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Greatest Sports Meltdowns: Mickelson's driver at U.S. Open or Zidane's head-butt in World Cup?

Monday July 10, 2006 | 08:51:35 am 173 words, 2871 views  

We’ve now seen twice in the past few weeks, that being the best in the world doesn’t exempt you from being a bonehead – literally.

That’s exactly what French soccer superstar Zinedine Zidane did last night in the World Cup Finals – inexplicably head-butting an unsuspecting Italian in the open field.

“Imbecile!”

Zidane was ejected, the game went to penalty kicks - his specialty - and the French were losers in the battle of the European romance countries. Thankfully it was a head-butt, not a “Frenchie".

Zidane and Mickelson have showed how difficult emotion and ego can be to control in the grandest of stages.

The question is: who blew it more???

These two aren’t alone in brain-glitches coming from the stars: Bill Buckner’s error, Chris Webber’s famous TO, Byner’s fumble, Michelle Wie entering pro tournaments (multiple glitches), the Shark at the Masters (crash, not glitch), Rasheed Wallace leaving Robert Horry open at the end of Game 5 in 2005, Goosen’s 81– to name a few.

Anyone have a favorite sports meltdown?

If not we can just talk about Wie.

Permalink 8 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: potato [Visitor] · http://planetpotato.blogs.com
With the greatest respect to golf, I think blowing it on tv in front of 2 billion spectators is much the bigger event ;)

Here's my attempt to explain. Imagine if John Elway came out of retirement today and even though waaay too old dragged his team, almost by himself into the superbowl. In the final period, with the scores tied and his team on offense, he strolls over the opposition bench and dropkicks a player. *That's* the equivalent of what Zidane did.
PermalinkPermalink 07/10/06 @ 09:31
Comment from: Brandon Tucker [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/brandon.tucker
Update to this post: head-butter Zidane won the Golden Ball, voted Most Outstanding Player in the World Cup.

PermalinkPermalink 07/10/06 @ 13:02
Comment from: Bridget [Visitor]
1980 Russian Olympic hockey team?
PermalinkPermalink 07/10/06 @ 18:20
Comment from: Dave [Visitor]
Al Gore in 2000
PermalinkPermalink 07/11/06 @ 00:32
Comment from: Mark Nessmith, Executive Editor [Visitor] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/mark.nessmith
How le hell do you write a golf blog about a French guy pulling a bonehead maneuver on his sport's grandest stage and not mention Jean Van de Velde in the 1999 British Open!? Talk about blowing it!
PermalinkPermalink 07/11/06 @ 04:48
Comment from: Brandon Tucker [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/brandon.tucker
I said "stars", no one expects anything too great from Van de Velde.
PermalinkPermalink 07/11/06 @ 18:18
Comment from: BillD [Visitor]
Mickelson was having driver 'issues' all that last day. His decision to hit driver on 18 showed bad judgement, as did his try for the green from trouble rather than playing for the playoff. The term 'Meltdown' just doesn't apply. Blow a 6 stroke lead? Triple bogey a critical hole? OK, I'm with you. This doesn't make the cut in the Historic Meltdown Sweepstakes.
PermalinkPermalink 07/11/06 @ 21:27
Comment from: William K. Wolfrum [Visitor] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/william.wolfrum
Roberto Duran: "No mas, no mas."

--WKW
PermalinkPermalink 07/18/06 @ 08:34

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Brandon Tucker Brandon Tucker

a WorldGolf.com Blog

WorldGolf.com blogger Brandon Tucker offers his unique perspective on golf and travel destinations from Scotland and Ireland to Myrtle Beach. He also chimes in on news events on the PGA and LPGA Tours, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and other happenings around the world of golf.