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Urban Meyer says he flubbed his news conference following the announcement of his three-game suspension Wednesday ... and is now trying to make up for it by apologizing to Courtney Smith.

"Let me say here and now what I should have said on Wednesday," the coach tweeted.

"I sincerely apologize to Courtney Smith and her children for what they have gone through."

As we previously reported ... Meyer was hit with a three-game ban after university officials say he "failed to take sufficient management action" when it came to the handling of assistant coach Zach Smith and his alleged domestic violence toward Courtney.

Meyer caught serious heat when discussing the suspension with reporters ... mostly for the crass tone he took when he was asked if he had a message for Courtney.

Now ... Meyer is realizing he messed up, saying he should have handled that question -- and the entire Zach Smith situation -- differently.

"My words and demeanor on Wednesday did not show how seriously I take relationship violence. I sincerely apologize. I was taught at a very young age that if I ever hit a woman, I would be kicked out of the house and never welcomed back."

"I have the same rule in my house and in the Football Program at Ohio State. Over the years, we have worked hard to educate and remind our coaches and players of the seriousness of relationship violence."

Meyer added, "I understand my lack of more action in this situation has raised concerns about this commitment. I once again apologize for this, and I extend my empathy to all women, men and families who are affected by relationship violence."

Justin Verlander's World Series ring nearly came with a $1 MILLION price tag ... 'cause an L.A. restaurant (jokingly) hit him with a HUGE "Dodger Killer" fee!!

The Astros ace -- who crushed L.A. in the World Series last year -- was dining at The Cabana Cafe in Bev Hills when, to his surprise, THE BILL CAME OUT TO OVER A MILLION DOLLARS!!

As Verlander read over the receipt, though ... it became clear to him, he just got punk'd.

"Beverly Hills Hotel really making me pay for that World Series win 😂😂," Verlander said of the massive charge.

"Thanks for the great lunch as always!"

As for why Verlander's grubbin' in L.A. this weekend ... he's in town for a series with the Angels.

So, rest easy, Dodgers fans ... for now.

Straight from the Mamba's mouth ... Kobe Bryant says he's NEVER returning to pro basketball.

The NBA legend set the record straight in an interview with Rich Eisen ... saying "I will never come back to the game. Ever. I am here to show people that we can do much more than that."

Of course, Black Mamba already has an Oscar for his animated short film "Dear Basketball" ... and has a bunch of other projects geared towards connecting youth to sports.

"There's about a 0-percent chance I come back and play," Bryant says.

There were rumors Kobe could come back to the Lakers when LeBron James decided to move to L.A., and most recently about joining Ice Cube's BIG3 league when co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz said he was told by a source that Kobe was gonna play next season.

But, Kobe's rep chimed in on his hoops future to TMZ Sports ... saying "NOT True. 100% not happening."

Regardless, Cube told us on Wednesday he was still hopeful Bryant would take the BIG3 bait.

Andrew Jones just dunked all over cancer ... with the Texas baller finishing his chemotherapy treatment and ringing the bell Friday!!

Jones -- a superstar on Texas' men's hoops team -- was diagnosed with leukemia this past January and called the last eight months of recovery "crazy and stressful for me and my family."

But, Andrew just wrapped up his rounds of chemo ... and is back on the road to playing for UT again this season.

"With the grace of god we can see a better day," Jones said after ringing the bell. "I’ll like to say thanks to all the fans and supports #hookem."

Jones recently told the Austin American-Statesman he'll now head back to his dorm at UT next Wednesday ... taking yet another step toward normalcy.

"Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" host Robin Leach has died at the age of 76.

Leach had been hospitalized since November after suffering a stroke while in Cabo San Lucas, and passed away Friday morning in Vegas ... according to his colleague John Katsilometes at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Katsilometes revealed before his death, Leach was in hospice care after suffering a second stroke on Monday. A family from his statement said, "Despite the past 10 months, what a beautiful life he had. Our Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle and friend Robin Leach passed away peacefully last night."

The family continued, "Everyone’s support and love over the past, almost one year, has been incredible and we are so grateful. Memorial arrangements to follow. With love, Steven, Gregg and Rick Leach."

Leach -- a veteran journalist -- launched and hosted 'Lifestyles' in 1984 and it aired until 1995. The show gave viewers a sneak peek into the lives of wealthy entertainers, athletes and CEOs.

The show's success came on the heels of a burst of interest in the lives of the filthy rich back in the 80's. Even years after the show ended, Leach remained a figurehead in the world of wealth and luxury. Despite his ritzy reputation, Leach always insisted he was a normal and down-to-earth dude.

Robin moved to Las Vegas in 1999 and spent most of his final years as a journalist working for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and for the Las Vegas Sun covering celeb events on the strip.

Leach started his career earning just $6 an hour at The Harrow Observer. From there, he became the youngest editor at just 18 years old at London's Daily Mail and later worked for the New York Daily News and People magazine.

In a 2011 interview with The Las Vegas Sun, Leach said, "I wanted no other jobs than to work in newspapers."

Leach's mindset clearly changed when he broke into TV on CNN's "People Tonight" in 1980 and followed up in playing a major part in launching "Entertainment Tonight."

In 2007, Leach was the host of "The Surreal Life: Fame Games" on VH1. The show featured 10 celebs -- including Vanilla Ice, Chyna, Verne Troyer, Ron Jeremy and Brigitte Nielsen -- competing in a series of games for $100,000.

We had Vince Neil -- a longtime friend of Robin's -- on TMZ Live Friday ... who dished on Leach and his accomplishments.

He most recently appeared on an episode of VICELAND's "Most Expensivest" where 2 Chainz jetted to Vegas to sip champagne and eat caviar with Robin.

Leach was to turn 77 Wednesday.

J.J. Redick says the Clippers turned from a title contender to a teardown project ... 'cause of "DONALD TRUMP-LEVEL" childishness from the team's stars!!

Seriously.

Remember ... the Clippers from 2011 to 2017 were LEGIT -- on the doorstep of a championship every year with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan roaming the floor.

Redick was a part of most of those squads ... and he revealed earlier this week that the downfall of it all was because of a level of pettiness similar to what he's seen from the White House.

"It's weird to think what we had the potential to accomplish and what ultimately derailed that was pettiness," Redick said on the "Pardon My Take" podcast on Barstool Sports.

"Like Donald Trump-level pettiness."

Redick says the team had a passive aggressive attitude toward everything -- and that's why Redick's in Philly, Paul's in Houston, Jordan's in Dallas and Griffin's in Detroit these days.

"I don't know that we hate each other. I don't know that," Redick says. "It was just passive aggressive bullsh*t."

John McCain is making a difficult decision in his year-long battle with brain cancer.

The longtime U.S. Senator from Arizona has decided to stop medical treatment for the disease ... according to the Republican's family.

As we reported ... McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer -- known as glioblastoma -- last July. He'd been receiving treatment from his home near Sedona, Arizona since December.

The 81-year-old is a 6-term Senator and was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.

McCain's family said age is a factor in John's decision to stop getting treatment ... and he's already surpassed expectations for his survival.

A statement from McCain's family says, "John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment."

The statement continues, "Our family is immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his caregivers over the last year, and for the continuing outpouring of concern and affection from John's many friends and associates, and the many thousands of people who are keeping him in their prayers."

McCain has served in the Senate since 1986. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona in '82.

Before his political career, McCain entered the Naval Academy in 1954 and served in the Navy until '81.

Hugo Lloris -- the star goalie on France's 2018 World Cup championship team -- was arrested for drunk driving in London, officials say.

The 31-year-old superstar -- who's also the goalkeeper for Tottenham -- was pulled over around 2:20 AM on Friday morning for a routine traffic stop ... but cops suspected he was plastered.

Officials say Lloris took a breathalyzer -- and failed -- and was arrested on the stop. He was hauled to the Charing Cross Police Station where he was booked and spent 7 hours in custody.

Lloris was later released on bail and is due back in court on Sept. 11.

Lloris was scheduled to play for Tottenham in their next game on Monday night -- unclear if he will be suspended due to the arrest.

The guy is an absolute stud on the pitch -- he's the captain of the French national team and Tottenham and is widely considered one of the best goalkeepers on the planet.

Aaron Donald sent a message to the Rams on Thursday -- six of them, in fact -- letting his abs say the words his mouth didn't ... PAY ME!!

The not-so-subtle memo to his L.A. bosses went down on Donald's IG ... where the superstar D-lineman -- who's still holding out -- posed shirtless with every one of his six abs flashing.

The caption might as well have had general manager Les Snead's name on it too ... 'cause it read, "Lookin good for 280."

Translation -- he's a 6"1', 280-pound monster in incredible shape ready to get back on the football field.

Beto O'Rourke has two pretty powerful athlete allies after his speech about the NFL kneeling issue -- LeBron James and Arian Foster.

FYI, O'Rourke is running for senator in Texas against Ted Cruz -- and started to become famous this week thanks to a video from a Texas town hall showing Beto explaining why kneeling during the anthem is NOT disrespectful.

"And so non-violently, peacefully, while the eyes of this country are watching these games, [some NFL players] take a knee to bring our attention and our focus to this problem to ensure that we fix it," O’Rourke said.

"That is why they are doing it, and I can think of nothing more American than to peacefully stand up, or take a knee, for your rights, anytime, anywhere, any place."

‏LeBron tweeted about the video on Thursday -- calling it a "must watch."

Foster -- a former star NFL running back for the Houston Texans -- took it a step further ... spending the day campaigning with O'Rourke in Houston.

Beto put out a statement thanking Arian for his support -- "Grateful that [Arian Foster] would spend the day with us in Spring and Houston. Grabbing smoothies, driving the truck, joining the discussion about how this community and this state leads the way on so many important issues. Hope you have a fun birthday tomorrow!"

The man who shot and killed John Lennon isn't getting out of prison anytime soon ... he's just been denied parole once again.

Mark David Chapman went before a parole board in New York Thursday, and they came to the decision to keep him behind bars ... and he won't be up for parole again for 2 years.

The board explained its decision to Chapman saying ... "You admittedly carefully planned and executed the murder of a world-famous person for no reason other than to gain notoriety."

The board added ... "While no one person's life is any more valuable than another's life, the fact that you chose someone who was not only a world renown person and beloved by millions, regardless of the pain and suffering you would cause to his family, friends and so many others, you demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life and the pain and suffering of others."

We broke the story ... Chapman got a new mug shot before his hearing. He's been serving 20 years to life after pleading guilty to 2nd degree murder of Lennon, who he shot in front of The Beatles' legend's Manhattan apartment in 1980.

Chapman later admitted to planning the killing because he wanted to be famous. He had been denied parole 9 times since December 2000 ... and now it's an even 10.

Zach Smith may have outed Tom Herman as the unnamed Ohio State assistant football coach who accompanied him to a strip club during a 2014 high school recruiting trip ... and it's all on his IG.

The incident was mentioned in the OSU investigation report into Urban Meyer -- which says Smith "ran up a significant bill at a local strip club along with another OSU football coach" in Florida on May 8, 2014.

Because Smith was on an official OSU recruiting trip -- and at least one high school football coach was also at the club -- Meyer reprimanded Smith and threatened to fire him if it happened again.

The report did not identify the other OSU coach -- but Smith's Instagram page may hold the clue. On May 7, 2014 Smith posted about being in Florida with Tom Herman.

Plus, Lettermen Row -- a news website covering Ohio State athletics -- is citing multiple sources confirming Herman was the mystery strip club buddy.

Unclear if Herman was ever punished for the incident.

After leaving Ohio State, Herman went on to take the head coaching job at the University of Houston where he had great success. He has since become the head coach at the University of Texas.

Baltimore Ravens safety Eric Weddle says it's RIDICULOUS the NFL just hit Jimmy Smith with a 4-game suspension for "arguing" with his ex-girlfriend ... considering the incident never turned physical.

"It’s hard to fathom arguing with your [significant other], never touching her and that gets you a suspension like this," Weddle told the Baltimore Sun.

Smith was punished by the league after an investigation showed he used "threatening and emotionally abusive behavior" directed at his ex-girlfriend. Smith claims he never touched her.

Weddle and Smith are friends -- and Weddle says he knows there was "never a physical confrontation."

"I know details of it that I can’t get into, so I just feel bad for him. And it’s hard for a guy put into that spot, where he can’t really stand up for himself and tell the truth. Because if he does, it’ll be a lot worse in the grand scheme of things.”

Weddle claims the league is overreacting because they're afraid of another Ray Rice situation -- where a TMZ Sports video later shows the incident was MUCH worse than what was initially reported.

"Everybody goes back to Ray Rice and the video coming out, and they don’t want that to happen," Weddle said ... "I know for sure that was obviously on their mind."

Weddle says the most frustrating part to this is that other guys in the league are "getting DUIs or physically abusing other people, and they never get near this [penalty]."

Mike Trout is opening up on the passing of his brother-in-law ... saying, "You brought so much happiness and joy to my life every time I was with you."

The best player in baseball stepped away from the Angels a week and a half ago to mourn the loss of his wife's 24-year-old brother, Aaron Cox -- who was a former baseball player himself.

No details on the death have been given ... but Trout's message Thursday emphasized how much Aaron meant to the two-time MVP.

"Aaron, words can’t describe the emotions that I’ve been feeling the past week and a half. You were more than just my brother-in-law... you were my best friend," Trout wrote.

"You made such an impact on my life since the day I first met you. You were an amazing person inside & out that showed us all how to live life to the fullest. Seeing and hearing about your impact on other people are all things that made me a better person every single day."

Trout says the two shared plenty of memories together ... including hunting, golfing and fishing trips.

"You were a great kid and it kills me to know that you are gone... I can’t thank you enough for what you have meant to me over these last 11 years. I know you will be watching over me now that you are gone, I promise to take care of your sister and watch over your whole family."

"Heaven got a great one and I know I will see you again someday... I love you bro!!!!"

Ed King -- a classic rocker best known as a guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd and co-writer of "Sweet Home Alabama" -- died Wednesday at his home in Nashville ... according to his family.

Ed played guitar and bass for the Southern rock band from 1972 to 1975 and again from 1987 to 1996. He co-wrote one of Skynyrd's most legendary hits with Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington ... none of whom were actually from Alabama.

A rep for King's family tells us Ed was first diagnosed with lung cancer but it later spread through his body.

King was not with the band in 1977 when Van Zant and 2 other members were killed in a plane crash. He rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987, but was reportedly forced to leave the band again in 1996 due to congestive heart failure.

Ed was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 along with all of the other former members of the band. He was featured in the recently released Lynyrd Skynyrd documentary, 'If I Leave Here Tomorrow' as well.

King was also one of the founding members of Strawberry Alarm Clock, formed in L.A. in the mid-1960s.

We're told the Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in Nashville will be handling the arrangements for Ed -- he'll be cremated and no ceremony is planned.

He was 68.

Johnny Manziel says he's feeling a helluva lot better after taking that BRUTAL hit in a CFL game earlier this month ... but he doesn't know if he'll be starting for Montreal this week.

Manziel got rocked at the goal line of his last start against the Ottawa Redblacks -- his body went limp, he fumbled and he looked woozy -- and he was placed in concussion protocol just a few days later.

The ex-Heisman Trophy winner missed the team's next game against Edmonton while still recovering.

Johnny says on his "Comeback SZN" Podcast with Barstool Sports he's physically feeling "back to normal" now ... but it's all up to the docs if he gets his starting job back in time for Montreal's next game.

"I feel like I'm just jumping through the necessary hoops as far as concussion protocol," he says.

The Alouettes have a Friday night tilt this week against the Toronto Argonauts and, judging by Johnny's comments on the protocol process, don't hold your breath on seeing the comeback this week.