By Lang Whitaker, SI.com
It looks like Plaxico Burress not only shot himself in the leg, he may have also shot himself in the foot. After somehow discharging a gun into his own thigh Friday night, Burress not only must fight to keep his $35 million contract, he'll also join the long list of athletes who have suffered injuries that could generously be classified as "dumb." Here's our list of the top five dumbest injuries suffered by athletes...
1. Gus Frerotte: The crème de la crème of auto-injuries. Gus plus headbutt plus concrete wall equals infamy.
2. Bill Gramatica: While playing for the Cardinals, the wee NFL kicker -- and younger brother of Martin -- celebrated a routine 42-yard field goal against the Giants by doing his ritual wild leaping into the air. This time, however, he tore his ACL.
3. Joel Zumaya: The Tigers’ flame-throwing reliever missed the 2006 ALCS with a sore wrist, which he reportedly injured while playing Guitar Hero.
4. Alex Stepney: The longtime Manchester United goalkeeper injured himself in 1975. While screaming at his teammates and encouraging them to shore up their defense, Stepney yelled so vociferously that he dislocated his own jaw.
5. Jimmie Johnson: The three-time NASCAR champ was laid up for about a month after injuring himself by falling out of a moving golf cart.
What's your favorite dumb injury by an athlete? Let us know below...
Lang Whitaker is the executive editor of SLAM magazine and writes daily at SLAMonline.com.
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Comments (152) Add A Comment
Plaxico has got to be the dumbest of all - shoot yourself?
SnakeDriver
Total Comments (7117)
Robert Edwards blew out his knee in the rookie flag football game in Hawaii during the pro bowl celebrations. It almost cost him his leg and career.
Kellen Winslow missed 1st season due to motorcycle accident.
I have heard the reason pro athletes have the "ski clause" in their contracts (don't know if it is true or not) was because someone went skiing and really screwed themselves up. Have no idea who did it, though.
Joekidd1992
Total Comments (1342)
although i am a steelers fan... Big Ben riding a motorcycle was dumb enough but without a helmet that's just retarded
Southern_Steeler
Richmond , VA
Total Comments (32)
Kellon Winslow Jr... at least Big Ben wasn't trying to pull tricks in a parking lot.
djstickylee
Lexington , KY
Total Comments (2)
I dunno if participating in a league sanctioned flag football game qualifies as dumb. More like incredibly unlucky.
Spielman
Columbia , SC
Total Comments (155)
Robert Edwards hurt his knee in a beach game that was essentially a reward, seeing as it was pro bowl weekend so I would hardly consider that a "dumb injury." That would be like calling someone dumb who gets hurt in the pro bowl.
And what about Monta Ellis and his Moped accident. He just signed a $60 million deal without ever proving himself to be a go-to player, nearly cost himself all that cash
CJX04
Total Comments (5)
Plaxico has to be in the top 10
Mets Fan: Jordan…
Total Comments (2806)
I don't know if you consider this an injury, but Len Bias. Drafted 2nd overall by the Celtics, then kills himself by overdosing on cocaine under 48 hours later.
htownhockey#1
Where I Want, MD
Total Comments (237)
David Wells falling over drunk in his kitchen and cutting his hand
dan08
Total Comments (25)
Tavares punching the bullpen phone and busting his hand
dan08
Total Comments (25)
didn't martin gramatica injure himself celebrating too? are the gramatica's retarded?
ashman0207
Dubuque , IA
Total Comments (55)
It wasn't serious, but Brandon Marshall slipping on a McDonalds wrapper seemed pretty dumb to me. It wasn't the fall that hurt him, but that he tried to catch himself with his arm, and it went through his entertainment center.
Killer B
Ooltewah , TN
Total Comments (21)
It might not have been too serious, but I think Brandon Marshall slipping on a McDonald's wrapper is pretty dumb. He tried to catch himself and his arm went through his TV.
Killer B
Ooltewah , TN
Total Comments (21)
In the late 70's the Broncos had a linebacker who dislocated his shoulder spiking the ball after scoring a touchdown on a turnover - I think it was Godwin Turk.
86Buffs
Summit, NJ
Total Comments (26)
The motorcycle clause seems to be more common then the Ski Clause I remember a new Bulls Player crashed his motorcycle and broke his leg I think and missed a while when he was not legally allowed to ride one. I still think a more suitable clause would be a no press conference clause for a 5 or below on the Wonderlic although that has given us so many good moments.
Iggyzillious
Total Comments (157)
Sammy Sosa hurt his back sneezing!! And lets not forget about Carlos Guillen breaking his hand by slapping his bat after striking out!
abirdsong
Colonial Heights, VA
Total Comments (1)
You are an idiot, plan and simple
JIMMYT
Total Comments (1067)
I remember hearing someone tell me that John Smoltz once burned himself while trying to iron his shirt, (naturally) while wearing it. Is that a true story?
And I also remember Tony Dorsett (wasn't it?) dropping a mirror on his foot and breaking his toe.
RoKy
Total Comments (1)
Ohio State's Ted Ginn, Jr. injured his foot celebrating after returning the the opening kickoff of the national chamiponship game.
Dawgpounder
Total Comments (155)
Didn't Leonard Smith of the Buffalo Bills hurt himself while celebrating a playoff win on a moving golf cart or something? Jeez, it was more than 15 years ago, but I swear it was something like that...
Was Buf., Now Was.
Washington , DC
Total Comments (86)
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