TMZ Sports - Page 50

NFL legend Cris Carter just WENT OFF on Adrian Peterson -- scolding the Vikings running back for beating his 4-year-old kid ... and admitting his own mother was wrong for hitting him as a child.

The whole thing was incredibly emotional -- with Carter appearing on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" and ripped the idea that Peterson's form of punishment was OK because that's how AP was taught when he was a kid.

"My mom did the best job she could do ... but there are thousands of things I have learned since then -- that my mom was wrong."

"She did the best she could, but she was wrong about some of the stuff she taught me ... and I promised my kids I won't teach that mess to them."

Carter then hails the Vikings -- his former team -- saying they did the right thing by deactivating AP.

The Carolina Panthers have decided to DEACTIVATE superstar defensive end Greg Hardy because of his domestic violence conviction -- a decision that was made by the team Sunday morning and it seems fairly obvious it's all because of the Ray Rice situation.

Back in July, a North Carolina judge found Hardy guilty of attacking his girlfriend and threatening her life during an altercation in May -- but the Panthers and the NFL decided not to punish Hardy while he appealed the decision and pursued a jury trial.

Translation -- THEY SAT ON THEIR HANDS AND DID NOTHING FOR MONTHS.

But now, in the wake of the Ray Rice scandal -- and a public outcry against the NFL for taking too light of a stance against domestic violence -- the Panthers have decided to deactivate Hardy for today's game.

As for the incident, Hardy's ex had claimed he beat the living crap out of her and threatened to kill her during a jealous late-night rage.

The woman had testified that Hardy got angry that night when he heard a Nelly song at a nightclub -- which angered him because the woman had briefly dated the rapper when she was on a break from Hardy.

Story developing ...

Christy Mack says her recovery is going great ... and she's only a few surgeries away from fixing the damage done to her face -- allegedly by ex-boyfriend/MMA fighter War Machine.

Mack was outside an event for the Face Forward Foundation -- an advocacy group who support victims of domestic abuse -- when she gave us an update on her current condition.

As we previously reported ... War Machine pled NOT guilty to 32 charges -- including two counts of attempted murder.

Mack told police her ex came to her home Aug. 8th ... beat her friend Corey Thomas and then pummeled her --- breaking multiple bones all over her body and rupturing her liver.

Hundreds of boxing fans were whipped into a frenzy after the Floyd Mayweather fight Saturday night ... and things got so out of hand one guy ended up in the hospital.

Moments after Money scored a unanimous decision over Marcos Maidana ... 2 fights broke in in the lobby -- causing scores of fans to run back inside the arena to avoid the fight.

One man was taken away on a stretcher ... but hotel officials tell the Las Vegas Sun -- he wasn't fighting ... he just got stampeded.

ATL Hawks owner Bruce Levenson is being UNFAIRLY labeled a racist over his now infamous email -- so says ATL rapper Killer Mike who tells TMZ Sports the only color on BL's mind was GREEN!

The email (from 2012) went viral last weekend -- and in it, Levenson explained that the high percentage of black people at his games was scaring off rich white people.

Mike, who's signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle label, says there's NOTHING WRONG with making those observations.

"It's not remotely racist at all. What I read was a business man trying to fill up his seats with the demographic that spends the most money."

Mike adds, "I own a barber shop. I make it a point for people to know I cut white people's hair. If white people 30 to 55 aren't coming to Hawks games, you have to do whatever you need to do to get them there."

Mike does admit that the email was "crass" -- but he thinks people should stop being so quick to throw that word "racist" around.

Looks like Justin Bieber is done living the bachelor life ... he actually brought his girlfriend Selena Gomez to Las Vegas for the Floyd Mayweather fight -- and she's gonna meet his boxing BFF.

Sources close to Bieber tell us the couple hit up the Hard Rock pool party Saturday and Selena was spotted with friends in a picture posted on Shots.com. Bieber also posted a pic poolside.

We're told Selena and Floyd have surprisingly never met -- Biebs usually rolls to Vegas with his boys -- but he plans to introduce the two after the fight.

Marion Barber's former NFL teammates tell TMZ Sports they're "shocked" by the details of the former superstar's handgun-in-a-church arrest ... and are hoping he gets the help he needs.

We broke the story ... Barber was taken into police custody in June after allegedly taking a loaded gun into a Texas church and flashing it at the congregation. He was held for mental evaluation.

One former NFL teammate -- a fellow superstar who didn't want to be named because he maintains a close friendship with Barber -- says, "He needs help, I care about him."

We also spoke with former Cowboys cornerback Brian McCann -- who played with Barber in 2010 -- who says the Marion he knew was a "fun-loving guy."

"[The Marion described in the police report] doesn't sound like him at all. He never seemed like a troubled guy."

"He was the team jokester. He showed me you can still have fun at this level."

Ray Rice and his wife Janay have finally emerged in public -- attending a high school football game with their daughter Saturday .... laughing and smiling as if they didn't have a care in the world.

The couple surfaced in New Rochelle High School in NY -- where Ray played ball back in the day -- and cheered on the school from the sidelines.

Interesting, considering Ray's middle school recently took down his football jersey in the wake of the elevator attack video.

Meantime, the NRHS football coach expressed SUPPORT for Ray -- and said he will always be a part of the New Rochelle High family.

Ray didn't speak with the media -- and left before the game ended.

The Montgomery County DA's office just said Adrian Peterson's decision to whip his child with a tree branch exceeded "reasonable discipline" and that is why he has been indicted for felony child abuse.

The DA says parents are allowed to use discipline -- presumably some physical force -- but it has to be in line with reasonable community standards.

The DA said reports that a grand jury had previously rejected the case are false -- the grand jury that indicted Peterson on Friday is the only to ever hear the case.

The DA says the grand jury heard the case for several weeks before making it's decision.

The stakes are high for Peterson ... if he's convicted of the felony he could serve up to two years behind bars.

Ray Rice's criminal case was handled "outrageously" and "shamefully" ... this according to numerous prosecutors in the office ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Multiple prosecutors in the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office have spoken with TMZ -- on condition of anonymity -- and they say it is "virtually unheard of" for their office to allow someone like Ray Rice to avoid felony charges. What's more ... they say it all happened behind closed doors ... behind their backs.

We previously reported ... the grand jury indicted Rice for felony abuse after viewing the elevator video posted on TMZ Sports. Rice's lawyer then petitioned for something called PTI -- Pre-trial Intervention -- which gives first time offenders a break ... reducing the charge to a minor offense.

As one prosecutor said, "If there is violence or even a threat of violence by the perpetrator, prosecutors almost always object to a PTI and judges always follow the prosecutor's wishes" ... meaning the case gets tried as a felony.

Not so with Rice. We're told the case did NOT go to the Domestic Violence Unit ... which is where it should have gone. Instead, it was micromanaged by Jim McClain, the prosecutor who runs the office and his number 2 prosecutor, Diane Ruberton. The Domestic Violence Unit was in the dark.

Another prosecutor said, "Never did I see a case this violent get PTI. It's off the charts abnormal."

The prosecutors say virtually everyone in the office was outraged when the case was closed on May 20. As one prosecutor said, "The video is disgusting. He [Rice] treated her like a pile of s***, human garbage, dragging her out of the elevator."

And it gets worse. We're told either on June 17 or 18 ... Jim McClain called all of the prosecutors into the conference room and said he would no longer use the Domestic Violence Unit to process cases where the grand jury indicts abusers. We're told McClain said it was just a matter of resources.

But our sources say McClain's decision is a disaster. They say the cases are now handled by overworked prosecutors who handle general crimes and don't have the time or training to handle DV cases. They have no time to help the victims through the process. Our sources say McClain has "all but obliterated the DV Unit."

As for why McClain handled the Rice case the way he did and then emasculated the DV unit ... none of the prosecutors have a clue.

McClain tells TMZ Sports Diane Ruberton is "one of our most experienced attorneys," adding she was assisted by a Victim Witness Coordinator. McClain also said he consulted with Ruberton and another prosecutor who handles PTI domestic violence applications, before deciding not to object to Rice's PTI bid.

Adrian Peterson turned himself over to authorities early Saturday morning on child abuse charges ... faintly smiling for his mug shot.

Peterson was booked in Houston just after 1 AM and released a half hour later.

The football star is accused of beating his 4-year-old son with a tree branch ... hitting him so hard it left welts and caused him to bleed.

Peterson actually admitted to cops he gave his son "a whooping" and says it's the same treatment he got as a kid. Peterson's lawyer adds that his client "deeply regrets the unintentional injury."

The Vikings have deactivated Peterson for Sunday's game.

Mo'Nique just joined an even smaller club than than the Academy Award winners group she already belongs to ... people who want to give Ray Rice a second chance.

The "Precious" star was on "Good Day L.A." on FOX 11 this week and when asked about the Rice situation, showed a tidal wave of support for Rice -- more than any other big star has so far.

"A lot of people are saying get rid of him ... in our worst moments we would want empathy."

UFC badass Lyoto Machida is about to get to the bottom of a mystery -- a bottom mystery -- 'cause the pro face breaker just told TMZ Sports why women in his native Brazil have such nice ... assets.

Machida was out in Beverly Hills with his smokin' hot wife when our camera guy asked the question that women all over the world want to know -- how do Brazilian chicks get their mystical booty powers???

Check the video -- Machida gives our camera guy two reasons Brazilian chicks are so bootylicious.

UFC superstar Nick Diaz was arrested for DUI in California last week -- and cops say to make matters worse, he attempted to "destroy evidence" by trying to make himself puke.

We've learned ... Diaz was pulled over around 2AM on Sept. 6th in Lodi, CA for a routine traffic violation -- and during the stop, cops say they noticed Diaz appeared to be wasted.

Diaz was taken to a nearby jail -- where cops say he went to the bathroom and attempted to make himself vomit in what seems like an effort to get the booze out of his system.

For the record, cops say Diaz was unable to pull his own trigger -- and never actually barfed.

He was eventually hit with 4 charges -- misdemeanor DUI, driving on a suspended license, obstructing a police investigation and destroying evidence.

Diaz -- who's supposed to fight Anderson Silva in January -- was eventually released on his own recognizance.

The UFC issued a statement saying they are aware of the situation and are gathering the facts.

4:12 PM PT -- According to the police report, Peterson allegedly sent text messages to the child's mother saying he "felt bad" because he struck the kid in the testicles.

"Got him in the nuts once I noticed. But I felt so bad, n I'm all tearing that butt up when needed!" the text said.

Peterson allegedly sent a follow up text saying, "Never do I go overboard! But all my kids will know, hey daddy has he biggest heart but don't play no games when it comes to acting right."

4:10 PM PT -- According to the police report, the child told authorities he had also been hit by a belt and there were "a lot of belts in daddy's closet."

The child also said AP had put leaves in his mouth when he was being struck and that his pants were down.

3:50 PM PT -- The Vikings have deactivated Peterson for Sunday's game.

3:34 PM PT -- Peterson has issued a statement through his lawyer saying, "The charged conduct involves using a switch to spank his son."

"This indictment follows Adrian's full cooperation with authorities who have been looking into this matter. Adrian is a loving father who used his judgement as a parent to discipline his son."

"He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in East Texas. Adrian has never hidden from what happened."

"He has cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours."

"Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this inquiry from its beginning. It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury."

3:00 PM PT -- The police report on the case includes photos of cuts on the boy's thigh and hands. He also had bruises on his lower back and buttocks, and according to the report ... Peterson admitted punishing him.

One law enforcement source tells TMZ ... Peterson decided to discipline his son by grabbing a branch from a tree -- and then whipping the child on his bare skin. We're told several of the wounds were bleeding when the child went back to his mother.

2:31 PM PT -- The Vikings have issued a statement saying ... "The Vikings are in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation involving Adrian Peterson."

"At this time, we will defer further questions to Adrian’s attorney Rusty Hardin."

Minnesota Vikings superstar Adrian Peterson has been indicted for child abuse in North Montgomery County, TX ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources connected to Peterson tell us ... the alleged victim is a male child from Minnesota who was visiting Adrian back in May at AP's home in Texas.

We're told the child returned home to his mother in Minn. who noticed injuries and took the child to a doctor. A short time later, the doctor contacted authorities in Texas to report Adrian.

Child Protective Services confirms it is working on a case involving Peterson. Multiple sources tell us the alleged victim is a 4-year-old boy.

Peterson was indicted in Montgomery County for reckless or negligent injury to a child, this according to MyFOX Houston 26.

Peterson missed Vikings team practice yesterday -- though the team explained it as a "veteran's day." Peterson did attend practice today and was said to be laughing and joking on the field.

Earlier today, Peterson posted a message on Twitter -- though it's unclear if it's related to the case.

"People understand that if you are on God's course and suppose to have that position and man decides to remove you know that God will remove everyone to place you rightfully! You matter!"

"Its your season! Weapons may form but won’t prosper! God has you covered don’t stress or worry!"

Story developing ...

The woman who sued former L.A. Lakers player Devin Ebanks for sexual assault is DROPPING her lawsuit against the ex-NBA'er ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Ebanks -- a 2nd round pick in the 2010 Draft -- was sued by a woman who filed the lawsuit anonymously back in 2012 claiming he raped her after partying at a Hollywood nightclub together.

The woman filed a report with the LAPD, which then conducted a rape investigation -- but the L.A. County D.A. refused to file charges against Ebanks due to lack of evidence.

She later filed a lawsuit against Ebanks -- but now, the woman -- who refers to herself as "Jane Doe" in the suit -- filed new court docs asking the judge to dismiss the case entirely.

Of course, it won't officially be dismissed until the judge signs off -- but for all intents and purposes, the case is over.