Most Controversial Ending To A Game

[Mitch Henessey]

There have been many controversial endings to games, and some of these blown calls or mistakes have cost teams victories or something even more valuable. Lets review some of the most controversial endings:

November 26,1998: Lions VS Steelers

If you've seen this footage before, you can clearly hear Jerome Bettis call "tails" during the overtime coin toss, but the ref declared Bettis had called "heads",and the Lions were able to win this game. Ever since this incident occurred, the NFL now requires each player to make the call before the coin is tossed.

Game 6: 1998 NBA Finals

This is probably Michael Jordan's most famous game winning shot, but if you've seen it, there's no way you can deny the push he gave Bryon Russell as he went up for the shot. The Bulls won this series, and MJ captured his sixth and final NBA championship.

2002 AFC Divisional Playoff Game: New England Patriots VS Oakland Raiders

This game is where the "tuck rule" became famous. After Tom Brady was crushed by Charles Woodson, the ball came lose, and was recovered by Oakland. The Raiders thought they were on their way to the AFC championship game, but a booth review changed all of that. The play was ruled as an incomplete pass, New England would go on to win the game, and the Patriots dynasty had begun.

2002 MLB All-Star Game

This game ended in the 11th inning, when both teams ran out of substitute players. Bud Selig decided to let the game end in a tie, and I can still remember how pissed those fans in Milwaukee were. Ever since then, there has been a special stipulation added to the all-star game. Which ever league wins will be granted home field advantage in the World Series.

My pick for most controversial ending has to go to the Patriots VS Raiders game in the 2002 playoffs. I'm picking this game for one major reason.....the impact it had on NFL history. Just imagine if the Patriots had lost that game. Would they have won as many Super Bowls as they did? Would Bill Belichick be considered one of the best coaches we've ever seen? Would there even have been a Patriot's dynasty?

Your pick for most controversial ending to a game can from any sport, and your choice can also be from the pros or college. please feel free to add in any game I left out.

So with all that said, what's your pick for the most controversial ending to a game?

 

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

The most controversial end of a game that comes to my mind is the game 6 of the 1985 World Series. I used game 7 for the most embarrassing loss but game 6 is what started it all. The call I'm talking about is the Don Denkinger safe call at first. Denkinger blew this call like a ****e blows a dick. This is the mose controversial ending to a game that comes to mind.

 

[The People's Peep]

I mainly watch baseball, hockey, and american football, but I keep up with soccer and i occasionally watch it. So for this thread, I'm going to go with a recent soccer game, the world cup qualifier between france and ireland.

Most of the spots for the World cup had been filled and there were a few spots left up for grabs in a playoff. One of the matchups was France vs ireland. The winner gets to go to the world cup and the other leaves their country in tears. France had won the first leg 0-1 with an away goal. So in the second leg, ireland needed to win at least 0-1. In the 32nd minute of the second leg, ireland scored and it would stay that way for the rest of the match. So it 1-1 on aggregate and now they had to go to extra time. Soccer doesn't have a golden goal rule so the team winning after another 30 minutes wins. if no one is winning after the 30 minutes, it goes to penalty kicks.

now the controversy. In extra time, a french player played a free kick into the box to thierry henry. the ball was going out of play and henry stops it with his arm then uses his hand to put the ball to his foot. thats two handballs on one play. Henry laid across to william gallas and he headed in the winner. every ireland player and coach was calling for a the two blatant handball but to no avail. The goal stood and france went on to win and go to the world cup. looking back on the goal, the refs also missed two french players that were offsides. Ireland appealed for a replay of the game and even asked to be the 33rd team in the world cup. Its a game that will live on in french and irish soccer forever.

 

[CH David]

Just because I can. Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS. Two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Tie game, AJ Pierzynski is at the plate and swings at strike three. Well, for those of you that know baseball, Pierzynski took one step towards the dugout then ran to first. He was called safe, and home-plate umpire Doug Eddings says he did his drop third strike mechanic, saying it was indeed strike three, but not calling AJ out. Angels go from hitting in the top of the 10th to back on the field to finish the 9th. Pablo Ozuna pinch ran for AJ, stole second, and then Joe Crede hits the game winning double of the fence in left.

Sox win, and go on to sweep the Astros in the World Series. Doug Eddings is hated in California, and AJ is hated worse by Angels fans.