When sports got weird and unpredictable

What's the strangest thing that's ever happened during a game?

Sports are supposed to be about athletic excellence, nail-biting competition, and moments of glory. But sometimes, the most memorable moments are the ones that leave us laughing, scratching our heads, or wondering whether we really saw what we think we saw. From wardrobe malfunctions to unexpected animal invasions, these 10 moments prove that sports can be just as entertaining when things go hilariously wrong.

Picture this: you're watching a playoff game between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, and suddenly you can't see anything. Not because your TV is broken, but because the field has disappeared into a thick blanket of fog. The 1988 NFC Divisional Playoff became known as the "Fog Bowl" when dense fog rolled into Soldier Field, making it nearly impossible for players, coaches, or fans to see what was happening.

The broadcasters were reduced to guessing what was going on, and viewers at home had a better view than the 65,000 fans who paid to be there. The Bears won 20-12, though no one could really see how.

Randy Johnson was known as "The Big Unit" for his intimidating 6'10" frame and blazing fastball. But on March 24, 2001, he became known for something entirely different: killing a bird mid-flight with a pitch. During a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants, Johnson wound up and released a fastball just as a dove flew across the plate. The result was an explosion of feathers that left everyone stunned.

The Butt Fumble was performed by New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez on Thanksgiving Day in 2012. Facing the New England Patriots, Sanchez took the snap, tried to run forward, and crashed directly into his own offensive lineman's backside, fumbling the ball in the process. The Patriots scooped it up and ran it back for a touchdown.

On July 12, 1979, the Chicago White Sox hosted "Disco Demolition Night" between games of a doubleheader. The promotion invited fans to bring disco records to be blown up on the field in exchange for discounted admission. Radio DJ Steve Dahl hyped up the event, and way more people showed up than expected.

After the first game, Dahl detonated a crate of disco records in center field, creating a massive explosion. Thousands of fans then stormed the field, tearing up chunks of grass, stealing bases, and causing widespread damage.

Roy Riegels earned an unfortunate nickname that followed him for the rest of his life: "Wrong Way Riegels." During the 1929 Rose Bowl, played between California and Georgia Tech, Riegels scooped up a fumble and took off running—unfortunately, he ran 69 yards in the wrong direction toward his own end zone. His teammate, Benny Lom, chased him down the field, screaming for him to stop, finally tackling him at the one-yard line.

Diego Maradona was one of soccer's greatest players, but one of his most famous goals was also his most controversial. During the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and England, Maradona jumped for a ball in the box and punched it into the net with his hand. The referee didn't see it and allowed the goal to stand, despite furious protests from the English team.

After the game, Maradona claimed the goal was scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God," which is how it earned its nickname. Argentina went on to win the match 2-1 and eventually won the World Cup.

The brawl between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2004, was not just a fight; it was a full-scale riot that spilled into the stands. It began with a hard foul and escalated when Ron Artest (later known as Metta World Peace) lay down on the scorer’s table. A fan threw a cup of beer at him, prompting Artest to charge into the stands and throw punches at spectators.

Other players followed, and chaos erupted with fans and players fighting throughout the arena. The fallout was severe: Artest was suspended for the rest of the season (86 games), and eight other players received suspensions totaling 146 games.

In a 1972 playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a desperation pass with 22 seconds left. The ball ricocheted off either Raiders safety Jack Tatum or Steelers receiver Frenchy Fuqua—no one's quite sure which—and bounced backward. Steelers running back Franco Harris scooped the ball just before it hit the ground and ran it in for a touchdown, giving Pittsburgh a stunning 13-7 victory.

Streakers are nothing new in sports, but one particularly ambitious individual took things to a new level during a 2002 rugby match in Australia. A naked man sprinted onto the field during a match between the Sharks and the Roosters, evading security guards with surprising athleticism. But instead of just running around, he decided to tackle referee Bill Harrigan, bringing him to the ground in what may be the only naked tackle in professional sports history.

Before Jim Marshall, there was Wrong Way Riegels—but Marshall's infamous mistake is the one etched into NFL blooper history. During a 1964 game between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers, the defensive end scooped up a fumble and ran 66 yards—straight into the wrong end zone. Marshall threw the ball out of bounds in celebration, giving the 49ers a safety. His teammate Carl Eller tried to chase him down to tell him he was going the wrong way, but couldn't catch him.

Notable names for humble plants

From Achilles to kidnappings: 12 plant names derived from mythology

Image: Smit Shah

It should come as no surprise that many plants have names linked to mythological figures, since most scientific plant names are derived from Greek or Latin. These 12 plants have names with hidden meanings that most of us may not recognize. Did you know any of these?

Image: Beth Macdonald

This genus of flowering plants was named after Achilles, the mythical Greek hero and greatest of the Greek warriors, famed for his knowledge of healing herbs.

According to legend, Achilles knew of yarrow’s healing properties and used the plant to treat the wounds of his soldiers during the siege of Troy.

Image: Sergiy Tsyganenko

The name Ambrosia comes from Greek mythology, where ambrosia was the food or drink of the gods, said to grant immortality and eternal youth. It was often associated with divine nourishment and sometimes carried by doves. According to some versions of the myth, even the sun god Helios fed his horses with ambrosia.

Ironically, the plant genus _Ambrosia_—commonly known as ragweed—is now infamous for causing seasonal allergies rather than bestowing any divine gifts

Image: Annie Spratt

Commonly known as the windflower, the anemone is a delicate flowering plant that sways easily in even the gentlest breeze. According to Greek legend, the anemone sprang from the drops of blood shed by Adonis after he was fatally wounded by a wild boar during a hunt.

Image: Laura Ockel

According to a lesser-known Greek myth, Acantha was a beautiful nymph who didn't reciprocate Apollo's feelings, so, as an act of revenge, he transformed her into a plant. After this incident, the graceful nymph became a striking flower with bold, spiny leaves and distinctive petals.

Image: Esteban Castle

Revenge for unrequited love seems to be a recurring theme among the Greek gods. According to one myth, Syrinx was a beautiful nymph who caught the attention of Pan, the god of the wild. When she rejected his advances, she fled and was transformed into a reed to escape him. In his sorrow, Pan cut the reeds and crafted them into the first pan flute.

The plant genus Syringa (commonly known as lilac) was named after this myth. The name Syringa is derived from the Greek word syrinx, meaning pipe or tube, referencing the plant’s hollow stems.

Image: Christina Brinza

The name of this flower means "rainbow" in Greek, which is fitting, as it is associated with Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow and the divine messenger of the gods. Appropriately, irises bloom in a wide range of colors, nearly spanning the full spectrum of the rainbow.

Image: Rachel McGrane

Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, goddess of agriculture and fertile soil, was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld. Though eventually rescued, Persephone was fated to spend six months in the underworld and six months above ground, symbolizing the changing of the seasons.

Some seasonal flowers that bloom and fade in sync with this myth are poetically referred to as "Persephone’s Path."

Image: Rebekah Hansen

The Greek sun god Helios lends his name to the genus Helianthus, commonly known as sunflowers. These radiant blooms resemble the burning sun with their golden petals spreading out like rays, capturing the essence of sunlight in both form and name.

Image: Al Diaz

As the legend goes, Proteus was a sea god known for his gift of prophecy. However, he disliked his prophetic duties and would evade them by shape-shifting into various forms and disguises.

The Protea flower was named after Proteus because it comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, reflecting the god’s many transformations.

Image: Xuan Nguyen

Water nymphs, known as Nymphs in Greek mythology, were often believed to inhabit ponds, rivers, and other bodies of water. The genus Nymphaea, which includes water lilies, takes its name from these mythical creatures, reflecting the flowers’ natural aquatic habitats.

Image: Dylan Freedom

In Greek mythology, Agave was the mother of King Pentheus, who opposed the god Dionysus (also known as Bacchus). In a tragic turn, Agave was driven mad and blinded by Dionysus, causing her to mistake her son for a wild boar and kill him.

This fierce mythological figure lends her name to the Agave plant, known for its sharp, spiny leaves and resilient nature.

Image: prathap karaka

Zephyranthes, sometimes called the fairy lily, open their flowers nearly flat only in full, direct sunlight. These charming flowering plants are named after Zephyr, the Greek god of the west wind, who was said to be the lover of the goddess Flora. Given this connection, it is no surprise that his name graces such a delicate flower.