Usain Bolt Fastest Goal Ever?!? ... Scores In Charity Soccer Match

Usain Bolt's speed certainly isn't limited to the track ... 'cause the Jamaican sprinter flew past his opponents to score an impressive goal in a charity soccer match on Sunday!!

The 8-time Olympic gold medalist ditched his running spikes for some cleats at the Soccer Aid for UNICEF event ... and he wasn't just there to show face -- he balled out!!

Bolt -- fittingly rocking a No. 9.58 jersey to represent his world-record 100-meter dash time -- broke things open 23 minutes into the competition ... zooming past the last line of defense to put the ball in the back of the net for team World XI.

The best part of the highlight came when Bolt celebrated the goal -- first, he did English soccer star Marcus Rashford's signature move ... before switching up to his famous "To Di World" point alongside former French pro Patrice Evra.

Bolt's teammate Tommy Fury was the first to run up and congratulate him ... and it was smooth sailing for their squad the rest of the match, thanks to Robbie Keane's pair of goals.

Former One Direction member Liam Payne wasn't all upset about England's 4-2 loss to World XI ... considering the game raised more than $14 MILLION for the humanitarian organization.

Bolt previously flirted with the idea of playing soccer in the States -- remember, he told us back in 2018 he'd listen to offers from MLS teams if they came with the money.

11/6/23
SHOW ME THE MONEY!
TMZSports.com

Based off these highlights, they may wanna give the 36-year-old a call!!

Wilt Chamberlain Rookie Uniform Hits Auction Block ... Could Sell For $3+ Mil!!

Wilt Chamberlain was arguably the most dominant basketball player to ever grace the hardwood ... and now the uniform worn by "The Big Dipper" for around 50 games during his '59-'60 rookie season is available at auction, and is expected to sell for millions!

The white Philadelphia Warriors home jersey features "PHILA" on the front and Wilt's iconic #13 on the back, both in red tackle twill. The jersey contains what appears to be a blood stain. The white shorts have a thick blue waistband and are trimmed in red and gold.

Both jersey and shorts are on the auction block at SCP Auctions ... where they already have a bid of $1.37 million.

The uniform was worn for nearly every home regular season and playoff game (approximately 50 games) during the season, according to SCP, who had the uni photo matched by MeiGray, MEARS, and Sports Investors Authentication (SIA).

Of the games Wilt wore the jersey and shorts, he rocked them during his 47-point and 36-rebound performance against the Boston Celtics on January 2, 1960. He also wore them three days later against the Minneapolis Lakers (they moved to L.A. the following year) when he dropped 52 points and 20 rebounds in a win.

7'1" Chamberlain, one of the greatest athletes ever, also wore the jersey when his squad lost in 6 games to the Celtics in the Eastern Division Finals playoff series.

Of course, despite how dominant he was, it was just Wilt's rookie season. Still, he won the first of his 4 league MVPs and averaged an unprecedented 37.6 points and 27 rebounds a game, both NBA records. He also won Rookie of the Year in the most anti-climatic ROY vote to ever take place.

Chamberlain entered the NBA in 1959, signing with the Philly Warriors, after starring for three seasons at the University of Kansas (where he looked like a man amongst children) and one with the Harlem Globetrotters.

WC went on to play for 14 seasons, averaging over 30 points and nearly 23 rebounds. He was a 13x All-Star, 11 rebounding champ, and 7x scoring champ. Wilt scored 100 points in 1962, a record, along with 71 other records, still stands in the NBA record books.

The uniform auction ends on the evening of June 17.

Past game-worn jerseys have sold for huge prices. Take the jersey Michael Jordan wore for game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals which sold for $10.1 million in September 2022. Just a few months ago in February, a Kobe Bryant game-worn jersey from his lone MVP season sold for nearly $6 million.

The Wilt jersey and shorts, the holy grail of vintage basketball uniforms, according to experts, could be in the same neighborhood.

Good luck!!

Cam'ron To Ja Morant Gangbangin' & Ballin' Don't Mix ... Rap Can't Be Your Backup Plan!!!

Cam'ron is telling Ja Morant he's seen hoop dreams deflate ... and doesn't want the embattled NBA superstar to flush his career for being too in love with the streets.

The Diplomats founder was once a top basketball prospect coming outta Harlem in the mid-1990s ... but didn't take his academics seriously and saw his career fizzle after tearing his hamstring at junior college in Texas.

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Cam'ron shared pics of his basketball playing days throwing up a gang sign to show Ja how unfocused he was at the time, where he says he got kicked outta college for pistol-whipping someone.

5/14/23
CAUGHT RED-HANDED
Instagram / @_dtap2

The "Oh Boy" rapper says he's not glorifying his past actions and doesn't want Ja, who's currently awaiting NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's judgment after his latest gun-toting video, to make the same mistake.

Ja should probably listen to Cam, as he's had his own run-ins with NBA Commissioners in the past.

His 2000 album, "SDE," juxtaposed the NBA logo with a gun, raising the ire of the late David Stern. According to Cam's then-labelmate Dutch, the promo cost the company around $15 million dollars to settle with the league!!!

NFL's Perrion Winfrey Assault Case Dismissed

Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey is no longer facing an assault charge ... TMZ Sports has confirmed his criminal case has been dismissed.

According to court records, prosecutors dropped the charge on Friday ... after the 22-year-old completed a pretrial diversion program.

Winfrey was initially arrested back on April 10 ... after officials alleged he got physical during a dispute with a woman whom he was dating.

Authorities claimed in court documents Winfrey pulled the woman's hand, causing her injuries.

Despite the legal case, Winfrey has still been a participant in Browns' offseason workouts this month.

The defensive tackle played in 13 games last season, tallying 22 combined tackles and .5 a sack. He's expected to compete for regular a spot on the Browns' gameday roster this year.

'L&HH's' Joseline Hernandez Arrested for Big Lex Beatdown ... During Mayweather Fight

6/11/23
BACKSTAGE BRAWL
UPDATE

9:17 AM PT -- Cops clearly got wind of the incident, as Joseline Hernandez was arrested early Monday on at least 4 charges including trespassing and battery. She certainly doesn't look pleased in her mug shot -- obtained by TMZ.

UPDATE

Floyd Mayweather might've been throwing jabs this weekend, but Joseline Hernandez was handing out haymakers backstage ... landing several on Big Lex.

The former "Love & Hip Hop" star -- dressed in light blue -- was on hand Sunday during FM's exhibition fight against John Gotti III in South Florida ... as were a ton of other Zeus Network-connected reality stars, like Big Lex for example.

Lex -- once featured on Joseline's own reality show, "Joseline's Cabaret" -- was on the receiving end of a brutal beatdown during the boxing match.

The video of her taking a whoopin' is going viral on social media right now ... and for good reason. You see Joseline holding Lex in a headlock while she wails on her -- which got so violent and tumultuous, it actually ended up leaving BL flailing and topless.

Clearly, Joseline got the better of Lex in the moment ... eventually, the women were separated. However, Joseline wasn't done using her fists -- she continued to throw punches at a bunch of different people in the vicinity (even men) ... and seemed to strike at random.

At one point, an unknown woman walking by all the commotion threw a drink in Joseline's direction ... and then got chased out of the building once JH realized where it came from.

It's unclear what precipitated the brawl -- but it obviously had Joseline in a wild state.

CHAOS IN THE ARENA
TMZSports.com

This wasn't the only chaos in the building that night ... another brouhaha broke out in the actual ring itself, not between the boxers -- but between their teams and management. Gotti was disqualified in the 6th for continuous holding ... and yet, he continued to battle.

Floyd's team jumped in to stop him themselves ... and that spurred an all-out rumble. Safe to say the antics made it one of the craziest sporting events anyone's seen in quite a while.

Originally Published -- 7:17 AM PT

Georgia Bulldogs Former LB Akeem Hebron Dead At 34

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Akeem Hebron passed away unexpectedly over the weekend, the football program confirmed. He was only 34 years old.

"Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a beloved member of the Bulldog family, Akeem Hebron," the Bulldogs tweeted on Sunday.

"His dedication to Georgia Football will always be remembered. We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."

Details surrounding the death are currently unclear.

Fans swarmed the Bulldogs' social media comment sections to mourn Hebron's death ... with one person writing, "So sad to be taken at such a young age. Condolences to his family. RIP, he won’t be forgotten by the Dawg Nation."

The Maryland native committed to the Bulldogs over Michigan, Ohio State, and Oklahoma in 2006. He logged 10 tackles and one sack during his career.

Of course, it's more tragic news for Georgia in what has been a devastating year. Offensive lineman Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car accident after their NCAA championship parade in January.

UGA star Jalen Carter, who was drafted by the Eagles in April, was allegedly racing LeCroy before the fatal crash and was sentenced to probation after making a deal with prosecutors.

R.I.P.

Khloe & Tristan Son Had Kardashian Last Name at Birth ... Later Changed to Thompson

Khloe Kardashian wasn't messing around when her son was born, giving him the Kardashian last name instead of Tristan Thompson's ... but later had a change of heart.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us Tatum Thompson -- as he's now known -- was initially legally a Kardashian. Our sources say Tatum also wasn't his first name, though we're not sure what first name Khloe originally chose for the kiddo.

Eventually, our sources say Khloe decided to drop the Kardashian name for Thompson, and that's now Tatum's legal name moving forward.

As for why Khloe may have made the initial decision to leave Tristan out of things -- it seems pretty clear ... as we reported, Tristan got another woman, Maralee Nichols, pregnant after Khloe and Tristan had decided to go ahead with a surrogate to carry Tatum.

TMZ broke the story about the surrogacy in July of 2022, just a couple months after it was discovered Tristan had gotten Nichols pregnant. It was about a month later when Tatum was born, so you gotta imagine there was still a lot for Khloe and Tristan to figure out ... making it totally understandable Khloe wanted her son to have her last name.

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Obviously, things have gotten better since that time, and it's almost certainly the reason Khloe decided to change Tatum's legal name to include Thompson.

THE GRADUATION GANG'S ALL HERE
TMZ.com

As we've reported on multiple occasions, Khloe and Tristan are incredible co-parents ... hitting events together with their daughter True all the time. We were the first to report both Khloe and Tristan were at True's pre-K graduation last week ... along with exes Kylie and Travis Scott and family foe Blac Chyna.

With plenty of milestones and significant happenings for their son for the next several decades, it's nice to see Khloe and TT on the same page.

We covered it all on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

PGA Golfer Adam Hadwin Leveled By Security At Canadian Open ... For Celebrating Friend's Win

SERIOUS SECURITY
Twitter / @RBCCanadianOpen

A security guard was left saying "sorrey" after the Canadian Open on Sunday ... when he mistakenly LAID OUT a PGA Tour golfer who ran onto the green to celebrate his buddy's big victory!!

The wild moment went down shortly after Nick Taylor nailed a 72-foot eagle putt to win the tournament on the fourth playoff hole in Toronto ... which made him the first Canada native to win the event in more than half a century.

Adam Hadwin -- who finished tied for 12th place in the same tourney -- was super stoked for his fellow Canadian's historic win ... so he grabbed a bottle of champagne and sprayed it as he darted toward Taylor.

But one security guard went into protective mode before Hadwin could even get near the big winner ... 'cause he rushed over and put the pro's ass on the grass!!

A group of people darted over to check on Hadwin right after the brutal hit ... but thankfully, he wasn't injured. Taylor looked upset over it all ... yelling as he watched his friend get laid out.

Hadwin has been a good sport about it all, though ... cracking jokes and having a playful interaction with Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen.

Hadwin's wife, Jessica, also laughed off the situation ... saying, "I'm thrilled to report that @ahadwingolf is still among the land of the living and in true Canadian form, apologized to the security guard for being tackled."

Who says golf is boring?!?!

Marshawn Lynch Challenges Ronda Rousey To Wrestle ... On 'Stars On Mars!!!'

Ever dream of seeing an NFL great go up against a UFC legend/WWE Superstar in a fight??

Consider your wish granted ... 'cause Marshawn Lynch challenged Ronda Rousey to a wrestling match on the latest episode of Fox's new celebrity reality show, "Stars On Mars" -- and by the looks of it, things got intense!!

The wild moment went down when the crew members found out they're in need of a new base commander ... and Beast Mode, the self-appointed leader of the bunch, decided he's not giving up his role without a fight. Literally.

"You know what? I'mma make this simple," the Super Bowl champ said as he made his way to an open area ... making it clear he was prepping for a throw-down.

"Yeah, I throw hands, baby," he added.

But, bad news struck for the former Seattle Seahawk ... 'cause the former UFC champ volunteered to be his opponent.

"You wanna fight for base commander? All right!!" Ronda said as she made her way to the makeshift fight arena.

So, who wins?? We won't know until the whole episode airs at 8 PM ... but some contestants were certain Ronda was gonna come out on top.

Popcorn. Get it ready.

Tom Brady Knocks MrBeast's Drone Out of Air ... W/ 🏈 Thrown From $300M Yacht!!!

DRONE TAKEDOWN
Youtube / MrBeast

Tom Brady may just have to consider coming out of retirement after all, 'cause the dude's still got a great arm and precise accuracy ... just ask MrBeast, he can tell you all about it.

The mega-viral YouTuber recently posted a new video where he's delving into the different levels of luxury yacht life ... and at one point in his adventure, he runs into TB12 -- who, as we know, has been enjoying life on the high seas of late as he basks in his post-NFL career.

MrBeast gets Tom to agree to a challenge ... try and knock down his drone -- which is hovering in the air at eye level several yards away -- with nothing but a football toss.

Tom actually doesn't think he can do it, but then jokes ... if he gets it in one try, he might have to think about un-retiring. Welp, he's got something to mull over now -- not only did he do it, but he completed another challenge right after that was equally impressive.

Watch for yourself ... the G.O.A.T. has some gas in the tank and then some, it seems. Dude was out there doing Globetrotter trick shots from a freakin' boat -- and it's impressive.

A couple takeaways from this ... one, Tom is absolutely reveling in his retirement, which you can see in the clip.

His daughter is there for this whole drone-yacht game, and he's palling around with her throughout all of it. So, he's getting that QT he's been seeking lately.

Also, he clearly still has a competitive edge. Makes ya wonder what's really next for him. 🤔

For more, tune into the TMZ Sports Podcast available on all podcast platforms!

Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Shut Down Trump For Using 'Air' Clip in Fundraising Video

Donald Trump thought he could use Matt Damon's voice to help raise some dough for his campaign, but the famous actor and his buddy Ben Affleck aren't gonna let it fly.

Trump pushed out a fundraising video on Truth Social last week which was almost entirely centered around a monologue from Damon's character in the film "Air." Among some of the lines from Damon, “Money can buy you almost anything, but it can’t buy you immortality."

POLITCAL POACHING
Truth Social / @realdonaldtrump

Turns out, Trump didn't have permission to use the Damon audio, and Artists Equity, the company co-founded by Damon and Affleck that produced "Air" didn't hold back.

AE released a statement, saying, "We had no foreknowledge of, did not consent to and do not endorse or approve any footage or audio from Air being repurposed by the Trump campaign as a political advertisement or for any other use.”

The statement continues, “Specifically in terms of any & all rights available to us under U.S. copyright and intellectual property law, we hereby, expressly give notice that in the case of any use of material from Air by the Trump campaign where approval or consent is required, we do not grant such consent.”

"Air" is a film about the rise of Nike, and highlights the company's pursuit of Michael Jordan in what became the biggest footwear deal of all-time. Damon plays Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro.

Of course, it's not the first time Trump's gotten in trouble for using material he didn't get permission for in promoting himself ... he's gotten hammered for using songs like "Hallelujah," Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" and Tom Petty's "I Wont' Back Down."

DANCIN' DONALD

Most recently, he was scolded for using the song and image of The Village People's "Macho Man" during an event at Mar-a-Lago.

So ya ... lots of headaches lately for the Trump legal team.

Amanda Nunes Retires In Octagon After Dominant UFC 289 Win

Amanda Nunes is done fighting ... the G.O.A.T. returned to the Octagon at UFC 289, dominated Irene Aldana, and laid down her gloves!

35-year-old Nunes won by unanimous decision in front of a packed house in Vancouver ... before having her gloves cut off, and put down in the center of the Octagon.

Nunes leaves as champ-champ ... holding the featherweight and bantamweight titles.

"Double champ forever, baby!"

"Tonight is the perfect night to retire and live happy forever," Nunes told Daniel Cormier as the crowd cheered, before dropping down to the floor and giving her belts a kiss.

Of course, Amanda is one of, if not the greatest MMA fighter to ever step foot in a cage. Over her amazing 15-year career as a professional, she amassed a 23-5 record.

Included in those wins are some of the baddest women ever ... Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Holly Holm, Julianna Pena, and Cris Cyborg all fell victim to the Lioness.

Nunes' fellow fighters were quick to react, with Belal Muhammad, Aljmamain Sterling and others giving Amanda her flowers.

"Great career 🙏🙏 your a legend lioness" the welterweight contender Tweeted.

"Congrats on an AMAZING career [Amanda]!" Aljo wrote.

🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

Earl Thomas, Ex-Wife New Police Video Shows ... Couple Armed With Gun, Knife During Heated Dispute

PLACED IN CUFFS

The heated dispute between former NFL star Earl Thomas and his ex-wife three years ago did, indeed, involve a gun and a knife ... and the situation was terrifying -- new police video shows.

In the footage, obtained this week by TMZ Sports, you can see as cops responded to a disturbance at an Airbnb in Austin, Texas back on April 13, 2020 ... Thomas and his former partner, Nina Thomas, were arguing in a parking lot with weapons in their hand.

In Nina's grasp was a blade -- while in Earl's was a pistol ... and you can hear in the video, cops were desperate to get them to drop both when they arrived on the scene.

THE LEAD UP

"Drop it now!" one officer said on the video while pointing his firearm at the couple. "Drop it!"

The footage shows both Thomases put their weapons down ... and then they both lay face-first on the asphalt.

Cops then slowly approached the two with their guns drawn -- imploring them to stay down.

"This is my wife," the former Baltimore Ravens safety can be heard saying in the clip. "She caught me cheating."

Added Nina, "I caught my husband cheating, officers."

"Whatever you do," one of the cops responded, "don't reach for that knife."

After a few tense moments, Nina was placed in cuffs without issue and taken to a different part of the parking lot for questioning. Earl, who was shirtless, was also put into custody without issue and moved away from Nina in the lot as well.

During ensuing questioning, Nina can be heard in the body camera video saying she and her sister-in-law had gone to the Airbnb earlier in the evening in order to confront Earl and his brother about cheating on them at the residence with other women.

"So," she said during the interview, "my husband has been leaving -- we've been having problems. He's been leaving off and on all weekend. And he said he was hanging with some buddies. And I didn't believe that, because we've had issues in the past. So I hacked his Snapchat and found his location here."

"I was calling, I was texting," she continued. "And I didn't know which room it was, and then from pictures, I recognized the lights inside. And I just so happened to turn the handle and the door was open."

Nina -- who had a cut on her hand -- also told the officers that she had brought Earl's gun to the location in order to scare him. She insisted it was not loaded while adding that she had grabbed the knife from the Airbnb during the dispute.

She said she and Earl had been involved in pushing and shoving during the altercation -- and told the cop, "My brother-in-law did get physical with my sister-in-law."

"I don't know exactly what happened because I was dealing with my own husband."

911 AUDIO

According to police documents, Nina also told cops at the scene that after she and her sister-in-law found Earl and his brother "naked in bed with other women," she pointed the gun at Earl's head, stating "that she took out the magazine thinking that the gun could not fire." But, cops said in the docs Nina was "unaware that the gun had a round in the chamber."

In the docs, officers said Earl was able to wrestle the gun away from her ... and eventually, the argument spilled out into the parking lot -- where cops intercepted them.

Nina was ultimately arrested and booked for burglary of a residence with intent to commit aggravated assault with a deadly weapon -- family violence. Earl was not arrested.

The former Seattle Seahawks star -- a Super Bowl champion and three-time All-Pro -- downplayed everything in a video in the days following the incident, saying, "Stuff like this happens." The two -- who were married in 2016 -- then continued to work on their relationship for several months ... before Nina filed for divorce from him later in 2020.

MAY 2020
EARL'S STATEMENT

As for her criminal case, Nina had several court hearings on the matter in the months following her arrest ... though it was all eventually dismissed in 2021.

Alexi Lalas On Lionel Messi Get Ready MLS ... Inter Miami Could Become 'Super Club Death Star!'

BIG KICKIN' DEAL
TMZSports.com

Gear up to turn to the dark side of the Force, Inter Miami fans ... Alexi Lalas tells TMZ Sports that after adding Lionel Messi this week, he can see the team now becoming a "super club Death Star!"

We spoke at length with the Team USA soccer legend just hours after Messi confirmed he'll play for Miami's MLS squad in 2023 ... and Lalas said the move is a tectonic-plate-shifting one for the sport in America.

He told us he expects it to attract millions more to the game in the States -- and raise the MLS' profile significantly.

He also, though, predicted it could alter the fabric of Inter Miami tremendously ... telling us he's envisioning Messi recruiting some big names to the team -- and turning it into a villain-like superpower in the near future.

"We're already seeing incredible names now being linked to coming to Inter Miami," Lalas said. "It's almost as if they're in the process of potentially creating this MLS super club Death Star, and the hate-watching is going to be absolutely epic!"

Lalas said if it does, indeed, take that turn ... he's anticipating it to create some serious rivalries in the U.S. league -- which would be a big boon for fans here in the States.

"I know if I was on another team -- a less sexy team, for example -- and Miami was doing all of this," he said, "and one of the greatest to ever play is there, I would want to kick his ass."

But, Lalas did offer fans to proceed somewhat cautiously at least initially ... explaining to us that, currently, the Inter Miami roster is not exactly the best -- which could lead to some early frustrations for Messi.

Then again, he told us he's fully ready to see flashes of brilliance from Messi ... despite his roster's limitations and his 35-year-old age.

"This is a wonderful day for soccer; this is a wonderful time for MLS -- and America in general," Lalas said, "because this is a pretty cool thing to see."

BKFC Founder David Feldman We're In Talks For A Reality Show ... And Major TV Deal

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
TMZSports.com

BKFC just celebrated their 5-year anniversary -- and for a promotion that was once a pariah -- President David Feldman says they've got big things coming, including a reality show, setting them up to become the second biggest combat sports org. in the world.

"We're in talks with two major networks right now. I think we're going to get a network deal, and I think that's going to really blow us up. We already have four or five buyers on it," the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship CEO told us.

"We're going to have a reality show end of '23, beginning of '24, and a major TV deal," Feldman said, adding ... "I really certainly think in three to four years from now, we're in the number two spot in combat sports. I really mean that."

BKFC has recently put on some big fights ... namely Mike Perry vs. Luke Rockhold (that's when Conor McGregor came into the ring afterward) and Eddie Alvarez vs. Chad Mendes.

Like the early days of MMA, bare knuckle boxing was once shunned by many states, accused of being too brutal. But, the sport has been much more widely accepted over the last couple of years, with BKFC having put on more than 50 events in 12 different states, and 4 countries.

"A lot of people ask what's my toughest obstacle that I had to overcome with BKFC, and it was just changing people's perception on it. The perception on it was, a backyard street fight, a bar fight. Anything but that. We have the best combat sports athletes in the world," Feldman told us.

As for the smoothest part, David says ... "it's just relatable to everybody. Everybody in the world has either watched at some point or another or been in a bare-knuckle fight in their life. Everybody kind of knows what it is. So because of that, it helped us transition, I believe."

Feldman says they now have their eyes on several big boxing stars who they'd like to lure to BKFC. David believes bare-knuckle boxing is a true "middle ground" between boxing and MMA ... potentially setting up fights that'd draw massive fan interest.

"Our backs have been in the corner plenty of times. We fought our way out, and we feel like we're a major player in combat sports five years into this thing!"

NFL Star Justin Simmons Gets Custom Cleats Honoring Late Dad Sweet Gift From Teammate

Broncos defensive back P.J. Locke is one helluva teammate ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned he gifted Justin Simmons some custom cleats to help the star honor his late dad.

If you weren't aware, Simmons tragically lost his father in April ... and he said he was absolutely heartbroken over the passing, writing on his social media page that the two were super close.

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We're told Locke, one of Simmons' best buds on the Broncos, immediately looked for a way to cheer up the 29-year-old after hearing the devastating news ... and hit up local Denver artist Breanna Berry about possibly making some tribute spikes for Simmons.

Turns out, Berry was all-in on the idea, and got to work right away.

The cleat artist spent five hours painstakingly designing the shoes ... putting a portrait of Simmons' dad, Victor, on one of them ... while wrapping them both in Broncos blue and orange colors.

She also made sure to paint on the cleats the phrases "I love you" ... and, "Any man can be a father but it takes some special to be a dad" -- a line that Simmons wrote in his emotional Instagram post to his father in April.

The finished product came out great ... and we're told Simmons was able to get his hands on them earlier this week.

Simmons -- a former third-round pick out of Boston College -- tied for the most interceptions in the league last season with six ... and with the new cleats possibly on his feet this year, it's probably safe to expect an even better performance in 2023.

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