TMZ Sports - Page 50

Terrifying moment at a major polo tournament in Argentina -- when a player fell off his horse and was hurt so badly, he needed to be airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

The player is Federico Rooney -- who was playing for team Marcos Juarez in the famous Flag Open on Sunday when disaster struck.

Both Rooney and his horse crashed to the ground -- and Rooney didn't get up.

Medical personnel raced onto the field to treat Rooney -- and ultimately loaded him onto a helicopter to be transported to a nearby hospital.

Local reports say Rooney suffered a skull fracture and blood clots -- and he was placed into a medically induced coma.

Despite the horrible injuries, he's reportedly stable and expected to recover.

Still, the injury left a black cloud over the tournament -- and the remaining teams decided to call the rest of the event off in light of Rooney's injuries.

We know what you're thinking ... we've been trying to find out if the horse is okay too -- but so far, it's unclear.

Attempts to reach event organizers have been unsuccessful so far.

White Sox phenom Eloy Jimenez says he's downright afraid to return to the Dominican Republic after David Ortiz's shooting Sunday ... telling reporters, "Now, you cannot trust nobody there."

Eloy -- Chicago's star who grew up in the D.R. -- told a group of reporters at his locker Tuesday he couldn't believe it when he heard Big Papi was shot in the back in his home country.

In fact, Eloy says he's legitimately worried to return home now, saying, "When you see one of the best players -- one of the best Dominicans we had -- get shot like that, it's scary for everybody right now."

22-year-old Jimenez says he's grateful Ortiz survived the shooting ... and says the Red Sox legend has done a TON for kids growing up in the D.R.

"He does a lot for Dominicans," Eloy says ... "He represents a lot. And, for me, it's so sad."

Urijah Faber knows a fighter when he sees one and he's got bad news for Justin Bieber ... the Biebs ain't got what it takes to take on Tom Cruise.

The UFC Hall of Famer was on "TMZ Live" Monday to discuss the bizarre challenge JB's thrown down ... practically begging Tom to get in the Octagon with him for an MMA brawl. Urijah says there's one huge X-factor -- and it's why he gives TC the edge -- Cruise is an experienced wrestler.

That's right, long before he was Jack Reacher and Ethan Hunt ... Tom was throwing it down on the wrestling team at Glen Ridge High School in New Jersey. Check out the vid ... Urijah says he's seen the Biebs throw a punch and long story short ... he ain't impressed.

Ouch.

Whatever the case ... Urijah says he'd promote the hell outta the match if TC ever agrees to the challenge. To be fair, he does say Bieber has one factor on his side.

Urijah also has a very serious question -- one we're ALL thinking: What's JB's beef with Tom???

UFC star Aljamain Sterling has a message for the Triple Champ Henry Cejudo ...

"I'm ready to take that gold medal and shove it up your ass because you stink Henry Ce-Doo-Doo!!!"

And, that's just the beginning!!!

Before Cejudo beat Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 this weekend, Aljo dominated Pedro Munhoz on the undercard ... and A LOT of people think Sterling looked so good, he deserves a crack at Cejudo's new bantamweight belt.

So, when Aljo saw Henry calling out fan favorites on Saturday like Dominick Cruz, Cody Garbrandt and Urijah Faber ... Sterling tells TMZ Sports he was shocked and disgusted.

"I was doing the facepalm emoji, shaking my head," Sterling says.

He wants to be a legend killer? Find a legend who's actually winning!"

"Those guys haven't won a fight in god knows how long and you have a #1 contender right here in front of you!"

"So, every time I go to the bathroom, I'm gonna take a Henry Ce-doo-doo while I think about winning that belt. So, I hope Henry's ready for this."

Sterling added, "Henry, stop calling out these guys who are washed up and come for the REAL #1 contender, the real challenge."

Haven't cried yet today? Here's something that'll change that ...

Gale Sayers -- who's battling dementia and is struggling daily to remember who he is -- showed up to the Bears100 celebration on Friday ... and got an ovation from the crowd that brought a tear to his eye.

The 76-year-old legend is struggling in his fight with dementia ... his wife, Ardie Sayers, says the former RB is having hard time speaking and moving.

In fact, she tells The Athletic he can't even sign autographs anymore because he can't write ... saying, "It's kind of sad because he used to love to write his name."

But, Ardie took Gale to the Bears100 celebration over the weekend in an effort to help "jog his memory," and his first appearance in front of the crowd was tear-jerking.

Sayers was pushed onto the stage in a wheelchair -- and the ovation was so loud ... it appeared Gale started crying.

The moment was awesome ... but when Sayers' ex-teammate and good buddy, Dick Butkus, spoke about Gale afterward, he called the whole situation "a tough thing."

“I call and check on him quite frequently," Butkus told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Sad deal. You’ve just got to be thankful for what you’ve got. I’ve got my problems with neuropathy and my balance. But, I’ve got no pain, and I still know who I am. I’m happy about that.”

Gale was one of the greatest NFL players ever ... famously scoring 22 touchdowns in his rookie season in 1965.

It ain't just for show ... Odell Beckham is actually USING that crazy $350,000 Browns-themed Rolls-Royce to get around L.A. ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Remember, Beckham recently tricked out his 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan to show off his team spirit -- with a custom Browns paint job, custom wheels and pimped out sound system.

Oh, and don't forget that custom hood ornament of HIMSELF making that iconic 1-handed catch!!!

But, OBJ didn't get the whip to collect dust in his garage ... 'cause when he hit up SHOREbar in Santa Monica over the weekend, he used the OBJ Mobile to get there.

There's a reason Odell wanted to make a statement when he arrived at the bar ... there were a TON of huge stars at the party including Drake, Lonzo Ball, Russell Westbrook and Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert.

By the way, the car was tricked out by Dreamworks Motorsports in Roxboro, North Carolina -- and after the work was done, Beckham obviously had the car shipped out west.

Justin Bieber doesn't believe for a second Tom Cruise is half the badass he seems to be in his movies -- and he's out to prove it in the Octagon.

We can only assume Justin was watching a 'Mission: Impossible' or "Jack Reacher" flick this weekend when he said enough is enough ... and called out Cruise.

Bieber not only challenged Cruise to an MMA brawl, but he pulled that schoolyard bully move, saying ... "Tom if you don't take this fight your [sic] scared and you will never live it down."

Now, we'd laugh this off as just a joke, except for the fact, he tagged UFC honcho Dana White -- and then Conor McGregor chimed in ... saying he'll host the fight IF Tom has "the sprouts to fight, like he does in the movies."

Something about this doesn't seem like a fair fight, although we're not sure who's the favorite.

Remember, Justin actually has boxing skills. His pal Floyd Mayweather Jr. has even vouched for him in the ring.

Then, there's age: Justin is 25, Tom is 56 (going on 57). JB's also about 2 inches taller than TC, and probably has a longer reach too.

Then again, Tom has experience AND ... he jumps out of tall buildings!!! That's gotta count for something, but apparently not for bookies.

Yes, BetOnline is already taking wagers, and has Bieber as the 2 to 1 fave over Cruise.

Dana White is GUARANTEEING Lorenzo Fertitta will eventually own an NFL team ... and he's telling TMZ Sports he wants to be a partner with the guy when he makes that purchase!!!

"I'm very interested," White says.

Of course, Fertitta -- the ex-UFC boss who sold his shares in the fight company back in 2016 -- just confirmed to us a few days ago he's desperately trying to buy an NFL squad.

Even though no team is available at the moment -- and no current owners look to be in any hurry to put up a for sale sign -- Dana is promising Fertitta will own a team someday.

"He is absolutely, positively going to be an NFL owner," White says.

As for how Fertitta will do when that happens ... White -- who's still very tight with Lorenzo -- says his ex-business partner will be a PERFECT fit.

"He will be an incredible owner. You know, they owned casinos, they're incredible owners. They owned the UFC, they were incredible owners. They’ll be amazing NFL owners."

Keanu Reeves' badassery has now seeped into the cyber world -- 'cause he's playing a character in the upcoming 'Cyberpunk' installment that looks EXACTLY like him.

The iconic action-hero actor made a surprise appearance Sunday in L.A. at Microsoft's E3 2019 presentation -- where he was featured in a trailer for "Cyberpunk 2077," which drops in April 2020. It's unclear what character he's playing exactly ... but what is clear is that KR is IN the game, right down to his long hair and dreamy, intense stare.

Keanu came out afterward to talk about the game, and in the middle of him saying the experience would breathtaking ... someone took the words right out of his mouth and flipped it on him. Check out how he handled the would-be heckler -- ya gotta love this guy.

It's been a big year for Keanu -- not only does he have his third 'John Wick' movie under his belt, but he also appeared in the new Netflix rom-com, "Always Be My Maybe" ... and he's gonna be in 'Bill & Ted' and 'Toy Story' sequels as well soon enough here. And, of course, now this.

Chris Pratt seemed to be shaking off some last-minute nerves ahead of his wedding by doing a bro shake on the links with his good pal and 'Parks & Rec' costar, Rob Lowe.

CP was spotted golfing with Rob and a bunch of his buddies Saturday morning in Santa Barbara, just hours before he walked down the aisle with his new bride, Katherine Schwarzenegger, at the nearby San Ysidro Ranch resort in Montecito.

Nothing says you're ready for the long haul with someone like teeing up for an 18-rounder ... assuming Chris and co. played a full game in between group shots like this.

TMZ broke the story ... Kat and Chris held a wedding rehearsal Friday at Rob's sprawling estate in Montecito, and got hitched the following day surrounded by friends and family. They tried covering up as best as they could with umbrellas and golf carts, but it was clear ... marriage was on the docket for these two love birds.

Chris proposed to Katherine earlier this year after about six months of dating. This will be his second marriage -- he just recently finalized his divorce with Anna Faris -- and it'd be Kat's first trip down the aisle herself.

Ex-UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta is ready to be the boss man once again ... telling TMZ Sports he's officially gunning to buy an NFL team!

"Always wanted to do that," Fertitta says.

Lorenzo and his brother Frank sold their shares of the UFC back in 2016 as part of that $4 BILLION deal with WME-IMG ... and he tells us he's now trying to invest some of those profits into a pro football team in the very near future.

The problem for Lorenzo ... he says he just can't find somebody willing to sell their squad!!!

"Right now, there's no opportunities."

As for which team Lorenzo ultimately wants to buy -- he says he's not picky ... telling us, "I love football so much it doesn’t matter. I'd do anywhere.”

Brock Lesnar's career in the UFC is over ... for good ... so says Dana White who tells TMZ Sports, "He's done. He's made his decision."

Of course, White has previously said he was hoping to book Brock for a super fight with heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier ... but the two sides just couldn't get a deal done.

Now, White says Lesnar has chosen to focus on his career with the WWE -- and Dana says he respects Brock's decision.

"I know he was looking into doing a new deal with [Vince McMahon] to stay with the WWE."

Dana says he's "always had a good relationship with Brock, we've always dealt really well with each other" ... but the bottom line is Lesnar isn't "100% in" on fighting anymore.

"You have to be ALL IN on fighting and if you're not all in, then you shouldn't fight," Dana says.

"He made the decision and it's the right decision."

We also spoke with Dana about rising UFC superstar Johnny Walker, who's recovering from a shoulder injury ... but already hoping for a fight with Jon Jones.

"That guy is a freak of nature," White said ... "I can see this guy being a world champion someday. I can't wait for him to come back."

Victor Page -- the ex-Georgetown star who was caught on video brutally attacking a woman -- just agreed to a plea deal that will lock him behind bars for 20 YEARS ... prosecutors tell TMZ Sports.

As we previously reported ... Page -- who played with Allen Iverson at Georgetown -- was arrested after a 17-year-old girl claimed he violently assaulted her back in December.

43-year-old Page was allegedly at the victim's apartment in Camp Springs, Maryland on Dec. 30 when she claims he tried to rape her inside the home.

She was able to flee ... but as you can see in a video obtained by TMZ Sports, he followed her outside and smothered her while she was on the ground for roughly 2 minutes.

Page was arrested a few days later after the victim went to authorities ... and he was eventually hit with several serious charges -- including assault, attempted rape and child abuse.

He was facing up to LIFE in prison.

But, a spokesperson for the Prince George’s County State Attorney's Office says Page cut a deal this week ... and is pleading guilty to 1st-degree assault and 4th-degree attempted sex offense.

In exchange, the spokesperson says Page will get 20 YEARS in prison and another 5 years of probation when he gets out.

We're also told Victor will be required to register as a sex offender and provide a DNA sample for 15 years upon his release.

Ex-boxing superstar Antonio Tarver was pretty pissed to be arrested in front of his neighbors after he allegedly socked his stepson in the mouth ... telling cops, "that's ridiculous, man."

It's all in police video obtained by TMZ Sports ... which shows Tarver getting put in the back of a cop car after he and his 18-year-old stepson, Aziya Taylor, got into an altercation at Tarver's Florida home last August.

As we previously reported, Taylor told cops a dispute at a Waffle House earlier in the day led to Tarver attacking him, socking him and throwing him in the garage.

In 911 calls previously obtained by TMZ Sports ... you can hear the alleged scuffle break out -- followed by a neighbor telling dispatch that Aziya was a bloody mess from the incident.

50-year-old Tarver was ultimately arrested for domestic battery -- and as you can see in the video, dude was NOT happy to be put in cuffs in his own neighborhood, saying, "I don't know why ya'll gotta handcuff me."

"All my neighbors out here, man. That's ridiculous, man."

But, Antonio -- who was facing up to 1 year in jail for the altercation -- just cut a deal with prosecutors last week ... and in exchange for a no contest plea -- he had his battery charge reduced to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Tarver's punishment? Around $350 in court fees and fines.

Tarver -- now listed at 6'2", 225 pounds -- was a stud boxer back in the day ... winning multiple belts and scoring impressive wins over stars like Roy Jones Jr.

Zion Williamson is about to be an instant millionaire ... and who better than "Shark Tank" star and wealthy businessman Kevin O'Leary to give the future NBA superstar some investment advice!!!

So grab a pen and paper, Zion ... 'cause Mr. Wonderful is about to give you a crash course in being rich AF.

-- Hire an advisor to handle all the boring stuff ... "over time, build a real estate portfolio, some really boring bonds and some large cap to the pink stocks." ... whatever that means.

-- NO ENTOURAGE ... sorry, Drama and Turtle -- O'Leary says it's better to keep your circles small ..."Walk around with 2 people, not 20. Most of the money goes to people you forget after a while ... support your mother, not your friends!!"

-- Look rich ... "You want a sharp suit," O'Leary says. "Get a great watch ... If you wear an Apple Watch, you're 20-percent off retail when you start, before you've said anything. You wanna show them the designed flair and that gives you market value that people will want to advertise with you."

Andy Ruiz Jr. ain't one to let a little thing like a boxing title change up his dining preferences -- the dude digs authentic Mexican ... even if it means getting it from a hole-in-the-wall joint.

The newly-minted heavyweight champ -- who recently stunned the world by defeating the heavily-favored Anthony Joshua -- was spotted chowing down at a low-key Mexican chain Friday with his girlfriend and the rest of his fam in El Centro, CA ... almost 2 hours east of San Diego.

The restaurant of their choice ... La Resaca -- known for their seafood and with a nearly 5-star rating off a ton of good reviews. It's a modest joint, but it was perfect for Ruiz and co.

You'd think after becoming the toast of the town everywhere he's gone since the upset last weekend, he MIGHT just treat himself to something a bit more swanky in, say, L.A., maybe? Seems like that isn't his style though -- he'll stick to chips and salsa ... and live mariachis.

We gotta say ... it's been a while since we've come across a guy like Andy Jr. here. He certainly doesn't fit the mold for what we've come to expect of a ringside champion but at the same time ... it's refreshing to see homeboy flip the script on everyone and their mom.

Speaking of moms ... happy birthday to Andy's ma, Mrs. Ruiz! We're told they were all out there celebrating her 58th birthday. Never change, ARJ.