Even sports fans who are glued to the action won’t be able to capture everything that happens because the world of sports moves so quickly and there are so many “blink and you’ll miss it” moments. We can thank our lucky stars that we have cameras to fill us in on what our eyes may have missed. Could you even begin to fathom all of the humorous things that we would be deprived of if there were no high-speed cameras to record some of these embarrassing sporting blunders?
Today, we are going to look at some sports photographs that were captured at such precise moments that it nearly appeared as though they had been manufactured; nevertheless, we can assure you that this was not the case. When these were taken, there was no shenanigans or any funny business going on. It was pure luck that these photographers were present when the event they were photographing took happening. Because of them, we now have these amazing pictures that we will be able to look back on in the years to come and use to create some hilarious graphics out of. Anyone has experience creating memes, because this place is a great mine for them.
Here is a collection of 30 images from the world of sports that you have to see to believe, ranging from inadvertently amusing scenes to photos documenting the moments just before an injury. I can guarantee that some of these will require you to look at them for a longer period of time because your eyes won’t be able to accurately track what you’re seeing.
Have we forgotten about a hilarious thing that happened to you when you were watching a game?
The 12th Man
There are two possible things happening in this photo, and both of them are terrifying.
Either there’s a ghost playing football, or someone has lost their helmet and is headed for an injury!
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
Why catch a ground ball when you can be the ground ball?
This is not exactly the best way to start your little league career.
Flying High
This is either a perfectly timed photo, or these football players have learned to fly.
Does it count as a first down if you’re moving ten yards up instead of ten yards forward?
Piling On
The Kent State baseball team had just won the championship when this photo was taken, and it’s clear that they were in a celebrating mood.
It’s a good thing the game is behind them, because that does not look safe!
A Photo Finish
It may look like this skater is in the middle of a bad fall, but he’s actually trying to win the race.
Whether he ends up with the win or not is up to the judges, but he’s clearly doing everything he can to inch in front of his opponent any way he knows how.
Mallet Mix Up
We’re no polo experts, so it was a huge shock to learn that those mallets are a lot more flexible than they look!
Whether crossing mallets is rare in the sport is anyone’s guess, but this photographer managed to capture a well-timed and spectacular shot!
A New Challenger Has Appeared
It turns out that soccer is for the birds…literally!
This guy may have a great can-do attitude, but there’s no way those puny legs are kicking a soccer ball.
Head for the Hills
We know it’s right there in the name, but sometimes extreme sports take the “extreme” part to ridiculous levels.
That being said, anyone who tries to take a kayak down a snowy hill kinda deserves whatever comes to them.
Kicking the Wrong Ball
We would really like to know what was going through these guys’ minds the moment this photo was captured.
Hopefully this is a rarity in the soccer world, because…ouch.
A Big Bull-y
Being thrown from a bull looks pretty cool, but we would imagine that this guy has other thoughts about the experience.
Hey, at least it’s better than being gored by a bull!
Fraternizing with the Enemy
Why should we compete when we could all just hold hands and get along?
Something tells me that’s not what was going through these competitors’ minds when this frame-perfect photo was snapped!
Down for the Count
There’s no one in this photo, human or animal, who look like they’re having a good time.
It turns out that horse racing is a lot more dangerous than we thought!
Making Direct Contact
If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to take a punch straight to the face, now you have your answer.
It’s never happened to us personally, but we’re going to go out on a limb and say that this probably doesn’t feel great.
The Iceman Cometh
Referees might make bad calls from time to time, but it’s best not to anger them because they’ve clearly got magic powers.
Who knew that this is how they ice a rink for a hockey match?
The Best Tackle of the Game
Most football coaches don’t have to double as professional wrestlers, but this guy sure did!
Note to any fans trying to run on the field–this guy or someone similar is almost certainly going to painfully drag you to the ground.
A Double Header
Two heads are better than one…or are they?
We’re pretty sure these guys would beg to differ and would have preferred to keep their heads far from one another!
Polo Pains
Someone clearly needs a few more water polo lessons before they make their professional debut.
In his defense, a head is basically the same shape as a water polo ball.
A Rocky Start
One of these kids has clearly taken to rock climbing a little better than his brother.
At least he realized climbing wasn’t for him before he started up Mt. Everest!
Paging the Tooth Fairy
We’re sure this guy was just playing sports with a mouthful of food, right? Right?
Just kidding–those are definitely teeth! I bet his dentist is thrilled.
Flipping Your Lid
Who knew that keeping the trophy in one piece would be harder than winning it?
Judging by her face, this is clearly not an outcome she was expecting!
A Cricket Catastrophe
We’re ignorant about the finer points of cricket, but something tells us this isn’t supposed to happen.
And it looks like that wire facemask is doing nothing to protect his head!
Post-Game Tsunami
We know it’s a baseball tradition, but this photo makes the whole “dump Gatorade over everyone” thing look so incredibly messy.
Let’s just hope that those orange stains come out easily in the wash!
Men Overboard
They may be the Olympic athletes, but something tells us that the boat isn’t supposed to look like that.
And it seems like the guy in front has simply resigned himself to a new, aquatic life. He’s not even trying to fight back.
Lending a Hand
This one doesn’t seem very exciting at first, but keep looking carefully and you’ll spot it eventually!
It might not be the most monumental well-timed photo of all time, but it’s still very satisfying to see his wristband line up with the backboard!
Oh Puck
When it comes to pucks, this is too up close and personal…even for a hockey player!
It might look still in this photo, but you can rest assured the puck was flying at the goalie’s face at a very dangerous speed!
A Real Baller
Some people are so good at basketball that they let it go to their heads.
Or maybe this is some sort of genetically engineered super player that the NBA has been secretly working on…
Foot in Mouth
It turns out that courtside seats are not all that they’re cracked up to be!
Just ask former Michigan governor Rick Snyder–just as soon as he’s done taking a foot to the face.
Interception
It’s always a laugh when anyone takes a football to the face, but this one is special.
If you’ll look closely, you’ll see that it’s former President Bill Clinton who is failing miserably at catching the ball!
A Painful Pitch
To our horror, this is not a photo of a painful sports injury–it’s just business as usual.
This is just what side-arm pitching looks like when you freeze the frame. That cannot be good for your joints!
Higher Than the Sun
There are lots of perfectly-timed photos that hilariously depict a sports fail, but not this one!
For once, we’ve got a photo of when things go gravity-defyingly right!
