Sports Stars We Almost Felt Sorry for in 2014
It’s hard to feel sorry for superstar athletes, what with their millions of dollars and all. But a few of the following stars have had it so bad this year that you almost, sort of, maybe do. Almost, but not really.
Yes, Jay Cutler got benched for Jimmy Clausen, but then again, he wasn’t playing well. Sure, Sidney Crosby got the mumps, but he’s also the highest paid player in the NHL. Kobe Bryant is on a bad team late in his career, but what a career it’s been.
There are some stars that I definitely felt sorry for in 2014, like the Brazilian national team or Steve Nash. Some people truly deserved our sympathy. But others, eh, others I’m not so sure.
Just how close am I to feeling sorry for these stars? Let’s rank ‘em, from sort of close to very close.
LeBron James
1 of 12
I know, I know. No one feels sorry for LeBron James. But this is about almost feeling sorry for the guy. James has always been a polarizing figure in sports, and 2014 was one of his craziest years yet.
During Game 1 of the NBA Finals (that the Miami Heat eventually lost to San Antonio), James left in the fourth quarter with cramping, much to the delight of Internet heckling enthusiasts.
Later, James announced that he planned to return to Cleveland for the 2014-15 season. Reports at the time were that his Miami teammate Chris Bosh didn’t take his departure overly well. Bosh told reporters, via ESPN, “If guys aren't in this locker room, I don't have much time for them -- if any.”
Finally, James’ highly anticipated return to Cleveland got off to a lackluster start, and of course some folks overreacted and even began to wonder if James was past his prime.
I mean, that’s a lot to deal with…wait. Nevermind. LeBron James is just fine.
Shaun White
2 of 12
Shaun White is one of America’s most well-known winter athletes. He has won two Olympic gold medals and has actually achieved a six-peat (that’s right) in the X Games superpipe event.
But at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, White was downright mortal. He chose not to compete in the slopestyle event and failed to medal in the halfpipe, an event he won at the previous two Winter Games.
He told The Associated Press (via ESPN), “I'm disappointed. I hate the fact I nailed it in practice, but it happens. It's hard to be consistent.”
"The Flying Tomato" did not win an event. I feel bad he was disappointed, but wait, no I don’t. As he said, it happens—can’t win ‘em all.
Colin Kaepernick
3 of 12
Colin Kaepernick was just crushing life in 2012. He got his first start with the San Francisco 49ers in November to fill in for the injured Alex Smith; he never relinquished the job.
Kaepernick took opposing defenses by storm with his surprising quickness and ability to run the ball and make big plays. He led his team all the way to the Super Bowl.
But since then, defenses seem to have caught up with young Kaep a bit. Through 15 games in 2014, the 49ers are 7-8. Kaepernick has 18 touchdowns (17 passing, one rushing) and 10 interceptions. This is compared to 25 regular-season TDs and eight interceptions last year (over 16 games).
Word is that head coach Jim Harbaugh might be out of town, in which case, someone else would have to come in to work with Kaepernick. Former NFL QB Jeff Garcia told USA Today's Lindsay Jones:
"It’s almost like their window of opportunity is about to pass them by. Here they were built to the point of being so close to winning it all, to being in the NFC championship games, to being in the Super Bowl. And now all of a sudden they are struggling to keep things afloat.
"
The jury’s still out on Kaepernick. But the reason I don’t feel sorry for him is because this happens. Sometimes players get a lot of hype and don’t pan out. If it happens to Kaep it won’t be fun, but that’s sports.
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Floyd Mayweather
4 of 12
Floyd Mayweather has never lost a professional bout, but he is also extremely controversial. He’s had legal issues over the years, and more recently, he made some comments regarding the Ray Rice situation that weren’t exactly well-thought-out. He later apologized.
Also in 2014, Mayweather responded to an accusation, made via Twitter by rapper 50 Cent, that he may have trouble with reading. This is where I almost felt sorry for him. Illiteracy is a serious issue and should not be made light of in any context. However, Mayweather responded by tweeting a photo of a couple of checks made out to Mayweather Promotions, LLC. The total of both checks was $72,276,000.
Point taken.
Landon Donovan
5 of 12
U.S. men’s national soccer team coach Jurgen Klinsmann left Landon Donovan off the 2014 World Cup roster. When asked to explain his decision, Klinsmann said at a press conference, via ESPN FC, “As a coach, you always want to see a player that drives for his 100 percent. I wished in a certain way, ah, he could have done a bit more here and a bit more there.”
But don’t feel too bad for Donovan. He is the all-time scoring leader in U.S. men’s national team history with 57 goals. He has racked up 12 appearances and five goals in the FIFA World Cup. He has been named the U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year four times. The accolades go on and on.
He will go down as one of the greatest U.S. soccer players ever, and he got plenty of well-deserved respect as he neared retirement this year. His last professional game resulted in his sixth MLS championship for crying out loud.
A coach has to do what a coach has to do. With all the success Donovan has enjoyed over his incredible career, I don’t feel sorry for him for failing to make this one team.
Johnny Manziel
6 of 12
Normally you would feel sorry for a guy whose first NFL start went so poorly. But when that player is Johnny Manziel, it’s a bit harder to feel any sympathy.
Ever since his college days at Texas A&M, "Johnny Football" has come across like a bit of, well, a bit of a punk. From his money signs to his public partying, Manziel doesn’t appear to be dripping with modesty.
However, despite the lack of love from general football fans, those in Cleveland were mostly jacked when he got his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately for the Browns, Manziel’s numbers were dismal. He went 10-of-18 for 80 yards passing with two interceptions. He rushed five times for 13 yards and was sacked three times. All of this was en route to a 30-0 shutout.
2014 Boston Red Sox
7 of 12
Let’s just throw one team in here for good measure. The Boston Red Sox won the 2013 World Series. Then in 2014, the team won just 71 games and finished dead last in the American League East. That’s quite the downturn.
Not to mention, the Red Sox traded away Jon Lester in July, most likely with the hope of getting him back during free agency. Not only did Lester not sign with Boston, but to add salt to the wound, he signed with the Chicago Cubs, headed up by former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein.
Boston’s president and CEO Larry Lucchino told reporters, via the Boston Herald, “Just look at the end result. We failed to get done what was our goal. So we are subject to criticism, and rightly so, for that.”
Then again, his team also won a World Series in 2013, so, meh. I have no tears for the Red Sox.
Carmelo Anthony
8 of 12
After the 2013-14 NBA season, Carmelo Anthony opted out of his contract with the New York Knicks to test the waters of free agency. He ended up re-signing with New York for five years and $124 million.
That’s $5 million less than the maximum, and when Anthony was asked if he’d take less money to help the team, he said, via Ian Begley of ESPN New York:
"Without a doubt. Any opportunity I have to build that up in New York, I'd do it. I told people all the time, always say, 'If it takes me taking a pay cut, I'll be the first one on [Knicks owner] Mr. [James] Dolan's steps saying take my money and let's build something strong over here.
"
While his selflessness feels dubious (as in, maybe it was just about money), it’s still tempting to feel a little bit bad for a guy whose team has started off the 2014-15 season 5-25 (through Dec. 21). Yikes! There have also been rumors of conflict among teammates.
Then again, Melo had other options. He has even said he would’ve fit right in with the Chicago Bulls. He made his bed, so I don’t really feel bad that he’s lying in it.
Robert Griffin III
9 of 12
In 2012, the football world looked so promising for Robert Griffin III. He had just won the Heisman Trophy, he was the second pick in the NFL draft and, most importantly, he was going to be the savior of the Washington Redskins.
Then, reality hit. Griffin suffered a knee injury at the end of his rookie season, and he hasn’t yet been able to return to his peak form. Public disagreements with his former coach Mike Shanahan didn’t help the quarterback’s public image either.
Then in 2014, Griffin suffered another injury, this time to his ankle. Upon his return, the Redskins lost three straight games, and current head coach Jay Gruden benched Griffin in favor of Colt McCoy.
Griffin and Gruden are rumored to have a rocky relationship as well, although to that end Gruden told reporters, via Brian McNally of CBS DC, “Like I said, a lot of the talk between Robert and I of me not liking Robert or Robert not liking me, I think, has been a little bit misinterpreted or misunderstood.”
Griffin has had a rough go of it, but a young quarterback embroiled in public controversies with not one, but two head coaches doesn’t exactly elicit sympathy from a lot of folks.
Kobe Bryant
10 of 12
Kobe Bryant has the reputation of a fierce competitor, someone who wants to win whatever the cost. He isn’t known for going easy on those around him, either. In fact, he recently exploded on his teammates at practice, calling them “soft like Charmin.”
Regardless, Bryant is still one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. And now, in the twilight of his career, he is on a Los Angeles Lakers team that is, to put it kindly, not good.
You almost feel bad for him, but then you remember he has five championship rings. Then, not so much.
Sidney Crosby
11 of 12
I am very, very close to feeling sorry for Sidney Crosby. He’s not well-liked around the NHL, and he hasn’t been for years. He’s gotten a reputation as a flopper over the years, and many find him to be arrogant.
Then in 2014, he slipped into a scoring slump, and to top that off, he got the mumps. Really, the mumps.
Despite all this, Crosby is still a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner. He’s a Stanley Cup champion. He is the highest paid player in the NHL.
Jay Cutler
12 of 12
Jay Cutler has had a tumultuous relationship with the Chicago Bears over the years, but 2014 has been particularly dicey. After signing a seven-year deal back in January, Cutler and the Bears have failed to meet expectations.
As the losses piled up, Cutler faced weekly criticism, as did head coach Marc Trestman. Finally, it was announced that Jimmy Clausen would start in place of Cutler in Week 16.
Jay Cutler isn’t exactly beloved, and his perceived apathetic attitude doesn’t win him a lot of fans, even in Chicago. However, getting benched for a fifth-year quarterback who hasn’t started a game since 2010—well, that almost makes you feel bad for the guy. Almost. That contract I mentioned included $54 million guaranteed.
Not to worry—Cutler will get his job back in Week 17, possibly only because Clausen suffered a concussion, per Igor Mello of CBSSports.com.
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