Most Bizarre Athletes

5. Ricky Williams

Although considered by many to be one of the more talented running backs to come along in some time, Ricky Williams has gained a reputation as one of the oddest players in NFL history. He gained fame immediately upon his entrance into the league for his quickness, long dreadlocks, and intense shyness, which led him to conduct many post-game interviews with his helmet still on. Williams famously tested positive for marijuana in NFL drug tests multiple times, and was fined $650,000 before unexpectedly announcing his early retirement from the game. After leaving football, Williams studied holistic medicine and Hinduism and traveled to India and Australia, where he supposedly spent time living in a tent. He returned to the NFL in 2004, only to fail a drug test again and be suspended for the season. While banned from the NFL, Williams played Canadian football for a season while teaching yoga classes on the side. He finally returned to the NFL in 2007, and now plays for the Miami Dolphins.

4. Bill Lee

Most Dangerous Auto Races

5. The German Grand Prix (Nurburgring)

The world’s most famous racing series, Formula One features the most talented drivers negotiating the most technically difficult courses, often at speeds of over 200 mph. It’s a sport that’s become notorious for its high fatality rate, thanks to treacherous courses like Spa-Francorchamps and Italy’s Monza circuit. But perhaps no track has proven to be as dangerous as Germany’s famed Nurburgring, which once claimed the lives of 5 F1 drivers in a fifteen-year span. The track was first built in 1927, but it has been redesigned several times over the years, as its fast speeds, elevation changes, and tight corners have time and again proven to be too

Ugliest Sports Uniforms

5. San Diego Padres, 1983

Not many professional sports franchises have been daring enough to dawn the brown, orange, and yellow combo that the Padres wore in the early 80’s. Surprising? Absolutely, perhaps someday teams will realize that this is how you build a winner. At least is was an upgrade from the 70′s yellow mustard and brown uniforms.

4. Vancouver Canucks, 1978 – 1984

It took courage to take the ice wearing the “flying V”. I can’t say that the current Canucks uniforms are

much better, but this was definitely rock bottom.

Coolest Climbing Walls

5. Alice in Wonderland Climbing Wall (Japan)

Tired of a ho-hum climbing wall? Check out this whimsical climbing wall at the ILLOIHA fitness club in Japan, as designed by architecture design firm Nendo. It looks straight out of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland!
4. World’s Tallest Climbing Wall (Netherlands)

Athletes Who Lost Their Olympic Medal

5. Marion Jones – United States

Out of all of the athletes on the list, Marion Jones is definitely one who took the hardest fall, but it was entirely her fault. She had a blossoming career that was as successful as ever. Ever since high school she was racking up titles after her success in track and field. A very notable success was her win at the 100 m sprint at the CIF California State Meet; however, even at such a young age, Jones was accused of doping, though this time she had a great attorney. In 1992 at the age of 17, she was invited to compete in the Olympic trials, but she declined the invitation to be an alternate. Instead she competed in the IAAF World Junior

Superstitious Hockey Players

5. Pelle Lindbergh

Former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender, Pelle Lindbergh, use to wear the same orange t-shirt under his equipment during each hockey game. The t-shirt was never washed and when it would start falling apart, he would have it sewn up. During intermissions, he would drink a Swedish beverage called ‘Pripps’. He would only accept the drink if it had two ice cubes, was delivered by a certain team trainer and as long as it was in his right hand. Lindbergh’s quirky habits helped him on the ice with a record of 87 wins, 49 losses and 15 ties in 157 NHL regular season games. Unfortunately, Lindbergh died as a result of a devastating car crash at just 26 years of age.

Shortest NBA Basketball Players

5. Nate Robinson – 5’9″

Nate Robinson plays for the New York Knicks. After having a very successful college career by leading the Washington Huskies to two NCAA basketball tournament appearances, he was the 21st pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. The Phoenix Suns picked him up but he was soon after traded to the New York Knicks. During the 2006 All-Star Weekend, Robinson won the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest. His best dunk was when he jumped over Spud Webb and got the perfect score of 50. Nate topped that performance at the 2009 Dunk Contest by leaping over the 2008 Dunk Contest winner, Dwight Howard (6’11″).

4. Wataru “Kilo Wat” Misaka – 5’7”