NFL's 10 Most Controversial Players

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 7, 2007

NFL's 10 Most Controversial Players

Terrell Owens

At this point, everything T.O. says and does is magnified because he has such a long history of selfish behavior. Owens has ripped many of the coaches and quarterbacks he's played with and repeatedly complained about being underpaid. Last season, the Cowboys receiver was taken to a Dallas hospital after having what he claimed was an adverse reaction to a medication, spurring a national media frenzy about a possible suicide attempt.

Randy Moss

From walking off the field before a game is over, to hitting a traffic cop at a very slow speed, to admitting he takes plays off, to mooning Lambeau Field fans, Moss has been a lightning rod for controversy since he came into the NFL. Moss completely disappeared last year as the Raiders' offense fell apart. He has said this offseason that he wants to be off the team.

Pacman Jones

Jones has been arrested multiple times and it's still unclear if he'll be charged in the aftermath of in a violence-filled NBA All-Star weekend last month. He is a very talented player and the Titans need him, but they may not be able to keep him if he continues getting into trouble.

Chris Henry

Henry has not been able to stay out of legal trouble since he entered the NFL in 2005. The Bengals receiver is extremely talented, but off-field issues have tainted a promising career. Henry has been arrested four times over the last two years, for charges including marijuana possession, illegal possession of a firearm, drunken driving and providing alcohol to minors.

Jeremy Shockey

Shockey is a very outspoken player and his mouth often gets him into trouble. The biggest brouhaha of his career was when he called Bill Parcells a "homo," but his penchant for criticizing coaches and teammates has caused several other small fires.

Tank Johnson

Johnson has been arrested on gun charges and for assaulting a police officer and is currently confined to his house for violating his probation. Some think he was very lucky a judge allowed him to go to Miami to play in the Super Bowl.

Michael Vick

Vick was cleared of any wrong-doing for trying to bring a water bottle with a hidden compartment on a plane, but he has had several other incidents. Two years ago, a woman sued him for allegedly giving her herpes and claimed the Falcons quarterback used the alias "Ron Mexico." And last season he was fined for making an obscene gesture at fans. And Vick is controversial on the field since he doesn't fit the traditional definition of a quarterback.

Shawne Merriman

Merriman was suspended for four games last season for steroid use, but was still named a starter on the AFC Pro Bowl squad. Several players around the NFL said they thought Merriman did not belong in Honolulu.

Sean Taylor

Taylor has had legal problems since entering the NFL. He faced felony assault charges from a 2005 incident in Miami, but eventually reached an agreement with prosecutors that resulted in just community service. Taylor is also controversial for his hard hits on the field. At this year's Pro Bowl, the Redskins safety laid a devastating hit on Bills punter Brian Moorman.

Ricky Williams

Remember Ricky? He will reportedly soon petition the NFL for reinstatement after being banned for a year because of his fourth drug violation. He apparently lives on a yoga farm in California, where NFL representatives journey multiple times a week to administer Williams' drug tests.

NFL's 10 Most Controversial Players