The 12 Most Embarrassing Offseason Arrests in NFL History

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When you're a professional athlete, you're always on a pedestal. Everyone in the entire world can know what you're doing and they will know what you're doing when it's something illegal.

For the case of NFL players, they live in a world that news in the league is a 365 day business, so everyone will find out when they do something illegal.

In that spirit, let's take a look at the 12 most embarrassing offseason arrests in NFL history. 

12. Jeff Reed

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I really never liked Jeff Reed, but when I discovered this story, I started to like him. 

Reed is known for being the former kicker of the Pittsburgh Steelers and being the guy that is rather eccentric as he dyed his hair blond.

However, I now know Reed for being the guy that got into a fight with a paper towel dispenser in a convenience store in New Alexandra, PA.

Reed was apparently angry that the restroom was out of paper towels, so he took it out on the dispenser. Only natural right?  

11. Michael Vick (Part 1)

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What Michael Vick did was completely disgusting and disturbing, but if I were him, I'd be extremely embarrassed as it was one of the most cruel crimes that a human being could commit. 

I know you all know the story, but in April of 2007, Vick was convicted of operating an unlawful interstate dog fighting venture known as "Bad Newz Kennels." The name alone is embarrassing.

Due to the criminal act, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison with three years probation. 

10. Raheem Brock

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When you're in the NFL, you have to have some sort of money, right? I mean, you're only a professional athlete.

For Raheem Brock, he didn't seem to have any money on June 16, 2011.

Brock was arrested for walking out on a $27 bar tab and then was ultimately convicted of theft. 

Really, Raheem? You didn't have $27 to spare?

9. Cedric Benson (Part 1)

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This was the most recent of Cedric Benson's arrests while in the NFL.

Benson was arrested on July 17, 2011 in Austin, Texas for a misdemeanor charge of assault while causing bodily injury to a family member. So apparently the Benson family has some family issues, right?

According to a report, Benson wanted to talk to his former roommate, Clavens Charles, about their "problems." So what happened? Benson decided to punch him multiple times in the face. 

8. Cedric Benson (Part 2)

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On June 29, 2010, Cedric Benson was arrested  for assault as he punched a bartender square in the face.

Benson then went onto deny committing the crime, but either way the bartender probably messed up Benson's apple crantini and he decided to settle it with some violence. 

7. JaMarcus Russell

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JaMarcus Russell may be immature and one of the biggest waste of talents in NFL history, but he's also pretty stupid.

Russell was arrested on July 5, 2010 for being in possession of codeine syrup, or better known as the "purple drank." 

Russell pleaded "not guilty" of the charge and was ultimately let go without any charges—but this was still an embarrassing arrest as Russell has yet to play in the NFL since the incident. 

6. Louis Murphy

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Back in April 2011, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Louis Murphy was reportedly pulled over for playing his music too loud and refused to show his ID. The officer then decided to attempt to handcuff him and search his car. 

While searching the car, the police officer found 11 pills identified as Viagra—really? You're in your 20s, but you have a problem with that?

Murphy may not have be arrested, but this was sure as hell embarrassing.  

5. Michael Vick ( Part 2)

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This may not count as an arrest, but it sure as hell is embarrassing.

Back in March of 2005, Michael Vick was accused of giving a woman, Sonya Elliott, genital herpes as she filed a civil lawsuit against him. 

According to Elliott, she stated that Vick had visited clinics to see if he did have the disease but he decided to use the name "Ron Mexico." 

Now that is one hell of an alias.

Vick's lawyer and Elliott settled for undisclosed terms in court. 

4. Onterrio Smith

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Many of you may have no idea who Onterrio Smith is, but let's just say that he had to beat some sort of a drug test and it became clear in May 2005.

Smith was a running back for the Minnesota Vikings at the time as he was found carrying dried urine and a device known as a Whizzinator, a kit that is used to beat drug tests. 

Following the event, Smith was suspended for the entire 2005 season. 

3. Shaun Rogers

This is not only embarrassing, but also it's just flat-out stupid.

Defensive linemen Shaun Rogers was arrested on April 1, 2010 as he was in possession of a loaded gun when he was at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Apparently Rogers felt the need that he wanted to transport a loaded gun in his luggage—really?

In the words of Alan from The Hangover, "Thanks a lot, Bin Laden."

2. Najeh Davenport

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Prior to entering the NFL draft in 2002, Najeh Davenport was arrested on April 1 as he broke into a dorm room at Barry University and defecated in a laundry basket.

How messed up is that?

Davenport may have only received 100 hours of community service, but he ultimately ended up with the nicknames "Dookie" and "The Dump Truck." 

1. Plaxico Burress

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I realize that this is offseason arrests—but Plaxico Burress is just too embarrassing to leave out of the discussion.

His arrest is by far the most embarrassing in NFL history.

Back on Nov. 28, 2008, the reigning Super Bowl champion wide receiver felt the need to carry a handgun in his sweatpants while entering a New York nightclub. Before we even get into the details, what good would ever come out of carrying a Glock pistol in your pants while at a nightclub?

Burress decided that he wanted to make sure that his gun was still tucked "safely" in his pants, and when doing so, he accidentally pulled the trigger. So what happened to the bullet? Well, he shot himself right in the thigh. 

Burress was arrested for carrying an unlicensed gun in the state of New York and was ultimately sentenced to two years in jail.