{"id":77622,"date":"2022-08-09T21:30:40","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T21:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportscroll.com\/?p=77622"},"modified":"2023-12-28T06:22:53","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T06:22:53","slug":"these-seedy-superstar-suspensions-show-the-true-dark-side-of-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.sportscroll.com\/these-seedy-superstar-suspensions-show-the-true-dark-side-of-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"These Seedy Superstar Suspensions Show The True Dark Side Of Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"
We idolize our sports heroes but the reality is that many of them are flawed people. Their actions on the field or in real life result in real consequences. Over the years, this has resulted in dozens of seedy superstar suspensions. Some of these are more dramatic than others.<\/p>\n
So today, we’ll look at some of the wildest stories ever, from drug cheats<\/a> to just all-out psychotic human beings. Each of these suspensions rocked the world when they became official. Some of the athletes learned from their mistakes but others continued to behave badly<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Burfict is one of the dirtiest NFL players ever, perhaps the dirtiest of all time, and that’s why he makes this list. This seedy superstar should have been a UFC fighter because he’s more interested in hurting his opponents than playing ball. The NFL suspended him multiple times for unsavory actions but the worst came in 2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He went helmet-to-helmet with the Colts’ Jack Doyle in a disgusting incident. The linebacker received a 12-game suspension because of his history of brutal on-field attacks. There aren’t many athletes who made this list for their brutality, but Burfict earned his place (via NFL.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everybody knows drinking and driving is terrible, but some still take that risk. In 2009, Stallworth killed a pedestrian with high alcohol content in his blood after speeding. He went to jail before settling a civil suit and received a lengthy NFL suspension (via Sportscasting<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first thoughts should be with Stallworth’s tragic victim, Mario Reyes, who was walking home from his construction job. He didn’t deserve to die because a hungover wide receiver couldn’t stick to the speed limit. In the end, Stallworth used his horrific experience<\/a> to turn his life around.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Arenas played a key role in one of the most notorious incidents in NBA<\/a> history. He went head-to-head with teammate Javaris Crittenton on a team flight in 2009. The men threatened each other with violence about gambling debts. Then it spilled over into the team locker room the following week (via TMZ<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The pair pulled unloaded guns on each other and issued death threats before their teammates defused the situation. But that wasn’t the end of the matter because the law and the NBA intervened. Arenas didn’t have a license for his handgun and received an indefinite suspension as well as two years of probation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kendricks earned his place on this seedy superstar list for one of the most interesting reasons. In 2018, the Seahawks star pled guilty to insider trading and faced up to 25 years in jail for the crime. An NFL suspension didn’t mean much to him with this hanging over his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the end, Kendricks spent a single day behind bars as well as probation and community service. Meanwhile, the NFL hit him with an eight-game ban after he made millions of dollars from the scheme. Only the linebacker knows if his criminal efforts were worth the price he paid (via News4Jax<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miller is a heavyweight boxer who is also incredibly<\/a> stupid. “Big Baby” received the biggest opportunity of his life when Anthony Joshua selected him for his U.S. debut. The pair should have fought in Madison Square Garden on a high-profile card but Miller failed a drug test (via Fight News<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This would be bad enough but then he failed<\/a> another one after his initial suspension. Miller has a history of steroid abuse that stem from his days as a kickboxer. He is the definition of a seedy superstar because he doesn’t care about his legacy or the unnatural risk that he presents to his opponents.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A two-time NBA champion, Howard joined the Michigan Wolverines after he retired<\/a> from playing basketball. Then he became a highly-rated college coach and led them to the Big Ten title. But the controversial seedy superstar had an unsavory incident in 2022 (via ESPN<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He punched a Wisconsin assistant in the face after a heated dispute boiled over. This caused a courtside brawl<\/a> and attracted the attention of the NCAA. They suspended him and hit him with a $40,000 fine for his troubles. Howard claimed that he was protecting himself but nobody believes that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mota made history<\/a> in 2012 but it wasn’t for a good reason. He became the first MLB player<\/a> ever to receive a 100-game suspension after a positive test. However, this wasn’t the first time that the seedy superstar violated baseball’s drug policies. That’s why MLB threw the book at him as well as the printing press.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This was the second time he failed a test in his career. In 2006, the league hit him with a 50-game ban for the same offense but he didn’t learn his lesson. Mota never pitched in the Major Leagues again after the ruling because he destroyed his reputation (via SB Nation<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Payton became a victim of the infamous ‘BountyGate’ scandal in 2009 after the NFL threw the book at him. They suspended the Saints’ head coach for a season and indefinitely banned defensive coordinator, Greg Williams. The latter allegedly offered bonuses to players who took specific opposition athletes out of games.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Commissioner Roger Goodell claimed that a statement was necessary because the infraction went against the spirit of the sport. Many people thought that the punishment was too harsh but it stood. At least Netflix made a movie out of the incident’s aftermath that painted Payton in a positive light (via Bleacher Report<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n McKinnie earned the reputation of a seedy superstar in 2005 after his role in the Vikings’ party boat scandal. This was an embarrassing episode for the NFL because the Minnesota team partied with hookers in the public eye. He only received a one-game suspension but it tainted his legacy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then, in 2008, McKinnie spat on a doorman before striking him with a pole. This was a horrible incident and the NFL slammed him with another suspension. Furthermore, he was lucky that he faced a lenient judge because he didn’t serve<\/a> any jail time. That’s the joys of being a celebrity athlete (via Daily Star<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the end, an NFL suspension was the least of Schlichter’s problems but it was indicative of his future turmoil. The quarterback had a short career in the league because of his gambling addiction. Commissioner Pete Rozelle showed no mercy as he suspended the former Ohio State star indefinitely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schlicter’s life plunged into chaos after this and he spent most of his life behind bars. He was always in debt and built up massive sums. It was a terrible waste of talent<\/a> but Schlichter didn’t receive the support he required. This is a tragic story that serves as a warning to all young footballers (via Indy Star<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elliot isn’t just a seedy superstar, he’s also one of the most overrated players of the past decade<\/a>. However, the Dallas running back makes this list for the former reason. His notorious domestic abuse scandal stained his career came to light in 2017 after an ESPN investigation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then, the NFL reviewed the situation and suspended him for six games after he violated their conduct policy. Elliot allegedly used physical<\/a> force against his former girlfriend and left marks on her body. This was horrible because nobody respects a woman abuser (via Bleacher Report<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s a shame that Rose’s legacy is beyond repair but he may enjoy having a chip on his shoulder. Cooperstown will never induct the Reds icon because of his gambling scandal. It doesn’t matter that he had a phenomenal playing career and was blossoming as a pro baseball manager.<\/p>\nVontaze Burfict<\/h3>\n
Donte Stallworth<\/h3>\n
Gilbert Arenas<\/h3>\n
Mychal Kendricks<\/h3>\n
Jared Miller<\/h3>\n
Juwan Howard<\/h3>\n
Guillermo Mota<\/h3>\n
Sean Payton<\/h3>\n
Bryant McKinnie<\/h3>\n
Art Schlichter<\/h3>\n
Ezekiel Elliot<\/h3>\n
Pete Rose<\/h3>\n