15 Things Not to Do During a Blowout

No one enjoys getting spanked by an opponent, but when a blowout happens in sports, there are certain rules that both teams should try to follow.

And because most of them are of the unwritten variety, that doesn't mean that every coach, player or team actually needs to follow them.

Since there are a few things that no one wants to see when a score gets out of hand but still seem to happen, these are some of the worst.

Taunt

Who? Winning team

I'm sure that we've all been there before.

After feeling really good about ourselves after doing something great, we add a little self-promotion and pounding of the chest to remind everyone just how dope we are for having killed whatever the hell it was we just did.

And, as we're all well aware, pro athletes like to do it, too.

But for those players who enjoy taunting another player, fan or team when they're down, don't do it during a blowout, as it looks petty and bush league.

In fact, just cut it out of your routine altogether.

Call It an Early Day

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Who? Losing team

It's rare, but there are actually instances when athletes just refuse to stay on the sideline and punch in their card for the day, heading back to the locker room prior to a game being over.

I totally understand the heartache of losing, but to run off the field before the final outcome is a bit pouty and one childish move.

Be a man and congratulate the other team on a job well done afterwards—and then forget about it and look toward the next game.

Throw Stuff onto the Field

Who? Fans

Yep, even fans should have guidelines to follow during a blowout.

While no one in the stands should ever rush the field—unless it's in exuberance of a big win—the worst thing a fan can do is actually toss crap onto the field, delaying the game and overall just proving they are the worst.

It has happened a few times before due to bad calls and other instances, but doing it during a blowout gives the entire fanbase and organization they're supporting a black eye.

Do Something Dirty

Who? Winning team

The most important thing to do during a blowout? Make sure order is maintained and no one sustains unreasonable or unnecessary injuries.

This can be difficult at times, but it's up to both the refs and players to keep their emotions in check and make sure nothing gets out of hand.

The responsibility lies with both the winning and losing team members—though it's understandable that they just want to get off the field and be somewhere else when the score gets to be a bit too lopsided.

Show Up Your Opponent

Who: Winning team

Much like taunting and a few others you'll see on this list, showing up an opponent after blowing them out is a real jerk move.

As if it's not bad enough that a team just got absolutely spanked, the winning team decides that it's necessary to rub it in by doing something that is pretty low.

If it happens, don't be surprised if someone on the losing squad gets pissed off and goes after someone on the winning side—which I fully support.

Laugh on the Sideline

Who? Both teams

Just ask former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson what it's like to be caught laughing on the sideline during a big-time loss.

He found that out the hard way a few years ago when cameras saw him actually laughing with one of his offensive linemen during a Monday Night Football game in which Arizona was getting routed—and Anderson laid an egg with his performance.

Losing isn't fun, so Anderson—and any other athlete—should know they shouldn't ever be seen smiling after a loss happens, especially if it's a blowout.

Eat Food to Pass the Time

Who? Winning team

There's really only one player I can think of who is known for actually enjoying a few of the concessions during a game—Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Caught eating a hot dog a couple of years ago, Sanchez was seen munching on more snacks earlier this year against the New York Giants, appearing as if he was giving his critique to teammate Nick Foles.

It's a good thing no one on the Giants sideline saw Sanchez doing this; otherwise he may have gotten stuck—had he actually gotten onto the field.

Be a Poor Sport

Who? Both teams

Whether on the winning or losing team, don't do anything to show that you're the biggest jerk on the planet by doing something that's completely uncalled for, like starting a fight or not shaking hands after a game.

As I've mentioned a few times throughout this piece, everyone knows that losing isn't fun. But there's no reason to act as if it's life-threatening and make it worse by doing something even more regrettable after a big loss.

Oh, and if an athlete is ever caught crying in the corner rather than congratulating another team, well, let's just say that that's a bad look.

Interrupt the Game

Who? Fans

OK, fans, just like throwing stuff on the field, don't be the person who runs onto the field to try to make the game be remembered for something other than your favorite team getting a beatdown.

As hilarious as it might seem in your mind full of drunken sorrows and distress, it's just about the last thing that any of the players want to happen, as they just want to get through the game as fast as possible.

Want to be a drunken idiot? Leave the stadium and pound shots with your friends at a bar instead of interrupting a sporting event.

Play Other Games

Who? Winning team

I remember sitting in the backseat of my parents' car while growing up and playing things like Hangman and Mad Libs with my sisters, but I wouldn't think to do it during a sporting event.

Apparently, though, athletes are actually doing it, as a few have been spotted playing Hangman and rock, paper, scissors to both pass time and decide who would get the final touchdown during a blowout win.

While fans can do things like that to pass time, a player should always be focused on the game—even if it is depressing as hell.

Editor's Note: Florida State players playing Hangman starts at 1:12.

Celebrate

Who? Both teams

This goes for both winning and losing teams: Never celebrate when the score is out of control, because you look pretty dumb.

In fact, it can also be dangerous, as a few players have gotten hurt after busting out dances even though their teams are getting beat.

And for those players on winning teams who celebrate during a blowout, you open yourself to a well-deserved hard hit from the opposition, so it's best to just act like you've been there before.

Get into a Fight

Who? Fans

While the players in the game should keep it together, fans need to refrain from throwing down in the seats too.

Sure, having to endure the playful banter of another team's fan all game is brutal, but don't be a tough guy by starting to swing fists and make everyone else uncomfortable because you're too much of a wussy to just accept the beating their team just gave yours.

Oh, yeah, and don't forget that you have no impact on the game either, so you shouldn't take the loss so personally.

Keep the Starters in

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Who? Both teams

Any head coach who keeps the starters in during a blowout deserves to be criticized—whether winning or losing.

Not only does keeping the starters in send a message to an opponent that a guy/team is disrespectful, but it's also opening up the possibility of a key player getting hurt, which is the last thing anyone wants to have happen.

Let the starters get the lead, work on a few things and take an early seat on the bench to enjoy some of their teammates who don't play often finishing things off.

Pad Personal Stats

Who? Both teams

I don't care if an athlete is primed to break a record, if he's in there to run up his stats and make himself look good, it's actually a bad look.

It's a hell of a lot worse when, like Ricky Davis once did, the player takes it upon himself to try to pad his stats in order to achieve individual recognition.

Stats are cool and all, but the biggest thing is winning, and when the focus gets taken off of that, players look selfish.

Run Up the Score

Who? Winning team

Sorry, but there isn't anything worse for a winning team to do than run up the score during a blowout.

While keeping in starters in for too long or being a poor sport by celebrating and taunting are low moves, when a coach openly keeps his foot on the gas pedal to add more points, it's disrespectful as all hell.

Sure, there's no unwritten rule about tallying on the points—score until they stop you, right?—but it should be an understanding between coaches to play nice when a game gets a little too out of hand.