Sporting events ideally should be enjoyable for the players as well as the spectators. However, the players sometimes make it quite unpleasant by indulging in reckless behavior and throwing a fit about the outcome of the game. Over the decades there have been countless instances of unsportsmanlike behavior by some of the most well known athletes. Given below is a list of some of the most shocking sports controversies over the years:

Bill Belichick

In 2008, New England Patriots along with their NFL coach Bill Belichick were caught taping their opponents’ defensive plays. Belichick had to pay a fine of $500,000 while the Pats lost the first round of draft pick and had to cough up $250,000.

Mike Tyson

In the infamous 1997 match between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, Tyson bit off Holyfield’s ear during the fight. Tyson was suspended for a year. Although Holyfield was kind enough to forgive Tyson, the incident was never forgotten.

Tonya Harding

Before the figure skating competition of the 1994 Olympics, Tonya Harding was eager to get rid of her rival. Along with her husband and several others, Tonya Harding assaulted Kerrigan with a club during a practice session. Kerrigan still managed to take home the silver medal at the Olympics while Harding came in 8th.

Tiger Woods

Once regarded as the true superhero of the golfing world, Tiger Woods has since then lost his position due to a series of bizarre events and instances of bad behavior that include over a dozen mistresses, a car accident, ugly divorce and ugly rumors that still continue to derail his personal life as well as career.

OJ Simpson

NFL star and winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy, OJ Simpson, is remembered today not for his spectacular sporting career but because of the double murder charges that he faced. In one of the most publicized trials, OJ Simpson was acquitted but the cloud of suspicion has never been lifted off his head. OJ Simpson later did manage to get hauled off to the jail after being convicted of robbery charges.

Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger was accused twice of sexual assault, once in 2008 and then in 2010. While he did manage to get away with it and only had to face suspension for 6 games, the fact that Roethlisberger was accused twice did manage to make most people believe that there was some truth behind these accusations.

Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong’s shocking confession that he doped from 1999 to 2005 for 7 Tour de France titles left fans shocked around the world. His interview with Oprah was one of the most watched television shows in history. Once regarded as one of the most prolific sports heroes of all time, Lance Armstrong has since left fans less than enthusiastic about his apologies.

 

Want to add to this list? Drop us a comment below.