Biggest Misconceptions in Sports

Urban legends have traveled through the sports grapevine since the first bonfire was sparked by prehistoric athletes some 200,000 years ago. Some choose to embrace these stories, others prefer to call them preposterous myths.

Whether you're a believer or a sugar-coated realist, myths in sports will keep you intrigued and leave you clawing for answers. We're here to clarify all doubts.

Prepare yourself for the biggest misconceptions surrounding the world of sports, those strange-humorous-obtuse beliefs that are simply wrong.

Time to educate the masses.

20. All Athletes Are Role Models

It was Charles "The Round Mound of Rebound" Barkley who once said, "I'm not a role model...just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids."

As if Tiger Woods' infidelities, Michael Vick's dog-fighting ring and Mike Tyson's ear biting wasn't enough to convince you, perhaps Barkley's words of wisdom can suffice. The man simply speaks the truth.

They may be star athletic talents, but only a few professionals can truly be called role models. Sometimes it's the unknown competitors who truly define heroism (see Pat Tillman, pictured).

19. Gold Medals Are Made of Gold

It seems winning a gold medal isn't as rewarding as we once believed.

Comprised of 1.34 percent gold, 93 percent silver and six percent copper, this "gold" medal earns $650 when melted down and sold at market value.

Might as well hand the winner a painted can of corn and call it a day.

18. Kevin Garnett Is a Jerk

There's been chatter around the league that Celtics star Kevin Garnett is public enemy No. 1, an arrogant instigator on the court. But we're here to settle that debate once and for all.

KG simply keeps it real. We appreciate Garnett pointing out Craig Sager's red socks that the people can't see at home, and the handkerchief...the lime thong. Sager needs to "burn it all."

17. Ivy League Athletes Can't Play Professionally

Now hopefully this belief isn't as worldwide as it once was, but it certainly requires a review.

NFL Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, Harvard: Became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300-plus yards in his debut, tossed for 3,832 yards with the Bills last season.

MLB Pitcher Craig Breslow, Yale: 3.07 career ERA.

NBA Point Guard Jeremy Lin, Harvard: Only time will tell, but the young guard made ankle-breaking moves last year with the Knicks. Now Houston gets a shot at the kid who scored 38 against the Lakers.

NHL forward George Parros, Princeton: Feared NHL enforcer, Stanley Cup champion in '07.

P.S. We didn't forget about you, Matt Birk.

16. Hockey Needs ESPN

Sure the sport is growing faster than corn passing through a goose, but many still believe it won't be fully embraced until it's enthusiastically covered by the so-called "Worldwide Leader in Sports," also known as ESPN.

However, don't be fooled by the chatter. The NHL is thriving under NBC Sports. Just take a look at the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which saw the largest audience across all platforms in the history of the sport.

In the end, ESPN is too busy counting Tim Tebow's nose hairs to truly care dedicate any time to another sport.

15. George Allen Was Killed by a Gatorade Shower

It's believed that legendary football coach George Allen was dunked with a bucket of water by his Long Beach State players in 1990 after they won their final game of the season, leading to pneumonia that killed him several weeks later. 

According to his son, “He got a cold from it, but that was not the cause of his death. He had a heart arrhythmia. It had nothing to do with the Gatorade shower.”

Either way, the man went out a winner.

14. All Fans Know Their Players

Good ol' Leroy Jenkins enjoying his first day on the job.

DeSean Jackson, Danny Woodhead and Jrue Holiday pulled similar stunts. All three became legends.

13. Eagles Fans Hate Santa

In 1968, the Eagles were sitting at 2-11, their manager and coach Joe Kuharich had just traded Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen for a dude named Norm Stead and the team had just won their previous game, eliminating the opportunity for the first overall pick in the 1969 draft (O.J. Simpson). Philly was angry to say the least.

And then came another disappointment.

Halftime that day was expected to host a Christmas pageant, but poor field conditions from snow forced them to stop it. Instead, the team "hired Frank Olivo, a 19 year-old fan direct from the Franklin Field bleachers to be a stand-in Santa Claus" to essentially prance along the gridiron.

He was simply the scapegoat, in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Santa holds no grudges.

12. Kobe Bryant Was Drafted by the Lakers

The first guard ever drafted out of high school, Kobe Bean Bryant was taken with the 13th-overall of the '96 Draft by...none other than...the Charlotte Hornets. 

Of course, they already had a trade in place to send the young phenom to Los Angeles for center Vlade Divac. The rest is history.

11. Cortland Finnegan Is a Cruel Human Being

We honestly believed Cortland Finnegan to be a ruthless disgrace after he pushed our beloved Andre Johnson's buttons back in 2010. Enjoy the fight recap.

But underneath it all, the Rams cornerback is a saint. His ARK 31 Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to serving children with special needs and disabilities throughout the Middle Tennessee area.

And he recently partnered with and offered financial support to the Chemo Duck Program, after visiting pediatric cancer patients at Gilda’s Club Nashville last year. Don't judge a book by its cover.

10. Tim Tebow Is a Starting Quarterback

A look says a thousand words, and football icon Tim Tebow couldn't be more correct in his response.

He's a gamer, a bruising football player, a determined competitor. But while he's obviously clutch, exciting and somewhat mysterious, the former Gator quarterback is far better suited as a running back. Just hand him the ball and good things will happen, unless he decides to attempt a fluttering chuck.

Perhaps Skip Bayless disagrees, but we're hoping Rex Ryan can convince his star backup to make a tailback transition. In due time.

9. Pete Rose Bet Against His Own Team

The ferocious protests against 4,256-hit legend Pete Rose being inducted into the Hall of Fame have provoked many to believe he actually pulled a Black Sox-esque scandal: Tossing games.

But in reality, gambling could have only improved Charlie Hustle's play, as he only bet for his Reds, not against. Let him in.

8. Concussions Only Result from Getting Hit in Head

There are those who believe concussions result solely from hard hits to the noggin. Wrong.

Any hit that is transmitted to the head, from the face, neck, possibly posterior (maybe not that last one), can cause a concussion. Very often we see players get knocked in the chin, causing disorientation.

It's the force of the impact, rather than the location, that truly inflicts such an injury.

7. Wilt Chamberlain Dominated Inferior Competition

To calm the frenzy that erupts when Wilt Chamberlain's historic 100-point game is mentioned, skeptics like to point out what they believe was inferior competition. If you consider Bill Russell, Nate Thurmond, Bob Pettit and Walt Bellamy inferior, then good day to you sir.

Along with that talent was a far more physical style of play. Don't doubt the legend.

Keep in mind, Wilt the Stilt also played against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wes Unseld later in his career.

6. Madden Curse Is a Myth

Enjoy playing devil's advocate for several minutes...

1999: After rushing for 1,570 yards, Garrison Hearst makes the cover...before breaking his ankle and missing two seasons.

2000: Barry Sanders would abruptly retire before the season.

2001: During divisional round in the 2001 playoffs, late in the fourth with the Titans down 17–10, Eddie George bobbles a McNair pass. It's intercepted by Ray Lewis for a touchdown, sealing the game. George doesn't average more than 3.4 yards per carry for the rest of his career.

2002: Daunte Culpepper would toss a career-high 23 interceptions as the Vikings slip to 5–11.

2003: Marshall Faulk would never record another 1,000 yard rushing season, and fall to injuries that eventually ended his career for good in '05.

2004: Michael Vick breaks his leg in a preseason game, Falcons go 5-11.

2005: Ray Lewis goes down in Week 15 with a wrist injury, his first season without an interception.

2006: Donovan McNabb tears ACL and meniscus in Week 11 against the Titans.

2007: Shaun Alexander misses six starts due to a foot injury, never regains form.

2008: Vince Young tosses nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions, beginning his snowball. He's now without a team.

2009: Brett Favre retires, then comes to the Jets, only to start 8-3 and then crumble to 9-7. Injuries and interceptions cloud any success.

2010: Troy Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald split the cover. Polamalu sprains his MCL in the first half of the season opener and missed the next four games, eventually misses more games later in the season. Fitz is seemingly pardoned, and undoubtedly relieved. 

2011: Drew Brees has a great season, but his defending champion Saints are upset by the 7-9 Seahawks in the Wild Card round.

2012: Peyton Hillis runs for 587 yards and three touchdowns.

2013: We expect the curse to be broken by the one they call Megatron.

5. White Men Can't Jump

We thought Woody Harrelson was the only one who could, back in 1992.

But thanks to Cali-bred bro Chase Budinger, we're now believers once again.

4. Steve Bartman Ruined the Cubs

It's been nine years since Steve Bartman's foul-ball attempt allegedly tore the Cubs' chances of winning the '03 NLCS against the Marlins to shreds.

Since then, it's been perhaps the most notorious fan moment in baseball history, but it shouldn't be. Former Chicago ace Mark Prior detailed the actual situation better. 

"...We had chances to get out of that situation. I hung an 0-2 curveball to [Ivan] Rodriguez that he hit for a single. Alex Gonzalez, who's a sure thing almost at shortstop, the ball came up on him. We still had some chances to get out of that inning, and unfortunately we didn't execute and things just snowballed from there."

3. Mets Win World Series on Bill Buckner's Error

The belief is that the ball scampers through Bill Buckner's legs, Ray Knight scores winning run and the Mets win the World Series.

People forget that the Sawx led the Amazins three games to two in the 1986 World Series when Game Six rolled into extra innings. New York tied the game on three straight two-out singles and a wild pitch by Bob Stanley. Then came Mookie Wilson, who eventually hit a dribbler to Buckner at first base.

Knight did score the winning run, but the result would be a Game 7. The Sawx, once again, were leading, this time 3-0, before the Mets roared back to win 8-5 and the 1986 World Series.

2. The Miracle on Ice Won U.S. the Gold Medal

For many fans, mostly under the age of 30, the Miracle on Ice is solely an inspirational story of determination.

But having not actually witnessed the amateur American squad upset the Soviets, who'd up until that point won nearly every world championship and Olympic tournament since 1954, many younger fans seem to believe that this 4-3 upset on February 22, 1980 was the gold medal-winning match.

In fact, it wasn't.

After defeating the USSR, the Herb Brooks-led Americans had to play Finland in the final round. Another miracle was on the horizon, as the U.S. squad came back from a 2–1 third-period deficit to beat Finland 4–2 and secure the gold.

1. A Player Can’t Be Considered Truly Great Until They’ve Won a Championship

Ted Williams, Barry Sanders, Dan Marino, Marcel Dionne, Eric Dickerson, Ty Cobb, Elgin Baylor. Need we continue?

There's no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in "immortality."

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