When you think of the iconic triumphs of Lance Armstrong or Jesse Owens, you also have to remember the flip side – the moments that made us cringe, gasp, or even vomit. This is the top 15 worst collection of sports disasters that left fans reeling. From career‑ending injuries and shocking scandals to sheer lack of sportsmanship, each entry below will take you back to a time when you wanted to smash the remote.
1 Joe Theismann
In 1985, after two Super Bowl trips (one win), an MVP award, and a string of Redskins records, Joe Theismann faced the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. A flea‑flicker turned into a Lawrence Taylor blitz, and Taylor’s sack snapped Theismann’s leg between knee and ankle – both fibula and tibia shattered. A replay showed his shin flat on the turf while the upper portion jutted up at a 45‑degree angle. The footage is nothing short of gut‑wrenching.
2 Dave Dravecky
Surviving cancer is a miracle; returning to the mound after it is something else entirely. Pitcher Dave Dravecky of the San Francisco Giants had a tumor removed from his arm, recovered, and on August 10, 1989, threw eight solid innings for a win. A few days later, during his second start, his humerus snapped mid‑pitch, leaving him writhing in agony. Two years later his arm was amputated, ending a career that had seemed destined for a heroic comeback.
3 Steve Howe
Relief pitcher Steve Howe bounced between the Dodgers and Yankees, earning seven suspensions for substance abuse. After rehab, a 1992 Yankees contract seemed promising, but a renewed cocaine habit earned him a lifetime MLB ban. He appealed, returned in 1994 with a stellar 1.80 ERA over 40 games, then retired in 1997. His 1989 autobiography claimed he’d conquered his demons through evangelical Christianity, yet a 2006 car crash revealed methamphetamine in his system, cementing his legacy as a cautionary tale of preferential treatment.
4 Ben Johnson
Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson burst onto the scene in the 1980s, setting a 100 m world record in 1987 and becoming a national hero. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics he lowered his record to 9.79 seconds, claiming gold—only to be stripped three days later after a positive steroid test. He attempted a comeback in 1991 but tested positive again, cementing his name among the sport’s biggest cheats.
5 Clint Malarchuk
During a 1989 game between the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues, a stray skate from Steve Tuttle sliced Clint Malarchuk’s jugular vein. Blood pooled on the ice as he staggered to the locker room, fearing for his mother’s view on TV. Trainer Jim Pizzutelli famously pinched the vein shut, buying time for medics who stitched 300 stitches in 90 minutes. Fans fainted, some suffered heart attacks, and several players vomited on the ice.
6 Pete Rose
With a .303 average, 4,200 hits, three World Series rings, and 17 All‑Star nods, Pete Rose seemed a Hall‑of‑Fame lock. Yet in 1989 it emerged he had bet on baseball games. Though the Dowd Report said he never wagered against his own team, the scandal lingered. Rose finally confessed in his 2004 memoir, condemning his legacy and ensuring his exclusion from Cooperstown.
7 Mark McGwire
The 1998 home‑run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa revived baseball, shattering the single‑season homer record with 136 blasts. But in 2005 Jose Canseco’s book accused McGwire of steroid use, and McGwire’s congressional testimony ended with him pleading the Fifth. The scandal still haunts the sport’s record books.
8 Greg Louganis
Olympic diver Greg Louganis hit his head on the board in 1988, stitched up, and still won gold—a story of resilience. In 1995 he disclosed he’d been living with AIDS since before those Games, sparking outrage as fans felt he’d jeopardized their safety by not warning officials after his blood entered the pool.
9 Chicago White Sox
The 1919 White Sox, AL champions, entered the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds amid resentment toward owner Charles Eversole. First baseman Arnold Gandil orchestrated a fix, bribing eight players to throw games. The Reds won, and a grand jury later suspended the conspirators for life, forever staining baseball’s integrity. The phrase “Say it ain’t so, Joe” still echoes from that scandal.
10 Heysel Stadium
On May 29, 1985, Liverpool faced Juventus in Brussels. Overcrowded terraces, a wire fence, and stone‑throwing fans set the stage for tragedy. When Liverpool supporters stormed the fence, a perimeter wall collapsed, killing 39 and injuring 600. Juventus still won 1‑0, but English clubs were banned from European competition for five years.
11 Zinedine Zidane
The 2006 World Cup final saw France and Italy deadlocked 1‑1. After Marco Materazzi allegedly insulted his sister, Zinedine Zidane snapped, head‑butting the Italian’s chest in the 110th minute. He received a red card, and Italy clinched victory on penalties, leaving Zidane’s legacy tarnished.
12 Dale Earnhardt
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, a seven‑time champion, met a tragic end in the 2001 Daytona 500. While battling for third place, his car was tapped, sending him head‑first into the wall at 150 mph. The impact snapped his neck, killing him instantly and casting a pall over the sport.
13 Hillsborough
The 1989 FA Cup semi‑final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest turned deadly when 96 fans were crushed at Hillsborough. A blocked exit, overcrowding, and police mismanagement caused a human crush, killing 96 and injuring over 700. The tragedy exposed severe stadium safety failures.
14 Old Christians Rugby Team
In 1972, Uruguay’s Old Christians rugby squad flew over the Andes to a Chilean match. A crash left 33 survivors; five died shortly after, and eight more perished in an avalanche. Stranded, the survivors resorted to cannibalism. After two months, three found rescue, and a helicopter saved the remaining 16.
15 Black September
During the 1972 Munich Olympics, Palestinian group Black September seized Israeli athletes, murdering eleven and one German police officer. A botched rescue attempt and failed negotiations left the world stunned, with the tragedy forever marking Olympic history.
If you crave a brighter note after this gloom, check out the 15 Greatest Sports Moments of All Time.