Funniest Sports Moments of 2016 to Date

Sports are entertainment. Those who live and die on the fates of their favorite teams would do well to remember that. 

Being a fan and a spectator is not supposed to be such a serious matter. Sports serve as an escape from real life and from real problems that plague people. For a few hours every now and again, we focus on the actions of athletes on the field of battle rather than on whatever could be worrying or upsetting us. It's an added bonus when our beloved teams win something.

It is, thus, important we are able to keep things in perspective and have a laugh about sports every now and again. Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James realizes this. James did not hold back while speaking during the championship parade that drew over a million fans to downtown Cleveland on Wednesday, and that made for one of the funniest and most memorable monologues you will hear from any athlete. 

Shortstop Francisco Lindor, one of the best players on a Cleveland Indians team in first place as of the posting of this piece, routinely produces smiles and laughter when he is in the field or on the base paths. The Republic of Ireland fans are arguably the biggest stars of the 2016 European Championship because of their antics. Michael Jordan continues to be a social media icon for reasons that have nothing to do with his incredible basketball career.

Relax, passionate sports fans. Allow yourselves to laugh at the men and women who are entertainers as much as they are competitors. People around the world experience real hardships on a daily basis

Sports should make you happy. You're doing it wrong if that isn't the case.

Republic of Ireland Fans Sing Lullabies

Unless the 2016 European Championship is won by a minnow of a nation or via a majestic last-minute goal, casual fans will eventually forget what occurred on the pitch during the tournament. We will, however, remember the antics of the fans of both Northern and the Republic of Ireland. 

Thanks to the thousands of Northern Ireland supporters who have flocked to watch the nation participate in the Euros, fans around the world know Will Grigg's on fire and that your defense is consequently terrified. The tune, sung in honor of the Northern Ireland striker, is particularly funny because Grigg did not play a second during the group stage of the tournament.

The Grigg song may be your personal favorite. But another goody involving Ireland supporters, those from the south of the border, included a train ride and a baby who will sadly not remember this moment. 

Fans on a train noticed a man holding the infant, and they reacted by singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." This was no football chant, though, as the fans did well to quietly sing the lullaby. When the train stopped, the fans then encouraged people boarding the train to do so silently to not disturb the baby. The tot was then given a Republic of Ireland flag as a present before the fans resumed singing. 

Remember this the next time you think all football fans are rowdy hooligans. 

Joseph Blandisi Flops

Players dive in attempts to buy calls from officials. It happens. It happens in National Basketball Association games, National Hockey League contests and in soccer matches that take place all around the world. As much as fans and analysts don't like it, this type of gamesmanship is understandable because it often produces positive results.

We have some advice for New Jersey Devils forward Joseph Blandisi: Either get better at diving or remove it from your repertoire entirely.

The Devils were hosting the Philadelphia Flyers this past February when Blandisi became the victim of a clear slash to his right leg. It must be stated that Blandisi undeniably suffered a blow worthy of Philadelphia defenseman Andrew MacDonald, the aggressor in this instance, earning a trip to the penalty box. Had the matter ended there, the Devils would have gone on a 5-on-3 power play. 

That did not happen, however, because Blandisi decided to exaggerate the effects of the slash. Both of Blandisi's feet left the ice, and he arched his back as he threw himself down. The referee immediately stopped play, skated toward Blandisi and motioned for the forward to skate his way over to the sin bin. 

No reasonable fan enjoys seeing a player suffer an injury. Blandisi remained curled on the ice several seconds after the referee blew his whistle, and it appeared, for a time, as if he were hurt. Once everybody realized Blandisi's pride was what suffered the worst blow, we all were able to enjoy a laugh. 

Francisco Lindor Loses the Ball

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is a budding superstar. Lindor, who is only 22 years old, already possesses several memorable defensive plays on his resume. Fans of the Indians and even radio announcer Tom Hamilton have, from time to time, had visions of all-time Cleveland great Omar Vizquel when watching Lindor. 

Lindor clearly enjoys the game. He flashes wide smiles whenever he completes a memorable defensive stop, almost as if he is wondering how he managed to pull off that play. The fan favorite has even laughed at himself on occasions, such as when he tripped and fell to the ground after rounding first base during a game.

Lindor found himself in a unique situation this past April, when the Indians were away to the Tampa Bay Rays. A fly ball was hit into foul territory, and Lindor tracked the ball to make what he probably thought would be an easy out. The ball never fell, though, as it somehow became lost in the catwalk. 

Lindor waited. He stuck his glove out. He covered his head with both hands as he laughed at the situation. Once it became apparent the ball posed no threat, Lindor comically dove to the ground as he pretended to attempt a catch. Tampa Bay fans in attendance offered Lindor a friendly applause as gratitude for his play-acting. 

Lindor won't receive offers from Broadway for this performance, but it's still good for a laugh. 

Louis van Gaal Pulls Hair

Manager Louis van Gaal had a rough go of things during his final season as Manchester United boss. United missed out on Champions League qualification once again. Rumors circulated that Jose Mourinho had been selected to replace Van Gaal even before Van Gaal and United parted ways in May. Winning the FA Cup wasn't enough for Van Gaal to keep his job.

However, we'll always remember the good times, King Louis. We'll remember how you once threw yourself to the ground while protesting to a fourth official during a match involving United and Arsenal. We'll remember the multiple occasions you cracked us up with your post-match comments. 

We'll remember how you oddly pulled the hair of a reporter and then referenced sex following a game. 

Van Gaal, per John Cross of the Mirror, felt compelled to defend United player Marouane Fellaini after a United match versus Leicester City. During that contest, Fellaini elbowed Leicester player Robert Huth after Huth pulled on Fellaini's Afro. Van Gaal, upset about the matter, pulled the hair of a reporter as he was questioned about the incident after the match. That alone would have been enough to warrant a spot on this list, but Van Gaal, per Cross, went one step further: 

"

Shall I grab you by your hair? What is your reaction when I grab your hair? (grabs reporter's hair off camera). Your hair is shorter than Fellaini but when I do that, what are you doing then? It's a reaction.

Every human being who is grabbed by the hair, only with sex masochism, then it is allowed but not in other situations. They did it. They did it several times I think.

"

Never change, Louis. Never change.

Michael Jordan Gets Crying Jordan'd

Unless you actively go out of the way to avoid social media, you have probably seen the Crying Jordan meme that remains an internet sensation that does not appear to be disappearing anytime soon.

In short, a picture of an athlete who experiences a setback or a loss, such as Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors following Game 7 of 2016 NBA Finals, has their face replaced with Jordan's crying face from Jordan's memorable Hall of Fame speech.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before Jordan became the star of Crying Jordan memes. 

Jordan, who played his college basketball at North Carolina, attended the 2016 NCAA Championship involving North Carolina and Villanova. Villanova won the game via a last-second walk-off shot, arguably the greatest ending of a championship game in history. Jordan could do nothing to stop the shot, nor could Jordan prevent the memes from landing on websites such as Twitter. 

Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune provided a top 10 of the new memes. The Tar Heel mascot, those sitting around Jordan at the game and even Jordan's phone were all Crying Jordan'd. These pictures remain fantastic to this day, and they serve as a reminder that the internet will always be undefeated in these instances. 

We're at the point when it is a badge of honor and a sign you've made it if you get Crying Jordan'd. 

Conor McGregor on CNBC

Ultimate Fighting Championship multi-weight competitor Conor McGregor is everything a promotion could want in a fighter. McGregor is the top featherweight in the world, one who notched a 13-second knockout win over Jose Aldo last December.

It could be said McGregor is the top attraction in the UFC and in all of mixed martial arts. McGregor draws money, and fans cannot wait to splash the cash to see McGregor and Nate Diaz meet for a rematch at UFC 202 later this year.

McGregor and Diaz were promoting their UFC 196 encounter this past March when they spoke with Jane Wells of CNBC. McGregor waited only 10 seconds before laying into Diaz, telling Diaz to "bring me my coffee." Diaz responded by dropping some language that can't be aired on CNBC and can't be printed on this website.

Television gold.

McGregor explained he and not Diaz was responsible for the purses the two fighters would earn at UFC 196. The outspoken Irishman went so far to ask Wells for a picture. Diaz, clearly not entertained, walked away from the interview before Wells finished.

Diaz enjoyed the last laugh, however, as he submitted McGregor at UFC 196. 

You may love McGregor's personality. Perhaps you think McGregor is obnoxious, so much so you want to see him get knocked out. Either way, McGregor makes for must-see television and entertaining fights.

That's the point.

Cristiano Ronaldo Throws a Microphone

Cristiano Ronaldo is having a bad June. Lionel Messi, Ronaldo's rival, has buried multiple goals for Argentina following the end of the club season, and Messi and Argentina are a victory away from winning the Copa America. Ronaldo and Portugal, meanwhile, backed into the knockout rounds of the 2016 European Championship. Ronaldo even missed a penalty in a goalless draw against Austria.

It appears Ronaldo isn't handling these disappointments all that well. 

Ronaldo and other members of the Portugal team were enjoying a stroll when Diogo Torres of CMTV attempted to interview the Real Madrid star. Torres, per BBC Sport, merely wanted to ask Ronaldo about an upcoming match. 

Ronaldo responded by throwing Torres' microphone into a lake. 

Torres spoke with BBC Sport following the incident:

"

I'm not sure why he did it. I think it was a momentary thing. I think he would not have done it if he had thought about it.

We are a TV channel of a major newspaper in Portugal. We produce a lot of news about him. Some of it he doesn't like. Perhaps that's why he did it. But it wasn't a personal thing.

"

It is not every day when you see the man who is arguably the biggest sports star on the planet take a reporter's microphone and launch it into a body of water. We have to ask: What will Ronaldo do if Portugal don't win the Euros?

Keep your cameras away from that man, reporters.

Bartolo Colon Hits a Home Run

There are sports stories people will tell their grandchildren about decades down the road. Those who witnessed the Cleveland Cavaliers winning the 2016 NBA Finals will give accounts of that night for as long as they live. When all is said and done, a total of 100 million people may end up claiming they were in downtown Cleveland taking part in the celebrations on that memorable Sunday night. 

None of those stories will hold a candle to when New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon hit a home run in the spring of 2016.

Colon, lovingly known as "Big Sexy" among Mets fans because of his portly frame, blasted a home run during a game against the San Diego Padres. Per information offered by ESPN.com's Adam Rubin, Colon, 42 years young at the time he belted his homer, became the oldest player in history to hit a first career home run. 

The sight of Colon rounding the bases is funny on its own. The reactions of Colon's teammates topped his trot. Colon's teammates howled with laughter, and they vacated the dugout before Colon touched home plate. Colon eventually received the adoration he so richly deserved, and the entire episode made for an all-time great moment in the history of the Mets. 

Red Card for a Fart

Sometimes, the title of a piece of a slide is misleading. This is not one of those instances. A soccer player was shown a red card because he farted during a match.

Sports are wonderful. 

According to a Lanstidningen Sodertalje story (h/t the Guardian), Swedish footballer Adam Lindin Ljungkvist was sent off during a match because he released some gas. From the Guardian: 

"

I had a bad stomach, so I simply let go. ... Then I received two yellow cards and then red. Yes, I was shocked, it’s the strangest thing I have ever experienced in football.

I asked the referee, ‘What, am I not allowed to break wind a little?’ ‘No,’ he replied. ... I don’t get it but maybe he thought I farted in my hand and threw the fart at him. But I did not.

"

In fairness to referee Dany Kako, who gave Ljungskvist his marching orders, the Guardian article claimed the fart was so loud opposing players heard it. Perhaps Kako was annoyed about any distraction caused. A player who executes a slide tackle is supposed to be in control of his own body. Maybe Kako sent Ljungkvist off for failing to control his insides.

Memo to footballers playing while Kako is officiating the action: Watch what you eat on the day of the match.

LeBron James' Speech

We may never again see LeBron James as happy as he was during the parade to celebrate the Cleveland Cavaliers' NBA Championship on Wednesday.

James smiled from ear to ear, he spread his arms and mimicked the pose that is featured on the famous banner that hangs near the Quicken Loans Arena, and he laughed out loud as he interacted with members of a fanbase that has not had much to cheer about for roughly 52 years. 

Later, James received the microphone at the end of the championship rally. 

James, as Adam Ferrise of Cleveland.com explained, dropped multiple words that likely caught the attention of the Federal Communications Commission. The three-time NBA champion used the f-word on multiple occasions. There were other instances when James drew laughs from observers with his naughty language.

There probably are some parents, and maybe even some groups, who are offended James didn't keep things G-rated at the rally. James, the hometown kid who returned to northeast Ohio and helped end the championship drought that haunted Cleveland teams for over five decades, allowed himself to be swept up in the moment, and thousands upon thousands of fans appreciated James' genuine displays of emotion. 

James is royalty among Cleveland fans. He can do little wrong outside of leaving the Cavaliers a second time in the eyes of those supporters. Truth be told, it'd be nice if more top-tier athletes cut promos like James' from when he concluded the biggest party in Cleveland history.