Friday, December 5th, 2008...5:01 pm
Top 10 Athlete Signature Moves
It’s not a secret that we here at Pyle of List have a deep love of pro wrestling. So while I was making fun of a softball teammate for grounding out for shortstop more often than Hulk Hogan drops the big leg or Ric Flair slaps on the figure four, it dawned on me that many athletes have signature moves. So we racked our brains and come up with our 10 favorites. Some of these are iconic, some funny, and other just plain weird. Enjoy!
How Magic really got HIV
1. Jordan’s Tongue
The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be! Jordan’s tongue hanging out while he proved night in and night out that he was the best will never be forgotten. His legacy will live on with every white guy who does this while playing pick up b-ball with his cousins on Thanksgiving.
“Definitely gotta watch Wapner…”
2. Nomar’s OCD
No player in any sport has a more noticeable, or elaborate, tic than Nomar. Every at bat. Every pitch. It’s wristband, helmet, bat, helmet, glove, other glove, tap feet, swing bat. I’d hate to see his bedroom routine before him and Mia “take the field”. I imagine it’s something like kiss, kiss, grab, check condom, grab, check condom, tap feet, swing “bat”.
Kidd later beat the crap out of his hand
He should call this move The Kiss of Death. That would be much cooler than the name it has now, which is none. In fact, f*ck it, it’s renamed The Kiss of Death! You want to foul me as I’m driving the lane? Kiss of Death! Trying to come back late in the game? Kiss of Death! Didn’t make my sandwich when I got home? Well, that’s a backhand…
3. Kidd’s Kiss
Every woman in the first row went home pregnant that night
4. Bron Bron’s Powder Party
He may not have any rings. He has gained more notoriety (and cash) than anybody fresh out of high school and entering the “work force.” But Bron-Bron is no dummy. He grew up watching Jordan and learned all he needed to know about succeeding in the ESPN driven world of sports we live in, get a gimmick. Jordan had his tongue, King James has baby powder. It doesn’t make any sense. Anyone could create the explosion-like cloud of powder but…it’s LeBron so it makes the Sportscenter intro every night. Think about it. Watch for it. If LeBron and the Cavs played you can bet he tossed some powder in the air. And chances are some cameras caught it on tape. If someone caught it on tape, it will be in that quick-cut intro…I promise.
You show those windmills…
5. Chi Chi Rordiguez’ Sword Play
My dad watches a lot of golf. Now as a young child, this infuriated me. It was the most boring way to spend our one day a week together. But there was one thing that made it enjoyable for me, and that was some dude taking his putter out and wielding it like a sword when he made a put. As a child it was the only golf reference I had, so I would do it any time we went to Golf ‘n Stuff and think I was hilarious. Now that I’m older, I also realize what a kick-ass name Chi Chi is.
My grandpa does this too…although he’s usually crapping his pants
6. Stackhouse’s Squat
You know what this move says to your opponent? It says you are going to ride the Deuce train all over them. You will sit in the dining car, eat a full meal, and then de-board in Deuceville. All over them. Or perhaps just fart in their faces as they sleep. Either way, they are going to smell like turds and not be happy about it.
“I’m a big, bright, shining star!”
7. Culpepper’s Roll
I just don’t get it. Are you dancing? Cheering? Putting something in the oven for baby and me? Culpepper’s always marched to the beat of his own drummer in the NFL, but this takes the cake. Most people try to intimidate or show off when the make a big play. Culpepper? He’s auditioning for Grease 3: Greased Again!
“Pieces of sh*t: It’s what’s for breakfast!”
8. Shooter’s Shooter
The good lord chose not to bless me with a lot of things, but first and foremost is a kick-ass first name like Shooter. Of course, if I had been given that name, I too would have to do the old ‘gun finger’ at everyone. It just fits. I don’t care how many idiots do it and think they are cool, my name is Shooter and that’s what I do! If McGavin didn’t do the Shooter, it would be like a guy named SteamEngine not making a ‘woo woo!’ sound whenever he finished his second dinner of the night (c’mon, you know a guy named SteamEngine would weigh a minimum of 300 lbs).
Terrell never was any good at doing the Y-M-C-A
9. T.O.’s T-O
He’s bold. He’s brash. And no matter what you say, you’d love to have him on the field for your team on Sunday. Anybody who says they don’t is either lying, doesn’t recognize talent or secretly hates success. (I’m looking at you Lions fan) But there is no person in professional sports who has a more pronounced fear that (much like a Madison Ave. ad campign) if people don’t pay attention to him he’ll just simply disappear. To that end, after every touchdown Owens has come up with his gimmick that assures him that you won’t forget him…or at least his initials. In true Village People fashion TO creates his initials lest you forget him…please, oh please, don’t forget him, he’ll be your best friend….
TO, as a fan of interesting TD celebrations…grabbing a cheerleaders pom-poms, interesting. Becoming you own personal cheerleader (Give me a T. Give me a O. What do you get?) isn’t interesting…it’s actually kinda creepy, in that begging for validation from thousands of strangers way.
I blame this on the steroids
10. Merriman’s Lights Out Dance
One of my favorite hobbies is to walk around shopping malls and look like I’m having an Epileptic seizure. What can I say, I love the attention! Apparently I’m not alone, as famous steroid user/part-time professional football player Shawn Merriman likes to do that to. At least that’s what I think this ’sack dance’ is supposed to be.
As always, if we’ve forgotten anyone, please note the injustice in the comments section.
34 Comments
December 8th, 2008 at 11:15 am
The powder thing from LeBron was something that Garnett has been doing for years
December 8th, 2008 at 11:23 am
The powder thing from Garnett was something that Jordan did for years.
December 8th, 2008 at 11:41 am
What about Ray Lewis’ dance? Sam Cassels balls dance? Tiger woods fist pump? Ladanians ball flick?
December 8th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Brett carrying his receivers over his shoulder
December 8th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Tommy Boy’s double finger point. Ron Jeremy’s…………..
December 8th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
You forgot about Tony Romo’s signature choke move in big games. He does it a little differently each time, but it’s always there.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Larry Bird wiping the soles of his shoes
December 8th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
what about merton hanks chicken head bobble?
December 8th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Bad news, the baby powder thing is Jordan’s. Garnett did it as an homage to Jordan and that’s what LeBron does it. I would know, I’ve been watching it for 20 years.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
We got it…you all have seen others do the powder thing…I only wish we had mentioned something along the lines of it being rather unoriginal yet still shown every time it happens…Jordan and Garnett have done it,yes… but King James has turned it into a Nike ad.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Billy “WhiteShoes” Johnson - The Original dancer
Deions dance
December 8th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
No mention of Ken Griffey Jr.’s stance? That’s pretty much the most iconic standing position in all of sports.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
The Icky Shuffle
December 8th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
LeBron uses better powder than Garnett too, his actually lasts when the game is one the line.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
sammy sosa’s home run trot.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
You forgot Joe Morgan’s arm flap and Stargell’s wind up swing. What about Luis Tiants pitching motion. All better than most of yours.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Carl Edwards’s backflip
December 8th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
You forgot Deion Sanders high stepping!!
December 8th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Jordan started the chalk, but used to clap the powder into the face of Bulls broadcaster Johnny Red Kerr. Garnett was the first to make it a show.
Lebron brought it to a new level, but as Philguard stated Lebron has turned it into a commercial so people relate with him.
Tiger Wood’s fist pump, Sosa’s Home run bounce, Favre’s TD celebration, Tomlinson’s TD hand off to the ref all could be on the list.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
ozzy backflip; garnetts crawling back on d i always thought was cool but the camera never catches it…it makes the defensive stand more intense.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Tomlinson is not the first player to just hand the ball to the ref. Prior to the invention of the spike it was the norm, plus Barry Sanders always did that himself.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Ozzie Smith’s backflip is the original
December 8th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
As people have mentioned before, LT’s signature “tear drop” (not just handing it to the ref) should be on the list, but there’s also a reference to the hand behind the back ball flip he does - in basketball, when you couldn’t dunk or weren’t allowed to, you shot a lay-up in like a tear drop.
Others that could be included:
Jeff Bagwell’s squatting batting stance
Deion Sander’s high stepping/dance/anything really
December 9th, 2008 at 1:57 am
If anyone relates the powder clap with LeBron, it’s fairy obvious they aren’t quite that educated in basketball history. I could care less if a 10 year old kid thinks it’s LeBron’s signature. When a blogger with an assumed education in the game thinks it is LeBron’s signature, then that is when I take issue. Don’t write a column if you have no idea what to even put in it. Nomar’s OCD??? Really??? More people know Sosa’s kiss to the heavens. Merriman’s sack dance??? More people know Ray Lewis’ intro, the Icky Shuffle, the Electric Slide, Deion’s high step and shuffle, etc., etc.. Weak stuff.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:23 am
How about Griffey’s signature move…Hit a ground ball with runners in scoring position and then loaf to first. I love that one.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Helio Castroneves climbing the wall after a win. Anyone in a Packer uniform jumping into the fans. Dikembe Mutombo’s finger wag after a block. Ozzie’s backflip is classic. The Ickey Shuffle (gone too soon). Dontrelle Willis’ windup. Karl Malone’s talking to the ball, himself, whoever when shooting free throws. Griffey Jr.’s backwards hat. I still wear mine that way.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:36 am
A little bit of a no-namer but Wojo’s floor slap at Duke
December 9th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Ali’s rope-a-dope and shuffle
December 9th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Red’s cigar and Barry’s granny shot should be mentioned.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Sweetness started the high step even at the line of scrimmage
December 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I only have one thing to say: Johnny Blaze for President in 2012!
December 15th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
this list just suck hairy balls
December 26th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Rowdy Roddy Piper’s eye poking of his opponent.
February 17th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Chad Johnson’s touchdown celebrations get snubbed in favor of TO?
no Dirty Bird?
Carl Edwards/Ozzie Smith backflip?
I’m loving Chi Chi though
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