A Million Little Humiliations: The Sports Scandals Quiz
1 of 10
Which former All-Star was banned from baseball for his ties to Atlantic City's Claridge Resort & Casino?
Pete Rose
Mickey Mantle
Reggie Jackson
Dwight Gooden
ANSWER: In 1983 – 14 years after retiring from baseball – Mantle took a job as a greeter/ambassador for the Claridge. He was banned from baseball by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, citing the affiliation with gambling. Mantle was reinstated in 1985 by Kuhn's successor, Peter Ueberroth. (Source) In 1983 – 14 years after retiring from baseball – Mantle took a job as a greeter/ambassador for the Claridge. He was banned from baseball by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, citing the affiliation with gambling. Mantle was reinstated in 1985 by Kuhn's successor, Peter Ueberroth. (Source)
2 of 10
Which NFL star – who would later star in a TV show – was suspended for one season for betting on football?
Alex Karras (Webster)
Dick Butkus (My Two Dads)
Bob Golic (Saved By The Bell: The College Years)
O.J. Simpson (Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood)
3 of 10
During the 2000 Summer Paralympics, ten of the twelve members of the Gold Medal-winning basketball team were revealed to have no disability. Which country were they (mis)representing?
United States
Russia
Spain
Brazil
4 of 10
Stealing your opponent's signals is not new. In fact, one of baseball's most famous home runs has been linked to sign-stealing. Can you guess which one?
Bobby Thompson's "Shot Heard 'Round The World" in 1951 for the New York Giants
Roger Maris' record-setting 61st homer in 1961 for the New York Yankees
Joe Carter's World Series-winning home run in 1993 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Aaron Boone's Game 7-winning HR over Boston in 2003 for the New York Yankees
5 of 10
Which college football program was given the "death penalty" in 1987, resulting in the cancellation of the 1987 season and the loss of 55 scholarships?
Texas State University
University of Kentucky
Southern Methodist University
Auburn University
ANSWER: SMU was already on probation when allegations surfaced of players being paid by boosters. Due to the loss of scholarships and difficultly recruiting, SMU cancelled the 1988 season as well.Source) SMU was already on probation when allegations surfaced of players being paid by boosters. Due to the loss of scholarships and difficultly recruiting, SMU cancelled the 1988 season as well.Source)
6 of 10
How much was Formula One racing team McLaren fined after being caught spying on rival Ferrari in 2007?
$8,500,000
$15,000,000
$25,000,000
$100,000,000
ANSWER: OK, this is the very recent past. But $100 million?! International Automobile Federation president Max Mosley said, "$100m is a large sum of money, but in such a serious case any fine has to be large enough to deter similar behaviour in the future whilst remaining proportionate to the resources of the team." (Source) OK, this is the very recent past. But $100 million?! International Automobile Federation president Max Mosley said, "$100m is a large sum of money, but in such a serious case any fine has to be large enough to deter similar behaviour in the future whilst remaining proportionate to the resources of the team." (Source)
7 of 10
After being told by the commissioner to sell his share in a nightclub linked to gambling and organized crime, which player announced his retirement from the NFL?
Joe Namath
Barry Sanders
Terry Bradshaw
Roger Staubach
ANSWER: In 1969, Namath retired for two weeks before reaching a compromise. He agreed to sell his stake in only the New York 'Bachelors III' location. (Source) In 1969, Namath retired for two weeks before reaching a compromise. He agreed to sell his stake in only the New York 'Bachelors III' location. (Source)
8 of 10
Ty Cobb was quietly coerced into retirement in 1926 after allegations of which transgression?
Game-fixing
Drug Use
Solicitation
Corking His Bat
ANSWER: Cobb and Tris Speaker were accused of fixing a game seven years earlier. But hearings in early 1927 cleared the men of wrongdoing, and they returned to baseball. (Source) Cobb and Tris Speaker were accused of fixing a game seven years earlier. But hearings in early 1927 cleared the men of wrongdoing, and they returned to baseball. (Source)
9 of 10
Which NFL team was fined and penalized draft picks for circumventing the salary cap during their Super Bowl championships?
New England Patriots
Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins
Denver Broncos
ANSWER: In 2001, the Broncos were fined $968,000 and lost a third-round pick in the 2002 draft for violations relating to $29 million in deferred payments to John Elway and Terrell Davis. In 2004, the league fined the Broncos $950,000 and lost another third-round selection in the 2005 draft for circumventing the salary cap between 1996 and 1998. (Source) In 2001, the Broncos were fined $968,000 and lost a third-round pick in the 2002 draft for violations relating to $29 million in deferred payments to John Elway and Terrell Davis. In 2004, the league fined the Broncos $950,000 and lost another third-round selection in the 2005 draft for circumventing the salary cap between 1996 and 1998. (Source)
10 of 10
Which college football coach was fired after punching an opposing player in the throat after said player intercepted a pass?
Paul "Bear" Bryant, Alabama
Hayden Fry, Iowa
Bo Schembechler, Michigan
Woody Hayes, Ohio State
ANSWER: On December 29, 1978, in the team's Gator Bowl contest against the Clemson Tigers, Hayes punched Clemson's Charlie Bauman in the throat after Bauman intercepted a pass along the Buckeye sideline in the closing seconds of the game. Hours after returning to Columbus, Hayes was dismissed. (Source) On December 29, 1978, in the team's Gator Bowl contest against the Clemson Tigers, Hayes punched Clemson's Charlie Bauman in the throat after Bauman intercepted a pass along the Buckeye sideline in the closing seconds of the game. Hours after returning to Columbus, Hayes was dismissed. (Source)