Cheers & Jeers knows all about freak injuries -- this writer once hit his head on a doorframe while taking out the trash. But sustaining an injury while celebrating? Well, that takes special talent.
Chris Coghlan was carrying a pie when he tore the meniscus in his left knee Sunday afternoon. Actually, it was a plate of shaving cream that Coghlan was carrying. But at this point, the object in his hand really doesn't matter.
In yet another injury-caused-by-celebration that leaves us shaking our heads, Coghlan -- attempting to prank Wes Helms after the pinch-hitter's game-winning single Sunday against Atlanta -- landed awkwardly on his knee and could be out six to eight weeks. It's the second notable injury following a walk-off hit this baseball season (the first being Kendry Morales' unwise leap into infamy -- resulting in a broken leg -- after hitting a game-winning grand slam in late May).
So Coghlan, the 2009 NL rookie of the year, becomes the latest player to be injured on account of overzealous celebrating. Some other notable blunders:
Ted Ginn Jr. » The speedy Ohio State receiver returned the opening kickoff of the 2007 BCS Championship Game for a touchdown, setting off a wild celebration in the end zone that resulted in Ginn going down with a leg injury. He missed the rest of the game and the Buckeyes were rolled by Florida, 41-14.
Bill Gramatica » The diminutive kicker (is there any other kind?) is the owner of one of the dumbest injuries in sports history. In December of 2001, Gramatica, kicking for the Arizona Cardinals, jumped into the air to celebrate a field goal and came down with a torn ACL. He later told the Arizona Republic: "My jump was excellent. It was my landing I needed to work on."
Gus Frerotte » Speaking of dumb ... Gramatica's feet-first landing pales in comparison to Frerotte's head-first plunge at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in November 1997. Frerotte, celebrating a one-yard touchdown run, head-butted the very lightly padded wall in the back of the end zone. He left the game with a sprained neck ... and a bruised ego.