Athletes

A GoFundMe has been launched for Micah Jo Barnett’s family following the sudden death of the William Jewell College football player ... who tragically collapsed during a game shortly after scoring a touchdown.

As we reported ... Barnett, a junior running back at William Jewell College in Missouri, died Saturday after suffering a medical emergency during the team’s season opener against Fort Lewis College. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.

Now, Barnett’s loved ones are asking for help with the unexpected costs associated with his funeral and memorial services, with a current goal of $35K. The fundraiser describes Barnett as a "talented and kind young man" who was loved by his family, friends, teammates and community.

Bebe Rexha is putting the kibosh on those Jordan Clarkson dating rumors ... saying the NBA champ is just a pal!

TMZ Sports caught up with the singer out in NYC this week and asked if there were "sparks" between her and the Knicks star after they spent a full day together last month.

Bebe, who was takin' pics with fans, quickly shut it down, shaking her head no, and saying, "friends."

As we previously reported earlier this summer, Rexha and Clarkson, 34, raised eyebrows after painting the town together (literally) in the Big Apple ... starting with an art session alongside artist Leopoldo Gout.

Marcellus Wiley wants his sexual assault lawsuits kept far away from his restraining order fight with estranged wife Annemarie Wiley ... TMZ has learned.

According to new court docs, obtained by TMZ, Marcellus is asking a judge to block Annemarie from bringing up the civil cases pending against him in New York during their upcoming domestic violence restraining order hearing.

His lawyers say the New York cases involve seven accusers, different alleged conduct and incidents dating back decades ... mostly to the 1990s and early 2000s. They also say the claims have never been proven in court.

A Division II college football player died after suffering a medical emergency during his team's season opener Saturday ... just minutes after scoring a touchdown.

William Jewell College running back Micah Jo Barnett went down on the sideline during the Cardinals' game against Fort Lewis College in Liberty, Missouri.

Emergency crews treated Barnett before rushing him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

IndyCar pulled off one of the wildest one-off races in years -- 100K+ fans, the nation's capital, cars rippin' around the streets -- and the guy who won the historic race has a simple take on a sequel.

Don't do it!

Kyle Kirkwood dominated Sunday's Freedom 250 race, leading for 128 of the 147 laps ... becoming the first (and if he gets his way, the only) winner of an IndyCar race in Washington, D.C.

When TMZ DC asked the Andretti Global driver if he'd like to return next year, he hit up with an interesting answer.

Just when you think Gabrielle Union couldn't get any hotter, she says ... bring it on! The actress is blessing our feeds as she's livin' it up on a yacht.

Gab was lookin' fab in her teeny bikinis ... flaunting her killer curves as she soaked up the summer sun.

You know Dwyane Wade was enjoying the view ... and we're obviously not talking about the crystal-clear water and the sunny skies.

Tony Romo is owning up to that OWI bust in the wake of his 3 new citations ... and in talks with CBS about potentially returning to his job, TMZ has learned.

A spokesperson tells TMZ ... "Tony accepts full responsibility for his actions and has taken proactive steps to ensure that this isolated civil matter is properly resolved."

They also tell us ... "We are working with local authorities to bring this matter to a close and we are communicating with CBS about next steps."

Savannah Guthrie is re-entering the celebrity social scene ... making her first red carpet appearance since her mom, Nancy, went missing.

The "Today" host posed before the US Open Exhibition Match event in New York City Tuesday evening ... wearing a stunning black floral dress.

She accessorized with some exquisite jewelry and flashed a close-lipped smile for the camera as she stopped for a few quick pics.

Savannah watched the tennis action with her husband, Mike Feldman.

Teofimo Lopez's thoughts on Rolly Romero? Been there, done that!

The newly crowned WBA welterweight champion stopped by the TMZ Sports offices and chopped it up with Babcock on Monday, less than 48 hours after his 12-round victory.

After the scrap, Romero accused the judges of botching the decision, and demanded a rematch ... but it ain't happening, 'cause the champ's moving on.

Rashod Bateman's baby mama told a prosecutor days after their June incident that he never shoved her into a wall or put his hands on her ... walking back the account she initially gave cops.

Marissa Crumley authorized Bateman's attorneys to provide TMZ with the email she sent on June 8, five days after the alleged incident, in which she said she wanted to explain the "true side of the story."

Crumley wrote that officers pressured her into identifying Bateman and invaded her privacy by lifting her head wrap to photograph marks on her face. She claimed the bruises and marks were self-inflicted "out of emotion and frustration."

Brandon Clarke had an unknown white powder, Narcan, syringes and a slew of medications inside his home when he was found dead ... TMZ has learned.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's report, investigators found vape devices, cannabis products, prescription medications, injectable peptides, syringes and a box of Narcan inside Clarke's bedroom and attached bathroom.

Investigators also found a plate containing an unknown white powdery substance on the kitchen island ... along with a hotel key card.

Former NBA player Tamar Slay says some parents are hitting the rewind button on seventh grade ... all to give their kids a bigger edge in sports and potentially make more money in college.

Slay -- who now runs the Slay Basketball Academy in Charlotte, NC -- joined "TMZ Live" Monday and told us reclassifying has become a serious move for families chasing college offers, NIL money and, eventually, the pros.

Harvey pushed back on the trend ... arguing it can make school feel like an afterthought if a kid is repeating seventh grade mainly for basketball or football.

Annemarie and Marcellus Wiley are set to have quite an intense hearing in their domestic violence case … TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Annemarie plans to present photos of the injuries she claims she suffered during an alleged July 2024 attack. She claims Marcellus got physical with her, resulting in injuries to her back, leg, and shoulder.

She says she also intends to submit another image from March 2014 of an alleged injury to her lip.

Former NBA player and WNBA hopeful Enes Kanter Freedom may have had an intense run-in with authorities at Wintrust Arena Sunday night ... however, he's welcome back as long as the WNBA approves, TMZ has learned.

A Chicago PD spokesperson tells TMZ ... there have been no reports filed regarding the incident ... even though Enes was seen surrounded by cops after he was removed from the arena for getting in an altercation Sunday with WNBA Chicago Star player Natasha Cloud.

A Wintrust Area spokesperson tells TMZ ... "Based on the incident last night, decisions regarding reprimanding or banning would be the purview of the WNBA."

Rashod Bateman allegedly shoved the mother of his child into a wall during a fight inside their home ... hours before cops say he used a screwdriver to wreck her Mercedes while their infant daughter sat inside.

According to a police report, obtained by TMZ, the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver's girlfriend, Marissa Crumley, told officers an argument erupted around 3:30 AM on June 3 ... she claimed they were fighting over her past, with Bateman allegedly calling her a "liar."

Crumley told cops Bateman pushed her into a corner wall, leaving her with facial contusions. She said he later told her to pack her things and leave the home.