Sports

Sports Fans Respond To Scandals That Rocked Their Favorite Athletes

Darren Ryding - April 1, 2021
Sports

Sports Fans Respond To Scandals That Rocked Their Favorite Athletes

Darren Ryding - April 1, 2021

It’s easy to forget that sports fans are also people. Fans place them on a pedestal and this can sometimes affect the psychology of individuals. Furthermore, it’s not unusual for many of them to go off the rails and find themselves involved in scandals. These result in wild stories.

Today, we’re going to take a look at 30 incidents that rocked controversial sports stars. These are all scandalous in some form or another. Fans tell their tales and also give their opinions. It doesn’t matter what the sport is because there are wild and volatile characters in all of them. Check out the list below via Reddit and Medium.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

30. Drew Brees

In 2020, legendary New Orleans quarterback Brees drew criticism after he condemned the action of kneeling during the national anthem. He said that he wouldn’t respect anybody who did so because his family members served in the military and he believed in the flag. Needless to say, the fan response was divided.”Drew Brees refuses to kneel for the anthem then spends the whole game on his knees, blowing the game,” @pschrades wrote.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Some believed that it was scandalous that he didn’t support the movement, while others believed that he was entitled to his own beliefs and his actions spoke for themselves.”Interesting that drew brees didn’t want to kneel for the anthem but is now kneeling to Father Time,” @torqpenderloin tweeted. He retired after that season in 2020 but this was definitely attention he didn’t want.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

29. Shipping Up to Boston

After DeShaun Watson’s alleged scandalous behavior with a number of masseuses, some fans suggested that he should move to the Patriots. This was because of Robert Kraft’s history of erotic massages. Police arrested the Patriots owner after footage obtained from Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Florida revealed him enjoying an illegal ending to his relaxing encounter.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

“How has no one suggested he (Watson) go to the Pats and play for Robert Kraft?” @Futureprez2023 wrote. “They have all the weapons and similar interests in massage parlors.” In the end, the judge dropped the case against Kraft after ruling that the video was illegally obtained. However, the women who worked at the spa received heavy fines and probation.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

28. Captain Fantastic

In 2020, Manchester United captain Harry McGuire made waves after Greek police arrested him. The England international soccer star fought the police in the street and was released on bail. But one soccer fan had a theory why the Greek police allowed him to go. “Harry McGuire let go by Greece police after he offered to play for them,” Rirapart tweeted. “Greece are terrified. Order from the top to release him.” To be fair, he’s probably not wrong. 

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Many fans took an unsympathetic view of McGuire’s actions. The news emerged that he allegedly attempted to bribe the police to allow him to walk free. Furthermore, his poor form up to that point in the season rubbed salt in this scandal. “Breaking news: Harry McGuire has apparently been bailed with a pending court hearing for impersonating a cruise ship whilst on holiday in Greece,” another fan wrote. 

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

27. The Most Miami Of Men

UFC fighter Mike Perry is one of the wildest characters in the world of sports. In 2020, he made headlines because he recruited his pregnant girlfriend in his corner for a fight against Mickey Gall. The young woman had zero martial arts experience. But later that year, he produced more scandalous headlines. This time, he punched an older man in a Texas restaurant during a dispute.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Needless to say, elite combat sports athletes shouldn’t be hitting ordinary civilians, nevermind pensioners. But Perry didn’t receive this memo and duly dropped the man. “Conor McGregor punched an old dude in a bar and the dude ate it no problem,” @McMallyMMA wrote. “Mike Perry punched an old man in a bar and deaded him. You tell me who the better fighter is.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

26. The Draft Bust

After one of the worst bust seasons in NFL history, Isaiah Wilson was released by the Tennessee Titans. The scandalous rookie barely played and moved to the Miami Dolphins. However, the South Florida franchise cut him loose because they couldn’t change him. “Why do guys do this?” @kay6e asked. “All that time and effort in college just to blow it in the pros. He only made $6m in his career, he would’ve made so much more if he just tried even a little.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Another Twitter user summed the situation up differently. “Isaiah Wilson was that big kid in school with all the talent in the world that had no interest in playing sports,” @Sportsallday wrote. “He only played because he was big. His interest in sports peaked in college. If he doesn’t want to play football let the kid live his life outside of sports.” Also, since when was Miami the perfect rehab destination?

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

25. Late Hit

In 2011, Lakers’ Center Andrew Bynum committed one of the worst fouls ever. It was up there in terms of NBA scandals because it belonged in an MMA cage. His late hit on JJ Barea left the Argentine writing in agony. “This is one of the few stains on Laker History, “Xanny_Tanner wrote. “As a fan, I still love Bynum, but that play is always in the back of my mind when talking about him. He disgraced himself, his teammates, and the franchise at that moment.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

“The consequences of Barea getting hit could’ve been much worst,” Klarostorix wrote. “A hit that hard directly to the heart could’ve sent Barea into cardiac arrest. Surprised the guy didn’t break any ribs.” Luckily that didn’t happen and Barea was able to continue. Meanwhile, the referee ejected Bynum from the game because it was such a flagrant foul. This was just pure malice.

Mandatory Credit: Reuters

24. He Broke My Phone

In 2019, Miami police arrested Conor McGregor outside a hotel/nightclub after he allegedly destroyed a fan’s phone. Ahmed Abdirzak said that McGregor pretended to shake his hand before snatching his phone and breaking it. The Irish man is a volatile individual and was involved in many controversial incidents. But this seemed like one of the most pointless.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Abdirzak described the scandalous encounter to the Mirror. He said, “He pulls me in with his hand and with his right hand slaps my hand with the phone. Like proper power. Full power. Slap my wrist. The phone falls to the floor. His security push me out. He starts stamping on my phone, picks my phone up off the floor, puts it in his pocket, does the McGregor walk, gets in his chauffeur car, and says ‘F*** you’ and goes away.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

23. Mailman’s Mistake

“Karl Malone impregnating a 13-year-old while in college, “PAT-AT wrote on Reddit. It’s safe to say that we live in a very different time because an NBA star wouldn’t be able to escape the microscopic gaze of the media today. Malone was one of the best players of his generation but never won a championship ring. Of course, much of this was to do with the fact that Michael Jordan’s Bulls reigned supreme.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Nonetheless, this is definitely a scandalous story. “The 80’s in Louisiana were a much different time. Not excusing it,” bigderivative wrote. While it does seem like he is excusing it, it does reveal how society evolved over time. Malone was 20 at the time, which still means that he was an adult. He also refused to pay child support which seems like a terrible decision.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

22. The Protege

“I’m sure he makes his promoter Mayweather very proud,” @jag83Z tweeted after Gervonta Davis turned himself into police. This came after video footage emerged of Davis violently harassing his girlfriend in public. It was very uncomfortable for many people to see. But the most scandalous aspect of this was the lack of shame Davis had as he behaved in such a manner.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, the reference to Mayweather is an interesting one because the legendary boxer served jail time for domestic violence. But don’t expect Davis’s career to suffer. “One of the good things for the sport of boxing, you can be a piece of s**t and promoters/tv networks will still work with you,” @DanielFfromIl tweeted. Sadly, as we’ve seen time and time again, this is exactly the case.

Mandatory Credit: NBC Sports

21. One Bet Too Many

The scandalous gambling of Pete Rose means that he will never make the Hall of Fame unless Cooperstown has a radical change of heart. The former Cincinnati Reds player and coach placed bets on his own team’s results. Of course, this was a big no-no, but the fact remains he was a brilliant player. Furthermore, many MLB fans believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Mandatory Credit: Bleacher Report

“Rose has the most hits of anyone to ever play baseball,” CliffTheCarpenter wrote on Reddit. “The fact that he, along with the man to hit the most home runs, are not enshrined in the hall of fame makes that place a joke. If you want to keep these guys out of the Hall of Morals and Sportsmanship, fine, but they 100% belong in the baseball Hall of Fame.” This is definitely a contentious issue.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

20. Dogfighting Ring

“Michael Vick’s teammates voted him as the comeback player of the year after he got out of prison for dogfighting. Sometimes sports are the worst,” @nittgrl73 tweeted about the infamous NFL star. One of the greatest rushing quarterbacks ever, it’s fair to say that Vick was a generation before his time. But he became embroiled in one of the most scandalous court cases in league history after news of his dogfighting ring broke.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The former Atlanta Falcons star served a jail sentence for his actions. But many fans still believed that he was a disgraceful human being. But one fan had an interesting reaction to the Pokemon Go craze that ignited a few years later. “Pokémon trainers engage in superpowered dogfighting as a career,” @CrymsonLight wrote. “They’re basically Michael Vick without consequences or athletic ability.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

19. Video Game Character

Nothing will change my opinion of Bonds, the dude was a video game character, “Xanny_Tanner wrote on Reddit. “Even compared to the biggest known steroid users like McGwire, Sosa, Piazza, ARod, Ortiz, etc. he made the other 749 best baseball players in the world look like high schoolers.” This is interesting because many MLB fans hold a more pragmatic view of doping than supporters of other sports.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Bonds is obviously one of the most notorious figures of baseball’s most scandalous era because he set so many records. However, the fact is that a lot of fans believe that the league didn’t catch a lot of players so it’s difficult to hold a grudge against those who were cited. “I also think there should be a wing in the hall of fame called the Wing of Infamy where particularly notable black sheep should go, “gottiredofchrome wrote.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

18. Controversial Advisor

“Tyson Fury complains about 50p bags in supermarkets. Yet repeatedly thanks Daniel Kinahan publicly for sealing the deals that turned him into a multi-millionaire,”  @nicolatallantsw tweeted. For those unaware, the Irish High Court named Kinahan as the leader of the notorious Kinahan Drugs Cartel. One of Europe’s most violent crime groups, Fury’s advisor is allegedly the ringleader. 

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Fury is one of boxing’s most scandalous figures. He became notorious for his comments about women and homosexual people before rehabilitating his image through his recovery from depression. However, his relationship with the alleged Irish mafia boss was a bridge too far for many fans. “Tyson Fury thanks Daniel Kinahan for poisoning Irish children with drugs,” another fan tweeted. 

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

17. Card Game

“Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo’s fight on the team plane pretty much sealed the deal on the NBA’s anti-gambling rule on team planes,” “tb1-6” observed. Allen was a great defensive player but a very volatile individual. His fight with Mayo came while they were teammates in Memphis. The pair were on a Grizzlies team flight when their card game got heated.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

However, Allen and Mayo didn’t receive the memo. It all kicked off because Allen demanded that Mayo pay up. But his teammate refused and began to antagonize him. Then Allen punched Mayo in the face. Their teammates separated them but the scandalous story seized the imaginations of fans. It’s definitely one of the wildest teammate fights out there.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

16. Bad Culture

In 2020 a report emerged that 15 women accused former Redskins employees of sexual harassment. These allegedly included inappropriate overtures and also requests to wear more revealing clothing. “I’ve been a Washington football team fan for 42 years,”@jilicuse tweeted. “None of that report was shocking and it (sadly) won’t force Snyder to sell the team.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Dan Snyder is one of the most controversial and scandalous owners in NFL history. “Surprised the whole pimping out cheerleading scandal from before 2018 didn’t force him to sell the team in the first place,” @lemon_3 wrote. Snyder attracts controversy like honey draws flies. Finally, in 2020 he changed the name of the Washington franchise because his sponsors effectively forced him to. 

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

15. Lockdown Antics

Kyle Walker is an England international soccer star. The Manchester City right-back is an excellent player but lands himself in scandalous scenarios. In 2020, the global health crisis afflicted the entire world. As a result, the Premier League instigated special protocols to stop the disease from spreading. Walker’s response was to host a party at his house, complete with prostitutes.

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

Furthermore, Walker’s girlfriend was pregnant with their first child. Also, his coach’s mother died as a result of the illness. “In all this, I’m starting to feel sorry for Kyle Walker being vilified for having two prostitutes over to his house during the lockdown,” @SundayLeague101 tweeted. “He was just showing the instinct of any father to be.” To sum up, he didn’t receive a lot of pity. 

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

14. The Voice Of Basketball

Marv Albert’s voice is synonymous with basketball. However, this long-serving commentator has a dark side as the world discovered in 1997. A woman accused him of sexual assault and also biting her so hard that he broke through her skin. DNA testing proved that he bit her and the judge hit him a 12-month suspended sentence. However, they couldn’t prove that he raped her.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Fans were stunned when TNT continued to work with Albert. “I can’t believe they brought him back, cuddlewumpus wrote on Reddit. “I’d never heard of this. If this happened today, I don’t think that guy would ever see broadcast again Maybe someday some player or media personality will absolutely roast him for this on-air to his face and at that moment there will be some small justice.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

13. Domestic Violence

“Floyd Mayweather went to jail for domestic violence and was the biggest PPV draw of all time, so I’m going to say the evidence is not very solid that people hate women beaters. “I do though,” @VicNobu wrote. The author of this tweet succinctly reveals the reality of “Money’s” career. One of the most scandalous moments in recent boxing history occurred when he received a jail sentence in 2012. 

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

A judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail for domestic assault. However, one fan revealed the ludicrous nature of the sentence. “That time a judge agreed to postpone Floyd Mayweather’s jail sentence for a domestic violence case so he could fight on Cinco de Mayo,” @jedigoodman wrote. Overall, this was exactly the case. This jail term didn’t upset Mayweather’s earning power because he became the biggest sports star on the planet.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

12. Intense Cruelty

“Jason Kidd beating his wife and supposedly “breaking her ribs and damaged her hearing by smashing her head into the console of the car,” KUZGUN27 described on Reddit. The forum user describes Kidd’s brutal treatment of his first wife Joumana. She successfully sued for divorce after proving that Kidd was incredibly violent toward her throughout their relationship.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

“Amazing how good PR campaigns are. They can make anything go away,” Comeoncuh responded. This is very true because it hasn’t affected Kidd’s later career. Since retiring from playing, he became a full-time coach. Teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and LA Lakers were happy to hire him. But Joumana lived with permanently damaged hearing after their marriage ended.

Mandatory Credit: NBC

11. Ambassador Rodman

“He’s my friend for life – I don’t care what you guys think about him,” Rodman told reporters in 2013. The colorful NBA star ignited one of the most scandalous stories of the decade when he went to North Korea as an unofficial diplomat. This occurred in 2013 as he became the first American to speak to North Korea’s ruthless dictator, Kim Jong Un. Then he returned with an NBA exhibition in 2014. 

Mandatory Credit: Sky News

Obviously, this is one of the most bizarre relationships in the world and it became the butt of many fans’ jokes. After US-North Korean relations deteriorated under the Biden administration in 2021, calls arose to send Rodman back to the isolated country. @sotnasoinotna wrote, “Cuz the only US diplomat Kim Jong Un responds to is Dennis Rodman!” 

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

10. Colby Covington

UFC star Covington is no stranger to the scandalous. In 2021 he went too far by claiming that he slept with fellow fighter Polyana Viana, describing the encounter in an extremely nasty manner. She denied it and responded: “I have never given room for any kind of comment or judgment about my personal life, but it is not for me to judge the person’s attitude. I feel sorry for those who act in such a low way to try to promote themselves. It is revolting.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, the fan reaction was surprisingly vocal. Many of them took aim at Covington. @FaGalen wrote: “This behavior requires intervention from the UFC. Colby’s ‘shtick’ crossed the line several times in the past IMO, but Dana can’t allow him to sexually harass a colleague in broad daylight, on Twitter, for everyone to see and on the record. If this isn’t the line nothing is.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

9. Those Voicemails

Brett Favre caused an uproar in 2010 after he allegedly sent lewd photographs to a New York Jets hostess named Jenn Sterger. “We prefer to refer to this as the time he ‘recorded his own sack,'”Arichi wryly commented on Reddit. He also admitted to voice mailing Sterger. Meanwhile, Favre was married with two children, so naturally, this was scandalous at the time. However, he denied sending the images and an investigation failed to confirm it.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

But the NFL did hit him with a $50,000 fine for failing to cooperate with the investigation.”You know, I was trying to go to work. Do my job,” Sterger told ABC in 2018. “But how are you supposed to report on the news when you are the news. It was tough, it was embarrassing, and it was humiliating. All I wanted to do was go to work. Do my job. That’s all I wanted.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

8. Taxi Driver

“How about Eddy Curry being gay with his limo driver?” Belmont_Trevor wrote on Reddit. Now, before we continue, it must be acknowledged that the judge threw this case out of court. But in 2009, it was a massive NBA scandal. Curry’s chauffeur, a convicted felon named David Kuchinsky, accused the star of sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Curry is a father of six.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Kuchinsky claimed that Curry exposed himself and also pointed a gun at him on numerous occasions. Furthermore, he demanded unpaid expenses from the NBA star. “I’m shocked, really,” Curry told NBC at the time. “He approached my friends a while back, trying to get money. I just never, ever thought it would go past what it did, which was just idle threats, money-or-else kind of stuff.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

7. Took a Dive

Jose Canseco is one of the most scandalous athletes in the world today. After a glittering baseball career, he openly admitted to steroid abuse. Then, he took some professional fights. In 2021 he lost a fight in just 10 seconds. “You took the fight knowing you were hurt,” @JimmyBimbles wrote. “That’s still taking a dive. You could have backed out honorably, but instead, you made a cash grab. How do you not get this?”

Mandatory Credit: The Mercury News

The fan referred to Canseco’s admission that he took the fight with an injured shoulder. Obviously, this compromised him and resulted in many people losing money. Furthermore, a lot of them branded him a cheat online. However, another fan had a very interesting take. @Yerkulez tweeted, “Listen… I’d rather people think I took a dive, rather than them thinking I got a beat down.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

6. Another Day in Pacland

One of the most scandalous NFL players ever, Jones continuously became embroiled in legal troubles. “Another pillar of the NFL community,” @sickNdisgusted tweeted in 2017 after Jones poked a man in the eye. “Maybe the NFL should start playing games in prison on Sundays they would save on travel.” Many of Jones’s incidents occurred in strip clubs but not exclusively.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

He once threatened police after allegations of cheating at a casino. Then, in 2021, police picked him up on misdemeanor assault charges. Meanwhile, the now-retired former Bengals star served many suspensions throughout his lengthy NFL career. “Eye poking and helmet ripping,” @NotthatkindofDr replied. “Pretty typical day in PacLand.” 

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

5. Disgraceful Antics

Billy Joe Saunders is one of Britain’s best boxers but he creates ridiculously scandalous situations. In 2020, he posted a video that showed how to beat women. @magshutchinson branded him a disgrace. “Domestic violence is not something that should be made a joke of ever,” she wrote. “The levels of domestic abuse in the Travelling Community are extremely high and this video nearly normalizes that behavior even if it was a “joke”

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

Then, in 2021, he went after legendary boxer Barry McGuigan on Instagram. First, he posted an image of McGuigan as a rat. Then he wrote, “#postyourdaughterchallenge.” However, McGuigan’s daughter tragically died of cancer in 2019. “Billy Joe Saunders really is a horrible piece of work,” @ArranAFCSTL tweeted. “Chap is an absolute disgrace of a human being.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

4. Not A Draw

In 2015, the Dallas Cowboys star Greg Hardy became embroiled in a messy legal battle. His ex-girlfriend accused him of battery but failed to show for the second court date. This was despite the publication of photographs of her battered face.  Maybe Greg Hardy belongs in jail, I don’t know,” Cowboys’ fan Steve McCurdy told NBC. “Sometimes when these players do things, maybe they should be suspended the rest of their lives from football.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Hardy retired from football and entered the world of MMA. However, he remained unpopular. After one knockout defeat, Alex Scaffidi tweeted: “There is no reason for the UFC to keep Greg Hardy on the roster. Nobody is asking to see him fight. He is not a draw. It’s embarrassing that he is awarded this platform. He vehemently denies his actions and has never taken accountability, spare me the rehabilitation story.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

3. Thug Life

Malik Beasley is an incredibly talented but volatile NBA star who has enjoyed police hospitality on numerous occasions. First, they arrested him in 2020 for drug possession and hiding stolen property. Then in 2021, they picked him up after threats of violence. “As the victims drove away, the suspect was observed holding the gun up to his shoulder, pointing it at their vehicle,” the police affidavit said.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

As a result, the NBA hit him with a 12-game ban. “Should be jail given what anybody else would have to endure with those charges,” @Dylan_DMB1220 tweeted. But because he’s rich he can wait until the end of the season and have options. Not like the victim getting justice matters or anything I guess.” There’s no doubt that Beasley is a wild man but he is a brilliant athlete.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

2. Punch Drunk

In 2019, Conor McGregor stunned the world with a scandalous action. After an elderly man rejected a free shot of the Irishman’s whiskey, he found himself on the receiving end of a punch. “I can take a punch,” the man told the Irish Post. “It was sore for about a week. It wasn’t killing me or anything. I don’t like the man. I think he is getting a bad rep. He is a bit of a bully. A bully with money.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Needless to say, McGregor’s disgraceful action attracted global attention. “He didn’t feel the pain of it at the time but the next day he was in bits. It was a proper hard hit,” a source told the Mirror. “His face was very sore. He was very shaken by the whole thing and didn’t leave his house for days. At the end of the day he doesn’t want an apology or any money, he just wants justice for what happened to him.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

1. Mounting Masseuse Scandals

Allegations of Deshaun Watson’s scandals involving masseuses became widespread in 2021. Roughly 20 women represented by high-powered Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, initiated lawsuits against the Houston Texans quarterback. One alleged victim’s affidavit revealed,  Watson “got more aggressive, forcefully telling her to move her hand down to his pubic area,” and “instructed her to slide her hand across his genitals” before forcing her to perform oral sex on him.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

During another alleged incident, Watson allegedly rubbed his genitals against the masseuse’s hands. Then, he allegedly said, “I know you have a career and a reputation, and I know you would hate for someone to mess with yours, just like I don’t want anyone messing with mine.” Furthermore, these stories broke as he attempted to force the Texans into a trade. He immediately became tarnished goods and the situation seems to be getting worse as days pass.

Advertisement