In professional sports, no amateur draft is bigger and more covered than the annual NFL draft. Composed of seven rounds and pick to pick coverage, the draft is big business for NFL teams, as one good draft can completely change the fortunes of the franchise. However, some picks do not work out, and some are legendarily horrible. The ten worst picks are compiled here.

10. Rick Mirer (Notre Dame, QB - 1993 First Round, 2nd Pick Overall, Seattle Seahawks)

While at Notre Dame, Rick Mirer played to an impressive 19-7-1 record. In 1992, Mirer lead the Irish to a victory over Florida in the Sugar Bowl and was named co-MVP with teammate Jerome Bettis. In a manner that would foreshadow the Manning-Leaf debate five years later, debate raged over whether Drew Bledsoe or Rick Mirer was the superior prospect. In the end, Bledsoe went first to the New England Patriots, and Mirer was drafted number two overall to the Seattle Seahawks. After a fine rookie season, finishing fifth in the AFC in passing, Mirer began a series of disappointing seasons. In 1995, he threw only 13 touchdowns compared to 20 interceptions, and the following season he threw 5 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He continued his career as a backup quarterback, but nothing more.

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The football World Cup is second only to the Olympics as the biggest tournament in the world. In the past, it has showcased such players of the caliber of Baggio, Pele and Maradona and rarely have they disappointed, all three scoring some memorable goals. This list is ten of the best goals in world cup tournaments. The list has tried to include long-range shots and team goals as well as the more spectacular solo efforts.

1. Roberto Baggio. Italy Vs Czech Republic - 1990

This clip from the Italia world cup in 1990 does not quite do the brilliance of Baggio’s goal justice. Though it still looks good. His dummy just before he scores is perfection. Taking two defenders (watch how the closest defender almost spins right around in confusion) and the goalkeeper out of the equation he presents himself with an open goal. He could not miss.

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Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. They may be studied for various reasons including combat skills, fitness, self-defense, sport, self-cultivation/meditation, mental discipline, character development and building self-confidence, or any combination of the above. This is a list of the top 10 international Martial Arts. In no particular order:

1. Karate [Wikipedia]

Meaning “Empty hand” in Japanese, Karate is one of the more popular martial arts. Originated centuries ago from the island of Okinawa, it did not catch on in mainland Japan until the early 1900s, when Master Gichin Funakoshi simplified the self-defense techniques and added a philosophical aspect to the art. There are many different styles within Karate, but they are all characterized with the same hard blocks, punches, and kicks. Today, it is practised and studied in countries all over the world.

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Whether we like or not, sport really is a substitute for war. Throughout history, death and sport have stood hand in hand and the people that have died have acquired a legendary warrior-like status. The Juventus fans died in the name of their club and Ayrton Senna died in an accident just as he was about to revolutionize motor racings safety standards. The following top list attempts to look at tragedies in terms of the impact they had on an entire sport, or country, rather than just a few individuals.

1. The Superga Tragedy [Wikipedia]

Returning from little more than a friendly, the plane carrying all but two of the Torino football squad, and many of their coaching staff, crashed into the Superga hill near Turin. Everybody on board died.

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Sport is drama in its rawest form. Unlike film or theatre, what happens is completely unplanned, often resulting in heroic acts that spring from real emotions and occasionally tragedy. The following top ten list of sporting comebacks aims to look at teams or individuals that through sheer will power, made the impossible a reality.

1. 1972 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic champion, Lasse Viren [Wikipedia]

In his first Olympics at the age of 23, Lasse Viren went into the 1972 10,000m final little more than a rank outsider. When he and Mohamed Gammoudi fell over halfway through the race, it was Gammoudi the 1968 Olympic Champion, who garnered the attention. Yet while Gammoudi dropped out two laps later, Viren had already caught up with the leading group and went on to win the gold in a world record 27:38:40. His achievement was crowned just ten days later when he added the 5000m title.

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