The 11 Most Savage Trash Talking Lines in Sports History

Different feuds may come and go, but some of these lines are just immortal. So with that said, here the 11 most savage trash talking lines in sports history featuring legends like Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Kevin Garnett, and Muhammad Ali.

Mike Tyson up close and personal.
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports/Adam Hunger

Mike Tyson up close and personal.

Talking trash is as much a part of sports as the games themselves.

Sports is an entertainment platform, and plenty of athletes love to extend that entertainment beyond the field. Whether it’s Muhammad Ali declaring himself the "Greatest of all time" or some random player on the Steelers guaranteeing a win against the undefeated Patriots (which did happen), trash talk always provides an extra element.

And sometimes, people take things a little…too far. Athletes are a competitive bunch, and a lot of that reflects in their feuds. They don’t always use the cookie-cutter language they do on the Nike commercials, so things can get a bit contentious. Some of these lines are funny, some are lyrically crafted, and others are just plain mean. 

Different feuds may come and go, but some of these lines are just immortal. So with that said, here the 11 most savage trash talking lines in sports history.

11. Mike Tyson's diabolical boast.

25 things mike tyson beat seven prostitutes

10. Kevin Garnett (allegedly) went there with Charlie Villanueva.

Kevin Garnett screaming on the court.

Spoken to: Charlie Villanueva

Line: “Cancer patient.”

Garnett allegedly crossed the line by a lightyear here.

After a Celtics-Pistons game in 2010, Charlie Villanueva alleged that Garnett called him a “cancer patient.” Villanueva suffers from alopecia universalis, a disease that makes him unable to grow hair. Garnett denied having called him a cancer patient, and issued the following statement:

"I am aware there was a major miscommunication regarding something I said on the court last night. My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact: You are cancerous to your team and our league. I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball."

Even if Garnett was telling the truth, why would you even use the word “cancer” with someone like Villanueva?

9. Shaq Flames the Sacramento Queens.

Shaquille O'Neal speaks at a function.

8. DeShawn Stevenson pulls on Superman's cape.

DeSHawn Stevenson LeBron James 2011 NBA Finals

7. Terrell Owens rips his quarterbacks.

Terrell Owens Ravens Eagles 2004 Getty

6. Conor McGregor with the ultimate educational burn.

Conor McGregor taunts Floyd Mayweather during their introductory press conference.

5. Richard Sherman doesn't waste any words.

Richard Sherman.

4. Bill Belichick doesn't have time for mouthy wide receivers.

Bill Belichick looking like a bum during the Patriots Bills game.

3. Michael Jordan's (alleged) sick burn.

Michael Jordan

Spoken about: Muggsy Bogues

Line: "Shoot it you fucking midget."

This is one in unconfirmed, coming from a friend-of-a-friend who apparently went to dinner with former Bulls and Hornets assistant coach Johnny Bach. An anonymous tipster sent a few interesting anecdotes from this alleged dinner to Deadspin a while back. Here’s the bit about how Michael Jordan allegedly ruined Muggsy Bogues’ career:

“When Johnny was coaching with the Hornets in 1995 they had a good team. Glen Rice, [Alonzo] Mourning, [Larry] Johnson. Series was tied at 2 and Hornets had a chance to win game 5 in Chicago. On the biggest possession of the game, Mugsy had the ball with the Hornets down 1. Jordan backed off of him and told him: “shoot it you fucking midget.” Mugsy shot it, didn’t come close. A year later Mugsy actually told Johnny Bach that he believes that single play ruined his career. His shot never recovered.”

It’s worth noting that the Bulls defeated the Hornets in four games in 1995, so the series was never tied at two. But Bogues did miss a shot over Jordan late in a tie game in that series:

Whether or not Jordan said this, Bogues’ career fell off a cliff after 1995, as he never averaged double-figures again—as he had done in the three previous seasons.

2. Scottie Pippen verbally dunks on The Mailman.

Ken Blaze

1. Muhammad Ali put the world on notice.

Muhammad Ali

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