8 Biggest Complainers in NFL History

By (Senior Writer) on September 15, 2011

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24:  Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

For some players, competing in the National Football League comes completely naturally, as they are very talented players.

Yet other players are just as talented at whining as they are at playing. You know the type. They're not happy if the team wins unless they also had a good game. Great athletes, but terrible teammates and total whiners.

The following eight slides focus on some of the worst in NFL history.

Terrell Owens

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26:  Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches on during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Terrell Owens is one of the biggest whiners in NFL history. He literally ruined his relationship with Jeff Garcia in San Francisco, Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia and Tony Romo in Dallas.

Owens is the one who tried to get Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson to hold out at the beginning of training camp this season, and he still calls out McNabb every year or so.

Carson Palmer

CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26:  Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The first overall draft pick in 2003, Carson Palmer wore out his welcome in Cincinnati and demanded a trade following the 2010 season.

He didn't get it, so he decided to retire rather than continue playing professional football and attempting to win a Super Bowl.

Keyshawn Johnson

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01:  Keyshawn Johnson attends the Rose Bowl presented by Citi between the USC Trojans and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2008 in Pasadena, California.  The Trojans defeated the Fighting Illini 49-17.  (P
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Any wide receiver who writes a book titled Just Give Me the Damn Ball! is definitely one of the most selfish players and biggest whiners in the National Football League.

This is the story of Keyshawn Johnson, who published the aforementioned autobiography following his rookie season.

He also was benched for the final half of the 2003 season following feuds with Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden.

Randy Moss

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05:  Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans maks a catch as Don Carey #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars defends at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Randy Moss is one of the most talented wide receivers in league history, yet his lasting legacy may be his ability to whine, notably during the 2010 season.

First, he was traded by the Patriots to the Vikings after Bill Belichick got tired of him. In Minnesota, he insulted the coaching staff and a local restaurant's post-practice catered meal and was released. He was picked up by the Tennessee Titans, where he closed out his NFL career in disappointing fashion.

Brett Favre

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02:  Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Brett Favre might be the biggest drama queen in the history of the NFL, most notably during the last few seasons, as he has retired and unretired about 14,000 times.

He insulted the Green Bay Packers organization and claimed it pressured him into a decision about his retirement before the 2008 season.

For every offseason since 2008, his name has surfaced as a potential candidate for playing the next season. Three times, he actually did.

Ryan Leaf

22 Nov 2001 : Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the Dallas Cowboys during the game against the Denver Broncos at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Broncos won 26-24. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Ryan Leaf is the biggest draft bust in NFL history and made his mark not just as a failed athlete, but as a complainer too.

In 2002, San Diego Chargers safety Rodney Harrison described Leaf's rookie season in 1998 as a "nightmare that you can't even imagine." Leaf complained to coaches and teammates and eventually retired following the 2001 season.

Jay Cutler

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 11: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver as teammates (L-R) J'Marcus Webb #73, Chris Williams #74, Roberto Garza #63 and Chris Spencer #67 block against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on September 11, 2011
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Jay Cutler demanded a trade from the Denver Broncos following the 2008 season, in which he threw for 4,526 yards.

He got his trade and was sent to the Chicago Bears, but many lost respect for the Bears quarterback forever for his tendency to complain.

James Harrison

LATROBE, PA - JULY 29:  James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers snaps in his chin guard during training camp on July 29, 2011 at St Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

James Harrison has been the poster child for drawing fines on illegal hits in the National Football League, leading him to threaten retirement multiple times in the 2010 season.

His remarks about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the offseason—calling him a "devil"—were completely out of line and totally inappropriate.

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