Roger Clemens and the Top 10 Hardest Falls From Sports Superstardom

Filed under stories we forgot about, Roger Clemens was indicted today on charges of making false statements to Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The man formerly known as the "Rocket" was an 11-time All-Star and won seven Cy Young awards.

But if he is found guilty, the his accolades and Hall of Fame status will come under much scrutiny.

Tiger Woods, Michael Vick, Kobe Bryant, and even Michael Jordan have had hits to their legacies, but they all have tried to bounce back

Who are the 10 to make the hardest falls from grace?

10. Ben Johnson (tie)

As far as dubious titles go, Johnson can be considered a pioneer in the steroid user category.

There were some before him, but not on such grand a stage.

Johnson made it all the way to the top of the mountain, then tumbled all the way down, painfully.

In 1988 Johnson beat Carl Lewis in the Olympic 100-meter dash, clocking in at a world record time of 9.79.

Three days later, he was disqualified for using steroids. His earlier world record time in the 1987 World Championships was also rescinded when he admitted to using steroids before that race.

Now with Usain Bolt holding the record, Johnson is just a footnote.

Where as Carl Lewis is an all-time great, Johnson is seen as one of the first of the many tragic steroid tales.

10. Pete Rose (tie)

Known now and forever as the hit king, Rose is a sad figure because he he just didn't get it.

First he lied for years about betting on baseball.

And he didn't care who was asking, the answer was no.

And then all of a sudden he decided to write a book about it, and in order to sell some copies, he admitted to it.

Now, 25 years after playing his last game, he is waiting to see if he will ever get into the Hall of Fame, an honor he wants more than anything.

9. Chris Benoit

The debate will go on as to whether or not professional wrestling is a sport, but even the most elitist of sports fans can admit that the participants are great athletes.

One of the best was Chris Benoit.

The news that he had killed his wife and young son before hanging himself was tragic to everyone.

8. Dwight Gooden And Darryl Strawberry

It's hard to keep track of all the arrests and second chances these two best friends had.

As touching as it was to know that they were always there for each other, it was equally frustrating watching them go down the same destructive paths over and over again.

They were both great at one time. No one can dispute that.

"Straw" and "Dr. K."

The mid 80s Mets were bigger than the Yankees and the Red Sox.

They were champs and household names.

Strawberry and Gooden were the leaders of the pack.

Now every time we hear one of their names we cringe because it is more than likely going to be bad news.

7. Rafael Palmeiro

Everyone will remember him for pointing.

Not for all the home runs and RBI or many great seasons for the Rangers and Orioles.

He'll be remembered for pointing during the congressional hearings and being indignant at even the thought of his steroid use.

Remember the words?..."I have never used steroids. Period."

And then he was caught five months later and suspended.

6. Jayson Williams

Williams was a bruiser and inspirational story. He came up from a difficult upbringing and succeeded in the NBA.

And he was funny.

After retiring and taking up commentating, he was considered a rising star and a poor man's Charles Barkley in the world of sports television.

Now he's in jail for the accidental shooting of his driver, Costas Christofi.

5. Marion Jones

The image that we used to think of when we heard the name Marion Jones was of her sprinting and smiling as she crushed the competition.

Now look for her on search engines and you will find a different woman, one who had to beg her fans for forgiveness.

She is trying to make a comeback in the WNBA, but she will never reach the stardom of her past.

4. Tiger Woods

He became a brand name. One of the most recognizable in the world.

Some people said he was known around the world as well as Ali and Jordan.

And then came the car crash...

And then the mistresses.

He would be higher on this list if he didn't have a chance to recover.

But the fall was from higher up than anyone else on the list.

3. Barry Bonds

To this day he is still defiant. Some people aren't sure that he is officially retired.

We know that he has been indicted. And the evidence and books on the subject seem to prove the case against him.

But he'll never give us the satisfaction of him admitting that he cheated.

As he once said we should look into our own affairs before we judge him.

To paraphrase Dennis Green—he is who we thought he was.

2. Roger Clemens

It amazing that Clemens and Bonds aren't buddies. They are both stubborn and tragic.

And ironically, neither of them needed PEDs to get to Cooperstown.

But it will probably be the PEDs that keeps them from getting in.

And it might lead them to jail.

1. O.J. Simpson

Unfortunately there is only one way to end these types of lists, with the most tragic figure of them all.

Hall of Famer, Heisman Trophy winner, and convict.

Yes, he is in jail, but not for what most people think he should be in for. And that book he wrote? Ugh.

I wonder how many lists like these end with Simpson?

Dishonorable Mention

Though he is still playing and has a chance to redeem himself, the dog fighting scandal cost him his spot in Atlanta both on and off the field and over $100 million.

Others on the list include:

Jason Giambi

Mark McGwire

Sammy Sosa

Mike Tyson