Top 10 Biggest Jerk Athletes

Some athletes earn their fame through talent, hard work, and good sportsmanship. Others? Not so much. Sometimes, an athlete's skill on the field is overshadowed by their attitude, controversies, or outright terrible behavior. Maybe they trash talk a little too much, treat teammates poorly, or let their ego get out of control. Or perhaps they've been involved in scandals that make it hard to separate their personal life from their professional achievements.

This list is all about the athletes who have built a reputation for being difficult, arrogant, or just flat-out unpleasant. Some have had public meltdowns, others have a history of cheating, and a few have done things that make it hard to root for them, no matter how talented they are. Their antics, both on and off the field, have left fans frustrated and, in some cases, completely turned off.

The Top Ten

Tiger Woods

Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods, born on December 30, 1975, is an American professional golfer. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful golfers in history, with 15 major championship wins. Woods has also tied the record for the most PGA Tour victories, with 82 career wins.

Forget what a d-bag he obviously is. Tiger is not half the golfer Jack Nicklaus was. Compare total performance in majors, not just victories where he still clearly falls short. He also has all the signs of steroid use. Look at pictures of his head and physique when in college and early in his pro career, then look at his body change over time. Reminds me of Barry Bonds, only not a real athlete as he is just a golfer!

I believe he was into drugs, he is a liar, he is a cheat in life and in golf, and if he signed the back of the check from the 2013 Masters, a lot of people would call him a thief as well. By the rules, he was disqualified. He is a low life and not any kind of role model for kids. Ban him from golf forever and strip him of all trophies, titles, and awards.
Lance Armstrong

Lance Edward Armstrong is a former American professional road racing cyclist. At age 16, Armstrong began competing as a triathlete and was a national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990. He later became a seven-time Tour de France winner before being stripped of his titles due to doping... read more

It's unfortunate that this creep from Texas couldn't excel in his chosen profession without rigging the game. Think of all the honest competitors who were cheated out of years of practice and honest effort. Even worse, after cheating and lying his way to the top, he had the arrogance to assume he would never be caught and actually threatened his closest friends to keep silent. He even lied to his mother for years! It must take him a quart of whiskey to get to sleep at night.
If I were in his position, I would have blown my brains out by now, which means you can add "coward" to the list of his many achievements, dubious and laughable though most of them are. Lance, you are the No. 1 lowest athlete (after somebody like Aaron Hernandez) who has ever disgraced a world competition. Why are you still walking the Earth? You're done as a human being. Go try disgracing some other life form, you ruthless scumbag!
O.J. Simpson

Orenthal James Simpson (July 9, 1947 to April 10, 2024), nicknamed "The Juice," was an American football running back, broadcaster, actor, advertising spokesman, and convicted felon. Once a popular figure with the U.S. public, he is best known for being tried for the murders of his former wife, Nicole... read more

As much as I think Tiger Woods deserves consideration for #1 jerk, how can you not put O.J. #1 after killing two people and all that has transpired since? Although one commonality between O.J. and Tiger was the relentless media campaign to make them both look like good people. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Wait, hold on a sec. Michael Vick is #6 on this list for being involved in dog fighting and killing a few pit bulls? O.J. whacks his ex-wife and a friend (human beings, not dogs), and he is #9? This guy is the worst type of human.
I have a lot of respect for Ron Goldman. I would have killed that SOB 20 times over by now.
Terrell Owens

Terrell Eldorado Owens is a former American football wide receiver who played for teams including the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. He is known for his exceptional talent, athleticism, and controversial celebrations. Owens was inducted into... read more

So glad he isn't a cowboy anymore. I feel sorry for any team desperate to pay that much money to ruin their team. And to the Vick haters, dogs fight. I hate dogs, so I really don't care. Hell, they were his, not yours. He is a hell of a quarterback, even after y'all locked him up for no good reason.

Who cares about this guy? He's old news. Completely forgettable.

He's a me, myself, and I type of person. A self-centered jackass. He cares only about himself. A legend in his own mind.
Ben Roethlisberger

Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr., nicknamed Big Ben, is a former American professional football quarterback. He played his entire 18-season career for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League. Roethlisberger led the team to two Super Bowl victories and retired after the 2021 season.

Ben Roethlisberger is a huge jerk. I ran into him at a gas station near Pittsburgh airport. A man and his young son asked Roethlisberger, "Are you Ben Roethlisberger?" His response was astounding, "What do you think? Do you teach your kid to approach strangers that look like a celebrity? Of course, I'm Ben Roethlisberger, and no, I'm not signing a friggin' autograph for your kid."
I couldn't believe what a jerk he was. The kid told his dad in the parking lot, "I didn't even want his autograph, Dad. What's his problem? It's not like he's Peyton Manning or something."

Gets away with raping a petite woman at a nightclub while his two bodyguards block the bathroom. I read that his own players on his team think he is arrogant and don't hang out with him. He goes to local Pittsburgh restaurants after winning the Super Bowl and months later still expects not to pay for his meals.
Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is a former American football quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Falcons as the first overall pick... read more

Was a mediocre quarterback at best, and the media overrated him, which already made me dislike him. Then he brutally killed a bunch of dogs. Don't even defend that with a "well, people hunt. It's the same thing." No, you eat what you kill when hunting, and you don't torture it like this sick freak did. He should've gotten the death penalty, and any team that signs him when he gets out should be boycotted.

He should be in jail for the rest of his life. He should feel the same pain those helpless dogs felt. It disgusts me that any team would hire him.
I feel so badly for the dog he has now. I can't imagine the life that poor dog has. Michael Vick disgusts me.
LeBron James

LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over his career, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers. He has won four NBA championships.

LeBron has every call go his way. Every time he drives to the basket, if he does not score, he is crying to the refs. Every timeout, he spends more time crying to the refs than he does in the team huddle. He fouls ferociously on defense yet is never whistled for a foul.
He has great talents, but when they are losing, he often fouls to hurt. He tried to push Livingston several rows into the stands against Golden State in the 2015 Finals. He flops like a fish and finally had to pay the price when he flopped into a cameraman and cut his head.
When he wins, it is all about LeBron leading the team. Then when he loses, he wants to leave or blame the team. He sucks, for all the talent and steroid strength he has. He turns the ball over more than Jason Couch in bowling, and he is supposed to be a better passer than Magic?
Barry Bonds

Barry Lamar Bonds is a former professional baseball left fielder who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants. He holds the MLB record for most career home runs, with 762. Bonds is also a seven-time National League MVP.

Back when I was a kid and he played for the Pirates, I went to their spring training camp to get an autograph from my favorite player Barry Bonds. When I asked for one, he just laughed and said no. I went home and ripped all his posters off my wall and hated him from that day on. All I wanted was an autograph from my (then) favorite sports hero.

He's close enough to the all-time HR record he doesn't have to cheat to break it now. Lots of folks may not recognize him now when they see him play. He's slimmed down a bit from not using HGH. The Giants also had to order new caps for him that are a little smaller.
Aaron Hernandez

Aaron Josef Hernandez was an American football tight end in the National Football League. He was a productive player during his three seasons with the New England Patriots. His career ended abruptly after his arrest and initial conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd.... read more
Alex Rodriguez

Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez, nicknamed "A-Rod", is an American former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees. He is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Rodriguez... read more

A-Rod is a cheater and is full of himself, used steroids, is overpaid, and I don't like him either. But he does sign autographs now and is trying to change his image.
I got his autograph in Toronto, and he wasn't as much of an ass in person as I thought he'd be.

Ruined the sport of baseball with his cheating and skewed stats.

Douche. Cheat. About as much personality as a piece of dirt. Classic mimbo!

The Newcomers

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Travis Kelce

Travis Michael Kelce is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He has played for the Chiefs since being drafted in 2013. Kelce is considered one of the top tight ends in NFL history and has been selected to multiple Pro Bowls.

Can't watch a game without the camera focusing on Taylor Swift every five minutes.
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Steven van de Velde

This rapist should not have been allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics. He did some inappropriate things to a 12 year old girl and went to prison for a couple of years because of this, and I am shocked that a woman (who people thought was transgender but isn't) beating another woman in boxing is causing more controversy than the fact that they are letting a pedophile compete in the Olympics. Thankfully, I don't think the USA would allow him to compete in LA in 2028.

The Contenders

Bill Romanowski

William Thomas Romanowski, born on April 2, 1966, is a former American football linebacker. He played in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Oakland Raiders. Romanowski was known for his intense playing style and remarkable durability, having... read more

He admitted to playing dirty after retiring. He didn't have sportsmanship, only brutality.
It was perfect that he ended up playing with the Raiders.

This guy sickens me. He was a horribly dirty player. On top of that, he injected live goat cells into himself to get stronger. Disgusting.

There's a fine line between playing hard and trying to maim someone. I hope he never gets in the Hall of Fame.
Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) was an American professional basketball player who played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He won five NBA championships with the Lakers and retired in 2016 as the franchise's all-time leading scorer.... read more

Kobe should be number one all-time because of his pure arrogance. He thinks he's better than MJ and close to God. Kobe caused people watching basketball to think that the game is all about making people look bad and scoring points.
I hate Kobe with a passion because he spent his whole career trying to imitate MJ, and then he calls himself better than Jordan. Kobe and fans of Kobe, let me educate you. Jordan never choked, raped a girl, made headlines because he finally passed the ball, made a career off of someone else, or failed to make a name for himself by scoring a bunch on a sorry team.
Kobe crossed the line when he placed the 2012 USA Team over the Dream Team because, in his opinion, the 2012 team was more athletic. Kobe's pitiful knowledge of the game and his horrible sportsmanship rubbed off on a generation of kids who idolize basketball. Kobe = #1 biggest jerk athlete.
Ty Cobb

Tyrus Raymond Cobb (December 18, 1886 - July 17, 1961), nicknamed "the Georgia Peach," was an American professional baseball center fielder. A native of rural Narrows, Georgia, Cobb played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He spent 22 years with the Detroit Tigers and served as the team's player-manager... read more

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe Jackson summed this one up perfectly.
Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown (born July 10, 1988) is a former NFL wide receiver who played nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before brief stints with the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections and led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and... read more

I was dying when he got sued for farting in his doctor's face. Big Baby Antonio.
Pedro Martinez

Pedro Jaime Martínez, born on October 25, 1971, in Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic, is a Dominican-American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball from 1992 to 2009 for five teams, most notably the Boston Red Sox from 1998 to 2004. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall... read more

I met him in '05 in Chicago while I was working as a bellman for a hotel. I witnessed how he told a 10-year-old kid who asked for an autograph to get lost, and he acts like a diva.

This man has absolutely no sympathy, especially for the rookies. If they strike out on their debut, he just tells them that they suck and angrily says, "Sit down!"
Serena Williams

Serena Jameka Williams is an American former professional tennis player. She was ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association on eight occasions between 2002 and 2017. She reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time on July 8, 2002, and went on to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles... read more

Excellent tennis player, but needs lessons in sportsmanship.
Sean Avery

Sean Christopher Avery is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for teams including the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, and New York Rangers. Avery was known for his agitating style of play and outspoken personality on and off the... read more

Absolute idiot. Not only does he rack up penalty minutes and is near the top every year, he consistently has the most penalty minutes against him. He trash talks, fights only when the other guy is smaller than him, and breaks and bends the rules. He even had a rule made for him.

He deserves to be number one. He isn't higher only because nobody cares about hockey.
Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard Tyson, born June 30, 1966, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. He became the undisputed world heavyweight champion during the late 1980s.
Tyson holds the record as the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title, achieving this at 20 years, four... read more

Mike Tyson gets a pass from me. He came up through extremely difficult situations in life, and people have taken advantage of him all his life. Only Cus D'Amato gave a damn about him as a human being. He did his time for whatever happened with the girl that went to his room (expecting milk and cookies?) and never whined about it. He seems like he's trying to do something with his life after boxing, and dirtbags like King are done with him.

Robin Givens deserves honorable mention for being a complete jerk related to an athlete. She and her mother are complete low-lifes who sucked money and life from naïve Mike Tyson.
Ryan Leaf

Ryan David Leaf is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for four seasons. He was selected as the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, behind Peyton Manning. Leaf played for the San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks.... read more

And to think, some thought he should be drafted ahead of Peyton Manning. Even more amusing is that he went number two.

He's the biggest flop in history. I detest thieves.
Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick is an American former professional tennis player known for his powerful serve. He reached the pinnacle of his career in the early 2000s, winning one Grand Slam singles title at the 2003 US Open and achieving the World No. 1 ranking on November 3, 2003. Roddick was inducted into the International... read more

Extremely rude to, well, everyone. The way he talks to umpires and the press and even fans is just horrible, not the way an athlete, or at least a respected athlete, should act.

He sucks and he knows it. He can't beat the big boys, so he has been reduced to a hissy-fit-throwing pansy.

He is just bitter that he will forever be remembered as Mr. Brooklyn Decker.
Randy Moss

Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver who played 14 seasons in the National Football League. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Moss is widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the NFL.

It's all about Randy. Just ask him. Great player when he wants to play, if the play is his.

Straight cash, homie! Ha, he can be a jerk, but you can't deny how good he is.
Jose Canseco

Always arrogant, always a jerk. To the media, fans, hell, coaches, and players. Biggest clown there ever was. He was selfish and cared only for his home run stats, even if it meant winning a World Series. Decided not to come to his MVP gala in 1988. But I'd have to say, between him and Barry Bonds, they both were a pair. The difference was that Bonds could play.
Danica Patrick

Danica Sue Patrick is a former American professional racing driver. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing. Her win at the 2008 Indy Japan 300 remains the only victory by a female driver in an IndyCar Series race.

If Serena is my #1 worst tennis player, then it's no surprise who my #1 worst NASCAR driver is. This idiot wrecks cars, treats her fans like crap, regrets autographs even from kids who don't know what a Cele-bratty is. She's in 20th place and gets all the attention. The only thing she's good at is being a model. I'm glad she retired so she can end this nonsense. She should NEVER be allowed back on NASCAR property for life.

I heard a radio interview before she hit NASCAR, and she was the most condescendingly rude person I've ever heard. The radio station hung up on her and spent the rest of her interview time discussing what a jerk she was. Arrogant doesn't begin to describe this girl.
Jameis Winston

Jameis L. Winston is an American football quarterback who signed with the New York Giants in March 2025 on a two-year, eight million dollar contract. He previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns. Winston earned a Pro Bowl selection during his rookie season... read more
Urban Meyer