Thanks to a few characters who ditched their razors and let their facial hair flow, beards in sports have become commonplace. Here’s a look at the top five beards to hit the fields, ice or hardwood over the last decade:
1. Justin Turner
The red hair flowing from head to face can electrify a team and Turner is proof. His breakout with the Dodgers has gone hand-in-hand with his locks getting longer, looking like a full-fledged mane when he steps up to the plate.
2. & 3. Brent Burns and Joe Thornton
These hockey beards are a bit unkempt, but that’s what makes Burns and Thornton stand out. They get power points for being bearded teammates, no matter whether it’s the playoffs or not. Plus, if you’re missing a few teeth, might as well grow some extra hairs.
4. James Harden
Harden is in a class of his own in the NBA — in part because of his play, but truly because of his beard. It apparently started when he got too lazy to shave while at Arizona State, but it may have been the best decision he ever made.
5. Dallas Keuchel
Is it coincidence or not that the Astros hurler started growing his beard on a dare before the 2014 season and it coincided with him turning into an ace? Either way, Houston is grateful for the whiskers that get shampooed and conditioned twice a day.
6. Brian Wilson
Wilson deserves some credit for being the original in new-era baseball beards. It got so long he even used a pony tail to control it. The odd-ball reliever also wasn’t in it for the money, reportedly turning down $1 million from a razor blade company to shave it off.
Honorable mention: Charlie Blackmon, Jayson Werth, Brett Keisel, Nick Mangold, Julian Edelman/Rob Ninkovich, Mike Napoli, Eric Weddle, Tim Howard.