TMZ Sports - Page 50

Caroline Pal worked at the Déjà Vu strip club in North Hollywood from 2003 to 2005 -- while Mr. Phelps was busy winning his first six gold medals in Athens.

The New York Giant who was with Plaxico Burress when he shot himself ditched the cops yesterday -- but managed to make it to a paid radio appearance. And that could spell trouble for Antonio Pierce.

Pierce was supposed to meet with cops yesterday, according to reports, but didn't appear, even though NFL officials had promised to bring him to a meeting. They want to question him about what exactly happened at Latin Quarter and the aftermath.

This brand new, top-of-the-line jersey finally lets you support your favorite NFL player who allegedly shot himself in the leg at a club, fled to a hospital, told docs his name was Harris Smith and then claimed he was shot at Applebee's.

The prosecutor had asked for a $250,000 bail due to the nature of the felony. His attorney argued that since Plax had a $35 million contract, he wasn't going anywhere. Apparently, the judge agreed.

According to court docs that detail what went down over the weekend, Plax was holding a drink in his left hand while fidgeting around his waistband with his right. A witness reported hearing a loud "pop" sound and Plax saying, "Take me to the hospital." His leg began to shake and a pistol fell out of his pant leg and onto the floor.

As for the illegal weapons charge, if convicted Plax could face as much as a 15-year prison sentence. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told the judge the gun in question had been registered in Florida and even though Plax has a house in New Jersey, he spends half his time in the Sunshine State.

Dressed in a suit, Burress arrived in an SUV with his lawyer. He's expected to enter a not guilty plea to one charge of illegal possession of a weapon, a felony, once he's arraigned.

Plaxico Burress walked into the 17th Precinct just moments ago to turn himself into cops.

As TMZ reported yesterday, Burress will enter a plea of not guilty to one charge of illegal possession of a weapon, a felony, once he's arraigned. We're told he may also be charged with reckless endangerment.

Burress' lawyer Ben Brafman just said Plax is going to be arraigned at 100 Centre Street at 1 PM today, and will plead not guilty to the felony possession charge.

As with so many misdeeds, the coverup is worse than the crime itself ... especially injecting Applebee's restaurant.

We're hearing the same things the NYC papers are reporting today: After Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg, he scrambled to concoct a phony story. When he belatedly went to the hospital, he claimed to hospital admissions staff he was shot at an Applebee's restaurant.

According to the NY Post, Burress used the alias Harris Smith, but staffers recognized him and blew his cover.

The Post says New York-Cornell Hospital did not report the gunshot to cops.

Looks like Michael Phelps has at least as many girls as gold medals.

We showed you pictures of Caroline Pal, the Palms Las Vegas cocktail waitress he supposedly took home to Mom for Thanksgiving, but according to the Chicago Sun-Times, she's not the only galpal he's got. "Michael is having a great time. He's been dating a number of girls and is just enjoying his celebrity,'' says a family pal.

TMZ has learned the NYPD paid a visit to Plaxico Burress' house this afternoon, and retrieved what appears to be the gun that triggered this whole mess.

The cops arrived with a manila envelope, but a search warrant was NOT inside.

We're told Burress was not there, but authorized someone inside his home to give police the gun that apparently fell down his leg at a nightclub Friday night and accidentally fired.

Plaxico Burress' lawyer, Ben Brafman, just told us they were making arrangements for Plaxico to turn himself in tomorrow morning.

Ben said Burress will enter a plea of not guilty to one charge of illegal possession of a weapon, a felony.

Sources tell TMZ Burress could also be charged with reckless endangerment.

Ben Brafman tells TMZ his client "Intends to address the charges in a responsible manner as a true professional," adding, "I would hope that his fans reserve judgment in this matter until all of the facts are developed."

Brafman just left Plaxico's New Jersey home, where the wide receiver has been holed up since the shooting.

FYI: Jacobs -- who is around 6'4" and weighs 265 pounds -- tried hiding behind a pole.

Plaxico Burress has finally made a good decision -- by hiring the lawyer that got P. Diddy a unanimous "not guilty" in his 1999 gun case.

Burress is teaming up with Benjamin Brafman, who told us: "Yes I am representing him [Plaxico]." Ben also said Plaxico "may be surrendering to face charges. We are still discussing it."

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the most likely charge Plaxico Burress will face is illegal gun possession. He does not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in New York.

The NY Daily News reported Burress had a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Florida but it expired last May. In any event, that permit would not allow him to pack heat in NYC.

NY Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress may be arrested on felony gun charges after shooting himself in a NYC club this weekend, and his teammate could be charged with trying to cover it up.

Burress went to the Latin Quarter nightclub but was initially turned away, according to the New York Daily News. But the paper says club management had a change of heart after Burress came back, "flashing jewelry and carrying loads of cash," reportedly telling management he needed the gun for protection.

According to the Daily News, Burress was being taken into a VIP area when he fumbled with the gun as it began slipping down his pant leg. The gun fired, and the bullet tore through his leg.

According to the paper Burress told his teammate Antonio Pierce not to call 911. Pierce then reportedly helped Burress out of the club and they allegedly 86'd the gun somewhere in New Jersey.