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The hurt locker: Sports' strangest off-field injuries By SCOTT COOLEY
Article Comments TWITTER FACEBOOK It’s difficult to put a price tag on a professional athletic body. The number dangling from the collar of Panthers receiver Steve Smith is $5.75 million – per year.

Smith recently broke his arm playing in a flag football game. The Carolina brass was not pleased with the shenanigans but the mercurial wideout said he plays the game for “more than just money.” The intention of Smith might have been harmless, but the result was not.

Smith isn’t the first athlete to injure himself outside of team activities. We take a look back at some of the most ridiculous off-field injuries sports has to offer.

Fake ‘n’ bake

Marty Cordova had an uneventful nine-season career in Major League Baseball but he damn sure looked good during it. Alex Rodriguez may try to stake claim as baseball’s pretty boy after his provocative Details magazine spread but Cordova earned that distinction in May of 2002.

Orioles manager Mike Hargrove was forced to scratch Cordova from the lineup one evening because the outfielder suffered burns to his face. How did he manage to char his GQ mug…he fell asleep in the tanning bed. Teammates added fuel to Cordova’s fire by saying he wanted to “look good in his prom pictures”.





Bury the axe

Motivational tactics by coaches vary from one guy to the next. Some are disciplinarians and others take a more metaphorical approach.

In his first season as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jack Del Rio went old school with his team’s football mantra – “Keep Chopping Wood.” Every day after practice Del Rio would have his players grab an axe and take a hack.

Unfortunately for kicker Chris Hanson, his eye-hand coordination wasn’t as good as his eye-foot coordination. He missed the stump of wood and severely severed his non-kicking leg with the axe, causing him to miss the remainder of the season.





Guitar Tunnel Syndrome

Everyone loves to jam out on the video game Guitar Hero and pretend to be rock stars, but moderation should be exercised in all things.

Tigers fireballer Joel Zumaya was forced to miss the 2006 ALCS because of a sore wrist. He didn’t injure himself working out or even choking his chicken, but instead came down with a case of Guitar Hero-itis. Zumaya must have been rockin’ out on expert level to injure himself that badly. After the season he said that he was “still going to play, just not as often.”





Dishonorable discharge

Plaxico Burress said he brought a gun into a New York nightclub because he was carrying a large sum of cash. Hey Plax, have you ever heard of an ATM or debit card?

You all know the story but Burress inadvertently shot his leg while sipping on Courvoisier. How ashamed he must be in front of his homeboys now, these guys are supposed to be firearms aficionados. At least he will have an excuse for walking with a gangsta limp when he gets old. Burress remains incarcerated for his sit-by shooting.





Et tu, Eaton?

While he wasn’t using a gun, big league pitcher Adam Eaton also suffered from a self-inflicted wound. The former Padre was attempting to open a DVD package with a paring knife when it slipped and punctured his stomach. The mishap landed Eaton in the emergency room and on the disabled list.

We all know those DVD wrappers can be a nuisance but Eaton admittedly called the move “boneheaded.” Yeah, well so were most of the teams that signed you and your 4.94 career ERA.



Motorcycle gang

The motorcycle has been the ruin of many professional athletes. Players like Jay Williams, Lavar Arrington, Monta Ellis, Ron Gant and Kellen Winslow Jr. all fell victim to the two-wheeled temptress.

The most notorious motorcycle crash happened in 2006 when Ben Roethlisberger thought it would be wise to cruise around downtown Pittsburgh without a helmet. Big Ben got into an accident and was catapulted from his bike, crushing the windshield of the other vehicle with his head. Roethlisberger gave up his crotch-rocket pastime to harass college girls at redneck bars. Pick your poison Steelers fans.





What’s that smell?

It’s a scary reality but World Cup follies are punishable by death in some countries. Fortunately, the Spaniards spared the life of goalie Santiago Canizares after missing the 2002 World Cup because of a freak accident.

Presumably while pampering for a night out on the town, Canizares dropped a bottle of cologne and severed a tendon in his foot. And that’s why Canizares was a soccer player – hands like feet.





Par for the course

Jimmie Johnson is one of the greatest drivers to ever grace the NASCAR track. But apparently J.J. doesn’t get enough of an adrenaline rush burning rubber at 200 mph.

In December of 2006, Johnson missed a month of racing because he broke his wrist while “horsing around” Teen Wolf-style on top of a moving golf cart. The phrase “horsing around” translates to “drunk off ass” because participants at charity golf tournaments are guzzling Mimosas and Bloody Marys before tee time and each hole offers a unique adult beverage.





Any other memorable off-field injuries? Give us your favorites in the comment box below.