TMZ Sports - Page 50

Didn't take long for O.J. Simpson to reach out to his old NFL pals -- he called Eric Dickerson THE NIGHT he was released from prison ... this according to the Hall of Famer himself.

"He's good. He's really good," Dickerson told TMZ Sports ... "He's trying to get me to hang out with him."

Dickerson and Simpson were pretty tight before O.J. got locked up and have remained friendly throughout the years.

McKayla Maroney says she was sexually assaulted by the team doctor for the U.S. women's gymnastics team and Olympic team -- and the abuse started when she was 13 years old.

The former U.S. Olympic gymnast went public about the alleged abuse Wednesday morning -- saying Dr. Larry Nassar repeatedly molested her under the guise of administering "treatment."

The 21-year-old says, "Dr. Nassar told me that I was receiving 'medically necessary treatment that he had been performing on patients for over 30 years.'"

"It started when I was 13 years old, at one of my first National Team training camps, in Texas, and it didn't end until I left the sport."

"It seemed whenever and wherever this man could find the chance, I was 'treated.' It happened in London before my team and I won the gold medal, and it happened before I won my Silver."

Maroney says Nassar gave her a sleeping pill on a flight to Tokyo when she was 15 -- "and the next thing I know, I was all alone with him in his hotel room getting a 'treatment.' I thought I was going to die that night."

McKayla joins a long list of women accusing Nassar of sexual misconduct -- 125 women, including former gymnasts, have already filed suit against him for alleged incidents over the years.

Master P has a message for Colin Kaepernick ... WHO NEEDS THE NFL ... telling TMZ Sports if the league won't let Kaep ball, he's down to help Colin start up his own shop, and take down the shield.

P knows about sports startups, his Global Mixed Gender Basketball league is off to an incredible start, attracting big name talent like the Gonzalez Twins, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, and Metta World Peace.

When we got him out in L.A. we had to ask P what he thought about Kaep's situation, and P had a very simple answer, if you can't join 'em, beat 'em.

"I'll help him start his own league. I think he should, I mean he's a great football player. I think the NFL should have some competition."

P's point is that the only way Colin can ensure his right to demonstrate any way he wants is to have some ownership, and that's exactly what he wants to do with his upstart league.

WARNING ... this is one of the most disgusting sports injuries you'll ever see.

NBA star Gordon Hayward suffered a brutal lower leg injury just 5 minutes into his Boston Celtics debut against the Cleveland Cavs Tuesday night ... and it's absolutely cringeworthy.

Hayward went up for an alley-oop from new teammate Kyrie Irving when he landed hard on the court. He was immediately tended to by medical personnel and was taken away on a stretcher.

Ezekiel Elliott is eligible to play once again ... after being granted a temporary restraining order from a New York Southern District Court.

As a result, Zeke's suspension has been put on hold for 14 days -- meaning the Cowboys RB can take the field for the team's next two games against the 49ers and Redskins, barring any further proceedings.

Last Thursday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the preliminary injunction that prohibited the league from imposing the six-game suspension.

Odell Beckham Jr. hopped out of bed a week after undergoing ankle surgery and the look on his face says it all -- it ain't no fun.

The New York Giants WR was seen for the first time since suffering a horrific left ankle injury last weekend against the San Diego Chargers. He was leaving his crib in crutches and a large walking boot and on his way to physical therapy.

OBJ underwent season-ending surgery and posted a pic on Instagram from his hospital bed thanking everyone for their prayers ... but it's pretty clear he'd rather be prepping for the Seahawks on Sunday.

#GetWellSoon

4:18PM PT -- The Bulls released a statement addressing the incident.

"Chicago Bulls forwards Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic had a physical altercation during today's practice. As a result of the incident, Mirotic suffered a concussion and maxillary fractures. Surgery is likely required. Mirotic is out indefinitely."

Bulls forward Bobby Portis socked teammate Nikola Mirotic and broke his face and gave him a concussion at practice today.

Portis and Mirotic reportedly got into a shoving match ... that ended with Bobby cheap-shotting Nikola ... The Vertical reported.

Mirotic was taken to the hospital with multiple broken bones in his face. He was also evaluated for a concussion. The report says N.M. has since been released from the hospital.

Mirotic was expected to begin the season as the team's starting PF, ahead of Portis.

Rick Pitino is suing Adidas in federal court ... claiming that his good name has been dragged through the mud as a result of the company's dirty tactics.

As we previously reported, a top Adidas exec has been charged with conspiring to funnel money to top basketball recruits ... including $100k to a UL prospect.

Pitino's attorney filed the suit in a Kentucky federal court earlier today ... asking for compensatory and punitive damages -- but also saying this is about more than money. He wants to clear his name.

"It is Coach Pitino's vehicle for proving that he had nothing to do with Adidas' outrageous, wrongful, and illegal conspiracy."

O.J. Simpson's inner circle now includes a blast from the past ... F. Lee Bailey.

O.J. and his former famed criminal defense attorney in the murder trial had dinner Monday night at the Palms Hotel in Vegas. A lot's changed since Bailey and Simpson's famous "Dream Team" helped O.J.'s acquittal in 1995.

Simpson, of course, just got released from prison. As for Bailey ... he was disbarred in 2001 and is reportedly broke.

Greg Hardy's first MMA opponent has a message for the former NFL star ...

I'M GETTIN' THE W, SON!!

FYI, Greg's fight is on Nov. 4 at Rise of a Warrior 21 ... and we got the man who's gonna meet him in the cage -- Joe "The Legend" Hawkins -- to give us the low-down on their scrap.

Joe's got nothing but respect for Hardy ... but told TMZ Sports he ain't gonna take it easy on him.

"I’m gonna be incredible," Hawkins said. "I see the referee raising my hand."

Joe's also inviting Dana White to grab a ringside seat ... 'cause his goal is to make it to the UFC one day.

First, he's gotta beat Hardy ... who's also been training his ass off in camp.

1:08 PM PT -- Kaepernick's lawyer, Mark Geragos, says his client was NOT officially invited to the meeting by team or league officials, but is "open to future participation on these important discussions."

Colin Kaepernick was invited to NFL headquarters to talk about social issues with team owners ... but decided not to show up to the meeting, Malcolm Jenkins told the media on Tuesday.

Several players sat down with owners in Manhattan today to discuss ways to promote positive change ... and both sides agreed it was a step in the right direction, but there's more work to do.

"Those conversations will continue. That dialogue will continue," Jenkins said.

"As players, we'll continue to do the work in our communities. We feel like that's the most American thing to do is to use your platform to influence with the stage that we have."

Sean Avery got a sweet deal in his drug possession and criminal mischief case ... and if he keeps his nose clean ... it'll be off his record.

Back in September '15, Avery -- who played 10 seasons in the NHL -- was arrested in Southampton Village, NY after allegedly throwing rocks at speeding cars. Cops said they also found prescription pain medication on him.

The ex-NHL star was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance -- all misdemeanors.

Avery -- who was facing jail time -- caught a break ... accepting a deal that will see the charges dismissed if he can go 45 days without getting in trouble, according to Southhampton PD.

A Dodgers World Series would be a HUGE win for the entire country -- so says longtime L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Not that he's biased or anything.

We got Mayor V -- who was in office from '05 to '13 -- out at Craig's ... and dude was straight beaming over his Boys in Blue -- declaring them America's team and saying this is absolutely their year.

"It would be great for the city of Los Angeles. It's great for America. Everybody loves the Dodgers," Antonio told TMZ Sports.

Don't know about that ... but we do know one celeb who's on the bandwagon.

LeBron James says he used the n-word vandalism incident at his Brentwood home to warn his children about racism ... revealing he turned the hate crime into a teachable moment.

We broke the story ... a racial slur was spray-painted on the front gate of LeBron's L.A. home on May 31.

In an interview with GQ, LBJ discussed the incident that happened in "one of the best f***ing neighborhoods in America" ... saying, "True colors will show, and it showed for me during the playoffs."

James says he talked to his children about what happened, and made an effort to turn the situation into a positive. He says ... "I let them know this is what it is, this is how it's going to be. When it's time for y'all to fly, you'll have to understand that."

"When y'all go out in public and y'all start driving or y'all start moving around, be respectful to cops, as much as you can. When you get pulled over, call your mom or dad, put it on speakerphone, and put your phone underneath the seat. But be respectful the whole time."

There's a lot more to the feature ... Bron talks about his future in Cleveland, whether he'd consider running for president, and the Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's infamous letter.

Marcelo Huertas had a rough run with the L.A. Lakers ... and now he's clapping back at his former team and the NBA for how they coddle their superstars.

"In the NBA, players are babies ... everyone is afraid of dealing with the athletes," Huertas told Brazilian hoops blog Bala na Cesta.

"That's not a thing in Europe. If you step over the line, you're punished athletically, financially, you're thrown out, suspended, whatever the hell. That doesn't exist in the NBA. I would see things and say, 'There's no way this is possible."'

Marcelo -- a Euroleague veteran -- says his 2 seasons with the Lakers were pretty tough on him emotionally ... claiming he put in a TON of hard work, even mentoring his younger point guard competition, just to ride the pine.

"Everything you can imagine, I would do it. If it had been in Europe I would've played."

FYI, Huertas averaged 15 minutes -- and 4 points a game -- in L.A. He's back playing in Spain now.

Colin Kaepernick ain't exactly hurtin' for cash, but the Packers should absolutely show him the money -- so says Wu-Tang rapper Raekwon.

We got the huge Packers fan at LAX ... and asked him about the prospect of Kaep replacing Rodgers while the star QB heals up.

"That'd be dope," Raekwon told TMZ Sports. "Kaepernick can hold the fort down ... as a starter."

The emcee gets why Kaep hasn't been picked up yet -- "it's a serious situation for the NFL" -- but at the same time, says he's got mad respect for his movement.

Whether he gets paid or not, Raekwon told us Kaep should be good -- 'cause he's made PLENTY of money playin' for the 49ers.