‪The Most Insane Rivalry Moments in Sports‬

Competition may be ruthless and hard-nosed on the field, but for those who follow sports, it's perhaps more ferocious in the stands and on the home couches. And there are no refs.

Only within the most passionate and heated rivalries in sports can we truly appreciate the enthusiasm behind athletic loyalty.

Yet, sometimes, fervent fanatics can't hold themselves back from sharing their extreme exhilaration, despite how hardcore and jaw-dropping it may be. We're talking violence here, people.

As we study the steamiest rivalries in sports, there are several instances of pure hatred between fans, players and even coaches who can't be stifled with just a single whistle.

Here are the most insane rivalry moments in sports.

Blood-thirsty team pride at its finest.

20. Patrick Roy Challenges Chris Osgood

A historic NHL rivalry caught a new spark when Avalanche right winger Claude Lemieux checked Red Wings center Kris Draper into the boards from behind during Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference Finals, giving him a concussion, broken jaw, broken nose and broken cheekbone.

More than two years later, these two teams were still avenging the bloodshed, with one beloved goalie exchange between fiery Patrick Roy and scrappy Chris Osgood headlining the fierce rivalry.

Started by Roy, finished eloquently by a clearly exhausted Osgood.

19. John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg Achieve Greatness

Some have dubbed the Borg-McEnroe five-setter at Wimbledon in 1980 the greatest tennis match ever played. Calm, cool and collected Bjorn Borg against the tantrum-happy John McEnroe is one for the ages. McEnroe was reaching his first men's singles final, and Borg was looking for a record fifth-consecutive Wimbledon title.

But it was the 18-16 fourth-set tiebreaker that truly thrusted these two heated rivals into the record books. This 20-minute masterpiece saw McEnroe save five match points but eventually lose to the Swede.

McEnroe would get his revenge.

18. Chuck Bednarik Shows His Love for Frank Gifford

These two NFC East clubs have hated each other since they first met in 1933. Blue vs. Green. New York vs. Philly. Pizza vs. Cheesesteaks. Giants vs. Eagles.

And among the notorious moments highlighted within this heated hate are Larry Csonka's fumble in the 1978 Miracle at the Meadowlands and Matt Dodge's ludicrous punt to DeSean Jackson in the 2010 remake.

But it was Chuck Bednarik's monstrous hit on Giants running back Frank Gifford in 1960 that further increased the disdain between these two clubs and also sent the talented back into temporary retirement until the 1962 season.

17. Steve Smith Battles Alberta

The Flames and Oilers made up eight of the possible 16 Stanley Cup Final appearances between 1983 and 1990, headlined by one memorable Battle of Alberta that can't possibly be eclipsed.

Few could've predicted that rookie Oiler defenseman Steve Smith would score on his own goal in Game 7 of the Smythe Division Final against the arch-rival Calgary Flames with the score tied at two and everything on the line. But he did.

While Calgary would advance to the Final and eventually lose, the Oilers would make their mark the following year, winning the '87 Cup, Smith's name comfortably carved on the trophy.

16. On-Pitch Disgrace at the 1980 Scottish Cup Final

(Chaos ensues at around the 6:50 mark.)

Due to the reckless Old Firm meeting of 1980—the Scottish Cup Final, to be exact—alcohol was officially banned from Scottish football grounds.

These two Glasgow clubs have faced off 399 times and epitomize the political and religious difference of Rangers supporters (native Scots) and Celtic fans (Irish-Scots). Violence is rarely a non-issue.

There's pure on-pitch brutality at all times.

15. 1950 Snow Bowl Becomes Historic

Two powerhouse football programs looking to determine the Big Ten Conference title and the eventual Rose Bowl matchups, Michigan and Ohio State have always been bitter enemies.

Simply called The Game, Michigan against Ohio State is as fiery as fiery gets.

An annual event since 1935 (excluding 1942, 1986 and 1998), this epic rivalry endured arguably the most weathered 60 minutes of all time in 1950.

The epic Snow Bowl saw Ohio State's punter kick the ball 21 times for 685 yards with only one touchdown being scored. The Wolverines would win the game 9-3 in eye-wincing fashion, earning the Big Ten Conference championship and a berth in the 1951 Rose Bowl.

14. The Immortal Collision of Richard Petty and David Pearson

Easily among the most studied rivalries in the history of Nascar (perhaps matched only by the Ayrton Senna-Alain Prost rivalry) is Richard Petty vs. David Pearson. These two are two of the best in the sport, the pair having finished first and second in either combination 63 times between 1963 and 1977.

And then came the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 1976.

Following a frustrating crash into each other near the wall, Pearson found himself rolling across the finish line at 20 miles per hour, while Petty was smelling his own tarnished engine on the soft grass.

Two legends as tight as they come.

13. Ducks, Beavers and Violence in 1972

Since their first meet in 1894, these Oregon-based clubs have scripted one of the fiercest rivalries in college football.

In the final moments of a 30-3 Ducks victory in 1972, Oregon fans rushed the south goalpost at the former Parker Stadium. After heading to the other goalpost, and realizing Oregon State fans were ready to protect it, mayhem resulted. 

12. The Band Invades the Field

As if the passionate divide between Cal and Stanford weren't fierce enough since the first Big Game commenced in 1892 (featuring future President and then-Stanford-manager Herbert Hoover), the 1982 Big Game offered the world something so breathtaking we've yet to completely understand what happened.

After the Cardinal squad had taken a 20-19 lead on a field goal with four seconds left, the Golden Bears prepared for a game-ending kickoff return. But few envisioned five lateral passes actually eluding a misguided band that had trampled its way onto the field. 

Cal wins in breathtaking fashion, 25-20.

11. Jeff Van Gundy Hangs Tight

The NBA had yet to witness two teams meet in the playoffs four straight seasons with each series extending to the maximum number of games until the Knicks and Heat began to scrape prosperity between 1997 and 2000.

Pat Riley's presence as former Knicks and current Heat coach certainly sparked some intriguing fire, but it was the teams' fight in the first round of the '98 playoffs that cemented these two franchises in rivalry lore for good. 

As Heat center Alonzo Mourning and Knicks forward Larry Johnson began to scuffle, coach Jeff Van Gundy was seen hanging on to the former's leg for dear life. Epic, inspirational, ruthless.

10. Brett Favre Heads to Minnesota

As if 24 retirements (more like two) weren't enough, Iron man Brett Favre decided to completely tear the hearts of Green Bay fans right out and feast on their shock.

“Play somewhere else? It will never happen. This is where my family is. This is where my heart is. This is where I belong," he once said about Packer nation.

But what better way to get revenge on his former team than sign with the rival Vikings? Done deal.

Times, they were always a-changin' for Favre.

9. Pedro Martinez Teaches Don Zimmer a Lesson

Game 3 of the ALCS between the Sawks and the Yanks only added fuel to an already booming fire.

It featured Pedro Martinez tossing then-72-year-old Don Zimmer to the ground like he was a case of yams with grey hair and an old-school approach. Andy Pettitte was repeatedly asking his bench coach "what happened" (according to our respected lip readers). Benches were cleared.

A rivalry yet again ignited.

8. The Marvelous War

Undisputed champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler against world junior middleweight champion Thomas Hearns was set to be the most breathtaking bout in recent time—a war, if you will.

But what was eventually dubbed "The War" far surpassed expectations, as Hagler and Hearns took their 1985 fight to another level.

Eight minutes, three rounds and pure murder.

7. Alan Smith's Trip to the Hospital

Bottles, beer glasses, stones, missiles, threats. There was little that wasn't tossed at Alan Smith's ambulance following a nail-biting FA Cup tie in 2006.

Having been given a general anesthetic in the stadium, Smith had no idea of the chaos. But it was clear these ferocious fans were looking to flip the vehicle.

Both Liverpool and Manchester United issued a quote that summed up the entire experience: "These people aren't real fans of football."

6. The Good Friday Massacre

Initially owned by competing breweries, this hop-filled rivalry caught steam during the 1984 playoffs, when a bevy of ridiculous brawls ensued.

252 penalty minutes, 10 ejections and a thorough count of blood-stained jerseys and smashed noggins.

Pure hatred between the Quebec Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens.

5. Juan Marichal and Johnny Roseboro Become Linked Forever

A rivalry that has stood the test of travel, the Giants and Dodgers have been engaging in the art of war since their New York days. But their heated competition was sparked by a historic fight on August 22, 1965.

Legendary pitcher Juan Marichal, known for his brush-back tactics and fearless nature, had already knocked Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills down. The Dodgers would attempt some payback, though, as Marichal was perhaps intentionally grazed on the ear while batting against Sandy Koufax by catcher Johnny Roseboro's throw back to the mound.

A simple "why did you do that" from Marichal turned into Roseboro stepping up to his opponent and receiving a two-inch gash from Marichal's bat. A 14-minute bench-clearing brawl was icing on the cake for this fiery West Coast friendship.

4. Argentina Endures Football Madness

This ferocious rivalry between Argentinian clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate has some ridiculous name-calling to compliment its violent nature. While Boca calls its neighboring enemies los gallinas (the chickens), River fans call their counterparts los chanchitos (the little pigs).

But, in 1968, pure mayhem occurred. Seventy-one fans were crushed by a stampede at River’s monumental Studium when Boca fans allegedly tossed burning flags onto the stand beneath them and caused a massive riot. 

A dark day in Superclasico history.

3. Evander Holyfield Doesn't Hear Mike Tyson Coming

It was in 1984 when an amateur Evander Holyfield first defeated counterpart Mike Tyson, this time to make the historic U.S. Olympic boxing team that eventually won nine gold medals.

And then, in 1996, meeting as professionals for the first time, Holyfield took the WBA crown from Tyson with an 11th-round TKO. Things only got juicier.

Finally, in their '97 rematch, Tyson would get his revenge, biting off his rival's ear in disturbing fashion. He eventually mustered up the courage to apologize...on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

2. Auburn Poisoned by 'Bama Diehard

The fierce hatred between Iron Bowl participants Alabama and Auburn took a strange turn when a diehard fan decided to ignite several nerves on the Tiger campus. Literally.

62-year-old Harvey Almorn Updyke was arrested and charged with criminal mischief after applying what was said to be a "lethal dose" of tebuthiuron to the Toomer's Corner oak trees, the corner being a beloved part of the campus where Auburn-ers can celebrate.

Naturally, toilet paper was wrapped around the oaks out of respect.

1. The Clash of the Floridians

Not even nine miles could separate the intensity between these two Florida programs.

Head kicking, helmet slamming, body slamming, pure bloodshed. This hate traced back to the high school days, when many of these collegians battled each other for the first time.

31 ejections, two embarrassed head coaches and an endless number of shocked fans.