TMZ Sports - Page 50

More than 100 MILLION people watched him in the Super Bowl ... and he was calm under pressure.

But New England Patriots hero Malcolm Butler got super nervous last night at the 2015 Grammys when he and Julian Edelman presented one of the awards ... with less than 1/3 of the audience watching.

Don't get us wrong -- we love the guy ... but you could feel his nerves through the TV (deep breath man!!!).

Meantime, Julian Edelman's right ... Josh Duhamel does look like Tom Brady.

Warren Sapp wasn't exactly Mr. Congeniality at the NFL Network -- with a whole bunch of employees telling TMZ Sports they're GLAD he's gone ... because he was a nightmare to work with.

We broke the story ... Sapp was fired from his gig as an analyst for the NFL Network after he was arrested for soliciting prostitutes in AZ last Monday.

Now, after speaking with nearly a DOZEN current and former employees ... everyone is telling us the same thing -- GOOD RIDDANCE!!

In fact, the people we spoke with ... ranging from low-level people all the way up to big shots ... told us there was an unofficial "Sapp Disclaimer" when it came to interacting with the Hall of Famer.

Among the highlights:

-Don't look Warren in the eyes (seriously).

-Introduce yourself, but DO NOT try to befriend him.

-Call him Warren. NEVER call him "Sapp."

Of course, there are Sapp supporters ... but even they couldn't really defend the guy.

As one person put it, "I know certain people [at the Network] complained about the guy a lot but overall he was always cool ... just unpredictable."

Another person told us, "Warren has had one too many chances to get it right, and it just didn't work out for him. We all wish him well in the end."

As for his tough reputation around the office, it's not the first time we've heard that about Sapp -- back when he was on "Dancing with the Stars" he was known as the "diva" on set ... and was constantly causing problems.

Terrell Owens has been hit with ANOTHER big tax bill from the IRS -- but the ex-NFL star tells TMZ Sports he's already in the process of cleaning up the mess.

According to official documents filed in the L.A. County Recorder's Office, 41-year-old Owens is still on the hook for $107,297.60 in federal income taxes from 2013.

Owens is no stranger to tax issues -- he's been hit with at least 4 tax liens in the past ... but has settled all but one of those debts.

T.O. has been pretty open about his financial blunders -- and has been adamant about his desire to get his bank affairs in order.

The NFL is exploding in Europe -- and there could be a team there in the next 5 years ... but not everyone in the league is jumping at the chance to work overseas.

Just ask Dallas Cowboys superstar Orlando Scandrick ... who tells TMZ Sports he loves to travel and vacation in Europe, but if it ever came to working there full time -- it's just not for him.

His reality star GF Draya Michele isn't as opposed to it ... in fact, she was pretty pumped at the thought of moving to Paris or Milan!

But Scandrick says if it were up to him, he'd spend the rest of his career in Big D -- telling us he loves everything about the city ... from the fans to the ownership.

Rob Gronkowski ain't the only guy on the Patriots who loves to party -- Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler hit the club scene hard in Vegas last night ... and TMZ Sports has the pics!

Butler was the guest of honor at Chateau nightclub in the Paris Las Vegas -- where the 24-year-old got his own booth, his own custom champagne ... and his own personal cheerleaders.

Multiple sources tell us Butler was super nice to everyone -- taking pics with fans and dancing all night long.

It's been a pretty good month for Butler -- as we previously reported, Chevy decided to give him a FREE TRUCK for making that game-saving interception in the Super Bowl.

Dallas Cowboys RB Joseph Randle tried to pay his baby mama $20k to abort their child ... but she turned him down ... so says Randle's ex who's now going after the NFL player for child support.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Dalia Jacobs has filed court docs in Kansas demanding Randle fork over more than $5k-per-month to help pay for their 1-year-old son.

Jacobs says Randle has barely been involved in the kid's life ... and made it clear from the start he was not supportive of the pregnancy.

"When she told him she was pregnant, he offered her $5,000 ... then $10,000 ... followed by $20,000 to have the child aborted," Dalia's attorney Charlie O'Hara tells TMZ Sports.

Dalia obviously rejected the offer ... and says their relationship has a been a nightmare ever since.

In fact, it was Dalia who called police from a hotel in Wichita last weekend claiming Randle had a gun and was in fear for her life. Randle was arrested for marijuana possession (that charge has since been dropped) but cops are still investigating the allegations of domestic violence.

It's been 13 years ... and counting ... but ex-Ohio State University star Maurice Clarett says he's back on track to graduate from OSU ... and expects to have his degree in two years.

TMZ Sports spoke with the former running back -- who dominated college football back in '02 & '03 -- and he tells us he tried to do the school thing when he got out of prison, but his attempted football comeback got in the way.

Now, Clarett says he's moved on from football ... and is focused on growing his packaging business and graduating from OSU.

"They opened up their arms to me and said, 'We'd like you to finish your degree' ... they've even offered to help me out with funding."

Clarett says he'll take most of his courses online -- since he travels a lot for work -- but says, "I'm very hopeful everything will work out."

Meantime, Clarett says he's hitting his stride in the business world -- "I formed a company with a guy out of Oklahoma. He has a Ph.D in Polymer Science. He's a whiz in the packaging industry. We distribute pallets and other packing material."

As for his past, which involved multiple convictions involving guns and other bad stuff that torpedoed his once-promising NFL career, Clarett says he's a different person now.

One of the most famous strip clubs in NYC is trying to rub NBA players the right way ... offering FREE LAP DANCES to every single player in the league during All-Star Weekend ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The people over at Scores tell us the offer is pretty simple -- if you're on a NBA roster, hot naked women will grind your junk. And it's all for the low low price of ... on the house.

Think of it as the stripper's way of giving back ...

As for coaches, owners and GM's they're out of luck ... we're told this deal is only valid for the dudes ballin' on the court.

Selfie apprentice ... meet selfie master.

Tennessee Titans quarterback -- and admitted selfie-aholic -- Zach Mettenberger came face-to-face with his social media mentor Paris Hilton last night at the famous Palm Steakhouse in Beverly Hills.

Of course, Mettenberger caught all sorts of heat this season when he took a locker room selfie before playing the Houston Texans ... and JJ Watt famously mocked him on the field for it.

Mettenberger even joked afterward that he checked himself into "selfie rehab" following the game ... because he had gotten "addicted" to posting the solo shots to social media.

Seems to have worked ... Zach essentially abandoned his social media accounts a few months ago.

Basketball didn't work ... but the future of U.S., N. Korean relations could rest in the hands of an American ping pong player ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We know ... several members of the N. Korean team struck up a friendship with American table tennis player Adam Bobrow last month at an international tournament in Dubai.

Bobrow -- whose "excessive ping pong celebration" made him an Internet sensation -- tells us at first, the North Korean team was exceptionally reclusive ... keeping their distance from other teams and other players.

"I felt like there was this bubble around them that nobody was willing to penetrate. Like they were off limits to talk to ... and I thought to myself, 'They're people just like me. Why can't I talk to them?'"

Eventually, Bobrow says he approached the N.K. players and asked for a photo together -- and to his surprise (considering the political climate), they agreed.

"Everyone smiled and that started the silent friendship ... because I don't speak a lot of Korean and they don't speak a lot of English."

However, the official N.K. translator spoke PERFECT English -- and Adam says they began engaging in friendly conversation ... with the translator eventually giving Adam a "gift" as a token of their friendship.

"He gave me some books ... including a sports magazine from N. Korea. He also gave me a book of transcribed speeches of Kim Jong-un and said, 'Here are some words from our leader.'"

Adam says the speeches -- which were translated into English -- were mostly "words to pump up and inspire the nation. He talked about the history of the country and how they will stay strong."

"Everything in the book was reasonable," Bobrow says ... "No outrageous claims. I don't remember anything that struck me as bizarre or unusual."

But here's the kicker ... Bobrow says before they parted ways, he invited the N. Korean team (through the translator) to compete in the U.S. Open of Table Tennis in Las Vegas in June.

"He didn't seem opposed to it," Bobrow says ... "He said he would bring it to the N. Korea Association and see what they think."

Bobrow says the team rep explained that he didn't have an email address -- but said he'd give his answer at the next tournament they both attend.

"I think we were on the same page about it ... it could be a very positive thing for international relations."

No, this post has nothing to do with Donald Sterling ... the Whiteside we're talkin' about is a 25-year-old monster who could be the next big superstar in the NBA ... so says Rick Ross.

Ross -- who has a Miami Heat logo tatted on his FACE -- tells TMZ Sports he's FIRED UP about Hassan Whiteside ... who essentially came out of nowhere to dominate for the Heat this season.

FYI -- Whiteside recently put up 24 points and 20 rebounds in a game ... the first Heat player to pull that off since Shaq did it in 2004.

But according to Ross, he's no Jeremy Lin ... Tha Boss is adamant Whiteside is the "real deal."

G-Ride: A particularly stylish vehicle with expensive and flashy modifications.

NBA star Gerald Green knows the definition 'cause he just dropped over $26K to turn his 1967 Chevelle into one of the pimpest G-Rides ever ... and TMZ Sports has pics of the finished product.

We spoke to Ash from 713 Motoring in Houston and he tells us they pulled a Michael Jackson on Green's whip -- that is, making it totally unrecognizable from the original product.

We're told the Suns swingman spared no expense on the ride -- with a new sound system, custom Forgiato rims, plus a brand new 555 big block Pat Musi performance engine ... all part of the package.

Adrian Peterson is erasing all thoughts of retiring from the NFL -- and is ready and able to get back on the field ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Peterson was in federal court Friday ... appealing his suspension in an effort to get reinstated immediately -- and sources close to AP tell us he'd be ready to practice tomorrow, if he got the call.

We're told Adrian has been working out twice a day since the NFL blocked him from playing in November -- and his renowned physique is intact -- still less than 4% body fat, is what we're told. He's even put a gym in his Texas home.

The court hearing in Minneapolis ended without a decision, and both sides will be back in court Monday.

Back in December, Adrian said he was considering quitting football altogether -- but we're told he's game-ready and taking the same approach he took after tearing his ACL in 2011.

The former league MVP flashed his wheels last weekend in a street race with Kevin Hart. Not exactly pro-level comp, but AP did spot him 5 yards.

Tom Hanks had an awesome reunion with his "Cast Away" co-star, Wilsoooon!!! It all went down at a Rangers game in NYC ... and NBC's Brian Williams was there too.

Years from now, Brian will recall it was a Knicks game and Tom reunited with the piano from "Big" -- but let's not get hung up on details.

2:20 PM PT -- Chevy confirms Butler will get his own truck on Tuesday.

Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler is one step closer to getting a free truck ... because the powers that be at Chevy are actively discussing hooking him up ... so Tom Brady won't have to give up his MVP ride.

TMZ Sports spoke with a rep for Chevrolet who tells us ... they're well aware of Tom's intentions to give his Chevy Colorado to Butler ... but they don't want to see Tom part ways with the vehicle.

"Obviously, it was part of his prize as MVP, but we're aware of Tom Brady's wishes for Malcolm to have the truck," the rep tells us.

So, we asked if Chevy would be giving Butler a ride of his own ... and the rep told us, "We've discussed it. That's all I can really say right now."

Sounds to us like plans are in motion ... but when we pushed, the rep was pretty tight lipped.

Bottom line ... if you're Malcolm Butler, you might wanna start making room in your garage.