The Best Scowls in Sports

Whether a coach or athlete’s scowl is used while confronting referees or umpires, as an intimidation tactic, or just how the person looks, those snarling, menacing faces can have a lasting impact that transcends stats.

Sports personalities are sometimes best remembered for their scary appearance or their cursing tirades following questionable calls.

Here are some of the greatest all-time scowls in sports.

14. Ray Lewis

As a football player, Lewis’ face is often hidden behind a helmet, facemask and dark visor. But when you get a glimpse of his face, his intimidation factor is off the charts.

As one of the greatest linebackers of all time, the surefire Hall of Famer and 16-year NFL veteran has spent his entire career as a Baltimore Raven.

With 31 career interceptions, 40.5 career sacks and closing in on 2,000 career tackles, Lewis has made a living by intimidating opponents with his frightening scowl.

13. Kobe Bryant

Although this face makes Kobe look more like the world's most terrifying hamster, his game allows fans to overlook it.

Bryant often makes this face after burying teams with his slick jump shot.

While Michael Jordan had the shrug, Bryant has the underbite.

12. Randy Johnson

The "Big Unit"’s glare over his glove was sure to make anyone in the batter’s box sweat.

Just ask John Kruk or this bird—oh, right, you can’t.

Admittedly, it’s not easy to make people fear you when you have a full-blown mullet for your entire career, but Johnson struck fear into the hearts of opponents regardless.

11. Carlos Zambrano

Arguments with umpires, teammates, coaches, bats—"Big Z" doesn’t discriminate.

Despite his obvious anger issues, Zambrano was a promising starter for many years with the Chicago Cubs.

Recently, however, his effectiveness has dropped and he’s now a back-of-the-rotation starter for the new-look Miami Marlins.

10. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

In the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, a great deal of an athlete's success often relies upon unsettling your opponents.

Early in his career, “Rampage” did exactly that. Hell, the guy howled and wore a chain around his neck… He was not kidding around.

Despite being a fan favorite and having a lot of success, Jackson’s production has dropped since filming the A-Team movie. Maybe acting took the edge off.

Additionally, that drop in production may lead Jackson to end his UFC career.

9. The Undertaker

Born Mark William Calaway, The Undertaker has been a part of the WWE since 1990 (when it was still the WWF), and is currently the most tenured competitor in the WWE.

Rolling his eyes back in his head, sticking his tongue out, this guy has been genuinely terrifying for a long, long time.

8. Lou Piniella

Sporting the beautifully ironic nickname “Sweet Lou,” Piniella was one of the best at chewing out umpires and making a general spectacle of himself.

It’s difficult to think of this baseball great without imagining him throwing the bases around the field in a red-faced rage.

Despite his antics toward umpires, Piniella currently ranks 14^th all-time in managerial wins.

7. Bobby Cox

Bobby Cox holds the all-time record for most ejections with 158 (plus three post-season ejections). More than a few umpires had the pleasure of seeing Cox’s legendary scowl before tossing him from the game.

When Cox got upset, fans got excited.

Cox currently ranks fourth all-time in managerial wins.

6. Bill Cowher

Bill Cowher wasn't doing much scowling when his Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL, but his scowl is legendary nonetheless.

Best known for his terrifying scowl and flying spit as he yelled at refs and players, Cowher resigned after 15 seasons as the Steelers' coach.

Despite his sometimes frightening appearance, Cowher is one of the nicest sports personalities, and he's been able to channel that in a successful post-coaching career as an NFL analyst.

5. Jon Gruden

When your scowl has fans in the sports community drawing comparisons to horror film villain Chucky, you know it must be something to behold.

Gruden spent four seasons as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders before coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons (where he won Super Bowl XXXVII against his former team, the Raiders).

Gruden has now evolved into a very successful career as an NFL analyst. 

He even headlines the show Gruden's QB Camp where Gruden breaks down tape of quarterback prospects entering the NFL Draft. If you've never seen the show, I suggest you watch it, it's one of the most insightful sports shows on television today.

4. Mike D'Antoni

Offensive guru Mike D’Antoni managed to turn the Phoenix Suns franchise from laughing stock to run-and-gun contender, setting him up for a big contract to coach the New York Knicks.

He may have been paid handsomely in New York, but when he gets angry, man is he terrifying.

Maybe it’s the Italian inside of him that reaches the surface, but when he disagrees with a referee he looks like Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) from "Goodfellas."

"Funny, how? How am I funny?"

3. John McEnroe

Although he was once the No. 1 ranked tennis player in the world and won seven Grand Slam singles titles during his illustrious career, McEnroe’s accomplishments seem overshadowed by his temper.

His tirades at chair umpires became his calling card throughout his career, and thanks to YouTube, you can watch them whenever you want.

Despite being a potty mouth on the court, McEnroe has been able to stifle that in a successful commentary career.

2. Kendrick Perkins

The former Boston Celtic and current member of the Oklahoma City Thunder has gained a reputation of being a defensive enforcer in the NBA.

In some cases, maybe all "Perk" has to do is stare down smaller guards who drive down the lane.

Perkins’ scowl is so ingrained in his face that when he smiles you almost wonder if something is wrong with the guy.

1. Cliff Robinson

In my opinion, Cliff Robinson had by far the greatest scowl in sports history.

You simply can’t beat it.

I was lucky enough to sit courtside at a Phoenix Suns game when I was younger while Robinson was a member of the team. I got to see this face in action from maybe eight feet away.

It’s a work of art, it really is.

Back in the day, you almost wanted the refs to screw up just to watch Cliff’s reaction. It was priceless and never got old.

Although he is probably best remembered for his blank stare as Michael Jordan did “the shrug” against the Portland Trail Blazers, Robinson was no slouch.

Robinson had three seasons where he averaged more than 20 points per game, and he recorded a career-high 50-point game as a member of the Suns.

A great deal of my “dark days” Phoenix Suns memories with my dad are brightened when thinking of Cliff’s comical scowl.

For that, I am eternally grateful.