It’s Hard To Deny What Animals These Superstar Athletes Look Like
There are two things that are widely popular around the world: athletics and animals. Well, we're here to give the people what they (probably didn't) ask for -- athletes that look like animals. After all, aren't the world's best athletes just unleashing the animal inside on game day?
It's time to see what beast lies within some famous athletes, and how much of their outward appearance has in common with the animal. Fair warning, some of these athlete-animals you won't be able to un-see.
Sam Cassell Is The Quickest Tortoise Out There
We're not sure if it's the former NBA stars bald head or goofy grin, but we can't help but compare the six-foot three-inch basketball player to a giant tortoise.
During his 15-year career in the league, Cassell played point guard for eight different teams. In his first two seasons, he helped the Houston Rockets win back to back championships, while later winning a third with the Boston Celtics in 2008 - last season as a player.
Eric "Butterbean" Esch Is A Manatee
The lack of a neck that Eric "Butterbean" Esch has makes us think that he is a manatee in disguise. Following a successful run on the Toughman Contest in 1994, Esch went on to capture the World Athletic Association heavyweight and IBA super heavyweight championships.
The 425-pound professional heavyweight boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and wrestler has a combined record of 97 wins with 67 knockouts and 10 submissions. Not a bad career for a manatee!
Ronaldinho Gaucho Is The Goat
Former Brazilian professional footballer Ronaldinho Gaucho is revered as one of the best players of his generation and, by many, as one of the greatest of all time. This attacking midfielder went on to win two FIFA World Player of the Year awards as well as a Ballon d'Or (footballer of the year).
Every time he lets his hair down, Ronaldinho also reminds us that we should all schedule an appointment with our hairdressers to brush out our locks.
Rajon Rondo Looks Like Franklin The Turtle
Rajon Rondo is a good sport. It takes a lot for a grown man to somewhat admit that he looks like the main character from Franklin and Friends. And to admit it on national television during a Jimmy Kimmel Live! segment of "Mean Tweets" is another thing altogether.
Rondo is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. Thankfully, that uniform doesn't have any green in it, unlike the Celtics jersey he wore from 2006-2014.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Is A Ball Of Muscle
When we say pitbull, we mean the physical appearance of the animal. He's a ball of muscle that won't let go of you once he latches on. If you take away the mean-mug expression, his goofy smile makes you forgive him for knocking you senseless during a UFC competition.
Jackson became very famous in Japan due to his eccentric personality and aggressive fighting style. Following his move to UFC, he helped pioneer MMA's growth to a worldwide sporting event.
Cristiano Ronaldo Has The Legs And Hair Of A Roadrunner
Considered one of the best players in the world and regarded as one of the best of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo is nothing short of a marvel on the football field. He is definitely humanity's equivalent to a greater roadrunner, not to be confused with the lesser roadrunner that warms the bench and gets no playing time.
With his bleached hair and speed, it's no wonder Ronaldo reminds us of a roadrunner who can maintain a speed of 30 km per hour.
Tiger Woods Spirit Animal Is A This Huskey
If a wide-eyed smiley Tiger Woods doesn't make you think that he's been out drinking with a silly husky, please refer to the above photo. These two look like they just had a night on the town! Maybe grab a slice of pizza from behind the doggo, Tiger.
Aside from his personal life, Tiger ranks as the second all-time in both men's major championships and PGA tour wins. He is also widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
Russell Westbrook: Amato Animo Animato Animagus
So, Russell Westbrook is an Animagus out of the Harry Potter universe. Unfortunately for him, his powers stopped working about 10% of the way through, leaving him with distinct reptilian features and snake-like agility. We wouldn't be surprised if he showed up to a game one day sporting a forked tongue.
Westbrook is a point guard for the Houston Rockets and an eight-time NBA All-Star. He also earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award during the 2016-2017 season.
Michael Phelps Is The Greyhound Of The Water
Phelps is skinny, tall, has a long neck, is fast as lightning, and has a face that usually shows utter confusion about what is going on around him. That's all it took to pin Phelps as an aquatic greyhound.
The retired American swimmer is the most successful and decorated Olympian swimmer of all time, with a total of 28 medals. He also holds the all-time record for Olympic gold medals, Olympic gold medals in individual events, and Olympic medals in individual events.
Ozzie Guillen Has Resting Pug Face
Pugs are always guilty-looking, have pudgy cheeks, and when they do something wrong it's up for debate if they feel any remorse. That pretty much sums up the appearance of former MLB shortstop Ozzie Guillen.
The Venezuelan former player was in the league for 16-seasons, primarily on the Chicago White Socks. While he was playing, Guillen was known for his passion, speed, hustle, defensive abilities, and overall love for the game. Well, his appearance might be pug-like, but his personality and drive certainly are not!
Robert Griffin III Is a Crock From The Outback
The toothy grin, hard stare, and muscular arms lead us to believe that Robert Griffin III was a crocodile in another life. Although we love a good smile, Griffin's squinted eyes make us think he's about to pounce on some prey.
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback has played in the NFL since 2012, representing three different teams during his career. Perhaps his intense stare was the reason he was drafted to Washington. It's a bit unnerving.
Tyrone Hill Wants To Suck Your Blood
No, Tyrone Hill isn't Dracula, but he does oddly look like a vampire bat who just came out of a dark cave. His facial features are so similar to the nocturnal creature that it's kind of hard to un-see the resemblance. Sorry, Mr. Hill, you are now known as Count Hill to the public.
The retired basketball player was in the league since 1990, now assistant coaching for the Atlanta Hawks. As long as no one shows up with two little puncture wounds, keep on coaching Count!
Al Harris, The Komondor Dog
It's may seem too obvious, but Al Harris' dreadlocks remind us of a Komondor dog. Also, if Harris doesn't already own a mop dog then someone needs to suck it up and buy him one because they belong with each other.
Harris is a former NFL cornerback who played in the league from 1998-2001. Most recently he coached the defensive backs for the Kansas City Chiefs. The good news is that his long, stringy dreadlocks inspired others in the NFL to rock the same hairstyle!
Alex Morgan Has The Hair Of An Afghan Hound
Just hear us out. No one else can capture the grace and elegance of an afghan hound quite like Alex Morgan and her flowing brown locks. The dog breed is distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat, after all!
Morgan is a forward for the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League and the United States national team. Since 2018, she has co-captained the national team with Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe.
JaMarcus Russell Is The Saddest Of Pandas
One of the biggest busts in NFL history, JaMarcus Russell slumped over after throwing another interception looks just like this panda. His sad face, while he was playing quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, made you want to give the big lug a hug.
Russell had a great collegiate football experience at LSU, finishing 21-4 as a starter and being named NVP of the 2007 Sugar Bowl. We're all eagerly awaiting his NFL redemption story!
Chris Bosh Is A Velociraptor
Although it has been said many times before, Chris Bosh is a velociraptor doppelganger. At six-foot eleven-inches, the gangly former NBA player can't be compared to anything but the wacky two-legged dinosaur, especially while running down the court dribbling the ball.
Bosh was drafted to the Toronto Raptors in 2003, making his way to the Maimi Heat in 2010. Can we just say of course the Raptors drafted him? They could have used the guy for their mascot, after all.
Chris Kreider Has The Neck Of An Eagle
This NHL player's neck almost looks fake it's so long. And while the long neck screams giraffe or ostrich, we can't help but see the eagle in him. He's got the beak and piercing eyes, we just hope his head doesn't turn 180 degrees like an eagle. That would be horrifying.
Chris Kreider is a professional hockey player for the New York Rangers and holds the record for most Stanley Cup playoff goals before playing a regular-season game.
Don't Challenge Mario Balotelli To A Fight
If the form-fitting football jersey and major vein-game in his arms are any indications, Mario Balotelli looks like one jacked kangaroo. Not to mention his hard-hitting kick that makes him a professional athlete, it's almost like he took lessons from a male kangaroo.
Balotelli is an Italian professional footballer, playing striker for Serie A Club Crescia and the Italian National Team. He's played professionally since 2002, moving through eight teams before landing with his current club in Italy.
Novak Djokovic Is A Tennis Playing Flamingo
Someone get this man a pink tennis outfit because he is a flamingo on the court. He's graceful, yet mildly aggressive, not to mention he has the long neck paired with a thin face and bird-like snout, all of which makes us think he's a flamingo.
Novak Djokovic is a professional Serbian tennis player who was just ranked number one in the world in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals.
Mike Tyson Is A Tatted-Up Bulldog
Who has a rough exterior but is nothing more than a cuddly teddy bear on the inside? If you guessed Mike Tyson or a bulldog, you'd be correct on both fronts. Tyson's facial lines remind us of a bulldog's cute wrinkles, not to mention his smile that says "I'm going to do this but I'm not sure if I'm going to like it."
Tyson is a former professional boxer who holds the record for being the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title.
