UNC Football Scandal -- 'The Boz' Connection
TMZ has learned the agent recruiting scandal rocking University of North Carolina football goes deep ... all the way back to Brian "The Boz" Bosworth -- who, it turns out, has close ties to both men in the middle of the UNC controversy.
A source close to "The Boz" tells TMZ the former University of Oklahoma football stud was approached by John Blake back in the late 80s -- while Bosworth was still in school.We're told ... Blake, an OU football assistant at the time, told Bosworth, "I have a guy who's going to change your life." That guy was agent Gary Wichard.
Setting up a meeting between an active college athlete and an agent could be a major NCAA violation ... and it's exactly what Blake is accused of doing at UNC. Last month, Blake resigned as the defensive line coach at UNC amid allegations that he was funneling Tar Heel players to Wichard.
As for Bosworth -- he eventually hired Wichard as his agent when he entered the NFL.
Clearly, Blake and Wichard have a history that goes back more than 20 years ... which is interesting since their relationship is now under the NCAA microscope.
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NFL Star Osgood -- Gunman Made XXX Threats
The gunman who allegedly pistol-whipped Jacksonville Jaguars WR Kassim Osgood and a cheerleader -- also yelled, "Tell me you f**ked her," during the attack ... according to documents.
In the police report, obtained by TMZ, Osgood and the cheerleader -- Mackenzie Rae Putnal -- describe the alleged attack by Julian Armond Bartletto at her Jacksonville home Monday night.
According to the report, Bartletto first pistol-whipped Osgood and Putnal, then held them at gunpoint -- and told her, "Suck my d**k and suck his d**k."
Shortly after that police say Osgood fled by jumping out a 2nd floor window, while Putnal and Bartletto exchanged gunshots.
Bartletto, an ex-boyfriend of Putnal, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery, false imprisonment, armed robbery, and burglary -- and he's still in jail.
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NY Jets Hottie Reporter -- Nude Offer from Playboy
It's not just the New York Jets who want to see that hot TV Azteca reporter without her clothes on -- TMZ has learned Ines Sainz has received a formal offer to pose naked in Playboy.
Sources involved in the negotiations confirm Hugh Hefner's people reached out with a "pretty big offer" involving a huge payday and the cover -- as long as the Mexican reporter strips down to her traje de cumpleaños.
But don't get too excited -- sources close to Ines tell us her network prohibits talent from posing in the buff.
Hopefully, her contract is up soon.
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Chyna 911 Call -- 'She's Throwing Up'
TMZ has obtained the 911 call made before Chyna was rushed to UCLA Medical Center -- and according to the guy on the phone, the former WWE star was "throwing up from alcohol withdrawal."
As we first reported, Chyna was taken to the hospital over a week ago after downing 4-5 times the recommended amount of Benadryl. The male caller described her as alert, but shaking and in pain.
She was released two days later -- and according to her rep, she's doing fine.
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Marilyn Manson -- Infected With Kenny Powers Fever
When his ass was 19 years old, Kenny Powers changed the face of professional baseball ... now he's changing Marilyn Manson's wardrobe.
Manson rolled through a mall in L.A. yesterday with a hat that was branded with Kenny's new catchphrase from his awesome K-Swiss campaign.
In case you weren't aware, Kenny -- the main character from the show "Eastbound and Down" -- was featured in a few web ads for the shoe company ... and if you don't mind the cussing, you can check 'em out here.
Nice mullet.
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X-Wrestler X-Pac -- Guilty in Cannabis Caper
Former WWF wrestler X-Pac is finally ready to pay the piper for his marijuana arrest earlier this month ... and it's gonna cost the guy $358.
TMZ has obtained a photo of X-Pac -- aka Sean Waltman -- entering a NJ courtroom yesterday to deal with his September 12 arrest at Newark International Airport. As we previously reported, security claims they found X-Pac to be in possession of one rolled joint.
According to officials, X-Pac -- who was originally busted for possession -- plead guilty to a reduced charge ... and was ordered to pay a $358 fine.
Sean's rep, Geena Jinev Anac, tells TMZ, "Sean is looking forward to putting this all behind him to focus on his life and career."
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Miami Heat Practice -- Big Guns for LeBron & Co.
The Miami Heat's Big Three -- Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh -- just met their match in firepower ... the U.S. Air Force.
Fully armed military police officers -- complete with bomb sniffing dogs -- performed tight security checks outside the Heat's first practice ... held today on Hurlburt Field Air Force Base in Florida.
See NBA? It's not impossible to defend the Heat.
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Ochocinco Healthy Enough for Chicken and Waffles
Cincinnati Bengals superstar Chad Ochocinco has more injuries than TDs this season -- but last night, dude played through the pain for a dinner run at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in L.A.
After throwing down 3 chicken wings, a waffle and some yams and greens on the side ... Ochocinco strutted out of the place and told us that his ribs are still "broken" from some brutal hits he took on the field.
FYI -- if you're wondering why Chad was in Los Angeles on his day off, dude tweeted earlier in the week that he was flying in to surprise his son.
Ochocinco and the Bengals head to Cleveland this weekend for their grudge match with the Browns.
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Braylon Edwards -- Probation Violation on Back Burner
Wide receiver Braylon Edwards just caught a big break -- TMZ has learned the NY Jets star won't face probation violation for several months ... possibly until after the season.
Edwards' DWI arrest in NYC this week could also get him in big trouble back in Cleveland where he's on probation for a nightclub fight -- but sources in Cleveland Municipal Court tell us the judge will not take action until after the DWI case is complete.
According to the source, the judge doesn't want to compromise the DWI case -- and Edwards isn't due back in court for that until November 9.
We're told the judge will inevitably drag Edwards back to Cleveland for a probation violation hearing -- no matter what happens with the DWI -- and jail time is a real possibility ... but if the DWI case drags Braylon could be in the clear 'til the off-season.
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NBA Stars to David Stern -- What's in Your Wallet?
LeBron James' $110 million contract is old news in the NBA -- now basketball superstars want to talk about how much cheese Commissioner David Stern is making.
Our sources on the hard court -- i.e. players -- tell us they think it's unfair for the league to tag players and their salaries for its financial woes. In fact, they smell a rat since the paychecks of Stern and his deputy commissioner are kept hush hush. As one player said, "There needs to be some transparency. It's hypocritical to single us out.”
NBA owners collectively pay the commissioner's salary, which has been rumored -- but never confirmed -- to be in the neighborhood of $10 million per year.
Reps from the players union, led by Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter, met with Stern Wednesday in ongoing talks to avoid a labor dispute.
Sounds like no one's asked the commish to whip out his W-2 ... yet ... but with talk of a strike, it could happen.
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LeBron's Alleged Father Wants DNA and Gift Money
LeBron James' alleged biological daddy claims his original DNA test was bogus -- so now he wants a new test to prove paternity ... plus a chunk o' change for what he calls "loss of gifts."
55-year-old Leicester Bryce Stovell filed new papers in his paternity case against LeBron and his mother Gloria -- claiming the basketball superstar's recent motion to dismiss the case is based on a "fraudulent" DNA test from 2007 ... and should be tossed out.
As we first reported, Stovell is seeking $4 million from LeBron and his mother -- claiming fraud, defamation and misrepresentation.
In the new docs, Stovell alleges Gloria falsified the 2007 test -- which showed a "0% probability of paternity" -- and he wants a second, more carefully supervised test.
And then there's this: Stovell wants $$$ because he lost "gifts of money" that he would have received from LeBron had the test proven paternity.
A man can dream ...
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Gilbert Arenas Fires Back at Gun Dealer's Claims
Washington Wizard and ex-con Gilbert Arenas is asking a judge to discharge a gun dealer's lawsuit against him -- arguing it's a bum suit because it involves the sale of illegal firearms.
Back in April, California gun dealer Tactical Operations sued Arenas -- claiming the gun-wielding baller bought five custom Beretta pistols and five silencers, but never picked 'em up and racked up a $70,000 tab in storage fees.
Now, Arenas has moved to dismiss the dealer's claims because the alleged agreement involved the sale of "'silencers' to a civilian," which violates both California and federal law.
In the docs, Arenas' lawyer claims, "It is a felony for any person ... to possess any silencer for firearms" and it was therefore "illegal for [Tactical Operations] to sell any silencer to Arenas."
The case is set for trial in January.
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Tiger Woods Drops the Kid Off at the School
After giving away roughly $100 million in his divorce from Elin Nordegren, Tiger Woods simply spent time this morning -- taking Charlie to pre-school in Orlando.
Being a good father is priceless.
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J-E-T-S Braylon Edwards Out of J-A-I-L ... for Now
New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been released from custody following his DWI bust in NY -- and TMZ has learned his next hurdle could be probation violation.
Here's the problem for Edwards ... he's on probation until next summer for a 2009 Cleveland bar fight in which he pled no contest to aggravated disorderly conduct. Sources at Cleveland Municipal Court tell TMZ a judge is anxiously awaiting a report from the probation department to decide if Braylon is in violation. We're told jail time is a possibility.
As for today's arrest ... Braylon faces two misdemeanor counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and one misdemeanor count of operating a motor vehicle while impaired. He was released from the Manhattan Criminal Court this afternoon on his own recognizance.
Edwards is due back in court November 9.
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Jets Wide Receiver Busted for DWI
New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested for drunk driving early this AM -- and, according to cops, he had twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
The 27-year-old was pulled over in his Range Rover in NY at 5:15AM for having tinted windows -- but police smelled alcohol. Edwards blew a .16.
He's currently in custody.
NY Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum says "We are very disappointed in Braylon's actions this morning ... We are reviewing the information with the league and will impose the appropriate disciplinary measures." Tannenbaum also said Edwards is aware the Jets provide a car service for all their players.
Edwards was at a charity event Monday night hosted by his teammate Jerrico Cotchery. Several other Jets players were also there.
UPDATE 8:45AM PDT: Edwards is still in custody, awaiting arraignment. FOX5 in NY obtained his mug shot (above).
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Chyna Rushed to Hospital for Alcohol Poisoning
Chyna was just rushed to the hospital for alcohol poisoning ... TMZ has learned.
Sources tell us Chyna was taken to the UCLA Medical Center ... where she was admitted.
The former wrestler is now famous for alcohol problems, appearing on Dr. Drew's "Celebrity Rehab."
Chyna's condition is unknown.
UPDATE: A source close to Chyna tells us she overmedicated on Benadryl. We're told she took 4 to 5 times the prescribed amount yesterday to help her sleep -- and when she got up this morning she couldn't walk and started throwing up.
Chyna is in the ER getting fluids through an IV, according to the source -- and it sounds like she's going to be fine.