TMZ Sports - Page 2

Aldon Smith's loved ones are searching for answers after the former NFL star's death ... revealing they are sending his brain to Boston to determine whether he suffered from CTE.

Smith's family hired a legal team to help them investigate what may have contributed to his passing at 36 years old ... and that features several steps, including having his brain examined for damage caused by concussions and other trauma.

Smith was found unresponsive in his truck on Saturday after delivering pizzas to the homeless earlier in the day. A cause of death has not been announced.

Tragedy struck a bachelorette party hosted by Tyrese Haliburton's fiancée, Jade Jones, in St. Barts earlier this month when one of her friends died ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ Sports ... 26 year old Makenzi Kern passed away unexpectedly from health complications ... and the family does not suspect that foul play, drugs, or alcohol contributed to her death.

We're told the family is distraught by the loss.

Marshawn Kneeland's girlfriend has given birth to his child ... 7 months after he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Catalina Mancera announced Monday their child, named Makhai, was born June 11 ... and she shared some snaps of the little one, including an image of the infant in a onesie with a design of his dad in his Dallas Cowboys jersey woven into the fabric.

Catalina also included a touching video of Marshawn flashing a warm smile as she showed him her positive pregnancy test. Makhai is their first child together.

Taylor Swift may be in the final stages of planning her highly-anticipated wedding ... but that ain't keeping her away from her happy place ... the recording studio!

The "I Knew It, I Knew You" singer was seen arriving at New York City's famed Electric Lady Studios on Monday night ... serving the poker face we know all too well ... and she stayed inside all night long.

Taylor was spotted heading out of the studio around 6 AM Tuesday morning ... wearing the same casual jeans and tee combo ... and smiling as she ducked into her vehicle.

Some FIFA World Cup fans couldn't wait until Tuesday for some Argentina vs. Algeria action -- they ended up duking it out right in the middle of Times Square ... and the chaos was captured on video.

According to reports, fans of both countries were congregating in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on Monday ... and at one point, the cheering for their home squads turned into dissing their opponents.

The jawing turned physical ... and supporters from both countries are shown shoving, kicking and punching each other.

New York City's Mayor Mamdani has confirmed he's expecting the city to host Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding ... and revealed one person who will not be in attendance -- him!

Check it out -- he brought up their upcoming nuptials during a press briefing Monday while touting the NYPD's ability to keep New Yorkers safe while handling massive simultaneous events.

He gushes ... "We are used to big events, and we are incredibly excited for [FIFA World Cup]. We know it coincides with the Knicks’ [NBA] Finals run. We know it coincides with July 4, America 250, Taylor Swift’s wedding -- all happening at the same time -- and we are so excited to welcome the world here."

Justin Gaethje was a massive underdog to Ilia Topuria, and (almost) no one thought he'd win ... except apparently for Francis Ngannou!

"I knew. I put my money on Gaethje," the Predator told TMZ Sports on Monday.

Figurative cash? We asked ... Nope.

French Montana is trying to track down a devastated New York cab driver whose vehicle was wrecked during wild celebrations after the Knicks' NBA Championship win ... and he's hoping to help get the man back on his feet.

The rapper took to X urging followers to help locate 59-year-old Noureddine Bitat after sharing a viral video showing the driver standing in stunned silence beside his destroyed taxi Saturday night.

The footage is a tough watch ... while fans celebrated the Knicks' historic victory on top of his cab, Noureddine appeared completely heartbroken as he processed the damage happening to his vehicle that helped him make a living for his family in Algeria.

Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée, Jade Jones, and her girlfriends were all smiles at her Bachelorette party before tragedy struck and one of the guests, Makenzi Kern, died. 

Jade and her girlfriends posted countless photos of their celebration in St. Barths starting on June 2. 

In snaps, Jade was seen laying on a white bed with balloons spelling out "Bride." The group posed for photos in front of a pool with the beach in the background, while holding drinks. 

President Donald Trump appeared uncomfortable after Josh Hokit's nasty remarks about Michelle Obama at UFC Freedom 250 ... to the point where he yanked the fighter's chain right off his own neck shortly after the controversial comment.

The new footage was unearthed by CNN on Monday ... showing POTUS reacting in real time to Hokit's now-viral moment after beating Derrick Lewis via 2nd-round TKO on the White House South Lawn.

As part of his celebration, Hokit went over to Trump and put a chain on him ... which DJT initially embraced, shaking the fighter's hand and giving him a standing ovation.

The ladies of "The View" aren't giving UFC fighter Josh Hokit a pass ... coming together to torch his controversial Michelle Obama remark ... and the reaction it got from the crowd.

Sunny Hostin led the discussion, arguing comments like Hokit's are rooted in ugly stereotypes historically used to paint Black women as masculine and unattractive.

She took issue with audience members laughing at Hokit's insult ... and with President Trump appearing to smirk.

Ana Navarro piled on too ... blasting the idea of hosting a UFC event at the White House as part of America's 250th birthday celebrations ... saying it hardly reflects the country's ideals.

Conor McGregor went back to where it all started for his latest business venture ... filming a new commercial for Tucker Carlson's ALP nicotine pouch brand ... inside the Dublin boxing club that helped launch his combat sports career ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... ALP's production team traveled to Ireland in May to shoot a campaign with Conor shortly after the former UFC champ was announced as the brand's newest global partner.

We're told filming took place at Crumlin Boxing Club ... McGregor's childhood gym in Dublin ... where he spent roughly six hours in front of the cameras.

Jemele Hill says UFC Freedom 250 was far from a knockout event ... telling us it felt more like a Trump rally than a party for all Americans.

The sports journalist joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday and ripped this weekend's UFC event at the White House.

While Jemele says there were good moments, overall it didn't feel like a "correct" representation of America, telling us ... "Everything about this felt gaudy. It felt narcissistic. It was like Temu Wrestlemania to me."

Jemele brought up Josh Hokit's "disgusting" and transphobic comment about Michelle Obama, noting he has a history of offensive remarks and was still selected to represent Americans through this platform.

Is internet personality Ashley Diaz de Villegas out-cheering mixed martial artist Paige VanZant?!

Both stars rocked yellow crop tops and Y2K skirts, but who's grabbin' your attention and which gorgeous gal is grabbin' your vote?!

Hayden Christensen pissed off some 'Star Wars' fans this weekend when he made an early exit from a pricey fan convention panel in Texas ... so he could go to the NBA Finals.

Several folks who attended Space Con in San Antonio tell TMZ ... Hayden, who plays Anakin Skywalker in the 'Star Wars' franchise, let them down when he got up from a panel they paid to attend and announced he was going next door to Game 5 between the Knicks and Spurs.

See for yourself ... footage circulating on social media shows Hayden telling the group he's jetting to get to the game ... and his announcement gets a mixture of moans and cheers.

Rosie O'Donnell says UFC fighter Josh Hokit taking a shot at Michelle Obama embodies what Donald Trump supporters are all about.

We caught up with Rosie in NYC on Monday, and she blasted Hokit ... saying his comments reflect the kind of rhetoric she associates with Trump voters ... who she rips as racist, homophobic, and deeply un-American.

Rosie's vitriol wasn't just reserved for Hokit or MAGA ... she also went off on the Prez.