In light of the recent Maurice Clarett debacle, I have decided to reflect on some athletes who had the world in the palm of their hand, and then chose to throw it away. It is happening too often, seeing athletes with the potential fame and fortune, throw away their life's work and dreams on some poor decisions. Let's start with the most recent and obvious, Maurice Clarett.
"Yeah that's right, I F'd up....again"
Clarett won the NCAA Championship game for Ohio State when he was a freshman. He had all the hype with him, and was proving that he was the man in the college scene amongst running backs. This is the high point of his life. Clarett's ego was swelling, and accompanied with some bad advice from agents and Jim Brown and others, Clarett decided to try to go to the NFL, a season before he was eligible. He then spent the next year of his life battling it out with the NFL and the courts. The NFL won. Why did this one man think he could overturn a longtime standing NFL rule? Bad advice and a big ego. Why did he not just stay in college one more year? He would have been the big man on campus, perhaps win another title, and probably still get paid. Then he would have gone to the NFL, probably a top 10 pick I would guess. But he chose delusions of grandeur and tried to test the waters. He failed. He then was in trouble with the law for insurance scams. Then, for what reason I don't know, he gets a second chance. The Broncos draft him and bring him into training camp. Clarett, then arrives overweight and gets cut from the team. Second chance blown. Now, he is obviously in trouble. This young man had the world in the palm of his hand, and threw it all away. Could've made more money than most of us will see in a lifetime, and threw it all away.
And what about Rick Tocchet? I am sure he collected enough wealth throughout his playing and coaching career to not need to start up a bookmaking business. Talk about making the wrong decision, now he is probably looking at some long hard time.
Obviously the tops on the charts, would have to be Ray Carruth. I am not even going to waste my time refreshing you all on his story, I am sure you all remember it well.
Another NBA guy, Chris Andersen. Prohibited to play in the NBA for 2 years because he did some type of hard drug. The NBA only bans players like this without warning for extreme substances. Andersen had virtually no game, other than dunking, but he had managed to stick around in the NBA for a while. Again, bad choices have started his demise.
Who else? Shoeless Joe? Stanley Roberts? Half of the Tour De France? Dale Carter?
It seems as though the list doesn't stop.
I would like to hear your opinions as well. This is the first of a two part series, with the next installment being "Athletes that sucked it up, worked hard and made the most out of their situation. I know, not a very catchy title, but it sums up what I want to get accross.
Who else had the world by the balls and threw it away?
David Thompson and Chris Washburn ring a bell? All the talent in the world....but nothing between the ears. Thompson was perhaps waaaay before his time in terms of athletic ability and limitless talent...he was the pre-Jordan who threw it all away on drugs. Washburn, I don't think, had anything between the ears at all. Loads of talent, just more stupidity.
David Thompson is a good one, he could do some crazy things in the air. Being a Denver fan, I see him at the games here and there. At least in his case, he is now a good pillar of the community, but he definitely threw it away in his playing days. Has anyone seen todd marinovich?
Hoffman, I understand your point about Kobe, but cheaters are forgiven and he is still on the top of his game and has yet to kill somebody, I dont thnk I would put him on my list.
Can't think of an addition to this one, but I'm sure there are several. Possibly a few guys that could have had better and greater careers...John Rocker, Ron Artest, dare I say - T.O., Barry Sanders (for different reasons)...
For your next installment, I hope you include lineback Sam Mills. Maybe not the theme you had in mind, but there is a guy that gave everything he had...and was great.
I see your point. I love Kobe. He's my favorite player but in the eyes of the media and many basketball fans he is public enemy number 1. His perception has changed drastically from his early years in the league when he could have been the league's spokesman while winning back-to-back-to-back titles with Shaquille. The difference between him and the chumps you've listed above is that his fall from grace was arguably not entirely his fault.
shooter-john rocker is a good one. I had completely forgot about him. Sam Mills was taken from the earth to soon, he was a great player and gave it his all.
Hoffman, thanks for your comments. Hope the springs are treating you well.
How about Mike Danton of the St. Louis Blues who tried to hire a hit man to kill his live in boyfriend? I guess after Danton's boyfriend got mad because Mike was sleeping around and cheating on him, the roommate threatened to "OUT" Danton and ruin his career. So Danton tried to hire a hitman who promptly went to the FBI.
Now Danton has LOTS of boyfriends as our penile system attmepts, not to rehabilitate him, but to punish him.
FP-I had forgotten all about taht story, and hoffman, Lawrence Phillips is a good one. How many times did he beat up his woman?
Ricko-Bias could have been a great one. it is a shame he spent to much time doing drugs.
While at Nebraska he dragged his girlfriend down a couple flights of stairs after catching her in bed with quarterback Scott Frost. As a Cornhusker native I can tell you this was not a a good time in Nebraskaland.
Post NFL: On August 21, 2005, Phillips was arrested for assault after allegedly driving a car into three teenagers, following a dispute with the teens during a pick-up football game in Los Angeles, California. At the time of the arrest, Phillips was wanted by San Diego in connection with two alleged domestic abuse incidents involving a former girlfriend, who claimed that Phillips choked her to the point of unconsciousness during one of the incidents. In addition, Los Angeles police were seeking Phillips in connection with yet another, separate domestic abuse allegation that occurred previously in Los Angeles.
In March, 2006, the Associated Press reported that Phillips had been ordered to stand trial on felony assault charges stemming from the August 21, 2005 incident. The assigned judge dismissed two counts of child abuse and one count of leaving the scene of an accident arising from the same incident. Phillips faces more than 13 years in prison if convicted on all remaining counts.
As a Nebraska fan I have been blessed to see many great running backs but can say with all certainty that he was the best. #### Vermeil upon cutting Phillips at St. Louis said that he was potentially the best running back he had ever coached.
Uh, Mike Tyson? Art Schlicter? Dexter Manly? Hollywood Henderson? Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison? John Belushi? Jimmy Swaggert? Jim and Tammy Faye Baker? Berni Ebbers? Ken Lay?
The only reason Ken Lay had the world by the balls is because he was a liar. Dexter Manle is a good one. We can put his former teammate Timmy Smith on the list now too.
I'm curious. If you die while holding the world by the balls, do you get to take the balls with you? It would seem to me that you should be able to keep the balls if you die WITH them in your hand.
Dumb #### like Clarett let the balls go. That was his first mistake.
And Dexter Manley, I heard that he changed his first name to Les.
I don't think "Shoeless" Joe Jackson necessarily threw it away because it is widely believed he was the only one who really played hard for the "Black" Sox in that series. His batting average and fielding % supports that theory.
Darrell Russell, the once top pick at defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders also had his share of problems. From the Pro Bowl to out of the league and then killed in a car accident within only a few short years.
i wont make an arguement for tony mandarich to be on this list. instead, i'll make one for the packers, who used all their collective genius to draft Mr. Mullet ahead of barry sanders, excusing it with the statement..."you cant have a good running game unless you have a good line to block." not only did mandarich prove he couldnt get the job done blocking, sanders proved he didnt need good blocking anyway....if you look at it the right way, the packers could have had favre and sanders, and possibly the only teammates EVER to be co-mvp's. it's a stretch i know, but it shows how the packers had the world by the balls, let go and grabbed the man-boobs instead.
todd marinovich? butch davis? (leaving the U for cleveland? how dumb is that?) dennis rodman? (dude probably had somebody by the balls, literally....but in his case, i think he just lost his marbles) i just heard about some ohio state lineman who checked into rehab to kick a 30-beer-a-day addiction...jury is out on him i guess, but he should be a candidate for future considerations. rafael palmiero?
alonzo spellman. lost his football career to a big time battle with depression.
Burger-THanks for the comments. Yeah I made it to DAyton and back, and we went to a few bars, but I can't remember the names. I was actually not in Dayton, but nearby Troy.
Hoffman-you are right, that is a good quote.
Cuz-good to hear from you. Sanders should have been an obvious pick for anyone, and that dude for Ohio State sounds like he is going down the path that others have traveled as well. 30 beers a day? What is it with Ohio State? Is there something in the water out there?
Ram- i heard that on espn radio...i think doug gotlieb was spewing his now regular "when i was in college..." stuff. according to what he said, the player has been reinstated to the team...perhaps belle or 1 of the other bloggers who follow the buckeyes more closely have more information to share on that subject.
Good job Ram. It seems every single day there's a new story of an athlete doing something stupid and screwing up his life. I think maybe these guys start to feel like they're invincible, because people take care of them and give them things and forgive their transgressions their whole lives. Finally they do something truly stupid and they realize they are NOT invincible, and then it's too late....Pretty sad....
RamPride For me the name that always comes to mind is Kermit Washigton. One punch basically ended his professional career and he became a pariah within the sports world.
Fast forward and have things really changed that much ? Clarett's buffoonery still gets him coverage in print and on tv.
LSUFan The Dolphins had him for all of a minute before he disappeared into oblivion.
Thank God for that ! Imagine him and Ricky Williams being on that Dolphins' roster and all the mayhem that would ensue. South Florida would never be the same again after those two.
Just a couple of additions to the "threw it all away".
Roy Tarpley: anyone who makes the NBA and blows it with drugs is a loser.
Kermit Washington: Wearing the proud Laker Uniform pulls a street thug move and clocks Rudy T.
Benoit Benjamin: Loser loser loser
J.R. Isiah Rider. What a waste of talent
Steve Howe: 7 suspensions for drugs. A relief pitcher who couldn't get any relief. Loser
Donny Moore: A relief pitcher for the Angels who gave up a home run that cost them a chance to go to the world series. He was so depressed he killed himself. WOW.
Bo Belinsky: First Angel to pitch a no hitter. Couldn't stay away from the Hollywood night life, drinking and drugs. Out of baseball in a heartbeat. LOSER
Duane Thomas: Once thought to be such a talented running back he would end up in the Dallas Cowboy ring of fame. NO brains, NO training, ALL thug. Gone and forgotten my most. LOSER
Denny Mclain: Last pitcher to win 30 games. Detroit Tiger....two years later out of baseball and in Prison for cocaine dealing. LOSER
Mercury Morris: Dolphin running back. Hall of fame consideration. Sentenced to 20 years for Cocaine importation. LOSER
Last edited by dustylaker on August 15th at 1:39 PM.
I am a former NCAA Div I athete/has-be en and I have decided to try to take a swing at using this blog give my views on many a sports issue. I was raised and currently reside in Denver, so I am sure my bias will show. Being new to the blogosphere, I will try to not embarass myself.. I am just looking to settle every argument I have ever had in my local sports bar. Since the good 'ol playing days, I have taken a desk job and gained 40 pounds, so let's see if I can throw some wieght behind my words.
"Yeah that's right, I F'd up....again"
