TMZ Sports - Page 50

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar underwent emergency heart surgery -- a quadruple coronary bypass at UCLA Medical Center ... and it sounds like he came through with flying colors.

The hospital says the hoops Hall of Famer was admitted earlier this week, and had the lifesaving surgery on Thursday ... to clear major blockage of his heart. Fittingly, for the UCLA legend ... the surgery was performed by the hospital's chief of cardiac surgery, Dr. Richard Shemin.

Floyd Mayweather doesn't give a single DAMN about Conor McGregor -- telling TMZ Sports the UFC fighter is a joke ... who's using his name to try to get some cheap publicity.

Earlier this week, McGregor said he'd DESTROY Mayweather in a fight in less than 30 seconds -- because Floyd wouldn't be able to handle an MMA-style attack.

But sources close to Mayweather tell us ... Floyd "scoffed" when he saw the quotes and said, "I don't take that dude seriously. He's just trying to get himself some publicity."

Aaron Hernandez will be on the receiving end of some serious prayers from Tim Tebow's parents ... so says a rep for the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association.

FYI -- Aaron and Tim were teammates at the University of Florida ... and Tim considered Aaron a good friend at the time.

We spoke with a rep for the BTEA who tells us the Hernandez trial has been a hot topic at the association headquarters in Jacksonville ... and the decision was made to pray for Aaron's soul.

"I can tell you that the situation has been mentioned by some people in the office the last few days and I know that Bob and Pam and the entire Tebow family haven't said much ... but they will absolutely be praying for Aaron Hernandez."

The rep continued, "We will actually dedicate a prayer to Hernandez on Tuesday."

The family of Odin Lloyd will also be a target for prayer -- with the rep saying, "We can be praying for [Hernandez] as well as all affected from the situation."

Nikki Minaj posted a picture of the crazy diamond ring her BF Meek Mill gave her -- and then got Insta-blasted by Floyd Mayweather’s girlfriend ... who has the same ring!

Then Meek started ripping into Floyd's GF ... and then it was basically a bunch of “messy, messy ring mess.“ Y'know how THAT goes.

A powerful obesity group is lashing out at ESPN's Britt McHenry -- demanding she PERSONALLY APOLOGIZE to the tow truck worker she berated over her physical appearance.

The Obesity Action Coalition -- a leader in the big person community -- says they were disgusted when they watched the video of Britt telling the worker to "lose some weight, baby girl."

"It was wrong and very inappropriate," says OAC honcho James Zervios.

The OAC says it's aware of Britt's Twitter apology -- but says they group is demanding more action.

"Britt should apologize to the woman directly. I think the apology on Twitter was more about explaining herself to her employer and the people who follow her."

"The fact remains she made a comment about someone's weight. She wouldn't have done that with any other disease. If she was battling cancer, she wouldn't attack that. But she attacked her weight."

The reign of the NFL is over ... long live HOCKEY ... so says one of the founding member of Run DMC. Darryl McDaniels.

Darryl says he used to be a HUUUGE football fan -- until he saw the NY Rangers play.

Now, he's one of their biggest fans -- and yesterday, the guy was like a ROCK STAR on his way into Madison Square Garden to watch his squad take on the Pittsburgh Penguins.

BTW, the Rangers won the game 2-1.

The Seattle Seahawks stormed the beach in Hawaii this week ... for a full, hardcore workout session on the sand ... in front of a bunch of normies trying to relax on the sand.

It's pretty cool -- imagine you're on a lounge chair with your pina colada ... when all of the sudden Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman and the rest of the squad roll up and start wind-sprinting!

BTW -- Richard was wearing those 5-toed shoe thingies ... and the whole gang brought it together for a group huddle at the end of the training sesh.

Check out the pics.

Johnny Manziel says he learned a "tremendous" amount about himself during his stint in rehab -- and says he's ready to prove he's a changed man.

The Cleveland Browns QB just issued a statement ... in which he apologizes for letting down the Browns organization and his fans.

He also says he takes "full responsibility" for his actions -- and though he doesn't get into specifics, he's clearly referring to his highly publicized alcohol fueled benders last season.

He concludes by saying he wants to focus on football -- and wants to be "the best possible player, teammate, and man that [he] can be."

Here's the statement in full ...

"I would like to thank my family, friends, the Browns organization, my teammates, and Browns fans everywhere, for your patience, understanding, and support during my stay at Caron.

The doctors and staff have been amazing and what I’ve learned in the last couple of months has been tremendous. I owe private apologies to a lot of people that I disappointed but a very public one to the Browns organization and the fans that I let down.

I take full responsibility for my actions and it’s my intention to work very hard to regain everyone’s trust and respect. I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say.

I also understand there’s a lot of curiosity about this but anyone who has a friend or family-member that’s been through things like this knows it’s an ongoing process. I’m going to continue to ask folks to try to respect my privacy as I determine to what degree I am comfortable talking about a subject which I consider very personal.

Lakers star Nick Young says he feels like he woke up out of a nightmare ... now that the squad's historically bad NBA season is finally over ... saying, "It was tough for us."

After the Lakers capped off the worst season in team history, Young hit up Toast Cafe in L.A. -- and essentially told us he's glad it's finally over.

As for the two young players who hit the club after the team's final loss, Young says people should cut 'em some slack -- "They deserve to unwind a little bit."

TMZ Sports has obtained footage from Adrien Broner's DUI arrest in Ohio back in January -- in which the boxer insists he's NOT drunk ... but brags about making more than $100 MILLION in his career!!

The footage shows Broner being pulled over around 1:30 AM in his white Mercedes on January 11th -- after the cop sees the boxing champ driving in two lanes.

At first, things seem bad for Broner -- the officer is pissed and Broner can be heard slurring his words.

But things take a turn -- Broner professes his innocence ... and actually charms the cop, who eventually tells him she just wants the best for him.

During the arrest, Broner talks ... A LOT ... and says some interesting stuff. Among the highlights:

-- "Ya'll don't know who you arrested. If ya'll did, I'd be on the news right now."
-- The cop compliments Broner's physique.
-- Broner tells the cop, "I love you."
-- Cop asks Broner where he fights. Broner responds, "The world."

But the best part ... when Broner tells the cop he's "blessed" -- 'cause he's made more than $100 million in his career.

The woman on the receiving end of Britt McHenry's impound lot tirade is praised by her bosses -- who say they're PROUD of the way the employee kept her cool amid the ESPN reporter's attacks.

As we previously reported, McHenry exploded on the impound lot attendant -- calling her an unattractive, uneducated loser. It was nasty evil stuff.

TMZ Sports spoke with the manager of Advanced Towing in Arlington, Virginia who says ... "It's unfortunate that [our employee] had to withstand that."

"It wasn't [our employee's fault] that Britt's car was towed. It's her own fault. She was in the wrong. That's why she was towed."

"Now people can see what really happened. Sometimes you have to own up to your own actions."

As for the employee, the manager says -- "She's the kind of person we try to employ here. She handled this the right way. She kept her cool the whole time."

Britt has since apologized and ESPN has suspended her for a week.

So, how did the tow company feel about her punishment?

Jameis Winston's alleged rape victim isn't going away quietly -- she's just filed a civil lawsuit against him ... even though he's already been cleared twice in the case.

Erica Kinsman filed docs in Orange County, Florida Thursday ... accusing the ex FSU QB of sexual battery, assault, and false imprisonment. The suit comes four months after Florida State University declined to charge Winston in a code of conduct hearing.

Back in December, 2013 ... Winston also cleared of any criminal wrongdoing when the State Attorney's Office declined to charge him due to lack of evidence.

In her lawsuit, Kinsman says she suffered "intentional infliction of emotional distress arising out rape."

Aaron Hernandez has been placed on suicide watch at the prison where he is temporarily being held ... TMZ Sports has learned.

After Hernandez was convicted of murdering Odin Lloyd, he was transported to MCI Cedar Junction in Massachusetts ... where he will stay until he is transferred to his permanent prison.

We're told he has been isolated from the general inmate population -- not only for his own protection (since he's a high profile inmate), but so officials can evaluate him ... and determine where he will stay at the prison.

2:10 PM PT -- ESPN just suspended McHenry for one week.

1:30 PM PT -- McHenry issued an apology on Twitter, saying, "In an intense and stressful moment, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and said some insulting and regrettable things. As frustrated as I was, I should always choose to be respectful and take the high road. I am so sorry for my actions and will learn from this mistake."

ESPN tells TMZ Sports ... the network has launched an investigation into reporter Britt McHenry -- after footage surfaced showing her recently BERATING a towing company employee.

The footage is shocking -- appearing to show McHenry GOING OFF on a worker while trying to get her car out of an impound lot in Virginia ... ripping the worker's appearance, education and financial status.

Oh, and she dropped the epic, "I’m in the news sweetheart, I will f***ing sue this place."

Conor McGregor's got some major support from his boss -- 'cause UFC honcho Dana White tells TMZ Sports he's 100% confident Conor would CRUSH Floyd Mayweather in a street fight.

Dana was out in NYC today ... when we asked about McGregor's fight prediction -- that he would WRECK Floyd in less than 30 seconds.

White doubled down even harder -- saying EVERY SINGLE FIGHTER on the UFC roster could take it to Floyd ... 'cause he's only skilled in 1 simple fighting style.

The MILLION DOLLAR championship belt that will be awarded to the winner of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao has its own private security detail that will escort it from Mexico to Vegas ... TMZ Sports has learned.

A rep for the World Boxing Council tells us ... the belt -- which is encrusted with more than 3,000 real miniature emeralds -- will be unveiled on Monday in Mexico ... at WBC headquarters.

After it makes its public debut, the belt will travel to the MGM Grand -- escorted by the President of the World Boxing Council and 2 private security guards.

Ultimately, the belt will be handed over to MGM officials -- who will safeguard the belt in a special case until the night of the fight.