TMZ Sports - Page 50

Ronnie Hillman's NOT going to the Vikings to fill the shoes of future HOFer Adrian Peterson ... he's goin' to help them win a Super Bowl, the newly signed RB tells TMZ Sports.

We talked to Hillman -- who was signed in the wake of reports that Peterson needs surgery and could miss the rest of the season -- about stepping in for one of the greatest backs of all-time.

"I'm not here to replace anyone. I'm just here to be me," Hillman told us. "I'm excited. It's a fresh start for me. I'm here to do whatever they ask me to do. Run, catch. Whatever I can."

Hillman -- who hasn't played a down of football this season -- says he's not thinking about whether he'll strap 'em up this week in Carolina ... 'cause his full concentration's on mastering the Vikings playbook.

As for joining a squad with Super Bowl aspirations ... R.H. says that was one of the main things that attracted him to the Vikes.

Donald Trump won't forget the intro Don King gave him anytime soon, since it included the n-word ... and seemingly left the presidential candidate in an uncomfortable position.

The boxing promoter supreme was speaking at Trump's rally in Cleveland Wednesday morning when he tried to convince black voters to back the Republican by telling a story about "negroes" in America.

Check out King's slip of the tongue, and the crowd's reaction. Lot of awkward smiles.

6:00 PM PT -- According to Cleveland.com, Gordon submitted a DNA test this afternoon and settled the warrant. His attorney said he was unaware of the case and didn't realize he was supposed to be in court.

An arrest warrant has been issued for NFL star Josh Gordon, 'cause the 25-year-old blew off a judge several times in a paternity case.

According to court docs, an Ohio woman claims Gordon is the father of her 1-year-old daughter ... and filed a lawsuit against him last year seeking child support. She said the child was born on 5/14/2015.

A judge ordered the Cleveland Browns wide receiver to provide a DNA sample and attend hearings -- but Gordon failed to comply with any of the orders -- so a warrant was issued for his arrest on August 31.

When he turns himself in, his bond will be set at $500. The warrant can be recalled if he submits a DNA test.

The Browns issued a statement, saying, "We are aware of the situation. Josh and his attorney are working with the Cuyahoga County Courts to resolve this matter. We have no further comment at this time."

Victor Cruz is proud of the way New York dealt with the bombing this weekend ... telling TMZ Sports the Big Apple always comes together in the face of terrorism.

We talked to Cruz at an event for Hublot watches in NYC (he co-designed 2 N.Y. Giants inspired watches with Hublot) ... and asked V.C. about the city's reaction to the attack that left more than 25 people injured.

"New York comes together each and every time something happens. I believe they did that again, and hopefully this never happens again," Victor tells us. "We've already dealt with more than enough pain and strife when it comes to terrorism."

FYI -- Cruz wasn't yet in the NFL on 9/11 ... but lived only miles away from the World Trade Center.

Cruz also addressed the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie divorce ... delivering a (depressing) message for everyone who's in love.

Check out the clip!

Boxing superstar Adrien Broner will not be prosecuted for allegedly pulling a gun on a man and violently robbing him earlier this year ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

We broke the story ... Broner was charged with felonious assault and aggravated robbery after allegedly getting into a fight over a bet at a Cincinnati bowling alley back in January.

A jury trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday, but according to a Hamilton County court clerk, the prosecutor's witness was a no-show ... so the judge dropped the charges.

Broner was present in court with his lawyer.

It seems like AB is completely off the hook in this case -- the alleged victim dropped his civil suit against him a few months ago.

Adriana Lima's still going strong with New England Patriots star Julian Edelman ... who doesn't seem the least bit phased by her "date" with Ryan Seacrest.

Sources close to the Pat and the supermodel tell us EdeLima is still very much a thing. In fact ... the Victoria's Secret Angel was in Boston visiting the NFL star just a couple weeks ago. We're told she hung out with him and his friends, which is always a big deal.

We're told the visit was one week before Adriana was seen at an NYC restaurant with Seacrest, but Julian's not the jealous type ... and he believes she's just friends with the host.

Julian's focused on a different kinda victory right now -- he's busy prepping to be the backup QB for Thursday's game against the Texans.

Leave it to Magic Johnson to make you feel better about Angelina Jolie calling it quits with Brad Pitt -- in fact, he's still hoping they can work things out.

Magic turned marriage therapist in Bev Hills Tuesday afternoon -- a few hours after TMZ broke the big D news -- and he had some sage advice for Brad and Angie.

As we've reported, there are already signs it's going to be a nasty split ... but somehow Magic's smile makes you think there's still a shot.

Colin Kaepernick says people have threatened to kill him for refusing to stand for the national anthem.

Kaepernick -- speaking to reporters on Tuesday at the 49ers facility -- revealed he has received numerous death threats over "a couple different avenues."

"If something like that were to happen, you've proved my point and it will be loud and clear for everyone why it happened and that would move this movement forward at a greater speed than what it is even now."

Kaep went on to say that the threats weren't totally unexpected ... "I don't want that to happen, but that's the realization of what could happen, and I knew there were other things that came along with this when I first stood up and spoke about it. That's not something I haven't thought about."

Metta World Peace claims he and his family have been targeted by a deranged woman who's threatened violence, attacked his property and waited for his kids after school ... and now, he's obtained a restraining order against her.

THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN!!!!

That's Cris "Cyborg" Justino's message to Ronda Rousey -- explaining why Rousey is a terrible role model for not getting back in the Octagon after her loss to Holly Holm.

Check out the clip ... Justino also says Ronda's no Conor McGregor -- because Conor went up in weight to fight tougher opponents and Ronda refuses to go up to fight her.

The woman suing Derrick Rose for allegedly gang raping her with his friends may no longer use a pseudonym and MUST reveal her identity when the case moves forward ... a judge has ruled.

The woman filed her lawsuit under the name "Jane Doe" in an effort to stay anonymous and protect her privacy.

Typically, the law allows someone who claims to be the victim of a sex crime to file a lawsuit under a pseudonym to protect their privacy rights.

But Rose filed court documents saying Doe has abused the privilege by going on a "nationwide pretrial media blitz" over the past week ... which included phone interviews and a news conference.

We just broke the sad news to Steph Curry about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

His reaction -- "Pray for them."

D.L. Hughley is demanding the Tulsa cop who shot and killed Terence Crutcher suffer serious consequences -- and he wants opponents of Colin Kaepernick to speak up about it too.

D.L. came on "TMZ Live" to call out celebs whose priorities are out of whack ... in his eyes. He had some harsh words for people who don't see injustice in what happened to Crutcher.

Check out the clip -- Hughley's sticking to his guns, insisting certain famous faces are way too silent right now, and need to check themselves.

Great news for Tennessee Titans linebacker Avery Williamson -- his 9/11 tribute cleats just sold at auction for $6,600 ... and it's all going toward a charity to help U.S. soldiers!

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Williamson customized his Nikes to honor the victims and first responders -- with patriotic symbols and the words "Never Forget" written on the back.

After he wore them in the game, Williamson put the cleats up for auction on CharityBuzz.com to raise money for Operation Warrior Wishes.

FYI -- the winner ain't just gettin' the cleats. The auction winner gets 2 tickets to a Tennessee Titans home game ... as well as an opportunity to chill with Avery.

Nice work.

Ex-NBA star Larry Sanders says the Terence Crutcher shooting makes him scared for his son -- who will grow up to be a big man ... and he doesn't want him profiled as a "bad dude."

By now you know Crutcher -- a black man -- was shot and killed in Tulsa by a white police officer while his hands were in the air. Someone in a police helicopter covering the scene said Crutcher "looks like a bad dude too. Probably on something."

Sanders spoke with TMZ Sports and says his 5-year-old son loves cops and is friends with people of all race -- but he has very serious concerns ... "At what point does he become the enemy?"

No Brady or Garoppolo? No problem ... 'cause backup Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett's no stranger to filling in on short notice.

With Tom Brady (suspended) and Jimmy Garoppolo (injured) sidelined, 23-year-old Brissett will take over under center against the Texans this Thursday.

TMZ Sports spoke with Jack Daniels -- Brissett's football coach at Dwyer High School in Florida -- who tells us the rookie signal caller started showing his insane game preparation when he was a freshman.

"He's been through this before," Daniels says. "We were facing one of the best teams in the country and our starter went down. Jacoby came in as a 15-year-old and went 12 for 12."

“I talked to him after the game. He’s excited for the opportunity to play. He’s going to do whatever he can to help this team win. I think he’s going to be a little nervous.”