Must Have Been the Shoes: The Cleats Worn for the 10 Worst Fumbles Ever

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Fumbles are essentially game changers in the NFL. They can end all momentum and change the outcome of a game completely. From Tony Romo's embarrassing fumble for the Cowboys to Leon Lett's hilarious fumble in the endzone during the Super Bowl or "The Fumble" by Earnest Byner for the Cleveland Browns. These fumbles have happened at the worst possible times and make goats out of the players o the field. These are the Cleats Worn for the 10 Worst Fumbles Ever.

Rafael Canton is a freelance writer from Queens, NY and contributor to Sneaker Report. Anytime there is a conversation about the NBA, music, or nutella, he can be found in the thick of the discussion. He can be found on Twitter @RafelitoC7.

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Mizuno
Images via mynews4.com & dreamstime.com

 No. 10 - Failure to Three-Launch

Cleat Worn: Mizuno Football Cleats
Key Players: Roger Craig

The San Francisco 49ers were extremely close to winning a third super bowl in a row. The problem was that they couldn't get back to the dance because they lost to the New York Giants in the 1990 NFC Championship. The 49ers started the year 10-0 and finished 14-2. San Francisco had a 13-12 lead with three minutes to go when running back Roger Craig was hit by the Giants' defender Erik Howard behind the line of scrimmage, resulting in a fumble. Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor fell on the loose ball giving the Giants possession with a chance to win. The Giants drove down the field, kicked the winning field goal and erasing any thought of a three-peat. Now we can understand why we don't see a single NFL player wearing Mizuno cleats today.

Nike Zoom Vapor Carbon Fly
Image via Getty Images/Ezra Shaw

No. 9 - Punt Return Night Gone Bad

Cleat Worn: Nike Zoom Vapor Carbon Fly
Key Players: Kyle Williams

Kyle Williams' fumble night was an experience to watch. The San Francisco 49ers Williams fumbled twice on punt returns during their NFC Championship game against the New York Giants. Williams was returning punts because of an injury to Ted Ginn, Jr.. He fumbled for a second time in overtime on the San Francisco 24-yard line which led directly to a Giants score effectively ending the game. We absolutely can't blame the zoom Vapor Carbon Fly for that embarrassment.

Nike Football Cleats
Image via BBC

No. 8 - Super Bowl Fail

Cleat Worn: Nike Football Cleats
Key Players: Cris Collinsworth

There's nothing worse than a Super Bowl fail. Cris Collinsworth was stripped by corner back Eric Wright while Wright was committing a tackle on Colinsworth. San Francisco landed on the ball and had a subsequent drive that was 92 yards that led the 49ers to take control of Super Bowl XVI. Now Collinsworth can use his gaffe to perfectly explain what's going on in the NFL based off of his bad experience.

Reebok Thorpe D2
Images via gregshead.net & eBay

No. 7 - A Super Bowl Failure to Remember

Cleat Worn: Reebok Thorpe D2
Key Players: Thurman Thomas

Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas helped the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, but even he made some mistakes in his playoff career. Thomas and the Bills led the Dallas Cowboys, 13-6, at halftime of Super Bowl XXVIII. A minute into the third quarter, Thomas was stripped by the Cowboys’ defensive lineman Leon Lett. Dallas defensive back James Washington recovered the fumble and ran 46 yards for a touchdown. The momentum shifted and Dallas went on to win the Super Bowl.

Nike Pro Streak Max
Images via Bleacher Report & Sole Collector

No. 6 - The Jaguars Stew After James Stewart Fumbles

Cleat Worn: Nike Pro Streak Max 1996
Key Players: James Stewart 

The Jacksonville Jaguars were an unlikely bet to appear in the 1996 AFC Championship game but they did. The Jaguars were within one touchdown of the New England Patriots as the two-minute warning approached. Running back James Stewart was making a play when he lost control and fumbled the ball. New England cornerback Otis Smith recovered the fumble and ran 47 yards into the end zone to clinch the AFC Championship.

Nike Lunar Superbad Pro D
Images via NY Daily News & blog.eastbay.com

No. 5 - The Infamous Thanksgiving Butt-Fumble

Cleat Worn: Nike Lunar Superbad Pro D
Key Players: Mark Sanchez

The New York Jets' already embarrassing 2012-13 NFL season reached an all time low when the team was massacred in a 49-19 loss against the New England Patriots. The lowlight of the game had to be Mark Sanchez's butt fumble that occurred when the Jets quarterback was attempting to escape some pressure and collided with Offensive Lineman Brandon Moore's butt causing Sanchez to fumble. It was painfully embarrassing and funny all at the same time.

Football Cleats
Image via nfl.com

No. 4 - The Cleveland Browns Fall Just Short

Cleat Worn: Converse All-Star Football
Key Players: Earnest Byner

The Denver Broncos led the Cleveland Browns 21-3 at halftime of the 1987 AFC Championship and seemed destined to make their way to the Super Bowl. Bernie Kosar led a Browns rally by throwing four second-half touchdowns. With the Broncos up seven with one minute remaining, Browns running back Earnest Byner rushed, but just before he reached the endzone, Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Castille hit him, forcing a fumble ending Cleveland's comeback attempt. "The Fumble" is definitely up there in the worst fumbles.

Reebok Football Cleats
images via sportsmemorabilia.com & dailychampion.tumblr.com

No. 3 - Leon Lett's Super Bowl Gaffe

Cleat Worn: Reebok Football Cleats
Key Players: Leon Lett

Leon Lett recovered a fumble and seemed destined to rumble for a touchdown, but it was not meant to be. Lett slowed up around the10-yard line as he attempted to watch himself on the Jumbotron. The Bills' Don Bebee never gave up on the play, he was able to catch up to Lett and knock the ball to the end zone, resulting in a touchback and an embarrassing fumble for Lett. The fail by Lett mattered historically as the Cowboys were unable to set the record for most points scored in a Super Bowl game.

Converse Football Cleats
Images via Lerner Sports Marketing & American Memorabilia

No. 2 - Danny White Blows The Game for America's Team

Cleat Worn: Converse All-Star Football
Key Players: Danny White

We always remember the 1982 NFC Championship Game for "The Catch." The Dallas Cowboys still had a chance to win the game, but quarterback and punter White was sacked by defender Lawrence Pillars, fumbling the ball. The fumble began the dynasty run for the San Francisco 49ers and was also an embarrassing and sad ending to the Cowboys season.

Reebok Electrify
Image via xfinity.comcast.net & League Outfitters

No. 1 - Tony Romo Fumbles the Cowboys Dreams Away

Cleat Worn: Reebok Electrify
Key PlayersTony Romo

Tony Romo's career has simply been just stats and a bunch of un-clutch moments or embarrassing moments where he failed to show up. That narrative started when the Dallas quarterback infamously juggled the snap on a game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, costing the Cowboys a playoff victory. It still feels like Romo has never been able to bounce back from that awful experience.

Rafael Canton is a freelance writer from Queens, NY and contributor to Sneaker Report. Anytime there is a conversation about the NBA, music, or nutella, he can be found in the thick of the discussion. He can be found on Twitter @RafelitoC7.

RELATED:The Sneakers Worn for the 50 Best Basketball Performances in NCAA History
RELATED:Big Game, Big Shoes: The Cleats Worn by Every Super Bowl MVP
RELATED:The Cleats Worn for the 25 Most Defining NFL Moments of the Past 5 Years
RELATED: 25 NFL Players That Deserve a Signature Training Shoe
RELATED: The 10 Best Football Cleats Available Now