12 Sports Figures Who Constantly Confuse Us
Let’s face it—some sports figures are just confusing. I mean, don’t you ever wonder what goes inside Marshawn Lynch’s head?
What I mean by confusing is this: Sometimes you’re checking out the latest sports news, and you read a story about an individual. More often than not, your first reaction to the story is, “Wait, what?”
Now, your confusion could be entertaining and joyful, like what Rob Gronkowski provides with his playful antics. It could also be just general “why is this happening” confusion, like what happens when Alex Rodriguez writes a handwritten note to fans.
Today we’re just going to examine 12 enigmatic sports figures and identify any pending points of confusion that may be out there.
Nick Young
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young has some basketball talent, sure, but I have always been confused about his comments regarding Kobe Bryant. In April 2014, he told Rosemary Brennan and Jennifer Cooper of E! Entertainment that he thought he was better than Bryant. He said, “Yeah, I think so. Right now, you know. You can't guard me right now.”
Then, when Bryant suffered an injury in January 2015, Young said, “Pretty much just give me the ball and get out of the way,” according to ESPN reporter Baxter Holmes.
Young also said a dolphin has tried to drown him, and his nickname “Swaggy P” came to him in a dream.
Pending Questions: Why is Young so brazen when it comes to Bryant? Did that dolphin in Cabo really try to drown him? What is the true meaning of the mystical “Swaggy P?”
Rob Gronkowski
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Rob Gronkowski is confusing in the best of ways. For example, why would he spike an actual cake on his brother’s head? Why would he launch a contest for one lucky fan to join him and his posse on the Gronkowski party bus? How did his pants rip so completely after a night at the club?
Pending Question: Why am I asking questions? Let’s all just enjoy the Summer of Gronk.
Dennis Rodman
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Dennis Rodman has long been a controversial figure, even dating back to his playing days. More recently, however, he has really thrown people for a loop by befriending North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
Then in late 2014, he one-upped himself by traveling to Russia at the request of President Vladimir Putin. Matt Dean of Fox Business reported that Rodman’s explanation for the visit was as follows: “I went over there to represent America as far as basketball is concerned.” Also, “I said it from day one and I’ll say this still today: I’m not a politician, I’m just a basketball ambassador. That’s it.”
Pending Question: Which foreign leader will be the beneficiary of Rodman’s basketball ambassadorship next?
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Joel Embiid
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I can’t really tell if Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is confusing or just hilarious. Either way, his Twitter feed is a must-follow. It's unclear why such a young guy would be so bold, but it's still enjoyable.
Embiid has romanced both Kim Kardashian and Rihanna via Twitter. He also attempted to recruit LeBron James to Philadelphia, and later he trolled The King when the Sixers beat Cleveland. The media has loved his quirky social media ways, but the attention has prompted Embiid to (unsuccessfully) quit Twitter at least seven times.
Pending Question: Where does he come up with this stuff?
Jameis Winston
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Serious legal troubles aside, Jameis Winston is someone who has often left people wondering in recent years. First, there was that whole crab legs incident. Actually, before that, there was a suspected soda theft at a Burger King, according to Fox Sports.
Then, there was the time he jumped on a table shouting profanities. Now, as the NFL draft draws nearer, Winston is attempting to trademark the nickname “Famous Jameis.”
Pending Question: Winston’s youth is a possible explanation for some of these instances, but I still wonder, why in the world would you trademark a nickname before you've even been drafted?
Lolo Jones
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Lolo Jones is an incredible athlete, and she’s active on social media—no crime in that. I will say, some of her activity has been a bit head-scratching.
Jones once dissed both Drake and Rihanna in the same tweet, and that was not well-received. The Twittersphere blew up yet again when she shared her problems with Fifty Shades of Grey. Jones tweeted, “Funny how some people think there's nothing wrong with 50 shades of Grey. God didn't create sex for that purpose. Watch another movie.”
Pending Question: I actually admire Jones for her unabashed honesty, but why does she care what movies other people watch?
Metta World Peace
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Ron Artest changed his name to Metta World Peace in 2011, which was definitely confusing. Then, in 2014, World Peace signed a deal to play basketball in China, and he subsequently announced he would change his name again to “Panda’s Friend.” He also has apparently worn shoes with stuffed panda bears on them.
Pending Questions: When and what will be the next name change? Should someone start a pool?
Floyd Mayweather
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Floyd Mayweather loves money, and he seemingly loves letting the world know how much he has. With that said, his lavishness is just perplexing at times. For example, he recently bought Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas a Bentley for his birthday.
Check out his Instagram, and you’ll also find lots of photos of big planes and boats, as well as at least one video of the champ taking a bubble bath.
Pending Question: Floyd Mayweather and Isaiah Thomas are friends?
Jerry Jones
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Jerry Jones has always been a hands-on owner. He has also been an absolute factory for questionable sound bites. There was that time he said the NFL was like The Oregon Trail, and there was that other time he said running back Felix Jones had “one of those nice bubble butts,” according to Matt Mosley of ESPN. He also coined the term “glory hole,” during a 2012 press conference, and we’re still not totally sure what it means.
From his zany quotes to his unexpected friendship with the governor of New Jersey, Jones is a guy that always keeps people guessing.
Pending Question: What will this guy say next?
Mike Tyson
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Mike Tyson is probably the most confusing sports figure of all time. Never mind his erratic behavior and sometimes crazy commentary during his boxing career. Just think about his pigeon hobby and face tattoo. Just think about his guest appearance in The Hangover, which was both awesome and random, and his role in an upcoming Algerian action movie. He is an interesting guy, alright.
Pending Questions: What is an Algerian action movie? What is a pigeon pageant?
Alex Rodriguez
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Alex Rodriguez seems to make a lot of questionable moves. For example, he recently apologized to the New York Yankees in hopes of making amends—probably for all that recent PED business. He even wrote a handwritten apology to the fans.
Rodriguez seemed to be on his best behavior and committed to taking responsibility for his actions. Then, just days later, he ticked off the organization by showing up to spring training early. Oh, and there was also that time he was reportedly training with Barry Bonds.
Pending Questions: Why handwrite the note—what does that accomplish? Is it to remind us that cursive is still a valuable tool? Also, despite Bonds’ status as a legendary hitter, why invite the media storm that training with him would undoubtedly create?
Marshawn Lynch
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Marshawn Lynch is certainly never boring. The Seattle Seahawks running back who has earned the nickname “Beast Mode” on the field has definitely left some folks scratching their heads off it.
His love for Skittles has become a national phenomenon, as has his disenchantment with talking to the media. Lynch did the bare minimum on Super Bowl XLIX media day, responding to questions with, “I'm just here so I won't get fined,” 20 times. Now, it appears he’s attempting to trademark the phrase, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN. Oh, and he also filmed a movie about himself.
Pending Questions: Do Skittles give you superpowers? When can I see Lynch’s biopic, Family First: The Marshawn Lynch Story?
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