The Best Taunting Moments in Sports

documentingreality.com

All the talk in sports these days is about decorum, respect and cleaning up the game. Have you seen the NFL's new regulations for on-field antics?

But let's be honest: Taunting is one of the great things about sports. Many of the great moments we remember, from Jordan's tongue wag to Muhammad Ali standing menacingly over Liston, were pure taunts.  

Here are the greatest taunts in sports history.  

No. 20: Sean Avery Mocks Maxime Talbot

Hockey players like being seen as tough guys and getting into big fights on the ice.

So, what could be worse for Talbot than listening to iconoclast Sean Avery mock his punches? 

No. 19: Terrell Owens Mocks Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis' dance was among both the most feared and ridiculous antics on the gridiron.

It's funny that the NFL's most flamboyant wide receiver was the only man with the guts to mock it.

No. 18: Roy Jones Jr. Mocks Glen Kelly

In his heyday, Roy Jones was the world's best boxer and head and shoulders better than anyone in his weight class.

He was so good that he actually put his hands behind his back to taunt Glen Kelly, and then he knocked him out for good measure. 

No. 17: Philip Rivers Taunts Jay Cutler

Once upon a time, Jay Cutler was Philip Rivers' West Coast rival. The two star quarterbacks hated one another.

So, when the Broncos were down 23-3 in their 2007 AFC West battle, Rivers decided to wave goodbye, just to rub the loss in a little bit deeper.  

No. 16: Joe Namath Calls the Score

Is it a taunt to call the score before the Super Bowl?

Who knows, but the iconic Namath did it against the Baltimore Colts, and when he got it right, he secured his place in the NFL's Hall of Fame.  

No. 15: Albert Belle Threatens Kevin Kennedy

Belle, no stranger to controversy, didn't take kindly to Boston manager Kevin Kennedy's claims that he used a corked bat.

Flashing his bicep threateningly at Kennedy, he said, "There's your #$%^&*^ cork!"

No. 14: Terrell Owens Attacks the Dallas Star

The Cowboys star is one of the most sacred symbols in Texas.

Owens repeatedly disrespected it in this 2000 game as a 49er, and he made an enemy of Cowboys fans for years.

Ironically, Owens joined Dallas years later and put up some of the best numbers of his career representing the star.  

No. 13: Reggie Bush vs. the Bears Defense

Down 16-7 against Chicago, Reggie Bush caught a pass from Drew Brees and used his electric speed to outrun the entire Bears defense.

The funniest part: He managed to point at them the entire last 15 yards to his touchdown.

Still, the Bears had the last laugh, defeating the Saints to advance to the 2006 Super Bowl in Miami.  

No. 12: Randy Moss Moons Green Bay Fans

Randy Moss is one of the all-time maverick personalities in NFL history.

Who else would moon opposing fans in the 2004 NFC Wild Card Game?

No. 11: Boston Fans Taunt Darryl Strawberry

Boston fans were desperate to win the 1986 World Series, and they pulled out all the stops. 

In fact, they were so harsh that they inspired a Simpsons parody.

No. 10: Babe Ruth Calls His Home Run

Did the Babe actually do it?

It doesn't matter. The fact that people believe Ruth declared he would hit a home run to center field during the World Series, then actually did it, says everything you need to know about one of baseball's most historic players.

No. 9: Yankees Fans Taunt Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez delivered an assist to the Yankees when he said, "They beat me, they're that good right now. I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy."

The Yankees responded with, "Who's your daddy? Who's your daddy?"  

It was certainly a far cry from Pedro's manhandling dominance of the Yankees in his golden years from 1997-2000. 

No. 8: Scottie Pippen Dunks on Ewing

Scottie gets credit for a two-for-one. Not only did he dunk on New York Knicks star Patrick Ewing, embarrassing him, he also taunted uber-fan Spike Lee and put him in his place.

It's exactly what the Chicago Bulls did to New York for most of the 1990s.  

No. 7: Donald Sterling Taunts His Own Player

Phil Jackson, discussing Sterling's karma.

Only the Donald (the one without the world famous hair) would actually taunt his own star player on the court.

Sure, Davis was wasting $13 million of Sterling's money per year, but would taunting from your own owner motivate you to play better?

No. 6: Michael Jordan Finger Wags Dikembe Mutombo

Watch the wag at 1:20

Mutombo's finger wag is one of the best taunts of all time.

Jordan, who loved to humiliate his opponents, couldn't resist turning it right back on Mutombo.  

No. 5: Reggie Miller Chokes Spike Lee

In the mid-1990s, the greatest rivalry wasn't between players.

It was between one visiting player, Reggie Miller, and filmmaker Spike Lee.  

No. 4: Manny Pacquiao's Mini Concert

What's the best way to say, "You didn't hurt me," to your opponent?

Participate in a concert after the fight.

How do you feel about that, Miguel Cotto?

No. 3: Dikembe Mutombo's Finger Wag

The big man's finger wag would have gotten old...except that he was just so good at blocking shots.

How could his rejection notice get old while he was establishing himself as one of the most dominant shot-blockers in NBA history?

No. 2: Michael Jordan's Tongue

Michael Jordan was a killer on the court. He didn't just want to beat opponents; he wanted to humiliate them.

The tongue wag was the perfect way for Jordan to show his attitude and style.  

No. 1: Muhammad Ali over Sonny Liston

Muhammad Ali was the most brash, confident, talented heavyweight boxer in history.

And in that moment when he stood over Liston snarling menacingly, it was like taunting: "I have arrived."