I Love Me Some Me: Top 10 Sports Figures Who Love the Spotlight

"I love me some me" is a line, I believe, that was used by boxer Larry Holmes several years ago when he was talking about himself. Holmes is not the only sports figure out there to feel that way. There are several athletes and owners who can't get enough of the spotlight and will do ANYTHING to stay in it. Here are BR's Top 10 list of sports figures who are in love with themselves.

10. Deion Sanders

He is one of the kings of loving himself.

Deion Sanders got the name Neon Deion and Prime Time for his antics on and off the field. Music videos, books, and dancing in the endzone; Deion was one of the first athletes to promote himself. Both T.O. and Chad should thank him for it.

9. Manny Ramirez

If you don’t think Manny loves him some Manny, just take a look at his antics over the years; going to the bathroom in the middle of a game at Fenway, his long dreads, the Mannywood sign (which was just taken down recently).

Manny is in love with himself and the fans loved him, too. That is, as long as he was hitting homeruns. But when your skills start to diminish, the act as Red Sox fans know too well, starts to wear thin.  

8. Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones is the “King of All Media” in the NFL. He loves standing on the sidelines during games, inviting famous faces to his owner’s box, getting drunk at functions, running his mouth to reporters, and trying to control his head coaches; not to mention, doing commercials and starring in TV programs. Most owners stay away from the spotlight, but not Jones. He embraces every single minute of it, which is probably why he is so disliked by his peers and fans.

7. Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban is like Jerry Jones, Jr. He loves the spotlight. Cuban, in some cases, is worse then Jones, because his big mouth gets him in trouble with the NBA. It’s not uncommon to see Cuban fined by the NBA for his words and actions at least once a year.

6. Alex Rodriguez

Any athlete who allows a magazine to take pictures of him kissing himself in a mirror, obviously loves himself a bit too much.

5. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq loves him some Shaq. From his own show Shaq VS, his so-called rap career, to him still trying to chase Kobe for another ring, Shaq is trying to hang on for some reason. The sad part is, he still thinks he has it going on.

4. Terrell Owens

Before there was Chad, there was T.O. Unlike Chad, who actually doesn’t take himself too seriously, T.O. seems to care more about T.O. then winning or his teammates.

T.O.’s  antics over the years (including saying at last night's Hall of Fame game that he should still be a Cowboy) and the fact that he wasn’t picked up until just before the NFL season starts, proves that a lot of teams don’t care for T.O.’s self love.

3. Chad Johnson

You know you love yourself A LOT when you change your name to a number. OchoCinco, aka Chad Johnson, can’t get enough of himself. Dancing with the Stars, his own reality show on VH1, and of course, his on the field antics prove this. Chad hasn’t found a camera he doesn’t like; he is the king of publicity right now. But give OC some credit, he doesn’t take himself too seriously, unlike other athletes; he is having fun and for the most part, we are, too.

2. Lebron James

We found out how much Lebron loved himself with the “Decision.” That was a waste of two hours that even ESPN regretted. As big of an ego that Michael Jordan has, when he came out of retirement, he didn’t hold a press conference, he just sent in a fax that said “I’m back.” Lebron needs to learn from that.

1. Brett Favre

If there is any doubt that Favre is in love with the spotlight and himself, you need not look any further then this year. Reports come out last week that Favre texted his teammates, telling them that he was a retiring. The next day, Favre came back and denied the rumors, but STILL hasn’t said whether or not he plans to play this year. Favre does this nearly every year and every time, we the public (including sports media) fall for it. Brett, make up your mind.

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