Embarrassing Moments in Sports

SI Staff | Aug 9, 2006

Embarrassing Moments in Sports /

Embarrassing Moments in Sports

In our recent Embarrassing Moments in Sports package, SI.com asked readers to share the embarrassing and disgraceful moments that they thought we left out. Here are some of your responses.<br><br> "Mike Tyson biting a chunk off Evander Holyfield's ear is No. 1 for me. I believe that this was the epitome of bad sportsmanship." -- Adrian, Jacksonville, N.C.

"How about a president getting involved in a way he simply shouldn't? Richard Nixon visiting the Longhorns locker room and declaring them the national champions." -- Mike, State College, Pa.

"At Minnesota on Jan. 23, 1972, Ohio State led Minnesota 50-44 with 36 seconds to go. Luke Witte was fouled hard while going up for a layup. Minnesota's Corky Taylor quickly extended an arm to help Witte up but instead kneed him in the groin and punched him in the head. Minnesota's Ron Behagen escalated the assault by kicking and stomping Witte while still on the floor. To make things more embarrassing, Minnesota fans booed as Witte was carried from the floor. He was hospitalized for several days, and his injuries, in the eyes of many, permanently affected his career. Taylor and Behagen were suspended for the remainder of the season by Big Ten commissioner Wayne Duke." -- Marc Szczesny-Pumarada, Melbourne, Fla.

"Maybe this should be filed under `embarrassing band moments,' but the 1982 Cal-Stanford game when the Stanford band stormed the field while the game was still going should be mentioned. As a member of that Cal team, I fondly remember that game and have enjoyed rubbing it in Stanford fans' faces ever since." -- Tim Smith, San Francisco

"The 1972 basketball final between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. Such a blatant doctoring of the outcome of a championship by the officials has hardly been seen in all of sports history. The U.S.' silver medals are still in a vault in Switzerland because the U.S. players refuse to claim them." -- Dan, New Britain, Conn.

"I would include the incident in which Roger Clemens tossed the shattered remains of Mike Piazza's bat directly at him. Clemens has always been a hothead, yet his seven Cy Youngs render his fiery personality OK? His bat toss was a despicable act -- in my eyes, equally as classless as injecting oneself with steroids or betting on one's own sport." -- Russell Lee, Manchester, Conn.

"How about Chris Webber's infamous timeout call? I thought for sure it would have been on your list." -- Eric Olender, Pittsburgh

"What about the refs at last year's Super Bowl? Worst calls ever! That game should have been one of the greatest games of our time. I honestly stopped watching when Hasselbeck was penalized for tackling, and just to put salt in the wound, having to hear Big Ben on Leno say, `I don't think I was in.' Truly the worst officiating I have ever seen." -- Josh Hoover, Athailia, Ohio

"How could you forget Dennis Rodman's infamous kicking of that cameraman in the privates? That was both classic and classless, and could have at least got an honorable mention." -- Nick, Richmond Hill, Ga.

"The Drew Rosenhaus press conference with Terrell Owens. Enough said." -- Lawrence Norris, Scottdale

"After all the blunders experienced by Cubs fans, Sammy Sosa went from hero to goat in his last years. From his corked bat to refusing to suit up for the last game his last season to lying about steroid use, he rates to me as a major embarrassment to all fans, baseball and Cubs fans in particular. The result, he's not even playing ball anymore." -- Chuck Bradford, Pontiac

"Not selecting Buck O'Neil for the HOF. He's done more for baseball than they can ever repay. This was a snub that didn't have to happen." -- Mike Hughes, Shiloh, Ill.

"I did not expect to see it on the list, but one of the NFL's most embarrassing moments certainly should be Michael Strahan's `record-breaking' sack of Brett Favre. I understand the NFL has no love for Mark Gastineau, but just because a player might have been a jerk, it is still not acceptable to let a player (even one as beloved as Favre) give another player a sack just to see him break a record." -- Dan Gallagher, Wilmington, N.C.

"Fans make the teams go. They cheer when their team wins, and boo when they lose. But Philadelphia Eagles fans have to be the worst! Who boos Santa Claus? Oh yeah, they also cheered when it appeared that Michael Irvin was seriously injured. They are an embarrassment." -- Steve, West Chester, Pa.

"Roberto Alomar spitting in the umpire's face and baseball's gutless `wait until next year' suspension. That's when I knew the inmates were running the asylum." -- Larry Jameson, Camp Hill, Pa.

Published Aug 9, 2006

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