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The most notorious on-field sports moments of all time
Jason Miller/Getty Images

The most notorious on-field sports moments of all time

Sometimes things get out of hand in sports. From fights to big hits to the totally unexpected, sports can, at times, cross over into the wild.

Here's a look at the most notorious on-field sports moments of all time.

 
1 of 48

1919: Black Sox scandal

1919: Black Sox scandal
Bettmann/Getty Images

Eight players on the 1919 Chicago White Sox were accused of throwing the World Series vs. the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for money from a gambling syndicate. The players, most notably Shoeless Joe Jackson, were banned from baseball in 1921.

 
2 of 48

1965: Juan Marichal attacks John Roseboro with bat

1965: Juan Marichal attacks John Roseboro with bat
Bettmann/Getty Images

The Giants-Dodgers rivalry became even more heated on Aug. 22, 1965, when Marichal attacked Roseboro with his bat after a Sandy Koufax pitch nearly hit his head. Marichal was suspended eight games and fined $1,750.

 
3 of 48

1970: Pete Rose plows into Ray Fosse

1970: Pete Rose plows into Ray Fosse
Bettmann/Getty Images

The legend of "Charlie Hustle" was written when Rose went all out in the 1970 All-Star Game. In the 12th inning, Rose barreled into Fosse at home plate to win. Fosse suffered a separated shoulder and made just one more All-Star Game in his career.

 
4 of 48

1977: Kermit Washington punches Rudy Tomjanovich

1977: Kermit Washington punches Rudy Tomjanovich
Bettmann/Getty Images

Washington ended Tomjanovich's career on Dec. 9, 1977, after punching him in the face in the midst of an on-court brawl between the Lakers and Rockets. The punch broke Tomjanovich's skull.

 
5 of 48

1978: Jack Tatum paralyzes Darryl Stingley

1978: Jack Tatum paralyzes Darryl Stingley
Sporting News Archive/Getty Images

During an NFL exhibition game on Aug. 12, 1978, Tatum collided with Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley. Stingley's spinal cord was damaged, and he was left paralyzed.

 
6 of 48

1978: Woody Hayes punches Clemson player

1978: Woody Hayes punches Clemson player
Focus on Sport/Getty Images

During the Gator Bowl on Dec. 29, 1978, the Ohio State head coach punched Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman in the throat following an interception. The legendary Hayes was fired after the game.

 
7 of 48

1979: Mike Milbury, Bruins fight Rangers fans in stands

1979: Mike Milbury, Bruins fight Rangers fans in stands
B Bennett/Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

A fight between the Bruins and Rangers on Dec. 23, 1979, went into the stands. Boston players went over the glass at Madison Square Garden, and Milbury attacked a fan with the fan's own shoe.

 
8 of 48

1980: Rosie Ruiz cheats in Boston Marathon

1980: Rosie Ruiz cheats in Boston Marathon
Bettmann/Getty Images

Ruiz was declared the winner of the 1980 Boston Marathon. Eight days later, she was stripped of the win when it was discovered she didn't run the entire race. She joined the race about a half mile before the finish.

 
9 of 48

1985: Bobby Knight throws a chair

1985: Bobby Knight throws a chair
Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

After disagreeing with a referee's call early in a game against Purdue on Feb. 23, 1985, Knight threw a chair across the court. He was ejected from the game. Following the contest, the Big Ten gave Knight a one-game suspension and two years probation.

 
10 of 48

1989: Pete Rose gambling scandal

1989: Pete Rose gambling scandal
Bettmann/Getty Images

A story in Sports Illustrated in 1989 alleged that Rose bet on baseball games as manager of the Reds. Rose was banned from the game and continues to be ineligible for the Hall of Fame despite having the most hits in MLB history.

 
11 of 48

1991: Ulf Samuelsson injures Cam Neely

1991: Ulf Samuelsson injures Cam Neely
Boston Globe/Getty Images

After already injuring Neely's knee in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, Samuelsson hit Neely again in Game 6 on May 3, 1991. The injury limited the Bruins star for the remainder of his career.

 
12 of 48

1993: Dale Hunter blindsides Pierre Turgeon

1993: Dale Hunter blindsides Pierre Turgeon
B Bennett/Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Hunter's career was defined by a cheap shot on Turgeon following a goal during the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Turgeon separated his shoulder in the incident, while Hunter was suspended for 21 games.

 
13 of 48

1993: Nolan Ryan puts Robin Ventura in a headlock

1993: Nolan Ryan puts Robin Ventura in a headlock
Dallas Morning News/Getty Images

After Ryan hit Ventura with a pitch on Aug. 4, 1993, the White Sox third baseman charged the mound. He likely regretted the decision, as Ryan put Ventura in a headlock and pummeled him in the head.

 
14 of 48

1994: Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan

1994: Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan
Vincent Almavy/AFP/Getty Images

One of the front-running figure skaters in the 1994 Winter Olympics, Kerrigan was attacked after practice on Jan. 6, 1994. The attacker was hired by Tonya Harding's ex-husband and bodyguard so Kerrigan would be unable to compete in the Olympics, but she was able to heal in time and win the silver medal.

 
15 of 48

1996: Claude Lemieux injures Kris Draper

1996: Claude Lemieux injures Kris Draper
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

During Game 6 of the Western Conference Final, Lemieux checked Red Wings center Kris Draper from behind. The check broke Draper's jaw, cheek and orbital bone.

 
16 of 48

1996: Albert Belle knocks over Fernando Vina

1996: Albert Belle knocks over Fernando Vina
Jeff Carlick/Getty Images

The tumultuous Belle had one of his most infamous incidents in 1996. The Cleveland slugger clobbered Brewers second baseman Fernando Vina between first and second base when he was about to be tagged by the second baseman. He was fined by MLB following the incident.

 
17 of 48

1996: Roberto Alomar spits on umpire

1996: Roberto Alomar spits on umpire
Baltimore Sun/Getty Images

Alomar got in an argument with home plate umpire John Hirschbeck on Sept. 27, 1996, and proceeded to spit on the umpire. The second baseman was suspended for five games the following season.

 
18 of 48

1997: Dennis Rodman kicks cameraman

1997: Dennis Rodman kicks cameraman
Carolyn Stewart/Associated Press/Getty Images

The boisterous Rodman kicked a cameraman in the groin during a game on Jan. 15, 1997, for no apparent reason. He was given an 11-game suspension.

 
19 of 48

1997: Mike Tyson bites Evander Holyfield's ear

1997: Mike Tyson bites Evander Holyfield's ear
Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images

The much-anticipated Tyson-Holyfield rematch turned into an infamous incident on June 28, 1997. During the third round, Tyson bit Holyfield's ear twice. The fight was later stopped, and Tyson was disqualified and stripped of his boxing license.

 
20 of 48

1997: Michael Westbrook fights Stephen Davis at practice

1997: Michael Westbrook fights Stephen Davis at practice
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

During training camp practice in August 1997, Westbrook attacked teammate Stephen Davis at Redskins practice. Westbrook was fined $50,000.

 
21 of 48

1997: Latrell Sprewell chokes P.J. Carlesimo

1997: Latrell Sprewell chokes P.J. Carlesimo
John G. Marbanglo/AFP/Getty Images

On Dec. 1, 1997, Warriors star Latrell Sprewell was in no mood for criticism at practice from head coach P.J. Carlesimo. After the coach criticized him, the forward grabbed Carlesimo by the neck before teammates and coaches intervened. Sprewell's contract was voided by the Warriors, and he was suspended for one year by the NBA.

 
22 of 48

2000: Marty McSorley slashes Donald Brashear

2000: Marty McSorley slashes Donald Brashear
Aubrey Washington/Getty Images

Bruins enforcer McSorley swung his stick and hit Brashear in the head on Feb. 21, 2000. Brashear feel to the ice and suffered a concussion, and McSorley was suspended for 23 games. He was also found guilty of assault with a weapon and sentenced to 18 months probation.

 
23 of 48

2000: Roger Clemens throws bat shard at Mike Piazza

2000: Roger Clemens throws bat shard at Mike Piazza
New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images

The Subway Series in 2000 became even more heated when Clemens threw part of Piazza's broken bat at him. He infamously said during the incident that he thought it was the ball when Piazza stared Clemens down.

 
24 of 48

2001: Tie Domi fights fan in Philadelphia

2001: Tie Domi fights fan in Philadelphia
J Leary/Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

After being summoned to the penalty box, Maple Leafs enforcer Domi wasn't finished fighting. He sprayed water in the stands after being heckled by the Flyers crowd before a fan in the second row climbed into the penalty box to attack Domi.

 
25 of 48

2001: Izzy Alcantara kicks catcher

2001: Izzy Alcantara kicks catcher
Tannen Maury/AFP/Getty Images

Red Sox Triple-A outfielder Alcantara instigated a fight on July 3, 2001, after being brushed back by a pitch by karate-kicking catcher Jeremy Salazar before charging the mound. Alcantara was suspended for six games.

 
26 of 48

2001: Kyle Turley protects his quarterback

2001: Kyle Turley protects his quarterback
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Jets safety Damien Robinson got a little too rough with Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks' facemask in the pile for Turley's liking on Nov. 4, 2001. Turley threw Robinson to the ground, then picked up his helmet and threw it. The Saints fined Turley $25,000 and made him attend counseling for anger management.

 
27 of 48

2003: Bill Romanowski attacks teammate

2003: Bill Romanowski attacks teammate
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Raiders intimidating veteran linebacker Romanowski attacked teammate Marcus Williams during a scrimmage on Aug. 24, 2003. Romanowski tore off Williams's helmet and broke his eye socket. He was fined one game check following the incident. 

 
28 of 48

2003: Pedro Martinez throws down Don Zimmer

2003: Pedro Martinez throws down Don Zimmer
New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images

Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS between the Red Sox and Yankees got heated. During a bench-clearing brawl on Oct. 11, 2003, 72-year-old Yankees coach Zimmer ran at Red Sox ace Martinez. Martinez immediately threw Zimmer to the ground.

 
29 of 48

2004: Todd Bertuzzi attacks Steve Moore

2004: Todd Bertuzzi attacks Steve Moore
Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

After Steve Moore fought Matt Cooke in a game on March 8, 2004, Bertuzzi set out to get revenge. He punched Moore in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious and fracturing three neck vertebrae. Moore would never play another game in the NHL.

 
30 of 48

2004: Frank Francisco throws a chair

2004: Frank Francisco throws a chair
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

The Rangers visited Oakland for a series on Sept. 13, 2004, when Texas pitcher Doug Brocail confronted a fan in the crowd. Fellow reliever Frank Francisco proceeded to grab a chair and throw it into the crowd, hitting a female fan in the face. He was suspended for the remainder of the season and later sentenced to anger management and a work program.

 
31 of 48

2004: Malice at the Palace

2004: Malice at the Palace
D. Lippitt/Einstein/National Basketball Association/Getty Images

Ron Artest became a notorious name after an incident on Nov. 19, 2004. Following an on-court fight between the Pacers and Pistons, a fan threw a drink at Artest. That caused Artest and teammates to enter the crowd and start a brawl. Nine players were suspended, and five players were charged with assault. He was suspended a total of 20 games over 17 months.

 
32 of 48

2006: Marcus Vick stomps on defender

2006: Marcus Vick stomps on defender
Icon Sports Wire/Getty Images

During the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2, 2006, the younger brother of Mike Vick, Marcus, stomped on a West Virginia defensive end's knee. Vick was dismissed from the Virginia Tech football program as a result of the incident.

 
33 of 48

2006: Delmon Young throws bat at umpire

2006: Delmon Young throws bat at umpire
Ron Vesely/Getty Images

While playing a game at Triple-A, Young tossed his bat at the home plate umpire after being thrown out of a game. He was suspended 50 games without pay.

 
34 of 48

2006: Zinedine Zidane head butt

2006: Zinedine Zidane head butt
John MacDougall / AFP

France team captain Zidane was given a red card in the FIFA World Cup Final vs. Italy after head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi. Zidane was given a three-game ban despite retiring. Italy would win the World Cup over France in penalty kicks.

 
35 of 48

2006: Albert Haynesworth stomps Andre Gurode

2006: Albert Haynesworth stomps Andre Gurode
Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Titans star defensive tackle Haynesworth stomped on Andre Gurode's head during a game against the Cowboys on Oct. 1, 2006. Gurode needed 30 stitches. Haynesworth was ejected from the game and suspended five games by the NFL.

 
36 of 48

2007: Spygate

2007: Spygate
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

The Patriots during the Bill Belichick era have often been labeled as cheaters due to an incident from the 2007 season. The NFL found that the Patriots illegally videotaped Jets defensive coaches' signals during a game. As a result New England was fined $250,000 and forced to give up a first-round draft choice in 2008.

 
37 of 48

2007: Chris Simon injures Jarkko Ruutu

2007: Chris Simon injures Jarkko Ruutu
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

During a game on Dec. 15, 2007, Simon knocked Ruutu to the ice and stepped on the back of his right leg. Simon was suspended for 30 games following the incident.

 
38 of 48

2009: Antonio Margarito handwraps controversy

2009: Antonio Margarito handwraps controversy
Donald Miralle/Getty Images

Margarito lost in a bout vs. Shane Mosley on Jan. 24, 2009, but the fight was overshadowed by Margarito's handwraps controversy. Before the fight, Mosley's trailer discovered a white substance in Margarito's handwraps. Margarito was suspended following the fight.

 
39 of 48

2010: Jets coach trips Dolphins player

2010: Jets coach trips Dolphins player
Icon Sports Wire/Getty Images

Jets strength coach Sal Alosi became part of the game on Dec. 12, 2010. Alosi tripped Dolphins player Nolan Carroll from the sideline during a play and was subsequently suspended for the rest of the season. He resigned following the season.

 
40 of 48

2011: Ndamukong Suh stomps on player

2011: Ndamukong Suh stomps on player
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Suh is widely regarded as one of the NFL's dirtiest players for incidents like what happened on Thanksgiving in 2011. The defensive tackle slammed Packer Evan Dietrich-Smith into the ground and stomped on him during the Lions' Thanksgiving game.

 
41 of 48

2015: Deflategate

2015: Deflategate
Jeremy Brevard/USA Today Sports Images

Following the 2014-15 AFC championship game, the Patriots were alleged to have intentionally underinflated footballs to help quarterback Tom Brady. Brady was eventually suspended four games in 2016 following a series of appeals.

 
42 of 48

2015: Cardinals hacking scandal

2015: Cardinals hacking scandal
Troy Taormina/USA Today Sports Images

The FBI started an investigation into the Cardinals' front office hacking the Astros' scouting database after former St. Louis front office member Jeff Luhnow was named general manager in Houston. Cardinals scouting director Chris Correa was sentenced to prison for his role in the incident, and St. Louis was fined and forced to give up draft picks.

 
43 of 48

2017: Aqib Talib vs. Michael Crabtree

2017: Aqib Talib vs. Michael Crabtree
Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports Images

For the second year in a row, Broncos cornerback Talib tore off Crabtree's necklace. This time, a huge brawl ensued as both players pushed each other out of bounds and then came to blows on the field. Both players were ejected from the game in Week 12 and suspended two games by the NFL, which was then reduced to one game.

 
44 of 48

2017: College basketball corruption scandal

2017: College basketball corruption scandal
Thomas Joseph / USA Today Sports Images

In late September 2017, the FBI arrested 10 people in a college basketball payment scandal involving Adidas and several of the basketball schools in the nation. Among the schools cited were Arizona, Auburn, Louisville and Kansas. One of the early ramifications of the scandal was Louisville head coach Rick Pitino's firing. Since then several people named in the scandal have been found guilty, but we still wait for more impacts to the schools that were named.

 
45 of 48

2017: Astros sign stealing

2017: Astros sign stealing
Erik Williams / USA Today Sports Images

While still under MLB investigation, the Astros allegedly used cameras during the 2017 MLB playoffs to tip off batters about opposing teams' pitches. If proved true, the penalties for the Astros could be severe.

 
46 of 48

2017: Braves front office scandal

2017: Braves front office scandal
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

MLB ruled that the Braves circumvented international signing rules for three years, and the penalties were severe. GM John Coppolella was fired and given a lifetime ban from MLB, while 12 prospects were also granted free agency.

 
47 of 48

2018: Russia banned from Winter Olympics for doping

2018: Russia banned from Winter Olympics for doping
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Russia was banned from competing in the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, for a doping scandal that would have made MacGyver blush. Clean Russian athletes were still allowed to compete under a neutral flag.

 
48 of 48

2019: Myles Garrett attacks Mason Rudolph

2019: Myles Garrett attacks Mason Rudolph
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

The clock was getting ready to strike 0:00 in a Week 11 "Thursday Night Football" game when things got out of hand. Garrett and Rudolph began to fight on the ground, when Garrett tore off Rudolph's helmet and used it as a weapon to hit him in the head. Three players were suspended in the brawl, including Garrett, who was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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