Brian Wilson and the 20 Biggest Goofballs in Sports History
Goofballs are en vogue.
With the World Series champion San Francisco Giants as a ragtag team of misfits and characters, their ringleader, Brian Wilson, might be the most entertaining athlete in America.
The facial hair, the mannerisms, the sound bites.
It's a shame that the season is over because things were getting way too funny.
In their honor, here is a list of 20 of the biggest goofballs in sports history. Whether they wore crazy outfits or performed ridiculous antics, these athletes kept it fresh and amusing.
Chris "The Birdman" Andersen
1 of 20
Nicknamed the "Birdman," Chris Andersen was suspended from the NBA for two seasons after violating the league's anti-drug policy by testing positive for a banned substance.
The eccentric character had earned the nickname for his ability to block shots, while playing as a fan favorite for the Denver Nuggets.
His free spirit nature has led to some outrageous hairstyles, particularly a Cousin Itt-inspired 'do and a Dennis Rodman-like tattoo count.
Chad Ochocinco
2 of 20
Chad Ochocinco (born Chad Johnson) is the NFL's second-most followed tweeter. He was one of the top contestants on last season's "Dancing With the Stars" and was the star of a reality dating show. No. 85 even started his own network, OCNN.
And none of this has anything to do with his antics on the field.
After a touchdown, Ochocinco, which isn't even the correct way to say 85 in Spanish, is sure to entertain fans.
From proposing to a cheerleader to donning a sombrero, Ochocinco personifies goofiness.
A.J. Burnett
3 of 20
A.J. Burnett sure knows his pie.
Following a walk-off victory, leave it to the right-handed pitcher to get his clutch teammate during a postgame interview or when he least expects it.
After the final out of the 2009 World Series, Burnett caught manager Joe Girardi. In May, Marcus Thames picked up the New York Yankees' first walk-off win and Burnett was ready.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Dwight Howard
4 of 20He imitates his coach. He puts on a Lady Gaga-esque wig and sings. He participates in a dance-off with Shaquille O'Neal.
Each of the following makes Dwight Howard one of the biggest goofballs in sports.
When he and teammates decided to choreograph dance moves for pregame warm-ups, Howard was referenced as Hancock the superhero. But don't forget that he also goes by Superman.
Shaquille O'Neal
5 of 20When someone stars in a film such as "Kazaam," the guy has to be a goof.
Shaquille O'Neal took part in the NBA All-Star game dance-off with Dwight Howard, but has been acting all sorts of goofy for decades.
In a web series, he has interviewed himself. On Halloween, he dressed up as Beyonce. Many times he can be found singing, dancing and hamming it up as part of his outgoing personality.
Brian Wilson
6 of 20It got to the point where viewers wanted the San Francisco Giants to win just to hear closer Brian Wilson speak.
His sound bites, including the one above, couldn't be ad-libbed better by Steve Carell.
Whether he told the city's residents that the team would be partying with them soon or his outlandish November beard made headlines, Wilson was this season's most goofy athlete.
Though some of his teammates provided competition for the title, no Brian Wilson has been this cool since the Beach Boys' frontman.
Manny Ramirez
7 of 20
"Manny being Manny."
It's a saying that people have heard several times over the last decade.
Manny Ramirez can get lazy, and it has shown in the past on defensive plays in left field. Once, he booted a ball twice in the same play.
When he was with the Boston Red Sox, he escaped behind the Green Monster during a pitching change. He's been known to play around with sunflower seeds in between pitches and drink from a water bottle he keeps in a pocket.
Needless to say the section known as "Mannywood" at Dodgers Stadium was well suited during his time in Los Angeles.
Gilbert Arenas
8 of 20
Before the felony weapons charge, Gilbert Arenas could be considered goofy.
After a tough loss during the 2009 season, Arenas decided to bring back the identities (or alter egos) of Agent Zero and Hibachi in order to cheer up teammates.
In another instance, Arenas beat teammate DeShawn Stevenson in a three-point shooting competition by breakdancing, shouting and rolling on the floor to distract him and win.
With thousands of dollars on the line, it sure paid off.
Aubrey Huff
9 of 20Leave it to a former Miami Hurricane to pull out the "Zoolander" trick.
Brian Wilson wasn't the only character on the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants team.
Infielder Aubrey Huff continually told the media and fans about a red thong that had been bringing him good luck since he began wearing it.
Well, during the championship parade, the people finally got what they wanted when he pulled it out of his pants with some clever maneuvering.
Ben Stiller's fictional character Derek Zoolander would be so proud.
Shaun White
10 of 20
For a snowboarder who rides regular stance, Shaun White is still quite goofy.
Maybe it's the carrot top. Maybe it's his laid-back attitude.
During the Vancouver Olympics, everyone was a fan of the gold medalist. When he made the talk show rounds, his somewhat shy and quiet demeanor was a break from other athletes.
How can you top a nickname such as the "Flying Tomato"?
Jacory Harris
11 of 20
Last season, University of Miami quarterback Jacory Harris joked (I think so at least) that he would attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony in a pink suit with a pimp cup.
Earlier this semester, he walked around campus in Oakland Raiders overalls without a shirt and a matching cap and shoes.
I had the privilege of seeing him in person that day, and it looked just as goofy as the photo shows it to be.
Warren Sapp
12 of 20There's one thing for certain: A player from the University of Miami, especially during the program's prime, is unusual and goofy.
Warren Sapp personifies that perception.
On the NFL Network, he once spoke with helium in his mouth. He was known for being a top-notch trash talker, and celebrating rather animatedly for a big guy on the defensive line.
If that wasn't enough, he got to show off his moves on "Dancing With the Stars."
David Ortiz
13 of 20Big Papi and Manny Ramirez used to have the best of times in Boston together. They were quite the duo.
Papi has always gotten along with the media and fans as a happy-go-lucky ballplayer. Plus, he has a good personality and knows his way around goofy handshakes.
He and Brian Urlacher even played badminton together for a Vitamin Water commercial. The other pair never had a chance.
Andy Roddick
14 of 20
He can get sassy with the media. He argues with the line judge. He tweets about everything from basketball to pop culture.
Andy Roddick met his Sports Illustrated model wife by asking her out through their agents. Yes, you read that correctly.
Though he can get angry on the court when he doesn't agree with a call, Roddick can poke fun at himself as well: Just take a look at a photo he posted on one of the margins of his Twitter page.
Terrell Owens
15 of 20
When Terrell Owens signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and joined Chad Ochocinco in the receiving corps, everyone couldn't contain their excitement for the touchdown celebration collaborations to come.
Owens is just as famous for his antics as Ochocinco, having been around longer with a more established resume.
His highlights include imitating a waiter, cheering with pom poms, eating a fan's popcorn and signing a football with a Sharpie for his financial advisor.
Jared Allen
16 of 20Jared Allen rocks a mullet. He wears a cowboy hat. He describes what the "middle burner" is.
At least, he does in Kenny Mayne's "Mayne Street" segment about what NFL players do during the offseason.
How he kept a straight face while throwing a rock across the country to raise awareness about foreign countries is impressive.
His bit might be the funniest, concluding with his howling like wolf while in a yoga position.
Damon Jones
17 of 20
He was a self-proclaimed "best dresser." He got up close and personal with King James. He played Donkey to Shaquille O'Neal's Shrek.
Damon Jones is quite the goofball.
Both Shaq and Jones paid tribute to Michael Jackson with a rendition of "Beat It." At the 2006 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Charles Barkley couldn't stop making fun of Jones' red coat.
As a colleague of mine put it, "He's a joke." At least he was the brunt of many.
Wes Welker
18 of 20Who knew that the little possession receiver could gain so much weight over the offseason?
No longer can he make a simple catch. When he chest bumps with buddies at the bowling alley, one stumbles backwards.
On the same segment of "Mayne Street" that Jared Allen took part in, Wes Welker turns into a coach potato and eats everything that he can find in his refrigerator.
There's whipped cream, soda and chips for him to eat. And don't forget the enormous amount of bling around his neck.
The humor is a side of the usually focused Welker that football fans don't always see.
Dennis Rodman
19 of 20
All the tattoos. All the piercings. All the rebounds. All the attitude.
There has never been anyone quite like Dennis Rodman in the NBA, much less any other sport.
From the dyed hair to the wedding dress, Rodman can pretty much claim it all: He pursued Madonna, briefly married Carmen Electra and personified the bad boy image.
Dirk Nowitzki
20 of 20Dirk Nowitzki fashions himself quite the singer.
During the 2006 NBA Playoffs, he told a reporter that the secret to his success was singing David Hasselhoff's "Looking for Freedom," which was a hit when he was a little kid in Germany.
In another video, he and his teammates can be seen singing Boy II Men's "End of the Road."
Not too sure whether anyone has told Nowitzki what he really sounds like...
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
