Athletes Who Shaved and Freaked Everyone out

Like most people who can appreciate a great piece of facial hair, it's always entertaining to see some of the man bushes some athletes grow.

Take Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth, for instance. That guy has rocked the mountain-man look for awhile now, with the look becoming more of a staple on him than other players in the league.

If Werth were to shave it off? Well, it might just cause the Internet to go crazy.

And because a few athletes actually did make fans do a double-take when getting rid of their facial hair, I figured I would share a few moments when it recently happened.

Pau Gasol

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One of the better players in NBA history, new Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol has always been known for having some sort of facial hair during his time in the league.

That all changed back in 2013, though, when Gasol filmed himself going clean cut for the first time in nine years, losing all of his normal scruff thanks to a bet.

Although the Spaniard never had an insane beard, he definitely looked different once the whiskers were all gone.

Like others on this list, though, Pau couldn't take the clean look for too long, and he has since let the hair on his face grow back.

Johnny Damon

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Don't get me wrong, playing for the New York Yankees definitely has its rewards.

But one negative about playing in the Big Apple with the Bronx Bombers? The franchise has some limits on letting their players express themselves.

One of those restrictions happens to be the rule on looking clean-cut all of the time.

So when former big leaguer Johnny Damon inked a deal with the Yanks back in 2005, the man who was once recognized for looking more like a prophet showed up at his press conference with a major makeover, sporting short hair and losing his full beard.

While it was a happy day for Damon, beard-lovers everywhere cringed just a little bit after seeing the new look.

Scott Hartnell

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It's not uncommon for people who are out of work to get a little lazy with the upkeep of their facial hair.

So when the NHL was going through a lockout prior to the 2012-13 season, former Philadelphia Flyers left winger Scott Hartnell was one of those who let himself go by growing a beard.

Maybe it was his way of hoping for good luck for the thing to end, but when it finally did conclude, Hartnell picked up the clippers and shaved off the beard he had spent nearly four months growing—which got the attention of people everywhere.

Kevin Love

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New Cleveland Cavs forward Kevin Love is one of the best players in the NBA, and for a while, he has best been recognized by the beard he has on his face.

That was proven back a couple of years ago, when K-Love decided that getting rid of all that facial hair would be a good idea.

Unfortunately, some in the media didn't approve, with people comparing his newly smooth face to that of a teenager who was still looking for his first shave session.

No wonder Love went back to the beard full-time—who wants that type of ridicule?

Alexi Lalas

Although he hasn't played soccer in over a decade, former player and current analyst Alexi Lalas is still best known for his facial hair that represented everything right about the '90s.

And when Lalas participated in Movember a few years ago, fans were reminded why we all love the dude so much.

Unfortunately, after sporting an impeccable 'stache during the month, Alexi took out the razor and shaved it all off during a commercial break, saddening soccer fans everywhere over the loss of some of the finest upper-lip fur in recent memory.

Jason Eaton

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Rugby players are some of the most insane athletes in the world—I mean, how else can you describe a person who loves to run and hit at full speed without any padding?

Still, All Blacks Hurricanes player Jason Eaton showed that he was a bit of a softy back some years ago when he decided to rid himself of a crazy beard all in the name of charity.

Raising over $5,000, Eaton went from an absolute furball to a guy looking like he was made of plastic, with a smooth face underneath all of his previous mess.

Adam Clayton

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Like a few other athletes on this list, Huddersfield Town midfielder Adam Clayton decided that if he was going to get rid of his epic beard, he might as well do it for charity.

So that's exactly what he did earlier this year, raising just short of $5,000 for a good cause.

Seeing how his facial had a blue-and-white striped pattern, it may have been a pretty good call.

Tim Howard

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The almighty savior of the U.S. men's soccer team at this year's past World Cup—even though they ultimately got eliminated—goalkeeper Tim Howard has one of the filthiest beards in sports—which mostly consisted of growing south from his neck.

And although Howard didn't take President Obama's suggestion to shave the thing this summer, he did go all smooth late in 2013, with him losing it during the English Premier League, which, like other players on this list, got some attention.

Chris Andersen

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Much like Houston Rockets All-Star guard James Harden, the Miami Heat's Chris Andersen was well known for his facial hair game.

Not shy about flashing personality with his style in both his beard and facial hair, Birdman showed up to Heat training camp sporting a different look, though, with him losing the beard for a more subtle look.

It's a look that Andersen has had before, but one that is still unfamiliar to fans—but at least Chris is keeping the mohawk going.

Josh Reddick

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Much like Jayson Werth, who I mentioned in the opener, the Oakland Athletics' Josh Reddick has always been known to fans for having one solid beard.

That all changed last year, though, when Reddick lost a beard-off with WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan.

In fitting fashion—and under the terms of the competition—Reddick had to sit back and let Bryan shave off his beard.

Thankfully, Reddick didn't let the loss get to him, as he's back to growing his amazing beard yet again.

Mike Napoli

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Last year's Boston Red Sox World Series team was best known for the beards that nearly every player grew to help build unity.

The guy at the forefront of the hair-growing movement? Mike Napoli.

With one of the finest—and longest—beards in sports, reporters were a little freaked out when the first baseman showed up without one during a game last week.

Disappointment was apparent from several people over the loss of the whiskers.

Brett Keisel

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Without a doubt, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel sports the best beard of any athlete right now.

While he does have some solid competitors, the combination of a thick, groomed mustache on top of the fuzz growing downward is what helps Keisel take top honors.

But, as has been somewhat of a tradition, Keisel continues to shear his beard for charity each year, leaving fans and others confused as to who the guy is without all of that stuff on his face.

Thankfully, Keisel refuses to let the smooth look ever be too permanent, as he quickly gets things back to normal by growing his beard out after each charity shave.