20 of the Biggest Cult Heroes in Sports

Cult heroes may not be Hall of Famers with long, storied careers, but they can often be just as important a part of a team's history. Some legends are built on statistics; others are born in a moment, in a reputation or something else altogether. Cult heroes come in many different varieties, artfully broken down here.

This is a tribute to the "One-Hit Wonders," "Eccentrics," "Troublemakers/Rabble-Rousers" and "Unsung Heroes"—the cult heroes who are among the greatest reasons we love the game.

One-Hit Wonders

You may be ashamed of it, but there has been at least one time in your life when you found yourself singing along to "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba.

Hey, it's okay. There is enough room in human history for both Chumbawumba and Led Zeppelin. "One-Hit Wonders" have their place, in music and in sports.

5. David Volek, New York Islanders

David Volek's career in the NHL was brief and, aside from this moment, completely unremarkable.

In 1993, the Pittsburgh Penguins were coming off the best season in their history and were matched with the underdog Islanders. 

The Islanders managed to stretch the series to seven games, and Volek scored the winning goal, clinching the series for the Islanders. It was one of the greatest upsets in NHL history.  

The moment is even more poignant for Islanders fans because it marks the last time the club won a playoff series.

4. Jeff Hostetler, New York Giants

In 1990, Jeff Hostetler was the New York Giants' backup quarterback behind Phil Simms. All that changed in mid-December when Simms broke his foot during a game against the Buffalo Bills that ended his season.

Hostetler had to step in at a critical point in the season despite only having thrown 109 passes in his first seven years in the league. Giants fans could not have been expecting much, but it's safe to say their expectations were exceeded.

With Hostetler at quarterback, the Giants won their final two regular season games, and his impressive play continued on through the Super Bowl, where the Giants defeated the Bills 20-19 in an epic game. Hostetler didn't get named MVP, but most people thought he should have.

3. Steve Gleason, New Orleans Saints

Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason was an undrafted free agent who spent eight seasons with the Saints before retiring in 2011.

Gleason will always be remembered for a single play he made against the Falcons on Sept. 25, 2006. The game marked the Saints' first return to the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina and their first home game in nearly 21 months.

In the first quarter of the game, Gleason blocked a Falcons punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. It was exactly what a beleaguered city needed. The team went on to win the game, and Gleason established a permanent place for himself in Saints lore.

2. Frank Pietrangelo, Pittsburgh Penguins

During the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Pittsburgh Penguins backup goalie Frank Pietrangelo had to step into the net in place of an injured Tom Barrasso.

It was Game 6 of the first-round series against the New Jersey Devils, and it was win or go home for the Pens.

Late in the game, with the series on the line, Pietrangelo made a miraculous save on a shot by the Devils' Peter Stastny. "The Save," as it would come to be known, helped the Pens to a 4-3 victory and forced a Game 7.

Pietrangelo subsequently shut out the Devils in Game 7, and the Pens went on to win the Stanley Cup with Tom Barrasso in goal.

1. David Tyree, New York Giants

Surely everyone in the world knows this story by now. Heck, this single catch has its very own Wikipedia page!

The New England Patriots were heavily favored over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and trying to finish a perfect season. With the Patriots ahead late in the fourth quarter, the Giants marched down the field, and quarterback Eli Manning needed to convert a 3rd-and-5 from his own 44 with just under a minute to play.

Manning heaved the ball in David Tyree's direction and prayed for a miracle—and a miracle he received. Tyree made an awe-inspiring one-handed catch and managed to maintain possession of the ball by pinning it to his helmet.

The Giants scored a few plays later and defeated the mighty Patriots 17-14, spoiling New England's bid for perfection.

Eccentrics

Robert Frost said, "A civilized society is one that tolerates eccentricity to the point of doubtful insanity." Imagine where the world would be without the lovable, weirdo geniuses who not only make life more interesting, but sometimes...you know...come up with the Theory of Relativity.

In a sports era of tightly controlled, corporate messaging, these "Eccentrics" are a welcome change.

5. Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills receiver Stevie Johnson was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft. Johnson didn't impress his rookie season, but neither did the Bills or their quarterback J.P. Losman.

After an injury-plagued 2009 season, Johnson had a breakout season in 2010 with 82 receptions, 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns.

During his breakout season Johnson cemented his place as a local cult hero in a Week 11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals:

"

After his first touchdown, Johnson lifted his jersey to reveal the question "Why so serious?" written on his T-shirt. The quote, made famous by The Joker in the Batman movie The Dark Knight, was directed at Bengals wide receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, who referred to themselves as Batman and Robin.

"

4. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

Apparently alter egos are all the rage in MLB today, and Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez couldn't resist getting in on the action.

Hernandez's alter ego "Larry Bernandez" is a beloved figure in Seattle and a fun diversion from the sad reality of supporting a team that's a perennial loser. "Bernandez" had his very own bobblehead night in August 2011, and he just might be the most popular Mariner, despite being fictional.

3. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins

Thanks to a career plagued by injuries and a coaching staff in flux, former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis is almost as well known for his various alter egos as his play on the field.

During his time in Washington, Portis routinely amused reporters at press conferences dressed as "Southeast Jerome," "Dolla Bill," "Sheriff Gonna Getcha," "Bro Sweets," "Coach Janky Spanky" and "Inspector Two-Two." Many of the interviews can be seen on YouTube. He went viral before it meant something besides getting the flu.

Portis was well liked in Washington, and his lighthearted fun is seriously missed under Mike Shanahan's reign of misery.

2. Nyjer Morgan, Milwaukee Brewers

Nyjer Morgan's "Tony Plush" shtick didn't go over well in Pittsburgh or Washington, and by the end of the 2011 season it was starting to wear thin with Brewers management in Milwaukee.

Morgan is one of the most polarizing figures in MLB, and his ever-growing cast of alter egos is starting to feel less like an act and more like the rantings of an unhinged lunatic.

Brewers fans see things a little differently and have fully embraced the cantankerous Morgan, like pouring gasoline on a fire. We'll have to wait and see if this is happily ever after for "Tony Plush" in Milwaukee, but something tells me Morgan isn't done playing musical cities.

1. Joe Namath, New York Jets

During an era dominated by stoic quarterbacks who led quietly and had hair you could set your watch to, Namath brought a rebellious swagger to a position that was known for earnest platitudes. He was Hollywood decades before The T.Ocho Show.

Three days before the 1969 Super Bowl, Namath yelled back at a heckler, "We're gonna win the game. I guarantee it." The Jets beat the favored Colts 16-7, and Namath was named the MVP.

Namath was a pioneer who showed that a player can have personality and produce results.

Troublemakers and Rabble-Rousers

Robin Hood, Billy the Kid, Dennis the Menace, the Barefoot Bandit—people love an anti-hero. We have all broken the rules at some point in our life, but for some, it just feels good being bad.

The "Troublemakers and Rabble-Rousers" of the world obviously strike some chord with society, because nobody ever rooted for Boss Hog. These players are more often infamous than famous.

5. Joel Hanrahan, Pittsburgh Pirates

How would you feel if you were sitting on your couch watching reruns of Friends and then, out of habit, you turned on SportsCenter—only to learn that you (dude, sitting on your couch for hours) were the winning pitcher for a Major League Baseball team?

Well, in MLB, where statistics and rules transcend reality, this actually happened.

On June 30, 2009, the Washington Nationals traded Joel Hanrahan and Lastings Milledge to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett. A routine trade by two mediocre teams, right?

Nope. The Nats and Houston Astros weren't able to finish an extra-inning game on May 5, 2009 because of a rain delay, so during a completion game on July 9, 2009 (after the trade) Morgan scored the winning run for the Nationals as a pinch-runner in the 11th inning.

Hanrahan picked up the win because he was the starting pitcher during the original game. He got a win on a day where he wasn't even in the same city and wasn't even playing, as the Pirates were off.

Confused yet? Perhaps this will help.

4. Jim McMahon, Chicago Bears

Four seasons after their victory in Super Bowl XX in 1986, the Chicago Bears seemed determined to erase any trace of that past success when they traded quarterback Jim McMahon to the San Diego Chargers after he had a falling-out with coach Mike Ditka.

This was an unpopular move with fans; McMahon became a cult hero during the Super Bowl. He was a larger-than-life figure who rocked a white headband with killer shades and was so popular in the mid '80s that he could have made a living selling ice to Eskimos at the time.

Jay Cutler's recent success in Chicago might finally be the beginning of the healing process for a wound two decades old now. However, Cutler's got a very long way to go before he can hold a candle to McMahon in the eyes of most Bears fans.

3. Dave Semenko, Edmonton Oilers

During the Edmonton Oilers dynasty of the 1980s, Wayne Gretzky was the unofficial King of Canada, and enforcer Dave Semenko was charged with protecting him.

Protecting Gretzky actually led Semenko to a level of popularity that could rival The Great One himself. So fearsome on the ice was Semenko that he accumulated substantially fewer penalty minutes than players around the NHL in the same role, mainly because other enforcers were hesitant to take him on.

Wondering how tough Semenko was? Well, in 1983, he fought Muhammad Ali to a draw in his first fight ever and with next to no training prior to the event.

2. Glen Davis, Boston Celtics

Glen Davis is Big Baby to Kevin Garnett's Big Ticket. Like recently retired Shaquille O'Neal, Davis is a big man out of LSU who likes entertaining off the court as much as he does on the court and became a cult hero during his rookie season in Boston.

Many rookies do their best to fit in, but it was clear from the start that Davis had no interest in being a wallflower. Davis' Mohawk and flair for the dramatic made him an instant sensation in Boston.

Unfortunately for fans, Davis may have played his last game in a Celtics uniform; he became a free agent in July 2011, and it's unclear how things will work out after a collective bargaining agreement is finally reached.

1. Chris Kluwe, Minnesota Vikings

In July 2011, former NFL receiver Nate Jackson, who managed a meager 27 receptions over his five-year career, published an open letter to Vikings punter Chris Kluwe on Deadspin.com, voicing his displeasure with Kluwe's general existence.

The irony that a loser like Jackson was trying to trivialize Kluwe's career, having never accomplished a thing in the NFL himself, was not lost on Kluwe. Maybe he was genuinely irritated at Jackson, bored because of the lockout or just felt like messing something, but Deadspin published the response the next day.

Kluwe's brilliant retort was equal parts funny, mean and the kind of response everyone who has ever been bullied by a self-important douche dreams of giving.

Unsung Heroes

There is something about an underdog, the overlooked, that is universally loved by mankind. Would Rocky have won an Oscar if Apollo Creed knocked out Rocky Balboa in the first 20 seconds of the fight? Would the farmers market be able to charge double for a small container of strawberries?

We love "Unsung Heroes" because we see ourselves in them. There is no better example of this phenomenon than in the world of sports.

5. Danny Woodhead, New England Patriots

Who are the quintessential unsung heroes? The Rudy Ruettigers of the world—the undersized guys who play through the whistle and defy expectations.

This is Danny Woodhead. He went to a tiny school (Chadron State), where all he did was run for 7,962 yards and win the Harlon Hill Trophy, the "Heisman" for the best player in Division II football.

He was picked up by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets in 2008, where he suffered a season-ending injury. In 2010, despite being a favorite of the coaching staff (as was evident on HBO's Hard Knocks) Woodhead was waived in favor of fourth-round pick Joe McKnight, a running back from football powerhouse Southern Cal.

Woodhead was quickly claimed by hated nemesis the New England Patriots, where he became a fan favorite and productive all-around player. In 2010, Woodhead had 1,305 all-purpose yards (to McKnight's 31) and six touchdowns.

4. Jim Thome, Philadelphia Phillies

Some great baseball players demand our attention: Jet-setting Alex Rodriguez lives for the Yankees media market, dating starlets and stalked by paparazzi.

Some "great"' baseball players get our attention for all the wrong reasons: Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa went from the race to beat Hank Aaron's record to facing congressional hearings and federal investigations on steroids.

Meanwhile, 40-year-old Jim Thome quietly hit his 600th home run on Aug. 15, 2011. Despite a career plagued by injuries, the left-handed hitter has put together a solid, Hall of Fame career. Thome's 604 home runs put him in the same elite company as Rodriguez, Bonds, Sosa, Aaron and Willie Mays.

There is no asterisk by his name or portrait of himself depicted as a centaur hanging over his bed (even though that's awesome).

3. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

It happens every spring: The sports media wonders aloud whether an NFL draft prospect has the "size" to compete in the NFL. The prototypical quarterback has to be over 6'2" tall, and the prototypical running back has to be over 200 pounds and built like a truck.

The enigmatic Darren Sproles happens to be listed at 5'6", 190 pounds, and I am guessing this is a generous assessment. However, being small in stature has not stopped "Lightning Bug" from being a terror on the football field.

Drafted out of Kansas State, the speedy back was a legend at the school, where he helped lead the Wildcats to a stunning upset over the undefeated Oklahoma Sooners in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game. In that game he rushed for 235 yards on just 22 carries.

Accounting for more than 3,000 all-purpose yards over his NFL career, Sproles has been a dynamic weapon out of the backfield and on kick returns, almost singlehandedly eliminating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts from the playoffs in 2007 and 2009.

2. Doug Flutie, Buffalo Bills

Like Darren Sproles, Doug Flutie came into the league on the heels of a legendary performance, the "Hail Flutie," but lacking the prototypical physical attributes for his position.

Despite winning the Heisman and throwing for over 10,000 yards and 74 touchdowns at Boston College, Flutie spent much of his pro career in the Canadian Football League and USFL.

He thrived in the CFL, winning three championships and becoming one of the greatest players in the history of the league. Flutie returned to the NFL in 1998, joining the Buffalo Bills, where he was part of another miracle on the field...the Music City Miracle.

Off the football field, Flutie created the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism in honor of his autistic son.

1. Brian Cardinal, Dallas Mavericks

Who doesn't love the story of a hard-working journeyman who finally gets his opportunity to shine and, instead of wilting, seizes the moment and helps his team overcome adversity?

Dallas Mavericks forward—and career NBA reserve—Brian Cardinal wrote the final chapter of this story in the 2011 NBA championship.

A Purdue alum who was drafted 44th overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2000, Cardinal bounced from team to team before signing with the Mavericks in 2010. During the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle benched the ineffective Peja Stojakovic in favor of Cardinal, who played a key role in winning the series.