Notable Moments of Physical Violence in Sports History (Video)

A look at moments (with video) of violent outbursts in the midst of sporting events.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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We've all seen it happen from the backyard to the TV screen. A game gets a little too heated. A rivalry goes a little too far. Boom! All a sudden you got a full scale melee. What was intended as fun has now become a fistfight, a beanball war, or something far worse. A lot of the entries on this list occurred within the field of play, but a select few made their way outside the lines. Which is worse is up to you.

One thing that we can say is that all these incidents are unanimously avoidable. You're watching a number of incidents of athletes who get caught up in the moment and commit fairly serious crimes in front of thousands (sometimes millions) of witnesses. Almost always, it gets written off as competitive people getting a little too worked up instead of, say, battery or assault.

In honor of Zinedine Zidane's 42nd birthday, here's a handful of Notable Moments of Physical Violence in Sports History (with video!) That fact that his birthday just so happens to coincide with the World Cup is a sheer (yet fortunate) coincidence.

*Note: For the record, these are only incidents that were caught on tape. If you're wondering why (blank guy from the early 1900s) isn't on here, it's because it's not on YouTube. People don't want to read descriptions of fights, they want to watch them. World Star is quietly building an empire based around that very premise.*

Juan Marichal is the rare pitcher who could hit.

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There was a time when fighting was allowed in the NBA.

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Soccer players can't use hands in fights, either.

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A delirious Trevor Berbick is clearly upset about getting kicked and punched.

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Rob Ray gives fan the full NHL experience.

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An insane fan stabs Monica Seles.

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Robin Ventura won't get off Nolan Ryan's lawn.

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Albert Belle takes no prisoners.

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Dennis Rodman didn't want a camera guy to have kids.

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Mike Tyson fights Evander Holy s*it!...Did he just bite his ear off?

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Armando Benitez decides to start a riot.

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Marty McSorley hits Donald Brashear in the temple after losing a fight to him earlier in the game.

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Izzy Alcantara gets the drop on the catcher.

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Who sucker punches at a charity event?

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Tom Gamboa gets jumped by drunk guy and his 15-year-old son (who is also drunk).

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Randall Simon's attempt at humor gets him arrested.

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Paul Wilson charged the wrong mound.

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Kellen Huston don't love no fan.

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Pedro isn't buying what Don's selling.

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Todd Bertuzzi ruins Steve Moore's career.

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Remember when the Pistons had a "Get Punched in the Face Night?"

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A catcher didn't appreciate being tackled at the plate by another catcher. LOL Whut?

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The most famous headbutt in sports history.

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Michael Simko let road rage get the best of him.

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He was just trying to give away free souvenirs.

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LeGarrette Blount doesn't get smoked, he smokes fools.

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Andrew Bynum loses with class.

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A former doubles partner shows who was the alpha.

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