TMZ Sports - Page 50

This is actually pretty awesome ...

Kim Zolciak's daughter, Brielle Biermann, is dating MLB prodigy Michael Kopech -- a HIGHLY touted minor league pitcher who throws a 105 MPH fastball ... who could be a future MLB superstar.

Kopech was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Chicago White Sox in a blockbuster trade for Chris Sale on Tuesday afternoon ... and the first person to lock up an interview with him ... was Brielle!

We actually shot the interview as Kopech FaceTimed with his girlfriend moments after the deal -- and he told us how he felt about the move.

Brielle Biermann ... reality star, model, MLB journalist.

LeBron James looked SO GOOD in the Cubs uniform he was forced to wear after losing a bet to Dwyane Wade ... he just got a job offer out of it ... from Cubs skipper Joe Maddon!

Of course, it was all part of the city pride bet LeBron (Cleveland) made with Wade (Chicago) back when the Indians played the Cubs in the Fall Classic.

LeBron paid off the bet last week ... when his Cavs came to the Windy City to play the Bulls.

... and Maddon LOVED it.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT!!!

Iman Shumpert and his smokin' hot wife, Teyana Taylor, hit the strip club TOGETHER Tuesday night -- gettin' their lap dance on with some of the hottest women in town ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

It all went down at Aces New York -- where rapper A-Boogie was celebrating his 21st birthday ... and Iman and Teyana rolled through to join the celebration.

We're told the couple dropped a couple thousand on bottles -- PLUS the "couples twerk" session ... because, hey, why the hell not?

As for A-Boogie, we're told he dropped $5k on Ace of Spades champagne and Patron.

Evelyn Lozada says she's still deeply affected by the domestic violence incident with her ex-husband Chad Johnson ... saying, "It stays with you forever."

Lozada was on "The Real" (airs Wednesday) talking about domestic violence when she opened up about the 2012 incident -- in which the ex-NFL star headbutted her during an argument in Florida.

Lozada got extremely emotional ... and shared this warning with other women, "If it happens once we know it's gonna happen again."

Evelyn has said she forgives Chad -- who has apologized countless times -- but says she doesn't want him to be a part of her life.

Johnny Manziel is convinced Lamar Jackson will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday -- but when we asked if he should take his career to Cleveland ... Johnny turned into Dikembe Mutombo!

The ex-NFL quarterback is back in L.A. after celebrating his 24th bday in Miami this week -- and hit up Catch (the hottest restaurant in town) with a few friends.

We talked about Cam Newton and Lamar ... but when the topic turned to Cleveland, it's clear Manziel wants Lamar to steer clear of the Browns.

The last time we talked Cleveland with Manziel, seemed he was on better terms ... saying he wishes them all the best but knows he'll never play there again.

You want Hatchimals? Shaq will get you Hatchimals.

In case you don't know what Hatchimals are (good for you) ... they're the HOTTEST Xmas gift on the planet right now.

Klay Thompson's 60 point explosion didn't go unnoticed by his NBA pops ... who says he was awestruck watching his son burn the Indiana Pacers Monday night and filled with fatherly pride.

TMZ Sports spoke with Mychal Thompson -- Klay's dad and a former #1 pick in the NBA Draft -- to get his take on KT's historic shooting ... where he scored 60 points in just 29 minutes of play.

"I was in awe and amazement, like any fan would be ... he should proud of himself."

Mychal was no slouch when he played, winning two championships with the Showtime Lakers and making the all-rookie team ... but says Klay has already surpassed his career in just his 5th season.

Tony Gonzalez isn't buying Cam Newton's missing shirt excuse ... telling TMZ Sports Newton's tie-less controversy had less to do with wardrobe and more do with plain old entitlement.

We got Gonzalez out at LAX and asked him what he thought of TieGate ... Cam Newton being benched for the start of last week's game for not abiding by team wardrobe rules.

Newton said it was a simple mix-up -- he didn't pack another shirt -- but it's clear Gonzalez thinks it's deeper than that ... saying Newton was trying to put one over on his team and organization.

Brazil has no shortage of great asses, but they do crown their best ... and 2016 has its winner.

Meet Erika Canela ... all of Erika Canela. The 20-year-old model took 1st place last month at Miss Bumbum -- a Brazilian pageant where more than 17 million people vote. She's also the first black woman to win in its 6 year run.

Marshawn Lynch is raising money to help the families of the Oakland Ghost Ship fire victims ... and it seems he's putting his money where his mouth is.

Beast Mode tweeted out a link to a Generosity.com page run by his Fam 1st Family Foundation -- which is trying to raise money "to help those families who were impacted by this tragedy."

We happened to notice an "anonymous" donation for $2,400 ... and due to the fact it's a cause close to Lynch's heart ... coupled with the fact he wore #24 ... we're guessing he's the mystery donor.

Lynch is super charitable when it comes to causes affecting his hometown of Oakland (and he helps out in other cities and countries as well) ... so it wouldn't be too big of a shocker if this was him.

Rev. Al Sharpton just UNLOADED on the Sheriff in the Joe McKnight shooting investigation -- saying the guy's I.Q. needs to be questioned after dropping the n-bomb on live TV.

Sharpton ripped into Sheriff Newell Normand -- basically giving a "How dare you" admonishment for not arresting Ronald Gasser right away ... and then having the balls to say the n-word during Tuesday's news conference.

Sharpton called Normand's decision to use those words "offensive" and "dumb" ... and added, "Maybe he should consider another line of work, certainly not press conferences."

3:17 PM PT -- Cops now suspect Salaam's death was suicide and say a note has been recovered at the scene.

Officials have still not released the cause of death.

Ex-Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam -- a superstar running back for the Colorado Buffaloes -- has died at age 42 ... his family confirmed.

Officials tell TMZ Sports ... Salaam's body was discovered in a parking lot at Eben G. Fine Park in Boulder, Colorado late Monday night.

We're told there were no obvious signs of foul play. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed.

Salaam won the Heisman in 1994 -- beating out guys like Steve McNair, Warren Sapp and Kerry Collins.

He was later drafted by the Bears in the 1st round of the 1995 Draft but only spent a few seasons in the NFL.

Salaam went on to run an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged kids.

You win, you celebrate ... at least if you're Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.

The Dallas Cowboys superstars hit up So & So's in Dallas on Monday -- where they celebrated their 11-1 record by popping bottles of champagne while clubgoers threw stacks of cash.

Good times had by all ... and from what we're told by multiple clubgoers, no drama of any kind.

It ain't the first time the rookies have clubbed together after a big win -- they've been seen victory partying at a couple different spots this season.

It's not like they're trying to hide it -- so we're guessing as long as they keep dominating, they can keep celebrating.

Will Smith's ex-Saints teammates, including Drew Brees, are in the courtroom as proceedings began in his murder case.

Witness testimony in the second degree murder case against Cardell Hayes began Tuesday ... and Brees and Steve Gleason were on hand to see it.

FYI -- Smith was shot and killed on April 9th in New Orleans ... after an alleged road rage incident involving Hayes.

Another ex-Saint, Deuce McAllister, was also on hand, but was actually part of the trial ... being called as the state of Louisiana's first witness.

Ronald Gasser believes he's being held on a trumped-up charge -- the manslaughter of Joe McKnight -- and his attorney's demanding his release, ASAP.

Gasser's lawyer just filed a motion claiming there's no probable cause for his client's arrest. He's asking the court for the earliest available hearing ... so he can show a judge why Gasser should get out of jail.

Gasser was arrested Monday night and is being held on a $500,000 bond.

At the very least, his attorney's asking the bond be reduced.

Sheriff Newell Normand is firing back at the people who have criticized him for the way he's handling the Joe McKnight shooting investigation ... and just read OUT LOUD some of the hateful comments he and other leaders have received, including the n-word and the f-word.

Sheriff Normand says he and other leaders have received letters using various racial and homophobic slurs. He did not water down the language.

When asked why he decided to read the hateful language out loud, Normand says he wanted to show people how "crazy" things have gotten ... where people are getting harassed for doing their jobs.

The conversation turned racial and Normand says black people are more likely to be killed by black people in his community.