Getty UPDATE3:51 PM PT -- Patrick Chung spoke with media members for the first time since the charge came down ... but he wasn't saying much, telling reporters, "Honestly, I've just been here playing football. We just talk about football. So, that's all I'm going to talk about. Talk about the Giants."
UPDATE#Patriots safety Patrick Chung speaking today for the first time since the news of being indicted for felony cocaine possession. He only wanted to talk about one thing though.
Football. pic.twitter.com/MAvSSsvmIR
Patriots safety Patrick Chung won't be in court Wednesday to face his cocaine charge ... he waived his arraignment hearing and had his attorney plead not guilty for him on Monday instead.
The New England defensive back was indicted by a grand jury in Belknap County, NH earlier this month after officials say Chung was found in possession of coke back on June 25.
Chung was slated to appear in court later this week to fight the charge ... but according to court officials, that hearing has been canceled after Chung's attorney entered a not guilty plea on the 32-year-old's behalf.
Chung is now slated to head back to court on Nov. 8 ... just 5 days after the Patriots play the Ravens on Sunday Night Football.
Chung's cocaine charge is a serious one ... the guy is facing 7 YEARS behind bars if he's convicted.
Chung -- who's helped New England win 3 Super Bowls -- has not played in the Patriots' 3 preseason games this month.
Head coach Bill Belichick has declined to comment on the safety's status ... and the team said in a statement last week, "We will not be commenting while his judicial proceedings take place."
Originally published -- 8:01 AM PT
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New James Bond Movie Aston Martin Goes Through Car Hell During Italian Chase Scene
8/26/2019 9:12 AM PT
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License to killJames Bond is back to handling his classic ride in classic 007 fashion -- which means somewhere an Aston Martin is getting driven fast and hard.
The next Bond flick -- "No Time to Die" -- is shooting right now in Matera, Italy, and on Sunday they tackled an intense car chase scene on the windy, narrow streets of Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.
What's rough about these stunts is how much rubber-to-the-road abuse this Aston Martin DB5 takes on set. Sure, it'll make for some great action sequences -- but the value of this gorgeous ride will be dwindled down to practically nothing after what it goes through here.
Gallery James Bond -- Through The Years Launch Gallery GettyIt's kinda funny ... the stuntman on set sorta looked like Daniel Craig at certain angles, but we HIGHLY doubt DC was behind the wheel for the kinda power steering you're seeing here. Unless he's gone full Tom Cruise, of course. Sometimes a guy's just gotta take the reins, but considering Daniel's already suffered an on-set injury ... pretty sure he tapped out for this stunt.
Aston Martin wasn't so lucky. If this car could speak, it would've bowed out of this scene, for sure!
Typical Bond -- ruining great cars since the '60s ... all for the sake of saving the world.
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Nick Turturro Joc Pederson Flipped Me Off!!! ... 'You're On My S**t List'
8/26/2019 7:32 AM PT
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AUGUST 2019 C'MON JOCNick Turturro went NUCLEAR on Dodgers star Joc Pederson over the weekend -- with the actor claiming Joc FLIPPED HIM OFF during the game ... and now they're enemies for life!!!
FYI, the "NYPD Blue" star is a HARDCORE Yankees fan -- and was sitting front row at Dodgers Stadium on Sunday to watch his Bombers take on the Blue Crew at Dodgers Stadium.
Nick was going crazy during the game -- celebrating and cheering so hard, he was featured several times during the broadcast on FS1.
But, after Joc's first at-bat (a solo home run), Turturro claims Pederson looked right at him and shot him the bird ... for essentially no reason!!!
"Can you believe this?! I'm sitting here in the front row, Joc Pederson just flipped me off for nothing! I was just looking at him," Nick said.
"I guess 'cause I got a Yankee jersey??? It's alright, Joc. Now, you're on my s**t list!!! Now, I'm in your head!"
Nick's rant continued ... "I'M OFFICIALLY IN YOUR HEAD!!! I can't wait 'til you come up again!!!"
Yep, the Turturro curse was in full affect ... and it worked!!! Joc didn't get another hit the rest of the game and the Yankees ended up winning 5-1, taking the series 2 games to 1.
This beef is far from over ... with the Dodgers and Yankees killing it right now, it's VERY possible they could meet up again in the World Series, which would be AMAZING!!!
Gallery Famous Fans Launch Gallery GettyA ton of stars were in the building for Sunday's game -- from Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union to Ray Romano and Pat Sajak ... it was the hottest ticket in town!!!
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Tom Brady Defends Andrew Luck's Retirement ... 'It's His Life'
8/26/2019 6:48 AM PT
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LET HIM LIVETom Brady is clapping back at the Andrew Luck haters -- saying, "It's his life. Everyone has the right to choose what they want to do."
Luck was showered in boos from Colts fans on Saturday who were pissed at the 29-year-old for retiring just 2 weeks before the season.
Some ex-NFL players and reporters have also trashed Luck -- essentially saying he's screwing over his teammates, coaches and fans.
But, Tom Brady ain't hearing that crap ... essentially defending Luck during his weekly appearance on "The Greg Hill Show" on WEEI.
"Everybody wishes they could be healthy all the time," Brady said ... "It is a contact sport and he’s certainly had his fair share of injuries, so guys retire at different times."
Don't worry, Tom ain't going anywhere ... the 42-year-old QB made it clear he wants to keep playing as long as he can -- and says his family, friends, teammates and trainer are behind him all the way.
"It feels great when you have that support because a football season is like a marathon. There’s moments where it is very challenging whether it’s physically, emotionally, or mentally -- you need somebody to help you push through the hard parts because it’s not all easy."
Brady added, "It’s a great challenge, but it is very rewarding when you meet the challenge, too."
What's interesting is that Tom's wife, Gisele, has spoken publicly about her concerns for Tom's long-term health ... saying in 2017 he has concussions all the time that "we don't talk about."
She also went on Ellen in late 2018 and suggested she tried talking Tom into retiring ... but "wasn't very successful."
Tom's not the only star QB defending Luck -- Troy Aikman came out swinging at Doug Gottlieb, who tweeted, "Retiring cause rehabbing is 'too hard' is the most millennial thing ever."
Aikman fired back -- "That's total bulls**t Doug. What qualified you to decide how someone should live their life?"
Luck made roughly $100 million during his NFL career -- so he doesn't need the money. Luck has said he wants to spend more time with his family and exploring the world off the gridiron.
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Florida Gators Band Director Attacked after Game ... By Suspected Miami Fan
8/26/2019 6:31 AM PT
GettySore losers?!?
The director of the University of Florida marching band was attacked on the way back to the bus after the football team beat the Miami Hurricanes ... and everyone seems to be pointing the finger at an angry 'Canes fan.
After Florida secured a 24-20 win over their in-state rivals Saturday night in Orlando, Jay Watkins was leading the UF band out of the stadium and to the waiting buses when he tried to block a female fan from cutting through the formation, according to school officials.
University of FloridaMoments later, someone grabbed Watkins from behind and threw him to the ground -- causing a laceration on his head.
The suspect fled the scene -- but most people believe the culprit was a Miami fan who took the rivalry too far.
The good news for Watkins ... he was treated by a paramedics but ultimately traveled home on the bus with the rest of the band.
Watkins spoke with Florida State University band director Patrick Dunnigan on Sunday -- and told him, "he is very sore today and has a nasty bump on his head."
Dunnigan says he's sick and tired of band members being targeted by stupid, violent fans.
"Students in band uniforms are an easy and all-too-common target for disgruntled fans — especially these idiots who attend Miami games," Dunnigan said on Facebook.
"I know from personal experience just how dangerous a visiting stadium can be especially any game with Miami."
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Nick Saban Ray Rice Speaks With Tide Players 'How To Treat' Women
8/23/2019 1:45 PM PT
Getty CompositeNick Saban is calling on Ray Rice to teach his Alabama players an important lesson ... saying he had the ex-NFL star give a speech to the Tide "about how to treat the opposite sex."
Rice has been preaching to players and schools all over the country since he was booted from the NFL after TMZ Sports posted video of him punching his then-fiance in the face in a hotel elevator in 2014.
Saban clearly thinks the former running back has a valuable message he can relay to his team ... 'cause the Bama head coach invited the 32-year-old out to practice this week.
"He’s going to be here as a Title IX speaker to the team [Thursday night], which I think is a good thing for our players," Saban said.
"He’s obviously going to talk about how to treat the opposite sex and having the proper respect for other people."
Saban added, "I think that’s important to relationships. It’s important as a person to be able to do those things in a very respectful manner."
Rice has made countless attempts to try to make up for his massive misstep 5 years ago ... even offering to help Browns running back Kareem Hunt after he was caught on camera kicking a woman last year.
Seems Rice is finding success on his redemption tour ... coaches continue to bring him on to speak ... and in his return to Baltimore last year, he was wildly cheered.
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NFL's Tyrone Crawford On Florida Bar Brawl ... 'I Did What I Had To Do'
8/22/2019 4:08 PM PT
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THE BRUTAL ATTACKDallas Cowboys team captain Tyrone Crawford ain't apologizing for his role in a bar brawl last March ... telling reporters Thursday, "I handled the situation to the best of my abilities."
We broke the story, TC shoved, pushed and threw punches at bar security on March 15 in Panama City Beach, FL ... and in a video we obtained, you can see him straight-up mauling people.
In fact, we're told Crawford also got physical with AT LEAST two police officers as they tried to break up the scene.
But, Crawford -- who spoke with media for the first time since the incident after Cowboys practice Thursday -- didn't seem sorry for his actions, saying, "I did what I had to do as best I could."
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Crawford allegedly got into the whole fracas to help his brother at the bar ... and he's hoping when he eventually tells his side of the story to NFL investigators, they'll understand.
"I am going to let God take it," Crawford said. "I can’t speak on it too much. I am going to let God take it and handle everything, however it works out, it works out. Hopefully, they see my side."
Crawford was hit with a misdemeanor charge of affrays for the altercation ... but he reached a deal with prosecutors last month to close out the criminal case ahead of training camp.
We're told in exchange for completing an anger management assessment and keeping his nose clean for the next six months ... he'll have the charge dropped.
As for his role with the Cowboys this season ... he's expected to be one of their best defensive linemen when they open the season against the Giants on Sept. 8.
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Aaron Judge Surprises Kid After Father's Death Touching Pregame Moment
8/21/2019 11:49 AM PT
Touching moment on the baseball field Tuesday ... Aaron Judge took time out of his pregame warmup to surprise a little kid whose dad just recently died -- and their meeting was awesome.
Kellen Wilson's father, Kyle -- who attended Judge's alma mater, Fresno State -- tragically passed away last October at the age of the 36 ... and Judge was so moved by the story, he sent the kid a jersey a few weeks later.
But, when Aaron's Yankees made the trip to Wilson's hometown to play the A's on Tuesday ... it was unclear if Judge would be able to meet up with Kellen in person, especially after the team bypassed pregame batting practice.
But, Judge made the time to go seek out Kellen anyway ... and the two had an awesome meeting -- which Kellen's mom said was a complete surprise to everyone.
Hopefully this is the best thing Aaron Judge does on the field tonight... he just made a young Fresno State fan’s day 👏 pic.twitter.com/w3urEQOt82
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) August 21, 2019 @NBCSAthletics"He [Kellen] had no idea, though [that he was going to meet Judge]," Chelsy Wilson told MLB.com ... "And we had no idea. And when the Yankees didn’t take batting practice, they thought no way."
"But Kyle is pulling strings from above. We are so grateful to Mr. Judge. He has been an incredible role model to Kellen, even sending Kellen a jersey back in December."
6-foot-7 Judge took a picture with Kellen on the field, signed his jersey and autographed his bat ... and the two were even able to have a short conversation.
Then, Judge went out and hit one of the most monstrous home runs of the season ... blasting a 474-footer!!!
"He is exactly the kind of human and player Kyle told Kellen to look up to," Chelsy said. "How hard he works. How he treats others. And all he stands for."
#Amazing
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Cristiano Ronaldo 2018 Was 'Probably Worst Year Ever' ... After Rape Allegation
8/21/2019 8:45 AM PT
GettyCristiano Ronaldo says 2018 was "probably my worst year ever" after publicly being accused of raping a woman more than 10 years ago in Las Vegas.
The soccer superstar was accused of sexual assault by Kathryn Mayorga in June 2009 after meeting her at a nightclub. She claims he took her back to his hotel room and raped her.
Cops opened an investigation last year and eventually decided that CR7 will NOT be charged in the case ... but Ronaldo says it was hard to have people question his character.
"When people question your honor, it hurts, it hurts a lot," Ronaldo told Portuguese television TVI.
Ronaldo did not address the case specifically, but really didn't need to. It's obvious he's referring to the allegation.
"When people attack your honor, it is difficult."
As we previously reported ... Ronaldo acknowledged that he paid Mayorga $375k as part of a settlement back in 2010, but has adamantly denied doing anything wrong.
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Jon Gruden Butchers 'Happy Birthday' ... Worst Rendition Ever?!?
8/21/2019 6:05 AM PT
Jon Gruden ... clearly wasn't invited to any birthday parties as a kid -- because his rendition of "Happy Birthday" on "Hard Knocks" sounds like it's the FIRST time he's ever sang it.
Seriously ... it's terrible. Like worse than Hunter Renfrow bad.
this proves that jon gruden has never sang the birthday song before 😂#hardknocks pic.twitter.com/NqoZiFshxf
— ᴍɪᴋᴇ ᴛᴀᴅᴅᴏᴡ (@taddmike) August 21, 2019 @taddmikeThe Oakland Raiders head coach was finishing off a team meeting when he instructed the players to serenade GM Mike Mayock.
What ensued was pure, hot garbage -- insanely terrible. Embarrassing, actually.
Of course, there was other important stuff that went down on HBO's "Hard Knocks" on Tuesday -- from Antonio Brown's frostbitten feet to his helmet drama ... to tight end Darren Waller's battle with substance abuse.
But, the worst part of the Raiders' camp ... Gruden singing.
Seriously, bro. Bad.
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Jerry Rice Supports Jimmy G After Awful Game ... 'Go Miners'
8/20/2019 12:49 PM PT
Getty CompositeJimmy Garoppolo sucked on the field Monday night ... but Jerry Rice is giving the NFL star his unwavering support ... going to Twitter to defend the QB with a hilarious fail as bad as Jimmy's performance.
The 49ers signal-caller went 1 for 6 with 0 yards and an INT in his first game back since suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3 last season ... resulting in an incredibly bad 0.0 QB rating.
But, don't freak out, fans ... the G.O.A.T. is here to make everything better!!!
"Relax everyone jimmy G . will be fine this year!!! Go miners" the G.O.A.T. tweeted.
Yes. Miners.
Hey, we all know Rice meant well after the team's $137 million man stunk it up, but the fumble on the vote of confidence is hilariously ironic.
As sure as Jimmy G will get to see another game, Rice got another shot at the tweet (which was deleted) ... and got it right the 2nd time around.
"Relax everyone Jimmy G will be fine this year. It takes a while coming off ACL injury!!!! @goatfuel #Neverstop #Neverquit #begreat"
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MLB's Carlos Carrasco Throws 97 MPH ... Weeks After Cancer Diagnosis
8/20/2019 11:52 AM PT
Carlos Carrasco is a BEAAAAAASSSSTTTT ... 'cause just a few months after being diagnosed with cancer -- the Indians star took the mound again, AND THREW 97 MPH!!!!
Cookie hit the injured list back on June 5 after docs told him he had leukemia. He was feeling sluggish ... and nobody with the team knew if he'd be back again this season.
But, Carlos fought like hell the past few weeks to get back on the diamond ... and the dude looked like he hadn't missed a day of throwing when he made his first Minor League rehab start for Double-A Akron on Monday night.
According to MLB.com's Mandy Bell, Carrasco hit 97 MPH with his first pitch of the night ... and followed that up with a few more heaters at 96.
The Indians stud finished with one strikeout, one walk and no hits or runs given up in his one inning of work ... and he left to a huge cheer from the crowd.
Carlos Carrasco finishes off his inning with a strikeout and a roaring ovation. He threw 16 pitches, 9 for strikes.
0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K pic.twitter.com/FQO2RGMoRF
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) August 20, 2019 @MandyBell02"It feels great because those people were behind me the whole way," Carrasco said. "From Day One until now."
Unclear when Carrasco will officially make his return to the Indians' big-league roster ... but manager Terry Francona said he anticipates having Carlos back in the bullpen sooner rather than later.
As for his timeline on a return, Carrasco said, "I'm ready to go."
Savage!!!
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Ezekiel Elliott Back In Cabo With New Hairdo ... After Jerry Jones Diss
8/20/2019 8:42 AM PT
BackgridNew hair ... don't care?!?
Seems Ezekiel Elliott is living by that mantra ... 'cause he's back in Cabo holding out from Cowboys camp with a fresh, new hairdo after Jerry Jones jokingly burned him earlier this week.
Of course, 24-year-old Zeke's been missing from Dallas practices all month, wanting a new deal ... and after his backup, Tony Pollard, killed it against the Rams on Saturday -- Jerry said, "Zeke who?!"
It was meant to be funny ... but Zeke wasn't laughing -- his agent told ESPN the comment was "disrespectful."
Now, Zeke's back in Cabo after briefly returning to Texas ... and he's sporting some new dreads while doing it!!!
BackgridUnclear if the haircut is a message (unlikely) ... but we do know one thing -- Zeke is serious about this holdout, and it seems he really might not play week 1 for the 'Boys.
But, hey, that haircut though ... #swaaaaaaaaaag!!!
Zeke is supposed to enter his 4th season in the NFL after being drafted by the Cowboys with the 4th pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Zeke is still under his rookie deal -- which is only slated to pay him $3.85 million in 2019.
Elliott is looking to be the highest-paid RB in the NFL -- and with Todd Gurley signing a 4-year, $57.5 million contract extension in 2018 ... he clearly wants Jerry Jones to open up that wallet!!!
The Cowboys are set to open their regular season on Sept. 8 against the NY Giants ... so ticktock!!!
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Baker Mayfield 'I Can't Believe the Giants Took Daniel Jones'
8/20/2019 10:54 AM PT
Getty/Imagn Composite UPDATE10:52 AM PT -- Baker is clarifying his comments on Jones ... saying he was also surprised when the Browns picked him #1 overall and was trying to make a point on the "flaws in evaluating QB's."
UPDATE"Heard nothing but good things and wish nothing but the best for Daniel," Baker said.
UPDATEAs for Jones ... he took the high road, praising Baker as a good QB and saying he has other things to worry about.
Baker Mayfield simply can't believe the NY Giants selected Daniel Jones with the 6th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft ... saying the move "blows my mind."
Mayfield made the comments while doing an interview with GQ -- the reporter says they happened to be sitting by a TV when ESPN ran a segment on Jones, the rookie out of Duke.
That's when Mayfield said, "I cannot believe the Giants took Daniel Jones ... blows my mind."
Some people are interpreting the comments as a shot at Jones -- others say Baker was just vocalizing how EVERYONE felt about the pick ... considering so many draft experts had other QBs like Dwayne Haskins ranked higher than DJ.
If you're wondering, the Browns do NOT play the Giants during the regular season this year.
The GQ reporter continued the conversation about NFL quarterbacks -- noting that a ton of so-called "experts" never seem to accurately predict which college stars will make good pros.
Baker added, "Some people overthink it ... that's where people go wrong. They forget you've gotta win."
He continued to explain what makes a great QB -- "Either you have a history of winning and being that guy for your team ... or you don't."
So far, no comment from Jones.
Originally Published -- 7:10 AM PT
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Tennis Star Genie Bouchard 'Fake' Brother Arrested Charged $40k to Star's Hotel Room!!!
8/20/2019 6:09 AM PT
Getty CompositeA guy cops say claimed to be Genie Bouchard's brother charged more than $40,000 to the tennis star's personal account at a fancy Miami Beach hotel ... only problem is, HE'S NOT HER BRO!
The Miami Beach PD arrested 24-year-old Solomon Shlomo Azari at the 1 Hotel South Beach on Sunday -- where the tennis star lives when she's in Miami.
Cops say Azari went to the hotel regularly over a 2 month period and would run up tabs at the restaurant and bar ... and charge it all to Bouchard's account.
In total, cops say Azari made nearly $42,000 in charges, according to WSVN's Sheldon Fox.
Oh, and when cops arrested Azari ... they claim he had cocaine in his pocket!
Officials say Azari is now facing charges of coke possession, organized scheme to defraud, identity fraud and grand theft.
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Colin Kaepernick Reveals Incident That Sparked Activism ... 2015 Police Shooting
8/20/2019 5:00 AM PT
Colin Kaepernick says the 2015 shooting death of Mario Woods -- a black man who was shot multiple times by police officers -- is what compelled him to become a civil rights activist.
Colin told his story to Paper Magazine ... saying he was deeply affected by the incident, in which 26-year-old Woods was shot 21 times by 5 San Francisco PD officers during a Dec. 2, 2015 incident.
Cops confronted Woods -- who was holding a knife -- after receiving reports about a nearby stabbing.
Officers initially used non-lethal bean bag rounds on Woods while ordering him to drop the knife -- but then opened fire with live ammo when they claimed he became aggressive and was a threat.
But, cellphone footage posted after the incident appeared to contradict the police description -- showing Woods up against a wall while holding the knife at his side in a non-threatening manner.
A death investigation revealed Woods was shot 21 times -- 6 of those bullets struck him in the back.
The incident outraged citizens who accused the SFPD of executing Woods unjustly ... and according to Kap's girlfriend, Nessa, the QB began feeding his brain immediately after.
"If Colin wasn't reviewing a playbook, he was reading a history book," Nessa told Paper.
Gallery kaepernick kneeling in protest Launch Gallery GettyKap took a knee in August 2016 -- 8 months after Woods' death -- and began his Know Your Rights Camp initiative that same year, using the Black Panther movement as inspiration.
Colin's KYRC has been thriving since their inception ... touching cities all around the country, and employing volunteers like Ava DuVernay, Taraji P. Henson and fellow NFL player Eric Reid.
Woods' family sued the City of San Francisco for wrongful death -- and ultimately struck a $400,000 settlement. The officers involved in the shooting were never charged with a crime after the D.A. said the shooting was justified because Woods "posed a credible threat."
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