The Biggest NFL Betrayals That Fans Still Haven’t Forgiven
Loyalty in the NFL? That’s a tricky question. Fans pour their hearts into teams and players, only to watch shocking trades, ugly exits, and dramatic stories unfold. So, which NFL betrayals still have fans shaking their heads in disbelief? These are the ones that will never be forgiven.
Saquon Barkley Joins The Eagles (2024)
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Giants fans saw this coming, but that didn’t make it any easier. After years of carrying New York’s offense, Saquon Barkley took his talents to the Philadelphia Eagles. The worst part is that he immediately became a key weapon in Philly’s offense and helped them secure a Super Bowl.
Jerry Jones Fires Tom Landry (1989)
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NFL owners fire head coaches all the time, but not like this. Tom Landry was the only coach the Dallas Cowboys had ever known. He guided them to two Super Bowl victories and established his status as an icon. Then came Jerry Jones–within hours of buying the team, he fired Landry without so much as a heads-up.
Joe Montana Traded To The Chiefs (1993)
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Watching Joe Montana wear anything other than a 49ers jersey was just wrong. The Hall of Fame quarterback led San Francisco to four Super Bowl wins and built a dynasty. However, when injuries and Steve Young’s emergence put his future in question, the team decided it was time to move on. Trading away a legend was a tough pill to swallow.
Fail Mary Game (2012)
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NFL replacement refs made plenty of mistakes, but none bigger than the infamous “Fail Mary.” Late in a Monday Night Football showdown between the Packers and Seahawks, a last-second Hail Mary resulted in what appeared to be a Green Bay interception. But the refs ruled it a touchdown for Seattle. The outrage had players and fans blasting the league.
Myles Garrett’s Contract Extension With The Browns (2025)
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Cleveland Browns fans spent years dreaming of a Super Bowl contender. Myles Garrett’s dominant play gave them hope, but some prepared for the worst when he hinted he wanted out. Then came the twist: he signed a massive extension with Cleveland. After all the talk about wanting to win big, staying with a team that struggled in the playoffs felt like settling.
Brett Favre Joins The Vikings (2009)
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Green Bay Packers fans lived through the emotional rollercoaster of Brett Favre’s retirement drama. But nothing stung more than seeing him in purple and gold. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings—the Packers’ bitter rivals and nearly led them to a Super Bowl. Watching their longtime hero try to take down his former team was brutal.
Rams Leave St. Louis For Los Angeles (2016)
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It’s one thing to lose a team and another when the owner makes it clear he never cared about the fans. Stan Kroenke spent years downplaying relocation rumors, only to rip the franchise away in 2016. His letter explaining the move painted St. Louis as a terrible sports city—an insult to the fans who supported the team through and through.
Ja’Marr Chase’s Contract Delay Costs Bengals (2025)
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Ja’Marr Chase was supposed to be the Cincinnati Bengals’ long-term weapon, but contract drama threw everything into chaos. The longer they waited, the bigger the problem became. Chase knew his value and held firm on securing a top-tier deal. Meanwhile, the Bengals hesitated as they were trying to balance their salary cup.
Cleveland Browns’ Bottlegate Incident (2001)
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Late in a game against the Jaguars, a controversial replay review reversed a crucial fourth-down conversion. Bottles rained down from the stands as chaos erupted. The officials had to end the game early for safety reasons. While the NFL cracked down on fan behavior afterward, plenty of Browns fans still argue they had every right to be furious.
The Tuck Rule Game (2001)
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Raiders fans will never get over this one. In the 2001 AFC Divisional Round, a late-game fumble by Tom Brady should have sealed a win for Oakland. Instead, officials cited an obscure “tuck rule” and gave the Patriots another chance. New England won in overtime while the Raiders were left fuming. The rule was so controversial that the NFL eventually scrapped it in 2013.
Immaculate Reception Controversy (1972)
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Depending on who you ask, the “Immaculate Reception” was either the greatest play in NFL history or the biggest robbery. Franco Harris’ miraculous catch-and-run touchdown for the Steelers against the Raiders remains one of the sport’s most debated moments. Did the ball hit the ground? Did it bounce off a teammate illegally? The officials ruled it a touchdown, and Pittsburgh won.
Miracle At The Meadowlands (1978)
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Sometimes, a bad decision becomes legendary. The Giants were about to seal a win against the Eagles. All they had to do was kneel the ball. Instead, they ran a play, fumbled it, and watched Eagles’ Herman Edwards scoop it up for a game-winning touchdown. The play was so unforgettable that it changed how teams handle end-of-game situations.
Le’Veon Bell’s Holdout (2018)
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Steelers fans understood Le’Veon Bell wanted to get paid, but skipping an entire season was a gut punch. He refused to sign the franchise tag in 2018 and left fans wondering the what-ifs. The Steelers had a championship-caliber, and Bell sitting out was a missed opportunity. To make it worse, he signed with the Jets the following season.
Terrell Owens Celebrates On The Star (2000)
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Terrell Owens had a way of making every moment about him, but disrespecting the Dallas Cowboys logo at midfield took things to another level. He scored a touchdown while playing for the San Francisco 49ers and sprinted straight to the star at the 50-yard line. He stood there with arms stretched wide like he owned the place.
Antonio Brown’s Exit From The Steelers (2019)
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Antonio Brown was once Pittsburgh’s golden boy—until everything fell apart. He missed practices and skipped a must-win game in Week 17. He left his teammates in the dark and was benched. By the offseason, he forced a trade to the Raiders, torched every bridge in Pittsburgh, and never looked back. Fans still shake their heads over how ugly it got.