Top 8 Athletes Who Blew Their Shot
These athletes had talent and professional athletic scouts offering them a chance at a dream they held since childhood. Unfortunately for these eight men, they were not blessed with sufficient brains to accompany their ability.
8. Ron Artest- Forward- NBA: 1999-Present
What he blew: Respect
The only thing keeping Artest lower on this list is that he is the only athlete on the list still currently on a roster. Artest is known as a defensive force at the forward position, but he has earned himself a reputation as a poster child for strange athletes. He applied for a part-time job at Circuit City before his rookie season in Chicago, was suspended for 2 games for seeking time off so he could make an impromptu rap album (which he actually produced, search 'My World'), then he attacked a fan in Detroit during the ruckus known as the Malice at the Palace. He recently tried to cleanup his image by telling kids not to be like him, but he will always be thought of as the new Dennis Rodman.
7. Latrell Spreewell- NBA: 1993- 2004
What he blew: Millions of dollars
While Spreewell was never going to be the next Michael Jordan, he was certainly going to get paid like him. During the 2004-2005 season, "Spree" was offered a 3 year, 21 million-dollar contract by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His response? A resounding "NO", adding in that he's "got a family to feed". His total games played since then? Zero. His net profit since then? Nada.
6. OJ Simpson- NFL: 1969- 1979
What he blew: A life after football
This will need the shortest explanation. "Juice" had an outstanding, Hall of Fame career, so he didn't blow it as an athlete per se. However, his life after football was obviously not too glamorous. As if to prove that he has lost everything, he is currently on trial after being accused of robbing a Vegas man of some OJ Simpson memorabilia at gunpoint.
5. Michael Vick- NFL: 2001- ?
What he blew: The respect of the NFL
When Vick broke into the league, he was thought by analysts to be a league changer. With his cannon arm and electrifying legs, the quarterback position was supposed to be different. The higher-ups in the NFL thought this as well, putting his face on any thing that had to do with football. Then, when dead and dying dogs were found at his Virginia home, all that changed. Vick was indicted and convicted of federal dog fighting charges, thrown in jail in 2007 for 23 months, and the NFL could not have tried to remove itself from his name faster.
4. Maurice Clarett- NCAA Football: 2002
What he blew: A lifetime of football
Of all the athletes on this list, Clarett is the most interesting. After averaging an amazing 10 yards per carry his freshman year at Ohio State, Clarett was charged with falsifying a police report by saying that more than $10,000 of belongings were stolen from a car he borrowed from a dealership. This lead to OSU Athletic Director Andy Geiger suspending Clarett for one year, which lead to Clarett wanting out of college all together. He challenged the NFL rule that a player must be at least 3 years removed from high school before entering the NFL Draft, and lost. So after sitting yet another year, he entered the NFL as an outside chance at even being selected. The Denver Broncos surprised everyone by giving the out of shape (4.82 40 yard dash) running back a shot in the 4th round, but Clarett was cut from the team just 3 months later. The exclamation point on the Clarett timeline came on New Years Day 2006, when he robbed 2 people at gunpoint behind a bar in Columbus, OH. After a plea deal, Clarett is now serving 3 and a half years in prison.
3. Len Bias: NBA- Never
What he blew: A lifetime
"With the 2nd selection in the 1986 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select, Len Bias, University of Maryland":Those words are all Len Bias ever experienced from professional basketball. Regarded by nearly all of the analysts at the time, Bias had the skill set to be the next great player in the NBA. Merely 48 hours after his name was called, Bias was found dead at age 22 in a University of Maryland dormitory. The cause of death was determined as cocaine overdose, and his death was later featured in an anti-drug campaign.
2. Pete Rose- MLB: 1963- 1986
What he blew: The Hall of Fame
Rose ended his playing days as one of the best players ever. He still holds the record for most hits ever, and he was known around the country as one of the hardest players on the field. He had Cooperstown in his sights, then he threw it all away with a nasty habit. While manager of the Cincinnati Reds, Rose admittedly bet on his team to win every game he managed. While it certainly does not sound as scandalous as it could be, gambling is illegal in Major League Baseball, and he was therefore banned from the league for life. His chance at immortality is seemingly gone, however if he is ever reinstated he will certainly be a first ballot Hall of Fame candidate.
1. Barry Bonds- MLB: 1986-Present
What he blew: His legacy
Barry Bonds was a great baseball player. He could hit for average, he could steal bases, and he could roam the outfield like any other Gold Glove award winner. Then suddenly he grew a new talent: hitting the long ball. He hit so many home runs in his career, that he passed Hank Aaron for number 1 on the all time list.
We all know the story behind the story. Obviously, Bonds was not the only one who used steroids, and he probably did not even use the most. But his status as the Home Run King puts him on a higher pedestal to all baseball lovers, and they do not want that title to be tarnished. The legacy of Barry Bonds is so tarnished that it's not recognizable anymore. The worst part is, if he had admitted to steroid use, he might not be on this list. Nearly all players involved in the BALCO scandal admitted and apologized for their usage, and nearly all players were forgiven for their mistakes. Bonds never recognized the forgiving nature of this country, and continued to deny his involvement despite a large sum of disputing evidence (court testimonies, Game of Shadows, etc.) His harsh relationship with the media did not help either, and now, although he wanted to play, he sat the entire 2007-2008 season as a free agent. A mighty big development for someone whose stats display him as one of the greatest ever.
-Written by Ryan Winn
