From shin guards, to mouth pieces, every contact sport requires some form of padding to minimize the injury sustained by players. These safety precautions are especially important in professional sports, where injuries are a dime a dozen. 

The only downside is that padding, isn't always visually appealing, exciting or unique. Already being limited in creativity by uniforms, its no surprise that some athletes may want to spruce up their look. 

It doesn't stop at just padding though, some of the most well known athletes have worn some of the most bizarre items of clothing during games for the sake of fashion. 

To pay homage to the individuals who have thought outside of the box in terms of style, here is a list of the 5 most bizarre items of clothing/gear sported by top athletes:  

Lebron James (twitpic|@wcnc)

Basketball player Lebron James is known for leading his team, the Miami Heat, to consecutive NBA championship wins in 2012 and 2013. 

In a game between the Heat and the New York Knicks on Feb 27, James wore a black mask to protect a broken nose. 

Looking like a fashionable bandit, James' team likewise stole the game, beating the Knicks with a 26 point lead. 

Jason Giambi (twitpic)

Baseball player Jason Giambi dominated as a first baseman in his prime. He was awarded the American League MVP in 2000 and played in 5 consecutive All-Star games from 2000-2004. He currently plays for the Cleveland Indians. 

In 2008 it was leaked by the former Condé Nast website, Portfolio, that Giambi, being very superstitious, would wear a gold thong underneath his uniform whenever he needed to get out of a slump.

The thong became so popular, that some of his teammates, including Derek Jeter, wore the thong to get them out of a playing rut as well. 

Clinton Portis (twitpic)

Clinton Portis played professional football for the Denver Broncos and the Washington Redskins from 2002 - 2010. The running back rose to fame for his performance on and off the field.

On the field, his skill was recognized by a prestigious group of coaches and players in the NFL who decided to add him to a list of the 80 Greatest Redskins in history in 2012. 

Off the field, Portis assumed multiple personalities that he channeled through funky costumes. Whenever he had to speak to the press following a game, he donned a new personality. His characters included "Southeast Jerome" and the "Mad Scientist."

Bill "Spaceman" Lee (twitpic)

4. The Adventures of Bill "Spaceman" Lee 

Pitcher Bill Lee, also called "Spaceman," was known in the MLB for his quirky personality and strong left arm.

During his career from 1969-1982, Lee played for the Boston Red Sox and the Montreal Expos. He notably played in the 1973 American League All-Star game and coined the term "space ball" or "leephus" pitch for his version of the eephus pitch. 

On two separate occasions, Lee reportedly showed up to a game wearing a gas mask and a colorful beanie with propellors. Both times, Lee was told to take off the accessories before he was allowed to play. 

5. Dwight Howard as Superman 

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard is known worldwide after winning an Olympic gold medal in 2008. He has excelled as a basketball player, winning several awards and playing in the NBA All-Star game 8 years in a row. 

However, one of Howard's more memorable moments is the 2008 dunk contest, for which he showed up in a superman costume. Cape and all.

It may have been the cape, or the snazzy blue uniform, but Howard won the slam dunk contest with an astonishing shot that can be seen below: 

Runner Ups: Jimmy Piersall is a baseball player who once stood on the field using his bat as air guiter and wearing a Beatles wig. 

Reach Executive Producer Christianna Wiggins here, or follow him on twitter here.