25 Pictures of Athletes Paying off Bets or Getting Hazed

The rough world of sports has always had a wacky underbelly. Buried beneath the performance-enhancing controversy and money-grubbing personalities is a realm of hilarity. Bets and humorous banter have flooded an otherwise staid atmosphere.

With Rangers reliever Joe Nathan recently being forced to dress like Tony Romo after his Giants lost to teammate Mike Adams' 'Boys, we're presented with the ideal segue to similar wreckage.

Prepare yourself for a whirling dervish of randomness full of costly wagers and belligerent hazing rituals that have epically coated professional athletics since the first caveman was seen carrying a pink "Hello Kitty" backpack during initiation.

Like preparing for a frigid pool, let's simply jump in to the 25 funniest pics of athletes paying off bets or getting ritually hazed.

In the words of Joe Pesci, "Funny how, funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?"

25. The Real Meaning of Orakpo'd

Featuring "ice water baths, Gatorade showers and wet towel treatments," according to The Washington Post, Brian Orakpo's Washington hazing built a bond between teammates that couldn't be broken.

In just over three seasons, Orakpo's racked up 29.5 sacks. It worked.

24. The Holliday Season

After firing off a 4.22 40-yard dash at the 2010 Combine, Trindon Holliday proved he didn't need a vehicle for transportation.

His new Texans teammates weren't sure, so they bought him a pink tricycle.

23. Shawn Kelley Gets Punk'd

The epic pink backpack, it never fails.

Seattle reliever Shawn Kelley gets it done with an added wad of chewing tobacco for effect.

22. Outside the Lines

Brett Gardner, Juan Miranda and Francisco Cervelli paint a brilliant Village People masterpiece.

Start dancing the "YMCA" and we've got a winner.

21. Prehistoric Props

The Tampa Bay Rays know how to rock their rookies.

But not having another rookie dress up as Dino, the Flintstones' pet dinosaur, was a major miss.

20. Calling for Relief

In preparing to join Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, Padres closer Huston Street fully mastered the art of drag.

Imagine.

19. Colorado Wars: Return of the Hazings

Rockies reliever Matt Reynolds seems happy showing off his Princess Leia prowess.

The goofus smile is a good start.

18. Arizona Barebacks

Or maybe the Bikini Backs, we like the sound of that.

According to the D'backs, any long bus ride requires a Speedo and goggles.

17. Hooting Padres

We were once under the impression that Hooters girls were of the All-American cheerleader or girl-next-door type.

That was a long time ago.

16. O Canada

While J.P Arencibia went with the Captain Underpants-inspired suit, fellow Blue Jays rookie Brett Lawrie redid Black Swan.

Toronto does it right, eh.

15. Patrick Hill Gets Acclimated

Last August, then-Titans fullback Patrick Hill took his rookie hazing like a man.

It was his shining hour.

14. Oakland Two-Face

Former USC lineman Alex Parsons was forced to take the Harvey Dent route when half his face and most of his ego were trimmed.

It seemed like a thrilling, yet underwhelming experience for him.

13. Josh Barfield Gets Hung Up

Former Padres second baseman Josh Barfield, now with the Orioles, made an immediate impact on the league when he was seen parading around as a toddler.

If only the .264 hitter was as brilliant with the stick.

12. Lefty Looney

Mark Sweeney dressed up as actor Patrick O'Neal, while star southpaw Clayton Kershaw took the Little Bo Peep route.

Kershaw continues to intimidate hitters.

11. Nationals Part I

First there was the Magnificent Seven, honoring the '96 gymnastics team that won the gold. Then, there was the Fierce Five of 2012.

But who are these not-at-all-magnificent seven? That's a clown question, bro.

10. Nationals Part II

Led by Stephen "Papa Smurf" Strasburg, the blue-man Nationals are smurfing past the competition.

Hazing at its finest.

9. Pittsburgh Pity

Back in 2007, Pirates rookies got perhaps the worst of an insane tradition.

Although, with only 68 wins on the season, they probably deserved it.

8. Grilled Trout

It's certainly noteworthy that the Angels have now had two players with a type of fish surname. Tim Salmon being the first.

The younger one might be the most rebellious.

7. A Higher Calling

Introducing everyone's beloved All-American Timothy Friar Tuck.

Tebro's epic shape-up set the standard for all rookie hazings.

6. Shaq Gets Shacked

After losing in a game of NBA Jam to creative show host Jimmy Fallon, Shaq Daddy had to wear a pink bikini with Jimmy's name on it.

As historic as it was, it wouldn't be the first time Shaquille O'Neal had to sport a bright bikini after losing a bet. Just ask the Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh volleyball tandem.

5. Joe Nathan Gets Romo'd

The Cowboys-Giants rivalry is one of the fiercest in sports, but it got even juicier when Texas relievers Joe Nathan and Mike Adams placed a friendly wager on the outcome of their NFL opener. 

“It feels just like I thought it would...absolutely terrible,” Nathan said about having to dress up like his team's rival quarterback, Tony Schlomo (err...Romo), after his G-Men lost.

For Adams, however, pleasure was immediate. “This is probably the best bet I’ve ever won in my entire life," he said. The kicker to the bet was a five-minute signing period with fans so that everyone could appreciate the moment.

4. Bad Hair Day Legend

Music to the eyes.

Pitt product Lucas Nix knew he'd made it when the Raiders painted this masterpiece on his head.

3. Darnell Dockett Pays Dearly

FSU product Darnell Dockett was feeling good about his Seminoles last September, when he bet notorious arguer Skip Bayless that his college team would defeat OU.

But after Oklahoma won 23-13, Dockett had to show this memorable headline. On the other hand, if Bayless had lost, he would've had to wear a LeBron James jersey on ESPN First Take. Oh, what could have been.

2. Carrying the Load

As a rookie with the Dolphins in 2010, 340-pound defensive tackle Travis Ivey embraced his heavy hazing.

Ouch town, population this guy.

1. Survival of the Fittest

Carolina linebacker Jon Beason should've taken the blue pill instead. 

These Panthers know how to form true bone-crushing friendships.

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