Athletes earn millions because they are an elite group of people who can do things with their bodies that most cannot, it often comes with a side order of huge egos and big drama.
Some athletes have shown that merely opening their mouths and speaking to reporters in a proper manner is a burdensome task, as the greatest cornerback on the face of the earth, Richard Sherman showed us recently.
Clearly, it’s a way for us to understand that despite their otherworldly physical talents, they’re still humans – capable of having a fat bank account and yet still be excited to vent.
Best Athlete Interview Meltdowns
1. Mike Tyson
The former undisputed heavyweight champion was never a man of few words. When he’s not letting his fist talk, and by talk, we mean mangle other people’s faces, he frequently unleashed diatribes that bordered on being diabolical. Thankfully, Iron Mike has toned down his act these days and learned how to poke fun at himself in various movie cameos and TV appearances.
2. Allen Iverson
Even Count von Count would get lost counting the number of times Allen Iverson mentioned “practice” in this now infamous press conference. If there was a Hall of Fame for outbursts with the media, AI would be a first ballot entry. Good luck in retirement, we’ll miss you.
3. Richard Sherman
Ah Richard Sherman, the most recent of all the entries on this list. His passionate postgame tirade blew up the internet, divided our nation, and nearly caused the stock market to crash. Sorry, we exaggerated a bit there (the internet survived) but you get the idea. It was all enough to make Deion Sanders feel like a proud poppa of yet another loud-mouthed defensive back in his footsteps. If only Terrell Owens was still around to face Sherman and turn it into a rating spectacle.
4. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
After Floyd Mayweather’s controversial win over Victor Ortiz in 2011, HBO’s Larry Merchant dragged his 80-year old body to the ring to interview the cantankerous boxing superstar. Things did not go well, as Mayweather visibly took offense to the insinuations of Merchant that he sucker punched Ortiz. To this, Mayweather suggested that HBO should “fire” Merchant, which then led to the now memorable retort from Merchant: “I wish I was 50 years younger. I would have kicked your ass.”
5. Dennis Rodman
Add this bizarre CNN interview to the ever-increasing list of Dennis Rodman’s crazy moments, which includes cross-dressing, befriending a reclusive nation’s dictator, and kicking a cameraman’s family jewels. You will never want your child to go near this man.
6. Kellen Winslow
Long before he began making waves in the news for stroking it in a parking lot, Kellen Winslow had already masterfully demonstrated his lack of decorum when he inappropriately compared himself to soldiers.
7. Jim Everett
Many people don’t like Jim Rome so perhaps when they saw Jim Everett snap in this interview by throwing Rome to the ground, it was a beautiful day for them.
8. Ryan Leaf
Surely, one of the most vivid memories you have of Ryan Leaf does not revolve around his touchdown passes but rather, on him throwing a tantrum on a poor reporter. Here’s one area where Leaf definitely is better than Peyton Manning.
9. Shaquille O’Neal
The NBA levied a large fine on Shaq back in 2004 after he bashed the game officials on live TV. Lots of the new NBA audience forget that Shaq had a hot-head streak in him during this playing days.
10. George Brett
George Brett has a short fuse and everyone knows it. It takes courage to interview this Hall of Famer, which the video above would attest to.
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