The Craziest Hazing Stories in Sports
When it comes to putting innocent rookies in their place, veterans are always eager to squeeze the juice out of their creative side. Friar Tuck haircuts, maple-syrup baths, forced-Beyonce renditions. We've seen it all.
These poor rooks get the initiation of a lifetime when they become part of the athletic family. We're here to check out the craziest of the bunch—those that simultaneously had us scratching our heads, spitting out milk and tearing up with respect.
Here are the hazings that made our cut for the most mind-boggling, hilarious and downright awful hazing pranks in sports. These were just in good fun, everyone smiling, sun shining, duck tape ripping.
Enjoy the veteran love.
20. The First-Year Takeout
1 of 20$4,300...$5,500...$32,000!
After two horrific guesses, the truth comes out. Chargers rookie dinners have come to be tradition in San Diego (just ask Larry English), but Shawne Merriman got the worst of it back in '05.
Most of us don't make that in a year. Ouch town, population us, bro.
19. Trindon Is Trending
2 of 20Coming out of LSU, 5'5" receiver-returner Trindon Holliday knew he'd have tough and physical hills to climb, but he never expected this. Caring teammates.
In 2010, they presented their new rookie with a glorious pink tricycle to naturally help his ailing hamstring. Holliday should grow into it nicely.
18. The Warrior Way
3 of 20Sports, where amazing happens.
After seemingly treating himself to a sexy new Infiniti as a rookie in '06, center Patrick O'Bryant got a butter-and-salt interior makeover.
It's possibly Jason Richardson's most ferocious dunk yet.
17. John Rheinecker Gets Happy Feet
4 of 20This is a lesson to all: don't forget your passport. Rangers rookie John Rheinecker did in '06 and was unable to travel to Toronto as a result.
While he was sent home, his ultimate punishment involved riding the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in penguin-clad attire. Classy.
16. Colt Brennan Grabs a Mic
5 of 20Let's stick to the Gridiron, Colt. Perhaps dreadlocks could help the "Sweat" rendition.
How does Brennan stack up against Inner Circle, let's check it out.
15. San Diego Offspring
6 of 20The Padres clearly know how to keep things fresh, and no, his name is not Carlos (as Zach Galifianakis might suggest).
Forcing rookie second baseman Josh Barfield into newborn status was both strange and hilarious, but mostly just obscure and random.
14. Baltimore Bruising
7 of 20It's a vicious battle out there. Whipped cream, icy water, hose spraying. Ruthless.
What we've learned No. 1: Terrell Suggs should go into broadcasting or hosting.
What we've learned No. 2: Troy Smith was pissed.
13. The Franchise Cornerstone
8 of 20Despite being the savior of the Clippers franchise, the reigning No. 1 pick and physical beast Blake Griffin was the victim of traditional hazing back in 2009. Yet, he took it all in stride, perhaps too comfortably.
While sporting a Dora the Explorer backpack with teammates' sweat bands and socks stuffed inside, Griffin pranced along the court with confidence. He one-upped this performance when he was seen galloping across fields in drag.
12. Macho Men Pinstripes
9 of 20The Yankees offer a certain type of madness to their rookies that can't go unnoticed. Since 2003, their newborns have been dressed as pimps, Elvises, cheerleaders, George Steinbrenners, The Wizard of Oz characters and even Batman.
But one has reigned supreme—The Village People. Brett Gardner and co. seem to be enjoying it.
11. Golden State Gold
10 of 20The hand-flailing dude in the back clearly hasn't hear of "Crank That," and we can't ignore the awkward display.
Other than that, pure comedy. The Warriors continue to make us smile with this open-practice spectacle.
10. John Salley Remembers a Time
11 of 20Long before finding his niche in the acting world, humorous baller John Salley was the precious victim of some stellar hazing by the Detroit Bad Boys of the '80s.
Cleaning jock-filled walls with Dennis Rodman, sleeping in wet beds, watching random broads eat his food. What a rookie year for the comedian!
9. Brenton Bersin's Car Troubles
12 of 20Wrapped in plastic, stuffed with shipping popcorn, deemed undriveable. That was one day in the life of Panthers rookie receiver Brenton Bersin when he found his Jeep completely conquered.
Unfortunately, the undrafted Wofford standout left his keys out in the open. Long snapper J.J. Jansen was quick to jump on the opportunity.
8. Bad Hair Days at Raiders Camp
13 of 20Ridiculous haircuts are a fixture in traditional hazing, but Raiders rookie lineman Tony Bergstrom had the worst of it when Carson Palmer was given the clippers.
The phallic design is certainly creative and mature.
7. Rangers Feel Like Women
14 of 20So much for "this room only."
With their feathered scarves, tight skirts and tree-trunk calves, rookies Robbie Ross, Yu Darvish and Brandon Snyder force Shania Twain to raise her eyebrows in curiosity.
It was an intriguing culture shock for Darvish; he didn't sign up for this.
6. Blake Griffin's Internship
15 of 20Just when you thought Blake Griffin was off the hook, he signed up for the Funny or Die internship, where he learned the intricacies of making comedy. Although, his new teammates weren't too eager to embrace him.
This hidden footage offers us an inside look into what exactly went down behind the scenes. The dunking big man was used and abused as a rookie office guy.
5. Calling All Angels
16 of 20Though he was technically still a blossoming top prospect when he came to sprint training with the big-league club, phenom Mike Trout was the subject of one hilarious prank call—rather, thousands.
During Angels 2011 spring training at Tempe Diablo Stadium, Trout looked to the scoreboard and saw history being made. "Call Mike Trout directly with your baseball questions," it said, with his number included.
Trout was the fresh fish that day.
4. National Blue Man Group
17 of 20Now this takes dedication. Forget pies to the face, skirts and penguin suits...Smurfs are the route to go.
Papa Smurf, also known as Stephen Strasburg, dominates once again. Brilliant.
3. Saved by the Derek Bell
18 of 20When Joe Carter drove the "free car" onto the field, set to be offered on Fan Appreciation Day, one individual sat in shock.
Wait man, that's my car. Oh yes, big guy. You just got punk'd.
2. David Ortiz Enters the Peanut Gallery
19 of 20With David "Big Papi" Ortiz in the shower and teammates obviously snickering in the background, Twins mate Corey Koskie laid the foundation of a lifetime in his hefty buddy's underpants.
Despite the chunky feel, Ortiz didn't realize he had peanut butter in his jocks until prancing out to the field, when he undoubtedly began to erupt with anger.
Who forgot to add jelly!?
1. Kyle Kendrick Prepares for Japan
20 of 20With his heart beating out of his chest, anxiety flooding his veins, Kyle Kendrick got the news...punk'd!
"I've never seriously been so happy in my entire life," said the relieved hurler. Maybe it wasn't a rookie hazing, but Kendrick's prank trade sent ripples throughout the entire baseball world—or maybe that's laughter.
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