TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jon Jones violently bashed his head into a cop car and called an officer a "f***ing nerd" during his arrest on the Las Vegas strip back in September ... new police video shows.

In the footage, Jones -- who was in handcuffs and surrounded by cops following an alleged altercation with his fiancee at a nearby hotel -- was clearly furious with officers, screaming at them relentlessly.

The UFC superstar can be heard in the clip asking why he was being detained ... before he launched a verbal tirade against one of the cops standing next to him.

Jones repeatedly called the man a "nerd" ... asking for his name over and over again. Jones also accused the cop and other officers of embarrassing him on an important night for him (his epic 2013 fight against Alexander Gustafsson was being inducted into the Hall of Fame).

Video shows Jones got so upset with the police -- he actually slammed his forehead into the hood of the police cruiser he was being held up against.

At that point, officers rushed him away, chastising him for the move.

As we reported, Jones was being arrested after he was accused of getting physical with his fiancee and pulling her hair at around 5 AM at Caesars Palace on Sept. 24.

Jones was ultimately hit with misdemeanor domestic battery and felony tampering with a vehicle over the incident ... though court records showed officials dropped the misdemeanor count against the fighter in December after he pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge of destroying property of another.

As part of his sentencing, records showed the 34-year-old was ordered to stay out of trouble, pay restitution to the victim, and take anger management counseling.

Tennis star Alexander Zverev was disqualified from the Mexican Open this week ... after he repeatedly attacked an umpire's chair during a wild meltdown.

It all started after the third set of Zverev and Marcelo Melo's doubles match against Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara on Tuesday.

Zverev got frustrated after his opponents -- who had been leading in the final set -- logged an ace for match point ... which he felt shouldn't have counted.

That's when AZ totally lost it -- screaming expletives in frustration, storming over to the umpire's chair and smashing it with his tennis racket.

In the video, you can see one of Alexander's strikes almost catches the official in the foot. Fortunately, he wasn't hit as a result of the temper tantrum.

The incident came with a price ... as the ATP Tour announced Zverev will not be allowed to compete in the remainder of the tournament.

"Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco," the tour said in a statement on its official Twitter account.

Silver lining?? Zverev gave his destroyed racket to a fan in the crowd. Souvenir!!

It's possible the ATP tour could discipline Alex further ... and a suspension could be on the table for the world's #3 tennis player.

Odell Beckham Jr.'s special February just got a whole lot more memorable -- the NFL superstar announced his model GF, Lauren Wood, gave birth to their first child last week!!

OBJ said the baby, Zydn, was born on Feb. 17 -- just four days after the L.A. Rams wideout won Super Bowl LVI.

"THE biggest blessing I've ever had in my life arrived here on earth!" Beckham wrote in a lengthy social media post.

"The words, I can't even put together for the overwhelming emotions that ran thru me … a moment I will never forget and cherish forever. Zydn was born n at that moment I knew my life changed for the better."

Beckham, who also praised Wood in the message, attached several adorable pictures of him and Wood cuddling with the baby.

The two -- who have been dating for several years -- announced the pregnancy back in November.

Beckham also announced he underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair the ACL he tore during the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.

OBJ said the road to recovery has already begun -- and then he promised to return in 2022 "better than ever before."

More trouble for ex-NFL running back Zac Stacy ... TMZ Sports has learned he's been hit with five more criminal charges, these stemming from an alleged August attack on his ex.

According to court records, Stacy was hit with three misdemeanor domestic violence battery charges last week, as well as two misdemeanor criminal mischief charges.

In court documents, officials say the charges stem from an Aug. 16, 2021 incident with his ex-girlfriend, Kristin Evans -- the same woman Stacy was seen on video brutalizing in November 2021.

Officials did not specifically spell out the allegations against Stacy in the docs ... but Evans previously claimed in a restraining order application in Florida that the former football player had flown into a violent rage over rent money back in August.

"He physically assaulted me several times because he wanted the money back he gave me for our rent," Evans wrote in the application.

"He punched my legs, slapped me, picked me up by my arms, and threw me into my window, which broke. I had glass in my feet that I removed myself."

Evans provided TMZ Sports photos of the injuries she says she suffered in the alleged attack ... showing large bruises and cuts on her body.

Stacy is due for a hearing on the new charges in Orange County, Fla. court next month.

Longtime NBA referee Ken Mauer says he was forced out of the league ... after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious reasons.

The 36-year NBA veteran joined Jason Whitlock on his show, "Fearless"... and revealed the reason he's been MIA from the hardwood this year is because of the league's vax mandate.

“I never thought that my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ would prevent me or stop me or get in the way of me refereeing NBA basketball games. That’s what’s happened,” Mauer said. “Not to just me, but other people.”

Mauer -- who was raised Catholic -- told the BlazeTV host that after doing his own research he has concerns about the jab -- explaining he believes aborted fetal tissue was used in the development of the vax.

The 66-year-old told Whitlock that as many as 17 referees initially opposed the vax mandate that the NBA included in the collective bargaining agreement before the season started.

FYI, there is currently no vaccine mandate for players.

Ken also said many of his colleagues didn't want to take the vaccine ... but ultimately felt forced to get jabbed because their livelihood and ability to provide for their family was at stake.

"There are many referees who were forced to because they have children, they have families, and they have bills to pay," Mauer said. "They’re scared and I’m not. I’m never going to take the vaccine."

Mauer expressed no regrets over his decision to remain unvaccinated ... and says he thinks it's a shame workers across the country are being bullied into getting the shot.

Phil Mickelson says the insensitive comments he made recently about a new Saudi golf league were taken "out of context and without my consent" ... but the golf star is still issuing a mea culpa nonetheless.

Phil broke it all down in a lengthy statement on his social media page Tuesday ... just days after he admitted to supporting the formation of a new Saudi golf league, despite what he called the country's "horrible record of human rights."

"We know they killed (Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal) Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights," Mickelson said, according to The Fire Pit Collective.

"They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape how the PGA Tour operates."

Phil went on to say that he believed the new Saudi league -- which was reportedly trying to sway top American golfers with millions of dollars in cash -- could force big and necessary changes on the PGA Tour.

While Phil said Tuesday the comments were "off record" and out of context -- he admitted that the words were offensive and regrettable regardless.

"It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words," Mickelson said in his statement. "I'm beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this."

He continued, "My intent was never to hurt anyone and I’m so sorry to the people I have negatively impacted. This has always been about supporting the players and the game and I appreciate all the people who have given me the benefit of the doubt."

Phil then hinted he could take a step away from the game for a while following the controversy ... saying he "desperately" needs "some time away."

A super-rare Kobe Bryant card just netted a fortune in a private sale ... with TMZ Sports learning the piece sold for a staggering $2 MILLION!!

The card is a 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems piece -- and it's one of the rarest Black Mamba cards in existence.

It's numbered to 100, although only 10 of the emerald version were ever made, and with an 8.5 grade, it's still in ridiculously good condition.

Officials at PWCC Marketplace -- which brokered the sale -- tell us the historic sale went down last week ... saying it set an all-time record for a Kobe card.

"This is arguably Kobe's best card in existence," PWCC exec Jesse Craig said. "It's more desirable than even a Kobe Bryant rookie card or a Kobe Bryant autograph."

The front of the card features a still image of a young Bryant donning his #8 Lakers jersey ... and passing the basketball with flair.

The back of the card displays the Mamba with a focused look on his face ... and his stats from the '96-'97 season.

Craig tells us the card's design is also what makes it so valuable ... because it was one of the first-ever created in the "insert" style mold.

"These Precious Metal Gems variants are arguably the most desired insert card in the entire world," Craig said. "These set the tone for the insert market going forward."

No word on who the buyer is ... but something tells us they're pretty rich.

Mitchell Robinson's dad is missing ... and the New York Knicks center is asking everyone for help finding him.

Robinson -- who was drafted in the second round by the Knicks in 2018 -- expressed concern on social media ... saying his dad, Mitchell Robinson Jr., has been MIA since Feb 13.

"My dad is missing if you have info on his whereabouts please contact 850-436-9620," the number for the Escambia County Sheriff's Dept., Mitchell wrote.

Days later, Robinson once again took to social media ... pleading with the public to help him locate his father.

"Don't know a place the devil will hide you ... Come home pops," Robinson wrote on his Instagram story.

The Escambia County Sherriff's Office is aware of Robinson Jr.'s disappearance ... and reports that Robinson Jr. was actually last seen on Feb 11.

The sheriff's office is currently investigating the manner ... and shared a photo of Mitchell's dad, as well information surrounding his last whereabouts on its Facebook page.

Robinson has played in 53 games for the Knicks this season ... and has seen an increase in his productivity and efficiency across the board.

Matthew Stafford says he feels awful about the way he reacted to a photog falling off the stage at the Rams' Super Bowl rally ... revealing he personally reached out to her to apologize.

As we previously reported, Kelly Smiley fractured her spine after attempting to take a pic of Matthew and his wife last week ... and the QB was captured on video quickly turning around and walking away.

Stafford was criticized for how he handled the situation ... with some people saying he should have stepped in to help out.

Matthew and his wife discussed the incident from their perspective on Kelly's "The Morning After" podcast this week ... and she says the QB DID show concern.

"Matthew looked at me and said 'check her please,' and turned around," Kelly said .... adding he personally texted the photog afterwards.

"That obviously happened really quickly and suddenly and unexpectedly and I wish I had a better reaction in the moment," Matthew added. "I didn’t. I apologized to her for that. But I’m glad that all in all she’s doing all right."

BTW -- the Staffords and Rams will be paying for Smiley's broken camera equipment and medical bills.

There's more -- Matthew and Kelly also talk about just how awful their hungover Disneyland trip was ... and the convo will make you wanna drink a ton of water.

"Disney is a beautiful, amazing place when you are sober," Kelly said. "When you are hungover and when you are still a little tipsy, not so much. If you didn’t have kids, maybe it would be a little more fun."

A man driving a white SUV was arrested by cops in San Diego after he was busted doing donuts on the field at Petco Park!!

😄😄😄😄

The incident went down Friday morning around 10 AM ... as the grounds crew was working to restore the field for the upcoming (fingers crossed?) baseball season, according to the San Diego Tribune.

Check out the video. The driver is seen doing donuts on the field before members of the grounds crew realized what was happening, blocking him from leaving the field using a small forklift until San Diego Police Department arrived.

Thankfully, a man named Ryan Carlson happened to be at the ballpark to witness the action ... and was fast enough to grab his phone and get some video of the crazy scene.

The driver was ultimately apprehended -- bringing his "thrill ride" to an end -- and charged for felony vandalism for "causing some damage to the field," according to the newspaper.

Cops tell TMZ Sports they are investigating the junior hockey player who violently punched a referee during a game in Massachusetts on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Foxborough Police Dept. confirmed on Tuesday that cops were called to the Foxborough Sports Center at around 2:22 PM on Sunday after a member of the South Shore Kings had unloaded a right hand into the face of a ref in the middle of a game.

Cops tell us they have yet to determine if there is a "criminal element" ... but did say they are aware of the video of the punch and are currently interviewing all of the involved parties.

"At this time no further information will be released," the spokesperson said, "as it is still under investigation."

As we previously reported, the United States Premier Hockey League hit the player with a lifetime ban from its league over the punch.

No All-Star Game selection (and no healthy elbow) for Paul George, clearly no problem ...

The Clippers forward was spotted living it up in St. Barts instead of healthily playing in the NBA's showcase this weekend ... being seen shirtless in the sun with his fiancee, Daniela Rajic.

George looked to have no issue whatsoever with being away from the trainer's room and the hardwood for a few days ... and Rajic, sporting a colorful one-piece, didn't seem to have too much issue with it either.

The couple has a few more days to burn in the Caribbean Sea too ... as George's Clippers don't return to action until Friday when they take on the Lakers.

George's teammates, meanwhile, are certainly hoping the vacay heals their star ... the guy started the season on fire but has been out the past few weeks with a serious elbow injury.

"I can't have people speaking out. If you're gonna speak my name you better be sure. [Volkan Oezdemir] spoke it, so now I'm gonna make an example out of him."

That's #10 ranked UFC light heavyweight Jamahal Hill -- fresh off a first-round knockout of Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night -- calling his next shot ... declaring he wants to fight #8 ranked Oezdemir.

"I've already said it, bro. As long as I got the say so, [Volkan's] next."

But, why are the guys beefin'?

After Hill's impressive knockout of then #10 ranked Walker, Jamahal called out his doubters. Oezdemir responded to a Tweet about "Sweet Dreams," writing "I'm still doubting [Hill]"

And, that isn't sitting well with Jamahal.

"Bro, he really don't understand. And, it's not like I'm emotional or taking it a type of way, it's just now I really wanna f*** you up so now my focus is on that."

FYI, Oezdemir has lost his last 2 fights ... but has been in the cage with some of the baddest men in the world. Volkan has wins over Aleksandar Rakic, Ilir Latifi, Jimi Manuwa and Ovince St. Preux.

There's more ... we also talked to Hill -- who says he's going back to the gym Tuesday -- about his time inside the Octagon with Walker. JH says Johnny has all the physical tools ... and it's clear Hill doesn't believe Johnny is washed.

"Physicality. He was huge. He felt like he was about 225. He was a big dude. Also, his mental prowess is a lot higher than people give him credit for."

Hill had a final message for Oezdemir ... let's do this.

Jarvis Landry insists he doesn't want to pull an Odell Beckham and get the hell outta Cleveland ... saying he would like to stay with the Browns, despite a cryptic social media post suggesting otherwise.

The 5-time Pro Bowler had the Dawg Pound running wild on Monday after posting a super-dramatic video to his Instagram page ... featuring a snippet of the movie "Passengers," which says -- "You're not where you want to be. You feel like you're supposed to be somewhere else."

Now, Landry is going to Twitter to provide detail on his current situation with the team ... saying he was banged up all last season because he returned from an injury too early.

"Reality behind all this is I came back to play in the best shape of my life, I got hurt week 2 with a high grade MCL Sprain, Partial quad tear and bone bruise," he said minutes ago.

"Then came back way to early and ended up staying hurt the entire season. You never heard me mention anything about it."

Then, Landry dropped this.

"I have put the ball in CLE court by telling them I would like to stay but if not then I’m confident enough in myself to be a better healthy me this year and moving forward to helping do my part in winning a championship elsewhere."

Landry also has a message for anyone questioning his toughness and durability ... saying, "Before this year I missed 0 games. So push y'all narrative, it's noted ✊🏾✊🏾"

Landry has certainly seemed at least a bit pissed off with the Browns in recent months ... and even sparked more concern after he hit the "like" button on a message OBJ tweeted that said "QBs matter for receivers."

There might be a whole bunch of mini Simone Biles's tumbling around soon ... 'cause she just revealed her fiancé, NFL player Jonathan Owens, wants "a football team" of kids in the future!!

The Olympic gold medalist had a Q&A with fans on Monday night just days after she got engaged to the Houston Texans safety ... and questions about future kids popped up several times.

One fan eventually asked how many kids the couple is planning on having -- and the 24-year-old gymnast said she wants two ... but Owens wants a whole lot more.

"So, I want two kids," she said. "He always says he wants a football team."

For those who aren't familiar, there are 53 players on an NFL roster -- and 11 starters when on the field!

But, Biles said afterward, "he usually says three. We'll see."

Biles also dropped some more info about the couple's future ... saying the two -- who got engaged on Valentine's Day -- will have their wedding on a beach, and that they're in the process of building a house.

"Wedding planning has been going well so far, it's so exciting for me," Biles said. "I'm obsessed."

"Also I'll definitely hire a planner because between this & building a house, our hands are full."

A longstanding dispute between the women on the U.S. National Team and the U.S. Soccer Federation has ended ... with the USSF agreeing to pay $24 million to the USWNT as a part of the settlement, it was announced Tuesday.

"We are pleased to announce that contingent on the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement," a joint statement read, "we will have resolved our longstanding dispute over equal pay."

It continued ... "And proudly stand together in a shared commitment to advancing equality in soccer."

According to details of the settlement, $22 million dollars will be distributed amongst the players ... with an additional $2 million being allocated into an account to support their post-career endeavors and other charitable ambitions.

It all started back in 2019 when all 28 players on the USWNT filed a lawsuit against the USSF ... accusing it of engaging in "institutionalized gender discrimination" against the team.

Star player Megan Rapinoe was, perhaps, the most prominent voice to speak out on the issue ... when she spoke at the White House in March 2021.

The settlement is viewed as a victory for the USWNT -- although, the $22 million mark is well short of the team's initial asking price of $66.7 million -- but Rapinoe says she knew they would be victorious all along.

"I'm not a big fan of roller coasters," Rapinoe said. "I did think we would get to this point, 100%. I did think we would win all along in this."