TMZ Sports - Page 50

Aaron Rodgers dropping L-bombs!!

The Green Bay Packers QB opened up on his relationship with Danica Patrick -- telling Michele Tafoya he already feels comfortable saying he loves her.

"We're just two people who enjoy being around each other and love each other," Rodgers said in the interview for Artful Living.

"We're really into each other ... We're really attracted to each other."

Aaron and Danica went public with their relationship back in January -- and things have gotten pretty serious ever since.

"We really enjoy traveling. She went on the trip to India and Africa [back in the spring], and we had a blast. And we’ve taken some trips domestically that have been fun."

He added, "She’s a good travel partner because she’s so laid-back and low-maintenance. And she’s a hell of a cook, so we love just staying in, too. She eats really healthy. She’s inspired me in that way."

The only real issue in their relationship -- Danica's family cheers for the Chicago Bears.

Aaron joked to Tafoya, "They can’t come to the games if they’re doing that."

Antonio Brown says he didn't freak out and throw furniture off his 14th story balcony back in April -- and now he's pointing the finger at another person who was with him that day.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the Pittsburgh Steelers WR is being sued by a man who claims it was Brown who threw vases, an ottoman and other pieces out of his Miami apartment, nearly killing his 22-month-old son.

Cops were called to the scene -- and according to the police report, Brown was "very agitated" and yelling when they arrived.

But, in new court docs, Brown says he was NOT the perpetrator -- explaining, "The acts were committed by another individual who was also present at the time of the incident."

So, who could it have been? The clue may be in the police report ...

When cops arrived, they noted Brown's trainer "and another gentleman" were trying to calm him down.

Which means Brown wants us to believe the angry guy erupting in his apartment didn't throw the furniture -- it was one of the two men trying to defuse the situation.

Uh huh ...

Brown claims the lawsuit is nothing more than "blatant shakedown" by a "struggling real estate developer to exploit his minor child."

Two boxers. Two coasts. One message -- famous fighters get REALLY good seats at NBA games!

Canelo Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather both sat courtside at NBA season openers on Wednesday night. Floyd was at Staples Center taking in the Clippers game while Canelo sat on the floor at MSG for the Knicks.

Knicks beat the Hawks. Clippers lost to the Nuggets.

Floyd was flossin' hard with multiple expensive diamond necklaces. Canelo had a big ol' smile like he just signed a $365-million contract!

Alvarez was also sporting a Dolce & Gabbana sweatshirt and some expensive Balenciaga sneakers.

They weren't the only superstars to support the NBA last night -- the Clips had Billy Crystal and Scooter Braun.

No shirts ... no problems for the U.S. Women's National Team -- 'cause they got their turn up on without their jerseys after winning the CONCACAF Championship Wednesday night!!

It all went down in Frisco, Texas -- where the U.S. women's soccer squad beat Canada, 2-0 ... and then hit the locker room for some post-game booze and partying.

Alex Morgan led the fiesta with flutes of champagne while P!nk's "Raise Your Glass" fittingly played.

Emily Sonnett hit a little nae nae ... Kelley O'Hara got in some twerking ... and Mallory Pugh gave some fist pumps while chowing down on a sandwich. Good times were had by all.

As for Alex ... glad to see her Disney World drama ain't slowing down her party roll.

Congrats!

Here's Dodgers president Stan Kasten (jokingly) LYING TO OUR FACE about Clayton Kershaw -- saying he's not focused on getting a new deal done with the pitcher -- but that's okay, we know what's really going on.

Kershaw has 10 days after the World Series to decide if he'll opt out of the remaining 2 years of his $215 MILLION deal with the Dodgers ... and insists he hasn't made up his mind yet.

So, when we saw Kasten after Game 5 of the NLCS, we had to ask what the plan is to keep Kershaw in Dodgers Blue next season.

"I have no time to think about it because we're 1 game from the World Series," Kasten told our guy.

THAT'S NOT TRUE, STAN, AND YOU KNOW IT!!

It's cool, we know you can't really spill the beans -- but how about you use all of those professional looking folders and papers under your arm to lock up Kershaw, baby?!

Drake just knew his fans were hungry for more ... of him and evidently McDonald's.

Champagne Papi showed up to Poppy in WeHo Wednesday night and didn't come empty-handed ... serving up trays upon trays of cheeseburgers and french fries. Needless to say, the crowd was lovin' it.

Drake had just finished his concert with Migos at The Forum but he wasn't done quite yet. At the nightclub, he grabbed the mic and gave the crowd a bonus performance.

The place was packed like sardines, but everyone -- including Magic Johnson's son, EJ -- seemed to be able to get their hands on some late night grub. Basically, Drizzy saved everyone from making a drive-thru run on their way home.

Drake's L.A. shows already included bringing LeBron James onstage for his Staples Center gig ... but feeding an entire club's gonna win him even more fans.

Mike Tyson could barely contain his emotions while reflecting on the night his good friend, Tupac Shakur, was shot ... saying the rap legend was "really happy" just before he was gunned down.

Tyson and Pac were great friends in the '90s -- and he was Tyson's VIP guest the night he fought Bruce Seldon on September 7, 1996 at the MGM Grand in Vegas.

Tyson says Tupac was in great spirits during their last interaction at the post-fight press conference ... and remembers Pac talking "a bunch of sh*t" after his 1st-round TKO.

Of course, Tupac was shot 4 times while leaving the fight in Vegas by an unknown assailant while Suge Knight was in the driver's seat next to him. Pac died 6 days later.

Tyson choked back tears while recounting that night while sitting down with radio legend Big Boy from 92.3 ... saying, "It's very difficult to talk about. Young kid that wanted to be great and then that happened."

Tyson recalls being frustrated because he wasn't allowed to visit Pac in the hospital before he passed away.

But, Iron Mike says Pac's legacy lives on ... and he's still asked about the late MC wherever he goes.

Meghan Markle's finally giving up the first visible signs of the baby she and Prince Harry are expecting, and their royal subjects in Australia got the first look ... in public.

Harry and the Duchess of Sussex were in Melbourne Thursday for a reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria. Megs isn't just pressing the flesh and royal waving either ... she got some hands-on experience with Australian rules football!

The sport tends to be way more brutal than American football -- no pads -- so, luckily she stuck to a ball handling lesson and passed on full contact.

Megan handled the pigskin like a pro though, eventually tossing it around with other guests at the shindig -- but we suspect her blue heels are NOT regulation.

Based on Mom and Dad's sporty genes, that kid she's carrying has a better shot at being a pro athlete than becoming king.

Steve Penny -- the former president of USA Gymnastics -- was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Tennessee on Wednesday stemming from allegations he tampered with evidence in the Larry Nassar case.

Officials say Penny went to the famed Karolyi Ranch training facility in Texas and removed documents linked to Nassar's sexual assault case.

It's interesting considering one of Penny's former top staffers testified back in June that she told him about Nassar's misconduct and was told to keep her mouth shut.

The Walker County District Attorney says Penny was indicted by a grand jury roughly 3 weeks ago. They tracked him down at a cabin in Tennessee this week and took him into custody.

"The indictment further alleges that the removal of the documents was done for the purpose of impairing the ongoing investigation by destroying or hiding the documents," the U.S. Marshals said.

Prosecutors say Penny had the documents be sent to him at USA Gymnastics headquarters in Indianapolis. Officials still have not located the documents.

If convicted, Penny -- who resigned as USA Gymnastics president in 2017 -- faces up to 10 years in prison.

Attorney John Manly -- whose firm represents more than 180 of Nassar's sexual assault victims -- says his clients are "grateful" for the arrest.

"Mr. Penny is exactly where he belongs for his enabling a pedophile."

Floyd Mayweather says he ain't done with Conor McGregor -- telling TMZ Sports he'll give the Irishman a rematch in the boxing ring right after he tunes up Khabib Nurmagomdov.

"McGregor was talking that sh*t, so it ain't over," Floyd told us while shopping in Bev Hills this weekend.

"After me and Khabib lock up, me and McGregor we gonna lock up again."

As we previously reported, Floyd says he'll accept Khabib's challenge and will fight him in the boxing ring sometime in the near future, because it'll do "crazy numbers."

Floyd says he expects to make a 9-figure check from the Khabib fight -- and a rematch with Conor could be just as successful.

"I'm ready to go out there and get the job done and entertain. 'Cause me and McGregor Mayweather was real entertaining. I gave people what they wanted to see."

Floyd also says his fights with UFC stars are helping the sport of MMA -- telling TMZ Sports, "I'm helping keep combat sports alive!"

Of course, Conor and Floyd clashed back in August 2017 -- with Floyd dominating most of the fight and ultimately getting a TKO in the 10th round.

Skylar Diggins-Smith is winning even in the off-season ... 'cause the WNBA superstar is pregnant with her first child!!

The 4-time All-Star and husband Daniel Smith announced the big news on Wednesday with an Instagram post of the sonogram captioned, "Can’t wait to meet you!"

Obviously, it's great news for the couple ... but could be bad news for the Wings -- they might've lost one of their best players for a little bit (if our math's right).

The WNBA season kicks off in May, and if Skylar is at least 12 weeks preggo, she's most likely gonna need some time away from the squad.

FYI -- it's incredible how quickly female athletes can get back to competing after giving birth. Candace Parker returned to practices a little over a month after giving birth in 2009 ... and Olympic swimmer Dara Torres competed again just 3 weeks after having a child in 2006.

Congrats to the couple!!

Lawrence Taylor says Bill Belichick is absolutely correct ... Khalil Mack ain't NOWHERE near his level -- and neither is anybody else!!!

Of course, the reason we're even talking about this is 'cause a reporter had the onions to ask The Hoody -- who coached L.T. in NY -- if Mack was on the same level as the Giants legend.

"We're talking about Lawrence Taylor now," Bill said Wednesday morning, stone-faced and kinda pissed.

"I'm not putting anybody in Lawrence Taylor's class. So, put everybody down below that."

L.T. didn't take long to agree ...

"What he said!! The mold was made never to be duplicated!!!"

FYI ... L.T. was the NFL's 1986 MVP (the last defensive player to win the award), a 10-time Pro Bowler, an 8-time First-Team All-Pro member AND a 2-time Super Bowl winner.

As for Mack, he does have a Defensive Player of the Year award under his belt and 3 Pro Bowls in his 4-plus seasons ... but yeah, he ain't no L.T.

The leader of the free world is a racist, and Donald Trump's history of prejudice against minorities dates back long before he became POTUS ... so says Rep. Cedric Richmond.

The U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus didn't dance around the subject ... saying on "TMZ Live" Wednesday Trump is a racist and racially challenged, and the terms are interchangeable when it comes to 45.

Check out the clip ... Cedric says Trump's racism stretches back over three decades to the Central Park 5, and continued through his Presidency with Charlottesville and his attacks against Maxine Waters, Don Lemon and LeBron James.

Cedric says Trump presumes guilt when any minority is accused of a crime, because DT views black people as criminals ... adding Trump's hypocrisy is evident to this day with his defense of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the Saudi Arabian Crowned Prince.

Canelo Alvarez says he's sick of watching Floyd Mayweather try to make fights that hurt the sport of boxing -- like Conor and Khabib -- and says if he really wants a challenge, LET'S REMATCH!

"He wants to continue hurting boxing by making fights that don't make sense ... and not giving boxing the credibility it deserves," Canelo tells TMZ Sports.

"If he wants to return, I ask him to look my way to give a great fight to the fans."

"Let's do the second fight. It's very important. We have something pending there, so let's make the second fight."

Of course, Canelo and Floyd fought back in 2013 -- but Alvarez has improved A LOT since then, and clearly believes he would smash Floyd if they met again.

Canelo just signed a brand new $365 MILLION contract with the DAZN streaming video service to have 11 fights over the next 5 years ... and a Floyd rematch would be a dream for the company.

But, if it doesn't happen, Canelo tells us he's down for a 3rd fight with Gennady Golovkin -- and in the meantime, he's prepping for his Dec. 15 fight against Rocky Fielding at Madison Square Garden.

As far as his new contract is concerned -- the richest in the history of pro sports -- Canelo says he's not about to go on a spending spree because he's already rich and has everything he wants.

... especially when it comes to cars!

How do NBA superstars prep for the regular season?? If you're John Wall, you dance your freakin' face off at the club ... and TMZ Sports has the video!!

Two nights before the Wizards' season kicks off, the All-Star guard hit up The Park at 14th Tuesday night for one final rager ... straight-up gettin' it while Lil Wayne's "Uproar" blasts in the speakers.

You can see in the footage Wall is having a blast -- dancing with everyone right in front of the DJ booth and sippin' on some Ciroc with the owner of the club.

Wall's famous for his dance moves -- and Troop 41 even released a song dedicated and inspired by his trademark dance.

Because of Max Pacioretty's trade to Vegas ... somebody else in Florida won't have to fear 'The Purge' -- 'cause the NHL superstar just sold his safe room mansion FOR $3.1 MIL!!!

Max used to play for the Canadians up in Montreal ... and obviously needed a snow escape -- so he took off to Boca Raton to catch rays on off days.

But, with his move to the Golden Knights this offseason ... no need for a sun house anymore -- so the winger punted the palace.

It's too bad ... 'cause Max couldn't have been more protected in the mansion -- it featured smart house technology, weather resistant roofing and a freakin' SAFE ROOM!!!

The crib also had a salt water pool AND a basketball court ... obviously for use on days when the house's protection wasn't necessary.