TMZ Sports - Page 50

Finally, an actual famous person on celeb diving show "Splash" -- skateboard legend Tony Hawk made a guest appearance this week for just a few seconds ... and it was more interesting than every other "Splash" episode combined.

The video was shot earlier this week for a taping of the show -- Tony jumps off the 23-foot high dive while riding his friggin' skateboard ... and TMZ got footage of the stunt.

Kobe Bryant found an upside to season -- and possibly career-ending surgery ... HAPPY PILLS!!!

Mamba tore his Achilles tendon during last night's game against the Golden State Warriors ... an injury that requires surgery and a lengthy rehab. The Lakers say Kobe's timetable to return is about 6-9 months.

He posted a pic as he was about to go into surgery today, captioning it by saying, "Surgery prep time. Lookin like Mrs Doubtfire with a jerri curl cap lol Anesthesia next #highasakite #mambaout."

Earlier, his wife Vanessa posted a pic while Kobe was still on crutches, writing, "Waiting for MRI results with Dr Patrick Soon Shiong and Rob Pelinka. I want to thank my family for your love and support. Kobe is in great spirits."

Every Lakers fan on Earth, however, is not.

Kobe Bryant is terrified his playing career is over -- after tearing his Achilles -- and he's so PISSED about it ... he couldn't stop himself from venting in an emotional, rambling Facebook post.

The Lakers superstar was up at 3:30AM nursing the injury he suffered in last night's game ... when he started railing, "This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage."

Kobe was so upset he even hinted at retirement, saying ... "Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me..."

But in the middle of the post ... the Black Mamba recaptures his competitive edge and says he's looking for the "silver lining" and wants to get back to work with the "same drive and same conviction."

Best of all ... Kobe quotes the Jay-Z lyric -- "If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey [sic] for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats 'mamba mentality' we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer."

There's a lot more in the post, including how much pain he's in ... and prepping for surgery.

Kobe Bryant's possible career-ending injury will not thwart the L.A. Lakers chances for playoff glory ... so says comrade-in-arms Jordan Hill.

Jordan has something in common with Kobe -- they're both injured Lakers and out for the season.

So the question -- with only 2 games left, and the Lakers holding on to their playoff hopes by a thin string -- how can the team possibly prevail when their mega-star sits on the bench with a busted Achilles?

While the New York Yankees got ready to play the Orioles -- injured superstar Alex Rodriguez engaged in his version of spring training today ... lounging poolside with gf Torrie Wilson.

A-Rod's recuperating from major hip surgery, but the 37-year-old is keeping busy -- y'know ... checking Facebook, soaking up the sun and enjoying the sight of Torrie's rock hard bikini bod in Miami ...

If Kris Humphries were listening closely from New York, he could have heard a California judge screaming at his lawyer in court -- because Kris blew off a mandatory court appearance -- and it's worse than we first thought.

As we reported ... the settlement conference was scheduled for 8:30 AM today, but sources connected with Kris told TMZ ... he was stuck in New York. We're told in court today ... Judge Goldberg went nuclear, saying Kris could have caught a flight and that he mocked and disrespected the court.

Judge Goldberg was so pissed ... he set a sanction hearing -- meaning Kris may be hit with fines for being a no-show.

There was obviously no settlement reached today ... We're told both Kim and Kris must appear on the 19th for a pre-trial readiness/settlement conference. Kris better show.

Kim, on the other hand, was in court ... she answered all the judge's questions. Score one for Kardashian.

And if that wasn't enough ... she looked like a (pregnant) rock star when she left the building.

Unless the Concorde was taken out of mothballs last night, there's no way Kris Humphries is going to appear for a MANDATORY settlement conference with Kim Kardashian today ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with Kris tell us ... he was in NYC at 1 AM today, and looked "extremely upset." As we reported, he's supposed to be in an L.A. court today for a settlement conference and his attendance is required.

The first flight out of JFK today is at 6:00 AM ET, arriving at 9:15 AM PT. Here's the problem. The settlement conference is set for 8:30 AM PT. Even if the flight is on time, he'd be at least 2 hours late.

We checked with JFK to see if flights were cancelled because of weather last night -- maybe Kris could use mother nature as his excuse. But the airport was operating, so it looks like he's screwed.

The judge is going to be REALLY pissed off.

Meanwhile, Kim K is punctual as ever ... she just rolled up to the courthouse.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries are scheduled to come face-to-face today for the first time since their split.

The former lovebirds are required to appear at a settlement conference at the downtown L.A. courthouse this AM. The drill is ... try and hash out a resolution to avoid a trial.

But here's the deal ... Mandatory settlement conferences are routine, but this case has as much a chance of settling as Farrah Abraham has getting admitted to a nunnery.

Sources tell us ... Kris is shockingly still demanding $7 mil to go away, even though he says all he wants is an annulment. We're told Kim not only is unwilling to give him a penny ... she's now demanding that he pay her attorney's fees.

This case is destined for trial.

Robert Griffin III's amazing rookie season ended with a horrific knee injury, but the Washington Redskins' superhuman QB looks ready for action again -- and claims he'll be even BETTER next year.

RGIII -- who showed no signs of a limp last night outside of Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills -- said he's "feeling good" and brushed off the injury ... reminding us the torn ACL he suffered in college was way worse.

When our camera guy pumped up RGIII telling him he'd be just as good this coming season -- Griffin shot back, "I'll be better."

Kandi Burruss is sticking up for her "Real Housewives of Atlanta" castmate ... saying she highly doubts Kordell Stewart's claim that Porsha Williams is a stepmomster from hell.

TMZ broke the story ... ex-Pittsburgh Steeler Stewart ripped Porsha in divorce docs last week, accusing her of partying all night, disappearing for days, and neglecting his son.

But at LAX, Kandi told us Porsha "never really did anything unless [Kordell] was comfortable with it."

She also told us Porsha's the one who sacrificed -- and you gotta see the dig she gets in at Kordell's expense.

A pro football coach is under fire for a locker room tirade in which he asked the players if they were "f**king retarded" ... but it didn't go down in the NFL -- it happened in a female football league.

TMZ has learned ... the Legends Football League (formerly known as the Lingerie Football League) is investigating Seattle Mist head coach Chris Michaelson for an angry expletive-filled halftime speech delivered during last week's matchup with the Green Bay Chill.

During the rant, Michaelson went full Rutgers on this team -- blasting his players for giving up a last-second TD before the half -- screaming, "Are you guys just f**king retarded???"

A rep for the league tells TMZ the matter is under review by the commissioner’s office ... explaining, "Everything is in line as far as what is expected from a football locker room, but we don't condone the use of the word retarded.”

Lakers forward Jordan Hill's ex-girlfriend is suing him over an alleged domestic violence incident -- the same incident he pled no contest to in criminal court last year ... TMZ has learned.

According to the suit filed by Darlene Luna today in L.A. County ... she and Hill got in a knock-down, drag-out fight at his Houston apartment back in February, 2012.

Luna alleges Hill punched her in the legs multiple times ... "as if they were punching bags" -- and also threw her down and put her in "a choke-hold, constricting her throat for a terrifying duration."

Hill was charged criminally for the incident last year and struck a deal -- getting a one-year deferred sentence and a $500 fine in exchange for his 'no contest' plea.

Luna is now seeking unspecified damages. She's represented by Gloria Allred.

Reggie Bush fielded the greatest question of his football career last night -- and by the greatest, we mean the funniest ... because even Reggie couldn't hold back his laughter.

Reggie was in Bev Hills when we brought up his new 4-year, $16 million contract with the Detroit Lions -- and you can't talk Lions running backs without talking about the legendary #20, right?

So ... the question: "Do you think you could possibly be the next Barry Sanders?"

Once you stop laughing ... watch the clip to see Reggie's reaction.

Kris Humphries swindled a Bev Hills suit shop out of thousands of dollars in designer threads ... by promising to deliver NBA clients in exchange for a discount ... this according to a new lawsuit.

K.H. is being sued by Scott Hill -- who claims he was approached by Kris and Kim Kardashian a few years ago in the hopes he would provide clothes for Kris.

According to the lawsuit, Hill says he struck an interesting deal with Kris -- I'll give you a 30% discount on clothes if you introduce me to at least 2 of your NBA player friends to my store within 12 months.

Hill says the NBA players didn't even have to buy anything -- he just wanted an intro. Easy enough, right?

According to Hill's suit, Kris agreed to the deal ... and proceeded to buy more than $46k in merchandise using his massive discount.

Problem is ... Hill claims Kris not only failed to deliver on his end of the bargain ... but he still owes more than $6k in unpaid suit bills.

NFL star Kerry Rhodes -- who's been in the league since 2005 -- tells TMZ he's not gay ... despite reports suggesting otherwise.

Photos surfaced Thursday on MediaTakeOut.com showing 30-year-old Rhodes with his arm around a male friend. The site didn't say outright Rhodes was gay, but there was a strong insinuation ... not that there's anything wrong with it.

But Rhodes says he's as straight as an arrow -- telling TMZ, "Photos have been circulating of my former assistant and I that have caused some rumors regarding my sexuality, and I wanted to address the situation."

Rhodes then says flatly, "I am not gay."

Rhodes explains: "The shots were taken during a past vacation in a casual environment with my entire business team."

Rhodes says when it comes to being supportive of gay professional athletes coming out, he's on Magic Johnson's team: "I know a lot of people are recently talking about athletes struggling to come out to their fans right now, and I support them, as well as wish those individuals comfort."

Rhodes -- who played for the Cardinals last year -- is now a free agent.

Might as well tailor that green jacket for Tiger Woods ... 'cause his 5'10" blonde good luck piece -- aka Lindsey Vonn -- showed up for round one of The Masters.

LV turned up at Augusta National to support her man wearing a giant floppy hat ... perhaps to make sure cameras can find her all day while she follows Tiger?

We're betting Tiger doesn't care what she wears 'cause he's been on a tear since going public about banging Lindsey -- winning two tournaments in a row, and 3 out of his last 5.