TOP 5 CELEBRITY SPORTS SCANDALS
Celebrity sports scandals can be just as hot as those of music and movie stars. Without all the tabloid coverage, it’s easy to forget that today’s biggest sports stars sometimes cross the line too. From affairs to autobiographies, these guys made headlines off the baseball field, basketball court, and even the ice rink.
It Begins with Kobe Bryant
How can you not start a sports celebrity scandal article with Kobe Bryant’s rape allegations? When this story broke, it immediately crossed over from ESPN Sportscenter to the mainstream news and entertainment media. In the blink of an eye, the once squeaky clean Kobe had a major scandal to overcome. In the end, the criminal case was dropped and the civil case was settled, but not before some serious scandalous behavior surfaced:
Kobe admitted to adultery. Suddenly his wife Vanessa was thrust into the spotlight. Would she stand by her man or send him packing?
Kobe bought Vanessa a $4 million ring. You can’t beat a multimillion dollar apology. For months, reporters were blinded by the rock on Vanessa’s finger.
He implicated Shaq. Kobe told investigators that Shaq had previously paid women off to avoid having news of the affairs hit the media. Needless to say, this shattered Kobe and Shaq’s relationship. A truly sad event as the dynamic duo had partnered on three NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jose Canseco Gets Juiced
For years, Major League baseball fans watched with sheer joy as Jose Canseco launched homer after homer into the upper deck. All of a sudden, 500 foot homeruns became common place.
With homerun records falling year after year, nobody seemed to care that these behemoth athletes had bulging biceps, thick necks, and monstrous legs. That all changed when Jose Canseco retired and published Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big. The steroid controversy hit the national spotlight with some of the most startling controversies :
Jose accuses Mark McGwire. The reigning home run champion (at least until Barry Bonds re-broke the record) is called out by Jose as a major steroids user. Jose even claims he personally injected Mark on several occasions.
Canseco testifies before Congress. Mark McGwire was just the first of many baseball superstars accused of bulking up from steroid use. Over the course of the hearing, major stars face the music including Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro (who later tested positive).
Jose lands on Surreal Life. Jose parlays his newfound writer fame into a spot in the cast of VH1′s Surreal Life. He mixes it up with Omarosa and Janice Dickinson, two stars who are accustomed to scandals and outrageous behavior.
We’re just getting started. Keep reading for three more sports celebrities who made headlines for their scandalous behavior.
Ron Artest Jumps Into the Stands
There has always been an imaginary line separating basketball players from the screaming fans in the stands at NBA games. That all changed one fateful night in Detroit.
The Pistons were playing the Indiana Pacers. Midway through the game, a scuffle broke out on the court. Cooler heads prevailed and Ron Artest laid across the scorer’s table to settle down. All of a sudden, a fan dumped a cold beer right on top of Ron.
Let’s just say he completely lost it and leaped into the stands to confront the fan. A fight ensued with multiple players and fans duking it out. Among the biggest newstories from this sorry event in NBA history:
Ron gets suspended for the season. David Stern, the NBA Commissioner, sent a clear message to NBA players by suspending Ron Artest for the rest of the season. It cost him millions in salary and endorsements.
Lawsuits and criminal charges fly. Stemming from the worst fan/player fight in NBA history, the police charge several players and fans with criminal charges. Lawyers in Detroit also worked overtime as several lawsuits ensued from angry and injured fans.
Ron gets traded to Sacramento. Unable to truly move on from this crazy experience, Ron gets benched by the Pacers coach and GM. A few weeks later, the GM pulls off a trade with the Sacramento Kings to finally end this black eye on the Pacer’s franchise.
Hockey Star’s Playing Time Gets Slashed
We all know Hockey can be one of the roughest sports. NHL stars skate at top speeds with dangerous sticks in hand. The emotions on the ice often spill over into fights between players.
Sometimes the aggressiveness goes too far, as was the case in a brutal hit by Todd Bertuzzi on Steve Moore:
Steve Moore suffered serious injuries. Forget his hockey career, Steve had to overcome a broken neck, concussion and other related injuries.
Todd gets suspended for the rest of the season. In an effort to send a strong message to all NHL players, Todd gets suspended for the rest of the year as a result of the vicious premeditated attack.
Canadian authorities consider criminal charges. Rarely do actions on the field spill over into charges off the field. But the viciousness of the hit prompted Vancouver police to investigate criminal charges against Todd Bertuzzi.
Four sports celebrity scandals down, one to go. Keep reading for the scoop on Maurice Clarett’s spiral from top rated NFL prospect to jail bird.
Maurice Clarett Can’t Find a Job
Any Ohio State football fan will tell you that Maurice Clarett was one of the most important factors in Ohio State’s recent NCAA college football national championship.
It’s too bad that the good news ended there. Within months of the championship, serious allegations surfaced about Maurice taking money and gifts under the table. Among the most serious revelations:
Maurice accepted cash and merchandise. Strict NCAA guidelines prevent amateur NCAA athletes from receiving any payments for their services. Maurice seemed to be getting incentives from Ohio State boosters and fans to remain a happy camper on and off the field.
Maurice challenges NFL draft rules. Claiming NFL rules are unconstitutional, Maurice and his lawyers challenge the NFL early entry rules. Ultimately, the courts rule the NFL can keep their age restrictions in place.
Arrested for assault. Kicked out of Ohio State, Maurice waits a couple of years before he’s old enough for the NFL draft. He gets selected in the third round by the Denver Broncos, but is cut before the season starts. A few months later, Maurice is arrested for a robbery and assault outside of a nightclub. (diana mimon, about.com guide)
