Love 'em or Hate 'em: Pro Sports Colorful Personalities
In the world of professional sports, big contracts, media exposure, and fan attention make for some sizable egos.
Some love vocal players or owners, others despise them. I, for one, can't help but to feel the love for the likes of T.O., Ochocinco, Shaq Daddy, and The Answer.
Somehow, not even Mark Cuban irritates me, and he irritates everybody. Love them or hate them, these personalities are what keep things interesting for the rest of us.
Without their absurd press conferences, reality TV shows, and never-ending antics, what would we have to talk about at the water cooler?
You might hate these guys, but you just can't stop talking about them. Face it, if your team was filled with Tim Duncans and Eli Mannings, it just wouldn't be as fun.
Terrell Owens
1 of 10
Everybody has an opinion on T.O. The talented Bengals WR has made a career off his antics, both on and off the field.
T.O. currently holds eight NFL records and has been one of the dominant WRs of his era.
He's also been one of the dominant personalities, earning himself a reality TV show and a reputation for absurd TD celebrations.
My favorite T.O. moment: on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks when T.O. pulled a sharpie out of his sock post-touchdown, autographed the football, and handed it to his financial adviser in the stands. Classic.
Mark Cuban
2 of 10
Everybody hates Mark Cuban, right? Well I don't.
Basketball's version of George Steinbrenner, Mark is as passionate an owner as they come.
Though he has yet to take home an NBA title, Cuban's reign over the Dallas Mavericks has brought the team huge success.
In the 20 years before Cuban bought the team, the Mavericks had a winning percentage of 40 percent while in 10 years under his stewardship, the team has won 69 percent of their regular season games.
Also of note, in those same 10 years, Cuban has racked up at least $1,665,000 in fines for his antics.
Favorite Cuban moment: criticizing the NBA's manager of officials, Ed T. Rush, saying that he "wouldn't be able to manage a Dairy Queen."
When Dairy Queen management took offense, Cuban worked for a day at a Dairy Queen in Coppell, Texas.
Chad Ochocinco
3 of 10
The dude changed his name from Chad Johnson to Chad Ochocinco and insists on calling himself "The Black Mexican." If that's not water cooler fodder, I don't know what is.
On top of that, he's trying to find the love of his life on reality TV and pushing the envelope with TD celebrations every week.
And did I mention that he's hilarious? For reference, check his performance on HBO's Hard Knocks series.
Favorite moment: changing his last name to "Ochocinco" in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
For all the haters out there, Chad has one thing to say to you, "child please."
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Jerry Jones
4 of 10
What is it with Dallas owners? Jerry Jones loves to win and will do so at any cost. I love it.
Say what you will about his sideline appearances in Big-D, but Jerry Jones simply loves his team.
Vilified for running Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson out of town, Jones, in my estimation, suffers from Steinbrenner syndrome: an obsession with winning.
Who can really hate someone that cares that much? Almost universally hated, I'd argue that most fans would rather Jerry Jones run their team than, say, Mike Brown of the Bengals.
Favorite Jones moment: anytime cameras pan in on him running up and down the sideline clapping and hollering after a big play.
Sean Avery
5 of 10
Hockey player, fashion enthusiast, and the dater of models and actresses, Avery is a personality that commands attention.
Despite his unassuming size, Avery is considered one of the best agitators in the NHL. Avery's brash, confrontational style of play has earned him the hatred of his contemporaries: 66 percent of players named him the NHL's most hated player in a 2007 poll.
Say what you will about his off the ice interests, but Avery is doing something right. He's dated Elisha Cuthbert and Rachel Hunter, has an NHL rule named after him, and recently had a screenplay commissioned by New Line Cinema about him.
Favorite Avery moment: commenting on his ex-girlfriends' new NHL lovers, Dion Phaneuf of the Flames and Jarret Stoll of the Kings.
Said Avery, "I'm just going to say one thing. I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight."
Classic.
Manny Ramirez
6 of 10
Manny is just Manny, straight up.
Loved because of his hitting ability but hated because he never really cared about the game that much, Manny is one of the game's best hitters and will go down in history for his skill at the plate as much as for his on-field antics (and his hair).
Favorite "Manny Moment:" missing a Red Sox game in 2004 to become an American citizen. After becoming a citizen, Manny ran on to the field at Fenway the next night with an American flag waving in his hand.
He planted the flag in left field. No one even considered taking it down.
Stephen Jackson
7 of 10
Convicted felon, loyal teammate, and strip club patron, Stephen Jackson is one NBA player no one can seem agree on.
Some love him, many hate him.
I, for one, got nothin' but love for the former Golden State Warriors captain.
He's been described by teammates and coaches as the ultimate team guy and been portrayed as a lawless, uncoachable vagabond by the mainstream media.
Wonder who knows him better, the media or his contemporaries?
Oh and did I mention that for his charity efforts in the Bay Area (and also for being The Man), San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaimed Saturday, April 12, 2008 as Stephen Jackson Day in San Francisco.
Favorite Jackson moment: anytime he launches his signature "no backspin, absurdly high arching" transition 3-pointer.
Marshawn Lynch
8 of 10
He's a Cal guy, so I naturally love him. Lynch was nicknamed "Money" in college and often refers to his on-field persona as "Beast Mode."
Lynch is an Internet sensation and has been embraced by the Buffalo community after a YouTube video surfaced in which Marshawn discussed his love of Applebee's and Chuck E. Cheese.
He's also had his fair share of legal issues: like when he was arrested on gun charges after police smelled marijuana coming from his parked, 2006 Mercedes. Favorite Lynch moment: being accused of stealing $20 from the wife of a Buffalo Police Officer at a local TGI Friday's in 2009.
Jared Allen
9 of 10
This defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings is on hell of a character. Allen loves wearing Jhorts (jean shorts, see Kenny Maine interview), and plans on joining the pro-rodeo circuit after the retirement from the NFL to compete in steer wrestling.
He's also a huge supporter of our troops abroad, visiting troops with the NFL's USO tour and hosting a charity golf tournament to help injured veterans.
Allen also knows how to party: He's been convicted of DUI three times. Favorite Allen moment: his MTV Cribs special, a must-watch.
Shaquille O'Neal
10 of 10
Shaq Daddy, The Big Aristotle, The Diesel, Superman, The Big Shaqtus, and Shaq Fu. A guy with that many nicknames is bound to be on this list.
For years, Shaq has been a dominant force in the NBA, both on the court and off it. Known for his earth-shattering dunks as much as for his candid interviews, Shaq Daddy is one guy I'll be sad to see retire.
Favorite Shaq moment: when the Big Fella was sworn in as a reserve Police officer for the Miami Beach police force in 2005.
Apparently Shaq Daddy completed more than 1,200 hours of police training, attended the police academy in Los Angeles, and passed the new officer exam. What a character.
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