Hilariously Random Championship Celebrations

Winning a sports championship is an incredibly difficult task. As a result, teams and players often respond to them with hilariously random celebrations.

Of course, both random and hilarious can take on many forms.

Some athletes—like the Spanish national team—pop the cork and turn up the tunes. Others—like Steve Kerr and Deion Sanders—use the celebratory moment to respond to critics or doubters.

Of course, just as many neglect thought altogether and instead respond with spontaneous passion and joy.

No matter the form, though, post-title celebrations have made for some of the best moments in sports.

With this in mind, then, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorite hilariously random championship celebrations.

Close but No Cigar

In confining our official list to just 10 celebrations, we’ve managed to neglect some worthy of attention. So, in this space we will credit the once forgotten (but soon to be remembered) few.

Interestingly, this month (September 2014) alone has provided us with two of the better post-title celebrations. Team USA embraced choreographed dance when it won the FIBA World Cup final on September 14, and Adam Jones spontaneously wigged out when his Orioles recently clinched the AL East.

It’s also worth noting that the 2014 Spurs uniquely extended their championship celebration when they took the Larry O’Brien Trophy on a tour of the world, while roughly a year earlier Boston’s Jake Peavy splurged on his very own Duck Boat.

Stanley's Cup

JIM MONE/Associated Press

Mario Lemieux just had to check the Cup's buoyancy.

Championship celebrations are most commonly spontaneous. In the case of the Cup, however, history begs winners to think up some pretty wild things.

As you’d imagine, the list of crazy celebrations involving the Stanley Cup is a lengthy one, as detailed by ABC News.

In 1980, Clark Gillies of the New York Islanders celebrated victory with the Cup and his dog, feeding the latter with food piled high in the former.

In 1991, winning inspired Pittsburgh Penguin Mario Lemieux to get all experimental. So, in a reckless state of joy, Super Mario decided to test whether the cup floats. It doesn’t.

The 1994 Rangers took a page out of the 1987 Oilers playbook, celebrating both the cup and some of New York's most sophisticated “gentlemen” clubs.

Colorado’s Sylvain Lefebvre took things to a whole new level, however, when he celebrated a 1996 championship by introducing his child to Christianity. Armed with some water and the Stanley Cup, the Avalanche defenseman did what any new father would do: He used the Cup to baptize his daughter.

Darren Clarke

Peter Morrison/Associated Press

Golfer Darren Clarke knows how to party.

Speaking of large cups, golfer Darren Clarke captured the Claret Jug in 2011 after winning golf’s Open Championship.

To be sure, though, Clarke’s method of celebration is what landed him on our list.

Putting it succinctly, Clarke partied nothing like a golfer, but exactly how he should.

When he showed up at a press conference the day after, Clarke could barely open his eyes. Of course, that’s what a night of binge drinking and zero sleep looks like.

The craziest part of it all: He admitted his plan was to stay awake and continue partying for at least another 24 hours (that's roughly three days, people). 

Mark Madsen

Mr. Madsen was hardly the first human to celebrate through dance when he took to the stage in 2002. His shocking ineptitude, however, combined with his impressive commitment, earns him a spot on our prestigious list.

Madsen may have played a secondary role for the Lakers on the court, but he was front and center when it came time to celebrate off it.

Just when we thought an NBA title ring could make anyone cool, Mad Dog assured us that simply isn’t the case.

Brandi Chastain

Where Mark Madsen celebrates with dance, Brandi Chastain celebrates in partial nudity.

With her World Cup-winning penalty kick in 1999—and, more specifically, with the unprecedented celebration that immediately followed—Chastain gave power to the sports bra and midriff alike.

OK, so the midriff already had plenty of power, but Chastain gave it a voice within the world of sports.

Every second of every day, a person somewhere in the world wants to rip off his or her top in absolute jubilation. And, in her momentary instance of spontaneity, Brandi Chastain taught us all that it’s OK to do so.

Wait, so it’s not OK? (Note: After writing this, my editor informed me that partial nudity is actually not OK in the workplace.)

Watson and Battier

David J. Phillip/Associated Press/Associated Press

Watson celebrated winning a green jacket in his own unique way.

Two different titles, two strikingly similar modes of celebration.

Picture this scenario: You’ve just captured your sport’s biggest title, your pockets are flush with cash, and you can celebrate in any way you choose.

What would you do?

Now, tell me, how many of you responded with, “Well, duh, party at the Waffle House!”

If you’re Bubba Watson, that’s precisely how you reacted to winning 2014’s green jacket.

On the other hand, if you’re Shane Battier circa 2013, you responded to winning an NBA title with something along the lines of "I love the Waffle House, but screw that. This is a special occasion. Denny’s, here we come!"

Truthfully, though, Watson and Battier probably just got a little confused. When their friends shouted, “Party followed by breakfast,” they heard “Party! Follow me to breakfast.”

Steve Kerr

Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images

Steve Kerr made his 1997 game-winning shot count.

In more than one way, Michael Jordan was the king of shots. Most notably, Jordan loved taking digs at people off the court, too.

It was only fitting, then, that Steve Kerr celebrated Chicago’s 1997 NBA title by returning the favor.

His Airness was never known as the friendliest of teammates, but talent has a way of justifying certain behavior.

Thanks to his Game 6 title-winning shot, however, Kerr got the last laugh…or two.

With his celebratory speech, Kerr could have taken any number of civil routes but instead looked the bear right in his eyes and began poking away.

Spanish National Team

After winning the World Cup in 2010, Spain’s national team literally took to the air in celebration.

In just the short clip above, there are so many things worth noting.

Let’s begin with the obvious: The players are absolutely hammered, which is to be expected.

What’s every bit as obvious, but far harder to understand, is the team’s decision to fly commercial, rather than private. Nothing says "world champion" like communal celebration, right? 

The players also don't appear to have showered or changed, even though everyone knows partying clean is way more fun.

Above all else, though, hats off to Iker Casillas, who clearly came away the biggest winner of all.

Kevin Garnett

Ever get the feeling that Kevin Garnett takes himself far more seriously than he probably should?

The NBA’s greatest “leader” thinks he’s some kind of inspirational speaker and put it all on display following the Boston Celtics' 2009 NBA championship. Most were more revolted than roused, however.

As if divinely inspired, Garnett put his postgame interview on pause and yelled to the heavens. His claim—that anything is possible—is likely a falsehood, but Garnett absolutely proved that obnoxious, over-the-top celebrations are well within the realm of possibility.

Some have actually suggested that Garnett’s grand declaration was actually a failed attempt to promote Adidas’ “Impossible is nothing” campaign.

And this unknown prompts the question: Which is worse? Mistakes inspired by unbridled naivete or manipulative greed?

Deion Sanders

Associated Press

Young Deion Sanders could really hold a grudge.

Steve Kerr wasn’t the only athlete to use a title celebration for the purpose of revenge.

Even after the Atlanta Braves knocked off the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1992 NLCS, Deion Sanders couldn’t take his mind off comments Tim McCarver made days earlier.

When Sanders decided to suit up for both an NFL contest in Miami and Game 5 in Pittsburgh on the very same day, McCarver was critical.

So when the Braves went on to defeat the Pirates in Game 6, McCarver was soaked.  

Apparently, Sanders is about as good at letting criticisms go as he is at dressing tastefully.

Rick Pitino

Kenny Klein/Associated Press

Rick Pitino celebrated Louisville's 2013 title in permanent fashion.

If I told you about a college kid who went on an all-night drinking binge and awoke the next morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar tattoo, you probably wouldn’t be all that surprised.

After all, college kids often make life-altering decisions without much thought.

In contrast, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino put plenty of thought into his regretful move.

When his Cardinals won a national title in 2013, Pitino fulfilled a foolish promise he had made months earlier, altering his body forever with a “title tat.”

Give the coach credit for following through, but also consider that he made the deal when his team was 7-4 and likely never considered payment a real possibility.

While the other members of our list celebrated their titles with temporary insanity, Pitino committed to celebrating his for life.

Hopefully, Pitino is nothing like his instate rival John Calipari: Vacating 2013’s title would prove a bit more painful than most.