TMZ Sports - Page 50

LSU's gonna have to face Lamar Jackson without their star RB ... 'cause Leonard Fournette's decided to sit out the Citrus Bowl ... and get healthy for the NFL draft.

Fournette, a junior, announced he'd be leaving for the NFL after this season. The 19th ranked Tigers have 1 game left -- a highly anticipated matchup against Louisville on New Year's Eve -- but Fournette ain't playin'.

Friday morning, L.F. announced that rather than play on an injured ankle, he'd sit out the game ... and focus on being healthy for April's draft.

FYI -- Fournette says his ankle is at "85 to 90 percent."

"This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, not playing in the bowl, but it's best for me and my future," Fournette said, "It was hard telling the guys. I love them dearly."

And now there's one more thing Michael Phelps does better than everyone else -- his big wedding to Nicole was captured in a Hollywood-style video.

The folks over at Brides got a hold of the video, which set the stage for the Olympic legend's Cabo wedding back in October. You get to see Nicole and Michael prepping for the ceremony, and the setting is downright epic.

The entire production is gold medal-worthy. Naturally.

Nicely done.

A grand jury has indicted three men in connection with a shooting that killed Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay's daughter back in October.

As we previously reported, 15-year-old Trinity Gay was killed during a shoot-out between 2 cars in a Lexington, KY restaurant parking lot. Officials say Gay was struck by a stray bullet.

According to Lexington PD, Chazerae M. Taylor was indicted on 1 count of wanton murder and 4 counts of wanton endangerment. Lamonte Williams and D'Markeo Taylor were also charged with wanton endangerment.

A fourth suspect is still in jail on a wanton endangerment charge.

Add future Houston Mayor to WWE legend Booker T's accomplishments ... 'cause the HOF wrestler tells TMZ Sports he's running for mayor, and there's no doubt he's gonna win.

We talked to Booker -- who announced this week he's running for mayor of Houston in 2019 -- about why he's diving into politics ... and whether he has a chance to actually win.

The short answer ... hell yes.

"I'm gonna win the election. That's almost a forgone conclusion. I have a lot of support. Especially from the city, the young people in the city."

But, why not start with a smaller job before running for mayor of a city with over 2 million people?

Ex-USC linebacker Osa Masina -- who was kicked off the football team after he allegedly raped a girl -- has pled not guilty to criminal charges.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Masina was charged with rape and forcible sodomy after he allegedly forced a girl into oral and anal sex during a house party in Utah back in July.

19-year-old Masina -- who was banned from the USC campus -- appeared in front of a judge with his lawyer and entered the plea.

Masina is still under investigation for another alleged rape of the same woman that happened in an apartment complex near USC over the summer.

What does Prince Fielder do now that his baseball playing days are over? Give lap dances, of course!!

Boxing champ Andre Ward says he doesn't want to retire ... but he will if he isn't shown the proper respect ... aka given his fair cut of the cash for Ward-Kovalev II.

TMZ Sports ran into the undefeated boxer in L.A. Thursday night ... and asked about reports that Ward was considering hangin' up the gloves ... before the highly anticipated rematch.

FYI -- Ward defeated Kovalev on November 19th in Vegas.

Ward says he's the champ ... and needs to be paid like it ... or the fight everyone wants to see ain't happening.

But what if he doesn't get the figure he's looking for?

Tim Tebow is an awesome dude ... he prays for everyone, but sometimes he talks sports with God.

Tim was flying out of LAX when our photog asked a great question ... whether he sometimes asks the Almighty for a connection -- with his bat.

Here's a bit of advice ... if you come at Todd Gurley threatening to fight, you better be ready to scrap, 'cause the Rams star fired back at a frustrated fan saying he's ready whenever and wherever.

It's no secret ... Gurley hasn't had as productive of a season as fantasy owners would've hoped (he hasn't had a 100-yard rushing game all season).

So when one fan decided to go after Gurley on Twitter Thursday night saying, "if I ever see you in public we're fist fighting over your fantasy football performance this year" ... T.G. barked right back:

"Pull up then."

It's been a tough season for Gurley ... and the Rams lost to the Seahawks 24-3 on Thursday Night Football, so it seems like he's reaching his boiling point.

Ex-WWE star and recovering addict Kurt Angle says his new addiction management app could "save" Lamar Odom by putting him on the path to healthy and sober living.

Terrell Owens might be 43 but it's hard to tell from his hoops game ... 'cause judging by this video TMZ Sports got of him ballin' in L.A., the guy still has it.

T.O. was balling up at the Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, and showed flashes of the athleticism that's gonna make him an NFL Hall Of Famer one day (seriously guys, put the man in).

Peep the clip ... T.O. calmly drains a three off a sick assist from the guard ... then darts up the court and straight Mutombos a shot from a guy who obviously hasn't read his scouting report.

NBA great Gary Payton will remember the late Craig Sager for his positive personality, courage, and, of course ... his flashy suits.

The Glove -- who grew close to Sager throughout his career in the Association -- says he was heartbroken when he heard that Sager lost his battle with cancer at age 65.

"Craig was always funny. He always wanted to be jokeful ... he was so genuine about us. He liked the players and we liked him. That's what made him so close to us."

Alabama fans, you are officially on easy street until 2026 ... that's according to Gucci Mane, who says the Crimson Tide football team will go undefeated for THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

We got Guwop (an Alabama fan) out in NYC and asked what the team is gonna do without offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin ... who's leaving to take the head gig at Florida Atlantic.

Apparently they're gonna FLOURISH ... because Gucci says the team won't be losing again for the better part of a DECADE.

Beloved sportscaster Craig Sager has died after a long battle with a form of leukemia.

Turner Sports announced his passing on Thursday. He was diagnosed back in 2014, but continued working for TNT and TBS, covering NBA and MLB games through this past summer ... including a game of the NBA Finals.

He worked for Turner for more than 30 years.

Craig was one of the most popular sports reporters with fans and the superstar athletes he covered -- who loved to playfully mock his fashion sense. Craig was famous for his bold and colorful wardrobe choices on the sidelines.

Ex-NFL player Todd Marinovich is back in rehab ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We spoke to Marinovich's lawyer, Adam Cole, who tells us the former USC star checked himself into a Southern California treatment center this week.

As we previously reported, Marinovich was charged with several crimes -- including meth possession and public nudity -- after cops found him naked in a stranger's backyard back in August.

The ex-QB was scheduled to appear in court this week, but couldn't attend the hearing because he's getting treatment. Cole says he'll give the District Attorney proof that Marinovich is at a rehab facility.

Brock Lesnar was just hit with a 1 year suspension and massive $250k fine for two failed drug tests at UFC 200.