The 15 Worst Plays of 2016

Sometimes you hit the game-winning shot, and sometimes you dribble the ball off your own face. These are the worst sports plays of 2016.

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Complex Original

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There are untold millions of plays in any given sports year, most of which are immediately forgotten as soon as the whistle blows or the next batter comes to the plate. Some are remembered because they’re so epic—think Kyrie Irving’s NBA Finals-winning shot, Odell Beckham Jr.’s ludicrous catch, Jose Bautista’s homer and ensuing bat flip for the ages. These are not those plays. These are the other ones you remember, for the exact opposite reason.

Many bad things happen in sports. Not injuries, which are genuinely bad, but mishaps and misplays where even the most talented athletes in the world wind up looking like, for lack of a better word, chumps. You’ll find some everyday guys in here, to be sure, but you’ll also find an NFL MVP, a two-time (unanimous once!) NBA MVP, and a five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Even the best can be the worst.

J.R. Smith ignores basketball duties, daps Jason Terry instead.

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Cam Newton makes a "business decision" during the Super Bowl.

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Steph Curry gets fancy, behind-the-back passes away a championship.

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Brandon Jennings shows off the rare 11-step travel.

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Sam Dekker dribbles off his face, out of bounds.

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Jose Altuve outruns himself going for the cycle.

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Olympic gymnast breaks his leg.

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Grayson Allen goes for the trip trifecta.

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Tyrod Taylor lines up under guard.

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Messi misses penalty kick, considers quitting international play.

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Marcus Smart gives Academy Award-worthy flop performance.

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South Carolina State returner forgets how touchbacks work.

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Hockey player somehow misses empty net goal.

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Japanese pole vaulter DQ'd by D.

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B-Hop gets knocked into the center of the earth.

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