In an ideal world, there wouldn’t be any negativity. Not sure if that’s a John Lennon quote or perhaps something from Elmo on Sesame Street. Regardless, we ought to strive for less hatred and more love, but in the realm of sports, that can be tricky.
It’s only natural for some athletes to harbor intense rivalries. Each game can bring out fiery emotions—whether that’s from a controversial call or a gritty play on the field. Today, we’re diving into the tales of those players we just can’t seem to forgive. And, well, we hope you’ll join us on this ride.
Brooks Orpik? Never Forget
If you cheer for the Penguins, I get it—Orpik is a legend for you. But for me? I can’t stand him. It’s been nearly two decades of animosity that doesn’t seem to fade.
So, picture this: 2006, and my Carolina Hurricanes are on fire, chasing a championship. Eric Staal? He’s on his way to becoming one of the top young centers in the NHL. Cam Ward? Making impossible saves left and right.
Fast forward to March 6th, during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Hurricanes face off against the Penguins, both top rivals in hockey. Then, out of nowhere, something brutal happens. Orpik, who has a reputation for targeting smaller players, slams into Carolina’s Eric Cole from behind, resulting in a severe neck injury.
Cole was known throughout the league for his kindness and sportsmanship. Teammates adored him, and even opponents acknowledged his good nature. So, it was jarring to see Orpik triumph, relishing that he’d taken down a player who was smaller and lighter than him.
Cole made a comeback during Game 6 of the finals and got to experience the thrill of lifting the Cup. But after that hit, he was never quite the same. It highlighted his toughness, but also the toll such hits can take on a player’s career.
Ulf Samuelsson, We Remember
Last week, we touched on players who left a mark on us as fans, and I zeroed in on Wade Boggs.
This follows quite a bit of deliberation on my part.
Ray Bourque also crossed my mind, a legendary defenseman for the Boston Bruins. He gave everything to the team, but never got to lift the Stanley Cup while in Boston—a regret that must have stung. Then, in 2001, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, only to win the Cup just a few days later, returning to Boston as a champion.
That situation was incredibly bittersweet. Boston had yearned for a title for so long, and here was one of their own celebrating with another team. It was a testament to what he meant to the city.
This brings us to a painful memory from the 1990-1991 NHL season involving Ulf Samuelsson.
The Bruins were on a roll. Leading the conference, they were poised for greatness. Bourque was racking up points, backed by strong performances from his teammates. Everything felt right as the Bruins surged past the Hartford Whalers in the first round and faced off against their arch-rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.
But then, during Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, everything went south. Samuelsson delivered a brutal hit to Cam Neely, catching him knee-to-knee, which sent Neely crashing to the ground and ignited the fury of Bruins fans.
What happened next? There wasn’t even a penalty called, which made it all the more infuriating.
Neely struggled through the rest of the series, and the Penguins went on to win it all. Neely’s injury lingered—he managed only 22 games over the next two seasons. It’s hard to ignore how much Samuelsson’s hit altered not just Neely’s career, but the trajectory of the Bruins during that time.
Even when Boston eventually returned to prominence and claimed the Cup in 2011, Neely had already been gone from the game for years.
A decade later, Neely remarked that he had moved on from what happened with Samuelsson. But for many Boston fans, it lingers still.
Cleveland’s Long-Standing Grudges: Here Comes John Elway
I’ll admit it upfront—narrowing it down to just one name wouldn’t do justice to Cleveland’s sports anguish. So, I’m giving a quick overview before landing on Elway.
- Decision Maker of the Rain Delay (Not an athlete, but still relevant): During the 2016 World Series, a rain delay disrupted the momentum for the Indians, helping the Cubs clinch victory. Many fans felt this was an overreaction and blamed it for the loss.
- Michael Jordan: The Cavaliers, with a stellar lineup, had their championship dreams dashed by none other than Jordan. While he was a player to admire, he was also a barrier the Cavs stood no chance of overcoming. And, well, LeBron James came along but never really had a fair shot.
- Pete Rose: After his recent passing, Rose’s reputation is tainted for Clevelanders because of a devastating play on catcher Ray Fosse during the 1970 All-Star Game, which severely impacted Fosse’s career.
- Art Modell: An executive at the center of Cleveland’s fury, Modell took away the beloved Browns team, and his name is synonymous with betrayal in the city.
Now, let’s talk about Elway.
Everyone remembers the “fumble” and “drives,” but there’s a certain way Elway carried himself that added fuel to the fire of Cleveland disdain. With each victory over the Browns, it felt like a dagger.
He wasn’t as imposing as some quarterbacks, but that charismatic smile of his stuck with fans. The Denver Broncos became a major rival for Cleveland, and even today, Elway’s involvement with the team stirs up old feelings.
Just last week, we shared our stories—dissecting our deep-seated emotions tied to athletes who shattered our hearts upon leaving us. And let me tell you, the conversations sparked some passionate responses from those in the SB Nation community.
