TMZ Sports - Page 50

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft quietly reached out to the parents of Max Steinberg -- the American who joined the IDF and was killed in battle -- after finding out he was a huge Patriots fan.

In his letter, Kraft says he saw a photo of Max wearing a Pats hat during news coverage of his death -- and felt moved to write, "He represents the consummate patriot and I am forever grateful for the sacrifices he made to keep our beloved Israel safe."

Steinberg, a 24-year-old from Southern California, died 2 weeks ago during an intense battle in Gaza that also killed 12 other IDF soldiers.

Kraft added a handwritten note at the bottom of the letter -- which appears to be framed already -- "We are all Patriots with love of our tradition and the people of Eretz Israel."

A fractured vertebra might be enough to keep Brazilian soccer star Neymar off the pitch, but it's not enough to stop him from partying with Paris Hilton.

The 22-year-old posted a photo to his Instagram page, posing with Paris in a nightclub in Ibiza.

Neymar suffered the terrible back injury during Brazil's quarterfinal win against Chile in the World Cup. He missed the next game and it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of La Liga.

Paris is apparently popular on the soccer scene -- last week she posed with USA midfielder Jermaine Jones.

Paul George suffered one of the most horrific sports injuries in recent memory and his season is over before it started ... but he appeared in good spirits during a hospital visit from Floyd Mayweather.

PG sustained a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula, underwent surgery to repair it, and will have to work his tail off just to get back on the court in 2015.

If you haven't seen the injury ... AVOID THE VIDEO AT ALL COSTS ... it's horrific. But if you must ...

Michael Strahan had no idea his split from Nicole Murphy would be announced at the EXACT moment he was entering the NFL Hall of Fame … and friends think Nicole or someone close to her was trying to ruin the biggest moment of his career.

Sources close to the former couple tell TMZ Sports the break up has been a long time coming … Michael and Nicole had actually broken off their engagement several weeks ago. But we're told there was no plan -- certainly not on Michael's side -- to announce it before his induction into the Hall of Fame this weekend.

As it turned out, Michael was right in the middle of receiving his official HOF yellow blazer when the story came out … according to our sources.

We're told several people close to Michael think the timing was extremely suspect.

As for whether it upset Strahan's HOF festivities -- we're told he celebrated his Saturday night induction deep into Sunday morning. He also opened his speech by saying, "This has been the best weekend of my life."

We've reached out to reps for Michael and Nicole. So far … no word back.

When Dwyane Wade popped the question to Gabrielle Union, he made sure he had the camera crew ready -- and used the high quality footage to put together a "save the date" video for their wedding guests.

TMZ Sports obtained the mini-movie the couple sent out to everyone invited to the shindig ... showing the moment Wade got down on one knee and popped the question.

The two are set to tie the knot in Miami on August 30th -- and as we previously reported, the couple is BANNING their guests from using social media during the reception.

Here it is ... a photo of the Bruce Lee poster that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is going to war over ... and now we totally understand why -- it's pretty awesome.

The piece contains a poster from the 1978 flick "Game of Death" -- where Bruce and Kareem beat the crap out of each other ... until Lee eventually takes out KAJ's character in an epic fight scene.

The poster is currently in the possession of Julien's Auction House -- which claims it obtained the item fair and square (and an arbitrator agreed) ... from KAJ's LLC... but he is still suing to try to get it back.

Kareem's also fighting over 151 other items -- including a rocking chair he got as a gift during his farewell season in 1989 (that's his son singing the national anthem!).

Julien's says the plan is to eventually auction off both items -- and Kareem can feel free to bid ... if he feels like it.

"I was very emotional" he told us in a statement, "this chair has been in my home since 1989 and it's the place I like to sit and read."

Tony Parker quietly married his longtime girlfriend in San Antonio … one day after signing a new 3-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Parker and Axelle Francine -- a French journalist -- had a small exclusive ceremony … close friends and family only … according to People.

Tony and Axelle have been dating since 2011 -- the same year he finalized his divorce from Eva Longoria. The newlyweds had their first child back in April.

Tony also signed on the dotted line with the Spurs on Friday. The deal will pay him around $45 million … and almost guarantees the 32-year-old guard will play his entire NBA career in San Antonio.

Keyshia Cole's estranged husband is taking her diss about dating athletes in stride -- and, in fact, he wants everyone to know he's still down to bang hot singers.

Daniel "Boobie" Gibson was responding to Keyshia's comment to TMZ Sports -- that she would never date an athlete again -- a clear shot at how badly their marriage has gone. Keyshia very publicly accused Boobie of cheating, and intends to file divorce papers soon.

But DG tells us definitely doesn't feel the same way about chicks in the entertainment biz … as he explained on his way into a Lure day club event Saturday.

Brace yourself -- 'cause TMZ Sports has obtained photos and video of Joe Riggs' bloody gunshot wound -- taken moments after the UFC star accidentally shot himself in the leg ... and it's gory.

Paul George is taking his horrific broken leg as well as he possibly can, and even feeling positive … according to his Team USA teammate Andre Drummond.

We got Dre flying back to LA today after last night's scrubbed scrimmage in Las Vegas … where George suffered the injury -- and he told us George is NOT feeling depressed.

No one would blame him -- he'll most likely miss all of next season -- but the Detroit Pistons star says George was in "high spirits" … after his successful surgery, we're presuming.

Current heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko and ex-champ Shannon Briggs went at it in a Miami restaurant in a scene straight out of Rocky III -- and now we have the video.

TMZ Sports broke the story … Klitschko was enjoying a bowl of pasta at Mama Mia's Italian restaurant on Friday when Briggs walked in and started taunting Wlad by eating food out of his bowl.

Chicks dig superheroes ... just ask the crime-fighting MMA fighter in Texas who's been hit with a tidal wave of marriage proposals ever since he beat up 3 gas station robbers earlier this month!

Houston's most eligible bachelor is Mayura Dissanayake -- who became an instant celebrity when he left his post as a clerk at Fuel Depot to rescue his co-worker, who was being jumped in the parking lot.

But Mayura wasn't just flooded with media requests -- he was also slammed with marriage proposals on social media from his new female fan base ... so says his MMA trainer Saul Soliz.

"You can't blame the ladies ... he's easy on the eyes."

We're not tryin' to start beef ... it's just a statement of fact -- supermodel Chrissy Teigen has a better arm than 50 Cent and the proof is in the video.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model -- who's doing the ole first pitch thing at Dodger Stadium next week -- played catch with her superstar hubby John Legend in NYC ... and it looks like she's got skills when it comes to firing a baseball.

Well, more than 50 Cent anyway ...

You gotta send one up for Paul George -- the NBA superstar suffered a gruesome broken leg during a Team USA scrimmage Friday night in Las Vegas -- and this video of the injury is NOT for the weak of heart.

The Indiana Pacers small forward was attempting to block a James Harden layup, and his right foot landed right against the backboard stanchion -- immediately snapping somewhere above the ankle … it appeared

Coach Mike Krzyzewski called the game out of respect for Paul and his parents … who were in the arena.

Michael Strahan and Nicole Murphy have called off their engagement ... just one day before he's inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Strahan's rep says it's all about 2,475 air miles -- he lives in NYC and she's in L.A. and it's just too difficult. It's especially hard because they're both real busy.

Murphy was married to Eddie Murphy ... and Strahan divorced Jean Muggli in 2006.

We shot the "Hollywood Exes" star last month after Strahan was threatened by a homeless guy with a knife -- and she seemed in the dark. Now we know why.