TMZ Sports - Page 2

The family of late Tennessee Titans great Frank Wycheck announced the former tight end tested positive for Stage III Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) ... in hopes the diagnosis will raise awareness on the dangers of brain damage in contact sports.

The Wychecks released a statement on the findings on Tuesday ... saying it teamed up with Boston University's CTE Center to analyze the 52-year-old's body after his death in Dec. 2023.

The family wishes for an "improved commitment to player safety and enhancing support for those who may be affected by the consequences of head injuries."

Hulk Hogan didn't exactly receive a warm welcome from the L.A. crowd during his surprise appearance at the Netflix premiere of 'Monday Night Raw' ... something Mark Henry says didn't shock him at all.

"With the social climate and the things [Hulk's] said and done and his lack of effort to try and fix it, people are gonna come down on it," Henry said ... referencing the unearthed 2006 clip where Hulk used a racial slur.

Hogan apologized after the video went viral in 2015, telling People ... "It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it.”

4:05 PM PT -- The NFL says they're continuing to prepare as if Monday night's playoff game will go down at SoFi in L.A. ... however, the league says they're locked down an alternate site -- State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ -- in the event they're forced to move the game because of the wildfires.

The NFL says it's keeping a close eye on the wildfires that are currently ripping through Los Angeles ... as a huge postseason game is slated to be played in the city in just a few days.

The Vikings are scheduled to travel to Inglewood for a "Monday Night Football" matchup with the Rams later this week at SoFi Stadium ... but flames are now roaring just a few miles from the venue -- potentially putting the game in jeopardy.

For now, the arena and its surroundings are safe -- the blazes are all currently north of it -- and the game is still going on as planned ... but an NFL spokesperson told multiple media outlets Wednesday that certainly could change.

The Florida mansion that Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield used to call home has just sold, TMZ Sports has learned.

Our real estate sources say the Indian Harbour Beach estate -- which was first put up for sale some 13 months after Wakefield tragically died from cancer -- netted $3.8 million on Wednesday ... well over the initial asking price of $3.3 mil.

The waterfront palace is stunning ... it features four bedrooms, five bathrooms and 6,242 square feet of living area -- and it comes with all kinds of bells and whistles.

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Jermaine Burton is accused of choking a woman days before he was left out of his team's travel plans for the Steelers game ... an incident in which he allegedly threatened to take his own life.

Cops were called to the woman's residence around 8:45 AM on Dec. 30 ... after she reported an assault took place.

The woman -- who casually dated Burton since September -- said they got into an argument after going out for drinks the night prior.

The Chargers are stepping up to help those affected by the wildfires raging through Los Angeles ... by donating $200,000 to support the community.

The organization announced its contribution to the relief fund on Wednesday ... saying the money will go to several L.A. programs designed to assist evacuees, first responders, animal rescue and clean-up crews.

"While we're currently experiencing unprecedented conditions that seemingly cannot get any worse as we deal with multiple fires across our region, we're also witnessing our community at its very best," Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos said.

Alix Earle just joined the St. Barts celeb parade, turning up the heat with her NFL beau, Braxton Berrios -- and trust us, looks like no one else is having a better time than these two.

The TikToker and NFLer's holiday checklist? Lounging in tiny swimsuits on a luxury yacht, yoga on deck, and indulging in caviar-covered burgers -- yeah, this is what vacation dreams are made of!

Alix's pics were so hot she had to take a short break from the bikini snaps to remind her admirers that Braxton was right by her side, soaking up the sun with her.

Then it was straight back to thirst-trapping on the yacht ladder, turning up the sultriness to keep those vacation vibes extra sizzling.

Kawhi Leonard's season has been put on hold for now -- the LA Clippers star has left the team to be with his family after evacuating due to the Los Angeles wildfires.

Leonard -- who made his first two game appearances of the 2024-25 campaign this past week -- is "stepping away" from the organization as his loved ones deal with the aftermath of the blaze, according to insider Chris Haynes.

The NBA champ bought a mansion in the Pacific Palisades for $17.1 million back in 2021 ... an area that has been wrecked due to the fires. The current status of his home is unclear at this time.

The L.A. wildfires have forced the postponement of an NHL game ... the Kings vs. Flames will not go down as planned on Wednesday night due to the effects of the blazes.

Los Angeles' pro hockey team made the decision just minutes ago ... writing in a statement, "Our hearts are with our entire Los Angeles community."

"We appreciate the hard-working First Responders who are diligently working to contain the fire and protect our community," it said. "We appreciate the Leagues' support in keeping our fans, staff, and players safe."

Tom Brady might very well be public enemy No. 1 in Chapel Hill this year ... 'cause he's reportedly trying to lure Bill Belichick away from UNC -- and straight toward the Las Vegas Raiders.

The new part-owner of Mark Davis' franchise just recently put in a call to his old boss to talk about Sin City's head coaching position, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said Wednesday.

It's unclear if Brady formally made him an offer or anything like that ... but with Vegas opting to fire Antonio Pierce on Tuesday -- there certainly is a vacant role Belichick is more than qualified to fill.

Travis Kelce has clearly given some thought to wedding dates as his romance with Taylor Swift continues to smolder ... he just revealed he's not the biggest fan of tying knots in the fall.

The Kansas City superstar and his big brother, Jason Kelce, were roped into the nuptial talk on their Wednesday episode of "New Heights" ... when a listener called in and asked for their thoughts on ceremonies during a season that's typically reserved for watching football.

Travis made it apparent he's not the biggest fan of hearing wedding bells instead of gridiron whistles ... explaining he doesn't know anyone who's gotten married in the months of September, October, November or December.

Angel Reese and Gabby Thomas graced the cover of VOGUE -- the iconic fashion magazine -- and they look stunning!

The mag provided a preview of the new covers featuring the WNBA and Olympic track stars on social media, branded "When Sports Met Fashion."

Reese slayed in a burgundy Versace dress ... while Thomas rocked a Sportmax top and Tory Burch shoes.

"It's always been both: basketball and fashion," Reese said.

Ex 'Bachelorette' Rachel Lindsay won't have to fork over monthly spousal support anymore to her ex, Bryan Abasolo -- they've finally reached a settlement and split up their assets.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Bryan gets a Miami property they owned, a 2021 Honda Accord, several bank accounts, his Breitling watch and some LLCs in the fitness biz.

For her part, Rachel gets their North Hollywood home, a 2023 Porsche Macan, some Jad Najjar paintings and photos and other bank accounts. She and Bryan are splitting the equity she gets from an upstart sports organization called the Fan Controlled Football League.

JJ Redick says his loved ones were among the thousands forced to evacuate amid the Los Angeles wildfires ... and his family is distraught as the flames continue to spread throughout the area.

The Lakers head coach provided the update prior to his team's 118-97 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks ... revealing the blaze in the Pacific Palisades is right in his neighborhood.

Redick said his thoughts and prayers are with those affected ... and that also includes his wife's sister's family.

Former MLB pitcher Brian Matusz has tragically died at 37 years old.

Matusz's team, the Baltimore Orioles, announced the heartbreaking news late Tuesday evening ... though a cause of death was not revealed.

"Brian's family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time," the team wrote.

The New York Giants won't have a new head coach or general manager this offseason -- and at least one person in Big Blue Nation is just fine with that ... former NY star running back Brandon Jacobs!!

The ex-tailback -- who won two Super Bowls with the G-men in the early 2000s -- told TMZ Sports on Tuesday he's pleased with his old team's decision to keep Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen for 2025 ... explaining, "You can't keep getting new coaches every three years."

"I believe that's the right move," Jacobs said.