NCAA

Kirby Smart is clearing the air on why Georgia won't visit the White House to celebrate its second consecutive national championship ... saying there's "nothing political about it."

The Bulldogs head coach addressed the decision to forego the tradition at the Regions Celebrity Pro-Am golf tourney in Birmingham, AL on Wednesday ... saying the time frame simply doesn't work for the program because it's hosting a football camp from June 6-8.

"Tough deal timeline-wise, it didn't work," Kirby said. "Number one time for recruiting for football coaches. When you've got 600, 700 kids coming to your campus, you can't take 200 people to the White House and have no one on campus."

He added, "The time just didn't work out. Nothing political about it, but I've been before. It's very educational. It's a great experience."

Smart said the White House usually extends the invite to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave right after the national championship game winner is crowned ... but that didn't happen this time, as POTUS was hoping to have Georgia visit on June 12.

Hiccups suck. Now, imagine having them for a year.

That's exactly what the legendary Bo Jackson says he's been dealing with since July, and no one knows why, or how to get rid of them.

Yes, this is serious. The 60-year-old made the revelation Wednesday while on a local radio show, "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning," when Jackson was asked how it felt to see Auburn Tigers alumnus, Frank Thomas, receive a baseball statue outside the stadium last month.

"I wasn't there because I've been dealing with hiccups," the former Tigers superstar athlete said. "I've had the hiccups since last July."

Jackson -- who played with Thomas on the Chicago White Sox in the 90s -- says he's been trying everything to stop the hiccups ... including smelling a porcupine's behind.

"I have done everything," Jackson said. "Scare me, drink water upside down, smell an ass of a porcupine. It doesn't work!"

Funny ... but also, it sounds like an awful thing to deal with.

Jackson said doctors have been doing everything they can to figure out what the hell is causing the constant hiccupping ... and Bo says he's supposed to be getting a procedure done this week.

"I'm busy at the hospital, sitting up with doctors, poking me and shining lights down my throat and probing me every way they can to find out why I got these hiccups."

Bob Huggins has been punished for using a homophobic slur twice during a radio interview earlier this week ... getting hit with a three-game suspension and a $1 million annual salary reduction.

The news came out just minutes ago ... with WVU announcing the coaching legend will NOT lose his job over the comments, but will spend a bit of time away from the team.

The punishment also includes sensitivity training ... which will now be a requirement for all current and future coaches at the university, according to the release. On top of that, Huggins' contract has been reconstructed to a year-by-year agreement ... and he's being kept on a short leash.

"We have made it explicitly clear to Coach Huggins that any incidents of similar derogatory and offensive language will result in immediate termination," WVU prez Gordon Gee and athletic director Wren Baker said in a statement.

The $1 million that has been pulled from Huggins' checks will now be used to support the university's LGBTQ+ Center and other organizations that help marginalized communities.

Huggins will also make a donation to Xavier's Center for Faith and Justice ... as well as the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

Of course, Huggins faced a ton of backlash after referring to Xavier fans as "Catholic f**s" while speaking to Bill Cunningham on 700 WLW in Cincinnati.

Huggins apologized for his comments ... saying there is no excuse for what he said, and he would accept any punishment handed his way.

"I am ashamed and embarrassed and heartbroken for those I have hurt," Huggins said Monday. "I must do better, and I will."

FYI -- Huggins was making $4,150,000 a year before the punishment ... and his contract had options that ran through the 2027 season.

"We will never truly know the damage that has been done by the words said in those 90 seconds," Gee and Baker said in the joint statement. "Words matter and they can leave scars that can never be seen. But words can also heal."

Xavier president Colleen Hanycz went in on West Virginia men's basketball coach Bob Huggins for his use of homophobic slurs earlier this week ... calling his comments "repulsive" and "offensive."

Hanycz addressed Huggins' controversial radio remarks about Xavier fans during a speech at a school event on Wednesday ... and she didn't hold back.

"The deplorable, mischaracterization, and homophobic slurs directed towards our LGBTQ+ and our Catholic communities were repulsive and offensive," Hanycz said on campus.

"To those in our Xavier family who were directly targeted and harmed by these hateful words, be assured you are invaluable members of our Xavier family, and you belong here. Your presence makes us better."

Huggins found himself in hot water on Monday after he referred to Xavier fans as "Catholic f**s." The 69-year-old ultimately apologized to the Xavier, Cincinnati and West Virginia communities ... saying he was "ashamed" and "embarrassed."

Huggins -- who was reportedly handed a suspension and $1 million salary reduction by WVU as punishment -- said he was "heartbroken" over the hurt he caused by his words, and vowed to do better moving forward.

LSU is apologizing for Flau'jae Johnson's lyrics referencing the 9/11 terrorist attacks in her new rap song ... saying the hoop star never meant to offend anyone in the now-deleted music video.

The 19-year-old, 5'10" guard dropped the September 11th line in a new remix to Latto's hit, "Put It On Da Floor" ... saying "In this 911 blowing smoke just like them towers."

Of course, when Johnson says 911, it's got double meaning ... the Porsche, and the 2001 attack. The next line refers to the Twin Towers smoking before they collapsed, tragically killing over 2,000 people.

The music video has since been deleted, but not before it was captured and shared across social media platforms.

The university got word of the controversial lyrics ... and said they spoke with the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year about the remix on Tuesday.

"While she never intended to offend or upset anyone with her lyrics, she expressed sincere remorse for any possibility of a misunderstanding and immediately took the video down," LSU told FOX News in a statement.

"We will learn and grow from this experience together."

Johnson -- who wasn't born until 2003 -- has yet to release a statement herself.

Of course, Johnson -- who's signed with Roc Nation -- takes her rap career seriously. She even performed her song "BIG 4" in front of fans after the Tigers' NCAA championship win last month.

The University of Georgia football team is bucking tradition ... electing not to go to the White House after winning its second consecutive national championship in January.

The Bulldogs -- who defeated TCU in dominant fashion -- announced the decision Tuesday ... saying they received an invitation from Joe Biden and Co. last week, asking the football team to celebrate their CFB title at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave on June 12.

However, the program said the date -- almost a week before summer starts -- is "not feasible" because of the demands placed on their student-athletes during that time.

Nevertheless, the Bulldogs said they appreciate the invite and look forward to taking the White House up on the offer if the program continues rattling off titles.

FYI, the last college football team to visit the W.H. was the 2019 LSU Tigers. Alabama didn't go in 2020 because of COVID-19 protocols.

This is the second time the Bulldogs are skipping out on getting some time with the POTUS -- in 2021, Georgia elected not to visit due to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, LSU star Angel Reese and the Tigers, who defeated Iowa to win the program's first NCAA title, announced Monday they will visit the White House on May 26.

Remember, Reese initially took issue with First Lady Jill Biden after FLOTUS said Iowa should attend the White House alongside LSU ... calling the suggestion a "joke."

Denny Crum -- a two-time national championship-winning head coach for the University of Louisville basketball team -- has passed away, the school announced Tuesday.

He was 86 years old.

The Naismith Hall of Famer started his coaching career at UCLA after playing at both Los Angeles Pierce College and UCLA ... helping the Bruins win three titles as an assistant to John Wooden.

He went on to take the head coaching gig with Louisville in 1971 ... where he made 23 NCAA tournament appearances, including six Final Four berths.

Crum earned a 675-295 record before retiring in 2001 ... although he remained close to the program for years.

Current Cardinals head coach Kenny Payne released a statement on the news ... saying, "Today is a sad day for me personally, as well as the basketball world."

"My thoughts go through all the lessons that he taught, not just to me, but every player he ever came in contact with. Those lessons are still relevant today."

He added ... "We were so blessed to have him in our lives. He was a true treasure who gave so much to the university and the community. We must keep his memory alive. My prayers go out to his family and especially Susan."

Details surrounding Crum's passing were not released ... although he has been hospitalized twice over the years after suffering strokes.

Ex-NBA player John Amaechi is calling out West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins over the anti-gay comments he made earlier this week ... telling TMZ Sports everyone involved in the conversation is straight-up "disgusting."

As we previously reported, Huggins used homophobic slurs during a Cincinnati radio appearance on Monday ... referring to Xavier fans as "Catholic f**s" while speaking with Bill Cunningham on 700 WLW.

Amaechi -- who came out as gay in 2007 -- got wind of what the coaching legend said ... and he believes, unfortunately, Huggins isn't the only one in a sports leadership role who would use such a term.

"I don’t know the man -- but he sounds like a dinosaur," Amaechi tells TMZ Sports. "College (and indeed pro) sports are littered with them."

But Amaechi isn't just disappointed in Huggins -- he continued to speak out against the show's hosts ... saying they "are also disgusting and to blame for egging this conversation on and calling him 'the best' after he said those words."

"It's hardly surprising that some people still think it’s OK to say these words," he added. "As to whether he should be an educator (as a coach or otherwise), I would remind people that the vociferously anti-trans and anti-gay usually sit in a constellation where many other minority groups (including Black and Brown people) are also held in contempt."

Amaechi -- who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz over the course of 5 seasons in the Association -- has become a voice for the LGBTQ+ community since coming out ... and has also built a career as a psychologist and professor at a Russell Group university.

He was recently honored for his work at an event ... where he gave a powerful monologue that actually ties in with Huggins' controversy.

"I won an award the other day from the Sports Industry, and in my acceptance speech, I talked about sports being an empty vessel that people fill with who they are -- if you imagine what this man fills his sport with, it's hard to imagine that the human outcomes will be positive, even if sporting success occurs," Amaechi says.

Former Phoenix Suns general manager Lance Blanks died by suicide ... his daughter revealed.

In an emotional piece that Riley Blanks Reed penned for ESPN on Tuesday morning ... she announced Lance killed himself last Wednesday.

"People will want more information," Blanks Reed said of her father's death. "But the fact is we will never truly know why. And we don't need to. All we need to do is remember him, honor him, celebrate him, and pour our love into the family that made him happy."

Lance was 56 years old.

In her letter, Blanks Reed reminisced on all the good times she had with her father ... remembering him as "my person, my idol, my teacher, my best friend and my confidant."

"He encompassed everything to me," she said.

Lance starred at the Univ. of Texas from 1988 through 1989 -- and had such a great two seasons there, he was inducted into the school's Hall of Honor in 2007.

Following his Longhorns days, Lance went on to have careers as a player and an exec in the NBA -- ultimately working for the Suns as their GM from 2010 to 2013 -- before he signed on to be an analyst for the Longhorn Network.

Blanks Reed said while all of his career accomplishments were incredible ... she knew him best for being "a leader and a guardian angel."

"In the darkness of my worst nights," she wrote, "he always picked up the phone."

Blanks Reed added, "Daddy, Lance, LB, my forever hero, has left a void that cannot be filled. And yet, I find solace in the promise to honor him with everything he left us. In the loving embrace of my sister, Bryn, I will remember that we are both forever connected to the remarkable man who was our world."

College basketball coaching legend Bob Huggins stuck his foot firmly in his mouth during a radio appearance on Monday morning ... using a homophobic slur not once -- but twice -- on the show.

Huggins, who's been the men's basketball head coach at West Virginia since 2007, dropped the offensive remarks while talking with Bill Cunningham about Xavier on the radio personality's 700 WLW show in Cincinnati.

Bill brought up the NCAA transfer portal with Huggins -- and asked if he had "poached any Xavier guys to come to play for West Virginia?"

Huggins responded that "Catholics don't do that" -- before he added, "Any school that can throw rubber penises on the floor and then say they didn’t do it, by God they can get away with anything."

Huggins seemed to be referencing an incident that happened when he was coaching for the Cincinnati Bearcats against the Musketeers in a Crosstown Shootout rivalry game prior to his time at WVU.

"I think it was transgender night wasn’t it?" Cunningham said ... before Huggins responded, "No, what it was, was all those f**s. Those Catholic f**s I think."

"They were envious they didn't have one."

Huggins coached at UC from 1989 to 2005. He had a brief stint as Kansas State's head coach from 2006 to 2007 before he joined the Mountaineers. In his career, he's earned 934 wins -- the eighth-most all-time -- and made two Final Fours.

Last season, he helped lead WVU to the NCAA tournament but lost in the first round to Maryland.

West Virginia has yet to comment on the coach's interview. Xavier has not yet either.

It turns out you CAN see Angel Reese after all ... the LSU superstar just landed her next big gig -- the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition!!

The hooper has been on top of the world ever since she led the Tigers to a championship over Iowa in April ... largely in part thanks to her unapologetic John Cena "You Can't See Me" celebration right in Caitlin Clark's face.

Now that she's a household name, Reese has been getting a ton of NIL deals and other opportunities ... including officially becoming an S.I. model!!

The photo shoot is pretty fitting -- not only is Reese rocking an LSU purple bikini, but she's also pointing at her finger in one of the shots ... just like she did as the Tigers beat the Hawkeyes to secure the title.

"Despite her quick rise to fame, Angel has continued to stay unapologetically herself and allowed her confidence to always shine through, which is why we applaud her for the inspiration she has become both on and off the court," the publication said of the decision to include her in this year's issue, which hits shelves on May 18.

Reese isn't the only Tiger getting the honor -- gymnastics and social media star Olivia Dunne was also picked to pose for the mag.

LeBron James' high school superstar son, Bronny, just revealed where he will suit up next season -- he has committed to play for the USC Trojans.

The 18-year-old dropped an Instagram post to share the news minutes ago ... simply saying, "Fight On #committed."

The announcement finally brings all speculation to an end -- the 5-star recruit received offers from popular programs like Ohio State, Oregon, Kentucky and more ... but was tight-lipped on his next move until Saturday afternoon.

Bronny is a promising young talent -- the 6'3" guard put together quite the highlight reel during his time at Sierra Canyon ... and balled out at the McDonald's All-American Game with five three-pointers, scoring 15 points on the night.

LeBron -- a massive Buckeyes fan -- was probably hoping Bronny would play for the Scarlet and Gray ... but we take it he'll be happy to have his oldest kid nearby as he continues to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Naturally, the news has social media freaking out ... with a ton of Bronny's friends congratulating him on the decision.

One thing's for sure -- the Galen Center will be packed next season ... and don't be surprised if A-listers flock to the courtside seats.

Lance Blanks -- a Univ. of Texas men's basketball legend who later in life worked as the Phoenix Suns' general manager -- has died, TMZ Sports has learned.

A spokesperson for the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office in Texas tells us ... Blanks passed away on Wednesday.

A cause and manner of death are not yet known ... the rep said exam results are still pending.

Blanks began his collegiate hoops career at the Univ. of Virginia in 1985 ... but transferred to Texas after two seasons, and became a superstar there. In his two years at UT in 1988 and 1989, he averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He was later inducted into Texas' Hall of Honor in 2007.

The shooting guard went on to be selected by the Pistons in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft following his UT career ... and played three seasons in the league for Detroit and Minnesota.

He later played overseas -- before he returned to the States to work as an exec in the NBA.

Blanks spent time as the director of scouting for the San Antonio Spurs, before he became the Cleveland Cavaliers' assistant general manager. In 2010, he was named the GM of the Suns.

Years after he left his role in Phoenix in 2013, he signed on to broadcast UT games for the Longhorn Network.

Former NFL star Eric Metcalf, a UT alum and Blanks' good friend, appeared to comment on Blanks' passing on Thursday on Twitter ... writing, "Everyone hug your family and friends and tell them you love them. We lost a dear friend and brother. People are going through things and you never know it!!!"

Several of Blanks' family members, including his two daughters, released statements on his passing late Thursday afternoon.

"My dad was my person," Riley Blanks Reed said. "He was my teacher, my idol, my best friend. The love I have for him is simply immeasurable."

Added Bryn Blanks Lewis, "My heart aches for the tragic loss of my daddy. He was our father, our rock, our superhero -- the one who was there when we needed him most. Life will never be the same without him."

Blanks was 56 years old.

Cops in Alabama say their initial report of Michael Jefferson's car crash was wrong ... telling TMZ Sports on Wednesday they now believe the 2023 NFL Draft prospect was the one who was impaired on the night of the tragic wreck last month.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says it somehow mixed up the drivers of the two vehicles in its first report of the fatal car accident on April 9 in Mobile County, AL.

Initially, the ALEA claimed Jefferson was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Impala ... before Charles Dunn slammed head-on into it in his 2014 Dodge Charger.

Now, however, the ALEA says Jefferson was actually driving the Charger -- while Dunn was in the Impala.

That means, according to the crash report, cops suspect Jefferson was the one who was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs at the time of the accident -- not Dunn.

It also means, per a diagram of the crash in the report, that Jefferson (labeled Unit 1) is the one who was traveling in a southbound lane before moving into Dunn's northbound lane, headed in the wrong direction, before colliding with the 55-year-old (labeled Unit 2) head-on.

As we reported, Dunn died as a result of the crash. Jefferson -- a former star wideout at Louisiana who was in line to get drafted last month before the wreck -- sustained significant injuries that required several surgeries.

Police told us an investigation into the crash remains ongoing. According to the report, the 23-year-old's blood was taken following the crash, but the results have not yet come back.

Meanwhile, Jefferson's attorney, Brad Sohn, told us on Wednesday he had "absolutely no reason to believe that Michael Jefferson is under criminal investigation or has ever been under investigation."

Dunn's family told us in a statement they now want a public apology from Jefferson and his representatives ... adding, "Charles Dunn never drank or smoked in his life and we would like for his name to be cleared."

Former Team USA track star Tori Bowie was found dead inside her home, TMZ Sports has learned ... after her loved ones told cops they were concerned they hadn't heard from her in several days.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida, officers conducted a well-being check at Bowie's home Tuesday afternoon. When authorities arrived at the residence, they made entry ... and found the three-time Olympic medalist deceased. A preliminary investigation showed no foul play was involved.

A cause and manner of death are not yet known -- the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office tells us they're still investigating the matter.

Bowie's management team said Wednesday they were crushed to learn of her passing.

"We've lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister," the agency said. "Tori was a champion … a beacon of light that shined so bright! We're truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends."

Bowie -- a two-time NCAA long jump champion who won three medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil -- was just 32 years old.

Tori Bowie, a track and field athlete who won three Olympic medals for Team USA, is dead.

Tori was found deceased Tuesday in Florida, but the cause of death remains unclear.

Her management team released a statement Wednesday morning confirming the tragic news, saying they're "devastated" over her passing.

"We've lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister," the sports agency said. "Tori was a champion…a beacon of light that shined so bright! We're truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends."

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, Tori won three medals ... including one gold as a member of the women's 4x100 meter relay team. Tori also earned a silver in the 100-meter dash, plus a bronze in the 200-meter dash.

Before her Team USA triumphs, Tori was a standout track star in college at the University of Southern Mississippi ... where she was a two-time NCAA long jump champion in both indoor and outdoor track.

The year after her three-medal performance at the Rio Olympics, Tori became the world's fastest woman ... winning the 100-meter dash at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London with a blistering time of 10.85 seconds.

In addition to her athletic success, Tori also modeled ... she was featured in a Valentino campaign and also posed for ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue.

Tori was 32.