That being said, every once in a while, they’re caught off guard, or better yet, subjected to a sports fail. Lucky for us, these moments were caught on camera and have gone viral for the world to see. If you enjoyed the first batch of sports moments – wait till you tackle (no pun intended) this one.
A Slight Tease
As Juventus' Carlos Tevez celebrates with his teammate Andrea Pirlo after scoring against Torino, he gives a funny gesture during their Italian Serie A soccer match at Juventus Stadium in Turin.
He must be so happy that the first thing conjured up was this funny display during this match; we can't blame him, though!
Oh No!
China's Sun Zhiyi slips and falls during his dive at the men's springboard preliminary during the World Swimming Championships at the Montjuic municipal pool in Barcelona.
This fall must hurt, but also, can you imagine the pain in your gut knowing you missed your shot at an Olympic medal.
You Get to See This
Italy's Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali fall as they perform during the pairs Free Dance Programme of the European Figure Skating Championships at the Torwar ice rink in Warsaw.
We were just thinking how rare it is to see these photos; it's so unusual to see the best athletes fumble that it's almost majestic.
Oops
Karol Bielecki of Poland is helped up after an unfortunate crash into a protective net during their Group A men's handball game against Spain at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
It's good to such sportsmanship as both sides come to the aid of Poland's teammate, even if it is a tab bit embarrassing.
Taking A Tumble
Third-placed Italy's Christof Innerhofer does a little somersault on his podium as winner Switzerland's Sandro Viletta and second-placed Croatia's Ivica Kostelic look on and can't help but laugh.
This happened after the men's alpine skiing super combined event at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics at the Rosa Khutor Alpine Center.
Super Bowl 2000
The “Greatest Show on Turf” was a must-see spectacle. The St. Louis Rams’ record-setting offense humiliated defenses that year and is often mentioned as the best one ever assembled.
The Rams went 13-3 and outperformed the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the postseason to further to Super Bowl XXXIV. In the Super Bowl, Kurt Warner’s team worked to outlast the Tennessee Titans.
Mike Tyson's Bite
Approximately eight months after their bracing first encounter, Evander Holyfield defended the WBA title against Mike Tyson on June 28, 1997. Tyson was determined to requite his loss to Holyfield, and he ferociously charged the champion from the get-go.
To make matters worse, referee Mills Lane ruled that a Holyfield headbutt that bloodied Tyson’s right eye was accidental. An angry Tyson sought retaliation and viciously bit both of Holyfield’s ears in the third round. Lane disqualified Tyson before the fourth round began, and boxing’s most infamous evening came to a bizarre conclusion.
2007 Fiesta Bowl
In an enthralling match, the Boise State Broncos used deception to upend the Oklahoma Sooners at the Fiesta Bowl. Before the memorable showdown, bookmakers installed Oklahoma as 7.5-point favorites to manhandle the Broncos.
At the end of regulation, and consequently, in overtime, former Boise State head coach Chris Petersen used ingenuity to propel his team to an incredible 43-42 upset victory.
'Showjumping'
This may not be of international significance, but believe it or not, there's an amateur 'showjumping' competition held annually in Lewes, East Sussex in the UK.
This kind of showjumping happens with a toy horse at their local Sports day and dog show. This may seem like a trivial matter, but these games are taken rather seriously by those competing.
Om-nom-nom!
Not so sure what these men are trying to do. Is it a real game or a performance?! It looks so intentional to delay this man with a hand shoved into his mouth.
Whatever it may be, this is a perfectly timed, very awkward picture, and I can hardly imagine what happened after this.
Cubs Celebration
The Chicago Cubs won the 2016 National League Championship Series and 2016 World Series, which ended a 71 year National League pennant drought and a 108 year World Series Championship drought, both of which are record droughts in Major League Baseball. Even so, the fans were super excited about the win.
This fan, in particular, emotionally exudes they're feelings for the long-awaited victory and is pictured during the victory celebration with a sign says "IT IS HAPPENING"
Invisible Platform
Allison Rebecca Stokke is a track and field athlete and national-ranked pole vaulter. She broke a number of American records for high school pole vaulting and continued to pole vault, attending the University of California, Berkeley. Today, she’s a professional vaulter and fitness & sports model.
This picture was snapped at the right moment during her workout, where it seems she’s landing on an invisible platform!
Wheelchair Skateboarding
Aaron Fotheringham is an extreme wheelchair athlete who performs tricks adapted from skateboarding and BMX. He has been in a wheelchair since the age of 8. Inspired by watching his brother ride at the skatepark, Fotheringham tried a few tricks on his wheelchair.
Later, he used a customized WCMX to perform the same sort of tricks that skateboarders and BMXers can do. He has titled his sport WCMX and says it’s a fun way to live life.
One With The Water 2
Emilia Bottas, Finnish record holder in swimming, took part in the 2008 Olympics; she competed in the 100m butterfly competition and swam 1:02:31, ranking 46th. In the 2012 Olympics, she competed in the 100 and 200 metres butterfly and 200 metres individual medley.
In the 2016 Olympics, she competed as part of the Finnish team in the 4x100 metre medley relay.
Pike High-Five
Of all underwater creatures, the pike is one of the most interesting ones; and this one in the photo is a really friendly one too.
It’s a good thing that this photo was caught on film, or else nobody would believe he got so close to one.
Goals Eye View
Sergei Bobrovsky, goaltender of the Columbus Blue Jackets, reaches back to make a save.
This picture is snapped from the goaltender’s point of view, so people may get a chance to witness the goaltender block the shot and in the background, Fedor Tyutin of Columbus Blue Jackets and Jannik Hansen of Vancouver Canucks watching during their NHL game at Rogers Arena in British Columbia, Canada.
Hops To The Hoop
This photo was taken during the 2015 NCAA Basketball tournament, where Dayton won the game over Boise State University. During this game, Dayton’s Kyle Davis is leaping over Boise State’s Chandler Hutchison.
This anti-gravity shot is our second in a row, proving that basketball players defy gravity. The player stretches out against gravity, making him parallel to the floor.
Sky Diving Snap
Skydiving is never fun…it’s crazy. But seeing this jumper, any professional diver would think twice. First of all, this jumper’s name is not widely known. Secondly, this picture would have probably scared off many potential divers.
However, this iconic photo has captured the spongy clouds and the blue sky, making it a real feast for the eyes, and it’s gone viral.
Diving Into Schools
Underwater adventures are fun and thrilling, especially when it comes to school of fish. Fish evolved to swim in schools to better protect themselves from predators, improve their foraging and swim more efficiently. This large gathering is much safer than being single.
Fish in schools sense their environment with high accuracy and maintain awareness. They respond quickly to changes when they see divers as intruders or predators. It may also look like they are intimidating the intruders.
One With The Water1
This is a perfect shot of Michael Phelps, the competitive Olympic swimming champion, competing with his true competitor – the water. The photographer was able to snap a picture of Michael gliding on the water.
This may even be a perfect example of water surface tension. Regardless, this perfectly timed picture is truly mesmerizing.
The Sun Kicker
No good travel photo album is complete without the token sunrise or sunset picture. Sunsets only take half an hour, so you need to think about the elements and silhouettes before they start or you might miss the shot. Well, in this picture, the photographer really choreographed the model to pose as though he was ready to kick the sun.
The picture is very interesting and impressive and convinces us that the person is truly playing with a soccer ball.
Hockey Fight
Michael Ferland of the Calgary Flames gets thrown during a fight against Corey Tropp of the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game at Scotiabank on March 21, 2015, in Alberta, Canada. The referee let Corey and Michael break out into a fight; but, not before this action shot was snapped.
No doubt the crowd goes wild whenever a fight breaks out in Hockey.
Cycling Splash
The Absa Cape Epic is an annual mountain bike stage race held in the Western Cape, South Africa. This Cape Epic attracts elite professional mountain bikers and amateur riders from around the world, who compete in teams of two. The race typically covers more than 700 kilometers (435 miles) and lasts eight days.
Here in this picture, we see a rider trying to catch up with his partner, splashing through, as all the riders must finish the line by the specified maximum stage time. So, therefore, team dynamics are a major part of the race.
Speed Skaters
Speed skating might not be the most popular ice sport, but it certainly is an impressive one. The speed skating races go by fast, so make sure you’re paying attention. If you blink, you might miss them. According to Olympic officials, speed skaters skate at 30 miles per hour on average.
This picture got captured at a 2015 World Cup Race in Erfurt, Germany. This blurred photo shows how fast the skaters are going! It’s true that you can’t blink.
Sky Riding
Riding a bike professionally has become a common event but have you thought of flying up in the air with one? This photographer has made it possible.
Actually, this perfectly timed photo deceives your eyes making you believe the tracks are paved and are just invisible.
Hang Loose
This photographer has really put in the effort to take this stunning picture. This rare picture is certainly one only seasoned surfers get to experience. It requires technical know-how and perfect timing.
The photographer allows you to see a surfer in a wave tunnel from a professional surfer’s point of view. Hopefully, after clicking this spectacular scene, he sailed back to safety and wasn’t hit by a vigorous wave.
Ice Skating Strength
The professional adagio pair – made up of Fiona Zaldua from London and Dmitry Sukhanov from St.Petersburg – has had a long career on the ice. They perform spectacular and unusual lifts to excite audiences.
This particular trick was performed in Shanghai during an ice show in 2012. It’s so amazing to see both Fiona and Dmitry having such core strength and confidence in each other. The amount of practice that both would have gone through to nail this trick is definitely super exhausting.
Living Life On The Edge
Here we can see a professional BASE jumper and climber seriously on the edge. We don't know too many people with to guts to participate in such a sport.
Rock climbing and jumping have become very popular in recent years however it is known as being one of the dangerous sports around.
The Woman With Many Arms
This spectacular dance, the “Dance of a Thousand Hands,” is performed by 63 deaf dancers of the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe. It describes the legend that Bodhisattva Guan Yin has one thousand hands.
This is extremely interesting, especially when considering that all 63 of the performers are deaf, and their coordination is stunning. Undoubtedly, they’ve created an amazing optical illusion of a woman having multiple hands, and it is enthralling to see the hard work these young people have dedicated to their art.
Riding On Water
Robbie Maddison, a professional motorbike stunt rider & surfer, does seemingly impossible things and has set new records for riding on two wheels on water. He’s a man who makes his entire living off of doing things on a motorcycle that no one would ever think about.
It took nearly 2 years of preparation to design this motorcycle with ski that would do the trick: to glide across the water. Though it wasn’t an easy task, he figured it out after several failed attempts. Now, finally, surfing and motorcycle riding have come together to conquer the world’s most challenging surfing spots.
Seismic Punch
Montreal fighter Lucian Bute successfully defended his IBF super-middleweight title over Glen Johnson. There was no denying this was a great fight and a great performance.
However, this picture may lead you to believe otherwise, not to mention coincide with the judge’s decision as to it not being a knockout. If it wasn’t a strong blow, then how could his skin show such incredible seismic waves?
Amazing Acrobatics
It’s amazing to view these three gymnasts balancing each other in the acrobatics world competition in 2018. Typically, all acrobatic gymnastics need to have incredible balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and endurance. But to achieve this skill, these girls would undoubtedly have had to been trained to a point of exhaustion.
The girl at the bottom is strong and focused enough to hold the other two. The middle girl seems to be extremely flexible and super strong, balancing both. The topmost girl is very determined and balanced. Overall their performance and coordination are absolutely spectacular.
Ouch to the max!
Ouch! What a painful experience! Poor guy, I hope he has it all safely covered. Is this part of the game? I heard it’s not listed in the rule book to hit someone in the groin.
Also, I don’t see any referee there, is he also injured?! C’mon dude, spare these people.
Surfing A 100 Foot Wave
You definitely need binoculars to view this spectacular big wave surfer and extreme waterman Garrett McNamara. This American is known for breaking the world record for the largest wave ever surfed.
In January 2013, Garrett surfed a 100-foot wave in Nazare, Portugal. He has also ridden a tsunami with 300-foot waves formed by calving glaciers in South-Central Alaska.
RIP, skateboard guy!
Hey skateboard guy, you’re supposed to come down in one piece. Lucky he’s wearing a helmet.
Why in the world would these skaters attempt something they’re very well aware is gonna end in a tombstone?! Don’t worry, this 80-foot fall is nothing to worry about...if you’re wearing a helmet.
Focus … focus … focus!
Is this gymnast for real? She’s definitely got a strong determination and an unwavering focus.
How is she able to focus so sharply? The amount of attention is really amazing!!! I couldn’t even dream of paying that much attention without Ritalin.
Quick thinking!
This fan didn’t even need a baseball glove. Catching a fast baseball is a real challenge and this guy nailed it using his hands! Bravo!
But the guy next to him pulled out his glove, but as you can see there was no need for it.
A Hero Saves The Day
There is always a hero somewhere around and this one saved the people around him from a major disaster. This was taken at the Toronto Blue Jays vs Texas Rangers Rogers Centre.
Edwin Encarnacion's bat flew straight into the crowd, just a few inches away from a nasty hit. This local hero saved the day from a disaster. This memorable moment got captured to make this guy feel like a star.
“I’m so scared!”
That guy’s face looks terrified by seeing that little volleyball. He assumes that it’s gonna hurt him….dude, don’t be scared. It’s just a ball.
Or maybe it looks like Wilson from Castaway! Why be petrified? Just be cool with it.
Gimme that beer!
Oh no! The beer spilt all over! Wait…is it a baseball game or a beer selling game? It looks more like a beer seller dressed up as a real player.
The player looks confused as to whether catch the ball or the beer and finally decides to spill it over the fan. Poor guy is going home messy and smelling like cheap beer.
‘I hate this racket!’
Most of us forget to use wrist straps on Wii controllers while playing video tennis.
And this is what happens. You lose control on both Wii remotes and the game.
Nice hair!
Gymnasts take things too far. It seems to be an easy sport, but in fact, it’s one of the hardest sports ever. Besides being freakishly flexible, gymnasts love to take insane risks.
Those rings are really high and the gymnast is trying to achieve his next move. Luckily, he's got a mat underneath him, so even if he misses his move, he can still land on his legs instead of breaking his hands! Now, what's with the hair?
Yowza!!!
Ouch! The photographer captured the exact moment this guy got hit with the cleats on his face!
This guy definitely has to mend his face, or he’s gonna need a new one.
Where’d he go?
This picture is truly deceiving. Is he really invisible or did he have his head blown off by the punch? Still can’t figure out what’s happening between the two players. This is not very 'sporty'.
Heard many say hockey is a violent sport but we have never seen a match like this. Remember when we went to watch that street fight and a hockey game broke out?
Cowboy up? Nope, cowboy down!
Never try to invade someone’s personal space, especially when it’s a super cranky angry bull. But when will these cowboys learn their lessons? Silly cowboys trying to climb on bulls back.
Isn’t it obvious they don’t like you, and you’re gonna get kicked off high into the sky? They just act like a bunch of teenagers that don’t know when to stop.
Keep away!
The soccer game is now open for all….superman joined the game. His superpowers might help win the match, as long as he doesn’t use his hands to touch the ball.
In case he loses the match, he must remember not to use his laser vision on the opposing team.
Derp!
She seems to not like the scoring and definitely has issues with the judges.
Perhaps making faces to the judges provoke issues rather than solve them.
Yuck!
Yuck! Players sweat a lot, I guess. Or maybe it’s just a water balloon that looks like a soccer ball?
Or it may be water from the wet field? Nah…it's actually a sweaty soccer player who’s trying to hit the ball, but his sweat is dripping all over his face. Tissues, anyone?
The “Thank God Ledge”
Alex Honnold is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. He was the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and holds the fastest ascent of the Yosemite Triple Crown. No ropes, no karabiners, no cams. Nothing but his hands and feet to climb the record-breaking 3000-foot “Thank God Ledge.”
Honnold probably thanked God for surviving this freakily dangerous free solo attempt.
Cowboy up!
During bull riding events, rodeo clowns are the first defense against the bull after a cowboy gets bucked off.
Entering an enclosed ring with a 2000 pound angry bull is an insane thing to do. Rodeo clowns believe themselves to be brave enough to face the angry bull. But it seems more crazy than brave.
Take That!
Oops!!! That’s a real hard punch on the face. Is the guy really punching a player because he’s rooting for the other team, or does he want the ball to take home and sell online?
Whatever this is, it really calls for a debate.
Get back!
C’mon, guys, you’re still good friends. I totally understand your frustration, he shouldn’t have watched the new episode of Game of Thrones without you, but still, this isn’t the right way to show your anger.
Keep it cool and watch it again, together.
Conjoined Doubles Ice Dancing!
Apparently, flexible athletes are a thing now. They take things too far, and this picture proves it. It seems like conjoined doubles skating on ice.
Does this count as pair skating? Nevertheless, their determination and balance will undoubtedly count for something.
My brain’s confused now!
This is truly incredible. Not sure whether they are water dancers or team divers, but it still seems to be perfect.
It’s more like an optical illusion; there seem to be two women or only one woman who could possibly be the world’s tallest woman ever.
Holy …!
It’s absolutely surreal to see this man running so fast on such ferocious waves. He’s certainly brave enough to meet the waves and win the race.
How many of you dare to compete in the first place? If it were me, I’d definitely make a run for it towards the shore!
d’s worst chiropractor!
Are they supposed to be wrestling or just pulling each other’s heads off?! That dude seems to be suffocating and crying for help.
I hope the referee steps in and stops it, otherwise he’ll probably end up looking like a long necked giraffe or have his head pop off altogether.
What balance!
What determination and focus! She’s incredibly awesome in balancing her weight on her chin.
Usually, gymnasts have amazing flexibility and overwhelming body control, but she seems to be one step further. This particular pose of hers might help her win this meet. It’s simply mesmerizing.
How in the …?
OMG! This headless gymnast replaced her head with her foot. I believe there’s nothing this extremely flexible woman isn’t capable of.
And of course, doing cartwheels and somersaults should be a breeze.
Bonk!
This perfectly timed picture snapped when the ball punched this tough guy straight on the nose.
It’s the right time to expect this big guy to cry like a wee baby.
Ice meets face!
What happens when you know how to dance and remember all your moves but then dance on an icy surface wearing blades of metal under your shoes? The fall of the year!
I mean, come on, guys, if you're throwing each other in the air on a slippery surface, what else do you expect?!
Teamwork!
Wow! Good teamwork, girls! Keep going until she reaches the shore safely.
Best picture proof of teamwork.
Jello face!
What a punch! No doubt this guy’s not gonna withstand this.
It’s a clean knockout.
Please use a tissue!
Was Beckham's nose-picking game not enough, we had to do with Santi Cazorla too?!
Athletes, learn to use a tissue and keep your fingers out of your noses while on camera!!
Cool!
Looks like an alien competing in the Olympics. Since when did they let extraterrestrials compete?
Are we really that short of sportspersons?!!!
What the …?
Am I missing something, or is she missing her head?
This perfectly flexible gymnast is way too amazing. The timing of this shot is impeccable.
Ouch!
This baseball player may have gone through a jaw replacement for taking his eye off the ball.
I think this perfectly timed ‘ouch’ moment got captured when the player made jokes about the pitcher’s mother.
He’s gonna be dizzy!
The funniest picture ever, one that really makes you laugh out loud!!!
This perfectly timed picture showcases his determination and focus, yet his face is hilariously overwhelming.
You’re supposed to jump over them, not crawl under!
Hey guy!!! Don’t lose your head; you need it for the next race…lol!!! It’s hard to guess what he’s trying to do. It seems like he’s running into that puddle of water and trying to make headlines for his obituary.
Knowing that it’s a race to jump over and not crawl under, he actually went on to win the race by passing over the water in his own special way….just kidding, he actually lost the race
What is happening here?
It looks so funny and weird, as though some creepy crawlies are covering her head…lol!?! But all jokes aside, this heavyweight woman has no idea how dangerous it is when her hair covers her face.
She needs to learn how to pin up her hair before starting regular workouts. Only then will she be able to see herself!
Wow!
In-the-air kind of photography is often described as abstract art—one that’s easily appreciated by many but particularly difficult to achieve. This is because photographing a split of a second, especially up in the air, is an art that takes time to master; a perfect combination of creative juices and technical know-how.
This perfectly timed photo captured those exact unique moments when everything happens there and then, and a second later disappears.
Freedom!
This kid looks like she’s trying to outrun these cyclists in their own race. But I don’t think she’ll win, as it looks like she’s running away from her home.
This opens up room for questions: where are this kid’s parents?! Is she running away from her mom & dad’s strict trail?! or Wait! Is that a boy or a girl? The long hair and cargo shorts give no clue, but keep on running, kiddo! We believe in you!
MVP = Most Valuable Picker!
When all the cameras point at David Beckham's game and give him no private time, it’s no wonder we’re left with an intimate nose-picking moment.
It looks like he’s more confident in winning his nose picking than his ball game!
Is That a Backflip?
Michelle Wingshan Kwan is known for her consistency and expressive artistry on ice and is widely considered as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time.
This amazing picture captures her extreme flexibility; it looks like she’s about to break her back! But don’t worry, ice skating fans, there are more incredible pics yet to come!
Tennis Ball Galaxy
The interesting fact about the galaxy and the Milky Way is it’s never been captured in pictures and always remains as some sort of figment of our imagination. But this amazing photographer has snapped this perfectly timed picture of a wet tennis ball spun into the air, which creates a spiral formation that looks like the galaxy and the Milky Way.
The droplets spun off the ball look like tiny stars and planets revolving in the galaxy, and the ball looks similar to the sun.
Tennis anyone?
Michelle Obama has a great sense of fashion and fitness knowledge. Her intelligence and sense of humor are her best qualities, and she’s the most down-to-earth person the White House has ever seen. Her freaky passion for fitness has kept her healthy and in good shape.
This picture was taken during the ‘Let’s Move’ movement to stop child obesity and promote fitness awareness through sports. Though she might laugh seeing herself in this picture, it shows her passion for tennis and fitness.
Parallel Player
Among the most controversial players in the NBA, Dennis Rodman stands out for his skills and stunts.
This perfectly timed picture was taken at the Continental Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. This amazing shot of Rodman was captured when he was almost doing the splits & proves to be one of the most creative moves ever spotted in basketball history.
Lebron James Air
Lebron James is one of the most decorated basketball players in history. One of the highest scorers in the game, he throws three-pointers and dunks, is very strong, and can defend against anyone. However, he sometimes has a temper and has been known to show it in games.
This photo captures that competitive spirit as he jumps high toward a rebound while playing in Miami Heat.
Notorious Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor is one of the biggest names in professional mixed martial arts. He is known for his out-of-the-cage antics. The Irishman is a very aggressive and vicious fighter.
After winning two titles, both in the featherweight and then in the lightweight class, Conor decided he would take his fighting skill and try to beat the best boxer in history, Floyd Money Mayweather, and tallied 4.2 million pay-per-views. The fight earned both fighters profits in the hundreds of millions.
"Get Up Sonny!!"
Muhammad Ali is a professional boxer whose legacy cannot be mimicked. Since his humble beginnings, Ali had been a leader both in and out of the ring. However, Ali was on another level, and most fighters could not keep up.
In this 1965 photo, taken during a bout between Ali and Sonny Liston, Ali is screaming at Liston to get up and keep fighting him despite his apparent inability to do so. Liston himself stayed on the ground, too exhausted to continue, thus provoking Ali's anger and disappointment at his performance.
Phelps for the Win
Michal Phelps took to the world stage on his Olympic debut during the Sydney games in the year 2000. Since, he has participated in 4 more Olympics and won 28 medals, which makes him the most decorated athlete in the history of the Summer Games.
His performance has earned him nicknames such as The Baltimore Bullet or The Flying Fish. If you find yourself swimming against Phelps, you better say a few prayers first.
Tensions Build Up
The MLB World Series can be quite the spectacle. MLB teams spend a very long season playing hundreds of games to compete and win their spot in the 7 game series. The championship winner is the first team to win 4 games out of 7.
The 1985 series between the K.C. Royals and the St Louis Cardinals got especially heated with emotions. The teams ended up reaching game 7 where the Cardinals were defeated by the Royals 11-0, which tells you all you need to know about Joaquin Andujuars's reaction here.
Sinking a Putt for Birdie
If you don't know what the phrase means just think of it as the golf version of killing two birds with one stone.
Tiger Woods took a sport like golf, with a very particular fan base demographic, and appealed to the entire world. Woods currently holds a record of more than 80 PGA tour wins. Here, he was photographed after sinking a great putt during the fourth round of the 2008 U.S. Open.
Royal Sports
Polo is one the only games you'll see even members of the Royal family participate in. A very dignified sport, polo is played by some of the best horseback jockeys around the world.
Here you see a picture taken of Canadian jockey Ron Turcotte on his horse "Secretariat" at the Belmont Stakes in Belmont Park, New York, on June 9th, 1973. These are million-dollar horses, ridden by millionaires, on-looked by millionaires.
What You Shouldn't Do
One of the things you should never do in football is get in a fistfight. Especially if it's your rookie season, especially if you're doing well, and especially if you plan on taking off your opponent's helmet.
Unfortunately, all were true in the case of Browns defensive end Myles Garret when he attacked Pittsburg QB Mason Rudolph during the regular season in 2019. As a result, Garret ended up being kicked off the team for the rest of the season.
Sliding in for the Run
Nothing is more satisfying for a baseball fan than watching your favorite player slide into home base to score a run. It's even more fun to watch when you know he almost hit a home run.
This is exactly what happened during a 1965 game between the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. Twins player Zoilo Versalles was sure he hit home and was on his way to home base when teammate Rich Rollins yelled at him to slide in, realizing that his ball was on its way to the catcher's mitt.
Every Second Counts
American football is a sport in which every second and every yard counts for the win. Just one NFL game quarter can last more than a half hour, with the average game lasting more than three hours.
Meaning 4 minutes on the clock is really more like 8, and 30 seconds can be an eternity. This picture was taken when Matt Leinart (at the time playing for the USC Trojans) caught a Hail Marry for a touchdown in the last three seconds of the game. He closed a 34-31 win against the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
The Golden Hand
The 80s soccer pitch did not contain what fans know today as the VAR system. There was no camera crew of referees who see every aspect of the game through the screen and tell what exactly is happening on the pitch.
That is the only way Diego Maradona was able to fool the ref jumping six feet in the air with his fist held high and punching the ball into the goal. The ref, who stood behind the two, did not spot the ball and counted the goal, ultimately giving Argentina the quarter-final win vs. England.
On to the Wolrd Series
Major League Baseball Games are played in the form of a "series." Teams get an opportunity to play each other a few times per series, and the teams with the most wins in each division end up moving up to play their League counterpart to decide who goes to the world series.
Here we see Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki congratulate center fielder Kevin Pillar after their game-three win to the Texas Rangers.
The One Hander
An NFL wide receiver has one of the hardest jobs on the football field. The football helmet greatly limits a football player's field of vision.
When these receivers run many yards downfield, they eventually have to time their catch with a ball they can only predict is coming their way, all while keeping their feet in bounds when they catch it. So when Odell Beckham caught a one-handed throw for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys, all of New York went wild.
Playing to Win
Anyone who has tried out for high school varsity basketball knows you need to be very competitive to get a spot on the team.
Part of that competitive behavior is diving to get the ball whenever you can and making an accurate pass to a teammate. Here LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard stretches his body and dives for a rebound against the Toronto Raptors during a game in 2019. It's moves like this one that get you a spot on the roster.
Making an Impact
Very few sporting events make such an inspiring impact on young sports fans as the Para-Olympics, where athletes with varied disabilities compete just like the athletes of the Olympic games. These athletes overcame injuries, and paralysis, to reach peak physical fitness and compete against one another for gold.
This picture, showing Spain's Vicente Javier Torres and China's Tian Rong preparing for their 4X50M medley, captures that impact perfectly.
The Accomplishment of a Lifetime
Like baseball, the NHL hockey season lasts very long. By the time your team reaches an opportunity to win the Stanly Cup Championship, injuries are plenty, and emotions run high.
You can see here Bobby Orr's excitement when he scored a game-winning overtime goal winning the 1970 Stanley Cup for the Boston Bruins. He was so excited that he planted his face on the ice.
A.I. at It Again
Allen Iverson, known as "A.I." was one of the best point guards in NBA history, going against the greats like Jason Kid, and Kobe Bryant.
He was also a very controversial basketball player, usually sporting on-court antics, and known for being the first player in the NBA to show off a body full of tattoos. Here he is seen trash-talking L.A. Lakers player Tyron Lue during Game one of the NBA finals in 2001.
Winning the Big One
The first women's World Cup tournament was hosted rather late, in 1991. Two tournaments later and the U.S. Women's National team won their first World Cup putting American women's soccer on the map for many years to come.
Here we see Brandi Chastain taking off her shirt with excitement after scoring a penalty kick that would end up winning the team their final game against China.
Spring Time Baby!
If you love baseball, then you know all about spring training. It is the big off-season holiday in which fans come together along with their teams and travel to West Palm Beach, Florida, to watch them train before the season starts.
In this photo, Hank Aron is accosted from the top by adoring fans as he makes his way to the diamond. He was just one home run short of tying Babe Ruth for the career home run record.
Back in Time
Every year, world records get broken in all kinds of sports. However, those world records had to start somewhere, and with every new record, there are shocked fans who are in disbelief at the accomplishment.
Here we see Roger Bannister on a May 6th, 1954 Mile run. It earned him the title of the first person to run it in under 4 minutes in history at 3 minutes and 59 seconds. Today the record is held by Hicham El Geurrouj at 3:43 seconds.
A Sacrifice for Solidarity
After winning gold and silver medals in the 1968 Olympic games, John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised their fists in solidarity with the black plight for equality in the United States. It was during a time when Jim Crow laws and discrimination were rampant around the nation.
Unfortunately, the two were banned from both the U.S. team and the Olympic Village after the protest. A sad day for sports.
Time-Travel Kind of Fast
Usain Bolt is one of the fastest human beings on earth, and that speed showed the most during the 2016 Olympics. This picture was taken on the day when Bolt broke records both for the 100-meter and 200-meter sprint.
He's so fast, in fact, that it almost looks like he is time-traveling and even has time to look back at his opponents and joyfully smile.
Cold War on Ice
One of the most personal (if not THE most personal) sports matchups in sports history was the men's ice hockey semi-final between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the 1980 winter games.
The Soviet Union, at this point, was still nine years away from falling, and tensions between the two nations were extremely high. In this picture, the U.S. team is jubilant after beating the Soviet Union and moving on to the gold medal game.
Four Eyed David
Unlike most people, former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree was born with a rare condition that gave him four working eyes.
Two in the front, just like any normal person, and two in the back, giving him the ability to win his team a Superbowl by catching a ball that was thrown to him without ever looking back and just putting his hands behind his head. "Either he has eyes behind his head, or he is telepathic." That's what everyone was thinking during Super Bowl XLII.
Swim Cams
The 2008 Olympics introduced new underwater high-resolution camera technology. It could give viewers a full scope of just how hard these swimmers work and how strong their bodies are while sprinting in the water.
This picture features the legendary Michal Phelps swimming the men's 400m individual medley final in Beijing. You can see the famous "wing" or "fin" muscles that are very unique to Phelps's body build, which helps him win over all the other contestants.
Perfectly Timed
One thing that is very cool about pictures is that sometimes photographers don't see it coming and end up capturing a photo they did not plan on taking at all.
When Dan Gladden of the Minnesota Twins knocked over Braves catcher Greg Olson in 1991, a photographer was there to catch him at full headstand. The photographer was probably pleasantly surprised when they saw the picture for the first time.
Peak Coordination
There is one sport that will always be impossible so long as you don't have a very keen sense of coordination, and that sport is artistic swimming.
It is basically synchronized dancing under the water to music that you can only sometimes hear, without getting water in your eyes, and without bumping into your partners. All done in elegance. So, if you are thinking of taking on this sport, take a look at this picture and think again.
Perseverance
In order to score a high score from the judges in Olympic pole vault competitions, the athletes must do what's called a landing stick.
Sticking a landing meant that the vaulter lets go of the vault and finish their trick, landing on both feet with their back straight, and their arms gently stretched backward. Well, in 1996, USA vaulter Kerri Strug did it all with an ankle injury.
Boring Sport Great Picture
Out of all the main televised sports out there, golf is, without a question, the least watched in the world. After all, no one is getting tackled.
There is no running or sweating, and very few injuries can happen. But nothing beats the pictured satisfaction on a golfer's face after winning a tournament. Just like this one when J. Nicklaus won the 6th masters cup in a row.
Reggie Bush's Diving Touchdown
Every football player remembers the first time they scored a diving touchdown. Most of them happen in neighborhood pickup games in front of just a few friends on the sideline, yet the rush is as if you'd won the Superbowl.
Just imagine how it feels when it happens in a stadium full of people! That said, when you're doing this in your 20s (or even later), you'd better be in shape, or else you wouldn't be able to do it for very long.
Don't Mess With Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan was once asked about his love for motorcycles in an interview with Steven Colbert. In the interview, Colbert asks him if he is ever scared about being on bikes all the time and suggests to Jordan that maybe he should find a better alternative.
Jordan laughs it off and suggests that only real champions ride motorcycles because champions never make mistakes, "one mistake, and you don't get home safe." He probably has to make a whole lot of mistakes to get beaten by any defender.