25 Crazy Sports Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

25 Crazy Sports Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

By Chris Ross

July 24, 2014

25 Ridiculous Sports Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

Kobe Bryant Intro — In the world of sports, there are all sorts of mind-boggling statistics that only hardcore statisticians would know. Every sport has at least a few ridiculous facts that casual fans don't know. With that said, here are 25 ridiculous sports facts that'll blow your mind.

In the world of sports, there are all sorts of mind-boggling statistics that only hardcore statisticians would know. Every sport has at least a few ridiculous facts that casual fans don't know. With that said, here are 25 ridiculous sports facts that'll blow your mind.

25. Landon Turner

Red Auerbach

25. Landon Turner

Red Auerbach — In 1982, the Boston Celtics selected Landon Turner out of Indiana, despite the fact he had recently been paralyzed in a car crash. Celtics' general manager Red Auerbach did it as a favor to Indiana head coach Bobby Knight.

In 1982, the Boston Celtics selected Landon Turner out of Indiana, despite the fact he had recently been paralyzed in a car crash. Celtics' general manager Red Auerbach did it as a favor to Indiana head coach Bobby Knight.

24. Bill Kratzert

Bill Kratzert

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24. Bill Kratzert

Bill Kratzert - Copy — At the 1986 Anheuser Busch Golf Classic, Bill Kratzert lost three balls during play, and ended up having to withdraw from play because he ran out of balls. His caddy tried to lighten the golf bag by not bringing any extra balls.

At the 1986 Anheuser Busch Golf Classic, Bill Kratzert lost three balls during play, and ended up having to withdraw from play because he ran out of balls. His caddy tried to lighten the golf bag by not bringing any extra balls.

23. Passing Game Woes

Bart Starr

23. Passing Game Woes

Bart Starr — On October 24, 1965, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys combined for a total of negative 11 passing yards. Despite the poor passing day, the Packers won the game, 13-3.

On October 24, 1965, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys combined for a total of negative 11 passing yards. Despite the poor passing day, the Packers won the game, 13-3.

22. Dom DiMaggio

MLB Photos Archive

22. Dom DiMaggio

MLB Photos Archive — Dom DiMaggio, the brother of baseball legend Joe Dimaggio, had recorded a hit in 34 straight games as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 1949. However, Joe DiMaggio and the Yankees ended the lesser-known DiMaggio's hitting streak.

Dom DiMaggio, the brother of baseball legend Joe Dimaggio, had recorded a hit in 34 straight games as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 1949. However, Joe DiMaggio and the Yankees ended the lesser-known DiMaggio's hitting streak.

21. Chicago Bulls Scoring

1997 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 2: Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls

21. Chicago Bulls Scoring

1997 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 2: Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls — In 1999, the Chicago Bulls set an NBA record for the fewest points scored in a game since the induction of the shot clock. The Bulls managed only 49 points against the Miami Heat in what was the worst offensive performance in team history.

In 1999, the Chicago Bulls set an NBA record for the fewest points scored in a game since the induction of the shot clock. The Bulls managed only 49 points against the Miami Heat in what was the worst offensive performance in team history.

20. George Blanda

George Blanda - Copy

20. George Blanda

George Blanda — George Blanda amazingly played in four different decades, from 1949-1975.

George Blanda amazingly played in four different decades, from 1949-1975.

19. NFL Action

Getty Images

19. NFL Action

Timekeepers estimate that in a 60-minute NFL game, only 14 minutes amount to actual game time.

18. Co-MVPs

John Stockton and Karl Malone

18. Co-MVPs

John Stockton and Karl Malone - Copy — The first and only pair of teammates to be named co-MVPs in the NBA is John Stockton and Karl Malone.

The first and only pair of teammates to be named co-MVPs in the NBA is John Stockton and Karl Malone.

17. Home Run Braves

Atlanta Braves

17. Home Run Braves

Atlanta Braves - Copy — Both Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth hit their 714th home runs as member of the Milwaukee and Boston Braves.

Both Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth hit their 714th home runs as member of the Milwaukee and Boston Braves.

16. Commissioner's Trophy

Commisioner's Trophy

16. Commissioner's Trophy

Commisioner's Trophy - Copy — Baseball is the only major american sport in which the championship trophy is not named after someone. Unlike all other championship trophies in sports, baseball'a championship trophy is called the commissioner's trophy.

Baseball is the only major american sport in which the championship trophy is not named after someone. Unlike all other championship trophies in sports, baseball'a championship trophy is called the commissioner's trophy.

15. Jump Ball

Jump Ball

15. Jump Ball

Jump Ball - Copy — Up until 1937, after a team scored a basket, a jump ball was held at center court instead of simply awarding the other team possession of the basketball.

Up until 1937, after a team scored a basket, a jump ball was held at center court instead of simply awarding the other team possession of the basketball.

14. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant

14. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant - Copy — After Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, he became just the second player ever to score 80 points in a single game. Bryant’s lowest scoring total that season was 11 points, also against the Raptors.

After Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, he became just the second player ever to score 80 points in a single game. Bryant’s lowest scoring total that season was 11 points, also against the Raptors.

13. Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan - Copy

13. Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan — Nolan Ryan won 324 games and struck out 5,714 batters in his illustrious career. However, he never won the Cy Young award.

Nolan Ryan won 324 games and struck out 5,714 batters in his illustrious career. However, he never won the Cy Young award.

12. Bill Russell

Bill Russell

12. Bill Russell

Bill Russell - Copy — Bill Russell never scored more than 50 points in any one game in his 13-year career. His career low in rebounds per game, 18.6, is just a little lower than his career-high in points per game, 18.9.

Bill Russell never scored more than 50 points in any one game in his 13-year career. His career low in rebounds per game, 18.6, is just a little lower than his career-high in points per game, 18.9.

11. Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker

11. Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker - Copy — In his freshman year at Georgia, Herschel Walker finished third in Heisman trophy voting. In his sophomore year, he finished second. Finally, he won it in his junior year.

In his freshman year at Georgia, Herschel Walker finished third in Heisman trophy voting. In his sophomore year, he finished second. Finally, he won it in his junior year.

10. Yinka Dare

Yinka Dare

10. Yinka Dare

Yinka Dare - Copy — A first-round pick in the 1994 NBA draft by the then-New Jersey Nets, Yinka Dare was awful from the start of his career. Dare played in 77 games before recording his first assist, and eventually ended his career with more turnovers than points.

A first-round pick in the 1994 NBA draft by the then-New Jersey Nets, Yinka Dare was awful from the start of his career. Dare played in 77 games before recording his first assist, and eventually ended his career with more turnovers than points.

9. Biggest Blowout In Football History

Georgia Tech

9. Biggest Blowout In Football History

Georgia Tech - Copy — In 1916, Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland College, 220-0, making it the biggest blowout in football history. Georgia Tech scored 32 touchdowns, and gained over 1,000 yards in the win.

In 1916, Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland College, 220-0, making it the biggest blowout in football history. Georgia Tech scored 32 touchdowns, and gained over 1,000 yards in the win.

8. Wayne Grady

Wayne Grady

8. Wayne Grady

Wayne Grady - Copy — Wayne Grady was disqualified from both the Phoenix Open and the L.A. Open in 1986 after hitting somebody else's ball.

Wayne Grady was disqualified from both the Phoenix Open and the L.A. Open in 1986 after hitting somebody else's ball.

7. Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas

7. Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas - Copy — Back in 2003, the Philadelphia Daily News wrote an article celebrating Johnny Unitas’ 70th birthday, however Unitas had died the previous year. After realizing this, the newspaper ran another articles saying “Johnny Unitas remains dead, and did not celebrate his 70th birthday.”

Back in 2003, the Philadelphia Daily News wrote an article celebrating Johnny Unitas’ 70th birthday, however Unitas had died the previous year. After realizing this, the newspaper ran another articles saying “Johnny Unitas remains dead, and did not celebrate his 70th birthday.”

6. Brett Ogle

Brett Ogle - Copy

6. Brett Ogle

Brett Ogle — At the 1990 Australian Open, Brett Ogle broke his kneecap after his ball ricocheted off a tree and hit him in the knee.

At the 1990 Australian Open, Brett Ogle broke his kneecap after his ball ricocheted off a tree and hit him in the knee.

5. Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus

5. Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus - Copy — Jack Nicklaus holds the record for longest time between wins at the Masters. He won the tournament first in 1963, then again 23 years later in 1986.

Jack Nicklaus holds the record for longest time between wins at the Masters. He won the tournament first in 1963, then again 23 years later in 1986.

4. Cleveland Browns Logo

Cleveland Browns

4. Cleveland Browns Logo

Cleveland Browns - Copy — Before the 1964 NFL season, then-Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell tried to put a logo on the side of the Browns’ helmets. The players disliked the logo so much, they scraped it off the sides of the helmet, and the team hasn’t had a logo on its helmet since.

Before the 1964 NFL season, then-Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell tried to put a logo on the side of the Browns’ helmets. The players disliked the logo so much, they scraped it off the sides of the helmet, and the team hasn’t had a logo on its helmet since.

3. Walter Payton

Walter Payton

3. Walter Payton

Walter Payton - Copy — In his first NFL game, Walter Payton carried the ball a total of eight times -- for zero total yards.

In his first NFL game, Walter Payton carried the ball a total of eight times -- for zero total yards.

2. Sam Byrd

Sam Byrd

2. Sam Byrd

Sam Byrd - Copy — Sam Byrd is the only person to ever play in both the Masters and the World Series. Byrd played in the World Series in 1931, and played in the Masters in both 1941 and 1942.

Sam Byrd is the only person to ever play in both the Masters and the World Series. Byrd played in the World Series in 1931, and played in the Masters in both 1941 and 1942.

1. 1951 Ejection

Bill Sharman

1. 1951 Ejection

Bill Sharman - Copy — Way back in 1951, the Dodgers' entire bench was ejected by the umpire over a controversial call. One of the player’s on the bench, Bill Sharman, became the first player to be thrown out of a major league game without ever playing a game in the league. That same Bill Sharman would go on to have a Hall-of-Fame career with the Boston Celtics.

Way back in 1951, the Dodgers' entire bench was ejected by the umpire over a controversial call. One of the player’s on the bench, Bill Sharman, became the first player to be thrown out of a major league game without ever playing a game in the league. That same Bill Sharman would go on to have a Hall-of-Fame career with the Boston Celtics.

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