What is it about terrible tackles that fascinate us so much? Do we actually like violence or is it more like a car crash that we just can't look away from? Maybe we're attracted to controversy or perhaps we can't help but be fascinated by the dark side of our beloved sport, much like villains in movies are often the most memorable characters.
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How could you not wonder what was going through the mind of some of the players executing these terrible tackles? There's Roy Keane's infamous premeditated assault on Alf Inge Haaland, Francesco Totti's American football punt of Mario Balotelli, Pepe's moment of utter insanity which was probably worthy of prison time. And, of course, no list is complete without Nigel De Jong: the king of terrible tackles.
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Soccer, a sport which is often unfairly categorized as "soft," has had plenty of these terrible tackles over the years, the best of which are compiled in the video below. WARNING: A couple of these tackles are absolutely brutal so if you have a weak stomach, this video may not be for you.