The Greatest Mysteries in Sports History

Image via Complex Original

When: May 2010

This one had the blogs going crazy back in the 2010 playoffs. Rumors surfaced that then-Cavs guard Delonte West was banging none other than teammate LeBron James' mom, Gloria James. Bombastic? Sure. Incredibly controversial? Without a doubt. Impossible? Not so much. West doesn't really lead a life where things like this are unfathomable and Gloria being spotted with younger men. Plenty of gossip sites referenced this rumor as the reason why LeBron was so off during Game 5 of the 2010 Boston series.

Verdict: As much as LeBron haters wanted this story to be true, if asked if Delonte West actively carried on a relationship of sexual nature with Gloria James, any rational thinking person would have to say, "no." People like Calvin Murphy felt LeBron had to be off of his game for some reason, and this story seemed to stick because it made his failures make sense. The NBA, where amazingly ratchet rumors happen.

When: Trend

This one's something that's probably crossed the minds of most male fans at some point: Did the guy who just caught that mean alley-oop or rush for 160 yards and two TDs have sex that day? Considering the surplus of groupies in this day and age, it's not like most of those guys would have trouble finding some. But then there lies the question: Will having sex negatively or positively impact your athletic performance? Muhammad Ali would give up having sex for six weeks before his fights in order to maintain focus and keep energy up. Others have claimed sex has had positive impacts on their game as it has upped their level of aggression and confidence that they can channel in their respective fields.

Verdict: There's got to be something to the fact that the Olympic Committee distributed 150,000 condoms to athletes in the London 2012 games. Doing the nasty in moderation can increase testosterone levels which can aid certain types of athletes, and surely there have been players who've been a little "tired out" after some late night love sessions. We think it'd be idiotic to think it has no affect on athletes, because it can have such a huge effect on regular people. We'll never know how Wilt did it.

When: 12/23/1972

The "Immaculate Reception" that took place in the 1972 divisional playoff game between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the most memorable plays in NFL history. Down 7-6 with 1:17 to go, the Steelers' Terry Bradshaw fires a pass that's intended for John Fuqua but he was hit by safety Jack Tatum, causing the ball to fly backwards into the arms of Steeler back Franco Harris who then ran it in for a TD. What many don't know however, is that by rule, the play should have been an incomplete pass. The rule states that if Fuqua is the only person to hit the ball before Harris catches it, it's an incomplete pass. Harris can only catch it if Tatum is the only person to touch it, or Tatum and Fuqua both touch it. Controversy arose after the game as people who watched the playback said the ball was only initially touched by Fuqua and Fuqua admitted just that post game. It was still ruled a touchdown though, and the play lived in playoff highlights for years.

Verdict: This play should have been ruled an incomplete pass. If you watch the playback and key in on the issue of whether or not Tatum touched the ball along with Fuqua, it looks as though Tatum only makes contact with Fuqua and not the ball, thus ruling Harris an ineligible receiver and the play an incomplete pass. With the implementation of instant replay and the increased amount of camera angles, this play would just have been a play that could have been and not one of the most memorable in sports history.

When: Fall 2012

Manti Te'o allegedly carried on an online relationship with a woman that he believed to be real over a series of a couple months only to be told she passed away. The question everyone had was, did Te'o plan this whole thing for publicity and support from fans for a potential shot at the Heisman?

Verdict: Based on his interviews and the information gathered, we think Te'o legitimately got "Catfished" on this one. Generally he seems to come off as a young guy who did show some initial skepticism regarding her identity but ultimately believed that his girlfriend did exist. It might be a little embarrassing, but in this case it's better to be stupid than shady, and if he can work on that 40 time he'll still get first-round money.

When: 09/20/1973

In the second Battle of the Sexes (1973), Bobby Rigs faced off against Billie Jean King and lost 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in straight sets. The controversy behind this match, however, is that some feel Riggs intentionally threw the match. It can be noted that he beat Margaret Court months earlier in straight sets and she was the No. 1 ranked woman in the world, and there were a lot of balls Riggs didn't go for. Some blame Riggs' old age for those differences, but others believe he legitimately threw it to help both tennis and women's tennis as a whole.

Verdict: Despite the fact that Riggs was much older, based on everything that's known, it'd be hard for a lot of people to believe he gave his all in the match. As aforementioned, that same year he made quick work of a female tennis player that was considered better, not to mention multiple sources say he didn't go for a lot of balls he could have or would have in other situations.

When: 10/06/2005

Back in October of 2005, 17 members of the Minnesota Vikings including Daunte Culpepper, Pat and Kevin Williams, and Fred Smoot rented out two boats on Lake Minnetonka. On said boat it was alleged that multiple sex acts took place in the open. According to the reports players and women on the boat took part in masturbation, anal sex, oral sex, double penetration, and urination. Smoot and Bryant McKinnie plead guilty to disorderly conduct where they faced community service and fines. Is this something a lot of pro athletes or teams do? Is there some sort of subculture in the league for this kind of stuff?

Verdict: This specific "Love Boat" was a one time event, but more events that aren't quite as reckless are probably happening all of the time. We could easily see players renting out boats or hotel suites for parties of a sexual nature. Remember the rumor about Dwyane Wade's weed-laced orgy?  Culpepper's "Get your roll on" dance was never the same.

When: 10/6/1993

One of the biggest NBA myths known to man, is that the reason Michael Jordan retired the first time was because the NBA was investigating his gambling habits and were going to discipline him. Nobody seems to really have any sort of legit source for this rumor, but in the summer of 1993 it was widely publicised that Jordan was a major gambler. So, the story went along with that part of him. Why else would MJ retire at the peak of his powers unless he had to?

Verdict: We have to say that his first retirement was not due to an impending gambling scandal. Yes, he racked up his fair share of gambling debts and might have had a bit of a problem, but after his father's death Jordan's love for the game did fade. It was a draining experience for him and one could see why he would decide to retire and pick up baseball in his dad's honor. Besides, if Stern started disciplining dudes for gambling we might not have had the epic Gilbert Arenas versus Javaris Crittenton showdown.

When: Unknown

The formation of Miami's Big Three of LeBron James, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh was one of the most controversial and captivating moments in offseason sports over the past decade. One of the biggest conversation topics about the story was how and when these three perennial All-Stars decided they'd join forces in South Beach. Was it during the Olympics back in '08? Did they decide that summer after meeting with each of their prospective teams and analyzing the bigger picture? Did they decide midseason which led to LeBron's break down in the playoffs? Many argued that the three struck up a friendship and made a pact to move to Miami well in advance to their free agency visits, and that it was all a meaningless charade to save face. We should've noticed when all three signed short-term extensions in 2006 with their respective teams.

Verdict: If we're being realistic, it's clear a friendship had been built at the '08 Beijing games between the three. Our best guess is that the thought of all three playing together had been talked about on a minor scale, as part of them discussing possibilities once free agency hit, but nothing concrete was set out until after the 2010 playoffs. With LeBron and the Cavs sitting in pretty good shape going in as arguably a Finals favorite, there is no reason to believe LeBron would agree to leave his hometown team for Miami before a playoff failure. Bosh on the other hand, he was all in from the jump.

When: 1984-1996

Those of you who got the chance to watch the recent 30 for 30 documentary, 9.79, can get the true feeling for how track and field was ran in the '80s. In the documentary you get the chance to get into the minds of many of the major contenders of that day and age, including Lewis and Ben Johnson. In the piece, throughout interviews and investigations, it's noted Lewis was never disqualified for PED use. But many of his opponents admitted to using and he, without a doubt, would have to test his physical abilities against them. Lewis did admit to failing three tests before the 1988 Olympics but it was ruled "inadvertent" use which allowed him to still compete. Some say it was a positive that was pushed under the rug to make the Games more successful while others believed the "inadvertent" claim.

Vedict: Based on the failed drug test due to "inadvertent" use and the sheer number of other athletes that were using drugs, we can't help but believe Lewis was juicing. It was his stance to rid the sport of doping, but it almost seems impossible for somebody to remain that good against guys who are using PEDs without using them himself. Not to mention the fact that one of the side effects of growth hormone is a jaw disorder which prompted a lot of runners to get braces as adults. Lewis sported railroad tracks on his way to Olympic gold.

When: 5/25/1965

After Ali whooped up on Sonny Liston to claim his heavyweight title, they faced off in a rematch months later. Ali knocked him out with the famed "Phantom Punch" early in the first. The controversy surrounding this punch was in regards to Liston's reported gambling problem. He allegedly was so deep in debt, he decided to bet against himself and, in turn, make up some of the money owed by throwing the fight. Many speculated that Ali's initial punch doesn't connect with enough force generally associated with a good knockout. Others have said he was scared of Ali because of their first fight.

Verdict: Going off of how shady boxing is, we wouldn't put this past Liston, but ultimately we just think it was a cold case of "I don't want none of that" from Liston. Ali was getting better with every fight and showed Liston that he could beat him with his rare combo of power and speed. It seemed like Liston figured that out real quick in their rematch. Man down!

When: August 1997

In August 1997 it's alleged that the Orioles' Cal Ripken, Jr. had Kevin Costner staying with him and his wife. Ripken reportedly came home to find his wife with Costner. In a fit of rage, Ripken allegedly called to inform the team he would not be able to play that night which would have broken his consecutive games streak and thus lose a major draw for the fans. With all that in mind, it's alleged the Orioles staged a power outage to stop the game from happening and maintaining his "Iron Man" streak.

Verdict: This one is probably not true based on a couple of quick facts. First, it would have been a story if Ripken wasn't in warm-ups or walkthroughs earlier in the day because of the games streak and that never was reported. Not to mention nobody really ever knowing the extent of Ripken and Costner's relationship and if Costner was in fact staying with Ripken as the story says. Outside of that any fight or arrest between the two would be front page news so we just can't believe it was kept under wraps. Fun fact: Ripken actually addressed the rumor over a decade after the fact.

When: Ongoing

If you've been anywhere near ESPN over the past few months, you've seen your fair share of the great Ray Lewis. Inspiring and intense are words not even close to being good enough to describe his demeanor and the degrees to which he goes emotionally. Recently, the question has been asked, "Is this all real, or is this for show?" There aren't a lot of people walking around like Ray Lewis so this is fair in that sense, but he does seem to generally have a genuine appeal people love. At times, media members have said they believe he is trying to play up his religion or emotion to gain more notoriety, while others feel it's just how Lewis is.

Verdict: Sure Ray Lewis is not like every other guy out there and does have a great intensity about him, but it would be ridiculous to think he isn't mindful of the cameras are watching when he does some of the things he does. He also plays professional football which requires a little more emotion from it's players than working as an investment banker. Ray's definitely a different being, but he's also someone who knows how the business aspect of sports works as well. But whatever he's doing works. Didn't the Ravens just win the Super Bowl?

When: 01/26/2003

So we all know the Barret Robbins story: The day before the Super Bowl he disappears to Tijuana and gets wasted like there's no tomorrow, fully believing his team already won. Which in turn leads to him being replaced for the big game and ending up in a Betty Ford clinic.

Recently though, Tim Brown believed there was some foul play prior to Super Bowl XXXVII by head coach Bill Callahan, a notion teammate Jerry Rice supported. They both, along with a few others, thought that the game plan they went in with for most of the week was changed last minute potentially to help Callahan's buddy Jon Gruden get the win. It's not often that players come out and say stuff like this, but two of the most respected did in this situation and its hard to ignore them. Callahan has denied any theory or sentiment that he threw the game or didn't want to win, but the mystery still lives on. What the hell happened to the team that week? Did Callahan really throw the game or just coach horribly? Did this whole ordeal cause Robbins' episode? Should the Bucs Super Bowl win be forever tainted?

Verdict: When it comes to the Raiders and Super Bowl XXXVII, we'd have to disagree with Brown and Rice on this one. When you get a shot at the Super Bowl, you just don't pass that up. Regardless of personal relationships Callahan might have had with Gruden or his staff, there's not enough evidence to support their claim. Our best guess for the changes and what seemed like him throwing the game, was nothing more than a classic choke job under pressure. Let's be honest, he wasn't the greatest coach and the last minute game plan change proves that. When it comes to Robbins though, we can't help but think that the potential changes might have screwed with his head a little bit. The Super Bowl brings on ultimate pressure and that paired with bipolar disorder, caused Robbins' breakdown.

When: 06/30/2003

For all the young folks out there that weren't old enough to really wrap your heads around the O.J. case, the Kobe rape trial has been your biggest sports case to date. A clean-cut Kobe Bryant was charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel employee in the summer of 2003 in Eagle, CO. Bryant admitted to having sex, but that it was consensual and he never assaulted the alleged victim. Evidence from the case showed that the victim showed up to her rape kit with underwear containing pubic hair and seamen from another man, but there was also DNA evidence of the victim's blood on Bryant's shirt that corroborated a struggle. The charges were dismissed because the accuser was unwilling to testify and the prosecutors case wasn't strong enough without it, but a civil case was also brought to Kobe by the accuser that he settled out of court.

Verdict: Oh, you thought we were going there? Think again. Whether adultery or rape, this is incident was definitely Mr. Bryant's most jackass moment of his career and forever changed his public persona.

When: 07/30/1966

The biggest match of their football careers, England and West Germany squared off in the 1966 World Cup final and it was a doozie. The relatively easily matched game was compelling throughout. After ending all even in the first 90, they went to extra time. In extra time, however, Geoff Hurst took a shot off a cross that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down along the goal line. After a moment of uncertainty head referee Gottfried Dienst consulted his linesman Tofik Bakhramov and ruled it a goal, giving Hurst his hat trick and England a lead. Tons of fans watching in the stadium as well as the 400 million watching at home questioned whether the ball crossed the line, and arguments ensued across the globe. England went on to score another goal and won the match 4-2, giving them their first and only World Cup win. But the goal has lived in infamy for it's inconclusive nature in the form of Adidas and Kit Kat commercials.

Verdict: Watching the playback, eight out of 10 times that's ruled no goal. This one took place on the biggest stage and was the biggest goal of the game, so it's pretty inexcusable of Dienst to make that ruling when it was that questionable. Had England not scored the fourth goal for good measure it'd be an even bigger controversy. 

When: 6/11/1997

We know what you're thinking. MJ's the greatest of all time and completed this superhuman feat of 38 points, 7 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals and a block with the flu and that's all there is to it. We wouldn't be the first to question this ridiculous game from his Airness though. Others have questioned if it really was the flu? Most recently, when asked, Jalen Rose said it was a mix of a hangover and actually being sick, while countless others have speculated that it was all hangover due to Jordan's rep. There's no wonder why MJ and the Bulls went with the flu story. Reports went from the stomach virus to food poisoning to the flu, so it'd be foolish to say many knew with certainty what his condition was.

Verdict: MJ most definitely had a sickness of some sort. Let's be honest, since when was Utah nightlife poppin'? If we know Michael Jordan when it comes to crunch time and the Finals, there's no way he was out partying or getting wasted the night before a big game. Instead, he probably had a calm night of gambling and studying game tape. Advantage GOAT.

When: May 18, 2002 - June 2, 2002

If you're a true NBA fan you remember this classic series like it was yesterday. The upstart Sacramento Kings faced off against the seemingly unbeatable Los Angeles Lakers. Every game was played close with the Kings leading the series 3-2 after five. Then there was Game 6. The Kings had some tough calls against them leading to the Lakers winning the game, and eventually the series. The controversy with this one lies with something everyone's favorite former NBA ref, Tim Donaghy, let out in '08. He alleged Game 6 was rigged by two of the referees acting in the interests of the league to get the series to a Game 7. It's one thing if some drunk fan is yelling at the screen that the refs are cheating his squad, but it's another altogether when a former ref who's already hit rock bottom releases this info to the public. Was this something Stern and the NBA had done before or continue to do? Does the playback agree with Donaghy's claims?

Verdict: The calls during that game are too laughably bad for us to believe the refs didn't have some sort of vested interest in a Laker win. Tim Donaghy didn't have much to gain by releasing the claim, so we honestly have to believe him in this case. If we were betting on it--pun intended--, we'd also say this wasn't the first nor the last time refs worked in the best interests of the league and sway a game one way or another. We all know about the superstar calls, but this is just on a whole new level. Maybe the league felt they needed the Lakers because of the weak Eastern Conference? A Sacramento/Jersey Final wouldn't have broken the box office. Either way we can watch highlights of Sac-town in their glory years all day and wonder what if.

When: 5/11/2010

The scene: Game 5 of the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Celtics at home tied 2-2. A point where playoff greatness could be born. In this big game with his No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, league MVP LeBron James drops 15 points on 20 percent shooting and 14 total attempts. What the hell happened? Speculation spread like wildfire about what happened to LeBron. Did Delonte West bang his mom and make everything too awkward? Did he know he was bolting for Miami so he didn't care to give his all? Did Boston and KG psych him out and create this incredibly off game? What in the world made the apparent best basketball player on Earth turn into mush?

Verdict: We're going to go with the combo meal on this one. There's no way LeBron didn't have any sort of inkling towards him leaving Cleveland for another potential destination and it'd be hard for anybody to give their all with that in the back of their mind. At this point in his career though, it should be noted that KG and Pierce owned LeBron and the Cavs. It's also not hard to fathom their shit-talking and physical play led to the King's lackluster performance. Plus, we can't talk enough about the rest of the Cavs sucking, LeBron was so good he made Mo Williams an All-Star and they won 61 games with a group of role players and a decrepit Shaq.

When: 6/18/1985

Now this one is nothing short of sports conspiracy theorist gold. The mystery here lies in whether or not you believe in the rigging of the 1985 NBA Draft Lottery. 1985 marked the first year the NBA introduced their Lottery system. Instead of just assigning the picks based on record, teams would instead be given lottery odds based on how bad their record was. With Georgetown's Patrick Ewing up for grabs with the No. 1 pick, and what do you know, the lowly New York Knicks won the rights to draft him. Considering the great market the Knicks are in and how great Ewing was, skeptics claimed it was rigged to set up the big man in New York. One major theory was that the Knicks envelope was frozen beforehand and another theory suggested that there was a crease on it.

Verdict: There's not a shadow of doubt in our minds that David Stern fixed this Draft. It was his first Lottery, so it gave him more leeway than usual as far as the outcome and fan reaction goes. Also, the Knicks had stunk for a long time and this gave him the opportunity to give them a centerpiece to work with for years to come. This would be both incredibly profitable for the Knicks and the league as a whole and with the NBA needing a star in New York, it makes too much sense. There are videos online that dissect the actual envelope selection, but we wouldn't put anything past Stern when it comes to making his league the better.