Sports gaffes

01

Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II

Tyson bit a chunk from Holyfield's right ear in round three, spat the cartilage on the canvas, and kept throwing punches. The referee stopped the fight. Holyfield's ear was never fully repaired.

02

Zinedine Zidane

Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi in the chest in extra time of the 2006 World Cup final, received a red card, and France lost on penalties — his last professional act ever.

03

The hand of God

Maradona punched the ball into England's net with his left fist in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, then told reporters God's hand had done it. Argentina won 2–1 and went on to lift the trophy.

04

Frederick Lorz

Fred Lorz crossed the 1904 Olympic marathon finish line first, accepted a laurel wreath from Alice Roosevelt, and posed for photos before admitting he'd hitched a car ride for 11 miles.

05

Tim Donaghy

NBA referee Tim Donaghy bet on games he personally officiated from 2005 to 2007, adjusting foul calls to swing point spreads. He pled guilty to two federal felony counts and served 15 months.

06

Jean van de Velde (golfer)

Jean Van de Velde stood on the 18th hole of the 1999 Open Championship needing only a double bogey to win, then waded barefoot into the Barry Burn, made a seven, and lost in a playoff.

07

Disco Demolition Night

On July 12, 1979, a crate of disco records exploded on the Comiskey Park field between doubleheader games; fans tore up the turf, and the White Sox forfeited the second game to the Tigers.

08

Eddie Gaedel

On August 19, 1951, Eddie Gaedel — 3 feet 7 inches tall — batted for the St. Louis Browns in a real AL game, wearing number 1/8. He drew a four-pitch walk and was pulled immediately.

09

Bill Buckner

Mookie Wilson's routine grounder rolled through Bill Buckner's legs in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, scoring Ray Knight and handing the Mets a win. Boston had been one out from their first title since 1918.

10

Ten-Cent Beer Night

On June 4, 1974, Cleveland's Municipal Stadium sold beer for 10 cents a cup; by the ninth inning, fans swarmed the field armed with chains and knives, and the umpires forfeited the game to Texas.