TMZ Sports - Page 50

Former NFL linebacker Dean Wells has passed away at 54 years old following a two-year battle with cancer.

One of his former teams, the Carolina Panthers, confirmed the reports of his death on Friday. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2023 ... and underwent a bone marrow transplant in May 2024.

He spoke to KSR about his fight against the disease ... saying while he was able to handle the variables on the football field, this was something he had no control over.

If Caitlin Clark really wants to play flag football at the 2028 Olympics, she won't be getting any superstar treatment to get a spot on the team -- so say the organization's CEO!!

The WNBA superstar recently mentioned at the NFL Annual League Meeting she always dreamed of playing football as a kid ... and even tossed out the idea of suiting up for the Red, White and Blue on the gridiron when the Games come around in a few years.

"Maybe LA 2028, maybe I'll do two sports," Clark said at the meeting. "Or if basketball doesn't work out, I'll head over to flag football."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't wanna go toe to toe with Lamar Jackson over a trademark for the number eight ... with the racing superstar announcing he's making changes to his brand to appease the NFL MVP.

Dale Jr. attempted to file papers for a stylized version of the digit he used for the majority of his on-track career recently ... which was later protested by Jackson's legal team, as the Baltimore Ravens quarterback owns several trademarks related to the number.

Jackson's crew claimed granting Dale Jr. the trademark could hurt his business ... as his fans might mistakenly buy the NASCAR Hall of Famer's merch instead of his if approved.

Two boaters got into a heated altercation while out on Florida waters earlier this week ... and the confrontation got so intense, cops say they're now investigating the matter.

The incident happened on Tuesday ... when Gage Towles, a fisherman, was approached by Brock Horner, a clearly ticked-off, self-proclaimed charter captain.

In video Towles shared on his YouTube page, you can see Horner appeared upset with Towles over the way he and a few others had interacted with him as he passed underneath the bridge a few days prior.

Time to test your knowledge of Kylie Jenner's best friends ... so go coconuts and guess the bikini babe holding this coconut on a tropical vacation.

The hottie in the photo is BFFs with Kylie and she's also got a couple kids with her husband, former NBA baller Troy Daniels.

That's all the hints from us ... so click the gallery and find out who this babe is!!!

She's on vacation in Thailand, a country that's a popular vacation destination for lots of babes ... and we've got the photos to prove it.

8:55 AM PT -- The NBA just announced it's fined Ja Morant $75,000 for the finger-gun gestures.

In announcing the punishment, the league noted it warned Morant prior to Thursday's Grizzlies vs. Heat tilt that the acts "could be interpreted in a negative light."

Ja Morant made more references to firearms on Thursday night ... just hours after the NBA reportedly told him not to.

WNBA champ Elena Delle Donne is riding off into the sunset -- she just announced her retirement after 10 seasons.

The 6'5" hooper -- who played for the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics during her career in the W -- released a statement on her decision ... revealing it's something she contemplated over time before reaching the choice that's right for her.

"One of my favorite children’s books asked, 'How did it get so late so soon?'" Delle Donne said on Friday.

The NY Yankees were in action Thursday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks ... but some fans got some practice for when their former superstar rolls into the Bronx with his new Mets team -- with a loud "F*** Juan Soto" chant breaking out in the middle of the game!

During Jazz Chisholm's at-bat in the eighth inning, fans were heard voicing their disdain for the Bronx Bombers' former right fielder, three months after he signed the biggest deal in professional sports history.

Yankee fans haven't been shy about expressing their dislike for rival players in years past ... "F*** [Jose] Altuve" is a common refrain at the stadium.

David Beckham isn't letting a family feud stop him from having a good time -- the soccer legend had a courtside seat at the Lakers vs. Warriors game on Thursday ... and Romeo was along for the ride.

The LeBron James and Stephen Curry showdown at Crypto.com Arena attracted a ton of celebs ... including the Beckhams, Floyd Mayweather, J-Hope and Young Thug (more on him in a sec).

The timing of David and Romeo's appearance is rather interesting, considering TMZ reported earlier Thursday there's a major rift in the family over Romeo's new love interest, Kim Turnball -- Brooklyn's former fling.

The 17-year-old accused of stabbing and killing another student this week at a high school track meet was provoked ... according to his father.

Andrew Anthony -- the dad of teenage murder suspect Karmelo Anthony -- told the New York Post on Thursday that Austin Metcalf and his friends were the ones who started Wednesday's altercation in Frisco, Texas that ended in tragedy.

"He was not the aggressor," Anthony insisted. "He was not the one who started it."

Drama is unfolding in David Beckham's family, with 2 of his sons beefing over a woman -- not in a jealous way, but more a question of her motives.

Sources connected to the family tell TMZ … Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham are not on speaking terms because Romeo is dating Kim Turnbull.

We're told Kim had a romantic connection with Brooklyn several years ago, but that's all water under the bridge.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic might be one of the biggest international celebrities ... but he met his match at the Lakers game on Thursday -- hobnobbin' with BTS superstar J-Hope!!

Even though Luka's Lakers had a bummer of a night in a losing effort to Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors, he still got a highlight when he had some one-on-one time with the singer and rapper.

Before the 123-116 defeat, the two linked up in the Crypto.com Arena tunnels ... and Luka came bearing gifts -- a pair of his upcoming Jordan Luka 4s!!

Gisele Bündchen and Joaquim Valente won't be making their red carpet debut at the Met Gala this year despite fan speculation ... 'cause they're skipping the event entirely.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Gisele is not going to one of the biggest nights in fashion this year, and she never planned to go either. She actually hasn't been to the gala since 2023.

Instead of posing on the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, we're told Gisele and Joaquim will be spending quality time with their newborn in Miami.

Los Angeles fans ain't just getting a glimpse at the best player in baseball in Shohei Ohtani, they're looking at the best athlete on the planet ... at least, that's according to former World Series champion Jerry Hairston Jr.

The longtime Big Leaguer sat down with TMZ Sports a day after the Dodgers' designated hitter beat the Braves with a walk-off home run ... and he proclaimed the superstar is now officially the top sportsman on the globe.

"No disrespect to [Lionel] Messi," he said. "No disrespect to Patrick Mahomes, [Nikola] Jokic -- who's having an incredible season again with the Nuggets. But I think right now, the best athlete on the planet is Shohei Ohtani."

The trade that sent Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to Los Angeles was truly historic … and now, Lakers fans have their chance to bid on a significant memento -- one of his earliest game-worn jerseys!!

SCP Auctions got its hands on the threads Luka wore for the Lakers' Feb. 12 matchup against the Utah Jazz – his second ever game for the legendary franchise.

Considering Luka is keeping his first purple and gold No. 77 top for his own collection, it's likely the earliest Luka Laker jersey that will ever hit the market!!

Rob49's New Orleans slang has spread to the entire country -- the platinum-selling rapper's "WTHELLY" catchphrase has completely engulfed social media!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked up with Rob this week out in Burbank, CA and he tells us lingo was something he and his friends kicked out around -- and he decided to popularize the phrase over a banging beat!!!

It's carefree nonsense -- the type of stuff TikTok eats up. There's love and some hate but it's got everyone talking -- except for Rob's b-ball hero LeBron James!!!