Athletes You'd Love If They Changed Teams
How many more people would love Rob Gronkowski if he didn't play for the New England Patriots?
This is not altogether uncommon. A lot of likable athletes play for teams that don't boast a lot of widespread affection. The following 12 athletes represent particularly strong examples, and as such, sports fans might be more inclined to like them if they just changed teams.
Now, of course Chicago Bears fans might like Aaron Rodgers more if he didn't play for the Green Bay Packers, but that's only in the context of that rivalry. These athletes play for teams that inspire broader disdain or just apathy. And unfortunately, when fans dislike an entire team, it can be hard to root for any player on it.
The list is based upon the juxtaposition of two questions: How likable is the athlete? And how hated (or just boring) is his team? The higher the scores in both categories—like Gronk's—the more love that athlete would likely receive if he switched to, let's say, a replacement-level team.
Note 1: No disrespect is intended toward Boston. Yes, its teams have five athletes on this list, but that just means Boston boasts some of the best personas in sports.
Note 2: Shout out to Reddit user kmhokies35 for several useful sports hate maps.
Anthony Davis
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People don't so much hate the New Orleans Pelicans as they just don't care. Yet, Anthony Davis is a young All-Star and already the centerpiece of this team.
Ever since his college days, Davis has gained positive attention not just for his basketball skills, but also for his famous unibrow. Davis became an NBA force almost immediately after being drafted in 2012, and now, he is one of the most dominant, athletic players in the league (not to mention one of the highest paid).
Again, no disrespect to the Pelicans. In fact, it does indeed look as though Davis might be bringing them into the spotlight sooner rather than later. Still, imagine the 6'10" big man on a more relevant team like the Los Angeles Clippers or Dallas Mavericks.
Dislike for his team: Low
His own likability: Medium
Giancarlo Stanton
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Giancarlo Stanton is one of the best young players in baseball, as evidenced by his $325 million contract with the Miami Marlins.
Beyond that, he is seen as one of the most marketable athletes in the game. Stanton has been sidelined for much of this season with injury, but rest assured, his bat makes him popular (as do hilarious photos like this). If he played, for say, a lovable underdog like the Toronto Blue Jays, Stanton would be much more universally lauded.
Unfortunately for the outfielder, his team isn't exactly as likable as he is. Not only have the Marlins posted six consecutive losing seasons, but owner Jeffrey Loria also presided over a wildly unpopular fire sale in 2012. Oh, and the gaudy, expensive, publicly funded new stadium put a pretty bad taste in Floridian mouths as well.
Dislike for his team: Medium
His own likability: Medium
James Harden
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James Harden himself isn't necessarily disliked, nor is his team, the Houston Rockets—at least not universally. Unfortunately for Harden, he plays on a team with Dwight Howard, a player who is widely disliked.
As Harden carried his team to the 2014-15 NBA postseason, he faced negativity directed not so much at him personally, but his team in general. It also didn't help that the Rockets had to go up against the easily likable Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
As for Harden, he finally established himself as a franchise player and made a compelling case for the NBA MVP Award while he was at it. The players themselves did vote him the league's most valuable player, and fans, well fans dig the beard.
Dislike for his team: Medium
His own likability: Medium
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Tony Romo
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There is some disagreement regarding which NFL team takes the title of "most hated" right now. Although Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated named the New England Patriots, the results of the annual Public Policy Polling's poll, published by Business Insider, revealed it to be the Dallas Cowboys.
The point here is this. Though the contempt might be cooling, the Cowboys still aren't beloved outside Dallas, a fact that has plagued quarterback Tony Romo's otherwise pretty stellar career. Romo is the all-time Cowboys leader in passing yards and touchdowns. Yet, since he joined the team in 2004, the Cowboys have only made four postseason appearances and collected just two wins—numbers that haven't helped to quell the "Romo can't win in the playoffs" narrative.
But darn if he isn't likable anyway. Romo has taken his share of criticism over the years—for the playoff business and that star on his helmet—but he does emanate a certain eternal optimism in spite of it, doesn't he? At an event in April, the QB promised a Super Bowl win for the Cowboys.
If he didn't play for the perennially disliked, usually mediocre Cowboys, fans might like this guy a lot more. If unconvinced, check out Romo's Direct TV commercial or his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Dislike for his team: High
His own likability: Medium
Dwyane Wade
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Reddit user and hate map maker extraordinaire kmhokies35 revealed the results of his NBA poll in 2014. They showed the Heat among the league's most disliked teams, in addition to the Los Angeles Lakers. Truth be told, "The Decision" probably didn't do much for the likability of the Miami Heat, nor did fans leaving a close NBA Finals game in 2013.
Unfortunately for Dwyane Wade, all of that, plus the negativity surrounding LeBron James' 2010 trek southward, probably rubbed off on him a little. Also this. This didn't help.
Strip away the LeBron drama and Miami's reputation as one of the "worst sports towns in America," and Wade is really a likable guy. He voluntarily took a backseat to James during the Big Three era in Miami, he is active in philanthropy and his Instagram is hilarious.
Dislike for his team: Medium
His own likability: High
Brett Gardner
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Brett Gardner has played in the New York Yankees outfield since 2008—his entire MLB career.
As if a refresher is needed, the Yankees have long been the most hated team in baseball, generally speaking, and one of the most disliked sports franchises in existence.
This is not good news for Gardner, who is otherwise a good ballplayer and an all-around likable guy. Gardner has played solid defense for the Yankees, shown speed on the base paths and even made his first All-Star team in 2015.
Remember how all the Yankees grew mustaches back in May? Yankee naysayers probably found it annoying, but really, it was a lighthearted prank that injected an air of playfulness into the usually straight-laced organization. Check out Gardner as Scotty Smalls in this re-creation of The Sandlot, too. Classic.
Dislike for his team: Very high
His own likability: Medium
Patrice Bergeron
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The NHL version of the Reddit hate map revealed the Boston Bruins to be the most hated NHL team in the world. That could be because the Bruins are a big market, an Original Six team, or it could just be because of their intense rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens, making them fiercely disliked throughout most of Canada.
Whatever the case, it doesn't mean the team can't have likable players. Patrice Bergeron has played his entire NHL career in Boston. He is one of the league's top players and a three-time winner of the Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's top defensive forward.
Though not the team captain, Bergeron has become a humble leader for the Bruins. He does his job on the ice, and he says all the right things off of it.
General manager Peter Chiarelli talked about Bergeron's clutch play and drive in 2013. According to Joe McDonald of ESPN, Chiarelli said, "You can see the fire in his eye. You can see it on the bench. You can see the plays he was making. ... He's got oodles of talent and the two-way play. He's a special player."
Dislike for his team: High
His own likability: High
Dustin Pedroia
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The Boston Red Sox may not be most loathed team in baseball, but they are still generally disliked.
For All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia, that means he probably doesn't get as much love as he otherwise would. Pedroia is just one of those guys in sports, the rare, loyal leader whose meaning to his team transcends just on-field play.
Pedroia provides much-needed stability on a team that has had some pretty sweeping ups and downs throughout his career, and he earns the respect of his peers. In 2010, Ron Chimelis of masslive.com reported that Derek Jeter said of Pedroia, "He plays hard. He plays every game like it's Game 7," and "He's fun to watch. I got to know him a little during the World Baseball Classic. You can appreciate how he plays."
Like Jeter, Pedroia's integrity and class are heralded around the league. And also like Jeter, Pedroia is respected by baseball fans, though the logo on his jersey probably prevents at least some from liking him.
Dislike for his team: High
His own likability: High
Jason Witten
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What's not to like about Jason Witten? The Pro Bowl tight end has been a stalwart on the Dallas Cowboys offense throughout the Tony Romo era. He is the Cowboys' second-leading receiver of all time, behind only Michael Irvin (not bad for a tight end), and he is at least in the conversation of the all-time greats at his position.
Besides his on-field prowess, Witten is a quiet leader with an infectious personality. In all likelihood, there are even anti-Cowboys folks out there who can appreciate that about Witten.
According to Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said:
"I bet if I went back to Witten of his youth, he would be that guy on that playground organizing the game, people looking to him, in the classroom, people looking to him. I just think he has that way about him. He's a guy that people are drawn to in general, and then you add the fact that he's such a good football player, and he has so much credibility.
"
Save fans who dislike all Cowboys just because they're Cowboys. It is pretty hard not to like this guy.
Dislike for his team: High
His own likability: Very high
Julian Edelman
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Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated named the New England Patriots the NFL's most hated team. His points of evidence are hard to argue—the Spygate and Deflategate scandals, the team's continued on-field domination and a general air of haughtiness emitted by owner, coach and quarterback.
Still, there are some hilarious people on that team. Julian Edelman has become one of Tom Brady's favorite targets not named Gronkowski, and he shares another trait with the big tight end: goofiness.
The scrappy wide receiver has posted several stellar videos to his YouTube channel during the past year, including these hysterical Growing Pains and Star Wars parodies and a hype video that almost invokes something like appreciation for the Pats.
Dislike for his team: Very high
His own likability: High
David Ortiz
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Despite some general disdain for his team, Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is hard not to like.
In 2013, Ortiz became the all-time leader in hits for a designated hitter, and he is generally regarded as one of the more popular players in the MLB. His Dunkin' Donuts commercials with Rob Gronkowski are hilarious, as was his answer to the question, "What is your dream job?"
And who could forget his moving, passionate speech honoring the Boston Marathon bombing victims? Even the use of an expletive didn't stop then-MLB Commissioner Bud Selig from calling Ortiz's choice of words "outstanding" (via Gordon Edes of ESPN).
Ortiz has one of those larger-than-life personas that makes him particularly magnetic. If baseball fans had milder feelings about his team, the affection might be more universal.
Dislike for his team: High
His own likability: Very high
Rob Gronkowski
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The only person on the New England Patriots roster who appears more jovial than Julian Edelman is Rob Gronkowski.
Not only is he one of the best tight ends in the league, but Gronk has also created a famed off-field persona with his offseason partying and bro antics.
He's a beast on the field, a goofball off of it, and best of all, he reads authentic. Though Tom Brady's golden-boy image all but dissipated with Deflategate, his big tight end has always remained loyal, defending and lauding to his quarterback.
How many people have uttered the phrase, "I love Gronk, but I just wish he didn't play for the Patriots"?
Best guess? A lot.
Dislike for his team: Very high
His own likability: Very high
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
