Will Smith and 10 of the Worst Penalties Ever Taken

Will Smith may be perfectly comfortable battling aliens in a sharp suit or escaping from West Philadelphia when a couple of guys who are up to no good start making trouble in his neighborhood, but the American actor cannot take a good penalty.

He proved this much at the Champions League's Champions Festival in east London last week, when his spot kick against Edwin van der Saar didn't quite reach the target.

In light of this epic fail, here are 10 penalties that should make Mr. Smith feel a little better about his effort...

Peter Devine vs. Whitley Bay, 1991

A penalty taken in the 1991 HFS Northern Premier League Division One Cup Final would probably have been long forgotten, if it had not been one of the worst ever taken from 12 yards.

Lancaster winger Peter Whitley featured in countless '90s VHS football blooper compilations thanks to his spectacularly bad fluff against Whitley Bay.

Amir Sayoud vs. Kima Aswan, 2011

Stalling during the run-up to confuse the goalkeeper is often perilous—just ask Nani—but actually stopping and taking a false swing at the ball is only asking for trouble.

This is what Al Ahly midfielder Amir Sayoud attempted in a recent Egyptian Cup game against Kima Aswan. As you can see, the player and the shot both fell flat.

Pilo vs. Votuporanguense, 2013

Earlier this year, America Sao Paulo's Pilo had a golden chance to pull honors even in a Brazilian state championship match against Votuporanguense.

Somehow, the ball defied the laws of physics and actually ended up behind the penalty spot.

Pat Nevin vs. Manchester City, 1984

Pat Nevin's esteemed 19-year career in professional football will be remembered by most for one incident.

While playing for Chelsea in a November 1984 League Cup tie against Manchester City, the winger stepped up to the penalty spot and took just one step back as a run-up.

He then proceeded to blast the ball with all the gusto of a toddler punting a balloon.

Thankfully, Chelsea were 4-0 up at the time...

William vs. Fluminense, 2006

Brazilian striker William Xavier Barbosa should have led Botafogo to victory in a 2006 Copa Sudamericana game against Fluminense with his penalty.

Instead, he struck one of the softest spot kicks of all time.

Brazil's World Cup organizers probably could have built a new stadium in the time it took William's shot to reach the keeper—and that's saying something.

Neymar vs. Colombia, 2012

Note to Tito Vilanova: don't let Neymar take the penalties next season.

The Brazilian sensation took a spot kick during a 2012 friendly against Colombia at New Jersey's New Meadowlands, and proceeded to launch the ball in the air as if he was taking a field goal.

"Maybe it was the grass," said the young Brazilian, apparently discounting any possibility that the awful attempt was his fault.

Robert Pires vs. Manchester City, 2005

Robert Pires had already scored Arsenal's 500th Premier League goal at Highbury from the spot during a 2005 match with Manchester City when Arsenal were awarded a second penalty.

At this point, the cocksure Frenchman tried something a little different, and actually attempted to pass the penalty to his fellow countryman Thierry Henry.

The result was a few seconds of confusion and a free kick for the Citizens.

Mehmet Aurelio vs. Gimnàstic, 2010

Turkish-Brazilian midfielder Mehmet Aurelio enjoyed a two-season spate at Real Betis, including the 2010-11 campaign in which they won the Segunda Division.

In a league match against relegation-threatened Gimnàstic de Tarragona, however, Aurelio took a penalty that was spliced right into the bank of half-empty seats to the left of the goal.

He was sold to Besiktas not long afterwards.

David Beckham vs. Turkey, 2003

A few months after becoming a Real Madrid galactico, David Beckham turned out for England in a Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey in Istanbul.

When Steven Gerrard was brought down in the box, Becks took the resulting penalty—and proceeded to blast the ball into Row Z.

Fortunately, the point earned from this hostile 0-0 encounter was enough to put England through to the main tournament in Portugal.

Diana Ross vs. the USA '94 Opening Ceremony

Since this list was inspired by a world-famous American music star, it seems fitting to close with the efforts of another one.

Diana Ross was supposed to show off her supreme talent in the 1994 World Cup opening ceremony at Chicago's Soldier Field.

Even though she completely missed the goal, it was still struck with enough force to completely blow the goal apart. Incredible stuff.