Sports

Ricochet's controversial post telling a woman he's "glad" she has multiple sclerosis has had a major impact on his family -- the AEW star's wife, former WWE announcer Samantha Irvin, went to social media to share deeply concerning messages she has received amid the backlash.

Irvin -- who deactivated her X account after her husband's distasteful exchange -- published several screenshots of DMs she's gotten on Instagram this week ... with some users going as far as threatening her and Ricochet's lives.

The original comment came after a woman criticized Ricochet's acting skills -- he then replied by saying, "I'm glad you got MS."

The woman followed up with, "Well if that makes you happy have a great life ..."

While Ricochet was clearly in character, most wrestling fans say he took his role too far ... and he apparently agreed because he later deleted the comment and apologized.

"I took out my hatred for the IWC [internet wrestling community] on Sandi, and inadvertently others who are effected by MS," Ricochet said. "She didnt deserve it and for that, I sincerely apologize."

Byron Scott -- a three-time NBA champion with the Showtime Lakers and former NBA Coach of the Year -- wants back on the sidelines … and he’s got his eyes locked on Arizona State.

TMZ Sports caught up with the longtime NBA figure, who also had head coaching stints with the Nets, Hornets, Cavs and Lakers … and when the Sun Devils opening came up following Bobby Hurley’s exit, Scott didn’t hesitate.

“Oh, I have a ton of interest,” he said.

For Scott, this isn’t just another job -- it’s personal. He starred at Arizona State in the early ‘80s, and his connection to the program still runs deep.

Shaquille O'Neal is mourning the death of 12-year-old Jada West, who passed away after a fight with a classmate earlier this month ... and the NBA legend is looking to help the grieving family by offering to cover her funeral expenses, saying, "No parent should ever have to bury their child."

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office revealed the gesture this week ... after West, a sixth-grader at Mason Creek Middle School in Winston, Georgia, passed away following an apparent off-campus bullying incident with another student on March 5.

The DCSO said O'Neal, who serves as Chief of Community Relations for the Henry County Sheriff's Office, was heartbroken by the news and wanted to help the West family by covering the funeral costs so they wouldn't have to bear the burden.

UFC Freedom 250 has secured an organization to oversee the fights at the White House ... Dana White's promotion partnered with the Association of Boxing Commissions, which will officially license and regulate the bouts on the South Lawn.

The move allows the UFC to sidestep the local D.C. Sports Commission after the group voiced concerns over the event.

The UFC shared the news Thursday morning, announcing ABC "will serve as an independent third party to advise on the regulatory operations for the unprecedented UFC event scheduled for Sunday, June 14, on the grounds of the iconic White House."

Without a sanctioning body's involvement, the White House fights would not count as professional bouts.

Tom Brady was unhinged during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft on Wednesday ... throwing shots at his upcoming opponents left and right -- but one jab at Joe Burrow seemed a little too on the nose.

The G.O.A.T was present for the selection ceremony in Los Angeles ... where there was plenty of trash talk from all the guys involved as they learned which squad they'd represent on Saturday.

At one moment, when host Kevin Hart was introducing the Wildcats team, Brady said it was fitting of Joey B to play for them after the weekend he had with Alix Earle, Tate McRae and Stassie Karanikolaou.

March Madness always delivers a moment -- this one just happened to be wearing Speedos.

Midway through the second half of Miami (Ohio)’s First Four matchup against SMU, what should’ve been a routine trip to the free-throw line turned into something else entirely. As SMU’s Corey Washington stepped up, a group of RedHawks fans -- clad in nothing but Speedos, swim caps and goggles -- stormed the aisle behind the basket.

But it wasn’t random ... it's become a tradition.

Steph Curry's stroll to the tunnel at the Warriors vs. Celtics game got derailed ... when an overzealous fan crossed the line and yanked at the NBA superstar's arm -- a wild moment that was caught on video.

The shocking interaction went down at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts ... when the Warriors -- who played without Curry due to a knee injury -- faced the Celtics on Wednesday evening.

In the clip, Curry is making his way toward the locker rooms as fans gather with their phones and hands out, hoping for a quick interaction with the four-time NBA champion ... but the first one to reach him ruined it for everyone.

You can see the fan's hand grab Curry's left arm, yanking him back ... and from his stunned expression, Steph was completely caught off guard, even seeming to mouth the word "Whoa" before he kept it moving.

South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson isn’t just chasing a March Madness upset -- he’s coaching for his dad.

Hodgson got emotional talking to TMZ Sports ahead of No. 11 USF’s first-round matchup with No. 6 Louisville … revealing his father, Larry, is battling dementia -- but is still doing well enough to understand what’s about to happen.

And what’s about to happen is huge.

Robbie Avila -- the goggle-wearing big man who went viral as “College Jokic” for his throwback game and elite passing -- isn’t just cooking on the court … he’s racking up an all-time nickname collection.

Before March Madness truly tips off, TMZ Sports caught up with the Saint Louis star to run through the internet’s best monikers -- and one stood out above the rest: “Cream Abdul-Jabbar.”

“That’s the most creative nickname I’ve ever heard,” Avila said. “It’s hilarious, I love it.”

The specs and old-school style make it hit even harder for the 6-foot-10 sensation who has the Billikens dancing into the NCAA Tournament with a 28-5 record.

Stumped filling out your March Madness bracket?! Dan Dakich is here to help ... giving us his picks ahead of the NCAA Tourney tip-off -- just don't expect a whole bunch of upsets, or Cinderella runs!

TMZ Sports caught up with the longtime college hoops coach turned host of Outkick's Don't @ Me podcast, who says the tournament feels top-heavy with only a handful of teams that can actually win it all -- and he’s riding with the big dogs.

“I’ll take my chances with Duke and Michigan,” Dakich said, adding Florida’s right there, too. “I think one of those teams wins it.”

For the first time since being arraigned on a second-degree attempted murder charge ... TMZ Sports has learned that Antonio Brown is set to leave the state of Florida ... with the former NFL star heading out west to California.

According to court documents, AB's lawyer -- Mark Eiglarsh -- filed the motion on Tuesday. It asks the court to allow Brown to travel to Southern California "for a medical examination."

"Since his release, he has been fully compliant and has adhered to all terms and
conditions imposed by the Court," Eiglarsh said in the request.

AEW star Ricochet is facing a ton of backlash this week ... after he told a woman he's "glad" she's battling multiple sclerosis ... leading the wrestler to share his regret over the statement.

The exchange went down on March 16 ... when the woman appeared to be criticizing the former WWE talent's acting abilities.

Ricochet then apparently went to her page and read her bio -- which shared a motivational line about her experience with the chronic autoimmune disease -- because his response made a reference to it.

Sarah Jane Ramos is back on social media after calling off her wedding to Dallas Cowboys superstar Dak Prescott -- posting a series of photos showing her smiling with their two children.

The 32-year-old provided the update on Wednesday ... and it's great to see after the whirlwind past few weeks she's had.

Ramos' bright grin suggests she's doing okay following her split from Prescott -- TMZ Sports broke the news nearly two weeks ago that the couple would not be tying the knot in Lake Como, Italy, on April 10.

Jack Hughes can keep pushing all he wants … but it sounds like that golden goal puck is staying put -- permanently.

Despite the New Jersey Devils star publicly blasting the Hockey Hall of Fame and trying to reclaim the piece of history, the Hall is making one thing clear to TMZ Sports: it’s not going anywhere.

Enter Phil Pritchard -- aka the “Keeper of the Cup” and VP of the Hall -- who basically shut the door on Hughes’ hopes.

Opening Day is next week, but baseball fans better start making room in their stomachs now ... 'cause TMZ Sports got an inside look at menus from several teams across MLB -- and they'll have a root-root-rooting for the home team!!

The Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Marlins, Nationals, Orioles, Rays and White Sox revealed some of the specialty menu items from Levy Restaurants that will be available when the first pitch is thrown.

For those in the DMV hoping to catch a Nationals game, the DC Monument Chicken Tower has it all. Inspired by the Washington Monument ... it comes with grilled chicken, smoked bacon, mixed greens, creamy chipotle ranch and gruyère cheese on a soft pretzel bun.

Some guys let themselves go in retirement … but Blake Griffin clearly hasn’t!!!

The former NBA star hit the beach with his fiancée, Francesca Aiello, and let’s just say -- the dude is still in peak form. Griffin went shirtless for the outing, rocking a pair of green shorts and showing off his ripped, tanned physique as the couple strolled along the sand.

Francesca -- a swimwear designer who owns Frankies Bikinis -- was just as eye-catching … stunning in a patterned bikini while the two held hands and soaked up the sun, with their dog tagging along for the beach day.