TMZ Sports - Page 50

Ray Rice says he felt so terrible after the public backlash following last year's elevator attack ... that "I almost felt like at one point that it wasn't worth living."

Rice sat down with the Baltimore Sun ... and says he was emotionally devastated after the video went public.

"The big picture of it all, being the person that I am, I really felt horrible. You almost want to punish yourself. I know I'm never going to win the battle of public opinion. Honestly, I almost felt like at one point that it wasn't worth living. I see why people commit suicide."

Rice continued, "It hurt that bad. I was low, real low. It hurt that bad because you worked your whole life to do all the right things and then you're the world's most hated person. It was really tough. My daughter, oh Lord, I grew up without a father, there's no way I could check out on my own family."

With just a couple of weeks until the NFL's veteran's combine, Michael Sam spent his Friday focusing on his footwork ... for "Dancing with the Stars!"

Sam left the DWTS rehearsal studios clutching a pair of ballroom dancing shoes ... and got into a waiting car with his boyfriend Vito.

"Dancing" premieres on March 16. The NFL veteran's combine is March 22.

Question is ... can Sam have his cake and eat it too?

Ronda Rousey can rest a little easier -- she won't have to pay MILLIONS for a ticket to the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight ... 'cause she's getting her tix for free ... TMZ Sports has learned!

The UFC badass told us earlier this week that she was concerned about the ticket prices for the fight of the century -- saying she had extra motivation to win the prize money at UFC 184 tonight so she could afford to go.

But when we raised the issue last night with Bob Arum -- Pacquiao's fight promoter -- he told us he's not only a HUGE Rousey fan ... but wants to HOOK HER UP with the most coveted tickets in sports.

#Respect

With Kelly Osbourne quitting "Fashion Police" there's another celebrity making a run for her chair -- Chad Johnson ... who tells TMZ Sports he honestly believes he's the perfect guy for the job.

"Who better when it comes to fashion than me? I rarely wear labels or high-end clothing and kill it," the ex-NFL star says.

We broke the story Kelly walked from the show on Friday ... after tension had been building on the set for weeks.

One source close to Chad tells us, "He REALLY wants it."

So far, producers say they haven't made any decisions on Kelly's replacement ... but hey, stranger things have happened.

John Cena doesn't think there's an age limit on weight room domination ... telling TMZ Sports 69-year-old Vince McMahon is an absolute TERROR on the racks.

The WWE superstar was out in NYC (wearing only a t-shirt in the freezing weather) when we asked him about VM's recent Men's Fitness Magazine cover where the guy looked like an AARP Incredible Hulk.

Check out the clip -- Cena says that McMahon's biceps aren't just for show and the guy can lift like a man half his age ... and even rivals Cena himself.

Makes you want to call your granddad ... and ask him why he's slacking off.

The guy who gave Paris Hilton a cherry '67 Cadillac wasn't just some random dude ... he's a professional superbike racer ... who is trying to win her heart with expensive gifts.

Johnny Rock Page says he met Paris years ago at an event (pic below) ... and ever since he's been smitten. He knows she likes expensive stuff and he has the money, so he's trying to woo her with lavish gifts. Paris has made it clear ... he's harassing and scaring her, but it has not deterred him.

He denies smashing the windows of the Caddy after Paris rejected the gift. He says he has no ill will ... quite the opposite.

Page is extremely unwelcome, but he's not getting the message and the cops are now involved.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano just stripped down to their skivvies for their official weigh-in for UFC 184.

They are in good shape.

President Obama doesn't screw around at the waiver wire ... and won't obsess over Peyton Manning's passing yards -- 'cause he DOESN'T play fantasy football ... so says his ex-personal aide.

Reggie Love -- who was Obama's "body man" from 2009 to 2011 -- appeared on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" and told us POTUS simply "doesn't do the fantasy football thing."

"He thinks it's a little time consuming. He's like 'I have other things to do," Love said.

Reggie also tells us Vice President Joe Biden has a BALLER for a granddaughter -- seriously -- and she's so good, Love says he expects her to be recruited by the best college programs in the country.

NASCAR driver Travis Kvapil's #44 ride was jacked from a hotel parking lot -- and TMZ Sports obtained surveillance video of the heist.

The car and the truck that hauls it were both stolen out of the Drury Inn parking lot outside Atlanta -- and in the video you can see a Jeep SUV pull into the lot. One person dressed in black gets out of the Jeep, walks across the lot toward the transport trailer ... and the Jeep pulls away.

Next thing you see is the white transport trailer ... hauled by a black pickup truck ... tearing across the lot. Law enforcement sources tell us the GTA went down around 5 AM Friday -- and took less than a minute. So far cops have no leads on the suspects, but they're hoping this video will shed some light.

Kvapil's team was forced to pull out of this weekend's Sprint Cup race in Atlanta. It's a small independent team, and they don't have a backup car.

Team owner John Cohen tells TMZ Sports ... "Last night I was thinking, I should tell them to block the truck off [with another vehicle]. But I didn't say anything, and it got stolen." He says he doesn't think the crooks even knew what they were stealing since there are no identifying marks on the trailer.

He adds ... "I'm hoping they return it once they see what's inside. What can they do with a racecar?"

A Sprint Cup series car is worth about $250,000.

Ex-UFC fighter Kenny Florian says boxing's days are numbered ... and the number is 64 ... 'cause that's how many days are left until the Mayweather/Pacquiao showdown, which Florian tells TMZ Sports is the sport's last hurrah.

Florian -- who was a UFC badass from '05 to '12 -- was out at The Grove in L.A. when we asked him about the future of the other sport where guys break each other's faces.

Check out the clip -- Kenny says after Mayweather and Manny dance ... the music is going to stop ... because all of the big stars in combat sports are over in the UFC ... and NOT in pro boxing.

One man who disagrees -- Mark Wahlberg who told us M vs. P is just the beginning of boxing renaissance.

Baron Davis is in talks to return to the NBA ... TMZ Sports has learned ... with sources telling us the 35-year-old has been in communication with multiple "playoff contenders."

Davis -- a 2-time NBA All-Star -- hasn't played in the league since 2012 ... but we're told he's been keeping himself in shape and is serious about a return to the pros.

Our sources say Davis -- the #3 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft -- has been speaking with several squads who feel he could be a good backup for a young point guard.

We're told the Clippers and the Cavs are among the playoff contenders interested in Davis ... with the Lakers also in the conversation.

We're told so far ... there is NOT a deal in place, but that could change very soon.

Stay tuned ...

Buffalo Bills QB EJ Manuel is no dummy ... telling TMZ Sports he's a BIG FAN of his new boss Rex Ryan -- the man who will ultimately decide if he starts ... or gets replaced.

Of course, there have been rumblings that Ryan could make a move with the QB spot this off-season ... possibly reuniting with his old NY Jets QB Mark Sanchez to start ahead of Manuel.

But at LAX Thursday, EJ didn't seem concerned at all -- in fact, Manuel says he and Rex are getting along great ... saying, "That's my man!"

He also signed off on Rex's new Bills-themed truck and Ryan's Buffalo-inspired tattoo.

Just one month after he swore off singing forever, Manny Pacquiao has pulled a Jay Z -- UNRETIRING from music ... to record a brand new song the Floyd Mayweather fight!

Manny hit the studio recently (according GMA News in the Philippines) and laid down the tracks for "Lalaban Ako Para sa Pilipino" ... which we're told translates to "I Fight for Filipinos."

Our Filipino translators tell us Manny recorded to song specifically for his entrance music for the May 2nd superfight in Vegas.

It's an interesting move ... since Manny appeared on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" last month and told us he stopped singing forever because, "I love music ... but I don't think music loves me."

#ChangeOfHeart

Team USA swimmer Ryan Lochte crossed an item off his bucket list Thursday night ... after spending the night partying at the legendary Playboy Mansion!

Lochte hit up Hugh Hefner's place with fellow U.S. swimmers Conor Dwyer and Cullen Jones ... who was out celebrating his 31st birthday.

No word if the guys had any luck with the ladies who frequent the property ... but at least they got in the door ... and that should count for something, right?

Jon Stewart wanted a piece ... HE GOT THE PIECE!!!!

WWE superstar Seth Rollins hijacked Stewart's "Moment of Zen" on "The Daily Show" Thursday night ... in response to the smack talk video that Stewart recently made.

But Rollins didn't just talk the talk ... he then snuck up behind Jon and put him in a HEADLOCK!!!

It was pretty hilarious ... and fulfilled the promise Rollins made on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" ... when he said he'd whoop Jon's ass for running his mouth earlier this month.

And apparently the drama will continue ... with Jon promising to face off with Rollins on next week's "Monday Night Raw!!!!"

It sucks to be released ... no doubt ... but Reggie Bush tells TMZ Sports he's not giving up on the NFL just because he got cut by the Detroit Lions.

Just 24 hours after the Lions announced the move, Bush was out at Madeo in Beverly Hills ... in a pretty good mood for a guy who just lost his job.

But when we asked if it was time to throw in the towel on his football career, Bush was clear that ain't gonna happen.

It's not the craziest question ... considering Bush is about to turn 30 ... the same age as former Lions running back Barry Sanders when he decided to hang 'em up.