Are These Onion Headlines or Actual Sports Stories?

When you first saw Geno Smith's sucker-punch headline, you briefly thought it might be a joke, right? A sarcastic jab at the lowly New York Jets or a headline from the Onion, perhaps, but surely it wasn't real?

As we eventually found out, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Let's take a look at 15 sports headlines and ask ourselves: Is that an Onion headline or an actual sports story?

Keep in mind—these could be headlines from any media outlet, as long as it is not satirical. That means ball-busting yet true headlines from Deadspin and the New York Post count, folks.

To be fair, a couple of the Onion headlines you're about to read were obviously satirical for anyone in the sports know. However, if someone was publicly fooled by the site's humor, it might show up on this list. For instance, did a former VP at FIFA really think the organization moved the Women's World Cup in order to placate U.S. officials? 

Big h/t to the Onion for being hilarious and making this all possible.

'FIFA Frantically Announces 2015 Summer World Cup in United States'

Several high-ranking FIFA officials were arrested in May in conjunction with corruption charges brought by the U.S. Justice Department. Shortly thereafter, one of those officials, former vice president Jack Warner, sounded off on the U.S., alleging its involvement in the investigation resulted from sourness over losing a World Cup bid.

He cited an article with the following headline as evidence: "FIFA Frantically Announces 2015 Summer World Cup In United States."

Verdict: Onion

'Big Mouth! Geno Smith Emerges for First Time Post-Sucker Punch Surgery'

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

By now you already know that Geno Smith was, in fact, sucker punched by a (now former) New York Jets teammate in the locker room. His jaw injury required surgery, and he is expected to miss 6-10 weeks.

Verdict: Real, via the New York Post

'1,000 'Bleacher Report' Writers Descend on Super Bowl Media Day'

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

A lot of press attends Super Bowl media day each year. In fact, the Boston Globe reported over 5,500 media personnel received credentials to cover the events of Super Bowl weekend in 2015. Even so, 1,000 from one outlet does seem a little rich.

In other news, the ability to laugh at oneself is a virtue, right?

Verdict: Onion

'Sprewell ($14.6M) Demands New Deal: 'Got Family to Feed''

STEVE YEATER/Associated Press

Professional athletes generally make pretty decent money, and some of them make a lot more than that. So when working through contract negotiations, acting like you can't survive on your current salary would be a pretty ridiculous tactic.  

Verdict: Real, via Free Republic

Latrell Sprewell, seeking a contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2004, actually told the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via ESPN), "Why would I want to help them win a title? They're not doing anything for me. I've got a lot at risk here. I've got my family to feed."

'Tom Brady Keeps Referring to Self as 'Golden Boy' While Denying Cheating...'

Mary Altaffer/Associated Press

Tom Brady does have a "golden boy" image (er, uh, did—that might be up for debate now). People have definitely referred to him in that way, and some might even call his denials of any Deflategate involvement "arrogant."

Still.

Verdict: Onion   

'Geno Auriemma: Bill Belichick Is 'Only Coach Worth (Expletive) Right Now'

Jessica Hill/Associated Press

Geno Auriemma has won 10 national championships with the Connecticut women's basketball team. So he's a man who understands good coaching. After clinching his most recent title in April, the media asked Auriemma how he felt he stacked up against his counterparts in men's sports.

Verdict: Real, via NESN

Remember, this is the same man who called men's basketball "a joke."

'Why Athletes Pee on Their Hands'

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Athletes often go to extremes to get a leg up on the competition, but this? Baseball players urinating on their hands to toughen them up?  

Verdict: Real, via Slate

'Ron Harper Won't Stop Telling People He Was on the Dream Team'

Bullit Marquez/Associated Press

Ron Harper had a 15-year NBA career, and he is often remembered for playing with the Chicago Bulls during their second three-peat from 1996 to 1998. Though he played with Michael Jordan on the Bulls, Harper did not play with MJ on the U.S. Olympic team.

So, when he saw the headline—"Ron Harper Won't Stop Telling People He was on the Dream Team"—he wasn't happy. Harper took to Twitter to defend himself against "that BS."

Verdict: Onion

'James Harrison Makes Kids Give Back Participation Trophies'

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

James Harrison has two sons, ages eight and six, both of whom received trophies for their participation in some type of athletic program.

Harrison posted a photo of the trophies to his Instagram with a caption that read, in part, "I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies! While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy."

Um, intense. 

Verdict: Real, via Deadspin

'Jay Cutler: 'I'll Be the First Person to Admit We Need a New Punter''

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Jay Cutler hasn't exactly been a gem at quarterback for the Chicago Bears, but would he really blame punter Pat O'Donnell for the team's November blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers?

Verdict: Onion

Sidebar: This is another one that fooled some folks in real life, though.

'Butt Pat Lands Former NFL Star Chad Johnson in Jail'

Terry Renna/Associated Press

The old butt slap is pretty standard in the NFL, isn't it? Sure, but it's not standard in a court of law.

Verdict: Real, via CNN

'RGIII Refusing to Let Realistic Assessment of His Play Get to Him'

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

Robert Griffin III's NFL tenure hasn't been without hiccups so far. In fact, he has faced criticism for everything from his on-field performance to his use of social media.

All the while, he has generally defended himself against detractors. In fact, Griffin recently told Alex Parker of WJLA-TV, "I feel like I'm the best quarterback in the league, and I have to go out and show that."

Still. 

Verdict: Onion

'Breaking: Roger Goodell and Robert Kraft Reportedly Hugged Recently'

Stephan Savoia/Associated Press

This much is true: The Deflategate drama has left question marks looming over the relationship between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Still, a headline about the two of them hugging?

Verdict: Real, via the Big Lead

Adam Schefter reported the hug in May. 

'Affleck & Damon's Yankees 'Wife-Swap' Film Still in the Works'

Paul A. Hebert/Associated Press

The first thing you should know is this: Two New York Yankees players did, in fact, switch wives in 1973. Actually, pitchers Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich swapped families, according to the New York Daily News.  

But, are Ben Affleck and Matt Damon—Boston boys and creators of the modern classic Good Will Hunting—really making a movie about this?

Verdict: Real, via Page Six

'Bears GM Confident Team Has Right Pieces in Place to Trade Jay Cutler'

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

After several disappointing seasons with the Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler's job hasn't exactly been safe in recent months. Trade rumors began in earnest as last season wound down, and there was talk of dealing him to the Tennessee Titans, specifically, at one point, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Verdict: Onion

The Bears wish.