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Top Nine Towel Uses in Sports

By Jack Maxwell

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing a towel in an attempt to distract the Cavaliers J.J. Hickson during a free throw. That’s quite a hefty check to write, especially considering there are eight other towels in sports history that are far more significant.

  • DANNY AINGE’S WASTE OF MONEY
    If you’re gonna cut a check for $25,000, at least do something that actually affects the outcome of the game.
  • ROGER NEILSON THROWS IN THE TOWEL
    During the 1982 NHL playoffs, the Canucks coach stuck a white towel to a hockey stick and held it high as a sign of protest for what he believed was unfair officiating. The next game, thousands of Canucks fans emulated their opinionated coach. WATCH
  • THE END OF AN EPIC REIGN
    After a reign of more than five years as WWE Champion, Bob Backlund saw it come to a controversial end when his manager, Arnold Skaaland, threw in the towel. Skaaland apparently feared for the safety of his protégé, who was locked in the dreaded Camel Clutch, but we think he was more of an Iron Sheik fan. Unrelated: Sheik recently met Kermit the Frog. Seriously. WATCH
  • MY NAME IS TERRELL, I’LL BE YOUR WAITER
    After scoring his 100th touchdown, Owens pulled a towel hidden under his uniform and folded it over his arm like a waiter. He then pretended to serve the ball to his opposition. Just one catch: T.O. didn’t actually have to hide the towel. It’s actually legal in the NFL to wear a towel on your uniform.
  • DESMOND HOWARD’S COTTONY WEAPON
    Sure, it’s legal to wear a towel. But how in the world is it acceptable to wrap it in duct tape? For his teammates’ sake, I hope he never did the ol’ towel whip trick in the locker room.
  • JERRY TARKANIAN
    Before you judge, there are far worse oral habits the former UNLV basketball coach could have than constantly biting a towel.
  • NICOLETTE SHERIDAN INVADES THE LOCKER ROOM
    ABC later admitted that their Desperate Housewives didn’t really get the reaction they had hoped. What were they expecting? WATCH
  • THE TERRIBLE TOWEL
    Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of fandom, the Terrible Towel is proudly waved by Pittsburgh Steelers fans everywhere. They even take it with them on vacations and display them on special occasions. Let’s hope this couple has more success than the Steelers this season.
  • ROCKY IV
    If Rocky Balboa had just thrown the towel in a few seconds earlier, Apollo would still be with us today. WATCH
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