Name an athlete...

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

Henry Ruggs - I remembered a guy in Vegas on the Raiders who killed a woman while driving drunk, had to go look up his name…..

 

[BigJay]

Ricky Williams always comes to mind for me.

Although definitely not in the same total screw-up category as many mentioned on this list, he was suspended five times and missed two full seasons in his prime with drug suspensions.

I saw all of his college games and was convinced this guy could have broken every record in the book.

After his suspensions came back at the age of 32 and rushed for more than 1,100 yards, with 11 touchdowns and an average of 4.7 yards per rush and a long of a 68-yard TD run.

Guy was a genetic freak.

Some would argue it’s hard to put a guy that did ultimately eclipse the 10k rushing mark (10,009 career rushing yards) in the category of a guy that screwed up his career, but I’ll always wonder what kind of numbers he would have put up drug free.

 

[BigJay]

Roy Hobbs

 

[rdalert447]

Len Bias.

 

[patrickbateman]

Henry Ruggs - I remembered a guy in Vegas on the Raiders who killed a woman while driving drunk, had to go look up his name…..

And her dog. He sat on the curb crying that his life was over while the woman and her dog burned to death.

 

[mr_klc]

Pete Rose - If he had been the least bit humble, he probably would have been forgiven by the MLB brass by now.

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

Pete Rose - If he had been the least bit humble, he probably would have been forgiven by the MLB brass by now.

If we’re talking legacy, O.J. probably #1. I’d be willing to bet that the average person born after 2000 doesn’t know him as the first NFL RB to rush for over 2,000 yards.

Also, Joe Paterno. Was “Joe Pa” for 40+ years, forced to retire in a disgusting disgrace, dead…..

 

[mr_klc]

If we’re talking legacy, O.J. probably #1. I’d be willing to bet that the average person born after 2000 doesn’t know him as the first NFL RB to rush for over 2,000 yards.

Also, Joe Paterno. Was “Joe Pa” for 40+ years, forced to retire in a disgusting disgrace, dead…..

Not only did he rush for 2000+ yards, but he did it in a 14 game season.

 

[edawg]

Jayson Williams ?

Delonte West

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

I would also add in RG3 - guy was an athletic freak, and Shanahan forced him to play that playoff game, even though he wasn’t cleared and obviously hobbled. Never the same after that. I remember getting nauseous watching that injury…..

 

[djefferis]

Agreed, but TBH, he was kind of already over with when he pulled the race card. Probably would’ve been a ‘journeyman’ third string backup at best…..

At least he would have had a job and a chance.

 

[BigJay]

I would also add in RG3 - guy was an athletic freak, and Shanahan forced him to play that playoff game, even though he wasn’t cleared and obviously hobbled. Never the same after that. I remember getting nauseous watching that injury…..

Agree

I got to see RG3 in high school and college.

If he was coming out into today’s NFL now he would likely be a beast

Always thought it was sad what shanahan did in that playoff game. I remember the game RG3 had insane stats vs the cowboys

 

[rdalert447]

Roy Hobbs

Roy McAvoy

 

[Tanko]

Len Bias.

That’s a good one.

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

An honorary one:

Pat Tillman

Turns down a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract to join the military after 9/11 - we all know what happened next…..

 

[BMR Genie]

I will add him to the list. Justice system is alive!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1823556829198143567

 

[Tanko]

I will add him to the list. Justice system is alive!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1823556829198143567

Why is there an option for parole after 10 years on a LIFE SENTENCE for murder???
That is messed up.

 

[BMR Genie]

Why is there an option for parole after 10 years on a LIFE SENTENCE for murder???
That is messed up.

Agree. But maybe this is part of his deal for the admission of guilt.