The Top 10 Most Laughable Sports Moments

Brian Campana by Contributor Written on February 13, 2009

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I have not been around the sports world as long as most, but I've still encountered a few funny sports moments.

The best thing about the life we live is that there is no "pause button."

There is no "start over" function in our video game. So, as the old saying goes, "think before you act."

The athletes, referees, and coaches involved in these laughable moments simply did not think. So, to these moments, I propose a toast.

Whether it was a botched snap, an errant throw, a creative celebration, or a tirade, these moments will always go down as the funniest sports moments I have witnessed.

No. 10: Gus Goes A-Wall

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 28:  Quarterback Gus Frerotte #12 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after being sacked against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on September 28, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Vikings 30-17.  (Ph

It was Nov. 23, 1997, and Gus Frerotte, then-QB for the Washington Redskins, rolls out of the pocket on third-and-goal from the one-yard line.

Frerotte sees a clear path and books it towards the goal line, squeezing between two New York Giants defenders for the touchdown.

He continues to run, spikes the ball into the wall, and then the unthinkable happens. He headbutts the wall with his helmet, but this wall had the last laugh.

Frerotte sprained his neck on the play, and did not play the rest of the season.

No. 9: Silly Billy

15 Dec 2001 : Bill Gramatica of the Arizona Cardinals injures himself while celebrating a field goal against the New York Giants during the game at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 17-13. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit : Jam

It was Dec. 15, 2001. After he nails a 42-yard field goal against the New York Giants, Bill jumps into the air in celebration, only to land awkwardly, tear his ACL, and end his rookie season.

This turned all kickers into the laughing stock of the league, and with the help of David Akers and his "heroics", there are still giggles to this day. This is hands-down the funniest sports injury ever.

No. 8: What Down Is It?

BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 04:  'Chip' the Colorado Buffaloes mascot checks in with the Buffaloe statue as he enter the stadium prior to facing he Texas Longhorns at Folsom Field on October 4, 2008 in Boulder, Colorado. Texas defeated Colorado 38-14.  (Photo b

On Oct. 6, 1990, with the Colorado Buffaloes trailing the Missouri Tigers by four points late in the game, quarterback Charles Johnson knew he needed help to win the game. He got it, but from the most unexpected place.

After completing a pass to his tight end, Johnson and the Buffaloes had first-and-goal at Missouri's five-yard line. This is the breakdown of what happened next:

First-and-goal on the Missouri five: Johnson spikes the ball to stop the clock.

Second-and-goal on the Missouri five: RB Eric Bienemy runs for four yards, and gets stopped just shy of the goal line. Colorado uses their last timeout.

During the timeout, officials try to set the down markers and leave it as second down.

Second-and-goal inside the one: Bienemy gets stopped for no gain.

Third-and-goal inside the one: Johnson spikes the ball to stop the clock.

Fourth-and-goal inside the one: Johnson runs up the middle for a touchdown.

Count the plays, then hold up your fingers and ask the referees how many there are. My guess is that they say four.

No. 7: A Rookie Mistake

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -  JANUARY 11:  DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles gestures during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New York Giants on January 11, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  The Eagles defeated the Gi

On Sept. 16, 2008, rookie DeSean Jackson, a speedy WR for the Eagles, made a move he will never forget. In the second quarter of a Monday Night Football game against the Cowboys, Jackson split Pacman Jones and Roy Williams to get open. Donovan McNabb hit Jackson him on the move, and it was off to the races.

Jackson flipped the ball to show his swagger as he scored, but there was just one minor problem.

Jackson had not crossed the goal line yet.

Jackson was lucky in that the ball was ruled dead at the one, and Brian Westbrook scored on the next play.

No. 6: Nothing is Truly Free

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It was March 12, 2005. With time expiring in the Conference USA Championship Game against Louisville, Memphis freshman Darius Washington was fouled while shooting a three-pointer. His team, down by two at the time, celebrated as Washington drilled the first free throw.

Though he was a 73-percent shooter from the line that season, Washington bricked the next two shots, and Louisville went on to win the Conference USA Championship. Washington crumbled to the floor in anguish and disappointment.

No. 5: What Side is Tails?

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12:  Back judge Phil Luckett #59 makes a call during the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers on December 12, 2004 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.  The 49ers won in overtime 31-28.  (Photo by Step

In a 1998 Thanksgiving Day game between the Detroit Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Phil Luckett rules the Lions the winner of the coin toss in overtime, despite the audio on the TV camera picking up Bettis saying "tails".

It was funny to watch during the game, although later, with enhanced audio, it is clear that Bettis said "hea-tails." Therefore, "heads" was the first thing called, making Luckett right in the end.

Still, it was painfully funny to watch.

No. 4: Another Lett-Down

23 Jan 1994:  Defensive lineman Leon Lett of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during a playoff game against the San Francsico 49ers at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas.  The Cowboys won the game, 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn  /Allsport

After being caught from behind in Super Bowl XXVII and fumbling away a touchdown, Leon Lett was at it again on Thanksgiving Day 1993.

With his Dallas Cowboys team winning 14-13 in the closing seconds, the opposing Miami Dolphins had their potential game-winning field goal blocked.

As his teammates celebrated, Lett decided to recover the fumble. He slipped, muffed the ball, and Miami recovered on Dallas's one yard line.

The Dolphins didn't miss a second time and they won, 16-14.

#3 - Jean Van de Fail

15 Jun 2000:  Jean Van De Velde watches the ball after hitting it during the 100th US Open at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.Mandatory Credit: Jon Ferrey  /Allsport

It was July 18, 1999. Going into the 72nd hole, Jean Van de Velde led by three shots in the last round of the 1999 Open Championship.

Needing a double bogey to win, Van de Velde pulled out his driver and shot for the green. He missed.

But instead of laying up on his next shot, he went for the green again. He missed again.

He ended up triple-bogeying the last hole, forcing a playoff that he lost. One of the funniest things I have ever witnessed in my 21 years of sports fanaticism.

No. 2: Just Take It

BEVERLY HILLS - SEPTEMBER 29:  Former NBA basketball player James Worthy attends the Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Celebrates 25 Years of Business gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 29, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California.  (Photo Frederick M. Brown/ Ge

On March 29, 1982, one of the most outrageous moments in the history of sports occurred.

With 17 seconds to go, the Georgetown Hoyas were down one to the North Carolina Tar Heels. On the Hoya's next possession, PG Fred Brown passed the ball to the player next to him: UNC junior James Worthy.

The Tar Heels went on to win the game, and the Hoyas were left with lingering laughter in their ears.

No.1: Fire in the Hole

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To me, the funniest moment in the history of sports did not happen in a professional league. It was during a June 1, 2007 minor league game.

Mississippi Braves manager Phil Wellman, during a contest against the Chattanooga Lookouts, protested the umpire throwing out one of his pitchers for using a "foreign substance" on the ball.

Wellman proceeded to cover home plate with dirt, drew a much larger plate, and then took out all of the base and threw them. It could not get much funnier, right? Wrong.

Wellman then Army-crawled towards the mound, grabbed the rosin bag, bit off the "pin," and threw the bag at the umpire.

He then "ejected" all the umpires with a few fist pumps before blowing kisses to the crowd on his way out. I watched this on YouTube and SportsCenter for days, and it got funnier and funnier every time.

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written on February 13, 2009 Sports


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