TMZ Sports - Page 8

Before admitting to fathering a third child and apologizing to Khloe Kardashian, Tristan Thompson was in dad mode, picking up True from gymnastics with dozens of roses.

We got video showing TT outside the class Monday, about an hour before his lengthy post where he revealed he was the father of a baby boy. Tristan sat in a waiting SUV while someone from inside the class brought out what we're told was close to 100 roses.

A source close to Thompson tells us the flowers were for True, who he hadn't seen in a few days -- The Sacramento Kings are in town to play the L.A. Lakers Tuesday.

As we reported, Tristan says a paternity test proved he's the father of Maralee Nichols' baby boy, born last month in Houston. The two had been locked in a nasty back and forth in court, but now the NBA star says, "Now that paternity has been established, I look forward to amicably raising our son."

He then turned things to Khloe -- who he was publicly dating when he got Nichols pregnant -- saying, "You don't deserve the heartache and humiliation I have caused you. You don't deserve the way I have treated you over the years."

Tristan concluded, "My actions have certainly not lined up with the way I view you."

Giveon had royalty present during his concert in L.A. on Monday ... 'cause the R&B singer brought out Lakers superstar LeBron James in the middle of his show!!

LeBron -- who was enjoying the Lakers' day off -- made a special guest appearance at the L.A. Live concert ... and judging from the reaction of the crowd, everyone was pumped.

The "Heartbreak Anniversary" crooner had to playfully persuade King James to come out and address the crowd ... chanting "LeBron, LeBron. LeBron," before the 4-time champ strolled out on stage.

"Make some noise for LeBron, please," Giveon said.

The entire interaction was dope ... as Bron -- who routinely shows love for his favorite musical artists -- embraced the songwriter in front of the packed crowd.

Of course, LBJ made sure to return the favor by giving a shoutout on his Instagram saying, "A star flat out. My brother @Giveon love my brother."

"Thank you to the GOAT @kingjames for coming out ... my brother 4L," Giveon replied.

If you listen closely enough, you can even hear chants of "MVP" from some of the concertgoers in the building.

And, judging from his latest string of performances, it's not hard to see why fans would be moved to shower LBJ with such high praise.

Cops have just cited Tennessee Titans defensive end Bud Dupree for misdemeanor assault ... after they say he attacked an employee at a Nashville Walgreens on Sunday night.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Dept., several shoppers at the drug store got into an argument with a 20-year-old store employee and then left ... only to return a short time later with Dupree.

Cops say the 6-foot-4, 269-pound pass rusher then attacked the employee -- grabbing the man and his phone.

According to the police, a physical altercation then ensued ... before 28-year-old Dupree left the scene.

In a statement to TMZ Sports, cops say they issued the football player a citation for assault. They added he's due for booking on the citation in three weeks.

As we reported, the incident all went down just hours after Dupree had helped the Titans beat the Miami Dolphins at Nissan Stadium in Tennessee.

Dupree -- who just signed an $82.5 million contract with the team -- logged one tackle in the game and played 60 percent of Tennessee's defensive snaps.

Former MLB pitcher Jim Corsi passed away early Tuesday morning after a battle with liver and colon cancer. He was 60 years old.

The sad news comes just one day after an interview was released ... where Jim said, "I'm at peace. I know if I die, I'm going to a better place," according to Steve Burton of WBZ TV.

On Tuesday, Burton confirmed Corsi passed away overnight with his family at his side.

In the interview that aired Monday, Corsi -- who had been battling Stage IV liver cancer and terminal colon cancer -- urged people to stay on top of their health, something he wished he did a better job of in his younger years.

"I made a mistake when I was younger by not getting a colonoscopy," Corsi said.

"I was a professional athlete and thought I was invincible, strong. You’re not. Cancer is not prejudice to anybody."

But, despite his bout with cancer, Jim still managed to walk his daughter down the aisle during her wedding in October 2020 ... a moment he said he'll never forget.

Corsi -- who was drafted by the Yankees in 1982 -- played for five different teams ... but he spent most of his time in the big leagues with the A's and Red Sox.

During his MLB career, Corsi posted a career ERA of 3.25 and a 22-24 overall record as a relief pitcher.

A golfer in Australia is now in the market for a new driver ... 'cause a giant crab destroyed his on the course.

For real.

The crazy scene happened Down Under recently ... when a golfer stepped away from his bag for just a few moments and returned to find a massive robber crab hugging his clubs.

Video of the scene is wild -- you can see in the footage, the guys were stunned as the crab had its pinchers all over the golfer's TaylorMades.

"Hello, buddy!" One of the golfers said to the tiny beast. "What're you stealing?! What're you stealing?!"

Eventually, the men tried to shake the thing off the clubs ... but check out the clip, the crab wouldn't let go!

The crab ended up holding on so tightly, it snapped the shaft of the guy's driver. And, because nobody wanted to lose a digit, it also ended up stealing one of the club's headcovers too!!

"Just let him have it, mate," one of the golfer's said. "He's beaten us."

Eli Manning is the newest member of Death Row ... and if you don't believe it, check out his new birthday chain -- courtesy of Snoop Dogg!!!

Snoop was the special guest during the third quarter of the Browns vs. Steelers "Manning Cast" on ESPN2 Monday night ... which just so happened to be Eli's 41st birthday.

And, D-O-Double-G was ready for the occasion ... whipping out a "Death Row Records" gold and diamond chain for the birthday boy -- and Eli's reaction is priceless!!

"Eli, I would like to present to you this Death Row chain for being so hip-hop! For being so hip!" Snoop said.

"That's yours, baby, when I see you. Put that around your neck. Happy 41st birthday Eli!"

Eli's mouth was wide open as Snoop shared the gift via video chat ... in complete disbelief over the gesture.

Snoop was showing nothing but love for Peyton and Eli throughout his appearance -- in fact, he even asked the bros to adopt him during the show.

"I love the way you guys won, I love the way you guys did y'all thing and I'm happy for y'all off the field with this show that you got and all your endeavors," he said. "Y'all keep up the great work."

"I wish I was a Manning," Snoop asked. "Can I be adopted?" ... and Peyton "absolutely" accepted his request.

Ex-NFL star Fred Taylor is parting ways with the show he helped blow up ... telling TMZ Sports he's split with Brandon Marshall's popular "I AM ATHLETE" show to launch his own podcast with fellow former football players Ryan Clark and Channing Crowder.

We talked to the 45-year-old former Pro Bowler before his new show, "The Pivot Podcast" launches Tuesday (with first guest Chad Ochocinco) about splitting with Marshall and what listeners will get with the new gig.

"Everybody gonna pivot in life at some point whether it's business, relationships, family, whatever it might be man," Taylor says.

The former RB went on to say ... "I believe us as black men, as businessmen in our own right, I think we dropped the ball in a sense because we didn't have the business completely buttoned up."

"We were out having fun man, just making magic, conversations, everyday locker room stuff, experiences. In the midst of all that, we didn't buckle up the business so when it came time to do the business part, you know there was some push back, some other stuff It just didn't add up."

Of course, "I AM ATHLETE" blew up last year ... and the show regularly features A-list guests. On YouTube alone, the channel has raked in around 66 million views.

Taylor and Crowder were both featured prominently on IAA. Former longtime Steelers DB Clark wasn't ... but is a regular on ESPN.

So, where's that leave Fred's friendship with Brandon? He tells us although they aren't working together, they're still buddies.

"I wish we could've really pushed forward with IAA. Brandon is gonna keep pushing forward and I support that. That's what I texted him when we talked about going different ways. I made sure, look, 'I support everything you do with House of Athletes, I AM ATHLETE.'"

"We still brothers man. Ain't no beef, ain't no animosity, ain't no sideway stuff. It's just his business and his vision didn't necessarily align with what everybody else expected or wanted and that's business."

Taylor -- who rushed for nearly 12,000 yards throughout his great career -- says the new show will be much like IAA ... have fun, keep it real.

"Trending topics, we're gonna hit those. Obviously sports, just life man.  Just wanna be organic and feel good. We're gonna keep it real like we was doing on the other show."

"We wanna have good energy, positive energy. It's gonna be some laugh, gonna be some crazy moments. It's gonna be everything."

The Washington Football Team will announce its new identity next month ... but there's one name that's already off the table -- RedWolves.

WFT prez Jason Wright broke the news to fans early Tuesday morning ... saying the fan-favorite "RedWolves" and more simple "Wolves" branding won't work due to trademark issues.

"One of the most awesome and powerful aspects of this process has been getting to hear and understand your preferences directly, and we know that many of you loved one or both of these names," Wright said in a statement.

The 39-year-old added the organization made a huge emphasis to focus on fan opinions, but other teams had already beaten them to the punch.

"Understanding the weight and importance of our team name, and excitement around other name options -- both internally and within our fan base -- we didn't want to risk going down a route that could be dotted with legal hurdles," Wright added.

"The prospect of years of litigation wasn't something that we wanted you, our fans, to have to bear as you begin to embrace a new brand."

Antonio Brown clearly isn't trying to keep a low profile following his breakup with the Bucs ... 'cause just 1 day after his shirtless meltdown at MetLife Stadium, he got front-row tickets to the Nets game.

Broadcast cameras caught the troubled wideout sitting courtside at Barclays Center for Monday's Nets vs. Grizzlies tilt ... and the dude didn't look torn up at all despite losing his job roughly 24 hours earlier.

Brown was rockin' a COVID mask, tracksuit and sunglasses ... and was seen chatting it up with people around his seat as if nothing had happened with him the day before in the Jets vs. Buccaneers game.

Brown Instagrammed from his chair while at the game -- writing in a selfie video, "It's a new day hit up KD [Kevin Durant]" -- and he was even later spotted at dinner in NYC smiling and in good spirits.

Of course, the images aren't too surprising -- Brown has stayed in the public eye just about every minute since Tampa Bay kicked him off the team for quitting mid-game Sunday.

Brown has posted on social media constantly, dropped a rap song, and cruised around the streets of NY with celeb driver Danny Chalet.

Cody Simpson's sister is beyond lucky to be alive after breaking her neck while diving into a pool, and as if that wasn't bad enough ... she tested positive for covid-19.

Alli Simpson was immediately taken to an Australian hospital in an ambulance on New Year's Eve... after diving head-first into a shallow swimming pool, and hitting her head on the floor. She ended up having 2 severe fractures in her neck.

The 23-year old opened up about the scary event ... posting photos from the ambulance and Gold Coast University Hospital -- outside Brisbane. She says, "I am extremely lucky to be alive and/or not quadriplegic as it JUST missed my spinal chord..⁣"

Though she didn't have to get any immediate surgery, she will have to live in a neck brace for 4 straight months ... all day, every day.

She admitted this was not the best start to the year for her, but she was mainly optimistic and shared her gratitude... "to say the least - I have a new lease on life & will be forever grateful that it was not worse!!⁣"

She thanked her family, friends and the medical staff for their support ... and left some encouraging words for us all going into 2022 ... "hoping the start to your year has been a whole lot better than mine!! stay safe this year fam & DON’T DIVE INTO ANYTHING WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW IT’S DEPTH!!! 🤍🤍🤍 "

Novak Djokovic will defend his Australian Open title after all -- the Serbian tennis star just announced he will compete at the Grand Slam event after being granted a medical exemption from the COVID vaccine mandate.

"I've spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I'm heading Down Under with an exemption permission," Djokovic said on Instagram on Tuesday morning.

"Let's go 2022."

Djokovic's status for the tourney in Melbourne had previously been in question, as he was uncertain if he would participate due to concerns over Australia's quarantine rules and the event's vaccine mandate.

But, the Australian Open said Tuesday that officials conducted two reviews of Djokovic's application for a medical exemption and granted it -- paving the way for the star's return to the Aussie courts.

"Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts,'' Australian Open officials said.

Added tournament director Craig Tiley, "Fair and independent protocols were established for assessing medical exemption applications that will enable us to ensure Australian Open 2022 is safe and enjoyable for everyone."

Novak -- the No. 1-ranked men's tennis player in the world -- is currently tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with 20 grand slam titles ... and has won the last three Australian Open titles.

Tristan Thompson is officially a dad of three -- revealing he's the father of a baby boy recently born to a woman from Houston after getting the results from a paternity test -- and apologizing to his former girlfriend and mother of his child, Khloe Kardashian, in the process.

The NBA star posted Monday, saying, "I take full responsibility for my actions. Now that paternity has been established, I look forward to amicably raising our son. I sincerely apologize to everyone I've hurt or disappointed throughout this ordeal both publicly and privately."

He then turns his attention to Khloe, with who he has daughter True, saying, "You don't deserve the heartache and humiliation I have caused you. You don't deserve the way I have treated you over the years. My actions have certainly not lined up with the way I view you."

He continues, "I have the utmost respect and love for you. Regardless of what you may think. Again, I am so incredibly sorry." Khloe and Tristan split in the summer.

It's an about-face for Tristan ... as we reported, he and Maralee have been duking it out in court over the paternity of the baby boy. As we told you ... Maralee Nichols sued Tristan for child support and claims he tried to pay her $75,000 to keep quiet about the baby.

Tristan's alleged messages claimed he's retiring after this NBA season, making him unemployed -- and, at least according to him -- requiring him to pay a smaller amount in child support.

TT asked a judge just last month for an emergency gag order to silence Maralee talking about the paternity case.

It's Tristan's third known child, and according to Maralee's timeline ... he was still publicly with Khloe when they hooked up back in March.

Both TT and KK have publicly supported each other since the split, and are co-parenting their daughter.

AB out ... TO in?

Terrell Owens is hoping that's the case now in Tampa Bay ... saying this week that after Antonio Brown got the boot from the Buccaneers on Sunday, he wants to step in and fill the void on the team's roster.

TO made the announcement on "Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. and Hatch" -- which airs every Sunday at 8 p.m. on Fubo Sports Network -- saying he truly believes he can fill in for Brown during Tampa's playoff run.

"If you think about where they are in the season, they don't need me for a 16-game season," Owens said. "Three to four games at the max."

"So, yes, I feel like I can go in, I can contribute at a high level and can be productive."

Owens hasn't played a snap in the NFL since the 2010 season ... but the 48-year-old Hall of Famer has routinely said he's kept himself in good enough shape to make a comeback.

And, Owens says if he gets a shot with Tampa -- he's sure he can prove his critics wrong.

"I know that I can do it," TO said.

As for if the Bucs will actually call ... they do need wide receiver help and are reportedly eyeing some free agents in the wake of Brown's departure from the team Sunday.

Antonio Brown took a break from his nasty Buccaneers breakup to send a thoughtful message to his former nemesis on Monday ... wishing Ben Roethlisberger the best before what might be his last home game as a Pittsburgh Steeler.

AB hasn't always shown love for Big Ben -- remember, the receiver called his former teammate a "loser" during a Twitter rant in 2019 ... and made other negative comments after leaving the Steelers in 2018.

But as Ben hints that Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns could be the last time he dons the Black and Gold at Heinz Field, AB had nothing but kind words for #7 ... claiming he doesn't think the 2-time Super Bowl champ will retire after the season.

“I know Ben. He’s a competitor," AB said in a Cameo for a Steelers fan. "He loves to play football. One of the greatest quarterbacks, all-time. And I just don’t see him hanging it up."

"Big Ben has a lot of football left, and he didn’t say that his career was over," Brown added.

“So let’s be positive. Let’s cheer him on. Let’s wish for one of his best games tonight. And let’s keep business boomin’."

Things weren't always bad between the two -- AB and Big Ben were one of the most successful duos in the league before Brown left the team in 2018.

Now, as AB finds himself in another bad breakup following his bizarre, shirtless departure from the Bucs vs. New York Jets game on Sunday, it appears he's extending an olive branch to his old teammate.

Cops in Nashville say they want to question Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree ... after he was allegedly involved in a fight at a local Walgreens.

According to a statement from the Metro Nashville Police Dept., cops were called to the store at around 8 PM on Sunday night -- just hours after the Titans had beaten the Miami Dolphins in Tennessee.

Cops say Dupree and "several" people with him got into an altercation with two employees at the store ... after "a male employee began videoing Dupree with his phone."

Police, though, say by the time officers arrived on scene, Dupree and the other individuals with him had already left.

Cops say they're seeking to interview all parties now -- including Dupree -- after they say a 21-year-old female employee and a 20-year-old male employee both needed treatment for cuts they sustained in the alleged altercation.

As of now, no arrests have been made ... and no formal charges have been brought against Dupree or others.

The Titans -- who clinched the AFC South title with their win Sunday -- released a statement saying, "We are aware of the situation and are gathering additional information."

Dupree -- a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft -- did play in the team's game against Miami ... registering one solo tackle.

The gym formerly known as Mamba Sports Academy is suing the company that owned the doomed helicopter in the Kobe Bryant crash ... claiming the copter co. should be forced to pay over $100K in costs related to the death of one of the passengers on board.

It's all spelled out in new court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, in which an insurance company and the gym now known as Sports Academy are suing Island Express.

In the docs, the Academy and the insurance co. claim that because Christina Mauser -- a girls basketball coach -- was employed by the gym at the time of her death in the crash ... they paid "death benefits and burial expenses" to her family that exceeded $127,000.

In the docs, the plaintiffs argue that Island Express should be on the hook for that bill ... claiming the crash and Mauser's subsequent death were the result of the helicopter company's negligence.

The plaintiffs are asking for a reimbursement of the amounts already paid plus any additional workers' comp payments that may come due in the future.

As we previously reported, Mauser and eight others -- including Kobe and Gigi Bryant -- died in the helicopter crash in January 2020.

After a lengthy investigation, NTSB officials concluded that the crash likely happened due to a multitude of reasons, including, "Island Express Helicopter Inc.'s inadequate review and oversight of its safety management processes."