Sports have always served as a great diversion from real life. Lately, however, with all the scandals plaguing the sports industry, real life is diverting us from sports. Our eyes are on everything BUT the ball. Moreover, if a quarterback overthrows, one instantly blames it on whatever scandal they are associated with at the time. No longer do we chalk it up to a simple mistake or possible injury. It has become the norm for athletes to find themselves tangled in scandal, utilizing the power behind their athletic fame to scramble away from the consequences of their scandals. Obviously, the NFL’s personal conduct policy is not an effective deterrent for these athletes.
Sure, most players presumably enjoy letting loose after the game, but to make the Top 5 Scandals in NFL History list, these players, coaches, and performers exhibited jaw-dropping scandalous behavior. We aren’t talking just a common, everyday DUI or assault. Think bigger.
Top 5 Scandals in NFL History:
1. Sex Goes to Super Bowl XXXIII
On the eve of Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, Atlanta Falcons’ defensive back Eugene Robinson was arrested for offering a prostitute $40 for oral sex while out in Miami. Even worse, this prostitute turned out to be an undercover police officer. Earlier that day, Robinson was the recipient of the Bart Starr Award from the Christian group Athletes in Action – an accolade given to an individual with high moral character.
Actually, the Falcon’s credit Robinson’s leadership skills as a main reason they reached their first Super Bowl. He was noted for being a man of strong religious beliefs and a role model in an era of misbehaving athletes.
Although he was bailed out of jail by Atlanta’s GM in time to star in that Super Bowl, his performance lacked the athleticism that earned him his three Pro Bowl selections. Throwing an interception to the Broncos (resulting in an 80yd touchdown) and missing a key tackle in the fourth quarter, the Falcons went on to lose the Super Bowl. It comes as no surprise Eugene Robinson only spent one final year playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
2. Namath’s Personal Foul
On December 20, 2003, the New York Jets assembled their four-decade team, honoring them during a game against the Patriots. One very well-known honoree and ambassador at large for the Jets, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, added a final chapter to his legacy during a sideline interview with ESPN’s Suzy Kolber.
Kolber was doing all she could to conduct a serious interview with a noticeably inebriated Joe Namath. Despite her professionalism, her attempts to keep the conversation on the topic of football proved unsuccessful. In an unforgettable foot-in-mouth moment, Namath confessed that he couldn’t care less about the Jets’ struggles, then managed to slur, “I wanna kiss you…”. Before the cameras were able to cut back to the booth, Namath bellowed, “Yeah!” at the top of his lungs.
Ironically, Broadway Joe had recently labeled himself as a “quality, classy quarterback”. Not seen by viewers at home, this classy quarterback managed to fall flat on his face during halftime. In weeks following this scandal, Namath publicly apologized to Kolber for his bizarre behavior and admitted to having an alcohol problem, checking himself into an out-patient facility.
3. The Fall of Favre
To successfully stand out in the NFL, outstanding players realize balance is key. Apparently, Brett Favre failed to receive this memo. The Minnesota Viking quarterback has all too often been faced with the dilemma of balancing the drama he’s known for craving on the football field with an equivalent amount of drama off the field.
It seems fitting that when mentioning former Jet’s Joe Namath’s scandal, sports fans immediately associate that with recent memories of another well-known former Jets quarterback. In Namath-fashion, Favre relentlessly attempted to woo knockout sideline reporter, Jenn Sterger, failing miserably as well. True, Brett Favre possesses one of the most storied careers in football, but it was this married man’s sex scandal that dominated headlines in 2010, complete with clever titles including, “Brett Comes Up Short” and “Sad, Old, & Tired”.
A Jets sideline reporter at the time and Maxim model as well, Sterger decided to pursue action against Favre’s repulsive and unprofessional behavior. As the NFL investigated this scandal, Favre’s professional and personal life unraveled. Once deemed one of America’s most beloved quarterbacks, Favre’s career and private life were now the root of constant being scrutiny and ridicule.
The only message this quarterback received in return is that even a Super Bowl champ can fumble when making a play on the ladies.
4. Super Bowl XXXVIII: Exposed
Not to be outdone by the players, Janet Jackson earned her spot on this top 5 list after exposing what instantly became the breast that was seen around the world. In their MTV-produced duet performance, Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake bared Janet’s nipple during the most-watched broadcast of the year, not to mention dinner hour for viewers located on the west coast.
Janet Jackson’s “Wardrobe Malfunction” during Super Bowl XXXVIII’s halftime show ignited a colossal amount of criticism against CBS and MTV. In the halftime shows following what has been dubbed Nipplegate, the NFL cautiously hired more conservative entertainers, subjecting crowds to a more aged group of performers such as Paul McCartney and the Who.
However, with the NFL’s recent announcement that Madonna will headline the halftime show in the 2012 Super Bowl, it’s safe to assume their penance following that brief flash of chest is finally over. After Ms. Jackson’s controversial performance, it seems the NFL would be wise enough to shy away from provocative performers. Hopefully, her highly prearranged contract will prevent her from vogue-ing the night away sans a cone bra and singing controversial lyrics from those songs that made her famous in the first place.
5. A Decade of Sins
In the blink of an eye, Bill Belichick went from NFL icon to one of the most despised coaches. There’s no denying the success he brought to the New England Patriots franchise, it just seems during the 2007 season Belichick, bless his cheating heart, needed a little extra help to win.
When his notorious sideline spying scandal was publicized during a press conference, he forever placed New England Patriots fans on the defensive. Also at stake was the legacy of the NFL’s latest dynasty, who had won three NFL titles in four years, holding themselves up as a model organization. Not to mention the paranoia this now instilled in opposing teams – Is there a Patriot spy on our facility’s rooftop with long-range binoculars? Are Patriot spies lurking around every corner with a video camera on hand?
As if this espionage act wasn’t controversial enough, the league soon uncovered Belichick’s rather extensive video library. An additional eight videos were confiscated by the NFL, leading experts to surmise that Belichick had been evading honest competition on the playing field for close to a decade.
Not only was Belichick fined a hefty $500,000 – the largest ever levied against a NFL coach – but the Patriots were also stripped of their first-round draft pick in 2008. Quite a Hall of Shame performance from this Hall of Fame hopeful.
After reading a mere five of the uncountable scandals in the history of the NFL, it is sad to know a recent study revealed that 73% of children consider athletes to be their role models. Considering the NFL athletes behaviors seemingly grow less and less admirable, it is apparent the league is in dire need of an attitude adjustment.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, addressed his team in 2009 during Super Bowl week referring to distractions leading up to the big game. Not having to elaborate, Tomlin’s simple, four-word sentence was: “Don’t be the guy.” Without further elaboration, it was evident what he meant by this. Don’t be the guy who elicits prostitution. Don’t be the guy who stays out past curfew. Don’t be the guy who gets arrested. Don’t be the guy who sexually harasses a woman. Don’t be the guy who gets distracted during the Super Bowl game. Now, if only Tomlin’s words could get through to the entire league, perhaps future sports pages will contain less social commentary and more game highlights.