TMZ Sports - Page 50

A man posing as ex-MLB star Tim Lincecum scammed a Baltimore Ravens player out of autographed gear ... and he almost got away with it if it weren't for the NFLer's agent -- this according to cops.

Here's the deal ... authorities in Monroe County, PA say former NFL 1st-round pick Hayden Hurst contacted them last month to report he had been scammed.

Cops say Hurst told them that on or around May 19, 2019 -- he was contacted by a Twitter account he believed belonged to former SF Giants superstar pitcher Lincecum.

Hurst told cops the account had the verified blue checkmark ... so when it asked the TE for some signed memorabilia for a charity donation -- he sent over some swag no problem.

Cops say Hurst mailed 2 jerseys to the Lincecum imposter ... including one from a Ravens-Bills game on Dec. 8, 2019 that he personally inscribed, "My guy! 12/9/19 game used, 3 rec 73 yards 1 TD."

The issue? Cops say Hurst's agent, Phillip Walls, later saw the jerseys up for sale online ... and blew the cover off the whole scheme.

Cops say after an investigation ... they tracked down a man named Michael Daily in Stroudsburg, PA. -- and officials claim Daily fessed up to the whole scam.

Police say the 25-year-old told them he used several different accounts in the scheme to obtain NFL jerseys, cleats, gloves, balls, hats, pictures and even WWE championship belts.

Daily was arrested and reportedly hit with multiple charges in the case ... including identity theft, theft by deception and unlawful use of a computer.

A Lakers fan -- who clearly hates the Clippers -- drove the WRONG WAY down a 1-way street ... just so he could scream, "F*ck Kawhi," at Lakers player Jared Dudley.

It was super dangerous and unnecessary ... but also ... kinda funny.

Dudley was hanging in Beverly Hills Sunday after the Lakers beat the Clippers in a 112 to 103 showdown at Staples Center.

We were talkin' with Dudley about LeBron James' statements on coronavirus and how he wouldn't play if the NBA blocked fans from attending games ... when all of a sudden, the heckler appeared.

Fortunately, no one was hurt ... but it got a smile from Dudley and our photog.

Floyd Mayweather is interested in buying a major share of a Premier League soccer team -- and just discussed it publicly at a media event in the UK.

For years, the boxing star has flirted with the idea of purchasing an ownership stake in Newcastle United F.C. -- currently owned by British billionaire Mike Ashley.

But, when Floyd sat down for a fan Q&A in Newcastle on Sunday, the moderator asked Floyd straight-up about a possible deal.

"You're very, very interested in buying Newcastle United," the moderator asked Floyd.

"In the U.S. we call it soccer, but the Newcastle football team is an unbelievable team," Floyd said ... "a hell of a team."

He then smiled and told the crowd, "If the people want me to buy the Newcastle team, let me know!"

Cheers erupted. Floyd smiled.

We called up Floyd's people after the event to find out if he's being serious. We were told  Floyd IS, in fact, interested in buying a stake in the team ... but so far, no official negotiations have taken place.

Newcastle United is currently in 13th place in the Premier League -- they've only won 1 out of their last 5 games. Maybe Floyd can help turn 'em around?

Floyd has reportedly made around $1 BILLION in his boxing career -- and apparently, he's already bought more cars, jets and jewelry than you could imagine.

So, ownership next?

Here's one of the most insane hockey brawls EVER ... courtesy of players AND coaches in the Federal Prospects Hockey League.

The Columbus River Dragons were getting blown out 7-3 in the 3rd period of a heated game Sunday against the Carolina Thunderbirds in Winston-Salem, N.C. ... when a fight broke out that escalated QUICKLY.

You can see in footage ... the whole thing starts when Thunderbirds coach Andre Niec and River Dragons manager Jerome Bechard challenged each other at center ice.

Shortly after ... players got involved -- and it all eventually led to punches and wrestling matches ALL OVER the ice.

At one point, a River Dragons player even left the penalty box and bum-rushed a Thunderbird standing and watching the brawl at the red line!!! Oh, and Niec had his shirt ripped off in the fracas too!!

But, the best part of the entire fight? The play-by-play announcer CRUSHED his breakdown of the brawl ...

"Oh, I have never seen this in all my years of covering hockey!" the guy said ... "It's a melee! Everybody from the bench to the ice has a dance partner!!!"

Eventually, refs were able to get everything under control ... with AT LEAST 8 dudes getting ejected.

Ex-Knicks player Chris Childs says ever since Kobe Bryant's death, fans have been bringing up their fight from back in the day ... but those fans need to chill --- 'cause Chris says he and Kobe were cool!!!

"Nah, it was never a beef," Childs says, "It was just something that happened. We let bygones be bygones."

If you don't remember this epic fight ... back in April 2000, Childs and Bryant threw hands during a Knicks vs. Lakers game --- and Childs got the best of Kobe with a 2-piece to the grill.

Since Bryant's death on Jan 26, Childs tells us Mamba fans have been going at him on social media about the fight ...  but he just tries to stay calm and hit 'em back with some positive vibes!

"I just told them let's just pray for the family. Let's not get into the that part of the basketball side. Let that rest right now."

"Let's not be ignorant and continue to talk about something that at that moment, doesn't matter."

In fact, Childs says he and Bryant were fine after that fight -- they would run into each other at UCLA during workouts and there's was NEVER any smoke.

"We always gave each other the head nod, ya know, acknowledging the other person."

Of all the murals dedicated to Kobe Bryant and Gianna, Vanessa Bryant seems to have found one she adores ... 'cause she just snapped a pic of her oldest daughter in front of it.

Vanessa posted a sweet tribute Sunday to her late husband and daughter, showing off 17-year-old Natalia in front of a gorgeous piece of art depicting Kobe and Gigi. Natalia is beaming in a beautiful dress -- apparently, her high school winter formal is upon us.

VB captioned the post, "💖 my babies. Natalia. #winterformal." The artwork behind Natalia is stunning -- it shows Kobe kissing Gigi on the head with a halo above. They're both drawn in with black and white against a sky blue backdrop. Looks to be in a public space too.

We did a little digging and weren't able to locate this specific mural among the many that have popped up over the past two months since Kobe and G's tragic deaths.

Boxing legend Evander Holyfield wants everyone to PUMP THE BRAKES on calling Tyson Fury the G.O.A.T. ... telling TMZ Sports the dude has a lot more to prove before getting that title.

The Gypsy King has entered the debate after dominating Deontay Wilder last month ... with some folks saying it's time to consider Fury as one of the best heavyweights of all time.

We spoke with The Real Deal -- who's on everyone's list of best heavyweights ever -- about Fury getting consideration for the G.O.A.T. ... and he's not with it.

"That's an opinion," Holyfield tells us at the World Values Network's Champion of Jewish Values Gala.

"The thing is, you gotta beat more than one guy. He did beat Klitschko and fell off ... He beat him, but he gotta do a bit more than that, though."

Holyfield ain't saying Fury will NEVER be the G.O.A.T. ... he's just saying the discussion is simply way too premature.

"He definitely got the potential ... He made mistakes just like people do. All people make mistakes. (He) overcame it and when he fought Wilder, he said he was gonna take it to him and he took it to him and he won the fight."

He's been Cactus Jack, Mankind and even Saint Mick ... but pro wrestling legend Mick Foley says his favorite WWE alter ego isn't any of those guys -- it's someone way more corporate!

"I'm gonna go with 'Corporate Dude Love," Foley tells TMZ Sports ... "Where I got to dance with Mr. McMahon!" That's the first time I've ever given that answer!"

Don't get it twisted ... Foley says he LOVED being Mankind -- especially when he teamed up with a "little known entity named Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson."

"We did some great things together," Foley says.

Chris Johnson says he's PUMPED about the possibility of Tom Brady bolting from New England for Tennessee ... telling TMZ Sports he's down to recruit the QB himself!!

"I might have to call him," CJ2K says. "If he wanna come, I might have to call him and say, 'Aye, we need to make this move!'"

Rumors of Tom possibly leaving the Pats for the Titans have been swirling this off-season ... especially because Brady's pal and former teammate, Mike Vrabel, coaches the team.

In fact, Vrabel and Brady were spotted FaceTiming each other just a few days ago during a college basketball game!!!

So, when we asked Chris about the possibility of Tom under center for his ex-Titans squad... he was jacked up about it!!

"Everybody knows Tom is the GOAT," Chris says. "If we can get Tom over there and play a couple years before he retires, you know I definitely wouldn't be against that."

As for what his pitch to Brady would be? Chris says it's simple ...

"It's a loving city, man. It's a great place to be. Great fan base -- the fan base is incredible. Just to be able to bring a Super Bowl there to that city, it would mean a lot. It would be something great."

There's no story here ... just an appreciation post for Kevin Love and Kate Bock's very good girl, Vestry.

Seriously ... look at this dog. She's so cute it hurts.

That is all. Continue to go about your day.

"Sugar" Sean O'Malley hasn't whooped ass in the Octagon in 2 years ... so how's he gonna celebrate his win Saturday night? POT & PIZZA!!!!

25-year-old O'Malley was one of the UFC's hottest young stars ... but hasn't fought since March 2018 (he flunked a drug test after taking a supplement that was laced with a banned substance).

Despite the layoff, Sugar tells TMZ Sports his fighting skills -- and ridiculous support from fight fans -- haven't diminished at all ... and he's ready to kick Jose Quinonez's ass at UFC 248.

"It just feels like another fight. 2 years off is not that big of a deal."

O'Malley continued ... "I don't think anything's really changed. I don't think much has changed as far as the attention I'm getting, as far as how excited the fans are."

Snoop Dogg's one of those fans -- remember his "O'MALLEY!! O'MALLEY!!" commentary during the Contender Series? Awesome.

And, once the fighting's done Saturday night ... "Sugar" Sean says it's time to get high!

"I'm gonna take a rip, I'm gonna hang out with my circle. I don't have an after-party planned. I'm just gonna celebrate with some medicine and some good food and that's about it."

His post-fight grub of choice?

"I always crave pizza. I think a lot of fighters do for whatever reason."

Now, that's a plan.

GORDON HAYWARD IS HAPPY!!!!

The Boston Celtics star is expecting his 4th kid with wife Robyn -- and after that lackluster gender reveal moment back in 2018 ... ya gotta feel stoked for the guy!

Remember, back in July 2018, Robyn revealed to Gordon that she was pregnant with a little girl ... making it 3 girls to 0 boys.

Gordon's reaction was priceless ... a look of disappointment -- followed by that infamous line, "Daddy's always happy."

Of course, Hayward is happy to be a #GirlDad, but now he's got ANOTHER kid on the way -- and this one is a male. In other words, Gordon got his wish!

Robyn and Gordon, who are very self-aware, made a joke about the gender reveal ... posting, "Baby G coming in September *** yes, it’s a boy."

So, congrats to the whole Hayward family ... and to the fetus -- no pressure kid!

THE DISRESPECT IS REAL!!!!

Khabib Nurmagomedov straight up KICKED Tony Ferguson's interim UFC lightweight championship belt during an intense face-off Friday ... and it got VERY close to getting violent.

Khabib and Tony were doing a media event to promote their upcoming brawl at UFC 249 in April ... and the trash talk got VERY personal.

Tony trashed Khabib as a weak-minded, scared, fake brawler ... and Khabib fired back by calling Tony a "fake Mexican," since Tony was born and raised in California.

Tony was offended by the comments -- claiming he's a proud American AND a proud Mexican.

But, when it came time to square off for their face-to-face photo op, Tony laid his belt on the ground, seemingly challenging Khabib to do something ... and Khabib reacted by kicking the belt.

Tony eventually picked up the belt and accused Khabib of disrespecting the UFC -- claiming Khabib doesn't really care about the company.