The 8 best sports rants and outbursts

Professional sports figures have certain qualities besides skill that they must demonstrate in order to be successful: leadership, intelligence, grace under pressure. But where’s the fun in that?

After witnessing Patrick Reed's foul-mouthed comment during the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, we got all nostalgic for times when athletes and coaches were a bit more unhinged. Sure, they have certain qualities to uphold in order to be successful: leadership, intelligence, grace under pressure. But where's the fun in that? So grab some popcorn and get comfy, because we’re presenting the best sports outbursts, meltdowns and rants for your entertainment. 

Allen Iverson

Yep, that’s right. We’re talking about practice. After receiving criticism for his practice habits in 2002, the star point guard with a penchant for repetition launched into a response where he said “practice” 24.5 times in under two and a half minutes. Apparently, Iverson enjoyed it so much that he later employed his favorite rhetorical device again. 

Dennis Green

When the Chicago Bears beat the Arizona Cardinals in an unbelievable Monday Night Football comeback in 2006, Cardinals coach Dennis Green vented his frustration...to put it mildly. What resulted was one of the greatest rants of all time and a phrase that has since become part of the sports vernacular.

Mike Gundy

Skip ahead to 2:22 for the highlight, which came from OSU coach Mike Gundy after a win in 2007. Instead of celebrating the victory, an incensed Gundy exploded over an article that criticized former starting quarterback Bobby Reid. For more than three minutes, he yelled for reporters to come after him instead (which they certainly did after that tirade). One hundred views later, and we still expect his voice to crack at “forty.” 

Jim Mora

Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora had some candid remarks regarding his team’s performance following a 2001 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But things got really interesting when a reporter asked about the Colts’ chances of making the playoffs. Mora’s incredulous response became an instant classic from a coach who already ha a colored history of unfiltered comments. What else would you expect from a guy who uses “diddly poo” in an interview?

Richard Sherman

Still high off the adrenaline of winning the 2014 NFC Championship Game, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman unleashed a few choice words for San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree in a post-game interview with an unsuspecting Erin Andrews. They sure didn’t prepare her for that in journalism school.

Kevin Borseth

From the moment Michigan women’s basketball coach Kevin Borseth came flying in with a slam to the podium, we knew we were in for a treat. A furious Borseth held nothing back in his post-game interview after the Lady Wolverines blew a double-digit lead and failed to collect offensive rebounds in a 2008 loss to Wisconsin. It’s impressive how long he maintains that level of shouting.

Herm Edwards

The New York Jets’ loss to the Cleveland Browns during the 2002-03 season brought their record to 2-5 and caused coach Herm Edwards to deliver his most famous “Hermism.” His reminder to the team that they “play to win the game” must have been pretty inspirational -- or as inspirational as you can get with a “No duh” attitude. The Jets went 7-2 following the post-game interview.

Mike Singletary

Mike Singletary made quite the debut as the interim coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2008. Even after benching quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan and sending tight end Vernon Davis to the locker room, he still wasn’t done. His post-game admonishment of the team and Davis specifically created headlines, though Davis has since said that Singletary’s put-down has made him a better player. Tough love, indeed. 

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