Damar Hamlin First Full Practice With Bills Since Cardiac Arrest Scare
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Damar Hamlin is officially back ... the Buffalo Bills safety was a full participant at practice with his teammates for the first time since going into cardiac arrest in January.
The Bills hosted OTAs on Tuesday ... and 25-year-old Hamlin got his first taste of real NFL practice action in five months.
For the first time in an OTA open to the media, Damar Hamlin wore his helmet and was a full participant in practice. Big step forward. pic.twitter.com/4NVoPBhgFI
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) June 6, 2023 @agetzenberg
There was a bit of a scary moment for Hamlin and the Bills ... he reportedly struggled to get back to his feet after contesting a ball during practice, needing assistance to get up.
Nevertheless, Damar returned to the workout with his teammates and resumed drills after the Bills' athletic trainers determined DH was fine.
Damar Hamlin was present at #Bills OTAs wearing a jersey, without pads. He did participate in stretches, agility and conditioning work, along with individual drills. @Batavia_Daily pic.twitter.com/3DqNkoErFU
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) May 23, 2023 @alexbrasky
Hamlin hit the practice field with the Bills last month ... but the former sixth-round draft pick wasn't wearing pads or a helmet during the workout, easing his way back into competition.
Damar, who won the 2022 NFL George Halas Award for his perseverance following his near-death experience, looked upbeat and energetic throughout the practice.
Hamlin has been vocal about resuming his football career ... and once doctors gave him the green light to play again, Damar has been on a mission to make this moment a reality.
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Danny Bonaduce Brain Surgery Successful!!!
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Some good health news for Danny Bonaduce -- his brain surgery went off without a hitch -- and now he'll start his road to recovery and hopefully, a better way of living.
Paul Anderson, Danny's longtime pal and agent, tells TMZ ... the actor was under the knife for 2 hours Monday, but everything went really well and everyone's super optimistic about Danny's recovery.
We're told he's expected to be released from the hospital in the next couple of days, but will be doing a lot of resting at home after -- for about 3-4 weeks.
Once he feels well, Paul says everyone expects Danny to be right back at it -- tackling his morning radio show -- and joking the surgery won't affect his quick wit and sense of humor.
The surgery's main goal was to help Danny maintain his balance in getting around every day, something we're told Docs believe will now happen.
TMZ broke the story, Danny went under the knife to combat his recently-diagnosed hydrocephalus -- a neurological disorder caused by liquid buildup in his brain.
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Danny filled us in on the scary process that led him to the new discovery, which started as a mystery illness last year.
Danny is also selling his beautiful Seattle home in the midst of the health scare. He told us it's been hard for him to move, and the pad just has too many stairs and rooms to get around safely ... it's now on the market for $1.6 mil.
Here's to a speedy recovery, Danny!
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Pete Davidson Leaves PETA Unhinged Voice Mail ... 'F*** You, Suck My D***'
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Pete Davidson is going to war with PETA over the new dog he bought, and he fired the latest shot via a profanity-laced voice mail for the animal rights group -- a move he doesn't regret, but says came from a place of grief.
PETA says the actor left the heated message Monday for the org's Senior VP of Cruelty Investigations, Daphna Nachminovitch. He got her name because she'd issued a statement to TMZ, expressing PETA's collective disappointment in Pete buying a puppy at an NYC pet store instead of adopting from a shelter.
JUNE 2023
On the voice mail, Pete announces himself and says he's responding to Daphna's statement, which he calls uneducated and premature. He notes he's allergic to dogs -- as his rep told us -- and that's why he had to get a cavapoo, a nearly hypoallergenic breed because they don't shed.
He also says the dog is for his mother, whose previous pup just died.
Then comes an expletive-laced diatribe that might rival Christian Bale (not really, though) ... in which he angrily tells Daphna to do her research before talking to media, drops an F-bomb and makes a vulgar suggestion involving his penis.
PETA isn't backing down, though, telling TMZ, "If Pete had done his research, he would know that there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, that at least a quarter of dogs in shelters are purebreds, and that Petfinder has listings for homeless dogs of every breed under the sun, including the one he purchased."
We contacted Pete about his furious voice mail, and he admits he was unaware he could "adopt a specific hypoallergenic dog." He says he was told "it wasn't an option, and if it was, it was rare."
As for his anger, he addressed that by emphasizing his family was really going through it after his mother's dog died -- "I haven't seen my mom and sister cry like that in over 20 years. I was trying to cheer up my family. I was already upset that the store had filmed me without my permission or acknowledgement. Then this organization (PETA) made a public example of us, making our grieving situation worse. I am upset. It was a poor choice of words. I shouldn't have said what I said, but I am not sorry for standing up for myself and my family."
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Prior to Pete offering that explanation, PETA told us ... "Our hearts go out to the Davidson family for the loss of their dog, but Pete must know in his heart that there's no excuse for buying a dog and propping up the puppy mill industry when millions of dogs await loving homes in shelters, and we hope he'll do the right thing and adopt next time."
It's clear neither side is blinking in the shop vs. adopt a dog debate.
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Elliot Page Target of Transphobic Threat
Elliot Page says a guy hurled a transphobic threat at him last year -- something he says has become a reality since coming out as transgender in 2020.
The actor's in the middle of a promo tour for his new memoir, telling the Los Angeles Times about an incident that went down in 2022 in L.A. ... claiming some man yelled at him while he was walking to a convenience store in WeHo.
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Elliot says the man screamed, "I'm going to f****** gay bash you, f*****." He also claims the man followed that up by yelling, "This is why I need a gun!" -- this after EP had gone inside and asked employees for help.
He goes on to say that it left him shaken, but he noted he was fortunate enough to be able to afford resources -- like private security, etc. -- that could shield him from wackos ... whereas other trans people might not have the luxury.
In an excerpt from his book, the actor says an A-lister once told him -- pre-transition -- that he wasn't gay and that being gay didn't exist ... with this star apparently insisting Elliot was just afraid of men.
Elliot says the celeb then said they were going to "f***" him to prove it ... he doesn't name the actor.
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'Dubai Bling' Star Kris Fade Expecting 1st Baby With Wife Brianna ... After Health Issues
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"Dubai Bling" stars Kris Fade and his wife Brianna's dream has come true -- she's pregnant with their first child ... something they feared wouldn't happen due to some serious health concerns.
Sources close to the couple tell TMZ ... Brianna is pregnant, and she's close to the end of her first trimester.
The news is particularly special because Brianna recently opened up about being diagnosed with Graves' Disease, which caused her to have Hyperthyroidism. She also developed fibroids ... causing the couple to put off trying for a baby for a while.
However, Brianna recently explained on TikTok her thyroid levels and her vitamin deficiencies are leveled, and she's off all medication.
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Just last month Kris, who hosts the no.1 radio show in Dubai, reflected on his 2019 engagement to Brianna ... saying they were hoping to start a family. It's unclear if he already knew she was pregnant at that time, and just didn't want to jinx it.
Kris has 2 daughters from a previous relationship -- and he and Brianna are hoping for a boy this time around.
Their lavish 2022 wedding was featured in the first season of "Dubai Bling." Fans will get the inside scoop on their pregnancy in the new season, which began filming earlier this year.
Congrats!
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Bam Margera Placed on 5150 Hold
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Bam Margera is a danger to himself and others, according to the police officers who located him in L.A., and promptly put him on a 5150 psychiatric hold ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us ... LAPD officers tracked down Bam Sunday afternoon by tracking his phone, and they eventually found him at Trejo's Tacos -- the L.A. hot spot owned by Danny Trejo.
We're told they made contact with Bam and found his erratic speech and behavior -- combined with recent suicidal threats he's made -- enough reason to call in a psychiatric evaluation team. Once they met with Bam, they determined he needed to be 5150'd.
Our sources say Bam was taken to a mental health facility, where, by law, he can be held for up to 72 hours. It's unclear if he's still getting treatment.
Bam Margera Threatens To Smoke Crack Until He's Dead Unless He Sees Son
As we reported, Bam's latest spiral started last week when he threatened to smoke crack until he died if he doesn't get to see his son.
The former "Jackass" star is in the middle of a divorce from his estranged wife, Nikki ... and he says she won't let him see their boy.
On Sunday, Bam's brother, Jess Margera, fired off a desperate tweet, asking if anyone had information on Bam's whereabouts. Jess says Bam sent a text to family members that made them fear he was suicidal.
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Michael J. Fox Falls Into Couch During 'BTTF' Panel ... Plays It Off
Michael J. Fox says his battle with Parkinson's disease is getting worse ... and that seemed evident during a 'Back to the Future' event this weekend where he took a fall, but still played it off pretty well.
The beloved actor was on hand Sunday for a 'BTTF' fan expo in Philly ... where fellow costars Christopher Lloyd and Tom Wilson (Biff) also joined him. Michael had just been intro'd and was walking out in front of the crowd and bowing down to Tom, before making his way to a sofa on the stage.
That's when MJF stumbled forward ... luckily, falling headfirst into the sofa cushions.
Of course, it was a jarring sight, and audience members were shocked and clearly concerned. But, a second later, Mike popped up with a ton of energy -- and didn't seem phased by it at all. When it was clear he was okay, the tension loosened up.
APRIL 2023
Michael recently revealed he falls kinda regularly now ... he spoke at length about it recently with CBS, and they actually aired footage of him nosediving on the streets of NYC. He says Parkinson's is hindering him more and more each day.
It was pretty sad ... MJF said he didn't think he'd live past 80 due to his Parkinson's, but despite this reality, he keeps putting on a brave face and keeping a good attitude.
That was clearly on display this weekend as he had nothing but smiles and good vibes for his adoring fans.
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Pete Davidson Stabs David Blaine with Ice Pick ... Gross, Baffling Magic Trick!!!
David Blaine got an assist from Pete Davidson for a magic trick Friday night at his Las Vegas show, and TMZ has obtained video of the most shocking moment.
Check it out for yourself ... David kicked things off at his Resorts World performance by escorting Pete and his friend from the packed crowd to the stage, where 4 cups were lined up across a table ... and Pete was asked to choose one of the cups ... which contained an object that would be used in the trick.
Pete picked the right cup and David uncovered the scary object -- which was a large ice pick. Pete and his buddy confirmed its sharpness by touching the spike, and told David ... "Yup, you're nuts."
Then, while Pete duct taped David's eyes closed ... Pete's friend arranged 3 of the cups on the table and placed the needle sticking upward under one of them. The now-blindfolded Blaine then put his hands over 2 of the cups, and crushed them -- and while the audience shrieked in horror ... David escaped injury.
Of course, the ice pick was in the 3rd cup ... otherwise, this would be a much different story.
The danger wasn't over, though ... David asked Pete to stab him with the ice pick, and he did -- pushing the needle through David's arm until it came out the other side. The crowd was grossed out, but also impressed ... and, no doubt, confused.
David didn't seem bothered by the ice pick dangling from his arm-- and even brought a boy on stage to have him pull the needle out of his bicep.
Fun times!!
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BLM Co-Founder's Cousin Died of Cocaine and Heart Issues ... Coroner Reports on LAPD Taser Incident
Keenan Anderson, cousin of BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, died because of cocaine and an enlarged heart ... according to the coroner's office, which was investigating his death following a controversial LAPD arrest.
Body cam footage of Anderson's arrest sparked protests in L.A. earlier this year -- LAPD officers had used a taser on him for 42 seconds, according to Cullors. However, the L.A. County Coroner's autopsy report, released Friday, says Anderson's cause of death might have been the effects of cocaine use on his enlarged heart.
The report notes that a manner of death has not yet been determined.
The police video showed officers tasering Anderson -- who had been a high school English teach -- at least 6 times while he was on his stomach.
In response to Anderson's death, LAPD Chief Michael Moore said the department would be taking a closer look at taser deployment.
Patrisse told us, on "TMZ Live," she was deeply concerned about taser use, and said there's some alarming data about the effects of such high voltage on the human body.
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Danny Bonaduce I'm Having Brain Surgery ... After Serious Health Scare
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Danny Bonaduce is going under the knife ... set for brain surgery in the wake of a serious health scare that's left him unable to walk or balance.
The actor and radio host tells TMZ ... after seeing hundreds of doctors for a mystery illness, in March he was finally diagnosed with hydrocephalus ... a neurological disorder caused by a buildup of liquid in the brain.
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Surgery is set for Monday, and the hope is it can alleviate the symptoms.
Last April, "The Partridge Family" star began battling the mystery illness after his wife noticed his speech was off and he lost the ability to walk or balance. He was hospitalized for 5 days and underwent a battery of tests. Doctors ruled out a stroke, but couldn't come up with a diagnosis.
While Danny says no one knows for sure how he got in such bad shape, he wonders if it's related to all the wear and tear he's put his head through over the years ... like taking guitars to the face and boxing Jose Canseco.
Danny says the surgery will drain the liquid from his brain through a shunt.
In the meantime, Danny's been doing his radio show from home.
Of course, Danny acknowledges there's always a chance the surgery won't fix everything ... but it sounds like he's going into the operating room with the right frame of mind.
We covered it all in the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
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Paul Stanley on Pride Month 'Everybody Has Right' to Be Themselves ... Regardless of Gender!!!
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Paul Stanley is firmly on board with Pride celebrations -- which might shock critics of his comments about gender identity and kids -- but he says all folks should be free to embrace who they are ... with one caveat.
We caught up with the KISS frontman in L.A.'s Beverly Glen neighborhood, and when we asked him if had any message for the transgender community on the first day of Pride month ... he offered his view of what everyone should take from Pride.
Paul says, "Everybody has a right to be who they are, and life's too short to be anyone else." As for being proud of who you are, he says absolutely, but adds that has nothing to do with your gender or sexual preference ... it's about being a "good person."
You'll recall, PS came under fire in April after tweeting his thoughts on gender reassignment for children -- namely, that there's a difference between teaching kids acceptance of all people, and encouraging them to question "their sexual identification."
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) April 30, 2023 @PaulStanleyLive
Some folks backed him up, but for the most part, he got a ton of flak from people who took his tweet as being anti-LGBTQ ... and, fairly or not, found it hypocritical because members of KISS were makeup-wearing glam rockers.
Paul told us he didn't feel the need to clarify that statement any further than he already has.
After the backlash he said there was no way he could accurately convey his point of view in just 2 paragraphs -- but stressed, "I support those struggling with their sexual identity while enduring constant hostility and those whose path leads them to reassignment surgery."
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Churchill Downs Launches New Safety Initiatives ... After 12 Horses Die
Churchill Downs, the largest and most famous horse racetrack in the world and site of the Kentucky Derby, is instituting a new "safety initiative" after a rash of thoroughbred deaths on the track, effective immediately.
The new protocols were announced on Thursday after a meeting between track officials and horsemen from Churchill Downs and Trackside Training Center Louisville ... all aimed at preventing catastrophic injury on the dirt track.
Horses will now be limited to four starts during a rolling eight-week period ... limiting how often the animals are pushed to the max.
There will also be ramifications for animals that aren't competitive ... "Horses that are beaten by more than 12 lengths in five consecutive starts will be ineligible to race at Churchill Downs" until they're given a clean bill of health by approved vets.
CD will also pause "track-based incentives such as trainer start bonuses" for all who finish races ... instead only paying out the top five finishers.
The new rules come after a rash of on-track incidents at Churchill Downs, leading to the euthanization of 12 horses ... and a lot of outrage among animal lovers.
"Any decision must be made first and foremost with the long-term well-being of the horse in mind," Churchill Downs Equine Medical Director Dr. Will Farmer said on Thursday.
"It is imperative that all available, educated and informed options can be efficiently, confidently and thoroughly relayed to the owners."
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to investigate the wave of deaths and the condition of the track.
"HISA continues to monitor this situation closely and will evaluate any additional next steps as appropriate."
Secretariat, Seabiscuit, Seattle Slew and American Pharoah are just a few of the historic horses who have raced the 1 1/4 mile track at Churchill Downs.
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Al Pacino Demanded DNA Test Did Not Believe He Could Impregnate Anyone
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Al Pacino was so certain he could not get his girlfriend or anyone else pregnant, he did not believe the baby was his at first, and got a DNA test for proof ... sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ.
The 83-year-old actor, we're told, had medical issues that would have commonly prevented a man from impregnating a woman. We're told Al had no idea until 2 months ago that 29-year-old Noor Alfallah was pregnant, and when he found out he was "shocked."
Our sources say Al doubted at first the baby was his and wanted a DNA test. We're told Noor obliged and the test showed he was indeed the dad.
Showbiz 411 first reported the paternity test.
TMZ broke the story ... Noor is 8 months pregnant. It will be Al's 4th child.
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NYC Police Report Filed ... After Man Allegedly Pulls Woman's Wig Off
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The woman who claims a man pulled her wig off for no apparent reason in the streets of NYC has now gone to the police for help, filing a report in a bid for justice.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ an official complaint was filed Sunday with the NYPD by a local artist named Lizzy Ashliegh, who's Black. We're told the crime alleged is misdemeanor assault ... and that Ashliegh is claiming to have suffered a minor injury to her neck.
Our sources tell us Ashliegh declined medical attention when she filed the report -- although, she claimed on social media she's seen a doctor -- and that her report triggered an investigation. We're told Lizzy identified a man named Anthony Orlich -- a lawyer whose law firm has since said he is no longer employed with the firm following the alleged incident.
Ashliegh posted a video that she claims showed the aftermath of the alleged incident, which went viral. You see her repeatedly ask the man why he snatched her wig off, this as she holds the blue-green wig in her hands.
Other guys in the clip -- who are reported to have been friends of Orlich -- were also trying to get him to apologize for it ... to no avail. The internet was up in arms about it too -- especially because he's white and Ashliegh's Black.
Orlich hasn't publicly commented on the allegations.
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Rams DC Raheem Morris Helps Save Drowning Child From Vegas Pool
Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is a real-life hero ... the L.A. assistant coach helped save a 3-year-old boy from drowning at a Las Vegas hotel pool over the weekend.
The terrifying incident happened at the Encore, when, according to a post on Morris' wife's social media page, a little boy was pulled from the water without a pulse by his father.
An on-duty lifeguard raced over to provide aid to the toddler ... and, thankfully, a quick-thinking Morris jumped in to help too by grabbing a nearby automatic external defibrillator (AED).
"I saw people calling 911 so my first question was, where is the AED?" Morris said to ESPN on Wednesday. "When I got back, we had a doctor on site that was able to start the compressions. I was able to hand the AED to him, get it open for him, put the pads on the child, and he ended up being OK."
Morris' wife said the kid was taken to a nearby hospital ... and, thankfully, discharged a day later.
Morris -- who joined Sean McVay's Rams staff in 2021 -- said training he received recently in the wake of the Damar Hamlin medical emergency helped him know what to do in the horrifying situation.
Rams COO Kevin Demoff added that he believed the training played a significant role in the heroic efforts as well.
"Very possibly seeing the life-saving CPR Damar Hamlin received inspired our organization to get trained & saved another life," Demoff wrote on Twitter. "CPR & AEDs save lives."
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Pirates' Travis Swaggerty Wife Dealing With Rare Blood Disease ... After Raccoon Attack
Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguer Travis Swaggerty is asking his fans for prayers ... revealing on Wednesday his wife is dealing with a rare blood disease after she was attacked by a raccoon.
Swaggerty -- the No. 10 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft -- said his partner, Peyton Swaggerty, was bitten by the rabid animal over a year ago ... and her life has been hell ever since.
In a statement posted on his social media page, the outfielder said Peyton has been "riddled" with "unresolved pain and problems" that have "completely taken her quality of life away from her."
Travis said in his note that she was headed for an appointment at the Mayo Clinic later Wednesday to try to find solutions to the issues.
"I wanted to share this to ask for support and prayers for her," he wrote, "along with reminding everyone to not take anything for granted in this life, especially the little things."
Travis said in a separate tweet that Peyton, despite all of the medical issues, has remained a stellar mom to their baby daughter.
wanted to add to this and say regardless of how she’s feeling, she always makes sure she’s Mom first. every day she does everything in her power to make sure that Sutton has a great, fun day. she fights through everything she’s feeling to be the best mom she can be. https://t.co/zBxhRm4eUw pic.twitter.com/40f6Plg1qY
— Travis Swaggerty (@TSwaggerty_21) May 31, 2023 @TSwaggerty_21
"She fights through everything she’s feeling to be the best mom she can be," Travis said.
Peyton thanked her husband and his fans for their support in a tweet of her own on Wednesday morning ... adding, "We're on our way to the Mayo Clinic right now."
"I'm trusting God and the doctors!"
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Travis and Peyton got married back in December 2020 ... and she's been supporting his baseball career at games ever since -- including his official MLB debut in 2022 when she said she and her daughter were "so blessed to be able to call you ours."