TMZ Sports - Page 50

Kim Kardashian has drawn a hard line in the sand ... not only is she refusing to pay Kris Humphries a dime ... she's demanding he cover ALL of her attorney's fees ... sources connected to the case tell TMZ.

TMZ first reported ... Kris demanded $7 MILLION to walk away from their marriage ... but Kim told him to pound sand. Contrary to recent reports, Kim has never offered Kris a penny to settle the divorce case.

We know ... Kim's position has always been that Kris actually MADE money by marrying her and therefore she doesn't owe him anything.

But now, our sources say, Kim feels Kris has needlessly dragged this on for so long and it cost her so much $$$ in legal fees and other expenses ... she wants the NBA star to cover those costs.

Sources tell us ... Kim's fees have ballooned to around $250,000 ... and Kris has spent somewhere in the same neighborhood.

And our sources say ... Kim is more than happy to try the case before a judge, because she's convinced she'll win the divorce and he'll walk away owing her.

UFC wrecking machine Jon Jones isn't the only professional athlete in his family -- in fact, his older brother is a stud in the NFL ... and will be starting in the SUPER BOWL!!!

Jones -- the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion -- was out in New York yesterday when we asked about his older bro Arthur Jones -- the starting defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens.

"My brother's in the Super Bowl," Jon exclaimed ... "It's crazy man ... it's unbelievable."

When asked how his bro is preparing for the big game, Jon told us, "He's focused ... relaxing with his family, staying hungry ... studying the guy he's going up against."

Jon -- who recently signed a blockbuster sponsorship deal with Nike -- also broke some news for all you shoe freaks out there ... telling us he might have his own sneaker coming out in the near future.

NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is famous for two things -- knocking the snot out of opposing players, and his awesome name! If you disagree with either of those statements ... feel free to tell him. We dare you.

Manti Te'o just revealed ... he's NOT GAY ... despite rumors he used a fake girlfriend to hide his homosexuality.

Katie Couric asked Manti flat-out whether he's gay because it's the most obvious explanation for the bizarre "Lennay Kekua" hoax -- but Manti replied, "No. Far from it. FAR FROM IT."

Manti also revealed Ronaiah Tuiasosopo's full confession, which Ronaiah sent via Twitter, saying, "I completely accept the consequences to the pain I've caused and it's important that you know the entire truth before anyone else."

Katie played Lennay's voicemails -- and Manti replied, "Sounds like a woman. Incredible talent to do."

Katie asked why Manti didn't come clean sooner -- Manti said, "I was scared and I didn't know what to do." Manti's parents also had a chance to speak -- and things got emotional.

Manti also addressed Ronaiah, saying, "You hurt me." And the big question -- how Manti thinks the hoax will affect his draft status ... Manti said, "That I don't know ... Whatever happens happens ... I hope and pray that good happens."

Ronaiah Tuiasosopo had intense feelings for Manti Te'o ... feelings that developed over time that he channeled through a female persona, but the emotions -- like the scam -- were rooted in fantasy.

Sources very close to Ronaiah tell TMZ ... he struggled for years trying to adapt to the expectations of his culture, his religion and his family. Ronaiah, we're told, never had a serious physical relationship with anyone and created a female persona online as a way to vent his feelings.

We're told Ronaiah used the female persona in many encounters, but so far there's no evidence he became intensely emotionally attached to anyone -- until Manti. We've confirmed when Ronaiah spoke with Manti as "Lennay Kekua" he used his own voice.

Indeed ... Ronaiah's feelings became so intense, he blew his cover on December 6 because it was hard to walk away. He never intended to reveal Manti was actually talking to a man ... he just wanted to reconnect with Manti, but still as a woman.

Our sources say Ronaiah has buried his feelings to the point he has little emotion about anything. We're told even the scandal has not produced intense emotions.

Manti Te'o has released 3 voicemails he claims he received from "Lennay Kekua" during the hoax -- in which Lennay comes off as a very jealous ... and very emotional person.

The first VM was supposedly left on Manti's phone right before she began her first round of chemotherapy for the fake cancer. During the call, Lennay says, "Just wanted to call you and keep you posted ... I miss you, I love you ... bye."

FYI -- TMZ has confirmed the person doing the voice of Lennay on the voicemails is Ronaiah Tuiasosopo.

Call #2 is a sobbing mess ... in which Lennay accuses Manti of having another girl in his room. Lennay tells Manti, "I don't know why you don't answer your phone ... and I don't care."

She continues, "This is my last time trying ... you made it clear what you want."

Manti claims Call #3 was placed on September 11, 2012 -- the day before she supposedly died.

During the call, Lennay tells Manti, "Hey babe, I’m just calling to say goodnight. I love you."

She adds, "I know that you’re probably doing homework or you’re with the boys, or grubbing, what a fatty. I just want to say I love you and goodnight and I’ll be okay tonight, I’ll do my best. So, yeah, get your rest and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you so much hun, sweet dreams."

TMZ has obtained footage showing Manti Te'o hugging Ronaiah Tuiasosopo -- the man who allegedly masterminded the fake girlfriend hoax on the Notre Dame football star -- and it's pretty obvious from the tape ... Ronaiah wanted to hug Manti A LOT more than Manti wanted to hug him.

The video was shot in L.A. back in November on the same night Notre Dame played USC -- before the hoax was exposed -- and it offers a pretty fascinating glimpse into Manti and Ronaiah's relationship before this whole thing blew up.

In the footage, you can see the two were having a conversation before they each go in for a hug at the same time. But when Manti gives Ronaiah the "it's time to let go" pat on the back, Ronny continues to hold the squeeze.

Manti recently told ESPN ... he knew of Ronaiah during the hoax because his imaginary GF "Lennay Kekua" told him Ronaiah was her "favorite cousin." Manti said he had never seen Ronaiah in person before the USC game.

FYI -- The USC vs. ND game was the same day Ronaiah allegedly duped a Notre Dame superfan into meeting Lennay's fake sister U'ilani at the Tommy Trojan statue near the stadium. When the fan arrived, U'ilani wasn't there ... but Ronaiah sure was.

Manti says Ronaiah reached out to him in the wake of the scandal to confess to the hoax ... and apologized.

But really ... the hug says it all.

It's been roughly 6 weeks since Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew had surgery to fix his busted foot ... but last night, the dude was back in public and rollin' around Hollywood ... literally.

MJD hit up Supperclub in L.A. last night ... with the help of a modified scooter to keep the pressure off his left foot.

FYI -- Maurice injured his foot back in October, but for some unexplained reason, waited until the end of December to go under the knife. Neither Jones nor the Jags have revealed any specifics about the injury.

MJD definitely isn't the first athlete to hit the Hollywood club scene while sportin' a delicate injury -- L.A. Dodgers star Matt Kemp took his busted shoulder out to Supperclub just 4 days after rotator cuff surgery.

Here's a shot of Manti Te'o with his arm around his girlfriend ... the first photo of the happy couple ever since news broke the woman didn't exist.

Manti was spotted running football drills today at a private training facility in Florida.

Before the hoax, Manti was a projected first round draft pick, but now NFL experts are saying Manti's draft stock may have taken a hit in the wake of the scandal.

If Manti crushes it at the NFL combine next month, he might improve his chances of landing a spot in the top ten.

Side note: Lennay's hotter than we expected.

Serena Williams may have lost to Sloane Stephens at the Australian Open, but her sister Venus Williams has clearly won the trophy ... boy.

Venus' hot young buff 24-year-old Cuban model boyfriend Elio Pis was spotted flaunting his lean smooth body at the beach in Miami this week.

Junior Seau's family has filed a lawsuit against the NFL over brain injuries the Chargers legend sustained during his career -- injuries they claim caused him to kill himself.

The family filed the wrongful death lawsuit today in San Diego, claiming the league willfully hid the truth about the dangers of repetitive blows to the head ... such as those regularly sustained by professional football players.

According to the lawsuit, Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from those hits -- a condition that his family claims drove him to suicide.

The Seau family is also suing NFL helmet manufacturer Riddell -- calling the helmets dangerous and claiming the company was "negligent in their design."

Seau died last May after shooting himself in the chest. He was 43.

The Seau lawsuit is just one of a reported 175 lawsuits filed against the NFL by players and their families over head injuries sustained during their careers.

After filing the lawsuit, the family released a statement, saying, "We know this lawsuit will not bring back Junior. But it will send a message that the NFL needs to care for its former players, acknowledge its decades of deception on the issue of head injuries and player safety, and make the game safer for future generations."

The NFL hasn't responded to the lawsuit -- but after it was revealed Seau had CTE, the league released a statement, saying, "The NFL ... is committed to supporting a wide range of independent medical and scientific research that will both address CTE and promote the long-term health and safety of athletes at all levels."

Matt Damon is in NFL denial ... 'cause the guy honestly believes the New England Patriots would NEVER have been defeated by the Baltimore Ravens if they weren't riddled with injuries.

Problem is ... the Pats weren't as injured as Damon made them out to be.

Matt -- a Boston-native -- had just arrived at LAX last night when someone asked why his team folded in the AFC Championship this past Sunday.

"Lotta injuries," Damon said ... "They couldn't beat us full strength."

Obviously, the Pats were missing Rob Gronkowski going into Sunday's game ... but that's really their only big-time guy who was sidelined with an injury (forearm).

A couple of important Pats players were hurt DURING the matchup -- including CB Aqib Talib and RB Stevan Ridley ... but hey, that's part of the game, right?

But when Damon was asked who he's rooting for in the Super Bowl -- the Ravens or the 49ers -- he still refused to acknowledge defeat ... saying, "I'm going for a healthy New England team, that's the best team in the country."

ANYONE in Manti Te'o's situation would have done the same thing he did -- and would lie to the media to protect their reputation after being hoaxed ... at least that's what Manti said to Katie Couric.

ABC is finally releasing clips of the big sit-down interview he did for Katie's new talk show -- in which the Notre Dame football star says he perpetuated the lie after he found out he was duped because he didn't know how else to act.

He then asks Katie ... "What would you do?" ... as if there was no other option.

Ndamukong Suh should NEVER have signed up to compete on "Celebrity Diving" ... this according to several of Suh's Detroit Lions teammates who tell TMZ the decision is shockingly irresponsible.

We broke the story ... Suh -- who's in the middle of a 5-year $68 MILLION contract with the Lions -- recently joined the cast of the ABC reality show ... and will be required to launch his 6'4", 307-pound body off a high diving board.

TMZ spoke to a BUNCH of Suh's teammates ... who all feel (very strongly) that he's making a huge mistake.

One source tells us ... "We need him on the field and if he gets hurt during the off-season doing wild stunts ... it would be bad and it ain't worth it. He is too valuable to the team."

Another source expressed similar concerns -- "if he gets a busted ear drum or an infection, it could have serious effects on his off-season training."

Several of Suh's teammates also told us they were surprised the organization would allow him to participate in the first place ... since there is a real serious risk he could hurt himself.

Wes Welker's wife should NEVER have said a peep about Ray Lewis ... this according to another famous (ex-)wife of the sporting world ... Linda Hogan ... who tells TMZ, it's never okay for an athlete's lady to be such a sore loser in public.

In case you missed it ... Wes' wife -- Anna Burns Welker -- went off on Lewis via Facebook after the Ravens dashed the Pats' Super Bowl chances. She later apologized ... but not before the personal jabs were already delivered.

Now Linda -- a former athlete's wife herself (kind of) -- is dishing out some jabs of her own ... calling Anna's outburst "way uncool."

According to Linda, Anna can say whatever she wants behind closed doors ... but "in a public situation, [athletes' wives] don't really have a place to make an opinion."

Sheryl Crow TOTALLY WUSSED OUT during her big highly-anticipated sit-down interview about the Lance Armstrong scandal ... because she didn't answer a single meaningful question.

Crow sat for the interview with Entertainment Tonight in order to address rumors she knew about Lance's illicit use of performance-enhancing drugs for years -- but the problem ... she didn't address anything.

Sheryl gave non-committal answers the whole time, saying she only caught "bits and pieces" of Lance's interview with Oprah -- yeah right -- and then made general comments about Lance's confession, like, "The truth shall set you free."

But when it came to the one question everyone wanted to know the answer to -- whether she kept Lance's doping a secret for all these years -- Sheryl told ET she did not want to comment, saying the story was about Lance ... not her.