Scary Athletes

SI Staff | May 15, 2011

Scary Athletes /

Scary Athletes

Kimbo Slice

His enigmatic appearance (nicely speaking) seemed to boost Kimbo Slice's short-lived career. While the promotion that made him famous, EliteXC, is now defunct, the once street-brawler is looking to take his game and his beard to Japan.

Ray Lewis

As the Raven's franchise leader in tackles (2,022 entering the 2008-09 season) and Super Bowl XXXV MVP, Lewis is simply a beast on the field.

Brandon Carter

At 6-feet-7 and 354 pounds, the junior offensive lineman at Texas Tech is nicknamed "Mankind." Seems fitting, no?

Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine

With wins over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and, most recently, Brandon Vera, "The Dean of Mean" is not only scary looking, but also scary good.

Miroslav Satan

His name should say it all. Even if it is pronounced SHAH-tahn.

Greg Oden

The Portland Trail Blazers list his birthday as January 22, 1988, but let's be honest. Oden? Twenty years old? It's scary how aged he looks.

Blake DeWitt

The Dodgers' infielder had to experience first-hand the trials of being a Major League rookie in 2008. However, after Los Angeles won the National League West championship, DeWitt may consider dressing up more often. You know, as a good luck charm.

Hiroki Kuroda

Another victim of hazing, Hiroki Kuroda of the L.A. Dodgers dons a pimp costume to fulfill his rookie duties. That's creepy and scary, all in one.

Joakim Noah

With a 'fro like that and some teeth that could use a little work, it's no wonder the Bulls forward is among the scariest.

Mike Tyson

Claiming he didn't like how his face was looking, Mike Tyson got a tribal tattoo prior to his 2003 fight against a tomato can named Clifford Etienne. "I just wanted to put something on my face," said Tyson, who beat Etienne 49 seconds into round one, his final professional victory in the ring. In more frightful news that night, just before Tyson and Etienne entered the ring, Tonya Harding made her pro boxing debut.

Tonya Harding

Is there anything better than rooting for Tonya Harding to get knocked out? On Feb. 22, 2003, Harding, the disgraced figure skater, made her official professional boxing debut. She lost in a four-round decision.

Bernard Hopkins

Throughout his boxing career the charismatic Hopkins entered the ring draped in a black robe, costume mask and executioner's hood -- not to mention the accompanying men carrying swords. On Oct. 18, 2008, Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs) revived his "Executioner" persona with a unanimous-decision victory over middleweight kingpin Kelly Pavlik. Here's the scariest thing of all: Hopkins is 43.

Clinton Portis' alter ego's

He's a one-man Halloween shop with his many alter-ego. The many faces of Redskin running back Clinton Portis includes The Mad Scientist, Southeast Jerome, Dr. I Don't Know, Sheriff Gonna Getcha and Dolla Bill and Kid Bro Sweets, where Portis dons a wig and gigantic green sunglasses shaped in hearts.

Darryl Sydor

Looking like a cast member of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the defenseman, who now plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, survived (barely) a powwow with the boards during his days as a Dallas Star. The bloody check was courtesy of the New York Rangers in a 1997 game.

Gerry Cheevers mask

The goalie sported this scary mask while playing with the Boston Bruins in the 1970's. Stitches, representing where Cheevers would have likely been cut had he not wore the mask, were added in black marker each time he took one in the face or on the noggin."

Raider Fans

The south end zone of McAfee Coliseum is known as The Black Hole. The fans dress only in black and have been known to, well, distract the opposing team by any means necessary. "Batteries, chicken bones, coins, you name it," Jets center Kevin Mawae told the New York Times in 2003. "I've had it all. You just hope you don't get backed up, and when you do, you keep your helmet on." Who would you add to the list. Send comments to siwriters@simail.com

Published May 15, 2011

SI STAFF