TMZ Sports - Page 50

President Donald Trump may wanna stick to college football games ... 'cause #45 got a standing ovation once again at the College Football Playoff national championship game!!

It hasn't always been this friendly for POTUS ... he's been boo'd to hell (World Series), cheered incessantly (LSU vs. Alabama), and gotten what some would call "mixed reviews" (UFC 244).

But, the crowd was lovin' Trump on Monday night when he and First Lady Melania took the field before kickoff for the National Anthem ... with audible cheers coming from the seats.

FYI -- the reception shouldn't come as a surprise ... Trump easily won the state of Louisiana back in 2016.

LSU QB Joe Burrow has played in front of Trump once earlier this season ... and has previously said it's a "pretty cool" experience, regardless of political beliefs.

Joe Judge just got a HUGE endorsement ... Giants legend Justin Tuck says he's a fan of NY's new head coaching hire -- telling TMZ Sports, "I like the pick!"

Of course, it's great news for Big Blue's new boss ... a lot of NY fans were upset over the hire after he looked to be the Giants' backup option when Matt Rhule bolted for Carolina.

But, Tuck clearly seems to like the promise of the 38-year-old regardless ... even making a joke about how Joe will share the city's spotlight with Yankees superstar Aaron Judge!

It might not be that hard to prove Justin's optimism right ... the Giants actually have a pretty stacked roster despite going 4-12 last season.

There's Saquon, there's Daniel Jones and there's a lot of talent at wide receiver ... plus, they get the No. 4 overall pick in April's NFL Draft!

As for if Joe can't right the ship in NY? Justin kept it real with us about that possibility, saying, "If he wins games, we're going to love him. If he don't, he's going to get fired!"

No one expected the Titans to wreck Lamar Jackson and the Ravens ... that is, no one except Chris Johnson ... and he tells TMZ Sports his old team is about to pull off ANOTHER huge upset!!

Mike Vrabel's squad came away with the 28-12 dub over Baltimore in the divisional round of the playoffs on Saturday (they were 10 point underdogs) ... one week after taking down Tom Brady and the Patriots.

CJ2K says the Titans ain't done yet, 'cause he tells us Tennessee is about to take down Patrick Mahomes and co. in the AFC Championship game and punch some tickets to Miami.

"Man, listen, the Ravens had a explosive offense as well," CJ tells us. "We went in there and we did what we had to do. We held them to 12 points. so, we gon' do the same thing this week."

CJ -- who was so pumped about the win, he made t-shirts -- jokes that he's getting so good with his predictions, he deserves a TV deal!!

"I've been right on the head. I've been predicting it every week."

Christian McCaffrey really is one of the best utility players in the game ... not only can he run and catch ... he can also squeeze super hot models into the tightest pair of leather pants!!!

The Carolina Panthers superstar came in clutch for his incredibly attractive GF Olivia Culpo before their date in L.A. over the weekend ... helping her squeeze into her pants in a super sexy moment captured on her IG Story.

"Leather pants should come with a human to help put them on," OC said. "This was after I ripped the belt loop trying to pull them up myself."

But, don't worry, the shirtless assistance from CMC was helpful enough to get the couple out of the house for their romantic dinner at Delilah in West Hollywood.

Culpo and McCaffrey have been on fire lately ... they recently had their belated Christmas together and had a lil bae-cation before getting back to L.A.

Tragic news in the Washington Nationals organization ... one of their up-and-coming pitching prospects died Sunday reportedly after a motorcycle crash in the Dominican Republic.

Fausto Segura -- a 6-foot-3 right hander who signed with the Nats back in 2017 -- was allegedly driving his motorcycle when he was struck by a van, ESPN Deportes said.

Segura was reportedly visiting his hometown of Barahona at the time of the accident. He was 23 years old.

"The Washington Nationals are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Fausto Segura," the team said in a statement Monday. "He was beloved by his teammates, coaches, coordinators and everyone he came in contact with throughout our organization."

Segura pitched in the Nationals' farm system the past three seasons ... and showed some upside, according to assistant general manager of international operations Johnny DiPuglia.

"He was starting to take off," DiPuglia said of Segura. "We were excited about him. But the thing we were most excited about him was how his maturation had improved."

"So that’s the sad thing. The kid was starting to figure some things out, and then this happens."

The Tigers and Tigers are set to face off in the 2020 National Championship Game on Monday ... which means one of these hunks is going home with a shiny, new trophy.

Clemson superstar Trevor Lawrence and LSU's Heisman Trophy winner, Joe Burrow, have led their teams to the biggest night of the season ... and both have looked damn good in the process.

Numbers-wise, the winner is Burrow ... who threw for 5,208 yards and 55 TDs and added 310 yards and 4 TDs on the ground ... while Lawrence threw for 3,431 yards and 36 TDs and rushed for 514 yards and 8 TDs.

While the LSU Tigers are favored to take home the hardware, Clemson's been on this stage a lot as of late ... it's the reigning national champs.

But, that's not why we're here. We can focus more on the footballs Monday night. The REAL reason we're here is to ask ... who'd you rather!?!?!

The woman who died after being taken to the hospital by NFL player Montae Nicholson passed away due to an accidental fentanyl overdose ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story, back on Nov. 14, Nicholson and a friend found 21-year-old Julia Crabbe "foaming at the mouth" in Nicholson's Ashburn, Virginia home after a night out.

According to police documents, Nicholson and the friend took Crabbe to a nearby hospital ... where she was later pronounced dead.

Now, TMZ Sports has learned Crabbe's death has been ruled an accident ... a spokesperson for the county medical examiner tells us Crabbe died of "fentanyl intoxication."

FYI, the CDC characterizes fentanyl as an opioid pain reliever that is "50 to 100 times more potent than morphine."

Big win for Patriots safety Patrick Chung ... the New England DB just cut a deal in his cocaine case -- and he will NOT have to go to jail despite a felony drug charge.

Court officials tell TMZ Sports Chung and prosecutors made an agreement Monday in which Chung's charge will be dropped if he meets several requirements.

Officials say Chung's got to keep his nose clean for 2 years, submit to random periodic drug testing and complete 40 hours of community service.

It's a sweet deal for the 32-year-old New England defensive back ... because he was facing up to 7 YEARS behind bars for the charge.

As we previously reported, Chung was busted back on June 25 after cops in New Hampshire say they discovered drugs in the Patriots player's possession.

Chung initially pled not guilty to the charge at a court hearing in August.

As for why prosecutors cut the deal ... they said in statement there were numerous factors that led to the agreement.

Prosecutors say Chung had no prior criminal record, he was fully cooperative with police, the amount of drugs they allegedly found on Chung were "small" ... and they also say Chung passed a substance abuse evaluation.

Chung is still subject to NFL discipline based on the league's personal conduct policy.

The MLB just laid the hammer down on the Astros over sign-stealing allegations ... suspending manager A.J. Hinch for 1 YEAR -- and hitting the team with all kinds of other punishments for cheating.

MLB commish Rob Manfred just made the announcement ... saying the league found the Astros DID, in fact, steal signs from opponents beginning in the 2017 season.

Per Manfred, the league interviewed 68 witnesses -- including 23 current and former Astros players -- and found the cheating allegations to be credible.

As part of the punishment, Manfred announced 1-year suspensions for both Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow ... as well as a fine of $5 MILLION AND the loss of draft picks.

Manfred said the Astros will be forced to give up their first AND second-round picks in both the 2020 and 2021 drafts.

Per the league's report, the Astros used a complicated scheme where they filmed signs, decoded them in a separate room and relayed the upcoming pitches to batters by banging on dugout trash cans.

The report says former Astros bench coach and current Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, was the mastermind behind all the cheating.

Tim Tebow getting an invite to Mets' spring training is NOT a publicity stunt ... so says Ryan Braun, who tells TMZ Sports the ex-NFL QB has a real chance to make NY's roster!

Of course, a lotta people are saying otherwise ... convinced Tim's only getting the opportunity this year because it draws fans to the Mets' preseason camp.

But, Braun told us out at the California Strong Charity Softball event Sunday he thinks Tim's definitely got the goods to make the Mets' opening day squad.

"I would never count that guy out," the Brewers superstar says. "He's proven that he's the type of dude that can make it in anything he aspires to be great at."

Tim's had a VERY up-and-down baseball career since he gave up football in 2016 ... with the former Heisman Trophy winner having more lows than highs in the Mets' minor league system.

In his four years in the minors, Tebow's batting average is just .223 -- although he did make a prestigious All-Star game during a solid 2018 season.

The Mets appear to be determined to give him every chance to make their roster (this is the 4th straight year they've invited him to camp) and Braun says he wouldn't be surprised to see Tebow finally make The Show this season.

"If you look at the numbers of guys who make it to the minor leagues, it's so difficult to ever get to the Major Leagues," Braun says.

No one -- on Earth -- was more fired up about the Chiefs' epic comeback against the Houston Texans than Patrick Mahomes' girlfriend, Brittany Mathews ... and it's all on video.

Brittany WENT FULL-ON BERSERK while watching her boyfriend engineer one of the greatest comebacks in NFL playoff history ... screaming, yelling, talking trash!!!

The 23-year-old was watching the game from a VIP suite at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City ... surrounded by other Chiefs players' GFs and her BFF Jackson Mahomes, Pat's younger bro.

As the Chiefs started cutting into the Texans 24-0 lead, Matthews could barely believe it -- LOSING HER MIND while Patrick went off on the field.

"THAT'S MY BOYYYYYYYYYYYYY," she yelled from the suite ... adding, "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"

Once it became clear the Chiefs were taking control, Matthews sent a video message to all of her haters ...

"All those people that doubted us and hated on us, that thought we were gonna lose this game? GUESS AGAIN!!!"

Matthews ain't exactly a wallflower at Chiefs games -- she's as loud and rowdy as they come -- which might be why Patriots fans heckled the crap out of her during a regular-season matchup at Gillette Stadium toward the end of the season.

The good news for Brittany ... the Chiefs will be back at Arrowhead next weekend to take on the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game.

Another bizarre police incident at Antonio Brown's Florida home -- this time, cops responded after a dispute with his baby mama ... and it turned VERY nasty.

We've reached out to cops to find out exactly why they were called to the home -- and who made the call. But, here's what we know so far ...

Several Hollywood Police Dept. officers arrived at Brown's home around 10 AM local time on Monday ... and Brown's baby mama, Chelsie Kyriss, was there too. They have 3 children together.

Brown repeatedly told the officers he had previously evicted her from his home -- but allowed her on the property so she could pick up her kids and take them to school.

But, Brown claims during the handoff, Chelsie tried to steal one of his cars -- and he wasn't having it.

Forget NyQuil ... Bad Bunny is apparently the perfect cure for the flu -- 'cause after he brought LeBron James onstage Sunday -- the Lakers star looked magically cured!!!

LBJ has been battling a bad cold this past week ... and he was feeling so crappy over the weekend, he missed L.A.'s game against the Thunder on Saturday.

But, on Sunday, clearly, all the guy needed was some Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton to feel better ... 'cause when Bad Bunny brought him onstage at Calibash at Staples Center, LBJ raged his face off!!

Watch the video ... LeBron sure looks like he's feeling okay to us -- boppin' around and getting the crowd fired up. He even got in a little dance sesh with Bad Bunny himself!!

The Lakers play the Cavs on Monday night ... and based on Bron's performance Sunday -- we're pretty positive he'll make his return to the hardwood for the game.

Sorry, John Beilein.

Mexican wrestler La Parka -- a superstar in Lucha Libre AAA -- died on Saturday ... a little more than 2 months after he suffered a severe injury during an October wrestling match.

La Parka -- aka Jesus Alfonso Escoboza Huerta -- did a leaping dive through the ropes at an opponent in Monterey, Mexico ... but tragically hit his head on a guard rail before falling to the ground.

Escoboza Huerta underwent emergency surgery to save his life ... but the wrestler was reportedly still left paralyzed from the fall.

After battling the injuries for the last several months ... Lucha Libre AAA said Escoboza Huerta was put on assisted breathing Friday after he showed signs of kidney failure.

A day later, the wrestling org. announced Escoboza Huerta passed away after his lungs and kidneys failed. He was 54 years old.

Escoboza Huerta began wrestling in 1987 and wrestled under the "La Parka" moniker for more than 20 years, Lucha Libre AAA said.

He famously won championships in the Triplemanía Cup and Antonio Peña Cup ... in addition to winning the King of Kings event that's annually put on by Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.

Wrestling superstars Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara and others posted tributes to Escoboza Huerta on social media after learning of his death.

How did Bill Cowher feel when he was surprised with his big Hall of Fame news on live TV on Saturday???

"IT WAS AWESOME!"

The legendary NFL coach was still giddy on Sunday when we spotted him out in NYC -- telling TMZ Sports he was stoked he got to share that special moment with the world

"It was pretty awesome. Pretty surreal to be honest with you," Cowher said ... "Very surprised!"

Cowher was doing his thing on the CBS pregame show before the Ravens vs. Titans game, when Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker suddenly walked in and interrupted to inform Bill he's getting a gold jacket!

The moment was amazing -- Bill got super emotional and thanked everyone who helped him along the way ... all while his cohosts cheered their faces off!

The very next day, Baker surprised Jimmy Johnson on the set of the NFL On Fox pregame show and delivered the same news to the ex-Cowboys coach. His former player, Troy Aikman, was so moved, he choked back tears.

Another emotional moment. Great stuff!

"That's what happens when you feel like you're on top of the world!"

That's Terrell Owens weighing in on Julian Edelman's arrest in Beverly Hills over the weekend -- telling TMZ Sports the Patriots WR clearly feels untouchable.

We broke the story, Edelman was arrested Saturday night for misdemeanor vandalism after cops say he jumped on the hood of a Mercedes-Benz during a night out with Paul Pierce and Danny Amendola.

Owens, who knows exactly what it's like to be a top-flight NFL star, didn't seem too shocked by Edelman's alleged actions ... saying, "That's Julian Edelman being Julian Edelman."

Edelman was scheduled to appear and participate in the California Strong Celebrity Softball Game at Pepperdine University on Sunday ... but never showed up. It's pretty obvious why.

But, a TON of stars did attend the event -- including Owens -- to help raise money for people affected by the wildfires and the mass shootings in Southern California.