Brett Favre and the Biggest Drama Queens in the NFL

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As football fans, we love entertainment. We love the players who can bring us to our feet and make us applaud loudly. It's riveting as a fan when a player can captivate an entire audience.

But then there are the players who sometimes go a little bit too far. They have to be in the spotlight all the time, and when they're not, there's a problem.

Quite simply, these players are drama queens, and the following slides will highlight the 17 biggest in the National Football League.

Terrell Owens, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

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Terrell Owens, or T.O., has always been about drama. Always.

From his San Francisco days where he called his quarterback gay, to his days in Philadelphia where he performed sit-ups in his driveway and called out his quarterback for his performance in the Super Bowl, to his days in Dallas where he had difficulties getting along with both Drew Bledsoe and Tony Romo, Owens has always been a clubhouse cancer.

Chad Johnson, WR, New England Patriots

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I refuse to call him by that stupid last name of his. Anyway, there might not be a person alive who loves himself more than Chad Johnson loves Chad Johnson.

His biggest cause of drama is his stupid celebrations, which frequently result in fines from the NFL. I will say, however, that some of them are quite funny, such as pretending the football was a golf club and hitting it with the end zone pylon.

It will be very interesting to see if he can behave in New England.

Brett Favre, QB, Retired?

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I have no clue if Brett Favre is retired or not. The NFL's all-time interception leader allowed fans the privilege of watching him each of the last three seasons, as he un-retired each time—usually right before the season began.

There's also the situation of Brett sending a picture of Little Brett to a Jets employee.

Remember when I said that Chad Johnson loves himself more than anybody in the world? I was wrong. Brett loves Brett more than Chad loves Chad.

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

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Jay Cutler is one of the most universally disliked players in the National Football League. 

First he talked his way out of Denver by demanding a trade. He was then traded to the Chicago Bears.

Then, last January he became the subject of more controversy when he failed to reenter the NFC Championship Game because of an injury (although to be fair, I think he really was hurt badly enough that he couldn't reenter).

But he makes this list for his actions in the 2009 offseason alone.

Pacman Jones, CB, Cincinnati Bengals

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Pacman Jones has brought drama to all three teams that he has played for: the Tennessee Titans, the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals.

He was suspended for the entire 2007 season, part of 2008 and has had many (many) run-ins with the law. He's been connected to shootings, beatings and traffic violations.

I predict that Pacman Jones will one day be banned for life from the National Football League.

Carson Palmer, QB, Retired?

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Selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft, Carson Palmer played eight seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals before announcing that he plans to never again play for the franchise.

The Bengals have refused to trade Palmer, and he remains on their roster. However, he has stated that he is retired. It remains to be seen if he will play in the NFL again, but most drama queens get what they want.

I think Palmer will miss 2011 and play in 2012.

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

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Rivers has long earned a reputation as one of the whiniest quarterbacks in the league.

He might be able to get away with it if he had won a Super Bowl, but a 3-4 postseason record and a reputation for playing poorly in January don't help his cause.

Rex Ryan, Head Coach, New York Jets

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You either love him or you hate him. Either way, almost all can admit that the New York Jets head coach is full of drama. 

He boldly stated before the 2009 postseason that the Jets should have been Super Bowl favorites. He boldly stated before a 2010 postseason game against the New England Patriots that it was the second-biggest game in Jets history.

And he has boldly stated that the Jets will win the Super Bowl in 2011. The pressure is on Rex this year—more than ever before.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

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I absolutely love DeSean Jackson and all that he has done for the Eagles in his three seasons in the NFL. Unfortunately, his career hasn't come without drama.

Whether it's dropping the ball on the 1-yard line before his first NFL touchdown, or his backward falls into the end zone after his long touchdowns, or his holdout before this year's training camp, Jackson has certainly caused his fair share of drama for the Eagles.

Vince Young, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

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After a very messy ending to his career in Tennessee, quarterback Vince Young joined the Philadelphia Eagles—the perfect team for him to rehabilitate his NFL career (like Michael Vick a few years ago).

So what did VY do in his first press conference in Philly? He provided the "dream team" label for the Eagles, which has been repeated approximately 196,375 times in the past week.

That, combined with his mental issues in Tennessee, labels VY a major drama queen.

Mike Shanahan, Head Coach, Washington Redskins

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His handling of the Donovan McNabb situation last year was dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. Handing the QB a $57 million contract and then demoting him to third-string a few weeks later? That's insane.

Shanahan all but ruined McNabb's legacy. Oh, and his handling of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was pathetic as well.

He's been a complete and total failure in his stint in Washington.

Randy Moss, WR, Retired?

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Randy Moss is another player who I don't believe is truly retired. Whether it was with Minnesota, Oakland, New England, Minnesota again or Tennessee, Moss has caused drama everywhere he's been.

Last season was just brutal. He told CBSSports that he did not feel wanted in New England, so he was traded to Minnesota. He criticized Vikings head coach Brad Childress and was waived by the team. Then he was picked up by the Tennessee Titans, who decided not to renew his contract for 2011 after he caught exactly six passes for them.

I expect to see Moss bring some drama to whatever NFL team he plays for in 2011.

Albert Haynesworth, DT, New England Patriots

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Whether it's stomping on the head of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode in 2006 or his suspension by the Washington Redskins for the final few games of the 2010 season, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has been one big, fat drama queen throughout his NFL career.

He is a prime example of a player who plays when he wants to play and doesn't when he doesn't (like last year on Monday Night Football, when he lay on the ground as Michael Vick scrambled around before throwing a touchdown pass to Jason Avant).

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Ben Roethlisberger has twice been accused of sexual assault allegations. Once and I could understand him potentially being innocent. Twice? I doubt that he is innocent.

Don't forget about his motorcycle crash in 2006, when he nearly died (without a valid motorcycle license).

Tank Johnson, DT, Cincinnati Bengals

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Tank Johnson is just another Cincinnati Bengals player with a very troubled past and a history of drama. 

For the Tank, his history includes gun charges, an eight-game suspension from the league, more weapons charges, traffic violations and oh yeah, more weapons charges.

I'll give Tank credit though. There have been no off-field incidents from him since June 22. That's 46 consecutive days without drama!

Jerry Jones, Owner, Dallas Cowboys

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Jones was voted the most disliked sports personality in three states in a Sports Illustrated poll back in 2003.

Jones is without a doubt the most involved owner in the National Football League. Jones is one of three NFL owners who are also the team's general manager.

He makes the team's decisions—not the coach—and as a result, he's had issues with most all his coaches (notably Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson).

Al Davis, Owner, Oakland Raiders

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Al Davis might be the most controversial figure in the NFL and has been involved in numerous lawsuits involving the NFL and the Oakland Raiders.

For about 40 years, Davis has remained convinced that the NFL has had it out for him and the Raiders (citing the Immaculate Reception and the Tuck Rule as prime examples).

Davis is one of three owners who also serve as the team's GM—and for what it's worth, he does a pathetic job. His drafting of wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey based solely on his 40-yard dash sums up his ownership abilities.

He was also the only NFL owner not to agree to the new CBA (as he chose not to vote).

Everywhere Al Davis goes, drama follows. Everywhere.