TMZ Sports - Page 50

Ric Flair says a wrestling match between his daughter, Charlotte Flair, and The Rock's daughter, Simone Johnson, would be freakin' AWESOME ... and it could happen!!

TMZ Sports talked to Flair at LAX ... and while the wrestling legend told us he hadn't given much thought to a Charlotte vs. Simone match, he says the women most definitely have -- and it'd be huge.

"I have not [thought about it], but I'm sure it's crossed their mind. They can see it down the road. It would be phenomenal!"

There's a big gap between the women... 33-year-old Charlotte has been with WWE since 2012 and is one of the biggest stars in the game.

But, Simone just started wrestling, so Ric says it's impossible to say exactly how good she'll be -- but she's got a major advantage -- The Rock's her dad.

"I haven't seen her wrestle yet, so it's hard to predict. She's got his genetics and she's got determination. I know that she's been dying to do this."

Charlotte vs. Simone would be epic ... 'cause well, remember Ric vs. The Rock in 2002?

Ex-NFL star Deltha O'Neal is EXTREMELY lucky to be alive today ... TMZ Sports has obtained the crash pics from his DUI case -- and you can see his car was a mangled mess.

As we previously reported, O'Neal was involved in a terrifying wreck back on Aug. 7, 2019 .... after cops say he lost control of his Mercedes going around a curve on a Florida roadway.

Cops say O'Neal and his passenger, Joseph Babcock, struck a curb, slammed into a utility pole, caught on fire and ripped through trees before their ride finally came to a stop.

O'Neal and Babcock were both seriously hurt in the accident ... with officials saying Babcock broke his femur, while O'Neal fractured his back and neck.

In police photos we obtained of the car shortly after the crash ... you can see it's a miracle that's ALL that happened to the guys -- 'cause there was hardly any car left post-accident.

According to court docs, O'Neal had admitted to drinking before the wreck ... and he was later arrested and hit with two counts of DUI.

Babcock, meanwhile, sued O'Neal over the crash ... demanding cash, claiming the former Denver Broncos Pro Bowl DB was responsible for all of his injuries.

O'Neal -- who logged 34 interceptions in his 9-year NFL career -- is currently fighting both cases in court. His next appearance in his criminal case is slated for April.

It's a good thing Joe Burrow's not boycotting the Bengals, 'cause Brett Favre says getting drafted by Cincinnati would be PERFECT!!

Remember, there were talks the Heisman winner would pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Bengals if drafted ... but JB put an end to all that talk when asked about it at the draft, saying "I'm going to show up."

TMZ Sports spoke with Favre about the possibility ... and he says it couldn't be drawn up any better for the LSU Superstar.

"I think this is setting up perfect for him to go back home, assuming Cincinnati will take him," Favre tells us. "Hometown boy."

As for transitioning from whoopin' the entire NCAA to the NFL, the Hall of Famer ain't worried about the 23-year-old adjusting to the pros.

"I think if he plays the way he played this year, the transition will be easy."

Jussie Smollett's alleged attacker may not have done much damage to the actor on the streets of Chicago, but he keeps racking up knockouts in the ring.

Abel Osundairo was a featured fighter in the 11th Annual Fights Amateur Boxing Tournament at the Belvedere Events Center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame was behind the event.

Dude strolled into the ring and it was no contest ... 'cause after feeling out his opponent in the first 18 seconds, Abel unleashed his vicious jab and strong left hook to smother his opponent. Watch ... with less than a minute and a half left into the round, Abel traps him on the ropes and knocks him out with a powerful right hook. And just like that, it was over.

After the match ... Abel -- with his brother, Ola, in tow as a guest -- were all smiles posing for pics with boxing Hall of Famers Larry "The Easton Assassin" Holmes and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini.

BTW ... Abel's no stranger to knocking out opponents in the first round. He built a solid boxing reputation doing just that when he entered -- AND WON -- the prestigious Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament.

Tony Romo's staying put at CBS ... and the network's rewarding him handsomely by making him the highest-paid NFL analyst in TV HISTORY!!!

The former Dallas Cowboys QB is reportedly set to earn a whopping $17 million per season. The two sides struck a deal Friday ... before ESPN got its chance to lure Romo, who is regarded as the NFL's best analyst, perhaps ever.

The New York Post was first to report the figure. The outlet's also reporting the deal's for "significantly more than five years," which could mean the entire deal may be worth more than $100 MILLION. The Sports Business Journal says CBS Sports confirmed locking Romo to a new deal but would not comment on terms.

Romo, who was in his final year of a 3-year deal, reportedly made $4 million last season. Over at FOX ... its lead NFL analyst, Troy Aikman, reportedly makes around $7.5 million per season. John Madden was previously the highest-paid analyst with a deal that paid him $8 million per year. And if you factor in an adjustment for inflation, that would still only put Madden's number at $14 million per year.

For a little more perspective ... Romo's highest single-season earnings in the NFL came in 2013 when he made $26.5 million, which included his signing bonus. He made over $127 million in 14 seasons with the Cowboys.

Tito Ortiz's win over Alberto Del Rio has been reinstated by a Texas athletic commission ... days after they took away the MMA legends victory and ruled the fight a no-contest.

45-year-old Ortiz DOMINATED 42-year-old Del Rio during their December 7th fight ... submitting the former wrestling star by rear-naked choke in the 1st round of the fight.

All was cool until earlier this week when the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation abruptly announced Ortiz's win had been stripped ... with no explanation why.

However, on Friday, the TDLR told TMZ Sports they reversed course ... after an investigation proved Ortiz didn't break any rules.

"A urine sample provided by Jacob 'Tito' Christopher Ortiz on Dec. 7, 2019, at the Combate Americas MMA event showed a potentially disqualifying substance that Ortiz claimed was prescribed by a physician. Pending the outcome of the TDLR inquiry into whether the substance was indeed prescribed by a physician, TDLR marked the fight results as 'No Contest.'"

"TDLR confirmed with the physician that the item was prescribed to Ortiz. TDLR has reinstated Ortiz’s victory in the Dec. 7 bout."

We know what you're thinking ... what's the drug in question? So far, those details have not been released but we'll have more here as the info becomes available.

WORST CRIMINALS EVER???

Two LSU frat bros and a female companion were arrested this week after cops say they broke into Tiger Stadium and whipped a suped-up golf cart all over the football field, causing a ton of damage!

And, the worst part ... they probably would've gotten away with it -- but cops say one of the guys returned to the field a few weeks later AND DID IT AGAIN!!!

The main suspect is 19-year-old Clayton Fleetwood -- who allegedly snuck into the stadium with a buddy just after midnight on January 21 and got behind the wheel of a red Kawasaki Mule, a fast-moving utility vehicle.

Officials say Fleetwood and his pal, Thomas English, proceeded to drive the Mule all over the grass -- causing at least $8,000 in damage to the grounds, which had just been upgraded with a new drainage system.

Cops say they shot footage of the joy ride, which eventually made its way to social media. NOT SMART!

They eventually left the stadium ... but cops say Fleetwood returned on Feb. 8 with another pal -- 20-year-old Catherine Nowery -- and once again, Fleetwood grabbed a Mule and tore up the field.

Officials say surveillance video shows the two "talking, kissing, and drinking what appear to be alcoholic beverages."

Cops received anonymous tips about the suspects and officials were able to track all 3 perps down ... matching school ID photos to the surveillance video.

Also, the President of Delta Chi called school officials and confirmed the two men in the viral video were members of his frat.

Eventually, all 3 people were arrested and hit with a bunch of criminal charges.

Fleetwood is facing felony burglary, misdemeanor trespass and felony unauthorized use of a vehicle. Jackson is facing felony burglary and felony unauthorized use of a vehicle. Nowery is facing misdemeanor criminal trespass and felony unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Suspended Yankees star pitcher Domingo German was involved in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Thursday ... NY manager Aaron Boone confirmed.

The right-hander was NOT, however, injured ... Boone says.

"Germán is fine," the Yanks head man told reporters at NY's spring camp. "He was in the car, in the back seat on the driver's side. He's been to the complex in the D.R., he's been checked over, and he's fine.”

German has been training in the DR away from his Yanks teammates in Florida, because he's still in the middle of an 81-game suspension he was hit with for violating the MLB's domestic violence policy last year.

It's unclear if others were injured in the accident -- Yankees officials have still not released a formal statement on the matter.

Tim Tebow ... NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Heisman Trophy winner turned Mets farmhand had a chance to be a hero in NY's spring training game Friday ... but instead, he tripped over his own shoes!!

The sad scene all went down in the Mets-Cardinals exhibition game ... where Tebow's squad was up 3-2 in the top of the ninth inning.

With two outs left in the game, Tim could've closed everything down by catching a lazy pop fly to left field -- but he fell to the ground before he could make the grab!!

The vid is pretty depressing ... Tim takes a solid route to the ball, camps underneath it, but then gets his feet tangled in his shoelaces and goes crashing to the grass.

SO CLOSE!!!

The ball landed just a few feet from him ... allowing the game-tying runner to advance to second base.

To make matters worse, Tebow -- the No. 9 hitter for the day -- was 0-for-2 on the afternoon with 2 strikeouts. YIKES!!!

Fortunately for the ex-NFL QB, the Mets were able to get the next batter to fly out to right to end the game ... but social media is already ROASTING poor Timmy for the effort!!

Of course, it hasn't been all bad news bears for Tebow this spring ... he just hit his first home run of camp earlier this week, but clearly, this ain't going to help make the Mets' opening day roster.

Barry Sanders has entered the great Garth Brooks jersey scandal of 2020 ... hilariously asking the country singer if he wants to team up and run America together!!

Of course, some Garth fans lost their damn minds this week when he wore a Sanders #20 jersey at the Detroit stop on his stadium tour ... thinking the wardrobe choice was in support of Democratic nominee Bernie Sanders and not the Hall of Fame running back.

One fan wrote ... "Good grief. Can’t you just do what you get paid to do ???? Why why why does it have to involve politics !!! 🤢 So sad. We don’t pay good money for anything other than to watch you perform. 😡 Thought you were different."

The confusion is absolutely hilarious ... and it just got even better, 'cause Barry has chimed in with a zinger for the ages.

"Hey @garthbrooks, want to be my VP? #Number20for2020" Sanders tweeted.

The Detroit Lions even got involved too ... making Sanders' first official campaign graphic.

THIS IS AWESOME!!!

David Ayres -- the Zamboni driver who came in as an emergency goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes in an NHL game last week -- is getting his own, official trading card!!!

A spokesperson for Upper Deck tells TMZ Sports there was a SERIOUS demand for Ayres cardboard after he helped secure a win for the Canes when their top two goalies went down on Feb. 22.

So, we're told the card co. went to work ... and not only locked up an individual deal with the 42-year-old -- but made him his own, dope card quickly!!

The card features a shot of David in his gear standing in goal ... and on the back bio, it spells out exactly how Ayres turned from Zamboni driver to NHL player!!

"After giving up two quick goals," the card reads, "he stood tall and saved the next eight shots he faced, helping Carolina prevail 6-3 and earning a win in his surprise NHL debut."

Upper Deck officials say the card will be available in packs this week.

It's Odell Beckham's favorite time of the year!!! No, not football season ... it's Paris Fashion Week ... and the Browns' superstar made sure to look the part.

OBJ hit up the Virgil Abloh x Baccarat party on Thursday ... and the dude was draped in new Louis Vuitton from head-to-toe.

So, let's break it down -- on top, Odell was wearing the monogram reversible jacket, which comes with a hefty $5,250 price tag.

Of course, the swag didn't stop there -- naturally, Beckham paired the jacket with the monogram cargo pants with removable 3D pockets (thankfully, Odell decided to ditch the boxy pockets).

As for the trousers, they come with a $2,010 price tag.

To top it all off, OBJ had some pretty special pair of Jordan 1s -- the Pass The Torch Js, which were designed for Kawhi Leonard after winning the 2014 NBA Finals and run around $1-2k a pop nowadays.

Unbelievable moment for Senators star Bobby Ryan -- who returned to the ice in Ottawa on Thursday after taking 100 days off to get sober ... and he pulled off a HAT TRICK!!!

The 32-year-old had stepped away from the team on Nov. 20 to focus on battling alcoholism through the league's substance abuse program.

Tuesday marked 100 days of sobriety -- and Thursday night was Ryan's first game back at the Canadian Tire Centre ... where he was welcomed by adoring fans.

The energy in the place was insane -- many fans holding signs showing their support for Ryan, who was clearly touched by the love.

When the puck dropped, RYAN WENT OFF -- slapping 3 goals in a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks!

After goal #3, the arena erupted in a standing ovation and a "BOB-BY!" chant -- you can see Bobby got choked up and had to wipe away tears from his eyes.

After the game, Ryan told reporters, "I knew Ottawa being the community that it is that the reception would be good. It just got harder to keep the emotions down throughout the game."

Ryan added, "It was incredible. They supported me and I got to contribute. You can't write that, the way that went. It was just an incredible evening, so thank you to all of them."

Some L.A. County Sheriff's Deputies shared photos of the scene where Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gigi, and 7 others lost their lives ... and the photos included remains from the gruesome aftermath ... TMZ has confirmed.

It's not clear who took the photos, but it was being talked about by first responders just 2 days after the crash, this according to the L.A. Times.

And, according to the report, at least one L.A. County Sheriff's official had the photos on his cell phone "in a setting that had nothing to do with the investigation."

The report does not say who took the photos and how many deputies and officials at the Sheriff's Dept. saw or shared the photos.

The Sheriff's Dept. contacted families of all of the victims Wednesday ... an official told The Times the reason for contacting them was not because of the allegation but rather because there was a media inquiry over the allegation.

The Sheriff's Department would only say, "The matter is being looked into."

Knock on wood if you think this is hilarious!!!

Jon Gruden commissioned an impromptu Jon Gruden impression from Frank Caliendo at an Aerosmith concert recently ... and the video is laugh-out-loud funny.

FYI -- Caliendo has been doing an insane JG impression for YEARS ... and even famously did the bit for Gruden's Raiders at their training camp this past summer.

So, when Gruden was sitting next to the comedian in an arena waiting for the show to begin ... he whipped out his phone and created 25 seconds of magic with the guy.

JG starts the video by saying, "Yes, I'm sitting here at the Aerosmith concert with my good friend, Jon Gruden. How's it going, Jonny?!"

That's when Caliendo takes it away ... SOUNDING EXACTLY LIKE JON!!!

Frank, though, cracks up throughout the whole impression ... and his explanation for why is hilarious.

"1. Gruden recorded this on his phone," Frank said. "2. He didn’t tell me he was going to do it- and that's why I'm laughing so much. 3. I asked him to send it to me so I could post it. 4. He did... so that should tell you how great he is."

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy says he's not worried ONE BIT about reports Tom Brady is looking to bail on NE ... saying, "There's a ZERO percent chance he's leaving!"

Of course, El Pres is a DIEHARD Patriots fan -- everybody knows that -- but he also knows Tom and a bunch of other important people in the Patriots organization. Dude's plugged in.

So, when we saw Portnoy on the streets of NYC we had to ask if he had any inside info on the Brady drama.

"Listen! Tom Brady is not going anywhere," Portnoy says ... "Anybody who says he's going anywhere is an idiot!!"

He added, "The Patriots offer [Brady] the best chance to win the Super Bowl. They're offering him the most money or close to it. He just wants to feel wanted which I don't blame him!"

"Mark my words, there's a ZERO-POINT-ZERO-POINT-ZERO percent chance he's leaving New England. Zero! it may be less than zero!"