Hilariously Awkward Sports Situations

Hilariously awkward situations occur every day, and sports are no exception.

From interviews gone wrong to missed high-fives, these 12 situations are just a bit off. Each is funny but in a way that makes you feel that vicarious embarrassment. You know what I mean—if you had to watch the same scene over and over, you’d start to get uncomfortable.

After examining this list of awkward moments, you might find yourself asking questions like, “Does Mark Wahlberg hate Robert Kraft?” or “Has Bill Walton really been milked?”

I don’t have all the answers, but I do have the hilarity.

Hoke Interviews Harbaugh

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Brady Hoke was relieved of his duties as the University of Michigan’s head football coach in December 2014. After much speculation, Jim Harbaugh became his replacement.

Fast-forward to national signing day in February, and the two had quite an awkward exchange. While working on CBS Sports’ coverage, Hoke had the unfortunate task of interviewing his successor.

Was this done intentionally to create an awkward situation? If so, mission accomplished.  

Hannah Storm's Makeup Artist

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

During a SportsCenter broadcast in January 2015, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm got pretty snippy with a makeup artist. Basically, video cut back to Storm a second too early after a segment, and the broadcast clearly showed an arm attempting to touch up Storm’s makeup.

Storm wasted no time in aggressively swatting the arm out of the way. The whole scene was pretty funny, especially given Storm’s violent reaction and disgusted facial expression.

Alex Rodriguez’s Legal Actions Haunt Him

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

This one is definitely more awkward than hilarious, but man, is it awkward. Remember when Alex Rodriguez sued the New York Yankees team doctor (among other people) in 2013?

I bet the doctor does, and guess what? Both men are together at spring training. Besides that, Dr. Christopher Ahmad actually had to give Rodriguez his physical.

Justin Bartha Interview

Most people know Justin Bartha from his role as Doug in The Hangover movies. Well now, we also know him from this hilariously awkward exchange with a reporter at a recent NBA game.

The first issue was Bartha’s touchiness with reporter Jill Martin. There’s also a prolonged dialogue about Bradley Cooper and a microphone grab. Kudos to Martin for keeping it all together during this weird scene.

Russell Westbrook Interview

Distaste for the media is becoming a bit of a theme in sports lately. Russell Westbrook is the latest athlete to give monotonous responses during a postgame interview.

In January 2015, Westbrook used the phrase “good job of execution” six times. He also flat out told a reporter he didn’t like him. Awkward for the reporter, funny for everyone else.

Robert Kraft Left Hanging

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was famously left hanging on several occasions in 2013. However, in September 2014, it was his owner’s turn.

Notorious Boston fan Mark Wahlberg was in the same suite as Kraft at the Patriots’ Week 3 win against the Oakland Raiders. Kraft was looking to high-five anyone and everyone after a Rob Gronkowski touchdown, but Wahlberg wasn’t having it.

Odds are Wahlberg eventually reciprocated, but we’ll never know for sure.

Alex Rodriguez Greets Jim Harbaugh

I almost feel bad giving Rodriguez such a hard time, but this situation isn’t so much about him personally. It's just random. 

Following the San Francisco 49ers' (meaningless) Week 17 win, Rodriguez was in the tunnel at Levi’s Stadium and greeted Jim Harbaugh. The whole exchange appears very cordial, but it also seems to go on a little too long.

A few questions have also emerged in my head: What was A-Rod doing there anyway? Are he and Harbaugh old friends? Was Harbaugh perhaps not in the mood for small talk after his last game as the 49ers head coach? Was he annoyed?

Ken Griffey Jr. Interview

You don’t see a whole lot of Ken Griffey Jr. these days, but his recent appearance on SportsCenter was a real head-scratcher. The confusing exchange between Griffey and Linda Cohn is actually pretty painful to watch, but it's also sort of funny if you can stomach it.

Griffey is disengaged at times, and many of his answers are delayed, making the whole interview awkward. Cohn handled everything like a champion, though, and she later tweeted that Griffey called and apologized to her.

50 Cent First Pitch

I’m going back to May 2014 for this one, but I can’t rationalize not including it. It doesn’t really get any more hilariously awkward than this, does it?

Rapper 50 Cent’s now infamous ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field was about as atrocious as they come. Watching the replay undoubtedly makes people want to laugh and look away at the same time.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Acceptance Speech

Michael Probst/Associated Press

The 2015 Ballon d'Or was not Cristiano Ronaldo’s first award show rodeo. So why did he give such an awkward acceptance speech?

Ronaldo let out what sounded like a squeal but was later revealed to be the word “si.” According to Ronaldo, the squeal/scream/noise was the same sound he makes when he scores a goal for Real Madrid.

Naturally, the Internet had a field day with its new sound bite.

Theo Epstein and Deer Urine

David Banks/Getty Images

The Chicago Cubs made some big moves during the 2014 MLB offseason. One of those big moves was signing pitcher Jon Lester for six years and $155 million in December.

Later, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein told Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago just how badly he had wanted to get Lester. Epstein said, “I was ready to soak myself in deer urine, if necessary.”

Deer urine? That’s, um, specific. And random.

Bill Walton Has Been Milked

USA TODAY Sports

During a recent basketball game between UCLA and USC, broadcaster Bill Walton actually said these words: “I have milked a cow before. And I have been milked.”

What could he possibly have meant? No one knows and, very likely, no one wants to know.

[h/t For The Win]