10 Most Shocking Events in Sporting History

These are the times of ‘reality shows’, of ‘popcorn cricket’, of sports that ‘entertain’ you every moment. All through the years, sports has never failed to amaze us with those thrilling moments that pop up every now and then and leave us enthralled. Whether it is sad, exciting, grotesque, or absolutely weird, sports always finds a way to take us by suprise (or should we say shock?)The moment you think you have seen it all, there is Zindane hitting that immaculate headbutt and Mike Tyson biting someone’s ear off! Sports has never disappointed us on any front – be it entertainment, surprise, or mystery! Here are some of the most shocking events in the history of sports:

#10 Zinedine Zidane Headbutt During 2006 World Cup Final

Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in the 2006 Wiorld Cup final that knocked Marco Materazzi

International soccer has always been controversial and this incident did not prove to be otherwise. The star French footballer was playing his final career match and was one of the key contenders to win the Golden Ball award in the World Cup of 2006. Both the teams (France and Italy) were tied at 1-1 even after 20 minutes of extra time and this was an occassion when none of the players would let the match go.

During all this tension, the audience suddenly witnessed Zidane and Matarazzi engaging in a verbal confrontation that saw the Italian clearly attempting to provoke the Frenchman by jawing at him. He finally got a response from Zidane, though not the one he was hoping for, as the French striker turned and delivered a vicious headbutt with considerable force directly into Matarazzi’s chest. Zidane got a red card and eventually, French lost the match 3-5.

#9 Dennis Rodman Kicks cameraman

Dennis Keith Rodmanis a retired American professional basketball player, who played for theDetroit Pistons,San Antonio Spurs,Chicago Bulls,Los Angeles Lakers, andDallas Mavericksin theNational Basketball Association(NBA). Born inTrenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "The Worm" and was known for his fiercedefensiveandreboundingabilities.He was known for his wild behavior on and off the basketball court.It was during a game when he was playing for Chicago Bulls that he kicked the cameraman in the groin and shocked all the audience.

#8 Ali Upsets Liston

Muhammad Ali is ecstatic after knocking out Sonny Liston

We all see Muhammad Ali as the star who lit the 1996 Olympic flame in 1996 in Atlanta and then a small appearance in the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games.

But there was a time (in the 1960s) when Ali was rising and he was rising big! After winning an Olympic Gold Light Heavyweight medal at the 1960 Rome Games at age 18, Ali (then still known by s given name of Cassius Clay) began his professional boxing career that same year and moved steadily up the ranks to finally challenge then Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston for the title in 1964.

Both the men were polar opposites. Liston was harsh and merciless (he had twice destroyed Floyd Patterson in less than one round to first win and then defend the title), while Ali was a sound and tactical player. The fight was a huge controversy from beginning till the end and Ali emerged victorious to everyone’s surprise. “I’m King of the world! I am the greatest! I shook up the world, I’m King of the world! I don’t have a mark on my face. I upset Sonny Liston and I just turned 22 years old, I must be the greatest. I shook up the world! I shook up the world! I shook up the world! I shook up the world!”, exclaimed Ali after the fight!

#7 Mike Tyson Bites Evander Holyfield\'s Ear

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson, the boxing legend, was no less than a gladiator. There was a time when Tyson was furious, demon-like and definitely unstoppable. He was demon undleashed. Tysons rise to stardom was just as infamously followed by his dramatic fall from that pedestal. Many say, the reason for his fall was the death of his legendarylongtime trainer and mentor Cus DAmato. Nevertheless, on June 28, 1997, the world awaited the rematch between Champion Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson at the MGM Grand Hotel in LA.During the last 40 seconds of the fight, Tyson tried to get hold of Holyfields back and bit his ear. The crowd went insane that day and nobody knew what in the name of Zeus was going on. Mike was disquallified (which happened for the first time in the 50 years of Heavyweight Championships history) and Holyfield was declared the winner.

#6 The rise of the underdogs

The 1980 US Men’s hockey team were the ultimate underdogs

When the US Ice hockey team of a bunch of college students stepped on the field, nobody could ever imagine they could beat the champions, the USSR team in the semifinals. The 1980 Winter Olympics in New York witnessed the most exciting moment in the history of sports.

The Russian Men’s hockey team embodied the power and political ideology of communism and superiority that Russia was popular for in the 80s. Their team was called the ‘Big Red Machine’ and had won the gold in the 1972 and 1976 Olympic games.

What took everyone by surprise was when the US Men’s team of amateur college players beat them in the semifinals!

#5 1989 World Series Earthquake

Earthquake occurred at the most unexpected of times

Natural disasters have affected sports and this is a classic example. It was the introductory note to the third game of the 1989 World Series between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park.

Veteran baseball broadcasters Al Michaels and Tim McCarver were making their usual banter before the game just when the telecast was suddenly interrupted as the screen began flickering madly just as Michael’s was able to blurt out, ‘I tell you what, we’re having an Earthqu…’!

#4 Dale Earnhardt Sr. Killed on Final Lap of Daytona 500

Dale Earnhadt Sr was on the cusp of glory, before the crash

They say death is inevitable. But what if it comes while you driving to win, to become and champion and BOOM! Death arrives shattering all the dreams that you had ever cherished. On February 18, 2001 the most successful stock car driver of all time, Dale Earnhardt Sr., unfortunately suffered that fate during the last lap of the Daytona 500.

He was travelling at a speed of 180MPH, and was trailing behind the leaders that included his son Dale Earnhardt Jr. when his car was bumped from behind and into the back of Sterling Marlin’s car which sent him out of control and skidding along the wall of the racetrack before colliding with Ken Schrader‘s vehicle and finally slamming into the wall with a devastating impact that left his car a crumpled mess and Earnhardt unconscious.

Later, Earnhardt died at the hospital. The entire accident and the subsequent drama was played and replayed on the televisions, while fans all across the globe mourned the death of this star.

#3 Parachute Guy Lands in Ring During Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield Fight

Paraglider lands in a boxing ring

This was an incredibly crazy moment that ensued during a championship prize fight.During the seventh round of the second Heavyweight title fight between ChampionRiddick Boweand challengerEvander Holyfield(who had lost the title to Bowe a year earlier) on November 6, 1993, a paraglider with a large parachute powered by a giant fan (and subsequently Christened Fan Man) appeared literally out of the sky and crash landed on the edge of the ring.

His parachute lines got stuck in the overhead lights and the Fan Man, later identified as James Miller, never actually got into the ring.

#2 Randy Johnson Pulverizes Dove with his Fastball

Pitch hits a bird

How exact can physics be? How precise can an aim get?

Well, this bizzare sporting moment couldn’t answer these questions but definitely made us rethink on them. Randy Johnson, the 6 foot-ten pitching legend was popular for his devastating fastball, but never more so that during a spring training session in 2001.

After his windup, he delivered his popular pitch right when a dove flew across the batter’s box. To everyone’s surprise, the timing was so exact that the poor bird instantly turned into a pile of feathers.

The odds of this happening must be one in a billionth second on whatever the laws of probablity state. But the bird has sealed its doom that day and Randy delivered it to the bird.

#1 Monika Seles being stabbed

Seles and Graf were playing the Australian Open finals

We sure have heard about crazy, die-hard fans; but this one was surely more than that. Gunter Parche, this German nut job was such a crazy Steffi Graf fan that he sprinted out of the stands at a tournament in Hamburg and stabbed Monica Seles (who had just beaten Graf in the finals of the Australian Open) in between the shoulders.

Monica Seles, is one of the most accomplished player that womens tennis has ever seen. However, after the injury, though she recovered physically, it took her almost two years to recover emotionally and come back to the court.

Even today, the painful memories of that day bring tears in the eyes of this legend.