Health

Jamain Stephens -- a 20-year-old defensive lineman for California University of Pennsylvania -- died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19, according to his high school.

Stephens -- listed at 6'3", 255 pounds -- played the past 3 seasons for the Cal Vulcans. Additionally, he made the University's AD Honor Roll in Fall 2019.

Cal had canceled its 2020 football season because of the COVID pandemic, but apparently, Stephens contracted the virus anyway.

The University confirmed his passing but didn't mention a cause of death. Jamain's high school, Central Catholic, issued a statement saying "Jamain went to his eternal reward after suffering from complications of COVID-19."

Here's more from Central Catholic ...

"Known more commonly by his nickname, 'Juice,' Jamain was a defensive lineman for the Vikings, winning two WPIAL championships and a state championship in 2015. Jamain went on to continue his football career at California University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Business Administration."

Cal U athletic director Karen Hjerpe also issued a statement on Jamain's death -- calling him a "wonderful student with a smile on his face every time you saw him."

"His personality was contagious and he made such a positive impact on everyone he met."

Jamain's father -- Jamain Stephens -- was an offensive lineman in the NFL from 1997 to 2001 ... playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.

RIP

Jillian Michaels says letting her guard down for one hour was all it took for her to catch the coronavirus ... and she's warning folks about going back inside public gyms.

The fitness guru just went public for the first time with her coronavirus diagnosis, telling Fox Business host Liz Claman she contracted COVID-19 several weeks ago.

Jillian says her mistake was thinking she'd be fine because she was around a close friend who was asymptomatic, but had the virus. Jillian says she herself didn't know she had COVID for 6 days.

Her warning sounds similar to what The Rock said when he recently revealed he and his entire family tested positive for the virus. Again, they were with close family friends.

Jillian knows she was fortunate to quickly recover, saying she was really healthy when she contracted the virus, but knows many people aren't in the same boat.

A woman had the audacity to call an American Airlines flight attendant a "mask nazi" -- and several other choice phrases -- after she was asked to properly wear her face mask, and now she's been banned for life.

American Airlines banned the passenger after she handed the note to the flight attendant while deplaning. She was pissed about the flight attendant asking her to wear her face mask over her nose. That simple request was apparently too much for her and prompted her to scrawl an angry note on the "WASTE" bag in her seat pocket.

The note reads, in part, "You mean s**t in life. You are nothing but a glorified maid who needs to jump down off her high horse and learn how to speak to ppl. Nobody cares about your stupid seat policies or your nose issues. We pay your salary and your attitude is unnecessary."

The angry passenger added, "The very fact that we have to listen & kowtow to a nobody who does s**t except collect our trash and serve crappy food makes me absolutely ill. You are a mask nazi and a 4 eyed c**t and if it wasn’t for this job, you would be cleaning motel rooms for $2 tips and meth."

There's a lot more in the note ... check it out. The woman signed it, "a person who hates your guts." Super clever.

The incident apparently went down last week, and an American Airlines spokesperson tells TMZ it's investigating the offensive and derogatory note. The airline says it's already suspended the customer's ability to travel on its planes.

Tragic news in the motorcycle racing world ... veteran rider Ralph Hudson died Sunday from injuries he suffered after crashing his bike at 252 MPH.

The 69-year-old was hurt on Aug. 14 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah ... where he was attempting to break a speed record.

Officials said at the time he wiped out and was rushed to the hospital in serious condition ... but stabilized to the point where his family was hopeful he could pull through.

Sadly, Hudson's family and friends said in a statement this week the racer succumbed to injuries ... announcing he passed away Sunday night surrounded by his son and best friends.

"We sincerely thank everyone for their kind words, prayers and support during this very difficult time," the statement read. "Ralph would want everyone to stay strong and keep going fast."

Hudson was known as one of the best in the motorcycle racing community ... he reportedly held multiple speed records and even once topped 300 MPH on his bike.

In fact, the vice president of the Southern California Timing Association, Pat McDowell, called Hudson "one of the legends of our sport" to the Deseret News.

Kerri Walsh Jennings ain't backing down from her anti-COVID mask stance even in the wake of serious backlash ... saying she believes fighting against face coverings is equivalent to fighting for freedom.

"I truly believe we are on the slippery slope of a mask mandate evolving into a vaccine mandate," the 3-time Olympic gold medalist volleyball player said. "That scares the [fire emoji] out of me."

The 42-year-old posted a lengthy statement on social media Sunday railing against COVID restrictions ... even saying she recently went out shopping without a mask on to prove a point.

"Things won't open up and freedoms won't come back unless we are willing to push back and stand up for them," Walsh Jennings said. "I am willing to fight for the freedoms I have been guaranteed by my constitution."

While Walsh Jennings insisted she understood the severity of the coronavirus pandemic and wanted to find ways to open up while protecting the "vulnerable" ... she was still blasted for her opinion.

Fellow Olympic volleyball Jennifer Kessy called the entire post "selfish." Others said far worse in the comment section.

But, Walsh Jennings didn't exactly back down in a follow-up post Monday ... she apologized if she offended anybody, but added, "I was not looking to do anything but express my belief that FREEDOM IS RIGHT WORTH FIGHTING FOR."

She continued, "I believe we have to stay mindful of the FACT that our freedoms have slowly been taken from us with our consent."

"Using a mask to express my love of freedom perhaps seems a bit shallow and selfish (peoples health are at play, after all), but it is a real thing to point to and it is the potential starting point for so much more."

Soccer star Mason Greenwood has issued an apology for the "embarrassment" he caused after getting busted sneaking women into England's team hotel in Iceland.

18-year-old Greenwood -- along with England teammate Phil Foden -- were cut from the England national team Monday after officials say they broke COVID-19 quarantine protocol to meet up with the women at the team hotel.

At least one of the women is an Icelandic model and beauty queen, according to the Daily Mail.

The players were specifically told not to leave a certain part of the hotel that was sectioned off for the team -- but they decided to venture outside of that zone to meet up with the ladies.

Bad news for the players ... they got caught -- and were immediately dropped by the team.

Greenwood -- a striker for Manchester United -- issued an apology Tuesday morning.

"Having now had the chance to reflect on what’s happened, I can only apologise to everyone for the embarrassment I have caused," Greenwood said.

"It was irresponsible of me to break the COVID-19 protocols which are in place to protect players, staff and the public."

"Playing for England was one of the proudest moments in my life and I only have myself to blame for this huge mistake."

"I promise my family, the fans, Manchester United and England that this is a lesson I will learn from."

Foden has also apologized -- saying, "I breached COVID-19 protocols put in place to protect myself and my England colleagues. As a consequence I will now miss the opportunity to travel to Denmark with the squad, and that hurts."

"Guardians of the Galaxy" star Michael Rooker just revealed his struggle with coronavirus ... and it was real bad.

Rooker, who also stars in "The Walking Dead" and the upcoming "Suicide Squad," says the virus took over his body. He said, almost clinically, "...there ain't a whole heck of a lot one can do externally, to fight off COVID-19 once it has gotten into your body," adding, "And I have to let y'all know it has been quite a battle."

He said he's been isolating in an Airstream during his illness. And, he said he decided not to take "any extra medicines or vitamins or supplements" while he was trying to recover. His reasoning ... "I felt if my immune system was not already prepared for this battle, loading up with all this extra stuff would only do me damage as kidneys and life would have been gravely stressed."

Michael proudly posted his negative test results, saying, "So, just so y’all know the end result of all those daily battles has come to an end," Rooker shared. "My body has won the WAR! Covid put up a pretty good fight... but bottom line, it ended up getting its ass knocked out! buy [sic] my immune system .. 1,2, punch to the head, 2 body shots and a left hook right upper-cut ... "End of story"

Pandemic be damned ... the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will go forward, regardless of COVID.

The Veep of the IOC, John Coates, just said the Olympics will be the "games that conquered COVID."

The games will take place next year, and it doesn't matter the state of Japan or the world with respect to coronavirus. The games were postponed in March because of the pandemic ... the first time the Olympics have been put on ice other than wartime.

It seems Coates is turning a blind eye to the virus, saying, "It will take place with or without COVID."  He vows the games will kick off July 23, 2021.

The games initially were to be themed, the Reconstruction Games ... this after the earthquake and tsunami that hit Tohoku in 2011. But, things are different, and Coates says, "Now very much these will be the games that conquered COVID."

Jacob Blake has finally spoken to the public from his hospital bed where he lies paralyzed from the waist down -- and his message is simple ... don't take life for granted.

A video was posted this weekend by Blake's family attorney, Ben Crump, which appears to have been filmed by a friend of his named Mike. It shows Jacob lying in his hospital gown and addressing the camera -- sharp, alert and precise with his words.

We'll let the man speak for himself, but to sum it up ... he says the things we take for granted in life -- like walking, for instance -- can be taken from you in a flash, and he wants all the young'ns and old cats who might be listening to take notice -- and take advantage.

He tells anybody who might not be living right to turn things around, as he assures them they don't wanna end up like him ... with unbearable pain, which he documents in great detail. He also addresses the African-American community at large -- and it's pretty uplifting.

What's astonishing ... the guy appears to be in relatively good spirits -- his physical condition notwithstanding -- and not only that ... his first words to the world are inspirational ones, spreading nothing but positive vibes and advice. Jacob's been through hell, but here he is preaching unity, gratitude and good deeds. No mention of the cop who shot him.

Tiffany Haddish is revealing she tested positive for the coronavirus, and she's opening up about her experiences with testing and learning her diagnosis.

Tiffany revealed her diagnosis in a video posted on her YouTube page this week, rehashing her experience with the virus with Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The actress and comedian says she contracted the virus about three months ago, after working on a movie where someone else came down with COVID-19. She says her first test came back negative, but she got tested again when someone else she knew tested positive, and found out she was positive too.

Tiffany says she did not have any symptoms, which is kinda scary in its own right, and says she quarantined with her dogs and taught herself how to do the splits.

It's pretty interesting ... Tiffany says she had the antibodies for the virus months ago, but another recent test revealed she no longer has the antibodies. She says she's been tested 12 times because she's working on different projects.

Jacob Blake appeared publicly for the first time after being shot in the back 7 times and paralyzed ... he entered a plea in his criminal case from his hospital bed.

Jacob made a court appearance via video Friday, on charges unrelated to the incident in Kenosha. He was sitting in his hospital bed, wearing a blue dress shirt with a yellow tie.

Blake's accused of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and 3rd-degree sexual assault. The charges were filed before he was shot by police, and they are unrelated to the shooting which left him unable to walk.

Jacob briefly spoke to the judge when asked if he understood the charges against him ... he pled not guilty to all 3 charges.

As you know ... Jacob was shot 7 times in the back by a cop as he tried entering his vehicle.

"Jeopardy!" will look different for Season 37 ... new set, new talent, but worry not, because Alex is back!!!

Ken Jennings, the all-time, winningest contestant, will put his mug in front of the camera, challenging new contestants by reading answers from various categories.  He'll also be a consulting producer and he'll help develop new projects.

There will also be a COVID-safe new set for the Sept. 14 rollout.

As for Alex, it's great news. He's responding well to his cancer treatments and is approaching the 2-year survival mark.

Alex feels good enough that he may be going stir-crazy cooped up at home, saying, “I believe we are the first quiz show to come back on the air in the COVID-19 era. On a personal level, I’m excited because it gets me out of the house. It gives me something to do on a regular basis, and I was missing that.”

This does not look good.

Hundreds of college students crammed into a tiny sports bar near the campus of the University of South Carolina, and it was apparently the place to be because of looser COVID-19 safety guidelines.

TLC Sports Bar, just outside Columbia city limits, was wall-to-wall with revelers Thursday night, and as you can see ... there was nary a mask in sight and no regard for social distancing.

It's the proverbial packed-in-like-sardines scenario, where folks are drinking, talking, laughing and maybe the occasional cough or sneeze. None of this is good in terms of spreading the virus.

Richland County, where the campus is located, is reporting 455 cases per 100,000 tests.

The adults in the room finally put a stop to the potential super spreading event ... cops arrived and shut down the bar, forcing hundreds of students to leave the venue.

The bar is a short walk away from Williams-Brice Stadium, where the university got state approval for 20,000 fans at Gamecocks football home games in a coronavirus-shortened season. The stadium has a listed seating capacity of 80,250.

Maybe the students and bar should take a cue from the football situation. Full capacity is not a good thing these days.

Graphic new video shows Daniel Prude -- a 41-year-old Black man -- having a hood placed over his head by police, who then press his face into the ground for 2 minutes until he stops breathing ... leading to his death days later.

The disturbing incident happened back on March 23 in Rochester, NY when Prude's brother called for help because Daniel was acting erratically and went out into the cold night with no clothes. This police body cam footage was just released.

Cops arrived to find him in the nude, but Prude complied when they told him to sit down and handcuffed him.

The video shows Prude spitting at one point, then yelling and pleading with officers to let him go before they place a "spit hood" over his head. Moments later when he tries to stand up, they wrestle him down and hold him face down for more than 2 minutes.

After noticing fluid seeping from his mouth, some of the officers become concerned and realize he's unconscious. He never woke up again.

Prude was taken to the hospital and placed on life support, but died a week later. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, caused by "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint" as well as "excited delirium" and PCP intoxication.

Daniel's family released the footage Wednesday, claiming it shows the excessive police force used during the incident. Prude's brother said ... "I placed a phone call for my brother to get help. Not for my brother to get lynched."

Protests are erupting in upstate NY over his killing, which looks tragically similar to what happened to George Floyd 2 months later ... sparking the worldwide Black Lives Matter movement.

The 4 cops involved in Prude's arrest are still on the force. New York's Attorney General Letitia James said she is investigating the incident.

Damian Daniels, the African-Amerian Army vet killed by cops in Texas, was desperately in need of mental counseling, and not sheriff's deputies responding with force ... according to the family's lawyer.

Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt and Damian's brother, Brendan, joined us on "TMZ Live" to discuss the case which is stirring outrage in the San Antonio area and beyond. Brendan says his family was doing everything they could to avoid having police check on Damian -- a combat veteran who was experiencing some mental distress.

He told us why they purposely called the Red Cross, and not cops, to do a welfare check on his brother just over a week ago -- but in the end, he says the Red Cross ended up calling the Bexar County Sheriff's Department. Brendan and Lee believe that's where things took a horrible turn.

When deputies arrived at Damian's home he was armed, and a struggle ensued with deputies who ended up fatally shooting him. The Sheriff's Dept. claims Damian was suicidal, but Lee and Brendan say that's just not true.

They know Damian was hurting, struggling with mental issues brought on by several recent deaths in their family -- but they don't believe for a second he was threatening to anyone. As for his weapon ... Texas is an open-carry state and the gun was legally owned. Brendan says his brother actually got it while serving America in the Army.