Professional athletes are some of the most admired figures in the whole world. And, with that kind of fame, comes envy, which is why we often revel in any of their misfortunes.
The following list contains some of the best clothing “misfortunes” ever to befall the famous athletes of the world.
Olga Graf
Olga Graf is one of the most successful speed skaters today, but despite her success, the media can’t seem to forget about her flashing moment way back during the Sochi Winter Olympics.
You see, after winning the bronze medal, she decided to celebrate by unzipping her uniform. But, she unzipped it a bit too low for comfort and nearly had a wardrobe slip-up. Luckily, she recovered quickly enough to prevent a total embarrassment.
Christopher Spring
A day ahead of his Olympic race, Bobsledder Christopher Spring decided it’d be a good idea to try out his outfit. His suit, though, had other ideas and it came out a bit too tight.
He was a good sport about it, though, and took to Twitter to post a picture of him wearing his uniform. Not that we really needed to see his hairy belly.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan’s #23 jersey will forever be remembered. However, there were a couple of times when he wore a different jersey. Case in point, he wore #45 for a time after coming back from his stint playing baseball for two years. Then, there’s also the time MJ had his jersey stolen before a game against the Orlando Magic, forcing one of the greatest basketball players of all time to wear a nameless #12 jersey.
Then again, does anybody really not know who Michael Jordan is, especially back then?
Kariman Abuljadaye
Saudi Muslim sprinter Kariman Abuljadayel made history at the Rio Olympics for being the first ever Saudi woman to compete in the 100 meters dash. As is according to her religion, he had to cover herself up from head to toe, which definitely could not have helped her cause. But still, kudos to her for not letting it stop her from competing.
Helen Skelton
BBC Olympics host Helen Skelton had a rather embarrassing mishap when her skirt blew up in the middle of on interview at the 2012 London Games.
This wasn’t the first time, though, as she made headlines yet again at the 2016 Rio Games for her high hemlines. Albeit, the latest one was intentional.
Maybe she really just doesn’t care what other people think?
Nicklas Helenius
It takes perfect composure to try to shoot a goal without one’s shorts, but that’s exactly what Aston Villa forward Nicklas Helenius once did.
Surprisingly enough, there was no penalty called on this rather foul play. Maybe, just maybe, the refs swallowed their whistle, or they were taking the day off. Regardless, we did learn on that day the answer to the question whether soccer players wear boxers or briefs.
Stephanie Gilmore
The 6-time world champion surfer certainly is no stranger to clutch moments, but nothing could’ve prepared her for what happened during a Vogue shoot back in 2014.
While surfing in the waters of Australia’s Bondi Beach, the famous Aussie surfer nearly lost her top. Thankfully, she was able to snag it back before it got any chance to float away into the Pacific.
This Guy
Here’s an idea, maybe Olympic swimmers should switch to board shorts to prevent disasters like this one? It’s not like they’ll slow them down or anything, right? Seriously, these swimsuits are hella expensive and for that to happen to a swimmer? It’s just beyond embarrassing.
Sochi Figure Skater
Apparently, figure skating stockings weren’t really ready for mother Russia, as evidenced by this photo from the Winter Olympics of 2014. Kudos to the pair, though, for still performing beautifully despite the unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. She deserves props for being a real professional about it.
Pep Guardiola
With all that walking back and forth that managers do every day on their jobs, it’s surprising that they’re not wearing a track suit. Isn’t it enough that Guardiola gave a good example of what would happen when you’re walking so intensely while wearing slacks?
For those who don’t really watch soccer, Guardiola is like NFL’s Bill Belichick or NBA’s Gregg Popovich, and can you really imagine either of those two losing their pants?
Legends Football League
The former Lingerie Football League, whose motto is “Women of the Gridiron”, is a huge success, especially among male audiences and with scenarios like this happening regularly, that’s not really much of a surprise.
Colombian Cycling Team
Back in 2014, the Colombian women’s cycling team unveiled these crazy uniforms. Why? We don’t exactly know. But, they did later try to explain their decision to the media, not that it was in any way redeemable.
A futile attempt at modernism maybe? We don’t know. What we do know is that it plain stinks.
Paige Spiranac
This 24-year-old has been making headlines ever since she graduated from San Diego State University and for good reason, she’s a damn good player and a beautiful one at that.
The photo above was captured on her first ever professional tournament after graduating.
Adam Riggs
That “Angees” jersey is probably his punishment for peddling and using PED.
Torotno
Jersey manufacturers have pretty tight deadlines, but even so, it’s no excuse to mispell something as easy as Toronto. Because of this blunder, even a World Series Champ had to experience some of the worst fashion embarrassments ever in sports history.
Prince Hubertus
Prince Hubertus wasn’t just the only second oldest Winter Olympian in history at Sochi, he was also the only team member in the Mexico Olympic Team. So, of course, since he was alone, he got to wear whatever he wanted, which led to whatever outfit you call he’s wearing above.
Just a fun fact, he’s actually a real prince. Like, royalty and s**t.
Wayne Gretzky
First Jordan, now Gretzky. It seems the greats aren’t exempt from these sports fashion blunders.
Considered by many as the greatest player to ever play ice hockey, Wayne once had to wear a jersey to spelled his last name as “Gretxzy” on October 30, 1997, in a match against the Islanders.
Brian Wilson
ESPY Awards is synonymous to red carpets and high fashion, except, of course, when someone gets that crazy idea of wearing something so ridiculous that you just have no words for it.
Former San Francisco Giant pitcher, Brian Wilson, once had that very crazy idea and wore a spandex tuxedo onesie, which definitely was not a good look.
Serena Williams
Pro tennis players, Serena Williams, and her sister Venus always seem to like dressing up in less than traditional sports clothing. case in point, this bubblegum pink skin-tight onesie that she wore to practice a few years ago.
To be honest, the only way she can top this is if she decided to wear an all white version for Wimbledon sometime in the future.
Bethanie Mattek
Bethanie Mattek is considered the most rebellious tennis player in history. She’s even known to wear even more ridiculous outfits than the Williams sisters, and that’s saying a lot! Case in point, she decided to wear the white outfit pictured above for the very conservative Grand Slam, Wimbledon! She also chose to wear a tennis-inspired neon green gown for the Pre-Wimbledon Party.
Rumor has it that Mattek shares the same fashion designer with Lady Gaga, which certainly seems to explain her outfit choices.
John Daly
Daly is known for three things: his golfing skills, his alcohol problem, and his affinity for unique pants. I say unique because it’s all a matter of perspective because you either love em or hate em.
Gillian Cooke
British bobsledder Gillian Cooke definitely takes the cake when it comes to the coldest outfit fail on this list, if not ever. As you can see, she just suddenly ripped her pants, and this was right before they hit the course during the 2010 World Championships which was held in Switzerland.
Despite the wardrobe failure, she and her partner still managed to get 7th place and were able to qualify for the Vancouver Winter Olympics later that year.
Venus Williams
Venus Williams has her own clothing line, which is composed of some pretty unique designs, many of which aren’t exactly built to withstand sudden breezes.
Lucky for her, she’s got plenty more moments to be remembered more other than her embarrassing clothing failures. After all, she’s a future Hall Of Famer, a former world number 1 and still remains ranked inside the top 20 even when she’s nearing her 40s.
Ski Trip
Something tells me that this could’ve gone a lot worse.
This Swimsuit
Professional swimmers have pretty neat bodies, but the heat of the sun can often take its toll. The swimsuit too sometimes won’t cooperate, such as in the case of this young lady right here.
Flavia Zoccari
Enough time has probably passed for Flavia Zoccari to laugh about this mishap right here. But, at the time, this definitely was not funny.
Not only is it a really embarrassing sports failure, the swimsuit actually got her disqualified from the competition she was scheduled to participate in.
Didier Drogba
Man, that guy is ripped. Get it? No? Okay. I’ll show myself out.
Those Outfits Are Real Tight
Unfortunately, they leave little to the imagination.
Skimpy Panties
This Japanese winter athlete definitely must’ve thought that her thick Lycra jumpsuit would cover up her underwear. After all, why would she even think about wearing a skimpy panty if that weren’t the case?
Rob Gronkowski
Gronk is such a good guy that he’ll show his butt to anyone, all you got to do is ask.
Mike Alstott
Mike Alstott was a legendary fullback who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Alsott? We don’t really know who that guy is.
In all seriousness, though, the team claims that the two jerseys above were not a mistake. Rumor has it that the two jerseys were worn by Mike for his first two preseason games with the team back in 1996.
Jelena Jankovic
While playing at the 2014 Rogers Cup in Montreal, Jelena Jankovic, unfortunately, found herself with a busted strap on her Fila tennis dress. Lucky for her, there was a spectator who was more than happy to help her with her predicament.
Frederick Bousquet
Frederick Bousquet wore a shiny goal swimsuit when he competed at the World Swimming Championships in Rome back in 2009. Did it bring him any luck? Not really. It did bring him some infamy, though.
“The Limbo”
The maneuver’s not exactly called “The Limbo”, but the name certainly fits, right?
The Truth
Behind every beautiful or handsome weightlifter is an intense, uglyish face that you can never unsee.
Bomb’s Away
This is what your face looks like when you’re riding that roller coaster.
The Headless Gymnast
Again, a case of the photographer being at the right place and at the right time.
Kill It With Fire
We know it’s just a photo of a guy swimming, but it’s more fun to think that it’s that creature from the movie Alien.
A Fine Balancing Act
That’s certainly one way to use your head.
Ouch!!!
Just in case you don’t know, falling flat face first onto the ice hurts just as much if you do so on concrete.
Feet Head
It’s amazing what the human body can do when you’re that flexible.
Mrs. Incredible
For her next trick, she’s going to make herself even longer!
Figure Skating
Can you just imagine how many hours these two put into practicing this routine?
Final Move
The final move was spectacular, the moments before it? Not so much.
Bust A Move
Don’t worry, they’re not fighting, they’re just getting it on in a good old fashioned dance-off.
Knocked Out
Some people say they’re going to knock someone’s head off, this guy actually did it.
Kiss My Cleats
That’s got to leave a mark.
The Art Of Letting Go
I’ve heard about throwing in the towel, but throwing in the racket? That’s new.
Butt Hurt
You know two teams are bitter rivals when these sort of things happen.
On His Way To Heaven!
This photo was captured at the best timing possible. Right when the powerlifter finished his “clean” and drops the weight to the floor, it seems he shot up afterwards. Insane.
It looks like he’s being raptured up into Swole Heaven. Where choirs of angels go beastmode on their harps and all food is paleo.
This guy has to have won this event. When you finish your rep by ascending to the sky don’t you just automatically win?
Naturally Beautiful
Okay, so there’s nothing supernatural-looking happening in this photo. But its subject, Allison Stokke, is the poster girl for “right place, right time.” This pic, snapped during a high school track meet, made her an overnight celebrity.
Stokke wasn’t eighteen when this photo was taken, and after it went viral she pushed back against her celebrity hard.
She eventually got more comfortable being in the public eye. But her life was challenging for a bit.
Red Head
It’s a bird, it’a a plane, it’s a girl with a ball for a head! This image made us do a double take, where is her head? Alas, the dancer and gymnast is just super flexible in her neck, pushing it all the way back with the ball between her arms giving the illusion that her head is gone. Although we know that she’s fine, this image is going to haunt us for a bit.