Barry Bonds, Michael Vick, Kobe Bryant & the 100 Most Hated Athletes
LeBron James spent the majority of the summer doing three things:
Getting paid, hitting the beach, and making enemies.
He pissed off the entire city of Cleveland with his "Decision" to go play for the Heat. Uniting with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade made an extra 20 gallons of Haterade necessary.
But could his antics really make him the most hated athlete ever?
There have been a lot of dirty and sleazy players whose actions include racism, murder, and good ol' fashioned tomfoolery. No sport has ever existed without one of its stars being maligned.
That being said, let's turn on some Maino, and get haterific.
100. Rod Smart
1 of 100
Smart isn't someone most people hate on.
Still, someone must do it quite frequently for him to get it on his jersey.
99. Philip Rivers
2 of 100
There's no problem when champions talk smack to fans and other teams because they've earned the right.
That doesn't include AFC West champions. Try playing in a big boy division.
Or having a winning playoff record.
98. A.J. Pierzynski
3 of 100
Whining, complaining and misleading umps is what has made A.J. so unlikable.
Having an impossibly hard last name to spell hasn't helped.
97. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4 of 100
It's hard to see how the UCLA stud became so loved in his later years.
He was one of the meanest, nastiest dudes and he even refused autographs to ball boys during his career.
One of which was a fella by named Earvin Johnson. Does that ring a bell?
96. Douglas Jardine
5 of 100
Having no background in cricket, my analysis on one of the most hated men in the sport is lackluster at best.
All I can say is, Jardine developed what baseball fans call "chin music," except he did it repeatedly and on purpose.
95. Stephon Marbury
6 of 100
His only good contributions to Earth were his extremely cheap shoes.
Other than that, he sat around eating Vaseline and whined so much he had to end his NBA career prematurely.
Which no one seems upset about.
94. Michael Iaconelli
7 of 100
Classy isn't exactly the word I'd use to describe the sport. The nicest word I can think of is "wet."
93. Tony Stewart
8 of 100
After watching the first episode of "South Park"'s 14th season, it's hard to look at Stewart without just saying "DUUUURRRR."
92. El-Hadji Diouf
9 of 100
Being known more for spitting than soccer skills is nothing to brag about.
91. Shaquille O'Neal
10 of 100
Shaq's wit and humor have always made him a natural in front of the cameras.
But after serving insults to Chris Bosh, Ricky Davis and Chris Quinn among others and punching the crap out of Brad Miller, let's just say he isn't the players' most popular player.
Oh, and the majority of Lakers fans aren't exactly pleased with him. Which is quite a few people.
90. Chris Chelios
11 of 100
Publicly degrading Detroit, one of America's proudest hockey cities, would have done it for most hockey fans.
When he decided to sign with the Red Wings and expected to be adored, every other fan jumped on board the hate train.
89. Joe Morgan
12 of 100
Morgan's baseball career was a great one, but sadly, that's not what younger generations will remember him for.
He is now known for his color commentary on ESPN, where many wish he was replaced by a brick. At least the brick wouldn't spew out self-righteous words constantly.
88. Andy Roddick
13 of 100
He's known for his bad boy behavior and taunting at fans from the court, as he made sure the second syllable in "Roddick" is always emphasized.
Don't worry Andy, we get it. Now stop making the States look foolish.
Every time.
87. John Cena
14 of 100
He's a big dude, so saying anything negative to his face probably isn't smart.
But if he keeps making movies like The Marine, I just might have to.
86. Reggie Bush
15 of 100
Everyone at USC has accepted that the school was in violation during Bush's Heisman year.
Bush, however, refuses to. Owning up to it would be to girly for him.
85. Manny Ramirez
16 of 100
"Manny Being Manny" seems to wear out its welcome extremely fast, no matter where the slugger goes.
So that's what overdosing on estrogen can do.
His recent retirement also came into question, as there are rumors he failed his second drug test.
84. Billy Jean King
17 of 100
Most dislike her for for allegedly cheating on her husband with hundreds of partners.
83. Tony Romo
18 of 100
If you can count the number of times Tony Romo has disappointed you or let you down on just one hand, you haven't watched enough Cowboys football.
In fact, watching two games should do the trick.
82. Marco Materazzi
19 of 100
Outside of Italy, it's shocking that the man who instigated soccer's most famous headbutt is more disliked than the one who did the headbutting.
It must be due to the horrendous tattoos.
81. Bruce Bowen
20 of 100
Most people know Bowen for his defense, which included kicking Chris Paul in the chest and drop kicking Wally Szczerbiak.
Having the title "Dirtiest" anything is not something to be proud of, unless you are a gopher.
80. Jimmy Connors
21 of 100
Connors' controversial methods were mostly a publicity stunt, but brought him a pack of haters nontheless.
His real crime, however, is looking just like Milton from Office Space.
79. John Rocker
22 of 100
He just looks like a slimeball.
His history makes it worse.
78. Tim Sylvia
23 of 100
He's been called the Tim Duncan of MMA, if that is even possible, due to his boring tactics and awful smack talk.
I'd hate him just for his two-tone haircut, but I digress.
77. Bill Laimbeer
24 of 100
Laimbeer's hard fouls and unnerving tactics annoyed people who weren't even in the same room as him.
They get the final laugh, however, as Laimbeer apparently focused on the "beer" part after retiring.
76. Ashley Cole
25 of 100
"Cashley" would be a cool nickname, if it wasn't given because Cole is so obsessed with his money that he almost crashed his car when he heard he was only offered a £55,000 per week contract.
Oh, and he also cheated on this bombshell.
For shame.
75. Sidney Crosby
26 of 100
Success at a young age can bring a lot of love your way.
Too much success, however, can bring even more hate, and that's the case with Sid the Kid.
74. Paul Pierce
27 of 100
It's nice to know "Paul Pierce hurt" brings up 124,000 images on Google.
Mainly, because he faked about half of those injuries.
He'll try to get the momentum by any means.
73. Randy Moss
28 of 100
If you ask someone from New England about Randy Moss' contribution to his former team, you will likely hear praise.
If you ask someone from Oakland about Randy Moss' contribution to his former team, you won't hear much after you get punched in the face.
72. Milton Bradley
29 of 100
Eight teams in 10 years normally means there's something wrong with the player traded, not the teams that are trading.
In this case, it's obvious something is wrong with Bradley. He's about as easy to control as a Bop-It Extreme.
71. Sean Avery
30 of 100
Yes, trash talk is extremely common in sports, and that's not Avery's problem.
It's that he does things like joke about Jason Blake's cancer. There's nothing funny about that.
70. Nikolay Davydenko
31 of 100
The Jason Statham understudy and pro tennis star has been ridiculed for choosing to play in the easier tournaments, avoiding real competition.
Rightfully so. Fans won't see the competition if the light hits Davydenko's reflective dome.
69. Adam Jones
32 of 100
When the Titans drafted Jones with an early draft pick, people thought it was destiny.
When Jones bit someone's leg in the club, he thought it was Destiny's.
68. Jay Cutler
33 of 100
For someone who talks a big game, Cutler sure knows how to back it up.
Oh, wait ... I was thinking of people who win in the playoffs, or at least take them there.
Hard to believe Josh McDaniels might have been right.
67. J.J. Redick
34 of 100
The prepubescent facial hair would normally be reason enough to hate Redick.
Luckily, he put it over the top during his college days, as he was about as sportsmanlike as was Shaq to Brad Miller.
66. Peter Crouch
35 of 100
Infidelity draws the ire of some.
Cheating with a teenage prostitute draws more.
Ditching Abigail Clancy for a whore draws it all.
65. Tom Brady
36 of 100
Two beautiful women, three championships and more money than the Monopoly man.
No one likes someone who has everything. It is nice to see that he isn't good at everything.
His dance moves are bad at best.
64. Mike Tyson
37 of 100
His cameo in The Hangover may have made some people let up for him.
This rant, however, will give everyone a reason to hate.
63. Reggie Miller
38 of 100
Miller made sure everyone in the state of New York hates him.
That's tough to do, considering Knicks fans are normally so friendly to players who light them up like New Year's every single game.
62. Tim Tebow
39 of 100
Most find Tebow's perfect persona to be a facade and can't stand how no dirt has ever been found on him.
His biggest hater? Kyle Orton.
61. Vince Carter
40 of 100
Other than demanding a trade from Toronto (who wouldn't?), Carter isn't really a bad guy.
But if you are counting on him leading your team to victory, it makes sense that you hate him.
60. Gary Neville
41 of 100
Neville is quite the enigma. Through my research, there was no really evidence of him warranting hate.
However, every single soccer forum and blogger had his name near the top of the list for least liked.
Which can't be good.
59. Brett Myers
42 of 100
The whole "I enjoy threatening reporters and beating my wife" thing really doesn't fly with the public.
Neither does that tree stump of a beard.
58. Marcus Vick
43 of 100
Sure, he's the lesser known of the Vick brothers, but his crimes may be worse.
Giving alcohol to minors, alleged sexual assault and stomping on the leg of a defenseless Elvis Dumervil are just the tip of the iceberg.
It's nice to see screw-ups fail.
57. Nicolas Anelka
44 of 100
This man has been public enemy No. 1 for many soccer lovers due to his shady play.
Personally, his similarity to Xerxes from 300 is much more hate-worthy
56. Alex Ovechkin
45 of 100
For those who only know Ovechkin as one of the top NHL players around, it may be hard to understand why people hate him, but it's really simple.
Ovechkin's goal celebrations are about as subtle as Chicxulub, the meteor that killed the dinosaurs.
55. Lleyton Hewitt
46 of 100
When your own hometown boos you, you know you're probably not well liked elsewhere.
How did that come to happen? He tried to play the reverse race card on James Blake and a black line judge.
Real smart.
54. Manu Ginobili
47 of 100
He may be an excellent basketball player, but his definition of good defense involves strictly flopping.
Also, it's a surprise that PETA didn't go after him after his bat attack.
53. Maria Sharapova
48 of 100
Sharapova clearly didn't get the memo that tennis is a quiet game.
She sounds like she's fighting through Amazonian underbrush with every movement, not just her swings.
52. Dennis Rodman
49 of 100
If Bulls and Pistons fans are excluded, The Worm would probably be closer to the top of the NBA's least liked.
As far as men in wedding dresses goes, he's definitely the worst.
51. Rory Sabbatini
50 of 100
Never taunt the best player in the sport, period.
Especially when you and most of the people reading this have won the same number of majors.
50. Danica Patrick
51 of 100
Media mongers aren't well liked by anyone.
People who tease men sexually during the Super Bowl are even less liked.
That explains why Janet Jackson is no longer relevant.
49. Michael Irvin
52 of 100
Irvin was a central figure on one of America's most hated teams of all time thanks to his showboating and loud mouth.
When he decided to take part in the remake of The Longest Yard, people outside of football started hating him, too.
48. Ty Cobb
53 of 100
If someone today acted as racist as Cobb used to, they'd probably be sent straight to Guantanomo.
Gotta love swept-under-the-rug racism!
47. Isiah Thomas
54 of 100
One of the NBA's classic bad boys, Thomas refused to back down to anything in his playing days.
That attitude remained after his career, as he refused to back down to common sense and logic during his days running the Knicks.
Into the ground.
46. Curt Schilling
55 of 100
Schilling got one of the best nicknames ever from former Phillies manager Jim Fregosi:
"Red Light Curt."
Why? For all his poses and television camera grabbing reactions.
45. Ron Artest
56 of 100
He's crossed fighting and drinking during a basketball game off his list, and only needs to shoot up drugs for the trifecta.
With Kobe next to him, it seems unlikely.
44. Darrelle Revis
57 of 100
Analysts always say that receivers get trapped and tightly covered on Revis Island.
Not sure I understand that. It's got plenty of space, considering there are no rings or championship banners for miles.
43. Michael Schumacher
58 of 100
Being a champion can normally get anyone some love. Unfortunately, Schumacher did it by any means necessary.
That includes planning crashes, marrying his ex-best friend's wife and driving teammates off the track.
How lovely.
42. Maurice Clarett
59 of 100
Not sure many people beat Clarett on the "People America is glad didn't get a third chance" list.
41. Kyle Busch
60 of 100
It's hard to imagine that someone in NASCAR is disliked so much for risky tactics, pushing the envelope and only caring about winning.
Honestly, the true reason to hate him is that he decided to dress like a banana.
40. Rasheed Wallace
61 of 100
Does this one really need an explanation?
I imagine referees have a dartboard with his face in the center.
39. Phil Mickelson
62 of 100
He didn't earn the nickname FIGJAM for no reason.
Don't know what it means? It stands for "F*** I'm good, just ask me."
38. Bryan Marchment
63 of 100
During a 12-year run, Marchment received 13 suspensions, mostly for his patented knee-to-knee low blows.
That's got to be one of the more impressive records in hockey.
37. John Terry
64 of 100
What kind of excuse can he have for having an affair with friend and teammate Wayne Bridge's girlfriend, which caused Bridge to quit an English National team that desperately needed him?
Just one: Bridge's girlfriend is hot.
36. Pete Rose
65 of 100
There's really only one reason baseball's hit king remains out of the Hall of Fame:
The older generation's hate.
If it were up to people my age, he'd be unanimously selected.
35. Charles Barkley
66 of 100
Nowadays, Chuck can say or do nearly anything and he will be loved.
But in his playing days, he didn't exactly find open arms after spitting on a young girl, telling the world why he hated white people and ruining the dreams of kids who wanted to be like Mike.
Bow Wow was crushed.
34. Claude Lemieux
67 of 100
Lemieux could easily play the Bond villain he looks like with all the things he's done to fellow hockey players.
Giving Kris Draper a severe concussion and a broken jaw, nose and cheekbone seems like the worst thing someone could do, but the former Shark doesn't like to be outdone.
So he tried to bite off an opponent's finger during a fight. Tasty.
33. Ray Lewis
68 of 100
If Ray Lewis wasn't so praised in the NFL world, who knows if he would have been acquitted of murder charges.
But hey, I'm sure the $250,000 fine he paid really made it up to the families someone destroyed on January 31, 2000.
32. Rafael Palmeiro
69 of 100
Now we can add steroid users to the list of people who lie to Congress.
It used to just include mobsters, murderers, corrupt politicians and bank executives. Palmeiro could pass for those.
31. Plaxico Burress
70 of 100
Giants fans sure did love losing their top wide receiver to self-inflicted wounds.
But hey, at least he got to wear sweatpants to the club. Not too often that opportunity comes around, right?
30. Brock Lesnar
71 of 100
Lesnar's annihilation of so many opponents makes people wonder if the MMA star is one of the world's top athletes.
His growling, screaming and taunting of fans and media alike makes people wonder if he's worth watching in the first place.
29. Chad Ochocinco
72 of 100
Ocho must have an alarm set in his room that tells him how many days it has been since his name was last mentioned on cable television.
If the count is above one, he changes his name.
28. Floyd Mayweather
73 of 100
Alleged domestic violence and racist rants are just a small bit of the reason Mayweather doesn't have the love of his peers.
The self-proclaimed title "Money" hasn't helped much either.
27. Latrell Sprewell
74 of 100
My mother always taught me to never like a man whose first and last names rhyme.
After Spree choked out his coach and told the world he can't feed his kids on $14 million, mom was clearly right.
26. JaMarcus Russell
75 of 100
Singlehandedly setting back a franchise and codeine possession is bad enough as it is.
Not sharing the drank with Al Davis is the real reason to hate him.
25. Robbie Savage
76 of 100
No one collects the most yellow cards in the Premier League's history by accident.
Ergo, Savage worked his ass off to be a jerk. That alone puts him on the list.
24. Todd Bertuzzi
77 of 100
Bertuzzi went from friend to enemy of so many in just one night.
Hard to believe people don't forgive him for fracturing three vertebrae in Steve Moore's neck and giving Moore a grade three concussion, vertebral ligament damage and facial cuts.
Go figure.
23. Gilbert Arenas
78 of 100
If Stephen Jackson thinks you are an idiot for doing something, then you've hit rock bottom.
If it involves guns and the excuse that they are safer in an arena with 20,000 people in it nightly, then you've dented the floor.
22. Mark McGwire
79 of 100
OK, so he did steroids. Big whoop, why does that make him special?
Simple. His "I don't want to talk about the past" speech to Congress might have been the most lame dodge of a question ever.
And he did it 20 times.
21. David Beckham
80 of 100
Thanks for tricking the Los Angeles Galaxy into one of biggest contracts in American sports history, and then either being injured or playing elsewhere during the majority of it.
20. Alex Rodriguez
81 of 100
Just another case of someone who denies something repeatedly and then admits at the perfect time to get more media attention.
Pray that he never breaks Barry Bonds' home run mark. Someone who looks like they wear a pound of lip gloss daily shouldn't be in any record book.
Unless it's sponsored by Maybelline.
19. Joey Barton
82 of 100
Many violent convictions and alcoholism are just a few things that make Barton so hateable.
Putting out a cigar in a man's eye, however, is the icing on the hate cake.
18. Sammy Sosa
83 of 100
Corking his bat and taking more drugs than Lindsay Lohan was one thing.
But trying to ruin a remake of Casper, The Friendly Ghost is much worse.
17. Kurt Busch
84 of 100
If a search on Google for "Most Hated NASCAR Driver" brings up your biography, there's a problem.
16. Albert Haynesworth
85 of 100
It's unbelievable that someone paid as much as the Redskins' defensive tackle could actually arrive to training camp so late and be out of shape.
He must have left his brain on the table next to the $20 million check and a Costco-size box of Peeps.
15. Floyd Landis
86 of 100
Landis admitted to using PEDs for the majority of his career and many hoped that would be the end of his appearances.
Sadly, we were wrong, as he refuses to go down without Lance Armstrong.
Which means we're stuck looking at that ugly mug.
14. Terrell Owens
87 of 100
Every decade has a disease: cancer (2000s), AIDS (1990s), polio (1910s), etc.
Hopefully, the next one will be named after Mr. Owens. It's only fair with all the destruction he's caused.
13. Marion Jones
88 of 100
The IOC stripped Jones of all medals earned after 2000, which she admitted was the year she started using steroids.
For some people, jail time for that would be enough. Don't tell that to the ex-Olympian, as she also was under investigation for a check counterfeiting scheme.
Some people just don't know when to quit.
12. Brett Favre
89 of 100
Brett Favre has smashed so many NFL records in his 20 years under center. Will he try to set the record for the most retirements and comebacks in a career?
Sadly, setting the marks for "most incomplete retirements" and "sexting" will be how many remember him.
11. Ben Roethlisberger
90 of 100
Allegedly sexually assault me once, shame on you.
Allegedly sexually assault me twice, shame on you again, considering he only get suspended four games.
10. LeBron James
91 of 100
King James may want to add "professional bridge burner" to his résumé after what he did to Cleveland.
Right below "egomaniac."
9. Tonya Harding
92 of 100
Figure skating seems like such a cutesy sport.
Until you've threatened Harding. She will pay a hitman to go after your knees.
Then neither of you win.
8. Kobe Bryant
93 of 100
Although Lakers fans would rather see Bryant on the "Top 10 People Whose Seed I'd Like to Steal" list, one thing needs to be made clear.
His recent alleged homophobic slur at a referee caught on camera, helped Kobe climb back up this list.
His early career cockiness didn't earn him many friends across the country.
Neither did the alleged rape.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo
94 of 100
Soccer's pretty boy must take home his mammoth salary and pay someone to come up with more reasons for people to dislike him.
As if ridiculous flopping, unnecessary theatrics and inappropriate taunting wasn't enough, Ronaldo has the nerve to deflower everything that moves within an inch of his life.
The nerve.
6. Jose Canseco
95 of 100
Canseco defines the phrase "If I can't win, no one can!" after he keeps writing books trying to drag other baseball players into the grave with him.
Most people wonder if the ball that bounced of his head for a home run actually did brain damage.
5. Roger Clemens
96 of 100
Obstruction of Congress and allegations of adultery would normally be grounds to hate someone.
But sporting a mullet and acting this bad takes the cake for the Rocket.
4. Michael Vick
97 of 100
Vick should get a stipend or bonus for all the tickets PETA buys just to heckle him in Philadelphia.
Or maybe a kennel.
3. Tiger Woods
98 of 100
Woods' infidelity saga graced the cover of the New York Post for more consecutive days than the 9/11 attacks.
Yet no one thinks the golfer is a terrorist, except if mistresses count as weapons of mass destruction.
2. Barry Bonds
99 of 100
There are two reasons to hate Zeppelin head.
1) Many fellow players thought using the word "teammate" to describe him would be a compliment they'd never want to pay to Bonds.
2) He broke two of the coolest records in sports, leaving a cheater in the Hall of Fame.
After his recent trial where he was ultimately convicted of obstructing justice and the jury is still considering other charges. He keeps digging himself a deeper hole, but nothing like the #1 on this list.
1. O.J. Simpson
100 of 100
The ex-USC Trojan had people flocking to call him a murderer.
Parades were thrown when he got sent to jail for robbery, as many people saw Simpson finally getting what he deserved.
No one is even close to that.
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