Vanderbilt Commodores Sarah Fuller 1st Female ... To Play in Power 5 Football Game

The Vanderbilt University football team made history this weekend by enlisting the athletic prowess of one its star soccer players for their own sport ... and this time it's not a man.

Sarah Fuller took the field Saturday in Vandy's NCAA match against the Missouri Tigers -- where she suited up and kicked off to the opposing team in the second half ... and etching her name in the record books while doing so.

She delivered an effective onside kick to the Tigers, and then jogged off the field to lots of applause. Her play marks the first time a female has played in a Power 5 college football game ... which is a huge deal. The first woman to play the game ever at the college level was Liz Heaston in 1997 ... but that wasn't NCAA.

In 2001, Ashley Martin did the honors there ... but as far as Power 5 (the most competitive tier of collegiate football), Sarah is the first to ever do it -- an historic feat.

Now, as for how this came to be ... word is a few players on Vanderbilt's squad -- including some kickers -- are out right now due to COVID-19, so they were in need of some emergency reinforcements from other athletic departments on campus.

Sarah's actually the goalkeeper for Vanderbilt's women's soccer team, which just won the SEC championship. The Vanderbilt football coach reportedly was considering different options amid his team being down a handful of guys, and thought of Sarah because of how good she was with the soccer ball. One thing led to another, and they had her practice with a football. Obviously, she was a fit.

Some folks -- including certain media personalities -- criticized the move and questioned Vandy's motives for recruiting a female soccer player instead of a guy ... wondering if it was all for publicity and more for PR than actual merit.

Of course, those people are getting dragged through the coals, with many replying ... is it possible that she was the most qualified to play in this spot? Yes, yes it is.

Tristan Thompson I Just Became a U.S. Citizen!!!

Tristan Thompson is all about changes these days ... and he's just changed his citizenship to the U.S. of A.

Tristan was sworn in as an American citizen earlier this week ... shortly after deciding to join the Boston Celtics.

Tristan was a Canadian citizen and came to the United States to study at the Univ. of Texas back in 2009. He was only there a year, before joining the NBA draft.

Tristan says, “I came to the U.S. on a student visa and have always had big dreams. I’m now truly living the American dream.”

Dude's got a lot to celebrate. The Boston deal's netting him $19 mil over 2 years.

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The athlete’s U.S. citizenship comes after news broke on November 21 that he reached a two-year, $19 million deal with the Boston Celtics as its new center.

Thompson began his professional basketball career in 2011 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played for nine seasons.

On the home front, Khloe says she and 2-year-old True are staying put in L.A. ... she just bought a new home right next to her mom. Presumably, there will be lots of commuting.

Khloe and Tristan got back together during the pandemic, and from all accounts, they're going strong.

Congrats Tristan!!!

Police Misconduct Cops Attack, Slug Man Videotaping Police Stop

UPDATE

9:45 AM PT -- Police Chief Richard Sanders tells TMZ, his Dept. is conducting an internal affairs investigation into the incident, and the officer involved in the incident has been placed on administrative leave pending the results. The Chief would not comment on the words the officer used to allegedly say he was suspected to be the getaway driver -- as you hear in the video, the cop tells Bennett he was "involved" but doesn't say involved in what. The Chief added, "I don't think he was involved [in bank fraud] but that's what I'm trying to find out."

A man who was videotaping cops who stopped a black driver was ordered to stop taping, and it ended with the guy getting assaulted.

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Joe Bennett was driving home in Jeffersontown, Kentucky when he saw a number of police cars swarm a car. Bennett decided to live stream the stop on Facebook ... as he said, he was doing his "due diligence as a citizen."

Joe is at least 50 feet away, and maybe further, saying "I just wanted to observe, so I tried to give them distance."

He actually says the video is "the most boring live video ever," when at the 3-minute mark a cop walks ominously toward Bennett and orders him to stop filming, coming up with an excuse that it's a crime scene investigation -- as if that's a justification.

Bennett refuses to stop, so the cop asks for his ID. Now, technically, if a cop asks for ID -- even if the request violates the law -- you're supposed to comply, but Bennett says he did nothing wrong so he refuses. That's when the cop attacks, grabbing for Bennett's phone and slugging him.

A police official told Spectrum 1, "Officers were in the area investigating and making arrests related to a check fraud scheme thwarted at the Citizens Union Bank across the street from the McDonalds." What's unclear ... cops reportedly say a suspect claimed Bennett was the driver in the check fraud scheme. You do hear the cop say, "you are involved," but Joe tells us he was never told he was being accused of a check fraud scheme.  "You're involved" could mean he's involved because he's videotaped the stop.

Joe tells TMZ the citation says, "Officers were investigating a case where fraudulent checks were being cashed at a local bank. Officers were informed that there was a gray Jeep involved. Officers were told that the gray Jeep was picking up offenders after they attempted to cash the fraudulent check. This officer was informed that the above subject [Joe Bennett] at which time was standing on the side of his vehicle was the driver of the gray Jeep. Officer approached the subject and asked him for identification. Subject refused. Officer told the subject he was named in the investigation and the subject still refused to identify himself. Officer attempted to put handcuffs on the subject before things escalated. Subject tensed up and started to pull away. Officer delivered one empty strike to the subject and took the subject to the ground."

Bennett says he was cited for resisting arrest and menacing. Bennett tells TMZ officers cleared him at the scene in the check fraud scheme.

We reached out to the police department ... so far, no word back.

Originally Published -- 6:01 AM PT

Demi Lovato's Ex-Fiance Max Ehrich Hits the Beach with New GF

Demi Lovato's heartsick ex-fiance has found love again -- or maybe it's just a rebound -- but he's definitely trying to make it look like he's moved on.

Max Ehrich hit the beach with blazing hot Mariah Angeliq. They took a sunset stroll at the South Pointe Park Pier Friday in Miami Beach and looked, well, cozy. They were there with singer Lele Pons.

Last we saw Max, he was fretting in the sands of Malibu, appearing crestfallen in the wake of his breakup with Demi ... a breakup which he claims he only became aware of through tabloids, although she strongly denies it. Max, like Trump, seemed to have trouble letting go.

MOVIN' ON

Demi seemed super annoyed by Max's post-breakup antics, and even leaked a song about their breakup.

We're guessing Demi's feeling relieved.

Kim Kardashian Death Row Visit Brings Big Boost For Julius Jones' Family, Supporters

Kim Kardashian's visit with an inmate on death row in Oklahoma is being hailed as a big morale boost for the folks already fighting for Julius Jones' freedom.

Kim brought a lot of extra attention to Julius' case when she met with him face-to-face in Oklahoma City ... and we're told it's got his family excited and supporters energized.

Folks at the "Justice for Julius" campaign tell us their website has seen a tenfold traffic increase, and thousands of emails from all over the world are flowing into the site and into the inbox at the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, urging a commutation of his sentence.

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Jones, a Black man, was only 19 when he was arrested for the shooting death of a 45-year-old white man named Paul Howell back in 1999. Jones was convicted of 1st-degree murder in 2002 and sentenced to death, but lots of folks say the case was racially charged with little evidence tying him to the scene. Julius claims he was framed and it was racial.

Julius filed a clemency petition last year and is waiting on the parole board to recommend his sentence be commuted ... a final decision is in the hands of Governor Kevin Stitt.

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We're told since Kim's visit Cleveland Browns quarterback, Baker Mayfield, who's been wearing Julius' name on the back of his helmet all season and has been wearing custom cleats with Julius' face on it, is fully on board the Julius team.

But, more than anything, we're told Kim's visit brought renewed hope and energy to the folks on the ground in Oklahoma who have been working tirelessly on the case.

Julius' sister, Antoinette Jones, tells TMZ ... Kim provided the family with a sense of optimism moving forward, making good on her word to fight for Julius. Antoinette says Kim's drive reminds her of Robert Kardashian Sr.

It's pretty heartbreaking ... Julius' sister says he told Kim he's still broken up about not being able to take her to junior and senior prom because he was locked up, and he told Kim he wants to make it up to his sister. She says Kim feels that's another reason why Kim wants to fight for his freedom.

Not everyone is feeling great about Kim's visit though.

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter called her out for advocating for Jones, claiming "every criticism surrounding his case has been disproven" and railing against "celebrity endorsements."

Nevertheless ... Kim's making an impact on Julius' case one way or another.

Drake and Adonis Picture Perfect!!!

Drake is in love ... and it shows.

Drizzy posted this super sweet pic of him, asleep on the shoulder of his son, 3-year-old Adonis, and it kinda melts your heart.

Adonis lives with his mom, Sophie Brussaux, but Drake definitely spends time with his son. When Adonis turned 3 last month, Drake celebrated with him at his Toronto estate. He and Adonis are partying hard, around a swarm of white, black and silver balloons.

Drake was initially coy about his parental status with Adonis, but he officially disclosed their relationship on his 2018 album, "Scorpion."

It's nice to see something this chill and sweet during some pretty awful times ... don't you think?

Nelly 'DWTS' Shoes Go To The Teen Project Expected to Raise $50k!!!

Nelly's custom-made dance shoes were all the rage on this season of "Dancing with the Stars," and now they're going to a great cause -- helping young women who are survivors of human trafficking.

As we told you ... the rapper wowed 'DWTS' fans and the judges with his slick moves and his hip hop-inspired footwear, but now that the dancing competition's wrapped up, he's sending his shoes to The Teen Project to be auctioned off.

Our sources say Yung Swivel's donating at least 10 pairs to the organization -- which also aids young women who've suffered trauma and homelessness -- and his entire collection is expected to fetch $50,000 ... if not more.

Nelly's been a major advocate of The Teen Project over the last few months, helping the org raise $820k overall in 2020 ... which is about $300k more than last year.

The rapper's been working to raise funds for Vera's Sanctuary, a rehab facility operated by The Teen Project for victims of sex trafficking. Our sources say the money raised by Nelly has already been used to send women who've been through Vera's to college.

Along with the $50k Nelly's 'DWTS' shoes are expected to haul in at the upcoming auction, we're told the organization anticipates an additional $30k in donations to come in this week from Nelly's efforts.

Stars and Scars You Be the Judge

Donald Trump's started on the pardon train, so the question -- is Joe Exotic next? And, what's the deal with the Grammys?  So we gotta ask ...

Trump Should Pardon Joe Exotic ...

Grammys Overlooking The Weeknd ...

2020 Thanksgiving ...

Ricky Schroder Posting Kyle Rittenhouse's Bail

I Will Follow Biden's Advice On COVID ...

Drake Playing Obama In Biopic ...

When Vaccine Becomes Widely Available ...

Boxer J'Leon Love Jake Paul Can Make It As Pro ... 'He's On His Way'

JAKE'S NO JOKE
TMZSports.com

If Jake Paul wants to put the camera down and retire from YouTube, he's got a serious future as a fighter ... so says boxer J'Leon Love, who tells TMZ Sports the social media star can actually hang with the big dogs of the sport.

"He can make it," Love tells us. "He already has made it because he has the push of the fans. the skill set is there."

Of course, the 24-3-1 super-middleweight has been helping JP train for his highly anticipated fight with Nate Robinson this weekend ... and Love admits he was first caught off-guard by Paul's skills.

"I was like, 'Damn, okay. hold on. You've done this before,'" Love tells us.

And, get this -- Love says Paul has been sparring with real-deal undefeated champs in training ... and the dude's been able to hold his own.

"He is becoming more and more polished every day," Love added. "He has definitely a long road in the boxing game, but he's on his way for sure."

Love raves about Paul's work ethic, willingness to learn, and how serious he takes the craft ... and thinks he's improved immensely since his first two fights.

"I wish you guys could see what we see in the gym."

Love says Paul would be great for the sport in AND out of the ring given how marketable he is ... and thinks other fighters should follow his lead.

What's The Big Frigin' Difference?

Don't let these two almost identical images of Anna Chlumsky have you starting to seeing double! There are a few switches that have been made to one of the pics above and it's up to you to find what has been swapped around!

The actress was seen working on set in New York City ... And we have made just a few changes to this sneaky snap! Take a really good look around both photos and see if you can figure out the differences between these two super similar snaps!

**HINT -- There are THREE differences between the above photographs!**

Aaron Carter Signs Celebrity Boxing Deal ... Gimme a Boy Band Foe!!!

Aaron Carter is ready to rumble ... and he wants to beat the crap outta any boy band-type singer willing to step in the ring with him!!!

The singer has inked a deal with Celebrity Boxing promoter Damon Feldman, who tells TMZ ... Aaron's planning to fight in April or May in Los Angeles, once the coronavirus pandemic slows down.

Aaron's opponent is still up in the air, but we're told his dream match would be against Justin Bieber. We get it ... that would get the most headlines, but for lots of reasons, it's highly unlikely.

If the Biebs ain't down, we're told Aaron's ready to fight anyone else of his ilk -- a singer ready to put his hands to the test.

Aaron's got some experience in this arena ... he fought his brother, Nick Carter, back on their old reality show, "House of Carters."

There could be a huge payday in the cards for Aaron, although a lot depends on Pay-per-view buys and a TV deal. We're told he's hopeful for 7-figures.

LaVar Ball LaMelo Will Win Rookie Of The Year ... 'Guaranteed!!!'

NOVEMBER 2020
FAMILY UPDATE
TMZSports.com

"GUARANTEEEEEED!!!!"

LaVar Ball says there's NO DOUBT in his mind his son, LaMelo, will receive the highest honors of his draft class ... telling TMZ Sports the #3 overall pick is a shoo-in for the Rookie of the Year award.

We spoke with Papa Ball at his family's Thanksgiving giveaway in South Central L.A. on Tuesday ... and in pure LaVar fashion, he made another bold prediction.

"Teaming up with Michael Jordan and you can't get rookie of the year?? Are you crazy?!," LaVar tells us.

It may not be as farfetched as LaVar's predictions in the past -- Melo can straight-up BALL and was once considered a favorite to go #1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Of course, LaMelo ended up with the Charlotte Hornets ... and LaVar is expecting big things when his son teams up with the GOAT.

We also spoke with the Ball fam patriarch about LiAngelo and Lonzo's future ... and as always, the dude has things to say.

Stars Getting In Shape(Wear) Guess Who!

Not even the holidays can get in the way of these stars and their fit figures!

Celebs are keen on staying on top of their looks, and a lot of them have suited up in shapewear ... And we're sure the snug clothing will help 'em get through all the festive feasts to come!

See what all the hype is about by taking a look through our gallery of stars getting in shape(wear) ... and while you're at it, put your celebrity skills to the test and see if you can guess which Hollywood hottie is in the sexy snap!

Tight!

Amazon Alexa, Spread Anti-Semitic Propaganda ... Holocaust Lies, Claims of Jewish Conspiracies

Alexa -- Amazon's popular virtual helper -- is spewing out hateful anti-Semitic conspiracies and even lies about the Holocaust ... according to the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism.

The APPG political group claims the Alexa voice service is offering messages from anti-Semitic websites to people asking about Jewish people and the Holocaust ... without clarifying that the information comes from "selective quotes and misleading sources."

Examples include Alexa allegedly responding to the question, "Do Jews control the media?" with ... "Jew Watch claims that Jews control the world's financial systems and media," while only pointing out that this is from an article it found on Wikipedia.

Likewise, when asked if the Holocaust was a hoax ... the UK officials claim Alexa replied that deniers claim "the Holocaust is a hoax -- or an exaggeration -- arising from a deliberate Jewish conspiracy designed to advance the interest of Jews at the  expense of other people."

The APPG notes that Alexa pulled this selective line from an article, without warning that the full article describes Holocaust denial as propagating several lies about the Holocaust.

Finally, Alexa allegedly responded to a question about whether Israel's guilty of war crimes with "something I found on the web" that says ... "ethnic cleansing on a massive scale and serial human rights abuse, including war crimes, yes -- Israel is guilty of these atrocities."

Officials at the APPG sent a letter to an Amazon exec in the UK asking for an explanation and what will be done to rectify this situation. The group also claims it will be contacting the police about possible "racial incitement legislation."

An Amazon spokesperson tells us ... "We have a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory and offensive content. When we detect this type of content, we actively investigate and block responses that don't meet our policy, as we did in this case."

Boosie Badazz Rolls Into Da Club ... In a Wheelchair!!!

KEEP THE PARTY GOIN'

Boosie Badazz is recovering from multiple surgeries after being shot in the leg ... but that didn't stop him from turning up at the club on Thanksgiving.

The rapper hosted a "Thanksgiving Bash" Thursday night at the Exquis Event Center in Charleston, SC ... despite being confined to a wheelchair with his leg still heavily bandaged.

Boosie didn't need his legs to get on the mic though, and seemed to be in really good spirits as he rolled in to get the party going.

Still ... it sure seems pretty dicey from a guy who recently went under the knife, not to mention the fact he hit up a club where it appears there were zero COVID-19 precautions in place.

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And get this ... Boosie's planning on throwing another bash Saturday at an Alabama club for his birthday. The dude's definitely not taking it easy.

We broke the story ... Badazz was shot in the leg a couple weeks ago in Dallas, just days after his friend, Mo3, was killed there in a fatal shooting.

There were rumors the rapper had to have his foot amputated, but thankfully that was false. He did have to undergo a couple of surgeries for his gunshot wound, though ... including a procedure to remove bullet fragments and have screws put in to make sure his foot properly heals.

We're no doctors, but ya gotta think when they told Boosie to stay off his feet for 6 weeks ... this isn't what they had in mind.

Mike Tyson & Roy Jones Jr. Strip Down and Flex at Weigh-In ... Ripped In Their 50s!

NOVEMBER 2020
SO IT BEGINS
TMZSports.com

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. just ripped off their shirts and showed off their incredible physiques at the weigh-in for their big fight ... and man, these guys are ripped!

54-year-old Tyson and 51-year-old Roy both look amazing for their age -- really, for ANY age -- as they gear up to fight on Saturday night.

Tyson weighed in at 220.4 pounds. Jones Jr. was 210.

Both men appeared calm and focused -- and told TMZ Sports they plan on spending their Friday night relaxing and watching karate movies to get in the right headspace.

Jake Paul also put on a show at the weigh-in -- dressing up like a Super Saiyan from "Dragon Ball Z" ... and warning his opponent Nate Robinson to not let his kids watch the fight, because it will scar them for years to come.

NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN
TMZSports.com

36-year-old Nate is a former NBA star and 3-time NBA Slam Dunk contest champion. He said he's fighting 23-year-old Paul to prove he's still an elite athlete.

Earlier in the day, Roy Jones Jr. told us his pre-fight meal plans -- and why he's so excited to get back in the ring.

Funny moment with Mike Tyson when he was asked about his famous quote, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

GET READY FOR FIGHT NIGHT
TMZSports.com

So, what happens when Mike gets punched in the mouth?

"We'll go to Plan B -- I'll punch him back!"

The fight is set to go down Saturday night at Staples Center in L.A. -- the weigh-in took place at a nearby hotel.

Everyone at the weigh-in site was required to undergo COVID testing -- including our TMZ photog, who was also mask'd up and keeping his distance.

As we previously reported, both Mike and 51-year-old Roy have made it abundantly clear they will be trying to take each other out from the opening bell of their 8 round exhibition (available on PPV via cable and satellite, and PPV streaming at Triller).

The event is going to be insane -- with performances from huge stars like Lil Wayne, French Montana, YG, Wiz Khalifa and more.

Ne-Yo is doing the national anthem -- and Snoop Dogg will also be involved.

Old news is old news!
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