Best Damn's Top 50 Devastating Hits
by FOX Sports Net
Best Damn Sports Show Period recently counted down the 50 Best Damn Devastating Hits in sports history. FOXSports.com's own Kevin Hench laid out his own personal Top 10 for you to kick around ().Do you agree? Take a look at Best Damn's Top 50 Devastating Hits ever.
50. Patriot Pains
New England quarterback Drew Bledsoe was never the most mobile quarterback, and learned the hard way that scrambling wasn't his forte. In a game against the Jets, Bledsoe rolled right trying to run for the first down, but was met by a vicious hit that sent him flying out of bounds. The result — Bledsoe would miss the rest of the year, be replaced by a little known backup named Brady, and never play another meaningful game for New England again.
49. Chilling Effect
Hockey has always had its fair share of hits, but few look as devastatingly beautiful as the one Edmonton's Jeff Beaukeboom laid on Chicago's Jocelyn Lemieux. As Lemieux was skating along the boards, Beaukeboom lowered his shoulder and send Jocelyn into the Oilers bench. The crushing hit caused a delay in the game as both players tried to regroup.
48. Mann Down
Eli Manning had a day of many firsts against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 12, 2004. He played in his first pro game, completed his first pro pass, and with 21 seconds left in the game received the first devastating hit of his pro career. Eli can thank Jerome McDougle for the humbling open field blow that ended a day of firsts for the younger Manning brother.
47. Troy-ing Hard
Troy Polamalu is known as one of the hardest hitters in the NFL. He honed those skills as an All-American safety at the University of Southern California. While at school, he used many opposing players as test dummies ... one of which happened to be Kansas State punt returner Aaron Lockett. On September 8, 2001, Lockett was given the unfortunate task of standing helpless awaiting a punt as Polamalu ran full speed right through the Wildcat return man.
46. Chili Con Carnage
Before he became the "small ball" loving coach of the Anaheim Angels, Mike Scioscia was known as a gritty catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. On a sunny April in 1986, Chili Davis tried to knock all that grit out of the catcher. As Scioscia explained: "The one collision that absolutely I got hit harder than anybody else was Chili Davis in 1986 when he was with the Giants. Chili plays hard; he's 6' 3", looks like Apollo Creed, got a nice lean. I saw stars. That was the hardest I've been hit, including my years of playing football. It was a heck of a collision."
45. Lin-Dropped
Many would call Scott Stevens the hardest hitter in hockey history. The 2000 Eastern Conference Finals included one of many moments that prove this theory. Stevens' concussing hit on Flyers forward Eric Lindros ended Lindros' season & his career in Philadelphia.
44. Ra-ven mad
Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Ray Lewis is his generation's hardest hitting linebacker. If you don't believe me, just ask Washington Redskins receiver Laveranues Coles. During a 2004 meeting against the Baltimore Ravens, Coles had the intestinal fortitude to go across the middle. Ray Lewis delivered a monstrous hit on Coles, making sure both knew who owned that area of the field.
43. Kirb Your Enthusiasm
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We are the show for talking sports, so recently we've been ranking some of sports' coolest Top 50 Rankings. Check some of our rankings below to see where you stand.
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The Oakland Athletics of the late '80s/early '90s were the fun loving and hard-hitting poster boys for Major League Baseball. Kirby Puckett must have take offense that a little, because in a 1988 game against Oakland, he rounded third with a purpose and ran right through Athletics catcher Terry Steinbach.
42. The Bonecrusher
Purdue linebacker Bernard Pollard was known as "The Bonecrusher," and showed why to Minnesota's Gary Russell. As Russell ran into the open field, it was closed by the Bonecrusher. Pollard picked Russell up and threw him to the ground in the kind of textbook tackle that would make Vince Lombardi proud.
41. Roll Tide
Cornelius Bennett and Steve Beuerlein both had lengthy NFL careers, but their paths first crossed when Alabama played Notre Dame in October of 1986. Irish QB Beuerlein tried to roll out on a bootleg and was hit into the ground by Alabama linebacker Bennett. Beuerlein fumbled the ball, and Alabama rolled to their only victory ever over Notre Dame.
40. The Bell Tolls
Kobe Bryant and Raja Bell always play physical basketball against one another. During their 2006 playoff series, Raja Bell took it one step farther. As Kobe dribbled past Raja, Bell collared Bryant by the throat and threw him to the ground. Kobe dusted off the foul and made his free throws; Raja was ejected from that game and suspended from their next playoff meeting.
39. Earl-ly to Rise
Earl Campbell is one of the most punishing running backs in NFL history. Jack Tatum is one of the hardest-hitting safeties in NFL history. When the two met on the goal line in 1979, something had to give. Campbell and Tatum ran full steam into one another, and after stumbling Campbell fell into the end zone for the touchdown. Advantage Campbell ... barely.
38. Meet the Mets
In other sports countdowns, Mookie Wilson's name will always be paired with a Red Sox first baseman named Bill Buckner. Not in this list! Mookie's devastating moment has him paired with former Mets teammate and centerfielder Lenny Dykstra. The two outfielders ran into one another going after a fly ball in left center field, causing both the fall to the ground. Miraculously, Mookie actually caught the fly ball.
37. Great Scott!
In the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals, Scott Stevens created his reputation as the hardest hitter in the NHL. Detroit Red Wings forward Slava Kozlov was skating through the middle and put his head down for a split second. That's all Stevens needed as he threw a shoulder that send Slava to the ice. Kozlov's eventually got up from the devastating hit, and his woozy reaction showed the hockey world what kind of hitter Scott Stevens would become.
36. Mark-ing his Territory
Baseball pitchers never feel very comfortable on the basepaths. Just ask Mark Prior. In a 2003 game against the Braves, he was running from first to second and had a frightening collision with Marcus Giles. Both players would leave the game and end up missing significant time that season (including that year's All Star game, which both were selected to play in).
35. Nittany Lion Roar
Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson was running up the sideline at full speed and saw hard-hitting Minnesota safety in Brandon Owens in front of him. Instead of going out of bounds, Robinson lowered the crown of his helmet and drove it right into Owens. The result ... one very devastating hit.
34. Frank Gets Tanked
Arguably the most famous old-school football hit of all time came from Charles Phillip Bednarik and was delivered to New York Giants star running back Frank Gifford. "Concrete" Charlie" hit Gifford so hard it kept Frank out of professional football for almost two years.
33. Throw them Bo's
Bo Jackson is one of the greatest two-sport athletes ever. On July 21st, 1987, he seemed to forget which sport he was playing. Jackson ran the 90 feet from third base to home as if he was trying to run through a linebacker tackle. When he met with Indians catcher Rick Dempsey, that is exactly what happened. Dempsey was tackled to the ground & held onto the ball, but left the game shortly thereafter.
32. Seeing Birds
Larry Bird hit as many memorable basketball shots as anyone in NBA history. But his most "devastating" hit was a head on collision with the Boston Garden. In a 1991 playoff game against the Pacers, Bird went diving for a loose ball and fell head first into the Garden floor. Bird would have to leave the game, but later returned to lead the Celtics to victory.
31. Getting Kap'd
During overtime of the a Maple Leafs-Flyers game on May 4, 2004, Toronto left wing Darcy Tucker laid a gigantic hit along the boards on Philadelphia right winger Sami Kapanen. Most men would've stayed down from this hit, but Kapanen's Flyers were on the attack, and to keep the refs from blowing a whistle, Sami had to try and get back to the Flyers bench. Kapanen took a good 15 seconds strumbling and struggling to get to his bench. On his final stumbling attempt, the Flyers scored the winning goal of the game ... all thanks to Sami keeping the game going by not laying down.
30. Brown Out
A punt return + no fair catch = a possibility for devastation. This possibility became a reality on October 21, 2001 when Cleveland Browns punt returner Dennis Northcutt decided he'd be able to avoid oncoming Ravens cornerback James Trapp. He was thought wrong. Trapp ran right through Northcutt, who may still still struggling to get up from that Raven Trapp.
29. Cowboy Up!
Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson's hitting ability always seemed to be a little underrated. Don't tell Seattle Seahawks wideout Darryl Jackson that. On October 27, 2002, Jackson tried a quick slant down the middle of the field and Darren Woodson made sure the only connection on that play would be his helmet to Woodson's. Needless to say, Jackson did not hold onto the ball.
28. Duck, Duck, Bruise
The 2003 NHL Finals will always be remembered for the hit that happened in Game 6 of its second period. Anaheim Mighty Ducks goal-scoring superstar Paul Kariya got absolutely drilled by New Jersey Devils' enforcer Scott Stevens. Kariya had to be sent to the locker room, but came back later that period to score a goal. Stevens got the last laugh though, as the Devils ended up winning the Cup in Game 7.
27. Darin Hurt-Stad
Anaheim Angels first baseman Darin Erstad played football at the University of Nebraska. Maybe that can explain what happened to Atlanta Braves catcher Johnny Estrada on June 6, 2005. Erstad was trying to beat out a throw at home and decided the best way to get there would be to tackle Estrada. After the tackle, Erstad slapped his hand on home plate and was called safe. Estrada lay on the ground for a few minutes, and eventually sent to the DL.
26. Gator Bait
Florida versus Tennessee is one of the better rivalries in the SEC. That's why nobody should have been surprised when Florida's Lawrence Wright took out Tennessee wide receiver Joey Kent. A second after Kent caught Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning's pass over the middle, he was drilled by Lawrence Wright and fumbled the football.
25. At-A-Boy
In 1990 it was a clash of the Titans at the height of their games. Steve Atwater could deliver a hit like no one else and Christian Okoye was the most powerful back in the NFL. On Monday night, Atwater put the Nigerian Nightmare to bed knocking him back three yards, something no one had been able to do to date.
24. Belt-ed
Mike Cameron and Carlos Beltran are known as outfielders with range but both were used to playing centerfield. In a 2005 game against the Padres the Mets glovemen dove all out for a ball and collided face first. It was a scary collision that could have been worse for both players.
23. Standing Pat
Before Pat Tillman was a national hero, he was a heavy hitter for the Arizona Cardinals. In a game against the Carolina Panthers, Isaac Byrd learned why you didn't go over the middle against Tillman. The Cardinals safety tattooed Byrd and knocked his helmet off. The play typified the way Pat Tillman played the game.
22. Aggie-nizer
Texas A&M's Quentin Coryatt was such a great linebacker in college the Indianapolis Colts took him second overall in the 1992 NFL Draft. Although he did not live up to the hype in the pros, he had many a devastating hit at Texas A&M. Against TCU, the backer dropped back in coverage and with stealth-like precision, de-cleated the Horned Frog receiver, jarring him, not only from the ball, but from his senses.
21. McHale's Arm-y
There were no bigger rivals in the 1980s than the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. At the height of this "Cold War" was the 1984 NBA Finals. The Lakers were in control of the series and Kurt Rambis was on the break going in for a layup. That's when Celtics power forward Kevin McHale clotheslined the goggled one leading to an on court fracas. The play swung the momentum in the favor of the Celtics who went on the win the Finals. Just another added chapter to this storied rivalry.
20. Hunting Season
Torii Hunter plays the game all out whether he's swinging for the fences or robbing someone of a home run. In a 2004 game against divisional rival, Torii was charging home on a sacrifice fly and flattened White Sox catcher Jamie Burke at home plate. Burke dropped the ball and Hunter was safe. Burke told reporters after the game that it "[felt] like a truck hit me." Burke's own manager, the always sympathetic Ozzie Guillen, replied to that comment with one of his own: "Don't cry about it, do something about it."
19. Tom-Jacked
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mike Tomczak had always been the target of some big hits, but this one was especially brutal. The Detroit Lions had already knocked starter Neil O'Donnell out of the game and were thirsty for more. Tomczak dropped back to pass and was reversing his field when the Lions Tracy Scroggins blindsided Tomczak, knocking him out for quite some time.
18. Special Delivery
The Detroit Pistons were known as the NBA's "Bad Boys," but Karl Malone showed them how bad he could be. Isiah Thomas was driving down the middle when Karl Malone elbowed Thomas in the face, leaving him bloody on the court. It was a special delivery Zeke wishes he could have returned to "The Mailman."
17. The A-D-L
The Atlanta Braves play a hardnosed brand of baseball and Marcus Giles knows this all too well. This is his second collision in the top 50, but this involved his own teammate. Marcus Giles ran out on a short pop fly and collided with center fielder Andruw Jones. The play landed Giles on the DL for two months.
16. It hits the Fan
One of the funniest of our top fifty hits involved fan interference in a game between the Bengals and Packers. With less than a minute to go and Green Bay trying to tie the game, a fan ran on the field and swiped the ball from Brett Favre. As the fan galloped toward the other end zone, Bengals security personal laid him out. This happened after a Keystone Kops-like moment when two security guards ran into each other trying to stop the fan.
15. The Assassin
This is Jack Tatum's second entry in the top 50 and probably the biggest hit in Super Bowl history. The Minnesota Vikings Sammy White caught a pass over the middle and "The Assassin" introduced himself to the dazed White. Tatum separated the Vikings receiver from his helmet and the legend of Jack Tatum continued to grow.
14. The Brady Crunch
Just because Tom Brady is a magazine cover boy and Super Bowl MVP doesn't mean he's immune from the devastation. In a game against the Buffalo Bills, Nate Clements wrecked the Patriots signalcaller as he slid to the ground, knocking the helmet off Mr. Bridget Moynihan. But Brady, ever the consummate leader, popped right up from this destructive hit and got ready for the next play.
13. Ring My Belle
This had to be one of the oddest hits in the countdown. Cleveland Indians star Albert Belle was always known for his calm demeanor and decorum (ahem). A routine double play turned into Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Fernando Vina's nightmare. Vina approached the ball and was given a forearm shiver by Belle. Vina looked at Belle, but the diminutive infielder wanted none of the ticking time bomb know as Albert Belle.
12. Nighty Night
Dick "Night Train" Lane deserves his own top 50 for all the punishment he has inflicted over the years. But on this particular hit the opposing quarterback cut up field looking for an opening and Night Train quickly put a stop to that. Dick "Night Train" Lane de-cleated the opposing quarterback with the reckless abandon that defined his career.
11. Ray of Fright
In a game between the St Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, Ray Lankford scored on a fielder's choice, never stopping and scoring from second base. It was a tie game in the bottom of the ninth when Lankford bombarded Darren Daulton at home. Daulton dropped the ball and the game. Knowing what we know now about Darren Daulton, maybe he took one too many shots like this in his career.
10. Butt Head
A classic case of a player losing his head. Let's set the scene: The world's largest sporting event, the World Cup, on the world's largest stage. The championship game. French midfielder Zinedine Zidane head butted Italian defender Marco Matterazi in the chest, knocking him to the ground and garnering a red card for Zidane. Italy went on to win the world cup in a shootout.
9. Meager Returns
Former Heisman trophy winner Desmond Howard did one thing really well; return kicks. As a member of the Detroit Lions, Howard wished he could have sat one out. Indianapolis Colts reserve linebacker Phil Glover decimated Howard, knocking him hard to the turf on a kickoff return. Desmond Howard had many memorable kick returns but this was not one of them.
8. Rose Bowls
Pete Rose played the game one way ... hard. In the 1970 MLB All-star Game Pete Rose rounded third and pulverized catcher Ray Fosse in the 12th inning to win the game. It was probably the most famous home plate collision of all time and a defining moment in the career of both Rose and Fosse.
7. Chairman of the Boards
Philadelphia Flyers center Eric Lindros was on the other end of a top fifty hit from Scott Stevens but is now the one doling out the punishment. Andreas Dackell of the Ottawa Senators got a loose puck against the boards, and the 6-5 Lindros annihilated Dackell, leaving him in a heap bleeding profusely on the ice.
6. Gettin' Key-ed
Keyshawn Johnson is known for talking a lot of smack, but Detroit's Corwin Brown once left Keyshawn speechless. The Buccaneers receiver was coming over the middle and Brown hammered Keyshawn, knocking his helmet off and leaving the loquacious receiver woozy and stumbling. Johnson had a face full of grass as he was helped off the field.
5. Fowl Ball
Probably the strangest hit in our countdown. In a spring training game for the Diamondbacks, a Randy Johnson fastball acted as a heat seeking missile and hit a bird soaring through the strike zone. Really! Randy Johnson was always known for mowing down opposing batters, but this pitch had feathers flying and people wondering what happened.
4. Johnny and Collide
The 2003 ALDS between the Oakland A's and Boston Red Sox saw one of the scariest head on collisions in baseball history. It was the top of the eighth on a shallow pop-fly to center. Boston second baseman Damien Jackson was running out while centerfielder Johnny Damon was running in. They hit heads and fell to the ground, leaving both players dazed and confused.
3. Marshall's Law
The 1990 NFC Championship between the Giants and the 49ers had stars all over the field from Montana to LT, Jerry Rice to Bill Parcells. But the biggest moment of the game was when Joe Montana avoided Lawrence Taylor's rush, stepped up in the pocket and was blasted in the back by Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall. The hit had Montana seeing stars as he was knocked out of the game. Montana already had an ailing back and this famous hit essentially ended his career with the San Francisco 49ers.
2. Jump to Contusions
A diver ... a diving board ... and devastation. You do the math!
1. Break on Through
In a minor League baseball game in Portland, Chip Hale hit a deep drive to right and only outfielder Rodney McCray had a chance to get to the ball. McCray caught the ball, but also crashed into and THROUGH the wall. He ended up on the wrong side of the fence, dazed and confused. The wall had splintered off and McCray went through the wall. It had to be one of the craziest plays in the history of sports.
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