Charles Barkley calls Ferguson rioters 'scumbags' (AUDIO)

Former NBA star Charles Barkley has never minced words when it comes to speaking his mind and once again, the Round Mound of Resound voiced his support for the grand jury that chose not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

Barkley didn't hold back Tuesday when he addressed the controversy during a radio interview.

"There is no excuse for people to be out there burning down people's businesses, burning down police cars," he told Mike Missanelli of Philadelphia's 97.5 The Fanatic as he referred to the rioters as "scumbags." 

Barkley went on to commend police officers who work in black areas. 

"If it wasn’t for the cops we would be living in the Wild, Wild West in our neighborhoods," he said. 

"We can’t pick out certain incidentals that don’t go our way and act like the cops are all bad," he added.

 "Do you know how bad some of these neighborhoods would be if it wasn't for the cops?"

The TNT commentator, who retired from the NBA in 2000, also laid blame on the media for fanning the flames of violence in the wake of Michael Brown's shooting death in August.

"The true story came out from the grand jury testimony," he said. "I can’t believe anything I hear on television anymore.

"And, that’s why I don’t like talking about race issues with the media anymore, because they love this stuff, and lead people to jump to conclusions.

"The media shouldn’t do that. They never do that when black people kill each other."

Sounds like Barkley is doing a little fire stoking of his own.

LeBron James, other athletes respond to Ferguson verdict via Twitter

Within minutes of Monday’s Ferguson verdict, NBA star LeBron James used social media to express his remorse for the family of dead teenager Michael Brown and the chaos that followed.

The grand jury’s decision not to prosecute police officer Darren Wilson was announced on Monday evening during the Cleveland Cavaliers' 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic.

After the game, James took to Twitter to voice his frustration at the situation in Ferguson by tweeting a drawing of Brown and Trayvon Martin walking arm-in-arm.

As a society how do we do better and stop things like this happening time after time!! I'm so sorry to these families. Violence is not the answer people. Retaliation isn't the solution as well. #PrayersUpToTheFamilies #WeHaveToDoBetter

A photo posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:06pm PST

Twitter blew up with other prominent sports stars speaking out as well.

Magic Johnson expressed his disappointment with the situation in Ferguson by tweeting: "We must work together to stop the unnecessary loss of young men of color. Justice was not served in Ferguson."

We must work together to stop the unnecessary loss of young men of color. Justice was not served in Ferguson.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 25, 2014

Serena Williams also tweeted her shock. 'Wow. Just wow. Shameful. What will it take???,' she said.

Wow. Just wow. Shameful. What will it take???
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 25, 2014

NFL star Reggie Bush also tried to put it in perspective.

No matter who you are, what color skin you have, where you live, we are all in this together! This… http://t.co/iDYzkjygbE
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) November 25, 2014

Cardinals fans clash with Ferguson protesters outside Busch Stadium after NLDS game (VIDEO)

Cardinals fans exiting NLDS Game 3 found themselves in the middle of a peaceful group of Ferguson protesters outside Busch Stadium Monday night — and not everyone was happy after the home town win.

The exiting fans immediately begin chanting "USA USA" and "Africa Africa" until tensions rose to an ugly level. 

The tragic incident where Michael Brown was shot dead by a police officer in August seems to have turned Cards fan against Cards fan. Some Ferguson protesters had vowed to disrupt NFL games and even the World Series games if the Cardinals make it there.

From the game tonight..lol pic.twitter.com/WX8RCg2gFQ
— Kathi Burch (@PossumAndPintos) October 7, 2014

And, after seeing that guy with "I am Darren Wilson" taped onto the back of his Cardinals jersey — a hand-scribbled homage to the Ferguson police officer who shot the unarmed teen — the real question might not be how far the Cardinals go, but how wide this issue has divided the St. Louis area.

Ferguson demonstrators threaten to shut down Cowboys-Rams game on Sunday: Report

Lost in all of the headlines of the domestic abuse charges involving NFL players are the demonstrations surrounding the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. this summer.

Now, those Ferguson demonstrators — who once had a stranglehold on media coverage — plan on bringing their issues back to the forefront by threatening to shut down this week's St. Louis Rams game.

The threat to get into Edward Jones Dome and stop Sunday's Cowboys-Rams game was first announced at a St. Louis County Council meeting Tuesday night. 

"It's not going to be a fun day Sunday at your beautiful Rams game," one protester reportedly shouted.

KMOX reports that St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson is doing whatever he can to stop those threats from becoming  a reality.

"We are having extra resources in the downtown area for this weekend to address any eventuality," he said.

Dotson said that if a peaceful demonstration was held the police would not interfere, but if things get out of hand, the he will shut them down.

Besides threatening this weekend's game, protesters said they would disrupt grocery stores as well as hold an even bigger demonstration if the St. Louis Cardinals make it to this year's World Series. 

A video posted on YouTube titled "St. Louis Rams: No Justice, No Football," is even asking for donated tickets so more demonstrators can get into the game.

"So all of those St. Louis Rams fans who love justice, I will ask you to contact me and to donate your St. Louis Rams tickets so protesters can get in the dome," says activist Umar Lee in the video.

Jeff Bagwell caught up in ugly Houston divorce case

Jeff Bagwell may not have snared enough votes to make baseball's Hall of Fame in January but the former Houston Astros slugger sure got himself 100-percent involved in a divorce case rocking Houston's high society that's dirtier than a prairie dust storm.

The scandalous divorce battle between Bagwell's reported girlfriend Rachel Brown and her estranged husband, hand surgeon Michael Brown, has shocked upper crust Houston — where Bagwell played for 15 seasons — and brought his relationship with the Texas socialite to light.

Normally, a case with these rich and infamous characters would only be noticed in certain circles of society but Bagwell's high sports profile has given it interest to the common sports fan.

The attractive Rachel, who's said she plans to marry Bagwell, testified earlier in court this year that her husband — who was acquitted on 2010 felony charges related to a dispute at the couple's home — required supervision while visiting their children because, "He goes into fits of rage." She reportedly said he'd thrown vases, mugs wine glasses and shoes.

Brown, owner of the Brown Hand Center and a fixture around Houston society, denied his wife's rage claims but admitted to paying women — up to three at a time — "for companionship," but testified that his small children would not be exposed to him "dating" or to other adult activities.

Meanwhile, Rachel (aka The Hand Lady) acknowledged using cocaine and Ecstasy after her children were born, but claims to have stopped using drugs in 2009.

She also told the court that Bagwell had recently gone to rehab to be treated for alcohol abuse, but left before he completed the treatment program.  Bagwell has always vehemently denied using steroids or any other performance-enhancing drugs.

Michael Brown's lawyers have filed a motion saying he's been denied supervised visitation with his kids because Rachel wants Bagwell to have more access to them.