The NFL has encountered a number of individuals who have sparked controversy, both within and outside the realm of football. We will examine the most controversial players in the history of the league. Football Reference is the source of all the statistics.
Colin Kaepernick
In 2013, Bleacher Report hailed Kaepernick as the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback in the NFL, showcasing his ability to dismantle defenses with both his arm and his mobility. Nevertheless, his actions prior to the commencement of the games are what he is primarily remembered for.
Kneeling
In 2016, Kaepernick made the decision to kneel during the United States national anthem, which sparked a significant amount of media attention. The New York Times described Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality as a topic that has sparked intense debate across society. The quarterback’s NFL career came to an end after the 2016 campaign.
Greg Hardy
Hardy had a remarkable stint as one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. He achieved an impressive total of 26 sacks in both 2012 and 2013. The Dallas Observer described him as a tall and agile player who excels at rushing from the outside with speed. Nevertheless, he found himself in a bit of trouble outside of the game.
Guilty of Assault
Hardy’s NFL career took a significant downturn following his conviction for assaulting his girlfriend and making threats against her in May 2014. Deadspin provided a thorough account of the disturbing facts. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, but unfortunately, the 12 games he played that season marked the end of his career in the league.
Michael Vick
According to the Falcoholic blog, Vick’s incredible athleticism permanently altered the NFL. It was nearly impossible for defenders to catch him at the quarterback position because of his lightning-fast speed. Sadly, he was suspended from the NFL for two seasons after breaking the personal conduct policy.
Dog Fighting
According to an NBC story, Vick ran a covert dog fighting operation in Virginia for six years, training dogs to compete to the death for entertainment value. Vick’s conduct infuriated animal activist groups like PETA, who put pressure on the league to punish the quarterback harshly.
Ray Rice
Rice was an excellent addition to the Baltimore Ravens’ backfield. He consistently achieved rushing yard totals of at least 1,143 yards in each season from 2009 to 2012. The running back played a crucial role in Baltimore’s Super Bowl victory in 2012. But his life took a dramatic turn during the 2014 offseason.
The Footage
In 2014, a video was released depicting an incident where Rice assaulted his girlfriend in a casino elevator, resulting in her being knocked unconscious by a punch. The disturbing video also ended Rice’s career in the NFL, as SB Nation pointed out in 2015 that he was not given another opportunity.
Ray Lewis
Lewis is an incredibly accomplished linebacker, with a decorated career that places him among the all-time greats in NFL history. This Pro Football Hall of Famer achieved an impressive feat of making 12 Pro Bowls, being named a seven-time All Pro, and even earning the title of Super Bowl MVP. Perhaps, if the legal matter had taken a different course, there is a possibility that all of this could have been avoided.
A Troubling Event
Sporting News talked about how Lewis was charged with felony murder and aggravated attack in connection with an event that happened in Atlanta in 2000. Two guys were killed by stabbings. Lewis’s murder charges were dropped, but he did plead guilty to obstructing justice.
Antonio Brown
Brown was one of the most well-liked NFL players in the 2010s thanks to his big smile and great route running skills. No matter how much defense attention was on him, it looked like he could get open.
The Tide Turns
Everything would be very different in 2019. USA Today writes about Brown’s problems off the field, such as a claimed assault from a few years ago. People say that Brown would send frightening text messages to the women who went to court against him. In his last NFL game, against Tampa Bay in 2021, the wide receiver famously took off his shirt and left the field.
O.J. Simpson
Simpson played football from 1969 to 1979 and was a great running back. The Hall of Famer ran for 11,236 yards during his career. A magazine called Ad Age remembered in 2016 that Simpson was in high demand as a product pitchman after he stopped playing football.
The Trial of the Century
Simpson found himself caught up in a highly publicized trial that became one of the most talked-about events in American history. In the summer of 1994, he faced accusations of committing a double murder involving his wife and her friend. As ABC News and numerous others have reported, the former NFL player was found not guilty, which came as a surprise to many. In 2008, he ended up serving jail time for armed robbery.
Adrian Peterson
There are very few players in the history of the NFL who have single-handedly dominated the game like Peterson did for the Minnesota Vikings over the course of a decade. During that time, he accumulated an impressive 11,747 rushing yards for the franchise.
Child Abuse
Unfortunately, Peterson encountered legal and league issues in 2014. According to ABC News, he is facing charges of felony child abuse for reportedly using a switch to strike his four-year-old son. The running back only played in one game during the 2014 season as a result of disciplinary actions and consequences.
Plaxico Burress
One could argue that one of the most well-known catches in NFL history is Burress’s game-winning touchdown reception in Super Bowl XLII. Sadly for him, Burress’s legacy will include something else.
Literally Shooting Himself
The news of the New York Giants pass catcher shooting himself in the thigh in a nightclub was first published in November 2008 by the New York Times. Burress admitted guilt to a felony involving weapons and was sentenced to two years in jail.
Lawrence Taylor
Taylor was rated the “most intimidating” player in NFL history by Bleacher Report. During his Hall of Fame career, the New York Giants linebacker amassed 142 sacks, making him a dangerous player on the field.
A Myriad of Issues
Regrettably, Taylor encountered significant difficulties once his NFL career came to an end. In 1996, the Los Angeles Times reported that the linebacker had been arrested for attempting to purchase crack cocaine. In 1998, it was reported by the New York Times that he was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. In 2013, NBC News reported that he was arrested for rape, and later pleaded guilty to the charge.
Ben Roethlisberger
Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, gained recognition for his ability to extend plays with his physical strength and unwavering resilience. In addition, he topped the league in passing yards in both 2014 and 2018.
Disturbing Allegations
The quarterback was charged with sexually assaulting a minor in his hotel room in 2008, according to Bleacher Report and other publications. In 2012, the legal matter was ultimately resolved.
Vontaze Burfict
Throughout his eight years in the NFL, Burfict was a hard-hitting linebacker for the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals. On the field, though, he frequently stepped over the line.
Debilitating Blows
In 2019, The Guardian described Burfict’s time in the NFL as a series of aggressive hits and questionable behavior. The New York Post detailed his extensive list of infractions, which notably included a shot to Antonio Brown’s head during a playoff game in 2016.
Rae Carruth
Carruth may not be as widely recognized for his NFL career as the other players on this list. He had a brief stint in the NFL, playing for the Carolina Panthers from 1997-1999. His most impressive campaign occurred during his rookie season, when he made 44 catches for 545 yards and scored four touchdowns.
A Horrifying Crime
The Charlotte Observer reflected on the reprehensible situation Carruth was involved in. In 1999, he was found guilty of conspiring to have his pregnant girlfriend murdered and was subsequently sentenced to second degree murder. In 2018, he was finally released from prison.
Aaron Hernandez
Hernandez was perceived by the New England Patriots as a cheat code. Together with Rob Gronkowski, the athletic tight end created a potent combination in the early 2010s. The two players’ adaptability at that position was revolutionizing the game, according to a 2012 Bleacher Report article.
A Life-changing Conviction
Hernandez was given a life sentence after being convicted guilty of first-degree murder in 2015, according to Sporting News. It was officially determined that the 2017 death of the former NFL player in prison was a suicide.
Deshaun Watson
With the Houston Texans, Watson demonstrated his NFL talent on the field in three of his four seasons, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl each time. But since the 2021 and 2022 revelations of sexual harassment, his career hasn’t been the same.
The Blitz was On
Thirty women accused the passer of wrongdoing during this time, according to the New York Times. The Lawsuit Information Center estimates that Watson spent between $33-55 million to resolve all of his lawsuits. Watson was acquired via trade, and in 2022 the Cleveland Browns signed him to a $230 million contract that included full guarantees.
