If you’re a sports fan, there’s a good chance that you’ve made sure to watch every single 30 for 30 ever created.
The popular ESPN documentaries—which began in 2011 and include 30 films by 30 different directors—tell some of the best, in-depth stories in sports, giving viewers an opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes moments from topics like the “The U,” to the connection between Pablo and Andres Escobar, often leaving us either joyful or, go ahead and admit it, tearful.
While the series has become a cult-classic, there have been a bunch of spoof 30 for 30 titles that have been just as good, leaving fans wondering, “why isn’t that an actual episode?”
With so many mockumentaries popping up on the Internet, I figured I’d rank which ones I thought to be the best—with the hope that, maybe, one day, they could be turned into a real 30 for 30 episode.
8. LeBron’s Headband
For a long time, LeBron James’ hairline has been a hilarious topic of conversation. More than that, though, the dude’s headband has actually garnered as much attention, with some making fun of how the thing has been scaled back to follow that aforementioned hairline of the King’s.
Somehow, the sweat band has become a bit of its own personality, with the Cleveland Cavs releasing a spoof video of the thing last season after James lost it to, “look more like his teammates.”
Yeah, when a guy is 6’8″, 240 pounds and can steamroll opponents with both speed and strength like few others on the planet, dude ain’t looking like his teammates.
7. Kerwin Bell’s Spike
Scoring a touchdown in a football game is an exciting deal, with players going bat shit crazy because they crossed the goal-line.
We’ve seen guys do the absurd while celebrating, too, like busting out cell phones, holding up signs and grabbing their dicks. But it was a simple spike that got the attention of this spoof, as former CFL quarterback Kerwin Bell’s infamous ball spike to the balls will forever live on in infamy.
Grabbing six points for his Toronto Argonauts against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a game in 2000, Bell’s family jewels’ were crushed when he tried spiking the ball through the fucking ground, forgetting that the thing bounces—as it did, finding the worst spot possible.
6. Dead Play (Arkansas Fake)
It was, arguably, the play of the 2014 college football season—for all the wrong reasons.
Looking to catch the Miami Hurricanes off-guard with a fake punt attempt, Arkansas State had one of its players actually fall backward as if he was passing out, which, in turn, would give the punter a split second longer to deliver a pass.
The result? Fucking miserable.
Not only did no Canes give two shits about the dead man falling, but the punter tossed a laughable interception, proving that punting was probably the way to go.
Might be time to take that one out of the playbook, Red Wolves.
5. Popcorn Guy
We’ve all been there before. Drunk, lonely and upset with how our favorite team is performing on the field.
Rather than just leave early and waste the time and money spent to get to the stadium, why not live it up and act like the drunken mess you already are by staying in your seat?
That was the thought of this dude, who, in 2014, was seen at a Washington State Cougars football game straight lounging and chugging his popcorn—down to the last kernel—while TV cameras caught him.
The Cougs were getting their ass handed to them by the Stanford Cardinal, losing 55-17, but this homey provided the one highlight for Wazu—as the mystery of who he is will forever live on.
4. Ronda Rousey
It’s unfortunate that the actual video has been deleted, but that still doesn’t take away from the majestic idea that came to The Big Lead’s Rob Perez following Ronda Rousey’s annihilation of Bethe Correia this past weekend at UFC 190.
After Correia got in the face of her opponent during the weigh-in and yelled, “don’t cry” multiple times, Rousey wasn’t about to take it easy on her, knocking her out with a nasty right hook in a blazing 34 seconds to stay the undefeated champ.
Seeing as how pissing off Ronda Rousey isn’t a game worth playing, the 30 for 30 spoof was born.
3. The Space Jam Game
Go ahead and stand up if you dislike the movie Space Jam. OK, for those who are out of your seats, go ahead and gracefully leave the room, because I’m done with you now.
For those who are still sitting, though, go ahead and laugh at this hysterical 30 for 30 spoof that the guys over at Yahoo! Sports did, taking the matchup between the Toon Squad and the Monstars to epic proportions.
The commentary is absolutely on-point, with analysts talking about how, back in 1995 when retired from the NBA, Michael Jordan had nothing else to prove in the game of basketball—until he was presented the challenge of three 12-footers, and two with spikes coming out of them.
It was a daunting task for MJ and his crew, indeed, but he and his tunes lived up to it—as did this hilarious mockumentary about the entire game, treating it as if it actually happened.
2. Richard Sherman
There aren’t too many people more talented at impressions than comedian Frank Caliendo, who has been known to do some of the best sports impersonations ever during his time on-air.
From his spot-on Mel Kiper Jr. and Jon Gruden characters, to his mumbling Bill Belichick, Caliendo has this whole comedy thing down pat—and he busted out his best during a Richard Sherman, 30 for 30 mockumentary.
Bringing out the big guns to document Sherman’s postgame rant following the 2014 NFC Championship Game, Caliendo makes this spoof fucking great, and one of the best things I’ve seen in a long, long time.
1. Brian Scalabrine
Brian Scalabrine may have played for three different teams during his 11 NBA seasons, averaging 3.1 points and 2 rebounds per game, but someone believed that, thanks to his heart and dedication, he was the real deal.
In what can only be described as epic, a fake 30 for 30 trailer simply called “Brian” hit the Interwebs in 2014, and has become the favorite of sports fans everywhere.
Scal—who was often the human victory cigar, inserted into a game once the outcome was decided—may have a championship ring and was a fan-favorite, but it’s this spoof video that will forever remain his legacy.
It’s fucking hilarious.