TMZ Sports

Golf legend John Daly says he has undergone a procedure to treat bladder cancer ... but doctors told him there's a high probability it returns.

54-year-old Daly -- who famously won the PGA Championship in '91 -- says he had been battling back pain and kidney stones in recent weeks.

But, after he passed the stones, Daly was still experiencing pain and doctors ultimately determined he had cancer.

"[The urologist said] it doesn't look like any stones are in there. But unfortunately, you have bladder cancer," Daly told the Golf Channel.

"After I did the CT [scan] I was fixing to sip on my Diet Coke and he said, 'Don't drink anything. We have to get you back in here and get this cancer out of you.'"

Daly says he's already had a surgery to remove the cancer -- but doctors say the fight is far from over.

"[The doctor] said there's an 85% chance it comes back. So, I've got to go back and see him in 3 months. They will probably have to cut it out again," Daly said.

"It's probably going to come back, and then another 3 months that you don't know. You just don't know. Luckily for me, they caught it early, but bladder cancer is something that I don't know all the details. But, it doesn't look like it may go away. We will just see what happens. Maybe, there's a miracle."

Daly says he will fight hard -- and will even change his diet and smoking habits as a result of the diagnosis.

"I'm cutting way, way back on the Diet Coke and counting minutes before I can have a cigarette. I'm trying to quit smoking," Daly said.

He INSISTS he's retired ... but Conor McGregor says he agreed to be drug tested on his yacht Friday, just in case he feels like fighting again soon.

HE'S GOTTA BE COMING BACK, RIGHT?!

The Irish superstar says reps for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) "have just arrived to my yacht this morning for testing."

Conor posted a pic of the pee cup and the letter from USADA explaining the process.

But, in a Twitter caption, McGregor seemed surprised to see the UFC's drug testers ... even though, NOBODY really believes he's actually retired.

"What’s going on here @ufc? USADA have just arrived to my yacht this morning for testing? I’ve retired guys! But go on then, I’ll allow them test me. It’s all natural here baby!  Forever and always, God Bless."

So, WHO will Conor fight? WHEN will Conor fight?

Conor may have tipped his hand in his next tweet directed at Nate Diaz -- "Juice head rats @NateDiaz209."

Could we finally get our trilogy fight with Nate?

We know he desperately wants a rematch with Khabib as well.

And, don't forget Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson and Khamzat Chimaev are waiting for a crack at Conor too!

But, first things first, enjoy breakfast ... pass the drug test and we'll see what happens next.

His brother is Patrick Mahomes. His father is a former MLB pitcher. Even his godfather, LaTroy Hawkins, threw in the big leagues as well.

Jackson Mahomes -- Pat's little bro who isn't a pro athlete -- says living in that shadow wasn't easy at all ... and claims it was TikTok that helped him get out from under it.

The younger Mahomes said in a video Thursday, growing up as someone who wasn't in love with a sport like the rest of his family was SUPER hard on him.

"I loved basketball, I played it for so long, but I wasn't in love with it when I had the opportunity to go to college," Jackson said. "So, after that, I was very, like, lonely, upset. I didn't know what I was going to do with my life."

But, Jackson says once he began creating content for TikTok ... everything changed.

"Growing up, in everything I did, it was always like, 'Oh, look, it's Patrick Mahomes' brother,'" Jackson said.

"I'll never forget the first time that I was at a football game or at a store when people came up to me noticing me as Jackson from TikTok and not just Patrick Mahomes' brother."

Jackson is now a verified user on TikTok with nearly 1 MILLION followers ... and he just started up a YouTube channel that already has 18,000 followers as well.

Jackson says he's now created a clothing brand celebrating his new path ... and, he's decided to call it "Unathletic."

The Kansas City Chiefs have painted social justice messages in both end zones at Arrowhead Stadium ... as the team gets ready to kick off the 2020 season.

The phrases -- "End Racism" and "It Takes All Of Us" -- will be displayed throughout end zones across the league this season ... and were revealed prior to the Chief's season opener against the Houston Texans.

It's all part of the NFL's social justice push that came after several players banded together to demand more action from the league.

Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham and more called on the NFL to do more for victims of police brutality and social injustice in a powerful video back in June.

Roger Goodell and the league later admitted they mishandled players' peaceful protests -- including Colin Kaepernick's kneeling demonstration -- in the wake of several high profile incidents of police brutality.

There are reports players form both the Chiefs and Texans will participate in a demonstration or decide to stay in the locker rooms during the national anthem before Thursday's game.

The Miami Dolphins have already made their decision -- saying they will stay inside for both the national anthem and the Black national anthem this season in a powerful video.

"This attempt to unify only creates more divide," the players said. "So we will skip the song and dance, and as a team we'll stay inside."

It's the nickname born from a strip club chicken wing scandal -- "Lemon Pepper Lou" -- and now Lou Williams says he's trying to lock up the trademark.

The L.A. Clippers star says he's already tasked his lawyer to file for the rights to the nickname ... claiming if anyone should profit from the scandal, it should be him!!!

Remember, Lou was busted at the legendary Magic City strip club in ATL back in July while on an approved leave from the NBA Bubble to attend a memorial service.

He was specifically instructed to stay out of crowded areas due to the COVID pandemic -- but Lou had a hankering for MC's famous lemon pepper wings ... and made a pit stop at the club for some takeout.

Williams tried to keep a low profile, but rapper Jack Harlow accidentally dimed Williams out on IG ... which led to a mandatory 10-day quarantine when Lou finally returned to the bubble.

Social media went crazy over the story -- with everyone referring to Williams as "Lemon Pepper Lou."

But, Williams ain't mad about the jokes -- he's trying to MONETIZE! He immediately called his lawyer and ordered him to try and lock up the trademark for LPL, stat!

The whole trademark process can take a while -- but Lou says it's already begun ... and he's already cracking jokes about it.

"Ya'll make jokes and t shirts but it's gonna cost ya lol," Williams said on IG ... "Yep. First time I've owned a joke lol."

Gotta love the business savvy -- maybe a line of chicken wings next?

If Patrick Mahomes retired today, he WOULD get in the Hall of Fame ... so says his former teammate Spencer Ware, who tells TMZ Sports the QB's resume is already that damn good!

"He'll definitely get in there," Ware says.

The debate has been raging ever since the K.C. Chiefs superstar won his first ring last February ... with many saying the SB win over the 49ers punched his ticket to Canton.

Ware is firmly on the side that thinks Mahomes is already worthy ... telling us with an MVP award, a Super Bowl title AND other records -- Mahomes would get his vote.

Now, Ware IS a little biased ... the NFL RB has been Mahomes' teammate the past 3 seasons -- but he insists Pat's Super Bowl victory gave the QB enough to get the HOF nod already.

As for what's in store for Mahomes considering he's NOWHERE NEAR done yet ... Ware says he's envisioning AT LEAST 2 more rings for the Chiefs star in the next few years!

NFL wide receiver Josh Bellamy was arrested Thursday after officials say he misused government loans intended to help struggling businesses survive the COVID pandemic on lavish items like Gucci, Dior and casino trips.

31-year-old Bellamy -- who was cut by the NY Jets just 2 days ago -- is essentially accused of participating in a scheme in which people applied for more than $24 MILLION in PPP loans, intended for business owners to help stay afloat during the pandemic.

But, prosecutors say neither Bellamy nor his co-conspirators put the money toward their businesses -- instead, Bellamy blew a fortune on things like custom jewelry, designer clothes and casino trips.

In fact, officials say Bellamy spent $95k on custom jewelry, $5,381 at Gucci and $2,014 at Dior.

They also claim he dropped more than $62k during a recent trip to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Of the requested $24 mil, officials say Bellamy and his co-conspirators received roughly $17.4 million in PPP loans.

The alleged conspiracy is complicated but boils down to this ...

Officials believe Bellamy not only requested PPP loans for his own company based on false records ... but would then recruit others to apply for giant loans -- and when that money was received from the government, Bellamy would take a sizable kickback from the borrower.

By the way, prosecutors say Bellamy does technically own a business -- Drip Entertainment -- but officials say it hasnt been “active” since 2019.

Prosecutors say they have bank records showing Bellamy made large bank withdrawals recently -- taking around $302,800 between May and July 2020.

Officials say Bellamy executed the scheme while he was preparing for the 2020 NFL season.

If convicted, both the bank fraud and wire fraud charges carry lengthy prison sentences ... we're talkin' decades.

Bellamy was an undrafted free agent out of Louisville in 2012 -- and went on to play for the Chiefs, Bears, Jets and others.

Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson just came through in the clutch for each other's cities ... by donating meals to frontline workers in KC and Houston before facing off in the NFL season opener.

The Chiefs and Texans are set to kick-off the 2020 campaign Thursday night ... and the 2 quarterbacks decided to help their opposing team's city by sending some local grub to those battling the pandemic.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP decided to send some grub from Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill -- a Black-owned restaurant in Houston -- to workers at Harris Health System via Postmates.

Watson returned the favor by hooking up workers at the Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City with meals from Niecie's Restaurant, a local Black-owned soul food joint.

Let's not forget -- the last time these guys faced off on the field, the Texans blew a 24-0 lead in the divisional round of the playoffs as the Chiefs went on to win, 51-31 ... eventually winning the Super Bowl.

NASCAR star Bubba Wallace says he's officially parting ways with Richard Petty Motorsports after 3 years in the #43 car.

"This was not an easy decision as I have nothing but the utmost respect for Richard Petty and his family, but I believe it's time for someone else to take over the reins of the No. 43," Wallace said Thursday.

It doesn't seem like there's any bad blood -- in fact, Wallace praises Petty and the team "for giving me the opportunity to start my Cup Series career."

"I've grown so much as a driver and as a person since joining them."

Wallace notes he's still got 9 more races to drive under the Petty banner before moving on ... "and I hope we can finish the 2020 season on a high note."

According to The Athletic, Wallace's contract with RPM expires at the end of the season -- and he's simply choosing to explore his options elsewhere.

Wallace and Petty have been through a lot together this year -- the 83-year-old legend stood by Wallace (the only Black driver in NASCAR's Cup Series) after a noose was found in his garage at Talladega Superspeedway back in June.

"There is absolutely no place in our sport or our society for racism," 83-year-old Petty said at the time.

"This filthy act serves as a reminder of how far we still have to go to eradicate racial prejudice and it galvanizes my resolve to use the resources of Richard Petty Motorsports to create change."

Damian Lillard is giving rookie Michael Porter Jr. a quick lesson in what NOT to say to the media ... calling out the Nuggets baller for "selfish" comments he said after Wednesday's loss to the Clippers.

MPJ was an open book to reporters after Denver's 96-85 loss to LA ... questioning coach Mike Malone's game plan and suggesting he should get the ball more in order to win.

"I just think to beat that team, we've gotta get more players involved," MPJ said ... essentially saying he wanted the rock in his hands more often.

When asked if it were his place -- as a rookie -- to speak up to the coaching staff, 22-year-old Porter doubled down.

"If Imma be out there on the court playing a lot of minutes, I think I should voice that."

Enter Lillard -- who got wind of MPJ's comments and immediately let his feelings known by tweeting out, "Smdh ..."

Several Twitter users clapped back at Dame, saying Porter's comments weren't wrong, it just wasn't the right time to air out his feelings.

"Yes he is wrong," Lillard responded. "If you know you know and ima leave it at that" ... adding, "clearly y’all mfs think on a selfish level to think this is coo ."

Lillard explains his problem with the comments ... saying, "If I want to win ima have this conversation with my coaches and teammates and express that."

"This is their second time being down 3-1 so if [Nikola Jokic] and [Jamal] Murray didn’t carry them here we wouldn’t be having this convo."

Others cited Kobe Bryant's "Mamba Mentality" when defending MPJ's comments ... but Dame says this is NOTHING like that.

"The disrespect smh."

Boxing star Gervonta Davis is finally admitting he was "wrong" for getting violent with his ex-GF back in February ... and claims he's since sought professional help.

As we previously reported ... the 25-year-old WBA lightweight champ was caught on camera aggressively grabbing his ex, whom he has a child with, at a celeb basketball game in Miami on Feb. 1.

Footage of the altercation was disturbing ... it showed the boxing superstar clearly putting his hands near the woman's neck and violently grabbing her away from her courtside seat.

In other angles of the incident, obtained by TMZ Sports, the footage appeared to show Davis later attempting to throw a punch at the woman when the two got inside the locker room area.

Police say the woman suffered injuries to her lip and left jaw in the altercation ... and Davis was eventually arrested and hit with two charges of misdemeanor battery.

Now, Davis -- who's pleaded not guilty to the charges -- is speaking out about it all ... admitting on the Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer that he wishes things had gone differently.

"I was just mad," said Davis, who claimed the whole thing started because he was angry over the woman attending the event. "And, once I seen her, it's not [like] I grabbed her by her neck, I grabbed her shirt, like, you gotta get outta here type thing."

"And, I probably was wrong for doing that. I WAS wrong for doing that. But, it wasn't so much of not me trying to hit her, it was just me angry."

Davis -- who had said immediately after the incident he NEVER hit the woman -- insisted yet again on the podcast he did NOT physically strike his ex with his fists in the confrontation.

"I'm a fighter," Davis said. "If I touch you in any kind of way, like as far as fists, I'mma hurt you. So it wasn't that. It was just me removing her from that situation that she wasn't supposed to be in."

Davis, though, did say he believes he has "a little" anger problem ... and added he's gotten professional help over it all since the incident.

"It wasn't because I have to," Davis said of the help, "it's more so of because of the situation in the future -- knowing how to deal with stuff in the future."

Davis' battery case, meanwhile, is still playing out in the court system.

Davis is 23-0 as a pro fighter -- and has been hailed as one of the best young fighters in the world.

The NBA has launched an investigation into Houston Rockets forward Danuel House -- after he allegedly violated Bubble protocol by allowing a woman into his hotel room.

The twist ... the woman in question is a COVID tester who's cleared to be inside the bubble, but apparently she's not allowed to hang with players in their rooms when she's off the clock.

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the league is trying to figure out exactly what happened ... though so far, House has reportedly denied any wrongdoing.

House -- an important role player for H-Town -- missed Game 3 against the Lakers on Tuesday due to "personal reasons."

Now, there's a question if the investigation played a role in his absence.

If House is forced to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine over the incident, he would miss the remainder of the playoff series against the Lakers, which is a big deal.

The Lakers are up 2-1 in the best of 7 series. Game 4 is set for Thursday.

House is averaging 11.4 points and nearly 6 rebounds per game during the playoffs ... he's an important member of the Rockets.

According to Haynes, several other NBA teams are keeping a close on eye on the House investigation to see how it all plays out.

Here's the CUTEST thing you'll see all day ...

Philadelphia Flyers winger Oskar Lindblom finally got to see his pup after being in the NHL bubble for most of this summer ... and the video of their reunion is unbelievably adorable!!!

Check out the clip Lindblom posted Wednesday ... his dog -- a mini-dachshund named Tage -- went ballistic seeing the 24-year-old hockey player for the first time in weeks, sprinting into the guy's arms and giving him tons of love!!

There were kisses, pets, tail wags and barks. It's all SOOO SWEET!

Lindblom had been locked away from Tage since he joined his team in the NHL bubble in Canada in early August ... but after Philly lost in the conference semi-finals this week, Lindblom was finally able to return home.

All in all, the reunion with Tage was a pretty good bow on what's been a trying season for Lindblom ... who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last winter.

Oskar battled it all spring -- and finally beat it this summer ... and he was able to return to game action to an awesome ovation last week.

Ex-Univ. of North Carolina basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell has pled guilty to a "death by vehicle" charge after a fatal collision with an 89-year-old woman.

Officials say 68-year-old Hatchell was making a left turn out of a gym parking lot in NC back in January when she struck Betty Sue Colby with her driver's side mirror.

According to police, Colby fell backward and hit her head on the pavement, suffering grave injuries.

She was rushed to a nearby hospital -- but ultimately passed away 2 days later.

Hatchell was prosecuted over the incident -- and ultimately pled guilty to misdemeanor death by vehicle.

She was sentenced to 6 months of unsupervised probation, 50 hours of community service and ordered to pay roughly $300 in fines and court costs.

At the time of the incident, Hatchell's attorney said the coach was "absolutely devastated" by Colby's death.

Hatchell was widely considered one of the best coaches in women's college basketball -- she left the Tarheels from 1986 to 2019, racking up 8 ACC titles and 1 national championship.

But, Hatchell resigned in 2019 following an investigation into allegations she made racially insensitive comments to players.

Hundreds flocked to the state capitol building in Connecticut on Wednesday seriously pissed off over the cancelation of H.S. football ... and the scene was WILD!!

Just days after the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference announced it was unsafe to play football amid the coronavirus pandemic this fall ... nearly 1,000 players, coaches and parents overran the government building to try to get the ruling reversed.

Check out video from the protest ... it's pretty intense -- with everyone screaming "Let us play!" in unison while holding signs, flags and even football helmets.

Some of the players that were interviewed on the scene voiced their displeasure with not being able to play this season ... with one telling WFSB, "I'm really mad about it."

Seems Gov. Ned Lamont is willing to at least listen to arguments for an overturning of the decision ... he said after the protest he's organizing a meeting with local officials to hear both sides.

That summit will take place on Friday, Lamont said ... before he added, "I want to see football being played and I also want to see it being played safely."

Michael Strahan is finally speaking out about the death of his father, Gene -- saying he's still in shock roughly a week after his passing.

"It’s been a little over a week since I lost my hero and it’s still hard to believe my dad is no longer with us physically," Strahan said ... "but I know his spirit lives on thru me and the rest of the family."

Gene Willie Strahan Sr. passed away earlier this month. He was 83.

No cause of death has been released. Michael and his family laid him to rest on Friday.

Michael and Gene were particularly close.

"The biggest goal in everything I’ve ever done was to make him proud," Michael said.

"Knowing that I did that gives me peace but also pushes me to continue because I know he’s watching from above."

The NFL Hall of Famer says he doesn't know where he'd be in life without his father -- crediting him for fueling his personal and professional success.

"Without him I’m not sure where I’d be but I know I wouldn’t have anything close to the life I have now. Love you Dad and I’m honored to be your son!!"

Strahan concluded his statement with advice to his fans.

"Take time to hug your parents, spouse and kids. Let them know how you feel and don’t take it for granted that they automatically know that you love them."

Gene was a U.S. Army veteran who enlisted in 1955 and went on to serve with the 82nd Airborne division.

He married his wife, Louise, in 1957 and they had 6 kids together.

Last week, Strahan's coworkers on "Good Morning America" paid tribute to Gene and the rest of the Strahan family.