The 25 Biggest Sports Fails of 2012

Another year in the books, another round of unforgettable memories from the wide world of sports. We've had great moments like Manchester City winning the English Premier title in the final moments of the final day of the season, and the Colts rallying around their ailing head coach, Chuck Pagano. Stories like those are all well and great, but what about those moments that left us scratching our heads, laughing in total disbelief, and shaking our heads.

That's right, we've round-tabled our faces off to find those moments that some would rather forget. The one's that video cameras were invented for. These crowning achievements haven't broken any records, though, they have taken some away (Sorry, Lance). No, these are just a collection of blunders and errors that give us another reason to watch and listen to the games we love, on and off the court. So, from the NFL replacement referees to Rob Parker questioning RGIII's "blackness," we give you the 25 Biggest Sports Fails of 2012.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

Date: 12/13/2012

"I'm uncomfortable with where we just went." Yeah, you're not the only one Stephen A. First Take contributor, or at least he used to be, Rob Parker managed to earn a spot on the list of biggest fails of 2012 with his recent questioning of RGIII's "blackness." Come on, Rob, it's never a good idea to question someone's racial identity on national TV, and citing your "friends" in D.C. as sources, not exactly first rate journalism. Maybe this will finally be the beginning of the end for a show that often stretches the boundaries of what should constitute sports debating in the first place, and you thought it would be a Tebow segment that pushed Skip over the cliff.

Date: 1/22/2012

Much like Kyle Williams, Billy Cundiff probably should've gotten a note from his doctor too on a certain day in January. A 32-yard chip shot that couldn't have been more shanked, the Ravens once again found a way to shit the bed. The look on Ray Rice's face is just priceless, "What do you mean there's no overtime?" We wonder how scared Cundiff was to shower after the game that night. Baltimore probably should've done a little less kicking, and a little more "Hey, diddle diddle, Ray Rice up the middle."

Date: 9/12/2012

The worst part of this snafu was Francesa's insistent denial that he fell asleep while listening to Sweeny Murti go on about god knows what. Just fess up Mike, shit got boring so you took a snooze. It happens to everyone at some point. We guarantee one thing though, this never would've happened if Chris "Mad Dog" Russo was still doing the show with him. At least he pops up right before he's about to hit the deck, we hope Murti didn't take this too personally.

Date: 2/5/2012

She almost got away without giving into the jeers from those Giants fans, but Gisele just couldn't keep her feelings in anymore. Hey, it's not easy being a supermodel wife whose married to a three-time Super Bowl champion. While waiting for the elevator, in whatever secret bunker viewing area she was in, Gisele let her feelings be known after seeing her husband go down to big blue for the second time in four years. Tom can't throw and catch the ball, it's wasn't his fault the Pats lost. We wonder who she's talking about with regards to those dropped passes. What do you think Wes?

Date: 4/14/2012

The BCS National Championship trophy is worth about $30,000. That was until Carson Tinker's dad tripped on a rug and fell into the trophy, subsequently shattering it into a thousand pieces. We feel like this would have been a perfect Southwest, "Want to get away?" commercial.

Date: 2012

Who knew Ryan Lochte was this, um, special? Seriously, there's no way this chick thinks Lochte has a prayer at getting the right answer to that brain buster math problem. What defines him? It's a simple answer, Jeah! We could recite every line from this one, but we'll just let you enjoy and hit repeat as many times as you see fit. Student-athletes? Yup, we're not buying it either.

Date: 3/2/2012

The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal has dominated much of the NFL landscape this season, and is no doubt responsible in large part for the dismal year the Saints are currently having (6-8). They do have evidence, they don't have evidence. Players are suspended, now they're reinstated. This whole episode reminded us of some old Salem witch hunt, or something out of the McCarthy era. Goodell may have suspended Jonathan Vima, but Vilma wouldn't allow Goodell to eat at his restaurant. Good one, fam. Needless to say, Goodell and Vilma will not be at each other's Thanksgiving dinners next fall. Check out the Gregg Williams audio above, downright disturbing.

Date: 6/19/2012

Russell Westbrook showed his inexperience and youthfulness time and time again last season, but perhaps no more than in this moment. When you're down three with 17 seconds left and a jump ball coming, you're immediate thought cannot be to foul a dude when he's running out of room on the perimeter. Apparently, nobody told that to Westbrook. He committed a head-scratching foul, and gave up any shot the Thunder had at winning game 4 and evening up the series. Miami won the game, took a 3-1 lead, and never looked back.

Date: 3/18/2012

This one is really tough to watch, like if that's a few inches lower, it's Rinaldo's jugular and not his mouth. Here's a tip for Scott HartnelI: It's important to remember that the bottom of your stick, is kind of like the bottom of your skates. They both have a sharp blade. Blades cut things. Don't lift your skates or your sticks near another player, especially when the other player is a teammate. Don't worry Scott, this one's on us.

Date: 5/30/2012

Holler if you know who Rachel Roxxx is fellas. Yeah, we'll wait until your girl leaves the room. The son of the GOAT really should be smoother about how he handles his business. A DM is not a tweet. We're sure Marcus won't make that mistake again. We wonder what percent of Jordan profits go to Marcus' tricking fund?

Date: 1/22/2012

Talk about a "just not your day" moment if there ever was one. Kyle Williams probably would've been better off calling in sick instead of showing up to that NFC Championship game. Williams fumbled twice, including once in overtime that practically gifted the Giants a trip to the Super Bowl. We don't know which was worse worse: the fumbles or the subsequent death threats Williams received from Niners fans? Stay classy, San Fran.

Date: 5/1/2012

We dare you to try and watch this video without laughing out loud hysterically. Surely this dude did not believe he could fly when he took off from that trampoline. It's sad really. He has such determination on his face before he take off. We also have a sneaking suspicion that whoever was in charge of picking people from the crowd knew exactly what they were doing. We're surprised the trampoline got him up as high as it did. We were expecting it to just shatter into a million pieces when he hit it, coils and springs everywhere. This is one we can, and will, watch over and over with delight.

Date: 11/13/2012

This is the layup that made Joshua Smith quit basketball. #nuffsaid

Date: 2012

How hard is it to remember which way you're going on the court, seriously? That play was just one of many fails that JaVale had in 2012. This little montage is the best of the worst for Mr. McGee, and it is some great, terrible stuff, trust us. Salute to the Fail King.

Date: 6/9/2012 & 12/8/2012

2012 certainly has been a year to forget for Manny Pacquiao. Starting with a bogus split decision loss to Timothy Bradley back in June, followed by a knockout at the hands of rival Juan Manuel Marquez just weeks ago. The latest act in this soap opera, Pacquiao's wife has called for his immediate retirement from boxing, citing the fact that her husband has no more to prove in the ring. Pacquiao has also been suspended from boxing for 120 days, and is to avoid all contact related to boxing for the first 90 days. In addition, Pacquiao needs to undergo brain testing to find out just how bad the damage is from the Marquez knockout. Yikes. We wish the eight-division champ a happy and healthy 2013.

Date: 10/22/2012

He denied it for years but shit finally caught up to Lance Armstrong. Seven years, seven yellow jerseys, gone in a flash. While many were shocked to hear about Lance's punishment, people were more shocked that he didn't even refute the charges. With all the money he raised for cancer and the inspiration he brought to so many, Lance will undoubtedly be one of the most controversial athletes in sports history.

Date: 10/29/2012

Here's a real "WTF" moment if we've ever seen one. Red Wings prospect Ryan Sheahan recently introduced himself to the city of Detroit, and everyone else with Internet access, after he was pulled over for some "super drunk" driving. That qualifies as about four times the legal limit if you're wondering. Now, this would be a bad enough first impression on it's own, but it gets much worse. Once cops step out to question the young center, they're in for the shock of their lives. They find Sheahan dressed as a fucking Teletubby. Sheahan was also carrying the ID of teammate Brendan Smith, because you know, Sheahan needed it to get into the bars. The legal drinking age in Michigan is 21 and Ryan was 20 at the time of the incident.

Date: 4/30/2012

You knew it would be on here somewhere. Amar'e Stoudemire took two losses that April night in Miami. One to the Heat, and one to a certain fire extinguisher who shall remain nameless. He said he didn't hit it closed fist, just wanted to rough it up a bit, make some noise. Sounds like he's on defense for some domestic battery charge here. Seriously, how can you even face the media with a straight face after that? How about, I was stupid and I cost my team, no more questions. We wonder if there was a fire extinguisher clause in Stat's contract.

Date: 8/19/2012

We love a good scheme, and by good we mean really, really bad. Everyone knows it's not enough to take PED's, get caught and then suspended. Hell no, son. That's played out. The Melk Man decided to take it one step further and create a fake website that would, in some weird way, exonerate him from the obvious suspension he was facing. #failsonfailsonfails

Date: 11/22/2012

This play epitomizes the Jets season thus far. They just aren't a very good football team, and shit like this seems to just find you when you're not having a good run. It's bad enough to lose to your biggest division rival, during primetime, on Thanksgiving, at home, but uh...where were we going with this again? Well, at least Greg McElroy is having a solid year, right? When pundits discuss the Jets every week, it's not about who will win and lose the game, it's more like who's got the over-under on when Sanchez is getting pulled. Get your shit together, Gang Green.

Date: 9/24/2012

Who can forget this one? The crowning achievement in the story that was the NFL replacement referees. Dubbed the "touchdownception," this was undoubtedly the tipping point in a season that was already teetering on the edge. This one is arguably one of the biggest fails in the history of American sports. While Roger Goodell was busy handing out suspensions maybe he should've been getting this shit worked out before Week 1. Just a thought.

Date: 12/8/2012

Apparently they don't practice free-throw shooting at Appalachian State, because if they did, Brian Okam wouldn't have become the biggest Internet sensation since this dude. Anyway, Okam is famous now for what can barely even pass for an attempt, at shooting a free-throw. And you thought Dwight Howard was a nightmare from the line?

Date: 8/11/2012

If you're looking for a way to lose your girl and your job in a mere matter of days, you need look no farther than Chad Ocho, er, whatever he goes by now. When will homies learn that you have to destroy the evidence? We've all heard the story by now. Chad's newlywed wife Evelyn came home from shopping and found a receipt for a box of condoms.*cue the fireworks* Voices were raised, shouting ensued, and Chad Johnson lost his shit and consequently head-butted his wife. And to think he tried to play it off like she was the one who head-butted him. Tell us then, Chad. Why was she was the one with the three-inch cut on her forehead? We'll wait.