ex-team as it blasted the Cowboys in Dallas.

Throughout the afternoon, he interacted with several people ... and every encounter appeared to be nothing but pleasant.

Nick Bosa channeled his inner Donald Trump during the 49er's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ... hitting soon-to-be number 47's signature dance move after picking up a sack, and the President-Elect loved it!

The 27-year-old 49ers star pass rusher celebrated his sack of Baker Mayfield with DJT's favorite dance move (ya know, the one he does during "YMCA"!) ... just two weeks after he wore a "Make America Great Again" hat while photobombing a live post-game interview on NBC.

Well, the celly caught the eye of President Trump ... who praised the Pro Bowler on Truth Social.

Taylor Swift gave security at Arrowhead Stadium a crash course in good manners on Sunday, telling one guard to speak a little nicer to the paparazzi.

The pop superstar arrived at the stadium in Kansas City to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and his K.C. Chiefs battle the Denver Broncos on the field — but Taylor had her own itty-bitty skirmish behind the scenes before the kickoff.

Check out the video ... Taylor was being chauffeured in a golf cart through the arena with her mom and dad -- Andrea and Scott.

It seems a Deontay Wilder vs. Francis Ngannou super fight might actually happen ... 'cause the Bronze Bomber tells TMZ Sports he's down to begin negotiations now!

Ngannou, of course, said just a couple weeks ago he was hoping to get in the boxing ring with Wilder soon ... and, when we caught up with DW out at LAX this week, he seemed very open to the idea.

In fact, he told us he wants to get Ngannou's team on the phone and begin talks ASAP!

Diddy's family is remaining committed to one another while the music superproducer is locked up ... with his baby mother Dana Tran, his daughter Love and his son Christian showing support to Diddy's twin daughters, Jessie and D'Lila.

Tran brought two-year-old Love to the game Friday night ... with the baby girl outfitted in a blue varsity jacket bearing her name and her birth year -- '22. Love's already camera-ready, pointing at the photogs at the game.

Dana's got her own varsity jacket -- a forest green one -- on ... and, she flashed a smile too-- keeping her spirits up while the father of her daughter deals with his legal troubles.