TMZ Sports - Page 50

Shaquille O'Neal says the current Los Angeles Lakers don't deserve to play at the Staples Center ... admitting he's HAPPY about the arena's name change because LeBron James and Co. are stinking up the place.

"I'm glad they taking the name of the Staples Center down," the NBA legend said on "The Big Podcast with Shaq." "That was our building."

"Congratulations to the owners on getting a new deal," he added. "But, hey, Staples Center belongs to Shaq and Kobe. Forever."

Of course, it was announced last month that the iconic building is changing its name to Crypto.com Arena as part of a $700 million deal.

The switch is already underway, as the Staples sign started coming down earlier this week.

Shaq said his tenure at Staples was a blessing -- he reflected on moments like playing in front of his favorite actors and actresses, scoring 61 points on his birthday, and winning three championships in a row for the city -- but ultimately, he says he's glad the name Staples Center is no more.

Shaq doesn't seem to care what the building is called ... 'cause the Diesel says he has no intentions of watching his former squad play.

"I'm not even going, I'm not even going anymore," O'Neal said. "Who wanna watch them people play?" he asked the host.

The Lakers -- who suffered an embarrassing loss to a Grizzlies team without Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks on Thursday -- fell to 13-13 on the season. The Lake Show is currently in 7th place in a top-heavy Western Conference, while the Warriors -- who Shaq prefers to watch -- have the best record in the NBA.

"I don't celebrate seventh place at all. I celebrate Steph Curry. I'll go to Golden State and watch him play."

Russell Wilson has 2 kids with Ciara, but #3 could be on the way soon ... 'cause the NFL star was LOVING his wife's topless twerk sesh on Instagram, letting the whole world know just how much he was feeling it.

The 36-year-old singer posted the steamy vid to her 30 million followers on Thursday ... dropping low and putting her dance skills on display while balancing a bottle of booze on her head, as part of the "Balance Challenge" trend.

"She Got Balance," Ciara captioned the vid. "That @TenToOneRum is fun! 🤩"

The clip is obviously great, but what had even more people going "OMG" was the Seattle Seahawks QB's reaction to the vid.

"❤👀❤ see you later tonight after work hahaha 🤣 #TenToOne 🤣"

Of course, the whole thing was a bit of a marketing campaign for Ciara, who became part-owner of the Ten To One rum back in October.

"I couldn't be more excited to help the brand build on its amazing foundation," Ciara said, "and invite new audiences to rediscover their love for rum through Ten To One."

Former NFL star Demaryius Thomas was found dead in the shower at around 7 PM on Thursday ... according to new police documents, obtained by TMZ Sports.

In the docs, cops say they initially responded to Thomas' Roswell, GA residence after they had received a call "in reference to a cardiac arrest."

Officers note in the documents that dispatch had advised them that the victim was "not conscious and not breathing."

When officers arrived, they said in the docs that they had to push a gate open with their hands in order to gain entry into the home.

Once inside, cops say they found Thomas laying down in the shower on his back -- with clear signs of rigor mortis visible.

In the docs, cops say the former Super Bowl champion was pronounced dead on the scene. Officials tell us an autopsy is scheduled to be performed on Friday.

As we previously reported, the NFL community has been devastated over the news of the tragedy ... with stars like Tim Tebow, Von Miller and Tom Brady penning emotional messages to the former Broncos wide receiver on social media.

"I'm so sad to wake up this morning to hear about the passing of my friend Demaryius Thomas," said Brady, who played with Thomas in New England in 2019. "We were all blessed with his humility and positive spirit, and we will all miss him."

Added Tebow, "So many are going to remember him for his athletic ability… but I’ll be remembering him for his kindness, his smile that would light up a room, and the love he had for those in his life."

Thomas would have turned 34 years old on Christmas.

Al Unser Sr. -- who won the Indianapolis 500 four times -- has died after battling cancer for years, racing officials announced Friday morning.

He was 82 years old.

Unser Sr.'s son, Al Unser Jr., confirmed the news in a statement on Friday ... saying, "My heart is so saddened. My father passed away last night. He was a great man and even a greater Father. Rest In Peace Dad!"

Unser Sr. was a racing legend -- he began competing in the sport in 1957 -- and later raced in his first-ever Indy 500 in 1965.

Unser Sr. went on to win the famous race four total times -- including in 1987, when he became the oldest-ever to win at 47 years old.

In his famed career, Unser Sr. also earned three Indycar Series championships in 1970, 1983 and 1985.

Tragically, Unser Sr. was diagnosed with cancer 17 years ago ... but he valiantly fought the disease all the way up until his death Thursday.

Of course, Unser Sr. was not the only Unser to have success on the track ... Unser Jr. won the Indy 500 twice -- making the two the only father-son duo to ever earn victories in the race. Unser Sr.'s brother, Bobby Unser, also won the 500 three times.

Unser Sr. was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1986, and later inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Kanye West and Drake made the once seemingly impossible a reality ... hitting the stage together, playing their hits (both old and new) and even performing the other's songs.

70,000 people piled into the L.A. Memorial Coliseum Thursday to see the "Free Larry Hoover" benefit show. Kanye and Drake danced, rapped and hugged it out on top of a giant mound in the middle of what is usually a football field.

The show started out with Kanye's Sunday Service choir performing from the stands, and both Drake and Kanye walking down the stairs and to the middle of the floor.

From there, it was a myriad of the superstar's hits -- both old and new -- for close to 2 hours. The guest list felt like an award show, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Lizzo, Devin Booker, Megan Fox, MGK, Offset and Drake's dad, Dennis Graham.

Most surprisingly, Kanye played his older, much less religion-based songs like "Can't Tell Me Nothing," "Gold Digger" and "Touch The Sky."

Drake, of course, played some of his biggest songs as well as a good mix from his "Certified Lover Boy" album including "Knife Talk" and "No Friends in the Industry." He also shared some nice words about Ye, saying, “When we were walking through the archway it felt surreal, to be on stage with one of my idols as he runs through his catalog.”

The show, first scheduled to start at 8, didn't go on until about 9:30 ... but traffic and logistics issues seemed to be the cause of that, with cars backed up for more than an hour just trying to get into the venue.

The news of Demaryius Thomas' sudden death on Thursday has rocked the NFL community ... with stars all over the league -- including Tim Tebow and Von Miller -- expressing heartbreak over the tragedy.

Just minutes after cops in Georgia confirmed Thomas had been found dead in his Roswell home ... ex-teammates and others from around the NFL wrote sad tributes to the former Broncos great.

"Woke up and saw the really devastating news about my teammate and friend, Demaryius Thomas," said Tebow, who connected with Thomas in one of the most famous touchdown passes in NFL playoff history in 2012.

"So many are going to remember him for his athletic ability…," Tebow continued, "but I’ll be remembering him for his kindness, his smile that would light up a room, and the love he had for those in his life. Please join me in prayer for the Thomas family."

Miller -- who played with Thomas in Denver for years and won Super Bowl 50 with the wide receiver -- was also heartbroken ... writing on his social media page, "I love you bro."

"FRFR real love," Miller added. "Unreal."

Terrell Davis, Russell Wilson, Jalen Ramsey, Dak Prescott and so many more posted remembrance notes to the former four-time Pro Bowler as well.

"Meeting in Denver to win a Super Bowl and then to South Africa to celebrate!" future Hall of Famer and former Broncos star DeMarcus Ware said Thursday night. "So glad you KNEW you were my brother ... Love you 88…until the next time we meet 🙏🏾. #RestInParadise"

Thomas was just 33 years old.

RIP

Demaryius Thomas, Super Bowl champion and four-time Pro Bowler, has died at the age of 33, police tell TMZ Sports.

The cause of death is currently unclear ... but police tell us they found Thomas deceased in his Roswell, GA home Thursday night.

Cops tell us preliminary reports suggest the death stemmed from a medical issue. They also tell us there are currently no indications that foul play was involved.

Thomas -- the 22nd overall pick out of Georgia Tech in the 2010 NFL Draft -- evolved into one of the best wide receivers in the league.

During his nine-season NFL career with the Broncos, Texans, Patriots and Jets, he made made four Pro Bowls ... and won Super Bowl 50 alongside quarterback Peyton Manning in the 2015 season.

Thomas caught 724 balls and accumulated 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns throughout his incredible career.

We also talked to his former Broncos teammate, linebacker Brandon Marshall, who tells us he and his ex-Denver teammates are heartbroken over the loss.

One of those famed teammates, legendary pass rusher DeMarcus Ware, has already posted a tribute picture to Thomas on social media ... writing in the caption, "Heartbroken."

Rest in peace.

Tyron Woodley says he's gonna beat Jake Paul on December 18 ... and then he's gonna do it again, 'cause the former UFC star tells TMZ Sports there's a rematch clause in his contract.

We talked to 39-year-old T-Wood fresh off signing on to once again box the YouTube star in Tampa on less than 2 weeks' notice ... and while we were talking, Tyron revealed a third fight is in the works if he wins next weekend.

"Yes, there is a rematch clause in there," Woodley says, adding, "After I knocked you out Mr. Betting Man, are you gonna run, or are you gonna wanna try to fight someone else, or are you gonna come get this work."

Of course, Jake -- who was originally scheduled to fight Tommy Fury -- won the first fight by split decision when they faced off on August 29 (a fight Woodley believes he actually won). So, a Woodley dub would even them up at one win apiece.

As for what he's going to do this time around, Woodley tells us to expect violence.

"I bet I beat his ass. I bet if he get up, I bet I do it again. I bet if he get up, I bet I knock his ass down again."

First things first ... Woodley has to win. Then, do it all again.

The mom of ex-NBA player Corey Benjamin's daughter has been charged criminally in California after allegedly directing her daughter to sucker punch an opponent during a H.S. hoops game.

44-year-old Latira Shonty Hunt was hit with 2 misdemeanor charges ... battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. If she's ultimately convicted, she faces a year in jail.

While announcing the charges, Orange County DA placed the blame right on the mother's shoulders, saying “In my opinion, it would have not happened, but for mom’s words."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the girl absolutely decked her 15-year-old opponent, sending her crashing to the hardwood floor.

At the time, police in Garden Grove, CA told us they were investigating the incident. After reviewing the video and talking to witnesses, officials decided to charge Hunt.

While her daughter isn't facing any charges, she has been punished. The league permanently banned her from competing.

As for her former professional hooper dad, Benjamin apologized for his daughter's actions, saying, "As a father, I’m shocked and disappointed at my daughter’s behavior as this is not a reflection of the values and standards that my family holds. Nor does it exemplify the values, character and spirit of sportsmanship that the game of basketball requires.”

Colts star Darius Leonard became the real Santa Claus for kids in Indianapolis ... by bringing them on a holiday shopping spree!!

Leonard teamed up with Walmart for his first "Shop With a Jock" event ... where 50 lucky kids from the Boys & Girls Club in Indy got to go shopping with the linebacker with $100 gift cards for the store.

The special moment was caught on camera -- Leonard walked down each aisle at the local Walmart with the kids who picked out gifts like clothes and toys.

After that, they got to eat Papa John's pizza with Leonard and his teammates!!

One kid told WTHR he was so surprised he was shopping with an NFL star ... saying, "A football player in front of my eyes!" ... How adorable is that?!?

Leonard loved every minute of it -- saying he knows what it's like not getting much during the holidays, so he wanted to make a difference.

"I knew what it was like as a kid not really having too much up under the tree so just being able to come out and just be in these kids' faces -- now, they can go out and just shop and get whatever they want."

Leonard added, "They gonna remember this for the rest of their lives. Just tryna make a change in this world."

Leonard -- who has 8 siblings and 2 children of his own -- has been with the Colts since 2018 and the 2-time Pro Bowler has made over $29 million.

"Seeing the smiles on these kids faces is the reason why I do what I do!"

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson wants all the smoke -- the mixed martial artist tells TMZ Sports he's dead serious about fighting Shannon Briggs ... and when he does, "he's gonna f*** him up."

"That guy's a f***ing a**hole," Jackson told us this week. "I want to box and I think that his old ass would be a perfect match to be my first boxing match."

"I'ma f*** him up. I'm sick of that guy. All he does is troll me. Imma f*** him up."

Rampage didn't stop there ... "He think I'm playing with him. He think it's all fun and games. That man 50 years old. He too old to be acting like that," he continued.

Jackson says his desire to clash with the former heavyweight champ came after Briggs called him out following his last loss.

"I told him I wanted to have a boxing match and Shannon agreed to get in there with me," Jackson said. "We putting MMA fans vs. boxing fans."

The feud between Jackson and Briggs ain't new -- last month, they got into a shoving match at a Triad Combat weigh-in (the two were captains of opposite teams) ... an event that pitted MMA fighters against professional boxers.

Jackson tells us that any clash he has with Briggs will be bigger than just pride and ego ... saying that he's gonna show the world that MMA fighters are the best.

"I'm coming to get that respect," Rampage said. "You boxers, y'all don't respect us. Better put some respect on my name."

We might not have to wait much longer to see the former champs lock horns ... 'cause Rampage also told us that we could see the highly anticipated bout sometime in the new year.

Sheriff Brent Lynch -- the top law enforcement official in Owsley County, KY -- was arrested for assault on Thursday after allegedly striking a teenage girl while coaching a girls basketball game.

The incident -- which was captured on camera -- went down in Perry County, KY last Friday. Lynch, a coach for Owsley County, dashed onto the court after players on both teams started fighting.

Lynch is accused of hitting a girl in the face ... and has been charged with 4th-degree assault. The charge carries up to 1 year in jail and a fine, if convicted.

He is currently behind bars in Three Forks Regional Jail ... after he was arrested by his own officers this morning.

The Sherriff -- who assumed office in January 2019 -- is listed as 6', 190 lbs. on his booking sheet. He was booked at 9:59 AM. Prior to serving in his current role, Lynch was a Kentucky State Police officer.

FYI, Owsley is a small county with a population of around 4,000 people in eastern Kentucky.

Movie trailers are so last year ... Netflix partnered with New Balance to create a one-of-a-kind pair of sneakers using pieces of a 4.5 BILLION-year-old meteorite -- all to promote a new film.

The unique white NB 550's contain 34 fragments of the Seymchan meteorite, cut using a water jet, with the New Balance logo being made almost entirely of the Pallasite space rock.

The meteorite was discovered in eastern Russia (search 62°54’ N, 152°26’ E) in the mid-1960s, and experts believe it's likely over 4 billion years old.

The Seymchan meteorite was chosen for the project due to its similarities to the fictional Dibiasky Comet, which is at the center of the "Don’t Look Up" plot.

The film -- set to release Dec. 10 in theaters and Dec. 24 on Netflix -- is about two low-level astronomers who go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy Earth.

The flick features a star-studded cast ... Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Tyler Perry, Meryl Streep, Ariana Grande, and Kid Cudi are some of the A-listers featured in the movie.

L.A. Clippers rookie Brandon Boston Jr. had the best game of his young career against the Celtics on Wednesday ... and dedicated his performance to the late Terrence Clarke.

The guard went off on the Cs in the 114-111 win ... scoring 27 points (including 5 3-pointers, going perfect from the free throw line and earning 4 steals in just 25 minutes off the bench!

The effort resulted in career-highs in points, threes and steals ... and after the game, Boston Jr. devoted the stellar performance to Clarke, his former Kentucky teammate.

"He would of called or screamed," " BJ said to reporters during post-game interviews. "Just excited with a bright smile on his face, just telling me, 'I told you! I told you! You the best in the world! Just keep going.'"

"That's the type of relationship we had."

Boston and Clarke both played college hoops together for the Wildcats -- and were both set to enter the 2021 NBA Draft.

However, Clarke was tragically killed in a car accident in Los Angeles on April 22 -- just months before the draft. Boston witnessed the crash as he was riding behind him.

"He always pushed me to be my best self so I always keep that in the back of my mind," BJ added.

"I actually like dedicated this game [to him] cause he's from Boston and he wanted to play for Boston."

"So, just going out there and carrying that chip on my shoulder. His energy just carried me along the way."

BJ has been honoring his close friend in many ways since his death -- including a tribute tattoo on his left leg featuring Clarke's UK basketball photo and "TC World."

"Jake Paul can go suck a d*** for all I care ... p***y."

Tyson Fury just went the hell off on both Jake AND Logan Paul ... absolutely unleashing on the brothers and calling them "s***house p*****s."

As we previously reported, Jake has been talking a ton of crap after Tyson's brother, Tommy, backed out just 2 weeks before their fight was set to go down in Tampa ... calling the champ and his now-former opponent a "f***ing bitch."

Logan also chimed in ... saying it's a good thing Tommy is handsome, 'cause he's a p***y."

Now, Tyson is firing back at the YouTube superstars ... and boy, he didn't hold back.

"Jake Paul can go suck a d*** for all I care ... p***y," Tyson said. "Him and his brother are s***house p***ies and could never live in my world because they're f***ing bitches."

"And, if you don't like the language, get f***ed."

Yikes.

Tyson says Tommy missing out on the fight is no big deal -- saying there will be plenty more paydays to come.

As for whether he wants to see Tommy and Jake reschedule their fight, Tyson says he has zero interest in what the two boxers do.

A fan shouted a homophobic slur at gay AEW star Anthony Bowens during a match this week ... and it's disgusting.

Bowens -- who publicly came out as bisexual in 2017, but now identifies as gay -- was locked up with Jungle Boy in a 4-on-4 tag team match when the incident took place.

In the video, you can hear the fan yell the hateful words, saying "f*****g f**" ... as JB and Bowens collided in the middle of the ring.

It's unclear exactly who hurled the slur ... but it was heard over the raucous crowd.

Bowens addressed the ugly incident on social media after the event, writing ... "This is why I posted that photo the other day. Stuff like this unfortunately still exists. Not phased, I'll just keep fighting against stuff like this till the day I die.🌈"

Of course, Bowens is referring to a photo he posted on Instagram recently, where he's proudly kissing his BF in front of protestors.

Bowens wrote ... "Standup against hate," tagging both his partner Michael Pavano -- a YouTube star -- as well as GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign in the post.

In 2019, Anthony spoke to Sports Illustrated about the importance of his role in the sport ... representing the LGBTQ+ community.