The 50 Craziest Plays in Sports History

There have been crazy plays that have taken place throughout sports history.

From The "Say Hey" kid making his infamous catch in 1954 to the band running on the field in the Stanford vs. Cal football game back in 1982, to Fordham's Brian Kownacki jumping over a catcher to make it home safely in a game in 2010, we've seen many wild plays over the years.

Check out my top 50 craziest plays in sports history in this special feature.

Chris Simon Decks Ryan Hollweg (2007)

In one of the most vicious hits in NHL history, Chris Simon lays out Islanders forward Ryan Hollweg in a game back in 2007.

Simon, who was known for has hard hitting while playing in the league, received a 25-game suspension for this senseless act.

Calvin Johnson Catch (2004)

Many people around college football have already labeled this incredible play as "The Catch."

Johnson shows his freakish athletic ability by completely changing directions in mid-air to snag a one-handed grab in his freshman year at Georgia Tech in this one.

Driscoll Middle School Trick Play (2010)

The Driscoll Middle School football team pulls out all the stops in this amazing trick play.

The center hands the ball to the QB, who calmly walks the ball past the confused defense and then breaks into a full sprint en route to the end zone.

Simply stunning, folks.

Rey Ordonez Throws out Runner after Tumbling Down (1998)

The play comes in at 0:52.

Watch as former Mets shortstop Rey Ordonez makes a sensational play to a throw a would-be baserunner out.

Paul Lo Duca's Sliding Catch into the Dugout (2002)

I thought catchers were supposed to protect themselves?

Former catcher Paul Lo Duca makes a nifty grab as he goes right into the dugout in this play at 2:28 in the video.

Adam Waddell Does a Flip After His Dunk (2009)

I'm sure the Wyoming center Adam Waddell didn't have this planned when he went for a fast-break dunk in a game back in 2009.

However, it was pretty hilarious to watch for the first time.

Umpire Gerry Davis Pockets Baseball (1998)

In one of the most bizarre plays involving an umpire in baseball history, Jerry Davis takes the cake on this one.

After Astros pitcher Doug Henry's pitch gets away from Brad Ausmus, no one can find the ball.

No one except Jerry Davis.

Crazy Field Goal in Browns vs. Ravens Game (2007)

After watching this field goal attempt live, I just didn't know what to think.

Phil Dawson's kick hits the left post before hitting the area behind the crossbar, making it good.

The Ravens were sure in for a rude awakening when they realized that they hadn't won the game yet, instead it went into overtime.

Tommie Frazier 75-Yard TD Run(1996)

Nicknamed "The Run," former Nebraska QB Tommie Frazier makes an amazing scamper towards the end zone against Florida in the '96 national title game.

He makes the Gators D look horrible as he breaks several tackles en route to the house.

Antonio Cromartie 109-Yard FG Return for a TD (2007)

Cromartie gets the longest TD ever recorded in football history in this return.

It looked like the Vikings special teams unit completely fell asleep as he was bringing it back.

Tryone Prothro TD Catch off Defender's Back (2005)

Prothro turns in one of the best catches that you will ever see in this highlight.

I just feel bad for the poor Southern Miss defender who will forever be linked to this incredible reception.

Batter, Catcher and Umpire Get Hit by Pitch (2011)

Plays like this are what make the game of baseball so crazy.

It's a good thing that no one was badly injured in this freakish turn of events.

Edwin Baptiste One-Handed Catch (2008)

The first time I saw this catch, I thought that Morgan State receiver Edwin Baptiste could have broken his neck on this reception.

In the end, he didn't and turned in easily one of the best plays over the past decade in college football.

Andrew Fleming Diving Catch (2010)

I play a lot of ultimate frisbee myself, and this is, by far, the best catch that I have ever seen in this sport.

Andrew Fleming lays out and makes a crazy grab that promises to make your head spin.

Boise State Game-Winning Statue of Liberty Play (2007)

Oklahoma and Bob Stoops thought that they had their '06 Fiesta Bowl game with Boise State all but wrapped up.

They did, until the Broncos did a well-executed hook-and-ladder play, followed by this shocking statue of liberty play for the game-winning two-point conversion.

Vince Carter Dunk in Olympics (2000)

Can you say posterized?

NBA legend Vince Carter goes up way for an emphatic one-handed jam over a helpless French defender Frederic Weis.

Jerome Lane Shatters Backboard (1988)

This is simply one of the best dunks in basketball history.

It is also famous for coining the phrase "Send it in Jerome" by long-time commentator Bill Raftery.

Music City Miracle (2000)

This might take the prize for the most controversial play in NFL history.

Former Titans tight end Frank Wycheck laterals a pass that appears illegal to teammate Kevin Dyson, who then gallops down the sideline for the eventual game-winning score.

Trinity College 15-Lateral Touchdown (2007)

Are you kidding me?

I just don't see how one team can allow their opponent to lateral the ball 15 times and then score, unless they had already started packing it in.

Eli Manning to David Tyree in Super Bowl (2008)

This is one of the best all-around football plays in NFL history.

Giants QB Eli Manning somehow avoids the sack before hitting receiver David Tyree, who makes the catch off his helmet, setting up the game-winning touchdown later in the drive.

Marshawn Lynch 67-Yard TD (2011)

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch shows off his power and speed in this incredible touchdown run in last season's playoffs against the New Orleans Saints.

It's plays like this that make me proud to be an avid sports fan.

Fuzzy Zoeller Hole-in-One (2006)

Wow, you will never see a more luckier golf shot than this one.

Fuzzy Zoeller is still smiling somewhere, even five years later.

Franco Harris Deflected TD (1972)

This is one of the great moments in sports history.

Nicknamed "The Immaculate Reception," Steelers FB Franco Harris somehow catches a pass off of a deflection and takes it in for the score.

Rene Higuita Save (1995)

This is the best save in a soccer match, ever.

Higuita was known for making saves likes this, as it became dubbed as "The Scorpion."

Mark Buehrle Flips Between Legs To Get Runner (2010)

This play is so crazy that it's borderline insane.

Most pitchers would have been out of their mind to do something like this, but Buehrle knew exactly what he was doing in this play.

Ozzie Smith's Many Plays at Shortstop

The Wizard is arguably the best shortstop to ever play the game of baseball.

He made so many crazy plays throughout his career, including a bare-handed diving stop and a diving catch where he avoided another teammate, that it was just too hard to have one play for Mr. Smith on this list.

The Holly Roller (1978)

In a play where no Raider seemed to want possession of the ball, somehow Oakland ends up scoring a touchdown in the end.

Was this a series of unfortunate fumbles or was it intentional?

Blake Hoffarber Makes Shot While Sitting Down (2005)

Then-Minnesota high school basketball player Blake Hoffarber gained instant fame with this spectacular shot in the state championship, which later netted him an ESPY award as well.

Do you think he has practiced this at home?

Doug Flutie Hail Mary TD (1984)

A Hail Mary never usually works, right?

Not if your name is Doug Flutie and you played for Boston College in 1984.

Leon Lett Fumble (1993)

In one of the most embarrassing plays in modern sport history, then-Cowboys defensive lineman decides to celebrate too early on what he thought was a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Instead, he will forever been linked to this crazy play.

Gary Matthews Jr. Catch (2006)

I had a hard time finding the video for this catch online, but a good picture of it is at 0:33 during this highlight clip.

It's still the only 360 home-run saving grab that I have ever seen in MLB history.

Patrick Stefan Misses Goal on Empty Net (2007)

You really have to feel for this guy.

To make it even worse for Stefan, Edmonton scores immediately to tie the game up with just two seconds left in regulation.

Japanese Pitcher Throws Strike from Behind Back (2007)

This is one of the funniest plays ever recorded in sports.

I love the look in the face of the batter after the pitch somehow drops in the catcher's glove before he was ready for it.

LT Breaks Joe Theismann's Leg (1985)

This has to be one of the most gruesome injuries in all of professional sports, as former Redskins QB Joe Theismann gets his leg broken after getting hit from his blindside.

If you have a weak stomach, I wouldn't advise watching this play.

Tiger Woods Chip Shot at Masters (2005)

This might be the greatest shot that Woods has ever turned in his professional golf career.

I love how the ball stops just for a second before ultimately falling in the hole.

Sean Taylor Drills Punter Brian Moorman (2007)

This is the best hit in football history, hands down.

It was such a great hit that the recipient of it, Bills punter Brian Moorman, went over to Taylor to congratulate him for it afterwords.

Jim Marshall's Scores a Touchdown...The Wrong Way(1964)

Jim Marshall was one of the best defensive lineman in Minnesota Vikings history.

Unfortunately, this play was one of his worst.

Alex Overchkin Falls Down and Scores (2006)

Who says that you can't lay down on the job?

NHL star Alex Ovechkin proves that you can on this amazing goal for the Washington Capitals back in 2006.

Antonio Freeman Catches Ball off His Shoulder(2000)

This had to be a heartbreaking play for the Minnesota Vikings.

On one end, they thought that they just forced the Packers into a likely punting situation, and instead, they end up giving up the game-winning TD on one of the most unbelievable plays of all time.

Ruben Rivera Forgets How To Run the Bases (2003)

You wonder what happened to Rivera after watching this play.

It really isn't that hard to tag second base without running past it, everyone else seems to do it just fine.

Dante Hall Reverse Punt Return TD(2003)

I might be a little biased considering the fact that I am a diehard Chiefs fan, but this is the best punt return in NFL history.

Hall completely reverses his direction, burning the entire Broncos special teams unit for one of the most exciting plays in Chiefs history.

Willie Mays Over the Shoulder Catch (1954)

I realize that some might not think that this catch deserves to be on here with all the crazy plays that have taken place since the 1954.

However, this was arguably the best and one of the craziest plays of that era, so I think that deserves a spot on this list.

Derek Jeter Flip Play (2001)

Derek Jeter has been known for making incredibly plays during his time in MLB.

His "flip" play here is arguably the craziest play that he has ever turned in while playing for his beloved New York Yankees.

Home run off Jose Canseco's Head (1993)

Many say that this is the best baseball blooper in MLB history.

Even today, Jose Canseco is still trying to figure out how that ball went off his head.

James Harrison's 100-Yard Interception Return (2009)

Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison shows off his athleticism by taking this interception to the house against the Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII.

You have to think that he was completely out of breath when he reached the goal line, I mean that's a lot of running for a linebacker.

Brian Kownacki Jumps over Catcher (2010)

Fordham infielder Brian Kownacki shows off his leaping ability in this crazy jump over an opposing catcher.

I think we have found our new Spiderman in sports.

Chris Moore Sideline Catch (1992)

Then-Western Washington University receiver Chris Moore might have made the catch of the century back in 1992.

He amazingly keeps the ball off the ground with his feet while never seeing it and then pulls it in right before he falls out of bounds.

Nebraska Kick Ball for TD vs. Missouri (1997)

In one of the most controversial plays in college football history, Nebraska got a last-second touchdown against Missouri after a player intentionally kicked the ball up in the air to a teammate.

Regardless of how controversial it was, it is still one of the most infamous plays in Nebraska football history.

Randy Johnson Nails Bird with Pitch (2001)

This bird never had a prayer.

I could only imagine what it was thinking when it was flying across the infield and saw a Randy Johnson fastball coming straight at it.

Band Runs on Field in Stanford vs. Cal Football Game (1982)

This is easily my favorite sports play of all time.

The Stanford band, thinking that the game had ended, ran on the field, only to the dismay of their team, who ended up losing mainly due to their own band!