![Athletes Celebrating Too Early Are Cruel Reminder It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over](http://townsquare.media/site/758/files/2016/08/Celebrate.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Athletes Celebrating Too Early Are Cruel Reminder It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over
Call it premature celebration.
These athletes have become unfortunate poster children for how you can have defeat snatched from the hands of victory by celebrating before the event they're competing ends.
Whether it's the receiver in football who tumbles inside the 10-yard line thinking it's the end zone, the cyclist who raises his hands in victory before the finish line only to have someone pass him or even a gamer who puts down his controller thinking he's won, you've got to play until the last score is officially in the books, the final whistle blows or the clock strikes zero.
The spectrum of sports appearing here is pretty great (heck, even spelling is in it), so it serves as a cautionary tale that you gotta play all the way. Even in rugby, we assume. We don't know exactly know the rules, but we're guessing the men included mucked up, too.
More From ESPN 104.1 FM and 1170AM
![Iowa Study Answers Why Bronze Medal is Better Than Silver](http://townsquare.media/site/673/files/2021/07/attachment-GettyImages-149844909-e1627038545841.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![38 of the Most Popular Olympic Athletes Born in Illinois](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2021/07/attachment-GettyImages-498046980.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kinas Enjoyed Olympic Experience](http://townsquare.media/site/783/files/2016/08/GettyImages-586402046.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rio Olympics Final Recap: U.S. Wins More Gold; Games Close With Colorful Ceremony](http://townsquare.media/site/758/files/2016/08/GettyImages-5932620121.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![These Heartwarming Olympic Moments Are What the Games Are All About](http://townsquare.media/site/758/files/2016/08/Olympics1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Irish Olympic Boxer Goes on Vulgar Rant After Suprising Loss](http://townsquare.media/site/758/files/2016/08/Michael.jpg?w=980&q=75)