The lamest excuses in sports history

The events that transpire in the years, months, days, and hours leading up a sporting event typically decide the outcome as much, if not more, than what occurs during the game itself. But sometimes a random act of God occurs and wipes out years of preparation and training, at least according to some of the more eccentric athletes on this list. Join us as we look at the most ridiculous reasons athletes claim all their hard work went out the window and cost them the game.

Lightning in a bottle

In 2011, the North Korean women’s soccer team lost its opening round Women’s World Cup match 2-0. The reason for the loss wasn't inadequate tactics or inferior players, though. According to the head coach of the team, "more than 5" of the players on the team had been hospitalized just a few weeks prior when they were collectively hit by lightning. Interestingly, this news didn’t "strike" until after the defeat.

The curse of the 40-pound suit

On February 22, 2020, boxer Deontay Wilder’s highly-anticipated rematch against Tyson Fury was decided after Fury dominated the lighter Wilder and scored a TKO. Following the match, Wilder claimed that the 40-pound suit he wore into the arena for his entrance sapped his legs of strength and left him without enough energy to battle the larger Fury. We’ll have to assume he took the really, really, really long way into the ring.

Color my world

Vinny Testaverde was a Heisman Trophy winner and the first overall pick of the 1987 NFL Draft. But after several disastrous seasons in Tampa Bay, during which he led the league in interceptions twice, Testaverde tried blaming his issues on being colorblind. "If some people have a problem with my condition, that's their problem, not mine," Testaverde said. "There is nothing I can do about it."

The Bucs did do something about it by letting him walk in free agency. Testaverde played 15 more years in the NFL and finished his career with 267 picks.

On the double

In 2016, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker was playing a highly competitive summer pickup game. There were multiple NBA players involved, and while it's unclear whether Booker’s team actually "lost" the pickup game, video made its way out of that scrimmage of Booker chastising the other team for double teaming him. It was a funny scene during which an NBA star felt wronged by a very common defensive tactic that should have been both complementary and helpful to the developing star.

Never underestimate the power of German frogs

In 2006, the Ukraine national men’s soccer team had a first round match against the emerging stars from Spain. Spain soundly defeated Ukraine 4-0, but rather than take the high road and accept defeat, Ukrainian defender Vladyslav Vashchuk claimed afterwards that his entire team was exhausted because of noisy frogs outside their hotel room.  Although it’s certain that a lack of sleep can contribute to diminished athletic performance, it’s amusing to think that a few German frogs had enough power to cause a 4-0 drumming.

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