Glory tarnished
Athletes gain fame – and often fortune – during their playing days. Many live out the rest of their lives in that glory, but a number of athletes – like OJ Simpson, who died on Wednesday – have ruined their reputations by post-game missteps (or allegations that only emerged after their playing days). Read on to discover some of the many cautionary tales.
Editor’s note: This story was updated in April 2024.
OJ Simpson
OJ Simpson, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who pursued a broadcasting and acting career after the game, became infamous for the 1994-95 murder trial in which he was ultimately acquitted of murder of his ex-wife and her friend. Equally memorable was the low-speed highway chase in a white Ford Bronco when Simpson failed to surrender as agreed. Two years later, he would be held civilly responsible. Simpson didn’t stay out of the spotlight, however, and was convicted in 2008 of stealing sports memorabilia in Las Vegas, and this time he went to prison. This week he died of cancer at age 76.
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Brett Favre
NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre has been embroiled in a social scandal and faces civil charges in a Mississippi case linked to nearly $80 million in funds intended to help the poor and diverted to the rich. The former star quarterback dealt with past issues before this embezzlement scandal; During his playing days, he faced substance abuse issues and sexting allegations.
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Lance Armstrong
The fall of cycling legend and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong was stunning. Holder of seven consecutive Tour de France medals, as well as an Olympic medal, he would go on to found the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a non-profit cancer organization. Armstrong was often the subject of doping rumors, but it was not until 2012 that an investigation led to his medals being stripped and him banned from competing for life, when it was confirmed that he used doping products.
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Pete Rose
The MLB star’s nickname known as “Charlie Hustle” took on a decidedly different meaning after the Pete Rose scandal. The longtime Cincinnati Reds player, who was part of three World Series winning teams, retired in 1986 and managed Cincinnati until the summer of 1989, when he was penalized with a permanent ban to play following accusations of gambling on games he had played. performed during and while he conducted. It was not until 2004 that Rose admitted to the accusations. Many still argue he should be in the Hall of Fame.
Tiger Woods
Even those who don’t follow golf know the name Tiger Woods, the California native considered one of the sport’s greatest players. Woods faced a double scandal in 2009 when it emerged the married player had had an affair – and two days later he was involved in a car crash. Early allegations of cheating led to admissions of further transgressions, with sponsorship deals impacted by the scandal. Woods continues to play, although problems persist, including a 2017 arrest for driving under the influence, a 2021 rollover car accident and ongoing health issues.
Mike Tyson
Professional heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, known as “Iron Mike,” has faced several scandals during his career – and in his more recent years. He was convicted of rape and went to prison in the 1990s, bit Evander Holyfield’s ear, dealt with substance abuse issues and earlier this year, had a physical altercation with another airline passenger.
Gabriela Sabatini
Tennis star Gabriela Sabatini, a successful young player in the 80s and 90s, won the US Open in 1990. Her career was filled with big prizes, titles and even an Olympic medal. But in 2013, the Argentine legend, who would go on to launch a hit perfume line, admitted she was losing matches on purpose. It wasn’t about playing the game, but rather her shyness had caused her to avoid the spotlight in her early days. For all its glory, could it have been even more?
Phil Mickelson
Professional golfer Phil Mickelson has faced a number of problems over the years. As the Washington Post reported in May about his “self-inflicted collapse,” Mickelson faced gambling debts and was embroiled in an insider trading investigation, was criticized over his dalliance with a rival Saudi-backed tour and was scorned after complaining. against income taxes in California a few years ago.
Curt Schilling
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s playing days are fading in light of a series of scandals, including a massive lawsuit with the state of Rhode Island related to misuse and the failure to pay a $75 million state loan to a gaming company run by Schilling. Additionally, he would repeatedly come under the spotlight for hateful and discriminatory comments and rants on social media and on-air, all consistent with his ultra-conservative views.
Carl Lewis
Multiple Olympic track and field medalist Carl Lewis, as reported by the New York Times, admitted in 2003 that he failed three drug tests for stimulants in 1988 while Olympic officials looked the other way. Lewis argued that the use was inadvertent, although many believe his achievements remain forever questionable.
Marion Jones
Track and field star Marion Jones was stripped of her seven Olympic medals won in 2000, about seven years later, after it was determined she was using performance-enhancing steroids. The runner and long jumper is expected to go to jail for using and lying, with the trial judge chastising her for being such a bad role model to children.
Oscar Pistorius
The former South African professional sprinter, whose physical challenges led him to compete in the Olympics and Paralympics, forever clouded his athletic pedigree when he fatally shot his girlfriend in 2013. He claimed he thought that she was an intruder; he was found not guilty of murder but of “culpable homicide”.
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This article was originally published on Cheapism
