Flyers' Claude Giroux scores sneaky goal on faceoff (VIDEO)

Claude Giroux broke his six-game goal-scoring drought with what might be the most unique goal of the year.

The Flyers captain lined up for a faceoff against the Sharks on the offensive side of the ice and put his hand on his stick as though he would be sending it back to one of his teammates. But as soon as the puck hit the ice, Giroux deftly shot the puck towards San Jose goalie Martin Jones, who was caught slightly off guard.

Jones tried to knock the puck down with his mask, but instead deflected it between his own legs and in. 

Sneaky Claude Giroux is the best Claude Giroux pic.twitter.com/u2XDmYkfyd

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) December 31, 2015

And this was something Giroux apparently had up his sweater sleeve for a while. Flyers analyst Chris Therrien said he was informed that Giroux had been practicing that move for a while, and spent extra time on it during the Flyers' most recent practice.

So Giroux just straight up shot the puck into the net off a face-off. https://t.co/q8eXPtusdf

— NHL (@NHL) December 31, 2015

A goal is a goal, eh?

Memphis player cut for tackling ball boy, stealing ball after loss to Auburn (VIDEO)

Reggis Ball, a safety for the Memphis Tigers, must have felt so indignant about losing 31-10 to Auburn at the Birmingham Bowl Wednesday, that after the final touchdown, he tackled the ball boy man on the field and ran off with a pigskin souvenir.

After grabbing the ball, Ball pushed the equipment staffer to the ground then sprinted away, holding it up in triumph as stunned onlookers watched.

And, as if it made any difference to his college career, the senior was cut from the team later that night.

"This player's actions are totally unacceptable. He has been immediately removed from the team and we will continue to move swiftly in addressing what occurred," the school said in a statement.

"Even though Mr. Ball's football career has ended, he will no longer be a part of the Memphis program because of these actions."

The Ledger-Enquirer reported that Ball has a history of trying to steal balls from opponents at the end of a game.

Hope it looks good with all the other purloined pigskins on your trophy case.

Knicks' Cleanthony Early shot, robbed outside of NYC strip club: Report

Knicks forward Cleanthony Early was reportedly shot and robbed by a gang after leaving a Queens, N.Y. strip club on Wednesday morning.

Anthony was hit with a bullet in the leg after being "surrounded by four to six people wearing ski masks and robbed of his items and jewelry," including a gold necklace and the gold caps on his teeth, according to a report from the NY Daily News.

Early was shot once in the knee blocks away from CityScapes gentlemen's club in Maspeth while he was in an Uber cab. Three cars reportedly pulled up and boxed in the taxi he was sitting in. It is being described it as "a hold up" by police. 

He was taken to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition. There was no further word on his condition as of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

This early morning incident comes on the heels of Early's teammate, Derrick Williams, getting robbed of expensive jewelry by a couple of women he met in a Manhattan nightclub just weeks ago.

Early, a 24-year-old Middletown native, is in his second season with the Knicks. He was drafted in 2014 after attending Wichita State.

He has played in 10 games this season, averaging less than four minutes and 1 point per game.

Knicks use ginormous rapid-fire t-shirt launchers at game (VIDEO)

The Knicks may not send up three-point bombs like the Warriors do, but when it comes to t-shirt launchers, nobody has the firepower of the New York team.

While most professional sports teams stick to having just one person fire the souvenir tees out of a single barreled "gun" into the stands, the Knicks have taken the popular promotion to military defense level with these four gigantic, rapid-fire T-shirt cannons at Madison Square Garden.

Throw in some smoke and Led Zep and you have a spectacle that makes you forget the team's popgun offense on the court.

#houseofhighlights #knickstape #knicks #thegarden tee guns!

A video posted by Ill Answer (@illanswer) on Dec 29, 2015 at 6:27pm PST

Incoming!

EIHL hockey player goes over glass to attack opponent in penalty box (VIDE)

During Sunday’s Elite Ice Hockey League game between the Manchester Storm and the Fife Flyers, Storm left wing Devin DiDiomete was sent to the penalty box for a check to the head of Danny Stewart, the Flyers forward and associate coach in the UK league.

Seconds later, DiDiomete was told he was ejected and began his skate of shame back to the locker room, but not before he managed to get in a few more words to Stewart.

That when You talkin' to me, mate? turned into fisticuffs after DiDiomete pulled himself over the glass into the penalty box and began punching his opponent.

After the game, Manchester also filed a complaint with the Department of Player Safety that DiDiomete had been bitten before his ejection.

Decisions on both incidents are expected to be made on Wednesday.

Philadelphia Flyers penalty box gets a little crowded (VIDEO)

The foil was out early in Sunday's matchup between the Flyers and Ducks after Philadelphia goaltender Steve Mason and Anaheim right wing Corey Perry got into it five minutes into the first period.

The end result was five — yes five — Flyers stuffed into the penalty box.

This GIF hilariously shows the quintet of teammates looking quite at home inside the box:

Flyers in their natural habitat. (I find the GIF a lot funnier than the picture for some reason.) pic.twitter.com/SmHmkOhCsN

— Becca H (@BeccaH_JR) December 28, 2015

And here's the breakaway that started the chaos:

Ducks went on to a 4-2 win.

Eagles Pro Bowler Jason Peters quit on coach Chip Kelly during loss

For all those Eagles fans who just gave up on their team while Philadelphia got beat down by the Redskins Saturday night, well... they had company with a player who was still on the field.

Jason Peters removed himself from the 38-24 blowout in the fourth quarter, after it became clear that Chip Kelly’s well publicized offensive scheme had failed once again — and the Eagles would not be going to the playoffs. 

“I’m not going to get hurt for this,” Peters told people on the Eagles’ sideline, according to Fox 29 in Philadelphia.

The perennial All-Pro, who just last week was named to his eighth Pro Bowl, said he didn’t want to risk injury for a team that wasn’t going to the playoffs, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

And the only reason the Eagles stood a chance of making the postseason is because of the pathetic NFC East.

The 33-year-old quitting on the team is not nearly the first blow against Kelly, but it may be the most telling. The one-time offensive genius from the University of Oregon, whose high-octane offense was all the rage, has seen nothing but disappointment and condemnation in Philadelphia.

Kelly nearly completely overhauled the team with unpopular moves this offseason, dealing its quarterback (Nick Foles) and star running back (LeSean McCoy), as well as sending several star wide receivers out of town (DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin) the past few years.

Things came to a head when McCoy directed charges of racism towards Kelly.

Kelly might be one of the sorriest things about the NFL right now, at least in Philly, but Peters crybaby move represents something that seems to be wrong in sports and the world.

Namely, self-entitlement.

LeBron James catches fan calling him crybaby during game (VIDEO)

LeBron James caught a fan mocking him and making a crybaby gesture toward him during Friday’s Christmas Day matchup against the Warriors.

But before the female fan could finish rubbing away her phony tears, she came under the not-so-fake glare of the NBA star himself.

The embarrassed woman might want to keep her own eyes hand-free while sitting courtside. Jason Day's wife knows all about that:

UFC still talking about illegal Jon Jones fight at Madison Square Garden: Report

The UFC is planning it's first fight at Madison Square Garden headlining Jon “Bones” Jones this spring despite the fact that the sport is still banned in New York State.

The New York Post reported that the UFC is plowing ahead with plans to hold its first event at then Garden on April 23 with the main event featuring the former light heavyweight champion trying to get his title back from current champion Daniel Cormier.

New York remains the only state in the country not to sanction professional mixed martial arts, with the Democrat-controlled state assembly citing concerns about violence associated with the sport and even questioning how women are treated at the events.

“It would be epic. It would be huge,” said UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta of the megafight, anticipating that MMA will be approved in the political cage.

The UFC has contracted the date at the Garden with the hopes of there being a resolution in the UFC’s long-running effort to get MMA legalized in the state. Ideally, the state legislature finally will pass a bill to regulate the popular sport through the New York State Athletic Commission.

A tune fight Empire State fans have heard before.

In the meantime, the UFC filed suit with the US Court of Appeals of the Second Circuit arguing the state’s prohibition of regulated professional MMA events violates the First Amendment right of athletes and fans. The UFC also has filed in federal court calling the ban of MMA unconstitutional.

“We’re hopeful this year might be the year,” Fertitta said. “I know we’ve said that many times. But we’re hopeful the bill will not only be introduced for a vote this year, but it will happen early in the session.”

If professional MMA is not legalized by the Assembly in time to begin promoting the April event, the UFC will seek a preliminary injunction against New York from enforcing its “unconstitutional” law.

“Hopefully, there will be a decision on it by the middle of January,” Fertitta said.

UFC on Fox 18 will take place Jan. 30 at the Prudential Center in Newark, the latest in a number of MMA events held in New Jersey, one of the first states to regulate the sport and benefit from its rising popularity.

Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, now a convicted money launderer and extortionist, had been MMA's biggest and most powerful opponent. The ousted Silver and a Las Vegas culinary union did all they could to oppose the sport in New York and stall its progress.

Fertitta owns the largest non-union casino company in Las Vegas, and the culinary union wants to force unionization in Nevada by lobbying against UFC’s efforts in New York.

“They’re looking for leverage against me and my brother,” Fertitta said.

Bones-Cormier would be a quick sellout. Jones (21-1) was once considered the most dominant fighter in the sport. A native of Endicott, New York, he became the youngest champion in UFC at age 23 when he won the belt at UFC 128 in 2011. But he was stripped of his title and suspended from the UFC in April following his arrest on felony hit-and-run charges in Albuquerque, NM. It had followed incidents where Jones was arrested for DUI in 2012 and earlier this year tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine.

News of the failed drug test was not revealed until three days after Jones defeated Cormier by unanimous decision at UFC 182 in January. Cormier later defeated Anthony Johnson to win the vacant title.

Jones was given 18 months of supervised probation. He was reinstated into the UFC in October and helped Holly Holm train for her recent upset of Ronda Rousey.

Six-year-old Giants fan has stern message for Odell Beckham Jr. (VIDEO)

It’s usually this time of year children get lectured about the difference between naughty and nice, but leave it to one six-year-old Giants fan to give Odell Beckham Jr. a stern talking-to on good Christmastime behavior.

After the NFL upheld the suspension of Beckham for his reckless playtime with Josh Norman in the Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers, little Sidney Mosley from Queens, N.Y. had a message for the benched Giants star even after two public apologies.

And he didn't mince words.

"My name is Sidney Mosley. I am from Queens, New York. I am six years old. This message is to Odell Beckham Jr. about self-control. When you are mad at someone, you do not look at them, stare at them or fight with them. You tell the referee in the game. You are the Giants' best player, Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants need you.

"You can do it. You must learn from your mistakes. All the kids are watching you. That's why you need to set a good example. Who is going to catch the touchdown from Eli Manning? You are suspended, you must learn from your mistakes. The Giants need you. You can do it! Have a good day. I pray for you, I believe in you. Have a nice day. Goodbye."

Little Sidney sounds wise beyond his years with a message we can all live by.

And to all a good night.

19-year-old boxer dies after collapsing in first pro fight (VIDEO)

A 19-year-old boxer, brimming with every young fighter's dream of being the next Muhammad Ali, died after suffering injuries in his first professional fight.

Ohio Athletic Commission executive director Bernie Profato said Hamzah Aljahmi of Dearborn, Michigan died Tuesday at a Youngstown hospital after undergoing brain surgery following Saturday's fight.

Profato said Aljahmi collapsed at the end of the fourth and final round in a flyweight bout against Anthony Taylor — a boxer from Ohio who was also making his pro debut.

Profato says Aljahmi was knocked down three times in the first round but rallied to win the second and third rounds based on the judges' scorecards.

Video from the 114-pound match shows the competitors battling back and forth, failing to land punches before Aljahmi punched Taylor with a sweeping hook in the fourth round. Taylor responded by backing Aljahmi into the ropes and struck his competitor with a flurry of blows right before the final bell. Aljahmi staggered and fell, trying unsuccessfully to stand in the center of the ring.

Taylor raised his arms in celebration as officials checked Aljahmi.

"He dead. He don't want to get back up," someone in the crowd reportedly said as Aljahmi slipped into a coma.

A relative of Aljahmi, Ibrahim Aljahim, said his cousin fell in love with boxing as a child and previously fought at the 2013 National Golden Gloves tournament in the 108-pound weight class.

"He was one of the most talented and respected people in the community,"Aljahim told the Detroit Free Press. "He was very generous, loved everyone. He cared about the whole family ... His goal in life was to be the future Muhammad Ali. He loved boxing. From the age of 10, he was into boxing, he watched boxing. That was his main sport."

The boxer identified himself as a good Muslim of Yemeni descent on his Instagram account, posting images of himself in boxing gear, wearing designer clothes, playing the piano and spending time with relatives.

"I'm a boxer gonna be the best in my division," he wrote.

Sadly, boxing loses another young warrior. R.I.P.

Jaromir Jagr loses four teeth in game, asks Santa for new ones (VIDEO)

Things seem to be coming — and going — in fours for Jaromir Jagr lately. The soon to be 44-year-old Panthers winger recently took over sole possession for fourth all-time in goals. And on Tuesday, he had four teeth poked out of his mouth after taking a high stick to the face against the Ottawa Senators.

Here's the video:



Jagr remained in the game after the first period dental work and even had a breakaway later.

“I lost some teeth but I gained some speed as you saw on that breakaway,” said Jagr about his overtime opportunity.

“I don’t want to hear I’m slow anymore. I had the breakaway. I don’t think I’ll have another one for 10 years.”

The Panthers eventually went on to defeat the Senators 2-1 in a shootout for their fifth straight win. 

And Jagr? Guess what he wanted from Santa?

Dear Santa, can I get a new teeth for Christmas :) it's going to be tough to eat-good -at least I don't get fat :))) pic.twitter.com/mifGcolCdP

— Jaromir Jagr (@68Jagr) December 23, 2015

Aaron Hernandez reveals additional 'Bloods' tattoo during court appearance (PHOTO)

Aaron Hernandez was back in court on Tuesday for a pre-trial appearance in his upcoming double-murder case, and it looks like he had some new ink added to his body.

The former Patriots tight end was photographed in a white T-shirt that revealed additional work done on the Bloods tattoo he received in prison earlier this year.

The tattoo says "LIFETIME" up top, which refers to either his lifetime sentence after being found guilty of murdering Odin Lloyd or his lifetime commitment to a gang. 

And that isn't a Cowboys logo on his neck. The five-point star below that is a sign of the Bloods gang, which has led many to believe it is indeed gang-related.

What had not been seen before were the words "LOYALTY" which are written below "LIFETIME."

There is also a photo of a skull and spider web at the bottom of the tattoo. 

Hernandez is set to go to trail next year accused of killing Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado after Abreu spilled a drink on him at a Boston nightclub in 2012.

The men were in their car at a traffic light when they were executed with a .38 caliber gun.

The 26-year-old Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

Hernandez has had three known fights behind bars and was recently put in segregation after being caught with a shank inside his cell at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Massachusetts.

He was convicted in April for the Odin Lloyd murder and the next month received the initial tattoo.

Getting a tattoo is illegal in prison but it is not clear how, or if, he was punished for the infraction.

One-handed Florida player scores first points of his career (VIDEO)

It was basically a routine spin-move, under-handed floater that Zach Hodskins put through a basketball net Tuesday night — one that normally wouldn’t make any highlight reels. But if you are a fan of Florida basketball, or just a fan of inspiration anywhere, it was a bucket that deserves recognition.

You see, Hodskins is the one-handed sophomore guard for the Gators, a player with dreams of playing D-1 ball long before Billy Donovan offered him a chance to wear a Florida uniform. 

Hodskins, by way of Alpharetta, Georgia, has been playing one-handed basketball all his life. He was born without a left hand, but this basket against Jacksonville were the first points the walk-on scored in a Gators uniform.

.@dabreu91 @dustinhart_ @GatorsMBK Here's Zach at full speed! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/I4J6ESYJG0

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) December 23, 2015

The skilled Hodskins made his debut in a UF uniform last season, but that first score is always the sweetest.

And it deserves another look:

@notthefakesvp this has to be the best thing you'll see today https://t.co/NNVcyfJ6eL #scSVP

— Jon Brokman (@JBrok420) December 23, 2015

Florida is now 8-3 and plays at home against Florida State next Tuesday.

Turkish soccer player charged with 'attempted manslaughter' for kicking opponent in face (VIDEO)

A red card was just the beginning of problems for Mehmet Degirmenci, an amateur soccer player from Turkey who's been charged with "attempted manslaughter" for brutally kicking an opponent in the face.

It looked like any other foul after Degirmenci tripped Kayhan Karakas from behind, earning a well-deserved red card from the referee.

But Degirmenci was far from done. Instead of leaving the field, he turned to his fallen victim and unleashed a vicious kick to Karakas' unprotected face that nearly knocked him out cold, Karakas later told The Daily Sabah of Turkey.

Karakas, who blacked out from the kick and needed nine stitches to repair the damage, pressed "attempted manslaughter" charges against Degirmenci, The Daily Sabah reported.

Facing mounting criticism and possible jail time, Degirmenci, who has been kicked off the team, explained his actions to Hürriyet of Turkey, via Deadspin, claiming that he snapped after Karakas insulted his mother.

Suddenly that Josh Norman-Odell Beckham Jr. spat seems sort of tame.

NJ high school hockey team attempts to use two goalies, hopes nobody notices

A New Jersey hockey team thought they had the answer to playing a far superior team Sunday when they tried to slip two goalies in front of the goal hoping no one would notice.

Tenafly High School argued that there was nothing in the rulebook which prevented them from defending the net with two goalkeepers against St. Joseph’s of Montvale, which was ranked among the top 20 in the state, so their coaches decide to give it a shot.

Tenafly playing with two goalies at opening faceoff.. Called for delay of game.. pic.twitter.com/YrczFrinBx

— New Jersey Hockey (@HockeyAdvantage) December 21, 2015

When the refs prepared to drop the puck and saw one team with two goalies and four skaters, they put a stop to the unorthodox setup and called Tenafly for a delay of game penalty.

I'm not sure of the New Jersey high school rules, but USA Hockey Rule 203(c) states: Each team shall be allowed one goalkeeper on the ice at any time during the game.

Tenafly ended up losing 10-0.

Next time, just put mud flaps on a fat kid.

Minor league team plans to honor Miss Colombia with "Runner-Up Night'

In honor of Steve Harvey's colossal Miss Universe Pageant flub Sunday night, the Frisco RoughRiders, a Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, announced plans to salute plenty of other all-time great second-place finishers with “Runner-Up Night” at Dr Pepper Ballpark this spring.

Seeing a silver lining inside the universally ridiculed mishap, the RoughRiders are planning to promote an evening celebrating Miss Colombia and all other fantastic second-place finishers the world has known on April 26.

Mark your calendars: April 26 we honor #MissUniverse2015 flub w/ "Runner-Up Night" Details ➡ https://t.co/0kNxD9Ej3S pic.twitter.com/AtW2ZgzMlj

— Frisco RoughRiders (@RidersBaseball) December 21, 2015

“Although it may appear that Miss Colombia has lost, she really has won,” said RoughRiders Executive Vice President and General Manager Jason Dambach. “In a world in which everyone competes to be first, we have decided to honor how special a second-place finish can be. It’s something to be proud of and celebrated.”

Although most of the hoopla surrounding the legendary goof will probably be a memory by baseball season, the Riders have extended an invitation to other famous second-placers including both Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, members of the Buffalo Bills during their four-year stretch of runner-up finishes in the Super Bowl (1991-1994) to attend the event. 

The team will celebrate other second-place finishers including Brittney Spears and Christina Aguilera (runner-up on Star Search); Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken(American Idol); Carrie Underwood and Michelle Obama (High School salutatorians); Al Gore and Mitt Romney (2000 and 2012 presidential elections); and Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up).

Like all Riders home games, fans will have the chance to participate in on-field games, but on Runner-Up Night, prizes will be awarded to the second-place, not first-place, finishers. Other in-game promotions include a seat upgrade to the "Second-best seat in the house."

The club also plans to host an in-park beauty pageant throughout the game. Any fan that can prove a second-place finish in a beauty contest or pageant at any level will receive a free ticket to the game between the RoughRiders and the San Antonio Missions.

Just remember to check the spelling on the invites.

Gregg Popovich gives ex-Spur George Hill's dyed-blond hair a stroke of approval (VIDEO)

During Monday's game with the Indiana Pacers at the AT&T Center, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich had a little fun with Pacers point guard George Hill.

Pop hadn't had the chance to see Hill's new ultra-blond hairdo in person prior to this game, so he offered his opinion of it to his former player during a break in the action:

Since Popovich is widely known for his sharp sense of humor, we can only guess it came with a pointed quip.

i love the nba hahahahah pic.twitter.com/Np6TGxiPPD

— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) December 22, 2015

But he did compliment the Sisqo look after the game:

After the game, Gregg Popovich was asked about G. Hill’s hair. “I love it. I wish I had the guts he has. That could really turn some heads."

— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 22, 2015

Carolina Panthers player with bat seen heading towards Giants sideline before game (VIDEO)

Anyone looking for an explanation for why New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. retaliated so many times with so many cheap shots aimed at Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman during Sunday's 38-35 loss, ESPN's Adam Schefter offered up one possibility.

The reporter posted this scenario on his Facebook page Monday afternoon before Beckham got fined and suspended one game by the NFL:

"In pregame warmups, at least one Panthers official, and possibly more, carried black baseball bats on to the field and were motioning with them towards Odell Beckham Jr. while making comments to him, per a league source. Norman later grabbed the black bat and was swinging it in pregame warmups – which, by the way, an NFL Films camera captured. Beckham, according to another source, felt threatened and it helped put him in a certain frame of mind. It does not excuse what he did during the course of the game, but it does explain what led up to the battle that still is the talk of the league today."

Here's the video:

ELI greets his teammates as they take the field! #CARvsNYG 🏈

A video posted by New York Giants (@nygiants) on Dec 20, 2015 at 9:14am PST

At least one baseball bat was in the Panthers' possession during warmups, according to a source, but this is nothing new for Carolina. It's a motivational tactic the Panthers have used for several games — the bats are symbolic for making home-run plays. 

And although several Giants players also said they saw OBJ getting into it with a few Panthers players before the heart-breaking loss, they claim he was being threatened and having homophobic slurs hurled towards him around the time one of the players gave the bat to Norman.

Video: One of reasons sources say OBJ went ballistic was threat from Panthers player in street clothes with a baseball bat on field. Player then gave bat to Josh Norman.

A video posted by @jayglazer on Dec 21, 2015 at 11:39am PST

Beckham was called for three personal fouls — including one when he launched himself head first right into Norman's helmet.

The NFL might want to check players for switchblades and brass knuckles next week.

High school wrestler collapses on mat during tournament and dies

Friends, family and teammates were left wondering what happened to an Iowa high school wrestler who collapsed on the mat during a tournament and died at the hospital after he was unable to be resuscitated.

Spencer High School senior Austin Roberts fell to the mat Saturday at the Spencer Invitational Wrestling Tournament and died after he was taken to Spencer Hospital.

The 18-year-old Roberts, also a star player on the Tigers football team, was tied during his 220-pound championship match with Sioux Center's Ko Kieft when he took injury time late in the third period and then lost by injury default when he could not continue to wrestle. 

Sioux Center Coach Aaron Schmidt indicated it wasn't obvious there was a major problem with Roberts until he collapsed on the mat a short while later, according to the Sioux City Journal. 

"It seemed like he was not quite able to catch his breath," said Schmidt. "It wasn't anything that was alarming or anything serious at that point.

"The third period started and he just went down and never got back up."

About 100 students and other community members gathered at the hospital while Roberts was being treated and went to Sacred Heart Catholic Church after he was pronounced dead at 9 pm.

Football coach Jim Tighe said Roberts "was engaging" and that "you couldn't help but like him."

A GoFundMe page has been created to help the boy's family cover medical and funeral expenses.

The young man's father said that his son had never collapsed before, reported NBC News. 

"He never had any warning signs. We don't understand what happened," said the wrestler's dad. "One minute he was competing for the championship and was doing fine." 

The 6-foot-4 Roberts began wrestling in seventh grade and placed in the Class 2A state tournament last year in his first appearance at the state level, taking eighth at 220 pounds.

R.I.P. young man.

Panthers fans chant 'Odell who?' as Josh Norman exits team bus (VIDEO)

The Carolina Panthers escaped New Jersey still undefeated with a 38-35 win over the New York Giants Sunday afternoon. But it was the game's marquee matchup between Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman was the real attraction right from the start.

The Giants receiver and Panthers cornerback repeatedly got into it, shoving, slapping and trash-talking with each other throughout the game. Beckham was flagged for three unnecessary roughness penalties, twice on the same drive in the third quarter. Norman also drew an unnecessary roughness penalty on the same drive.

But, after three hours of hearing it from Beckham and the MetLife Stadium fans, Norman was later greeted with the chant of "Odell who?! Odell who?!" when the team bus returned to hordes of fans back south.

"Odell who" chant as Josh Norman walks by pic.twitter.com/2qD3TAU4Cw

— Tadd Haislop (@TaddHaislop) December 21, 2015

As for Big Blue fans, they were pretty quiet about OBJ's antics.

We know someone who is getting coal in his stocking this year. pic.twitter.com/vhpCeEO1hf

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 20, 2015

Brent Musburger suggests Mormons start drinking during Las Vegas Bowl blowout (VIDEO)

The first quarter of Saturday's Las Vegas Bowl looked pretty bleak for BYU fans. Their team was already down 35-zip in the first eight minutes of the Holy War game against Utah when ESPN analyst Brent Musburger dropped this broadcasting tidbit.

“I really feel sorry for my Mormon friends at BYU," Musburger said with great sincerity. “They don’t drink! This game would drive you to it.”

The Cougars rallied to get within seven points, but I'm betting the beer vendor didn't see a run on brewskis in the meantime.

Knicks' Derrick Williams robbed of $750G worth of bling by two women

It seems like a weekend doesn't go by without some poor wealthy schlub getting fleeced by some women they met partying in one of Manhattan's hotspots.

Now you can add New York Knicks forward Derrick Williams to that list of rubes after he was reportedly robbed of $750,000 in jewelry at his Tribeca apartment early Saturday.

And the NBA player is blaming two women he took home from a Meatpacking District club earlier in the evening, according to the New York Post.

Williams told police that the women knicked a Louis Vuitton jewelry case holding a small fortune of his bling.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Williams said after the Knicks’ game at Madison Square Garden Saturday night. “It’s still up in the air.”

Williams, who was chosen by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, is known for posting pictures of his prized possessions on Instagram including this heavy gold chain with a large medallion bearing an image of the crucified head of Jesus Christ.

“All praise to the most high,” Williams wrote about the “Jesus piece.”

all praise to the most high.

A photo posted by Derrick Williams (@dwxxiii) on May 21, 2015 at 2:50pm PDT

The 24-year-old Williams had been celebrating Friday night’s 107-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers with a group of friends at the Up & Down club when he met the women.

Afterward, they headed back to Williams’ Broadway apartment — along with two women whom they had just met and who may have been using false names, the sources said.

After more partying at Williams’ bachelor pad, everyone went home.

But not before the two party girls found the Louis Vuitton case stuffed with three-quarters of a million dollars worth of jewelry in one of Williams’ closets.

The slick females grabbed the contents, and took off, the sources said.

Williams realized his booty was gone at about 4 p.m. Saturday and called the cops.

Toast to life. Special occasions became daily occurrences. And the work won't stop cause goals gotta get met. #GBE

A photo posted by Derrick Williams (@dwxxiii) on Dec 7, 2014 at 2:31pm PST

Police are probing whether the Williams’ theft is part of a pattern of robberies committed by young women who prey upon wealthy, bling-flashing men at clubs and hotel bars, the sources said.

In one case earlier this month, a $590,000 Swiss timepiece was robbed from a Beverly Hills watch dealer by two women he met at a Midtown strip club.

Spectator threw a shoe after Bruins’ Frank Vatrano's hat trick

The Boston Bruins stomped all over the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-2, on Friday night, handing them their third consecutive loss.

But it was a hockey official left holding a shoe.

A big reason for the Bruin's romp was rookie Frank Vatrano's first career hat trick. But because it happened on the road, where you don't expect a lot of hats thrown in tribute, a couple of caps did make their way down to the ice — along with the shoe.

Yup. A shoe.

The size 12 was probably a hint from a disgruntled Penguins fan sitting in the Consol Energy Center stands who had seen enough of the 21-year-old Vatrano.

In other words, take a hike.

Frank Vatrano nets his first NHL hat trick in #NHLBruins 6-2 win--WATCH: https://t.co/D0n3mJX2St

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 19, 2015

Disbelieving officials scooped up the wayward shoe which was hopefully claimed at the exit because it was snowing and about 20-degrees in Pittsburgh last night.

Barclays Center implements new booze policies at Islanders games after brawl (VIDEO)

Barclays Center is planning to cut off serving booze earlier during future games in response to a viral video of an ugly brawl at Tuesday's Islanders game inside the Brooklyn arena.

Several witnesses in attendance at the Islanders-Panthers game claimed Barclays Center security roughed up some fans.

The man and woman, who have not been identified, were reportedly standing in a handicapped area when security stepped in. A scuffle ensued and a video shows a man on the ground surrounded by a number of blazer-wearing security personnel. Although the video shows fans going after the security personnel as well.

@KFCBarstool fight at the islanders game pic.twitter.com/OTwR5Iep0t

— Scottie Wrbs (@AirWrbaa) December 16, 2015

As a result of the scuffle, Barclays Center issued a statement on Friday outlining new measures for its staff and patrons at Islanders games following an altercation in the stands during Tuesday’s game.

“On Tuesday night, December 15, there was an altercation during an Islanders game when arena staff tried to restrict guests from accessing an unauthorized area,” the statement said. “Management immediately initiated an investigation, including reviewing all videos, meeting with staff and speaking to fans who were involved in, or witnessed, the incident. Law enforcement authorities were also notified of the incident. Any parties found to have acted inappropriately or in violation of arena policies, and of course the law, will be dealt with accordingly.”

Barclays Center is also implementing a five-point plan going forward:

*Reinforce security and guest services training with staff.

*Further communicate Barclays Center alcohol policies to fans, which includes two-drink-per-purchase limit.

*End beer and alcohol sales at the end of the second intermission.

*Convene season-ticket-holder focus groups within 30 days to discuss arena-fan relations.

*Remind all guests of Barclays Center’s zero tolerance for any type of racial or discriminatory language or behavior.

There will be no changes to the alcohol policy for Nets games or other events.

The NHL does not have a league-wide policy on when to end alcohol sales and leaves it up to each venue to make the call on last call.

Social media outrage after Michael Sam tweets Star Wars spoiler (WARNING: SPOILER ALERT)

Ex-NFL player Michael Sam got plenty of fanboys' light sabers in a twist after he tweeted a spoiler for the new Star Wars film just hours after it opened in movie theaters across the country.

The NFL's first openly gay player who also appeared on Dancing With The Stars faced a backlash of criticism from fans who vowed to unfollow him after he disclosed part of the plot of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

The defensive end who has played for the St Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys later removed the post and followed it up with a tweet saying "#oops".

#oops

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) December 18, 2015

Star Wars fan Heather Allen tweeted: "Michael Sam just possibly tweeted a Star Wars spoiler. Whether it was just a joke or not, that earned him an unfollow lol."

Other Twitter users tried to warn those online of the spoiler. ReeD tweeted: "Star Wars + NFL fans, avoid Michael Sam's twitter/fb if you follow him. He just posted a MASSIVE spoiler."

While user Lori added: "Michael Sam tweeted about Star Wars spoiler... LMAO Seriously, stay off social media if you don't want to hear about this stuff."

The movie has smashed records for the biggest opening day of all time and it looks set to shatter all time box office records for any film's opening weekend.

It has already taken in over $50 million on its preview night and is projected to gross $250 million over the weekend, according to Variety.

(WARNING: SPOILER ALERT BELOW)

Sam, who currently plays for Canadian team Montreal Alouettes, caused the outrage by revealing that Han Solo played by Harrison Ford dies in the movie.

We think.

LeBron James crushes golfer Jason Day's wife during sideline collision (VIDEO)

NBA superstar LeBron James collided with the wife of Australian golfer Jason Day in a scary sideline incident at a Cleveland Cavaliers home game on Thursday night.

Ellie Day, sitting courtside with her husband, was stretchered off and taken to hospital after James, chasing a loose ball, crashed into her seat, sending both of them sprawling backwards to the floor.

LeBron James crashes into Jason’s Day wife, Ellie Day https://t.co/YHdgJZ2cU7

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 18, 2015

The game was halted for several minutes as medical personnel attended to Day, with James and his Cavaliers teammates looking on. She just gave birth to the couple's second child, a daughter, in November.

Day and his wife, who have a home in Columbus, Ohio, were sitting a few feet from the sideline when the incident occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Cavaliers' 104-100 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"It wasn't anything out of the usual besides the injury," James said of the incident. "But to me, obviously her health is very important and hopefully she's doing well."

"The guys told me she's doing great," James added, although there was no official word from the Cavaliers on Ellie Day's condition at the time.

"I was going for a loose ball. Just trying to keep a possession going and I hate that was the end result of it."

Day was reported to be alert and talking as her husband accompanied her to an ambulance, but was hospitalized overnight for observation before being released early Friday morning.

The 28-year-old Day won his first major title at the PGA Championship in August, twice ascended to number one in the world rankings this year and won Australian sport's prestigious Don Award in October.

Cavaliers coach David Blatt said he had long been concerned about the danger of players like James, six-foot-eight and 266 pounds, colliding with courtside spectators.

After the game, James tweeted his best wishes and apology to the couple.

Ellie Day I hope you're doing okay! My apologies! Hope u guys come back to another game soon. Love LJ!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 18, 2015

Sounds like someone's getting free Cavs' tickets for Christmas.

Eli Manning says he’s been working on touchdown dance routine

Nobody will ever confuse Eli Manning and Cam Newton on the playing field in any way, shape or dab. But, when the two quarterbacks square off this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, don't be surprised if you see Eli bust a move or two.

Asked if he has a dance routine that compares to Newton’s, Manning, in his best deadpan face, said that he has one in the works.

“I haven't polished it up yet,” he said Wednesday. “It’s got more work to do. It’s been in progress for 12 years. It’s still a little rusty. I haven’t fine-tuned it yet. But when it’s ready I’ll break it out. I’ve put in a lot of time in the offseason and Tuesdays doing it, but it doesn’t feel right yet.”

But the rest of the Giants locker room had a hard time imagining Manning performing as elaborate a dance as Newton. And the fact that Eli is no Victor Cruz does gives his teammates some cause for concern.

“If he dabbed, they might flag us for celebrating,” defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said. “I don’t even know if he knows what it is.”

“Maybe Odell might teach him. You never know.”