Sports that play through the rain

Is there any other way to end this gallery than to give you one last shot of a Dolphins cheerleader in the rain? Turns out even under the lights of Monday night, football in the rain is better than Seinfeld re-runs while waiting out a rain delay.

Even in the playoffs, with the world watching, baseball has to take a back seat — literally — when the rain starts falling. But there are plenty of sports in the world that look up at the skies and tell Mother Nature, 'Bring it on!' Here are some of the toughest.  

Some people indeed consider rain to be the heavens' gift to crops, lakes and drought-stricken areas. Some people consider this guy to be one, too.

Tebow may turn heads with his shirt off in the rain, but the man he backs up in the Jets' huddle — Mark Sanchez — tries to turn opposing defenses inside out, come sunshine or rain.

OK, so these guys would beg to differ about that whole American football being the toughest sport. They, too, play through rain. And who needs pads?  

That's right. This sport's so tough, even the cheerleaders can gut out the rain.

Sure, the jockeys get muddy, but the horses are the ones overcoming the elements. Regardless of which side of the argument you sit, rain's not keeping these competitors from racing.

These Dolphins cheerleaders sure can, as performing through the showers is somewhat of a required skill in South Florida.

Then you better believe the players on the Miami Dolphins are going to strap it up and bang heads with the opponent.

Most people go out of their way to avoid walking through a puddle for fear of getting wet or falling. Forget that. These athletes take on Mother Nature's wrath — and run right through it!  

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheer squad can handle the water, too. To the city's credit, at least the Tampa baseball team plays in a dome. Now if the Rays could only borrow the cheerleaders to help attendance.

The name pretty much says it all with this one. And yes, there is a World Cup.

A lesson for baseball players ... when the rain comes, just crack a smile like these Pro Bowl cheerleaders did in Honolulu. Baseball games in Hawaii wouldn't be bad, either.

One of the pitfalls of football: The ball and mud are strikingly similar in color. So when the pigskin hits the rain-soaked turf, you just dive in and hope you come up with it.

Not exactly known as the toughest sport on the planet, but try slowing down the world's best pedalers when a colored jersey is on the line.  

Just making sure it's clear ... EVEN THE CHEERLEADERS BRAVE THE RAIN!

So what if sand can turn to mud? When Olympic gold is on the line, nothing is getting in the way of the ladies' glory.  

At least it is when the rain comes during a beach volleyball match. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Beijing Olympic Committee was prepared for rain with fitting entertainment. It's pretty hard to steal the show from Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh playing for gold, but this was a great effort.

Yet another non-American version of football that isn't afraid to splish and splash for the sake of a goal.  

One of the most memorable aspects of Super Bowl XLI in Miami in 2007 was the rain that fell throughout much of the game. But these Colts cheerleaders weren't going to let a little water stop them from cheering their man Peyton Manning to his first championship.

If we're talking arm wrestling, then yeah, Josh Hamilton is a safe bet over these guys. But not if it starts raining.  

College football is no different. When the rain falls, it's just one more obstacle between the line of scrimmage and the end zone. And like defenders looking to bring him down, the ball carrier will run through any obstacle to get six.

Baseball players in the rain = no. Cheerleaders in the rain = YES! So just keep clicking and enjoy.  

We mean it . . . you are NOT going to get the Dolphins cheerleaders to run for cover in a rainstorm.

And when the sun begins to crack through, these Colts cheerleaders know exactly how to celebrate. Or are they doing a rain dance in hopes of more showers?

The problem with Philadelphia is during much of football season, rain is accompanied by some seriously cold temperatures. But when the rain comes in August, they sure know how to heat up the sidelines.

Those cheerleaders that perform when it rains at volleyball matches? They go all-out for the fans. And you thought the idea of a cowgirl at the beach sounded ludicrous!

Back in 2008, the Saints and Buccaneers combined to go 17-15. What's more, the Bucs lost this game, 23-20. But a bummer Sunday and a season of mediocrity are not going to get this cheerleader down. She's in it for you, fans.