TMZ Sports - Page 50

We've got some great Nature Boy news -- Ric Flair is "awake, communicating and progressing" ... according to his rep.

The legendary wrestler's been hospitalized in critical condition since early this week after undergoing surgery and suffering from multiple organ problems. ... but it sounds like he's making strides toward recovery.

He's definitely not out of the woods yet, though -- his rep Melinda says there are still "complications" ... so Ric needs his rest.

Melinda thanked fans for the outpouring of prayers and well wishes and says Flair's a survivor -- Hulk Hogan would agree -- and that he's even been able to cut a promo on a nurse.

A very, very good sign indeed. Get well soon, Nature Boy!!!

Hulk Hogan is thanking God Ric Flair seems to be doing better after his medical emergency.

Hulk was at Newark Airport Friday when he told the photog his famous counterpart seems to be improving. As we reported, Ric had been placed in a medically-induced coma earlier this week and underwent surgery Monday.

As far as we know Ric is still in critical condition after suffering multiple organ problems.

On a much lighter note, Hulk scoffs at Stone Cold Steve Austin, who just bragged he could easily go toe-to-toe with the Hulkster.

Sugar Ray Leonard seemed genuinely shocked that Floyd Mayweather told the world he will party every night from now through next Saturday, when he faces off with Conor McGregor.

The former champ seemed almost in disbelief that Floyd would do such a thing, although there's a good argument Floyd's saying it just to promote his Vegas gentleman's club, Girl Collection.

TMZ Sports has obtained injury photos from the man Robert Horry tried to fight at a youth basketball game ... which shows bloody damage to the man's neck.

We broke the story ... Horry is under investigation for allegedly attacking the opposing coach at his 10-year-old son's youth basketball tournament at L.A. Live on August 5.

The opposing coach tells TMZ Sports -- he was a big Horry fan BEFORE the tournament. But Robert was aggressive and out-of-line from the moment he got to the courts.

The coach -- who doesn't want to be named -- says Horry was cussing and talking trash before and during the game and initiated the violent encounter that was captured on video.

The coach says he was"terrified" of Horry and only shoved the 46-year-old to protect himself.

Horry tells a different story ... claiming the coach struck first.

Cops are currently investigating the incident.

Hear that noise? It's the sound of every athlete banging his head against the wall for not shooting his shot with Samantha Hoopes sooner ... 'cause the S.I. bikini model's steering clear of ballers for good.

We spoke with the smokin' hot 26-year-old about her decision to quit bangin' athletes ... and she says jocks are just too "messy" for her liking.

Hoopes has been spotted out with Russell Wilson in the past and publicly gushed about Blake Griffin ... but she clearly eyes guys in a different field now.

Sorry, fellas ...

Nate Boyer -- the former Army Green Beret who played briefly with the Seahawks -- says he doesn't exactly agree with Marshawn Lynch's national anthem protest ... but he fought for his right to do it!

Boyer's story is legendary ... he served 6 years with the U.S. military doing multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before returning and walking on to the University of Texas football team.

After college, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2015 -- and went through camp with Marshawn and Michael Bennett ... guys he really likes and respects.

So, we figured he was the perfect guy to talk to about Marshawn and Bennett both sitting for the anthem during the NFL pre-season games.

"They have every right to do what they're doing. I don't necessarily agree with it but it's their right and it's the right that I fought for."

He continued ... "They're not hurting anybody. They're not hitting women like some of these people in the league are doing."

Boyer -- who also consulted Colin Kaepernick about his controversial protest last season -- says what's more problematic to him is the state of the country.

"I think as a service member, it's more upsetting for me to come back from fighting for my country overseas to see how divided we are and how angry we are at each other as a country, I'm more hurt by that than somebody sitting down during the anthem."

Gary Payton -- NBA champion, 9-time all-star, Hall of Famer ... and rap music icon?!

You better believe it!!

The Glove is still "Livin' Legal and Large" 15 years after his lyrical debut as the Too $hort of the NBA ... giving TMZ Sports a super-exclusive rendition of his 1993 hit!!

G.P. and other NBA stars like Jason Kidd, Shaq and Brian Shaw teamed up for the "B-Ball's Best Kept Secret" mixtape back in their playing days ... but it's clear Payton hasn't put his bar spittin' days behind him.

"Comin' up as a youngsta, the G had faith!!!"

Cody Bellinger's hot streak continues -- and here's the proof.

The 22-year-old Dodgers rookie phenom has been dating Melyssa Perez -- a pre-law student at the University of Texas (hook 'em), TMZ Sports has learned.

Our sources say the two aren't official or anything ... but they've been on a few dates and he's brought her to the stadium -- even bringing her on the field and into the dugout.

Our Dodgers spies tell us the two were even seen getting kissy and cuddly after the Dodgers beat the White Sox earlier this week.

Kid's havin' a season, huh?!

Jay-Z says he is 100 percent behind LaVar Ball ... so much so that he bought 3 pairs of ZO2 shoes, and says that all of black America should support Ball too, because BBB is an African-American company.

Hov sat down with Elliot Wilson & B.Dot on the Rap Radar Podcast on Tidal, and made it clear he thinks what Ball is doing is revolutionary, and necessary for black empowerment.

"Why wouldn't I support him? He feels like he could move culture and his son has a big enough name and a big enough brand that they can do it. Nike had to start somewhere. Why do we get so upset when we, us as a culture, want to start our own sh*t? That sh*t is puzzling to me."

This is a huge moment for BBB ... Jay-Z is arguably the most influential figure in hip hop, and a co-sign this strong is surely to reshape some opinions people might have on LaVar, a dude who's made some negative press lately.

If you like smokin' hot women in bikinis, here's some good news, bad news about the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight ...

Bad news ... the UFC's legendary Octagon girls will NOT be working the event.

Good news ... we're told the Corona Girls will handle ring card duties instead -- and they ain't no slouches!

Here's the deal ... Corona won the bid to become the official beer of the fight -- which means they get prime in-ring promotion, which includes the beautiful women holding the ring cards.

So, what will the Octagon girls be doing on August 26? Hustlin' baby!

We spoke with Arianny Celeste, who says she'll be hosting a fight party in Miami ... and, shocker, she's rooting for Conor.

The Bowling Green kicker who went viral for hitting a "Make This And You Get a Full Scholarship" kick at practice says he was confident at 53 yards ... 'cause he can hit from 60!

We spoke with Jake Suder -- who came through CLUTCH at Monday's practice when Coach Mike Jinks surprised him in the middle of the session by saying, "Make this and you get a full ride."

FYI, Bowling Green costs $20,000 per year for an Ohio resident.

Suder connected -- and his teammates went wild!!

We asked Suder and Coach Jinks what they were thinking right before and during the kick -- the whole thing is pretty awesome.

Congrats to Suder -- and to the entire BG program. Dope moment.

The war rages ... with Shaquille O'Neal throwing even MORE shade at his Big Baller nemesis.

This time, Shaq (aka DJ Diesel) was spinnin' at the Rehab pool party at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas over the weekend, when DJ Whoo Kid asked him if there was an update on the beef with him and LaVar Ball.

"I don't even know who that is," Shaq said before throwing even more shade at Lonzo's dad.

Whoo Kid added, "F*ck that n**ga."

Shaq's been beefin' with LaVar for a while -- and even dropped a diss track about the guy.

LaVar responded by calling him old and irrelevant.

The drama continues ...

Here's Yadier Molina and his St. Louis Cardinals teammates showing that winning is a whole lot of freakin' fun ... having a Latin-flavored dance party on the team plane on the way to Boston.

The Cards played the Red Sox earlier this week, and even though they dropped two to the Beantown boys, they're still 7-3 in their last 10, gaining on the Cubs in the Central, with a lot to celebrate.

Seems like the guys had it all planned out and ride the drop perfectly as they bruck out in unison to the song, "Krippy Kush" by Farruko ft. Bad Bunny.

Yeah, we've never heard of those guys either, but the song is pretty lit.

Pittsburgh Steelers badass James Harrison is opening up about how he REALLY feels about national anthem protesters ... in the wake of a fake threat attributed to him last week.

The false quote whizzed around social media -- claiming Harrison said, "Anyone on my team sits for the anthem, they better be in a wheelchair."

He never said it. It was completely made up.

But now, Harrison is telling The MMQB how he would feel if his teammates decided to follow guys like Marshawn Lynch and Michael Bennett.

"That’s up to the individual ... if they feel like that’s something they want to do, that’s their right."

Big month for Derek Jeter -- first he gets the Marlins and now HIS FIRST KID!

Jeter's wife, Hannah Davis, gave birth to Bella Raine Jeter on Thursday, August 17, Jeter's media outlet The Player's Tribute confirmed.

The Yankees tweeted a message to Jeter ... saying, "Congrats to Derek & Hannah Jeter on the birth of their daughter, Bella Raine Jeter. We can't wait to meet her!"

Question is ... with Jeter expected to buy the Marlins, will the kid grow up rooting for Miami or New York!??!

Jeter and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover model started dating back in 2011. They got engaged in 2015 and finally tied the knot last year in Napa, California. She's 27. He's 43.

Bella is their first child.

Back when Jeter retired from baseball in 2014, he said he wanted to start a family. Mission accomplished.

Congrats!

BALLLLLLLLLLLIN'!!!!!

Magic Johnson has upgraded in a big way ... going from a $500k-per-week yacht to a $700k-per-week yacht -- and he's about to complete his 3RD WEEK on the floating mansion.

The NBA legend is currently floating around the Amalfi Coast with Sam Jackson on a boat called the Siren ... which is advertised at $680k-per-week during Summer high season.

It's 73 meters long -- has a movie theater, gym, dining room, hot tub, helicopter pad, an elevator ... and, of course, WiFi.

Johnson and his family boarded the yacht on August 1 after touching down in a private jet.

Some of the family has left -- but Magic and Cookie Johnson are currently traveling with their good friends, The Jacksons.

In previous years, Magic rented out a cheaper yacht -- The Amadeus -- which used to run him about $527k per week.

Seems like he's enjoying the upgrade -- Friday morning, Magic took one of his jet skis out for a ride off the coast of Positano.

Magic just turned 58 on Monday -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!