Brock Lesnar and the 25 Biggest Disappointments in Sports History

At some point or another, we've all had our fair share of disappointments in life. Through time and focus, we're usually able to overcome and look past these specific disappointments as everyday is a new beginning.

But in the world of sports, sometimes these disappointments stick with us and can haunt us over the years. For many of our sports teams, a simple shaking of the head or screaming at the TV just doesn't justify what happened.

As sports fans, we've had to learn to live with these disappointments and move on with our lives. However, that doesn't mean they aren't still in the back of our minds as the memories are alive and with us even to this very day.

So, the following slides display the 25 biggest disappointments in sports history.

Let's take a look.

25. Cleveland Sports

The city of Cleveland is one of the most beloved areas in the world of sports today. However, the love for the city doesn't justify the dreadfulness of its sports teams.

Not only have the Browns never won a Super Bowl, but they've never even made an appearance.

For the whipped cream and cherries top, we can't forget LeBron James taking his talents to Miami Beach, leaving the city of Cleveland in shambles.

24. Mike Tyson

No one will ever deny what Mike Tyson accomplished over the course of his long-lived career.

After starting off his career with an unheard-of 37-0 record, Tyson was knocked out by an unheard-of opponent in Buster Douglas.

His career rebounded with eight wins until fighting Evander Holyfield in the mid-1990s, which began a downslide punctuated by Tyson biting Holyfield's ear.

23. Brock Lesnar

After spending years wrestling for the WWE and a short stint in the NFL, Brock Lesnar made the transition to the sport of mixed martial arts.

Lesnar witnessed early success in his career and even held the UFC heavyweight title for a short while.

Then, after being off for more than a year, Lesnar returned to the Octagon only to lose his coming home party to Alistair Overeem just a little over two minutes into Round 1.

Following the match came more disappointing news: Lesnar had officially retired.

22. 2003-2004 Colorado Avalanche

There's nothing like having one of the greatest teams in NHL history and doing absolutely nothing with it.

Enter the 2003-2004 Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche were believed by many to be arguably the best team of the decade but failed even to deliver a conference title.

A combination of Peter Forsberg, Paul Kariya, Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk wasn't nearly enough to get the job done.

21. Minnesota Vikings Boat Party

As we can probably all recall, in 2005 the Minnesota Vikings couldn't get it done on the field so they decided to attempt matters off the field.

Or on a boat, if you will.

Several Vikings players were involved in a prostitute party in which women allegedly performed sexual activities to several players, who will remain unnamed.

20. Kimbo Slice

Kimbo Slice made a name for himself in the streets of Florida participating in street fights and knocking "cats" unconscious.

Slice's hard-nosed talents earned him a spot on The Ultimate Fighter, but he proved his skills weren't up to par with what the UFC was looking for.

After a short and lackluster career, Slice was cut from the UFC.

Bust.

19. Fedor Emelianenko

After going 10 years without a single loss, Fedor Emelianenko looked to continue his dominance when he met Fabricio Werdum at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum.

To the surprise of many, Emelianenko was dethroned when he was submitted in the very first round of action.

However, the fall turned into an avalanche as Emelianenko lost his next two fights, resulting in what is known today as the "Fedor Collapse."

18. LeBron James

LeBron James lovers, hear me out.

James entered the league in 2003 as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers and immediately held some of the highest expectations in NBA history.

Not only did James promise to bring a ring to Cleveland, but he sold out on them when he failed to deliver. So, James took his talents to South Beach to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for a guaranteed title.

Or so we thought. James forgot his fourth quarter in Cleveland and has yet to win an NBA championship in eight years with the league.

Forget about four, five, six, seven—just win one, LeBron.

17. Kobe, Malone, Shaq and Payton

If you can't win rings on your own, well, then team up with guys who can.

Enter Karl Malone and Gary Payton.

After spending years searching for NBA gold, Malone and Payton decided to take their old, over-the-hill talents to LA for a chance at a championship in the 2003-04 season.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned as the "Mail Man" and Payton failed to deliver.

16. Bartman and the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have been playing baseball since grass was green and water was blue.

But, unfortunately, it's been a long, long time since they've last won a World Series.

In result, Cubs fans choose to put the blame on Chicago legend (and not in a good way) Steve Bartman, who apparently stopped them from going to the World Series.

Really?

15. 2004 New York Yankees

Nothing better than having a 3-0 lead against your division rival, the Boston Red Sox, for a chance to head to the World Series, right?

One would have thought.

Four games later, the Yankees were on the outside looking in as the Red Sox would went to make history and win the World Series.

Life's tough, get a helmet.

14. JaMarcus Russell

With the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell, quarterback from LSU.

Otherwise known as the biggest bust in NFL history.

Three seasons with 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions?

A wise man once said, "C'mon, man!"

13. Kwame Brown

Is it just me or did any of you immediately think, "JaMarcus Russell's brother?"

With the first pick in the 2001 NBA draft, the Washing Wizards selected Kwame Brown.

After 10 dreadful years with six different teams, Brown has cracked double figures for a season just one time.

Did the Lakers really give this guy a chance?

12. 2007 New York Mets

The 2007 Mets found themselves smooth-sailin' toward the postseason with a seven-game lead in their division with just 17 games remaining.

Seventeen games later the Mets found themselves sitting with a 5-12 record and on the outside looking in.

Tough luck.

11. 1990-93 Buffalo Bills

The 1990-'93 Buffalo Bills: the team that never could.

After making a Super Bowl appearance in 1990, the Bills were believed to be taking over the NFL.

But that didn't happen.

Then, in '91, the Bills made it again and lost—and again in '92, and again in '93.

10. Floyd Landis

Floyd Landis will forever be remembered as the man who lived in Amish Country, Pennsylvania and doped his way to a Tour de France title.

Landis' motto: Deny, deny, and deny some more.

"C'mon, man!"

9. Tim Donaghy

I'm sure there are many choice words for the famous NBA referee Tim Donaghy.

We all know the story, so, thanks for nothing, Tim.

Bet on something other than the sport you're refereeing.

8. Ryan Leaf

OK, did anyone think of JaMarcus Russell and Kwame Brown's brother from another mother?

Close, but no cigar.

With the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft, the San Diego Chargers selected Ryan Leaf.

After four seasons filled with 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions, it's fair to say the Chargers would like to have their pick back and would have drafted an actual leaf instead.

7. 2007-2008 Patriots

Tom Brady and company were set to take on the New York Giants in the 2007-08 Super Bowl as Brady's Patriots were the heavy favorites heading in following a 16-0 season.

But, as we learned, being the underdog is sometimes the better option as Giants quarterback Eli Manning led his squad on a drive we'll never forget.

After one of the greatest catches in NFL history by David Tyree, Manning found himself with his first Super Bowl ring.

And for the Patriots, well, nevermind.

6. Marion Jones

Marion Jones, the fastest woman on earth.

Correction.

Marion Jones, the fastest woman on earth who took performance-enhancing drugs.

Give me those gold medals, Marion.

5. Pete Rose

Few will remember the exceptional baseball player Pete Rose as he truly was, as his addiction to gambling overshadowed his Hall of Fame type of career.

Rose is the all-time leader in hits and games played and has been banned from the game of baseball due to his actions.

Sad state of affairs.

4. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods was on top of the world as he was undoubtedly the greatest golfer in his era and quite possibly of all time.

But,Woods' parade came crashing down as news broke about an affair he was taking part in.

I stand corrected, affair(s).

Not only did Woods' golf game take a dip down south, but his life as well as his wife of many years was long gone with his dollar bills.

3. Barry Bonds

While the steroid era will certainly have its own place on the biggest disappointment list, it wouldn't be politically correct without giving Barry Bonds his due.

Bonds is home to the all-time home run record, as well as the single-season mark with 73.

However, when all is said and done, all Bonds has left to show is a larger hat size from his rookie year and a bunch of asterisks.

Thanks for the memories, Barry.

2. Jerry Sandusky and the Penn State Scandal

2011 brought about many fond memories for sports fans.

However, it also came with its fair share of heart-wrenching news involving Jerry Sandusky, a former coach of the Penn State football team.

After years of investigation, charges have been filed that allege that Sandusky sexually interacted with young boys.

Absolutely disgraceful.

1. Steroids

As we've come to realize over the past several years, the world of sports will never be the same for one reason and one reason only: steroids.

Steroids are used in nearly every sport, whether we'd like to admit it or not.

While many believe steroids saved the game of baseball, it's provided an added advantage to athletes over those who play the game the right way.

The steroid era has sadly overshadowed many players who do things the right way through pure hard work.

Steroids may very well be the biggest disappointment in sports history.

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.