The Most Beloved "Bad" Athletes

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It's easy to see why guys like LeBron James, Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning are so beloved—they're winners who happen to have charisma to match their talents.

But what about those guys that aren't as successful, yet just as lovable?

Though we know they'll never lead our favorite team to a title or lead the league in any major categories, here are the bad athletes we just can't help but love.

Spud Webb

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We feel bad putting a fellow shorty on here, but besides winning the Dunk Contest a long, long time ago, what has Webb done?

For someone who averaged about 10 ppg in his career, he sure does get a hell of a lot of love from people.

He may have led little guys to think they could dunk, but he wasn't a great player besides that.

Philip Rivers

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Yes, we said it.

For all the love that Rivers gets from fans and media, what has he done besides a couple Pro Bowls and leading the Chargers to a couple playoff games?

Not to be confused with being overrated, Rivers is one of the most inconsistent players in the league. For the face of the franchise and former No. 4 pick in a draft boasting Super Bowl-winning QBs Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, he hasn't pulled his weight for all the praise he gets.

Will Middlebrooks

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At only 23 years old with one season in the Majors under his belt, the jury's still out on Middlebrooks as to what he'll be in his career.

Based off the popularity he enjoyed during the 2012 season though, it's clear fans' expectations are high for him.

He did hit .288 with 15 bombs while driving in 54, so he could have some potential. For the Red Sox front office, they certainly hope they were right, as they traded away Kevin Youkilis last year to make Middlebrooks the full-timer at the hot corner.

Anna Kournikova

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For our money, there wasn't a better looking chick in a tennis skirt than Kournikova.

Aside from her being a dime-piece though, she didn't accomplish much on the court, failing to ever live up to the hype that came with her.

However, thanks to her side gigs like modeling and dating high-profile celebs, she's got a following like it's no one's business.

Shea Weber

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Shea Weber is regarded as a top blue-liner in the NHL, so when the Preds re-upped the defenseman to a $110 million contract over the next 14 years, it was warranted in far of losing both he and Ryan Suter in the same offseason.

To get that type of cash though, we think of franchise-changing guys like Evgeni Malkin and Henrik Sedin, not a guy that's best known for just shutting-down an opposition's best offensive threat.

Jonathan Papelbon

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He's not a bad pitcher, he's just a little overrated for the weight his name carries.

When Pap was a free agent following the 2011 season, we're sure he had enough star power to convince you he'd be too expensive for a small-market team like your city's to ever sign him.

But upon further review, if you look at his stats, it wasn't as if he was the second coming of Lee Smith here, and was probably more of a beneficiary of the Red Sox aura than anything else.

He signed with the Phils in 2012, earning a $50 million contract over four years, before going out and giving up the most homers of his career (8), and going 5-6, and 38 for 42 in save situations with a 2.44 ERA.

Not terrible, but not dominant either.

Doug Flutie

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There were so many fans who fell in love with this guy during his career thanks to his desire and past, but if you take a look at his stats, you'll see why it was more than just his short stature that prohibited him from starting more in the NFL.

A 76.3 passer rating and low-50s completion percentage isn't a very good way to become the face of a franchise, but thanks to him turning his own mug into a brand, many fell in love with him.

Shawn Bradley

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Thanks to his 7'6" frame, Bradley enjoyed an astonishing 12-year career.

He may have never achieved stardom—unless you count all the posters he ended up on—but because he was always the tallest guy in the building, and became a punchline for most fans, he often gets brought up way too much as someone who actually did more than his stats would suggest.

Charlie Batch

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The 12-year vet is one of the most respected and well-liked players in the league, but just because he's a nice guy, doesn't mean he's had great success in his career.

Your favorite team could do worse than having him as their backup, but he should never be a viable option for more than a couple games because he's not very good.

Danica Patrick

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Starring in commercials with supermodels certainly has its perks, doesn't it?

At least it does for Patrick who, though her career stats aren't at all that impressive, annually falls under the most beloved athletes.

We love to look at her, but it's usually not in a fire-resistant suit while wearing a helmet.

Matt Cassel

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We hate picking on a guy who famously got booed by his home fans while on the ground with an injury, but the fact is, Cassel's not a very good NFL quarterback—especially when you realize what he's getting paid.

He's enjoyed a couple good seasons in the league, but not nearly enough to warrant his contract or incumbent starting status...until next year, that is, once the Chiefs most likely grab a quarterback in the draft.

Lolo Jones

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Jones is one of the most attractive and recognizable athletes out there—assuming you don't get her confused with actress Rashida Jones.

But for no reason should she be popular for her performances on the track because, well, she hasn't done anything memorable yet.

Need to know more? Here's a great story of how she got so popular without career success.

Reggie Bush

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Since arriving in Miami, Reggie's seen his game step up big time, breaking the 1,000-yard barrier in 2011, and narrowly missing it again this year (986 yards).

But getting a fat stack isn't what it used to be for measuring NFL backs.

He's failed to live up to everyone's expectations, yet still has people fall in love with the things he used to do while at USC.

Rickie Fowler

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We love Fowler for his total broness and carefree attitude with his other golfing buddies, but as much as we think it'd be cool to sit down and drink some brews with him, he hasn't quite attained great success on tour yet.

We're hoping he has himself a solid 2013 season to prove us wrong, but until then, he'll just be that dope-looking dude.

Lamar Odom

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It's not that Odom hasn't had a solid career, but for as much talk as he gets from sports media, you'd think he was a future Hall of Famer.

His popularity obviously stems from his reality show with his Kardashian wife Khloe, but he still doesn't deserve this much love from all of us.

JaVale McGee

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If you've ever watched TNT's Shaqtin' a Fool, you know why JaVale is so high on our list.

Known for being aloof, uncoordinated and just clumsy, McGee epitomizes the average NBA player.

He's tall. 

And strong.

But he lacks the focus to be more than just a punchline for most people.

Leryn Franco

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We're used to seeing Leryn No. 1 on lists such as hottest Olympic athletes, so why does she fall so high here too?

As much as it pains us to say it, forget her overall sexiness for a second and check her stats.

She's never won anything during major competitions, yet she still finds herself all over the news and in mags.

Being that big of a smokeshow will do that though.

Tim Tebow

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It's not like Tebow hasn't proven he can be a starting quarterback in the league, after all, he did lead the Broncos to the playoffs and a wild-card win over the Steelers last year.

Unfortunately, his lack of development in throwing the football has limited his opportunities in the NFL.

We're not calling him a bad athlete, but in comparison to the potential he showed while at Florida, he hasn't met expectations. 

Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger

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We all know the story—or at least the Hollywood version of it.

Rudy was the little runt that could, fighting his way with a chip on his shoulder to live out his dream of running out of the tunnel and onto Notre Dame's field back in 1975.

As many tears that have fallen down your face from that final scene from the flick, his inspiring story is his one claim to fame.

Brian Scalabrine

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Has there ever been a more beloved player who accomplished so little during his career in NBA history?

Chants of "Scalabrine! Scalabrine! Scalabrine!" could be heard around any home arena he ever played for once the game's outcome was all but decided.

Hell there's even a video that sums up his entire career highlights.