The 50 Most Badass Sports Celebrations

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Image via Complex Original
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The 50 Most Badass Sports Celebrations

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Brandi Chastain Goes Topless

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Female athletes seem to get more shine for their sexy bodies than their on-field achievements, so hey—who are we to break the norm? At the Women's World Cup in '99, U.S. defender Brandi lived up to her stripper-ish name by giving us one two good reasons to cheer the host country's victory. Too bad her bra was more Under Armour than Vickie's Secret. 

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Darius Miles Head Bump

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The much-hyped Miles burst onto the NBA scene straight from prep school (remember this?) after he was selected by the L.A. Clippers with the third overall pick in the 2000 draft. After a promising start to his pro campaign, Miles's career ended after just eight seasons due to chronic injuries. His main legacy remains the infectious head-bump celebrations that he shared with teammate Quentin Richardson. Hey, better than nothing. *Bumps head*

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Robert Horry Moves the Crowd

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"Big Shot Rob"'s biggest shot might've been this, from Game Four of the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings. Though we love choreographed celebrations, sometimes our favorite ones are spontaneous, like Horry's hands-behind-the-back, "I'm the fucking shit" prance down the court after nailing the buzzer-beating trey. Soundtrack for this clip? "Can't Tell Me Nothing."

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Steve Smith Rows the Boat

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Vikings CB Fred Smoot—he of "sex boat" infamy—had the temerity to trash-talk Panthers WR Steve Smith before their October 2005 match-up. Thus motivated, Smith went on to torch Smoot and the Vikes all afternoon long, culminating in this mocking "rowboat" celebration after a big 69-yard grab. That ain't Lake Minnetonka! 

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Jamal Anderson Dirty Bird

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Anderson's career was cut short in '01 due to a knee injury, but the Falcons RB always gave fans their money's worth with his same ol' two-step celebration. Dancing with the Stars, where you at?

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Arena League Player Spikes Ref

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Ovechkin Bench Jump

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Ovie's had a lot of memorable celebrations, from his trademark board-smash to the infamous "too-hot" stick dance, but we're partial to this one for its joy x spontaneity collabo. Only a real dude can make a man-wich look that cool. 

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Prince Fielder Walk-Off "Bomb"

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Group celebrations are rarely ever seen in baseball, unless it's 40 grown-ass men piling on top of one another after a pennant/World Series win. That's why this routine after Fielder's walk-off HR against the Giants not only gets a plus for originality, but also another for being less suspect than the aforementioned standard.

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Justin Gage Fakes Out Fan

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Titans WR Gage is kind of a douche for this stunt, which we haven't seen since the days we played in a sandbox. But in all fairness to Gage, the fat, nerdy Steelers fan bought it hook, line, and sinker—which also makes it kind of awesome. Son, you too eager!

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Baron Davis Lifts Jersey

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For whatever reason, a short black man flushing it on a much taller white guy is one of the most exhilarating moments in sports. Baron Davis (6'3") gave us one of our favorite dunks ever when he shitted all over AK47 (6'9"), then defiantly lifted his jersey to punctuate the emasculation. In this case Andrei gets an "L" for effort.

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Ochocinco Lambeau Leap

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David Anderson Conan Dance

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Believe it or not, people were watching evening talk shows before NBC's recent Late Night host debacle—people like David Anderson, who somehow thought to pull out Conan's string dance on a rare trip to the end zone. Too bad most totally missed the reference and just thought: "Awww, goofy white-man dance."

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Cristiano Lucarelli Dry Humps Jersey

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This is Italian soccer, so you know what he's simulating, right? Anal.

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Sean Avery Push-Ups

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Wade's Revenge

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Rodney Carney (who?) might've gotten gassed when he posterized Dwyane Wade in the 2nd quarter of a Sixers-Heat game, but don't let those funny T-Mobile ads fool you—Wade is from Chicago. The SOUTH SIDE of Chicago. Like Roy Jones, y'all musta forgot! Rodney figured it out in the 4th quarter, when Wade took his manhood. Definitely worth the "T," and then some.

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Carl Edwards Back Flip

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There's the circular burnout, the abbreviated fist pump, or—if you want to get a little theatrical with it—Tony Stewart's fence-climb, fist-pump combo. But no NASCAR celebration can top the back flip. You can almost hear the sponsors gasp when the former Rookie of the Year, Carl Edwards, climbed to the top of his car to flip back down. Is he the originator? Nah: Tyler Walker, who's currently suspended for drug use, started doing it a decade ago—but he's never won a NASCAR race. That's why it was Edwards who Ford and Aflac tapped to back-flip in their commercials. You know how it goes: to the victor goes the spoils.

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Teemu Selanne Shotgun

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When Selänne scored the 54th goal of his rookie campaign—breaking the record of Islander great Mike Bossy—the Finnish Flash got so hyped, he went all Tony Montana on us. Good thing the NHL doesn't have a gun problem.

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Jordan Swag-Jacks Mutombo

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Getting posterized by Michael Jordan sucks. Getting posterized by Michael Jordan in the NBA Playoffs after claiming he'd never dunked on you, and then having him steal your signature "finger wag"? Well that pretty much sucks donkey balls and qualifies as a complete fail.

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The Ruud Payback

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We're all for taunting an opponent, but timing is everything. Tiny Andorra was already losing 3-0 to Holland when van Nistelrooy missed a meaningless late penalty. Cue Andorran dude laughing directly in Ruud's long face. Just a few minutes later, however, the Dutch master scored on his own, and then got revenge on some instant karma shit. Ruud awakening for Andorran dude: Know your role, lil' homie.

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BJ Penn Licks His Gloves

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In one of the bloodiest UFC bouts you'll ever see, The Prodigy goes straight primal on Joe Stevenson, beating the bodily fluids out of him, then sampling the fare off of his soaked gloves. (Ed. note: The original glove-licking video has been taken down, but you can watch the finale of the fight above to get an idea of the bloody BJ. Yummy.)

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Robbie Fowler Snorts the Line

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The temperamental English striker responded to allegations of cocaine use by "sniffing" the white lines of the penalty area after scoring a goal. Yeah, that'll show 'em you're not on drugs, Robbie!

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Shawn Kemp Points and Laughs

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This is what Shawn Kemp played like when he was known as The Reignman and regularly shit on people. After he became a cautionary tale whose career was sidetracked by booze, drugs, and eight children by six different women—well, let's just say he wasn't dunking like this anymore.

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Jumping Joe Carter

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Carter jacked nearly 400 home runs in his 16-year career, none more important than this '93 World Series-clinching walk-off against the Phillies. Carter's still walking on air. Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams still has nightmares.

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Adebayor Taunts Arsenal

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Not satisfied with scoring the goal that effectively put away his former team in this 2009 match, Adebayor ran the entire length of the pitch to taunt the legions of Arsenal fans who had traveled to the game. Even Ron-Ron was like, "Damn, that's kind of unnecessary, son."

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T.O. Mocks Ray Lewis

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Ray Lewis started talking greasy about T.O. on Baltimore sports radio after Owens bailed on a potential trade to the Ravens because he wanted to play in Philly. But this was hardly retaliation on Owens' part. Doesn't T.O. know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?

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Michael Phelps Goes Super Saiyan

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Prior to becoming King Bong in the Toke Seen 'Round the World, Phelps was busy racking up more Olympic gold medals (14) than any athlete in history. After the U.S. men's swim team won the 4x100 freestyle relay in Beijing, Phelps bugged out in a way that entertained Dragon Ball Z fans and weed fiends alike.

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Pippen Stands Over Ewing

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Calling it the best and "probably the easiest dunk I ever did," Pippen's near tea-bagging of the seven-footer Ewing encapsulated the brutal Bulls-Knicks rivalry of the '90s. The feat itself was worthy of admiration, but the follow-up taunt made it legendary.

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Maurice Greene Extinguishes Shoes

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Mo Greene was consistently setting tracks on fire in 2004, but after admitting to using performance enhancing drugs, both his showboating and career were put out.

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Dikembe Mutombo Hits Floor

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In regards to the 1994 first-round battle between his eight-seeded Denver Nuggets and the first-seeded Seattle Supersonics, center Dikembe Mutombo said: "I don't like to be rude, but these are the playoffs. Nobody invites you into their house. You just have to go in and get comfortable." And boy did Dikembe ever get comfortable, leading the Nuggets to a historic upset of the #1 seed, then laying on the floor in utter ecstasy. Fuck yo' couch!

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Tito Ortiz Grave Digger

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You mad that Tito Ortiz didn't win gracefully when he handed Evan Tanner his first loss ever? Well, you tell him.

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MJ's Shrug

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Ochocinco River Dance

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Ochocinco danced an Irish jig after scoring during a 2005 game against Chicago. Ball's in your court, Michael Flatley. Can you do the stanky leg?

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The Ickey Shuffle

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Elbert Woods (yes, Elbert) not only had one of the greatest nicknames in NFL history, but was a pioneer of celebrations. Bengals fans rabidly anticipated Ickey crossing the goal line, not merely for the six points, but for the excitement that only a man, a football, and a suspect two-step can bring. Ick on, Sticky Ickey.

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Kirk Gibson's Fist Pump

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Way before those kids on Jersey Shore, Kirk brought the fist pump to homes across America after this Game 1-winning homer that helped lead the Dodgers to the World Series title. Gibson may have retired nearly 20 years ago, but the fist pump lives on.

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Ahn Jung-Hwan Speed Skates

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When Ahn scored this crucial goal against the U.S. in the '02 World Cup, he couldn't resist a little vindictive anti-American jab: The "speed-skating" celebration was a pointed reference to Apolo Ohno's controversial DQ win over a Korean at the Salt Lake City Games six months earlier. Korea only got good at soccer that year, but it's been awesome at holding grudges since....forever.

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Tiger's Favorite Pump

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That Tiger, he's good at pumping, isn't he?

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Joe Horn Phones Home

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Joe Horn ended up with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike and $30,000 in fines after this end-zone call to his kids. Not only was this one of the most original celebrations we've seen, but it also edged out that long emo convo you had with that chick you met in Europe for the most expensive cellphone call ever made.

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Theo Fleury's Slide

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You can't blame Theo Fleury for being excited. Once deemed too small to play in the NHL, he scored the game-winning OT goal on enemy ice in Game 6 of the 1991 Smythe Division semifinals. Too bad the Flames lost Game 7 and ended up sliding right out of the playoffs.

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Randy Moss Moons Lambeau

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After Moss gave Packer fans a face full of his pretend-ass, the NFL fined him $10,000 (and Joe Buck nearly lost his mind). Moss, being the humble guy he is, told reporters, "Ain't nothing but 10 grand. What's 10 grand to me?" Well then, next time man up and go full-frontal, homie.

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Iverson Skips Over Lue

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In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Lakers coach Phil Jackson sent Tyronn Lue to stop the NBA MVP, and for the most part, the scrub handled the superstar...then came OT, when AI walked all over Lou (literally and figuratively) by scoring 7 points and sealing the upset win. Sadly, these days A.I. plays a lot like Lue.

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T.O. on the Dallas Star

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Before becoming the poster boy for bitch-made WRs in the NFL, T.O. was pretty entertaining. There was the Sharpie, the popcorn, and the pom-poms, but no celebration got an opposing team more pissed than this clip. Owens was fined $24,000 and suspended for a week as a result, but we're sure he'd tell you: It was well worth it.

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Bulldogs Storm the Field

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Critics said Georgia coach Mark Richt's decision to clear his entire bench for a first-quarter TD celebration was wrong. Fuckouttahere, critics! Leave the hating to the refs. Seeing as how Georgia went on to stomp Florida out 42-30, it really wasn't such a bad idea.

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Jimmy V Rushes Court

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Through the years Jimmy V maintained that he was confident his Wolfpack would beat the highly-favored Houston Cougars in the '83 national championship game, but it sure didn't look like he'd done much prep work for his celebration. Its rivals deride NCSU as an "agriculture school," so it's only fitting that Valvano's race around the court to find somebody to hug kinda looks like the human representation of a chicken with its head cut off. Bonus celebration points for Cozell McQueen and Ernie Myers climbing up on top of the backboard.

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Usain Bolt Coasts to Record

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Just like Usain didn't deem it necessary to run the entire race, we don't feel it's necessary to finish th—yeah, that's how good we are.

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Desmond Howard Heisman Pose

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Before college football became a little less badass by banning excessive celebrations the following year, Desmond shit on every Buckeye fan and Heisman candidate with this legendary pose. Since then, it's been imitated by everyone from Pee Wee leaguers to Southern rappers, but there can only be one O.G.

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Muhammad Ali's Shuffle

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After winning his first title, the boxer formerly known as Cassius Clay proved why he's remembered as "The Greatest": He talked more shit than your favorite athlete and backed that shit up. Son!

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Randall Hill Shoots 'Em Up

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Texas had an outside shot at a national title in the '91 Cotton Bowl, while Miami had "nothing to play for"—except embarrassing the shit out of the Longhorns, racking up over 200 yards in penalties on their way to a 48-3 win. Randall Hill didn't even pick up a flag for running halfway down the tunnel after scoring a second-half TD, and the only rebuke he got from the announcer was a joking "Come on back Randall!" If Hill had done that today they'd probably launch a Congressional investigation.

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Deion Sanders' Gangsta Boogie

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As an opposing player, what's worse than seeing Deion Sanders start high-stepping 15 yards before even reaching the goal line? Probably seeing some scrub who grew up idolizing him doing the same after scoring a TD. Dashes to the end zone were never the same after Prime Time left his indelible mark on the game.

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Reggie Miller's Choke Sign

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Miller now runs (and runs, and runs, and...) his mouth for TNT, but in the mid-'90s, one of the deadliest shooters in NBA history had a running "dialogue" with the world's most famous Knick fan at the World's Most Famous Arena. We're sure several others in attendance politely invited Mr. Miller to choke on something following this performance. Disrespectfully awesome.

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Jordan Hits "The Shot"

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Jordan ripped plenty of hearts out on his way to becoming arguably the NBA's G.O.A.T., but Cleveland bore a disproportionate brunt of the pain. MJ started shitting on the Cavs in 1989 by eliminating them from the playoffs with the game-winning jumper simply called "The Shot." Everything about is legendary: MJ's unbridled passion, Craig Ehlo's crumbling to the ground, Doug Collins' reaction, and the celebratory mob of Bulls. It's the stuff that Gatorade commercials are made of!

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