Stardom to Shame: 10 Pro Athletes Who Forever Changed Their Legacies

For this feature, I looked at 10 athletes who were stars in their respective sports, but were impacted by different legal troubles and problems during and after their professional careers.

This list ranges from "Big Ben" to O.J., and everything in between. Many athletes just missed the cut for various reasons.

Take a look.

10. Ben Roethlisberger

"Big Ben" as people call him, was known to many as an up-and-coming future star in this league after guiding his Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl wins just a few years ago.

Now, after a shady motorcycle incident, and two recent sexual assault allegations, the Steelers and the rest of the NFL aren't so sure anymore.

9. Kobe Bryant

The L.A. Lakers shooting guard has been a star ever since he arrived in the NBA in 1996.

He is known for his amazing shooting ability and his tough defense. He is also known for his sexual allegations with a hotel employee during a hotel stay in Colorado during the summer of 2003.

Bryant is still a great player, but this definitely changed his legacy a bit.

8. Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod has been known to many as one of the greatest hitting shortstops in the game, and as one of the elite power hitters for his generation.

Sadly, he will forever be linked to his steroid use during the early 2000s when he played with the Texas Rangers.

7. Roger Clemens

The Rocket was a power pitcher who mowed down many hitters in his day.

Many believed he would be a first ballot Hall of Famer until steroid allegations arose regarding the former Cy Young.

He will be now be known more for his possible steroid use, rather than his dominant pitching ability.

6. Michael Vick

Michael Vick, like Roethlisberger, was seen by many as a future star in this league.

That all came crashing down when the former Virginia Tech star was charged and convicted of dog-fighting charges in 2007.

He has since resumed his career, but he has forever tarnished it as well.

5. Lawrence Taylor

Taylor is an NFL Hall of Famer and a force to be reckoned with on the field for opposing offenses.

Unfortunately, he has also been a force to be reckoned with among many policemen as well, as he has been in trouble with the law time and time again.

A recent rape allegation will continue to hurt Taylor's once promising legacy.

4. Pete Rose

Rose was a for-sure future Hall of Famer in MLB until he admitted to betting on the game of baseball while with the Cincinnati Reds organization in the 1980s.

The words "Pete Rose" and "gambling" are another reminder of how people can squash their legacies, even today.

3. Tiger Woods

Tiger has been named the best golfer ever by many people and news media. He has been at the top of his sport for a long time.

Unfortunately, it might have got to his head as he recently claimed to having multiple mistresses in the past.

Sadly for Tiger, he will always be linked to his mistresses scandal in the future, no matter how good his golf game becomes.

2. Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds was a power-hitting phenom for many years while he played with the San Francisco Giants. He was labeled a legend by many until steroid allegations began to swirl around him.

Like Rodriguez and Clemens, his legacy will never be the same.

1. O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson was a star running back for years in the NFL. He was a very fluid athlete that simply let the game come to him.

Unfortunately, he will always been known for what he accomplished off the field. His wife and her friend were murdered in 1994, and after a controversial trial, Simpson was found not guilty. Many still believe that he killed them.

A recent robbery landed Simpson 11 years behind bars.

He is an obvious pick for No. 1 on this list.