Terrible Teammates: The Top 20 Locker Room Cancers

Over the years, there have been many players who are just nothing more than a cancer to the team.

They may have individual talent, but often consider themselves above every one else which causes them to fail in the end.

So, which athletes are the worst?

Let's count down the 20 worst teammates in sports.

No. 20—Sean Avery

Sean Avery makes the list for simply being a jerk.

During his tenure as a professional hockey player, he was best known for provoking fights, especially with Martin Brodeur.

He even has is own rule named after him known as the "Sean Avery Rule" having to do with screening players wrongfully.

As a teammate, you would have to always feel like he might be about to do something selfish and only bring negative attention the team.

No. 19—John Rocker

John Rocker was known as one of the best closers during his days in the MLB.

Still, he had some major temper issues and a few other social problems.

Personally, I like the guy. I think he is funny and added personality to the league, even though I disagree with many things he has said.

But still, when you mock Asian women, spit on reporters, or talk down about the entire city of New York, you aren't bringing anything good to your ball club or your teammates.

No. 18—Stephon Marbury

Stephon Marbury thought, and probably still thinks, he is the best point guard to ever play basketball.

God's gift to the NBA.

When people asked how he compared to people like Jason Kidd, he talked about Kidd like he wasn't even worth being in the NBA.

Marbury had talent at one time, then he let it go to his head and started down a short path to a has been that no one will ever want to play basketball with again.

No. 17—Ben Roethlisberger

Boy do I wish the rumors were true and Ben was going to Oakland.

He would have fit right in with the nasty black and silver.

Roethlisberger's recent off-field issues leave his team without a quarterback for at least the first four games this season.

Sure, he has two Super Bowl rings, but it has clearly gone to his head.

The man can't seem to stay out of trouble and will leave his teammates hanging for as long as he is in the NFL.

No. 16—Pacman Jones

"He could! Eat! All! The! Dots!"

Remember when Chris Berman would say that about Adam "Pacman" Jones?

Apparently, he heard it as well and thought he was invincible.

The Titans thought they were set at cornerback until Pacman decided to get in trouble with the law and faced felony charges.

Even though it left his teammates with no one to return kicks or punts and a big hole in the secondary, can you blame the Titans for releasing him?

Jerry Jones even tried to take a chance on Pacman in Dallas.

We all know that didn't work out too well either and now Jones isn't even playing in the NFL.

No. 15—Ryan Leaf

I bet the Colts are glad they didn't pass up Peyton Manning for this guy.

Ryan Leaf was a draft bust for more reasons than his inability to play football in the NFL.

We all remember the locker room incident where he went off and needed other players to hold him back from tearing into someone.

There is no doubt Leaf was the biggest bust and one of the worst teammates an NFL football player could have.

No. 14—Allen Iverson

Iverson is one of my favorite NBA point guards ever.

The fact still remains that he brought a lot of negative attention to his team over his near finished career.

In Philadelphia, his head was too big for coach Larry Brown to teach him anything about being a professional.

After rants of "practice" and even a flopped rap album, AI brought nothing but baggage to any team his signed with, including the Grizzlies and Sixers this season.

No. 13—Ron Artest

The most memorable moment in Artest's career will forever be the brawl in Detroit with fans and Piston players.

Over the years, Artest has had more technicals than I care to count and has a very hard time keeping his temper under control.

What team wants a player that gets them in trouble all the time?

No. 12—Randy Moss

Randy Moss seems to be getting along just fine in New England.

That's because he's on a winning team.

Send him to Oakland, and he will let everyone around him do all the work while he admits to not going full speed on every play or really caring much about the organizations success.

Some teammate, huh?

No. 11—Rafael Palmeiro

Palmeiro was one hell of a baseball player.

He was also a lousy teammate.

At least in the end.

He was accused for taking steroids after Jose Canseco sad he personally injected Palmeiro with steroids himself.

Although, he denied ever taking steroids intentionally, he still tested positive and made it an intention to take down Miguel Tejada and other teammates with him even though they were innocent.

Classic case of failed scapegoating.

No. 10—Jose Guillen

Steroids. Cussing at fans. Mike Scioscia conflict.

Take your pick.

Jose Guillen has played for 10 teams in the MLB for a reason and it's more than just his struggle to play at a high level.

He never thinks about anything or anyone but himself, which makes it hard for any team to keep him around.

No. 9—Jeff Kent

Jeff Kent's best years were arguably with the San Fransisco Giants.

His worst years were there as well.

He fought with Barry Bonds on multiple occasions, spit at umpires, and has lied about injuries.

One of the worst things a teammate can do is lie, especially when it could put the entire team at risk.

No. 8—Bill Romanowski

Romanowski attacked Raiders teammate Marcus Williams.

Any time you attack a teammate, you become a bad teammate yourself.

Bill Romanowski attacked his teammates on numerous occasional and admitted to being a steroid user.

Romanowski was known as one of the hardest hitters ever in the NFL and received many fines for illegal dirty hits.

Though it definitely fit the Raiders reputation to be nasty, it does nothing for the image of his teammates who actually want to succeed.

No. 7—Steve Smith

Remember how I said any time you attack a teammate, you become a bad teammate yourself?

Smith fits that criteria.

Twice.

He has attacked teammates Anthony Bright in 2002 and Ken Lucas in 2008.

For a little guy, he sure is feisty.

But tell me, would you want to play with someone who might attack you if you say the wrong thing?

No. 6—Milton Bradley

Eight teams over ten seasons.

That alone should tell you something about Bradley's work ethic.

Not many players have been ejected or started more fights than Bradley.

He has accused Cubs fans of being racist and has never been liked by anyone in the League.

If I were given the opportunity to play in the MLB, but I had to play with Milton Bradley, I would turn it down.

No. 5—Michael Vick

Imagine being on a team where you are coming closer and closer to a championship every season.

Every single one of your teammates click and get the job done in a big way.

Then, all of a sudden, the leader of your team is facing jail time for dog fighting.

Vick left his team out to dry with nothing.

When he went to jail, he left the entire Falcons organization, including every single one of his teammates, devastated.

No. 4—Barry Bonds

Who has brought more negative attention to a team more than Barry Bonds?

Through alleged steroid use, and living in his own world, Barry has been one of the most selfish players ever to swing a baseball bat.

Many former teammates recall Bonds rarely coming to practice or other team activities.

Wouldn't it piss you off if you had to do everything, but a teammate could do nothing and get away with it?

No. 3—Keyshawn Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson is one of the founding fathers for the diva wide receivers of the NFL.

Johnson was so self-centered he even wrote a book titled Just Give Me the Damn Ball!

Though he definitely was a very good player, his selfish "all about me" play is what teams feared when they considered signing him.

No. 2—Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams had everything going for him that a running back could have ever wanted.

Then, out of no where, right before the season is supposed to start, Williams announces his retirement and leaves the Miami Dolphins organization and fans wondering "what the hell?"

The reason?

To smoke pot and travel the world.

At least Vick had a real reason why he had to leave the team.

Though Vick's reason was worse, Williams' reason was more selfish and plainly stupid.

No. 1—Terrell Owens

No professional athlete has been more singled out as a cancer to any team he plays for more than Terrell Owens.

No matter where he plays, he doesn't get along with his teammates.

Jeff Garcia in San Fransisco.

Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia.

Tony Romo in Dallas.

Trent Edwards in Buffalo.

Is anyone really wondering why he is still unsigned to a team? Sure things look good on paper, and maybe everything will be okay at first. Just give it time, and you will always find Owens bringing the entire team down.

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