10 of the Best Pranks in Sports History

Because of what's at stake, the narratives around sports tend to take a serious tone. In the pros, for example, million-dollar players in billion-dollar organizations are chasing championships, fame and much more.

There is certainly time for a little fun, though.

While the players, coaches and franchises take the work seriously, they're also not robots with no capacity for personality. (Well, most of them, at least.) Fans want to see success, but many enjoy finding humor in the games, too.

As a result, we've watched some incredible pranks over the recent decades—and several have become truly iconic.

There are hundreds of other jokes to remember, of course, but these are 10 of the best.

MIT Crashes Harvard/Yale

Oh, sure, the historic Ivy League rivalry of Harvard and Yale has included some great pranks. We're going to talk about one of those, too.

But when students from a third university join the chaos? Legendary.

During the 1982 season, seven members of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) managed to bury a weather balloon under the field in Harvard's stadium over a three-week period.

The meticulous planning and technologically advanced prank led to those MIT students (safely) disrupting the Harvard/Yale game during the second quarter. The balloon, with "MIT" written all over it, inflated to eight feet before popping.

The student newspaper at MIT covered the event with a simple, fitting headline.

"Saturday's score: MIT 1, Harvard/Yale 0."

Blue Jays' Car 'Giveaway'

As the 1992 MLB season ended, the Toronto Blue Jays put together a Fan Appreciation Day with a pretty hilarious twist.

Rookie outfielder Derek Bell loved his brand-new Ford Explorer. Bell put a fancy stereo system into that shimmering green, four-door beauty, and there's no question he was proud of that vehicle.

So, when veteran teammates Joe Carter and Dave Winfield drove that car onto the field as a "giveaway" item for a lucky fan, you can imagine Bell's reaction.

This one is tough to match.

Mark Cuban 'Fights' a Ref

Mark Cuban purchased the Dallas Mavericks organization in 2000, and he quickly built a reputation for being an involved owner and, uh, passionate fan.

That combination made it possible for Cuban to orchestrate a believable outburst during a game in 2003.

While in a stoppage of play, Cuban stepped onto the floor—and up to an official. Cuban, gesturing wildly, shoved the official once, then twice. The official retaliated, and the pair eventually began a mini-wrestling match with a faux haymaker or two as the crowd buzzed at the fracas.

The ever-helpful public address announcer said to the crowd: "Check your calendar, remember that it is... April Fool's."

John Kruk Fools Chase Utley

The first of two pranks involving the Philadelphia Phillies happened back in 2003 with franchise legend John Kruk and then-rookie Chase Utley.

During his first career start, the second baseman had an unforgettable game. Utley launched a grand slam for his first hit as a major leaguer, helping the Phillies cruise to a win over the Colorado Rockies.

The next day, however, Philly made him sweat.

Brought into the office, Utley sat listening to Kruk—who said he, as someone who played 10-plus years in the major, was a member of the MLB rules committee. Kruk explained the team failed to properly submit the paperwork in time for calling up Utley, so Philly would need to forfeit any games he'd played.

Utley's reaction to Kruk revealing the joke showed the Phillies' legend had successfully pulled one over on the rookie.

Yale's Elaborate Card Stunt

Yes, another Harvard/Yale game.

This time, though, MIT wasn't involved. No, this clever trick in 2004 was the brainchild of two Yale students with the assistance of about 20 others.

Disguised as "Harvard Pep Squad" members, the Yale students distribute red and white placards to the Crimson crowd. They assured the fans that "Go Harvard" would be spelled out on the cards.

In reality? "WE SUCK" appeared on the Harvard side.

Billy Donovan Drops Championship Trophy

My personal belief is then-Florida coach Billy Donovan should have played the joke out a bit longer. He exposed the joke rather quickly.

But it was a great gag.

Winners of the 2006 men's NCAA tournament, Florida hosted its Midnight Madness event that October. The preseason hype night featured that beautiful crystal trophy from the recent national championship.

So, when Donovan lost his grip on the trophy, it tumbled to the ground and shattered. The crowd, as you can imagine, gasped in shock.

Good news: It wasn't real.

Best news: Florida repeated as national champions in 2007.

Phillies 'Trade' Kyle Kendrick

Imagine you're an MLB player. After a promising rookie year, you're in spring training and working hard to build on that campaign.

And then, the manager pulls you into his office. You've been traded.

Except, no, Philly didn't send Kyle Kendrick to the Minnesota Twins for a package of minor leaguers. He wasn't moving to the Baltimore Orioles or San Diego Padres. No, the second-year pitcher listened to Phillies manager Charlie Manuel say he'd been traded to a club in...Japan.

Manuel, assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and veteran pitcher Brett Myers conspired to execute the prank in 2008.

Unfortunately for Kendrick, he either didn't know MLB teams are not permitted to directly trade with Japanese teams or—understandably, in the shock of the moment—completely forgot that reality.

Myers soon revealed the joke to a very relieved Kendrick, who ended up spending eight seasons with Philly.

College 'Transfer' Jared Goff

Sure, yes, it was a brand-sponsored prank. The joke is funnier when coaches and/or teammates make it happen organically.

Nevertheless, this one is hilarious.

Back in the spring of 2018, Jared Goff had just completed his third season with the Los Angeles Rams. He'd thrown for 4,688 yards and helped the team reach the Super Bowl in that previous year.

Next up, naturally, was a trip to Ventura College. Goff donned a long-haired look, intentionally misfired on a few passes and proceeded to uncork—wouldn't you know it—some NFL-caliber throws in front of a shocked team.

It's safe to say Ventura's QB saw his grip on the starting job slipping away. Good thing Goff didn't have any eligibility remaining.

(Red Bull attempted to send then-Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant undercover as well, though some players recognized him before the reveal. Still fun!)

Mike Hilton, the Mannequin

So simple, yet so perfect.

Although the Cincinnati Bengals are neither the first nor the last to unleash the Mannequin Scare, they pulled it off wonderfully.

Mike Hilton, a 5'9" cornerback, donned his full uniform with a blacked-out visor to share a few Halloween frights in 2002. He stood quietly at a corner of the Bengals' locker room to startle some teammates.

Among the "victims" of the harmless prank: wide receiver Tee Higgins, defensive tackle Zach Carter, a few team staffers and—with the best reaction of them all—star quarterback Joe Burrow.

Crosby, Fleury and a Prank War

Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury

The absolute worst place on the planet to lack a sense of humor is probably on a hockey team. The jokes, the pranks—they are constant.

Over the last two decades, we've been treated to Pittsburgh Penguins legend Sidney Crosby and now-former teammate Marc-Andre Fleury, a star goalie, engaging in a creative, never-ending prank war.

They haven't played together since 2017. They're still pranking each other in 2025.

Fleury has taped Crosby's gear into a big bundle as revenge for Crosby filling Fleury's with gum. Crosby rearranged Fleury's hotel room, and the goalie responded in kind by putting Vaseline on Crosby's visor, messing up the laces on his skates and putting beef sticks in a jock strap.

You know, normal stuff.

The professional portion of the prank war might officially end when Fleury retires at the end of the 2025 season. But I have a feeling it's not actually over yet.