15 Topics Sure To Cause A Fight Amongst Sports Fans
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One of the really fun things about sports is that it provides a forum for friendly debate. However, based on the topic, that debate can turn pretty unfriendly. These 15 topics are bound to stir up controversy and ignite passionate debate amongst certain sports fans.
15. The Tuck Rule
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15. The Tuck Rule
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One of the most controversial plays in NFL playoff history centered around Tom Brady either throwing an incomplete pass or fumbling in a situation that likely would have lost the New England Patriots the game. It was ruled an incomplete pass since he was bringing the ball back to his body. This rule, both at the time and still, gets fans on both sides of the argument fired up.
14. NBA Draft Lottery Is Rigged
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14. NBA Draft Lottery Is Rigged
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In recent years, the NBA has had some suspicious Draft Lottery results. The Charlotte Hornets (before they became the New Orleans Pelicans), who were owned by the league, got the first overall pick, which they used on Anthony Davis. A couple times, the Cleveland Cavaliers got the No. 1 overall pick, which many believed would help entice LeBron James to return home when he hit free agency.
13. Timing Rules In Baseball
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13. Timing Rules In Baseball
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Some changes may be coming to baseball in terms of the pace of the game. Among those could include a clock, which would limit the amount of time a pitcher would have in between pitches. Many believe this would help speed up the game (it would only do so by a few minutes per game), while baseball purists hate the idea.
12. Music City Miracle Illegal Lateral
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12. Music City Miracle Illegal Lateral
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In one of the most dramatic plays in NFL playoff history, the Tennessee Titans lateraled the ball on a kickoff return and ran it back for a touchdown in the closing seconds of a Wild Card game in 2000. However, many believe the lateral was actually thrown forward. When looking at the tape, it's so close that it's nearly impossible to definitively decide one way or the other.
11. Dez Bryant's No Catch
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11. Dez Bryant's No Catch
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One of the more recent controversies surrounds the ruling in the NFC divisional round playoff game in which receiver Dez Bryant had a catch overturned against the Green Bay Packers. He appeared to make a football move before losing control of the ball, but it was ruled a drop nonetheless. The call essentially ended the game and sent the Dallas Cowboys home, giving plenty of fans sour grapes.
10. Baseball Is Boring
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10. Baseball Is Boring
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Among people who dislike baseball, it being a boring sport to watch is usually the top reason for the disdain. Tell this to big baseball fans and they will just scoff, because it's such a beautiful game if you have an attention span longer than a couple hours.
9. Overprotection of NFL Offensive Players
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9. Overprotection of NFL Offensive Players
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This truly is a debate because there are arguments on both sides of the issue. While concussions in football are a growing problem and the NFL needs to cut down on the issue, the league is also growing softer in the eyes of hardcore fans. For the league, it's about self-preservation, so none of these rules are likely to change any time soon.
8. Roger Goodell As NFL Commissioner
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8. Roger Goodell As NFL Commissioner
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Roger Goodell has improved the NFL leaps and bounds as a business and as an entertainment entity. However, that's where the superlatives describing him end. His handling of off-the-field issues has been questionable at best and corrupt at worst. So, fans, do you want the image of the league to be better or the state of the league as an entertainment entity to be better?
7. Babe Ruth's Called Shot
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7. Babe Ruth's Called Shot
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One of baseball's most common myths is that during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series at Wrigley Field, Babe Ruth pointed to the centerfield bleachers, predicted he would hit a home run there, and then did. Since there wasn't conclusive video of this and conflicting reports, nobody really knows if this event involving the Great Bambino ever happened.
6. DH or No DH
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6. DH or No DH
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The designated hitter has existed in the American League since 1973, but the National League has never had one. Some want the National League to follow suit, while others want no DH in the American League. It's an argument of fundamental baseball values against those who want to see more scoring in the game.
5. Tom Brady or Peyton Manning
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5. Tom Brady or Peyton Manning
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Since these two have always played in the same conference and have had just about the same career length, these future Hall of Fame quarterbacks will forever be linked in history. Statistically, Peyton Manning has been slightly better, but Tom Brady has far more hardware and has dominated head-to-head. It all depends on what you value more in a quarterback to determine which of these guys you prefer.
4. Paying College Athletes
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4. Paying College Athletes
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The NCAA is finally moving toward provisions that would allow academic institutions to provide financial assistance to their student-athletes beyond room and board/tuition. Most believe players are paid under the table anyway, so why not be up front about their payments to them? Others believe that making payments legal could even further corrupt college sports.
3. LeBron James or Michael Jordan
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3. LeBron James or Michael Jordan
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Most understand that it's almost impossible to eclipse Michael Jordan on the all-time greats list in the NBA, but some current fans will passionately argue that LeBron James is better. This debate can get intense because generally people's views on the issue are passionate and divided.
2. Steroid Era Players In Hall of Fame
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2. Steroid Era Players In Hall of Fame
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Many baseball writers still vote for players known to use steroids, since many used during the Steroid Era. Others will not vote anyone in that played during the Steroid Era, and that includes players never accused of using steroids. This polarizing issue gets fans and baseball writers really fired up every time Hall of Fame voting comes around.
1. Pete Rose In the Hall of Fame
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1. Pete Rose In the Hall of Fame
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Pete Rose is the all-time hits leader in MLB, and yet, he's not in the Hall of Fame. Of course, that's because he was caught betting on baseball while he was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds (he bet on his team to win). Despite this, however, many believe he should be recognized for his accomplishments as a player, especially since so much time has passed since his ban.
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