Image via Complex Original
Mistakes happen all the times. Typos and misspelled words are a part of life and sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. Unfortunately, these mistakes happen on the grandest stage of them all, the professional sports arena. Sports jerseys are never safe in this situation. Jersey misspellings happen with some of the most complicated names, but they also happen with some of the most common last names in history. When errors on last names like Williams and Smith happen, you have to scratch your head on how these blunders occur. Here are the Worst Jersey Spelling Fails in Sports History.
(Check out the Uni Watch blog for more.)
35. Mark Brunell, Washington Redskins
Date: 9/11/2005
We know Mark Brunell was the quarterback and leader of the Redskins, but this is a team sport, not individual.
34. Adam Everett, Minnesota Twins
Date: 8/23/2008
If only "Minnestoa" was a state complemented by the great city of "Minnaeapolis"
33. Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta Braves
Date: 8/31/2007
The Atlanta Braves need to put their thinking caps on.
32. Eliezer Alfonzo, San Francisco Giants
Date: 6/3/2006
This is how you get introduced into the brotherhood of the MLB. Haven't they ever heard of Edgardo?
31. Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Date: 9/30/2012
The typo probably didn't do to well to help Greinke's anxiety problems.
30. Jeff Manship, Minnesota Twins
Date: 6/6/2012
This is just unforgivable. Ship is such an easy word.
29. Ryan Jorgensen, Cincinnati Reds
Date: 8/26/2007
Jorgensen didn't have much time to even wear a jersey after he was suspended 50 games for steroid use.
28. Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets
Date: 3/14/2011
It's okay, no one really noticed the typo with all those tattoos.
27. Justin Duchscherer, Baltimore Orioles
Date: 2/20/2011
With that last name, we don't blame you, bruh.
26. Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers
Date: 1/31/2011
Next thing you know someone's going to spell his last name Kamehameha.
25. Danny Jennings, West Virginia
Date: 11/21/2010
As far as spelling typos and mistakes, amateurs get no love.
24. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
Date: 9/26/2010
It's okay. Gronk probably just danced it it off after.
23. Chris Andersen, Denver Nuggets
Date: 2/21/2004
With the confusion over his name, Andersen might as well just change his last name to "Birdman Birdman"
22. Jason Smith, New Orleans Hornets
Date: 3/27/2011
This is a major fail. Smith has to be one of the hardest last names to misspell.
21. Eugenio Velez, San Francisco Giants
Date: 4/8/2010
The Bay, where they go dumb...
20. Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta Hawks
Date: 3/20/2010
Zaza's a free agent this summer and will put in a clause that you have to spell his name right if he's going to sign.
19. Adam Riggs, Anaheim Angels
Date: 8/16/2003
Adam Riggs had barely been in the league when this mistake happened. Welcome to the Show.
18. Rob Niedermayer, Buffalo Sabres
Date: 1/25/2011
Just replace Oscar with Nieder, and it would've been so much easier.
17. Washington Nationals
Date: 4/18/2009
With the way the Nats have played over the past two seasons, we bet none of these mistakes are happening now. #winnerscircle
16. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
Date: 9/30/2007
Back to the drawing board for the Patriots. LITERALLY.
15. West Virginia Men's Basketball
Date: 3/29/2007
Who said college athletes aren't spending enough time in the classroom?
14. Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
Date: 3/18/2008
This might've been the breaking point in Rip's defection from Detroit to Chicago. Can you blame him though?
13. Seth Smith, Colorado Rockies
Date: 5/2009
One syllable, five letters. The high-altitude excuse can only go so far...
12. Anderson, Manchester United
Date: 8/20/2012
He has one name. Get it right, fellas!
11. Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins
Date: 8/13/2009
Sorry 'skins fans but the real "Bus" wasn't coming through those doors.
10. Fred Robbins, New York Giants
Date: 2005
The New York State of Mind, wear something fashionable even if there are typos.
9. John Wall, Kentucky Wildcats
Date: 2/10/2010
Now everybody do the John Wall and finish it off with a spelling test.
8. Aaron Harang, Cincinnati Reds
Date: 4/12/2005
Cincinnati is hard to spell already, but if you're missing an "i" you're doomed.
7. Andray Blatche, Washington Wizards
Date: 2/23/2011
Blatche was happy to leave Washington after they misspelled his name. Seriously, he was on the team for six years when that happened.
6. Matthew Harmon, Navy
Date: 9/16/2006
We know kickers get disrespected often but was this really necessary?
5. Joe Carter, Toronto Blue Jays
Date: 7/14/1994
Joe Carter probably laughed at this typo and started screaming "Ringz"!
4. Ted Kluszewski, Chicago White Sox
Date: 5/8/1960
We call this a vintage typo. It's a rarity, but that makes it even better.
3. Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings
Date: 11/21/2010
Williams is the third most common used last name in the United States. Now how do you mess that up?
2. Jon Koncak, Atlanta Hawks
Date: 11/8/1993
This typo was made after everyone in Atlanta realized Jon Koncak stole money with that ridiculous contract.
1. Wayne Gretzky, New York Rangers
Date: 10/30/1997
Not even the MVP of the NHL was safe from the curse of the typo.
