TMZ Sports - Page 50

Chad Johnson says NFL protests have been "politically whitewashed from why it started in the first place" -- and says kneeling has turned into "a goddamn Ice Bucket Challenge."

The ex-NFL superstar was smokin' a stogie in West Hollywood on Thursday when we asked how he felt about the Denver Broncos releasing a statement saying they will no longer kneel for the anthem.

Johnson sighed ... and said the whole protest situation in the NFL has become "unfortunate."

"We're not kneeling for the same reasons that Kaepernick kneeled for 14 months ago," Johnson said ... "It's completely different."

Johnson essentially echoed the feelings of L.A. Sparks player Essence Carson -- who told us why she's upset people have made the protest about the flag and Trump ... instead of racism and police brutality.

Tony Ferguson says he wasn't messing around when he threatened to fight Fabricio Werdum during a UFC media lunch on Thursday ... despite nearly a 100 POUND difference.

Fabricio exploded during the lunch -- shouting insults and threatened to backhand Ferguson during (what was supposed to be) a routine media event.

After the incident, Werdum said he felt disrespected by Ferguson -- and claimed the fighter had a "dark energy" about him.

Ferguson told TMZ Sports it was Werdum who was "rude" -- and if he really wants a piece, he'll gladly beat his ass in front of everyone.

[h/t MMA Fighting]

Herschel Walker says Donald Trump is RIGHT when it comes to national anthem protests -- saying the NFL needs to impose rules banning players from kneeling during The Star-Spangled Banner.

Walker has been a Trump supporter from the beginning -- and while he says they don't agree on everything, he's HAPPY Donald is sticking to his guns on the anthem issue.

The ex-NFL superstar says if anyone should fight for Americans to stand up for the flag, it's the President.

Walker says he's not trying to minimize the issue of racism in America, or police brutality -- in fact, Herschel says he'll gladly protest WITH activists after the season is over.

Ex-WWE superstar Torrie Wilson is celebrating Hugh Hefner's life -- telling TMZ Sports she's incredibly grateful for everything Hef and Playboy did for her career.

Wilson famously graced the cover of Playboy twice -- once in 2003 and again in 2004 -- and says the magazine took her already booming career to the next level.

But her favorite Playboy memories? It's all about the mansion ... telling the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show she'll always remember the crazy parties at Hef's place.

"I'm so glad that I have those stories for the rest of my life."

Check out more of Torrie tonight on "TMZ Sports" on FS1.

Ex-Indianapolis Colts fullback Roosevelt Potts was sentenced to 2 years in prison for a domestic violence incident in which he slashed a woman with a knife ... but he likely won't spend another minute behind bars.

The story is pretty crazy ...46-year-old Potts -- a pretty solid player back in the '90s -- was found guilty of domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon over a 2016 incident at his Indiana home.

Officials say the victim had two stab wounds on her shoulder following an altercation with Potts.

The woman told police she had grabbed a knife to slash Roosevelt's tires -- when he grabbed a knife of his own and cut her up.

Potts says the allegations are BS -- claiming the woman had gone after him with a knife and got cut as he tried to wrestle it away from her.

The case went to trial and Potts was found guilty of domestic battery. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison -- but that sentence is suspended with the caveat that he must complete 18 months of probation without a problem.

Albert Pujols won't have to cough up a single cent to the cousin who sued him for $27 MILLION in a case related to a fatal police chase in Missouri.

Long story short ... Albert was being sued by his cousin Wilfrido Juan Pujols -- a former baseball prodigy who was a passenger in a 2007 police chase in which a man was struck by the car and killed.

Wilfrido's brother was driving and cops say the guy was messed up on booze and drugs at the time. Wilfrido, however, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Still, Wilfrido says Albert and his wife were involved in crafting an email that went public -- which wrongly painted Wilfrido as a murderer. He wanted $27 mil for defamation.

But after spending more than a year in court, the judge ruled that Albert did nothing wrong -- and kicked Wilfrido's massive lawsuit out of court.

Did you know ... "Baby Driver" star Ansel Elgort is a DIE-HARD Knicks fan?

It's true -- and when we saw the actor out in NYC on Wednesday he sounded off about losing Carmelo Anthony.

"I'm happy for Carmelo, he didn't belong on the Knicks anymore."

Don't get it twisted, Elgort isn't throwing shade -- but says he's definitely not gonna root as hard for Melo now that he's playing for the OKC Thunder.

Cristiano Ronaldo's got a shiny, new $2.9 MILLION toy ... and he's already takin' it out for a victory lap.

The international soccer superstar posted a vid showing off the brand new 2017 Bugatti Chiron on Thursday ... with his ever-so-lucky son, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jr., ridin' shotgun.

CR7 pauses to say something to the camera -- we're not sure what -- but it's probably something like, "I'm rich, beeeyotch!!"

And, since we knew you were wondering ... the car goes from 0 to 60 in 2.3 seconds.

The Denver Broncos players say the days of kneeling for the national anthem are over -- and beginning Sunday, they will all STAND together.

The players issued a statement moments ago ... acknowledging the split this past Sunday when several players took a knee and others stood for the anthem before playing the Bills.

"Last week, members of our team joined their brothers around the NFL in a powerful display of unity ... As controversial as it appeared, we needed to show our collective strength and resolve."

But now, the players say they will be united in standing together moving forward.

"We may have different values and beliefs, but there's one thing we can all agree on: We're a team and we stand together -- no matter how divisive some comments and issues can be, nothing should ever get in the way of that."

"Starting Sunday, we'll be standing together."

Nothing says "You Can't Sit With Us" like Donald Trump's 3 predecessors crashing the Presidents Cup to watch the first tee shots -- sans the current Prez ... who loves golf.

Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attended the trophy presentation together Thursday at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, before the foursome matches kicked off between America and its international competition.

The ex-Presidents looked super chummy, greeting the crowd and shaking hands. The irony, of course, is Prez Trump is a big-time golfer, and even has a golf course just 40 miles away from where the ex-Presidents were chilling.

Then again, Trump has bigger things to worry about now -- while these guys have done their duty already.

L.A. Sparks player Essence Carson is telling TMZ Sports why the team walked off the court for the national anthem during games 1 and 2 of the WNBA Finals this week ... and why it's NOT about the flag.

FYI, the Sparks were booed in Minneapolis when they returned to the floor following their demonstration -- but Carson says people are completely missing the point of the protest.

"Everyone's so focused on the flag. It's not even about the flag. It's about racial equality, criminal justice reform, police brutality and everything along those lines and I feel like people are forgetting that."

Carson says she hopes "one day [people] will finally understand the point of it all."

Essence also says she feels like she's truly standing up for something she believes in -- and it doesn't sound like the team will stop the demonstration anytime soon.

Washington Wizards baller Kelly Oubre is setting the record straight -- saying he's "NOT a lesbian" ... despite what some fans say.

The 21-year-old rising star was talking to CSN Mid Atlantic about some of the crap he gets from opposing fans ... and dropped this shocker.

"People call me a lesbian a lot. They think I look like a female girl or a teenage girl or something."

So, why the lesbian jabs? Oubre says he thinks he knows why ...

"I understand I'm a pretty dude. They might be mad that their wife likes me or something."

But to be clear -- "I'm not a lesbian. I'm a grown man."

"I've heard that multiple times. I guess it's something to try to get under my skin, but at the end of the day I know who I am."

And now you know.

Floyd Mayweather says he's officially a member of the Tres Commas club -- despite the fact he never cashed his TWO biggest fight checks.

The boxing superstar was leaving Warwick nightclub in L.A. -- not too far from his brand new Bev Hills mansion -- when he started talking about his favorite thing in the world ... his bank account.

"I already made up a billion dollars," Floyd declared ... "That was easy!"

But is it true? It's definitely possible.

Before the McGregor fight, Forbes reported Mayweather had racked up slightly more than $700 MILLION in career boxing earnings.

And with a reported $300 to $400 mil payday for beating up Conor, it would definitely put Floyd over the top. Funny part is, Floyd says the McGregor fight check (and the Pacquiao check) haven't even been cashed yet.

Pay attention Meghan Markle ... Prince Harry's got a serious case of baby fever -- based on the baby faces he busted out with a toddler, anyway.

HRH was hamming it up Wednesday with the daughter of British paralympian Dave Henson during the Invictus Games in Toronto. The little girl, Emily, seemed impressed with Harry's face game.

Tongue out, duck lips, shocked hand-over-mouth, nervous grimace -- he had all the classics working.

Ex-NBA player Bonzi Wells underwent surgery in an Indiana hospital after suffering a heart attack -- but the 41-year-old says he's okay now.

Unclear when Wells was admitted to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis -- but Wells says he's back home now and "feeling good."

Wells told the Star Press the heart attack was "minor" -- explaining, "Small clot hit bottom part of the heart. Had surgery so I'm back to 100% no restrictions."

Wells posted a photo with one of the nurses at the hospital and wrote, "I wanna thank these ladies for saving my life."

"They went above and beyond to make sure I would be ok."

Bonzi played 10 seasons in the NBA for teams including the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.

You're looking at Maria Sharapova's worst nightmare -- a fully SNAPPED BACK Serena Williams ... looking fit, focused and ready to beat that ass ... less than a month after giving birth.

Serena gave birth to little Alexis Jr. on Sept. 1 -- and spent several days in the hospital due to "complications."

But early Thursday morning, Serena posted her first full-body post-preggo selfie -- and she looks superhero fit.

Seriously, this is a woman who won a major tennis tourney while pregnant -- who crushed it in the gym at 35 weeks pregnant -- and whose mother guaranteed she'd return to dominate the pro game after the kid was born.

So, when will Serena return? The next Grand Slam is the Australian Open in January ... the same tourney she won while she was in her 1st trimester.

You've been warned.