Serena Williams Alleged Stalker Arrested
A man accused of stalking tennis legend Serena Williams -- who somehow got into her dressing room at the Home Shopping Network -- was arrested this morning in Florida ... TMZ has confirmed.
According to the police report, 40-year-old Patenema Ouedraogo was stopped by private security near Serena's home in Palm Beach Gardens ... who then held him in handcuffs until cops arrived.
Patenema is accused of trying to make contact with Serena several times ... tracking her across the country from L.A. to Florida with clues from Serena's Twitter account.
When Patenema was arrested, cops found a letter he wrote to Tyrese Gibson, saying, "If by any means you can help or arrange any meeting with my dream soul mate, I'd like to confess to you that Serena Williams is the one I would do anything to meet and let her know."
Patenema is still in custody, being held on $25,000 bond.
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Will Ferrell Lakers KISS CAM with John C. Reilly
Los Angeles Lakers fan Will Ferrell took a break from stuffing his face with a hamburger at last night's playoff game ... to stuff his face with a little John C. Reilly during a kiss cam moment.
Nobody denies the Kiss Cam.
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Cops Investigate UFC Legend Over Alleged Bar Attack
UFC Hall-of-Famer Matt Hughes is at the center of a police investigation ... after a female bystander told cops she suffered a broken nose when the fighter went off on another man inside an Illinois bar.
TMZ has confirmed 37-year-old Hughes was named in a police report filed in Taylor Springs, IL ... stemming from an April 23 incident at a place called Trails End Bar and Grill.
According to a source who was inside the bar, Hughes got into an argument with a male bar patron ... which led to some forceful shoving.
Sources tell us ... the woman is alleging Hughes pushed the other man into her ... and she suffered a broken nose in the collision. TMZ obtained a photo of the woman's face taken after the incident.
Cops tell us an investigation is currently underway. Calls to Hughes have not been returned.
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'Desperate' James Denton -- NO Game On the Court
"Desperate Housewives" star James Denton hit the court for a charity basketball game -- and dude ended up looking like HE was the charity 'cause his team was that TERRIBLE. Roll the lowlights!
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Padres Going Camouflage to Salute Troops
The San Diego Padres are tipping their caps to the Navy SEALS who gunned down Osama bin Laden by busting out their camouflage jerseys tonight ... TMZ has learned.
Locker room sources tell us Padres players decided last night they wanted to honor the military by sporting the unis -- which they normally wear only for Sunday home games.
San Diego is home for many U.S. troops, including Navy SEALS ... and the USS Carl Vinson -- the aircraft carrier that buried bin Laden at sea.
We're told the Padres will also observe a moment of silence before tonight's game at PETCO Park to remember the victims of 9/11.
UPDATE: The Padres announced all active, retired, and veteran military personnel can get two free tickets to tonight's game. You can hear the cheers already ... "USA! USA!!"
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Atlanta Braves Coach Fined, Suspended by MLB
Roger McDowell -- the Atlanta Braves pitching coach who allegedly hurled gay slurs at a group of fans earlier last weekend -- was suspended today by Major League Baseball.
McDowell's suspension will last two weeks, during which time he will not be paid. He was also fined an undisclosed amount of money. Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement Sunday, "Conduct by people associated with MLB that shows insensitivity to others simply cannot and will not be tolerated."
Superstar attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing Mr. Quinn, tells TMZ, "The fact that Coach McDowell will be subjected to an unprecedented two-week suspension, be required to take sensitivity training and be fined, demonstrates that Major League Baseball believes that homophobic slurs, sexually lewd conduct and threatening behavior by Coaches or any other person employed at a game in the Major League will not be tolerated."
For his part, Justin Quinn tells us, "I am pleased to see Major League Baseball imposing discipline on Coach McDowell for his actions. I love baseball dearly and my family and I are now looking forward to getting back to the ballpark for another game."
As we previously reported, a family of four -- including two 9-year-old girls -- went public with their accusations this week ... claiming McDowell made several homophobic remarks toward fans at AT&T Park ... and then mockingly proceeded to simulate gay sex with a baseball bat.
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Frank McCourt to Appeal Ruling on Dodgers Ownership
Frank McCourt will appeal a judge's ruling that he is NOT the sole owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers -- a ruling that opened the door for Jamie McCourt to stake claim to the team.
Back in December, Judge Scott Gordon threw out an agreement signed by Frank and his estranged wife that would have made Frank the sole owner.
Frank's attorney's filed paperwork today stating he will challenge Gordon's ruling.
See, Bud Selig's not the only one on Frank's s-list
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New Saint Mark Ingram -- Pawn in the Kim K CURSE
The Kim Kardashian curse lives on ... because Reggie Bush has had it ROUGH since he stopped dating her -- and the New Orleans Saints' NFL draft pick Mark Ingram just made things WAY worse.
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Atlanta Braves Coach Placed on 'Administrative Leave'
Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell has been placed on "administrative leave" -- after he allegedly hurled several gay slurs at male fans during a game in San Francisco last weekend.
As we previously reported, a family of four -- including two 9-year-old girls -- went public with their accusations this week ... claiming McDowell made several homophobic remarks toward fans at AT&T Park ... and then mockingly proceeded to simulate gay sex with a baseball bat.
The father of the family claims he confronted McDowell -- who allegedly responded by approaching him with the bat, and saying, "How much are your teeth worth?"
McDowell has since apologized for the outburst -- but the Braves have suspended his coaching duties pending an investigation into the allegations.
UPDATE: GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios just released a statement, telling TMZ, “It remains to be seen whether the Atlanta Braves will take real disciplinary action and send a clear message that there is no place for anti-gay remarks or violent threats in baseball."
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Atlanta Braves Pitcher Arrested for DUI
Atlanta Braves pitcher Derek Lowe was arrested last night in Atlanta for driving under the influence.
According to reports, Lowe was pulled over by state patrol at around 10:00 PM and police say troopers smelled alcohol. Lowe refused a sobriety test and was taken into custody and the Porsche he was driving was impounded.
Lowe was charged with DUI, reckless driving and an improper lane change.
He was released early this morning after posting bail of $2,944.
Lowe is best known for his performance in the 2004 playoffs, where he became the first pitcher in history to win the final game of three postseason series while a member of the Boston Red Sox.
UPDATE: Derek Lowe just released a statement, saying, "I would like to apologize to my family, teammates, fans and the Braves organization for the attention arising from this matter ... This is a legal matter and I anticipate this case can promptly be resolved within the court system."
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'Madden' NFL Star -- Michael Vick Deserved to Win
Cleveland Browns star Peyton Hillis just beat out Michael Vick for the coveted cover of the Madden NFL 12 video game -- but the running back is super humble, telling us Vick deserved it more.
Peyton had a breakout season last year -- but when we caught up with him in NYC ... all he wanted to do was talk about Vick, saying, "He knows as well as I know ... he probably deserved it a little more than me."
We're sure Hillis wanting Vick to take the cover has nothing to do with the dreaded Madden curse.
Hillis also revealed his backup plan for pro football. Just in case.
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Kristin Cavallari -- ROCKED By Chicago Bears QB
Newly engaged to Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler, former reality TV actress Kristin Cavallari ever so nonchalantly showed off her engagement ring in L.A. on Wednesday.
Her relationship is solid as a rock.
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Kris Humphries & Kim K -- Sizing Up Their Relationship
Despite their, er, differences, NJ Nets Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian are a good fit.
The happy couple made their way through LAX yesterday.
They're livin' large.
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Chris Bosh -- The Official MARRIAGE Certificate
Despite his public denial ... Miami Heat superstar Chris Bosh WAS married on April 9 -- so says the official marriage license obtained by TMZ.
TMZ broke the story, Bosh married Adrienne Nicole Williams earlier this month in Miami Beach ... only for Bosh to deny the story at an NBA news conference.
Well, according to the courts in Miami-Dade County ... Chris and Adrienne are officially man and wife ... whether he wants to admit it or not.
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Future NFLer Cam Newton -- The Odds Against Him
Just in time for Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton's big day at the NFL Draft ... TMZ is weighing the pros and cons of being the #1 pick! Look away, Cam ... this ain't gonna be pretty.
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Olympic Hero Mark Spitz -- My Image Got JACKED!
Swimming legend Mark Spitz claims a swimwear company is soaking him -- using his image to sell gear WITHOUT paying him a cent ... so now he's suing.
Spitz -- who famously won 7 gold medals at the '72 games -- filed the lawsuit today in L.A. County Superior Court against Arena USA ... a company he says he had an endorsement deal with from '77 through '82.
In the lawsuit, Spitz claims Arena has continued using his image to "create the impression that Spitz endorses defendants' products and business."
Mark's attorney tells us the Olympic legend recently saw a pic of himself sporting his 7 golds on Arena's website. We checked ... and the photo is no longer on the site.
Spitz is suing for unspecified damages.