TMZ Sports - Page 50

How can Cam Newton top a huge Thanksgiving dinner for 800 kids??

MORE KIDS!!

The Carolina Panthers superstar is one-upping his own holiday tradition this year ... buying a bunch of turkey dinners for 1,200 underprivileged children AND their families!!

It's all part of the 7th annual "Cam's Thanksgiving Jam"... a fun time full of games, music, face painting and balloon artists.

Cam will be there to personally serve the kids in attendance ... so we're sure there will be some dancing goin' on.

And, if that's not good enough for you -- Cam's giving everyone a take-home turkey dinner too!!

Josh Hader's rough past few months just got a whole lot better ... the Brewers pitcher proposed to his longtime GF -- and she said yes!!

The 24-year-old flame-throwing reliever came under fire back in July when racist and homophobic tweets from 7 years ago surfaced ... forcing the MLB All-Star to apologize vehemently.

Things didn't get much better for the Milwaukee lefty in the fall ... 'cause his team got bounced in Game 7 of the ALCS by the Dodgers.

But ... finally, Hader got some good news Wednesday -- Maria Macias agreed to marry him!!

"Today I asked the woman of my dreams to marry me!" Josh said ... "She said yes!"

The two met when Josh was playing for the Astros' minor league team, The Hooks, three years ago ... and Maria worked for the team in marketing.

Maria says (ironically enough) it was a successful Twitter DM slide that started it all.

BTW ... the two just got an adorable puppy together a few days ago -- proving Hader's 2019 is looking a helluva lot brighter than this past year.

Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are NOT broken up or on the rocks, contrary to reports -- but they could very well be breaking up a turkey wishbone very soon ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us ... rumors that Khloe and TT have split or are no longer talking in the wake of his cheating scandal are simply false -- they're still together and going strong.

We're told the reason Khloe hasn't been in Cleveland lately is that she's filming a new season of 'KUWTK.' Meanwhile, he's in the middle of his NBA season with the Cavs. Our sources say Khloe was supposed to fly out to Cleveland last week, but stayed in L.A. on account of the fires that were ravaging hers and surrounding communities.

And besides, would a couple on the verge of a split be spending time together on Thanksgiving? Probably not ... which is exactly what we're told Khloe's doing for the holiday. Sources say Khloe's going to Cleveland next week to be with Tristan and baby True as a family.

As we reported ... Khloe was at Tristan's game in Cleveland a couple weeks ago cheering him on. Her visit must've left some magic behind, 'cause Tristan's been on a tear lately. He racked up 21 rebounds in the Cavs' win over Charlotte Tuesday night.

Cisco Adler is down with Carey Hart's warning to looters ... you steal, you get shot.

We got the Grammy-nominated musician Wednesday night leaving Staples Center after the Lakers game, and the longtime Malibu resident told us it was a much-needed break from the heartache people in his town have been feeling since the fires ravaged the area.

Cisco was comfortable with the warning Carey Hart and Co. delivered ... that they are more than willing to take the law into their own hands if someone tries to take advantage of the evacuations by looting.

J.R. Smith just copped a sweet deal in his cell phone throwing incident back in July ... TMZ Sports has learned, and if he stays outta trouble for 6 months ... he's totally in the clear.

ICYMI -- Swish allegedly took a fan's cell phone and threw it into a construction site ... after the guy tried to snap a pic of the Cleveland Cavs star outside of The Park, an NYC hot spot.

Smith -- who appeared before a judge in a Manhattan courtroom Thursday morning with attorney Alex Spiro -- had his case adjourned in contemplation of dismissal.

Plain talk -- as long as he buys the fan a new cell phone ($600) AND doesn't screw up ... the case will be dismissed.

The coach who witnessed his player eat a VICIOUS cheap shot elbow tells TMZ Sports he couldn't be happier his team did NOTHING in retaliation.

The video's insane ... Fitchburg State was playing Nichols College (both D-III teams) Tuesday night in Massachusetts ... when FSU's star Kewan Platt intentionally elbowed Nate Tenaglia ... sending him to the deck.

A lot of people wondered where the hell Nate's teammates were ... and why didn't they step up and return the favor?

Nichols head coach Scott Faucher knows why ... he's got a squad full of smart dudes.

"We have older guys that have been through it. They understand what a retaliation might mean, in terms of consequences and things like that. So, their focus is on the next play."

Coach says he trusts Fitchburg to handle the situation ... and they did -- indefinitely suspending Platt from the basketball team and the university's campus.

As for Nate ... he somehow managed to eat the elbow and live to shoot another 3.

11/15 -- Platt has broken his silence and apologized for the incident ...

"What I did is totally unacceptable and not justified in any way. I got frustrated and lost control over my behavior. I know these words cannot undo my wrongdoings. In the future I promise to make better choices.

"I’m not only apologizing to Nate Tenaglia but also to my teammates, the coaching staff, the University and the whole basketball community."

10:07 AM PT -- Fitchburg State has suspended Platt and barred him from campus for an unspecified amount of time.

"The Fitchburg State community is appalled by the conduct displayed during Tuesday night’s home basketball game."

"His behavior is antithetical to our community values and good sportsmanship. Fitchburg State does not tolerate behavior that violates those standards. The case is being reviewed at the student conduct level for consideration of further sanctions."

9:57 AM PT -- We spoke with the athletic director at Nichols College ... who says Tenaglia was able to return to the game and is doing fine ... and says the Fitchburg State athletic director called him to apologize for the incident and will hand down punishment accordingly.

This could be the dirtiest play in sports history ... a scumbag college basketball player straight-up elbowing an opponent in the FACE after shooting a 3-pointer ... and the video will piss you off.

This all went down on Tuesday night ... when Division III teams Fitchburg State and Nichols were playing in Massachusetts.

The guy who throws the 'bow is Fitchburg junior guard Kewan Platt ... ironically enough, he's a criminal justice major.

The man on the receiving end of the punch is Nichols guard Nate Tenaglia.

People are RAGING about the video on social media ... and Michael Rapaport is calling for Platt to be arrested.

Platt was called for a flagrant foul ... and Fitchburg ended up losing the game.

We've reached out to Fitchburg State, Nichols and the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Commission for comment ... so far, no word back.

Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick are a happy, loving couple these days ... and they can thank Jim Carrey for that -- so says the ex-NASCAR driver herself.

Danica was delivering a motivational speech in North Dakota on Wednesday ... and afterward, she fielded some questions about her relationship with the Packers star QB.

One of the questions ... what was Aaron Rodgers' first line that got you to (eventually) go on a date with him?

That's when D.P. said the future Hall of Famer went straight to the "Dumb and Dumber" quote well to catch her attention.

"He was at the bar, puttin' out the vibe -- 'Dumb and Dumber,' you know?" Danica says.

"And, I remember he was doing movie lines! And, people that love movie lines, LOVE movie lines. So, I think we had a dialogue in movie lines, and I was like, 'This guy is really funny!'"

Danica says that all went down at the ESPYs back in 2012 ... and it helped lay the foundation for their future relationship, 'cause they kept in touch until they got serious about a year ago.

As for the actual first date ... Danica wasn't spillin' many beans there, but did say, "We were cooped up. We were cooped up. We weren't out in public."

In other words .... touchdown, Rodgers?!?!

Chuck Liddell is keeping tabs on his Calabasas home while training for his huge fight with Tito Ortiz ... telling TMZ Sports his house is still standing amid the Southern California wildfires.

"The Iceman" was training at Kings MMA in WeHo leading up to the November 24 fight when we asked about his neighborhood being affected by the massive fires.

Celebs like Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth and Gerard Butler have lost their homes during the tragedy ... and thousands have been forced to evacuate -- including Liddell.

The good news, though -- his home is safe for now ... and he's been getting daily picture updates while spending his time focusing on Tito.

Le'Veon Bell's locker turned into a garage sale on Wednesday ... with his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates savagely raiding his things after he bailed on the season.

Bell no-showed for the league-imposed deadline on Tuesday ... which ended his 2018 season before it even started.

Players quickly found the silver lining of the situation after practice ... taking all his Jordan brand cleats and team gear.

Oh ... and a mixtape labeled "Le'Veon Bell #1," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"Appreciate the cleats, my guy," Bud Dupree said while takin' his new Js.

It's probably all in good fun ... the Stillers are 6-2-1 and James Conner is straight-up COOKIN' on the gridiron. So, it doesn't seem like there's any bad blood over there.

WWE Superstar Becky Lynch just ripped Ronda Rousey ... saying the depression she had after losing to Holly Holm in 2015 proves she's a weak-minded person.

ICYMI ... Rousey and Lynch have been feuding for weeks ... and were set to fight this weekend at WWE's "Survivor Series" to settle things.

But, Lynch had to pull out of the tilt after suffering a "broken face" on Monday's RAW ... which pissed Rousey off.

"I’m really sorry to hear The Millennial Man will not be showing up for her legally arranged ass whooping on November 18th at the Staples Center," Rousey wrote in a lengthy post on her Instagram.

Lynch responded shortly after ... and didn't hold back, saying, "When I got my face broke I got up, owned you THEN showed up the next day looking to fight some more."

"When you got your face broke you hid for a year under your blankie. Your mind is as weak as your jaw, & I’m going to move heaven & earth to come destroy them both."

Of course, she's referencing TMZ Sports' video from '15 ... where Ronda covered her face with a pillow after returning from the Holm fight.

We know ... storylines are scripted -- but this one feels personal.

Rousey has called the post-Holm fight period the lowest point of her life ... saying she had suicidal thoughts after the loss.

Unclear when the Lynch-Rousey match will be rescheduled for ... but one thing is clear -- there's some pretty bad blood between these two.

Tracy McGrady has some Hall of Famer to future Hall of Famer advice for Carmelo Anthony ... move on, bro ... saying he believes it's time for Melo to put a period on his NBA career.

Anthony is reportedly on the outs in Houston and McGrady says he's being unfairly scapegoated for the Rockets' slow start. Problem is, Tracy thinks that's gonna be the case wherever Anthony goes.

"If he goes to another team and his team starts playing bad, then what? They're gonna blame Melo."

But, don't get it twisted -- T-Mac says Melo can DEFINITELY still ball at the top level ... he just thinks the NBA has turned the page on Anthony, not giving him a fair shake, meaning he only has one option.

The Mavs are goin' ALL OUT to honor wounded U.S. troops Wednesday night ... 'cause they're flying in 120 soldiers and hookin' them up with courtside seats AND a fancy 4-course meal!!

The team announced it'll host its 14th annual Seats for Soldiers night ... and give away floor tix for the soldiers -- valued at around $350k.

"Our annual Seats for Soldiers night is a reminder that we don’t get to enjoy the game we love without the incredible sacrifices our soldiers make,” owner Mark Cuban says.

The team says the night will start with a truckload of food at Nick & Sam's in Dallas ... where they'll feed the troops a baller steak dinner (dessert's a 7-layer cake).

Then, it'll be off to the American Airlines Center ... where Cuban will hook up the men and women with some amazing seats for their tilt with the Utah Jazz.

In addition to the wounded troops sitting courtside, the Mavs tell us they're also hooking up over 1,000 veterans with free tickets to the game.

Steelers fans ain't the only people pissed off at Le'Veon Bell today ... here's David Spade giving up on the Pittsburgh superstar completely after he destroyed his fantasy season!!!

ICYMI ... Le'Veon's held out all year looking for a new mega-deal from the Steelers -- but decided to officially quit on the season Tuesday when he failed to report at the league-imposed deadline.

This, of course, crushed fantasy owners who not only picked Le'Veon in the first round in summer drafts -- but kept him on the bench all year waiting for his return!!

Spade happened to be one of those unlucky people ... and unleashed his hatred for the running back outside of Craig's on Tuesday night.

"I gave up on him today when the rest of the world did too," David says. "He's got to win me back!"

Tito Ortiz has been a hardcore President Trump supporter for years ... so after the MMA star beats the hell outta Chuck Liddell, he says he wants to take a trip to the White House.

TMZ Sports talked to Ortiz at Kings MMA in West Hollywood -- where Tito was preparing for the Ortiz-Liddell trilogy fight on November 24 -- and we asked if he'd be down to take a trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave ... if he wins.

"I would love to visit the White House. I've been supporting Trump since day 1."

In the past, visiting the W.H. has been a rite of passage for championship athletes -- until Trump was elected -- and many stopped going (see Warriors, Eagles).

Remember, Tito personally knows Trump ... he was on "The Apprentice" back in '08.

The "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" says being down with Trump -- especially for someone of Mexican descent -- ain't always been easy.

"I've lost a lot of fans, but I've gained a lot of fans too."

Ortiz also had a message for the Prez ... who's a big fan of combat sports.

"Donald Trump, keep doing what you're doing, man. I appreciate you. I love your support. And, keep standing your ground, and speak the way all the rest of us Americans need to be spoken for."

Aqib Talib didn't just have the best seats in the house for Tuesday night's Rockets-Nuggets game ... dude got the dopest souvenir ever too -- James Harden's game-used jersey!!!

The L.A. Rams -- in town 'cause they wanted to practice at altitude to prep for their now-moved Mexico City game (more on that later) -- popped by the Pepsi Center to catch some hoops.

Dudes like Talib, Todd Gurley, Jared Goff and Marcus Peters were all courtside ... but for some reason -- Harden decided Talib was most worthy of the post-game swag.

The Bearded One even signed it ... and Talib loved it, saying, "That courtside drip, you feel me?! That's authentic. It's still sweaty. That thing still sweaty, straight off the court!"

L.A. was set to face the Chiefs next Monday night in Estadio Azteca, and was trying to hit up Colorado Springs all week to prep for the altitude in Mexico's capital.

But, since recent Mexico City concerts tore up the field ... the game got moved back to L.A. -- which appears to mean the Rams will head home soon.

Don't feel too bad for at least one of the Rams superstars for leaving the game empty-handed -- Gurley was still rockin' the sick diamond pendant YG gifted to him this week!!