Top 10 Sleaziest of Sleazes

The term "sleazy" is defined as "Dishonest or corrupt; disreputable," according to freedictionary.com. The definition does not do the top 10 justice. I doubt there are enough words in the English language to define exactly how sleazy these next 10 individuals/entities really are:

1. Auburn University

Now you may be asking yourself, why name a whole organization as being sleazy? Well, I'll tell you. It doesn't get sleazier than the underhanded tactics employed by the athletic department on multiple occasions.

There was that nasty little incident where officials flew in Bobby Petrino behind Tommy Tubberville's back and interviewed him for the head coaching position. The end result saw Tubberville leading the Tigers to an undefeated season and Coach Tubs staying with the disloyal Tigers of Auburn.

That's not where the story ends, folks.

In the sleaziest of moves, Auburn fires Tubbs after one dismal season, only to hire a coach that has only won five games in two years, in Gene Chizik. Auburn University has pulled every underhanded scheme in the book and thus deserves the No. 1 overall Sleaziest Program in sports.

2. Nick Saban

"I am not leaving Miami—I don't know how many times I have to say it." In true dirtbag fashion, Saban comes in a close second, but really deserves honorable mention alongside No. 1 Auburn.

Saban had neither the fortitude nor the respect to be honest with the fans of the Dolphins, ownership, and players. Like a thief who creeps out in the middle of the night, Saban did not even tell his assistants that he was gone like the wind.

Consistent lies and disrespect make Nick Saban a no-brainer on the sleaze list.

3. Bobby Petrino

How any parent could allow this guy to sit in their living room and recruit their child on the premise of honor and integrity absolutely blows my mind.

Bobby Petrino is the kind of man you don't want your kids to be when they grow up. Nor is he the kind of man with whom one should entrust their college-aged son. After all, you do want to your kid to learn how to be a man of his word, right?

Leaving Atlanta the way Petrino did should epitomize exactly what you don't wan't your kid to be like.

4. Terrel Owens

Mr. "If I don't get my way I'm going to pout and cry until I do." That, or he is going to destroy any team he touches. Owens' incidents have been well-documented.

Just imagine how much better he would be if he spent all the time he does being a cancer actually trying to make the whole team better.

Owens deserves the title "Most Cancerous Sleaze."

5. Pete Carroll

Isn't it amazing how FSU gets caught for an academic scandal this past season, and by March there is already a punishment handed down? Yet Reggie Bush's parents lived in an expensive house while he was at USC that was bought and paid for by an agent, and still no findings on the investigation?

No doubt in my mind Pete Carroll knows exactly what was going on in his program and turns a blind eye to it. The USC team is the media darling and is treated as such by the NCAA.

Had this accusation been at Miami or at FSU, punishment would have been handed down years ago.

6. Pacman Jones

Most notably, for his off-the-field incidents rather than his on-the-field production, Pacman comes in at a solid six. Someone forgot to tell him this isn't the "hood"—you are in the limelight and are expected to conduct yourself in a manner that doesn't bring shame and embarrassment on yourself, the NFL, and the organization you play for.

He is a disgraceful individual who leaves nothing but disaster and horror in his path (see security guard who is now paralyzed).

7. Rich Rodriguez

Probably should be higher than seventh place, but nonetheless deserves a mention on the sleazy list.

First, for manipulating West Virginia into giving him more money by playing them against the University of Alabama during contract negotiations a few years ago. Second, for leaving in the middle of the night, à la Saban style, for Michigan.

Don't worry, he joins the list of individuals from whom we should not take ethics lessons.

8. Billy Donovan

I would say he really screwed with Orlando by backing out after a deal was done, but I look at the NBA East standings and they seem to be doing just fine without him.

Can't say the same for the Florida Gators, who lost in the NIT tournament for a second straight year. Maybe this is karma? I am assuming integrity is something they never taught at Providence.

9. Mike Tyson

What sleazy list would be complete without Mike Tyson? Rape charges, ear biting, going from riches to rags, and just acting like a downright scummy individual. It should be noted that Tyson is at No. 9 because he is for the most part irrelevant in sports today.

10. Lane Kiffin

Unfounded acquisitions, rulebook incompetence, and many other qualities that I am sure Al Davis could help us out with, other than what we already know. It doesn't get sleazier than a guy who lies through his teeth about other coaches/programs and has yet to show the world if he knows his head from his rear when it comes to coaching football.

As you can see, my list of top 10 is concentrated around integrity or lack thereof. I have issues with high profile coaches who lack this necessary character trait when trusted with developing our young people into responsible, ethical individuals. 

My father used to tell me, "If you're not a man of your word, then you are no man at all." These 10 individuals epitomize the polar opposite of the type of people we wan't our sons and daughters to be.

These truly are the sleaziest of sleaze!