April Fools: Best Pranks & Funny Moments In Utah Sports History

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Happy April Fools Day to everyone! Although the world is going through some crazy times right now, we thought it’d be fun to reminisce on some of the funny moments that have happened in Utah sports history.

Whether you are a fan of the Cougars, Utes, Aggies, or Jazz, we’ve found some pranks and awkward/funny moments that happened in recent years.

What’s your favorite prank or hilarious sports moment? Let us know by tagging @kslsports on Twitter.

Do you remember any plays in Utah history that "fooled" us? A moment where an athlete got pranked? I'll dig up some in the #KSLSportsArchive today. I'll start with this from @Chadlewis89 and @cutbackelite29 against Arizona State in 1994 #BYU @BYUfootball https://t.co/mswkFuB8kZ pic.twitter.com/Nb6SgB9MKu

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 1, 2020

Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert’s Popcorn-Filled Vehicle

When All-Star center Rudy Gobert was a rookie for the Utah Jazz he forgot to bring donuts to the team’s pre-game shootaround. His teammates got him bag and released a buttery mess inside his Range Rover.

Utah Football’s Trick Punt Against Oregon In 2015

Our very own Tom Hackett helped the Utes pull a solid prank on the Ducks back in 2015. Hackett executed a fake punt which led to a Utah touchdown in their 62-20 blowout victory over Oregon.

September 26, 2015: @Utah_Football fooled Oregon twice on special teams in a 62-20 beatdown at Autzen Stadium. @TomCantHackett with the fake punt and then @brit_covey2 was part of a brilliant fake punt return that Boobie Hobbs returned for a TD #KSLSportsArchive #Utes https://t.co/xw25jyGDDu pic.twitter.com/1Dr6GMwHqt

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 1, 2020

Utah Jazz Owner Gail Miller Pranks Joe Ingles

In January 2020, Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles joined ESPN’s Zach Lowe on the Lowe Post Podcast to discuss a funny story Lowe had heard about the Jazzman. Ingles recapped a story from a couple of seasons ago when Jazz owner Gail Miller pranked him. During a Jazz game, Ingles dove into the crowd for a loose ball and accidentally landed on the Miller. Not knowing who he’d landed on at the time, Ingles got up and continued to play. After the game, Jazz executives along with head coach Quin Snyder pulled Ingles into a room in the arena. As the Jazzman entered the room he saw Miller. The Jazz owner along with the team executives pranked Ingles into thinking he’d injured the owner on the play. After they had their fun, Ingles found out that Miller already needed surgery and the Jazzman wasn’t to blame.

BYU Basketball’s ‘Big Brother’ Message To Utah State

Following a 2009 Utah State upset of the Cougars, BYU responded with a win over the Aggies in 2010. Jimmer Fredette led the Cougs with 26 points. After the win, the video boards in the Marriott Center showed a message saying, “Dear UT St. Enjoy the LOSS! Love, Your Big Brother BYU!”

Utah Jazz Bear Lets Birthday Cake Slip

The Utah Jazz ‘Bear’ mascot attempted to show off the birthday cake he had for a Jazz fan in the upper bowl of the arena in 2012. Bear accidentally dropped the cake from the upper deck to the lower bowl of the arena and onto some fans. Luckily no one was hurt and the fans had a good time with the accident!

BYU Football Goes For It On 4th & 19

BYU fans will remember this infamous play for years to come. Kalani Sitake and the Cougars decided to run a fake punt from their own five-yard line during a game against Boise State in 2016. Adding to the difficulty of a fake punt play, BYU needed 19 yards for a first down. Needless to say, the play didn’t go as planned. When asked about the play call, Sitake said, “we thought we had it.”

This had to be a prank right @JJSportsBeat? It didn’t fool anyone. 😂 @kslsports #BYUFOOTBALL #AprilFools pic.twitter.com/v1QgIgqK4m

— Kyle Ireland 😷 (@kyleireland) April 1, 2020

BYU coach Kalani Sitake on the fake punt call "we though we had it" pic.twitter.com/rx2bSdGHrB

— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) October 21, 2016

Utah WR Kaelin Clay Drops Football Before Crossing Goal Line

Utah fans remember this one. Utah’s Kaelin Clay received a pass from Utes quarterback Travis Wilson and was headed for the end zone and a touchdown. The only problem was that Clay dropped the football just before he crossed the goal line. Oregon quickly realized the Utah receiver’s error, picked up the ball and ran it back for a Ducks touchdown.