The NFL's 10 Most Polarizing Figures in the Game Today

Watch Out: Brett Favre, Michael Vick and the 10 Most Polarizing Figures in the NFL Today

In sports, it's natural for high profile names to be loved and hated. Of course, the NFL is no different. 

Fans in the NFL are more passionate about certain players and coaches than most sports, meaning there's a long list of polarizing figures in the game. 

Here are the top 10 most polarizing figures in the NFL today.

Honorable Mention

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Cam Newton attends the NFL PLAYERS Premiere League Flag Football Game at UCLA on May 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

Cameron Newton

There are plenty of opinions—both good and bad—about the Panthers No. 1 overall pick. 

Roger Goodell 

We just want football, Roger.

Al Davis

We're not even sure if he's still alive or not at this point.

Demaurice Smith

The leader of the NFLPA is one of the central faces of a nasty lockout.

Bill Belichick

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots during warm up against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

You won't find many people who say Belichick isn't among the best coaches in the NFL, and he's worth every penny the Patriots pay him. 

Despite three Super Bowl championships, however, Belichick isn't one of the more liked figures in football.

The Spygate scandal contributed mostly to that opinion, but his overall persona makes him a hate-able coach outside of New England.

Rex Ryan

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect since March 1

The boisterous Jets coach has been to back-to-back AFC conference titles games, but there are very few people who care much for some of Ryan's off-the-field antics. 

His loud, in-your-face style certainly rubs some people the wrong way. 

I personally think it's an effective way to coach football, but I would also think that I'm in the minority with that opinion.

Peyton Manning

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Peyton leaves the field against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning doesn't crack this list because of any off-the-field problems. In fact, the man is hilarious and I hope he finds his way into broadcasting after his football career is over. 

The problem lies with the perception of Manning. 

He's likely going to be the statistical king of quarterbacks when he finally retires, but some will argue he choked in the playoffs or is overrated. 

Whatever side you choose, Manning has to make this list.

Randy Moss

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Once he's done playing football, there's no doubt that Moss is headed to the Hall of Fame. His 153 receiving touchdowns and 14,858 yards should make that a foregone conclusion. 

However, Moss is another player who's burned a few bridges off and on the field.

He's notoriously known for taking plays off, and every team he's played on has sent him packing for attitude reasons.

Ben Roethlisberger

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

At this point, there may not be many fans of Roethlisberger outside Pittsburgh. Some of his indiscretions off the field have soured the opinions of many. 

Even with a lot of hate surrounding his character off the field, he's a really good quarterback inside the white lines.

Roethlisberger has been to three Super Bowls, and you'd have to think he'll keep the Steelers in position to add to that total in the future.

Michael Vick

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks on the field before playing against the Green Bay Packers in the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Remember back to 2004 when Vick was the most popular player in the NFL? Maybe in NFL history?

Vick's career has been on a roller coaster ride ever since. He spent 21 months in prison on dog-fighting charges, but Vick has revitalized his career in Philadelphia. 

As long as he keeps playing well for the Eagles, Vick will have a large following. But the fact remains that he'll likely never retain a portion of the fans he lost during his time in prison.

Brett Favre

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Could Brett Favre be the most polarizing player in NFL history? It could be my Packers bias, but Favre certainly has a solid case. 

Not only did Favre engineer a move to his former team's rival to stick it to the Packers organization, but his recent cell phone misusage paints him as a tainted legend.

Still, Favre is one of the 10-15 best quarterbacks in NFL history, and his style of play will always endear him to many fans. 

Chad Ochocinco

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Over the past 10 years, Ochocinco has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL. During that time span, he's caught 751 passes for 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns. 

However, Ochocinco's "look at me" personality has grown old for some fans. 

He always needs to be in the spotlight, and he's rarely played on a winning team. You either love Ochocinco or hate him for what he brings to the table. 

Terrell Owens

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches on before the start of their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Get

Terrell Owens is one of the 10 most productive receivers in NFL history, yet over the past two seasons Owens has struggled to find a job. 

And the sad part is it's not because his skills are deteriorating.

Owens diva personality makes him unattractive option for any locker room, and most quarterbacks would want nothing to do with him. 

Jay Cutler

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a player from the New England Patriots runs a fumbled ball into the end zone for a touchdown at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the B

If we had done this list before the start of last season, I don't think Cutler would have made the list. 

But after the 2010 season, Cutler has to be included. He's a talented quarterback, and the Bears likely wouldn't have gone anywhere without him, but he's taken a bad rap for throwing interceptions.

And don't forget the NFC Championship game. Injured or not, it was unacceptable for Cutler to act the way he did on the sidelines.