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When sportspersons grab headlines for the wrong reasons, it does become a hot topic which we cannot overlook. We have seen players invarioussports havingbeen involved in issues that have brought them to disrepute in either theirpersonal or professional life or both, in some cases. Some have destroyedtheir reputations while others have come clean under the pressure of guilt.We take a look at 10 athletes who have blown their respectful careers away with controversies.
#10 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 paralympic sprinter 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.
#9 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 offences.
In 2012 he was accused of substance abuse by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and went under trial in the 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 caused a furore all around the world. He lost his sponsorship deals the following night and was stripped of all his accolades.
#8 Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods has been one of the most iconic golf players of all time. The American has made many records on the golf course, but those accolades were painted with disgrace when Woods was involved in apublic sex scandal with a New Yorknightclub promoter. Fast forward a week and we discovered several other women, including pornstars, who were involved in physical relationships with the golfer.
This led to the downfall of Woods as his wife divorced him and he was removed from many of his endorsement contracts.
#7 O.J. Simpson
Former professional NFL star O.J. Simpson was involved in what has been described as thethe most publicized criminal trial in American history. The Pro Football Hall of Famer was tried on two counts of murder after the deaths of his ex-wife,Nicole Brown, and waiter Ronald Goldman. Simpsonwas acquitted in a trial that lasted more than eight months.
It did not end there for theUSC running back as he was charged withmultiple armed robbery in 2007 for which he is currently sentenced to four years in the Nevada prison.
#6 Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez was drafted into the fourth round of 2010 NFL by the New England Patriots. The American football tight end 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 law 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.
#5 Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson's entire career was marred with controversies. The heavyweight boxer is known for his volatile nature and has a long list of criminal charges to his name. His downfall began in 1988 as he was charged with domestic abuse. After that there were allegations of sexual assault in 1992 for which he was found guilty and he served partial jailtime. In 1996, he made a comeback to the ring where he bit off Evander Holyfield's ear.
He has retired since then, but hasn't stayed away from trouble, as he filed for bankruptcy and later confessed that he was an alcoholic and a cocaine addict.
#4 Mark McGwire
The current hitting coach of theLos Angeles Dodgers served an illustrious 16-season career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. In the 1998 season, he brokeRoger Maris single season home run record, but after retirement came clean as he admitted to using steroids during his playing days.
In a telephonic interview with the AP, an emotional McGwire said:
"It's very emotional, it's telling family members, friends and coaches, you know, it's former teammates to try to get a hold of, you know, that I'm coming clean and being honest," he said. "It's the first time they've ever heard me, you know, talk about this. I hid it from everybody."
#3 Marion Jones
She was the star of the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney, Australia. Marion Jones won 5 medals which included 3 gold and 2 bronze medals. The sprinter and long jumper put on a world class show and was America's darling at the summer games.
But she was always under the scrutiny of drug allegations and was believed to have used steroids to enhance her performances. Marion fought off the charges for several years, but she self destructed when shepleaded guilty in front of a New York court, admitting that she had lied to federal agents about taking steroids on the eve of the 2000 Olympics. A world class athlete turned into a world class cheat as she made a spectacular fall from grace.
#2 Michael Vick
Animal violence has been brought to the forefront of the worlds attention by the highly publicized conviction of NFL star quarterback Michael Vick. The currentNew York Jets player was drafted in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft and was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons. Prior to the exposure of his animal violence activities, he was actually a fan favourite of the Falcons.
Michael Vick was fully involved in a six-year pattern of illegal activity that included dogs being savagely electrocuted, drowned and even beaten to death.Vick and his associates operated the aptly named Bad Newz Kennels, which housed and trained over 50 pitbull dogs, staged dog fights, killed dogs, and ran a high stakes gambling ring with purses up to $26,000.
#1 Brett Favre
American star quarterback Brett Favre is known for being one of the highest paid athletes in the world. He served the Green Bay Packers for an incredible 16 years until 2007 when he declared that he was going to retire from his beloved sport.
But that emotional retirement turned into a disgraceful comeback when he returned to play with the New York Jets a year later and was caught sending inappropriate messages to someone other than his wife. Favre 's extra-marital affair went on to put a stain on his 20-year-long playing career. In 2010, he finally hung up his boots, ending it on the wrong note.
