Image via Complex Original
Alright, it's time to put you onto a little sports x medical knowledge, courtesy of our brilliant and twisted editor emeritus Donnie Kwak: The fencing response. And no, we didn't compile a list of the best fencing highlights. The fencing response is actually the involuntary positioning of the arms immediately after suffering a concussion. The arms extend in the air for a brief period of time resembling a fencer in battle stance.
This particular response doesn't happen all the time, so we gathered up the most notable instances. Everybody from Tim Tebow to Eric Lindros to random Thai kickboxers made the cut. So, if you like nasty hits or find some sick humor in watching athletes that could be seriously injured, check out our list of 20 Hilariously Gruesome Sports Concussion Videos.
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20. Tony De Las Heras (Referee)
Sport: Rugby
Date: 7/17/2009
Rugby is a man's game. It makes the NFL look Chris Bosh soft. The ref couldn't escape the stampede and unfortunately took a knee to the dome. That'll knock anybody out. Poor guy never had a chance.
19. Richard Grant
Sport: Boxing
Date: 11/23/2001
In one of the ugliest moments in boxing history, James Butler sucker punched Richard Grant after losing to him. Their match was a charity event for 9/11 firemen and police survivors, mind you. The cheap shot resulted in an assault conviction and four month sentence for Butler. As if that weren't enough, in 2004, Butler was convicted of murdering Sam Kellerman, the brother of Max Kellerman, with a hammer because Sam wanted him to move out of his apartment. SMH x 100.
18. Terry Etim
Sport: MMA
Date: 1/14/2012
Kicks to the face are all the rage these days. They're almost impossible to block and will end the fight 9 times out of 10. Homie's commentary in the vid says enough. When it comes to gruesome sports, MMA is simply unfuckwittable © Cudi.
17. Ryan Johnson
Sport: Hockey
Date: 10/27/2009
This shit is funny until you see that he isn't getting up. Any time you try to take on the board, you always lose. Yup, it's all fun and games till the stretcher comes out.
16. Nathan Horton
Sport: Hockey
Date: 6/6/2011
Jesus. Aaron Rome received a five minute interference penalty, a ten minute game misconduct penalty and was suspended for the next four games in the Finals. And we're glad they did, that's the type of hit that takes a few years off your career.
15. Eric Lindros
Sport: Hockey
Date: 5/26/2000
You have to keep your head up, especially when the Devils enforcer, Scott Stevens lurks. Lindros dealt with concussions his entire 15-year career. This was during Game 7 of the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals and it led to Eric leaving the Flyers on a sour note. He blamed the Flyers' doctors for not properly diagnosing concussions. If he didn't miss all that time due to head injuries, he would've been compared to the greats like Gretzky. #whatcouldvebeen
14. Ulf Samuelsson
Sport: Hockey
Date: 10/14/1995
Tie Domi was suspended 8 games for this hit. Some say it was a sucker punch, but many feel Ulf Samuelsson (one of the league's all-time dirtiest players) deserved it. Before the game he cleverly referred to Tie Domi as "Tie Dummy." What you young'ns know about this old school hockey, huh?
13. David Booth
Sport: Hockey
Date: 10/24/2009
This was a clean hit by Mike Richards. The NHL should think about investing in new head gear technology. Especially, since the consequences of coming down on ice (as opposed to grass) are pretty severe. Booth was dazed during the hit and then out cold once he hit the ice (no pun intended). He had to sit out for three months before he was cleared for full contact.
12. Tim Tebow
Sport: Football
Date: 9/26/2009
Yes, even Tim Tebow can get rocked. Thankfully he was OK and was able to bless us with his magical run this year. There was really no reason for Tim, or any of the starters for that matter, to be in the game with near 30-point lead. Tim had a concussion, but was able to return and lead the Gators to their second national championship. And Skip Bayless has been sprung ever since...
11. Brad Smith
Sport: Football
Date: 12/11/2008
Patrick Willis is a beast. How Brad Smith is still a functioning human after this hit is amazing. How the hell do you fold like a lawn chair and then pop up the way Smith did? Like he wasn't concussed and shit. That's toughness and grit right there.
10. Donald Jones
Sport: Football
Date: 8/20/2011
Nothing like a preseason injury to get the momentum going into the season. Rahim Moore definitely led with his shoulder, but maybe could've held back. That's easy for us to say since we're not out there making quick decisions. It's more the QB's fault. We blame you, Fitzpatrick.
9. Ike Hilliard
Sport: Football
Date: 10/19/2008
Good thing they outlawed those helmet-to-helmet hits, huh? Lofa Tatupa and Leroy Hill made themselves a nice meaty manwhich. Pause, Ayo!, and all that good stuff.
8. Ed Reed
Sport: Football
Date: 12/5/2010
After all the injuries Ed Reed has had over the years, it's an absolute miracle that he's still playing at a high level. Peep how Hines Ward almost starts to run for his life after the hit. That's a textbook block by a WR right there; clean hit.
7. Willis McGahee
Sport: Football
Date: 1/18/2009
The Steelers are known for being dirty players, but this wasn't a dirty play. Ryan Clark led with his shoulder and caused a fumble like he meant to do. He hit McGahee so hard, it turned into a helmet-to-helmet situation and both men payed the price. This play was definitely is on some Jack Tatum shit. R.I.P.
6. Anquan Boldin
Sport: Football
Date: 9/28/2008
We thought he died when we first saw this collision live and in stereo. The fucked up part about this whole situation, is that play was meaningless, the Cardinals were losing 56-35 to the Jets with seconds left to play. The Jets Eric Smith was concussed and fined 50 large for his part. Thankfully, Anquan made it back from that devastating hit three weeks later. Kind of amazing since he suffered a fractured skull and all.
5. Jahvid Best
Sport: Football
Date: 11/7/2009
That's why you never leave your feet in that situation; bad things tend to happen. Not everyone has that Jerome Simpson swag in them. Best was taken off the field on a stretcher and it was his second concussion in two weeks. Even though it's been a few years, he's still dealing with concussion issues.
4. Tyler Bryan & Shaun Parker
Sport: MMA
Date: 5/16/08
This is a classic and it's still unbelievable. Former MMA fighter, Shonie Carter was calling the fight for these two amateurs. Even after the KO, it looks like Shaun Parker (on the left) still wants some sauce. Once again, no other sport is seeing MMA when it comes to this brutality shit.
3. Tony Fryklund
Sport: MMA
Date: 4/22/2006
WTF. How are you supposed to defend that? Dude looks like he's about to die, man. Anderson Silva might be the baddest man on the planet. It's hits like this that make MMA illegal in some states. What up, New York?
2. Thai Kickboxers
Sport: Kickboxing
Date: N/A
This vid has been floating around the net for a while now. This is something straight out of "Bloodsport." On top of the KO, the winner came through with the badass celebration at the end. Soundtrack, please!
1. Simon Brown
Sport: Boxing
Date: 4/29/1995
This vid will forever be legendary. Vincent Pettway hit him so hard, Brown thought he was still standing, but instead, he was throwing punches in the air. He was concussed as soon as the punch landed. Damn, right on the button. Lemme at 'em, lemme at 'em.