18 Athletes Whose Careers Had been Ruined Virtually In a single day

Contents

1. Aaron Hernandez’s soccer profession infamously ended in 2013 after he was arrested for the homicide of his pal Odin Lloyd, with the Patriots dropping him simply hours after the arrest. He was finally discovered responsible and sentenced to life in jail. After being accused of murdering Lloyd, he was additionally accused of killing two males in 2012. He was later acquitted of these murders, although days later, he died by suicide in jail.2. Hernandez is not the one athlete accused of homicide. Olympian Oscar Pistorius, a record-smashing sprinter who was the first-ever amputee to compete as a runner on the Olympics, misplaced his profession abruptly when he killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013. He was initially discovered responsible of culpable murder, as he claimed he’d thought she was an intruder when he shot her, however later was convicted of homicide. He served 9 years of a thirteen-year sentence and was launched on parole earlier this yr, although he has not retained a profession in operating and isn’t allowed to talk to the media.3. We won’t speak about doubtlessly murderous athletes with out mentioning NFL participant OJ Simpson, who was accused of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her pal, Ron Goodman. He was finally (and infamously) acquitted, although a civil swimsuit discovered him accountable for the deaths. Whereas he had already retired from soccer, he was nonetheless extraordinarily well-known and profitable in Hollywood and sports activities commentating and had just lately starred in a TV pilot. Whereas he had already retired from soccer, the scandal successfully ended his profitable profession as an actor and sports activities commentator.4. Ryan Lochte grew to become an Olympic darling within the 2010s, however an odd incident in 2016 significantly affected his profession and public notion of him. Through the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, he and teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, and James Feigen claimed to have been robbed at gunpoint at a fuel station in Rio. Police in Rio denied this, saying that the athletes had vandalized the fuel station’s rest room after which have been requested to pay for the injury and depart by safety guards with weapons. Lochte initially claimed that an “armed robber” had aimed a gun at his brow and cocked it — the police denied this, and Lochte later admitted he’d exaggerated the story.Lochte ended up getting suspended and leaving the Olympics and was charged with submitting a false police report, although the cost was later dropped. He later obtained a sanction for violating anti-doping guidelines, and he didn’t make the staff for the 2021 Olympics, although he expressed curiosity in utilizing future Olympic video games to show issues round and turn out to be a job mannequin. As many individuals’s final expertise with Lochte was the Rio incident, his status appears to have been ceaselessly tarnished.5. Tonya Harding is an much more notorious Olympics-related instance, principally attributable to her case’s media consideration. Forward of the USA Determine Skating Championship, rival Nancy Kerrigan was attacked, receiving a leg damage that pressured her out of the Championship. It quickly got here out that the assault had been deliberate by Jeff Gillooly, Harding’s ex-husband, and her bodyguard.Harding denied all involvement and was nonetheless allowed to compete within the Olympics that summer time, ending eighth. Nonetheless, she later stood trial for her position in hindering the next investigation. She didn’t obtain jail time, however the U.S. Determine Skating Affiliation banned her for all times. She went on to have a quick profession in boxing.6. In some circumstances, what the participant says, not what they do, will get them into hassle. In 1999, MLB participant John Rocker spoke to Sports activities Illustrated reporter Jeff Pearlman, who wrote an article that completely eviscerated Rocker, reporting on a number of racist, misogynistic, and anti-gay feedback he’d made. He was suspended for 28 video games in 2000 as a result of interview, although the quantity was later lowered to 14. He additionally needed to pay a penalty and obtain sensitivity coaching. Rocker continued to play main league baseball for just a few extra seasons, nevertheless it was clear the interview performed a big position within the decline of his profession, which led to 2003 when he was simply 28 years previous.7. Lance Armstrong was an American icon once I was rising up — I am fairly certain everybody in my elementary college had a Livestrong bracelet. He gained the Tour de France a report seven occasions in a row, an achievement made much more spectacular by having survived most cancers just a few years earlier. Doping allegations adopted him for years, however nothing ever caught — till 2012, when he was formally charged and finally banned from competing (he had really retired in 2011 after the allegations began ramping up). He then admitted to the claims in 2013.Whereas Armstrong has served as a sports activities commentator, his aggressive biking profession is over, and he has needed to pay tens of millions in settlements. His endorsements disappeared, although an early funding in Uber saved the Armstrong household on their toes. Most just lately, Armstrong appeared on the fact present Stars on Mars, the place he was confused for astronaut Neil Armstrong.8. Nigerian monitor and discipline star Blessing Okagbare additionally noticed her profession ruined by doping allegations. After smashing information (just like the one for the 100-meter run on the Commonwealth Video games), her efficiency on the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 attributable to COVID-19) was eagerly anticipated. Nonetheless, she was banned from taking part after failing a number of drug assessments in the summertime of 2021. Her ban was finally prolonged to eleven years, that means she will likely be in her late forties when it ends. Based mostly on the standard ages of monitor and discipline athletes, it is unlikely she is going to compete in future Olympics.9. Whereas Ray Rice’s soccer profession was undoubtedly affected by his 2014 arrest and costs of aggravated assault, it appeared prefer it would possibly survive. He dealt solely with a two-game suspension and entered a diversionary program that might result in the costs being cleared after a yr. However then, months later, TMZ launched a video of the surprising and violent assault, just about immediately ending Rice’s profession. Rice was shortly dropped from the Ravens and suspended from the NFL, although he appealed this determination, which was later overturned. Nonetheless, no staff would signal him, and he has not performed professionally since.10. After a profitable profession in faculty soccer led to being drafted into the NFL, Henry Ruggs regarded like he was going to have an extended, profitable profession in soccer. However then, throughout his second season with the Raiders, in 2021, he crashed into a lady whereas driving drunk at 156 mph, killing her and her canine. The Raiders instantly dropped him, and he was arrested, pleading responsible and getting sentenced to a few to 10 years in jail, which he’s at the moment serving. It is doable he might return after his jail time, however that is extremely unlikely.11. Rae Carruth was additionally arrested on critical costs just some years into his skilled soccer profession. Throughout his third yr of a four-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, he was accused of finishing up a homicide plot to kill Cherica Adams, who he was courting on the time. Adams, who was pregnant with Carouth’s baby, died after arriving on the hospital, although their child was delivered by way of C-section. He was arrested, dropped from the Panthers, and suspended from the NFL. He later was convicted of a number of costs, together with conspiracy to commit homicide and utilizing an instrument to destroy an unborn baby, although he was acquitted of first-degree homicide. He was ultimately launched in 2018 however has stayed out of the general public eye since then.12. Let’s transfer on to some newer examples. Baseball star Wander Franco was just lately charged with sexual abuse, exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking after allegations that he’d engaged in a relationship with a 14-year-old within the Dominican Republic. The MLB has opened an investigation into Franco, and he’s at the moment on depart throughout the case.13. 24-year-old San Diego Padres participant Tucupita Marcano just lately obtained a lifetime ban from the MLB after betting on video games.14. Basketball participant Jontay Porter was equally just lately banned from the NBA for all times for sports activities betting—he’d even as soon as guess on his staff dropping.15. Soccer participant Greg Hardy did not precisely wreck his profession in a single day, nevertheless it took a sudden nosedive when he was discovered responsible of the assault of an ex-girlfriend. He appealed, and the costs have been ultimately dismissed when the alleged sufferer didn’t attend courtroom. He was not re-signed by the Panthers however was snatched up by the Cowboys, although he was suspended for 4 video games. The Cowboys didn’t re-sign him, and his profession with the NFL ended.Nonetheless, he did pivot right into a profession in blended martial arts and boxing, which seems to nonetheless be energetic.16. In a little bit of an odd instance, soccer goalkeeper Carlos Roa did not fully wreck his profession, however he missed out on an enormous alternative that might have skyrocketed his burgeoning profession to new ranges again within the late ’90s when Manchester United tried to signal him. Nonetheless, he determined to retire from soccer as an alternative attributable to non secular causes, believing that the world was going to finish within the yr 2000. He ended up returning to his staff when the apocalypse didn’t happen, however he by no means achieved the heights it appeared he would primarily based on his early profession. He ultimately left soccer taking part in behind in 2006 and turned to teaching.17. This one’s so current that the ultimate outcomes stay to be seen, however NFL participant Brandon McManus was just lately launched by the Washington Commanders (mere months after signing with them) after being sued for sexual assault by two feminine flight attendants on a flight along with his then-team the Jacksonville Jaguars. McManus denied the allegations, and the Jaguars have claimed to be trying into the matter — it stays to be seen whether or not or not he will likely be efficiently sued, placing the nail within the coffin of his profession.18. And at last, we’ll finish on an athlete that completely, indisputably, did not need to have their profession ruined: Colin Kaepernick. After protesting police brutality and racism within the US by kneeling whereas the Nationwide Anthem was performed earlier than video games, Kaepernick confronted heavy public backlash, together with from former president Donald Trump. He has not been signed to a staff since his 2016 season with the 49ers.

18 Athletes Whose Careers Had been Ruined Virtually In a single day

Aaron Hernandez’s soccer profession infamously ended in 2013 after he was arrested for the homicide of his pal Odin Lloyd, with the Patriots dropping him simply hours after the arrest. He was finally discovered responsible and sentenced to life in jail. After being accused of murdering Lloyd, he was additionally accused of killing two males in 2012. He was later acquitted of these murders, although days later, he died by suicide in jail.

Hernandez is not the one athlete accused of homicide. Olympian Oscar Pistorius, a record-smashing sprinter who was the first-ever amputee to compete as a runner on the Olympics, misplaced his profession abruptly when he killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013. He was initially discovered responsible of culpable murder, as he claimed he’d thought she was an intruder when he shot her, however later was convicted of homicide. He served 9 years of a thirteen-year sentence and was launched on parole earlier this yr, although he has not retained a profession in operating and isn’t allowed to talk to the media.

We won’t speak about doubtlessly murderous athletes with out mentioning NFL participant OJ Simpson, who was accused of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her pal, Ron Goodman. He was finally (and infamously) acquitted, although a civil swimsuit discovered him accountable for the deaths. Whereas he had already retired from soccer, he was nonetheless extraordinarily well-known and profitable in Hollywood and sports activities commentating and had just lately starred in a TV pilot. Whereas he had already retired from soccer, the scandal successfully ended his profitable profession as an actor and sports activities commentator.

Ryan Lochte grew to become an Olympic darling within the 2010s, however an odd incident in 2016 significantly affected his profession and public notion of him. Through the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, he and teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, and James Feigen claimed to have been robbed at gunpoint at a fuel station in Rio. Police in Rio denied this, saying that the athletes had vandalized the fuel station’s rest room after which have been requested to pay for the injury and depart by safety guards with weapons. Lochte initially claimed that an “armed robber” had aimed a gun at his brow and cocked it — the police denied this, and Lochte later admitted he’d exaggerated the story.

Lochte ended up getting suspended and leaving the Olympics and was charged with submitting a false police report, although the cost was later dropped. He later obtained a sanction for violating anti-doping guidelines, and he didn’t make the staff for the 2021 Olympics, although he expressed curiosity in utilizing future Olympic video games to show issues round and turn out to be a job mannequin. As many individuals’s final expertise with Lochte was the Rio incident, his status appears to have been ceaselessly tarnished.

Tonya Harding is an much more notorious Olympics-related instance, principally attributable to her case’s media consideration. Forward of the USA Determine Skating Championship, rival Nancy Kerrigan was attacked, receiving a leg damage that pressured her out of the Championship. It quickly got here out that the assault had been deliberate by Jeff Gillooly, Harding’s ex-husband, and her bodyguard.

Harding denied all involvement and was nonetheless allowed to compete within the Olympics that summer time, ending eighth. Nonetheless, she later stood trial for her position in hindering the next investigation. She didn’t obtain jail time, however the U.S. Determine Skating Affiliation banned her for all times. She went on to have a quick profession in boxing.

In some circumstances, what the participant says, not what they do, will get them into hassle. In 1999, MLB participant John Rocker spoke to Sports activities Illustrated reporter Jeff Pearlman, who wrote an article that completely eviscerated Rocker, reporting on a number of racist, misogynistic, and anti-gay feedback he’d made. He was suspended for 28 video games in 2000 as a result of interview, although the quantity was later lowered to 14. He additionally needed to pay a penalty and obtain sensitivity coaching. Rocker continued to play main league baseball for just a few extra seasons, nevertheless it was clear the interview performed a big position within the decline of his profession, which led to 2003 when he was simply 28 years previous.

Lance Armstrong was an American icon once I was rising up — I am fairly certain everybody in my elementary college had a Livestrong bracelet. He gained the Tour de France a report seven occasions in a row, an achievement made much more spectacular by having survived most cancers just a few years earlier. Doping allegations adopted him for years, however nothing ever caught — till 2012, when he was formally charged and finally banned from competing (he had really retired in 2011 after the allegations began ramping up). He then admitted to the claims in 2013.

Whereas Armstrong has served as a sports activities commentator, his aggressive biking profession is over, and he has needed to pay tens of millions in settlements. His endorsements disappeared, although an early funding in Uber saved the Armstrong household on their toes. Most just lately, Armstrong appeared on the fact present Stars on Mars, the place he was confused for astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Nigerian monitor and discipline star Blessing Okagbare additionally noticed her profession ruined by doping allegations. After smashing information (just like the one for the 100-meter run on the Commonwealth Video games), her efficiency on the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 attributable to COVID-19) was eagerly anticipated. Nonetheless, she was banned from taking part after failing a number of drug assessments in the summertime of 2021. Her ban was finally prolonged to eleven years, that means she will likely be in her late forties when it ends. Based mostly on the standard ages of monitor and discipline athletes, it is unlikely she is going to compete in future Olympics.

Whereas Ray Rice’s soccer profession was undoubtedly affected by his 2014 arrest and costs of aggravated assault, it appeared prefer it would possibly survive. He dealt solely with a two-game suspension and entered a diversionary program that might result in the costs being cleared after a yr. However then, months later, TMZ launched a video of the surprising and violent assault, just about immediately ending Rice’s profession. Rice was shortly dropped from the Ravens and suspended from the NFL, although he appealed this determination, which was later overturned. Nonetheless, no staff would signal him, and he has not performed professionally since.

10.

After a profitable profession in faculty soccer led to being drafted into the NFL, Henry Ruggs regarded like he was going to have an extended, profitable profession in soccer. However then, throughout his second season with the Raiders, in 2021, he crashed into a lady whereas driving drunk at 156 mph, killing her and her canine. The Raiders instantly dropped him, and he was arrested, pleading responsible and getting sentenced to a few to 10 years in jail, which he’s at the moment serving. It is doable he might return after his jail time, however that is extremely unlikely.

11.

Rae Carruth was additionally arrested on critical costs just some years into his skilled soccer profession. Throughout his third yr of a four-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, he was accused of finishing up a homicide plot to kill Cherica Adams, who he was courting on the time. Adams, who was pregnant with Carouth’s baby, died after arriving on the hospital, although their child was delivered by way of C-section. He was arrested, dropped from the Panthers, and suspended from the NFL. He later was convicted of a number of costs, together with conspiracy to commit homicide and utilizing an instrument to destroy an unborn baby, although he was acquitted of first-degree homicide. He was ultimately launched in 2018 however has stayed out of the general public eye since then.

12.

Let’s transfer on to some newer examples. Baseball star Wander Franco was just lately charged with sexual abuse, exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking after allegations that he’d engaged in a relationship with a 14-year-old within the Dominican Republic. The MLB has opened an investigation into Franco, and he’s at the moment on depart throughout the case.

13.

24-year-old San Diego Padres participant Tucupita Marcano just lately obtained a lifetime ban from the MLB after betting on video games.

14.

Basketball participant Jontay Porter was equally just lately banned from the NBA for all times for sports activities betting—he’d even as soon as guess on his staff dropping.

15.

Soccer participant Greg Hardy did not precisely wreck his profession in a single day, nevertheless it took a sudden nosedive when he was discovered responsible of the assault of an ex-girlfriend. He appealed, and the costs have been ultimately dismissed when the alleged sufferer didn’t attend courtroom. He was not re-signed by the Panthers however was snatched up by the Cowboys, although he was suspended for 4 video games. The Cowboys didn’t re-sign him, and his profession with the NFL ended.

Nonetheless, he did pivot right into a profession in blended martial arts and boxing, which seems to nonetheless be energetic.

16.

In a little bit of an odd instance, soccer goalkeeper Carlos Roa did not fully wreck his profession, however he missed out on an enormous alternative that might have skyrocketed his burgeoning profession to new ranges again within the late ’90s when Manchester United tried to signal him. Nonetheless, he determined to retire from soccer as an alternative attributable to non secular causes, believing that the world was going to finish within the yr 2000. He ended up returning to his staff when the apocalypse didn’t happen, however he by no means achieved the heights it appeared he would primarily based on his early profession. He ultimately left soccer taking part in behind in 2006 and turned to teaching.

17.

This one’s so current that the ultimate outcomes stay to be seen, however NFL participant Brandon McManus was just lately launched by the Washington Commanders (mere months after signing with them) after being sued for sexual assault by two feminine flight attendants on a flight along with his then-team the Jacksonville Jaguars. McManus denied the allegations, and the Jaguars have claimed to be trying into the matter — it stays to be seen whether or not or not he will likely be efficiently sued, placing the nail within the coffin of his profession.

18.

And at last, we’ll finish on an athlete that completely, indisputably, did not need to have their profession ruined: Colin Kaepernick. After protesting police brutality and racism within the US by kneeling whereas the Nationwide Anthem was performed earlier than video games, Kaepernick confronted heavy public backlash, together with from former president Donald Trump. He has not been signed to a staff since his 2016 season with the 49ers.