Worst Sports Fashion Fails of Recent History

With sports, entertainment and style blending together more and more recently, a few people in sports think that it's their duty to try to keep up with the sartorial genius of others by wearing memorable outfits.

That's not always a great move, though.

As we've all seen over the years, just because a player or coach has success in their sport, doesn't always mean they know how to dress themselves.

In fact, in more than a few cases, those who can afford flashy outfits prove the exact opposite, blending different trends together that make their outfit just hideous—which you'll see here, with the worst sports fashion fails in recent history.

Gold, Spiky Shoes (Dante Fowler Jr.)

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To quote an old Seinfeld episode, newly drafted Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr's gold, spiky shoes are, "real, and they're spectacular."

Well, maybe not that last part about them being spectacular.

Priced at $7,000, the former Florida Gator showed that he was the flashiest of incoming rookies, rocking this bold look that might otherwise be reserved for a prince on his yacht.

For Fowler, though, it was just to celebrate the biggest day in his life.

Mismatched Outfits, Oversized Hats (LeBron James)

One thing that we all know about LeBron James is that the guy knows how to ball so hard.

Another interesting fact is that LBJ really takes this whole fashion thing pretty seriously, as he's routinely pushing the envelope and mixing and matching a variety of looks.

In the past, James has shown to have some killer, Esquire-esque style when he needs to. But, in other cases, his choices are a little bit too out there, like when he wears hats that make him resemble Turd Ferguson from the old Saturday Night Live skit.

Stick to what works, Bron, it's a better look on you.

Lime Green Suit, Leather Zorro Outfit (Paul George)

Much like the aforementioned LeBron James, when you take a peek at Indiana Pacers' All-Star Paul George's Instagram account, it's clear that he actually does have some pretty good style.

Problem is, dude has a weird way of sticking to what works a lot of times.

Whether it was that lime-on-lime outfit that he showed up wearing to a playoff game a couple of seasons ago, or, much worse, the leathered-out Zorro outfit that he boldly slipped on during All-Star Weekend in 2014, George isn't afraid to go big with his stylistic choices—which is a very bad thing to do in his case.

Is George auditioning for an old Western or watching basketball? I honestly don't know the answer.

Matching Fur Hat and Coat (Adam Jones)

A four-time MLB All-Star and one of the best all-around players in the game, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones dazzles anytime he's on the diamond.

But, at least for one day earlier this year, he showed that he isn't always on top of his game.

That's because Jones snapped, and then actually posted, a picture of him wearing an outfit expected more as a Halloween costume than everyday life, channeling his inner Prince Akeem from the movie Coming to America and making fans wondering, "why, man?"

Floral Suit (Andrew Wiggins)

Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

Now this is what happens when a player knows he has to make a statement on draft night.

Projected as either the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in last year's NBA draft, current Minnesota Timberwolves budding star Andrew Wiggins really went for a big splash the night he was to become an NBA player, didn't he?

Recently receiving the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award, Wiggins' game was marveled from pundits and fans during his first season, thankfully allowing us to forget that he wore this hideous looking, etch-a-sketch-like outfit to shake the commissioner's hand.

Was it a bold move? Obviously. Was it the right move? Well, let's just chalk this one up as an air ball for Mr. Wiggins.

At least he'll always be remembered for the floral chalkboard pattern forever—if that's what he really wanted.

Leopard Skin Bathing Suit (Serena Williams)

There's no denying that 19-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams is a complete fashionista, often pushing the limit on what she wears both on and off the tennis court.

I mean, the lady has her own fashion line, so clearly she has both a desire and talent to do the whole fashion thing right.

Unfortunately, sometimes holding oneself in such high regard in that area means taking risks—which don't always come together.

Serena proved that, yes, even the best can miss on an outfit, as she was seen wearing this ridiculous bathing suit last summer, making me wonder if she really knows what she's doing as a designer or just getting lucky with what her company has produced. This is just awful.

Sgt. Pepper-Like Outfit (Amar'e Stoudemire)

Look, I'm not going to lay it on Dallas Mavericks forward Amar'e Stoudemire more than basketball fans have over the past few years due to his decline in play. I'll just allow you to gather your own opinion based on some of the former All-Star's fashion decisions over the years.

Whether it was showing up looking like the most hipsterish kid from the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, wearing a wolf earlier this hoops season or going all Cap'n Crunch on us with this ridiculous get-up following a Mavs loss late in the regular season, Amar'e needs to find someone to dress him a little bit more appropriately.

I mean, wow, I'm really speechless with his choices.

Plaid Suit (Rob Gronkowski)

We all remember the saying, "Manny being Manny," in regards to former MLB All-Star Manny Ramirez, right? Maybe it's time for us to create something similar like, "Gronk being Gronk," because the New England Patriots tight end has a tendency of doing whatever the hell he wants to.

Evidence of that came this past weekend when Rob Gronkowski wore an all-plaid outfit to the Kentucky Derby, looking like your grandpa did during the '70s.

Look, I know the outfit fits his wild personality and all, but with the red shoes and crazy hat, this outfit just makes him look like like a clown.

Denim on Denim (DeJuan Blair)

I really don't know what to say about this outfit that Washington Wizards forward DeJuan Blair posted onto his Instagram account a couple of years ago—because it looks like a teenager glammed it out for him.

Sporting an entire denim outfit—otherwise known as a Canadian tuxedo—Blair adds in some expensive jewelry like a necklace and watch to try to complement the look, but it clearly isn't working for him.

The fact that Blair looks so confident looking the way he does is both baffling and humiliating. Dude, you look like member of New Kids on the Block with bedazzled denim everywhere.

Flower-Patterned Cut-off and Skinny Pants (Russell Westbrook)

With the variety of fashion choices that Russell Westbrook has made over the years, you just knew the Oklahoma City Thunder star would find his way on this list somehow.

And, honestly, is there anything more prolifically putrid than the outfit Russ wore to the Teen Choice Awards in 2013? That's a redundant question, because this thing tops all of his other wild choices.

While Westbrook can get away with his zany looks that include grandpa-like fishing shirts and glasses without frames in them, this flower-patterned cut-off shirt with those tight jeans is just, well, unnecessary.

For someone who claims to be into fashion, one would be right to question him after seeing this look.

Clip-on Bowtie (Bill Belichick)

Photo via Screengrab

There probably aren't too many people in sports who would openly admit to not giving a single damn about the way they look.

New England Patriots head coach is one of them, though.

Known for his signature sweatshirt on the sidelines, BB made a serious sartorial mistake by going all high school prom while attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner last week, actually showing up in a clip-on bowtie rather than one he tied himself.

Belichick is a future Hall of Fame coach with four Super Bowl rings who can shut down Peyton Manning, but if you need help tying a tie, he's not the guy to ask for advice.

Christmas Tree Suit (Spencer Hawes)

Los Angeles Clippers big man Spencer Hawes brought new meaning to the saying "'tis the season" when he showed up on Christmas Day wearing an entire green and red colored suit with Christmas trees all over it.

Short of walking into the arena in a full-on Santa's suit, there isn't a more obtrusive outfit that someone could be wearing.

Sure, it got a lot of laughs and all, but, wow, it was a terrible fashion failure.

Knee-High Leather Boots (Floyd Mayweather Jr.)

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. might be the talk of the sports world following his (boring) win over Manny Pacquiao in the "Fight of the Century" the other night, but that doesn't mean he's always a winner.

Sure, Mayweather's undefeated career record might suggest otherwise, but I'm not sure a guy can be winning when showing up in knee-high leather boots that are tucked into white jeans—as Money did at this year's NBA's All-Star Weekend.

For a guy who has a net worth of $380 million and paid a personal chef $1,000 per meal, you would think he would be a little bit more effort into making sure he steps out of the house in something that's not so disgusting looking—which tends to be a common theme for the champ.

Long Shirt Underneath a Shorter Shirt (James Harden)

It wasn't just this skirt-like outfit that Houston Rockets guard James Harden was seen sporting prior to a playoff game recently—that's been seen before and done "accidentally" by other players—one of whom was the aforementioned Russell Westbrook.

What makes Harden land as the worst recent fashion failure in sports is that, for all intents and purposes, the guy takes a lot of time and energy in making sure he's a fashion icon, even being named as such by Sports Illustrated earlier this NBA season.

I understand that every outfit can't be as fly as what Clyde Frazier used to wear to games in the '70s, but the Hall of Famer wouldn't be caught dead in some of the things that players these days are wearing to make a statement.