TMZ Sports - Page 50

As Brees arrived in New York yesterday, the Super Bowl hero told us that getting another NFL championship is "always the plan." But his plan seems unrealistic now -- because later today, Drew will be announced as the Madden 11 cover boy.

If you're unfamiliar with the Madden legend ... horrible things always happen to the players who make the cover of the video game. Just ask Troy Polamalu ...the Madden 10 cover boy who sustained a devastating knee injury in week 1 last year.

Other victims include Marshall Faulk, Ray Lewis, Vince Young, Shaun Alexander ... and of course Michael Vick.

Good thing Saints fans don't believe in superstitions ...

TMZ has learned former NFL running back Chris Perry was arrested in Brooklyn yesterday, after cops say he got in a fist fight with a family member.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Perry -- a 2003 Heisman Trophy finalist -- was arrested in his grandmother's home after he allegedly socked his cousin in the face after an argument.

The arrest comes almost 6 years -- to the day -- from when the Michigan standout was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals ... who ultimately cut the running back from the squad in 2009.

UPDATE: TMZ spoke with Perry's reps, who told us, "This is obviously a very difficult time for Chris personally as he's been dealing with his mother's terminal illness."

In an interview with CYInterview.com, Ripken was asked if he ever had any interest in becoming the first baseball player to appear on "Dancing with the Stars" -- to which he responded, "probably not."

The Orioles legend admits to having "two left feet"... and although he accomplished almost every imaginable milestone during his 21-year career, he is still "uncomfortable with the attention away from the field."

One of the off-duty police officers who was in Ben Roethlisberger's entourage on the night he allegedly sexually assaulted a 20-year old woman has just been banned from working for the Steelers quarterback.

TMZ has learned the Pennsylvania State Police has rescinded Trooper Edward Joyner's authorization to perform supplemental employment, which allowed him to work as a "driver/assistant" to Roethlisberger in an "off-duty" capacity.

In a release by the state police, Trooper Joyner had his contract revoked after an "initial review of the investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation."

The rescission documents, executed Monday, claim Joyner violated "the stipulations" of his employment approval and he "demean[ed] the image of the department."

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has just received a SIX game suspension from the NFL for violating the league's Personal-Conduct Policy.

A spokesperson for the NFL announced that Ben has been informed of the decision.

Officials claim the suspension could be reduced to 4 games, if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sees fit.

Ben will not be paid for the games he will miss -- which means he could lose nearly $3 million if he misses all six.

Along with the suspension, Ben will also have to undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation.

In a letter to Roethlisberger, Commish Goodell told Ben, "There is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.”

Retired NFL star Corey Dillon is having a seriously bad month -- he was busted for DUI this morning, and TMZ has learned his wife just filed for divorce.

Desiree Dillon filed a petition for divorce earlier this month in L.A. County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences.

The couple has three children and have been married for 10 years. According to court documents, Desiree wants full legal and physical custody of the kids -- with Corey getting visitation.

In the filing, Desiree is asking the former New England Patriots star to fork over cash for spousal support and attorney's fees.

As for the DUI -- Corey was pulled over by L.A. County Sheriff's deputies at 3:38am today near Malibu on Mulholland Drive. He's still in custody.

UPDATE: Dillon was released from custody -- he's expected back in court in June.

We're told Woods was shrouded by security backstage at Amway Arena -- while the band did their thing.

We know Tiger's a big Nickelback fan -- he's even joined them on stage in the past... though last night he kept a much lower profile, for obvious reasons.

As TMZ Sports first reported ... documents we obtained show the freshman hoops star received a $3,000 wire transfer from a former Merrill Lynch advisor. The NCAA and OU subsequently launched investigations into the matter. Results of those investigations have not been announced.

Jared and his fiancee were hangin' at the Grapevine bar in Scottsdale, AZ a few weekends ago when some dude allegedly hurled the 4-letter slur towards the future Mrs. Quarterback Destroyer.

When Jared heard the insult, the 6'6", 270 pound Pro Bowler -- who's also an avid hunter -- told the guy, "I'll break your f*cking neck homeboy ... and then I'll write a check to your f*cking name too."

In the video, a woman can be seen dragging Jared away from the other man. We're told both Jared and the other dude each left the bar without further incident.

Puder told us "It woulda been great" if the prize was a lump sum -- but what wasn't clear from the name of the show, was that WWE was really offering a 4-year deal -- at $250k per year. Plus, WWE had the option to terminate the contract after the first year ... which they ultimately did.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Marvin Mitchell is doubling his salary and returning to Who Dat nation for another year, according to a source to close to Mitchell.

We're told the restricted free agent just signed a one year deal with the Super Bowl champs for just over a million bucks.

Former NFL bad boy Brian Bosworth is suing his former agent because he thinks the agent steered him toward a dirty accountant ... on purpose.

According to a lawsuit filed in L.A. Superior Court, Bosworth claims his former agent, Gary Wichard, pushed The Boz towards Judd Rothman, an accountant, to manage his money.

Bosworth claims Rothman was eventually arrested and pled guilty to crimes related to misappropriating the funds of clients.

The Boz also alleges Wichard was aware of the scheme, and got a cut of the money Rothman made from Boz's investments.

Bosworth is suing for damages in excess of $2,000,000.

Shaunie O'Neal's lawyers just fired off a letter to Shaq's people, claiming the bball star "interrogated" the couple's children to tell him everything they knew about her new man ... "to the point that they felt intimidated and scared of him."

Shaunie also claims Shaq told their 6-year-old son to tell her boyfriend that Shaq "is going to kill him" -- and that Shaq even screamed at the kid and said, "Say it now! My daddy is going to kill you!"

Shaunie's lawyers are demanding Shaq halt "further inappropriate discussions" with their children -- which is an alleged violation of the non-disparagement provision of their divorce judgment.

The golfers aren't the only people looking to knock Tiger Woods off his game at the upcoming Quail Hollow Championship -- officials are beefing up security to make sure the hecklers stay away from the world's most famous athlete.

TMZ spoke with the tournament's Executive Director Kym Hougham -- who tells us that in light of the drama surrounding Woods, they are taking the necessary steps to make sure he gets through his rounds undisturbed ... which means more hired muscle than usual.

Woods received similar treatment at the Masters -- but hecklers were still able to penetrate the sky.