TMZ Sports - Page 50

Don't count on buying a ticket to Joe Paterno's funeral on eBay -- because the auction site just pulled ALL Paterno funeral ticket listings, claiming the tickets violate one of the website's policies.

A rep for eBay tells TMZ they don't "allow the sale of tickets to events in which all tickets are free to the public."

The rep adds, "In accordance with the policy, eBay will not allow the sale of tickets to Joe Paterno's memorial service."

Multiple tickets flooded the auction site this morning after they were made available -- for free -- to the Penn State community.

The bids for the tickets POURED IN. One auction for a pair of passes even reached $99,509 before eBay pulled it.

Paterno's memorial service is scheduled for this Thursday at Penn State's 16,000-seat
basketball arena.

If you were surprised to hear Kristin Cavallari was pregnant with Jay Cutler's baby, you're not the only one -- the couple themselves were shocked by the news ... TMZ has learned.

Jay and Kristin announced yesterday they were with child -- following a crazy few months where they broke off their engagement, only to announce it was back on.

Sources close to the couple tell TMZ, K&Jay had discussed the possibility of kids -- but planned to start cranking 'em out in a few years ... not any time soon.

But shocking as it was, we're told they're thrilled with the news ... renewing their commitment more than ever to making their relationship work.

If Jay wasn't locked down before, he sure is now.

Carolina Panthers stud Cam Newton celebrated the end of his kick-ass rookie season with a sick party with rappers Common and Young Jeezy ... and TMZ has the pics.

Cam and Jeezy rolled into Club Reign in Atlanta Friday night for the party hosted by Common ... who, according to sources, got $20K for the gig!

Even though it's the off-season ... we're told Cam was partying in mid-season form -- he and Common tipped back bottled water all night.

San Francisco 49ers return man Kyle Williams might be the most hated man in the Bay Area today -- and now his family is stepping up to defend him after a barrage of nasty threats from angry Niners fans.

Williams' two monumental turnovers contributed heavily to yesterday's loss to the Giants -- and his stepmother, Jessica, tells TMZ no one feels worse about the game than the family ... saying they are "devastated."

For those who don't know, Kyle's family is a big deal in sports -- his dad is Kenny Williams ... GM for the Chicago White Sox.

Jessica also referenced the wave of angry tweets aimed at her son, saying ... "We also know there are some people who have singled Kyle out, but there are many, many more that support him. We will rally around Kyle and keep him strong!"

Jessica added, "Kyle is a great athlete and we're looking forward to an outstanding season next year!" If you missed it, here's how this season ended -- Niners fans ... look away.

Just one day after announcing her pregnancy, a freshly knocked up Kristin Cavallari ventured out in the L.A. rain this morning -- grinning with pride over the embryonic cells rapidly splitting in her uterus.

25-year-old Kristin and her 28-year-old baby daddy Jay Cutler broke off their engagement in July -- but rekindled things shortly after in November ... with a vengeance, apparently.

Billy Cundiff -- the Baltimore Ravens' kicker who botched the kick that could have kept the team's Super Bowl dream alive -- was distracted before his field goal attempt ... to the point that coaches were yelling at him.

Two players on the team have spoken with TMZ -- one of whom says he witnessed the confrontation and another who did not witness it but says it is being widely discussed among Ravens players.

Our sources say ... immediately before Cundiff attempted the game-tying FG, he was doing what he was supposed to do -- practicing kicking on the sidelines. But as the Ravens marched down the field, Cundiff was unaware that his time to kick was looming.

It's S.O.P. for kickers to walk toward the field when the time approaches for them to kick -- ready to run into the game.

According to our sources, coaches repeatedly called for Cundiff -- at least 6 times -- to no avail -- he wasn't responding. We're told the coaches became "furious" because Cundiff wasn't ready to go.

Our sources say players and coaches are saying Cundiff was distracted ... not paying attention and not ready to immediately execute a kick.

Deion Sanders has had enough of his awkward living situation -- sharing a home with the woman he's divorcing -- and now he's asking a judge to force his estranged wife Pilar to move out.

According to docs filed in Texas last week, Deion believes the home is his separate property and that Pilar "should be ordered to vacate the residence."

Deion believes the divorce should be governed by the prenup. As we previously reported, Pilar wants that prenup thrown out because she feels she was duped into signing it. But Deion says Pilar knew exactly what she was signing, and even consulted with lawyers beforehand.

Deion also wants the court to sanction Pilar for violating the rules of conduct for people getting divorced in Collin County ... which state both parties cannot:

-- Disturb the peace of the children
-- Make disparaging remarks about the other or their family
-- Talk about the divorce in front of the kids

Vanessa Bryant has become the Holy Grail for "Basketball Wives" producers ... and TMZ has learned, the people behind the VH1 show are prepping to make her an offer she can't refuse.

Multiple sources close to the production tell us, producers are putting together "an extremely lucrative pitch for Vanessa" ... for her to become a recurring character.

As one source put it, “Vanessa has more than enough storyline and would bring the show to another level.”

As for the timing -- we're told producers never dreamed of approaching Vanessa while she was married to Kobe ... and our sources say Vanessa would NOT have been receptive.

Budget constraints were also an issue when the show was in its infant stages -- because producers knew Vanessa would be very expensive -- but now that BW's one of the highest rated shows on the network, producers have lots more to spend on talent.

If Vanessa accepts, we're told producers would instantly make her a LEAD on the LA edition of the show.

"American Idol" judge Steven Tyler is finding himself on the other end of the criticism this afternoon ... he's being mercilessly attacked for his rendition of the National Anthem today.

Tyler, in a glittery New England Patriots scarf, sung "The Star Spangled Banner" before today's Raven/Patriots AFC Championship game.

Popular sports site Bleacher Report posted the video under the headline, "Watch Steven Tyler Butcher the National Anthem." Jason Whitlock, columnist for FOXsports.com, tweeted, "Steven Tyler far more obscene than Janet Jackson's t*tty."

To us, he sounded exactly like you'd expect Steven Tyler to. But we ask you ...

Margie Phelps, daughter of Pastor Fred Phelps, announced on Twitter today the Westboro Baptist Church would be picketing the funeral of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

Paterno passed away earlier today from lung cancer. He was 85.

Last October, Westboro announced they would picket the funeral of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. They also picketed the funeral of Michael Jackson.

The church is known for their extreme views against homosexuality. Based on other tweets (see below), Paterno's involvement in the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal is what drew their attention.

Joe Paterno -- the legendary former football coach at Penn State University -- died this morning at the age of 85 ... this according to his family.

His family released a statement that reads, "He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community."

The front page of the website for the Penn State athletic department was updated with simply a picture of Paterno (see below).

Jerry Sandusky, the longtime assistant coach facing sexual abuse allegations that led to Paterno's dismissal at Penn State, called his death a sad day ... and Paterno "had the courage to practice what he preached" about toughness, hard work and clean competition.

In November 2011, his son Scott announced Paterno had a treatable form of lung cancer.

JoePa, as he was known, holds the record for most victories by a Division I football coach with 409.

Plaxico Burress just can't win in 2012 -- not only did his heavily-hyped New Yorks Jets fail to make the playoffs, but he just lost a lawsuit which will have him writing a check for six figures.

A woman by the name of Alise Smith filed a lawsuit in Florida back in 2008, claiming Plax rear-ended her with his Mercedes-Benz back in May 2008 ... before his infamous gun incident. Plax did not have insurance at the time.

Smith alleged she suffered neck and back injuries and sued him for medical bills, lost wages and damages. The jury ruled in her favor and earlier this month the judge awarded her $125,000, plus interest.

Another big break up for Kris Humphries ... TMZ has learned the former Mr. Kardashian is separating with his high profile publicity team after 73 days of holy matrimony ... exactly one day longer than his marriage.

Sources tell us ... Humphries and Anderson Group Public Relations have decided to end their professional relationship ... due to a major disagreement over a long-term strategy for Kris' off-the-court career.

The two sides first came together around the time Kim Kardashian pulled the plug on the marriage -- after 72 days -- and Kris felt he needed for some advice on how to handle his image through the tough times.

But after the crisis, Kris and AGPR simply did not see eye-to-eye on a post-Kim game plan. We're told AGPR was unhappy with the outcome of Kris' appearance on "Good Morning America" last month.

During the "GMA" appearance, Kris brushed off questions about Kim ... and instead, focused on baking desserts during a cooking segment with his mother.

According to our sources, Kris has already taken on a new PR firm in NYC and wants to focus solely on basketball.

We're told the relationship with AGPR ended on reasonably good terms ... and both sides REALLY want to stay friends.

Joe Paterno, the legendary former coach at Penn State University, has suffered health complications and is in serious condition ... this according to a rep for the Paterno family.

The spokesperson released a statement, saying in part, "Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications. His doctors have now characterized his status as serious."

His son Jay tweeted, "I appreciate the support & prayers. Joe is continuing to fight."

Another son, Scott, responded to a report that JoePa had passed, tweeting, "Dad is alive but in serious condition. We continue to ask for your prayers and privacy during this time."

Onward State, a student-run newspaper on campus, reported Saturday he had been taken off his respirator. The Citizens Voice, a newspaper in nearby Wilkes-Barre, PA, reported Paterno's wife Sue summoned close friends and longtime staff members to State College hospital.

Paterno was the coach at Penn State for 46 years, until he was famously fired by the school last November following the sexual abuse allegations against his former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky.

It looks like Ben Roethlisberger has bought his way out of a sticky legal situation ... by settling a lawsuit filed by a woman who claims the Pittsburgh Steelers QB forced her to have sex with him in 2008.

Lawyers for Roethlisberger and his accuser -- Andrea McNulty -- announced the two sides have reached an agreement which ends the lawsuit.

McNulty -- who worked at the Harrah's Hotel in Lake Tahoe at the time of the alleged incident -- had claimed Ben invited her into his penthouse suite to fix a broken TV ... and then raped her.

In her suit, McNulty claimed Ben became "stern," after the alleged rape ... kicked her out of the room and told her, "If anyone asks you, you fixed my television. You fixed my television. Now go!"

Ben adamantly denied all the allegations.

McNulty's lawyer also confirms they have dropped their case against multiple Harrah's employees McNulty had accused of covering up the alleged sexual assault.