February 10, 2012 1:49 AM EST
The 10 Most Disliked Athletes in America
Survey giant Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research released their latest study today measuring the most disliked athletes in America. The list includes some big names, some surprises and at least one stunning reversal of fortune.
In the poll fans were asked for their opinion on a myriad of professional athletes in the United States. For the purposes of these rankings the answers "dislike somewhat," "dislike," and "dislike a lot," were combined to provide the percentages.
10. Kurt Busch - NASCAR – 42% dislike
Busch, who has 24 Cup wins and was the 2004 Cup Series Champion in the first ever “Chase for the Cup,” has lost his luster recently. Run ins with the law, as well as other drivers Jimmy Spencer, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Robbie Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart have contributed to negative feelings about him.
9. Alex Rodriguez – New York Yankees – 44% dislike
Seen by many as an ultra-conceited drama queen who has never quite lived up to his massive contract, it is perhaps more surprising that he doesn’t rank higher on this list. His known use of steroids has not helped his reputation either. But, maybe his clutch performances in the 2009 World Series have softened opinions on Rodriguez.
8. Terrell Owens – NFL – 45% dislike
It is telling that an athlete who has not actually competed in over a year is still so disliked. He is polarizing as fans either love him or hate him, but his antics have turned many fans off. In just the past five years he allegedly attempted suicide, starred in one of the worst reality television shows ever, lifted weights in his driveway for a crowd of reporters and generally made a pest out of himself, all while being a pretty mediocre receiver.
7. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers – 45% dislike
Kobe is seen as conceited by some fans, and a whiner by others. His feud with the very well-liked Shaquille O’Neil didn’t help him, nor did settling out of court when rape allegations were brought against him in Colorado. He is currently going through a divorce which also helps to turn fans, especially women against him.
6. LeBron James – Miami Heat – 48% dislike
Two words, “The Decision.” James’ choice to leave his hometown team for Miami in an hour long, nationally televised, event turned him into one of the most hated men in basketball.; holding an enormous rally to introduce himself and his new teammates before they had even won a game made him look conceited. But it is his propensity to completely disappear when the game is on the line that drives fans craziest.
5. Kris Humphries – New Jersey Nets – 50% dislike
Humphries made the enormous mistake of marrying Kim Kardashian which made him a joke in the eyes of most NBA fans, when they divorced weeks later amid rumors that he was less than attentive as a husband turned his ex-wife’s legion of fans on him. This guy just can’t catch a break.
4. Ndamukong Suh – Detroit Lions – 51%
Suh was one of the most popular athletes in America a year ago with 71% of respondents to this survey saying they liked Suh. Now thanks to an ugly incident where he stomped on a Packers lineman and his refusal to apologize or even speak about the incident, he is now one of the most hated.
3. Plaxico Burress – New York Jets – 56% dislike
Burress missed two seasons of his career thanks to a gun possession charge after he shot himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub. But he wasn’t exactly a good guy before that; he has a checkered past full of fines for skipping practice and meetings or verbally abusing officials.
2. Tiger Woods – Golf – 60% dislike
Woods was on top of the world when he won the US Open in a playoff on one leg in 2008. Since then he has committed very public adultery, been divorced by his wife and completely lost his game. He was a bit of a decisive figure before all of that thanks to outbursts and cursing on the course, and his recent troubles only serve to confirm people’s impressions of him as a jerk.
1. Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles – 60% dislike
Vick, who spent two years in prison for charges related to running a dog fighting ring, has not recovered his image despite some impressive play since he got out of jail. Though hard core NFL fans respect and admire him for his comeback and the way he fought through adversity, the casual fans still think of him torturing and killing “man’s best friend.”
