TMZ Sports - Page 50

Ricky Williams says Colin Kaepernick should consider closing the book on his NFL career -- saying bluntly, "If they don't want you, go do something else."

"I'd rather be somewhere I'm celebrated rather than where I'm tolerated," the ex-NFL superstar told TMZ Sports out in Venice, CA.

Williams says he hopes Kaep plays again -- but really thinks the QB needs to focus his energy on life after football.

Great news for Shaq's kids -- there are more MILLION DOLLAR PARTIES in your future, and this is coming straight from the man with the cash, dear old Shaq Daddy.

The Diesel has already thrown huge 7-figure blowout Sweet 16 parties for Shareef and Amirah -- renting out swanky Hollywood hot spots, with celeb performances and expensive cars.

So, when we saw Shaq in Bev Hills Tuesday -- we had to ask if he's already budgeted the additional cheese to fund more million-dollar bashes for his two youngest kids.

It's all over. For real this time.

Ezekiel Elliott has officially waved the white flag ... and has agreed to serve the NFL's 6-game domestic violence suspension -- effective immediately.

The Dallas Cowboys star had been fighting like hell in court ... filing every possible appeal in the hopes of eventually having a judge throw out the punishment since Zeke denied the allegations and was never convicted of a crime.

But just like Tom Brady ... Zeke eventually decided enough was enough and instructed his legal team to lay down the sword.

"In consultation with the NFLPA and his lawyers, and after careful deliberation and review of the recent 2nd Circuit decisions, Mr. Elliott has decided to forego any further appeals and will serve the remaining suspension," his agents said in a statement.

"This decision arises from a practical assessment of the current legal landscape. Mr. Elliott's desire for closure in this matter is in his best interest, as well as the best interests of his teammates, family and friends."

"This decision is in no way an admission of any wrongdoing, and Mr. Elliott is pleased that the legal fight mounted by he and his team resulted in disclosing many hidden truths regarding this matter as well publicly exposing the NFL's mismanagement of its disciplinary process."

Just how bloody was Dustin Poirier's UFC war with Anthony Pettis on Saturday??

Picture a Tarantino movie -- then put it inside the Octagon -- 'cause Dustin told TMZ Sports he was still cleaning plasma out of his ears 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIGHT.

"My hair was matted with blood ... my back, my shins, everything was covered. I'm still cleaning blood out of my ears right now."

Poirier says he could literally smell Pettis' blood on him during the fight -- and he ENJOYED it 'cause he's a straight savage.

But Dustin's got a softer side too ... the lightweight stud's auctioning off all his "Fight Night 120" gear, with 100% of the cash going to the family of a fallen cop.

Like blood?? Bidding ends soon!

Turns out, there was a celebrity onboard the Southwest Airlines flight that was delayed due to a co-pilot WITH A GUN ... and that celeb is UFC champ Tyron Woodley.

The reigning welterweight champion touched down at LAX after the incident at St. Louis Lambert International Airport early Wednesday morning.

TMZ broke the story ... one pilot was arrested after taking a loaded gun through security though witnesses had told us there were TWO pilots in handcuffs.

Woodley says he definitely saw TWO pilots.

LiAngelo Ball and both of his UCLA basketball teammates just FULLY ADMITTED to stealing in China ... and THANKED President Donald Trump for getting them back to the U.S.

Ball -- along with Cody Riley and Jalen Hill -- spoke to the media for the first time since being arrested in Hangzhou for stealing sunglasses from Louis Vuitton.

As TMZ Sports reported, the guys stole from MULTIPLE STORES -- not just Louis Vuitton -- and LiAngelo Ball acknowledged that in his apology.

"I'm sorry for stealing from the stores in China."

All three men said they were extremely sorry for shoplifting -- didn't dispute the allegations one bit -- and promised they will redeem themselves moving forward.

Each player thanked Trump by name for the work he did behind the scenes.

Head coach Steve Alford announced all 3 players are suspended indefinitely -- will not practice, suit up or travel with the team until a complete review is done by school officials.

Sounds like there is a chance the guys will still be allowed to play this season -- as Alford did not give a timeline for their return.

LiAngelo Ball might just be the answer to world peace ... 'cause Al Sharpton is actually BACKING Donald Trump after POTUS' involvement in the LiAngelo-China saga.

"I think that President Trump speaking to (President) Xi to make whatever arrangements were made ... was good," Sharpton told TMZ Sports in NYC. "He did the right thing."

But, don't expect to see Donald and Al hitting the links anytime soon ... 'cause Sharpton says "even a broke clock is right twice a day."

Also, probably worth noting that we got Sharpton BEFORE Trump publicly demanded 'Gelo and his UCLA bros show him some love.

Still ... it's a start.

Here's Ben Simmons trying to level the playing field for the Lakers -- hitting a Hollywood nightclub hours before taking the court at Staples ... and TMZ Sports has video.

The 21-year-old 76ers superstar had dined at Catch LA restaurant late Tuesday evening and left around 1:10 AM on Wednesday morning. He ended up at 1 Oak ... one of the top nightclubs in L.A.

Here's the deal ... Philadelphia takes on the Lakers at 7:30 PM on Wednesday -- so, nightclubbing the morning of the game could be a tricky situation.

But Philly's on fire right now ... playing out of their minds (just ask the Clippers) -- and maybe Ben thinks nothing in L.A. can stop him, not even L.A. thots.

This has happened before ... the Milwaukee Bucks partied at an L.A. strip club before playing the Lakers in 2015 ... but L.A was much more terrible back then. Oh, and Milwaukee lost that game.

Good luck, Ben ...

Donald Trump has a message to the UCLA basketball players who got out of China -- SHOW ME SOME DAMN LOVE!!!

"Do you think the three UCLA basketball players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!" Trump tweeted.

Earlier this week, it was reported Trump personally spoke with the President of China to help free LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley after they were arrested for shoplifting in Hangzhou.

The players were released from China on Tuesday and touched down in L.A. late Tuesday night. They're expected to address the media Wednesday at 11 AM PT.

Is Demi Lovato in the "friend zone" with Neymar?

The singer and the soccer superstar went for a dinner date in London on Tuesday -- after Neymar played for Team Brazil in an international friendly against England.

Oh, there was a 3rd person at the dinner as well ... smokin' hot TV host Layla Anna-Lee.

But despite the fact Neymar and Demi look GREAT together, the soccer stud is preemptively striking against dating rumors ... posting Instagram photos with the caption, "My friends girls."

BOOOOO!!!!

Jean-Claude Van Damme put his money where his mouth is ... when he showed up to one of the top MMA training centers in the world and led a kicking workshop in front of 2 UFC superstars!!!

UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber and Cody Garbrandt were both on hand at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento on Tuesday night ... where JCVD did his sensei thing.

Jean-Claude has long talked about how he can make MMA fighters better -- and even gave TMZ Sports a tutorial in a gym parking lot back in 2016.

Well, the guys at T.A.M. were paying attention and invited him over to teach class -- and from the looks of it, the students loved it!

JCVD's 57 years old ... too late to take a fight????

Ex-NY Giants defensive tackle Matt Mitrione says Ben McAdoo is a crap coach ... that's why he calls him, "Ben McAdoo-doo."

It's pretty funny and brutally honest coming from a former Giants player -- with Mitrione explaining why Ben's gotta get the ax in NYC after a disaster 2017 campaign.

He holds Eli Manning's feet to the fire as well.

Mitrione isn't done taking shots yet -- he's an MMA fighter now who's competing at the 2018 Bellator heavyweight grand prix.

Floyd Mayweather was in attention-seeking mode Tuesday night -- taking his head-turning Rolls-Royce to the most paparazzi-packed restaurant in town ... while wearing a bright pink hat.

So, when we saw him walking into Catch LA -- we had to ask about Oscar De La Hoya calling out Conor McGregor ... since Floyd's beaten 'em both.

Mayweather was super nice to our guy -- but made it clear he didn't want to add fuel to that fire.

Why not? Perhaps it was because his cutman Rafael Garcia passed away earlier in the day. Maybe he doesn't want to take the focus off a MayMac rematch?

Either way ... condolences.

LiAngelo Ball and his 2 UCLA basketball teammates are finally back on U.S. soil after getting the green light to leave China ... one week after they were arrested for jacking sunglasses.

TMZ Sports has video of Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley leaving LAX moments ago following a 13-hour flight out of Shanghai ... the guys stay straight-faced and mostly silent as they're hit with a barrage of questions and camera flashes from reporters.

The players had been holed up at the Hyatt Hangzhou -- while some of the most powerful people in the world, from President Trump to President Xi to Jack Ma, worked on their release.

Chinese officials reportedly dropped the shoplifting charges on Tuesday and allowed the guys to return home. UCLA says the school will launch its own investigation to decide whether or not to discipline the players.

Been a hell of a week. And with reports saying they could've faced 10 years in Chinese prison, guessing they're all gonna sleep pretty well tonight.

Steven Tyler's banged an astronomical amount of groupies over the years -- but even he's calling B.S. on Ric Flair's claim that he got 10,000 chicks to ride "Space Mountain."

We got the Aerosmith legend leaving LAX ... and you can tell he thought The Nature Boy's number was comical -- joking he had him beat before comparing him to rockstar Gene Simmons (who says he slept with 5,000 chicks himself).

But Tyler hit Naitch with a low blow before he rode off into the night, telling TMZ Sports how he really feels -- "that guy's full of sh*t."

As for Steven's number ... sorry, guys -- he was "too busy getting high" to count.

Roy Halladay was honored by teammates, family and friends at a memorial service in Florida on Tuesday ... remembering the star pitcher for his accomplishments both on and off the field.

Chase Utley -- who played with Halladay on the Phillies for 4 seasons -- praised Doc's work ethic ... saying he'd be done with his morning workouts by the time Utley showed up at the team facility.

Halladay's wife, Brandy, was the last to speak ... reminiscing about the first time they met as children ... and raising their 2 sons together.

Other speakers included Cole Hamels, Chris Carpenter and Halladay's former manager Charlie Manuel.

Halladay died in a plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico last week. He was 40 years old.