TMZ Sports - Page 50

Danica Patrick might be hinting at some long-term relationship goals with her boyfriend, Aaron Rodgers, 'cause she apparently loves getting older ... with her man by her side.

Danica rang in her 36th birthday Sunday with the Packers QB front and center for a group photo. The party looked pretty fun -- it was unicorn-themed ... for the ladies, anyway.

The soon-to-be retired race car driver shared a few photos of the shindig from over the weekend, in which all of her girlfriends were wearing unicorn hats and were sipping what looked like champagne. The guys went hat-free, but were also all smiles in celebration.

She captioned her photos ... "I love getting older!!!!!!!!!!! Super grateful for all the love around me in my life! People, work, opportunities, dreams.....full heart space." She went on ... "Don't forget to dream big for the things you want in your life."

Sounds to us like Danica's pretty happy with Aaron, who she's been dating since at least December. And with a stud like that in her life, why wouldn't she be stoked to cross off another year?

Congrats!

Gregg Popovich doesn't exactly like Donald Trump's White House, but he ain't down on all of D.C. ... 'cause Pop took the gang to another Washington landmark -- the Supreme Court!!

Unclear if Pop and co. were there on any official business or just to see the sights ... but they sounded pretty stoked talking to us on their way out.

Pop called the trip "great." Pau Gasol said it was "very nice." Manu Ginobili went the diplomatic route and told us their outing was "equal" to a White House trip.

FYI, Pop WRECKED Trump for leaving D.C. before March for Our Lives this past weekend -- calling it "cowardice" to avoid the protests and hang at his resort in Mar-a-Lago.

Coach is clearly in better spirits, now -- have you ever seen him smile like that?!

Cristiano Ronaldo just got planted with a wet one by a man who stormed the field during his soccer match.

He didn't seem to enjoy it very much, but the fan loved it ... and stuck around for some selfies!!

It all went down in Geneva, Switzerland ... where Ronaldo's Portugal squad was taking on the Netherlands in an exhibition game.

CR7 was already pretty pissed off about being down 3-0 ... and all he could do was shake his head after a random bro snuck onto the field and landed a peck on his cheek.

Coulda been worse -- the guy was going straight for the kisser before Ronaldo juked him out.

DMX is name-dropping former NBA star, and ex-con, Jayson Williams in his attempt to get leniency when a judge sentences him for tax evasion ... TMZ has learned.

DMX filed docs ahead of Wednesday's sentencing which include a letter to the judge laying out their plan to keep him on the straight and narrow. According to the letter, Jayson has offered DMX entry into his rehab program called the Rebound Institute.

The rapper's legal teams says Jayson reached out to them, believing the faith-based center is exactly what DMX needs. According to docs, the rehab program runs a minimum of 45 days, and includes drug testing 3 days a week.

Williams -- who infamously got 5 years for the shooting death of a limo driver -- says other famous athletes help out with the program. He mentions an NFL Hall of Fame running back and an NBA All-Star ... although their names have been redacted for their privacy.

It's unclear if DMX plans to choose Jayson's program ... he says he's gotten several offers from treatment facilities.

The rehab issue could be moot. As we reported, federal prosecutors have recommended the judge throw the book at X and give him 5 years in prison.

NFL player Jeremy Lane just copped a plea deal in his January DUI case ... pleading guilty to reckless driving, TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Lane was initially stopped for driving 80 mph in a 60 mph zone on January 14. When cops pulled Lane over, he had admitted to smoking weed 3 hours earlier.

At the time of the arrest, Lane had told cops he was worried people would think he was drunk, saying "This time I was more high than anything."

The 27-year-old was initially charged with DUI on March 12 ... but has now agreed to the lesser reckless driving charge.

Lane -- a current free agent after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month --could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail, but it's unlikely he'll do any time at all. He can also be forced to cough up a maximum fine of $5,000.

The WWE just climbed the top rope in court and is ready to drop the elbow ... all to protect its brand ahead of WrestleMania 34.

The World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. just filed legal docs in Louisiana against anonymous makers of unauthorized WWE merch with the org's biggest event just weeks ahead in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, the WWE wants a temporary restraining order to ban bootleggers from selling unauthorized souvenirs and memorabilia bearing WWE trademarks.

Bob Arum says Canelo Alvarez should go away for a long time if he's taking steroids to get an edge on GGG ... but the top boxing promoter ain't gonna throw the book at him just yet.

Don't get it twisted -- Bob says Canelo blaming his positive PED test on Mexican beef is like telling your teacher, "the dog ate my homework" -- but he says Canelo's owed due process even though his excuse smells like BS.

"If drugs were taken to bulk him up, they gotta suspend him, and they gotta suspend him for a long period," Arum told TMZ Sports. "If it was inadvertent ... then give him a pass."

FYI, Canelo was temporarily suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission over the weekend ... just days after GGG slammed him as a long-time juicer.

Ronda Rousey might not be the only ass-kickin' legend at WrestleMania ... 'cause Mike Tyson says he's down to return to the WWE ring!!!

Iron Mike dropped the bombshell at the 'Kids' Choice Awards' over the weekend ... telling WWE interviewer Cathy Kelley he'd be pumped to get a callback from Vince McMahon.

"I'm always willing to come back. I love the WWE ... I'd love to be back," Tyson told Kelley on the orange carpet.

You might remember ... Iron Mike unleashed hell at WrestleMania 20 years ago -- helping Stone Cold Steve Austin take out Shawn Michaels after famously feuding with the Rattlesnake.

Albert Belle exposed himself to 2 minors and 2 adults before getting arrested on Saturday in Arizona, according to cops ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Belle, 51, was arrested after cops got a call around 9:20 PM reporting a man had exposed himself to a group of people at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Club stadium -- where a game had been played.

It's unclear if the alleged incident occurred inside or outside the stadium.

When cops arrived, they say they located Belle in a vehicle ... attempting to leave the soccer stadium parking lot.

After investigating, Salt River PD determined there was enough probable cause to arrest Belle -- and another adult male.

Belle's charges include 3 counts of indecent exposure and DUI.

11:15 AM PT -- The judge has set Michael Bennett's bond at $10,000 ... and has imposed a no-contact order between Bennett and the stadium employee.

1:30 PM PT -- Bennett has been released from Harris County Jail.

Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Bennett has just arrived for his first court appearance in Houston ... 3 days after he was charged with injuring a 66-year-old paraplegic woman at the 2017 Super Bowl.

The formal charge is "injury to the elderly" -- a felony that carries up to 10 years in prison.

The incident happened when Bennett "shoved his way on to the field" to join his brother, Martellus, who had just won the Super Bowl with the Patriots at NRG Stadium, according to the Harris Country Texas D.A.

The Houston Police Department says one of their officers witnessed Bennett push 3 stadium employees -- including the woman in the wheelchair.

The extent of the woman's injuries is unknown -- but cops say her wheelchair did not flip over due to its weight ... and she still works at the stadium.

The HPD urged Bennett to turn himself in "as soon as possible" -- but Bennett waited until now because he was out of the continental U.S., according to his lawyer, Rusty Hardin.

3/28/18 -- Zeke Upshaw's autopsy confirmed he died of cardiac arrest ... possibly due to "cardiac abnormalities."

The coroner says he plans to conduct more tests in the coming weeks.

NBA G-League player Zeke Upshaw is dead at the age of 26 ... days after collapsing on the court during a basketball game.

Upshaw -- a swingman for the Detroit Pistons affiliate, Grand Rapids Drive -- collapsed during the final minutes of the 4th quarter of Saturday's game against the Long Island Nets ... after reportedly going into cardiac arrest.

He was stretchered off the court and rushed to the hospital ... where he remained in critical condition until passing away Monday morning.

Johnny Manziel's Comeback SZN is just days from hitting the football field ... so naturally, the ex-Cleveland Browns QB stocked his clothing website with some fresh, new Spring League merch!!

FYI -- Johnny Football's been selling clothes on his website while working to get back into football. With the Spring League kicking off on March 28, Manziel added a few items -- including a #2 jersey -- for his fans following every step of his journey.

The jersey goes for $70 if you don't want it signed ... and an autographed version will set you back another $30.

Victor Cruz says the NY Giants' draft decision is "easy as pie" ... telling TMZ Sports there's only one name they should call with the 2nd pick -- Saquon Barkley!!

We spoke with the ex-G-Men star about which NFL prospect he thinks will be the best fit in the Big Apple ... and he says despite the QB-heavy draft class, NY's gotta go with the Penn State superstar.

If Ndamukong Suh signs with the Rams, L.A. could rival one of the most-feared defensive lines in NFL history ... this according to Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson.

TMZ Sports spoke with E.D. about the team's current recruitment of the 5-time Pro Bowler ... and he says adding Suh to an already-stacked d-line would be a "great fit" for the Rams.

FYI -- the Rams have orchestrated what are considered some of the most dominant defensive lines in the history of the game ... helping lead L.A. to 7-straight division titles in the '70s.

Dickerson says adding Suh to a line with Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers can return the Rams to the days of Jack Youngblood and Merlin Olsen.

Look away, Blue Devils fans -- Kenny Smith is basking in the glory of Duke's Elite 8 loss to Kansas ... and he ain't holdin' back!

"When UNC is out of it, my alma mater, it's like, 'Anybody but Duke.' So, I'm good right now," Kenny told TMZ Sports. "Anybody but Duke -- that's my motto."

You'd think Kenny would be more upset that his Tar Heels got bounced in the 2nd round ... but seems like Duke getting squeezed was just as sweet for The Jet.

Long before he was a $100-million NBA star, Giannis Antetokounmpo says he was just another kid peddling goods on the streets of Athens to help put food on the table.

The Greek Freak spoke candidly about his childhood in poverty Sunday on "60 Minutes" ... describing his daily grind before he found basketball.

"We used to sell glasses, watches, ... CDs, DVDs. I was the best (salesman)," Giannis said. "I didn't give up ... and I was cute, too. I was young."

Giannis' parents left Nigeria for a better life before he was born ... but he says life was tough for them growing up -- all living in the same room and often going hungry.

But Giannis says their struggle could never break his spirit -- and credits that mentality with becoming one of the top ballers in the NBA.