Most Fearsome Papa (and Mama) Bears in Sports

If there's one thing America has learned this NBA season, it's to not mess with Draymond Green's mom.

Many parents of athletes are involved—attending games, providing support and just generally acting as their children's biggest fans.  

Some sports parents, however, you just don't want to cross. These mothers and fathers have defended their children against critics, gotten involved in feuds and just look seriously imposing. For one reason or another—from the Deflategate opinions of Tom Brady Sr. to the terrifying tweets of Mama Babers-Green—these parents can be fearsome.

It's great to see parents standing up for their kids. And in honor of the recently passed Mother's Day and upcoming Father's Day, we salute you, parental units.

Larry Fitzgerald Sr.

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

In a 2014 game against the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald made just one catch. In fact, the All-Pro was only targeted four times in the game and not at all until the fourth quarter.

Despite a Cardinals victory, Fitzgerald's father was not pleased. He shared his opinions via a series of tweets, most notably the following: "The world saw on Monday Night Football the politics and business of football. If it's been decided that you are not getting the ball, just win."

Rick Raisman

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Don't mess with parents who are trying to watch their daughter compete in the Olympics. Rick and Lynn Raisman, parents of U.S. gymnast Aly Raisman, were cheering on their daughter during the 2012 Olympics in London, when one fan actually told them to get "down in front," according to Scott Gleeson of USA Today.

Papa Raisman wasn't having it, reportedly telling the spectator, "That's my daughter; you need to stand up."

Angela Bryant

Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Everyone remembers Dez Bryant's catch/non-catch during the NFL playoffs. Officials called the incredible play a non-catch, and the Dallas Cowboys went on to lose a game that would have sent them to the NFC Championship Game had they won it.

In an exclusive video for For The Win, Angela Bryant supported her son and said, "I just want the refs to know that you gotta do better."

Tom Brady Sr.

Stephan Savoia/Associated Press

Parents stick up for their kids—it's what they do. Tom Brady Sr. was no exception when he was asked about his son's role in the Deflategate scandal. Papa Brady told Jim Corbett of USA Today, "In this country, you're innocent until proven guilty. It just seems Tommy is now guilty until proven innocent."

He even suggested a conspiracy, calling the whole thing "Framegate" and saying, "There was definitely a sting going on. And as much as the Colts knew there was going to be a sting, they still had four underinflated balls."

Hariz Nurkic

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Jusuf Nurkic is a rookie with the Denver Nuggets. He is also 6'11", 280 pounds. When his family journeyed to the U.S. from Bosnia in January to see Nurkic play, fans got a glimpse of the center's father, the apparent source of his size.

According to Nurkic.com, a fan website, Nurkic's father Hariz is around 7'0" and 400 pounds. That appears to be just an estimate, but based on this photo from PostingAndToasting.com's Seth Rosenthal, Papa Nurkic is definitely a big and imposing dude. 

Floyd Mayweather Sr.

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If you're afraid of trash-talk poetry, then Floyd Mayweather Sr. is definitely fearsome. After his son defeated Manny Pacquiao in the fight of the century, Papa Mayweather recited a victory poem. According to TMZ, the poem read, in part, "Floyd is simply the best! Now just like I said, Freddie the Roach is dead!"

"Freddie the Roach," of course, refers to Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer. Leading up to the fight, in March, Mayweather Sr. told David Mayo of Mlive.com, "And I'm going to tell you right now, Manny's going to get his ass kicked, and Freddie's going to go sit his ass down."

K.J. McDaniels' Mom

Brandon Dill/Associated Press

K.J. McDaniels started the NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers and was later traded to the Houston Rockets in February. While he was still in Philadelphia, one fan captured, via tweets, what it's like to sit next to McDaniels' mother at a basketball game.

Let's just say she was very vocal about the game. At one point, according to @JEichenblatt, she booed her son's own team and yelled "pass the ball to my son" multiple times.

Dwyane Wade Sr.

Joe Skipper/Associated Press

Dwyane Wade's father was once ejected from a game for using profanity. In 2012, the Miami Heat visited the Chicago Bulls, and security eventually had to escort Dwyane Wade Sr. from the United Center, according to CBS Chicago. Now that's an overinvolved parent.

Pamela McGee

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During the 2011 NBA lockout, NBA center JaVale McGee left a player's union meeting early and, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, claimed some players were "ready to fold."

His comments were not well-received by the union, but JaVale's mother Pamela McGee stepped to his defense. Lee reported McGee said of her son, "There's definitely some guys in there saying that they're ready to fold, but the majority are willing to stand strong. He basically stated the majority of the guys are standing strong and they support the union."

Mama McGee is a retired professional basketball player herself, and she once called her son "the future of the NBA," according to Mike Wise, also of the Washington Post.

Sunshine Lynch

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Sunshine Lynch does not like anyone talking badly about her son. Prior to the 2014 NFL season, Marshawn Lynch held out of training camp amid contract talks, and Terry Blount of ESPN.com suggested the Seattle Seahawks might be OK without their star running back.

Needless to say, Mama Lynch didn't take that very well. According to Andre Vergara of Fox Sports, she left this comment on the ESPN article:

"

WOW !!! DID ANYONE TAKE IN TO CONSUDERATION THE GAME WAS WON BY A TEAM EFFORT TO ME IN THE 1ST HALF.NOT EVEN THE FACT THAT THE BRONCOS WERE TRYING TO HURT MARSHAWN LITTERLY IN THE 2ND HALF AND HIM BEING THE HUMBLE PLAYER HE IS WANTED HIS OTHER RUNNING BACK TO HAVE SOME PLAY TIME TOO .SO WAS IT REALLY NECESSARY FOR HIM TO CONTINUE TO PLAY .??? MAN REPORTERS DONT THINK THEY GUESS , I GUESS THATS WHY HE HATES REPORTERS , SORTA NAKING ME FEEL THAT WAY TOO !!!! :( STOP GUESSING JUST REPORT THE FACTS PLEASE.

"

AnnMaria De Mars

Rob Latour/Associated Press

UFC superstar Ronda Rousey has a long-standing feud with Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino, an Invicta FC featherweight who reportedly wants her chance to fight Rousey. Rousey's mom, AnnMaria De Mars, has gotten involved, talking a little trash about Justino and commenting on her daughter's abilities.

According to Andre Vergara of Fox Sports, De Mars recently told Submission Radio, "Oh, Ronda will break her arm. I can say that right now. I'll tell you two things: Ronda will break her arm, and Ronda will not go up in weight."

Mary Babers-Green

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The Golden State Warriors won the NBA Finals, and third-year pro Draymond Green was a big contributor. Mama Green, in turn, was easily the most entertaining family member of the playoffs, along with the young Riley Curry, of course.

Mary Babers-Green tweeted the following during the Warriors' Western Conference Finals matchup with the Houston Rockets: "COME ON. LETS RIP THEIR HEARTS OUT!"

Whoa. That is not a woman you want to mess with. Further investigation of Babers-Green's Twitter account reveals a love for the all-caps tweeting strategy, as well as varying degrees of both trash talking and enthusiasm. Needless to say, she was stoked when the Dubs took home the title.