TMZ Sports - Page 50

Kendall Jenner stepped up to the plate and took a few big swings at family softball practice ... and it looks like she made some solid contact. Kourtney, too.

Kendall doesn't exactly look like Roy Hobbs out on the field, but she does look like she had a blast taking BP and fielding grounders while playing around with her sisters at a ballpark in Canoga Park.

Cameras were rolling on Jenner and the Kardashian gals, so there's a good chance we'll get to see just how much power Kendall's got. We're guessing at least out-of-the-infield.

No sign of Kendall's rumored BF Blake Griffin, but the 2 have been seen a lot less together since he was traded to Detroit at the end of January ... and since his baby mama sued him.

Julio Jones is going to bat for Le'Veon Bell -- saying the Pittsburgh Steelers should sign the man to the HUGE contract he wants ... instead of slapping him with the franchise tag again.

FYI, franchise tagged players are essentially locked to their team in a 1-year deal. In Bell's case, the Steelers must pay him 120% of his previous salary because it's the 2nd year in a row he's been tagged.

Bell got $12.1 mil in 2017 -- so, he'll be making around $14.5 in 2018. Not bad ... but Bell has previously told TMZ Sports he's looking for a $100 million contract and hopes to stay in Pittsburgh for the rest of his career.

Enter Jones, who says Bell is a stud player and tells us, "I wish they could do away with the franchise tag."

Break out your overalls and your floppy country hat ... 'cause Hillbilly Jim is going to the WWE Hall of Fame -- and the wrestling legend tells TMZ Sports he could hardly believe it!

"I wasn't expecting it! It hit me from the clear blue," Jim says ... "It's like the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. It's as good as I could ever hope for."

Jim primarily appeared on the WWE (it was WWF back then) from 1984 to 1991 -- famously teaming up with his good buddy, Hulk Hogan, and other stars like Randy Savage.

Hillbilly says he's truly honored to be joining wrestling gods -- and friends of his -- like Andre the Giant, Captain Lou Albano, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, "Classy" Freddie Blassie, The Fabulous Moolah and Roddy Piper.

He also walks us through the moment he got the call from WWE -- it's pretty emotional stuff!

Kobe Bryant's Oscar win has gotten mixed reviews amid the #MeToo movement, but Matt Barnes is 100% behind his ex-NBA rival -- giving Bryant mad props for paving the way for sports stars.

"I think it's dope. He's breaking down barriers, still being great," Barnes told TMZ Sports out at Poppy in Hollywood.

Want proof? Matt says things are really coming together for a Huey Newton/Black Panthers biopic he's producing ... and he can't wait to tell "the whole truth" behind the real BP (sorry, Marvel).

2:20 PM PT -- Aldon Smith was released from jail after posting $30K bail.

1:55 PM PT -- San Francisco PD has released Aldon Smith's mug shot.

Aldon Smith has been taken into custody in connection to his domestic violence case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We've confirmed the ex-Oakland Raiders player surrendered himself to police Tuesday and is currently being held at San Francisco County Jail. Bail has been set at $30K.

As we previously reported, officials had issued a warrant for Smith's arrest for domestic violence, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, false imprisonment and vandalism.

Smith allegedly attacked his fiancee during an altercation at a residence on Saturday night.

He later contacted the victim's father who helped Smith check in to a rehab facility where he was treated for alcohol abuse.

Smith -- who's currently suspended by the NFL stemming from a DUI arrest -- was cut by the Raiders on Monday after they learned about the domestic violence incident.

Jake Plummer says NFL teams are too "scared" and "uneducated" to sign Colin Kaepernick -- and suggested some of the organizations are even run by "bigoted people."

The former Denver Broncos QB was speaking with Broncos reporter Nicki Jhabvala about the future of Kaep's career ... and the Snake didn't hold back.

"I think that they're all scared and that they're uneducated on him as a person and what he wants to do."

"I don't know if he wants to play for organizations run by scared, kind of bigoted people that don't understand what it's like to be in the shoes of someone like him and to see the things he's seen and relate to the people that go through the atrocities of what everyday people deal with."

"I don't know. I hope someone does [sign him]. I would really love it because I love watching him play. I would love to see him come here [to Denver] but I'm not sure if they would do that."

As for Denver's GM John Elway, he previously told us Kaep was NOT being blackballed but didn't make it sound like Kaep was on his watchlist.

Aldon Smith's latest slew of off-field incidents might spell the end of his NFL career -- so says Terrell Owens.

FYI, Smith recently checked into rehab to fight an alleged alcohol addiction ... on the heels of a DV incident with his fiancee and DUI hit-and-run case.

So when we got T.O. out on Beverly Blvd ... he dished out some cold hard truth for Aldon, one former 49ers star to another.

"I don't know how many more chances one can get," Terrell told TMZ Sports, before adding, "Hey, that's not my problem."

Cris Cyborg says she's changed her tune on rearranging Amanda Nunes' face ... and is now willing to rumble with the UFC's other Brazilian women's champ!

"If she's calling me out she has to prepare herself," Cyborg said. "[Nunes] should defend her (135-pound) belt, but if not, OK, we'll fight in July."

Remember, Cyborg was NOT about that life just a couple months ago ... telling us she needed to focus on the 145-pound division and give deserving contenders their shot.

But after wrecking Yana Kunitskaya at UFC 222, she's game for a greater challenge -- beating the chick who KO'd Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate into retirement!!

Cris told us Nunes ain't ready for someone her size ... and after watching Cyborg DISMANTLE natural 135'ers like Yana and Holly Holm, ya gotta wonder if Amanda's having second thoughts.

MLB legend Jim Abbott is a HUGE fan of Shaquem Griffin -- telling TMZ Sports he's an inspiration to physically disabled athletes all over the world.

Of course, Abbott is an icon -- battling the odds to become a dominant Major League pitcher despite the fact he was born with one hand. Dude even threw a no-hitter in 1993!!!

So, how did Jim feel when he saw Griffin -- who also has one hand -- kill it at the NFL Combine? Proud is definitely an understatement.

"I just love him," Abbott says referencing Griffin's incredible performance at the NFL Combine ... "His determination is fierce."

"I just feel like you can see the burning desire within him with every step, so I'm a big fan. I'm really rooting for him."

Jim also says Shaquem is "making a real difference in the world" -- and he hopes to meet the kid one day.

A woman suspected of jacking a Louis Vuitton bag filled with cash and jewelry from pro boxer Jermall Charlo has been arrested for grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Charlo was partying at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in Manhattan early Sunday morning when he got into a fight with another group of people ... and left his bag unattended.

When he returned to gather the bag -- it was gone.

Sources tell us the bag contained a $15,000 diamond bracelet. a $75,000 championship ring, a $10,000 Cartier ring and more.

We're also told there was around $40,000 in cash as well.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... a 40-year-old Connecticut woman, Sarah Morin, turned herself in to police Tuesday morning after they asked the public for help identifying her.

We're told cops have recovered all of the jewelry -- but none of the cash.

File Under: "Trouble In Paradise"

Ex-Green Bay Packers lineman Letroy Guion is a wanted man in Hawaii -- after a judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest stemming from a very boozy birthday party.

As we previously reported, the 30-year-old NFL player was arrested for DUI in Waikiki on June 21 ... which happens to be his birthday.

Problem is ... Guion was ordered to appear in court on March 5 -- but didn't show. Oops.

The judge didn't appreciate getting the cold shoulder -- and immediately revoked the guy's bond and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The DUI arrest has been a nightmare for Guion -- he was cut by the Packers right after the arrest and hasn't been picked up by a new team.

Ex-ESPN anchor Jonathan Coachman is firing back against allegations he was a sexual predator during his time at the network ... saying he's the victim of "vicious lies."

Coachman -- who now works for WWE -- was mentioned in a lawsuit filed by ex-ESPN legal analyst Adrienne Lawrence ... who claims Coachman was part of the "misogynistic and predatory culture" at the network.

Specifically, Lawrence claimed Coachman hit on her and employed tactics from the "ESPN predator's playbook." She claimed Coachman was a notorious sexual harasser at the office.

Lawrence is suing ESPN, not Coachman personally.

But, Coachman is furious and has finally responded to the allegations.

"In 21 years of being a PROFESSIONAL I have never been more offended in my life," Coachman says.

"In my 9 years I can count on one hand the amount of times I interacted with anyone other than a co-anchor. To allow someone to spread vicious lies and flat out fabrications is not ok and it’s time someone stood up for themselves."

"I am also offended that someone can dangerously throw peoples’ names into something for the clear attempt at getting headlines."

Here's NY Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton making you feel inferior ... showing off his insane, jacked physique in a topless photo shoot.

You're welcome.

Stanton flexed out for Men's Health magazine (on stands now) -- which included the shirtless pics as part of an article about Giancarlo's recovery from that insane 2014 at-bat where he took a fastball to the face.

Giancarlo opened up about the hospitalization, how he couldn't eat regularly for a month and how pitchers tried to exploit his post-traumatic stress from the incident after he returned.

"For two years, pitchers would throw up and in to scare me," Stanton said ... "Just to get me thinking about that. I was aware of it. But in terms of messing with me as a hitter, it never did."

Crazy, right?

But, not as crazy as the dude's Adonis-like bod.

The beef between Conor McGregor and 50 Cent is heating up again -- with the rapper once again blasting the UFC star ... and this time, it's personal.

Remember, these two have been trading shots since last year -- when Conor declared, "50 Cent's a bitch!" because he sided with Mayweather before their boxing match.

50 responded saying he could take Conor in a street fight ... and mocked him for getting choked out by Nate Diaz.

Fast forward to Monday when Conor went after 50 on social media ... saying, "[50 Cent] blocked me on [Instagram]. The mad 50 year old instagram blocker. Ahh don't block me 50 kid, I still like some of your songs. The older ones hahah."

Of course, 50 responded ... posting a video Tuesday morning mocking Conor's relationship with Rita Ora and suggesting Conor cheated with her behind his girlfriend Dee Devlin's back.

50 eventually deleted the video.

How does Russell Wilson feel about reports his Seattle Seahawks will part ways with tight end Jimmy Graham in free agency?

He doesn't want Jimmy to leave ... at least, that's what he's telling TMZ Sports.

The QB was out at Mr. Chow in Bev Hills for lunch on Monday when he told us, "Jimmy's my guy. Of course [I want him to stay]."

We asked if he would follow up with Pete Carroll (Seahawks head coach and vice president of football operations) ... but that's when Wilson clammed up.

Fact of the matter is ... Graham's 99.9% gone -- and Russ is just trying to say the right things.

Aldon Smith's alcohol problem got so bad, he was drinking every single day ... and people close to the embattled NFL star are concerned he'll drink himself to death if he continues down this road.

"I'm worried for him. I'm worried for his safety," one source close to Smith tells TMZ Sports.

"He's an alcoholic. It's not about football anymore. We're hoping this is rock bottom for him."

We broke the story ... Aldon checked into a rehab facility on Sunday after a domestic violence incident with his fiancee ... the latest in a string of alcohol-related incidents that includes two DUI arrests.

Smith's fiancee previously told us Aldon contacted her father after the domestic violence incident (he's a doctor) and asked for help. They felt the best move was to go to rehab.

Smith's former Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio believes Aldon's NFL suspension stemming from a DUI hasn't helped -- the isolation from his team has only made his situation worse.

"Never liked 'league rules' that eliminate the ability of teams to offer Aldon and others in his situation the structure they so desperately need."

Raiders lineman Donald Penn made the same points back in March when he told us Smith would benefit from being around teammates who care about him.

Hall of Famer Tim Brown had also suggested the team hold intervention-type meetings with the struggling star after another drunken run in with police.