The most shocking moment of the World Cup landed with a dental imprint Tuesday, when Uruguay forward Luis Suarez bit the shoulder of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 80th minute of a Group D match.
Suarez, a serial biter, was not punished by the referee for the bite, but FIFA officials are currently preparing a decision on a potential suspension for the Uruguayan striker.
Suarez’s tooth-first flareup wasn’t the first in the annals. Let’s take a look at some of sports’ most memorable bites:
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield
Heavyweight boxer Tyson committed the most infamous bite of all time when he bit off a piece of opponent Holyfield’s ear on June 28, 1997. Tyson bit Holyfield again later in the fight, for which referee Mills Lane disqualified him and allowed Holyfield to retain his WBA title.
Miguel Olivo vs. Alex Guerrero
This May, Dodgers minor league catcher Olivo bit off a piece of teammate Guerrero’s ear after a feud about Guerrero missing a tag. Doctors successfully reattached Guerrero’s ear and he will be able to continue his career. The Dodgers released Olivo after the incident, which probably ends his hopes of returning to the majors.
Alexandre Burrows vs. Patrice Bergeron
In Game 1 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, Vancouver Canucks right winger Burrows bit the finger of Bruins center Bergeron. Burrows slyly hid the incident from the view of cameras, and the NHL could not find sufficient evidence to suspend Burrows. The Bruins won the back-and-forth series in seven games to become Stanley Cup champions for the sixth time.
Tree Rollins vs. Danny Ainge
Atlanta Hawks center Rollins bit the middle finger of Boston Celtics shooting guard Ainge in a brawl during the 1983 NBA playoffs. Rollins elbowed Ainge in the face for calling him a “sissy,” and Ainge retaliated by wrestling Rollins to the floor, where the bite occurred. Ainge was ejected for the incident, but officials allowed Rollins to remain in the game.