Wednesday's P.M. Hot Clicks: A look at Sharks in Sports

Author:
Andy Gray
Publish date:
Jul 30, 2014

Sharks In Sports

Sharks in Sports

Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Shark Dancers

Katy Perry performed at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, and her candy-colored "Teenage Dream" and "California Girls" set featured some very enthusiastic sharks. These oddly endearing felt monsters stole the show, but it was the left finned dancer who truly soared. With a dedicated ambivalence to the set choreographed, this dancer slapped and wriggled his way into the hearts of football fans everywhere.

Sharknado 2: The Second One

Sharks rain down on a crowd of New York Mets fans waiting to watch a game at Citi Field in the 2014 satirical disaster film sequel, with fictional Mets legend Harland "The Blaster" McGuinness hitting a shark home run (inset). Even Michael Strahan takes out a shark that infiltrated the studio of "LIVE! with Kelly and Michael" with the finishing blow coming from co-host Kelly Ripa.

San Jose Sharks

Bruce Bennett Studios, Rocky Widner/Getty Images; John Hefti/Icon SMI

Since the San Jose Sharks made their National Hockey League debut in the 1991-92 season, their cutting-edge logo depicting a shark chomping a hockey stick in half has become one of the most recognized marks in professional sports. Goalie Brian Hayward was in net for the Sharks when they won their first NHL regular season game on Oct. 8, 1991. However, he is better known for his mask, looking as though he is peering out from the jaws of a great white.

Greg Norman | Nickname: ''Great White Shark''

According to the professional golfer: ''It started in 1981 when I was leading The Masters. The media didn't know who I was or anything about my background and started asking questions about the unknown blond-haired Aussie with an aggressive style of play who used to swim and dive with the sharks. ''Great White Shark To Win The Masters'' headlines suddenly started appearing in the press.''

Pittsburgh Pirates ''Shark Tank''

Hunter Martin/Getty Images; @Mark_Melancon_; Al Tielemans

Pittsburgh's relievers were a large part of the Pirates success in 2013, so, in the tradition of great Pittsburgh sports units of the past, such as the Steel Curtain and the Lumber Company, the bullpen acquired a nickname: The Shark Tank. Mark Melancon, who went shark-cage diving off New Zealand two years earlier and had a great white named after him, came up with the nickname. And as closer Jason Grilli said, ''we've got a lot of sharks out in that bullpen. When we smell blood, we attack.''

Miami Sharks | 'Any Given Sunday'

any-given-sunday-jamie-foxx-al-pacino-ll-cool-j-miami-sharks.jpg — Getty Images

The NFL prudently declined to lend its name and logos to Oliver Stone's 1999 film ''Any Given Sunday,'' so the movie created a fictional football league, the Associated Football Franchises of America (AFFA), with the Miami Sharks as its focal point. The Sharks owner and GM, Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz) repeatedly butts heads with head coach Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino) as he leads a roster that includes quarterbacks ''Steamin'' Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) and Jack ''Cap'' Rooney (Dennis Quaid), running back Julian ''J-Man'' Washington (LL Cool J), linebacker Luther ''Shark'' Lavay (Lawrence Taylor), defensive coordinator Montezuma Monroe (Jim Brown), and wide receiver Terrell Owens as himself.

Jeff Samardzija | Nickname: ''Shark''

According to the pitcher: ''It all started my freshman year [at Notre Dame]. I was new on the baseball team. I showed up, didn't know anyone. I was talking to (former Irish pitcher Chris) Niesel, and out of nowhere they called me 'Shark' because they said I looked like the shark on 'Finding Nemo.' It started during a game while I was pitching and they yelled at me from the dugout. Then Coach (Paul) Mainieri picked it up and it just snowballed from there. I guess I look like a shark.''

Ron Jaworski | Nickname: ''Jaws''

Jaworski became known as ''Jaws'' in the early '80s. According to his official website, the name was hung on him by his next-door neighbor at the time, Doug Collins, who was a star guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, and would later be an NBA coach and television analyst. ''He didn't come up with 'Jaws' because of that shark movie, though.'' Jaworski says, ''Dougie said it was because my mouth was always open, talking.''

Jerry Tarkanian

Legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian was known for his colorful behavior and affectionately referred to as "Tark the Shark." He led three schools — Long Beach State, UNLV, and Fresno State — to the NCAA Tournament, and made four Final Four appearances, winning the NCAA championship with the Runnin' Rebels in 1990.

Jacksonville Sharks

The team joined the Arena Football League in 2010 and won ArenaBowl XXIV in just their second year in the league.

Clearwater Threshers

The Threshers are a minor league (Class A - Advanced) baseball team that plays in the Florida State League. The team is the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Sean Sherk | Nickname: ''Muscle Shark''

After MMA fighter Sean Sherk won his 2004 fight against Ryuki Ueyama at the PRIDE Bushido 2 event in Japan, the fans there gave him the nickname ''Muscle Shark.''

Drew Rosenhaus

Agent Drew Rosenhaus' tactics are unconventional, and at times controversial, but he perfectly illustrates the breed of super agent that emerged in the NFL’s salary-cap era.

Shanghai Sharks

The team, which developed Yao Ming before he came to the NBA, competes in the Chinese Basketball Association. Yao now owns the team.

Jupiter Hammerheads

The Hammerheads are a minor league (Class A - Advanced) baseball team that plays in the Florida State League. The team is the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

Roger Bernadina | Nickname: ''The Shark''

The Nationals outfielder got his nickname for his ability to hunt down balls in the outfield, like a shark going after its prey.

Kenneth Gant | Nickname: ''The Shark''

Peter Read Miller for Sports Illustrated

The former NFL defensive back was known for his performance on special teams, but more so for his celebratory ''Shark Dance'' with the Dallas Cowboys.

Worcester Sharks

The team, located in Worcester, Mass., competes in the American Hockey League and is the minor league affiliate of the San Jose Sharks.

Nova Southeastern Sharks

Nova Southeastern University is a Division II school that competes in the Sunshine State Conference.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

The Australian professional rugby team competes in the National Rugby League, Australasia's premier Rugby league competition.

Sale Sharks

The English professional rugby union club play in the Aviva Premiership.

KwaZulu-Natal Sharks

The South African rugby union team participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament.

East Fremantle Sharks

The East Fremantle Football Club is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League.

As I mentioned in A.M. Clicks, Sharknado 2: The Second One airs tonight on SyFy with parts of the movie taking place at New York's CitiField. In honor of this important cultural event, the SI photo editors put together this gallery looking at Sharks In Sports.

The Next Shawn Bradley

Robert Bobroczky, a 7-foot-4, 13-year-old basketball prospect, is tearing up Romania right now.

Embarrassing Lawsuit of the Day

New Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Thomas is being sued by a San Diego woman for allegedly giving her herpes. His alleged excuse is priceless.

Lovely Lady Round-Up

According to her Twitter profile, Chelsie Aryn is a "country girl who loves motorcycles, bad boys with tattoos, MMA & the NY Jets!" I am 0-for-5 on her wish list, but still think she deserves some recognition (click here for full-size version) ... Check out Samantha Hoopes' latest photos from Bello ... Maryna Linchuk has a new lingerie photo shoot our for Chantelle ... My friends at Coed pose an interesting question about Kimberly Garner.

Calling Out Iowa

In an attempt to increase student attendance at its football games, the University of Iowa will randomly select five students who buy season tickets and give them free tuition, valued at $8,000. Other prizes include grocery gift cards, free textbooks and other supplies. Frankly, I don't know why everyone at Iowa isn't attending these games. The team isn't that bad, plus the school sets up a special tailgate for students before each game and there's the cornhole. This doesn't sound like fun? What else is going on that takes priority over this game? What am I missing?

Chad Johnson on Parenting

"I need more kids with women willing to give me custody once the children are 4 years old."

This is One Dedicated Cubs Fan

Odds & Ends

This should make PETA happy ... The Twins signed an undrafted 240-pound pitcher who throws a 100 mph fastball ... Good read on minor league baseball and sex on the road ... Vin Scully once played baseball against George Bush (the older one) ... Magic Johnson's prepaid credit card business is in shambles ... Brooklyn Decker landed a role on the new Netflix comedy Grace & Frankie ... A profile of prank-call master Captain Janks ... Photo: the iPads of the Georgia football team ... The nation's top 10 drive-in movie theaters ... A mashup of all the times Samuel L. Jackson has said "mother f----" in film.

Chest Bump Fail

This is what happens when a 340-pound defensive lineman and 170-pound running back combine for a chest bump, as demonstrated by Ohio State's Chris Carter and Devonte Butler.

Brad Marchand Hates Tomas Plekanec

The Bruins pest was asked which fellow players he dislikes; he did not hold back with his answer. (H/T The Score)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1975

Arnold Schwarzenegger turns 67 today. Here he is competing at the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest.

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