TMZ Sports - Page 50

Former NBA star Javaris Crittenton was arrested outside Atlanta this morning -- after he allegedly shattered the speed limit in his black Porsche ... then refused to cooperate with police.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Javaris was pulled over for going over 60 in a 45 -- and when the cop wrote up the ticket ... Javaris refused to sign it, something you have to do to acknowledge receipt of the citation.

As a result, we're told the officer asked Javaris to step out of the vehicle -- and Javaris refused again.

We're told words were exchanged -- and after the officer reasoned with Javaris, the former NBA player agreed to step out of the car ... at which point he was placed under arrest for speeding and obstruction of an officer.

He was subsequently transported to Clayton County jail, where he is currently being processed.

Oh yeah, in case you forgot -- Javaris is also facing a MURDER TRIAL after he was charged with gunning down a 22-year-old Atlanta woman last August.

Hines Ward better stay out of trouble for the next 12 months ... 'cause the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver has been sentenced to a year of probation stemming from his 2011 DUI arrest.

TMZ broke the story ... Ward was arrested for DUI in DeKalb County, Georgia on July 9 ... after cops say he was driving his Aston Martin like a drunken maniac ... weaving in and out of his lane and hitting a curb.

Now, Ward has struck a plea deal with prosecutors ... in which he pled guilty to reckless driving and no contest to failure to stay in his lane (below) ... and in exchange, the DUI charge was dropped.

Ward was sentenced to 12 months probation, 80 hours of community service and ordered to submit to an alcohol evaluation and any treatment suggested by the evaluators.

He was also ordered to pay $2,000 in fines and court costs.

WWE heavyweight champion CM Punk is lashing back at Chris Brown ... claiming the singer isn't just a liar ... but a total "coward" who never truly "paid" for what he did to Rihanna.

Punk released a video statement moments ago ... in response to Brown's allegations that he's a steroid-abuser with an inadequate penis.

In his video, Punk starts out by saying he's "a proud life long drug free straight edge individual" ... and then spends the next minute BLASTING Brown.

"Chris and I come from different worlds. I don't have an assistant. I don't have a body guard. I don't have a manager or a PR person telling me to delete tweets like Chris does, and I don't hit women. Period."

He adds, "[Chris] has made the wrong accusations to the wrong person because I can defend myself."

Punk then challenges Brown to a no-holds barred fight for charity ... and says, "I will choke you out and I will make you feel as weak and as powerless and scared and alone as any woman who has the misfortune of knowing a sad cowardly little boy such as yourself."

Your move, Chris.

5:16 PM PT -- Chris Brown responded:

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White is definitely NOT dropping the ball in his paternity case -- in fact, the Pro Bowler says he's willing to pay whatever it takes to support his baby boy.

TMZ broke the story ... White's baby mama Stacey Hott told the judge she was expecting a "generous" amount of child support because Roddy makes a FORTUNE as one of the top receivers in the NFL.

And according to court docs filed in Georgia and obtained by TMZ ... her wish came true -- because Roddy agreed to fork over $3,200 per month in child support.

Plus, Roddy promised to take out a MASSIVE life insurance policy on himself, with his son as the beneficiary ... just in case. And to top it off, Roddy also agreed to cover the bill for Hott's lawyers.

WWE heavyweight champion CM Punk has a dysfunctional wiener ... this according to Chris Brown.

The two are now in a full on Twitter war ... after Punk randomly tweeted that he wants to "curb stomp" Brown at an upcoming WWE event because he wants Brown to "fight somebody that can defend themselves."

Brown caught wind of the tweet ... and decided to fire back with a message of his own ... writing, "@CMpunk needs more followers. He's such a leader! Not to mention the roids hes on has made it utterly impossible for him pleasure a women."

And in his trademark sarcastic tone ... Brown added, "@CMpunk contact my assistant and I'll have em send u an autographed pic for my biggest FAN!!!"

Gisele Bundchen knows ... the best way to get your husband to forgive you for publicly trashing his butterfingery teammates ... is by prancing around in a tiny bikini.

Gisele and Super Bowl XLVI loser Tom Brady were spotted in a beachfront lip-lock/ ass-grab in Central America this weekend ... during a family vacation with their son Benjamin.

As TMZ previously reported, several of Tom's New England Patriots teammates were "disappointed" when Gisele vented after the Super Bowl ... saying, "My husband cannot f***ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time."

Vanessa Bryant and her kids were in New York City over the weekend, looking for a big ol' apartment ... TMZ has learned.

Real estate sources tell us ... Vanessa won't say if she's packing up and moving from California -- but she definitely wants to buy a place in NYC.

It's not exactly a sign that she's reconciling with Kobe Bryant, even though the two were kissing after the Lakers game on Valentine's Day.

Vanessa now owns 3 estates in Newport Beach, after Kobe transferred title to her as part of their divorce -- which has not yet become final. And, as we first reported, Vanessa will score a total of $75 mil in the settlement.

As for whether Vanessa would move away from California ... we're told she thinks Lakers fans and Lakers wives don't like her -- at least that's the way she perceives it.

No doubt ... if Vanessa did move, it would royally screw Kobe up. He still loves her, wants her back, and doesn't want his kids to live across the country.

Our real estate sources say Vanessa made it clear -- Kobe knows she's shopping in the Big Apple.

Matthew Stafford is NO Ben Roethlisberger ... but in a good way ... because the Detroit Lions quarterback says his team has taken steps to ensure he'll NEVER get in a motorcycle crash.

Stafford was at LAX yesterday ... when we asked if the team banned him from participating in certain risky activities when he signed his $41.7 MILLION contract back in 2009.

The QB replied, "Riding motorcycles, sky-diving ... I don't know what else."

We're guessing the no motorcycles clause was added to just about every big contract after 2006 ... when Roethlisberger nearly died after crashing his bike in Pittsburgh ... while not wearing a helmet.

Bonus clip -- We also asked Matthew about the first MAJOR purchase he made after signing his humongous contract ... and the answer is pretty great.

The day after speaking at the funeral of Whitney Houston, Kevin Costner hit up Madison Square Garden this afternoon to check out Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks.

In other Lin news, ESPN announced today that it "dismissed" the employee responsible for the offensive headline about Lin that appeared on their mobile site over the weekend.

Kobe Bryant is making a full court press to save his marriage ... and has sworn up and down to Vanessa he will never stray again if she takes him back.

Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ ... Kobe has "aggressively" pursued Vanessa over the last three weeks, and she's been receptive. We're told Vanessa tends to believe Kobe, but still isn't sure the marriage can be resurrected.

And then there's the subject of lavish gifts. We're told Kobe has given Vanessa a very expensive piece of jewelry. We don't know the price, nor do we know how it compares to the $4 million ring she scored after Kobe's infamous dalliance a few years back.

ESPN issued an apology last night after a racially insensitive headline about New York Knicks star guard Jeremy Lin appeared on their mobile site.

The headline, "Chink In the Armor," appeared only on mobile browsers, the network said, and only between the hours of 2:30 AM ET and 3:05 AM ET.

Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter has died after a battle with brain cancer ... this according to his family.

The 57-year-old NY Mets legend had been diagnosed with an aggressive, fast-moving brain cancer last year.

Carter's daughter released a statement saying, "I am deeply saddened to tell you all that my precious dad went to be with Jesus today at 4:10 p.m."

She added, "This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to write in my entire life but I wanted you all to know."

Doctors had discovered 4 small tumors in Carter's brain ... after the MLB legend suddenly began to forget things, repeat questions and lacked energy.

Carter -- who was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 -- is survived by his wife, 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Carter was one of the superstars on the world champion '86 Mets squad. He was also an 11-time All Star.

Call her Sarah Pa-LIN ... because the former Vice-Presidential candidate is the new Knicks' sensation's biggest fan -- even showing off her brand new "LINSANITY" t-shirt on the streets of New York today.

According to Sarah, Jeremy Lin is everything America stands for -- calling him "an American story ... uplifting, positive ... he unifies our country!"

But when it came to deciding between Lin and Tim Tebow -- Sarah reverts to politician mode, telling us she can't decide between the two ... she loves them both. Lame.

So we gotta ask ...

This year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl Kate Upton and last year's cover girl Irina Shayk proved they looked hot in clothes too at an event in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Question is ...