Ontario's Five Most Hated Athletes

Ontarians have for a long time been transfixed with their sports teams. I mean, look at how faithful Leafs fans remain to their team despite their terribleness over the past, oh, I don't know, 42 years.

In honour of the shitstorm that's going to come following A.I.'s move leaving Memphis, this week I look at the five players who do (or would if they still played) receive the most unpleasant welcome from fans in the province of Ontario.

No. 5: Alexei Yashin

Yashin was until recently the most hated former Senator in the history of the franchise. Following amazing opening seasons, Yashin's competitiveness and spirit tapered off in the later years of his career in Ottawa.

Despite his tremendous skill (even in his last season in Ottawa he put up 88 points), he was asking far too much out of an organization that did not have the amount of money to supply that. Instead, they traded for Zdeno Chara (one of the better moves they've made) and got Jason Spezza with a draft pick.

Regardless, Yashin's attitude towards the team and city he began in has made Yashin one of the most vulgar words in the nation's capital.

No. 4: Brett Hull

Yeah, sure, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and all, and yeah, he scored the goal that captured my Stars their only Cup, but why would you go against your home nation? Born in Belleville, Hull had dual citizenship and throughout his entire international career played for the United States.

Now, I'm not bashing the US or trying to start an international war, but why would you choose to play for any nation, in hockey, but Canada? Again, it's hockey.

I love you Brett, but in so many ways I hate you too.

No. 3: A.J. Burnett

Oh A.J. You were such a fine Blue Jay. You and Doc Halladay got along, you had amazing pitches, and the fans had your back. Then you wanted more money, something Rogers didn't want you to do. Then you left. Then you signed with the New York Yankees.

Even if you had been completely in the right in leaving Toronto, Jays fans would still have hated you. It's the Yankees—come on!

Your return said it all, getting booed like Jerry in that Seinfeld episode where he stole the limo and ended up being thought to be a neo-Nazi. Sorry, I got off track—just a great episode. Oh, and I secretly blame you for Doc's inevitable exit.

As long as we keep beating YOU, the Yankees can buy as many World Series as they want.

No. 2: Dany Heatley

Heater was loved in Ottawa. They gave him sanctuary after his accident, they gave him players where he could excel, and the city treated him like a celebrity.

Then, out of nowhere, Heatley decided that he wanted to stab the city in the back: asking for a trade, then not taking the trade he was offered due to his "no-trade clause," and then getting his $1 million bonus despite not wanting to play.

After going to San Jose, and still not really knowing why, Heatley has taken over Yashin's role as Ottawa's "most hated man."

No. 1: Vince Carter

Carter was the Toronto Raptors. He brought fans into the seats with his acrobatic dunks, he gave the Raptors a chance to win, and he had a good personality.

Then he just stopped caring.

Why? Who knows? Some say it was his injury; others say that he was mistreated by MLSE. Regardless, as an athlete he should have given the cliché 100 percent, and he didn't. Then he comes back 

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