NFL Replacements Refs and the Worst Decisions in Sports

After three weeks of whistle-blowing abomination, the replacement referee era was officially over. Watching these NFL zebras trample the gridiron like wounded zebras became too unfathomable for a sport as respected as football.

In the world of sports, one decision can define a tenure. And NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is only the most recent in a series of historically bad sports choices. We leave no stone uncovered in searching for the worst of the worst.

However, since hindsight is not in our repertoire, we'll leave out busted draft picks and failed free agent signings. Who knew JaMarcus Russell would put more effort into chugging cough syrup than chucking footballs?

20. Marty Mornhinweg's Overtime Genius

This vintage recording of Marty Mornhinweg doesn't even fully detail the insanity of the former Detroit Lions coach. But his decision to kick off in overtime (when it was still sudden death, counting field goals) in hopes that the wind direction would benefit his team might. 

In that 2002 game against the Chicago Bears during his one season as head coach, Mornhinweg won the toss, kicked off and saw his defense give up a Chicago touchdown on the first drive. And fail in epic fashion.

19. 10-Cent Beer Night

This went exactly as you'd expect.

If you're going to offer 10-cent beers, be prepared to give away free peanuts. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Indians didn't have enough peanuts for the inebriated rebels drunkenly flooding Cleveland Stadium on June 4, 1974. The game would be forfeited when an arena-wide brawl broke out.

18. Having Rush Limbaugh on NFL Pregame Show

In 2003, ESPN announced that Rush Limbaugh would join NFL Countdown as the so-called voice of the fans. In the end, all he did was spark debate and omnipresent hate.

Known colloquially as Michael Moore's right-wing alter-ego (or so we'd like to believe), Limbaugh is often an ideal alternative to common sense thinking. And for that we applaud his creativity. In other words, never should sports and Rush Limbaugh be in the same sentence.

17. Babe Ruth Steals the Series

With two outs in the ninth inning of Game 7 and the 1926 World Series up for grabs, legend Babe Ruth took a timely walk. A slugger years beyond his competition, Ruth decided to risk it all.

As Bob Meusel awaited the next pitch, Ruth took off for second. But following Meusel's swing and miss, the slow-footed slugger was gunned down with the third out; Cardinals win the title.

16. The Great Train Robbery

This 1989 exchange, dubbed the Great Train Robbery, dictated the future of two NFL franchises for years to come. 

The largest player trade in NFL history (18 players and draft picks) featured physical tailback Herschel Walker, now a mixed martial artist, going to Minnesota and a bevy of future picks and several players going to Dallas. Two of the picks traded to the Cowboys were used on Hall of Fame tailback Emmitt Smith and Pro Bowl safety Darren Woodson. Both were cornerstones of the heyday Cowboys.

15. The Decision

Enough with the 'Bron hate, we're not here to detail his so-called cowardly choice. The decision, the spectacle, that's what has us questioning.

We respect that "The Decision" generated $6 million in advertising revenue (via the Cleveland Plain-Dealer), which went to charitable foundations, but not its extravagance. Never has a free agent demanded so much attention, so subtlety. He's not a fool, nor is James a pompous trash talker, but his subtle disregard for respecting his hometown fans left a damper on Cleveland and the rest of the basketball fanbase.

14. Detroit Hires Matt Millen

Matt Millen played on four Super Bowl-winning teams during his brilliant 12-year linebacking career. His success as an executive and broadcaster, however, wasn't nearly as successful.

Known for seemingly having more busted draft picks than victories on his professional resume, Millen was most recently causing controversy with his backing of late Penn State coach Joe Paterno in the Jerry Sandusky molestation case.

But long before he spoke on PSU, Millen was eluding the 31-97 record he left during his eight-year tenure in Detroit. Drafting Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams consecutively, Millen never had a chance.

13. Olympic Silence

Requests from Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and leaders of Canada, Australia, Israel and Germany to honor the Israeli athletes and coaches who were killed at the 1972 Munich Olympics with a moment of silence were firmly rejected by the International Olympic Committee (via Anshel Pfeffer of Haaretz). But it was the group's inconsistency that needed an explanation.

The IOC decided to instead hold an opening ceremony moment of silence for the 52 people killed in the suicide bombings in the London transit system the day after the city won the Games in 2005. Neither is superior, but why not the one with Olympians?

12. Michael Jordan Becomes Owner

A god on the hardwood, Michael Jordan never could find the same success running a team that he did draining last-second shots.

Years before his Charlotte Bobcats finished with a record .106 season, the worst statistical team in 65 years of NBA basketball, Jordan was showing signs of incompetence. Draft busts Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, signing rookie coach Mike Dunlap and trading for DeSagana Diop. Dare we go on?

At least his post-playing career tumble can only get better.

11. Irwindale Deals with Al Davis

In August of 1987, Raiders owner Al Davis planned to relocate his franchise to Irwindale, Calif,, in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County. Totaling just over 1,000 people, the small city was stoked.

A $115 million stadium was agreed upon, but not without Davis' $10 million pre-deal signing fee request; whether or not the deal was completed (via the New York Times). Irwindale signs it, and it naturally falls apart. 

Davis takes the Raiders to Oakland with $10 million extra in his pocket.

10. Chris Webber Calls Time

Ringleader of Michigan's Fab Five, Chris Webber led a circus-like performance on the final possession of the 1993 NCAA championship game against UNC.

With the Tar Heels leading by two and 11 seconds left on the clock, Webber first traveled (uncalled) and then called a timeout with none left, resulting in a technical foul. Michigan would lose 77-71.

9. Barry Switzer Goes for It Twice

Considering he owns the highest winning percentage of any college football coach in history, Barry Switzer would seem to always put brains before bravado. But that wasn't the case in 1995.

Stuck in a 17-17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Switzer decided not to punt the ball from Dallas' 29-yard line. On fourth-and-three, Troy Aikman handed the ball off to Emmitt Smith, who was naturally stopped short. But not before officials ruled the two-minute warning...before the snap.

What seemed like a sign from the football gods for Switzer to rethink his strategy, it went unnoticed by the fiery coach. With another shot, he called the same play. And once again, he failed.

8. Interviewing Ryan Lochte

Numbing dialogue and mathematical failures (seven times four is 21?) are about all swimmer Ryan Lochte has to offer away from the pool.

Keep in mind this is the same individual attempting to trademark the term "Jeah," which we believe was first coined during the '90s hip-hop era. Ladies and gentleman, Ryan Lochte.

7. The Wayne Gretzky Trade

Two hours after winning the 1988 Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers, Wayne Gretzky learned he was being shopped by cash-stripped owner Peter Pocklington. Memories of Frazee trading Ruth to New York flooded the sports world.

Canadians were distraught with the back-alley sale of the league's biggest star; Gretzky was in tears. The world in shock.

6. Bud Selig Calls an All-Star Tie

Held at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisc., the 73rd Midsummer Classic was perhaps the strangest in history...and certainly the most frustrating.

Due to the classy approach of letting everyone play, managers Joe Torre and Bob Brenly naturally ran out of players when the game was still tied in the 11th. After a brief meeting with both managers, commissioner Bud Selig anticlimactically decided to call the game a 7-7 tie. Forget a glorious home run derby or a scintillating game of cornhole. No, a tie is much more fun.

5. The Replacement Refs

Rather than alleviate the pain of losing the real referees, the replacement "officials," consisting of a high school social studies teacher, realtors and State Farm agents, forced commissioner Roger Goodell to reevaluate.

An experiment expected to last five weeks only traveled three after a debacle in Seattle, in which a last-second Hail Mary was called a touchdown—again after review—when it was clear receiver Golden Tate had barely a pinky engaged with the ball (seen here). 

Breathtaking game for fans, controversial exit for the entire league.

4. Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley

With scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 113-115, the Pac-Man's first defeat since 2005 was confirmed. Tears flooded the streets of the Philippines, boxing fans pleaded for justice and critics demanded an answer.

In one of the ugliest boxing decisions of all time, judges took the undefeated Timothy Bradley over fierce marauder Manny Pacquiao. Many continue to believe the fight was fixed; hard to disagree.

3. Miracle at the Meadowlands

Young New York Giants fans are still cleaning the emotional filth left over from Matt Dodge's direct punt to DeSean Jackson in 2010, but that last-second debacle at the New Meadowlands wasn't the first Giant heartbreak at home.

Leading 17-12 with seconds remaining in their 1978 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, New York could've kneeled the football and ended the game. Instead, quarterback Joe Pisarcik attempted to hand the rock off to bruising fullback Larry Csonka, but the exchange was wobbly and insincere.

Defensive back Herman Edwards picked up the fumbled pigskin and scampered in for the touchdown, becoming a momentary star.

2. Park Si Hun vs. Roy Jones Jr.

The 1988 Seoul Olympics saw dominant American pugilist Roy Jones Jr. win every single round on his road to the final, demanding worldwide respect with each win. 

And when Jones landed 86 punches against South Korea's Park Si-Hun, who could only muster 32 in the final, he appeared immortal. Until the ruling was handed down, in which judges gave Si-Hun the 3-2 win.

In the aftermath, Si-Hun reportedly apologized to Jones, and two of the three officials in the fight were banned for life. But not before a permanent dent was carved in Olympic boxing.

1. Sawx Sell Babe Ruth

After securing three championships with the Boston Red Sox, hefty slugger Babe Ruth demanded a double in salary. Owner Harry Frazee, cash deprived at the time, chose to trade his iconic centerpiece instead. 

On Dec. 26, the title-less New York Yankees agreed to give Boston $125,000 in cash, three annual payments of $25,000 and Frazee a loan of $300,000. The notorious Curse of the Bambino historically sparked. 

It would be another 86 years before Boston won the title again, while the Pinstripes would hoist 27 World Series trophies; four with The Babe.

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