There are some great combinations in sports, but on the other end, there are just flat out bad ones.
Sports is a game full of egos and sometimes when you put two big egos together, you don't succeed. Just look at the T. Ochocinco show and the 4-12 Cincinnati Bengals.
Jordan and Pippen come to mind as a great combination, but you will see in this slideshow that Jordan also combined with some things that weren't so great.
This is only my opinion, so after reading through 50 of them, I would appreciate any feedback as well as who I left off this list that should have been on it.
Without further ado, here is the list of the 50 worst combinations in sports.
Honorable Mention
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
These are some bad combinations, but they just didn't make the cut.
St.Louis Blues and the Stanley Cup (lost four straight and were swept in each series)
Feel free to comment on some ones that I missed and I will add them to this list.
50. Mike Haywood and The Pittsburgh Panther Football Program
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
On December 16, Haywood accepted the head coaching position at the University of Pittsburgh.
Two weeks later he was arrested in South Bend, Indiana on felony domestic violence charges
On January 1, he was fired by Pittsburgh.
I'm trying to think of shorter coaching stints and nothing comes to mind. Joe Paterno was named the head coach of Penn State when Haywood was two years old.
49. Damon Evans and Red Panties
Damon Evans is the former athletic director of the University of Georgia. In 2010 he was pulled over, arrested and charged with DUI.
Considering the fact that the video on the left is played at Sanford Stadium during football games, it is quite ironic.
But what makes the story even more interesting: He was with a female that wasn't his wife and the fact that there were red panties on his lap.
As a Georgia fan, at least they were red. If they were blue or orange, we would have had a serious problem.
48. Renardo Sidney and Elgin Bailey
Granted, this doesn't compare to this brawl, but this one happened between teammates.
I have been a member of a variety of sports teams, and I have been upset at teammates.
But I have never thought of fighting them during a game.
Now, in the locker room or in practice behind closed doors, that might change.
47. Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player ever to play the game.
But there is something about him retiring after winning a third consecutive NBA Championship and he did it twice.
When you retire, you need to retire. This isn't boxing or Brett Favre.
Jordan retired three times, and he didn't need to come back a third time and display the worst basketball of his career.
46. Brett Favre and Picture Messaging
Between being born in the 1850s and living on a farm, I am surprised Favre even knows what a cell phone is, let alone have the ability to send picture messages.
We all know that he sent the messages and there was just no way that this was going to be proven.
This combination could have turned deadly had the actual photos shown up, but just the mere thought of those pictures is a disturbing combination of Brett Favre and picture messaging.
And yes, I would much rather feature a picture of the Jenn Sterger part of this combination.
45. Randy Moss and The Vikings: Take Two
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Randy Moss played his first seven NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings where he caught 90 touchdowns.
After stints with the Raiders and Patriots, he was traded back to the Minnesota Vikings where he only lasted for four weeks.
Favre needed a deep threat and the Vikings thought Moss would fit in. To put it simply, he didn't. He caught 13 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns before being waived by Minnesota.
The first time for the Vikings and Moss was great, but part II was just awful.
44. Chinese Gymnasts and Birth Certificates
Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Come on, we all know they are 12 years old and that has a lot to do with why they are so flexible. I'm just glad they compete in a sport which we don't care about.
The Summer Olympics are in 2012, so it is only a matter of time before this topic becomes newsworthy again.
Watching recaps of these gymnasts performing makes me wonder exactly how old they are.
You are required to be at least 16 years old to perform and compete in the Olympics, and some of them look like they are 12 or 13.
43. Notre Dame and a Conference in Football
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Notre Dame, why don't you just join the Big Ten or Big East conference?
All of your other athletic teams are in a conference. It's time for the football team to follow suit.
I know that this will never happen, but it is just something that I wish did.
There is too much money involved for Notre Dame to join a conference, but it's a shame because I think they could add a lot of value to a conference.
42. Pam Ward and College Football Telecasts
She is just awful.
Luckily, I am a fan of SEC football so I don't have to hear her if I am watching one of their games.
But sometimes I'll flip to a game she is calling and I cannot find the mute button fast enough.
She should be calling women's basketball not college football—she is just painful to listen to. She sounds like a man.
The action comes at :36 and :54 seconds in the video
41. Jerry Jones and Coaches Since Barry Switzer
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
The Cowboys have had five head coaches since Barry Switzer. Talk about a place where I want to go in and be the coach, so good luck Jason Garrett.
Chan Gailey: 1998-1999
Dave Campo: 2000-2002
Bill Parcells: 2003-2006
Wade Philips: 2007-2010
Jason Garrett: 2010-present
If history is any indicator, Garrett will be gone by 2013 or 2014.
40. Houston Texans and High Expectations
Bob Levey/Getty Images
Every preseason for the last couple years, I have heard so-called experts say the Houston Texans are going to have a great season and make the playoffs.
But somehow they always end up with eight wins and out of the playoffs.
If a team hasn't shown that they are going to be good, stop acting like they are. Expect the same thing before the 2011 season.
Is there anything that is more painful to listen to?
38. Herschel Walker and an NFL Comeback
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Herschel Walker last played in the NFL in 1997. He was 35 years old...in 1997.
But now he is contemplating an NFL return.
Sure he is in great shape, and currently competes in MMA.
He just shouldn't return to the NFL, and I don't think an NFL team would take a chance on a 48-year old player, but stranger things have happened.
37. The BCS and College Football
I just couldn't resist posting this picture of the BCS National Championship Trophy. You can see more in this great slide-show.
Granted, the BCS is better than what we had before it was created, but it is not a perfect system.
College football needs to get with the idea of a playoff.
I don't think any reasonable person would disagree with that statement.
36. NFL Pre-Game Shows and Laughing
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
We all love the NFL and the pre-game shows.
But sometimes they laugh too much and it takes away from some great insight on previewing today's NFL action.
In a recent study, the FOX crew actually laughs the most. When combined on set, they laugh about 11 percent of the time. Terry Bradshaw of FOX is the worst offender, laughing for 92.4 seconds. Greg Gumbel of CBS comes in at last at 1.5 seconds.
Sure, we all love the comedic element of these shows, but sometimes it goes a little too far. Below is a table featuring how much time each analyst spends laughing.
FOX - SECONDS
CBS - SECONDS
T. Bradshaw (92.4 s)
B. Cowher (35.8 s)
J. Johnson (76.1 s)
D. Marino (31.5 s)
M. Strahan (75.9 s)
S. Sharpe (28.5 s)
H. Long (46.8 s)
B. Esiason (19.2)
C. Menefee (43.7 s)
G. Gumbel (1.5 s)
Total: 2 m, 22 s
Total: 43 s
35. The Minnesota Metrodome and Snow
I thought that something that was built in Minnesota would be able to handle and deal with snow.
Apparently I was wrong.
The roof collapsed after a blizzard in Minnesota and forced the Vikings-Giants game to be played at Ford Field.
Because of the seriousness of the damage, it also forced the Vikings-Bears game to be played at the University of Minnesota.
For a stadium not to handle a blizzard when it is built in the north, you know that this isn't a good combination
34. Miami Hurricanes and Pass Interference
It's 4th-and-3. The pass sails incomplete. You start celebrating.
But then you discover that there is some yellow laundry on the field and your highest of high emotions quickly has to settle back to earth.
Now was it actually a penalty. That's a debate that will be talked about for ages, but the penalty was called.
From now on, the Miami Hurricanes and pass interference will never be a good combination.
33. Poker and ESPN
Harry How/Getty Images
Is there anything worse than watching a blowout NFL game only to turn to ESPN to see the World Series of Poker. It is awful.
It's not a sport, it shouldn't be on ESPN. I know the 'E' in ESPN stands for "entertainment,' but poker just isn't entertaining at all. Not even close.
This combination needs to end, and it needs to end soon.
32. Mark Sanchez and GQ Photoshoots
I can only imagine the treatment that Mark Sanchez got in the locker room.
I remember back in high school, when someone did something embarrassing, he got made fun of in the locker room. If only I could have heard what Rex Ryan said.
Since the move back to Oakland in 1995, the Raiders have had nine head coaches in 17 years.
Mike White: 1995-1997; Joe Bugel: 1997; Jon Gruden: 1998-2001; Bill Callahan: 2002-2003; Norv Turner 2004-2005; Art Shell: 2006; Lane Kiffin: 2007-2008; Tom Cable: 2008-2010; Hue Jackson 2011-present.
If history is any indication, then expect the 18th head coach in Raiders history to be named in 2013.
Davis wants to win, but he just doesn't know who to hire, and once he does hire them, he doesn't get along with them.
After looking at that picture, I'm not sure I would even want to get along with him.
30. O.J. Simpson and a Ford Bronco
Back in 1994, this combination almost ended the life of O.J. Simpson.
This chase captured the American public with more than 95 million people tuning in.
Even the bloody glove won't stop this combo from being one of the worst in sports.
29. Brent Musberger and Holly Rowe
Watch the video to see what Holly Rowe said to make Kirk Herbsreit and Brent Musberger laugh on the telecast and openly mock her.
We all know that both of them and the viewing audience wanted Erin Andrews down on that sideline, and not Holly Rowe.
Nothing against Rowe, but Andrews is simply the best there is.
28. SMU and The Slush Fund
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
ESPN did a great 30 for 30 on this that aired directly after the Heisman Trophy presentation.
The slush fund nearly did destroy the SMU football program for many years.
College athletics and people with a lot of money is a deadly combination to begin with, and when you start paying those players, it gets even worse.
27. John Wall and The John Wall Dance
Yeah, who decided that this was a good idea?
This makes white people look good at dancing.
John Wall needs to stop dancing and he needs to focus on basketball—something that he is good at.
Just look at the John Wall Dance Phenomenon to the left.
26. Plaxico Burress and Gun Control
Chris Gardner/Getty Images
Guns and alcohol is a terrible combination. Add the fact that you don't have a permit and you are carrying it in your sweats without the safety on, makes it even worse.
Because when you go down to reach it, you might end up shooting yourself in the foot...literally.
Now Burress has a long time to think about this almost deadly combination.
25. Charles Barkley and Enunciation
To put it in Barley's words, his enunciation is turrible.
He has great insight and is highly entertaining, but he just doesn't speak in the clearest way. He does make for great television during NBA pre-game and interviews though.
But the way he talkes is just turrible.
24. NCAA and Integrity
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
Talk about two things that will never be mentioned in the same sentence, except if there is a "lack of" or "no" in front of integrity.
College football is a huge business and it is run by greedy individuals.
If you don't believe me, then show me where the college football playoff is.
Look at the Ohio State situation, USC situation, etc. It goes on and on. This is a sport that has too much money involved for integrity to matter.
23. Michael Vick and Dogs
Like you didn't see this one coming.
Vick was a great player, and he is almost back to that form again
But his relationship and combination with dogs put a pause on his success in the NFL.
Had this never been a part of his life, who knows where Vick would be right now.
22. Reggie Miller and Spike Lee
I know these two aren't directly related, but they stole the show in the mid-1990s with their in-game antics.
Reggie issuing a choke sign and grabbing his area, to Spike Lee taunting him the whole game.
This made for great television and it probably got more exposure than it needed to, but it was still highly entertaining.
But at the end of the day, they weren't a great combination.
21. Lou Holtz and Notre Dame Football Predictions
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
First, Lou Holtz was a great head coach at Notre Dame.
But you can't continuously pick Notre Dame to win 10-11-12 games every single year when they are just not a good football team. They have continuously won 5-6-7 games the last couple years when Holtz set high expectations for this team.
Remember in 2007 when Holtz said they were going to compete for a BCS bowl, but then they ended up with a record of 3-9?
Holtz needs to be banned from predicting Notre Dame records, because he has simply made an embarrassment of himself.
20. Jeff Fisher and Vince Young
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Who is the man in this combination?
After a war of words through the media, Vince Young was told he wouldn't be coming back to Tennessee.
But with Fisher now gone, the Titans might rethink that.
Young and Fisher never got along, and it truly is a shame considering the fact that Fisher is a great coach and Young has potential to be a very good quarterback.
19. Ben Roethlisberger and Bathrooms
Nick Laham/Getty Images
Ben Roethlisberger and Super Bowls, or great quarterbacks, or winning quarterbacks, are all great combinations.
He has won two Super Bowls and he is attempting to win a third.
With that being said, he just doesn't go well with Milledgeville bathrooms.
Something happened there, although we don't really know what happened.
18. Michelle Wie and The PGA Tour
David Cannon/Getty Images
Leave the PGA to the men and stay in the LPGA. Wie's record in the PGA tour proves this. She has never earned money following a PGA Tour because she has never gotten past the cut.
2006: Sony Open, four shots from cutline
2006: John Deere, withdrew
2006: 84 Lumber Classis, 13 shots from cutline
2007: Sony Open, 14 shots from cutline
2008: Reno-Tahoe Open, nine shots from cutline.
Yeah, she shouldn't even attempt to compete on the PGA Tour, and it's a good thing for her and us as fans that she hasn't competed since 2008.
17. Florida State and Field Goals
When "Wide Right" becomes "Wide Right I" and then "Wide Right II" and when it goes all the way up to "Wide Right IV," you know that you and field goals just don't go together.
“Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now.” [She's 47.] “She’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body … I know she’s very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won’t … but Hannah Storm … come on now! Stop! What are you doing? … She’s what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.”
10. Danny Almonte and Birth Certificates
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Remember back in 2001 when Almonte dominated the Little League World Series, throwing fastballs as fast as 70 miles per hour.
Little League Baseball rules say that you have to be under the age of 12. Because of this, he used a birth certificate that stated he was born in 1989, but this was wrong.
He was born in 1987, revealed a couple weeks after the 2001 Series. So Almonte and birth certificates never quite seemed to get along.
9. A Bears Fan and a Packers Fan at Work...
...and one is the Boss.
...and this is after the Packers beat the Bears in the NFC Championship
...and the Bears' fan is the boss, Packers' fan the employee.
...and the Packers' fan decides to wear a Packers' tie.
This wasn't going to work, and it didn't even come close to working.
The boss told him to take the tie off, he didn't, and he got fired.
I was trying to write this slide in comic sans, but B/R wouldn't let me.
This isn't a combination anymore, but it was one that never really worked out.
LeBron James is one of the best players in the league, and Gilbert just didn't surround him with the right talent.
You know you have a problem when you as a businessman can't keep your employees happy.
7. Cecil Newton and Not-For-Profit Organizations
Although Cecil is a preacher, this just wasn't a match made in heaven.
First, he needs to be reprimanded for only asking for $180,000. That is a bargain and he could have gotten a lot more.
The pay-for-play allegations dominated the last month of the college football season, and it might not be over.
But even when Cecil magically received the money to renovate his church, the building didn't get put to use.
6. Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
It is a coin toss for whether this refers to them playing the actual game of football, or their television show.
Either way, they just aren't a good combination.
I don't know what the Bengals ownernship was thinking bringing in two divas to their football team, but their 4-12 record in 2010 showed us that these two were just not a good combination.
5. Randy Moss and Local Retail Stores
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Randy Moss is a star athlete and when he joins a team, fans are going to want his jersey.
Because of this, local retailers are going to get a fairly high stock of Randy Moss jerseys.
In 2010, Moss played for not one, not two, but three NFL teams.
Two of these cities stockpiled his jersey, only to see him bolt for another team.
4. Michael Jordan and The Birmingham Barons
Al Bello/Getty Images
I am the greatest player in a particular sport.
I just won a third consecutive championship.
I am in the peak of my career.
I know what I'll do, I'm going to switch sports so that I can play in their minor league system.
Makes perfect sense, baseball and Jordan just weren't a match.
3. Ozzie Guillen and The Media
Ozzie Guillen must like watching himself on Sportscenter to see if they catch every word that he says so that they can bleep it out.
I know you're a personality, and provide for some great entertainment in your press conference.
But we all know that you weren't made to get along with the media.
2. Carl Lewis and The National Anthem
Watch the video.
I don't think anything else needs to be said.
We live in the greatest country in the world, but let's leave athletics to the athletes, and singing to the singers.
1. Brett Favre and the NFL Retirement Office
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Every year for the past three decades, the NFL retirement office has received retirement papers from Brett Favre.
For once, they think they have received the last letters they will ever receive from from Favre.
You know there has to be a running pool in this office and everyone bets on whether the latest retirement papers from Brett Favre are going to be the last ones he sends in.
For now, we all hope that he actually has decided to hang it up for good. He's just too old to play.
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