TMZ Sports - Page 50

Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed a huge handful of his junk and aimed it right at an LAFC fan who was taunting him ... and the whole scene was captured on video!!!

The soccer star and his LA Galaxy squad had just taken a crushing loss to LAFC on Thursday night ... when a fan decided to showboat toward Zlatan on his way to the locker room.

You can see in the video ... the LAFC ride-or-die makes some throat-slashing signs and appears to make a groin choppin' gesture toward the 38-year-old as well.

That's when Ibrahimovic responded by getting a grip of his franks and beans ... and giving a head nod to the fan!!!

Zlatan was asked about the incident after the game, and he downplayed it, making a joke by saying, "How many fans came? 30,000?"

"That was like a training for me. This stadium is too small for me ... I'm used to playing in front of 80,000 people. Come to Inter Milan where 85,000 are whistling at you."

As for if he was irritated by the fans, Zlatan said, "No, no, no. I enjoy it! They give me adrenaline."

Zlatan also took a shot at the MLS -- saying if he doesn't come back to the league next year, NOBODY will watch the games.

"[If I stay], then MLS is good, because the whole world will watch it. If I don't stay, nobody will remember what MLS is."

Zlatan only has 2 months left on his contract, so the playoff exit this might have been his last MLS game ever.

Rest in peace, turnover chains ... SMU just changed the sideline celebration game forever -- straight-up poppin' bottles on their bench after a huge play Thursday night!!!

The Mustangs were taking on the Houston Cougars in a conference matchup ... when in the second quarter, SMU recovered a fumble that swung momentum in the game.

To celebrate, the 'Stangs didn't turn to jewelry or a backpack -- instead, they went for the VIP scene ... reenacting bottle service at a club!!!

The clip is hilarious ... several players hold up signs reading "It's A Party," "SMU" and "Takeaway" -- all while one dude grabs a fake bottle of bubbly.

The funniest part? The bottle explodes on command -- dumping confetti all over his teammates!!!

The rest of the game wasn't quite as fun for SMU ... they won, but they had to sweat it out -- barely beating the Cougars, 34-31.

Worst QB sneak ever?

A 33-year-old man was arrested at the New England Patriots Hall of Fame exhibit Thursday after cops say he tried to smuggle a Tom Brady jersey out under his shirt.

The TB12 jersey was part of a locker room display -- and officials say it's valued around $10,000. There are reports the jersey was signed and game-used, but Patriots officials tell us that's NOT TRUE. It was just a display jersey.

Well, Zanini Cineus apparently wanted it for himself and allegedly tried to stuff the uniform under his shirt -- along with a glove from the exhibit -- and make a break for it.

But, officials say he SLIPPED during the attempted theft ... which alerted cops to his actions ... and they swarmed in to make the bust.

Cops say Cineus was WEARING the stolen jersey under his jacket when they found him.

Cineus was charged with larceny -- but pled not guilty ... although he reportedly admitted taking the jersey to officials and local reporters.

Of course, it's not the first time someone swiped a Tom Brady jersey ... Mauricio Ortega jacked Tom's game-worn jersey after Super Bowl 51 in 2017.

Charles Barkley ain't afraid to tell an NBA star his team is trash -- and Thursday night, he delivered a truth bomb right to Klay Thompson ... and the footage is hilarious.

Klay was joining the guys on TNT's "Inside the NBA" during halftime of the Warriors vs. Clippers game ... where Golden State was getting smacked around by L.A.

Of course, Klay is still out recovering from the torn ACL he suffered during the NBA Finals ... but he told the guys, he's still optimistic the Warriors can get back to dominating the league.

The issue ...  without Klay and Kevin Durant (who left for Brooklyn), Barkley thinks the team is in big trouble.

"Our window to win another championship I think is open for the next 5, 6 years," Klay said.

"Number 1, I hope you get back soon but you're just wrong," Barkley shot back.

"I think their window's shut. I don't think they can score enough."

Barkley also amended a prediction he made before the game -- "I was wrong before the game. I said [the Warriors] were gonna be the 7, 8 seed. They're not gonna make the playoffs."

Kenny Smith asked, "You know after one half of basketball?!"

Barkley responded -- "Yes."

Klay tried to defend his squad and said he has faith in the young player on the Warriors, but it was clear Barkley wasn't convinced.

By the way, the Warriors lost 141 to 122 in their first home game in their new arena.

The MLB umpire who vowed to buy an AR-15 and declare a civil war if President Trump was impeached is now apologizing ... saying he didn't "realize the violence in those words."

Rob Drake -- who's been working MLB games since 1999 -- created a firestorm this week when he tweeted, "I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! #MAGA2020."

Drake deleted the tweet ... but it was too late -- people were going crazy over it.

Now, after the MLB Umpires Association condemned the tweet, Drake has issued an apology ... acknowledging he screwed up big time.

"I want to personally apologize to everyone that my words made feel less safe," Drake said.

"I especially want to apologize to every person who has been affected by gun violence in our country."

"I also acknowledge and apologize for the controversy this has brought to Major League Baseball, my fellow umpires and my family. I never intended to diminish the threat of violence from assault weapons, or violence of any kind."

Drake continued, "I'm going to learn from this. Once I read what I had tweeted I realized the violence in those words and have since deleted it. I know that I cannot unsay the words, but please accept my sincerest apologies."

WWE star Jimmy Uso swerved all over the road while speeding before he was arrested for DUI ... and TMZ Sports has obtained the police footage that shows the scary scene.

The 34-year-old wrestler was busted back on July 25 in Escambia County, Florida after cops say they noticed Uso driving recklessly throughout the night in his Cadillac Escalade.

New police video shows the moment when an officer catches Uso -- real name Jonathan Fatu -- in the act ... and it's frightening.

Uso is all over the road ... bouncing from side to side in his lane -- even at one point crossing the double yellow line -- all while the cop clocks him at 86 MPH in a 45.

Eventually, the officer was able to pull him over ... and, you can see in the video, Uso looks trashed.

The 6'3", 251-pound wrestler was stumbling as he walked to the back of his car ... and when the cop tried to take him to a nearby parking lot to complete field sobriety tests, Uso talked in circles.

Jimmy kept questioning what was happening ... and aggressively asked the officer several times why he couldn't have his lawyer present during the stop.

Eventually, the cop got fed up with Uso and arrested him for DUI. And, in fact, in the police report, the cop says Uso reeked so much of alcohol, he had to roll down his window on the ride to county jail.

Jimmy was eventually hit with misdemeanor DUI ... and he's been fighting the charge in court over the last few months -- with his next hearing set for next week.

Of course, this is the SECOND time Uso's had issues with law enforcement this year -- remember, back in February, he was arrested in Michigan after cops say he tried to fight them during a traffic stop.

In that case, Uso struck a plea deal and was ordered to pay $450 in fines.

Uso is a big deal in the pro wrestling world -- his father is WWE legend Rikishi and his cousins are The Rock and Roman Reigns.

UFC stud Walt Harris' 19-year-old daughter is missing in Alabama ... and the heavyweight fighter is pleading for the public's help to find her.

According to the Auburn Police Department ... Aniah Haley Blanchard was reported missing on Thursday after she was last heard from just before midnight on Wednesday.

The police say they're currently investigating, but add they do not believe foul play is involved.

According to the cops, she was last seen in a black dress, tan boots and black stockings ... and her black 2017 Honda CR-V is missing as well.

"Please help!!!!" Harris wrote on his social media pages Thursday. "Any info message me on here or call the Auburn police (334) 501-3140 Please!!!"

36-year-old Harris is one of the top UFC contenders in the heavyweight division ... having just beaten Aleksei Oleinik back in July.

Wanna see the coolest Frisbee trick ever?!?!

Wakeboarding star Steel Lafferty threw up a disc about a hundred feet in the air ... got it to come back to him -- and caught it after doing a backflip!!!

The insane throw took place down in Nicaragua ... where Lafferty is vacationing with skateboarding legend Ryan Sheckler and some other buds.

And, fortunately for all of us, one of them was smart enough to grab the camera when Lafferty went down to the beach with a Frisbee.

The 27-year-old's toss was insane -- seriously, watch the thing boomerang -- but his backflip before the catch really topped it off!!

"No matter where I am, You all know I have to do something WILD !" Lafferty said of the throw.

Of course, the 5'7", 160-pound badass is no stranger to wild stunts ... he kills it on the water -- and even earned Wakeboarder Of The Year honors back in 2017.

UFC rising star Maycee Barber says Paige VanZant needs to put up or shut up ... because if Paige REALLY wants to fight, Barber's ready to sign a contract RIGHT NOW.

Barber is 8-0 and destroying people in the Octagon -- and she clearly wants a crack at Paige.

What's interesting ... VanZant recently appeared on TMZ Sports and said she's been begging Dana White and the UFC to find her an opponent. Paige also posted on IG and tagged essentially every woman in the 115 and 125 division asking to bring it on ... except Maycee.

But, in this brand new video, Barber spells it all out for Paige -- she's ready, willing and able to fight ... unless PVZ is just too scared to accept the challenge.

There are reports VanZant has refused to fight Barber because she feels Maycee has disrespected her in the past ... and Paige doesn't want to reward bad behavior with a big money fight.

But, Barber says it's the fight game -- not the friend game -- and they need to settle things with their fists.

"Listen Paige, I'm not looking to go out there and fight you out of respect. I'm looking to go out there and sign a contact with another girl and have her actually show up."

"I saw your thing on TMZ about begging Dana for a fight, and listen ... Dana White, TMZ, Paige VanZant ... I'm right here. I've been waiting."

"So, either sign the contract or show up, otherwise gimme a contract with someone [else] with the last name of VanZant."

And, just for clarification ... that last dig seems to be a reference to rumors that Maycee slid into Paige's husband's DMs.

The Houston Astros just fired their assistant GM Brandon Taubman -- saying an investigation revealed he did, in fact, direct inappropriate comments toward female reporters during a locker room celebration.

As we previously reported, several journalists claimed Taubman screamed, "I’m so f*cking glad we got Osuna!'" at a group of women in what was interpreted as a verbal taunt.

The backstory ... the Astros traded for Osuna after he was accused of domestic violence while he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Houston had received backlash for acquiring the all-star closer ... and after he helped the 'Stros earn a trip to the World Series last week -- Taubman's comments were interpreted as a middle finger to his critics.

But, the reporters didn't find the comments appropriate at all ... and despite initially defending Taubman, the Astros say a probe revealed their top-ranking exec was in the wrong.

"Our initial investigation led us to believe that Brandon Taubman's inappropriate comments were not directed toward any reporter. We were wrong," the team said in a statement.

"We sincerely apologize to Stephanie Apstein, Sports Illustrated and to all individuals who witnessed this incident or were offended by the inappropriate conduct. The Astros in no way intended to minimize the issues related to domestic violence."

The team added, "Our initial belief was based on witness statements about the incident. Subsequent interviews have revealed that Taubman's inappropriate comments were, in fact, directed toward one or more reporters."

"Accordingly we have terminated Brandon Taubman's employment with the Houston Astros. His conduct does not reflect the values of our organization and we believe this is the most appropriate course of action."

NY Congressman Peter King says MLB ump Rob Drake was WRONG to tweet about buying an AR-15 and threatening a civil war ... telling TMZ Sports free speech goes out the window when you start inciting violence.

Drake tweeted and deleted the controversial message Tuesday, saying "I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! #MAGA2020”

The MLB has launched an investigation into the matter ... and Drake has since gone radio silent.

We spoke with Rep. King about the issue on Thursday ... and while he says he fully supports free speech, King thinks Drake crossed a line.

"I think people should have a very wide range of what they can say. There is free speech," King told us while pointing out he fully supports Rockets GM Daryl Morey and Shaquille O'Neal speaking out in support of the Hong Kong protests

"But, I think if you're talking about anything that comes close to inciting violence, that's where I draw the line. Nobody should be talking about AR-15s. Not in a democracy."

While the MLB investigates, the MLB Umpires Union released a statement on Drake's tweet, saying "He chose the wrong way to convey his opinion about our great country. His posting does not represent the view of the MLBUA or reflect those of the umpires we represent."

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture suffered a heart attack on Wednesday and is currently in intensive care at an L.A. hospital, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 56-year-old legend -- a 3-time UFC Heavyweight champ -- walked himself to the hospital on Wednesday after feeling something was off after a workout at the Unbreakable MMA gym in L.A. He was admitted and treated immediately. The good news, sources close to Randy tell us he's expected Randy to make a full recovery.

Couture is widely considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all-time with victories over guys like Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Vitor Belfort and more.

In fact, Couture fought competitively late into his 40s ... taking on Lyoto Machida for the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2011 when Randy was 46 years old. Couture lost that fight, but still, amazing.

Couture also built a career as an actor starting with a cameo on the CBS show, "The Unit" which snowballed into bigger roles in bigger projects.

Couture went on to appear in a bunch of 'The Expendables' movies alongside Sylvester Stallone ... and later starred in the 2011 movie, "Setup," with Bruce Willis and 50 Cent.

In 2014, Couture competed on "Dancing with the Stars" with his pro dancer partner, Karina Smirnoff. He wasn't the greatest dancer in the world, but he was a fan favorite.

Couture is a regular at Jay Glazer's Unbreakable Gym in L.A., where he still trains alongside MMA legends like Chuck Liddell.

Back in the day, Couture was a high school wrestling phenom and won a state championship in Washington. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1988 and made Sergeant in the 101st Airborne.

After the Army, Couture made the U.S. Olympic team as an alternate for the '88, '92 and '96 Games.

Couture was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006, only the 4th fighter to be enshrined. Couture had retired at the time but came back to fight several more times.

Couture has 3 children including son Ryan Couture, an MMA fighter who competes for Bellator.

File under -- Tall People Problems.

7'6" Boston Celtics rookie Tacko Fall has entered NBA's concussion protocol ... after the big man hit his head on a "low ceiling."

Fall -- who's quickly become a fan favorite in the league -- recently told MassLive the incident happened when he was washing his hands at the team facility after a workout ... and didn't notice a low ceiling.

The 23-year-old told the outlet that he hit his head, but didn't think anything of it until he woke up the next morning and wasn't feeling well.

Fall ended up in concussion protocol, but Celtics coach Brad Stevens says he should be okay soon.

Of course, the ex-UCF star told us back in April all about being a walking skyscraper ... saying he's always taller than the shower heads!!!

A reporter in Russia asked Conor McGregor to his face about the rape allegation against him in Ireland ... but the host of Conor's media event shut it down before Conor could answer.

McGregor had invited Russian media to Moscow for a mystery press conference Thursday --  with Conor's team teasing the event this way, "Perhaps he will make statements about his imminent return to the octagon."

Of course, Conor DID address his fighting career and his whiskey business -- but when one reporter tried to ask about McGregor's legal issues ... he was stopped in his tracks.

The whole exchange went down in Russian -- so we got it translated and this is what we were told happened.

The reporter starts off friendly and praises Conor as a top athlete but says he wants to ask a serious question: "News is coming out that Conor McGregor raped a 20-year-old lady."

The moderator cuts him off saying, "We're not going to talk about that today."

She praised the reporter as a good guy -- but warns him to "behave himself."

FYI, Conor is reportedly being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s outside of Dublin pub. He was also accused of raping a woman back in December. Earlier this week, McGregor "emphatically denied" the recent allegations.

Antonio Brown is making his return!!!

... to another courthouse -- 'cause the NFL star has just agreed to retake his deposition in his condo-trashing lawsuit on Dec. 12, after the first one ended in complete disaster.

Remember, AB -- who's been teamless since his release from the Patriots last month -- is being sued for allegedly trashing his fancy Miami-area condo last year.

But, during his first deposition in the case last month ... the attorneys for the place -- The Mansions at Acqualina -- say he was a complete monster during the proceedings.

In court docs, they allege Brown showed up late ... "chanted over and over" during questioning -- and was overall "defiant" and "profane."

They also allege AB inexplicably left the depo early ... saying out of nowhere he gave them a 5-minute countdown and walked out of the office building long before the meeting was scheduled to end.

Opposing counsel demanded the judge order AB to sit for a second depo -- but before the matter went before the court, Brown's team agreed to the request.

They even set a date and location ... Dec. 12 (during the NFL's Week 12) at the Dade County Courthouse.

In fact, Brown's hearing is slated for just hours before the Jets kick off against the Ravens on "Thursday Night Football."

Greatest first pitch in World Series history!? Maybe!

Simone Biles took the mound -- and busted out a twisting backflip!!! -- before grabbing the ball Wednesday and heaving it to Houston Astros player Jake Marisnick.

The crowd went absolutely wild for the Team USA gymnastics star as Jake grabbed the ball and signed it before handing it back.

Unfortunately for the home team, the Astros proceeded to get DESTROYED in a 12-3 shellacking at Minute Maid Park in Game 2 against the Washington Nationals.

Houston is now down 0-2 in the series and if you know how superstitious baseball players are ... Biles might never get asked back to throw another pitch!!!

22-year-old Biles wasn't born in Texas -- but she moved there when she was 3 and was essentially raised in the Houston area. She still lives and trains there.

Biles told NBC Sports she was nervous about throwing out the pitch ... saying, "Gymnastics is the only sport I’ve ever done, so when it comes to anything else, I’m literally terrified.

"So, I get more nervous doing this stuff than competing, which is really weird. So, yeah, hopefully I don’t end up on celebrity fails."

She didn't. It was awesome.

BTW, Biles has a history of CRUSHING first pitches at baseball games ... back in 2016, she busted out a crazy front flip thingy while tossing the first pitch in an Astros vs. Mariners game!!!

Now that the baseball game is out of the way, the 4'8" Biles can focus back on dominating everyone at the 2020 Olympics!!!

#USA #USA #USA