19 NFL Athletes With the Most Disturbing Histories
The NFL has seen some incredible talent—but not every headline is about football. Over the years, several players have made news for the wrong reasons. These are records that left a mark beyond the game—and they’re worth remembering.
Aaron Hernandez
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Once viewed as a franchise cornerstone in New England, Aaron Hernandez lost everything after his 2015 conviction for taking Odin Lloyd’s life. The case exposed a long pattern of aggressive behavior, and two years later, he was found in his prison cell under tragic circumstances.
Rae Carruth
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Fans remember Rae Carruth not for touchdowns but for orchestrating a deadly plot against his pregnant girlfriend. He was sentenced and spent nearly two decades in a correctional facility. Though his son survived, the event deeply impacted public opinion and changed how teams evaluate personal conduct.
Lawrence Phillips
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Despite repeated incidents, teams kept giving Lawrence Phillips a shot. The former running back was later investigated in connection with the passing of another inmate while serving time. His own passing behind bars closed a chapter that had long drifted far from football.
O.J. Simpson
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More than 20 years after retiring, O.J. Simpson remains one of the most discussed figures in sports history. He was acquitted in a high-profile case, then later convicted for an incident involving an armed confrontation that led to years behind bars. His courtroom battles replaced any memory of his on-field accomplishments.
Darren Sharper
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Darren Sharper’s name is now synonymous with a string of cases involving misconduct in multiple states. He pled guilty and received an 18-year sentence. His conviction forced the league to face deeper issues around trust, fame, and accountability.
Michael Vick
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The federal case against Michael Vick uncovered a brutal operation involving inappropriate conduct with animals. He served time, returned to the field, and spoke publicly about redemption. But even years later, many fans find it hard to separate his comeback from what happened off the field.
Pacman Jones
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Controversy followed Adam “Pacman” Jones throughout his career. A long list of charges, including a notorious 2007 club incident that left a man paralyzed, turned his name into headline material. While he was never charged in that incident, it defined how many remember his legacy.
Ray Lewis
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The Ravens linebacker played for years after a 2000 case in which two men were found unresponsive outside a nightclub. Ray Lewis accepted a lesser charge of interference, and the original accusations were dropped. His athletic success never fully erased the night that raised so many questions.
Leonard Little
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In a case that rattled the league, Leonard Little was behind the wheel in a fatal collision following a night of drinking. He returned to the field after serving time, only to face another driving charge later. The second incident reignited outrage that had never really gone away.
Donté Stallworth
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While crossing a Miami street, a pedestrian was hit and lost their life due to a collision with Stallworth’s car. He had been drinking. After pleading guilty, Donté Stallworth served less than a month and returned to the league. The short sentence, compared to the loss of life, drew public criticism that lingers to this day.
Greg Hardy
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Accusations, disturbing photos, and a dropped case–Greg Hardy’s name was surrounded by it all in 2014. His ex-girlfriend made some disturbing accusations against the player. When the photos were eventually released, the backlash intensified.
Justin Blackmon
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Substance-related charges and other repeated incidents kept Justin Blackmon from ever realizing his potential. After being suspended, he was never reinstated. His actions may not have been dangerous to others, but the lack of discipline and repeated incidents ended his career before it really got going.
Aldon Smith
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Aldon Smith had more run-ins with the law than full seasons played. Over three years, he faced multiple incidents involving dangerous conduct. Despite flashes of brilliance on the field, teams eventually gave up trying to manage the off-field chaos.
Titus Young
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In less than a week, Titus Young was charged three separate times—breaking and entering, resisting law enforcement, and physical aggression. The outburst ended any hope of a comeback. What began as a promising career was quickly overwhelmed by instability and personal breakdowns.
Jovan Belcher
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This tragedy shook the entire NFL. Jovan Belcher took the life of his partner, then drove to the Chiefs’ facility and ended his own in front of team staff. It was a devastating loss, and it drew attention to the emotional and mental challenges players often face behind closed doors.
Najeh Davenport
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One of the league’s strangest off-field stories came from Najeh Davenport, who entered a college dorm and left behind more than questions—he defecated in a woman’s closet. The incident became a permanent footnote in his career, no matter what he did in uniform.
Cecil Collins
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A break-in at a woman’s apartment while she slept ended Cecil Collins’s career. He was convicted and served time after playing only two games in the NFL. His short time in the spotlight ended in silence—inside a courtroom, not a stadium.
Eugene Robinson
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Hours before playing in the Super Bowl, Eugene Robinson was taken into custody after approaching an undercover officer. He was released and suited up the next day, but the damage was done. The moment remains one of the most infamous last-minute scandals in NFL history.
Mark Chmura
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Mark Chmura was accused of misconduct involving a 17-year-old girl after a post-prom party. Though acquitted, the damage to his public image was lasting. It wasn’t his stats or trophies that people remembered—it was the courtroom and what he was accused of doing.