TMZ Sports - Page 8

Things are getting quite spicy in Formula One ... with Mercedes driver George Russell claiming four-time champion Max Verstappen threatened him at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The beef between the two drivers reached new heights last weekend ... after the Red Bull superstar received a one-place grid penalty for interfering with Russell in qualifying.

27-year-old Verstappen said he lost respect for Russell over the whole ordeal ... accusing the 26-year-old of being fake for lobbying for the punishment in a meeting with the stewards, but acting all buddy-buddy with him in public.

Angel Reese shot her shot with Rihanna ... and it appears to have worked -- 'cause the two agreed to work together after meeting each other on Wednesday!!

The link happened at the Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City ... where the Chicago Sky star accepted the Style Influencer of the Year honors.

RiRi was there with her bae, A$AP Rocky ... and Reese totally lost it when they crossed paths.

Adrian Wojnarowski, former NBA insider extraordinaire, just revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Woj -- who spent more than two decades as one of the most plugged-in people around the NBA -- shared the news during an interview with Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, saying he learned of the diagnosis in February after a blood test during a routine physical showed his PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels were elevated.

Doctors did a biopsy ... confirming the early-stage cancer.

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair says if people want to make him a bad guy, he'll show them a bad guy ... sharing a message about going full "villain" mode after his suspension was upheld.

The NFL announced Al-Shaair's appeal was denied on Wednesday ... meaning he will serve his full three-game ban for his controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence during Sunday's game, which ultimately landed the quarterback on Injured Reserve.

Shortly after the league's decision was made public, Al-Shaair went to social media to weigh in ... and while he initially apologized for the entire incident on Monday, he's no longer trying to defend his name -- instead, he's leaning into the new narrative.

Barron Trump isn't soaking up the spotlight while attending New York University, and he's using video games to socialize with his peers ... this according to current students.

TMZ spoke with several students at the prestigious Manhattan university, who tell us Barron spends little time on campus ... quickly moving in and out of buildings while surrounded by Secret Service agents and transported in an SUV.

Basically, playing hacky sack in the quad ain't his thing.

Ty Law is lovin' Ryan Day at Ohio State -- after all, his Wolverines have beaten the coach four straight years -- but he tells TMZ Sports even if he weren't a Michigan alum ... he'd seriously encourage the school to keep the guy on its sidelines.

Law made it clear on Wednesday -- just a few days after the Buckeyes dropped another game to its hated rival, 13-10 -- that despite Day's recent inability to defeat UM, he would still rather roll with the 45-year-old for the foreseeable future.

"You really think about it," Law said, "when you peel the onion back, do you really want to fire a guy who's always competitive, who's always in the hunt for the national championship?"

Diddy will be getting his freak on over Christmas -- but it's not what you think -- his federal jail is giving him several options to play sports and games ... with a special holiday spread.

Our sources in the federal government tell us inmates at MDC Brooklyn -- where Diddy is being held as he awaits trial in his sex trafficking case -- will be able to participate in some friendly competition on Christmas Day ... including card games and dominos.

In addition to a Spades tournament and a dominos competition, Diddy and his fellow inmates will also be able to take part in a 3-on-3 basketball tourney ... and a soccer competition.

Fantasy football managers frustrated with Christian McCaffrey should feel comfortable picking him again next year ... 'cause he just promised to "come back better" in 2025 from his recent rash of injuries.

The three-time Pro Bowl running back made the vow in an emotional message on his Instagram page Wednesday ... just a few days after the 49ers placed him on injured reserve with a PCL injury.

"This wasn’t my year," he admitted in the note, "and sometimes when it rains, it pours. You can feel sorry for yourself and listen to the birds, or you can hold the line. I’m grateful for the support of everyone in my corner and promise I’ll work smarter and harder than ever to come back better from this."

Bryce Young found himself benched by the Carolina Panthers two starts into his sophomore season ... but last year's first overall pick has found success since returning to the lineup in week eight -- and Rod Wave may have something to do with the turnaround!

The backstory ... the 26-year-old rapper took to social media, asking the Panthers signal caller to hit his line after he was pulled, and many fans wondered if the call happened, and if so, what'd the fellas discuss?

On Wednesday, Young resolved the mystery ... and while he wouldn't go into specifics, he did address the convo, and it's clear he's very appreciative.

The tragic news of the passing of Kirk Herbstreit's beloved dog, Ben, made its way to the Oval Office ... with President Joe Biden sending his condolences in an emotional letter to the football announcer and his family following the loss.

"Ben brought so much comfort and unconditional love to millions of Americans across our nation," POTUS wrote in the note. "In your most joyful moments and most grief-stricken days, he was there, sensitive to every unspoken feeling and emotion."

"I know what it is like to lose a beloved pet, and I hope you can find some comfort in cherishing the beautiful memories you shared with Ben. He was a good boy."

Hercy Miller -- Master P's son -- was arrested last month, after he and a pair of his Southern Utah University men's basketball teammates allegedly stole a couple of refrigerators from outside their school's bookstore ... but their coach is adamant it's all "a huge misunderstanding."

According to court documents, obtained by KUTV, the theft occurred at the SUU campus in Cedar City, Utah back on Nov. 11.

The docs state that Hercy and two other Thunderbirds players, Brock Felder and Peter Dadson Jr., were seen on surveillance video nabbing the coolers from the SUU Bookstore, before loading them into two separate cars.

Jason Kelce seems to believe Taylor Swift is working her magic on the Kansas City Chiefs ... but Travis is having none of that talk -- calling his brother a "d***head" for entertaining a popular internet conspiracy.

The playful back and forth went down on the latest episode of the Kelce brothers' "New Heights" podcast ... when the two were having a conversation about sports movies.

Travis brought up the classic "Angels in the Outfield" film and explained he'd love to feel what it's like to have a higher being on his side during games ... and Jason hinted the tight end's girlfriend is generating a similar effect on his Chiefs.

Baseball fans can now get their hands on some John Elway Yankees cards -- Topps has just put the NFL legend in a new set ... and it announced the move with a hilarious Larry David commercial!

Elway, of course, was drafted by New York way back in 1981 -- but despite initially playing for the org.'s minor league affiliate ... he bailed on the team for a Hall of Fame NFL career.

He never quite got a baseball card to commemorate the brief time in the MLB -- but Topps is changing that now ... throwing cards of him donning Pinstripes in its new 2024 Bowman Draft set.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka went scorched earth on the referees after his team lost to the Kings on Tuesday, saying it's about time the officials "get some f***ing glasses!"

[Large fine incoming!]

Udoka's frustration began mounting long before the clock hit 00:00 ... when his team lost 120-111 at the Golden 1 Center.

Taylor Swift is set to close out her "Eras" tour shows this weekend, but is still making time for her friends ... stepping out for a girls' night with BFF Gigi Hadid in NYC.

Check it out ... the pop star hit the town Tuesday evening in an all-black ensemble, featuring a simple quarter-length sleeve top and a chic bubble skirt. She rounded out her look with some noticeable bling ... carrying a sparkling purse and wearing a diamond bracelet, necklace and earrings.

Gigi brought a bit of color to their night out, wearing a monochromatic look made of nearly all burgundy -- aside from her dark leather purse.

Kiss the days of the family-friendly Kiss Cam goodbye ... there was another NSFW moment, courtesy of two Sacramento Kings fans, who used their screen time for nefarious reasons!

The moment occurred during a break in the action during the second quarter of the Kings vs. Houston Rockets game Tuesday night in Sac Town ... with the team showing couples from around the arena on the Kiss Cam.

While most fans stayed on script ... one woman took it to a much more raunchy level, mimicking oral sex on her man.