Leon Lett and the Top 10 NFL Turkeys in History

The NFL is a tough, no-nonsense enterprise, but it’s had its share of bumbling characters and bizarre incidents and games.

Leon Lett, Phil Luckett, and Heidi. Miracles, wrong way runs and wardrobe malfunctions. They're all as much a part of the game as Super Bowls and Hall-of-Famers.

To prove it, here's a Thanksgiving cornucopia of the Top 10 Turkeys in NFL History:

#10: JIM ROME VS. "CHRIS" EVERETT-1994

During an interview on a TV talk show, Rams QB Jim Everett warns host Jim Rome not to call him “Chris” anymore, a reference to the female tennis star and Everett’s alleged distaste for getting hit. 

When Rome serves up another helping, Everett goes John Cena on Rome, shoving him face-first into the potatoes and gravy before stagehands intercede.

#9: WHIZZER WHITE-1952

Whizzer White—a Bears running back and father of future-Cowboy quarterback Danny—gets the snap from the Rams' 47, fades back to pass and keeps fading like a turkey from a farmer's axe.  At his own goal line, the defense closes in and Whiz coughs up the holiday ham for a Ram touchdown.

It’s the longest backward run in history.

#8: LEON LETT-1993

An icy, snowy Dallas Thanksgiving Day. Down 14-13 with 15 seconds left, Miami attempts a 41-yard field goal that is blocked by the Cowboys. 

As the ball rolls harmlessly, Dallas celebrates figuring they've put a fork in the Dolphins' chances. But the fish aren't done: out of nowhere, Cowboys lineman Lett pounces on the ball only to lose it. 

Miami ball at the one, they don’t miss this one.

#7: NFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME-1932

The weather in Chicago is terrible, so the very first NFL playoff game is moved indoors to a field of dirt and bark erected in a hockey rink 60 yards long and 45 yards wide. 

Traction is miserable, and only one goalpost will fit. The game ends in a family squabble, thanks to an illegal Bronko Nagurski to Red Grange TD pass. 

At 9-0, it may be the lowest-scoring arena football game ever.

#6: AARON RODGERS-2005

Cal QB Aaron Rodgers is expected to go early in the 2005 draft, maybe even at No. 1. 

But when the 49ers take Alex Smith with the first pick, Rodgers’ waiting game begins. Humbled by TV coverage of a hellish eternity getting treated like Grandma's fruitcake, the Packers finally take him with the 24^th pick.

Don’t worry about Rodgers, he gets even.

#5: PHIL LUCKETT-1998

Nationally-televised Thanksgiving Day game, overtime coin toss. 

Steeler Jerome Bettis sounds like he calls tails, but when the coin falls tails referee Luckett gives the Lions the ball and they march to a winning field goal. 

Game tape enhancements later find that Bettis gobbled “hea-tails,” and since the first call is the official call under league rules, Luckett got it right! 

Steeler fans still believe they got the short side of that wishbone.

#4: THE HEIDI BOWL-1968

Tuck Rule, Immaculate Reception, Holy Roller. It’s always Halloween for the Raiders, but they'll give thanks on this day.

Down 32-29 with 1:01 left, the Silver and Black score two TD’s in nine seconds to beat the Jets, but nobody outside of Oakland sees it. NBC has left the game so viewers can see the beginning of a heavily-promoted Heidi movie. 

The nation's football fans are outraged, but Heidi’s friend Klara does learn to walk again..

#3: JIM MARSHALL’S WRONG WAY RUN-1964

One of the Vikings' feared Purple People Eaters, Marshall scoops up a 49er fumble and runs 66 yards for what he thinks is a touchdown. 

It’s only after he underhands the ball out of the end zone—and gets congrats from Niner Center Bruce Bosley—that he learns he’s just scored a safety for San Francisco. It's a total turkey, but shouldn't be enough to keep the deserving Marshall out of the Hall of Fame.

#2: JANET JACKSON-2004

Just as Justin Timberlake sings "gonna have you naked by the end of this song," he untrusses Janet’s top and the stuffing spills right out as America does a spit-take on the halftime deviled eggs. 

Though a boon for TiVo, the folks at CBS, the NFL and MTV develop stomach aches and an upset FCC launches an investigation.

#1: MIRACLE AT THE MEADOWLANDS-1978

Answered prayer for the Eagles, disaster for the Giants. 

Up 17-12 with 31 seconds left, all QB Joe Pisarcik has to do is kneel after taking the snap’  Instead, he passes the pigskin platter to Larry Csonka, who fumbles the exchange. Philly’s Herman Edwards runs the ball in for a 19-17 victory. 

The “kneel down,” once considered unsporting, becomes mandatory for game’s end soon after.