LeBron, Favre and Other Athletes We Love To Hate (and Hate To Love)

It’s been a wild ride over the past few years.

We have seen many athletes come in and out of the spotlight, but these 25 athletes are those with whom us fans have committed to a long love/hate relationship. We say we could do without them, but we really cannot.

We love to hate them too much.

We also would hate not to be able to love them any longer.

From the NBA to NASCAR, from UFC to Soccer, here are 25 athletes we desperately need in our sports circles.

25. Tim Tebow, NFL, Denver Broncos Quarterback

Tim Tebow is an inspirational figure on the field, which evident from his pledge at Florida. The kid simply finds a way to win. Some people were turned off by him because of the amount of praise Florida gave him following his speech…the same speech they engraved on a plaque.

Yet still, so many people do not feel Tebow is cut out to be a professional quarterback.

Others are annoyed with his somewhat righteous persona, which includes his commitment to abstinence, as is evidenced in his controversial Super Bowl commercial.

24. Gilbert Arenas, NBA, Orlando Magic Guard

If you’re upset with Gilbert Arenas, you have a right to be.

Arenas, while not that good of a ball player, at least was a role model to children in his early days with the Washington Wizards.

“Agent Zero” worked hard in Golden State and became a star with Washington, and his on-court antics made him an entertaining player for children to watch. Then he was given a ridiculous contract extension, making him one of the highest paid players in the league.

Arenas spit in the faces of Wizards' management and his fans when he admitted to storing guns in his arena locker, and he was suspended by the team.

Arenas was traded to Orlando this season, and the team is thriving. Once again, Arenas has all the money and success, though it is undeserved.

23. Sidney Crosby, NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins Center

“Sid the Kid” is one of the most talented players in the NHL. He has become a winner in the league, yet so many people despise him for being “soft”.

Any time an athlete has that dark cloud surrounding him, he is going to have a ton of haters. Crosby is still one of the most beloved superstars in the league, but as evidenced by the above video, Crosby can be hilariously awkward.

22. Brock Lesnar, UFC Heavyweight Fighter

Brock Lesnar quickly became a fan favorite for his dominating performances in UFC. Lately though, Lesnar has been inconsistent and his competition has gotten the better of him.

People are generally afraid of this man-beast; who wouldn’t be with his size? Yet people have tamed this outspoken monster and are starting to catch on that he is not as life-threatening to the UFC as he wanted to be perceived.

21. Floyd Mayweather Jr., Boxer

Floyd Mayweather is indeed one of the best ever. Yet he has turned so many people away because of this ongoing conflict with the dream fight against Manny Pacquiao.

He might be one of the most arrogant and cocky individuals in all of sports, which will always turn people away.

20. Cristiano Ronaldo, Soccer, Real Madrid Forward

One of the premiere players in soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo is generally more disliked for the women he dates and his good looks.

He seems to have it all, which is never a good way to build up your male fan base.

19. Ben Roethlisberger, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback

A 2-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger has had quite the tumultuous media career thus far.

He turned people away after refusing to wear a helmet when riding his motorcycle, despite being battered and bruised from an accident.

He failed to make himself more favorable with the public when he was accused of sexual assault...more than once.

Still, Roethlisberger remains a fan favorite in the NFL because of his toughness.  He has even gotten under the skin of some NFL players though; the Ravens constantly headhunt him, and Richard Seymour punched him this season.

18. Danica Patrick, IRL Driver

At this point in our lives, the Danica Patrick story has run its course.

It was great to see her break the women’s barrier in racing, but her appeal has simply worn off.  Patrick has not been that good to the point where she can continuously run her mouth and expect to dominate the sport.

She blames others for her failures and has become a nuisance to many, which downgrades her sex appeal to boot.

17. Tony Stewart, NASCAR Driver

Tony Stewart is one of the best racers of all time.

He is also a cocky and outspoken man.

While this can be wildly entertaining as evidenced by this video, this also gives people the wrong message.

Actually, it might give people the right message. Stewart is who he is, whether we like it or not.

16. Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver

Maybe we should flip you off, Mr. Busch.

No, really...seriously. Maybe we should. Maybe then you’ll know how it feels!

Honestly, that’s all I feel like saying right now.

15. Sean Avery, NHL, New York Rangers Left Wing

Sean Avery is one of the most entertaining and irritating players in NHL history.

His antics will either make you laugh or get under your skin. His seemingly womanizing behavior is also a major turnoff. It just goes to show though, women love the bad boy.

14. Derek Jeter, MLB, New York Yankees Shortstop

In New York, you probably love him to death.

Some New Yorkers have been put off by Derek Jeter after his recent contract negotiations though.

Outside of New York, you probably feel he doesn’t deserve the hype, that his talents are waning or that he was never that talented of a shortstop in the first place. You might feel his accolades are undeserved and fueled by the New York media.

You’re entitled to your opinion, but he’s still one of the most clutch performers of his generation.

13. Randy Moss, NFL, Tennessee Titans Wide Receiver

Where to even start with Randy Moss?

“Straight cash, homie,” is always a personal favorite.

It’s been known that Moss will do whatever he wants. If he doesn’t feel like playing on this particular down, he won’t.

If he doesn’t feel like waiting until halftime or for the game to be over, he’ll leave the sidelines and go back to the locker room.

If he wants to pretend to pull his pants down to show his rear to the fans, he’ll do that too.

At the end of the day, Moss is one of the top five receivers to ever do it.

Some could call him the greatest, and unfortunately, they would have an argument.

12. John Daly, PGA Golfer

Most people generally don’t root for a fat, stupid drunk unless it’s Peter Griffin from Family Guy.

That’s all John Daly is, and really, it kills a little bit of us inside that this man has been successful.

But hey, bottoms up!

11. David Beckham, Soccer, Los Angeles Galaxy Midfielder

So fellas, is it the good looks or his beautiful wife that gets you so mad?

It’s probably the fact that he has been so hyped in his sport, but continues to either disappoint or fail over and over again.

Beckham was never able to live up to his hype.  He is simply a name and nothing more.

10. Kobe Bryant, NBA, Los Angeles Lakers Shooting Guard

“Black Mamba” has revitalized his reputation after the rape allegations in the middle of the new millennium.

Kobe Bryant has been on fire since. He maintained his status as one of the all-time greats in NBA history and added an MVP award, plus a couple more NBA Championships to his résumé.

And he’s not done yet.

9. Tom Brady, NFL, New England Patriots Quarterback

Tom Brady seems to live the dream. Aside from his knee injury in 2008, Brady is enjoying one of the all-time greatest careers in sports history. He has been with two gorgeous women, is one of the most successful players in NFL history and one of the best looking too.

Most of his haters definitely got a nice laugh when he went down with an injury or feared for his life following a car crash this season.

Still, Brady went from being a sixth round draft pick to one of the game’s greatest winners.

He just might even add another Super Bowl ring to those decorated fingers this year.

8. Chad Ochocinco, NFL, Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver

Chad Ochocinco is one of the most entertaining and creative sports minds out there. Simply put, he is a fantastic self-promoter. His celebrations are fun to watch, even though his VH1 reality dating show was not.

Ochocinco, though, is also a complainer. This is never a good way to keep people on your side no matter how entertaining you are. It will always turn people away, especially when you change your name to "Ochocinco".

Child, please.

7. Manny Ramirez, MLB Outfielder

Manny Ramirez does what he wants. No other way to put it. If he feels like he wants to high-five a fan in the middle of a play, then by golly, he will! If he wants to roll on top of a live ball, then so be it.

Manny needs to use the restroom in between innings? Better call a delay for him.

If Manny needs to save some money on his car insurance, then he’ll be 15 minutes (or less) because he needs to make a phone call immediately.

Hey, it’s just Manny being Manny!

6. Alex Rodriguez, MLB, New York Yankees Third Baseman

Maybe it’s because he has one of the nicest swings in the game.

Maybe it’s because he’s one of the most physically-gifted players in MLB history.

Maybe it’s because he’s a New York Yankee.

Maybe that’s why you like A-Rod.

Maybe it’s because he lied about steroids.

Maybe it’s because he’s one of the highest paid players of all time.

Maybe it’s because he did a photo shoot where he was kissing himself in the mirror.

Maybe it's because he had a feud with a female reporter, essentially calling her a stalker.

Maybe it’s because he isn’t as clutch as he should be.

Maybe that’s why you hate A-Rod.

To each their own, right?

5. Terrell Owens, NFL, Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver

Where do you even start with Terrell Owens? One of the most physically-gifted wide receivers of all time, you might actually say he has one of the most physically-gifted mouths in sports history as well.

There is absolutely no telling what you will get from this man. From doing sit-ups in his driveway to being ostracized by teams, to his television show on VH1, to constantly accusing everyone else for reasons his team fails, Owens is a trip.

At the end of the day though, Owens generally gives everything he has on the football field.

At the very least, he’ll have a Sharpie for you if you ever need one.

4. Tiger Woods, PGA Golfer

What a fall from grace.

Tiger Woods used to be one of the most remarkable golfers of all time, and he was one of the most marketable sports figures in history.

Then we found out about his dark, sexual history. He ruined his marriage and his family. To make matters worse (if that's even possible) he was a rather pitiful golfer this year after his hiatus.

Woods ruined his media image over the past year and needs to regain his form if he wants to repair it.

3. Michael Vick, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback

Michael Vick was one of the most beloved NFL players for his immense athleticism and jaw-dropping playmaking skills.

Then we found out he was actually a dog killer.

It was bad enough he set up a dog fighting ring. It’s far worse knowing the horrific acts he did to these poor animals.

Vick is back in good graces—for the most part—with the public because of his video game-like comeback season this year, but people never forget.

2. Brett Favre, NFL, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback

Brett Favre is one of the most beloved sports figures of all time. He played the way football was supposed to be played, fun. He made football fun. There was something magical about Favre when he had the ball.

Yet people feel he took advantage of them when he played with their emotions. He would retire, then un-retire, then retire, then un-retire...is this really it, Brett?!

Say it isn’t so, No. 4!

If it is so though, make sure it stays that way.

1. LeBron James, NBA, Miami Heat Small Forward

LeBron James was one of the biggest fan favorites in the NBA.

That is, until he decided to desert his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and take his talents to South Beach.

He decided to be “just another one of the guys,” which turned off many analysts like Charles Barkley. He started to talk in the third person, as if he was a professional wrestler. When it’s all said and done though, there is not one other player I would rather build my team around in the NBA. LeBron is still the best regardless of his decisions, comments or antics.

All hail the King!