Dallas Cowboys' Gerald McCoy Suffers Gruesome Leg Injury ... Out For Season

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Huge blow for the Dallas Cowboys ... star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy just suffered a gnarly quad injury in practice -- and the team now says he's DONE for the 2021 season.

Reporters on scene in Dallas say the defensive lineman -- who just signed a 3-year, $18 MILLION contract with the team this offseason -- went down awkwardly during Monday's workout.

According to multiple witnesses, McCoy was stepped on by a teammate in a routine drill -- and could NOT put weight on the leg as trainers helped the 6-time Pro Bowler to the locker room.

Cowboys exec Stephen Jones confirmed a short time later that McCoy ruptured his right quad tendon -- and will now be headed for season-ending surgery.

32-year-old McCoy was expected to be a key player in the middle of the Cowboys' defense this season ... head coach Mike McCarthy had just praised him earlier this month, saying, "we look for him to be a force inside."

The Cowboys will now turn to players like Antwaun Woods, Dontari Poe and Trysten Hill to try to fill the void.

Bellator's Corey Anderson Terrified I Was Gonna Die ... After Medical Emergency

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Bellator star Corey Anderson says he literally feared for his life after a super scary medical incident ... which ultimately lead to him leaving the UFC.

Remember, the 30-year-old MMA star "blacked out and collapsed" on February 21 while outdoors scouting land ... smashing his face on the gravel road.

Corey was rushed to the hospital ... where 1 doctor told him something was wrong with his heart.

Anderson -- one of the most feared fighters in the world with wins over guys like Johnny Walker and Glover Teixeira -- admits he was literally afraid he was going to die.

"It was a scary process. You don't know if one, is your heart gonna be okay, two, every night you go to sleep, is my heart gonna stop in the middle of the night?"

Shortly after the incident, Anderson -- a top 5 UFC light heavyweight at the time -- asked Dana White to release him from his contract (which DW did) ... before ultimately signing with Bellator.

Long story short, Corey said his decision was financially motivated -- he thinks Bellator will be more lucrative for him in the long run, so he signed on the dotted line.

We asked Corey who his first Bellator opponent will be -- but they're still working out those details

As for his health, Anderson says his heart is good -- he's fully recovered -- and he's ready to fight.

NBA's Derrick Jones, Jr. Stretchered Off Court After Scary Collision

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Frightening moment during the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers game ... when forward Derrick Jones, Jr. had to be stretchered off the court following a hard collision.

Jones -- the 2020 Slam Dunk champion -- collided with Pacers player Goga Bitadze in the second half of Friday's matchup ... when the center set a pick that sent DJJ to the ground.

Reporters on the scene say Jones, Jr. was lying face-down on the court for several minutes before he was put on a stretcher with a neck brace.

Jones -- who grabbed his neck as soon as he started falling to the ground -- was chasing forward Doug McDermott as he collided with Bitadze's shoulder.

No word on Derrick's status ... but here's hoping he's okay.

Jones has had a breakthrough season for the #4-seed Heat ... averaging 8.6 points a game.

Allen Merrick UAB Football Player Dead At 19 After Apparent Accidental Shooting

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UAB freshman linebacker Allen Merrick has died at age 19 .... after suffering a gunshot wound in what cops are describing as an apparent accidental shooting.

Details on the incident are unclear at this time, other than it happened in Merrick's hometown of Gadsden, Alabama. We're working on it.

UAB football head coach Bill Clark rushed to support Merrick and his family in the wake of the shooting. He had asked people to send prayers and support on Friday ... but unfortunately, Merrick passed away a short time later.

"Please pray for the family of Allen Merrick, a young man who joined our UAB Football Family this season," Clark said at the time.

"Allen was visiting home in Gadsden yesterday when he suffered a gunshot wound. He is at UAB Hospital where I've been with Allen's family, but I do not have a condition I can share at this time."

Gadsden PD confirmed the news to AL.com on Friday ... saying the investigation is ongoing, but it appears to be an accidental shooting.

Merrick -- a 3-star prospect -- was a star for Gadsden High ... earning Defensive Player of the Year honors.

"I ask that everyone please respect his family's privacy and keep them all in your prayers."

RIP

Chip Banks Ex-NFL Star Injured In Georgia Shooting ... 'Serious Condition'

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Former All-Pro linebacker Chip Banks -- the #3 overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft -- is fighting for his life after he was shot in an apparent targeted attack in Georgia ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Cops tell us officers responded to a call about a shooting in the Atlanta area around noon on Wednesday and arrived to find 3 victims -- including Banks -- suffering from gunshot wounds.

One of the men, cops say, was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.

The other two men -- including Banks -- were "alert, conscious and breathing" and transported to a local hospital for treatment, officials added.

We're told 60-year-old Banks, the 1982 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is currently in "serious condition."

As for how the shooting went down ... cops told local media outlets Wednesday they believe a group of 5 or 6 men with masks on rolled up to the residence, shot a man in the driveway and then went inside and shot the other two men before running off.

Cops told local outlets they do not believe the shooting was random -- in other words, it appears at least one of the men was the target of a hit.

"Detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident," a spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Dept. tells us. "The investigation continues."

Banks was a pretty big star in the NFL in the 1980s and early 1990s ... playing for the Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.

Banks -- who was drafted out of USC ahead of guys like Jim McMahon and Marcus Allen in 1982 -- was a 4-time Pro Bowler in his 10 seasons in the league.

UFC's Joe Pyfer Gruesome Elbow Injury Mid-Fight ... Dana White Nearly Hurls!!!

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WARNING: THIS IS GNARLY!!!!

UFC fighter Joe Pyfer's elbow bent in a way no person's arm EVER should in his fight with Dustin Stoltzfus on Tuesday ... and it was so gruesome, Dana White nearly threw up ringside!

The disturbing injury all went down at DW’s Contender Series 28 ... where late in the 1st round of the Stoltzfus-Pyfer tilt, Pyfer was tossed and extended his arm to break his fall.

The problem? As Stoltzfus' weight crashed down on Pyfer ... his arm exploded outward -- dislocating at the elbow!!!

Here's the raw video -- but warning -- it's GROSS!

The fight was immediately waived off ... and the injury was so bad, when cameras cut to White, he was squirming in his seat and holding himself back from hurling!!!

Dana later commented ... saying, "I’m glad [Pyfer] only dislocated his elbow and didn’t break it on tonight’s Contender Series."

081220_joe_pyfer_4833371 :: 0_4kua01on :: 0_wshaw5qh
DOWN FOR THE COUNT

Despite the horrifying scene ... Pyfer took it all in stride -- he actually appeared to apologize to Stoltzfus and said straight up, "This sucks, bro."

YA THINK!?

Pyfer posted footage of himself in the hospital afterward vowing to come back.

Feel better, bro.

Simon Cowell Breaks Back on E-Bike ... 'AGT' Judges Respond

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UPDATE

3:07 PM PT -- Looks like the rest of the 'AGT' judges are sending their well-wishes to their leader. Sofia Vergara posted a photo of her Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel gesturing to Simon's empty chair, while wearing face masks.

UPDATE

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UPDATE

She captioned the photo, "We miss our boss!! Come back fast @simoncowell!!🚑 🚑"

UPDATE

2:11 PM PT -- Cowell's nasty bike accident turned into a 6-hour long surgery ... but what is still unknown is how it will affect is work. "America's Got Talent" is set to resume live shows on August 11.

Simon Cowell didn't get far on his new electric bike, he crashed and broke his back.

Simon was tooling around his Malibu estate Saturday on his new bike, apparently trying to get the hang of it, when he fell to the ground and seriously injured himself.

Cowell was taken to a nearby hospital and will undergo surgery.

In a very British statement, his rep said, "Simon had a fall from his bike on Saturday afternoon whilst testing his new electric bike in the courtyard at his house in Malibu with his family."

FYI ... some of these electric bikes can go as fast as 28 MPH at full throttle, and pedaling makes it go even faster. If the bike goes down ... well, it's trouble ahead.

Originally published -- 6:20 AM PT

Parachuting Buffoon Glides into Cleveland Apt. Building ... How Ya Doing, Neighbor?!?

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Cleveland was more See-Where-You-Land Saturday night -- 'cause a guy parachuted into the downtown night scene ... and smacked himself against a building only to be left dangling.

Check out this crazy video that was taken right in the heart of downtown Cleveland, where some bozo glided down from the night sky and ran right into an apartment complex, which luckily snagged his 'chute toward the top and kept him from plunging two stories down.

Waiting for your permission to load the Facebook Post.

Like we said, the guy kinda splats into the wall here -- but, surprisingly, he seems to be okay(ish) ... except the fact he's got no way to get down potentially falling. As he squirms around to free himself, the videographer notes that he and his friend should probably help.

Of course, they seem to take their sweet time as they watch the funny scene unfold and a crowd begins to gather below. This could've turned out a lot worse, but considering the man appears to be fine up there (for the most part), ya can't knock 'em for soaking it in.

BTW, the guy eventually got rescued by firefighters -- and later, he told cops he and a few friends jumped from a plane, although it's unclear from where originally. The others reportedly landed safely in a nearby park, but this joker ended up breaking his leg in the whole ordeal.

The question we have ... how'd the person whose window is facing out from that level feel to have this guy's crotch and ass plastered all over your view? Anything goes in the Land!

NHL's Tucker Poolman Shows Off Swollen, Scabbed Face After Blocking Shot W/ Jaw

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Wanna see what a face looks like after it takes a puck straight to the jaw in an NHL game??

Good ... 'cause Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tucker Poolman just revealed the injuries he suffered after blocking a shot with his cheek this week -- and they're gnarly!!

The 27-year-old NHL player was with his teammate Andrew Copp in the hockey bubble when he showed off the battle wounds ... and you can see the dude's face is swollen and scabbed.

"Guy's got a golf ball on the side of his cheek," Copp said of his teammate.

As we previously reported, Poolman went down to block a shot in the second period of the Jets' game against the Flames on Tuesday night ... but the frozen rubber ended up catching him right in the face.

Tucker immediately collapsed to the ice ... and blood spewed everywhere -- leaving a long trail of red as he hurried into the locker room.

But, the guy got stitched back up and played in the third period ... and clearly -- his teammates respect the hell out of him for the toughness.

"Absolute warrior," Copp said.

Indeed!!

NHL's Tucker Poolman Takes Puck To Face ... Huge Trail Of Blood On Ice

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Here's reason #10,000,000,0001 why hockey players are tough as hell ...

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tucker Poolman took a puck straight to the mouth Tuesday night ... and after bleeding all over the ice -- HE RETURNED TO THE GAME!!!

The scene was terrifying ... in the second period of the Jets vs. Flames tilt -- a Calgary player flipped a wrist shot at the net.

The problem? Poolman put his face in the way to stop the shot ... and the 27-year-old took the brunt of the piece of rubber right to the side of the jaw.

Poolman began immediately spewing blood from his mouth ... and as he bolted for the locker room with trainers -- he left a trail of red spanning about 15 yards!!

Somehow ... Pullman was able to shake off the injury -- and returned for more action in the third period with a huge cage around his face.

After the game, Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Poolman required sutures and has a welt the size of FIVE GOLF BALLS on his face ... but said the D-man should be OK going forward.

"We're lucky to have him," Maurice said.

Hockey, man.

Tropical Storm Isaias Topples Trees Across NYC and NJ ... One Man Crushed to Death

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Tropical Storm Isaias is leaving a deadly trail across the New York City area, knocking out power and uprooting dozens of trees ... one of which crushed a man in his car.

That horrific incident went down Tuesday afternoon in Queens as the storm pounded the city. According to reports ... the man was sitting in his car when an enormous tree violently crashed down on him.

The storm's intense, high winds have taken out trees in neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut as well -- destroying a lot of property. Plenty of videos popping up on social media show trees toppling over on tight city streets.

Let's face it, when big trees go down in congested areas like NYC, there's no margin for error -- there's gonna be damage.

So far, the Queens man is the only fatality in the NY area, but Isaias -- which made landfall yesterday in the Carolinas as a category 1 hurricane -- has killed 3 other people as it marched up the east coast.

The storm is also creating life-threatening flooding in many areas.

FL White Supremacist Attack Woman Who Was Smacked Seriously Injured, Donations Pour In

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The woman who was viciously attacked by a white supremacist in Florida is getting a boon of support with tons of cash ... something that will be needed to help with the pain of her injuries.

Kisha Biche's the one who got struck in the face by Nicholas Shock -- this after he went on a racist tirade, describing himself as a white supremacist. Her hubby, Tom Biche, tells TMZ, Kisha actually held off going to the hospital right after the attack, but eventually checked in later that night after the adrenaline wore off and the pain set in.

As it turns out, we're told she actually suffered a concussion -- and she's experiencing some serious symptoms as a result.

Among those symptoms -- headaches, nausea, whiplash and bruising as well, which we're told is popping up all over her body for some reason. He tells us plainly her head's not working quite right ... she's having a hard time remembering things.

Lucky for her, we're told her friends set up a GoFundMe to help her during this difficult time of recovery -- and tons of people are pitching in from all over, even strangers.

The initial goal was $10,000 -- but the money has well surpassed that, and its current benchmark is set at $25k. The description for the virtual fundraiser says the money's meant to help offset dough she's missing out on at her bartender job -- not to mention medical bills.

Of course, Shock was arrested and booked for battery and disturbing the peace. On what the Biches think should happen to him, Tom tells us he hopes the guy finds peace with himself.

NFL's Tom Coughlin Breaks 4 Ribs, Punctures Lung ... In Bike Accident

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Former Jacksonville Jaguars exec and Super Bowl-winning head coach Tom Coughlin is in recovery after being hit while riding his bicycle over the weekend, according to reports.

73-year-old Coughlin says he was riding in Jacksonville when another biker "came out of nowhere" and hit him, the NFL legend told ESPN.

Coughlin was pretty banged up in the accident -- claiming he suffered 4 broken ribs, a punctured lung and required stitches.

Get this -- Coughlin initially didn't want to go to the hospital ... but family members were able to persuade him to go to the emergency room for X-rays and a CT Scan.

Coughlin became an NFL coach in 1984 ... most notably with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants. T.C. led the G-Men to 2 Super Bowl championships over Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

Coughlin -- who  served as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations with the Jags until 2019 -- will take about 6-8 weeks to recover, according to the report.

MLB Ump Joe West Bloodied After Accidental Bat To Head ... Returns After Stitches

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Umpire Hit
UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT
UPDATE

2:02 PM PT -- West just returned to the field ... now umping from third base.

UPDATE

Washington Nationals broadcasters say he required stitches to close the wound.

Scary scene on the diamond Thursday ... MLB ump Joe West took an accidental bat to the side of the head -- and was forced to leave the game after he couldn't stop the bleeding.

It all went down just a few minutes ago in the Nationals vs. Blue Jays game in D.C. ... when Toronto star Bo Bichette swung at a pitch but accidentally let the bat slip from his grasp.

The piece of lumber went backward, connected right to the side of 67-year-old West's head ... and immediately, players signaled for trainers to rush over.

West was bleeding profusely from his ear area ... and despite medical personnel pressing a towel on the wound -- he was forced to go into the locker room for further treatment.

It should be noted ... West didn't seem out of it, and cameras actually caught him smiling -- but there's been no official update from MLB on his status yet.

Originally Published -- 1:47 PM PT

Bryan Cranston 'One of the Lucky Ones' w/ COVID-19 ... I'm Donating Plasma!!!

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Bryan Cranston's one of the millions who've contracted the coronavirus, but he says he was lucky to have mild symptoms ... and now he's doing his part to help others.

The "Breaking Bad" star just shared a video of himself going through the process of donating plasma, which contains COVID-19 antibodies and can hopefully be of good medical and scientific use in the future.

Along with the vid, Bryan revealed he tested positive for the virus pretty early on and had some of the common mild symptoms -- headache, tightness in his chest and loss of taste and smell. He points out it affects everyone differently, though, and tragically ... has now resulted in more than 150,000 deaths in the U.S.

So, the actor's encouraging people to remain patient and vigilant -- and keep following the rules -- in order to prevail through this pandemic.

And, for other "lucky ones" out there like him, he's also providing a pretty great tutorial on how to contribute in the battle against COVID-19.

Of course, Cranston makes it pretty entertaining too.

Ex-College Football Player Shot In Liquor Store Fight ... Terrifying Video

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A former Buffalo State football player is fighting for his life after being shot during an altercation at a liquor store Monday ... and cops have released the shocking footage in hopes of catching the suspect.
FISTS TO FIREARMS
UPDATE

1:21 PM PT -- The NYPD says it apprehended the shooting suspect late Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE

"Great investigative work done by the 105 Precinct Detective Squad, Queens South Homicide, Sergeant Castle, Detective Covatti & the rest of Team Castle from Regional Fugitive Task Force for apprehending Jeffrey Thurston in less than 48 hours," NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said.

A former Buffalo State football player is fighting for his life after being shot during an altercation at a liquor store Monday ... and cops have released the shocking footage in hopes of catching the suspect.

NYPD officials say a fight broke out between Malachi Capers -- a former D-end at Buff. State -- and another man after the two bumped into each other inside 136 Deli & Grill in Queens.

You can see in surveillance footage of the incident ... Capers brushed up against the man's shoulder -- and then the two exchanged words.

Eventually, fists started flying ... and that's when the former football player tackled the guy to the ground outside the store.

When the man was able to free himself from Capers' grasp ... you can see in the video, he pulled out a firearm and shot the 20-year-old in the stomach.

Capers is now reportedly in the hospital battling critical injuries.

Now, the NYPD says it's looking for the gunman -- who officials ID'ed as Jeffrey Thurston -- and is asking for any help in finding his location.

Buffalo State head coach Christian Ozolins, meanwhile, released a statement to multiple media outlets regarding the shooting ... saying, "Malachi was a well-liked member of our football family during his freshman year in 2018 and has remained a friend to many in our program as he has continued his education at Buffalo State after leaving the team due to on-going injury issues."

"We have him in our thoughts as we wish for a speedy and full recovery."

Originally published -- 7:32 AM PT