TMZ Sports - Page 50

Fact: Common used to be the ball boy for the Chicago Bulls

Fact: Common used to challenge Michael Jordan to 1-on-1

Fact: Common says he turned into a pretty solid athlete ... who can actually HANG with Jordan when they get on the court together.

Not that we're calling BS, but Common is also the same guy who got crossed up by Justin Bieber at a celebrity All Star game back in 2011.

Just sayin' ...

Tim Tebow's NFL career is up in the air -- maybe literally -- because he was reportedly spotted at the airport in Philly moments ago ... and now everyone's wondering, DID HE GET CUT???

Our friends at CrossingBroad.com posted the photo (sent by @CrimJimmegan) -- which appears to show Tebow walking through the airport with his bags. It doesn't necessarily mean he's been cut, but it's got everyone buzzing.

After the way he balled out last night, most people thought he'd make the squad -- but you never know with the NFL.

We called the Philadelphia Eagles and spoke with multiple people -- but Eagles staffers kicked us around and no one would tell us Tim's current status with the team.

It's a good thing Eric Decker signed that $36 million contract last year, 'cause he's got a brand new mouth to feed.

The New York Jets WR's famous country singer wife Jessie James Decker has given birth to their son -- their 2nd child.

Decker tweeted about the situation saying, "Thanks for all well wishes! Mama and baby boy are doing great!! Vivi is the sweetest big sister!"

It appears Decker was at the hospital for the birth -- which is pretty amazing considering the Jets are finishing up training camp and gearing up for the season.

Tom Brady has some big support coming his way after beating Roger Goodell and the NFL in court on Thursday ... but David Ortiz may be the biggest supporter of them all.

As our friends at BSO pointed out ... Papi posted a tweet after hearing the news of Brady's 4-game suspension being lifted ... showing some Boston love after the New England QB was set free.

Shouldn't be surprised by the support ... both Beantown sports legends are no strangers to championships and controversy ... so they definitely have stuff to bond over.

What better way to celebrate kicking the NFL's ass ... than by celebrating with your smokin' hot supermodel wife?!?

Bad news for one of Floyd Mayweather's BFFs ... boxer J'Leon Love and Blac Chyna are officially dunzo ... and the worst part of all -- they never got to consummate the relationship.

Evander Holyfield's son Elijah Holyfield -- one of the top high school running backs in the country -- just announced he'll be playing his college ball at the University of Georgia!!!!

Elijah just made the announcement during a news conference at Woodward Academy in Georgia, where he plays his high school ball.

To hammer home the point, he brought two bulldog puppies up on stage ... it was adorable.

FYI -- Elijah is 5'10", 204 pounds and scored 24 touchdowns during his junior year while racking up 1,735 yards on the ground.

We spoke with Evander about Elijah's success on the gridiron earlier this year, and he told us he's very proud of his son's accomplishments.

L.A. Kings star Slava Voynov could be shipped back to Russia -- after immigration officials took him into custody ... following his release from jail stemming from a domestic violence conviction.

Terrell Owens' estranged wife Rachel Snider tells TMZ Sports she desperately wants to close the chapter on her marriage to the ex-NFL star ... but there's one BIG thing that's stopping them.

As we previously reported, Snider unloaded on Owens this week for appearing on "Celebrity Wife Swap" with a woman who's NOT his wife ... and was pissed that it all went down in the house they still own together.

Snider joined the gang on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" to explain why it's taken so long to complete the divorce -- despite the fact T.O. filed back in February 2014.

He murders people in the octagon, but now UFC badass Conor McGregor says he's getting a bunch of "f**ked up" movie offers to slaughter the undead in African jungles.

Seriously.

Conor's doing some training out in L.A. (check out video below) -- and clearly, Hollywood's aware of his presence ... 'cause CG says he's been getting hit with a ton of offers to star on the big screen ... a la Ronda Rousey.

Conor says he's still in talks ... but says if it doesn't work out, "I don't give a f**k."

Gotta love this guy.

UFC superstar Anthony "Rumble" Johnson is adamant he's NO DOG ABUSER ... despite allegations he's "mutilating puppies" by hacking off their ears at his kennel.

A petition sprung up online this year -- calling for the UFC to fire Johnson over the way the animals are treated at the kennel he owns and operates, Rumbletime Kennels.

The petition alleges, "Anthony Johnson owns a dog kennel where he participated in hacking ears off puppies. It appears the procedure is done in house by unqualified persons as the wounds are not bandaged."

Johnson finally responded to the allegations at UFC 191 media day ... saying, "My dogs are well liked and well loved. I take my dogs everywhere. Somebody put I'm manipulating my dogs. Dude, I cropped his ears. I'm not beating the dog, I'm not starving the dog to death. Nothing like that."

FYI -- cropping -- the removal of skin from the ears -- is legal in the United States, with some people arguing it helps prevent ear infections in dogs. Others say it is cruel and unnecessary.

Johnson claims he doesn't see the practice as a negative thing.

"If you see my Instagram or my kennel Instagram -- Facebook and all that stuff with my dogs -- you can clearly tell my dogs are loved. They eat steaks every day. I eat freakin' French fries. They eat steaks."

Shelly Sterling might be the richest person in the history of the world to nail her ancient hubby for spousal support.

Shelly fired off legal docs in her bizarre divorce from her BFF hubby Donald Sterling ... bizarre because they still hang out together, most recently at a Beverly Hills pawn shop.

As for why Shelly needs spousal support ... it's a conundrum. The Sterling's net worth is estimated at $3 billion -- that includes the $2 billion they pocketed for the Clippers. Since they were married in 1955 -- 2 years before the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn -- each will walk away very, very very very rich.

The NFL's first female coach is getting some major support from an unlikely ally ... Floyd Mayweather ... who reached out to Jen Welter and offered her ringside seats to his next fight because he's a huge fan.

FYI -- Welter made history earlier this year when she was offered a coaching "internship" with the Arizona Cardinals ... working primarily with the linebackers.

We spoke with Welter's rep who tells us ... after her story attracted national attention, they got a call from Team Mayweather ... who offered 2 ringside seats to his upcoming fight against Andre Berto.

We're told Mayweather is a fan -- and wanted to show his support. As for Welter, she's flattered and we're told she's definitely planning on attending.

The Shannon Briggs vs. Wladimir Klitschko feud just hit new levels -- with tensions exploding in a Florida gym ... and Evander Holyfield had to jump in to save the day ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Briggs -- a former heavyweight champ -- confronted his arch enemy in the boxing gym where they're both known to work out ... and as usual, got in Klitschko's face and called him out for refusing to fight him in the ring.

At one point, Wlad put one of his hands on Briggs -- which PISSED SHANNON OFF!

Things got physical and Briggs tells TMZ Sports .... that's when Holyfield, along with another boxing champ, Michael Moorer, jumped into action and separated the two.

By the way, the boxing champs are all in town to shoot a boxing documentary about heavyweights.

Backup QBs always stick together -- just ask Chad Henne who says Jimmy Garoppolo shouldn't be bitter now that he's lost the starting job ... saying, "It's the way the business goes."

Of course, Jimmy G was all set to cover for Tom Brady as the starting QB for the New England Patriots for the first 4 games of the season ... but that was BEFORE Tom's suspension was overturned.

But Henne -- who's the #2 QB in Jacksonville at the moment -- says Jimmy needs to stay positive ... and more importantly, stay ready.

Joey Chestnut's losing streak goes way beyond competitive eating ... 'cause the ex-champ is revealing a major defeat he suffered in the bedroom -- and it's pretty nasty.

Joey joined #DateFails, a podcast co-hosted by comedians Stephen Kramer Glickman and Kate Quigley last week ... and to stay true to the name of the show, he let loose with a tale about about a 2009 hookup with a chick he met at a party -- hours after he was in a chili burrito competition.

You gotta hear the story, but fair warning ... it ends with him paying $600 for a cleanup crew in the woman's bedroom.