Top 10 Most Disliked Sports Figures

Monday, January 10, 2011

Top 10 Most Disliked Sports Figures

     NUMBER ONE

He has had a standout year as second-string turned starting quarterback and been one of the driving forces behind landing the  Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs. He served a 21-month prison stint and has spoken out against dog fighting. Still, Michael Vick's disturbing past haunts him, as he ranks-for the second year in a row-as the top most hated athlete.

      NUMBER TWO

Veteran Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis, has never been a yes-man or one to back down from confrontation. Davis' signing of "renegade players" and prompting lawsuits from pulling the team back and forth between Oakland and LA, have left a sour taste in the mouths of the NFL, coaches, politicians, and fans alike. 

  NUMBER THREE
Ben Roethlisberger's party-boy actions have finally caught up with him. Shortly after a motorcycle accident, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback was accused, not once, but twice of sexual assault. Although he was never charged with the crimes, the rape accusations undoubtedly contributed to landing the 28 year old in the number three spot. 

  

  NUMBER FOUR

      Tiger Woods. Need I say more?

    

    NUMBER FIVE

Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones marks the halfway point on the list of the most disliked sports figure of 2010. Similarly to Al Davis, Jones has pitted the league and fans nationwide against him, as he generally runs the team as "more of a free-standing business than as part of the league. Philadelphia fans must love this...

     

     NUMBER SIX

In 1998, former St. Louis Cardinals batting ace Mark McGwire broke the single-season home run record with an impressive 70 home runs. However, sports fans are doubtful that "Big Mac's" prowess came naturally, as he is now recognized as one of the  poster boys for steroid use. Although he appeared to be remorseful in a recent interview discussing the drug accusations, the current St. Louis hitting coach refused to admit to using steroids. 

  NUMBER SEVEN

The fact that this is counted as one of the most disliked sports figures of 2010 shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens, now 37, was hated when he was with the Eagles for his public "break-up" with teammate Donovan McNabb, he was hated when he played for the Cowboys and spit in cornerback DeAngelo Hall's face after a play, and he's hated now, as he is one half of the two-headed diva monster with fellow Bengal Chad Ochocinco. I think it's safe to say he holds a permanent spot on this list.

    NUMBER EIGHT

Alex Rodriguez, or A-Rod, is another return member of this list. The womanizing third basemen for the New York Yankees has been another poster boy for performance enhancing drugs, as he has tested positively for multiple steroids. While the drug accusations surely play a part in this hatred aimed at the highest-paid player in the MLB, I'm sure the sheer fact that he's a Yankee has something to do with it. 

   

NUMBER NINE

Although he has a past as one of the best players in the league, former 76er Allen Iverson's back-and-forth last season with Philadelphia undoubtedly got on fans' nerves. Some critics also say that his tattoos and cornrows give him "a bad-boy image he doesn't deserve." After leaving the club for good because of his daughters' health issues, he signed a two-year, $4 million contract with Turkish Basketball League, Besiktas. 

    NUMBER TEN

Washington Wizards guard, Gilbert Arenas faced severe scrutiny when it was publicized that he was storing unloaded firearms in the locker room at the end of 2009. He drew even more attention to himself prior to a game against the 76ers, when he pretended to shoot players from the opposing team with guns made from his fingers, and was slapped with a season-long suspension from the NBA. In March of 2010, Arenas was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, and sentenced to two years probation and 30 days in a half-way house. 

-Liz

Information courtesy of Forbes.com

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