SPORTS

The cast of 'The Challenge: All Stars' (2021) are ready to compete.

20 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About MTV’s The Challenge

After 36 seasons, MTV's 'The Challenge' is a reality television institution: No television show has pitted more former, current, or future TV stars against one another.

The U.S. tug-of-war team at the 1908 London Olympics.

11 Surprising Sports that Have Appeared in the Modern Olympic Games

Since the first modern Games in Athens in 1896, the Olympics have included everything from pistol dueling to croquet.

Michael Jordan gets ready to tuck into a McJordan Special.

The McJordan Special: In the 1990s, McDonald's Served Up a Michael Jordan Burger

In the early 1990s, McDonald's made a direct appeal to Chicago Bulls fans by naming a modified Quarter Pounder after star player Michael Jordan. It wasn't sold in Boston.

Batter Up: The Reason Why Aluminum Bats Aren't Allowed in MLB

You won't see any synthetic bats in Major League Baseball. The technology would change the game, and not necessarily for the better.

Get ready for the Kentucky Derby with these facts about Thoroughbred horses.

7 Fast Facts About Thoroughbred Horses

If you've ever watched the Kentucky Derby, you've seen a field full of Thoroughbred horses in action.

Notable southpaw Tommy John pitching for the New York Yankees in the 1980s.

Why Are Left-Handed People Called Southpaws?

Southpaws are most often talked about in baseball and boxing. But which sport (if either) coined the term?

Double Bray: When the New York Mets Replaced Mr. Met With a Live Mule

The mule’s name, Mettle, represented spirit, ardor, and stamina. “The way they play, they need all those things,” one Mets fan said.

Why Do Referees Wear Black and White Stripes?

In 1920, an Eastern Michigan University football referee named Lloyd Olds got tired of being mistaken for an open teammate.

Eliza Carpenter was among the racers in the Land Run of 1893.

Eliza Carpenter, the Black Jockey Who Made Horse Racing History

While women jockeys face obstacles, perhaps none has faced the level of challenge that Eliza Carpenter did.

8 of the Strangest Minor League Baseball Mascots

From a musclebound mollusk with a Cheshire grin to a furry mystery with lore worthy of Tolkien, here are eight of the most unique Minor League baseball mascots.

The Smart Reason There Are Black Lines on Basketballs

Those black lines do more than give a basketball its distinctive look—they actually make the sport easier to play.

Misha Shutkevych/iStock via Getty Images

The Surprising Link Between an 1851 Chess Tournament and Today's March Madness Bracket

The modern chess set is named after Howard Staunton, a chess master who popularized its use. But his lasting contribution to sports might be in one that wasn’t even invented by the time he died in 1874.

Beyoncé and Bruno Mars performing at Super Bowl halftime in 2016.

The Past 20 Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Ranked From Best to Worst

Will The Weeknd’s 2021 Super Bowl halftime show outshine Beyoncé’s past appearances? It’s *technically* not impossible.

Screaming out "gimme!" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Why Do Quarterbacks Say 'Hut'?

American football is home to a lot of nonsensical terminology, but 'hut' has a fairly clear origin.

Coco Gauff plays a backhand during the Wimbledon Championships in London on July 8, 2019.

Why Do Wimbledon Players Wear All-White?

Wimbledon's dress code is one of the most famous in sports. The rules, which specify that players must dress "almost entirely in white," are so strict that the referee can force players to change under threat of disqualification—and even the players' unde

The Ebony Anglers are helping to redefine competitive fishing.

The Ebony Anglers Are Changing the Face of Competitive Fishing

After noticing a lack of Black participants in North Carolina fishing tournaments, Gia Peebles decided to do something about it.

Low Blow: How Can Martial Artists Get Hit in the Crotch Without Getting Hurt?

Ancient kung fu techniques seemingly allow experts to absorb groin strikes without flinching. Is it a trick, or are they just nuts?

Evander Holyfield (L) and Mike Tyson (R) compete in their rematch in Las Vegas on June 28, 1997. The bout would make sports history.

From Ear to Eternity: When Mike Tyson Bit Evander Holyfield

When Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield met for a second time on June 28, 1997, Tyson gave the crowd plenty to chew on.

8 Facts About "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Pro wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was known for his Scottish kilt and bagpipes, but he was also a serious martial artist and even recorded a pop song.

8 Surprising Facts About Chuck Norris

Celebrated martial artist Chuck Norris set his sights on Hollywood at the urging of Steve McQueen. He's also an honorary Texas Ranger.

American athlete Tommie Smith, wearing black socks, celebrates after crossing the finish line of the men's 200-meter final ahead of Australian Peter Norman and compatriot John Carlos during the Mexico Olympic Games.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos Shocked the World—and Sacrificed Their Careers—By Protesting Racism at the 1968 Olympics

When Tommie Smith and John Carlos each raised a black-gloved fist on the Olympic podium, 50,000 people fell silent. Then, the booing started.

Photo courtesy of The Bruce Lee Family Archive

10 Amazing Facts About Bruce Lee

Though Bruce Lee is known as an icon in film and in the world of martial arts, most of his recognition came after his death at the age of 32.

Double Play: The Curious Life and Career of Ozzie Canseco

Ozzie Canseco, the identical twin brother of baseball legend Jose Canseco, had all of the tools—but not nearly enough of the practice.

Bo Jackson and the "Bo Knows" campaign helped Nike finally overtake Reebook in the early 1990s.

Bo Knows Everything: Remembering Nike's Legendary Bo Jackson Ad Campaign

The two-sport athlete slammed home runs in baseball and rushed for 950 yards in football, but it was an endorsement deal with Nike that made Bo Jackson a household name.

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