Rams' Andrew Whitworth Ban Extra Points From NFL ... They Suck

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AN X-CELLENT OPTION

Roger Goodell, listen up ... Rams star left tackle Andrew Whitworth says he HATES extra points -- and wants them banned from the league ASAP!!!

We got the 4-time Pro Bowler leaving Craig's in L.A. this week ... when we got into a conversation with the big man about the XFL's new rules.

That's when Whitworth told us he loves the league's idea of getting rid of field goal attempts for a point after touchdown tries ... saying they straight-up hurt his body!!!

"I get tired of getting ran into," Andrew says. "I don't need an extra opportunity to get hit."

Of course, as an O-lineman, it's Whitworth's job to protect the kicker ... which means he's got to throw his body in the way of pass-rushing defenders EVERY TIME the Rams go for an extra point!!!

Yeah, ouch.

We also talked to Whitworth about his future now that he's headed into free agency this offseason ... and he told us he'd LOVE to re-sign with the Rams in 2020.

76ers' Michael Rubin Joel Embiid's a Tough-Ass Dude ... You See That Busted Finger?!

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Michael Rubin
STANDOUT PLAYERS

TMZ Sports Presents: "How To Impress Your Boss" ... starring Joel Embiid!

Today's lesson ... when you dislocate your finger, SNAP IT BACK IN PLACE AND BALL OUT!

The strategy worked, judging by our conversation with Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin, who raved about his star player's toughness after the freak injury.

As we previously reported, Embiid busted his digit during Monday night's game against the OKC Thunder, but taped it up and went back in the game ... and led the 76ers to a big-time win!

"He was a warrior," Rubin said ... "That was one of the ugliest things I've ever seen!"

"It just shows how tough and aggressive he is and how badly he wants to win."

Embiid has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics -- and he's following up with a specialist. Rubin wouldn't elaborate on the injury, but 76ers fans are obviously concerned.

There's more ... Rubin says he's been talking with Ben Simmons about the fires in Australia -- and his star player inspired him to open up his wallet and donate to the relief efforts.

Justin Bieber Battling Lyme Disease ... Reveals Chronic Mono Too

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3:50 PM PT -- Hailey Bieber just chimed in too ... revealing GiGi, Bella and Yolanda Hadid played a big role in helping Justin understand Lyme and how to fight it. Yolanda, Bella and her brother Anwar all have the disease.

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As for the bullies coming after Justin, Hailey says, "Please do your research and listen to the stories of people who have suffered with it for years. Making fun of and belittling a disease you don't understand is never the way, all it takes is educating yourself."

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12:37 PM PT -- Justin just reacted to our story, opening up about his Lyme diagnosis and sharing he's also suffering from a serious case of chronic mono ... which he says affected his skin, brain function and overall health. The Biebs says he'll reveal more in his docuseries.

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11:49 AM PT -- Justin has a LOT planned for the new year ... he just announced on Instagram that once he wraps his tour in 2020, he and Hailey are gonna get to work on starting their family.

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NO TIME FOR QUITTING

Justin Bieber will reveal in his documentary why so many people thought he was battling deep depression ... fact is, he was, but it was the result of contracting Lyme disease.

Sources who have seen the documentary -- which drops January 27 -- tell us Justin and others in his life discuss the scary symptoms he endured in 2019. He says during much of the year his condition went undiagnosed. Doctors struggled to figure out what was wrong with him, but couldn't put their finger on it until late last year.

You may recall this photo of Justin crying taken back in October. It's made clear in the documentary ... Justin was indeed batting extreme depression because he was suffering and no one knew what was wrong with him.

We're told no one knows how Justin contracted the disease, but it comes from a tick bite. Symptoms include rashes, headaches, fever and fatigue.

Joel Embiid Gruesomely Dislocates Finger ... But Stays In Game!!!

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THE HORRIFIC INJURY

WARNING: LOOK AWAY IF YOU'RE SQUEAMISH!!!

Joel Embiid nastily dislocated his ring finger during the 76ers' win over the Thunder on Monday ... and the injury was so bad -- his digit bent sideways at a 90-degree angle!!

But, the craziest part ... EMBIID STAYED IN THE GAME!!

The horrific scene all went down in the 1st quarter at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia ... when Embiid went up to block a shot but got his finger tangled in the process.

When he eventually looked down to see the mangled mess on his hand ... it wasn't pretty -- with teammate Ben Simmons saying, "I nearly thew up when I saw that."

Selena Gomez Starts 2020 with a Jellyfish Sting ... Happy New Year!!!

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Selena Gomez's new year got off to a bumpy start in Hawaii -- because she got stung by a jellyfish (or something like one) ... and had to be carried piggyback style to safety.

The singer was vacationing in Honolulu a few days ago to ring in 2020, and while she was at the beach on Jan. 1 ... it appears she got zapped by a creature of the sea -- we're told it looked to be a Portuguese man o' war. It's a jellyfish-type of animal but is more than just a single organism. Bottom line ... they're poisonous and hurt like hell.

Selena's reaction certainly seemed to reflect that. Photogs captured her limping back to shore with the assistance of some girlfriends, who then attentively knelt beside her on the sand as they checked out her injured foot. She was wincing through the ordeal.

At one point, a strapping young fellow picked up Selena and carried her on his back -- presumably, to get checked out by more than just concerned beach-goers.

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She eventually cracked a smile along the way ... so hopefully she's feeling better. If she isn't, she's definitely putting on a brave face on social media. Looks like she'll be okay.

Get well, SG. And, here's to a sting-free new decade ahead.

DaBaby Alleged Assault Victim Vows to Sue ... Shares Photo of Injuries

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The guy who got jumped and robbed by DaBaby and his crew plans to lawyer up and file suit against them.

The victim -- who TMZ learned is a concert promoter named Kenneth -- tells us ... multiple attorneys have reached out to him to offer their services -- as in suing DaBaby.

Kenneth says he'll be going after the rapper and everyone involved in the brutal incident ... which he claims left him with cuts and bruises on his face.

As for what went down ... Kenneth says he was hired to put on a birthday party for rapper Stunna 4 Vegas at a Florida nightclub Thursday night and made a deal with DaBaby to host. He claims it was for a discounted rate of $30k because the rappers are friends.

Kenneth tells us he showed up with $20k and promised he could get DaBaby an additional $10k from his artist YC Woody ... but the rapper and his crew got pissed, and it quickly turned violent.

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THE ALLEGED ROBBERY

The promoter says he had to get checked out by a doctor because his injuries were so bad. He says video of the assault is difficult for him and his loved ones to watch. Kenneth also claims DaBaby's team made off with the $20k and hasn't returned it.

We broke the story ... DaBaby was initially detained and later arrested for battery in connection with the incident. According to the police report, Kenneth was robbed of $80, a credit card, an iPhone 7 and then doused with apple juice. It's certainly possible authorities will add a robbery charge.

Cops say the rapper also has a warrant out of Dallas for organized criminal activity. The warrant stems from a fight DaBaby was in last month at the airport when the rapper and a friend allegedly attacked a food stand employee.

Yoenis Cespedes Altercation With Wild Boar ... Caused 2019 Injury

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Bombshell report Friday ... an altercation with a wild boar was allegedly the reason NY Mets star Yoenis Cespedes broke his ankle last year -- and the story is NUTS!!

The season-ending injury the outfielder suffered in May last year happened when he got into a tussle with a boar on his Port St. Lucie ranch, according to the New York Post.

Cespedes -- who has traps set up on his property to keep wild pigs away from humans -- was allegedly startled when one of the boars got loose.

According to the report, Cespedes stepped in a hole in an effort to get away from the animal ... 'causing a nasty break in his ankle.

Falling Acrobat Scary NYE Crash Landing ... Captured on Video!!!

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An acrobat took a very nasty tumble during a New Year's Eve bash in New Orleans ... and only TMZ has video of the dancer falling several feet into a huge mass of revelers.

Check out this scary footage from the NYE show at the Fillmore New Orleans ... you see an aerialist performing acrobatics as she's suspended from the ceiling above the crowd, and then all of a sudden she starts hurtling down towards the floor.

The acrobat was performing while New Orleans-based rock band The Revivalists were on stage covering David Bowie's "Let's Dance" ... and witnesses say the aerialist was lying in the fetal position after her crash landing, with her globe-shaped metal cage nearby.

The dancer and another man were injured in the crash and transported to a hospital, but the band's vocalist, David Shaw, tells TMZ their injuries are not severe and they've been released from the hospital.

Shaw also tells us the area under the acrobat was roped off and a mat was placed beneath her during the performance, and the safety precautions ended up breaking her fall. Shaw blames the incident on an equipment malfunction and says the band was shocked and saddened by the fall.

'Bad News Bears' Star Jeffrey Davies Learning to Walk and Talk Again ... After Motorcycle Crash

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Jeffrey Davies -- who played Kelly Leak in the 2005 comedy "Bad News Bears" -- is fighting like hell to regain function after a terrifying accident left him nearly paralyzed.

According to law enforcement, Davies was riding a motorcycle close to midnight back in May, when he lost control at the center of an intersection and was thrown from the bike.

Jeffrey's Mom, Kim, says her son was rushed to Orlando Medical Center after suffering a serious head injury that required surgery. During surgery, we're told, doctors had to partially remove Jeffrey's skull to relieve pressure in his brain.

It's been over 7 months since the accident but Jeffrey's still in major recovery mode. He's had to learn how to talk and walk. Jeffrey -- the local troublemaker/superstar baseball player in the film starring Billy Bob Thorton -- requires speech and occupational therapy plus tons of medical supplies. Reliable transportation's also an issue since he's confined to a wheelchair.

'Tootsie' Star Teri Garr Rushed to Hospital ... After Suffering 'Medical Emergency'

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Teri Garr -- the comedic actress known for her legendary roles in "Young Frankenstein," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Tootsie" -- is in the hospital following a medical emergency ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Teri tell us ... an ambulance was called to her San Fernando Valley home around 10:30 AM Monday, and she was transported to a local medical center.

We're told she may have suffered a stroke, but we have not been able to confirm that at this time.

Garr has a history of serious health issues. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 after years of dealing with symptoms of the disease and suffered a brain aneurysm in December 2006 that left her in a coma for weeks.

Teri made a recovery though and was able to return to acting until she retired in 2011.

Garr has over 140 film and television credits over the span of her career as well as one Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for "Tootsie" in 1982. Garr also trained extensively in ballet.

Story developing ...

Zac Efron Yeah, I Got Sick in Papua New Guinea ... But I Bounced Back!!!

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Zac Efron has broken his silence about a rumored illness that apparently almost had him on his death bed -- and he says it's true, but that he's all better now.

The actor posted the message Sunday, writing ... "Very thankful to everyone who has reached out. I did get sick in Papua New Guinea but I bounced back quick and finished an amazing 3 weeks in P.N.G." He continued, "I’m home for the holidays with my friends and family. Thanks for all the love and concern, see you in 2020!"

The update comes amid reports he'd recently come down with typhoid or another bacteria-related sickness while filming his new Quibi show overseas, which required him to be airlifted to an airport in Australia, and then transported to a hospital from there.

According to local outlets, he was released and cleared to travel back to the U.S. on Christmas Eve. On Saturday, he surfaced in L.A. looking relatively healthy with a shopping bag in hand. It's crazy ... typhoid can be fatal if not treated correctly. Definitely scary.

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All's well that ends well, we suppose. Dude's back home and seems to be okay. BTW, his new show is called "Killing Zac Efron" ... a little too on the nose there, huh?

'Bachelor' Star Dean Michael Unglert Badly Injured in Swiss Alps Skiing Accident

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"Bachelor in Paradise" star Dean Michael Unglert got his Christmas miracle ... he wasn't more seriously injured during a Swiss Alps ski accident.

Talk about a glass half full ... Dean suffered a dislocated hip and fractured femur and he had 4 screws and a plate implanted in his leg.

Dean said afterward, "All my life I’ve dreamt about skiing the Swiss Alps. how could you not? they’re huge and beautiful and have some of the best snow in the world. today, however, was not my day. i was sending just a liiiiitle too hard and took a nasty spill which ultimately put me here. and since this is probably going to be the only pic i get in switzerland."

He says he was laying on the mountain injured for an hour before he was able to flag someone down for help. But, once rescuers spotted him, he was airborne and in surgery in less than an hour.

The good news ... Switzerland for Xmas is beautiful. The bad news ... not necessarily inside a Swiss hospital.

UFC's Alistair Overeem Shows Stitched Up Face ... After Violent TKO

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Here's UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem showing off his new surgically-repaired lip ... after his face was blasted open in a TKO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

Overeem's face was a bloody mess after the UFC on ESPN 7 event on Dec. 7th ... when Rozenstruik hit Alistair with a crushing right hook in the 5th round that ended the fight with only 4 seconds left.

Overeem was hospitalized after the fight and underwent a surgical procedure to stitch him up ... and ESPN's cameras captured the 39-year-old as he was healing up.

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"It was a nice fight," Overeem said ... "It was a good scrap."

"I was winning all rounds, just doing my thing. Too fast of a stoppage if you ask me. I was not out. I was knocked down, getting right back up."

Overeem is the #8 ranked heavyweight in the UFC at the moment -- and seems eager to get back in the Octagon and fight again ... just as soon as he gets cleared.

Tough dude.

Terrelle Pryor 30 Staples to Close Stab Wound ... Recovery Pics Show

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Terrelle Pryor is showing off more of the aftermath of his stabbing incident with his girlfriend ... and the NFLer needed 30 staples to close his massive stab wound.

Pryor has been on the recovery since the Nov. 30 altercation with Shalaya Briston at their Pittsburgh-area apartment. Officials believe Briston stabbed Pryor during a physical struggle that spilled into their kitchen.

Pryor was so badly wounded, he bled all over the apartment and all over the parking garage before eventually undergoing emergency surgery in the hospital.

Pryor says he almost died twice in the wake of the stabbing but miraculously pulled through. He was hospitalized in the ICU for several days before being discharged.

The good news -- he's been up and walking and getting better each day ... and the wound doesn't look that bad either (props to the surgeons).

As for Briston ... she's facing 2 felony criminal charges -- aggravated assault and attempted homicide -- and serious prison times if convicted. She was granted release on house arrest earlier this week.

Pryor is facing a misdemeanor assault charge and is due in court soon.

Ontario Hockey League Goalie Released From Hospital ... 5 Days After Gruesome On-Ice Injury

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The Ontario Hockey League goalie who nearly bled out on the ice after being severely cut by a skate was just released from the hospital, his team announced Tuesday.

17-year-old Tucker Tynan was in bad shape last Thursday night ... when his leg was slashed after an opponent crashed into him in the Niagara IceDogs' game against the London Knights.

The collision crumpled Tucker to the ice ... and emergency personnel quickly rushed him into surgery after they noticed blood profusely pouring out of his leg.

The good news? Tucker pulled through just fine ... and his IceDogs squad just announced he's left the hospital and is headed home for some R&R.

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"Tucker Tynan has been discharged from hospital in St. Catharines," team officials said. "He is en route home to Chicago for some rest and recovery."

For his part, Tynan sent a message from the hospital bed over the weekend saying he was grateful for all the support during the scary time.

"Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the kind words, truly they mean more than anyone can ever know," Tucker said.

"An unfortunate situation, looking forward to recovering and coming back even stronger and healthier than before."

The IceDogs have yet to play a game since Tucker's injury ... but the squad is expected to return to the rink on Thursday against the Kingston Frontenacs.

Cynthia Bailey Flu Home to Kiss Her Fiance ... Who Cares If I'm Sick?!?

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Cynthia Bailey has a message for all the couples out there this flu season ... she says there's nothing wrong with snuggling up with your sick partner!!!
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

Cynthia Bailey has a message for all the couples out there this flu season ... she says there's nothing wrong with snuggling up with your sick partner!!!

We got the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star at LAX Monday and asked how she's holding up during her bout with the flu ... and Cynthia says her symptoms won't stop her from planting a huge kiss on her fiance, Fox Sports host Mike Hill, who she was on her way to see.

Cynthia is totally open to debating whether couples should sleep in the same bed if someone is under the weather ... but she says there's only one right answer, and married folks better uphold their vows!

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Lucky for Mike, Cynthia thinks she's no longer contagious ... but it sounds like she's ready to take care of the sportscaster if she gets him sick.

As Cynthia puts it ... that's real love!!!