NCAA Ref Bert Smith Collapses On Court During Elite 8 Game ... But Seems Okay

An NCAA college basketball referee collapsed on the court during the Gonzaga vs. USC game on Tuesday -- but he was conscious and alert as he was taken to the locker room.

Just 4 minutes after tipoff in the Elite Eight matchup, Bert Smith crashed to the floor in a terrifying scene -- triggering team trainers and other medical personnel to race to his aid.

Smith was positioned on the baseline near the Gonzaga bench ... when he suddenly fell backward. It looks like his head may have slammed on the court during the fall.

Trainers from both teams wasted no time sprinting to Smith's side to provide immediate medical attention -- while another person rushed over with a stretcher.

The good news ... Smith began moving around relatively soon after the incident -- and by the time he was loaded onto the gurney, he was able to sit up and cross his arms.

He was even chatting with the trainers as he was wheeled off the court.

No word yet on what caused Smith to collapse -- but video shows he was having difficulty standing up during the previous possession.

Smith was replaced by William Henderson -- an alternate referee who was at the game in case of an emergency. Obviously, alternate refs never hope to be called into action, but Henderson was ready and stepped up so play could resume.

Smith has been an NCAA ref for years ... and has previously spoken about his passion for basketball and being a part of the game.

"I love being part of the game," Smith said in an article on Referee.com. "The arrival at the arena, the pregame, being with various partners, the competition, the players, coaches, ambience, the focus and concentration needed on each possession."

"It allows me the privilege to do something I love, being part of the greatest game, men’s college basketball. I also love the fact that no game is ever the same and allows us the ability to make constant improvement."

Alabama's Mac Jones Pro Day Interview Interrupted ... Cartwheeling OL Coming Through!!!

BIG MAN CARTWHEELS COMING IN HOT!!!!

Alabama star QB Mac Jones had a Pro Day interview interrupted by one of the guys who used to block for him -- and it was HILARIOUS!!!

The flipping OL was Landon Dickerson -- who despite tearing his ACL just a few months ago, showed off some incredible athleticism whiles Jones was chatting with the SEC Network on Tuesday.

The Tide center cartwheeled at least 5 times ... and when Jones finally noticed -- the expected first-round pick in next month's NFL draft started cracking up!!

Landon even capped off the awesome flips with a funny wave ... and it all had Jones ROLLING!!

Of course, the guys were all smiles for good reason ... Bama's second Pro Day of the year went off without a hitch -- with the Tide stars showing out for a bunch of NFL head coaches, including Bill Belichick, Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan.

Jones dropped several dimes to Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith ... while star 'Bama running back Najee Harris did some drills for scouts as well.

Seems Dickerson's cartwheels, though, will go down as the most impressive feat of the day ... 'cause how can you not draft a 6'6", 325-pound guy that can do THAT!?!

Asian Hate Crime Man Brutally Beats Up Asian Woman ... Staff Suspended for Not Helping

3/29/21
ASSAULTED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
NYPD
UPDATE

9:39 AM PT -- NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo has addressed the assault, calling it "absolutely horrifying and repugnant." He says he's directing the state's Hate Crime Task Force to work with NYPD to catch the suspect.

UPDATE

Cuomo adds ... "Violence against our Asian American community is unfortunately becoming an epidemic in our state and across the nation, and it must stop now."

UPDATE

7:35 AM PT -- The members of the building staff who witnessed the violent attack and did nothing to help the woman have been suspended ... according to the Brodsky Organization, the company that manages the building.

UPDATE

The company says an investigation in conjunction with the workers' union is underway, and it's also trying to ID a third-party vendor who was present during the incident so "appropriate action can be taken."

A man is wanted for brutally assaulting an Asian woman in New York City in the middle of the day, and what's just as appalling is what didn't happen ... nobody jumped in to lend a hand.

Law enforcement sources say this went down Monday in Midtown Manhattan, where a 65-year-old woman was on her way to church ... when, all of a sudden, a complete stranger kicks her down to the ground and starts stomping her out. Before you know it, he flees the scene like nothing happened, but surveillance video captured the violence.

Cops say the guy made anti-Asian statements like, "F*** you, you don't belong here." The man has yet to be identified or arrested, but cops are on the lookout -- and the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating.

Police did release this close-up shot of who they believe is responsible -- they're asking for the public's help to find him.

As for the woman, we're told she suffered a broken pelvis, as well as injuries to her head and leg ... but she's been released from the hospital.

Like that's not bad enough ... the video appears to show men observing this all from inside the lobby of a nearby building just feet away from the action. Not one of them springs up to help the woman, and one of them seems to close the door after the attacker splits.

Originally published -- 6:46 AM PT

NYPD INVESTIGATING VIDEO OF ASIAN MAN BEAT UP ON SUBWAY ... Help Us Find the Suspect!!!

SUBWAY ASSAULT

Cops in New York City are on the hunt for a suspect who beat the hell out of an Asian man on a subway car ... and the brutal incident is all on video.

As you can see, footage appears to show 2 men, one Black and one Asian, trading punches on the subway ... and the Asian man is eventually overpowered as punches rain down on his head.

In the video, the suspect then puts the Asian man in a chokehold, and appears to choke him out until he is unconscious and drops to the floor. The suspect then walks off the subway car.

The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is asking the public for any information on the incident, which is under investigation.

It's unclear when the incident went down ... the video began circulating online late Sunday night, and folks claim it happened on a Manhattan-bound J train at Kosciuszko Street Station in Brooklyn.

Volleyball Game Breaks Out In Front Of Erupting Volcano ... Scorching Video!!!

Hottest game of volleyball EVER?!

A group of diehard volleyball players in Iceland joined together for a quick game this week ... all while a massive volcano was erupting nearby!!

It all went down near Reykjavík, where the Geldingadalur volcano -- which had been dormant for 6,000 years!!! -- erupted this week.

It's also reportedly the first volcanic eruption in the area in nearly 800 years!!

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To celebrate the moment, the group of 6 players decided to take their skills to the next level ... setting up shop while the volcano was spitting out lava all over the place in the distance.

The video is as incredible as you'd think ... with the group of players passing the ball around, completely unfazed by the eruption!!

The lava is one thing, but the group had something else to worry about -- pro volleyball player Thelma Gretarsdottir claims it was -12 DEGREES when they went out for their game of volcano ball!!

BTW -- Thelma played college volleyball at San Jose State ... small world!!

Rut Einarsdóttir -- who also captured the moment -- took a safer approach ... downing some java with a friend while watching the whole thing unfold.

Not as dangerous, but still wild!!

As for the volcano, it's still doing its thing ... and there's a live stream documenting the historic eruption.

Now THAT is being at one with nature ... now stay safe, people!!

Cristiano Ronaldo THIS IS BS!!! Storms Off Field After Bad Call

Cristiano Ronaldo was enraged after his team was robbed of a win ... and he showed his displeasure by storming off the field during a World Cup qualifying match.

Portugal was playing Serbia and the game was tied 2-2 when -- during a last-buzzer attempt -- Cristiano made what sure looked like a winning goal ... despite the fact the shot was cleared by Serbia's Stefan Mitrovic. The TV cameras caught it, but the ref did not, so the shot was declared a miss.

The Portugal captain was furious ... slamming his armband into the ground and then marching off the field, but not before protesting the call.

Ronaldo was booked for protesting the referee's call.

After the match, Ronaldo said, “I always give and will give everything for my country, that will never change. But there are difficult times to deal with, especially when we feel that an entire nation is being harmed.”

And then, there were these fighting words ... “We will keep our heads up and face the next challenge now.”

Asian U.S. Army Vet Displays Battle Scars Patriotic Enough for You???

SCARS SPEAK VOLUMES
West Chester Township/Vimeo

An elected official and U.S. Army veteran who is Asian made a stunning point at a town hall meeting in Ohio ... taking off his shirt and displaying some pretty severe war wounds, and then asking the crowd if that was patriotic enough for them.

Lee Wong is an elected official in West Chester, Ohio. He also served in the military for 20 years. In the middle of the town hall, he decided to make a point about the anti-Asian wave in this country. It's interesting ... no one in the crowd made a comment to prompt the display, but it was clearly on Wong's mind.

He said, "There are some ignorant people that will come up to me and say I don't look American or patriotic enough." That's when he took his shirt off and asked, "Is this patriot enough?"

Wong said he was beaten up in Chicago soon after coming to the U.S., and that's what prompted him to join the military, adding, "I have put up with a lot of s*** in silence ... too afraid to speak out, fearing more abuse and discrimination."

He went on to say, "We need to be kinder, gentler to one another because we are all the same, we are one human being on this Earth."

Pretty damn effective.

Tennis' Jack Draper Collapses On Court ... In Scary Moment At Miami Open

Jack Draper -- a 19-year-old making his debut on the ATP Tour this week -- frighteningly collapsed on the court during a match at the Miami Open on Thursday ... but thankfully, he said afterward he's all right.

The scary scene all went down during Draper's match against Mikhail Kukushkin ... when Draper began to feel ill amid scorching Florida hot and humid weather.

At one point during the match, medics ran courtside tests on a visibly exhausted Draper ... but the young, budding tennis star elected to continue despite clearly being unwell.

Just a few moments later in the match, though ... he crumpled to the ground attempting to hit a ball -- and there was serious concern among onlookers.

"Oh, dear, that's not good," one of the match's announcers said on the television broadcast. "Worrying times."

Thankfully, medics rushed to Draper's aid ... and the tennis player ended up being able to walk off under his own power -- though he did have to withdraw from the contest.

"At the changeover, I was starting to feel my body a bit," Draper told reporters after the match.

"I said that I'm going to carry on because I wasn't feeling faint ... but obviously when I got out there, that wasn't the case."

Draper said he's looking forward to making a full recovery and competing in his next scheduled event.

Pro Ski Jumper Daniel-Andre Tande Seriously Injured In Horrific Crash ... Caught On Video

Pro ski jumper Daniel-Andre Tande suffered serious injuries in a terrifying crash caught on video Thursday ... but thankfully, officials are now describing his ailments as non-life-threatening.

Tande, a 27-year-old who won a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics, was competing in a World Cup event in Slovenia ... when one of his jumps went horrifically wrong.

You can see in video of the crash ... midway through his flight, he turned sideways and landed HARD on the snow below.

The Norwegian then violently plummeted hundreds of feet down the mountain ... before coming to a stop at the base of the jump.

Ski officials say Tande was unconscious when medics arrived. They added Tande had to be "intubated and mechanically ventilated" after he was loaded into the ambulance.

Fortunately, doctors said in a statement later Thursday afternoon that "preliminary tests are very promising."

And, a statement released by Norwegian Ski Jumping Team leader Clas Brede Brathen showed there's clear optimism Tande will eventually make a recovery.

"The fall has looked dramatic for us and we are now relieved after the first diagnosis that Daniel's injuries are not life threatening," Brathen said.

Doctors added they will continue to monitor Tande and repeat vital tests on Friday.

NFL's Chase Claypool In Bar Fight Caught on Video

BAR BRAWL
TMZSports.com
UPDATE

10:43 AM PT -- A rep for the Costa Mesa Police Department tells TMZ Sports cops have launched an investigation into the fight.

Pittsburgh Steelers star WR Chase Claypool was involved in a late-night bar fight in Southern California … and TMZ Sports has the footage.

The 22-year-old -- who just wrapped up a sensational rookie campaign for the Steelers -- was at the Wild Goose Tavern in Costa Mesa, CA with some friends on March 13 when things popped off with another group of patrons.

Sources tell us there was an issue involving someone throwing dollar bills at a woman inside the bar, which sparked an argument … and eventually, things moved outside.

We’re told Chase was NOT an instigator -- but as you can see in the video, things started to get out of control and Chase jumped into the action to help out one of his buddies.

At one point, the 6’4”, 238-pound NFL star gets in the middle of the action -- where one of the combatants was wrestling on the ground -- and Claypool delivers a swift kick to the face.

Eventually, Chase’s pals remove him from the fracas -- while people yelled at him to stand back and keep his distance.

We’re told both parties ultimately left the scene without further incident.

The Costa Mesa Police confirm they received a call for a fight at that location but when officers arrived, security told them the parties involved had already left. Nobody has been arrested or charged with a crime.

Unclear if the guy who got kicked plans on taking action -- but people close to Chase tell us he was just trying to protect his friend in a chaotic situation, like anyone would do.

We reached out to Claypool for comment, but so far, nothing back.

Claypool was a 2nd-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after a stellar career at Notre Dame.

He played in all 16 games for the Steelers as a rookie -- logging 62 catches for 873 yards and 11 total TDs.

Originally Published -- 12:20 AM PT

Drag Race Disaster Car Crashes Into Spectators ... Woman Badly Injured

THE CRAZY ACCIDENT
Mykia Woods

Horror at the Wilkesboro Dragway in North Carolina over the weekend -- where a car lost control and crashed into spectators, leaving a woman with serious injuries.

22-year-old Amber Garner was at the track with her family on March 20 when a purple Mustang spun out and went careening into an area where fans were watching the action.

You can hear a woman scream, "Oh god!"

Amber was struck by the car -- and quite honestly, it's a miracle she's alive.

"As soon as it did hit me, I guess I fell on the ground -- I blacked out, so I don’t know exactly," Amber told FOX 8.

Medical personnel raced over to provide first aid -- including securing her neck in a stabilizing brace.

She was later rushed to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for treatment on her badly broken right arm.

"Her arm is broken in four places and broke her knuckle," Amber's sister explained on a GoFundMe page she started to help with medical costs.

Garner is expected to undergo at least 2 surgeries to repair the damage -- but again, it's amazing she wasn't more seriously hurt.

As for the driver of the Mustang, that person is reportedly fine -- suffering no injuries in the wreck.

Be careful out there, people.

MMA Fight New Video Shows Chaos After Shots Fired Cops On Hunt For Gunman

THE WILD SCENE
TMZSports.com

TMZ Sports has obtained new footage showing the desperate scramble to neutralize the gunman who fired shots into the air at an MMA event in Florida ... and it's scary stuff.

You can see in the video, people at the Bamboo Room on March 20 were scared and confused after an unidentified man in a red shirt pulled out a handgun and fired into the air in what appears to be an attempt to restore order when a massive brawl broke out in the crowd.

The video -- captured by Florida City Entertainment -- shows multiple people tried to confront the gunman ... but nobody wanted to get too close because the guy was waving around a loaded weapon like it was a loaf of bread.

Eventually, multiple armed security personnel drew their own weapons and confronted the man in a corridor near an exit.

But, before additional law enforcement officers could respond to the scene ... the man was kicked out of the venue and hasn't been heard from since.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ Sports it's still actively investigating the incident ... and released photos of the gunman in the hopes someone will step forward and identify him.

MAYHEM OUTSIDE THE CAGE
TMZSports.com

As we previously reported, multiple people were injured in a massive brawl that broke out at the RIZE Fighting Championship event in a chaotic scene that included people throwing punches and chairs.

Law enforcement is asking the public for help -- saying "anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS."

Belize Soccer Team Held Up By Heavily Armed Insurgents In Haiti .. In Terrifying Video

UNFRIENDLY WELCOME
UPDATE

10:30 AM PT -- The team is rebounding well from Monday's terrifying incident ... players and coaches got in an outdoor workout Tuesday, stretching, jogging and getting some cardio in.

UPDATE
BACK TO WORK
Ian Gaynair/Facebook
UPDATE

You can see the guys look to be in good spirits ... with some even rockin' smiles on their faces!

The Belize men's national soccer team was stopped by gunmen in Haiti just minutes after it had arrived in the country for a World Cup qualifier -- and video from the scene is beyond troubling.

The Belize national team officials said in a statement Monday they were making their way from the airport to their hotel 3 days prior to their big soccer match ... when a band of armed insurgents on motorcycles pulled them over at gunpoint.

You can hear the soccer players in the bus describing the demands the insurgents were making -- "They said, 'Pull over or else!'"

The footage shot from inside the team bus shows dozens of men -- some armed with large firearms -- order the driver to pull to the side of the road, despite the team having a 4-man police escort.

Belize officials said cops were forced to "negotiate" with the men in order to leave unharmed -- and, thankfully, they were allowed to move forward with no one getting hurt in the confrontation.

No word on what the team had to give the men in order to leave.

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"The situation is one that the team should have never faced," team officials said after the incident, "but we are pleased to report that our Jaguars, although shaken by the terrible experience, are safely at their hotel."

The team added it's "currently in contact with respective authorities from FIFA and Concacaf and are doing everything possible to get them to safer grounds."

"It is unfortunate that our Jaguars faced such a traumatic experience."

Belize is slated to play Haiti in Port-Au-Prince on March 25 -- a key game for Belize as it attempts to qualify for the World Cup (set for 2022 in Qatar) for the first time ever.

Originally Published-- 7:25 AM PT

BYU Hoops Player Gets Trapped In Elevator ... Teammates To The Rescue!!!

Talk about TEAMWORK!!!

The BYU men's hoops team had a unique form of team bonding before the NCAA tournament ... by having to save a teammate who was TRAPPED inside an elevator!!!

The disaster moment went down at the team hotel on Thursday ... when Cougars junior guard Jesse Wade experienced the "Scariest moment of my life."

But, BYU was NOT about to leave a fellow Coug behind ... so they teamed together to help pry the doors open to let Wade out.

The video is equally freaky and scary at the same time -- Wade’s face appears through the small opening of the trapped elevator doors ... and then screams "Oh my god" as his teammates break out in laughter while trying to get him out.

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It was a true team effort -- several players’ hands and feet are seen prying Wade out to his safety.

The Cougs ended up getting their first win of the tournament when Wade broke free ... which was met with cheering and laughter.

Unclear on how long Wade was stuck -- but let's be honest, any amount of time would have anyone panicking.

BYU will face UCLA in the 1st round of the NCAA Men’s basketball championship on Saturday ... maybe take the stairs next time?

Spring Break Arrest Handcuffed Kid Makes Getaway ... And the Beach Goes Wild!!!

(SPRING) BREAKING FREE
@nameone_better/Tik Tok
UPDATE

11:03 AM PT -- Police say the handcuffed suspect who ran from cops was charged with escape, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence.

UPDATE
UPDATE

Cops say they've also identified the person in the crowd who opened the door to let the shirtless kid out, and they say his arrest is pending.

If ya gotta get arrested during Spring Break, might as well get the entire beach cheering for you as you flee from cops while you're in handcuffs -- that was this kid's game plan, anyway.

The video from a beach in Clearwater, FL is pretty epic, and this guy is probably an instant legend with his friends. Law enforcement sources tell us Clearwater PD hit the sand to break up a fight ... and when the video starts they've already got a suspect handcuffed in the back of their car.

But, someone in the crowd opened the back door, and the shirtless kid starts racing down the beach, trying to make a getaway. The only problem is everyone on the beach cheered and started running with him -- so much for the element of surprise!

RECAPTURED
@nameone_better/Tik Tok

The hilarious scene looks like they all just heard there was a free beer giveaway. Alas, the cops were in better shape than the suspect, and eventually recaptured him.

Hope it was fun, since he'll probably get an added charge or 2 for evading arrest.

If nothing else, Flash's folly will live on in TikTok infamy.

Originally Published -- 8:30 AM PT

Joey Chestnut Devours 33 Boneless Wings In 90 Seconds ... Out-Eats Pro Football Players!!!

WINGIN' IT
FCF

JOEY CHESTNUT'S STILL GOT IT!!!

The food legend proved once again he's still the king of shoveling meat down his throat -- devouring more than 30 boneless wings in 90 seconds at an FCF eating competition ... all while beating out teams of massive football players!

The face-stuffing event went down Wednesday night just outside of Atlanta at the Infinite Energy Center, where the Fan Controlled Football league hosted its first-ever eating event.

37-year-old Chestnut -- the greatest eater of all-time -- was matched up against four teams of two ... which included squads featuring hungry-ass linemen.

Chestnut, though, was able to pound down more chicken by himself than every other team ... plowing through 33 wings in the allotted 1.5 minutes.

It was no boat race ... 2nd place ate 31 and 3rd place at 28 -- and even Joey had to tip his hat to the other guys after taking the crown.

"I knew I was going slow," Chestnut said, "but they were eating!"

Props to Joey for yet another win under his belt ... now get back to the hot dogs -- 4th of July is less than four months away!

The first Fan Controlled Football Championship is going down Saturday night at 8PM ET between the Glacier Boyz and Wild Aces.

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