'86 'Canes selected the most hated team
MIAMI — What do the 1986 University of Miami football team and 2010 Miami Heat have in common?
They're hated, according to the editors of SI.com.
In this case, however, the Hurricanes — not LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — sit atop the throne.
On Wednesday, SI.com unveiled its 25 Most Hated Teams of All Time, regardless of sport.
No. 1: The fatigue-wearing, swaggering '86 Canes.
No. 25 (without ever having played a game): The Heat.
The 'Canes are so despised, however, that the 1990 Miami team earned No. 11 on the list.
And former Miami coach Jimmy Johnson and receiver Michael Irvin were part of the No. 1 and No. 3 teams on the list, as the 1992 Dallas Cowboys are also honored.
"Of all the passions that teams ordinarily inspire, widespread hatred is a pretty noteable achievement," the story noted. "Hearty contempt for rivals is a natural part of the sports landscape, but every so often a team unleashes a massive dose of loathing that consumes everyone but its own fans."
Consolation for University of Miami fans: The 2002 Ohio State football team, which defeated Miami in a highly controversial double-overtime Fiesta Bowl national title game, was named as one of seven most-hated "honorable mention" teams.