Rugby Star Sia Soliola Breaks Face In Game ... Repair Requires Mouthful Of Screws!!!

Published

Wanna see the toughest guy EVER?!?!

Meet Sia Soliola ... a star rugby player in Australia's NRL who broke his face mid-game -- but then had it repaired just a few days later with a handful of hardware, no problem!!

The story is insane ... the 33-year-old Canberra Raiders player took an upper-body shot to the face in the middle of a match last Friday and immediately knew something was wrong.

The clip is tough to watch ... Soliola gets hit right in the cheek -- and is forced to leave the game immediately.

X-rays revealed the dude BROKE HIS FACE IN HALF ... but Sia got it repaired with a bunch of screws, and didn't even seem to flinch!!

In fact, Sia even joked about the injury, writing on the recovery pics, "NAILED IT."

Tough-ass dude ... considering reports say he'll have to eat his meals through a straw and won't be healthy for at least another few months!!

Your move, hockey players.

Ex-College Football Player Catches Child Thrown From Burning Building ... Heroic Highlight

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A former college football receiver just made a LIFE-SAVING highlight -- catching a 3-year-old child thrown from a burning building ... and it was all captured on video.

28-year-old Phillip Blanks -- who played at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA -- was at his home in Phoenix when he saw a nearby apartment was ablaze.

Blanks decided to check out the scene to see if he could help ... and noticed a 30-year-old mother preparing to throw her child off the balcony.

Blanks -- who is also a retired U.S. Marine -- immediately knew what he had to do ... and sprinted to the ground below to save the boy from hitting the ground.

"Instinct. There wasn't much thinking. I just reacted. I just did it," Blanks told ABC7.

"The guy who was there with me ... it looked like he wasn't going to catch him. So that's why I stepped in. I just wanted to make a better catch."

Blanks rushed the child to safety ... but the mother tragically passed away from the fire, according to ABC7.

"She's the real hero of the story," Blanks told the outlet. "Because she made the ultimate sacrifice to save her children."

The woman's 3-year-old and 8-year-old were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

BTW -- according to Blanks' college bio, he's related to Barry Sanders and Mike Conley.

Truly heroic.

Seattle Protest One Protester Dead After Car Slams Into Her

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DEVASTATING IMPACT
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6:29 AM PT -- 7/5 One of the protesters has now died from injuries. 24-year-old Summer Taylor died in the hospital Saturday night. They were a Seattle resident who was peacefully protesting on a closed stretch of I-5 when the car plowed into 2 people. The other protester who was injured, Diaz Love, is in serious condition and remains in the ICU. As for the driver, Dawit Kelete, he has been arrested and charged with 2 counts of vehicular assault. Now that someone has died he could face homicide charges.

Two protesters were mowed down by a car early Saturday morning in Seattle, and the driver is now under arrest.

It happened at around 1:30 AM on a stretch of the I-5 that was closed to traffic. A car suddenly barreled down the road, striking 2 people. A 24-year-old person is in critical condition with what troopers said were life-threatening injuries. Another person suffered injuries that were described as serious.

Eyewitnesses told authorities they believed the incident was a "purposeful attack."

The Washington State Patrol took the driver into custody. A spokesperson says it does not appear that impairment was a factor.

Originally published -- 7/4 7:17 AM PT

Yankees Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka Beaned Hard in the Head ... By Stanton's Line Drive

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The Yankees' truncated season got off to a rough start this weekend during batting practice -- one of their pitchers took a baseball to the noggin by one their hardest-hitting sluggers.

Righty Masahiro Tanaka was tossing to Giancarlo Stanton Saturday at Yankees Stadium during the team's first summer workout before they officially play ball later this month. During one of his pitches, Stanton hit a line drive right back at Tanaka ... and it nailed him.

The ball struck Tanaka in the head, knocking off his hat and sending him flying to the ground. Stanton immediately regretted it as he crouched in disgust and worry. The training staff rushed out to attend to their pitcher, and were eventually able to get him to his feet.

As bad as the hit looked on camera, it would appear the guy's gonna be alright -- which is kind of a miracle. The team says, "RHP Masahiro Tanaka was hit in the head with a line drive during today’s sim game. He is currently alert, responsive and walking under his own power." They added that he would undergo further evaluations/testing at a nearby hospital.

Here's hoping Tanaka comes out the other end good as new -- he's one of their starting pitchers, and the Yanks need as much depth as they can get this year.

Model Emily Sears Brain Surgery's a Success!!! On the Road to Recovery

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Emily Sears -- a model known for starring in some saucy Carl's Jr. ads -- is recovering from successful brain surgery ... and looking forward to getting her life back after a major health scare.

Emily tells TMZ ... she underwent a craniotomy last week in order for surgeons to remove a cavernoma, a cluster of abnormal blood vessels that was irritating her brain tissue and causing seizures.

The model says she was in a store in L.A. back in April 2019 when she had her first seizure and collapsed, which led to her diagnosis.

Despite trying several medications to deal with the issue, she had at least 5 more seizures before suffering a bad fall near the end of the year ... which is when she decided to schedule brain surgery to remove the cluster.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic delayed her procedure, but she was finally able to have it done last week ... and it was an extremely intricate process.

We're told, Emily's surgery took more than 5 hours because the cavernoma was against the speech area of her brain ... so doctors had to wake her up in the middle of it to test her speech with flashcards, to make sure they didn't remove any vital tissue.

Whoa.

Thankfully, Emily says the surgery was a success -- the whole cluster was removed -- and she's happy and healing and eager to return to normal living.

Get well soon!

Ezekiel Elliott Dog Attack Case Gruesome Photos ... Show Alleged Victim's Injuries

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UPDATE

9:02 AM PT -- Ezekiel's attorney, Frank Salzano, tells TMZ Sports the pool cleaner suing Zeke did NOT have permission to be on the Cowboys superstar's property the day of the incident.

UPDATE

“The plaintiff was unauthorized to be on the premises the day of the incident and either willfully disregarded and/or negligently ignored her employer’s policy which required Elliott to be notified in advance of any visits."

UPDATE

"We look forward to further establishing the plaintiff’s contributory negligence during the course of this matter.”

TMZ Sports has obtained pictures of the injuries a pool cleaner alleges she suffered when Ezekiel Elliott's dogs attacked her last March ... and they're gruesome.

The photos show a mangled forearm and a bruised thigh ... injuries she claims were all due to bites from the Dallas Cowboys star's Rottweiler and two bulldogs.

We broke the story, in a new lawsuit filed in Texas this week, a pool cleaner says she was "ambushed" by Elliott's dogs while entering the NFL player's Frisco backyard on March 11.

In the alleged attack, the woman claims Zeke's Rottweiler bit her forearm, while the two bulldogs lunged and bit her legs.

The woman says in the docs she was rushed to the emergency room after the incident ... and says she later required surgery on her forearm.

In the suit, the woman claims she's still suffering both emotionally and physically ... and is now suing Elliott for over $200k -- but less than $1 million.

"Our client has been out of work since the incident happened in March," the woman's attorneys at Gardner Haas in Dallas, Texas tells us, "and the attack has scarred her for life -- both physically and mentally."

"Our client attempted to resolve this matter out of court, providing a description of what happened and pictures of her injuries, but Elliott didn’t bother to respond."

For his part, Elliott's attorney tells us, "Ezekiel was in no way negligent in connection with the alleged incident and intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit."

Elliott is well known for his dogs ... his Rottweiler, Ace, is tattooed on his forearm -- and he's even previously showed off the trio of pups for the camera on a Twitch stream this month.

Ezekiel Elliott
INTRODUCIN' MY DOGS

Originally Published -- 12:40 AM PT

Ezekiel Elliott Sued Dogs Allegedly Bit Pool Cleaner ... In Violent Attack

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A pool cleaner claims she required surgery and will likely be scarred for life after Ezekiel Elliott's dogs violently attacked her in March ... and now she's suing the NFL star.

But Zeke's attorney tells us the NFL star adamantly denies wrongdoing and now he's digging in for a legal war.

It's all spelled out in new court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, in which a woman says she went to clean Elliott's pool at his home in Frisco, TX on March 11 ... when she was "ambushed" by his 3 dogs -- a Rottweiler and two bulldogs.

In the docs, the woman claims the Rottweiler bit her arm and dragged her ... before the two bulldogs began attacking her legs.

The woman says the dogs bit her multiple times ... and after she was able to free herself from the animals, she went straight to the emergency room "in immense pain."

She claims the injuries were so bad ... 2 weeks later, she required surgery to repair the damage done by the Rottweiler's bite to her forearm.

In the lawsuit, the woman says she's still having issues with her surgically repaired arm ... and says she constantly suffers from mental and physical pain over the attack.

She's asking for over $200,000 in the suit from the Dallas Cowboys superstar ... but less than $1 million.

The woman also claims this wasn't the first time Elliott's dogs have attacked a pool cleaner ... she alleges that around Dec. 2019, the Rottweiler bit someone else who worked for her company.

We reached out to the Frisco Police Dept. over the allegations ... and a spokesperson said animal services did respond to an incident at Elliott's home on March 11, but the spokesperson says no criminal charges were filed.

As for Zeke, his attorney Frank Salzano tells us his client did nothing wrong, saying ... "Ezekiel was in no way negligent in connection with the alleged incident and intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit."

Elliott has made no attempts to hide his infatuation with his dogs ... he's created an Instagram page for the three -- and even has his Rottweiler, Ace, tattooed on his forearm.

In fact, Zeke just showed off all three dogs on a Twitch stream this week ... giving each one a kiss for the camera.

Ezekiel Elliott
INTRODUCIN' MY DOGS

By the way, if this all sounds familiar ... it's because it kind of is -- Elliott's teammate, Dak Prescott, had to deal with allegations that his dogs violently attacked somebody back in Feb. 2019.

Protester to Sue LAPD Claims Cops Nearly Killed Him w/ Rubber Bullets ... Vows to Continue Protesting

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Steyn detailed the horrific aftermath of allegedly being shot at close range with a rubber bullet by an LAPD officer ... saying he was left with a ruptured testicle, passed out and almost bled to death in the streets.

Bloom later claimed Steyn got shot when he went to help a fellow protester, and that he received no aid for his injuries from law enforcement around him.

Steyn went on to describe a discussion he had with his daughter the night before the incident, in which he told her no matter how powerful the government or police are ... we can always march peacefully to fight for our rights, and that he won't let corrupt police continue to kill people.

Bloom also called for the use of rubber bullets by the LAPD to be severely curtailed or banned, and never shot at close range. She says her legal team has filed a complaint with the Inspector General and Internal Affairs as the first step of filing a lawsuit for Steyn ... and she's seeking witnesses who were at the May 30 protest.

The protester who allegedly took rubber bullets fired by LAPD officers to his scrotum is about to unveil his lawsuit against the cops ... and call for major reform.

Bradley Steyn -- along with his attorney, Lisa Bloom -- is about to address the media in front of LAPD headquarters ... and TMZ will be live streaming.

Steyn -- a renowned South African anti-apartheid activist -- is expected to detail his account of alleged police brutality encountered during a May 30 protest over the death of George Floyd in L.A.'s Fairfax district ... and announce legal action.

He claims he was roughed up by cops who shot him with rubber bullets at point-blank range in the inner thigh and genitals ... severely injuring him. He ended up losing a testicle.

Steyn and Bloom say they will call for "specific reforms."

The press conference is scheduled to begin Thursday at 10 AM PT.

Originally Published -- 9:35 AM PT

Pope Francis Emotional Note To Paralympics Star ... After Horrific Crash

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Pope Francis wrote a personal note to a Paralympics star who's fighting for his life after a horrific crash ... saying in the letter, "I am close to you and I pray for you and your family."

The 83-year-old penned the comments to Alex Zanardi -- an ex-Formula 1-racer-turned-amazing-Paralympian who tragically crashed his handbike into a truck in Italy last week.

The scene was terrifying ... Zanardi -- who had both his legs amputated after a racing accident in 2001 -- reportedly suffered massive head trauma in the wreck.

According to officials at the hospital Zanardi is recovering at ... the 53-year-old is in stable condition -- but is in danger of suffering from possible brain damage.

The hospital adds he's been intubated and is on a ventilator.

Enter the Pope ... who after hearing about the accident -- reached out with an emotional letter encouraging Zanardi's recovery.

"Dearest Alessandro, your story is an example of how to start again after an unforeseen stop," the Pope wrote. "Through sport, you have taught us to live life as a protagonist, teaching a lesson of humanity through disability."

"Thank you for having given strength to those who have lost it. In this painful moment, I am close to you and I pray for you and your family."

The Pope signed the letter, "Fraternally, Francis."

Zanardi -- a four-time gold medalist in the Paralympics who's backed the Pope for years with multiple charity donations -- is expected to remain in a medically-induced coma for at least another week.

D.L. Hughley Passes Out, Collapses During Comedy Set ... Overnight Hospital Stay

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DL Hughley
THE SCARY MOMENT ON STAGE
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6:48 PM PT -- D.L. just posted further explanation for his collapse, and says he's tested positive for COVID-19.

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HEADING HOME
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7:12 AM PT -- D.L. is gonna be okay. His rep tells TMZ ... he was "suffering from exhaustion after all the week's work and travel, and was kept overnight at the hospital for tests under doctor's orders. He is awake and feeling better, and wishes to thank everyone for the very kind prayer and thoughts."

Comedian D.L. Hughley had some sort of medical emergency Friday night ... he was performing at a Nashville club when he went limp and passed out cold.

D.L. was performing at Zanies Comedy Club and a sold out crowd was enjoying his jokes when suddenly, at around 11 PM, it appeared something was amiss. His speech became labored. A security guard handed D.L. a bottle of water, and a minute later he just passed out cold while he was leaning against a stool.

The comedian's manager was at the ready and grabbed D.L. to break his fall. The manager carried him off stage and that was it ... no one told the crowd what happened, but it was serious enough for an ambulance and fire truck to show up. D.L. was put on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital.

We've tried contacting D.L.'s rep ... so far, no word back.

Originally Published -- 6:45 AM PT

Trump Rally Supporters Swarm Tulsa Venue ... Staffers Test COVID Positive

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UPDATE

11:25 AM PT -- Reports on the ground say SIX of Trump's campaign staffers who are in Tulsa working on the logistical side of things have now tested positive for COVID-19.

UPDATE
UPDATE

It's unclear when the staffers might've contracted the virus, but it sounds like they were tested in the past couple days ahead of Saturday's rally ... and were immediately placed in self-isolation. Trump's campaign says the six positive hits popped up among hundreds of tests administered to staffers.

UPDATE

At any rate, it's not an encouraging announcement before thousands of people crowd into a room ... most of whom are unmasked.

The imagery brings all the worry to life ... thousands of people are lined up outside the Tulsa venue where Donald Trump will hold his campaign rally Saturday night, and it's hard to spot masks in the crowd.

The venue itself will hold around 19,000 people ... all of whom will sit inside for hours waiting for the rally to begin. City officials say as many as 100,000 people may turn up for the event. As we reported, doctors believe just based on the people who get inside the venue ... 800 to 1,000 will contract the virus.

Trump's anti-mask message has clearly connected with his followers, despite the clear science that masks help prevent the spread of the virus.

Authorities are expecting protesters at the rally ... one's already been arrested for trespassing, despite the fact she was peacefully protesting. And, Trump has dog whistled on Twitter that some of the protesters -- or as he calls them "lowlifes" -- will be met with violence if they dare make their presence known.

Originally Published -- 10:41 AM PT

Lamar Jackson Terrifyingly Falls Over Jet Ski ... In Beach Football Sesh

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File under: Things Your Superstar QB Should NEVER Do!

Here's video footage of Lamar Jackson tumbling over a jet ski and into ocean water in a beach football game over the weekend ... and we gotta say, it's terrifying!!!

The NFL MVP was getting in a little run with his bros on the sand ... when he started doing Lamar Jackson things.

The clip is pretty crazy ... Jackson's acceleration from zero-to-sprint is INSANE -- but when he finished off the run, John Harbaugh and ALL of Ravens nation couldn't have been happy.

Check out the clip, Jackson tumbled and dove headfirst over a waverunner ... and it's maybe the scariest hit he took in all of this past calendar year.

Fortunately, LJ came up from the fall just fine ... but, man, SHEEESSSSHHHHH!!

Of course, beach football injuries are VERY real ... remember, star NFL running back Robert Edwards completely shredded his knee in an infamous sand game back at the 1999 Pro Bowl.

We're sure Jackson's being as careful as possible ... but maybe opt for Frisbee next time!?!?

UT's B.J. Foster Broke Hand In Car-Punching Fit ... Coach Says

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Univ. of Texas star defensive back B.J. Foster won't have full use of one of his hands for a bit ... his coach says he broke it punching his car in a fit of anger.

Tom Herman told reporters Thursday the junior came out to his vehicle in a parking lot ... and when he saw it had been hit (plus, the other driver didn't leave a note) -- he exploded.

"He got a little angry and decided he was going to take it out on the car bumper," Herman said.

The result? The coach says Foster broke the fifth metacarpal in his hand punching the ride and will require a cast to heal the injury.

"We had a long conversation on that," Herman said. "Every time, in my 45 years on a planet, when a player gets in a fight with an inanimate object, usually the inanimate object wins."

Good news, though ... Herman says Foster will still be able to work out with the Longhorns despite the cast -- and is expected to make a full recovery in time for the season.

Ice up, B.J.!!!

Tony Hawk Gnarly X-Rays After Scary Skate Wreck ... 'Still Love My Job'

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Tony Hawk is proudly showing off the wild x-rays from his most recent skateboarding accident ... saying docs had to cut his wedding ring off in order to put his fingers back in place.

Of course, the GOAT revealed he dislocated his fingers in a nasty accident over the weekend ... when he was skating with his son and some friends at an empty backyard pool.

"The session was fun until I did a backside smith stall as a set up for a backside blunt, and suddenly found myself on the flat bottom with my fingers bending in new directions," Hawk said at the time.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Hawk was rushed to the hospital to get his fingers locked back into place ... and luckily, he's gonna make a full recovery.

Now, the 52-year-old has some new souvenirs in the x-rays following the debacle ... and the way he describes what the docs had to do is CRINGE.

"They had to cut my ring off before returning my bones to their full upright and locked position. My fingers are still sore / stiff / swollen but mostly functional."

But, if you think this is gonna stop Hawk from skating again ... you're DEAD wrong.

"And I still love my job."

Buffalo Cops Felony Assault Charges for Shoving Man

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UPDATE

4:24 PM PT -- 6/10 During his news conference last week, Mayor Brown discussed both Gugino's case as well as the case of Myles Carter, a protester who was arrested earlier in the week. He referred to Carter as an "agitator." He was not talking about Gugino.

UPDATE

8:18 AM PT -- Buffalo PD officers Aron Torgalski and Robert McCabe are now facing felony charges. Erie County D.A., John J. Flynn, says the cops were both charged with 2nd-degree felony assault.

UPDATE
Buffalo PD officers Aron Torgalski and Robert McCabe are now facing felony charges. The Erie County D.A. says the cops were both charged with 2nd-degree felony assault.
I'M ON JUSTICE'S SIDE
UPDATE

They've been released on their own recognizance.

UPDATE

8:02 AM PT -- The 2 officers involved in shoving Gugino will reportedly be charged with 2nd-degree assault. They're expected to be arraigned shortly.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown held a news conference discussing police action against protesters in his city ... including the 75-year-old man who was knocked down by Buffalo cops

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"HE'S BLEEDING OUT OF HIS EARS!!!"

The Mayor said NY State Troopers had arrested one man he described as a "key and major instigator" of people who were looting and/or vandalizing.

He also addressed the police brutality against Martin Gugino by laying out the instructions Buffalo cops were given regarding dealing with protests.

Mayor Brown said officers were told to be careful and "protect our residents, protect peaceful protesters and use common sense." He said he would not call for the firing off the 2 officers involved in the Gugino incident, and wanted them to have due process.

As you know, Gugino was standing all by himself when he was shoved to the ground, and left bleeding from the head and ear.

As we reported, 57 other officers resigned from Buffalo's Emergency Response Team in solidarity with the 2 cops who were suspended for the incident.

Gugino remains hospitalized, but his attorney says he is "alert and oriented."

Originally Published -- 6/6 7:06 AM PT

Buffalo Police Department 57 Officers Resign ... Supporting Cops Who Shoved Man

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"HE'S BLEEDING OUT OF HIS EARS!!!"

The entire Emergency Response Team at the Buffalo Police Department has resigned in a show of solidarity for the cops suspended for shoving an elderly man to the ground.

A total of about 57 officers walked off the job Friday, though they are still employed with the police department -- just no longer on the ERT ... according to WIVB reporter Dave Greber.

The move comes less than 24 hours after video surfaced showing cops in heavy gear shoving 75-year-old Martin Gugino even though he was NOT being physically confrontational. A rep for Buffalo PD allegedly told a lcoal reporter the man was injured when he "tripped and fell," but the video shows that's clearly not the case.

Gugino started bleeding from his head and lay motionless immediately after his head hit the pavement.

The Buffalo Police Commissioner took swift action in announcing the 2 officers involved were suspended without pay. The Mayor of Buffalo said he was deeply disturbed over the incident, adding the elderly man is in serious but stable condition.