While the sports world often celebrates its most iconic moments, there’s another element that’s equally memorable: the unforgettable fails. These moments remind us that even the best athletes aren’t immune to mishaps, and sometimes they make sports even more entertaining.
The infamous butt fumble
The “Butt Fumble” stands as one of the most hilarious moments in NFL history. It occurred on Thanksgiving Day in 2012 during a highly anticipated matchup between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was the star of this unforgettable blunder.
The play began like any other. Sanchez took the snap and prepared to execute a handoff. However, the play quickly unravelled when a miscommunication with his running back left Sanchez with no one to hand the ball to. In an effort to salvage the situation, Sanchez decided to run the ball himself. As Sanchez rushed forwards, he collided headfirst into the backside of his teammate, offensive lineman Brandon Moore. The impact knocked Sanchez off balance and caused him to fumble the football. To make matters worse, the Patriots’ defense recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The entire sequence unfolded in just seconds, but the play was immediately dubbed the “Butt Fumble” by fans and the media. The Butt Fumble’s legacy was further immortalized when it earned an extended stay atop ESPN’s “Not Top 10” list as the worst play of the week for 40 consecutive weeks.
Tear-away chic
During a 2019 game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, Cody Bellinger’s pants decided they’d had enough. Sliding into third base after a bases-clearing double, his belt snapped and his pants gave up mid-slide, leaving him standing proudly at third in just his undershorts. Social media dubbed him the game’s MVP — not for his RBIs but for his “Most Valuable Pantslessness.” Fast forward to 2024, when history repeated itself in even more dramatic fashion. Now playing for the Chicago Cubs, Bellinger’s slide into third during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks ripped his pants entirely thanks to MLB’s controversial uniforms, which players had jokingly referred to as “tear-away chic.” The unfortunate incident left Bellinger once again exposed.
Hoop takedown
During Shaquille O’Neal’s rookie season in 1993 when the Orlando Magic faced the Phoenix Suns, Shaq, already 7’1” and 325 pounds, had been dominating games all season, but no one could have predicted what was about to happen next. As the ball zipped into Shaq under the hoop, he turned, planted his massive frame, and went for a dunk that could only be described as apocalyptic.
The rime didn’t stand a chance.
The entire backboard collapsed — glass shards rained down, the shot clock came tumbling down with it and the support stanchion buckled like it had been hit by a train. Maintenance crews had to bring out a replacement hoop, which took over 30 minutes to install. Shaq definitely milked the moment, entertaining fans by mimicking Hulk-like expressions. What made the incident even funnier was that this wasn’t a one-time event. A few weeks later, Shaw did it again in a game against the New Jersey Nets, this time causing the entire hoop to collapse and the hydraulic lift to give out. At this point, the NBA had no choice but to redesign its backboards, implementing reinforced structures specifically because of Shaq’s unprecedented strength.
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These aren’t just blunders — they’re stories that break through the intensity of competition and remind us why we love sports long after the final whistle. Sometimes, it’s not perfection that makes sports memorable, but the humanity behind the game.