12 Athletes Getting Suspended for Doing Really Dumb Stuff

It seems that us fans can't go a single day without turning on the TV or reading the Internet without hearing about another athlete getting busted for something.

And while I'm personally sick of guys getting in trouble for doping—and most of you probably agree—it's the one thing that drives the most suspensions.

But lucky for us, as a bit of a twist, some athletes earn themselves some games off for doing other stupid things, and these happen to be just a few of the dumbest.

Potentially: Johnny Manziel (NCAAF)

I know, I know, this is jumping the gun.

But if Texas A&M and reigning Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel is found guilty of taking money for autographs as is reported, the suspension to the Aggie quarterback will instantly jump into the top three on my list.

Why?

Without football, Manziel is what he's always been seeking—a normal, 20-year-old college kid who does what he wants.

That's great for millions of kids around the country, but not for one who's as talented at playing football as Manziel, who could waste his opportunity at playing in the NFL.

Enes Kanter (NCAAB)

Games Suspended: 38 games

I know that this wasn't something stupid on Enes' part—after all, it wasn't his fault that he was technically born in the wrong country, right? (Swiss-born, Turkish-bred.)

But I'm adding him in because he accepted over $30,000 from his playing days with Turkish club, Fenerbahce, which he should have known wouldn't fly with the NCAA rules.

As much as I hate the rule—I am part of the "Free Enes" fan club as a UK grad—athletes who plan on playing anywhere collegiately just can't take any cash whatsoever.

Manny Ramirez (MLB)

Games Suspended: 50 and 100 games

As I mentioned in my opener, there have seriously been hundreds of ballplayers suspended for PEDs over the years—especially in the last three or four.

But former Major Leaguer Manny Ramirez makes the cut here because of what he actually got busted for taking—a women's fertility drug—costing the slugger 50 games in 2009.

The drug was known as hCG, and is commonly found in roid users as they come off a cycle to help produce natural testosterone.

That's bad, but apparently not bad enough, as Manny was just being Manny a few years later, earning another suspension (100 games) for taking an illegal substance.

Dude, Stop. Being. Dumb.

Albert Haynesworth (NFL)

Games Suspended: 5 and 4 games

What in the hell is wrong with former defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth?

The dude had clearly established himself as a dominant force in the middle of the D-line by earning two Pro Bowl visits in his career, and at one time owning the richest contract ever for a defensive player.

But the big man's attitude seemed to always get the best of him, as he was suspended a then record five games for stomping on an opposing player's face while with the Titans, and then again for insubordination when playing for the Redskins just a few years later.

When you're one of the highest paid players to ever play the game, pulling bonehead moves like this typically aren't acceptable.

Chris Simon (NHL)

Games Suspended: 30 and 25 games

Maybe former NHL player Chris Simon was just trying way too hard to be exactly like movie character, Happy Gilmore?

That'd be my guess, as Happy's the only guy to ever take his skate off and try to stab somebody with it (Note: 2:06 mark), and Simon's one of the few who has used his skate as a weapon in a similar manner.

His stomp job on opposing player Jarkko Ruutu, earned him a whopping 30 games away from his team, along with a $300,000 check to the league office.

The best part about Simon's 30-gamer? It actually beat his previous record of 25 games that he received for swinging his stick like a baseball bat just a year earlier.

It might be time for some anger management classes bro.

Plaxico Burress (NFL)

Games Suspended: 4 games

Over the course of Plaxico Burress' career, it seems as if the malcontent of a wide receiver has really seen it all.

From being a first-round pick (eighth overall) in the 2000 Draft, to a few solid seasons, a couple run-ins with the law and finally, a winning catch in a Super Bowl, Plax's 11 years in the league could easily be a Hollywood movie.

One moment that he wishes was fake was the time he accidentally shot himself in the leg while at a nightclub in 2008—just nine months after that Super Bowl win.

It was bad enough that he got shot, but then the league stepped in and suspended him and he got sent to prison for two years. I'm guessing it was just about the lowest point in his life.

He did come back from it all to play a few more years, but is on the shelf with a bum shoulder for the entire upcoming season.

Pat McAfee (NFL)

Games Suspended: 1 game

It's not often that a punter gets much pub, but Colts punter Pat McAfee did something really (hilariously) stupid to earn his one-game suspension couple years ago.

Drunk as a skunk, McAfee jumped into a nearby Indianapolis canal shirtless after a night of boozing, earning himself a public intox arrest.

Best part though?

When the cops asked him how much he had to drink, the punter responded, "A lot 'cause I'm drunk."

I mean, dude did go to West Virginia, which is known for its partying.

Gilbert Arenas (NBA)

Games Suspended: 50 games

As idiotic as it might have been for the previously mentioned Plaxico Burress to shoot himself in the leg, it was even more of a dumbass move Gilbert Arenas to bring his pistols with him into the damn locker room!

Sure, the things weren't loaded, but the fact that he had them waiting around in his locker is pretty messed up, getting him 50 games on the shelf.

It all stemmed from a gambling debt that he had with then teammate, Javaris Crittenton—who also got hit with a 38-game suspension—meaning these two were really doing some dumb stuff while playing for the Wizards in 2010.

Arenas may have the nickname "Agent Zero", but maybe it was for being an undercover agent than for his play on the basketball court.

Marty McSorley (NHL)

Games Suspended: 23 games

Although former NHL player Marty McSorley avoided jail time, he (understandably) wasn't able to get out of the league office's dog house after his decision to abuse an opposing player, garnering a 23-game suspension.

During a game in 2000, McSorley—a known enforcer and protector of guys like Wayne Gretzky when they played together—swung his stick at the head of opposing player Donald Brashear, knocking him down, which caused his head to hit the ice, and him briefly losing consciousness and getting a concussion.

It was one of the league's scariest moments, and one that proved to be the dumbest decision of McSorley's 17-year career.

Ohio State Football Players (NCAAF)

Games Suspended: 5 games

Everyone loves tattoos, don't they?

They're a symbol of badassery and, in some cases, can build team unity.

But that second part can sometimes come back and bite athletes in the booty, as was the case for some Ohio State football players in 2011.

In a "fair trade" agreement, star players like quarterback Terrelle Pryor, leading rusher Dan Herron and big-play wideout Devier Posey sold memorabilia in order to get hooked up with free tats from the owner of the tat shop.

It not only tarnished what the Buckeyes had accomplished as a team, but ultimately led to former head coach Jim Tressel to resign while racking up big-time punishments for the program.

For their stupidity, players had to do a variety of different things on top of their suspensions.

Michael Vick (NFL)

Games Suspended: 34 games

After being sentenced to 23 months in prison for his involvement in a dog fighting scheme, former Falcons (and current Eagles) quarterback Michael Vick gained plenty of bad press.

Some of that just so happened to come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who suspended Vick for a total of 34 games, following a long process of reinstatement by the league.

Even after coming back and joining the Eagles in 2009, the league slapped Vick on the wrist for two more games at the beginning of the season, meaning his horrid decision hit him harder than a blindsided hit by an opposing defender.

John Terry (EPL)

Games Suspended: 4 games

Racism.

Wouldn't you think we'd be over it by now?

Apparently, Chelsea and former England national team center back John Terry didn't think so, as he expressed some cruel words towards opponent Anton Ferdinand last season, earning him a four-game suspension.

Terry did avoid any criminal punishment, but the perception of being a racist might be bad enough for the guy.

I'm not sure this is the best way to prove that your captain is a great leader, but that's just me.

Ron Artest (NBA)

Games Suspended: 86 games

Ah yes, who else but Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) could top our list for the dumbest suspensions?

After lounging on the scorer's table following a scuffle in a 2004 game against the Pistons, Artest got hit by a flying plastic cup which was thrown by a fan.

Rather than laying low though, the 6'8" forward stormed into the stands, attacking a fan like he was in a back alley, eventually being restrained by coaches and teammates.

The "Malice in the Palace" earned Artest 86 games away from basketball, which was the longest suspension for a non drug-related punishment.

At least there's some good news though—Artest and the fan have developed a friendship, so you see, some people really do forgive and forget.