Top 10 Most Embarrassing Times Players Scored On Themselves

Although there have been several memorable moments during the historic rivalry between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, none is more bizarre than this. Tied at 2 during Game 7 of the 1986 Smythe finals, the underdog Flames took the lead in a way that no one expected. While trying to clear the puck, defenseman Steve Smith would inadvertently put it in his own net. Unfortunately, this goal would cost the Oilers the game, as they went on to lose to the Flames 3-2. Luckily for Smith, he would have his opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup the following year. Talk about things coming full circle.

During an NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors, Rockets center Omar Aşık accidentally and hilariously tipped the basketball into his own bucket. What makes this own goal particularly embarrassing is the fact that Asik’s misstep easily could have been avoided. Typically, when a basketball player puts the ball in their own net, it’s because they are under pressure and are simply trying to get the ball out of harm's way. Aşık clearly had time to make a safe play, but instead chose to awkwardly give the Raptors a freebie. Smooth move buddy!

During a 2013 NHL game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils, the Hurricanes found themselves on the right side of a delayed penalty. As is typically the case in these situations, the Carolina goaltender headed to the bench so that an extra attacker could join the play. Unfortunately, it was at this exact moment that Carolina forward Jordan Staal attempted to play the puck back to his defenseman. With nobody guarding the crease, the puck sailed from one end of the rink to the other and into the back of the Carolina net. Interestingly enough, the goal was awarded to Devils goalkeeper Martin Brodeur, who currently holds the record for most goals by an NHL goaltender with 3.

If there is one thing that makes an own goal worse it’s when it happens during a playoff game! Such was the case for defenseman Dan Boyle during Game 3 of the opening round of 2010 NHL Playoffs. With Boyle’s Sharks locked in a 0-0 tie with the Colorado Avalanche after 3 periods of play, the game headed to overtime. It was here that Boyle would attempt to rim the puck around the boards only to watch in agony as it found its way into the back of the net. An unassuming play, goaltender Evgeni Nabokov didn’t even realize what had happened until it was too late. Thankfully for Boyle, the Sharks would ultimately win the series in six games.

During a 2002 match between Aston Villa and Birmingham City, Villa defender Olof Mellberg set a harmless looking throw-in back to his goaltender Peter Enckelman. Unfortunately, Enckelman misjudged the pass as he would slightly make contact with the ball with his foot before it rolled into the net. Amazingly, if he hadn’t touched the ball, the play would have simply resulted in a corner kick for the other team. Instead, the stadium erupted into a chorus of jeers, with some fans hoping on the field to mock Enckelman to his face. Yikes, talk about throwing salt in the wound!

In soccer, it is not uncommon for players to regularly play the ball back to their goalkeeper. However, during a 1991 match between Arsenal and Coventry, Arsenal right-back Lee Dixon put a little too much mustard on his pass and was forced to watch as it sailed over his keeper's head and into the back of the net. Dixon’s reaction after he commits the costly error is priceless; and the unmistakable feeling of knowing you just screwed up must have stuck with him for a while after this one.

Nowadays, most people know Marc Bergevin as the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. However, back in 2000, he was just another NHL defenseman playing for the St. Louis Blues. During a first round playoff series against the San Jose Sharks, Bergevin intercepted a pass with his hand and attempted to throw it into the corner. With the puck nowhere to be found, the players temporarily skated around in confusion. However, the puck was quickly discovered…in the back of the Blues’ net! In his haste, Bergevin had inadvertently scored on his own team! If that wasn’t bad enough, the Sharks would go on to win the game and eventually the series.

What makes an own goal truly ironic is the fact that it is always done with good intentions. Take James Young for example. During a college basketball game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Montevallo Falcons, Young was just trying to keep the ball from going out of bounds; and he uses every ounce of his athleticism to make it happen. There was just one problem, when he tossed the ball back into play it took an unexpected trajectory… something which here means he threw it directly into his own basket. It would have been a beautiful play had it occurred at the other end of the court!

With only 20 minutes remaining in their match against Liverpool and up by a score of two to nil, the Tottenham Hotspurs were feeling confident as they set up to defend a corner kick. However, when Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon attempted to clear the ball off of his own goal line, it struck teammate Gareth Bale directly in the face before rebounding into their net. If that wasn’t bad enough, the shot managed to knock Bale to the ground, which must have caused Liverpool fans to burst into fits of laughter. However, it was Bale who would get the last laugh, as the Hotspurs managed to hold on for a 2-1 victory.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Laura Bassett
Jamie Pollock
Chris Phillips
Tony Popovic
Luke Walton

During a 2006 match between Bury and Darlington, Bury defender Chris Brass tried to clear the ball over his head with an ill advised front kick. Incredibly, the ball smacked him in his face before redirecting itself into the back of the net! We can only imagine the humiliation that Brass must have felt after accidentally using his face to give the other team a free goal. While Bury would ultimately win the game, Brass was forced to head home with a bruised nose and a seriously battered ego.