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It takes a lot of qualities to be a professional in the field of sports. You need talent, hard work, determination and a character that will serve as an inspiration to millions that follow you.And with the on-field hard work and performances come the off-field fame and glamorous lifestyles.While some remain grounded, others buckle under the pressure and take a wrong step (or two). With the internet around, sports personalities are always under the radar whether it involves them breaking records or making controversial headlines. Here, we take a look at the 10 athletes whose names have gathered the most attention from internet users over the past year (statistics procured from Google's 2013 search data).
#10 Chris Kelly
Born in Ontario, Canada, Chris Kelly is an ice hockey player who plays in NHL (National Hockey League) for the Boston Bruins. The 33-year-old who plays in a forward position also serves as an away captain for the team.
Since joining the Boston Bruins on February 5 2011, Kelly has had a significant contribution to their success, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and becoming the first player ever in NHL history to score the team’s first goal in a penalty.
But the hilarious story behind his popularity is the confusion with Chris Kelly the rapper (pictured right) who died in May 2013 due to drug-related issues. The artist Kelly, who was also known as Mac Daddy, was a member of the successful kiddy rap group 'Kris Kross'. Sharing the same name has publicized the Boston forward and made him one of the most searched names on the internet.
#9 Ray Lewis
Former middle linebacker Ray Lewis has had an exceptional 17-year career in the NFL. Considered as one of the greatest players in his position, Lewis dedicated his entire career to the Baltimore Ravens and won his second Super Bowl in 2013 before hanging up his boots.
Throughout his career, Lewis has been a fan favourite and has left a tremendous legacy as a linebacker. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year on two separate occasions. After being sidelined in 2012-13 due to a triceps tear, he came back just after two months for the Play offs and guided the Ravens to the championship.
Lewis's decorated career has crossed over to popular culture as he has been mentioned in mainstream media and television shows quite often. He remains one of the best defensive figures in the game’s history.
#8 Lamar Odom
Currently tagged as a free agent, Lamar Odom was last seen playing for the Loboral Kutxa in the Spanish league. The forward won two NBA champions during his time with the LA Lakers. He returned back to LA Clippers in 2012 for his second spell and was benched for most of the games making a couple of rare appearances.
Obviously the on field boredom got the better of him as Odom was caught up in personal life controversies making all the wrong headlines. He was arrested in August 2013 on the grounds of driving under the influence for which he was placed under probation and alcohol abuse treatment. On 13 December 2013, his wife Khloe Kardashian filed for divorce after the two got married in a reality TV show. On top of that, he has been reported to be a drug addict.
#7 Jason Collins
Jason Collins recently signed for the Brooklyn Nets in Feb, 2014 after being jobless since the 2012-13 season concluded. The California born centre has played for several teams in his career including Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks.
Collins became a free agent after he announced on the cover page of 'Sports Illustrated' that he was gay, in the May 2013 edition of the magazine. He became the first ever professional sports player to come out of the closet. His transparency dragged him into the limelight as he became a hot property on the internet.
Collins grabbed the attention of several important personalities including US President Obama and fellow player Kobe Bryant who appreciated his bravery. His jersey became the top seller in NBA’s online store.
#6 Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale grabbed all the headlines when he made his move to Real Madrid in 2013. The Welsh footballer came into prominence as a Tottenham Hotspur player. Often compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale had a fantastic 2012-13 season with the Spurs, which put on the radar of Real Madrid.
There was a lot of pre-season speculation of him joining the Spanish outfit, with reports of resistance from the Spurs officials. But the move finally happened when Madrid payed a hefty transfer fee of 91 million pounds to bring Bale in, making him the costliest player in the world. His tremendous price tag generated extreme reactions from fans and pundits alike.
With a successful first season Bale has managed to keep his critics at bay, but the pressure of performing every game is always present for the Wales international.
#5 Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong holds (or used to hold) the record for seven consecutive victories at the Tour De France. The Texas born cyclist was an iconic and inspirational figure in the sport when he fought cancer and came back to professional cycling. But all that went down the drain when his image turned upside down following his involvement in performance-enhancing drug offenses.
In 2012 he was accused of substance abuse by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and went under trial in U.S. Federal court. After continuous denials, he finally admitted on a TV show in January 2013 that he had used insubordinate methods to win, which led to a furore all around the world. He lost his sponsorship deals the following night and was stripped of all his accolades.
#4 Kevin Ware
Basketball player Kevin Ware was in the headlines of 2013 following a horrible leg injury. The New Yorker plays for Louisville Cardinals men’s team and has spent most of his season as a backup for the starting guards.
The widespread media attention came in a game against Duke University during the March Madness tournament. During his attempt to block Tyler Thorton’s three point shot he made an awkward landing. The sight wasn’t pretty as he suffered a compound fracture to his right leg.
It was feared that he would never play again but Ware made it back to the court in the beginning of the 2013-14 season.
#3 Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson plays as a running back for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL. He set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game while winning NFL Rookie of the Year in his first pro season.
Back in December 2011, he suffered an ACL and MCL tear and was carried off the field, which gained a lot of coverage. He came back stronger in the next season, bagging the MVP (Most Valuable Player) and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Peterson suffered a cruel loss in 2013 which made headlines, as his two-year-old son passed away in South Dakota after sustaining injuries from an alleged assault at the hands of his mother's boyfriend. Peterson took his loss with great strength as he played his next game two days later against the Carolina Panthers.
#2 Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez was drafted into the fourth round of 2010 NFL by the New England Patriots. The American football tight end t was selected for the Pro Bowl following his second season and was on the rise as the next big prospect in the game.
But in the summer of 2013, Hernandez ended up on the wrong side of the news when he was suspected of murdering semi pro footballer Odin Lloyd, who played for the Boston Bandits. He is being investigated by the grand jury in Massachusetts. Following the accusations all his sponsorship deals were ended and he was released from his contract by the Patriots without him even being proved guilty. He is presently being held at the Bristol County jail.
#1 Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius broke several barriers when he became the first amputee to cross over into mainstream sport, when he entered the 400 metres and 4x100m relay races at the 2012 Olympics.
The sprint runner from South Africa had his legs amputated before he turned one. He won several gold medals at the Paralympics and served as an example to disabled people all over the world.
But the 'blade runner' ran into major controversy when he confessed that he shot his girlfriend, South American model Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Johannesburg on 14 February 2013. Pistorius claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity as he thought her to be an intruder and shot her through the bathroom locker door. He was charged with murder and is currently undergoing his trial in Pretoria.
