The dark side of Sportsmen

Argentina’s Diego Maradona scores his side’s first goal past English goalkeeper Peter Shilton by using his hand, Maradona later claimed that the goal was scored by “The Hand Of God”

Hand of MarGodona

Although not exactly fitting into this category, but Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ is easily one of the most famous plays in sports history. Maradona’s goal came six minutes into the second half of the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between England and Argentina. Maradona punched the ball into the goal with his left hand, and referee Ali Bin Nasser allowed it, not having seen the penalty.

After the game and the 2-1 Argentinian victory came Maradona’s famous quote claiming that the goal was scored “un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios” (a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God). The goal was actually scored mostly with the hand of Maradona. Argentina would go on to win the 1986 World Cup, only increasing the significance of the wrongly allowed goal.

Although considered one of the greatest in the sports history, his heinous act to glory is a living example of what and how far anyone can go to win.

Panama Lewis

Lewis, the Death Ring Master

One such individual who took one step further to attain glory was Panama Lewis who might be the most despicable character in boxing’s history, which is saying something about a sport that has produced some truly disquieting individuals.

The lowest point of Lewis’ career was the 1983 fight between Lewis Resto and Billy Collins Jr. in which Lewis removed most of the padding from Resto’s boxing gloves. He also soaked the tape that went on Resto’s hands in plaster of Paris, meaning Resto was basically beating Collins Jr. with a plaster cast for ten rounds. Collins Jr.’s vision was blurred after the fight, leading to depression and a death nine months later in a car accident that some believed to be a suicide. There are photos of how he looked like after the fight over the internet, but I felt it’s too bold to be put up here.

Lewis eventually spent a year in prison for fixing the fight, but went on to train boxers overseas.

Just few who I could put to paper, there are others out there who have rendered similar or even worse deeds in their sporting careers. Their drive to win was insatiable; but their will to win far outweighed their respect for the sport and those who played. In the end they found a place a special place in the annals of history — it’s just too bad it wasn’t the place they were hoping for.