TMZ Sports - Page 50

Everyone's seen the video of President George W. Bush taking the mound at Yankees Stadium on October 30 -- in the wake of 9/11 -- but the man who caught the pitch is telling us what went down behind the scenes.

TMZ Sports spoke with Todd Greene -- the backup catcher for the Yanks that year -- who not only praised Bush for throwing a strike with the world watching ... but doing it while wearing a bulletproof vest.

The Yankees were taking on the Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the World Series -- the first World Series game back at Yankees Stadium ... and the scene was about as emotional as it could get.

Greene says the secret service had placed bulletproof glass in George Steinbrenner's private owner's box where Bush was watching the game ... and that was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to security.

Greene says the players were essentially on lockdown once POTUS arrived to the stadium.

So, what did Greene say to Bush when he caught the ball? Watch the clip and find out.

By the way, the Yankees won the game 2-1.

If you'd like to donate to the 9/11 Memorial Fund, click here.

Here's new video of Conor McGregor hitting the gym to prep for his superfight with Khabib Nurmagomedov -- and he looks scary good.

He's sparring, he's grappling, he's knocking people on their asses ... it's impressive stuff.

Of course, Conor hasn't had an MMA fight since defeating Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in 2016 -- but he's booked to make his triumphant return to the Octagon at UFC 229 on Oct. 6.

Some people are worried Conor could have "ring rust" -- but when you're looking at the new highlight video, he seems sharp and strong.

Obviously, it's heavily edited -- but we all know what Conor's capable of ... and it's cool to see him back in beast mode.

As for Khabib, that dude is an absolute monster -- he's 26-0 and beat the dog snot out of just about everyone he's faced.

The two have bad blood -- remember, when Conor attacked that bus at Barclay's Center back in April, he was gunning for Khabib ... who had disrespected one of Conor's training partners earlier that week.

Floyd Mayweather dished out advice for Khabib -- telling him not to underestimate Conor, who's a "warrior."

Conor shot back with some insults for the entire Mayweather family.

Richie Incognito says he didn't threaten to shoot ANYONE during a heated incident at an Arizona funeral home back in August ... but admits he "lost his cool" after his father's death.

As we previously reported, cops swarmed Messinger Mortuary on August 20 after staffers secretly called 911 and said Incognito had ordered them to "cut his dad's head off for research purposes." They also claim Richie threatened to shoot the funeral director. Police say they found guns in his truck.

Now, Incognito is finally breaking his silence ... apologizing to his fans while maintaining his innocence.

“I just want to apologize to all my fans, and the people of the Bills Mafia, the Rams, the Dolphins, the University of Nebraska, all these people that have supported me. I let em down," Richie told Pat McAfee on his podcast.

"I AM NOT GUILTY. And you know the court process will play itself out. But I feel like I let everybody down. I lost my cool with my father passing. And I feel confident that I will be vindicated in the court process or whatever the heck we’re in right now.”

5:40 PM PT -- Dustin has responded to the affair and breakup speculation, tweeting ... "Every relationship goes through its ups and downs, but most importantly, we love each other very much and are committed to being a family."

Couple developments in the rumored Paulina Gretzky, Dustin Johnson split ...

1) A deeply connected source tells us they're NOT broken up.

2) The alleged mistress is adamant she NEVER hooked up with the PGA superstar.

Here's what we know ... Paulina ignited the breakup rumors after wiping all traces of Dustin from her Instagram page (don't worry, her bikini pics are all still there).

Reports surfaced shortly after that a woman named Yassie Safai was "at the center" of the split -- the insinuation was that Dustin had an affair with her behind Paulina's back.

But now, Yassie has broken her silence ... saying, "I am not in a relationship with Dustin Johnson. Nor have we had any prior relationship."

She explained, "I met Dustin Johnson at Sherwood Country Club. I have run into him at Sherwood maybe 4 times since then and yes briefly spoke with him, like I'm sure any avid golfer and member would."

"I am sure he is a great person but we do not have a close friendship. I have never met Paulina Gretzky and do not know the Gretzky family, but again, I am sure they are great people."

"I have no insight into the rumors around Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky's relationship. I wish them nothing but the best. I just want to go back to living my normal life."'

One source extremely close with the Gretzky family tells us Paulina and Dustin are still together but would not expand when asked why he has disappeared from her IG page.

Raiders legend Bill Romanowski says he's got a bad taste in his mouth over the Khalil Mack trade ... telling TMZ Sports Oakland's gonna REALLY regret giving Mack away.

"This is a guy that comes around, like a Lawrence Taylor, once in a lifetime," Romo says.

Remember ... Khalil and Jon Gruden never even spoke after Chuckie took the head coaching job -- and Gruden decided to punt the All-Pro to the Bears instead of working with him earlier this month.

Mack's first game with Chicago went well -- a sack, a pick AND a TD -- and Romanowski isn't at all surprised that the Raiders are feeling some immediate remorse.

In fact ... Bill seems downright pissed over the move -- even questioning how Oakland was able to get Derek Carr's mega deal done so quickly but couldn't get one for Mack.

"For Raider nation, you got one of the best defensive players in the National Football League -- figure out a way!" Bill says.

"Hey, you got Carr signed, figure out a way to get this guy signed!"

Kobe Bryant's basketball training campaign continues ... this time, Black Mamba is sharing his secrets with WNBA superstar Candace Parker!!

The retired NBA legend has been spreading his knowledge to hoopers like Jayson Tatum this offseason ... and has offered his services to Shaq's sons as well.

But Monday, he was focused squarely on the women's league -- hitting the gym with the L.A. Sparks superstar and fellow WNBAers Karlie Samuelson, Monique Billings and Gabby Williams.

Seems the training sesh was focused on improving footwork.

"[Kobe], I learned so much and was in awe to see the footwork in person," Candace posted ... "Here to prove older dogs can learn new tricks! #2019"

Kobe's sworn up and down he's done with pro basketball -- whether it's NBA or Ice Cube's BIG3 -- but he obviously still has an itch for the game.

Probably safe to assume Le'Veon Bell ain't coming back to the Steelers this week ... 'cause dude seems pretty busy livin' it up in Miami -- HITTING THE CLUB UNTIL EARLY TUESDAY MORNING!!

TMZ Sports has learned the star running back partied it up at Rockwell in South Beach ... and wasn't shy about it -- kickin' back at the DJ booth and taking pics with clubgoers.

We're told the Pittsburgh RB got there around midnight Monday and didn't leave until the wee hours of the morning Tuesday. He also partied at Gold Rush Cabaret Saturday night with friends.

Sources say he did look to be in great shape ... so at least there's that, Pittsburgh fans.

ICYMI ... Bell's been a no-show at Steelers practices AND at Sunday's game against the Browns as he continues to look for a mega deal from the team.

The Steelers are hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in Pittsburgh on Sunday. No word if Bell plans to be there. Hell, he might still be in Florida for all we know.

By the way ... this ain't the first time Bell's partied the night away instead of practicing with his teammates -- remember when he slapped all that butt at the booty club during training camp!?

A former Michigan State field hockey player claims Larry Nassar raped her back in 1992 -- and got her pregnant -- but when she tried to go to cops, a high-ranking MSU official shut her down.

The woman behind the suit is Erika Davis -- who was 17 years old when she suffered a knee injury during an MSU team practice and her coach referred her to Nassar.

During an exam, Davis claims Nassar crushed up a pill and made her drink it -- and a short time later she got "very woozy" and could not move her limbs.

Davis claims she passed out -- and woke up to Nassar raping her vaginally and ejaculating into her.

Later in the summer, Davis says a pregnancy test came back positive "and the only person who could have caused her to be pregnant was [Nassar]."

She miscarried a few weeks later, according to the suit.

Davis claims she told friends who recommended she go to the police -- but when she did, a detective told her he was "powerless to investigate ... and to go to the athletic department."

Davis says the athletic department had already dismissed her complaint and the Sergeant told her that MSU athletic director George Perles was a "powerful man" and that "she should just drop it."

Davis says she eventually moved on with her life and repressed the memories -- until 2018 after other victims began speaking out. That's when she decided to resurrect her legal action.

Nothing would make Tiki Barber happier than to see Saquon Barkley break his NY rushing record this season ... 'CAUSE IT WOULD MEAN HIS GIANTS WOULDN'T SUCK ANYMORE!!

"If he breaks my records, then that means good things," the NY legend tells TMZ Sports.

Tiki holds a grip of Giants records ... but it's his 1,860-yard, single-season rushing total that many have said could be within reach for Barkley by season's end.

And, if you think Barber is secretly hoping the star rookie falls short of that ... you'd be wrong.

"That means good things for the New York Giants," Tiki says.

Barber's ex-teammate, Amani Toomer, seems to think it's certainly possible the record falls this year ... 'cause the ex-receiver tells us Saquon was undoubtedly the most impressive NFL rookie of Week 1!!

Wanna hear something gross? Imagine putting your opponent in a KNEEBAR and then hearing it POP!!!!!

That's exactly what happened to UFC star Aljamain Sterling this weekend -- when he was ripping away at Cody Stamann's knee and heard it explode right in the Octagon!

The "Funkmaster" was ripping Stamann's left leg over his head with an excruciatingly painful move, when he pulled just a little too hard and heard the joint go snap, crackle, POP!

"I heard it bro," Sterling tells TMZ Sports ... "It was a nasty one!"

Sterling says he feels bad for Stamann and hopes he heals up soon -- but fears the dude tore his LCL and maybe even more ... judging by the way the injury went down.

Injury aside, Sterling's victory was super impressive and Aljamain says Dana White took notice -- even promising to send him a little bonus check in the mail for putting on a show at UFC 228.

Congrats, man ... you earned it!

Jay Williams says he's seen Andrew Bynum's recent workout video -- and he's impressed -- but tells TMZ Sports it might be too little, too late for the big man's NBA comeback dreams.

FYI -- Bynum's been training like crazy in hopes of getting a tryout with a team in need of a 7-footer ... even though it's been 4 years since he last suited up for a pro team.

Williams -- who went to the same New Jersey H.S. as Bynum -- says the ex-Laker looks in amazing shape ... but questions whether he'll be able to adjust to today's game with big men like Anthony Davis and Boogie Cousins pulling up from three.

But, Williams doesn't close the door on Bynum's goals, he actually thinks he CAN pull off the comeback ... but he's keeping it real for the 30-year-old.

Oscar De La Hoya's political aspirations aren't exactly being met with thunderous applause in D.C. -- where former Attorney General Eric Holder sucked the air out of the boxer's Presidential plans.

Remember, Oscar came on "TMZ Live" on Monday and said he was launching an exploratory team to see if he could get the support he needs to make a serious run for the White House.

Oscar said he's dead serious about running for Prez -- and feels that if Trump could do it, why not him?

Fast-forward to Holder ... who could hardly believe we used the words "De La Hoya" and "President" in the same sentence.

"Oscar De La Hoya? I think he's be a better fighter than he could be a President," Holder said.

It was just a matter of time, but Conor McGregor has finally been sued by a UFC fighter for that April bus attack at Barclay's Center where he threw a steel dolly through a window, injuring several people.

The man behind the first lawsuit is Michael Chiesa -- who was scheduled to fight Anthony Pettis at UFC 223 but was forced to pull out due to the injuries he received in the bus attack.

As we previously reported, Chiesa was on the bus with several fighters and UFC staffers when Conor and his gang of hooligans went berserk. Chiesa suffered cuts to his body and face.

According to the lawsuit filed in state court in New York, Chiesa says he also suffered "severe emotional distress, mental trauma and/or bodily harm."

Chiesa is suing McGregor for assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

He's also going after the Barclay's Center for negligence, claiming they failed "to engage in proper security measures to protect the plaintiff and other patrons."

Chiesa doesn't specify how much he's going after in the suit -- but he's clearly looking for a big number because part of the damages he's seeking are the paychecks he lost due to missing that massive UFC event.

Conor was arrested after the incident and charged with felony criminal mischief and 3 counts of misdemeanor assault. However, he later struck a plea deal with prosecutors in which he pled guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and the other counts (including the felony) were dropped.

Conor issued a statement thanking the D.A. for "allowing me to move forward."

There were other fighters injured in the attack including Rose Namajunas who has also told the media she was emotionally scarred. She hasn't sued yet, but that's only a matter of time.

8:57 AM PT -- Okay, maybe another turn. Apparently Winnie Harlow might be dating Wiz Khalifa. So, what we know now ... is who the hell knows who Lewis is actually banging these days.

Maybe none of 'em. Maybe all of 'em. Probably some of 'em.

6:37 AM PT -- Okay, everyone calm down. Turns out, Lewis' rumored girlfriend Winnie Harlow was also there!

Lewis and Winnie have reportedly been dating since 2017 though they've never really confirmed the relationship. But the fact she was there with Lewis and Nicki probably means they're together and Nicki was just tagging along.

Still, Nicki's pinky finger seems to be loitering on Lewis' lap. Just sayin' ...

Is Nicki Minaj feeling the need ... the need for speed?!?!?! (Spoiler: No. See update above).

Seems that way -- because she partied all over NYC on Monday with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton ... and TMZ has the video.

It all started at NY Fashion Week -- where the rapper and the racer hit the red carpet ... and Lewis had his arm around Minaj.

Hamilton was at the event to debut his new fashion collection with Tommy Hilfiger -- but Nicki's super revealing outfit DEFINITELY stole the show (you have eyes, so you can see why).

Afterward, Nicki and Lewis hit up Carbone restaurant where they dined together for 2 hours -- and traveled together in the same SUV.

So, are they officially a couple? (Again, spoiler: No).

The football genes run in the Gore family ... because Frank Gore's son just got his first major NCAA scholarship offer to Kentucky -- and the high school star tells us he's already better than his dad!

Okay, he's joking around ... but Frank Gore Jr. is legit on the field -- a star running back at Killian High School in Miami where he's already making a name for himself as a junior.

"I can return the ball, I can catch the ball, I can run the ball," Gore Jr. tells TMZ Sports.

As for the comparison with his father -- a 5-time Pro Bowler who's been in the NFL since 2005 -- FG2 has his sights set on being the best football player in his family.

"He's one dimensional -- he can run the ball. I'm shifty, I'm faster than him. But he's stronger, that's it. I'm more explosive."

In fact ... Frank Jr. says it's his pops who's helping him the most when it comes to football and his recruiting process!!

"He talks to me about my name, he knows that people are going to try to come at me differently," Gore Jr. says.

"He just tells me keep your head straight up on, and God has a plan."

As for where Gore Jr. will eventually end up -- everyone assumes it'll be the University of Miami like Sr. ... but the younger Gore tells us that's not entirely set in stone.

Chad Ochocinco wants to be an MLS goalie ... and Alexi Lalas says he already has one major keeper skill mastered ... he's crazy!!

We spoke with Lalas about Ochocinco's 2-year plan to try out for David Beckham's new expansion team in Miami ... and surprisingly, he's not completely shutting down the idea -- he actually thinks 85 could be ready SOONER than 2020.

"The only thing I know about goalkeepers is that they're crazy," Lalas says. "So he'll fit right in!"

"He doesn't need 2 years, he's crazy now! I love him!"

As for Ochocinco seeking the career change at 40 years old ... Lalas seems shocked, but it's clear he's not putting it past the guy to actually follow through with it.