9 Times a Player Gloriously Broke an Unwritten Rule
There are rules in sports and then there are unwritten rules, where players are supposed to self-legislate themselves for the good of the game, respect their opposition and set a good example for future generations.
But, honestly, how boring does that sound?
With all the talk of bat flips, dabbing and running up the score, I'm giving you times when a player gloriously broke an unwritten rule—and had no shame in doing it.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Aaron Tipoti Fakes an Injury to Slow Down Oregon's Offense
Every college football fan knows that the Oregon Ducks have earned the reputation for playing fast and putting up lots and lots of points, which can make it difficult for opposing defenders to slow the Ducks down.
While studying film and trying to confuse Oregon would be the right way to stop its high-octane offense, former Cal Bears defender Aaron Tipoti figured faking an injury was the right way to go, going to the turf and acting as if he pulled something to give his team a breather.
The fact that Tipoti's coach, Tosh Lupoi, ordered the move is even worse sportsmanship—and is a crazy bold strategy.
Erick Aybar Tries Bunting to Break Up No-Hitter
A no-hitter in baseball is one of the most freakishly amazing individual accomplishments in all of sports. It requires skill, luck and, in some cases, a lot of superstitions like not talking about one while it's happening.
But one of the biggest rules is actually by the team getting no-hit, as it's expected that, with honor, batters will try to get on base without laying down a bunt.
It's too bad current Atlanta Braves shortstop Erick Aybar forgot that rule in 2011, because he tried to pull a quick one on Justin Verlander's no-hit bid by dropping a bunt down. Bad form, dude—even though Verlander came up short in the end, anyway.
Cardale Jones Runs Up the Score During Video Game Beatdown
Ah, yes, running up the score. While a head coach like Steve Spurrier had a history of doing it throughout his career, one wouldn't think that a player would ever knowingly do it, right?
Well, former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones technically did it during a casual match of video game football with a kid in the hospital over last summer, refusing to take his foot off the gas even after the outcome was all but decided.
That's pretty ruthless by Cardale, but it looked like the kids were just happy to be playing with the national title-winning signal-caller, so no real harm was done.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Players Bull-Rush Eli Manning During Kneel Down
There's a reason why taking a knee at the end of a football game is called the "victory formation," and it's because the game is unofficially over, meaning it's time for both sides to just watch the seconds tick off the game clock.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers refused to follow the unwritten rule against the New York Giants in 2012, though, because they fired through the line and tried taking out Giants quarterback Eli Manning while he was attempting to take a knee.
Naturally, the G-Men didn't take the act kindly, as a small skirmish broke out and two New York lineman were fined by the league for reacting the way they did. The Bucs should've known better, though.
Dillon Brooks Buries An Unnecessary Three-Pointer at End of Game
Recently happening during this year's Sweet 16 matchup between the Oregon Ducks and Duke Blue Devils, who knew that Dillon Brooks' ill-advised three-pointer in the waning seconds of the game would cause such controversy?
With the game all but decided and the Ducks ahead by 11 prior to the trey, Brooks just couldn't resist the urge of tossing up a near half-courter as the shot clock ran down, actually making the deep three and upsetting the Dukies in the process.
The fallout was Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski saying something to Brooks in the handshake line afterward, which turned into a national story itself.
Note to future hoopers, just let the time run out and avoid this crap.
Bryce Harper Blows Kiss to Pitcher During Home Run Trot
He may be considered by some to be the best ballplayer in the majors right now, but there was a time when many just assumed reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper to be nothing but a little punk who did anything he could to irk his opposition.
And while Harper talks about how he hates baseball's unwritten rules—which former players hate to hear—Harper's reputation of showboating came out in a bad way during a minor league game in 2011 when he actually blew a kiss to a pitcher after jacking a home run.
It's so ruthless and cocky it should be unfair.
Cam Newton Dabs on 'Em
In addition to being last season's NFL MVP and one of the most dynamic quarterbacks any of us have ever seen, the Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton has shown to be one hell of a celebrator—like, seriously, he doesn't stop.
From emphatically signaling first downs, smiling nonstop and, of course, dabbing, Newton's behavior on the field has been mostly criticized by people who forget that he's just having fun.
And when Newton scored against the Tennessee Titans last season, his dabbing in the end zone caused a scuffle because, you know, the Titans defenders didn't appreciate him rubbing it in. Stop him from scoring, guys, and I promise Newton won't be doing it anymore.
Jose Bautista Does the Most Epic Bat Flip of All-Time
I mentioned bat flips earlier, but there isn't one that even compares to the one from Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, whose celebration as he hit a crucial home run in last year's ALDS against the Texas Rangers was both cold-hearted and beautiful.
Of course, that doesn't mean that it was applauded by everyone. Joey Bats' reaction to the blast was questioned by old-timers and, of course, caused tension between the Jays and Rangers afterward—as Texas took exception to it.
Still, one can't help but love the raw emotion Bautista showed during a playoff game.
D'Angelo Russell Records Nick Young
So have you had enough of the whole D'Angelo Russell-Nick Young story yet? No, then you're in luck, because the rookie broke one of the biggest unwritten rules in sports when he recorded his teammate talking about how he cheated on his fiance.
On so many levels Russell, unknowingly, disrespected Young, allowing an ill-advised prank to get out of the locker room and make its way to the Internet.
The fallout has been tension in the Lakers' locker room, Young's engagement in question and the shooting guard being all but shut down by his head coach because he's not there "mentally" with the rest of his team.
The young fella will hopefully learn his lesson.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
