TMZ Sports - Page 50

Missouri Tigers superstar Michael Sam -- one of the best college football players in the country -- has revealed he's gay ... and the timing comes just months before he will enter the NFL Draft.

Sam -- the SEC Defensive Player of the Year -- made the announcement publicly on Sunday ... saying, "I am an openly, proud gay man."

If (and when) he's drafted, Sam will be the first openly gay man on an NFL roster in the history of the league.

"I understand how big this is. It's a big deal. No one has done this before. And it's kind of a nervous process, but I know what I want to be ... I want to be a football player in the NFL."

24-year-old Sam said he already confided in a few friends ... and realized people knew while he was at the Senior Bowl. Sam says he dated another male athlete at Missouri, but not a member of the football team.

Sam says he finally came out to his teammates last year ... and they couldn't have been more supportive.

DON'T YOU EVER TALK ABOUT RICHARD SHERMAN'S ANKLE ... 'cause less than one week after injuring it in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks star was partying hard on it during a rager in Vegas!!!

Sherman -- along with fellow Legion of Boomer Kam Chancellor -- hit up the Chateau nightclub in Sin City Saturday night ... and cut loose, despite suffering a high ankle sprain during the Feb. 2nd victory.

Seemed like Sherman was feeling "no pain" that night -- we're guessing the gang of hot chicks following him around that night makes a man forget about a freak joint injury.

Meanwhile, Peyton Manning is still sad somewhere ..

With his marriage in shambles, Terrell Owens is getting some sage advice from his friend, former NFL teammate and experienced divorcee ... Chad Johnson.

We broke the story ... T.O.'s wife Rachel Snider has left the former NFL superstar, just 2 weeks after they tied the knot in a secret ceremony in Newhall, CA.

Now, Johnson tells TMZ Sports ... the whole thing is "an unfortunate situation for my big brother but this too shall pass."

Johnson continues, "All he needs is FIFA [the video game], which helped me get through such a difficult time."

Of course, Chad is referring to his split from Evelyn Lozada back in 2012 -- they were only married for 6 weeks when she filed for divorce.

Question: How do you fix the hapless Cleveland Cavaliers?
Answer: Porn star gang bang.

At least, that's the solution hardcore adult actress Ava Devine offered up in NYC the other day ... in fact, she's such a big Cavs fan, she's willing to take one (or 5) for the team.

"If [the Cav's] make the playoffs ... I will bang them all and bring a girlfriend," Devine said.

She also wanted us to know, "I can handle them all by myself."

Nothing takes the sting out of a brutal playoff loss like week on the beach on the beach ... so says Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry, who tells us he went straight to the tropics after KC's devastating 1st round defeat to the Colts.

"I threw a tantrum for about a week then went to Hawaii with my loved ones," Berry says.

We're told the 25-year-old Pro Bowler took roughly 15 family members on the trip to help him get over the bitter end to the 2013 season.

But what really put him in a good mood is when he found out his little brothers (who happen to be twins) accepted football scholarships to the University of Tennessee ... where he and his father played their college ball.

"It's one of those feeling that's hard to translate into words. Just seeing the twins grow up into the young men they are makes the whole family proud."

The guy who owns the jiu-jitsu studio where Thiago Silva allegedly whipped out a gun and threatened to shoot a bunch of people has shut his doors ... but only for a couple days ... in the wake of the insane events that occurred this week.

According to the police report, not only did the UFC star pull up to the studio and threaten to kill his wife and her alleged new boyfriend ... he also threatened to shoot everyone inside the studio.

Which is why the people who run the place decided to shut it down for a few days ... posting a sign on the door Saturday to let patrons know they'd resume business on Monday.

Thiago Silva is officially OFF THE BILL for "UFC 171" in March ... after allegedly threatening to kill his wife ... and he's been replaced by a Ukranian bad ass, TMZ Sports has learned.

After declaring Silva will never fight in the UFC ever again, Dana White tells TMZ Sports ... 21-year-old phenom Nikita Krylov will fill Silva's spot and fight Ovince St. Preux at UFC 171 in Dallas.

We're told Krylov -- a former heavyweight -- will drop down to the light heavyweight division for the fight.

White is stoked about the matchup, especially after the way Krylov -- who calls himself the Al Capone of MMA -- knocked out Walt Harris with a head kick just :25 seconds into the fight at "UFC on FOX 10."

Magic Johnson's son EJ is BLOWING UP as a reality star on "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" ... and the NBA legend tells TMZ Sports he couldn't be PROUDER!!!

In fact, Magic says he thinks the shameless E! reality show will springboard EJ into a TV superstar -- and predicts it won't be long before the kid has his own show.

Magic really couldn't be a more supportive parent -- especially after the way he had EJ's back when his son revealed he's gay.

There's more .. Magic also talks about recently buying the L.A. Sparks and also takes another shot at the Lakers. Check out the clip.

Starring in "Cool Runnings" makes you an unofficial Jamaican FOR LIFE ... at least according to American actor Leon Robinson ... who tells TMZ Sports he's rooting for Team JA's bobsledders to crush Team USA in Sochi.

Leon played Derice Bannock in the beloved movie, and explained "it'd be a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to win the gold," adding ... "how often would they get that chance?"

He's got a point ... Jamaica's bobsled has only made it to ONE other Olympics after their legendary debut in the 1988 Games.

Leon says he goes down to Jam Rock every year ... and claims the island's tourism board calls him "Jamaica's best friend" -- due to all the visitors who come and spend money on bobsled-related gear.

No joke ... there's a freakin' Bobsled Cafe down there.

But even Leon admits it's a long shot for the Jamaicans to top USA this year.

Maybe not ... if they bust out THE chant in Sochi. That would be awesome ...

The UFC fighter Thiago Silva would've faced next -- had he not been busted for allegedly pulling a gun on his wife -- tells TMZ Sports ... he's DEVASTATED the fight's scrapped saying "you gotta be f-ing kidding me."

Ovince St. Preux was set to square off against Silva at UFC 171 on March 15 ... but after the Brazilian fighter's insane meltdown, UFC prez Dana White permanently banned him from the Octagon.

St. Preux tells us he's bummed the match is cancelled ... but agrees with the ban, saying "I understand where Dana White is coming from, he has to protect the brand ... Plus, he's my boss."

As for why he thinks Thiago snapped ... St. Preux says "we don't know what he was going through" ... adding, "If he's having personal problems, anyone in his position might've done the same thing."

"Thiago took on the bad boy role ... and he played it well," St. Preux said, "I thought it was an act, but maybe he was being himself."

Chiefs QB Alex Smith is so desperate to put his 8 years in San Fran behind him ... he just slashed a cool $300K off the asking price on his CA mansion, TMZ Sports has learned.

Smith originally listed the 5,650 sq ft, Los Gatos home for $3.25 mil -- after getting traded to the Chiefs last year ... but now he's settling on $2.95 mil in a last ditch effort to unload the place.

The 4 bedroom, 4 bath crib includes a massive 1,200 sq ft master bedroom ... and sits on a shaded hilltop an hour south of soon-to-be demolished Candlestick Park.

Here's what's inside -- high vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and huge windows with amazing views. What's NOT inside? A Lombardi Trophy, cause y'know ...

Well, that didn't take long ... TMZ Sports has learned Terrell Owens' wife is already demanding a divorce from the former NFL star ... just two weeks after tying the knot.

It was only back on January 23rd that T.O. married Rachel Snider in a secret ceremony at a courthouse in Newhall, CA.

But now, we've learned ... Rachel has left T.O. -- moved out of California -- and plans on filing for a divorce asap.

Rachel tells TMZ Sports ... she believes Terrell only married her for money -- and claims he used her so he could get a loan for a $2 million home in Sherman Oaks, CA.

"I felt in love ... and now I feel betrayed and heartbroken," Snider says.

Snider adds, "I really valued his love and friendship for 5 years. Out of the love in my heart, I tried to help him. We had a secret relationship for 5 years and I married him for love."

The first big Olympic showdown is between beer companies -- Heineken headed to Sochi, just as Budweiser pulled out. Did the Dutch beer just make America's fave brew look soft?

Plus, David Beckham wants everyone to pay attention to his new soccer team -- but instead they're focused on his arms. How Becks sparked a new fashion trend for men.

Thiago Silva's wife Thaysa told law enforcement ... the UFC fighter has a "drug problem" ... and has abused her for months, this according to documents obtained by TMZ Sports.

We've obtained documents Thaysa filed in Florida back in January seeking a restraining order against Silva -- in which she checked a box saying he has a "drug problem."

In the docs, she also detailed an alleged violent incident with Thiago and says she fears for her well-being.

"I am not safe in my own house," Thaysa wrote ... adding, "I can not live more saying 'yes' and 'forgive' everything."

"I am very afraid of him."

In the documents, filed on January 6, Thaysa did not go into detail about Thago's alleged drug problem -- but she did say Thiago got violent with her while she was in a friend's home on Jan. 5th. In broken English, Thaysa seems to explain that Thiago went on a rampage and cut up her work uniform.

She also claims, "Months ago he grabbed me and pulled me."

The restraining order was granted. But last night, Thiago confronted Thaysa in front of a martial arts studio and allegedly threatened to shoot her and her supposed lover.

8:21 AM PT -- The judge has THROWN OUT the attempted murder charges against Silva, claiming there isn't enough evidence to prove the UFC fighter ever intended to kill his wife, despite allegedly pulling a gun on her on multiple occasions and sending threatening text messages to her.

The judge explained, "It just seems if he wanted to shoot Mrs. Silva, he would've done it. He didn't do it."

Instead, Silva was hit with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm ... and the judge has decided to hold him in custody without bond.

Silva was not only deemed a flight risk, due to his connections in Brazil -- but the judge says there's a high risk he'll commit violence against his wife.

Thiago's lawyer had argued that his fighter was being unfairly judged because of his occupation as a UFC fighter -- saying, "There's an overreaction [with the charges] simply because the man, what he does for a living."

During the hearing, Silva's lawyer said the fighter is dead broke ... and desperately needs the paycheck he'll receive for his scheduled fight in Dallas at UFC 171.

However, UFC honcho Dana White tells TMZ Sports ... "This guy will never fight in the UFC again."

THE ALLEGATIONS -- Silva's wife told police Thiago went nuclear because he suspected his wife was having an affair with MMA instructor Pablo Popovitch, who runs a jiu-jitsu center in South Florida.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Thiago pulled up to Pablo's training center Thursday night ... pulled out a GLOCK and pointed it at his wife.

Thiago allegedly told his wife, "You have ten seconds to bring Pablo outside and if he does not come out, I will go in the gym and start shooting everyone."

Cops say the class was filled with 25 students at the time of the altercation.

Thiago's wife told cops Pablo raced out of the center to protect Silva's wife -- and that's when Thiago threatened to kill them both. Pablo then raced inside the gym to call 911. That's when Silva drove back to his home.

There's more ... cops say there was ANOTHER violent incident between Thiago and his wife on January 30 -- when he accused her of cheating on him.

Thiago's wife says he got so angry, he pulled out a silver revolver and shoved it into her mouth -- while threatening to shoot her. Thiago's wife eventually got free and obtained a restraining order against the UFC fighter.

THE ARREST -- UFC fighter Thiago Silva was arrested Thursday night for attempted murder following a standoff with a SWAT team after he allegedly threatened people at a jiu-jitsu school and barricaded himself inside his home -- and we have footage showing the moment he was finally captured.

Cops in Broward County, FL say the incident began just before 8 PM, when Silva went to the school owned by famed instructor Pablo Popovitch. Silva -- sporting blue board shorts -- allegedly threatened people there and then went back to his home.

According to police, Silva barricaded himself inside the home. The SWAT team arrived a short time later and surrounded the place as officials tried to get him to surrender. Silva finally gave himself up around 11:15 PM.

TMZ Sports has obtained video of Silva in the back of the cop car. The photog asked him if he pulled a gun on his wife. Silva responded no, adding, "She wants my house, she wants my money." And then he says, "Just don't report this. Can you do that for me?"

Once in the police station, Silva flipped off photogs as officers booked the fighter on 4 criminal charges -- 2 counts of attempted felony murder, one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of resisting arrest.

The 31-year-old Brazilian-born fighter is 16-3 in the UFC -- and was expected to fight at UFC 171 in March. We're guessing that ain't gonna happen now.

Indiana Pacers superstar Paul George tells TMZ Sports ... he never EVER offered to pay a woman $1 million to abort her unborn child -- but if the kid is his, he's ready and willing to do the right thing.

We're told ... back in 2013, George had a relationship with a woman from Miami named "Daniela" -- a woman who is currently pregnant. The releationship went through the end of the summer ... but in November, Daniela informed George she was pregnant and she believes he is the father.

In a statement to TMZ Sports, George says ... "If and when there is legal confirmation that I am the father, I will fully embrace my responsibilities. This is a personal matter that is still being sorted out, so I hope you can respect my privacy. "

There are rumors that George offered the woman $1 mil to abort the baby -- but George's camp is adamant that's total B.S.

A spokesman tells us, "There is no truth to the rumors that Paul offered money for [Daniela] not to have the child."